Portrait Studio Grand Reopening

I have a brand new portrait studio opening in March.  Photography clients who have had sessions at my former portrait studio can attest that the quality has been superb, but the room a bit cramped.  All that changes in a few weeks when I will have a grand reopening of the larger studio - now located in Crown Point, Indiana.

As before, sessions will be booked by appointment and the results will be what the big box retailers cannot offer.  Just as I strive to make my wedding photography unique, my child photography and family photography will have the same guidelines.

For high school seniors, I will now have many more sets and backgrounds along with an App for iPhone and iPad in some of the packages.  There will even be a rock star set up to revealed soon.

My Crown Point portrait studio can also be a destination spot for engagement photos as well....

I hope to have things complete in the next few weeks so I can post some images and reveal the exciting new studio packages.  Of course, things have been crazy busy with the move and booking wedding clients for 2012 and 2013.

More news about my new Crown Point Portrait Studio coming soon.  In the meantime, enjoy these images from past sessions.  

Wicker Park Bridal Show Recap

From cake tasting to wedding photographers to beauty experts - all wedding vendors were well represented at the Wicker Park Bridal show in January.  I was there with my Region Weddings booth where we gave away a Chicago Sessions Engagement Package.

Wedding cakes are always plentiful at these shows and it's a great way to see how they will look in the environment of a reception hall such as the Wicker Park Social Center in Highland.

One of my favorites is this vintage style cake with retro looking white flowers...

Of course, the main reason a wedding photographer like myself is at shows like this is to show off my work in person and also meet brides to be.  It's usually a bit noisy so I encourage prospective clients to schedule a meeting so I can hear all about your wedding.  It's only been a week and I've already booked with one couple from the show.  The entire month of January has been a booking frenzy so please don't delay in contacting me to set up your very own meeting.

My booth was right next to a string quartet that played some soothing classical pieces.  They would make a classy addition to any wedding ceremony or wedding reception dinner.

Bridal fashions were on hand with everything from dresses, veils and foot wear such as these sexy high heeled pumps...

This year's show, as always, was sponsored by Brides Guide Magazine - the longest running bridal publication in Northwest Indiana and Chicago.

So, after you say "yes" and before you both say "I do", check out a local bridal show.  The next one is scheduled for February 26th at Glenwoodie Golf Course in Glenwood, Illinois.  Please call 219-662-9245 for more information.  I will be busy this date setting up my new portrait studio in Crown Point, so please contact me now as opposed to waiting for a show.

Winner of Chicago Engagement Session

What a great crowd at the Wicker Park Bridal show today!!  Special thanks to Bride's Guide Magazine for having me and a big thank you to all who stopped by the booth.  I hope myself and my assistant Leslie were of some help in answering your photography questions.  I encourage you to fill out the Contact form and set up a meeting so we can discuss your wedding in a quieter setting.

Before I announce our winner, let me tell you a little bit about the prize itself.  The Chicago Sessions Engagement Package is a favorite of mine and is always a fun day for clients as well.  It's a special engagement shoot with the Windy City as our backdrop.  All images are taken in color and then turned into classic, cinematic black and white.  I add grain to make them look like film.  Think 1960's street photography or old hollywood romantic films. 

The color versions will be available just in case there's an image or two that is just begging for a spectacular color rendering like this Chicago Theater collage...

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The Chicago Sessions Engagement Package includes:

• 3 hours of photography
• 7x7 Hardcover Photo Book
• 8x10 Wrap
• Train Transportation

We will meet at the South Shore train station and take the initial shot of the train arriving and then onto the city.  The entire session will last about 5 hours including train travel.  We will stop for a coffee and snack break and discuss your wedding as well.

So, without further delay - the winner from the Wicker Park Bridal Show is.....

Meghan Maloney!!

Congratulations!!!  I will be contacting you to make arrangements to claim your prize.  For those of you who did not win, when you hire me to shoot your wedding photography, I will be adding a complimentary 11x14 Premium Print into your package.  Be sure to remind me that you found me at the show.  Please fill out the Contact form and set up a meeting today.  We have been booking dates very fast lately.

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Thanks again for a great day!!

Wedding Client Mobile Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android

Today I'm introducing an awesome new add on to my wedding packages - wedding client mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and select Android devices.  Starting in 2012, all wedding clients who book the Digital or Digital Plus packages will receive their very own App in a lite version for no extra charge.  All clients who book a Digital Deluxe package will receive their very own app in a premium version for no extra charge.

Mobile App Lite Version: 1/2 dozen images chosen by me, ability to share the App with friends, one touch contact me button and a direct link to Region Weddings.

Premium Version: 25 images chosen by client, ability to share the App with friends, one touch contact me button and a direct link to Region Weddings.

This Premium Version will be available for purchase to any client for $19.99.  Buy the App once and share with as many friends as you'd like.  In other words, one purchase for all who want the App.

FAQ:

Q. Do I need to go to the App Store to download the Apps?

A. No.  All Apps will be downloadable via a link on the web.  See instructions below.

Q. Do the Apps work on Android?

A. Yes.  However, Android has many different versions, sizes and manufacturers.  I suggest you download the free Region Weddings App or a lite version first before purchasing a Premium App. 

Q. Will the App work on the iPad?

A. Yes, it is especially designed for iPhone and iPad.

Q. My mom, my brother, my 200 Facebook friends and my Aunt Millie want the Premium version.   Do they all need to make a purchase?

A. No.  You buy the App once and it can be sent to your friends right from within the App itself.  No limit as to how many of your friends can download YOUR MOBILE APP for free.

Q. Can I run the App while off line?

A. Yes, after it downloads choose 'yes' to "add storage to your device" when this pops up.

Follow these instructions to download the FREE REGION WEDDINGS MOBILE APP FOR IPHONE AND IPAD:

• Log on to a Wi-fi network with your mobile device when downloading the App for the first time.
• Tap on this link Region Weddings Mobile App.
• An instruction in Mobile Safari to "tap on the + button" will appear.  Choose "add to home screen".
• Let the App download.  Eventually a pop will ask if you want to "add more storage to this device".  Choose yes.
• Soon after this a "download complete" will appear and you will then be able to enjoy the app offline.

The Region Weddings App above is an example of what your App will look like.  The screen icon will be one of your wedding pictures.

Known issues:

On some Android phones and tablets, the screen icon becomes a generic bookmark.  No known issues for iPhone or iPad.

I hope you enjoy this new feature.  I will be rolling out Apps for my studio clients as well.  Stay tuned.

Allen and Jessica's New Years Wedding

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Allen and Jessica had a rocking good time ushering in the New Year of 2012.  You saw the sneak peek a couple of weeks ago, now let's take a deeper look at their New Years Eve wedding.

The day started off with Jessica being tended to by the flower girls inside the Bride's Room at Bethel Church in Crown Point.  Her mom helped her with the tying of the dress along with the garter placement...

I spent the day covering the events of their winter wedding - from their first look (behind a door) to the first kiss and fireworks enhanced exit after midnight - a wonderful way to spend New Years Eve.

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In this ceremony photo, the bridesmaids look on as the pastor enlightens the happy couple on the joys of marriage....

The groom places the ring upon his bride with the glowing cross of Bethel Church in the background...

Look up 'happy' in the dictionary and this photograph appears....

Uh oh, somebody isn't paying attention...

Allen and Jessica's first kiss as husband and wife...

We assembled family and close friends in the auditorium at Bethel and began formal wedding photos starting with this large family group shot...

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One of my favorite images inside the church is this one of the newly married couple with the bridesmaids at the piano and the Christmas tree in the background.

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Above is a set up formal photo of the bride and groom with some dramatic lighting effects to demonstrate the majesty of their marriage and beautiful church.

We braved the winter cold to do a few outside photos in front of the old courthouse in the Crown Point Square. Here, the bride and groom hold up gigantic thank you cards for their wedding guests, family and friends...

As the groom attempts to escape (just kidding), the bridesmaids hold him hostage with their ever deadly nerf guns!!

As guests entered Andorra Banquet Hall for the New Years Eve wedding reception they would see Christmas ornaments with their name and table number attached.  A very cool idea for seating guests!!

The newlyweds had a lovely first dance with the friends looking on...

When I do these highlight posts I almost always show off the father and daughter dance, but this time we turn the tables with a spotlight on mother and son...

The bride and groom taunt each other with the first bites of their wedding cake...

As the night progressed, the flower girls showed no signs of slowing down on the dance floor...

A packed New Years Eve dance floor at Andorra...

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At midnight the newlyweds exited into the cold night sky while friends and family serenaded them with sparklers and fireworks...

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Congratulations to Allen and Jessica on getting married New Years Eve 2011.  You'll never forget that anniversary date!!