Flower Mound Wedding Saturday - from Jim Rode Photographer

Woohoo! Amy and William will be married Saturday! (in Flower Mound at Le Beaux Chateau) Be there are be square as they say...
Totally in love.
As we spent the day together, I began to read their eyes. Amy would watch William, looking for the next thing he might do. I'd spot William glancing at Amy when she wasn't looking. Holy Moly! Man are they in love! Passionate is the word that defines these great people. And "fun" too. We had a blast going all over town. Whenever I made a suggestion, A & W were good for it. Got to be one of the best webcasts I ever made. The pictures were so powerful and yet so crazy fun! What a blend, what a day. (I hope Amy and William don't mind the A & W thing. It's my favorite soda, and they are my favorite couple!)

These images pop with bracketing some of the images, layer them together. It is an HDR effect.

I was invited to meet Chris Ryan of the Ryan Manor in Dallas this week. I was blown away by this beautiful venue. Wonderfully decorated, and of course with their professional management, they are able to do full set ups -remove furnishings -add a stage, even bring in a the largest of tents. Their lawn has a gorgeous canopy of trees, and is center-cleared for that reception tent if you choose.

Get a load of that pool table. Don't you know your groom and his boys will spend a least a few minutes racking up some points in pool while the girls get ready?!

The grounds contain at least 3 fountains, courtyard, gazebo. There is valet parking available, beautiful artwork, fantastic kitchen set to please any caterer, my goodness it's wonderful. The cutie you see is Peyton. She had stopped by in between shopping. She is beautiful.

Chris Ryan is so professional. He is not afraid to delegate event activities to the pros (so many people try to go cheap today!) Not Chris, he knows your wedding or event should always be a first class affair.

I met yesterday with Cheryl Ashcraft and Chrystal from A Very Special Day Productions. Together we viewed lighting setups from various events AVSD has handled. Awesome work. They also handle video for events in a professional manor, using HD equipment with great attention to detail and editing. They also use a steadycam (a must today) with extended battery power. (Capture it all!) It was good to filled in on the rest of AVSD. (I've mostly been aware of Richard's great work.)

I've known Richard McClure for quite a while. He is an awesome master of ceremonies...dj of course. I hesitate to say "dj" as anyone seems to be hanging up a sign saying they dj. I've seen (and heard) a lot of bad ones...when you are at a wedding with a pro...you can hear the difference! Richard is one of my "recommends"!!

When you save money on a cheaper dj...lighting...cake maker...photographer...food...ANYTHING for your wedding, you are not saving money. You are really throwing it away -when only a little more could have brought you outstanding service. Risking budget on incompetence is a risk. There is always a reason there is someone cheaper.

Engagements Dallas Design District - Jim Rode Photographer Dallas

I had a blast recently photographing Eric and Lindsey. Their wedding is in January and I can't wait! We explored Dallas and had a great time (even though the streets where torn up here and there). We even had a security guard in the design district drive up and ask us what's up. Ahhh, we're taking pictures? Funny how everything is so closely watched anymore. That didn't stop us. We kicked around up and down the streets. Whenever it was time for a kiss, Eric volunteered and Lindsey surrendered. It was a wonderful day.

I enjoyed employing some HDR techniques to layer the images together and make them pop.

Halloween Party Special Moments Lewisville - Jim Rode Photographer

Carolyn Brister of Special Moments Wedding Chapel invited me to her Halloween party and dance. Had a lot of fun with her friends, family, and some industry professionals. I captured a beautiful picture of the chapel at twilight. A double shadow revealed three crosses. I thought that was cool. They have a gorgeous tree beside the chapel. I think that would be a wonderful place for a small wedding of 10-20 people. The tree has such great charm. Inside the chapel is wonderful as it is a historic chapel over 100 years old.

We partied for several hours with games, food, and dance. I loved the Chinese Chef, who could dance the Elaine dance. Most original costume has to go to Kevin May of May Flowers, the lady with the little piggy...she is of course, dressed as "swine flu"!