Blake Berger’s Bar Mitzvah was last Saturday at Temple Emanu-el. I was covering a wedding that night so Rocky Walker stepped in and photographed the party for me. All I can say is WOW what great pictures and I wish I had been there. It looks like everyone was having a wonderful time and I could have worn shorts to work. (instead of my wedding outfit)
Thank you Rocky for taking such good care of Steve and Liz and capturing some really amazing images. I appreciate the help.
Last Saturday I was invited to photograph a 50th birthday party at Southfork Ranch. To be honest I wasn’t looking forward to driving all the way to the Ranch, taking pictures of people in hats and boots (not that I’m against hats and boots) for a small two hour gig. The guest were just arriving when I showed up and EVERYONE was already in a rowdy mood. The night turned out to be one of the best parties I’ve been to in a LONG time. I don’t create slideshows and blog about all my projects but I wanted to show this one to all my friends. When you have a great group of people, enough booze and a fun location magic does happen.
Happy birthday David and thanks for inviting me to your birthday bash. I had a great time.
View the full photo gallery in Client Area • Imagine Studios USA • password is “david”
Last week I became a member of AWP (Association of Wedding Professionals). This is a group of dedicated wedding professionals in the Dallas Fort Worth area working towards the highest standards in the industry. I’m honored to be a part of this group and know it will make a positive impact on my business.
Last Saturday Elexis Reed and Chris Jones were married at Perkins Chapel and the reception was at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson. With Colleen Fleo’s help everything went off without a hitch. It was no wonder everyone (one the brides side) was calm, cool and collected. This was the third daughter to be married within two years. And I’m happy to say I have been invited to all three weddings and each wedding was wonderful. Pam and Ed (Elexis’s mom and dad) are such great people to work with.
I did notice that Ed (Elexis’s dad) was reserved at the first two weddings. Very dignified and formal. Last Saturday I can only imagine how happy Ed was to be finished with weddings. FOR EVER! Pam always had a smile on her face for all the weddings but on Saturday night Ed was smiling from ear to ear and dancing ALL evening. If I was Ed I would have been swinging from the rafters.
I want to congratulate Ed & Pam for surviving three daughters and three weddings. They did everything right for all the weddings and I can only hope to work with a family like the Reeds again soon.
Thank you for all your business and best wishes to everyone.
Vacation Notes: Last week we finally took our family vacation to beautiful San Francisco. It was around 65% every day with a little fog and a little sun. Perfect conditions to take great photos. We started out the trip having dinner with a longtime friend, Maryirene who lives in San Francisco and travels the world visiting her family. We also chatted with Suzanne and Niko (Mayirene’s daughter and grandson). What a wonderful family.
On Friday Sharon and Howard from Los Angeles (Debbie’s family) joined us for a couple of days to play tourist. Their son and girlfriend (Sam and Amalia) also joined us for a day in Sausalito and some free food. It was great hanging with Sam again and he and his girlfriend really make a cute couple.
Of course we did all the touristy stuff. Ate some great food, visited nearly all the SanFran tourist sites and of course walked A LOT. We were wondering in China Town one afternoon when I a came upon a photo studio that had wonderful portraits in the windows. The awning read “art of photography by Hanson”. Of course I walked in and started visiting with Hanson. I recognized the photographer right away. It was Hanson Fong who is a Master of Photography and a Canon Explorer of Light. Which means he’s famous and knows his craft. Hanson is a super nice guy but he didn’t ask me to dinner. Next time I’ll ask him.
Most mornings I was on the street by 7:00am taking pictures and visiting with doormen around Union Square. Over five days I ended up with 1500 images. After editing I have about 450 images I’m happy with.
I thought our vacation was the perfect getaway from the Dallas heat and spend time with family. I can’t wait for our next adventure.
I was thinking about last summer and what we were doing. (me and the family) Aly went to Camp Sabra for a month and Terri (the camp director) as me to visit for a week and help with their marketing. I couldn’t believe how much fun the kids were having. I wanted to stay for a month but my wedding schedule was just to busy. Debbie was working full time and trying to keep Aly organized.
This summer Aly is taking Drivers Ed classes, babysitting. traveling and is just to busy for camp. Again weddings are keeping me really busy but I would still love to go back to Sabra. Maybe next summer if Terri needs more help.
This year Debbie is trying to help Aly stay organized, on track and on time. It’s a full time job.
I was photographing an annual report last week in Dallas and this cute little girl came walking down the hall with her mother. She stopped and walked around for about two minutes and then was on her way. She wasn’t shy and loved the camera as you can see.
Thanks Aimee for allowing me to photograph your daughter.
When leaving a wedding with Sparklers, coordinating the guests, lighting of the sparklers, and the bride and groom exiting must be carefully choreographed for the photographer to create the best images and keep everyone safe at the same time. If the sparklers are lit too soon, they will burn out before the bride and groom make their way through the exit line. If the guests are standing too close to the bride and groom, the sparklers could burn the bride’s dress. Also, be sure to tell the guests what to do with their sparklers (they are very hot) once they’re burned out.
After photographing numerous sparkler exits and seeing how to do it right and wrong, I decided to create an instruction manual.
Last Saturday night was the perfect evening for Bess and Andy to get married at the Aldredge House. The weather was perfect and the House looked wonderful. For Bess and Andy the evening was all about their wedding but for Dave and I the evening was all about the photography. I always look for special features about the location to highlight and use in the pictures. At the Aldredge House everywhere you turn there are special features. I love the stately front yard, the drawing room upstairs and of course the warm fireplace. With a couple as good looking as Bess and Andy anywhere you posed them it looked good.
Megan Chumlea (House Coordinator) had everything set when Bess and I arrived before the wedding. Megan made sure the staff was prepared when the guest arrived and the sparkler exit went off perfectly. I have photographed several sparkler exits with Megan and they all were wonderful. (which is not the case at some venues)
I want to wish Bess and Andy all the best in life.
Last Saturday Elexis Reed and Chris Jones were married at Perkins Chapel and the reception was at the 
When leaving a wedding with Sparklers, coordinating the guests, lighting of the sparklers, and the bride and groom exiting must be carefully choreographed for the photographer to create the best images and keep everyone safe at the same time. If the sparklers are lit too soon, they will burn out before the bride and groom make their way through the exit line. If the guests are standing too close to the bride and groom, the sparklers could burn the bride’s dress. Also, be sure to tell the guests what to do with their sparklers (they are very hot) once they’re burned out.
