Wedding Day

Jason and Tracy may look married already in these pictures, but it is not so just yet. They will be married later this morning.

Mormon weddings inside the Arizona LDS Temple are considered sacred events and are never photographed.  Pictures are taken outside before or after the event.

Since a lot of couples are being married and sealed today, the mother of the bride and I went to the temple to make some shots yesterday when stress and time would not be huge factors. 

As a ritual, couples are photographed on the steps as they exit the temple. Behind them there is a revolving door which never seems to stop when the temple is open. The temple was closed so there were no interruptions. ( However, the temple grounds themselves looked like a large bridal show with so many other brides jockeying for prime backgrounds and taking advantage of the more placid environment.)

Today there will be daytime group shots after the ceremony. The light will be different, but that won't matter because the really will be married by then. Maybe Jason and Tracy will have different expressions relative to the solemnity, seriousness, and sacredness of the sealing and marriage vows. I wish them well as they settle in Tucson and continue with their college classes.

Family Shoot

Christmas is not the "happiest...happiest season of all" so it is great when I get to participate in things that are "happy making".

I have often commented that the young children in our family make my day a really pleasant one. As I get older, I enjoy the wonder and innocence that the grandchildren and younger grand nieces and nephews bring whenever we gather together.  It helps that I don't have to worry, like a parent, that their exasperating behavior suggests that I am not doing my job. I get to observe these little ones being their natural selves in ways that do not always demand a disciplinary reaction but definitely inspire joyous pondering and reflecting.

Today's shoot involved 17 of these guys. The oldest was a teenager, who is not old enough to drive, and the rest were less than 12 years old. The plan was large and small family group photos, so there was bound to be some variety of behaviors.There was, but it was all manageable and fun to watch.

No one knows when this family will all be together again. They do know, however, that there will be one more than was there today. For now, each one has a mental memory and will soon be able to view and to print physical proof of those experiences. As an event, it was a happy time for me. I have to say "Thank you!" to all of them for that.

It's just a photograph...isn't it?

This weekend I will photograph a large family group. Then, it will be broken into individual family groups. Maybe there will be some "just the kids" shots. I am certain some of the participants will approach the shoot with the attitude that "it's just a photograph." Well, is it?

As a label, a photograph is what it is, but it is something more. It is an event. It is a memory. It is documentation of a family's legacy.

Individuals come and do what they have to do because it is their duty. They wear clean clothes, paste on a smile, and then walk away. It's finished. No thinking required. Well, I beg to differ.

This is documentation of your legacy. It is what has come into the world through you and everyone else in the shot. It is the result of frequent trials, challenges, birthdays, and both sad and happy moments. In it you are all survivors. All are winners. You are here. It won't always be this way.

After this you may lose a child, a parent, a grandparent, or a spouse. New members may enter in. The size and/or the dynamics of the group will change. Heights and ages will change. Smooth skin will wrinkle. Clothing and hairstyles? You know. It is only a moment in time.

If you are a nit picker about things other than the people, let it go. This is not what a family photograph is about. It is about the people.

After twenty-five or thirty years have passed, people will examine the faces and spirits of the participants. The viewer will wonder and imagine. They may react to the clothing or the setting, but they will be attempting to connect with this "memory". It will not be the same as now.

So if you are having your photograph taken, whether in a group or not, allow yourself to consider a bigger picture. It is a memory. It is a legacy. It is a moment in time. Nothing displayed will necessarily ever be the same again. Viewers will not look at it with a nit to pick. Stand comfortably, but relaxed; strong, but vulnerable; and confident, but not so vain. Give the future a memory to examine and ponder.

First haircut.

Generally, the first haircut for a son or grandson is a big deal. It is a rite of passage. When the first haircut happens for a girl, who takes note?

Yesterday, Anna invited me along to get shots of Janie "getting her bangs trimmed".  I had a camera handy so I did not mind. It was to be a small thing. However, the salon maven was not to let it remain such a simple event for long. It turned into a full-fledged haircut.

Well, Janie did not behave like a boy who screams with fear and indignation. No. She behaved like the little diva she is.  For her it was a pampered non-event...like she had gone through this experience many times in her life. I was caught off guard and fascinated.

Of course, there were pangs of sadness to see her lengthening curls dropping at beautician's feet, but it was a rite of passage. Even girl's have them. This is one I had never thought about.

Is that a compliment?

One goal that a serious photographer has is to capture a signature moment or something that clearly connects the subject with "his or her" reality. He tries to capture an individual's singular essence or a thread of their uniqueness. It still surprises me when I am successful.

When the subject is happy with the results, kind and complimentary words often follow.

Well, today I received a note from one of my clients. She writes: "That is the best picture I've seen of me since I've gotten so old." I reckon that is a compliment. I don't know when she got "so old", but I do know she has a couple of decades on me. I just felt the need to smile when I read it.

I take compliments when and where I can get them. Just don't expect me to post the picture. She is happy with it, so we will leave it to your imagination.

Progress.

Lately The camera and the off-camera flash have seemed unwilling to speak to one another at the most inopportune moments. They refused to even respond to my remote control at all. On Thanksgiving day, the camera alone decided to throw a tantrum and would not to turn on and do its job.


Well, I have striven to be the patient photographer and to use soothing commands and encouragements. Today they have seemed to set aside their disagreements and agreed to help me out. What a relief! This shot is a breakthrough.


As a result, I dared my wife and son to sit down with me for a Christmas portrait to send to family members. Things worked out okay for a change. Of course, I cannot post the image until cards are mailed, but I am happy to see progress in any place I can find it. 

Turkey Day

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I felt like the turkey. It is a wonder I am not in someone's roasting pit today.

I had a family photo shoot scheduled. It was a photographer's nightmare. Besides the positive outcome,  a sharpening of my learning curve, the large numbers of catastrophes that befell me can only suggest that they may be only minor interruptions in the future. If something could go wrong, it did. I survived, bruised and broken but still one tough bird.

Interestingly enough, the curse continued this morning as I uploaded the images to Lightroom. Yet, I endured and I prevailed.

I took a couple of images yesterday that were acceptable to my tastes. The client tends to be a connoisseur but I only promised snapshots and no money changed hands, leaving me with some kind of a saved face.

Today I will will lubricate my bruised ego with chocolate and Starbuck's Christmas Blend, reaffirm that my gear really is in working condition, and move on.  After all, if photography is a passion, it is also an addiction.

Lillian Grace

Maybe I am just getting old. Maybe I am getting wise. It just may be that my granddaughter has turned me on to something. Anyway, I am beginning to notice and enjoy babies. They soften my heart.

Last night Steven and Elaine  blessed their daughter Lillian Grace, who came along back in October. Elaine let me to attend and grab a few snaps of the event that included the extended family. (I have thoughts on extended families, but that is a different post.)

Well, Lily displayed the reality of her name and demonstrated great "Grace" throughout the proceedings. Despite being passed from one pair of hands to the next, she opened her quizzical eyes at various moments but did not let out a peep. She was totally sweet.

The event was joyous, fun, and peppered with much laughter. Some of you are familiar with Elaine's signature laugh so I found it quaint that there are echoes of that style in her mother-in-law's laughter. Laughter makes an environment as calming as sunshine in a beautiful garden or seeing rainbows break the tense ferocity of storm clouds.

I am grateful that I could linger an play paparazzi to this budding starlet.

Louise Hayes Strickland

Mother died today. She was 87. I do not have any pictures to post at this time. It has been 19 1/2 years since I last saw her. It is a long and difficult story so I won't go into that. The last time I talked to her was after Daddy's funeral 6 years ago. They were divorced.

She was a talented and intelligent woman. Driven. Hard. Difficult. Really smart in some things. A good cook.

She is gone now. All conversations are ended. No bitterness or tense emotion on my part. I accepted her as she was. I pray she has found the peace that I have so long desired for her. I cannot give it, but I can pray that she finds it.

Veterans' Day Babysitting

I had hoped to attend the parade today and to practice my camera skills. It was not to be. Babysitting! That is what grandparents get to do. I have no idea why Anna and John did not want to take their children to the festivities.

Being determined to get some photo practice, I did the best I could with the lot that fell my way. Adam seemed always to be out of reach of the camera, but he did not mean to. Joshua wanted to turn away from it. Fortunately, Janie was distracted by the flavor of her first, juicy pear.

Efrain and Veronica

It was a small civil marriage service in a small office. Two witnesses,one son, the officiator, and a photographer.

One was widowed, I do not know about the other. Maybe they both were. It does not matter. They had known each other for some time. He enticed her to come from Mexico to marry him and become a citizen. This was not one of "those" marriages of convenience. She was hesitant. He was encouraging.

Now Efrain and Veronica are one before God, man, and the state. She is here legally. Already she has a job. It does not pay much, but it is a beginning. She can work on her English and take the necessary steps toward full citizenship. I wish them well.

Anabel

Anabel came to this country from Mexico more than ten years ago. She is an American citizen now.

Yesterday, we attended the funeral of Aunt Jayne in Snowflake. It finally allowed me to see the LDS Temple there. I had been drooling over images included in various wedding posts. My slobber was not unjustified. This is a singularly beautiful location and building. Great hilltop vistas, if you are a landscape painter. Autumn foliages, for those of us who seldom see it. Great atmosphere and setting for potential newlyweds. I look forward to the first opportunity to shoot a wedding there. Of course, you will have to pay for gas for the trip.

My philosophy.

The picture I am attaching is a shot of one of my grandsons. It really has nothing to do with my interest in wedding and event photography. It is simply documentary.

A fine young man.

Jacob is one of the boys who is being homeschooled in Mesa. I get to tutor him when he hits some of the confusing areas.

He is an intelligent and independent young man who will, no doubt, be successful in the future. He was kind enough to allow me to perform a pseudo-senior shoot. After all, he is only a freshman. Thankfully, he was patient.

Brothers at Play.

I do not get too many opportunities to shoot my grandson Adam. He is in kindergarten. Yesterday I stopped by to visit because I did not need to babysit. The two brothers played quietly on the window shelf while I entertained Janie. I was pleased with this image.

Making myself grow with the camera.

We had a model shoot in Phoenix yesterday. The models were not the typical type that one encounters in such circumstances. That was okay because these guys turned out just fine.

This young lady was one of older options and was being posed by Dan Coogan in this spot.

I grabbed a shot while he was setting up his equipment.

Guys like me participate in the shoots for different reasons and needs. Poses are important. So are so many other elements that show up in a picture that will be viewed and often criticized by another individual. Dan made a comment about "stealing" his pose, but Dan is so many light years ahead of me in his skills that such a boast is inconsequential. I was focused on getting a satisfactory exposure. (Shooting always seemed so much easier when we were using film.) I try to develop too many aspects of exposure at one time.

When all was said and done, I hoped to be satisfied with a handful of decent shots. After all, I took more than 100. It turned out that my ratio was higher than expected. Most still took too long in Lightroom editing. Even then, I saw other things to be worried about besides exposure.

Since I like the feeling I get whenever I tackle and overcome challenges, I reckon there will be more opportunities for me to experience those "Way to go!" and those "Were you shooting with both eyes closed?" moments.

Proud to be an American

They played Lee Greenburg's "Proud to be an American" when a whole bunch of people were sworn in as new citizens today. Among these was Sergio, whom I met because he was studying for the citizenship exam. He was handed over to me for the final fine tuning. When he took the test in early September, he passed. Today he took the oath that gave him new freedoms. I am proud of Sergio and his willingness to support the country that strengthens and empowers him.

Elaine and Steven

I have known Elaine eleven years now. When we met she was single She stayed that way a long time even after she met Steven. About 5 years ago, they got married.

It seemed there would never be children. There were reasons that were not related to choices. But of course, miracles do happen and when you look at Elaine, it shows. She is big.

Monday their blessing enters this world. Her name is Lily, and as lilies before God are, she, too, will be a beauty. These will be proud parents.

I am real lucky to have a connection with Elaine and Steve and look forward to seeing the offspring of their commitment to one another.

Joshua

Joshua is the quietest of the three grandchildren. His shy but very smart. On Tuesdays I stay with him while his mother takes Adam to kindergarten. On this day, Janie was asleep so that I was able to grab a few shots of him.

His job when I am there is to put the keys into my car and help close the door so his Mother can drive away. He does the same thing when I leave.

I do not get to photograph him as much as I would like.

Gilbert Riparian Preserve.

Yesterday our members of Arizona Wonders on Flickr had a small meetup at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. Since I prefer to shoot events and people, this is not a favorite location. I went along anyway because we do for friends what we will not always do for ourselves.

I filled my time taking shots that would improve my exposure skills. In the process I did grab a couple of "people from behind" shots. That was the positive note in an experience that has left me tired.

Baby Shower

Elaine became a co-worker 11 years ago.
She was single then, and younger than 30. Time passed and she married. Even more time passed and she finally became "with child". It shows.

Today her co-workers and friends honored her with a baby shower, the kind of thing guys normally skip. I went because we developed a special relationship over the years and because I could play around with my camera. Who can say when this will happen again for her.

I am happy for the change in her life. As a parent and grandparent, I recognize that she has only a vague idea of how intensely her personal life and former "couplehood" will be impacted next month. It does not matter. She will wonder how she ever really lived and loved before.

Film

I took the Pentax K1000 out of the trunk of the car a couple of days ago and finished off the roll of film. The camera had been in there since Spring Break in March when Carl and I made a photo trip to Florence, Az.


The film in the camera as already expired when I loaded it. After the long months in the heat, it took on a green cast. A little work in Lightroom softened that stain. Of course a color tint does not affect composition so there were a few shots I was pleased with. This was one. Color was not as important as the abstraction and movement. Sometimes there is beauty in urban decay. You can see more at the Flickr link on the right.

Life's Special Moments

I picked up the free copy of the Mesa Republic insert today as I do whenever I encounter it. On their "Special Moments" page I found the story of a couple whom I have known over the last 8 years or so. The accompanying story announces their 65th wedding anniversary. Congratulations, Thomas and Evelyn!

They were married less than a month before I was born. The war in the Pacific had not ended by that date in 1945. He returned to Indiana to marry his bride.

I love wedding pictures from that era. The groom stands stoic and sober-faced in his Navy uniform. Beside him the bride stands shy and innocent in a formal wedding dress and veil. These many years later this couple is charming and cheerful. Clearly, marriage was meaningful. Many wedding images from this time period show the same iconography. A similar, memorable photo of my in-laws sits in a prominent spot in our house.

One of my joys in life is photography. My focus is event photography. I like to shoot activities containing people living life's moments. Wedding photography is a favorite.

Wedding photography has not changed all that much over the years except that quality of innocence seen back then seems rare. Sixty-five years ago so much was expressed by the wedding act itself. Weddings were held in various venues because of the restraints of time, money, and rationing. Bridal gear was often simple and practical; a hand made dress or a suit could function in other circumstances. The rite of marriage, whether civil or religious, was the focus. The observers came to endorse and support the newly married couple.

Formal pictures (as well as others) of the bride and groom taken nowadays have a different look. My job as a photographer is to document the love expressed between the couple through looks, gestures, and even chemistry. This is more important than the singular stoic pose of the past.

Today's wedding ceremonies remain reserved and solemn in most cases, but receptions are often vibrant, alive, and joyful. The task is to capture the spontaneity and excitement along with varied details. Guests come to celebrate and have a good time. Photographs are intended to capture the excitement and happiness. The photographer gets to be a storyteller.

Sixty-five years ago, photography acknowledged a singular and significant event in the lives of the couple. Today's photography tells a bigger story. The focus is still love, romance, happiness, and fulfillment. So much of what existed between a couple back then was implied and simply allowed exist with privacy. Nowadays it wide open for all to see. When today's couples look back at their wedding images, I wonder was descriptive word the next generation will assign to their mementos of that day.

Another Shot of Zeph.

I have mentioned that I am tutoring Zeph, who is being home schooled. I see him most days of the week.

He knows I do photography and had been anxious to have some shots, so I agreed to take him out after lessons were done. The venue that I had planned to use vaporized. I decided to take him over to the LDS temple on Main Street in the 100+ degree weather simply because there would be shade there.

Photographers try to capture their clients in poses and expressions that are innate rather than typical. We want them to let their hair down and expose themselves truthfully to the viewer. That was my goal for Zeph.

As we walked on to the site, Zeph told me that he had been ordained a deacon and that he would soon come back to perform church ordinances. This was news to me. It gave me a different way to see him and orchestrate some of the poses.

Zeph and his younger brother are both consummate hams. The photo shoot started out that way because I let him set the tone. I see him that way every day. And I was not getting shots that I really liked. Finally, he began to wilt in the heat and mellowed out just a bit, letting me direct him on the sly. This was one of the six that I selected as being memorable. His eyes lock onto the viewer and expose his playful spirit and his vulnerability.

Later he invited me to attend the church Road Show where he will be back to being the center of attention on a stage.

Shooting in the Sun.

I took one of the students whom I tutor out to practice a few shots. The goal was to apply what I am learning about off camera flash. Unfortunately, the camera developed a mind of its own, refusing to allow me to work this way. Here, I needed to pop out my reflector (to throw a bit more light on his shadowed face), but it was back in the trunk of the car. By this point he was beginning to melt anyway. The background is cluttered, but I like the look that it captured.

Almost a year has gone by.

Nearly a year has gone by since Tyler and Samantha married in the Orlando Temple. She continues on her postgraduate degree. Tyler continues in the Navy and is hoping for a land assignment so that they can be closer and spend more time together.

A year ago, Janie Rose Brooksby was born. This year Adam entered his first year of the school experience. I retired from teaching. Jacob is preparing to transfer to northern New York in the army. Nikki had her food tube removed after surgeries that were finally successful.

I am pursuing my goal as an event photography. Including Tyler's wedding, I have four wedding shoots and one quinceaño behind me. Right now the process is slow, but I am practicing and progressing in making my brand with Rusty Tripod's Simple Memories and the focus on basic wedding photography. My target is the bride who wants the day recorded with limited fees and frills. I am encouraged and confident. I hope you are equally blessed.

Meet the Teacher Day

Yesterday was Meet the Teacher day for Adam, who entered kindergarten today. Anna took him and left me home to babysit the brother and sister, Joshua and Janie. I tried to capture the two with my Canon 7D, but it was a challenge for two animated youngsters. Below is a shot that pleased be. It captured Janie's big blue eyes.

Janie Rose Brooksby is one year old today. 7-25

Sunday was Janie Rose's first birthday. Normally, this would call for a big celebration at home, but the air-conditioning went out this weekend turning the place into an oven. Mom opted to delay the party until after the repair man does his work. So, Janie Rose and her family hung out with Grandma, Grandpa and uncle for most of Sunday afternoon.

Janie does not walk by herself yet, but she is determined to be ready when that time comes. She had Grandma and Grandpa holding her hand as she jogged circles between the living room and the kitchen. When I finally broke away, I grabbed the camera in several futile attempts to record the event. This was the best although I had to crop Grandma out so we could get a good look at the girl.

Future star?

Spent the day with an old friend yesterday. She has three adopted grandsons who live with her. Two of the boys are pursuing careers in the acting community. The youngest leaves today to confront the Hollywood experience. I wish him well.

New Jersey and Retired

I have finally retired from teaching. On the last official work day I was in New Jersey photographing a wedding for the cousin of my daughter-in-law Nikki. Here is an example.

If you would like to see more: http://rustytripod.smugmug.com/


I definitely enjoyed the weather, the food, and the people in New Jersey. Returning was not an easy thing to do, but I had not choice since I had to clean 16 years worth o teaching materials from my classroom.

The classroom is empty now but our spare bedroom is a mess. Slowly, I am making progress.

Now, if I could just schedule another wedding shoot.....

Ross's Wedding

I shot at another wedding this weekend. As a guest, the best I could do was perform as an "Uncle Bob". The venue photographer put us into the bar while she did the group shots. I missed out on those.

No one moved around to photograph the wedding ceremony. I politely remained in my seat and did the best I could from that viewpoint. It was a late Arizona afternoon with harsh light.

Overly warm colors ruled the dining area. My white balance was all over the place. It was my first attempt with the Canon 580 EX. Challenging.

After processing the images, I was greatly disappointed in the work. Too many shots seem the same as other events. (I guess I have my own style...boring.) Still, there is plenty of room to grow. I can only hope things go better when I assist at the wedding in New Jersey next week.

Wedding Shoot

I hope to shoot more weddings when I retire. Slowly, I am beginning to recognize how hard it is to work alone.

I photographed a beautiful couple yesterday. They had far more energy than I.

Two more shoots are coming up in the near future. Certainly, I need more practice and more stamina. Retiring from the day job is bound to help that somewhat.

Lorraine's birthday

Lorraine is a senior citizen just shy of Medicare and Social Security. Today is her birthday. Yesterday, Anna and John took us to the Phoenix Zoo for their gift. Of course, it is a two edged sword, have fun and babysit at the same time. Nevertheless, Lorraine and I left with some beautiful photographs of the grandchildren.

I don't care much for the zoo, but the grandchildren are a different thing altogether.

Spring Break

Nowadays, we do not travel much. When we do, we seldom go south. Lorraine agreed to go to San Xavier del Bac and Bisbee because she did not want me to spend the money to fly to San Diego for a couple of days. (Tightwad!)

Initially, the plan was to spend the night in Sierra Vista in order to allow enough time to see Bisbee. However, Bisbee is more interesting if you have money to spend. We did not have it, and there was nothing we needed anyway. We just found it easier to drive home and end our 15 hour day in our own beds.

If I had gone alone, I certainly could have knocked around all of the places with my camera a little longer. Instead, I was rushed and ended up not real pleased with my results. Nevertheless, getting out of town for a few hours and working myself to exhaustion in the process were satisfying.

Janie Rose Brooksby

I have not been taking many pictures lately. Work has been challenging. Life has been limited.

Nevertheless, we do get to babysit Janie Rose and her brothers. She was resting on her mother's lap as I framed this shot. It is not great, but that does not matter. She remains my adorable granddaughter, who is growing and changing quickly.