A-Z Images

Black and White Photography

2010-03-09T10:45:00.000-05:00

I started photography in black and white. I worked for a photographer who shot 99% in black and white and I quickly learned to love it. It, in fact, took me years to appreciate color photography (which I now also love). I think black and white offers something timeless, though, that is difficult, if not impossible, to capture in color. The following pictures depict something which is unique, and would not be so much so had these images been in color:

An evening wedding in November, lit mostly by candlelight and a few spotlights at the altar. I love the reflection of the brides dress on the stone tiled floor and how the bride and groom are spot-lighted, everyone else is a silhouette.

Completely candid, this image captures Hayley taking one final look at herself in the mirror before walking out of the dressing room. Her expression makes this image timeless.

A garden ceremony captured through the gate. The shape of the iron gives the images it's own built in framing and the black and white makes it quite dramatic.

Emily is an art historian. While taking some shots before the ceremony, she struck a pose in the genre of a renaissance sculpture. The lighting captured her while the surroundings fade out into black. This unplanned moment made a beautiful portrait of Emily.

I love what black and white does to photos in motion. In color, his image might look blurry. In black and white it looks like a moment caught in time. There are times when I love to slow down the shutter and get that movement in photos--it gives more feeling than just a still shot of this bride and groom's very energetic first dance!

Black and white can add more depth to an expression. This bride might be thinking about the journey ahead of her in life, or maybe where she put her keys! But in black and white, it is, once again, a moment caught in time, a breathtaking expression.

Let me know your thoughts on black and white photography!

Architectural Photography

2010-03-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

I love architecture. In fact, I wanted to be an architect until I found out how much math was involved... I've always been fascinated with historical buildings and truly appreciate when someone dares to go out on their own and do something that hasn't been done before. I love incorporating architecture into portraits and wedding photography when at all possible, I believe it adds more feeling to the subjects--it's not just who, but it's who, when and where. Last Spring, I had the opportunity to study architectural photography with an extremely talented and successful photographer. I learned a great deal about lines and angles, about light--and especially, about how to shoot a place without a bride and groom in it! Here are some of my favorite architecture pictures--I have tons more but they are on film the I haven't scanned to digital yet!

Peter and Sarah, January 9, 2010

2010-03-02T15:16:00.000-05:00

I had the honor to photograph Sarah and Peter's wedding at St. John's Episcopal Church in Midland, MI at the first of the year. Sarah is a Reverand at St. John's and Peter is from England, so this wedding had all of the formalities of a traditional Episcopal wedding. Additionally, I was thrilled to get to shoot a wedding at one of the local churches designed by the late architect Alden B. Dow. Rafal and I had a great time using different angles to take advantage of the creative architecture and lighting. Of course, Sarah and Peter were absolutely wonderful to work with, open to creative photography and absolutely warm and welcoming! Here are a few shots from that incredible day!

Thank you, Sarah and Peter, for allowing me to participate in this beautiful and sentimental event!