I'm Alex and this is where you'll find out about my life, wedding photography, and other random things that show up. I live with 1 amazing wife and 4 small children. They will show up in posts from time to time, but for the most part this little blog-site is your one stop shop for all your Alex M. Photography goodness. I post here pretty much every other day so be sure and check back often. Also, I know many of you are currently at work so try not to get fired for reading my blog.
I almost forgot.... Don't forget to leave fun comments. They help my fragile little ego feel better. :)
I have been looking forward to Randall's bridal session since way back in October when I did her super fun engagement session. She had mentioned that they might have their wedding at her uncle's house and even though it was not finished then I kept hoping that's what would happen because it looked like it was going to be amazing. Well, here we are 9 months later and everything has fallen into place. We did her session there and I can't wait to get back there in a few months for the wedding.
Here are a few of my favorites and since she pretty much knocked my socks off from the beginning to the end of the session I thought I'd go ahead and treat her to a Same Day Edit! (Click here to find out how you can be a SDE!)
I am totally digging the combination of this house and her dress.
I LOVED this red room.
So I typically don't post "tradition" poses on the blog, but this one was too fun to pass up. I just love the colors and how relaxed and beautiful Randall looks in this shot.
Super great Fourth of July wedding at Castle on the Lake in Jacksonville. No chit chat from me, just straight to the images.
Super cute flower girl. Ready and willing to be photographed.
This was Lindsey's checklist for the day.
They wanted lots of photos of the two of them and that always starts off with a super fun First Look.
Lindsey had EVERYBODY rocking the white and they all totally pulled it off.
I love me a good ring shot.
It's funny, no matter how hot it is, once the ceremony rolls around, it's all kinda just fades away to pretty.
Right after the ceremony they decided to take me up on one of my "tips" and have a meal alone. Just the two of them.
Is it OK to admit that i teared up a bit during Butterfly Kisses?
My ring shot prop and his lady friend. :)
First sparkler getaway where I literally feared for my life. (I think some people snuck in some fireworks or something. There was a lot of flameage happening. Venue: Castle on the Lake
So for those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know that a couple of weeks ago we re-enacted our wedding. Jo was way too cool to be "in" the wedding so he opted to be the photographer and Sara was able to fulfill her dreams of being a flower girl.
2 side notes: 1. The kids have always liked taking pictures with our iPhones and my camera, but we finally broke down and bought them a camera of their own and they have gone nuts with it. I have not really told them what to do other than how to turn it on and off and the results have been pretty fun to watch. I'll do a post soon of the random stuff they shoot. 2. Give it up for my wife. 7 year and 4 kids later she still fit into that dress. I on the other hand walked around with my pants half way zipped and only inhaling.
The garden hose made a lovely wedding walk and Sara had the time of her life.
Luke did great as the Father of the Bride. No tears, just a man knowing his daughter will be in good hands.
Eli was the PERFECT minister. He kept it short and to the point.
Jo got up close for the ring exchange.
We did have to hold the kiss. I think he missed the first one. No one told him to shoot the grooms cakes, he just figured it was worth documenting.
This is the only photo I and my timer can take credit for. Not a bad looking group.
Anyway, all you brides who are thinking of adding a second shooter to your package, don't be surprise if Jo shows up. :)
Continuing my little list of Vendor Interviews I thought I'd let everyone hear from Casey Brown. I have been working events with him anywhere from 5-10 years now. He is by far my favorite DJ in the area and super professional.
Brides listen closely while I let you in on a little secret. No other wedding vendor has the ability to "ruin" your day quite like a bad DJ can. They can be rude, awkward, clumsy, and totally kill any mood that your ceremony and or reception has. And they can do all of that while holding a microphone and pumping the sound out to your 300 guests. :) Seriously, this is one area you what to know what you are getting. This person is the "voice" of your wedding. From announcing you when you come in, letting everyone know about the cake cutting, telling everyone where to go line up for your get-away, they are who people will be hearing through out the night.
I have attached a little video at the end of the interview to show you what could happen. Watch the whole thing. It's painful. (It's also not CMB)
Here are a few shots of Casey in action and then it's on to the questions...
How did you guys get started, how long have you been doing this? I began DJing in 1993 at KLIS 96.7, a top 40 station running Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 on Sunday afternoons. I was a junior in High School at the time. From there, myself and the other DJs at the station started mobile DJing teen birthday parties. In 1995 I formed CMB Music Productions, and have been loving it ever since.
What is your favorite part about your job? The favorite part of my job, is seeing the faces of the bride and groom and their guests having fun on the dance floor. Whether it's fast dancing, slow dancing, doing a line dance or group activity. Because I know, that I'm doing my part to create those memories with them, on their wedding day.
What is the craziest thing that has ever happened at a wedding you DJ-ed (this of course does not mean that you were responsible for the crazy.)
It's a 3 way tie!
1, multiple fights broke out after the reception while we were packing up.
2, The most absurd and inappropriate speech by a best man ever!
3, a bridesmaid fainting during the ceremony....twice. And yes, I caught her both times. (don't wear heels for outdoor ceremonies, and don't lock your knees!)
I have an iPod, why should i spend money on a DJ? With an ipod, you lose so much control. Someone is constantly having to go and change the song, and the playlist you create in advance, may not be appropriate in the order you chose before the wedding. You lose the control of music programming in real time to suit the events happening at that moment. Imagine this, it's time for the father daughter dance, and the person you pick to operate the ipod mis-cues and starts the YMCA instead. That steals from the moment. And an ipod doesn't make your announcements, and keep your reception on track. This YouTube video best shows you what you get with an ipod wedding.
What are some things brides should look for when looking for a DJ? Brides should look for a DJ that is professional, competent, and one whose personality and music style meets that of the bride and groom. The important thing to remember is to ask questions when interviewing. What music do you have? How many years have you been in business? How many weddings have you done? If we want songs that you don't have, will you get them? Don't be afraid to ask the DJ questions. It will help you make the right decision on your wedding entertainment.
What is something unique to your set-up/services that you are extra proud of? I really could quote my top 5 reason to choose CMB here. But you can see that on our website. Our main feature is.....BACKUP. Between 4 staff DJs, and networking with other qualified DJs in the Tyler and Dallas areas, if there is an emergency it will likely be a short one. We also have backup equipment. Each CMB DJ that does a wedding takes 2 computers, and 2 hard drives. So if one or the other fails, all we have to do is swap a few cables, and the music continues.
Anything else you wanna say? Wedding music entertainment is important. Be sure to ask questions beyond how much they charge. And go with the DJ company you are comfortable with to take the wheel on one of the biggest days of your life. With weddings, there are no do-overs.
Here is that video as promised, but 2 quick things before you watch it. 1. As awkward as it is to watch, it was way worse for those who were there. 2. This is NOT Casey. :)
Rachel & Andrew had a great wedding in Longview, TX. It was ridiculously hot that day so I was thrilled that everything was indoors. :)
A few last second touches.
Even though it was hot, I could not resist getting them out on the church play ground.
Andrew is a pilot, so this cake pretty much made his day.
Just a slice. Please, let me have one slice.
I looked over towards a table at the end of the evening and saw this. It may be one of my favorite shots from the day. Just a random slightly freaky baby doll laying there with a box in it's belly amongst the forks and left over lettuce.
About 5 minutes into Megan's bridal session she became my least favorite bride of 2009. Here is the problem. Megan found out about me and booked me AFTER she had booked her wedding photographer. Boo. However, she liked my work enough to ask me to do her bridal session. Yeah! Then I met her and started her session and realized that the bridal session would not be enough and I wish I was shooting her wedding in a few months. Boo again.
In all seriousness it was an absolute blast to work with both Megan and her mom. It was super hot the day of the session so they suggested doing some "in their house". Let me be blunt. This is typically not an idea I jump up and down about, most houses are not designed to host bridal sessions, they are designed to live in. Once I walked into their house however I pretty much felt like I was in photography heaven. Super cool furniture, great lighting, and the perfect dress/bride combo to complete the look. Enough blabbing. Enjoy...
My new favorite picture.
My new second favorite picture.
I totally could not pick just one to blog.
At her house Megan's mom also told me about a "friend who has a great back yard". (Another phrase that gives me chills.) Again, nothing against back yards, but potted plants, and green grass do not a Secret Garden make. But, being polite and well paid, I played along and hoped for the best.
Ladies and gentlemen... I give you the Best. Backyard. Ever.
Tyler, Texas everybody.
Thanks so much for an amazing session. I can't wait to get you the rest of your images and am still mad at you for getting married without me. :)
During this session Mollie gave me the greatest compliment ever. She told me that my website had been blocked at work by their IT guy. Too many people looking at it instead of working. :) How awesome is that?
Porn? Blocked. Facebook? Blocked. AlexM Photography? Blocked. OK, enough about me and my super cool anti productivity enhancing website. On to the images.
Mollie was a super brave bride and when the day for her bridal session rolled around and the temperature read 95 she didn't flinch. We had a great session at The Villa de Felicita in Tyler and kept jumping from outdoor locations to indoor locations. (Mostly near the ac vents.) Here are a few of my favorites.
I'm really hoping she gets this one enlarged and displays it at the wedding.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these next ones. Their anniversary is a couple weeks before the wedding so she got his jersey from when he won a state championship and is giving him a few shots like this as a sneak peek of what is to come on their wedding day. Give it up for Mollie ladies and gentlemen. Cliff is going to go ga-ga for these.
Was the ball flat or is Mollie so strong she can actually crush a football? I'll never tell.
When I stop and think about it, I am amazed that we have been married for 7 years. I still remember how crazy and frustrating planning our wedding was, and that all along all you wanted was to get to the everyday normal part of being married. It's so crazy just how much planning goes into these weddings but the reality is that they make up so little of what married life is about. Every weekend I show up on the "most important day" of people's lives and every weekend I come home to just another day in our lives. I never grow tired of coming home to you and this family and I am honored that you chose me so many years ago.
There is no way that I could do this job without the knowledge that you are there in the background cheering me on, so rather than post a few pictures with my note I thought I'd give you a special little place on the blog for a few days. This way, no matter what people are looking at, they will have to see pictures of us and our happy little life together. :)
(I know you like like to read these posts in your RSS reader so you'll have to view the full post to get the effect.)
These guys had a great wedding out at Elmwood Gardens. I have known Neili since high school, so getting to be there and share this day with them was pretty cool.
They had one of the best wedding walks I have seen out at Elmwood Gardens.
Neili was relaxed and pretty much enjoyed the whole day.
Megan and Jacob had a great wedding. I was able to hang out with them for pretty much the entire day so there are TONS of images. (You've been warned.)
I am really enjoying my "Full Day" packages. These allow me to really cover a day form beginning to end and it really helps lower the level of awkwardness of having a photogrpaher around. It's strange at first, but after a while you just get used to me and the day rolls forward.
The girls started out with a bright and early 8:30 breakfast. (I had a few pigs in a blanket.) This is Becka, sister of the groom. Thankfully, her hair was tame by the time the ceremony started.
Jacob hanging out with his nephew. Their "First Look".
Rather than do their First Look in the Sanctuary, they choose the smaller chapel. It was just the right size for the two of them to share a few moments alone.
It was also adjacent to the room where the girls were getting ready so everyone got a quick peak in.
They exchanged gifts with each other and Megan gave Jacob a journal she had been keeping for over 2 years going back to when the started dating.
She also gave him a framed photo of one of her bridal session picks. Jacob won a state golf championship in High school and plays for SFA. I'm not going to lie... he seamed a bit more excited about the photo than the journal. He said it's because he does not like to read, but I think it's because he would much rather play golf and look at Megan than just about anything else. I love this shot. The red bouquet, yellow wall, black suite, and white dress fit together so well.
I'm not a huge fan of "traditional shots, and the shot of the whole wedding party jumping in the air has pretty much become that, but how about this one, wedding party jumping over the wedding party. Not bad eh?
The number one reason brides are hesitant to do a First Look is because they don't want to give up that big emotional moment when they come down the aisle. It may be hard to see in these smaller images, but Jacob and Megan were both a bit teary eyed when that moment came.
There is something special about seeing a college football player singing and doing the motions to NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye
Thanks guys for trusting me with your day. I had a great time and can't wait to get you the rest of your images.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 10:48PM
