Archive: September, 2010

It seems that the whole concept of “trashing” your wedding dress is quite controversial.  I have had several people stop and stare as we are shooting – some in awe and agreement, while others are in disgust and thinking that this session is somehow desecrating all that is sacred within a marriage.  So I wanted to take a moment and explain what this type of shoot is and what it means to me and how they are done with Uncontained Photography.

Short and simple – they are a beautiful, creative,  fashion-feeling expression of oneself.  For that reason alone – they are one of my absolute favorite types of sessions!

Think back to your wedding day – remember how it was such a fabulously wonderfully crazy time?  You potentially started the day tired and with heightened emotions.  You spent hours getting ready – from your hair, makeup, jewelry, shoes, etc.  You slipped into that beautiful wedding gown that you spent so much time searching for – and felt like a princess!  The day was a whirlwind and seemed to go by way too fast. There was only a limited amount of time for your professional pictures, lots to cover and only so much that could be done during that time. 

Compare that to a session after your wedding day. The atmosphere is relaxed and rested. There really are no time limits or people getting on your case about this or that.  You get to be pampered and feel extra beautiful.  You don’t have to worry as much if the hem of your dress hits the ground as you walk.  Your time of shooting is most likely going to be longer than you had on your wedding day.  You are able to look the way you want and express yourself more than you potentially could have on that day- yet still feel absolutely beautiful and glamorous in your dress.

To trash or not to trash it…..the answer really is up to you.  The difference between rockin’ and trashin’ the dress is that the dress is ruined at the end of a trashin’ shoot and often finds its way into a dumpster or garbage can.  That is a result of going further with the concepts and taking it to a point where the dress pays the price.  However, if it is just hanging up in your closet – or sitting in a heap on your floor – why not?   I will not push you to trash it and you will get beautiful images in the end – regardless of how far it goes!

These sessions are a progression and often include several different locations, “looks”, props and lots of planning!  They are several hours in length and to be honest, people say they hurt the next day from the various posing – however they also say that they wouldn’t trade it for the world!  It is so much fun and such an amazing experience!

Every session seems to be a journey – and potentially is why I love them so much!  The “bride” is definitely the focus and this is a great way to tell her story while creating beautiful images in the process.

For those of you who don’t like your wedding pictures – are wanting to do something special and unique for your husband or to celebrate an anniversary – or are just longing to celebrate your beauty…..this is a session you should consider!

Christine

One of Grandma’s projects this summer was to get pictures done of all of their grand kids.  Now that may be somewhat of an easy task….if everyone lived relatively close – but these kids do not.

It was great getting together with these 6!  To see the younger ones look up to their older cousins and to see the older ones take care of their younger cousins.  We had a lot of fun with balloons, bubbles (my favorite!) and a summer day wouldn’t be complete without watermelon!

Here are just a few of my favorite from that day….

Christine

 Now….from oldest to youngest……

love the frog pose!

Vanessa & Sean’s day started with the girls spending time at Spoiled Rotten and hanging out with Jenni – one of the coolest hairstylists in Fort McMurray.  Vanessa is all about the bling and so I wanted to make sure to spend some time focusing on all of her beautiful accessories for that day.  The apple tree out back was a perfect assistant in showing off the different pieces and sticking with their green theme.  Vanessa looked absolutely stunning!!…although really….did we ever doubt that?

One thing that I should mention was that there was a severe thunderstorm warning for their wedding day. The dark clouds were rolling in and the wind was picking up as their outdoor ceremony began at Heritage Park in the beautiful gazebo.  My favorite part was watching Sean completely captivated with his beautiful bride!  He couldn’t take his eyes off of her!  The couple had their camera out during the day, capturing shots and soaking everything in.  This was the first wedding where the groom did a mini photoshoot with his bride…loved it!

This wedding was a family affair as Vanessa & Sean’s siblings stood up for them, their beautiful daughter was the flower girl and Sean’s son was the ring bearer.  It was so cool to see Sean and his son together as they had been apart for the past 4 1/2 years!  That kid seriously loves his dad! (and vice versa)

Their wedding pictures were so much fun and these two were absolutely amazing!  From standing in fields where Sean teased Vanessa there were rats (and yet she still stood there bravely)….. to a bit of 4×4ing (good thing we were both driving Jeeps!)….. to the shots in the grass where Sean was sitting on a pop can….oh and we can’t forget about the bubble guns….energy drinks….or all the yawning! (hence the energy drinks) 

May this special day be only the beginning of memorable moments together!

Christine

You know that “look” that two people have when they are in love?  It is often abundantly evident on a wedding day – and hopefully in the years following.  The words that the couple speaks without uttering a single word.  The looks that are exchanged or simply the way they look at each other……the tenderness of a touch and just how they interact with each other.

That was my favorite part of spending time with Allysa & Dorman!  Their love and respect for each other is so evident and they seem like they are each others best friends – which I believe they are.  To top that off, you add a baby into the mix and the excitement that accompanies that and it was beautiful. Truly.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that this baby is going to be loved like crazy!

Just a few of my favorites – and I asbolutely love the shots in the tall grass – my new favorite pregnancy images!

Congratulations you two!

Christine