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.

Le Beaux Chateau - Wedding Photographer Jim Rode

Jennifer and Jason got married at Chapelle des Fleurs wedding chapel (now called Le Beaux Chateau - in Flower Mound) and it was an amazing wedding! Love, laughter and friendship spilled out all over the dance floor. It was a fantastic wedding and I see a lot! The images are fantastic. I can't say enough about how cool that wedding was... I've even got pictures of the plot to get me to dance. I don't dance. Oh well, 3 minutes out of my life dancing isn't going to hurt. Jenna got some amazing images during the wedding, and during that stressful 3 minutes of dance!

We snuck out at dusk and got some beautiful images with the sky going dark (and gorgeous). This wedding had over 2300 images! A new record. There will be a slideshow webcast in about 4-5 days, and the wedding should be on-line a few days after. The hosting service has them, but there are a lot of images to process. They will be set up for 2 for 1 prints, and catagorized into MANY sections so it will be much easier to go right to the part of the wedding you want to see. Thank you everyone for a great wedding -you will love the images -I do!

This wedding gave me a chance to bracket some of the images, layer them together, and create some great HDR images for an artistic look.

The North Texas Auto Museum rocked with the Professional Wedding Guide Fall Issue Party last night. Meredith Liewehr (PWG) along with a cast of heros put on a great party in a cool venue in Richardson. The shot you see -and please forgive the telephone snapshot from the dimly lit dance floor -is of the amazing Marla Watson-Werst and lovely Ashley Holder. Marla is the heart of Pea Pod Productions and a great event and wedding planner. Ashley is an event planner for Ducky Bob's. Have you been to a wedding with a huge tent with splendid touches? -It probably came from Ducky Bob's.

Sylvia and I had a good time. I'm so glad to take a break from editing images. (I love doing that -don't get me wrong. In fact, the creativity I can bring to the images makes me feel like a great artist...but it is nice get up from my desk to go party and dance a tiny bit!)

I had dinner at the Ruthe Jackson Center in Grand Prairie with some wedding professionals. I sat with Damon Frazier of Frazier Photography and Video, and his partner Jay, and with Kate and Michael Foley of Kate Foley Designs. Background music from a nearby piano was played by the very talented Cindy Hodges.

Kate creates beautiful florals for weddings. She is very talented. I took some (please forgive me -iPhone shots) in the dark room. (I think photographers are the most sensitive to poor shots!) But my phone was the only camera I had while at dinner. Kate did the table centerpiece (only partial captured as it was magnificent and large), and added a tiny orchid to each napkin. I took that home to Sylvia. You'll will also notice my Andy Warhol of her table card. (Photographers will play!) Check out Kate's website if you are looking for flowers for your wedding, she's great.

I cruised around Ft. Worth the other day. I found a vintage police car manned by a mannequin dressed in uniform. Funny.

Syl and I had burgers at the Purple Cow. I vouch for the Big Mamma -yum. Yes, that's the Mooona Lisa by Da Vinci.

David Hira at Bass Hall - from Jim Rode Photographer

Last week I had lunch at the Bass. I was asked by Lora Lea Nelson of the Professional Wedding Guild if I wouldn't mind shooting a few shots of the speaker. No problem, I'll be there anyway for the luncheon. I had no idea how cool the speaker was going to be.

David Hira is inspirational. He blends a little magic, some story, fits in a bit of marketing, and a touch of humor so that we get of feast of ideas! If you have a business event in search of a speaker -I recommend David. He can be found at www.DavidHira.com.

Below is a short webcast of my shots from that afternoon. )

Bass Hall Luncheon - PWG - Jim Rode Photographer

I was asked by Lora Lea Nelson of Classic Weddings and Events by Lora Lea, to photograph the luncheon of the Professional Wedding Guild Wednesday at Bass Hall. The event was actually in the Van Cliburn Room next door. I had a lot of fun and met a lot of great people. The speaker was David Hira who was exceptional. In fact, I'll speak of him tomorrow. He needs his own post. This is a phenomenal man!

Meredith Liewehr of the Perfect Wedding Guide was there -just before her vacation (I'm J...I want a vacation too!) Talked shop with Jon Stricklan of Fresh Spin Entertainment. I sat with Stacey Pinkney of Simple Moments Photography, and Cheryl Allgood from the Ruthe Jackson Center. Great conversation. Ducky-Bobs from Dallas provided beautiful table covers so our lunch could be more elegant. The wonderful food was provided by the chef and staff of the City Club. Amy Shackelford watched over the excellent service. Ice cream drumsticks added a sweetness at the end.

Los Colinas Engagement Jim Rode Photographer

A short while back I got up early to meet Leigh Ann and Ken out at the canal. Workers were talking across the water in spanish while I sipped a little coffee and suggested to Ken to "invade her space" with a little morning kiss. I shot some cool shots of them and thought "wow." It looked like those black and white images of couples kissing on Paris streets while people around them went about their business. Later, we got shots on the canal bridge, at the waters edge, and some amazing images at a little waterfall in near Southlake. It is so cool to be able to spend time with beautiful people who let me create art images. I've got the greatest job in the world!

PS They get married September 18 in Flower Mound! (Le Beaux Chateau)