Ryan & Lori 9.17.11

The napkins said it best ... but since this is from the photographer's view point we wanted to share a sneak peek into one of the most beautiful wedding day stories we've had the privilege to capture.  I managed to keep shooting, but my heart listened to the ceremony like these two people and their families were my own.

I whispered Amen out loud and hopefully shouted a silent hallelujah.

Hiding behind my camera, I found myself following the guests down the aisle to lay hands on the couple.  My shutter cadence echoed in the trees as collectively the vows, and an occasional horse whinnie, ascended with the prayers.

The testimony Ryan and Lori's day pointed to their God and leaves no doubt in my mind that these guys will make it to "ever after."

As the September sun warmed the afternoon, and if there is such a thing as a God honoring fairy tale, it happened yesterday in a sleepy hollow just outside West Lafayette.

****Be sure to scroll to the bottom and see our first attempt at "Stop" Motion Photography.
Jennifer Grace Photography 

Lori and Ryan from Jennifer Schmid on Vimeo.

Senior Moment

I seriously want to tell a story with each and every photo shoot on the calendar ... hence the name STORIES Photography.

So, late in August as the sun peeked through the corn rows and the pond glistened in silence, Greta and I began her early morning senior pictures.  I know Greta personally because she's my niece and if everybody has a story to tell, Greta has a song to sing, and book to write.

Someday, I believe she will do just that.  But for now, I hope these photographs give you a window into this amazing woman's heart and soul ... and story.

Trends To Traditions

FTPV (from the photographer's view point)
Here are our Top Ten trend's which, in our opinion, should become traditions. You plan it we'll capture it.

1.  Inspiration Boards. We scour tons of wedding photography on the www, and lately we've been noticing the photographers are displaying color coded photos.  Some of this is a result of their photoshopping skills, but we believe it started with an inspiration board, sometimes put together long before the proposal.

2.   Say something. We don't like it when the reception starts with an announcement by the DJ who may or may not  know the wedding couple and who, inevitably mispronounces names. Someone familiar should welcome the guests to the party.  A parent, the groom and/or bride, a pastor.  We've heard all of the above and it warmed our hearts and we don't know most wedding couples personally.  It makes for a great beginning.

3. Gift/Info Bags.  This can be the place for favors, and then all the info for wedding day.  Maybe  flashlights for getting back to their cars. Umbrellas. Breath mints.  After honeymoon address.  Info on the photo-booth, dollar dance,* when the bar is opened, a babysitter in hotel room or lobby, and/or when those mini cheeseburgers will be served. Think mix between "Oscar's" and birthday party favors.
*Seeing as how guests most likely already brought a gift to the occasion, how 'bout donations to the bride and groom's favorite charity for a dollar dance twist.

4.  Late night snacks.  Ok this is almost a must.  Pizza.  Cheeseburger sliders. Another round of Hors d'oeuvres.   A candy/s'mores bar.  How 'bout coffee and breakfast rolls?  Maybe nachos & salsa. This helps in various ways, it gives the alcohol a breather, it says, "Stay awhile longer, we still want to party."

5.  Wedding Week-ends.  S  t  r  e  t  c  h  it out. How 'bout a Welcome Party for out of town guests Thursday evening?  Encourage the wedding party to invite a guest to the rehearsal dinner.  Add a bit of entertainment on Friday night; take 'em out to the ball game and buy them some peanuts and cracker jacks, go bowling, supply lawn games, start a bon fire.  How about Sunday morning brunch & church? Invite guests to stay at the same hotel, and party all week-end.

6.  First Look Photo Display.  Well you know how we feel about "first look" If you indulge us, we'll display photos from earlier in the day on our 17" laptop.  Always a crowd pleaser.

7.  Change of clothes. The bride sometimes dons a more danceable party dress, but why shouldn't the groom get to shed the tux and slip into something more comfortable?  At the least, kick off your shoes.

8.  Kid's Table-space/Entertainment/Photo-booth  We're having such fun offering this as special feature.  We don't actually give instant  pictures to the guests (we do give them a website) but we have some pretty cool props, backdrops, wipe-off boards, and plenty of groomsman ideas.  Make sure the bride and groom get their picture done, as well. Crayons, bubbles, silly string ... give the kids some fun and/or a babysitter.

9. Interactive Guest Books. Stamp and address postcards with your address.  Use the engagement pictures to create a guest book.  Ask for more than signatures.  Get a large frame and have it matted...guests sign the mat, you place your favorite photo in it after wedding.  Set out a computer so guests can friend you on facebook. Start a newly married blog and have everyone "follow" you.

10. Exits.  Before you know it the night is over and like your grand entrance we love to see a planned exit.  It doesn't matter what people throw--rice, rose petals, confetti, bubbles, sparklers (we don't recommend actually throwing sparklers) or paper airplanes, and it doesn't even matter if you actually leave right at that moment, but make a grand exit.

A Love Story

Matt and Marilee met on the soccer field and so it seemed  appropiate and quite significant to promise and repeat their vows on the soccer field---for their wedding ceremony  July 3, 2011---nine years later.

Everything about the day pointed to the passion for each other, as well as their love of the game.

Our favorite photo ops:

~The historic art deco Lafayette Theatre

~Practicing their "first dance" in front of a patriotic playing orchestra

~Dropping the white dress to reveal a little black one during the first dance.

~Sparklers at midnight

~Photobooth escapades.

A lovely Sunday on the field, in the streets, surrounded by close family and friends, made for a sincere marquee;

A Love Story ~ Matt & Marilee

First Look

Debating a First Look ? Let STORIES Photography talk you into one.

1. It's Intimate    
There will be a ton of “firsts” on wedding day.  Take this opportunity to see each other for the first time  as bride and groom and begin your day as it should be ~ together.

2. It's Memorable    
We’ll fade into the background (of course, we’ll keep shooting) you two can whisper sweet nothings to each other and we’ll capture the romance, trust us.

3. It's Time-saving    
Now let’s get practical.  Without a First Look, every single family or bridal party photograph, before the ceremony, is going to be missing the Mr. or the Mrs. and therefore become somewhat obsolete, immediately following the ceremony.

4. It's Nerve Calming    
At STORIES Photography we will be fixin' to talk all wedding couples into a First Look. We succeed about 95% of the time.  We're runnin' right at 100% testimony to the First Look  tradition calming both bride and groom nerves.

5. It's a Photographer’s Dream  
Of course, we want the $ shot.  But what we really want is to capture your personalities and not a worried brow or one eye watching a clock that doesn’t stop ticking all day.

6. It's a Guest Pleaser    
If wedding party, bridesmaid, groomsmen, family shots are done by ceremony time the guest waiting time becomes minimal.

7. It's Refreshing    
After a First Look there’s always a quick opportunity to refresh make-up, fix the hair, or grab a beverage.

8. It's One Day Only     
Your wedding day is only so long.  If you don’t have a First Look and you  have an afternoon ceremony---wedding day can morph quickly into wedding  evening, and before you know it … it’s over.

9. It's Conducive    
Grandma’s & Children will always do better with photographs when they’re not thinking about eating and napping.

10. It's Intimate    
 Did we already say this? We can’t stress it enough. Team up early and give yourselves the gift of first look, first kiss, first promises, first “I’ll always love you,’s” Then  attack  enjoy the rest of your day … together.

As strongly as we believe in the First Look, it’s your call.  No worries, if you decide not to “see” each other beforehand.We’ll still do our darndest to capture both bride and groom at the ceremony first look, because we know happy bride and groom = one more happy wedding day story.

Want your knees to go weak twice in one day?  Go with the "First Look" and "Ceremony Look"