So what better way to start than with Ben and Rachel’s wedding.  I had been looking forward to this wedding for a while as they are both good friends of my brother’s.  Here’s a few pics from the day.

Everybody likes an entourage.

Rachel is pretty doggone easy to shoot.  The girl knows how to get her model on.

Didn’t I tell ya?

This little man was a stich.  Ben can tell he was being upstaged.

Ben was able to get a sweet old MG for a getaway car.  While Rachel almost got an accidental peak before hand, this was her first glimpse.

You’d get a little attitude as well if you had a car like this.

Party time.  Sorry ladies, I know Ben’s dance moves are irrisitable, but he’s taken.

This beautifully emotional moment is brought to you courtesy of Kelly, my second shooter for the day.  Skills.

And, being the 4th of July, a fireworks shot is kind of needed.

You two enjoy your lobsters this weekend.

Uh, and if you can’t tell, it’s a western.

Ready for the close up

And a couple more, just cause.  And, since I’m a guy, I think guns are cool.

A little detail of the side of the cabin, with authentic wood smoke!

What’s a western without a couple of horses?

You can tell from the horse’s breath, it was COLD.  Yeah, more on that later.

Let’s start at the beginning.

The snow ain’t gonna shovel itself boys…

The brave soul.

Ladies and gentlemen, the bride:

I love Kristen’s dress glowing up front.

Now this is what I call group formals.

When I told them I would make these outside shots quick due to the cold, blowing, snowy conditions, Kristen told me, “no, I’m fine; let’s go take pictures.”  Music to my ears.

Jenn, from Modern Day Floral, works wonders.  Yes, those are feathers in that arrangement.

More of her handiwork-

I ALMOST had a second piece of this…

“Let’s hear it for the photographer!” they were all shouting.  OK, no, they really weren’t.

And no wedding photo album is complete without a shot of… the photographer?  Yeah, hard for me to believe as well.  Me, surrounded by beautiful women.  Look outside, you might see pigs flying.

The one complaint I had about the day  - it went by much too fast.  Scott, Kristen, thanks for being so much doggone fun and letting me be there for it.

These are the safest pictures they got to be in.

Now on to the trains…

I love graffiti

And the staircase of death

Look at how edgy and moody it got once I climbed over the rail.

No, I kid.  I did that after the fact.  But the true rocking of the camera came totally and completely from these two.  I just had to point and shoot.  They make it easy for me.  Make sure you stick around to see their wedding pics…

Welcome into the room

Getting ready for the entrance…

This night was all about letting the bride and groom relax, talk with guests and have some fun.

Kids are surprisingly good at having fun…

I love catching family together having a good time.  Usually not too hard.

And, of course, who can forget the FOOD.  It is a good thing I had my camera in my hand (for the most part), otherwise I would have gorged myself this whole weekend.  The food was terrific.

At the end of the night, we were able to quick get some fun shots of just Rabya and Nauman.

Remember I said the snow hit later on?  Well here you go, the proof.  And proof that these two are brave.  It had to be done.

There you go.  The end of Nauman and Rabya’s wedding saga.  I hope you had at least a fraction of the fun looking at it as I had shooting it!

The hair…  These mirrors made for a pseudo-funhouse shot.

Next, the make-up

The detail of this sari is just fantastic -

Rabya is stunning…

Of course, everyone wants to help out

Awww.

Nauman and his family arrive

This one was Rabya’s idea…

The grooms cake, made by none other than Barb at Sweet Cakes.

As the end was approaching, Rabya’s sisters handcuffed her to a railing on the stage.  Let’s hope Nauman has deep pockets.

I had another photographer join me part way through the day, Jen Kroll.  Maybe you know her?  It was a change of pace having HER shoot for ME.  Thanks Jen.

Let’s see if I can’t get Part 3 up before Christmas…

The groom arrives -

And then the bride -

Girl talk…

The dance-off begins

She’s got him wrapped around her finger.

Some examples of the henna -

This is one way to end the night…

I have the BEST job.

Stay tuned for more.  This party is far from over.

Here is the beginning of the hair-do.  Of course, Dad felt like helping out.  He is a natural with hair.

Curious George = cool.

Gotta make sure it’s right, this is a one-time kinda thing.

The all-important dress.

And, of course, the bride’s best accessory:

Here they are seeing each other for the first time and, at that precise moment, becoming the happiest people on the planet.

The bride and groom with their team of loyal supporters.

See, happiest people on the planet.

Due to inclement weather, we did a few indoor portraits before heading off to the reception.  Does not Lindsay make a fabulous bride?  These shots from a girl that hates being in front of a camera.

A relaxing and cozy fireside seat.

A lil’ detail of the table and a shout out to table 20!  Woot woot.

Brad looks thoroughly distressed about cutting into the cake.

Mild mannered Lindsay pulled no punches and gave Brad an up close and personal introduction to the frosting.  Alas, her comeuppance was frosting down the front of her dress.  Yay for shout wipes.

The cake was very tasty.  Believe me, I’ve tried a few.

There isn’t another place I would have wanted to be.  I am incredibly happy for you both.

There was more sound coming out of these three guys than most other bands could dream of making.

The brains behind the music -

The prize…  oh lovely fruit of happiness.

The Fujis were gone (which is alright, I’m a Golden Delicious man), but the sun on the sign was cool.

Looking down this lane in the orchard, all I could think was Huckleberry Finn.  In homage to him, I ate as many as I could while picking.

The sun shining on a shed, doing funky flares with my lens.  Crazy.

Another lane.  It seems to call out, “find out where I go.”  It makes me want to take a nice long hike.

I don’t know why I took this picture, but I just like it.  I looked at the building and thought, “I should take that picture.”  So I did.  Maybe it’s the fun textures.  I don’t know, I just took it.  If you don’t like it, don’t blame me.  My fingers have a mind of their own.

And of course, freshly made apple goodies.  This makes a trip to the orchard go from good to great.  This is just the epitome of fall.

If you’re going to see me soon and you want a good apple, let me know.  You won’t regret it.