RETRO WEDDING – Oct 28th, 2006 – this is a special treat for me. In honor of Chuck and Carrie’s 3 year anniversary I’ve busted out their wedding files and chosen a current day “promo kit” selection and used new tools and techniques for post production to redo a wedding sneek peek. This also happen ed to be the VERY FIRST wedding I ever shot. I often say that Carrie and Chuck dragged me into wedding photography kicking and screaming – with alot of groveling and bribing – or maybe that’s just how I remember it. To this day I think a bit of this work holds up, but in alot of ways I’ve of course improved my approach and I’m alot better equipped. For those camera nuts and photographer friends I shot this entire wedding with a Nikon D50 and an SB600 speedlight attached to a flash bracket. The only lens I used was the kit 18-135 lens which was an f/4 – 5.6 rating. Not like I do so often now shooting wide open at f/2.8 or greater. Enjoy and leave me your comments !

This was also bar-none the best “party” I’ve ever seen at a wedding – no offense in anyway shape or form to my past, present and future brides/grooms – this was just special and people flat out cut a rug, plus I knew 80% of the people in attendance!

Chuck and Carrie – I’m truly honored you guys trusted me with your special once in a lifetime day and I owe so much to you guys for getting me off and started – “thank you” just doesn’t seem to do the trick ! Love you guys forever and can’t wait to see “scooter boo” join us in this world and see you guys as parents.

The Morning Ride – the crew !

I tried this shot from day one… I guess cause i’d seen it done. This is with the maid of honor and was the best of them I tried.

I always liked how you could see Carrie’s shadow in the window

If you know chuck – you know this is him.. he’s so happy go lucky and good natured… it’s rare to catch him taking himself too seriously.

Chuck is like an apple that didn’t fall far from the tree – here his dad Don – started it all.

I always liked this one… and now I’m not sure why. This of course wouldn’t work with everyone.

to this day I LOVE this moment and really feel lucky to have gotten it.. especially with as little experience as I had.

next one – one of my favorites of all time.

you only get a shot like this when you lay down in the isle. Seriously….. I was on the ground in the grass… I don’t know that I would go for this shot today – for several reasons some of which don’t need to be voiced !

This would be off camera flash today… but the effect is still worthwhile – what’s a southern arizona wedding without a good October Sunset ?

This one was partly an accident but once I did it and liked it I’ve perfected it since and it’s become a bit of a signature shot since then. If you or your husband are a former “Williams Bride” / “Williams Groom” – there’s a real good chance you’ve got your own version of this in your collection!

that’s right folks: this is a grooms DING DONG cake – individually wrapped for serving goodness – NOT for resale ! I thnk Carrie said they took home a TON of DING DONG’s which was of course just fine with Chuck. I was over there at their house last month and he offered me a “wedding DING DONG” … I was smart enough to take him up on it ! WHO turns down a DING DONG?

this beauty is my very own daughter…. if you know Avalonne now you know she’s nearly 4 – so this picture takes me back.

I have no idea what it was that Carrie is reactiing to here.. but it must have been good.

good friend and a former co-working in a former life – JD Almond having the time of his life – further proof this was one of the best “parties” of all time that I’ve been involved in YET !

one of my favorite bride dancing shots of all time – it just works.. and it was shot with the 12-24 Wideangle I got after the ceremony to use from my dad.

some early experimentation with the tilt – and this one works I think. I’ve always loved this shot.

This one has always had a special spot in my heart…. I just think it’s an interesting moment – she’s waiting and…. I dunno. Is it just me ?

a classic garter removal:

again…. no idea… but it gives you insight into who Carrie Hess is … she’s a doll !

….. and she can dance…. sorta !

Elana and Craig had a quaint little wedding event up in Oracle Arizona (where my in-laws live) – on a warm day in October. by the evening the weather was fantastic and we were treated to an awesome sunset. I loved the small little chapel at the Oracle Union Church even with the tight space to operate in. the Reception was held at the Oracle Inn Steakhouse – and a great assortment of wonderful mexican food greeted their friends and family. It was an honor to be apart of this event and we definitely made the most of the short schedule !

Jeremy and Katie Jo (a Desert Christian ‘05 Graduate) tied the knot at the beginning of Oct – and the day that started out cloudy and threatened of rain turned out to be crazy beautiful for their outdoor wedding at the “orange grove”. Your day was awesome guys and I was so lucky to have been apart of it. I feel honored to count you guys among my friends now. Big thanks goes out to the very talented Kelly Hicks who 2nd shot with me and the lovely Jenna Bourland who assisted Kelly and I the whole day!

loved this little guy – and he was the best ring security money could buy

next one is unscripted – no direction.. totally on his own, we’re all just paying rent in this little guys world

Michael and Crystal tied the knot on the 19th of Sept – and we all had so much fun. It was a beautiful day in the old pueblo – abet a tad hot in the midday – by the evening and sunset it was super pleasant. Michael and Crystal’s wedding party had alot to do with how enjoyable the day was – everyone was great and very cooperative. We even stayed on track for most all of the day. Congrats you two – what a wonderful way to start off this next new journey together!

I think this next one is my BEST yet photo of a father daughter dance – I love the way she’s looking at him.

I love love love this cake shot – those walls at El Conquistador are the best yet!  so Retro – what I learned later and unfortnately didn’t know at the time was that the back of the cake topper was the bride grabbing the grooms butt !  I wish I’d seen that and photographed it !  proof you can’t win them ALL !

a signature shot for me and an southern arizona sunset !  it was a good one for sure!

Jacob’s is the last born son to Jamie and Shauna Ruiz – and I have the pleasure of calling the Ruiz’ family : friends.  Jacob’s dad Jamie is the pastor at a wonderfully alive church in Oracle, AZ.  Jacob and his parents live in the small mining town north of Tucson, AZ called San Manuel.  San Manuel may be small and less busy now that the mine is closed – but it doesn’t stop them from being crazy about their highschool sports.  Jacob is pretty humble in his approach to 3 sports [football, basketball, baseball] what he won’t tell you is that he is likely one of the two best players on the football team this year.  While he’s having great success in football his first love and favorite is baseball.  Jacob’s Baseball Miners were the states runner-up in his Junior year – and looks to have a standout season with an eye on the state championship this year !  I wish great success on you Jacob – it’s an honor to know and have worked with you.  Quite a young man you’ve grown into and I know your parents are super proud !  PROPS !