New Payment Option: On Site Credit and Debit

Introducing: On Site Credit and Debit Transactions.

I can now take payment on site or over the telephone and provide you with an immediate receipt.

As you may know, I've been able to take credit and debit payments for quite awhile now but have been restricted to email.  I can still send you an email with a link to pay for things like prints orders, deposits on services, etc.  That option will continue if that is what you prefer.

By the way, all prints 16x20 and larger are on sale until 9/30/2010.  So, another week left to save big on Stand Outs, Wraps, Large Prints.  Personally, I love the idea of Stand Outs and Wraps so I don't have to buy a frame.  This sale is available only through me and NOT through the SBV Photography Website.

Thanks!!

CHRIS & ELISE: WEDDING AT VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY PT.5

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Arriving at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana for the Reception, I realized that the couple had set aside some downtime for themselves and the wedding party to cool off, get some water and light snacks.  This gave me opportunity to shoot many detail shots.  I always shoot with a montage in mind.  The image above I had the bands in the center knowing that I'd most likely use the free space to interweave other images.  It's one of my favorite montages.

Here is one that includes the Bride and Groom's own photography....

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After this rest period, it was time for introductions.  Ladies and gentleman, let's hear it for the Best Man and Maid of Honor!!!

The speeches were next and they were all great and from the heart.

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When it was cake cutting time, Elise hesitated and asked me where she was supposed to cut.  I told her a little from the bottom would do just fine.  Well, the cake was in no danger of toppling after her morsel size cutting!!!  :)

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Time to dance!!!  Very glad to have captured this moment on the floor...

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Lookout, there's a train on the dance floor...

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Girls gone wild!!!

Chris sends the garter into flight...

Here is another montage featuring the bride's parents...

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I hope you have enjoyed the posts all this week.  Thanks to Chris and Elise for having me as their wedding photographer.  I'll be seeing you guys soon to deliver the wedding album.

To view the entire collection of images from their big day, visit the Chris and Elise Galleries at the SBV Photography site.

CHRIS & ELISE: WEDDING AT VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY PT.4

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When I arrived at the church, Chris was waiting with his family so we decided to take some formal shots until Elise arrived and we arranged their pre ceremony meeting.  We got a few in with his family included these two with his Dad and his best man.

Chris takes the award for calmest groom ever.  Here he is chillin' just as I was receiving notice of Elise's arrival.

After this shot we went to the side of the church to put Chris in a hidden away area for the big meeting chronicled in Pt.2.  It was at this time that he showed me a bag stashed outside in a corner that had all the frisbees for our wedding party shot out on the big lawn...

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One of our other pre planned stops was the spiral staircase inside of Chapel of the Resurrection.  We took several versions.  Be sure to enlarge the images for a better view...

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A quick one, just seconds before the ceremony was to begin at the entrance of the spiral staircase...

It was one heck of a bright sunny day and I wanted to make sure these guys didn't fry in the sun so I turned their backs to the light and used some flash to make sure their faces could be seen. The bridesmaids were a lot of fun willing to endure multiple shots so I didn't get any blinkers in the bunch.

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The kissing bridge is practically right off Route 30 close to the south entrance of Valparaiso University.  I gave these guys a spot to stand and they did the rest...

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There is no way we could not use that spectacular stained glass window as a backdrop for a few...

One of the things I'm known for is photo montages like the one that begins this post and the one below.  This one is actually one photograph.

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Hey, we can't forget about the groomsmen in Reservoir Dogs mode...

For parents and aunts, uncles, etc. I tend to go more traditional, meaning no frisbee tosses!!

Lastly, I leave you with a shot of the entire wedding party gathered around a grand piano in the choir loft of the chapel.  Tune in tomorrow for the Reception.

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CHRIS & ELISE: WEDDING AT VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY PT.3

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Today we continue with the overview of Chris and Elise's wedding day.  This Journal entry concentrates on the ceremony at Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University.

The above shot was at the midway point and I was trying to capture a perspective not usually seen by guest.  The couple really liked it and ordered a print of this image.  The pink petals are courtesy if Elise's mom, who can be seen below making her entrance.

The church is huge and it's spectacular.  It's quite the walk for folks in the procession.  Good for me though as I get time and space to capture them from the front and also the bride's viewpoint from behind.

Everyone stand as the bride makes her grand entrance with her father.

A tender moment as Dad gives his daughter away...

The two images below were taken moments apart.  I was definitely on the move as the only photographer with a vast amount of space to cover.  Had a Fisheye lens attached to one camera for some ultra wide perspectives and a normal lens on the other camera body.  My double strap really comes in handy for events such as weddings.

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By visiting the chapel ahead of time, I found out about a trap door from the basement onto the altar.  This enabled me to get behind the bride and groom (without being intrusive) to capture images of their faces while exchanging vows.

Thank you trap door!!  I escape back up front for some more shots of the entire scene...

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Here is one of my favorites.  A zoom effect while capturing the newly married couple exiting the church.  

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Chris and Elise await their guests in a receiving line.  Soon we will be on the move again with Formal shots with family and the wedding party.  Tune in tomorrow for more play by play.