Stolen Photographs

I guess we have all done it from time to time. You know... see a great photo on the web and save it to your computer for a screen saver or desktop photo. But I never thought someone would blatantly steal from me through the use of specialized software that takes a photo off a secured server and then use it in a training seminar. This is a very very stupid thing to do. Especially if you work for a large employer in the area that would be very easy to sue.

So, in response to this violation I have removed certain sections of our photo tour. My apologies to those of you interested in seeing what we were up to on our trip.

And to the person who stole the photos,... Shame on you.

Trip Update

We spent two beautiful days in the Buffalo area, soaking ourselves on the Maid of the Mists Tour and completely enjoying the breathtaking architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and the horrid roads of the city of Buffalo.

Here are a few links to the photos from those days.

Niagra Falls
http://hopehaven.exposuremanager.com/g/niagra_falls_

Buffalo, New York
http://hopehaven.exposuremanager.com/g/buffalo_new_york


Following this we drove north to visit with family in the Sudbury, Ontario area. The photos from that portion can be found here.

Sudbury, Ontario
http://hopehaven.exposuremanager.com/g/sudbury_ontario

Today we drove East to Ottawa, Ontario
http://hopehaven.exposuremanager.com/g/ottawa_ontario

Tomorrow we will drive through Montreal to Quebec City. Those photos will be located at: http://hopehaven.exposuremanager.com/g/quebec_city_quebec


Enjoy and more to come!!!!!

Photo Tour Day 1

We are on a photo tour. But before I tell you all the great things that we will be up to, I want to give a big T H A N K Y O U to the family that is taking care of our home while we are gone.

The first leg of our photo tour takes us by plane to Atlanta and then onto Buffalo, NY. Tomorrow we anticipate seeing some of Frank Lloyd Wrights homes and touring the beautiful area of the Niagra River. Tomorrow evening we will see the 4th of July fireworks over the Niagra falls (8TH largest display in the world) and enjoy some buffalo wings. Did you know that buffalo wings originated in Buffalo? I didn’t either until I started researching this photo tour.

So what is a photo tour and how does it differ from a normal vacation? The goal of a photo tour is just that, to take photographs. I sell them on the internet through some stock sites or my own. I will be meeting with fellow photographers and wandering the beautiful area north of Toronto. So while we will be hitting the well known touristy places, we will also be taking time to chase down those out of the way locations that are hidden gems.

Some of you have asked how I can take a trip during the summer high demand wedding month. All I can say is planning and a dedication to make it happen. I am happy to report that all pending wedding items and portrait appointments were handled prior to my leaving.

I continue to be in awe of the people we were with at the wedding this last Saturday. I suffered from heat stroke at the wedding. This is a scary and unfortunate experience and one that I do not care to ever repeat. Losing consciousness at a weddng is never anything that I want to crow about but let me tell you about our team. There were 3 all together in the crew, including myself They never missed a beat The first episode came on during formals prior to the ceremony. I simply handed the camera off to my partner and he continued shooting. During the ceremony we still had three digital still camera angles as well as two video angles and even with my second episode taking place during the ceremony; they didn’t miss a shot. I am very proud and thankful for the crew I work with. So if you are reading this and thinking about who to book for your wedding; ask them what plans they have in place for emergencies such as this one. We had a plan in place and without much discussion we were able to implement the emergency plan and get me the relief that I so desperately needed. The icing on the cake was the way-cool wedding party, especially the bride and groom. For all the weddings that I have shot, these were the perfect people to take such a thing in stride. I wish them all the best and I am sure we will see much of each other in the future.

Another absolutely beautiful wedding

Set on the shores of Grapeview, Washington a beautiful wedding took place between Jed and Maggie. One of the most picturesque locations we have shot to date.

To Jed and Maggie, we definently wanted to acknowledge the beautiful event and say thank you for choosing us to photograph and videotape your wedding.

Today is Wedding Day

Congratulations to Jed and Maggie. Today you're getting married!!!

Having Fun

I am human, I have a tendendancy to forget that I fell in love with photography as a young teen. I forget that not all shots are for making other people's memories last forever. One of my goals this summer is to shoot more photography for me, things that make make smile. So here is a sample of the types of shots that make me fall in love with photography all over again.

The Stolen Wedding

A few Saturday's ago we were at the Seattle Center to shoot a few engagement sessions, due to the weather we only got one to show, but it was good anyway. So after the rain, I went into the butterfly house to warm up. I was shooting the butterflies...one of my favorite relaxing things to do. Dodging kids and flying things, I saw a couple getting married. I glanced around and didn't see anyone taking photos, but there was a guy shooting a home cam. Then....I thought, what the heck...and rapped off a few. Just in time for their vows and kiss and then wandered away.
I kept thinking about it...how I stole shots of them while they were getting married. I felt so bad. I don't need wedding shots, I have a few. :-) So, I went back and gave my email address to the video guy and told him I would send a disk of pics, no charge, and feeling much better went back my happiness in winged form. After a few moments the bride approached and asked if I wouldn't mind shooting a few of her and her groom. Of course...I said sure. After shooting a few and getting a great lead for a destination wedding. hmmmmm,....karma is nice.
Anyway, here are a few shots, the stolen ones first and then the ones with permission.

Courtyard Hall in Bothell - Beautiful Wedding

This wedding was unique in several ways. First I have never heard of a groom who wrote, produced and recorded a song for his bride and played it for her during the ceremony. That was fabulous. Second, I have never heard such a great band. Check out the new preferred vendors on my site, you will see a new band called "Big Luv". They are excellent guys!!!

My Favorite Shots

Engagement Sessions at Alki Point

Click on link above for slideshow.

We had fabulous weather for an excellent engagement shoot at Alki Beach. This wonderful couple lives only 30 feet (?) from Alki Beach. What a way to live.

Engagment Session at Seattle Center

We had a wonderful engagement session last Saturday at the Seattle Center in Seattle. Even though it snowed the previous night, and rained off and on all morning. We got some really wonderfully iconic Seattle photos for this beautiful couple. Can you believe it, these two have known each other all their life and they still want to be together. Ah Amore......