Justin & Rebekah, Lange Farm Wedding

Nikki and Brian, Lange Farm Wedding

Nikki and Brian were married at The Lange Farm last month. I always love going out there to shoot. This time I was second-shooting for Kevin.

Kevin was shooting all of the bridesmaids out on the porch. As the second shooter, it's always a challenge to capture something a little different. Climbing off the porch allowed the ballisters to frame Nikki nicely.

Nikki and her mother hug before getting ready to take their "official" portrait.

The two sets of parents congratulate each other immediately after the ceremony.

That is one cool ring-bearer.

Nikki and Brian stroll the grounds as we take advantage of all the great shooting locations.

The couple shares their first dance as husband and wife.

A long exposure lets the candles burn in, while three separate blasts from a handheld flash strategically light each cake individually.

Hang on tight!

I really like the look of a vignette on a photo. A flash zoomed in real close allows the light to fall off rather quickly giving that cool vignette look without any post-production.

The happy couple makes their big sparkler exit.

Congratulations Nikki and Brian! I wish you the best of luck and nothing but good fortune in your future.

Melissa and Ryan, Lange Farm Wedding

Melissa and Ryan were married back at the beginning of April. I was the second shooter backing up MJ. This was another Lange Farm wedding, but the ceremony was held at a church nearby.

Here is a nice shot of the couple connecting soon after becoming husband and wife.

The church had these wonderful stainged glass windows at the entry. They provided the perfect opportunity for a dramatically lit image.

The couple exits the ceremony to a shower of flower petals.

I was having some fun with super wide angle lens at the reception. Usually, I would switch to a more normal lens for something as important as the cake cutting, but as the second shooter I was able to experiment a little bit. I am real happy with the end result. The cake was nice enough to stand as the subject of the photo while letting the couple act as a nice background element.

The guys in the band looked to cool for just a normal brightly and evenly exposed photo. A snooted flash high on a stand adds contrast and only lights the part of the photo I want to emphasize.

All the guys headed outside for some nice cigars. A snooted flash creates a nice vignette effect drawing your eye to Ryan.

And then I played around for a minute with some more creative lighting as I shot just Ryan.

Congratulations Melissa and Ryan. I was a pleasure to shoot your wedding. I really enjoy being the second shooter sometimes so I can let the main shooter worry about the priority shots. I can have the flexibility to take more risks and spend time exploring other themes within the wedding day.

Jennifer and Jason, Lange Farm Wedding

Jennifer and Jason were the second half of my wedding weekend last week. After shooting Bonnie and Kevin in Ybor Saturday night, it was off to the Lange Farm on Sunday for Jennifer and Jason (and Olivia...you'll see). Doug Decker from Grant Hemond & Associates kept the reception pumping.

It was a lovely day with nice blue skies so I used it as a background for both the bride and groom.

Lange Farm has some very beautiful areas, and Jennifer gave me plenty of time to just walk around and make pictures wherever the mood struck.

Some clouds rolled in and diffused the sunlight, so we took advantage of it and snapped a few close portraits.

And then the breeze kicked up so we just went with it.

After the ceremony, the guests headed back for the cocktail hour and we just strolled around the grounds at sunset making pictures. I always have to find a way to incorporate that trademark white fence in a few shots.

Jennifer asked if I could get a horse in the background of a few shots. But with the enticement of fresh flowers, this guy had no problem taking center stage for a few shots.

As we started our walk back to the reception, I noticed the setting sun was casting a lovely warm glow and backlighting the oak trees and her veil.

While snapping a few ring shots in the warm sunlight, I was intrigued by the way the light was hitting Jennifer's face. A quick composition choice and we were able to get a few more portraits that had a different look than the diffused light portraits from earlier in the day.

I had to at least throw in one reception shot. This group knew how to party. The groomsmen had camouflage tuxedo vests that eventually ended up on the girls. There was a whole lot of line dancing and booty shaking.

And here's Olivia, Jennifer and Jason's daughter. I got a few shots of her throughout the day, but I made sure to get a few of just her and mommy before leaving. What a doll!

Yee-haw! That's it for Jennifer and Jason. Congratulations you two, and thanks for being such great sports on your wedding day. I wish your family the best of everything in the years to come!