Somewhere in the attic there’s a picture of me standing in front of a hotel in Topeka, Kansas. I haven’t seen it for years, but like any good photograph, I remember it clearly. Now, I can’t be sure, but I must have been doing something important because I was about 17 years old, dressed nicely (an oddity, I assure you), clutching important looking papers and strapping a big, fancy camera on my shoulder. A young photographer, I was probably covering some breaking high school news story. The camera never lies, so I know it’s true.
I love to tell the story about how my dad gave me that old Pentax camera for Christmas. If you carry a camera for a living, the “why did you get into photography” question arises as frequently as the one about the wedding-
day weather. So, I get it, and I enjoy playing along. Warmly, I convey the nostalgic scene: an eager kid sitting impatiently in a cinnamon-tea-scented room with a big tree and lots of shiny presents — only one of which was the big one. After tossing aside the distractions — the socks, shirts, and books — I opened the final package … the one I fully expected to contain a BB gun or remote controlled car. Instead, when I tore through the meticulously folded foil wrapping paper, I discovered something completely unexpected — a beautiful hunk of brushed silver metal and ground glass. Sadly, not a toy Corvette. Instead, the box revealed a fancy 35mm camera just like dad’s. Lying flat on the bottom of the box, a vintage copy of Life Magazine. The edition: Larry Burrows’ famous 1965 piece called “One Ride with Yankee Papa 13.”
Dad used to say that the “truth lies somewhere in the picture, but it isn’t necessarily the picture.” This much is true. I never quite understood the axiom until I held a camera for the first time. A camera isn’t just a tool after all. In the right hands, it’s more powerful than any weapon because it can often act as the only harbinger between truth and fiction — our memories might be fuzzy, our intentions dim, but film never lies. It can’t tell the entire truth, either. Wars have ended through the lens of a camera. Wars have started over them, too. At that age, I couldn’t fully appreciate the concept. But I sensed that maybe, at 17, I really could change the world with something other than my boyish dreams.
So with my newly inspired passion, I carried my fancy Pentax to school and began photographing those life-changing stories — the ones about school lunch travesties and student parking infringements. Those breaking bits would surely win me my first Pulitzer. The high school newspaper would quickly become my New York Times. And someday my name would be synonymous as the next Larry Burrows of wedding photography.
So the story goes …
A student of photography, dad frequently shared bedtime stories about the great photographers the way that some fathers tell their boys stories about Lou Gehrig or Ted Williams. Remember the famous image of two entwined French lovers? Robert Doisneau shot that. At some time in your life, you’ve probably also seen the classic picture of two embracing strangers — a navy seaman and a nurse — kissing in Times Square following VJ Day. Alfred Eisenstadt was in the right place, right time. I knew this stuff before I could fill out a box score. That much is also true. But I have to admit something key to the story … a bit of truth completing the message that wouldn’t otherwise be as enticing to young photographers.
Back to me.
That picture, the one of me standing in front of the hotel? Maybe the camera lied … just a little. I actually remember exactly why I was standing in front of the hotel, giddy and not at all dreaming of Larry Burrows. I was trying to impress a girl. Don’t lie, you’ve all done worse to impress someone.
By chance, the school yearbook sponsor saw my camera as I was walking down the hall. Complete strangers, she asked me if I wanted to compete in a state journalism competition. In case you’re wondering: all of the other
photographers were busy that day. No, I wasn’t any good. And yes, I was the absolute last-ditch, eleventh-hour, final-gasp, bottom-of-the-barrel choice to represent my school. But, by chance, I remembered that a girl I liked — a brilliant writer in her own right — would be competing in a writing category. Without a thought, I decided to chase two dreams at once. Would my camera be enough to impress her? Would my crusty, blue-collar wit ultimately offend her ivy league sensibilities? I only know that if I didn’t face the challenge, I would never know. Changing the world, then, was still a viable option. And although I might have been a poor excuse as Larry Burrows’ new replacement, I learned a valuable lesson about the connection between the story and the image — that the two are intertwined, personal, and potentially game-changing. I never lost a single sense, feeling, or twinge of anxiety from that day. Encapsulated in a little piece of photo paper — a single pivotal moment in time.
Like a bride and groom with the perfect series of wedding photographs, we develop a uniquely passionate connection — a sensory recording — at the precise moment the shutter traps its final image onto a few scrapes of silver emulsion. And that connection is permanent. But what is it? That’s the big question, after all. What makes a photograph special? The connection could be anything, really — a cool breeze, the way her hair drifted into his face during the shot, a simple, transparent warmth between lovers, a stolen laugh, or just the right moment.
For some, the connection might simply be that the crackpot idea some kid hatched to impress a girl – who was completely out of his league — was something he would remember clearly, 25 years later. I think dad (and maybe even Larry Burrows) would have been proud …
If you haven’t had time to get your family documented by your favorite photographer this year, you might feel stressed & rushed into getting a decent photo to send out with your Holiday letter. Have no fear! I have a few tips to help provide solutions for this dilemma & they don’t have to involve agonizing attempts to rush into a ‘self portrait’ frenzy.
So here are my Top Suggestions on getting a great image to send out for the holidays (I’ve sited some visual examples below):
- Composition: I spent all of my years at the Savannah College of Art & Design studying the art of composition. Remember to cut out anything unnecessary in your image- if it’s not important, cut it out of the frame! Portraits are more interesting when distractions are minimal & focus is JUST on the person. Minimize!
- Great Light + Props & Activities: get the kids playing or taking part in their favorite activity. You can distract them while you find nice lighting & compose your shot. Settle for just getting a few great photos of the kids & using a card with multiple spots for images.
- Find Great Light! I’m going to mention this one again :) Photography was once dubbed ‘painting with light‘ & I still subscribe to this way of thinking. I don’t have a shot without light! So turn off your automatic flash & search for natural light. Indoors your best bet would be a well lit window. Window light is the easiest way to get soft beautiful light without much work.
- Choosing FUN Clothing- If you settle on doing a family portrait, think about your clothing. You don’t have to match, be fun- show who your family really is. Just keep it simple: color coordinate & avoid crazy, distracting patterns. *Remember, photographs are more intriguing when everyone isn’t smiling for the camera!
- Do Something Unexpected: Avoid the traditional family portrait, but rather spend an afternoon photographing your life. Shoot photos of the dogs, the horses- perhaps the new porch swing you just hung! Enjoy playing with your camera.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY! Break the rules of what’s expected for a holiday card. You don’t have to stage a smile for the camera. The best images are the ones that show a little personality- an inside view of your family life. If you ask your kids to stand & smile while you compose, you’ll end up with a photo full of forced smiles. Instead snap a few while they aren’t paying attention. You’ll be glad you did!
For more help on taking better photos of your kiddos, remember to sign up for our classes. We offer classes for both seasoned amateurs to mom’s just looking to get better photos of their kids. Everyone who takes a class with the studio gets a bonus offer on the next session they book with our studio. Our next round of classes will be offered after the New Year. These classes fill up fast, so send your inquiry in today!
REMEMBER when you want your family documented in an artistic way, give the studio a call & we’ll take care of you! (PS: This isn’t your average portrait session, we laugh, play & have fun. After all, it is a day in your life & every family has their own quirky fun! Most of the kids know me by name & get excited at the mere mention that I am coming over to play!)
1) Composition- think about your entire frame & USE IT!
2) Get Subjects Moving- Give them something to do- props are a great idea.
3) Beautiful Light.
4) Choosing Creative Clothing
5) Get away from traditional family portraits. Use an image that represents your life!
Example of all of the elements working to make a perfect image: composition, great lighting, un-posed/ un-expected moment!
I love these kiddos!! I didn’t get to see them last year because their family was too busy relocating to another part of town. And as you can imagine, everything is more difficult in three’s. But the kids hadn’t forgotten me. As I pulled up, I saw them eagerly waiting in the doorway with their mom. Before I had time to assemble my gear, I was getting tight, tiny hugs from every direction. They did remember & were excited to spend the afternoon playing & showing me around their new home… but mostly playing.
As always, I took a few ‘smile for the camera’ shots for the grandma’s & then we were off to play. They felt so comfortable with me that within moments I catching true triplet smiles & expressions. Their true expressions are so relevant to their personalities that when I edit through the images, I can’t help but laugh. The first two images are my favorite from the shoot & new all-time personal favorite.
I adore this little trio :)
Making plans for this Friday night? Come to Downtown Overland Park to support a great cause! From 6-9pm on October 21st, a portion of proceeds from Third Friday participating merchants will benefit breast cancer survivors!
You can’t forget to come see us at our studio too! {7232 W. 79th St- just across from Maloney’s} Drop in to say hi, grab some goodies and check out our space. We are also excited to have two new artists on our block. Don’t forget to check them out as well. There will be lots of wonderful local art for sale!
See you then :)
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My oh my- Jessica’s parents really worked like crazy to make this day happen. When we arrived everyone was running around. The father of the bride was beside himself trying to clean up the back yard. It absolutely poured the night before- P-O-U-R-E-D! The weather held out the day of the wedding but it was too late…
The backyard was soaked! There was mud everywhere! The ceremony site had to be tented & pounds of mulch had to be spread to reinforce the ground. It took a lot of work to clean things up & get the area prepped for a wedding ceremony. But it pulled together amazingly. And I’m pretty sure I was the ONLY person to slip in the mud. And let’s be honest, what kind of photographer would I be if I didn’t take the fall for everyone else, ehe?!
The *fabulous* mother of the bride was fast arranging all of the lovely antiques she’d collected over the last year! I must say that she has great taste & if you drop by the studio next week (Third Friday’s Art Walk in DT Overland Park) you can check out some of these great pieces. All of our new studio furniture & wall decor is thanks to Mrs Mary Ann!! We were so excited to pick up a few new pieces & spiff the place up.
All of the images will be ready 4-6 weeks from event date.
Check out AmaplesProofs.com to see the entire set when they are available!
Wedding Vendors Who Made the Day
- Coordinator: Alexis Casella
- Catering: Brancato’s Catering
- Cake: Classic Cakes
- Floral Design: Craig Sole Designs
- DJ/Band: Blue Note Music
- Transportation: Crossroad Tours
- Special Entertainment: Luxe Photobooth
- Wedding Gown: Robert Bullock, Emily Hart Bridal
- Tuxedo: Banana Republic
*** Remember, every wedding is part of our comment contest. Each comment gives $1 to the bride & groom. You can easily get them a gorgeous Fine Art Print for their happy home! It’s easy, all you have to do is leave a comment.
I speak for Adrienne when I say that one of her favorite parts of being a photographer is the people she meets along the way. Her close-knit group of ‘Photo Girls’ is made up of inspiring women from all over who do great things – take her friend Khara Plicanic, for example.
Khara and her husband Emir are RIDING their BICYCLES 3,100 miles from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL on a mission to educate and inspire everyone with a camera!! Calling their adventure the [UN]tour, they’ll be stopping in 8 cities along their route to teach FREE workshops. You should sign up for one!
Her “10 Tips for Instantly Better Photos” class is perfect for beginners and hobbyists, inspired by Khara’s new book, Your Camera Loves You: Learn to Love it Back. Having seen too many people abandon perfectly good cameras thinking that a newer, fancier one will give them better pictures, Khara reminds us all that, “Cameras don’t take great photos, people do!” She’ll be sharing ideas you can use to improve your images—using whatever camera it is that you already have.
Professional wedding photographers can take the “Wickedly Fast Wedding Workflow Class,” where Khara will be sharing the principles from her popular wedding workflow guide that allow her to consistently deliver proofs and album designs to her clients within a week of their wedding (in only 6-8 hours total!).
Did I mention these workshops are FREE? ;)
We wish them well on their adventure – see what they are up to by checking out their website, Facebook page, follow Khara on Twitter, or visit her blog!! I wish I could ride with them to escape the winter weight that inevitably piles on every year. But then I’d actually have to keep up.
Good luck Khara and Emir!!
At the end of August, I spent a week in Atlanta visiting my family. And I always try to find a few hours to visit with some old friends & capture their growing family. I dropped by the Pelletier household to get a few current shots of the kiddos & to meet the latest addition to the crew. On my last visit, Angela was pregnant with their third child. So I was eager to get back to meet this sweet baby boy! Of course the other two have grown so much since my last visit. It’s hard to believe they are the same kids!
It doesn’t seem like SEVEN years have passed since I first met this couple at their wedding in Savannah, Georgia… But here we are seven years & three kids later! I still treasure the time I spend with this lovely family & it warms my heart to hear Miss Luca call me her friend. By the end of the shoot, she was hugging me & trying to convince me to stick around a little longer. Perhaps this is how she treats everyone, but I’d like to think she meant it when she calls me her special photographer friend ;)
Another fabulous wedding day at the Intercontinental Hotel on the Plaza. And another familiar family with which I got to celebrate! If you checked out their engagement post, then you know I met Cristen at Lindsey’s wedding last year. I was a few months pregnant at the time & SUPER sick that day. I thought I did a good job of hiding it- but Cristen was on to me! She made sure I kept hydrated & pestered me to eat all day. It was wonderful to know that she cared so much about someone she’d just met.
She found her perfect match in Pat- he is also incredibly kind & giving. They both think of others before themselves. The craziest thing about these two is the ‘made for TV’ manner in which they met… you see Cristen was the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding a few years ago. And Pat, well, he was the best man at the same wedding. They had instant chemistry & spent the entire evening getting to know each other. It was obvious to all that they were quite smitten with one another but no one could have planned for a set up this perfect!
It’d hard to believe that only a few short years later we are celebrating the joining of these two. It’s such a small, perfect world ;)
I’m never allowed complete access during the ceremony but I was at this particular church (LOVED IT!). It gave me opportunities I am rarely offered… I was able to get close when the bride was given away by her father. Subsequently I was able to capture the wonderful range of emotions that occurred.
All of the images will be ready 4-6 weeks from event date.
Check out AmaplesProofs.com to see the entire set when they are available!
Wedding Vendors Who Made the Day
- Ceremony: St. Peter’s Parish
- Reception: InterContinental Hotel
- Catering: InterContinental Hotel
- Cake: Phyllis Hildebrant, Shawnee
- Flowers: Craig Sole Designs
- Transportation: Crossroad Tours
- Wedding Gown: Pronovias, Ida’s Bridal and Tuxedos
- Tuxedo: Kenneth Cole, Designer Men’s Wearhouse
*** Remember, every wedding is part of our comment contest. Each comment gives $1 to the bride & groom. You can easily get them a gorgeous Fine Art Print for their happy home! It’s easy, all you have to do is leave a comment.
