This is Jessica and Matt. Genuine, classy, and down to earth. Jessica's gown was to die for and the reception was a lovely outdoor event. They saw each other before the ceremony and Jessica's expressions are so sweet! And I could not get over the grooms cake. Made to look like a cooler with beer bottles, it was so realistic - I was in awe of it. Check 'em out...
I've been wanting to try something for a while now. A photo session combined with a video, set to music. I finally met a videographer who I thought could pull it off http://www.berrygoodvideo.com/
And then Anna contacted me about a portrait session. This family is relaxed, genuine, and just plain fun to photograph. I've shown Anna enough of my other ideas - some that have worked and some that haven't :-) - that I knew I could present a scheme to her without her running in the opposite direction. As an architect, designer, visionary, and fellow business owner I trusted that her family could be the perfect guinea pigs for this idea.
So, first some images from that day. Then the video which is worth waiting for until the end of this post.
Here's the video that Jordan shot and put together. If it skips at first, hit the pause button to let it load for a minute or so and then hit play again.
The Luecke Family Video from BerryGood Video on Vimeo.
I love this concept and am so excited to bring it to my clients. I think copies of videos like this would make great Christmas gifts for family members and treasured keepsakes for years to come. If you are interested in booking a portrait/video session contact me. If you already have a session with me scheduled for this fall but would like to add this to it let me know.
I've had a fun spring and summer getting to meet and know so many couples whose weddings I'll be shooting this year. It's cool to see how couples interact...each couple is so uniquely different and yet there are always these constant little elements of excitement, tenderness, and a shared future in mind.
I love seeing what special spots people have picked out for their engagement session.
These guys got engaged at the Vichy lookout tower. Surrouned by pine trees down below and open air above - it was a beautiful and peaceful place. It was also a great way for me to get a little workout in since we climbed to the top of the tower. I was trying to act all cool but I think my panting and wheezing halfway up gave me away. Plus, I do have a bit of fear of heights but as long as I looked out and not down I was ok.
Well, I faced my fear and did look down for this shot but it was worth it I think!
This couple and I had the most fun ever! I don't think Adam stopped laughing unless I stricly instructed him to. And even then, his serious face lasted only for 3.2 seconds. Luckily I felt comfortable right away with them. I say luckily because as we were driving to our second location, which was quite a ways away, Adam, bless his soul, says "Um, Taisia do you need to get gas?" I MEANT to get gas before our session and forgot. How would that have been to run out of gas in the middle of an engagment session - leaving a couple stranded with me in the middle of nowhere?!! Adam saved me from that embarassing fate and he and Kacey just laughed at me while I stopped to fill up. I'm glad other people can laugh at me as easily as I can.
One of my FAVORITE engagement shots ever. Love the light, the pollen in the air, the way she's smiling and he's holding her....
These guys were also great. They were game for anything I suggested. Like laying down in a field of tall grass. I can't help it, when I see a field of tall, green grass I want to lay down in it and let the sun soak into me.
*sigh*
I'm in love with this set of wedding images. I was excited about Sierra and Blake's wedding for several reasons. First, it was in Rolla. A mere 10 miles from my house. I'm used to traveling all over the state for weddings and after shooting for 9+ hours, a two hour commute back home is the last thing I usually want to do. So, this was a treat to be close enough to race home and fly into bed afterwards. Weddings are fun but tiring! Another reason I was so excited was because Sierra and her mom were very enthusiastic about the photography. I love it when people enjoy the photography part of the day rather than viewing it as a necessary evil. But, really, the MAIN reason I was excited about this wedding....
I've been itching for a bride to wear colorful shoes. Sierra was just the stylish woman to pull it off. But I'm jumping ahead of myself.
Meet Blake. He's easy on the eyes and such a nice, fun guy.
He's in love with this beautiful girl, Sierra...
I noticed all day long Sierra complimented other people around her. Even though everyone was focused on her, as they should be, Sierra was still as polite and charming as ever - noticing things like someone's suit or their perfume. She's a sweetheart. They decided to see each other and take pictures before the ceremony which was also a lovely change of pace for me. I have to admit that I love being the only one around when couples see each other for the first time. It's such a special, quiet moment.
I tried to include the shoes in as many pictures as I could :-) I love how Sierra and Blake pulled off this next pose. H-O-T!
The groomsmen. "Groomsmen" as a whole entity are always entertaining. These guys were no different. They came into the ceremony snapping their fingers. It was funny but also kind of cool. It was like West Side Story. I'm not sure if they were the Jets or the Sharks.
My awesome assistant, Katie Lortz, who I really can't do without anymore captured this image of the bridesmaids. And also the one below it of Sierra walking in to the ceremony with her dad. Katie needs to start her own portfolio I think.
The lighting was really beautiful during the ceremony and reception. Notice in the image above everyone is listening to the preacher while Sierra is staring at Blake. That image makes me melt every time. I have all of those amazing posed shots but I think this one might be my favorite from the whole day. The look in her eyes is full of love and is totally unrehearsed.
Besides the beautiful ceremony I was entertained by the youngest flower girl who, during the ceremony, managed to get the flower basket stuck on her head and then later held her dress up during a portion of the vows. I'm sure her mother felt otherwise but I thought it was cute.
At the reception Sierra and Blake gave their guests cream soda. Yum! (I think it was cream soda..I can't believe I forgot to try one!!!!) Either way, the colors were pretty which is really what I cared about.
More awesome lighting for the reception. Usually DJ lights are high and aimed down to the middle of the floor which colors the ground or people's faces but I think I prefer this effect. The lights pointed along the back wall and the colors changed every few minutes creating a nice but subtle ambiance.
Just as I was about to leave, a gang of friends, including Sierra and Blake, start busting out a dance routine to a mix of songs. It was AWESOME!! I just hope someone posts that dance on youtube because they rocked it.
*whew* Thanks for reliving that day with me. And Sierra and Blake, thanks for being so cool.
After their engagement session I was looking forward to Laura and Corey's wedding. They did not disappoint!
I'm lucky enough to meet a lot of caring, fun Dads - both at photo sessions with young families and at weddings where fathers give their daughters away. It makes me realize how quickly it all passes and how important father's are to their children. Here's to my Dad and to my husband, the amazing man who makes my daughters some of the luckiest little girls in the world...
For Father's Day the girls helped me create a crazy little video of them in action. Set to one of my favorite songs - "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.
Father's Day Dance from Taisia Gordon on Vimeo.
I wanted to share some images from a recent session. With a newborn and independent 3 year old this session could have gone a lot of ways. The children were marvelous and we ended up with so many great images. It's one of my new favorites.
I want to sit in this chair, in this window-lit nook, with a good book and that sweet baby on my lap. Doesn't that sound like a perfect afternoon?
I think this next image should be in a Pottery Barn Kids catalog.
Every room in their house had great light and colors. Anywhere I turned could literally be a perfect spot. That includes their bed. I love bed shots particularly for families. For my own family we spend a lot of time with the girls in bed reading books, telling stories, tickling, snuggling, and just staying close in general.
At the end of the session I was standing in the kitchen getting ready to say my goodbyes when little "H" crawled under the table. I gasped and swung my camera around. She's full of dreams and sparkle.
