Carrie & Mike's Post-Wedding Engagement Session (Subtitled: We Make Our Own Rules!)

I think you'll remember Carrie and Mike from their absolutely gorgeous wedding at the Indiana State Museum. It was the one with the incredible long veil that was blowing lightly in the breeze ... ah, that was a nice wedding. And I miss summer.

Anyway, I really loved all my wedding clients, but Carrie and Mike were one of those couples that I just SUPER hit it off with. We could never make an engagement session work before the wedding, so we got together later in the fall, and it was really, really nice to see them again.

Now, on the slightly downside, it was the day after my last wedding of the year and I'd had a VERY full weekend of driving and taking pictures and not sleeping, and so I remember almost all of the shoot, including where we went, that it was fun, that we walked past a maybe bomb (turned out it wasn't, someone just forgot their backpack), and most of the little details. I do not, unfortunately, remember their dogs' names. So until someone comments and reminds me, I'm going to call them Boy Dog and Girl Dog, because I believe those are their appropriate genders. And if it's not, I'm sure both Boy Dog and Girl Dog are most secure in their sense of self and I won't be giving either of them an identity crisis in the meantime.

Don't you just love all the blue and red here? (Also, possibly, I have been watching Smallville on DVD recently.) Girl Dog is in the red collar, Boy Dog is in the blue collar, and this jaunty little red door is on Mass Ave, right near the Starbucks where Carrie and I first met and knew it was true love 4-ever. I always think it's funny when people are so in synch that they blink at the same time in all their pictures, but I can't really show those, because no one really seems to be into the blinking pictures (can't imagine why not), but this one is equally fun because all the people and pets are in synch looking at someone passing by. I'm guessing, because everyone is still sitting, that said passerby wasn't carrying steak or something.

Aren't the bushes here just too gorgeous for words? It was prime fall real estate right there.

I have a bunch of pictures in front of this window, but my favorite was the one where they were both talking to the dogs, and maybe only dog owners can understand. But it's just one of those things that you spend so much of your life doing, talking to your dog, that is, and there are so few pictures of it.

And also, I know I say it all the time, but I really do love it when people bring their pets to shoots. It just adds an element of chaos, which is kind of fun for someone who really likes candid shots, and I think that sometimes it helps people forget that they're in front of a camera. Plus, you get to know an entirely different side of people, and it's a bonding experience for the animal lovers.

And, I can usually convince Billy to come and be my dog wrangler/dog attention getter, which is fun and novel too, because he doesn't usually accompany me on engagement and portrait shoots. He wasn't on this one, and I can't remember why ... my best guess is that maybe he was having a filet-with-lobster-hollandaise hangover.

We found this great little alley off Mass Ave (and I tell you, I shouldn't give away my secrets but if you want some fun pictures, go find yourself an alley in a city ... but only in a safe area with two guard dogs) and we totally worked it.

Also, for the record, this entire shoot took MAYBE an hour. I usually go closer to two and sometimes up to three, and I had planned for a longer one since there were dogs involved, but the dogs were awesome and Carrie and Mike were just like, "That's good!" so we called it a day. I figured I'd get a couple good shots but there were SO MANY good ones that I was truly amazed, and it's all because of how gorgeous and fun and gorgeous Carrie and Mike and the puppies are. Yay for Carrie and Mike and the pups!

Alright, now about this picture--I truly think that of all my "stand and smile at the camera" pictures, this is maybe my favorite of all time. Carrie looks beautiful as always, and Mike is looking down (I think at one of the dogs), and I love the effect. You know how I usually talk about funeral pictures, and how this picture of so-and-so would TOTALLY be at their funeral? No, not this one. This is one that I totally picture at their 50th anniversary party. I LOVE it.

This is a shot that took some effort, because as you can see, Girl Dog is sort of not having it and trying to escape (which I think is funny and sort of adds something to the picture). So I asked Carrie and Mike if they minded getting dirt on their butts and they graciously said that they did not, and sat down with the doggies. Boy Dog was happy to lounge and relax, and we got some really fun shots.

Now in case you're interested in any of the "photographical" aspects of my shooting, something I've been trying to challenge myself to do is to shoot wider sometimes and get more of a setting in a picture. One of the things I read early on as a photographer was that if something isn't adding to a photo, then it's taking away. But I was pleased with the composition here, of the alley and some of the feel of it, with the drain pipe, fence, cinder block, and most notably to me, the tiny little green plant popping up. I just think the whole thing has a vibe, and I like that vibe.

And of course, adding some hot babes to your pictures never hurts either.

I had forgotten about this until I saw the picture, but this is outside Yats, and the tables beside the building. I was just going to have them sit across from each other at the picnic table, but Boy Dog took matters into his own hands (paws?) and got right up on the table. We did a quick rearrange and I loved how this came out, and with everyone, human and canine, giving me such genuine big smiles.

Since I've been discussing landmarks in this whole post, I'll just keep on with it and say that this is that little wall by the Mass Ave Starbucks. One of my job duties as a photographer is to carry on a lot of one-sided conversations, but thankfully I have a lot of stories and there's one I always tell by this wall. I don't think it would necessarily translate to writing very well, but sometime when I'm in town, take me to that wall and I can almost guarantee you'll hear it.

And last but not least, a picture of just Mike and Carrie. We had loaded the dogs into the car at that point so they could take it easy (they had done a LOT of walking and were ready for a nap, as was I ... but then, I love naps and could almost always go for one), which was probably the main reason we hurried a little. Anyway, this was in one of the parks over on Pennsylvania with the fountains, and you can't really see it but I have them sitting on a tree root, and I always think that's so cool when there's big huge tree roots coming out of the ground. Probably because the magical trees in movies (like The Princess Bride!) always have those. But seriously, don't they just look incredible? I'm sayin'!

And that brings us to the end! Carrie and Mike, I really hope to see you again one of these days! Well, you probably will. I'll be the crazy old gray-haired lady sneaking that picture into your 50th anniversary party. I can see it now. But maybe before then too! :)

Kristin & Justin Wedding

I think that one of my favorite thing about the blog post that I'm starting right now is the goofball factor of the first two pictures. I just think it says it all. Kristin and Justin hadn't been hanging out, and yet there's something about these two little scenarios with their friends that are just so compatible. Shall we?

We were in the hallways of the Meridian Street Methodist Church (which, by the way, were outstanding for taking some of the fun group shots, and the pink only added to the effect), and Kristin and the gals decided to take a picture gazing lovingly upon this sweet young thing.

Later, not to be outdone, we got the boys ... well, I'm not entirely sure what to call this. I want to say "vamping it up", but that's not quite right and besides, I think it may be a reflection on how I've been reading too many vampire novels lately. But at any rate, it's definitely GQ if nothing else.

Here's the gorgeous bride, and I'm just going to try to get all my gushing out at once, okay? Here goes. I love Kristin's face and I think she has the prettiest smile and her hair was amazing and I love pearls on brides!!!!!!!! Whew!

Here's Kristin hugging her maid of honor and cousin, who I BELIEVE is named Allison (I'm sorry, you guys know I'm terrible at remembering any names besides the bride and groom), but who also has a very unique maiden name that I recognized as also belonging to a girl who married one of my friends from college. Turns out ... SISTERS! And my friends were at the wedding, which is only I think the second time I've run into someone I know while doing a wedding. How exciting is that? Plus, we had all kinds of fun Muncie stuff to talk about.

The Look. You all know my feelings on The Look by now, so I won't go on. (And on. And on. And on.) :)

This groomsman was such a ham but I just liked him so much! He was one of my funniest subjects of the day. :)

I loved this shot of Justin and Kristin in the doorway, and there were a few others (but this is the only one where she's "grooming" him--SEE WHAT I DID THERE?!?!). I just liked it because it was during a little down time before pictures where there will still kind of guests waiting to leave, and all the people in the wedding party were sort of standing around talking and goofing around, and they were just a little bit off by themselves chatting, and it was cute. :)

If he keeps making that face, it's going to freeze like that! I know other people's mom's said that to them ... of course, my mom also told us that if we stuck our bottom lip out, a bird was going to come along and poop on it. I'm telling you, it's a wonder sometimes that I turned out to be an even halfway functioning member of society.

Oh, look! The groom is being groomed by the groomsman! (It's possible that I did put that picture in here just to say it. Thankfully, it's also cute and I like at weddings when the boys have to dress each other because there aren't girls around to do it for them.)

They gave each other this look so many times during their engagement session that it was fun for me to see it again.

Oh, a classic SB shot. :)

Double-fisting drinks WITH cozies! I love it. (Have I ever mentioned that I have a can cozy in my purse at all times? You know, just in case.) And I forgot to tell you guys that when I looked closer at the last wedding, I realized I'd actually scored that triple double I'd been after--I got three people in one shot double-fisting drinks. Yay, I'm a champion!

Kristin's very good-natured father, and also, don't tell Billy this, but I LOVE his mustache. My dad had a mustache all during my childhood (now it's more of a gootee), and I still sort of have a soft spot for them. But I don't think everyone can pull them off and I definitely don't think Billy can, and whenever he tries to shave off all of his beard except for his mustache I yell at him and refuse to kiss him, which of course he thinks is great fun. If Billy could grow this good of a mustache ... well, I probably still wouldn't consider it because to me, mustache = dad, and more specifically MY dad, and I think we can all agree that would be a little weird. But anyway, point being, Kristin's dad has one awesome 'stache.

This is during the maid of honor's toast ... I suppose she'd be a matron of honor, since she's married, right? It's one of those distinctions that I sometimes forget about and I hope people aren't too offended when I get it wrong. I don't think they are--I still respect the awesomeness of the position. :)

These two had some of my absolute favorite cake cutting pictures in the world. Look at their faces!

They had digital picture frames set up by their guest book, which was very cool because some of their engagement pictures made the reel (I'm a glory hog), and because I got to see stuff like this, of baby Mophead and Justin with a beard (which is what he looked like when I first met him)!

Loved this shot of the flowers on the table. They really were SO beautiful.

The first dance. I had to get in the chandelier because Kristin loved them so much, and I think they were a big part of why they chose the Omni. And speaking of the Omni, I cannot let this post get by without bringing up how this wedding swooped in out of nowhere and became Billy's buzzer-beating, last shot favorite wedding. Sorry, all the other weddings. But truly, I don't even need a complete sentence to tell you why.

Filet with lobster hollandaise sauce.

I kid you not, I cannot get the boy to shut up about this, and this wedding was like three months ago. And the other thing is, I'm usually too nervous at weddings to eat very much (until after, and then I eat like a starving person who has just run the Boston Marathon, except like ... MORE), but I know I have to eat SOMETHING to keep going so I usually have some salad and carb up on rolls or pasta or something and then get back at it. Especially in this case, that worked out for Billy because he ended up also getting most of my filet (which was, of course, delicious).

So for several weeks after the wedding, he would occasionally look over at me and say, "Two filets with lobster hollandaise sauce, please." Like if he ordered it from me it would just suddenly appear. I was like ... I don't even know where to begin. I don't know how to respond to your ridiculousness, I don't do much cooking whole pieces of meat (I usually leave that to him), and I have no idea what's even IN a hollandaise sauce. But that didn't stop him from bringing it up CONSTANTLY, anywhere in conversation where there was an opening for it.

So the other night he came up behind me while I was editing, and said, "Aaaahhhh yes. Beautiful wedding," and I said, "You just liked the filet with lobster hollandaise," and he said (a little wistfully), "... So beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye," and wandered off to contemplate it some more.

So I can definitely say that this is one wedding that Billy will never forget, and by extension, neither will I. :) Our lives have changed forever.

Kristin asked me before the wedding about doing this shot (she'd seen it somewhere else) with all the wedding guests, and I think it turned out really cool. I love all the hands in the air (there were some cute ones without, too) and I'm glad now that the DJ cajoled the crowd to encourage me to climb higher on the ladder we had out there, despite my fear of heights (I have bad balance, to the shock of no one who knows me). And do you see how everyone is laughing? In my narcissistic mind, it's because I had the microphone and I am SOOOOO hilarious!

Another bouquet shot in the air, and I have to say, this one is so cool because Billy also caught a great shot of it in the air from the balcony. And I have to say, I think this is truly the wedding where he really came on strong as a photographer (buoyed, no doubt, by filet and lobster hollandaise sauce). I told him that and he joked that he needs a raise, and you know ... I think he might be right. :)

Now, remember how I said Kristin loved the chandeliers? Well, we went up on the balcony to get some good shots of them from above, and this one just screamed out to me that it needed some red in it. So I got all layer mask on it (something I'm trying to perfect right now), and I loved how it came out!

Also, why can't I have Kristin's rosy complexion? Honestly. I know I said I wouldn't gush anymore but that one just begged to be said. :)

ERIC AND SARAH! Y'all, I could not have been any happier to see these two, and I had to make sure I got a cute picture for my blog. And I wish I had like four hours to sit down with every single one of you blog readers to tell you stories about Eric from college. Heavens' sakes. And then I just got happy all over again that he ended up with such a cute and awesome girl! Yay for the happily ever afters!

BILLY TOOK THIS! Seriously, how awesome is he? I love this picture and I'm so impressed with him!

He also took this picture, which cracks me up, because not only is this guy rocking out with a baby, but the expressions of the people in the background are priceless!

People, seriously, PLEASE do not forget to comment for these two! You all did awesome on the sneak peek, so main event is of the utmost importance! Don't let me down, I know you can do it!

Seriously, Kristin & Justin were two of my favorites and I think it's because I dragged Billy along on their engagement session that I got so attached to them. It's a little sad that we had to go and move away because between them loving their dogs as much as we love Flash (and Ricker, but she doesn't get out much--her choice, of course), and all of us finding each other's jokes exceptionally funny, they are totally people that I could've seen us being total BFF with. And of course, that lobster hollandaise sealed the deal. They own that boy for life now. :)

As always, the full gallery is up at http://sarahbrownphotography.instaproofs.com. Go check it out!