Summer Green

I'd spent the morning on my father's porch, soaking in the sun as I drank black coffee. My camera was in my lap, mounted on a monopod. As the electric green sparks flew around me I tried to capture them as they swooped in for a sugary snack. I spent a lot of time just shooting, checking my focus and then adjusting the manual focus compensation setting. It was incredibly tedious, yet relaxing. It wasn't until tonight, nearly six months later that I'm really looking at the shots. Tonight, as I write this, the temperature outside is to supposed to potentially reach -50°F (-45.5C). This little Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris gives me hope!

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Natural Adoration

The best way to take a wedding portrait is to cater to the personalities of the couple. Some couples want a very defined, stylistic image created. Some just prefer to be themselves. It had been a very rainy, windy afternoon in early September when I photographed this particular couple. It was drizzling as I set up and took this shot. First I chased all the guests to the wings of the barn. I then set up my flashes high and to either side of the couple. They were all gelled and had soft modifiers on them. I reconfigured my camera and quickly backed out into the rain. As if natural they sort of just "stood there" for a few frames. I then encouraged a little "romantic interaction" to which the Bride replied, "You're not getting any of that elegant posing out of us! We're awkward and proud to be so!" I had to laugh and my adoration of them rose as I answered back, "then just be awkward selves!" It's not the pose after all that captures the couples' love for each other. It's capturing HOW they love each other. I couldn't have posed them better and still been able to capture how much they adore each other.

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