Once we got talking, I mentioned the whole concept of the Trash the Dress shoots we had in summers past. Creation, more than destruction – getting a new look by not being afraid to take a bridal gown somewhere that would mess it up, muddy it down, or get it wet. It instantly struck up an idea -

Enter a new twist on our bridal themed TTD shoots – Trash the Prom Dress.

While I hoped for a bit more sunlight after the first set out on a tree over a pond, I have to say I loved the addition of the storm clouds that started to move in for a good weekend of downpours.

Always great to work with creative subjects not afraid to go out on a limb -or fallen tree trunk- to try a new idea for a new look.

The more ideas and involvement you give us the more the creative energy gets going to make your photos that much more uniquely yours. Go ahead, drop us a line and fire away to see what we do for you!

Continuing my “off the beaten path” series from last week I decided to take different routes than the usual trails I hike around Potato Creek State Park. I knew where I liked to shoot around the park (and the day before around Notre Dame campus with Chris) but knew I had two seniors that weren’t looking to have photos matching anyone else’s and weren’t afraid of a little meandering.

I’m all for using God-given sunlight for strong light, clouds and shade for diffusers, and bringing in a little extra light to accent the natural lighting around my subjects. Especially when hiking I’m not looking to set up a studio full of lights to completely alter a great outdoor setting. The two shots below illustrate what a little accent light can add to photos.

The sun wasn’t setting just yet but it was already below the trees and wasn’t putting much direct light in the ravine behind us. This let me shoot some soft light photos and an idea on how to add a little extra illumination for dramatic effect.

Above photo: Natural light, possibly even a test shot. (For you tech spec lovers, Nikon D700 with 85mm f/1.8 lens. 1/80 sec. f/2.0 exposure at ISO 400 for natural light. A little edge darkening in Photoshop CS4 for kicks.)

Photo above: Same camera, ISO and aperture as above but this time the shutter was maxed to 1/250th to match the highest flash sync speed. Why? This darkened down the background, and with a very slight bit of light from a Nikon SB-800 behind a shoot-through umbrella just off camera to the right, let me highlight my subject and make her stand out from the background more than in the ambient light photo.

Thanks to both Tabatha and Chris for humoring me with what would otherwise seem like wandering as ideas sparked instead of the preconceived shot lists from shoots past. Best of luck in your final weeks of high school classes!

Check out more senior galleries here, and drop us a line for a unique session of your own.

I started out last week with a lineup of shoots and the expectation of a little walking and fresh air while photographing some cool folks. I met Chris on Notre Dame University Campus and was pretty stoked he was up for a wander around campus without any pre-planned shots (read: make photographer think on his feet).

We wandered away from Notre Dame Avenue, the Golden Dome, football stadium, Basilica and lakes in search of some new sites. Granted by “new” I mean not the usual requested spots – not that there’s anything wrong with that. Good to explore a little and just see what you run across.

Thanks again, Chris, best of luck on the last few weeks of classes!

Check out more of our Seniors Sessions here!

And not a weekend too soon.

Now that it seems Spring is finally here in South Bend, Indiana, everything is greening up beautifully outside. Today, of course, it seems everyone is trying to do the same for Saint Pat’s celebrations. (Of course, with the exception of my friend Joel who wore red in support of those with red/green color blindness.)

What better time to celebrate Irish heritage than with our favorite photos of the LOVE of the Irish?!

Enjoy the albums below as well as galleries of our favorites from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame University campus at

NotreDameBasilicaWedding.com

Bridget & Doug – 6/7/08

Kim & Scott 6/21/08

Enjoy! Eric & Sara

After the last few weeks finalizing prints, framing, preparing and all around brainstorming at high speed, it all came down to one great night of celebration with friends last Saturday!

Highlights of the night – and all were simply amazing:

• We have the coolest friends and clients out there. Sara said it best that each of you have helped us live our dream and do what we get to do – tell your amazing story with our photographs.
• Bucholtz family was among the first guests there! As a reward for their promptness they claimed the couches throughout the night.
• Two of my camera store coworker friends were there, one I hadn’t seen since he moved to New Jersey 3+ years ago. I knew he was looking to stop by but it till floored me when he walked in.
• THREE people drove up from Indianapolis in the rainy weather, and all 3 totally surprised us! Our friend JP and his family moved to Indy a week ago and we had a going away party and everything. Then BAM, he walks into the coffee shop. Awesome to see you again man!
• Our other 2 guests from Indianapolis take the cake for catching me most by surprise. I haven’t seen Natalia and Jeff since Sara and I photographed their wedding in 2006, back in my engaged days. Great idea to make a date night of it while you guys were in town!
• Friends I’ve known since elementary school and a friend I hadn’t seen since I graduated high school were all there. Way to represent CCS in its best years – our classes’ years!

I managed to pick up a camera later in the evening and snap a couple of photos of the fun. Enjoy!

Guests chilling as the Rendition plays.

The E Team reunites! Erik and Eric! Never so much fun since a slow Sunday shift at the camera store inspired pegboard Plinko and making Halloween decor out of photo lab scraps. Superb to see you again man!

The Rendition rocking, so proud of their artistry in music

Surprise guests from Indianapolis!

If they look familiar it’s because we’ve shown off their Wedding Album and Sara’s signature portrait of Natalia ever since it was taken. No portfolio of our wedding day photography would be complete without showing this favorite image from this great couple’s wedding day!

Thanks again everyone who braved the rainstorm and came out to celebrate our 5th year reliving Wedding Day Stories with photography. We’re richly blessed to have you as friends!

- Eric, Sara and Adrian

Congrats you guys!

Last Saturday we joined Katie and Joe in Elmhurst, Illinois for their wedding and celebration. Almost three years to the day since Sara and I started photographing together we kicked off 2008′s spring season with an immensely fun couple and amazing day telling their story.

I’ve got to stop and say thanks to all our couples who have asked us to tell their stories, the families who have invited us to be part of their celebrations, and my wife for working with me these three years.

More of Katie & Joe’s photos are headed online this week!

We took a walk along the Saint Joseph River and Central Park for some great sunset photos. Jourdan’s boyfriend and my long time friend Mark helped out with some new lighting techniques and teasing prompting smiles and laughs.

Click an image above or CLICK HERE to see a preview of Jourdan’s Senior Session. Enjoy!

Adrian got to stroll out with us for his first hike and lakeside sunset. At dusk when we walked back to the Blazer he loved looking up at all the colors across the sky. The fresh air did us all wonders taking a break and getting some excellent exercise together.

Adrian had a lot more fun than he looks like he had for this photo.

Mama Sara and Adrian along the lakeshore

What a perfect ending to the spring weekend with my family!