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! 

Lindzy and Jimmy are making a home together with Mahaley and Coven. We are doing separate "sittings" with the kids to show off what is so special about them. Mahaley's session included her ballet debut on stage! Coven is headed to Dallas with his trumpet for a sitting uptown.

Had a great time but we were kicked out of a place to remain nameless. "Hey, you can't take pictures here!" Of course you can take pictures there, you just can't lay in the grass. We've got a nice park after all. We laughed. How nice is a park if you can't feel the grass? Oh well, I've been kicked out of better places than that.

Lindzy wore a stunning dress, and Jimmy...well, he dresses like me! We are both lucky -average guys who luck out marrying beautiful women! Here is an image from their engagements. It is beneath the sculpture "The Businessman."

Rangefinder Magazine Publishes Jim Rode Photographer

One of the most fun engagements I had ever done was one where my client carried a gun. It was a challenge, but that kept me on my toes. The extra effort paid off when I looked at the exciting images I had. Months later, the pictures had circulated enough (I use Internet slideshows) that the couple I photographed ended up in Rangefinder Magazine. Rangefinder is the professional trade magazine for Wedding Photographers and print a "cookbook recipe" section monthly that explores how the best photographers get those iconic images. They asked me to send them an image and explain how I did it. I loved telling the story!

By the way, he was a policeman and required to always keep his weapon with him at all times. 

Northeast Wedding Chapel Jim Rode photographer

Have you ever been to a wedding that turned out to be almost a fairy tale? I have. For two weeks, I've been stunned at how cool Jaime and Tommy's wedding was. So very cool. So much love, and so many special moments -I'm way late with getting the pictures ready. (Of course I'm working with a couple thousand!) Each image is carefully perfected after the wedding...but gee! When they are this good -I've been working with my jaw dropped! Here is one image taken in the bridal room before the wedding...a special moment. It's just hands...but that says everything anyway. The wedding was at Northeast Wedding Chapel in the Mid-Cities.

Joleen and Kenneth are off to DisneyWorld! They hit the trail right after the wedding...I mean right after...well, they did dance, toast and cake, but they couldn't wait to hit the road. Their first stop, Mobile -about a 9 hour drive! Just think of the gas bill! But, if you get to relax in Mickeyland...you will soon forget your gasoline bill.

Here are a few images. 

And I might as well point out that you'll see what I'm doing the week after the wedding. I'm taking the images and enhancing them in various ways...sharpening, vignetting, bringing out the color, adjusting the exposure etc. You'll notice I don't always choose to put the subjects right in the middle of the image... you'll see Kenneth and Joleen dancing with some best friends watching. That's a far more interesting image than 10 shots of just the two of them right smack in the center of the image. It sets the scene. 

The other shot is of the "boys" stopping at Albertson's before the wedding. It's tweaked too. And don't email me and say your photographer gave you the cd right after the wedding. The weekend photographer (who's got a job someplace during the week) has to give you that cd and be done...after all, he's got to go back to work Monday. You get what you pay for.

Northeast Wedding Chapel wedding - Jim Rode Photographer

Great wedding! Kara and Erik got married! And the family! Wow! Talk about knowing how to have a good time... The music and dancing at the reception was wild and fun. 

The ceremony was flawless (as it usually is at Northeast Wedding Chapel -here is their link in case anyone needs it NortheastWeddingChapel.com). Kara came down the staircase to meet her father (who almost it seemed, carried the bouquet up the aisle for her!)

I know a lot of people read my blog, not just family (-spread all over!) -in Grand Rapids, Nashville, San Francisco, and Kansas City. I try to be uplifting...and talk about fun things. But recently I did a wedding for a great couple. I enjoyed getting to know them on their engagements. We spent 3 or 4 hours together on that day getting the coolest shots! I will not name them to protect their privacy.

Unknown to me, after their wedding, they had to cancel the honeymoon with the sudden illness of his beloved mother. She passed. The "bride" wrote me the kindest note about how much she enjoyed the last photographs taken of them spending time with her at the wedding. It breaks my heart as she was a wonderful person. I would ask you all to spend a moment with God in prayer for the family. God will hear.

People, none of us are superman. We are all human, and we never know the time or place where we might be called "home." Make it a point to throw that extra kiss. Pick up the phone and call someone you love. Send a card. Embrace those you love. We are here together on this planet, and we should work to make it a better place...and that begins with our own families. Embrace them today, tomorrow we can do it again!

I received my sample St. Tropaz book from Couture Books. It has a beautiful cover with a blue thread binding. Dave, from Couture told me, I'm the first in the country to get this book. It's the first one they've made!

I found a YouTube video of someone binding a book in Japan using this threaded method.
http://cailun.info/index.php?/categories/8-Artists

I love this Jonathan Watters wedding video! Using cue cards throughout the wedding, they were able to replace the read cards with lip-sync music. Go to this link to watch -it's fun.

Trash the Dress

I never liked the "Trash the Dress" moniker. Blowing off the pressure of the wedding day by taking out the gown to places it will get dirty is okay...but I prefer the term "Field Trip." It seems less permanent, less intention for gown damage. 

When I do engagement, wedding, or field trip videos, I want them to have a fun look, and a deep romantic look. I want them to pass what I call "the cry test." This is tough thing to talk about in public (for a guy), but I think a good photographer is very much in touch with their emotions, if not they are a lousy photographer. 

So here's the picture. After the photography session, I sit at my computer and work out the slideshow, picture order, and song. I sometimes spend the entire day working it. When my eyes tear up, I know I've got it. It's passed the cry test.