Goal #91 COMPLETE - Barry & Steffani's Wedding

More progress on my Project 101 in 1001 list. Read about my journey here.

Goal #91: Shoot at least five weddings with Devin - COMPLETE!

It's a good thing that I completed this goal when I did, because photographing a wedding while doubly-pregnant is way more tiring that I would have guessed - and I'm only 19 weeks along! At one point, Devin even put me in a "pregnancy time out" because he felt I was over-doing it. I had to sit at the DJ table and drink at least half a bottle of water before I was allowed to get back up and take more pictures. (Yes, my husband is a little bit protective of his preggo wife, but only because he knows me well and knows that I tend to push myself way too far. He's done a great job keeping a loving eye on me since I've been pregnant.)

The finale of this goal was the incredibly fun wedding of our friends Barry and Steffani. Barry was Devin's best man and the two of them have been close since middle school. Steffani is a sweatheart with an ever-ready smile who also happens to be a huge Disney fanatic - which makes me happy. Their wedding was our favorite kind to shoot - well planned, but super relaxed, a little bit silly, with lots of wonderful personal touches and laughter abounding.

Barry and Steff's ceremony was by far the most fun one I've ever been too. Made so primarily by a love-song medley that the Bride and Groom arranged. It was full of sweet, romantic and very hilarious snatches of famous love songs from just about every genre imaginable.

Towards the end of the song, the Maid of Honor took the mic from Steffani and joined in with "Kiss the Girl" from Disney's The Little Mermaid. The arrangement ended with the whole bridal party singing the final chords. What else could the pastor do after such a number but to pronounce them man and wife and tell Barry to kiss his girl? 

Here are a few more of our favorite shots (see more on Devin's blog.)

Congratulations Barry and Steff!! We are so thrilled that you are finally hitched!

This wedding was a blast and the perfect way to finish off this goal. I'm so looking forward to shooting more weddings with Devin in the future... but probably not until I'm done being two-for-one pregnant. 

Goal #91: Ben & Maria's Wedding

More progress on my Project 101 in 1001 list. Read about my journey here. 

Goal #91: Shoot at least five weddings with Devin (4/5)

On December 12th, Devin and I had the privilege of photographing the wedding of his college roommate Ben, and Ben's lovely bride, Maria. The wedding was in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona and the weather was incredible. The last winter wedding Devin shot in Flagstaff had him standing in snowdrifts up to his knees while flurries of snow whirled unrelenting around the poor, shivering bride. But December 12th dawned gorgeous and sunny with an uncharacteristic high of 74 degrees. 

Ben and Maria were such a laid-back couple who totally went with the flow all day and couldn't have been more relaxed. (Even when the groom's cake was all but destroyed because the cater didn't reinforce the three-tied confection with rods, Ben and Maria just shrugged it off.)

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

 

When I first met Ben a few years back (when Devin was living in Flagstaff and we were still dating) he had shaggy hair died the most unnatural color orange you could imagine. I think he cleaned up rather nicely though, don't you?

 © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

Maria was, of course, a beautiful bride. I love how classy and elegant she looks in these two shots:

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

Maria's flowers were silk - can you believe how gorgeous they look? (And I imagine she saved herself a pretty penny too.)

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography 

Maria and Ben opted for a First Look and saw each other before the ceremony. This gave them a special, private moment together before all the hustle and bustle of the day took over and it also gave us plenty of time to capture lots of beautiful images of the two of them. 

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

I love this picture I snagged of Ben trying to take a peak at Maria during the First Look.

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography 

Such a sweet and silly couple (please note the bunny ears Ben is giving Maria):

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

 Some detail shots: 

 

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

 

   © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography 

Don't let the size of the wedding party fool you, this group knew how to have some fun! 

 

 © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

 Let's see that again:

  © 2010 Devin Hanson Photography

 

Ben and Maria - We are so happy for you two and we were blessed to be able to capture your big day. God bless your marriage as you serve Him together!

Goal #91: Ryan and Miriam's Wedding

More progress on my Project 101 in 1001 list. Read about my journey here.
 

Goal #91: Shoot at least five weddings with Devin (3/5)

On November 26th, while many were out hitting up the Black Friday deals or recovering from turkey-induced comas, Devin and I were photographing the beautiful wedding of Ryan and Miriam. I also designed this couple's "Classic, Spanish-infused" wedding invitations (which I loved!) It was fun to create the "first impression" of their wedding and then also be able capture their special day on camera.

© Off Beat Graphics 2010

I normally act as the "second shooter" during our wedding sessions, which means I shoot the candid pictures, watch for details (like stray hairs and crooked ties), hold equipment, anticipate Devin's needs and follow his lead completely. But this time around we were very limited on shooting time and had no choice but to divide and conquer. This meant that I got the opportunity to shoot more than I ever have before.

While Devin was photographing the guys, I started taking portraits of the Bride, which - hello! - is a huge responsibility and one that I wasn't entirely sure I was ready for. Fortunately, Devin has been an incredible instructor over the past few months and as I applied the helpful hints and constructive criticisms he has provided me with, I was able to capture some shots that I was really pleased with. Below are some of the images I am proud to call my own. 

To see more images of this stunning Spanish-infused wedding, hop on over to Devin's photography blog.

Thank you Ryan and Miriam for including us in your day - it was so beautiful! May God bless you as you start this incredible journey together.

Charles and Michelle's Wedding

Goal #91: Shoot at least five weddings with Devin (2/5)

On October 2nd, I had the pleasure of photographing my friends Michelle and Charles' wedding along with Devin. Michelle was the (incomparable) stage manger from my theatre days and she planned her wedding in a way that only a stage manager could. It was so fun for me to hear her describe her wedding with theatre jargon. Her wedding coordinator was (literally) a stage manger. Her dress and accessories were prepared and watched over by a "costume mistress." There were even "prop managers" and "set designers" in charge of the decor. I was thoroughly amused by this and it added such a unique, personality-infused touch to this wedding.

Charles and Michelle were such a sweet couple and capturing their love on camera was such a joy! Not only that, but photographing weddings with my husband is pretty much my new favorite thing in the world.

Here are just a few of my favorites shots from the day. Too see more, head over to Devin's photography blog.

 

Congratulations Charles and Michelle!!

Photo Chain - A Fun and Free Date

This was possibly one of my Top Five Favorite Dates with Devin. We spent the evening creating a "photo chain" together. How a photo chain works is this: Person A starts the chain by taking a photograph of something. Person A then "tags" something in that photo (a color, shape, concept, etc.) Person B must then take a completely different photo that visually describes the tagged word from the previous photo. This continues back and forth indefinitely. We had a awesome time driving around town making our photo chain and plan to continue adding to it in the future.

I started the chain by taking this photo and tagging "Pink."

Tag: Pink

Below, is Devin's photo titled "Pink." He then tagged "Lens Flare."

Title: Pink  Tag: Lens Flare

Title: Lens Flare  Tag: Silhouette

Title: Silhouette  Tag: Life

Title: Life  Tag: Circle

Title: Circle  Tag: Technology

Title: Technology   Tag: Contrast

Title: Contrast  Tag: Reflection

Title: Reflection  Tag: Repetition

Title: Repetition  Tag: Green

Title: Green  Tag: Metal

Title: Metal  Tag: Architecture

Title: Architecture  Tag: Up

Title: Up  Tag: Name

Title: Name  Tag: Parallel Lines

Title: Parallel Lines  Tag: Attire

Title: Attire  Tag: V

Title: V  Tag: Touching

Title: Touching  Tag: Through

Title: Though   Tag: (TBD for next time...)

This would be such a fun event for a family, youth group, couple or any group of people with a camera and the ability to think creatively. Thanks to the wonder that is digital cameras, this date/event is FREE (with the exception of gas money if you plan to drive around.) So grab your camera and go have some fun!

All images © Devin Hanson Photography 2010