Fossil Creek Country Club - Jim Rode Photographer

I photographed Lori and Dave at the Fossil Creek Country Club last week. It was a wonderful reception full of fun, friendship, love and dancing! We began a little early to get some photographs on the grounds. The club has beautiful stonework and greenery, even in December.

Lori and Dave are very romantic. I was surprised to see the love between them -just by looking at Dave when he is looking at Lori! What I'm saying is...Dave has this look in his face when he looks at Lori that just seems to say I love you! I thought that was interesting in "reading" his face. Very cool.

Lori wore a beautiful red gown. Dave wore a tux. Fossil Creek was once again managed so well you don't even notice the background activity of making everything work. Lori's cake was yum. Their friends were fun.

And the music...Lori and Dave picked Lisa and Rob from Heartsong Productions. They blew me away. They know how to tailor the music based on the scene. They were professional, and they add their own vocals. They were good! -a step above the plain DJ alternative.

Le Beaux Chateau Wedding - from Jim Rode Photographer of Dallas

Denisse and Daniel seem to have that special love. I look at them and think of my wonderful wife Sylvia. Their love seems full dimensional. It looks to be a balance of love/respect/family/partnership. I and Jenna (who seconded for me -a fine photographer!) were so lucky to be a part of their day. And even better -it was at Chapelle des Fleurs! Chapelle really does a first class job doing a wedding. (Chapelle is now called Le Beaux Chateau and is a great Flower Mound wedding venue) So many little touches in a complex event helped make this wedding wonderful. It was full of family, and fun. I loved the beautiful portraits I was able to create (with the help of a beautiful bride!!) and I loved the dancing!

I had a great time spending the day with Corky and Ramie. We went to Fort Worth and cruised the museum district and the famous stockyards. We had lunch together where I had a chance to see romance. Their glances, and whispers, and kisses were testament to love. Corky is a man of steel (an insight they will understand!) and Ramie has a heart bigger than Dallas. They will be married March 22 of 2009 at the Green Oaks Wedding Chapel. Be there or be square -as I always say!

After Wedding at Little Chapel in the Woods - Jim Rode Photographer

I get a lot of compliments. I really enjoy them -everyone would. But the other day, I got an inquiry for my photography for a small wedding. I sent info. I was told that things were still being worked out on exact date and location -AND, she said - "I am excited about you taking our pictures...I was not sure about a wedding until I saw your pictures (on your website)." LD

That took a little time to sink in. What an honor. I was not sure about a wedding, until I saw your pictures...

How blessed I am. -and this perhaps, my greatest compliment.
Jim

(This photo above is just after Ashley and Brandon's wedding at the Little Chapel in the Woods. We took a few minutes to stop on the tracks between wedding and reception in the city.)

Northeast Wedding Chapel wedding from Jim Rode Photographer

Jerome and Natasha where married September 26th at the Northeast Wedding Chapel in the Mid-Cities. The guys were guys and the girls all looked pretty! They were the perfect couple (a photographers dream couple in fact!) -good looking people always mean great photography.

When photographers work with beautiful people they work extra hard (if you read this you guys -don't let this inflate your egos too much!!). Not everyone that Leonardo da Vinci painted was a Mona Lisa -but you just know -that when he realized how beautiful she was, he worked extra hard to make that painting right! Here are a few images. Oh, check out the cake!

Jumped down to Harlingen and South Padre Island to see Sylvia's parents. They've been married 56 years -57 come January! Amazing. This shot is called "Reflection at the Shrimp Boats". It was shot in Port Isabel. Drove around Padre to see the damage left over from Hurricane Dolly. Wow! Some pretty strong damage everywhere. Most beach entrances north of the buildings were blocked by tons of sand dunes 15 feet tall, formed during the hurricane. One building, 25 or more stories tall...is sinking and unstable. No one had an intact roof. Holes in the sides of buildings. Did eat some fine seafood though on the island, roof or not!

I'm back from LA! I had a fantastic time. I gave a presentation and advice to photographers from the US and Canada. (Hi Jerome Scullino from Montreal! Jerome was cool. He was smart and skipped late afternoon stuff to shoot a couple at the beach. His pier shots were really great! Here is his website. And a shout out to a great photojournalist from Long Beach. Chad Robinson is branching out into wedding photographer and doing great work! His site is here.) I spent two days listening and talking with some great photographers. Dennis Reggie had me gasping-for-breath laughing. He's big into reality/photojournalism and was speaking on the trend of colorizing a black and white image so the flowers are "magically" blooming with color...or a brides lips are red! Well, you had to be there.

I was excited to see that my Gallery Wrap print maker Simply Canvas had enlarged (see picture) one of my shots for a backdrop to their booth. I took a quick iPhone shot of it. It looks about 60x80. I originally shot it with my old D80 about 2 years ago. That's pretty big for the D80! I'm told it is being donated to hang at the Pictage offices. I feel that is an honor.

I got a shot of some clouds from the plane that remind me of Snoopy. When I got back at DFW a Vietnamese nun walked up to me for help (do I look like a teddy bear or something?! I think God said "that guy there, yeah, Jim is his name...he's the one to talk to...) She spoke no english other than. "I go with you." and "God bless you. I am Dominican Convent." I had only my carry-on and no luggage so I could skip that part, as it seems to add a half hour on to the trip. But, I couldn't refuse a traveler needing help. Especially a nun! I did get a picture made so Sylvia would believe me. I asked for the baggage location for her (D40)...she paused for the ladies room...then we hit gate D40...I convinced her that she shouldn't wait there...she followed me through the revolving doors at security...she didn't know to keep walking through the automatic doors and disabled them...an ambassador and I convinced her to push the red button to start it again "walk! walk! walk!"...as if shouting translates!...she made it out of the revolving doors...we find the D40 for baggage (why do they use similar numbers for baggage claim areas as they do for gates? -they never correspond...she points out 3 -60 lb. boxes she had sent from Nam. (I hope it's not drugs)...I pick them up and cart them for her...she shows me a name, address and number saying "sister -sister" -pointing to my phone. I call for her and let them talk. Her sister comes from Garland to pick her up. I go home. Jesus smiles.

The last pic is of me waiting in the car for Sylvia. We are going out to breakfast. My jet-lag sleep deprivation can be measured by the fact I left my coffee on the hood of the car. Yes, Sylvia got it for me before getting in. Coffee, Brazil's gift to the world.

Well it's off to Los Angeles for me! I'm excited about speaking at the Partner conference. Looks like 400 photographers attending, there are about 45 seats left...and those might go to the "last minute people."

In my hand is the certificate I'm giving as the door prize -a 4-day workshop with Corey McNabb. Keepnitfresh is donating this $1750.00 value gift for some lucky photographer attending my program on engagements!

When the weather starts to moderate, and evening temps begin to fall, there is only one explanation -Texas High School Football!

Okay, maybe not the first thought on every one's mind. But, while some people have a hobby for cars, quilts or music -mine is getting cool shots of football and band. Some, I'll turn into paintings. It began with my daughter marching in the Trinity Trojan Marching Band. Naturally I had to attend the games. I thought I'd hate it! Who wants to watch high school when you can watch the pros? Well, I was wrong. High school football, band, drill and cheer is very cool. And I get a kick out of coming up with great images. It's my hobby, and I'm proud of it.

It gets more complex as the season goes on. Better yet, when was the last time you went back to a game at your high school? It might be more fun than you think! When you went to school, you had a stake in everything that went on. Now you can go for fun!

Oh so cool! I love meeting people and those thoughts run through my head "yeah, I like these guys!" They are from Weatherford and traveled out to the "big city" to have an engagement safari. We had lunch at California Pizza and began to travel around stopping for shots in different places. (This is one of my success secrets. A lot of photographers will take a couple to the park -didn't your parents always take you to the park? Yawn... In 45 minutes, imagination has run it's course, and the poor photographer says "I guess we got everything.") (I'm speaking in L A California to photographers about engagements next month. If any of the photographers who catch my blog want info -give me a call.)

Denisse and Daniel and I had a blast. We took the time to get to know each other. Belinda, Daniels mom, brought Kane, his grown puppy-dog out from Mineral Wells (bless her heart) and we got some great shots with that wonderdog Kane! Then we took off for the canal to further explore cool images together! Here are some shots.
They will marry at what is now called Le Beaux Chateau in Flower Mound.

Johnathan and Isabel are getting married! Congratulations. I've met Johnathan a few times where he works. This day, he was with his fiance'. We did a few impromptu engagement pictures! Happy to do that for a friend.

Valerie and Kevin were married in a simple but beautiful ceremony. I sometimes find that the simple weddings are very sweet. The elaborate "hooplah" simply isn't there. This exposes the feelings of the people who attend. I can see someone narrow their eyes and gently move their head (oh so slightly) into a nod. That's the tip off that they are getting misty-eyed!

Dallas Arts Center Wedding - Jim Rode Photographer

Awhile back, Julie Alzaltoun called me and asked if I wanted to shoot a wedding with her. I had never been anyone's second photographer, but I thought "cool -why not?" It was fun to see Julie working her magic with the families and bridal party. She does things a little differently from me...but hey -as long as you end with great images! I also got to see a wedding from the perspective of not being the person ultimately responsible as I was under her direction. That felt weird! I use a second photographer. I needed to see what it felt like. Very interesting. I think I can now better communicate with my second photographer.

Those photographers who watch my blog -consider the same thing. You can't understand the wedding from the second photographers point of view until you try it at least once! Julie is a fine photographer, and I would recommend her to those in search for a photographer. (All photographers are different, and you need to check several to find your "fit" for your wedding day.) Above is an image of Julie at work!

Before the wedding, the Groom and groomsmen were restricted to the choir room. I was to handle the photographs for the guys. Hmmm, stark room, white walls, chairs...okay -how about this? I think I set up a pretty-cool shot of the groom and the guys -even if the room isn't perfect.

Special Day Events handled the reception at the Dallas Arts Center. We had a blast! The wedding guests were into swing dancing. Check out the move in the dance shot I got above!

Little Chapel in the Woods wedding with Jim Rode Photographer

Ashley and Brandon were married August 10 at the Little Chapel in the Woods on the campus of TWU in Denton. Totally cool wedding. The bride wore a beautiful gown. The guys were dashing -even struck up a Captain Morgan pose before the ceremony for laughs! Karen Foster provide great music from the chapel organ. The couple rehearsed the ceremony and Ashley picked the music from the bridal room! Karen said "I'll start playing different pieces and you let me know which you like." Then she played different wedding marchs -from memory-until Ashley heard the one she wanted! A big advantage to have a pro!

The ceremony was great (Reverent Paul -www.revpaul.com) was, as always, a great officiant. The video has a great pic of him with Ashley. It is a moment before the ceremony. He knows how to keep everyone calm. -Enjoy the moment.

The reception was at Hannah's on the square. We snuck off on the way to the reception for 10 minutes at the tracks. Great fun!

The week of the wedding, Sylvia and I watched the great Helen Keller movie The Miracle Worker. The Little Chapel in the Woods has stained glass windows made by the students in 1939. Helen Keller was of huge interest to people in the 30's and beyond. She was both deaf and blind, and her inspiring story is represented in one of the windows. I've been to the chapel many times, but did not make the connection until this week.

I guess the word is out that I'm speaking in LA at the Pictage Partner Con conference. I thank those who have said nice words of encouragement! You all come! Seating is limited to 450 photographers, and the conference sells out -so line up the cheap airfare while you can. Click on the button above to link in, and see a video When the video is over...you'll notice a button for "more". Click it for multiple videos. Have fun!

I'm speaking on Engagements. I love it! I will be giving a ton of ideas, tips, concepts for those who attend. You will come away a changed photographer! And for you local Dallas photogs...come on out! Be there are be square.

I've lined up some cool door prizes too. Discounts and FREEbies from David Jay and Show-it Web and Show-it Sites! And a paid seat to the 4-day Keepnitfresh seminar with Corey McNabb! - And that's a $1500 seat too! Wouldn't be cool to win!

Call me if you want if you are on the borderline about taking the trip. I can talk you into it!

Jim

Here is a really cool video. It is about how one person can affect the hearts of others. It is about a young man with Down Syndrome who wanted to add service to the place he worked -and did it so effectively, it changed the business. It might make you cry. At the end of the video, it leaves you at a sign up page, but you don't have to go further unless you want too. I was inspired by the video itself.

Here is the link: Runs about 3 minutes. Cool. StService  Enjoy.

Jim

David Jay and Jasmine Star were in town with DJ's Free to Succeed tour. Had a great time with them. DJ rocks! Jasmine rocks too! What a combo! Jasmine wanted to get "big hair" for Dallas. But what do you do with the hair when it's 100 degrees outside? Nothing works. Oh well, she was still beautiful.
You photographers out there checking my blog -if the David Jays Free to Succeed tour is coming to your town -do it! Lots of fun and info. Workflow fixes galore! A lot of concepts on getting free to do the things you want to do...not just being tied down at your computer!

My email arrived last night. It's a Girl! 

You may remember Cheyenne and David (and darling little Baylee) from among last year's Dallas engagements and Little Chapel in the Woods wedding. Cheyenne had a 10 pound 3.5 .oz baby! Her name is Isabelle Jewel. 

Personally, I'll be sending over a Barnes and Noble gift card. What? -you may ask? Yeah, Barnes and Noble. I know it will be a little while, but I want Cheyenne to pick up a couple children's books. When you read to children, you aid their future development. But more importantly, there is nothing like the feeling of taking a break, sitting in the chair with that toddler on your lap, and reading Cinderella. It's bonding and warms the heart. (It will also give Baylee a chance to read to Isabelle too.)

Le Beaux Chateau A&M wedding from Jim Rode Photographer

Erica and Andrew are married. Mr and Mrs. They are so cool. And Texas A&M is in their blood! The wedding was fantastic. Everyone had a great time at Chapelle des Fleurs (now called Le Beaux Chateau). I was very impressed with how professional and innovative Chapelle was. Food platters were brought to the bridal and grooms room. The guys really knew how to chow down! After the wedding ceremony, the bridal party retired to the Bridal room to change to boots. Waiting for us all were cool water glasses with lemon slices. Then, it was off to a great party. Congratulations to Erica and Andrew!