Spring....or maybe Fall?

It is Spring here in Michigan........well is is supposed to be.  It smells like Spring today (wet and moldy).  But it really has been looking and acting like Fall.  I am a Summer person myself.  I actually live for the sun and heat of Summer and try to enjoy every moment.  Here is a photo of the back of my house (please ignore the mess), I took this doing a little camera testing this evening.  The photo received a little editing to bring out the clouds.  

For those photography geeks out there the clouds are real but I did a little HDR treatment to it.   It was photographed with a Canon 1Ds Mark II and Canon 16-35L.   ISO 400/2.8 shot in RAW

Wedding Memories, some good, some not so good.

I tell perspective couples, or brides, not to worry no matter how out of whack the agenda gets.  I will capture photos that will be fantastic.  The majority of brides tell me "noo, my wedding schedule has been well thought out and will go as planned".   I know from much experience that even the best planned schedules tend to get off kilter.  

I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding this weekend.  The weather was calling for "flurries" and warmer (better than 10 degrees) temperatures.  Well, what happened was a blizzard with 6-8 inches of unexpected snow, oops.  I knew the weather was going to be tough so I was at the location an hour before I was scheduled.

The wedding party, and many of the family, were staying at the same hotel.  The hotel was kind enough to shuttle the group to the location.  Unfortunately no one planned on the shuttle limo making a wrong turn and getting hit by a drunk driver.  This was certainly not planned but everyone eventually made it, some after the delayed ceremony.  Definitely a little scary.

The rest of the night went well.  Even with the weather, delays, traffic accident, etc everyone seemed to be having a great time.  We were able to squeeze all of the photos in that the couple wanted.  I managed to get a few creative shots and documented the couple's special day.

The night would have ended great if it were not for an intoxicated guest who fell from the stairs into the fountain of this historic building.  

No matter what happens on your wedding day,  enjoy your time together. Rest assured that I will go with the flow, adapt to the changes, and capture some moments that you will be able to look back on forever.

How to Have Fun at Weddings.

Weddings are actually a lot of fun.   As someone who photographs a lot of weddings I feel that they are a sacred time for couples but they can also be a lot of fun.  If a couple, typically a bride will just allow the day to take its course, planned or not so planned, and relax, it can be a lot of fun.  No matter how much planning a couple does there are always things that just don't work out in the agenda.  Forget the details and allow yourself to enjoy the day and it will be a great time.  It is tough to get couples to relax but I have have perfected the skill necessary to get them to relax for a few moments to enjoy the day and each other.  This allows our little creative photo sessions at weddings to go smoothly and for the couple to photograph with emotion and romance.  

Veteran's Day

I have the greatest respect for the men and women who have served and are serving in our military.  I was honored to receive a news assignment today to cover a Veteran's Day service and have attached one photo, above, that I can share with you. 

I am scheduled to photograph many great people and events in the next year.   One event that I am looking forward to is a wedding of a military couple who have hired me to photograph their special day.  Speaking of weddings, yes I am planning on adding more photos to the blog and my website (http://www.StatsonPhotography.com).  I have lots of weddings that have not been added but will be added in the next few months.

Since today is Veteran's Day go out and thank a veteran for their service.