Dress - Rebecca's
Hair and Make Up - Southern Bridal Styles
Florist - Country Squire
Wedding Cake - Plehn's Bakery
Caterer - Karem's Catering
Reception Lights and Sound - Dance Party Unlimited (Jack Gill Jr.)
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I have to give thanks to all the vendors that made this possible as well!
Wedding Dress : Twirl Boutique
Flowers : Fields In Bloom (Brooke is awesome, just sayin')
Event Space : Round Barn Stable Of Memories (Erin does an great job of running the show!)
DJ : Leo's Mobile Music (Leo kept them on the dance floor all.night.long.)
I also need to thank my second shooter, Steve, as well. When clients ask "why do I need a second shooter?", I'll share this blog with them. Many of these shots are just not possible with only one photographer - Thanks Steve for another great job!
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Venue : Talon Winery
Florist : Doug Smith Designs
Wedding Cake : Martines
Hair And Make Up : Somethingblulex
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This family is very close to my family and me. We've enjoyed watching each boy grow and their personalities develop. I have no doubt that this little guy is going to be in good hands as he gets older with his two brothers watching his back! Mom chose the theme of 'buddies forever' and I'm certain that will be the case. Here's a preview from this session :
Venue & Catering : Copper Roux
DJ : BMF Sound Design
Wedding Dessers : Martines
Floral Bouquets : Doug Smith Designs
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I truly enjoyed my time spent with both families and their friends. I can honestly say that Paige and Jason have surrounded themselves with a very capable support system of family, friends, and their Christian faith. They both have a gentle spirit, are relaxed, and easy to work with. I have no doubts at all that they will enjoy their new life together to the fullest extent. Today on my blog I am sharing some highlight from their day.
Thank you all so much for your support in 2017. Happy New Year and I look forward to sharing more highlights here in the coming year.
-Dwayne
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I should mention that Danforth Chapel is a special location for her family. Over forty years ago, Melissa's parents exchanged vows in the chapel as well. I loved talking with her mother about the memories that she had from her wedding day and the nostalgia of your daughter following your footsteps down that same aisle. The side room where Melissa got ready was the reception area where her parents served wedding cake and mixed nuts after their wedding. Receptions have changed a lot since that day but Melissa and Zach still managed to keep it simple, and fun, by choosing to meet everyone at her parent's house for a casual reception.
They were surrounded by close friends and family and it was a nice opportunity for me to meet each of them. I enjoyed the time I spent with them and the laughs that were shared with the guests. Great food and great people is a combination that always makes a memorable evening.
Honestly I could ramble on about how they seem like a perfect fit for each other or about how much I enjoyed working with them or the fact that their families are absolutely wonderful.....you get the idea. But I'm sure you're here for the preview of their day so I'll leave you with some of my favorites.
Thanks for stopping by and if you know this wonderful couple, tell them Congratulations!
Dwayne
A little vendor love :
Catering : Darae And Friends
Cookies (Best Ever!!) : L'Oven Cookies
Florist : Kreations By Karen
Hair : Chic Beauty By Brooke White
Venue : Danforth Chapel Berea College
Brides Rings : Farmers Jewelry
Grooms Rings : Helzberg
Patrick was great and had a good time talking to Steve, my assistant, about movies during the session. It's always good to be able to connect with the seniors and we end up having a good time as well. It's about photography while we're working and a lot of fun conversation mixed in during the down time spent walking the areas. All in all it was a great morning and today I am sharing some of my favorites here on the blog!
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For their part, the guests played a great role as the crowd was filled with bow ties, derby hats, and derby fascinators! They were colorful, festive, and displayed great southern hospitality. Of course, no Derby is complete without a little action on the race and therefore a "waging" table was in full swing after the ceremony. Derby hats decorated the guests tables along with vintage green and milk glass vases filled with floral displays. The reception was rounded out with cupcakes and what else, Derby Pie for dessert. The dance floor was filled thanks to the superb sound of The Usual Suspects who did a phenomenal job of keeping everyone entertained throughout the night.
Congratulations to the Colwells! Your wedding day was beautiful and I want to share some of the early highlights here :
Today I want to share a few favorites from Saturday. I'm kicking off the spring schedule with Lauren, one of my 2018 Senior Reps! Lauren and I met at Keeneland Race Course here in Lexington Ky to begin her senior photography session. It was a bit cooler, an understatement really, than forecasted but she did a great job nonetheless and I love the results from the day. As I look back, I really enjoyed learning about her and meeting her parents during the time we spent together. Despite the cold spring day, I think we all had a good time and I want to share a few of the photos with you here on my blog!
Make Up Creds : Kelli Marshall!
Have a great day everyone!
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Hair and Make Up Credits to : Hair and Makeup By Kelli Marshall
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The last time I worked with this family, their youngest was a newborn and so we caught up on the last two years while the girls played in the fall leaves. Of course, I wanted to catch some of those candids as well and it was a good chance to do both. I was reminded of what a great family they are and how much fun I enjoy working with them. It was also a great way to end a busy weekend.
Here are some of my favorites that I want to share here on my blog :
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They told me that their little man had been looking forward to having his picture taken all week and he did not disappoint. He seemed to enjoy himself and posed wonderfully for the camera. I only hope he had as much fun as I did during the session!
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The church sanctuary provided a magnificent backdrop for the ceremony and photos before the newlyweds departed in their limo and headed to the reception. The Livery, only a few blocks away, was a perfect choice for the cocktail hour and reception with food and drinks provided by DaRae and Friends Catering. I have to give serious credit to Allen of Bluegrass Beat who literally kept the party on the dance floor the entire reception - not an easy task! I will provide links to all the vendors at the end but I am so happy to have been a small part of this team and can't leave out Hannah. Hannah from LexEffect was the wedding planner and kept the entire day running without any problems and I was able to focus entirely on photography, pun intended!
At this point, I just want to let the photos tell the rest of the story and have picked some of my favorites to give you a small peak into their day. They start at the beginning with coffee and finish with the grand sparkler exit. What seems like a long day during planning seems to go by so quickly. That's what I like about my job. I get the opportunity to help families remember the details, the nerves, the excitement, and the fun. I also get the chance to meet some amazing people and these two families were wonderful. Congratulations to Sarah and Travis, here's a glance at your day!
A big thanks to these vendors as well, you all rocked!
Hair and Makeup : Pink Lou Lou
Florist - Stems
Cake - Sugar Forest
We met at the church, Consolidated Baptist here in Lexington Ky, to begin the preparation photos and the photograph the wedding ceremony before finishing the day at the Campbell House Inn for the their reception. It was a beautiful day and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend it with two beautiful people and their families. Good times were had by all and many laughs, hugs, and smiles were shared before it was over. It is always encouraging to be around such loving people and their families and Saturday was one of those occasions.
I prefer to tell stories through photographs so I will leave you with these highlights from their wedding day :
This is my third year working with senior reps and I feel I have learned from each group. Now that their individual sessions are finished, I am looking forward to working with them on a couple of group sessions! Check back near the end of summer so you don't miss those. Until then, I want to share some from Emily's session.
Makeup : Jennifer Banks Makeup
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I shot five senior rep sessions last weekend and tonight I have Morgan, from Tates Creek High School, featured on my blog. We met at the Arboretum here in Lexington Ky to begin her session. As I arrived, Sarah Elizabeth from GlamLex was finishing makeup and we were watching the skies with an umbrella nearby. Fortunately for me, the session went as planned with only a minor interruption which provided some cool photos under a large tree which held the rain water at bay. We finished up on the downtown streets which are honestly my favorite local location to shoot. It made for a fun morning and Morgan was awesome! Here are some of my favorites from the session :
Have a great weekend everyone!
I began the weekend sessions with Grace and worked with her near downtown Lexington for most of her session. She wanted a mix of traditional and modern so we changed a few venues during the morning to make that come together. My goal is to try and let the seniors decide what look they prefer and then figure out the locations to match that preference. After all, their senior year is about them at this point in their life and not about me. Working together to help capture this moment in a way that's comfortable to them is my main goal. I think we successfully pulled that off with this session but I'll let you take a look at a few of my favorites and judge for yourself.
Thanks Grace for getting the weekend started on a good note!
A wedding in a restored theater provides some amazing photo opportunities. They were able to do hair and makeup in a theater dressing room complete with lights and we took opportunity of the stage and theater seating to grab a few photos as well. We had planned on using the outdoor courtyard area for the ceremony but the weather was not cooperative. The ceremony was moved to an alternative location, an upstairs art gallery. I must admit, I liked the atmosphere. It had the feeling of a metropolitan event in a larger metropolitan setting and I think the bride and groom enjoyed being the focus during their ceremony.
I could go on longer about the day but I think I'll let the photos do the rest of the writing, that's actually what I prefer as a photographer. Before I share those though, I want to share credit with all the vendors that made this day possible:
Hair : Lauren Prather
Make Up : Erica Powell
Rings : Leroys (Bride) Wedgwood Rings (Groom)
Bouquet : AnthologyOnMain
Cake : Bit Of Whimsy
DJ : BMF Sound Design
1958 Bentley : Gold Shield Limousine
And now, a few of my favorites from the day :
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So, before I can prepare for a wedding tomorrow, I wanted to get this posted on my blog so Cora could see a few of my favorites from her session. We met near downtown Lexington on Sunday evening to begin work on her senior session. Our goal was to capture a couple of different looks so we decided to begin with a more traditional setting before heading downtown and eventually finishing on a rooftop. At the end of the night, I think she had a lot of fun as did I. I'll share of few of my favorites here and let you see for yourself.
Today I'd like to introduce Abby, who attends Madison Central High School. She chose to come to Lexington this past weekend and we met downtown to begin her session. As Kentucky weather would have it, there was a frost warning in May and although we delayed the start by almost two hours - it was still quite cold to say the least. Although she did not plan on using a jacket and a hoodie zip in her session - they were actually useful and photographed well with a couple of her outfits! I'll share a few of my favorites here and let you see for yourself.
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It was a busy morning and it flew by quickly but I did come away with one of the greatest comments I've heard. Her sister, a 5th grader, came with her on the session. At the end of the day, she looked at me and boldly said, "you're more funner than our last photographer". I'll be honest, that made my day!
Here's a look at some of the highlights from her session :
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We met Sunday at a park for a rare opportunity to shoot an outdoor February photography session in Kentucky. Some snacks, a wagon, a few toys, and some muscle milk for your three year old are all it takes to make a memorable day. We got some family, brothers, and individual shots that I just love before the time was over. Here's a little preview of their day :
Needless to say, when we met in downtown Lexington for their session on Sunday, the good times continued. It started out serious enough as we chased down that one good family photo that was truly the goal of the afternoon. But soon after, the ugly Christmas sweater's came out and the fun began in earnest! It was, as it always is, a good time. When we parted I left with a smile on my face as I thought about the memories that they had just made. Here are just a few from the session. Enjoy!
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Unfortunately, nearly as soon as we began, I had the oldest boy sit on a tree stump to pose. I got one shot and noticed what I thought were gnats around him while looking through the camera. The sun was at an angle and all I could see was the black shadows flying around. We all realized very quickly that it was actually a swarm of bees! Apparently I had chosen the log with the bee hive underneath it for a prop. He only got stung once (thank goodness),shook it off after a little time, and came back to finish strong - what a trooper! Seriously, he did great the rest of the morning and the smiles returned by the time we finished.
The lesson for me? Always kick those stumps a little before having someone sit down - just in case. All that being said, it was also memorable because the photos turned out great, which is the kind of memory that's desired. Here's are a few of my favorites from the session :
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After working with Sarah and Travis last weekend, I can't wait to photograph their wedding next summer. They were a lot of fun to work with and comfortable in front of the camera. There were plenty of smiles and relaxed poses as we walked the park under the afternoon cloud cover. The time truly passed before I was ready to call it a day but not before we were able to capture some great photos. I wanted to post of few of my favorites here on my blog. I hope you enjoy them!
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As we arrived to shoot by the riverfront and in downtown Louisville, we were greeted by police cruisers blocking access to all of the downtown corridors. We quickly realized that Louisville was hosting an Ironman competition that morning and that area was closed to traffic for the majority of the day.
As we took some time to change our strategy and location, we decided after a few minutes to actually drive to Indiana and then walk across the Big Four Bridge to gain access to our original location! That turned out to be a great idea as it not only gave us another backdrop to use but time to really get to know each other during the walk which is one reason all of my wedding packages include an engagement session.
During this time I learned that this is going to be a fun couple to work with. I can't tell you how much laughter took place during the morning but I think it is safe to say we all had a good time. I am already looking forward to working with them on their wedding next year but for now, I would like to share some of my favorite moments from this past weekend.
There were plenty of touching, signature moments that marked the occasion as well. The exchange of a grandfather's watch from one brother to another, the bride and groom meeting for a moment of solitude to exchange letters and pray before the wedding, and the father of the bride leading her and the bridesmaids in a prayer before they left the room and proceeded to the venue. That is just a small sample but those are the type of 'behind the scenes' moment's that I love as a photographer.
I want to share those moment's and other's that won't soon be forgotten here on my blog. These are a few of my favorite's. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed being able to capture them!
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This was definitely the case Sunday with Emily, a senior at Henry Clay High School here in Lexington, Ky. She wanted to mix things up for her session so we decided to start with a traditional look and setting. We worked that look for about an hour before heading heading downtown to a warehouse district to finish her session with an edgy, urban flair. Add in a few wardrobe changes and a make up session with Jennifer Banks Makeup and everything came together perfectly. I know that I had a great time and I think Emily did as well! Here are some of my favorites from the evening :
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I have to be honest, I was not sure what to expect that day when I left the house. I imagined a lot that could go wrong as I usually operate with a list of plans, photo requests, and a comfortable sense of what to expect during the wedding. I was shooting my first wedding "on the fly" as a true photojournalist style.
So, now that it's over, I have to admit that it was great! The wedding was intimate, bride and groom beautiful, and the reception that followed at her childhood home was elegant. I enjoyed shooting without any specific expectations other than to capture the moments of the next three hours. Any time people dress and gather for a wedding there are going to be some photos that they want together and that worked out well also. All being said, I had a great time. They were terrific to work with, I learned a bit of French culture, met some great people in the small setting, and now look back with a smile on my face as I reflect on the experience.
Here are several of my favorite photos from the day :
All that being said, that's exactly where we shot this senior session. Julia was my last session of the day and the timing was perfect with the evening glow prior to the setting of the sun. We spent a couple of hours on two different locations starting at Ashland before heading deeper into the city to finish.
I do need to credit Jennifer Banks Makeup for the fantastic job she did on location prior to the session. The link will take you to her Facebook page and you can contact her at [email protected]. I am looking forward to working with her again this coming weekend as well!
Here are a few of my favorites from Julia's session :
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Sunday I met with this family to photograph their newest addition. I spent a little over an hour working with her around her schedule - a must for newborns and to be expected. She did a wonderful job considering she had just arrived home from the hospital the previous day. I wanted to post a few of my favorites here on my blog and congratulate mom and dad on their new arrival! Enjoy.
The girls are absolutely beautiful and I had a lot of fun with them high fiving, playing peek a boo, and trying to get a few good photos in the process. I wanted to share some of my favorites and a couple of edited photos as well. I think they turned out great! I am hoping to work with them again and perfect the hardest part of this assignment - getting them to sit still together at the same time!! Here are the photos :
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I'd like to introduce you to the entire group of 2016 senior models. If you are a senior and know them, ask them how to book a session - they have a deal for you as well! Here's a look at a few of their photos :
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My first session was with Maddie, a senior at Sayre School. We decided to begin her session downtown and continue in a local warehouse district. As we were shooting she told me one of the locations happened to be where she and her friends would periodically come and hang out for lunch. Although that was completely unplanned, I thought it was kind of cool for a location.
Maddie did a great job and I had a lot of fun working with her. She really hung in there toward the end of her session as the temperature rose with the late morning rising sun. I think she had a fun time as well and I am glad she volunteered to help me out as a rep. If you are a senior and know Maddie, make sure you ask her how you can book your senior session!
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Kim and Dave are no exception. Actually, after spending Sunday morning with them, I realized we have some common interest. My daughter just returned from a YoungLife camp this week and Dave just happened to have one of their stickers on the back of his car. A few questions later and I discover he was a leader with the group for a few years. And Kim, she recently began work as a physical therapist - the same profession as my second shooter, Steve. It's those little things that I find pretty darn cool. One thing we don't have in common? Dancing. These two have some serious moves and I can't wait to see them during their reception. As for me, I promise - I'll be on the side with a camera in my hand. That's better for all involved!
Let me introduce you to this great couple :
The bride, along with her mother, worked diligently on the details and planning that tied everything together during the day. They were well prepared, yet willing to go with the flow, and everything came together in the most beautiful way. Little touches like her matron of honor's garter, hand written vows, the brooch bouquet made by her step mother, the centerpiece of her grandmother's ring in the center of her cross necklace, the engraved bridesmaid's champagne flutes, along with the groom's father bringing his 1951 convertible Bel Air for her entrance to the ceremony sent everything over the top!
Speaking of details, let me give some credit to all the wonderful vendors that helped make it all possible!
Wedding Cake : Amon's Sugar Shack
Florist : Simply The Best
DJ : Mike Owens - Mobile DJ
Caterer : Jamie Mallard
Monograming : Purdy's Embroidery and Screen Printing
Hair : Christina Mort New Image Salon
Videographer : Shaughn Tillman Films
Venue : The Barn at Red Gate
I could do my best to describe in words all the wonderful ways this wedding day completely rocked but I am a photographer and my best work is not prose. That being said, let me just share the highlights of the day with you in the following photos :
I do need to mention a few vendors that helped contribute to the day's success :
Hair : Bri Swain cosmetologist
Makeup : Sarah Stephens licensed esthetician
Wedding Cake : Sweet Lilu (seriously one of the best wedding cakes I have ever eaten!)
Venue : Castle Hill Winery
Cake Topper and Flutes designed by : Cindy Blanton (made by Bazie Dulen)
Now, here are the highlights from the day :
Ben was great to work with and very laid back. Being the shortstop on one of the best baseball teams in the state this year, he seemed comfortable in this setting. I had a hard time choosing photos for this preview because it really seemed like two sessions, one of the baseball player and one of the bright young man on academic scholarship with plans for engineering. These are the final preview picks :
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This past weekend I was fortunate enough to return on the opening day of the spring meet. Unfortunately, the weather was not quite as cooperative. However, overcast skies, rain, and the threat of storms were not enough to dampen the spirit of the crowd. The weather broke for a few hours giving spectators the chance to crowd the rail in front of the grandstand - one of my favorite places to view the race! There is no comparison to the sound of the pounding hooves as the horses round the final turn and head down the homestretch. As they draw closer to the finish one is amazed at their size and the speed at which they travel toward the finish line accompanied by the roar of the crowd, the celebration of victory, and the tossing of losing betting tickets.
If you are ever visiting Lexington, Ky during a meet then by all means take advantage of the opportunity and add Keeneland to your list of things to do - you won't be disappointed!
We used a Radio Flyer Wagon in his newborn session so we decided to bring it to the park for this one as well. The wagon, a sunny afternoon, and of course the playground formed the backdrop for some good family memories. Here are a few from the day:
Bride/Bridesmaids
I began the day with the Bride and Bridesmaid's at a local hotel here in Lexington, Ky capturing hair and makeup before they headed over the the church. Their hair was done by a longtime family friend from Cincinnati and Christine's sister Catherine was in charge of makeup.
Groom/Groomsmen
When your name is Ty Cobb and you work for the local minor league baseball team, The Lexington Legends, then it only makes sense to get ready at the ballpark. That's exactly what the guys did and I had Steve meet them at Whitaker Ball Park to photograph them as they prepared for the wedding. They took advantage of the location and made the most of the opportunity to have a little fun beforehand.
The Wedding
The wedding ceremony was held at Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church. The historic church was built around 1800 with land donated by the family of Mary Todd Lincoln and provided the perfect backdrop for the afternoon. We took advantage of the ample space for photos of the first look, portraits, and group photos before the wedding and then continued with the ceremony itself and the celebration that followed before heading off to the reception venue. Friends and family all worked well braving the cool temperatures to create some lasting memories :
The Reception
Following the wedding, everyone made their way to Andover Country Club for the reception. The theme was a Christmas wedding and the venue was decorated beautifully for the occasion. The Christmas tree was full of lights and ornaments which also served as keepsakes for the guests to take with them as they left at the end of the night. Tears were shed, laughter was plentiful, and a good time was had by all as the DJ kept the dance floor hopping all night long. Congratulations to the Christine and Tyler on a wonderful day and may God bless you and your marriage!
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All of that can be said of this session from last weekend. I have lost count of the number of times we have worked together but each time I enjoy myself. Sunday we met in a local park here in Lexington, KY and, although cool, the colors could not have been better. My favorite part of this session though would be the two girls singing all the lyrics to Frozen and playing in the leaves at the same time. It was part surreal and part fascinating but definitely something that I won't forget. As for the kids, they'll probably only remember me making animated monkey sounds to get their attention. Oh well, that's just part of the job! Here's a look at a few from the day :
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The last time I worked with this family, I was shooting a newborn session. This year though, I was working with a cute one year old who is expecting a sibling in February. It's funny how quickly things change! Much like last year, this was an easy family to work with and the time passed quickly as we made our way through the fields and the sunlit trees creating more memories that will last for many years to come.
Here's a look at a few of the highlights of their session :
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We met this past Sunday for a couple of hours for her session and it could not have gone any smoother. She was fun to work with, open to suggestions, and a natural in front of the camera. I am looking forward to editing all her photographs but really wanted to go ahead and share some with you as soon as possible! Be on the lookout for more photos from her in the coming months in this blog and on social media. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. All those links can be found here on my website!
Please note that if you are reading this and are currently a junior here in Lexington, I will be announcing more rep positions this spring. If you are interested, you can go ahead and contact me or just keep an eye out for the announcement around May. If you're a senior at Lafayette, make sure to contact Kyrie for more details about a senior session!
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They wanted to have their session here since that is where they met and spent a lot of their time getting to know each other. Brooke, who loves to read, wanted a library themed session so that is where we began before heading out to explore the campus. I enjoyed hearing their story as we passed different buildings and paths along the way to new locations. Before we finished, we also headed downtown to grab some shots of other memorable locations - first kiss, favorite coffee shop, and of course, the local bar. It all made for a great day, a lot of fun, and a many memories!
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Briana decided to meet at Keeneland Race Track to begin her photo session before heading to downtown Lexington - my favorite place to shoot lately! We had a great time and it was a perfect evening to take advantage of this iconic Lexington location. The city offers a large variety of backdrops, lighting, and creative venues, all of which make opportunities for fun photography sessions. She was a great model and working with her was a breeze - as always!
Here is a small sampling of her session :
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Only a few days old and already making himself at home with his parents and older brother, he was quite content. I took full advantage of his mood and worked quickly just in case he decided to change his mind. I was happy that Mom wanted to keep it simple and focus on the baby. Most would agree that there really isn't much better in life than tiny baby feet anyway so that's exactly what we did. It's difficult to add anything to something so perfect without detracting from the gift. Babies are a gift and I would like to congratulate this family on their newest boy - baby Hayden.
I should probably also mention that today is Mom's birthday. What a great birthday gift a few days early! Here's a little peak from the session :
Looking back, I realize that they were correct and am very happy for their persuasion. Working with families and couples has drastically increased my exposure in photography and has help to improve my skill set. I tell people that photography is like golf - if you want to improve then you need to play more. If you want more sessions in photography then you need to shoot more portraits. This forces me to get out and work on my trade nearly every weekend and that not only improves my "game" but gives me the chance to meet some great people that soon become friends. Without clients, I would have no business, no website, no blog etc. That step was one of the greatest decisions that I have made regarding photography.
That being said, while on vacation this past week, I had the chance to go and explore the Bon Secour Bay near Gulf Shores Alabama. It is a lovely area teaming with wildlife and natural beauty. One morning I went out for a sunrise and walked along the bay to an area of abundant driftwood. I climbed over, under, and around the driftwood during the predawn hour just hoping for a decent sunrise. I was not disappointed and feel that, to date, this has been one of my most satisfying landscape outings. It was as if all I have learned in photography came full circle and I ended up back where I started only with a greater skill set than before.
Here are some shots from the outing :
Bon Secour (French for Safe Harbour) is a seafood community with an emphasis on shrimping. This leads to yet another thing to know about me - I LOVE shrimp boats. I have no idea why. Maybe it's a combination of the colors, the rust, the working man mentality, and a little Forrest Gump all combined into a strange, borderline obsessive, fascination with the trade.
Regardless of what you call it, this is a sampling of photos is from yesterday morning's exploring expedition.
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The good news was that we still had time to get some preparation photos done during the rain. The timing was perfect and as the bride and groom prepared to meet for their first look, the clouds gave way to a temporary reprieve of glowing sun. We spent the next hour or so on the manicured grounds of Griffin Gate and were able to shoot a few of their requested photos before the next round of showers pushed us back inside. That proved to be the final round of showers and this outdoor wedding would now go forward without any more rain delays.
I worked with these two last year for their engagement photos and I quickly remembered how much they enjoyed being with each other. This time though, while working with them surrounded by their family and close friends, was even more enjoyable.
Morgan paid an extraordinary amount of attention to detail, Andrew made the correct calls about the weather, and their wedding was extraordinary. Every detail, from the program to the flowers was stunning and I kept waiting to see what I could photograph next during the day. I never ran out of options. Congratulations Morgan and Andrew, it was a beautiful wedding!
Speaking of details, there are some vendors that need to be mentioned. They made my job much easier and provided a perfect backdrop to this wedding day.
Location : Marriott Griffin Gate Resort
Event Coordinator : Casey Woods
Flowers : Michler Florist
Wedding Cake : Martine's Pastries
DJ : Jeff Gibson/Sound Travels
The combination of a great location and a beautiful couple is certain to result in a fun evening of photography. That was exactly the case this past weekend when I met with Christine and Tyler for their engagement session. The location was The Polo Barn at Saxony in rural central Kentucky. Wooded fields filtered with warm light from the setting sun greeted us as we began the session. We spent the rest of the evening taking advantage of all the fence lines, structures, and barns that grace the property to complete their session. It was time well spent and a memorable evening which we finished just a few minutes before a complete downpour - perfect timing! Here is a small sample of their images from the evening :
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Here is a look at some of the shots from this session:
I LOVE this shot. It's funny to watch the kids as they curiously explore the camera!
The location was indeed her hometown of Charlestown, Indiana and they were married in the Baptist Church where her father was the minister and performed the ceremony. We took advantage of a few locations in the town, including the park where they first said "I love you". What better location for their first look before the ceremony! The reception was held at the County Fair Grounds and provided a great ending to their day.
I need to thank my second shooter Steve for another great job. You will see some of his work where I gave him the photo credits. It is almost impossible to get all the shots from a wedding day by myself and I have been working with Steve on weddings since I started this business.
Here are a few of the photos from the day:
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
She's an IU basketball fan and he is a former high school basketball player so we had to work in a little time for some basketball fun!
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Because of the height difference, her father brought out the decorated step stool before the first kiss :
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Photo Credit : Steve Marcum
Here a few photos from their session:
Now that my daughter has been on the Wildcat Aquatics team for several years, I have had time to watch her and her teammates grow and develop. The changes that take place in swim technique over the years are truly amazing. The joy of photographing the younger swimmers is that I am reminded of where she began and can appreciate the progress she and her friends have made. I have to be honest and say that I wish I had been a swimmer myself - until the alarm clock goes off at 4:00 in the morning. That's when I realize just how dedicated these athletes truly are.
Here is a sample of just a few photos from their meet this past weekend :
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The time flew by as she changed clothing and we worked different locations before heading into downtown to wrap up the session. We picked a perfect evening as the sun began to set over the skyline and provided great lighting at the end of the night. By the end of the session she was thoroughly enjoying the time and the spotlight. As far as I am concerned, that's a measure of success!
Here are some photos from her session :
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There is something about photography that reminds me of golf. The more you play the better you become. I don't play golf anymore because I did not stick with it when I was younger and I quickly became frustrated. The same can be said of photography, or any art. I feel that I will never learn or master all of the skills and even on a good day, much like a good golf outing, I feel that I could have done better. The good news is that this means that I have learned something from prior sessions to help me with the next. That's why good golfers keep golfing and good photographers keep shooting.
I saw a video on a friends facebook feed not too long ago that summarizes these thoughts rather nicely. Granted it isn't about golf, or sports, at all. It is about knowing where you are and where you desire to be. I have seen the quote by Ira Glass before but some things are better represented through a visual aid and some words sink in deeper when heard rather than read. Take a look :
Have a great day and most of all, keep shooting! - Dwayne
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I often use my phone for photography when I am out on rural, country roads and drive past a scene that catches my eye. It's a spur of the moment, grab the phone, and take a photo instance that often produces some very nice landscape photography. Of course, as with using a camera worth thousands of dollars, taking the photo is only one part of the process.
I also use my phone to edit the majority of my photos when I am out on the road. I have two favorite editing apps. One is VSCO, and the other is Snapseed. There are many different editing apps and you should try several to find out which meets your need and style. VSCO can be downloaded here for Android and here for iPhone. Snapseed is also available for both Android and iPhone.
Of course, once you take and edit the photo, you can then share to many different social media outlets directly from the app. The main one that I use is the very popular Instagram (Android) or (iPhone). I am sharing five recent photos from my instagram account to give you an idea of the results that are possible simply by using your phone's built in camera. If you like these and would like to see more of my work, simply follow my account on Instagram.
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I could not have picked a better family with which to begin this new format. I have had to opportunity to work with them for the last 2 years and they were one of the first group of clients that helped this dream of mine off the launching pad. Last weekend I met with them again in downtown Lexington for their son's two year old photo session. It is hard to believe that he is already two as it seems I just started working with him only a few months ago. Time flies and months quickly turn into years, especially with children. I commend them for scheduling regular sessions to capture all these moments forever.
One shot we have always done for his session is a photograph of him wearing a UK necktie. This family, like many here in Lexington, is true blue to the core and I think it is a unique way to measure his growth. Since we were already downtown, we decided to go over to the lobby of Rupp Arena for this specific shot. They have a piece of the old court in the lobby that I thought would be a great backdrop for his tie photo this year. I have that photo, along with others, in this little preview from the day. Please take the time to check them out and feel free to share them if you like them!
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