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Hello, 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. :)
• 2011 WEDDING SEASON: Hi all you gorgeous brides-to-be. The 2011 booking season is in full swing, and the dates are beginning to fill up quickly. To book the most heartfelt and timeless wedding photography in Wisconsin, give me a jingle or fill out the form on the Connect page. Please remember, I accept a limited number of weddings each year.
• CHECK IT OUT: I finally posted my photos of my delicious new wedding albums. You can find the wedding album post under the Details menu.
For a direct link, you can Click here! Enjoy! :)
• 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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AND THE WINNER IS....
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to everyone who voted in the first annual Best of Craig John Wedding Photography contest.
What an awesome contest. It turned into a scorching three-way battle between #1 (Brynn-Justin), #7 (Jennifer-Nick) and #9 (Nikki-Chad). While there was a last minute push for Nikki and Chad, which vaulted them into second place, they didn't have enough OOMPH! to overcome the steady support for Brynn and Justin. A big congrats to Brynn and Justin for having the most votes. ...Sorry, I can't say best photo. I simply love them all. :)
First place - Brynn & Justin - 2 hour portrait session with a free flush mount album from the shoot
Second place - Nikki & Chad - $100 fine art print credit
Third place - Jennifer & Nick - $100 fine art print credit
Much love to all of my 2009 wedding couples,
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:
***VOTING IS CLOSED*** Many thanks to everyone who participated. The results will be posted March 1, 2010. :)
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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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Shoot With Beckstead - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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I'm the type of photographer that loves to push myself and grow. Any chance I get at a workshop, I'm jumping in with an open mind — I'm like a sponge. Seriously! Where was this verve in High School? LOL ...So far in 2009 I've attended the Digital Wedding Photographers Forum Convention in Carefree, Arizona. In April I attended celebrity wedding photographer Joe Buissink's seminar. In May I joined a group of Milwaukee wedding photographers for a little Milwaukee wedding photography shootout. In June I ventured to Red Wing, Minnesota for a border war wedding photography shootout; and that brings me to September, 2009.
This past weekend I attended an intensive three day photography workshop from world acclaimed wedding photographer, David Beckstead. And by intensive; yes, it was intensive. On Monday night I was up until 3 am editing and working on the day's captures. Tuesday we had a six hour critique session, then we all went out again and shot until 9 pm. Lord knows why I put myself through this for my brides; but with every fiber of my being, I entirely believe it's worth it. :)
This was my second "Shoot With Beckstead" workshop, first being in Minneapolis in May of 2008. Dave's philosophy seems to be a bit different in that he wants each photographer to develop their own style. He'll set up a scene, explain what he's doing, then shoot the scene his way. Then he releases the photographers to shoot the scene their way, thinking about rules of composition; when to use them, when to break them. He really forces photographers to see their surroundings differently. This Milwaukee workshop took place at Milwaukee Art Museum, in the Santiago Calatrava Quadracci Pavilion, downtown Milwaukee in the historic Third Ward, and on Tuesday night we wandered into the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. In a word, all I can say is "WOW"!
I absolutely love the way Dave's workshops force me out of my "comfort zone" and push my creativity. I can't wait to see where this past workshop takes my photography. I have to give a special shout out to the host, Wendy Gunderson and her amazing Sunday night fiesta, the totally auspicious David Beckstead, and our gorgeous models; Elena Altoro, Angela Altoro and Rachel Jacques. Thank you so much for making this workshop possible.
Enjoy!
c
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