Jed and Christine’s Wedding

It was such a blessing to be a part of Jed and Christine’s wedding. I totally dig being witness to the traditions of other cultures and this was a great opportunity to do just that. Jed’s from the Philippines and Christine’s family is from Vietnam. As a part of their big day, they each wanted to bring a part of their history into the event.

It all started with a Tea Ceremony at Christine’s parent’s house. This was a touching tradition where Christine’s grandfather shared with them some of the secrets of a long and successful life together but less than half of the audience caught the secrets; it was all in Vietnamese!

A full Catholic mass during the ceremony followed the Tea Ceremony. There was a long break between the ceremony and reception so we took that as an opportunity to shoot the fashion session during the day while the sun was still up (very unusual for me .

There’s a little story to the fashion session. We decided to stop in at the Skirvin Hotel to have a drink and snap a few pictures with the red piano in the bar. While there, I asked to shoot a couple photos in the (closed) restaurant. I was promptly told no and that I was not allowed to shoot in the hotel if the bride and groom didn’t have their ceremony or reception there. We were basically kicked out. So we went across the street to B.C. Clarks and snapped a few pictures along the sidewalk. Christine wanted to go in and have her ring cleaned so we followed her in. Once inside, I asked if I could take a few pictures of the bride and groom in the store. They agreed and stood around smiling at the happy couple while we shot. I asked if we could step over to the safe door and shoot there since it had such beautiful reflections on the brushed metal surface. Not only did they agree, but the security guard asked if we wanted to shoot INSIDE THE SAFE! I certainly didn’t turn down that opportunity. My favorite from the set is the one below with Christine looking like she’s sneaking into the safe. So basically, we were kicked out of the Skirvin for taking photos but invited into the safe of one of the cities top jewelers. Ironic and funny…

We went from our shoot downtown to the reception at the Palace Events Center in Yukon. That’s where the party really got jumpin. It was a crazy night and a VERY long day. In all, we spent right at 14 hours shooting with Jed and Christine and I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. You two are so much fun to be with and we wish you many blessings in the future!

Shawn

Joey and Brandy’s Wedding

It’s always a great privilege to get to shoot for one of your friends and that was the case here. Heidi has known Brandy for many years and when she asked us to shoot her wedding we were thrilled. It was a small but fun wedding; perfect to match their personalities. The reception featured an ice cream bar—it doesn’t get any better than that!

When we set out to do the fashion shoot I knew immediately that we were going to get some fabulous pictures. Brandy kept telling me that they would do whatever I told them since the pictures were so important to them. Um, OK! We went all over Will Rogers Park and then moved down to Bricktown. We just kept shooting and shooting since we were having so much fun. Each new picture was better than the last. Here is just a small sample of my favorites. Congratulations Joey and Brandy!

Help Needed For The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk

So many of you have helped me on various shoots and I’m so incredibly grateful to have such great friends. As many of you know, my grandfather past away while suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Every year since, and for several years before, Heidi and I have been volunteering our time and resources to help the Alzheimer’s Association here in Oklahoma. Well, it’s that time again. This Saturday is their annual Memory Walk fund raiser and as has become tradition, S&S Productions is sponsoring the event, will have a table there, and will be serving as the official photographers of the event.

In order to pull this off, I need some help. We have started an official team to raise money and would love for anyone who can come and participate to raise money certainly do so, but we need help in other areas as well. In order to cover an event of such magnitude, we need several photographers. In past years we’ve covered the event with three photographers but I’d love to up the count this year. There is an opportunity to shoot “official team portraits” in addition to the general event coverage and that’s one of the main areas I need help.

If you’re a photographer–even one in training–and are interested in getting some good practice in a “live” and fun environment, PLEASE let me know.  I will be there in Super-Duper-Training-Mode so if you’re still a little unsure behind the camera, that’s OK. It’s getting close to time for another S&S Productions Photo Walk but with all of the holidays coming up I thought we could use this as a practice session to get us through the end of the year. Besides, what better way to get some more shutter time than doing so while helping out a great cause?

Please let me know if you are interested and I’ll explain all of the details then. I would count it a great blessing to get to work with any of my highly talented friends so don’t be shy. Show us what you’ve got!

You can find out more about the Memory Walk in general and our team in particular here: Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk

Cody and Aren’s Wedding

I’ve known Cody’s family for several years now and counted it a great blessing to be able to shoot his wedding for him. Of course being able to shoot such a good looking couple in such a gorgeous location and post some of the photos all over my blog is just icing on the cake for me! I was totally excited as I sat down to import the photos because I just knew this was going to be one of the best photo shoots we’ve done to date.

This was the first wedding we’ve shot at the Harn Homestead and let me tell you, I can’t wait to shoot some more there. Everywhere you turn there’s a photo waiting to happen. And then you stick a gorgeous couple in front of the fantastic background and, well, this is what you get. Thank you so much Cody and Aren for letting S&S be a part of your big day!

Facebook Fan Page Winners

Congratulations to the Burris family for being the 100th fan to follow the S&S Fan Page on Facebook! Because of that, they won a free photo session. We made plans to meet at Will Rogers Park since it was just around the corner from their house but on the day of the shoot the sky looked a little ominous. I knew that if the rain held off we would get some great photos because of the cloud cover but we were running the risk of getting drenched. We went ahead and met for the shoot and boy am I glad we did!

What a cute little family. The boys were more interested in sticks and bugs than taking photographs but we were able to grab some shots of them doing what they do best. Here are a few of my favorites.

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk S&S Team

For several years we have participated in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk. This is the Association’s biggest yearly fundraiser to help fund research for this devastating disease as well as provide services to families who are affected. We have experienced first hand the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease, as my grandfather suffered with it for a number of years before he went to be with the Lord in 2006. For the last few years, we have been privileged enough to donate our services and be a sponsor for several events for the Alzheimer Association. This allows the Association to keep more of their funds and put them to good use, instead of hiring a photographer to cover events. This year’s Memory Walk will be no exception. We will be there sporting our cameras to catch the action of the event as people walk in honor or memory of a loved one suffering with Alzheimer’s. It will be held on October 24th (Heidi’s birthday!) at the Bricktowm Ballpark, Registration-8:30, Walk at 10am.

We have put together a team to help raise funds and we would love to have you join us for this worthy cause. Even if you can’t make it to the walk, you can make a donation in any amount. Whether it be $5 or $500, your gift will make a difference! This is a great opportunity for the whole family. Bring the kids in wagons or strollers and bring your camera along as well. Let’s support all the work that the Alzheimer Association does as they seek to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and to ultimately put themselves out of business! Join the Memory Walk team of S&S Productions to walk with us or help raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Find out more information and sign up to be a part of our fundraising team here: Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk

I’d love to have an entire team of photographers helping to raise money for the cause. If you can participate, bring your camera and you’re a photographer! How great would it be to have an entire group of people with a similar interest in photography covering such a worthy cause?

I’m also looking for some help covering the event in an official (but non-paid) capacity. If you’re interested in helping out, please shoot us an email.

Kyle and April’s Destination Wedding

We had a great opportunity to shoot a wedding at Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, AR. Kyle and April are a fun couple, who we happen to know through the BMW Club. They asked us to  do their wedding photography before they knew where they were getting married. “Anywhere but OKC,” they said. Originally it was to be at a Vineyard in Southern CA. Then they got word that the vineyard wasn’t available on their date. They were set to get married on the 7th anniversary of their first date, so changing the date was not an option.. Next thought, was a beach in the San Diego area. Those plans fell through also. “Wouldn’t it just be simpler to drive somewhere?” Eureka Springs seemed to be the perfect spot, and none was prettier than the all glass Thorncrown Chapel at sunset on August 3rd.

After a short but sweet ceremony, where April walked into the tune of “Oh Yeah” by Yello, we ate a fabulous dinner at a family owned German restaurant in town. We were lucky enough to be able to stay a few extra days, which gave plenty of opportunities for photos with Kyle, April, and their friends that accompanied them. We had a blast guys, and we wish you the best with your marriage!

S&S State Fair Photo Walk

Sorry for the short notice but we’ve finalized the details for the Oklahoma State Fair photo walk. This Sunday the 20th we’ll meet at the State Fair for a photo scavenger hunt. I’ll hand out a list of items that you have to go find and shoot while exercising your creative talents. At the end of the day we’ll upload your favorite picture of each item and show it to the group for a vote. The photographer with the most votes wins. What’s the prize? Well, it depends on which category you win but it will be well worth your time to come out to the fair. Plus, you get to eat a fried twinkie! Where else can you do that?

Meet us at 4pm at the fountain under the mini St. Louis Arch. It’s to the East of the space needle. Bring the usual stuff but this time, find a way to bring an assortment of lenses. There’s no telling what you may need. We should be finished and wrapped between 8 and 8:30.

You’re welcome to bring your family; I’m bringing mine. This is super casual. No formal teaching involved though. This is the time to put all of the things from the previous photo walks into action. Remember, you’re going to be judged by your peers. The best, most creative photo for each scavenger item gets a point. The photographer with the most points wins. Post any questions to the blog so everyone can get the answer. Get those creative juices flowing!

Social Media and S&S Productions

I’ve been posting to Twitter for a while now but I’ve just created a specific page for S&S Productions. You can find it here: http://twitter.com/SS_Productions. Follow us to keep up with what we’re doing and to be the first one to take advantage of special promotions we occasionally run.

You can also find us on Facebook. We have a Fan Page started and will be posting photo albums and promotions there too. You can become a fan by visiting the site here.

We only have two more available session times through the end of the year and we’re saving a third one to give away as a free session. Need Christmas photos? This is your chance. Be watching the Twitter feed in the next few days for a chance to win the free photo session.

Courtney’s Senior Session

Courtney is a beautiful young lady with a contagious smile. She had seen some of the other senior photos I had done for one of her friends and wanted something similar for her own. We started out at a pond at the entrance to the addition she lives in and headed from there down to Bricktown. This is another case of finding the perfect location for the perfect photo shoot. We timed the session so that we could shoot early evening at the pond and twilight throughout Bricktown. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for night photography so I will inevitably shoot long into dark. We did the same thing this time too. Courtney loves her bright yellow Mini Cooper so we just had to have it in some of the shots. We went to the top of the Bricktown parking garage and, after setting up a few lights, had Courtney crawl up on the car. The shot with her on the hood and the downtown skyline in the background is probably my favorite from the whole shoot!

Courtney was great. “Hey Courtney, kick off your shoes and stand in the middle of this waterfall! Hey Courtney, hop up on the roof of your car! Hey Courtney, jump this fence with me and sit in the middle of the baseball stadium!” She was up for anything and we had a blast. Thanks Courtney!