Anne Ruthmann shoots me...with a camera!!!!

The uber talented photographer Anne Ruthmann posted a few images of me on her blog! We met at Flourish and I have been blog stalking her since! Her knowledge on EVERYTHING blows me away! Proving this point is Photo Lovecat, Anne's photographer resource blog. In Fact, Anne and Jillian Kay are co-hosting a Gala in Las Vegas next month!! Paying Forward, Jillian's fabulous resource blog , and Photo Lovecat are organizing the Givaway Gala during WPPI!! I will be there for sure! Good times to come! I think the Gala is sold out, but there is a waiting list. Thanks for making me look good Anne, and sorry about having to see my tongue folks!

Enjoy the day!
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Fine Art | Giving Back!!!!

Many of my Fine Art | Giving Back goals are being met during these winter months. I have a bunch of pro bono, volunteer , teaching and monetary donations lined up this year. I even have some new ideas that I will be posting about in the next few days. This is my biggest year of giving back yet! I am totally blessed to me surrounded by loving people and to be doing what I LOVE!!! What better way to celebrate than giving back to the community that makes it all possible?!?! Catholic Family Center is an amazing organization here in Rochester, that provides meaningful, essential services and programs for our community. My good friend Ben Murphy works at CFC, and asked if I could donate my time and skills to help create images of there employment services program. He arranged to have the shoot at FieldTex a sweet Rochester company that assists CFC with their programs. Also, Ben is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Father Life which is a cool online publication for hip dads like Ben and I! Check out The Father Life if you get a chance, and enjoy a few of my fav images from the day!

Thank You for visiting!
All the best,
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Wedding Photography Show...opening!!!

Thank You!!! Thank You!!! Thank You!!! Our opening at Booksmart Studio last Friday was a success! Friends and family made the trip out on a freezing Rochester night. They were rewarded with sweet images and fruity drinks! Some of the best photographers in town were present; Rachel Leigh, Brady Dillsworth, Mary Corcoran, Larissa Cleveland, Neil Cowley, Julie Gelfand, Steve Chesler, Michele Doerr...sorry if I missed anyone, I was trying to say hello to everyone. We all enjoyed conversations and I made new friends! I look forward to doing this again next year...bigger and better! Please jump over to Karin's website and blog she is always traveling the globe and posting cool images and stories. Enjoy!

Mandy and I!!! Mandy looking beautiful as always!! Thank you for all of your support! Love You!!
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Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!

I hope you are all in love or falling in love! I know I am in love, and it is great! In honor of this beautiful day that pays homage to love. I am offering a free Fine Art | Lifetime Album to the first couple who books me for their loving wedding day...by 3PM this Friday! Love away people!!!

"These stairs could kill you!"

Not but 30 seconds ago I passed a woman walking down the stairway in my studio building. She was a pleasant woman maybe in her middle sixties. Her fur winter coat caught my attention first, then she looked at me and said, "These stairs could kill you!" I smiled as we passed and said, "Or they can keep you young!" After a moment she replied, "Well I guess you are right." This quick conversation with a complete stranger I found kinda funny! Anyone who has been to my studio knows that unless we can catch the elevator on the first floor, we have to walk up four flights of stairs. I have been walking up these stairs for almost 10 years and at times was my only form of exercise! It is all how you look at things!

Flourish Workshop | Lights Out Session!!!

After the bridal sessions in Angela's studio. The Fabulous ladies of Flourish surprised the group with a 'Lights Out' Session. These sessions are often called Boudoir Sessions. Lights Out sessions are gaining in popularity, and are a great creative outlet for photographer and clients. I have to give a special thank you to the amazing Kitty Maer. She is a master of these sessions and her creativity during the shoot and in post processing is head spinning. These sessions are not for everyone, or every photographer. I think the most important thing to remember is that you do not have to have a perfect body. These sessions are for real women, who may not be models. A talented photographer can capture the beauty in every person they photograph. Being a male photographer, I do not expect to do too many of these sessions. Though, for the clients who really take the time to get to know me I think you will find me full of trust and honesty, always looking to protect you and make you look beautiful! A huge thanks to the amazing ladies who modeled for us, in order of appearance Kristen, Denise, and Sarah! Thank you for your trust and talent!

Flourish Workshop | Bridal Session!!!

The Flourish Workshop was so helpful in motivating me to get back in the studio and produce bridal portraits that I couldn't outside of a studio. I really avoided using my studio for portraits of any kind. My style uses almost all natural light and the outdoors. Angela, Kim, and Kitty helped breathe new life into my studio work. So I plan on photographing in my studio more often, and trying new ways to photograph my amazing brides. Again, I will use this post to show some of the enhancements that are possible after image capture. Enjoy!

Stunning Leah in Paloma Blanca.

Beautiful Erica in Ramona Keveza.

Gorgeous Sarah in Amsale Dress.

Flourish Workshop | Bridal Session!!!

This post is dedicated to all who gave their time, property and skill to the fabulous Flourish Workshop. I will start with Gary, Angela's super cool hubby. Gary is a lighting guru, and works on all sorts of sweet projects from music videos to helping Angela with her work. I totally have a man crush on this guy! He is so knowledgeable, giving, really laid back, and easy to talk to. You rock Gary!
Our amazing gowns and dresses were donated by Bluegrass Bride. All the expensive gowns made our beautiful models shine! Make-up was expertly applied by the super hip Ana Crane-Simpson. She has got some sweet make-up skills! Rodney Farmer worked his magic with the models hair. Each one was perfection. Thank you all so very much!!!
The images I have posted are just a taste of the bridal sessions we did. I really want to use this post to show some of what I do after I capture the image. Here is the stunning Leah in her Paloma Blanca!

Straight out of my camera. No enhancing at all.

High Contrast Color

Antique Color

Classic Black & White.

Classic Sepia

I enhance my images in lots of different ways. These are basic enhancements that usually work for most images.

Flourish Workshop | Engagement Session!!

It was two weeks ago today that I was sipping mimosas in Louisville, KY with amazing people, in an amazing studio, and sleeping in an amazing hotel! Angela Anderson, Kimberly Reed, and Kitty Maer hosted the fabulous Flourish Workshop at Angela's Louisville studio. I cannot thank these three wonderful women enough for sharing their knowledge and encouragement! Not only were we treated like royalty throughout the workshop, we all took away heaps on useful info and techniques. I met so many wonderful photographers, who I created a lifelong bond with. This whole experience was really a dream come true. I have more inspiration than I know what to do with! I cannot wait to see all of the Flourish participants and leaders succeed, and grow in the months and years to come!!

I miss you all!!

Kim showing us her sweet engagement session techniques.

Angela's studio is in the meat packing district of Louisville. We got many looks like this. Wouldn't you look funny at a hoard of photographers on the street?!

Angela's associate photographer Amy joined us for the fun.

The super talented Anne Ruthmann was taking such good care of my 1.4 converter. You can borrow my gear any day Anne!!

Our couples Lizzie & Sam, and Angela & Luke were a pleasure to work with and so much fun!!! This is just the start...it gets better!!!