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Bonjour, everyone! Thanks for being here.
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Thanks for visiting my new blogsite, I'm SO glad you're here. This sweet blogsite was created by the wonderfully talented duo of Brock Martin and Dave Warfel at Infinet Design. My logo was designed by the ubber talented hand lettering artist, Holly Dickens. Please browse around and don't forget the galleries from the pulldown menu above, there are lots of goodies in there too. I'd love it if you sent me a message and by all means post a comment or two. :)
• BEST OF 2009: VOTING NOW OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 7. Your vote counts, and you could help a lucky 2009 couple win a free 2-hour portrait session with a flush mount album of their new photo session. see details below. :)
• Cake and Pictures: Craig John Photography is now listed on the exclusive Cake and Pictures Milwaukee Wedding Photography list. It's more than an honor to be one of the hand selected photographers amongst this amazing group of artists from around the world. Again, I have to thank all my wonderful wedding couples for giving me so many incredible moments to capture. You all make my job SOOOO easy. I love you all. :)
• WPJA and [AG]WPJA: Craig John Photography is a proud member of the distinguished Wedding Photojournalist Association and the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association. I always described my wedding photography style as Artistic Journalism. Being accepted into both of these prestigious organizations is an honor and a commitment to the continuing excellence for providing all of my amazing wedding couples with heartfelt artistic wedding day photojournalism.
• Featured Weddings can be found in the Galleries Menu above. These newly expanded slideshows will give you a wonderful insight into how I see and capture an entire wedding day story. Throw on some sweet tunes, grab some popcorn, kickback and enjoy. :)
• Craig John Photography is now accepting Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit cards. It's easier than ever to book the most artful, heartfelt and timeless wedding photography in Wisconsin. :)
Happy reading and lotsa love,
c
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Best of 2009 contest
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AH!!! I love having a blog. And here's why: At the end of each wedding season I'll be hosting a "Best Of Wedding Photography" contest. I'll be posting my favorite image from each wedding, and you, your family, your friends, and fans of the blog, get to vote for your favorite image. Simply use the "Add A Comment" link below and post the number associated with the photo you like best.
So what's in this for the lucky winners? A LOT! The wedding couple with the photo receiving the most votes will receive a free 2-hour portrait session. This can be however you want it: With your wedding dress and tux, or a family portrait session. You'll receive either a: 30-page 8x8" album or a 24-page 10x10" album from this portrait session. TOTAL SWEETNESS!
The second and third place winners will receive a $100 fine art print credit - current pricing applies.
The rules: Only one vote per person, and you must include your name and email address for your vote to count. Please don't have your friends and family members vote more than once. Duplicate votes will be deleted. Voting will last for one week: Monday, February 1st, 2010 through Sunday, February 7th, 2010. The winner will be announced March 1, 2010.
Just a note; I vividly remember each and every shot from every wedding, and what was happening during those moments. I selected these particular images for a variety of reasons including: composition, color, lighting, and/or emotion of the moment. Even though you may have a favorite that's distinctly different than mine, believe me, they're all good. :)
Good luck to all of my wedding couples. You rocked my world in 2009. :)
Without further a due, here are the contest submissions:
***YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS*** No, I won't be using your email address for spam. It's only to verify 1 vote per person. :)
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#1 - Brynn & Justin - I loved this moment where the girls ran across a snow covered hill and gave a little cheer. What troopers! The low level sun and the tree lined backdrop created such an amazing warm winter atmosphere. ...Is that possible? :) |
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#2 - Caroline & Andrew - Ballroom dancing extraordinaries. When Caroline and Andy cut the rug, the floor opened up, and people stood back and watched in awe. I took a few safe shots, then turned the flash off so I could capture the mood and movement. AWESOME! :) |
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#3 - Jessica & Marco - Composition! Composition! Composition! Oh how I love Jessica and Marco floating amongst the clouds at Bender Park in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Nothing more need be said....except you couldn't wipe the smile off Marco's face all day. :) |
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#4 - Melissa & Brian - I love this serene moment of Melissa and Brian in Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin. The light and textures of a large willow tree standing over a pond created a stunning backdrop. PERFECT! :) |
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#5 - Erika & Jacob - Mmmmm. The cloudy skies and wind blown grasses at Whistling Straits created a dramatic disorganized group portrait full of depth and texture. One of my favorite groups portraits from 2009. :) |
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#6 - Rachel & Robert - Moments before Rachel was to walk down the aisle, her bridesmaids entered the Memorial Victory Chapel at St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. As Rachel stood alone, this bridesmaid ran back to give Rachel a HUGE last minute hug. This is one of my very favorite moments captured in 2009. :) |
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#7 - Jennifer & Nick - Back to Whistling Straits! With the front nine basically deserted, Jen, Nick and myself wandered out onto the course for a quick post ceremony portrait session. I sent them off walking on this grassy hill. ...It's a simple kind of magic. :) |
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#8 - Katie & Charles - With a lot of great photos to choose from, I had to select Charles, his father, and his groomsmen as they went outside to share in a celebratory night time stogie. Great moment, amazing light. :) |
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#9 - Nikki & Chad - I know, you have TONS of incredible portraits, Nikki. But your reaction and expression whilst Chad was removing your garter is priceless. End of story. LOL :) |
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#10 - Erika & Michael - This may have been one of my all-time favorite ceremonies. Rev. Dr. Linda Barkwill had myself, the guests, and most all, Erika, in Stitches. This was Michael's reaction. :) |
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#11 - Erica & Matt - There were all sorts of heartfelt moments from Erica and Matt's wedding, but this particular moment during the toasts summed it up in one tearful capture. :) |
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#12 - Allie & Nelson - WHERE'S NELSON?!? OMG! I had so many images to choose from: the portraits through the red leaves, the dramatically lit first dance, OH! It was tough. But this impromptu shot of Allie against the beautiful black brick wall in Chicago shouts, "GORGEOUS!!!!" :) |
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#13 - Caitlin & Adam - Again, there were tons of photos to choose from: killer portraits, heartfelt toasts, and a hysterical striptease by Adam. But this moment during the first dance was AWESOME! Look at the guest in the background with her hands over her mouth. Caitlin, your smile says it all. :) |
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#14 - Chiara & Jordan - Let's go VOGUE! It was bitter cold outside, and we all wanted to do something fun and different. Instead of freezing our arses off, we went indoors and set up a portrait competition: guys vs. gals. HOT DAMN! The ladies knocked this kick-ass portrait out of the park. :) |
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Please use the Add A Comment link directly below this post to vote for your favorite image from 2009. All you need to do is post the number associated with the image. |
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Chiara & Jordan - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Rehearsal Dinner: Safe House
I don't get the chance to do a lot of these, but I just love covering the rehearsal dinner. It's a great precursor to the wedding day, and I get to meet the entire family and many of the wedding couple's closest friends. Chiara and Jordan hosted their rehearsal dinner at the Safe House in downtown Milwaukee. But be forewarned, if you've never been to this hidden Milwaukee institution, you'll need to know the password prior to entering the establishment. Lucky for me I didn't spend the entire evening on the stoop pondering the password, or getting ridiculed in the little room behind door number two. LOL
Below is a little synapsis of evening's festivities and Safe House atmosphere. I gotta add; though I resisted, those ribs were SOOOOO tempting. I'm a total sucker for Q. :)
Much love and many blessings,
c
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PS: "I'm Looking For A Safe House"
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Chiara & Jordan - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Salon: Designs By Diane
Bride's Gown: David's Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: White House | Black Market
Florist: Alpha Flower Shop
Ceremony: Saint Catherines Church
Reception & Catering: Joey Buona's
Cake: Sweetness By Alice
Limousine: Black Tie Limousine
Music: D.J. Sound Express
I can't imagine ending my 2009 season any better than I did with Chiara and Jordan's Milwaukee wedding. While this late December Sunday was bitter cold on the outside, it was all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside. I started my day at Saint Catherine's, a rather large "hidden gem" of a church at the corner of 51st and Center Street. When I walked into the nave, one word came to mind; "Grand". The facing stained glass rose windows and Poinsettias filling the alter provided a wonderful touch of holiday majesty for this beautiful little wedding. The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous.
I've covered a lot of weddings filled with all kinds of love, but Chiara and Jordan may take the reigns. I don't think I've ever seen a groom's face light up so much as he watched his bride walk down the aisle. It was literally a perfect moment. Then they completely lost themselves within each other during their first dance. Again, it was simply a perfect moment.
As a departure from my spontaneous outdoor portrait photography (yes, we tried the outdoors, but holy Jack Frost), we took it indoors and got a little "Envogue". Joey B's is loaded with all sorts of dramatic lighting for fashion inspired portraits. We actually held a little portrait competition, Groomsmen vs. Bridesmaids, and they totally killed it. Thanks for humoring my little endeavor. LOL
As with all of the weddings I shoot, I felt like an invited guest amongst a wonderfully warm group of family and friends; not a wedding photographer for hire. For this reason alone, I absolutely love this career. :)
Much love, many blessings, and happy new year to all,
c
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