Chaitali and Mike – Washington, D.C. engagement

Thursday, June 11, 2009 Posted in Columbus Ohio Photographer,ENGAGEMENTS

Last Friday, I had the great pleasure to fly to D.C. to shoot Chaitali and Mike’s engagement session in and around their Virginia home and on the National Mall. While the weather was less than cooperative, it certainly added a different dimension to the images, in addition to our not hitting the typical D.C. spots. I love that we were able to do something unique and unexpected in a city full of recognizable landmarks. But that’s nothing compared to what a great time I had hanging out with Chaitali and Mike. We had a relaxed, fun time, and I’m looking forward to their wedding even more now!

It was hard to narrow down my favorites, but here is a generous handful:

We started at the old Torpedo Factory in Virginia which is now home to lots of art galleries.

A remnant of the factory’s former days.

A little umbrella trouble.

After lunch, we hit up one of their favorite haunts, Barnes & Noble. (It’s one of my favorites too! Hard not to stop and browse all the books!!)

Then back to their apartment for a quick change of clothes and a puppet nuzzle.

And a quick train ride to the National Mall.

We spent some time wandering around the beautiful grounds of the Smithsonian and managed to get in a few quick minutes without rain.

You can’t walk by a carousel without having a ride.

More beautiful Smithsonian gardens.

Yep, more rain.

This alphabet sculpture was very cool.

Our obligatory national landmark shot!

Thanks so much, Chaitali and Mike, for showing me such a great time in your city!

CAS - June 11, 2009 - 10:42 am

These are so fun, I absolutely love them! Thanks again. We had a wonderful time that day also.

Creating a successful wedding day timeline

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 Posted in Columbus Ohio Photographer,NEWS,Weddings

Absent a wedding coordinator, your photographer is the next best person to help you construct a successful wedding day timeline. A successful wedding day timeline will help you accomplish everything you’re hoping for with enough time built in to actually enjoy what’s happening.

The easiest way to begin building the timeline is to start with the items that have inflexible start times, such as the ceremony and/or reception, and work backward from there, incorporating all of the things you want to do with a little extra time added to each so you don’t feel rushed. On the other hand, you don’t want to pad in so much time that you’re sitting around for hours in full hair and make-up and a big ball gown when it’s 90 degrees outside. A successful timeline will give you enough time to move from one thing to the next seamlessly, without either rushing or waiting around, both of which can be stressful.

Here are a few timing tidbits I’ve accumulated over the many many weddings I’ve photographed:

If you have one stylist working on the entire wedding party, schedule your appointment last so you’re freshest.

Everything – and I mean EVERYthing – takes longer in a 20-pound dress, in addition to requiring an entourage of helpers.

People will run late, so padding start times to accommodate for that usually means you’ll start on time.

Receiving lines and/or greeting/dismissing guests by row always takes longer than having the ushers shoo out the guests.

Limos drive slower than regular cars.

I’m always happy to help my clients create a timeline that is both realistic and accomplishes everything their hearts desire so that the wedding day runs smoothly and without stress, so always feel free to pick my brain about timing!

Jennifer and Alan – Columbus, Ohio wedding

Monday, June 8, 2009 Posted in Columbus Athenaeum,Columbus Ohio Photographer,Weddings

Well, it was another “wow” of a wedding, this time for Jennifer and Alan. I’m running out of superlatives to describe all the great weddings I’ve been fortunate to photograph and Jennifer and Alan’s wedding is no exception. Tracie and I were blessed with beautiful weather, beautiful surroundings and lighting, and obviously a beautiful couple, whose family and friends were great fun to work with. We started in the nice and bright church, Grove City United Methodist, stopped at Schiller Park for pictures where we were scolded by a little old lady for walking in the garden, and then on to the Large Theatre at The Columbus Athenaeum where the stage lighting was full of drama and the party was full of life.

So, without further delay, let’s get to the pictures!

The hair almost took a hit but survived unscathed.

A nice hug from mom.

The church coordinator rounded up some cookies for our starving bride.

Listening for tummy growling.

A tearful moment.

The girls, shielding Jennifer from the guests’ view.

The aisle runner was wound super tight and did not want to unroll without lots of encouragement and an uncle to hold it in place.

These little boys stole the show.

Jennifer was so expressive and adorable. I love this shot.

And she was definitely not afraid to do what it took to both get some great shots and incur the wrath of an elderly park lady, who couldn’t have cared less that Jennifer was a bride on her wedding day.

Alan, helping Jennifer back over those bushes.

Tracie got this awesome detail shot of the bouquet.

Signaling for a hug from dad, who just gave a touching speech.

The cake was gorgeous, thanks to The Cake Studio.

Lighting drama.

The first dance.

A full day of running around required a break for some serious foot study.

All the guests were called on stage at the end of the evening for a gigantic group hug.

Congratulations, Jennifer and Alan! Thank you so much for having us be part of your day!

Jeni and Robbie – Grove City Ohio wedding » Karen Evans Pictures Blog - August 23, 2010 - 6:00 pm

[…] me, shooting Jeni and Robbie’s wedding.  Jeni is the sister of one of my grooms, Alan, of Jennifer and Alan, and it was great seeing all their family again and Jennifer’s as well.  I also got to see […]

Sarah and Jared – Grove City Ohio wedding » Karen Evans Pictures Blog - October 13, 2010 - 5:36 pm

[…] Jared’s was the third wedding I’ve shot for the Todd/Spiker family, which started with Jennifer and Alan and was followed by Jeni and Robbie just last August, so it was again like old home week seeing […]

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