Andrea and Gifford booked me nearly a year ago and they’ve been an absolute pleasure to work with.  We did two engagement sessions - one in Galveston where we just walked around the alley ways in The Strand and another downtown.  They were married this past weekend and let me just say that it was a great day.  The weather was picture perfect and their choice of venues - for both the ceremony and the reception - were spectacular.

Andrea got ready at a nearby Ressidence Inn - with all the bridesmaids, a few friends, makeup/hair artists from Jordan Temple all in there.  This is one of my favorite parts of a wedding day to cover.  It is not only the transition of the bride into THE BRIDE, but it tends to be the most relaxing part for everyone involved.  They’re all sitting around, talking, telling stories, and being pampered.

The outcome was incredible as Andrea looked marvelous.  Of course, Gifford was not to be outdone and he decided he would look super for the day too.

Gifford and the guys showed off their “Andrea & Gifford” hats!

Andrea picked out an incredible dress and here she is getting some last minute “adjustments” to the petticoat.

As I said ealier, the chapel was incredible.  Not only is it a beautiful example of “modern” with “old” architecture, but the light was superb.

 Such a beautiful setting lent itself perfectly for their vows.

The  total exuberance of newlyweds when they realize that for the first time they ARE married.

A relaxing portrait of the couple.

The reception was held at the stunning Northgate Forest Country Club…

…where Andrea and Gifford enjoyed their first dance…

…shared some well wishes…

…some cake…

…champagne…

…and in general provided some photo opportunities for the very well equipped guests!

At the end of the night, their truck awaited for them - all decked out with some friendly messages.  Oh, I hope they tipped the car wash people well!

They were sent off in a shower of sparklers.

I hope they are enjoying their honeymoon cruise and I wish them the very best in the future.  It’s been a pleasure…

I have to admit it, sitting in the bleachers of a high school gymnasium for ten hours makes even the longest sixteen hour wedding seem like a walk in the park.  While I got to photograph some great dancing, I hurt all over!

I photographed the Gulf Coast Dance Spectacular on Saturday, February 16 and let me just say that some of those dancers were simply incredible.  I’m going to just show three very acrobatic moves.

 These dancers were simply amazing!

As we move halfway through the second month of 2008, I wanted to introduce my new “toy”.  Yes, we tend to call new equipment “toys” and this particular toy is one I’ve been wanting for a long time.  What is it?  Well, it’s a camera modified for “infrared photography”.

Now, what is “infrared photography”?   No, it’s not what you see on TV where you see “thermal images”.  In this case, it is a camera that has been specially modified to be sensitive to “near infrared light”.   What does this mean and why would I want it?  Well, it allows for some really cool looking images - specially outdoors.  With an IR camera, greens such as those in grass and tree leaves reflect the most light back - and appear white.  Skies reflect the least amount of IR light - resulting in very dark skies.

My intent is to use it primarily to document outdoor images of venues and wedding locations.  In addition, experimenting with it for “different” looking portraits is in order too as IR modified cameras actually tend to “penetrate” a little bit into the skin - providing some very rich, creamy, smooth skin textures. 

If you’re technically inclined, you can read more about it at WikiPedia but it’s best to just show you some of the results.

So, that’s it for the new toy.  I look forward to further experimentation with it and to providing more image options to my couples in the future.

I want to wish all my friends in China and Taiwan a great holiday.  Yes, February 7 is the Lunar New Year - commonly known as the “Chinese New Year”.

Over the last twelve years I’ve had the opportunity to travel to China and Taiwan quite often.  During this time I’ve made some wonderful friends and shared some great times with them.  I have learned much about them, their country, their culture, and along the way a lot about myself too.  What has impressed me the most is how friendly and loving they are.

So, I’d like to celebrate by displaying some photographs taken during my most recent trips there in 2006 and 2007.

Let’s start with Taipei and a photo of Taipei 101 - currently the world’s tallest building.  Just one block away from this marvel of engineering is a sculpture portraying a chess board.   I have spent many weeks in Taipei and have become very familiar with the city, its restaurants, its sights, and its people.  I have made many friends there over the years.

 Let’s next shift across the Taiwan Strait and a bit north to the wonderful city of Shanghai.  This is the Television Tower which is one of the many landmarks in this modern, cosmopolitan, and all so beautiful city.

About two hours drive outside of Shanghai is one of many “water towns” where parts of the city are preserved as it was years ago.  These towns, built around rivers, streams, and lakes, used water as a key mode of transportation.  This photo was taken in the city of Xitang.

Another “water town” is the city of Zhou Zhang which I had the pleasure of visiting on another visit to China.  This particular city will always bring beautiful memories.

This next image was also taken in Zhou Zhuang and it is an opera performer getting ready just before going on stage.

Finally, the Lunar New Year celebration is all about family and…well, food.  Some of the best food I’ve ever had has been in Taipei and Shanghai.  There are so many fine restaurants featuing cuisines from throughout the world.  One of my favorite meals was a dim sum breakfast (brunch actually).  This series of photographs will always bring warmth to my heart.  Here’s one.

So, I’d like to again wish all my friends in China and Taiwan a great holiday and may the Year of the Rat be a good one for them all.