The event professionals at Aristide hosted a luncheon yesterday inviting members of the Ft. Worth Wedding Guild. I brought a camera and was wowed by the marvelous visit. Lunch was catered by Olivers. Wonderful! After lunch, I wandered about checking out the grooms room, the bridal room, lounge, terrace -all over! Looking forward to shooting my first wedding at Aristide come April!

Photographers are like coffee - from Jim Rode photographer Dallas

Coming Soon!


It's evening. Sylvia and I are returning from Oklahoma, driving back the dark roads of Northern Texas after a wonderful engagement safari. The beautiful drive earlier in the day with its green hills and blooming wildflowers has now turned into halftones lit by a 3/4 moon. These are those cool hours when your thoughts wander. We felt good. Sylvia had a good time (that makes me feel good!) I turn to ask her, "Describe Edith and Rudy in one word."
"Fun," she said pausing only briefly, "unpretentious, down-to-earth, in love."
I guess sometimes one word just doesn't fit!

In the coming days I'll be working the images and making them cool. I believe that when everyone you know sees your photograph...well...that is the "whole world."

Photographers are like coffee. There is a place in Arlington I go to once in a while for breakfast. Their coffee is Folger's, a buck and weak at that. Frank will slap down a mug... "It's coffee," he proclaims...never cracking a smile.

I prefer Starbucks. You've got to wait a few minutes, it costs $1.95 but Whoa Jackson! -that's real coffee. (Am I saving money at the other place...kind of...really I think I'm just throwing that buck away!) Anyway, I'm drifting. Photographers are like coffee. It is not much harder to buy the right beans and take some care in how you brew. It does take more time but the results bring a better day. Heck, that's just a cup of coffee -a great photograph lasts the rest of your life and beyond.

Here is the un-enhanced version of the same image. Click on the finished image above to see the larger version.

Jim Rode at the Ruthe Jackson Center

Last week I spent an "Evening With Tiffany Blue" at the Ruthe Jackson Center in Grand Prairie. Fun bridal show that brought a large turnout to a Audrey Hepburn movie theme event. I loaded up some stuff for my display and in minutes was headed to Grand Prairie. At the last minute I grabbed my little vacation camera to get a few shots of the night. I'm glad I did because it was so much fun.

Randy Ro Entertainment did the lighting, Foster Blue decorated my table for me (thank you Lucia Bitnar!!) I was right next to Julie from Paper Planet. And I loved the table florals by Kate Foley Designs.

Here are images of some very beautiful modals wearing lovely wedding gowns.

St. Patrick's Ft. Worth City Club from Jim Rode photographer

It's been five years since Doug and Yasmin's wedding at St. Patrick's Cathedral. A wonderful reception took place at Fort Worth's City Club. Dinner, first dance, cutting the cake were just official events of the reception. The real events were the whispers of love during the first dance, the tear when dancing with Dad, laughter dancing the macarena, all those hugs and kisses and expressions of love.

ISES Charity for Children's Medical Dallas, by Jim Rode

Dallas wedding photographer is published again...I said to Sylvia. Okay, I can be proud in a phone call to my sweetheart Sylvia. It isn't every day that a magazine will upgrade its usual one page feature to a two-page spread. I got the page without the text -it's bigger-LOL. The editor, Robin Fowler told me 'our graphics designer must have really liked your pictures.'

The photographs were published in Texas Meetings and Events Magazine and can be seen here.
The Chris Ryan of the Ryan Manor hosted the event. His site is here...but is undergoing upgrades...so if you need info on a great event site call Chris at 214-855-5000. This was a fun charity event for the Children's Medical Center in Dallas, and has hosted by ISES of Dallas. A fun time was had by all -and nearly a hundred toys were collected for the kids at the hospital.

Easter Trash the Dress - Jim Rode Dallas photography

Happy Easter everyone! I thought I'd post a trash the dress from the past...still fun...still romantic.

Sundown Photography Lubbock temple - Jim Rode photographer Dallas

Recently, I traveled to Lubbock to hang with Julia Woods, a photographer from up North. I was cruising into town headed to check in at my hotel when I passed Lubbock's temple for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The sunset was stunning behind the temple's statue. I made a u-turn to get some shots.

I left to head for the hotel but in 5 minutes I couldn't stand it. I returned again. Every minute that passes, changes the sky. I had to park and sit while the sun set - capturing shots all the sunset through. A passing church member told me that the statue is of the angel Maroni, who at the end of the world, according to his details, will herald the return of Jesus. The statue always faces east.

Unveiled Wedding Dallas - Jim Rode Photographer Dallas

Had a blast at the Unveiled Wedding Event last weekend at the Dallas Convention Center. Special thanks to Julie who helped me handle the crowd of people spending the afternoon cruising the exhibits. I was right next to Cort Event Furnishings whose upscale display drew people my way! Piazza in the Village drew lots of attention (of course!), as did Michelle and her crew at Water Cooler Weddings and Events (spectacular display!).

I also loved the pink modals of Bridal Boutique of Lewsiville. United Party Rental had a great display, and the cutest children's table. Last, but not least, was the booth of the Park City Club in Dallas. Michael Davis had a stroke of genius in bringing in the dynamic David Hira to entertain visitors to his booth with astounding magic tricks. First class!

Special thanks to Ducky Bob's who provided my tables.

Hold tight everybody! The Unveiled Wedding event is a week away.

Here is a link to the Unveiled Blog. Check out the short video clip (courtesy Hakim Sons Films) from last years event.
http://blog.unveiledweddingevent.com/

This show, designed by The Wedding Guys, is the ultimate high-end trunk show for DFW area brides. You can get tickets at the door, or here.

Plan to come out to the Dallas Convention Center Saturday March 6. "He" can stop in at the Car Show next door while you can attend to all things bridal! Stop by and say hi! I love to talk all things weddings...

Engagement Dallas -Jim Rode Photographer

I'm posting some images of Lindsey and Eric today. Fun couple. Eric has one of those cars with that throaty sound from the mufflers -I love that. Lindsey was the beautiful bride I photographed just weeks ago at the Diamond Oaks Country Club.

I'm posting because I was googling around and came across an article on engagement advice written by you-know-who. It's still relevant info, so I'm sharing it here. Also a great excuse to blog Lindsey again! Read the article on Engagements here.