VANTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY » Engagement Session

Eric and Mariana: Engaged!

vantagep — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:00:19 +0000

When I was in Chicago for Kelly and Paul’s wedding, I was lucky enough to be able to set aside some quality time to spend with one of my best friends, Eric, and his soon-to-be wife (wife!) Mariana, before I boarded the plane for San Diego. And I was thrilled to have been able to celebrate their relationship by doing an engagement session with them in their new city and home, Chicago. It makes me so happy to see Eric so happy–clearly, Mariana, you’ve captured his heart.

Enjoy your sneak peek and slideshow you two. And CONGRATULATIONS! See you in August!

Becky + Trey: Newport Beach, California

vantagep — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:17:49 +0000

This past Monday I packed up my gear and drove north for an engagement session in Newport Beach with Becky and Trey. I was already booked on the day of their Wisconsin wedding (they’re getting married in a month!) but we did the next best thing and did an engagement session in Cali (they’re living in Santa Monica now).

Monday was EXTRA special because my good friend and fellow photographer Jamie Lawler made the trip up with me to be my assistant/entertainment for the evening. Complete with shadow puppet birds attacking my Gary Fong Lightsphere:

This is what we were doing as Becky and Trey walked up. Classy, right? Yeah, that’s how we roll.

ANYway, I had a great time getting to know Becky and Trey. Becky was a total trooper, braving the windy day and chilly evening to do the beach shots….and Trey survived a gelato attack. Apparently every time he eats ice cream, he dumps some on his shirt and Monday was no exception. :) And in spite of it all, we created some beautiful images together…

Karen & Matt

vantagep — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:59:43 +0000

It was an unseasonably cold and rainy June 6th in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin but Karen, Matt and their families made the best of it, even buying lime green umbrellas to match the wedding party. Karen, with the soft-spoken optimism I remembered from the engagement session, remarked to me at one point, “I’m glad it’s raining a little–it’s good luck.” Congratulations you two!

Tuesday Tidbit: Meet Your Friend, the Color Wheel

vantagep — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:49:25 +0000

It’s a gray day in San Diego (yeah, I know, crazy) so I’m feeling the need to add a bit of color into life: meet the color wheel. Color Wheel, you. You, color wheel. Now that you’ve been properly introduced…First, a view into the dorkiness that is me: I loooooooove color wheels. I still remember the first time I learned about the color wheel, I was in sixth grade art class wearing one of my dad’s old button down shirts, backwards, as my art smock….I even remember the assignment we got that day: create an abstract painting using two complimentary colors. Mine was purple and yellow. Seriously, just LOOK at that color wheel. Isn’t it just gorgeous?? …. I told you I was a dork.

Next, definitions.

1) Primary Colors: Traditionally, the primary colors are red, blue and yellow. Originally, it was thought that these colors could be combined in different ways to create all other colors on the color wheel. Eventually, this was disproven but the thought still prevails.

2) Complimentary Colors: The colors found directly across from one another on the color wheel–blue/orange, purple/yellow, red/green. Two colors are complimentary if, when mixed together, they create a neutral gray color. As a fun side note, when you stare at one color for an extended period of time then look at a white piece of paper/wall/etc, the color’s complimentary color will “appear” in the white area. Neat, huh?

3) Analogous Colors: These are the colors found next to each other on the color wheel, such as orange, yellow-orange and yellow.

So why do the color wheel and these definitions matter? Because color matters. Color breathes life into photos, creates harmony or discord, evokes emotion and associations–powerful stuff when creating strong images.

Take a look at these examples:

1) Primary colors have the potential to evoke emotions of simplicity, purity, strength, especially when combined with strong lines and simple objects (here I use blue and red as my primary colors):

2)Using complimentary colors can create interesting contrasts and highlight certain things within the image (notice the orange hair/freckles and blue necklace):

3) Analogous colors have a harmonious, calming effect and add to the serenity of an image (here, yellow/yellow-green/green with a pop of white and black neutrals):

Next time you’re out and about with your camera, pay attention to color as you’re shooting: color is your friend.

Happy shooting!

E-Session: Alia and Justin

vantagep — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:10:25 +0000

You know that song that goes “If you’re goooooing to Saaaan Fraaaaancisco…be sure to weeeeeear flowers in your hair…” Yeah, you know it. Michael was singing it all weekend. Why? Because we made a weekend trip out of an engagement session I had with Alia and Justin in none other than, you guessed it, San Francisco. Alia and Justin are getting married in Milwaukee in September but have recently made a home in San Francisco. They asked me to fly up from San Diego so they could do their e-session in their new city. How could I say no???

We had great time exploring the city with them and also discovered what a small world we all live in–Justin and Michael knew each other in college and Alia works with the brother of a client of mine (remember Erin from the Eric/Erin duo last year?). Crazy, huh?

Enjoy your sneak peek, you two! Alia, I know you in particular were itching to see these…lol. :)

Michelle and Joe’s E-Session

vantagep — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:30:08 +0000

Two posts in one day–aren’t you all so lucky! :) The day after Kourtney and Mike’s wedding, I did an engagement shoot with Michelle and Joe. These two were great to work with–they were up for anything I suggested, including climbing a tree and having a leaf fight (which they engaged in wholeheartedly, I should add!). I loved that Michelle couldn’t stop laughing the whole time and Joe kept looking at her as if to say “You’re a goofball…and I love it.” I can’t wait for the wedding!

Marita and Eric are engaged!

vantagep — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:16:27 +0000

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of spending three hours doing an engagement session with Marita and Eric, two very fun, energetic and in-love people. We hit practically all of Madison, from the Olbrich Gardens to the Overture Center to State Street, and I for one had a blast. I’m also psyched because they want me to use their images to create a custom guest book, my first “real” one (as in, not just a sample book). I love these books and think they’re one of the greatest ways to customize your wedding and have an amazing keepsake all at the same time. Yay for Marita and Eric! :)

I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in October and share with you even more gorgeous photos from that day…

Click here to view their slideshow (oh so fun!!) and scroll down to view images:

Kathleen and Mike

vantagep — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:57:49 +0000

This past Sunday I did an engagement session with Kathleen and Mike. The two of them were hilarious to work with–I was laughing pretty much the whole two hours! I love working with these two: they’re easy going, fun, creative and willing to do pretty much anything! And they clearly fit well together. I’m so excited to shoot their wedding in October!

No related posts.

I love slideshows!

vantagep — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:46:54 +0000

As one of Vantage’s first purchases for 2008, we invested in some really cool new software that allows us to put up beautiful slideshows up on the web. Of course I immediately got addicted to playing around with it–I love this stuff! So of course, I just had to create a slideshow of Ann Marie and Jared–we created some really beautiful images that day.

I love this program, because it really breathes life into the photos and increases their emotional impact. And it’s a fabulous way to share your images with family and friends–just by sending a web link. We’re going to now be offering an online slideshow with our 2008 wedding packages, so everyone can get in on the fun! Check it out at www.weddingsbyvantage.com/annmarieandjared

E-Session: Ann Marie and Jared

vantagep — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:35:41 +0000

What a perfect day for an engagement shoot! Ann Marie, Jared and I met at a beautiful park in Lake Mills and we spent the crisp fall afternoon creating beautiful portraits. I had so much fun working with them. They’re a photographer’s dream: fun, photogenic and in love. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding!!

Thanks you two for a really fun afternoon! Enjoy your sneak peek!