We take smart phones for granted. Can you believe that only 3 years ago this June that the iPhone impacted our lives?

I think they should describe it as a mini-computer with built in phone...those with understand better. Google's Android, and the respectable Blackberry are plenty smart options also. I'm just a huge fan of iPhone.

Look how business management today treats higher end managers who don't have a smart phone. They are now on the long list for promotions not the short list. There is a perception that if you can't email or check email, open a pdf file, or even simply text from anywhere you stand then you are either very old (see grandmother) or incompetent (see Governor Blogojevich). (Who can forget the tragically inept image Blogojevich made on The Celebrity Apprentice when he needed to contact his team...and didn't know how to email or text from his phone!?)

If your boss uses a smart phone and you've still dialin...on the flip-open phone you got free-you are behind the times and you could be in trouble. Yes, you say your old faithful phone is capable of texting...but you don't...because it's the cheap phone...and that screen and those buttons are SOOOO tiny! And if you are in your 50's or 60's...hang it up 'cause you're looking like you're in your 70's or 80's! Especially if you have to telephone the boss...not answer his/her text...or he/she knows you don't text...only email...and he/she has to wait until you get back to the office...or home... You know what I mean..."out of touch" used to mean...missing for a day or so...now it means "no answer to my email or text for the past hour..." Will they send you for that business meeting in Austin? They might be considering someone else...they can get in touch with...

If you are into smart phones...you understand...if you are not...it's not too late to start! The learning curve isn't that bad! If you and your "bestest" friend both have iPhone 4s...you can now click FaceTalk and have face - to -face live phone calls... See my eyes, see my lips move...it's me! I'm not kidding. You call and phone camera makes you visible. Talk to your husband in the middle east...and look into the eyes that love you. Do you have a deaf child...sign "I love you" from work, ask how school is going... Heck, they didn't think of that when they first did Star Trek...or Star Wars...

We have come so far in 3 years...only 3 years!

Do you want to see a video on the FaceTalk feature? Go to http://www.apple.com/iphone/ and click on facetalk.

Happy third birthday iPhone!

Le Beaux Chateau wedding by Jim Rode Photographer

Here is a preview of some of the shots and portraits from Edith and Rudy's wedding at Chapelle des Fleurs. They are one of the most fantastic couples I have ever met. Fun and in love with each other -wow -that is why I love wedding photography! I'm still working the images, enhancing them one by one. (How can so many photographers simply shoot and be done? Shame...) I know they will love their wedding images forever just as I will never forget them and the fun we had together. I will blog again in only days as soon as I finished. Enjoy these now.

Chapelle is now called Le Beaux Chateau.

Photographers shootout in Colleyville Texas with Jim Rode Photographer

So what do you do on a Sunday when it hits 90 degrees and the sun is high? Go out and see if you can break the rules of course! The rule...don't be crazy and shoot in the bright, squinty, heat of the day. I was invited to break the rules with Komal Powell, Julie Alzaitoun and Lulu. We went out to Colleyville and played around for an hour or so just to see what we'd get. Lot's of fun. Here are a few of my shots. Here is a slideshow.

Flower Mound Wedding - Lawton Engagements by Jim Rode Dallas photographer

It was "move in" day for Edith and Rudy at their new house in Lawton Oklahoma. Graciously, they took time out to let me photograph their engagements. We went on safari around town to get great shots. The more time I spent with them, the more I became impressed with how wonderful they are! I was witness to a special love. The wedding is coming soon in Flower Mound Texas, and I can't wait to capture the day.

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.