Weddings, weddings everywhere!

Since I last updated anyone on my life, a very shiny set of rocks set in white gold has taken up residence on the third finger of my left hand. Two weeks ago yesterday, Eric proposed to me.

While this isn't surprising news for most of you, I do feel a little sorry for Eric's parents. Thier other son, Chris, proposed to his fiance, Melissa, about a month ago. So the Lemmons family graduated two twin daughters from high school in May, will marry off thier firstborn son on August 12, settle their daughters into ACU and Peperdine, respectively, the following weekend, and marry off thier second born son to me on October 16th. Though I've been assured they are gaining two daughters and not loosing anyone, it's still going to be a busy and emotional year for them.

Which leads me to today's pictures...engagement photos for Chris and Melissa.







This one I messed up the lighting on (as usual), but I kind of like the effect the washed out colors give the image. It seems more like a private moment in this light, instead of a photographer rudely taking a pictures of two people kissing (even if they did pose for me).

In this one, Chris, it appears I have found the cure for leprosy.

Overall, I think the pictures are okay. I hope they'll accomplish everything that Chris and Melissa need, I just think I could have done a better job somehow. Something a little more creative and a little less repetitive. Also, I think I could have done a better job watching for sunlight spots and akward body positions. Let me know what you think!

Who's on first...

Every year, ACU's yearbook, the Prickly Pear, includes a section of the top students from the graduating class. Each student has an individual portrait and information about their stay at ACU and what they intend to do after graduation. These students are all heavilly involved in some campus activity, have excellent GPAs and are nominated for this honor by professors. About 100 students are chosen, though not all of them choose to be featured in this section.

The funny thing about this year is I'm starting to know the people who are graduating. The first portrait is of my friend Kayla Anderson. The picture was taken at Starbucks and I like it because it's the one shot we took of her holding that blasted book that looks natural, like she really was reading and just looked up at me and smiled.


The second portrait is of another friend, Patrick Leech. Now this is regretably, not the shot we'll be using in the yearbook, but it is by far my favorite shot that I took.

and now, what you've all been waiting for...

This was probably my hardest post yet because of the sheer volume of pictures--from 4:00pm to 10:00pm I took about 600 pictures. It's so hard to narrow 600 pictures down to a blog-sized assortment. The wedding was held at Lytle Bend Ranch (?) and the lighting varried throughout the night. The beginning few hours were good, but later on in the night they moved into a barn area for dancing and the lighting was horrible (okay, not horrible, but definately challenging). The people were great though, all very helpful and willing to have their pictures taken.

This is Shelly getting ready before the ceremony. Her bridesmaids were CONSTANTLY messing with her dress, arranging, pinning and snapping. I really like the composition of this shot and how you can see all the faces.

I felt SO sorry for the flower-girl, Kylan (sp?). She was the groom's daughter and was in almost every group picture taken. Even by the ceremony she was barely managing a grimace for a smile. I chose this shot because of its clean background and because it was the best action shot I had of her dropping the rose petals.

This is the Shelly and her father walking down the aisle during the ceremony. I messed this shot up terribly. Before I edited the levels in Photoshop, the father was so dark you couldn't see his face. But the expressions in the shot were exactly what I was looking for...and since I was so focused on the expressions, I didn't notice how grainy Dad's suit was getting. I think it needs a little more work--back to the drawing board!

This is one of my favorit shots, I love the expression on Chuck's face and how intent he is on saying his vows to Shelly...how much he loves her, it's all there in his expression. The background is soft and compliments the couple, and I like the composition even though you can't see Shelly's face.

I also chose this shot for composition--I liked Chuck's cuffs and the buttons on his tux...also I really think I had the perfect angle for this shot, a little of the pastor's bible and a lot of their hands. I like the gentle way he's holding her hand and juxtipositon between his hands and hers--both skin tone and size. The lighting up to this point has really been gorgeous.

Chuck and Shelly's first dance. Here is where the lighting got pretty bad...up to this point in the barn the lights were on, but when they started dancing the lights got lower, and when they opened it up to everyone to dance the light go lower still. This shot was taken at 500 ISO on auto settings with a bounced flash (the ceiling was aluminum, so that got some interesting effects). I love the soft white lights in the background and the light illuminating Chuck's head. Also, their body language is priceless...I really like that the way they move says love and not lust. They really seem like a beautiful couple and I felt honored to help take thier wedding pictures.

I had a lot of other interesting shots, but these were my favorites and also the ones that seemed most important for the blog. Please let me know what you think about the shots!

"You may now kiss the bride!"

On Saturday, I helped a friend shoot a wedding. It was fabulous experience for me, and took a little of the pressure off him. The couple's names were Chuck and Shelly--apart, they didn't really look like they belonged together, but you'll see in some of my later pictures that they are a truly beautiful couple...and (sighs the hopeless romantic somewhere deep inside cynical Emerald) very much in love.

But first, the cute kids.

Cutie #1's name started with a T and ended up sulking down the aisle--it seems all he really wanted to was play with the decorations (aka a ton of balloons) and smile for my camera. Little kids seem to like cameras.

Cutie #2 was playing with a friend after the ceremony. Friend was standing where the pastor had stood, holding her hands out as if supporting a bible, and repeating verbatim the ceremony. I crept up just as she was saying, "you may now kiss the bride." Cutie turns and puckers up for the imaginary groom and I, as you can see, snapped her picture.



and Cutie#3--I really just love this shot. I think its so sweet, a little father daughter conversation, both so intent on the other and dancing while they're at it.

More about the wedding to come...