Melia Senior Shoot

.Melia Senior Shoot, originally uploaded by joel9778.
I'm a bit new to the senior picture shoot - this being my second - but Melia was a joy to work with and warmed right up to the ideas and attitudes I suggested.  Here we went for a bit of old glamour to try a little something more than the typical piano shot.  I think we pulled it off. 
Shooting indoors with a DIY beauty dish-gelled- overhead w/ an SB800.  SB600 gelled from the rear for a hair/rim light.

Lori and Donald

Lori and Donald, originally uploaded by joel9778.

I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Lori and Donald this past weekend. They are a very unique, genuine, nice, and thoughtful couple - I had a blast. My sister-in-law, Ashley, spent the day with me as my assistant and second shooter. Her contribution can not be overvalued - I couldn't have done it without her. These few pictures of Lori are to show the lighting effect created by my home-made beauty dish. My D700 ISO is set to 1000, F-stop is 4, shutter is 1/60th - handheld with a 20-35mm 2.8 lens - in order to capture the ambient back ground. Ashley has the dish about 6.5 ft high and to camera left.

Jordan and Kristen

Jordan and Kristen, originally uploaded by joel9778.

I made Flickr "EXPLORE" for the second time in a month. This picture of Kristen and Jordan was selected for the honor of gracing the main page of Flickr.com - the largest photo hosting/commenting site for photographers in the world - quite an honor, but as you can see, quite a cool picture! This was on Oval Beach in Saugatuck, MI.

Sam at Sea Helping BP

Sam at sea soaking up oil somewhere in the Gulf.

In light of the recent happenings in the Gulf, I thought a little tribute to the absorbancy of the latest diapers was in order.  Our little Sam LOVES the pool and all thing aquatic, even when conditions are rough.  Here he is in our round pool riding a wave that Karen (my wife) created by keeping the water in sync as she pushed up and down on a boogie board.  I added a sunset to the back ground that I shot the other day in Jenison.  The end affect is quite exciting!  Shot with my D700 and SB800 with a shoot through umbrella held over the pool on a 7' pole.

Jade and Dan

Jade and Dan made a beautiful couple on the day of their Grand Haven wedding.  Just enough time and sun in the afternoon was had to take some special portraits in the park before a great reception.  The sunset was elusive on the beach, but must be tried again!

Lauren and Joel Wedding

I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Lauren and Joel this weekend.  Wow, what a great couple to spend the day with.  Very open to my creative inputs and naturals at posing....We made some fantastic images that day and I look forward to sharing them with you all.

Kristen and Jordan Wedding

I got to spend the weekend with Kristen (Wallace) and Jordan Jankowski as they were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Peters Parish in Douglas, Mi.  It was my first Catholic wedding ever and one of three I will be shooting this summer.  Kristen and Jordan were such a nice, humble couple that didn't want anyone to make too much of a deal of the fact that they were all there that day for them...sweet time, sweet people.  Thank you for letting me shoot your wedding pictures and best wishes for a long, happy marriage.