Lisa & Norman's Love Story

Some couples bring a type of chemistry to an engagement session that speaks volumes about their relationship. From the moment I first met Lisa and Norman at a Signature Grand bridal show and they contracted me to be their wedding photographer, I knew we were going to make a great team. I quickly surmised that they were confident in their companionship and would be great subjects in front of the camera. I wasn't wrong about either observation.

Both are a picture of good looks, health, and success that a young couple can enjoy by taking life and each other seriously. I couldn't wait to photograph them because I knew we could have lots of romantic fun and pull off some Hollywood style images. If you want to see what a hot couple they are together, check out the "sweet" images I created of them in several locations around town. They made my job so easy!

Enjoy!
Willie

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Norman's baby.

Norman's REAL baby!

One of my favorite shots of Lisa & Norman.

Lisa has an absolutely stunning face.

...and killer eyes!

Hot licks.

Prelude to their wedding.

-to be continued-

Savannah Rapids Park

Today I took a driving tour of all the parks in Columbia County, GA where I now live. Although I didn't find a lot of subjects that I could photograph, most were ballparks and recreational jump offs, I did find in the Savannah Rapids Park a "gem" of a stop. In fact, it was the last park on my list to visit before heading home.

It's a treat to walk around with my camera and let my senses take in everything that's surrounding me. However, as a photographic artist I then have to isolate particular vistas that might only be as large as a budding flower or as wide as the Savanna River itself.

There is so much visual information going on before your eyes and in your brain. First, there is the play of light, shapes and forms, and textures that can capture your attention as you look at subject matter from different angles. And, second, there is also the forethought of how you can enhance an image later once you get it into your favorite digital software. Now, that's something that years ago I could not dream of doing with film.

Anyway, I found all of these wonderful ingredients during my brief walk in this park and the following images are just a small gallery of what I discovered. Immerse yourself in them and see if you can see what I saw through the eyepiece of my camera and mind.

[Note: The panorama images were created in Adobe Photoshop CS3 using the photo merge feature.

Enjoy!

Willie

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I don't know the name of this tree, but I want one.

Savanna Rapids Park Images

Canal HeadgatesPanorama #1

Panorama #2

I have two favorites images from this trip and this is one of them.
Panorama #3

I wanted to convey the texture of the water in this image.
I'm always looking for lines and perspective in my images.

A serious of shots led up to this
final composition. I love it!
Who says you can't shoot into the sun?

From this...

...to this.

Camera: Canon 30D w/17-55mm IS lens
Post-production: Adobe Lightroom 2.5 & Adobe Photoshop CS3
Additional Software: Topaz Adjust

Sly Fox

I spend a lot of time behind the camera and when people ask if they can photograph me I usually shy away. Why? 'Cause I take lousy pictures. However, here's a shot of me that my sneaky daughter, Dana, captured of me at a wedding. I kinda like it. [See...that's me HIDING behind the camera] Great shot!!!

Thanks, Dana.

Enjoy!
Willie

My Mother Taught Me #14

My mother taught me BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

She said, "Stop acting like your father".

Lake View

Although Dana and I are not shooting together at the moment, she's still keeping her photo-taking and post-editing skills up. Here's a recent image she took during our first major snow storm here in Grovetown, GA. Not satisfied with the original image, she put to work her unique talent to enhance images and make them a piece of art. I know I'm her dad and trained her, but I really like her work a lot. Don't think I'm bragging when I say this, but I think she's a chip off the ole block.

Don't stop shooting, Kid! Daddy thinks you're awesome.

Enjoy!
Willie

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"Lake View"

Tameka & OJ's Wedding

I'm truly excited about this post because it has been years in the making. Although I had been awaiting its arrival, my friend Tameka Collin's wedding came much sooner than I had anticipated. She has been very selective about her choice of men in her life, and I knew she wasn't going to rush into marriage. In a sense this is a fairytale come true.

What you don't know about Tameka is that she is a wedding coordinator and over the years she has referred many brides and portrait clients to me. Not only that, she has also had personal photography created by me and is one of my biggest fans. (Perhaps I'll show you in a future blog how awesome she looks in pictures).

Anyway, years ago in an act of appreciation I told Tameka that if she ever got married I would gladly photograph her wedding day for "free". Well, New Year's Day 2011 she finally did it! I flew down to South Florida and had a great time covering her wedding at Parrot Jungle Island in Key Biscayne.

Congratulations, Tameka and O.J., and I hope you love your wedding album, too. It is one of the best that I've ever photographed and designed. Also, it has been a pleasure working with you over the years, and I'm going to miss you now that we're living in Georgia.

Enjoy!
Willie

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Future brides.

Tameka always has a smile.

Oh, yeah, it's that time!

There will be NO bell ringing at this wedding!

Don't count on O.J. braiding any kid's hair.

Stick to the DJ gig.

Women LOVE a bald-head man!

THE END