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"!

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

Michael asked Pamela to marry, and she said "Yes!" They had a beautiful wedding at the Little Chapel in the Woods in Denton. They are a great couple, very much in love. I had a great time photographing both. Michael told me he had a Harley, and I suggested we stop by some nearby railroad tracks I know before we headed to the reception. We got some great shots. Of course, a couple in love makes those shots easy!

This After the Wedding Session gave me a chance to bracket some of the images, layer them together, and create some great HDR images.

Super Chief in West Texas - Jim Rode Photographer

While traveling in west Texas, I caught up to the Super Chief haulin' ...well I don't know what, but she was moving. I set my camera to speed priority, rolled down the window and grabbed a few shots. I did a little vibrance, darkening, burning and vela' -not a bad shot. (The vibrance was before the black/white conversion...I'm convinced it can make a difference.)

Of course, as the saying goes..."Don't try this at home, or your car." I was on an empty highwaw, knew how to shoot without looking at the subject, and of course hired a professional driver while I shot (wink/wink).

Le Beaux Chateau wedding in Flower Mound from Jim Rode Photographer of Dallas

Leigh Ann and Ken got married! It was a great wedding and these wonderful people inspire me with great images. Kenneth and Leigh Ann had a special ceremony that seemed magical. You could hear a pin drop while they said their vows. As they exchange rings I noticed I had the biggest smile on my face! Later everyone enjoyed great food, music and dance. We partied into the night. Their wedding book is going to be fantastic, because of such wonderful images.

Once again, I have to thank Chapelle des Fleurs for putting on a fantastic wedding. (Now called Le Beaux Chateau) So professional. They take care of everything!

Seems kind of strange to be blogging about family -what with Facebook and everything. You kind of wonder where blogs will be in five years...

Anyway, Sylvia and I recently went down to Padre to visit her Dad who had hurt his back. He made a decent recovery by the time we got there. He felt good enough to walk a little on the highway in the dunes after we'd been cruising the island. Also seen is Sylvia and her mom. Not visible, yours truly -the photographer.

Sylvia and I cruised around the "valley" recently. We purposely took back roads around through Rio Hondo, Mercedes, Laguna Vista, and some other tiny hamlets. From the bottom up: Rick is a gentleman rancher and part time haberdasher. Loved the ancient hotel near the San Juan shrine. I couldn't resist the yard sale with horse. The owner was smoking up a storm by cigar, but walked out of the picture. I protected his privacy. Finally, this is a shot of a sugarcane field. Now you know where sugar comes from.

Mid-Cities Wedding at Northeast Wedding Chapel - Jim Rode Photographer

Casey and Jordan got married in a beautiful ceremony at a Mid-Cities chapel. Friends and family witnessed an evening filled with love, family and faith. I've been thinking about it for quite some time. Casey and Jordan leave me feeling like my heart is filled with the grace of God.

They are avid sports fans, and I loved their engagement safari...but I have been really touched by how much they are in love. I remember them laying on the Texas Rangers emblem outside the Ballpark in Arlington as I circled grabbing cool images. They kept looking into each others eyes. They are bound to each other! I think they make my life closer to God when I see people in love like this. This is what makes the world a better place. I hope this doesn't sound too deep...but I predict this couple will grow old together in a relationship that we all want to have.

Attended lunch at Artspace 111 with the Professional Wedding Guild in Fort Worth last week. Wonderful service, fantastic speaker. Todd Fiscus is the owner of todd. events. creative services. He is a mind-blowing wedding designer who can handle the largest events in the area.

On the hand, Artspace 111 is a boutique art gallery that offers its space for weddings and events. I really enjoyed the space and art. Intimate weddings will fit here, and I think very nicely! Beautiful grounds complete an interesting gallery space where the couple can retire for a reception. The nice thing about a wedding at Artspace 111, is the walls are already decorated. This can save bucks and decision making hours when it comes to wedding decor.