East Orlando Photography

East Orlando Photography has left Blogger...

2009-09-17T21:46:00.003-05:00

Hey all, if you were following this blog over here at Google's Blogger, then move you bookmarks over to http://EastOrlandoPhotography.com/blog. Its the new home to my blog and photos are bigger and better than ever before...

If you have any questions or comments then just drop me a line at cghonour@gmail.com

Chris

Son's First Day at School

2009-08-21T12:16:00.004-05:00

He is growing up and it is going to fast.

We took Zach to his first day of school, well open house anyway, and he was awesome. As you can imagine all kids react differently in these situations. Some clung to mom and dad, some were comfortable to play as long as mom and dad were near and others just ran all over the place and played with all the kids. Zach was a bit of the last two, warming up more and more as time passed.

It was an experience that I will never forget... and of course we have pictures. Here are just a few.

The Things I Get to See...

2009-08-16T21:05:00.004-05:00

Love is grand and love on a wedding day is even sweeter. There is nothing better in this world than being a wedding photographer. I get to see sides of people few seldom do. I get to experience emotions not experienced by love ones ever before. It makes all the hard work totally worth it when I see these special moments unfold before me...

Corporate Shoot

2009-08-11T10:55:00.003-05:00

Shot the CIO and her IT Directors over at Rotech Healthcare for a company newsletter. Here is final image. Just a reminder to those that follow my blog, I shoot more than just weddings!

- Chris

Ring Shots

2009-08-09T10:02:00.003-05:00

I love ring shots. In fact, I just purchased a lens that is specifically for these shots. I love the results above, not to mention it was a great setting to shoot. I always do these shots during a wedding. They are normally done when dinner is served and the couple is eating (yah, right!) or making the rounds at the tables. Most of the couples are ready as soon as I come up to them. They know what I would like to do and start taking off their rings before I even ask. Funny, though... sometimes they dont come off too easy, especially during a lovely Florida summer wedding.

Chris

Jennifer and Jason - Downtown Orlando eShoot

2009-08-04T23:30:00.020-05:00

ou know when you start an engagement shoot off at a bar, drinking, things are going to be fun. Well, Jennifer and Jason are certainly at the top of the list of the fun couples I get to shoot. Despite some ominous skies, we had a great time. We started at Latitudes, where they met, with the friends that actually introduced the two of them. It was great listening to the story told by everyone of that day. We ended the day down by the rail road tracks some four blocks north!

It turns out that their wedding will mirror a similar timeline and locations that my wedding did some 5 years ago. They are even getting married by the same Priest. As Jennifer put it, "It will be a walk down memory lane". I agree... and I cant wait to shoot your big day this Saturday!!

Recreating the moment they first met.... :)

Although less dramatic, I stole this idea from Robert McClory (thanks man!)...

Amanda & Brian - EPCOT Engagment Shoot

2009-07-28T22:52:00.007-05:00

Amanda, Brian and I ignored the weather, which was full of thunderstorms, to shoot down at Disney's EPCOT. The entire drive down to the park, rain was full force, but this is Florida and storms come and go. Call it Disney magic, but as soon as we started with the first photo... bam... blue skies!! I will admit that it was really, really hot and even more humid. In fact, towards the end of the night, between humidity and sweat, I actually had equipment issues. Thank God for the back up stuff!

Anyway, here is a sample of the night:

Ok, its a bit corny and it was my idea, but it works...

Courtney & Seth

2009-07-25T02:12:00.003-05:00

Courtney & Seth are getting married today and I just realized that I hadnt uploaded their photos on the blog!! Sorry about that guys! They have, of course, seen them all ready but I know you have not.

I have much more to post, 2 more engagement shoots and a wedding... so look for a fair amount of content next week! Till then...

Chris

Ashley & Alex's Sanibel Island Wedding

2009-07-17T00:59:00.005-05:00

What more is there to say, Sanibel Island, summer, private golf course... beautiful wedding. Ok... Ok, there is a small tie in to this wedding that is pretty funny. Here is the "condensed" story:

I was introduced to Ashley and Alex from a mutual friend of my wife's, Josh Stephany. Ashley and Josh work in the same office at the Orange County Medical Examiners' office. From that office, Dr G Medical Examiner, on Discovery Health is filmed. Ashley is a Forensic Evidence Recovery Technician and Dr Josh Stephany is a Associate Medical Examiner. Josh and my wife met when Josh was an intern at ORMC. They have been great friends ever since. Tailing all this 7 degrees stuff is a stint my wife and I did at the hospital for both of us having Viral Meningitis. Turns out the Infectious Disease doctor in charge of the two of us was none other than Dr G's husband, Dr Mark Wallace. So, Josh refers to us around the office as his Meningitis friends. Josh wasnt able to make it to the wedding, so when I went up to Dr G and her husband and introduced myself as someone other than just the 'wedding photographer' and said that I was one of Josh's Meningitis friends, they laughed. Of course, Dr Wallace remembered me once I said something but the whole story is kind of commical.

Enough about that... on to the photos.

I love the walk from the altar after the ceremony... I mean, come on, can you be any happier than at this point??

I love this photo!!

This was a drinking crowd... I stopped to shoot at the bar quite often that night!

There was some yummy chocolates in these boxes.

The start of the conga line...

Where do DJs get all these freaking hats?

So here is a shot of Dr G (left), from Dr G Medical Examiner, on Discovery Health.

60k Stop-Motion Video; Amazing, Touching, Creative... WOW

2009-07-13T09:36:00.002-05:00

Enjoy... Chris

Deep Discounts for Nov/December Weddings & Events

2009-06-26T10:26:00.006-05:00

Due to a cancellation and a couple postponed weddings, in addition to a family vacation that just get put on hold, East Orlando Photography is offering some DEEP discounts for November and December Weddings. Even deeper for non-Saturday events. If you like my photography, but think I may be financially out of reach, then just email me and we WILL work it out. If you have all ready contacted me and havent gone to contract yet (and I havent all ready sent you a new price quote) then shoot me an email. Not to sound like Howie Mandell, but Let's Make a Deal.

Chris

email: info@EastOrlandoPhotography.com

The Best Camera Is The One That Is Always With You.

2009-06-26T09:30:00.009-05:00

I am often asked by friends and family, "What camera should I buy?". It turns out that is a very difficult question to answer. My follow up question is always, what do you want from your camera?

- Do you want it small enough to fit in your pocket or do you want the best, regardless of size? Or, do you want something in between?

- What is going to be your typical subject? (Kids, Flowers, Buildings, all the above)

There are tons of other questions I usually ask someone, and they are always surprised that I do. The market is so saturated with great cameras, that most are built with strengths in specific areas. Most of the increasing price differences between a manufacture's line up is not always optics and speed, but simply feature sets.

Take for instance, the camera I shoot weddings with, the Nikon D300. The D300 and the D5000 (Nikon's newest entry level SLR) have the same sensor and processing engine. The main differences in the price range are the build quality (metal vs plastic) and feature sets easily accessible on the body (d300) or buried in menus (d5000). The D300 and D5000 perform the exact same under ideal conditions, but start to add low light and fast moving objects and the D300 will run circles around the D5000. The D300 also has a bunch of external jacks to plug accessories into it, which the D5000 does not. My point? If you are shooting family picnics, beach photos and your kid's soccer games then there is NO REASON to spend almost $900 more on the D300. Its completely contrary to American buying habits, which usually say that more expensive (particularly in a specific brand's line up) is better.

So what is my final answer? For those that are not shooting for money, I ultimately tell them that the best camera is the one you will ALWAYS have with you. In many cases, thats your camera phone. As those camera's get better and better, carrying a separate camera is becoming less and less necessary.

Check out the iPhone camera gallery at this link over at Chase Jarvis' site. Remarkable stuff considering the phone's camera was (not on the new one!) less than 1 megapixel.

- Chris

DVD Slideshow: Product Shots

2009-06-20T00:09:00.007-05:00

Just some shots of what the actual DVD Slide Show product looks like. This is part of one of my packages and available via the a la carte options. When you purchase you get the DVD and the web version posted below...

Shoot me an email or post in the comments if you have any questions.

- Chris

Box as delivered...

Leather DVD Case with a small photo on front...

In addition, the box is silk lined...

The white logo is a mistake and gets fixed on the next run so that it blends with the DVD.

Slide Show of Keriann and Brian

2009-06-16T21:01:00.009-05:00

I have all ready posted the wedding a few weeks back, but I got the slideshow finished and wanted to share. The show is part of one of my packages, so if you like it then just ask me about it!! Enjoy...

Video takes about 20 seconds or so to load.

DVD Slideshow: Wedding Package Example from Chris Honour on Vimeo.

eShoot - Angel and Aleem

2009-06-11T00:16:00.003-05:00

I got a couple of engagement shoots done in the last week, but forgot to post them.

The first of those are from Angel and Aleem. We shot in my favorite spot at Avalon Park, but also drove to a new destination just down the road. The problem was that we lost the sun setting behind some homes, so we jumped in the car again and tried to make it back to our original spot. The sun was sinking too fast and I made a last minute decision to jump out at a very large retention pond and finish shooting there. It turned out to be a great place to get that last bit of light... you will see this site again!!

Here are some of my favorites...

Angel had taken off her shoes when she got on the swing. After we were done shooting there, Aleem put them back on... it was such a simple gesture, but so sweet.

ThePlunge.com - A Wedding Site for MEN!

2009-06-04T23:22:00.003-05:00

And not just for men, but by men. This site doesnt focus on floral arrangements and chair covers, but all the stuff Grooms and Groomsmen need to know...

A quote from their site...

"The junk that matters...and nothing more

Instead of giving you the Dos and Don'ts of choosing stationery, we'll tackle the (often controversial) stuff that matters, like what to do if her father's a real prick, how to dis-invite your co-workers, how to handle cold feet, how to finesse the murky world of ex-girlfriends, how to save cash, and what counts as cheating at the bachelor party."

One word of caution that I feel I need to speak up about... If you have to know the answer to that last question (the bachelor party one)... then you should really re-evaluate what you are doing!!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I got this website from the team over at A Belle Soiree

'Nite All,

Chris

Rhonda, Scott and Aiden... Continued

2009-05-30T22:34:00.002-05:00

More of our friends from Athens below... I had a blast guys... so I am ready for you guys again.. when ever you want!!!

Some of these have my wife, Lynne and son, Zachary. Funny how they just happened to sneak in... :)

Family Portraits - Rhonda and Scott

2009-05-26T23:44:00.002-05:00

Rhonda and Scott are good friends of my wife and I. They live up in Athens, GA, and are a great couple. I got lots more coming (hopefully by the end of the week) but I just wanted to throw this one up now because I love it!!

Hope everyone had a great Memorial day weekend!

Keriann & Brian: Wedding to Remember

2009-05-22T12:38:00.004-05:00

Keriann & Brian's wedding goes down in the history books as one heck of an event. Not only was it one of the longest weddings I have shot (12 hours), but it was also a lot of fun. It started over at Keriann's house with hair and makeup. The girls were singing and dancing to New Kids on the Block and good ole 80s music. Dad was playing Xbox on-line and mom was soaking in the moments. Once we got to Good Shepard Catholic Church, everything flowed perfectly. We then headed over to Blue Jacket Park located in Baldwin Park to shoot the bridal party. It was really hot... too hot to do all that I wanted as the bridal party was getting overheated! We got some great photos anyway and then headed over to the reception at Asociación Borinqueña de Florida Central (That place is beautiful, stunning really). The party continued all night long...

Anyway, here are some of my favorites...

I love this job, by Ryan Brenizer

2009-05-21T08:24:00.002-05:00

I couldn't of said it better myself...

Some direct quotes from his post that hit home for me...

"But I really love documenting weddings. Spending so many days with people at one of the happiest, craziest days of their lives? Seeing this bliss-plus-stress bring out everyone's personality to the umpteenth degree? It's hard not to spend much of my time eagerly awaiting going to work.

I love the parts of the day that many people would find too stressful to cope with. You start each day with zero pictures. Zero pictures is heartbreak, bitter recriminations, and a failure of duty. Getting from there to the end of the night, capturing such an important day in a thorough, interesting, and beautiful way? It takes everything you have, all day. I love that."

"Couples ask me a lot, almost sheepishly, "Is it OK if we just want some pictures with groups of family together? It doesn't have to be artsy or anything …" It's more than OK -- I very strongly encourage it. I know lots of photographers see this part of the day as "something to get through," but this is important stuff. Family members who haven't seen each other in years? Important. Getting as many guests as possible, people who you wanted to share your day with you (and paid not-inconsiderable sums for the privilege)? Important."

Band Photography - Forever From Now

2009-05-12T10:46:00.002-05:00

You can check out Forever From Now on Facebook or MySpace and you really should!! Great band, good sound and an amazingly humble group. We had a great time shooting in Downtown Orlando looking for **that** trademark look without it looking like it had been done so many times before. We found some great spots that I will definately use again in the future.

Check out some of my favorites...

Joe & Jill - Leu Gardens Wedding

2009-04-22T20:54:00.002-05:00

Last Tuesday, I worked the smallest wedding that I have worked. I had the honor to document a service that had a total of 5 guests total, including me. One of the others was the offciant. Joe and Jill were wed on a very stormy day, which move thier outside service inside. So, if the old saying holds true, that rain is a blessing on your wedding day... then these two got enough blessings to fill a church. We made the best of it and the rest is history.

Congratulations, you two...

Engagement Shoot: Ashley & Alex

2009-04-11T12:41:00.006-05:00

I met Ashley and Alex through a mutual friend of ours, who suggested they check out my work. They are getting married in beautiful Sanibel, Florida and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding. They brought their dogs to the shoot as they are also going to be in their wedding. This is the first time that I have had animals join a photo shoot.

Sanibel holds a special place in my heart. It was the first "real" vacation that my wife and I took when we were dating. We had such a great time and it really sealed the deal for me thinking I could spend the rest of my life with her. One of the funniest stories we have came from there, too. Apparently, Sanibel Island is one of the best places to go "shelling" on the beach. You are supposed to go at low tide, fight the crowds of people and have a good time. So, Lynne and I were pumped to go... but low tide was at something like 3am. We went to the store bought a flashlight, pail and shovel. We roll out of bed, walk to the beach (right outside our back door) and the first thing we notice is that there is NO ONE around. Hmm... first clue.... Second thing was that it was PITCH black. You couldn’t see your hand at the end of your arm!! Lynne has the flashlight and we walk out into the low tide. As Lynne spots a nice shell with the light, she yells out "Here's one!” So, I bend down to start digging it out or just picking it up... when suddenly she spots something else in the dark and moves the flashlight to see what it is. When she does this, I cant see a darn thing and lose the shell in the darkness. We both laugh. This literally goes on the entire time... by the end of our experience she is doing it on purpose and we are laughing so hard. Its hard to put into words how awesome that night was. Its the simple things in life that are so memorable.

Anyway, enough about me!! Check out the photos from the engagement shoot. Leave me some comments on what you think!!

Lindsey and Jacob

2009-04-08T23:52:00.005-05:00

About a month ago, I shot a very small wedding that I was honored to be a part of. Every wedding I shoot is completely different and this one was not exception. Its really a part of the job that I like... Anyway, Lindsey booked me a while back, site unseen. We never met; just a phone call, a fax and an invoice and boom there I was. Since we didnt even have an engagement shoot this was the very first time that I was meeting the bride and groom. In the end, I had a great time and was glad to be a part of family and friends.
Hope you enjoy....

The unity candle just would not light for them....

Lake Nona Wedding: Anthony & Leilani

2009-03-19T22:20:00.006-05:00

When I shot Anthony and Leilani's engagement photos, we all had a blast. I knew that the wedding was going to be just as fun. We had great weather (if a bit cool & breezy) and a great location. I hope everyone enjoys some of my favorites....

This is one of my favorite images of all time....

I got to see and hear something no one else did... them saying the steps to the dance to each other. It was so cute...

A piece of cake fell down her dress....

And, I tried to catch a photo of her picking it out.... one of the bridesmaids didnt like that!! It was all rated, G, I promise.

The grooms son must of come up to me fifteen times with this mask on and asked for a picture. I had a great time with each shot.

Google Never Forgets

2009-03-02T09:44:00.003-05:00

I post things from Seth Godwin's blog here from time to time because it resonates with me SO MUCH. Seth is arguably the Nation's best Marketer. He has written tons of books, and even had a handful of best sellers. The funny thing about this blog, is that a lot of what he says works for business but it also will apply to your personal life. Subscribe to the blog for a couple weeks and see for your self... Here is his latest:

==================

"Personal branding in the age of Google

A friend advertised on Craigslist for a housekeeper.

Three interesting resumes came to the top. She googled each person's name.

The first search turned up a MySpace page. There was a picture of the applicant, drinking beer from a funnel. Under hobbies, the first entry was, "binge drinking."

The second search turned up a personal blog (a good one, actually). The most recent entry said something like, "I am applying for some menial jobs that are below me, and I'm annoyed by it. I'll certainly quit the minute I sell a few paintings."

And the third? There were only six matches, and the sixth was from the local police department, indicating that the applicant had been arrested for shoplifting two years earlier.

Three for three.

Google never forgets.

Of course, you don't have to be a drunk, a thief or a bitter failure for this to backfire. Everything you do now ends up in your permanent record. The best plan is to overload Google with a long tail of good stuff and to always act as if you're on Candid Camera, because you are."

Beach Engagement Shoot with Randi & Daniel: Part Deux

2009-02-25T00:25:00.004-05:00

Well, I finished my engagement shoot photos from last Wednesday out at Ponce Inlet and I am absolutely in love with the outcome. I am just going to shut up and let them speak for themselves...

Beach Engagement Shoot with Randi & Daniel

2009-02-19T11:39:00.005-05:00

Wow, last night was a blast with the best weather. Well, it was a little windy so I could of done with out that but other than that??!!! Anyway, I got home last night and just imported the photos to the computer and this jumped out at me. I am so happy that these two were game for just about anything I threw at them, especially because the water temp was about 60.

I will post more next week.

Keriann and Brian: Engagement Shoot

2009-02-17T23:29:00.003-05:00

I met Keriann, Brian and her mom months and months ago after a hectic day at a car dealership. When I sat down, I instantly felt like family and have been treated like it ever since. I really cant wait till their big day comes around in May.... just kidding Keriann... I know its in April!!

We met at Avalon Park and walked around all over the place. Who could blame us... it was in the mid 70s with a slight breeze and no humidity. The sunset was awesome and these two gave me some time to "experiment" a bit. Some of those experiments went in the trash, but a couple of them I absolutely love. Thanks you guys for letting me play during our shoot. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!!

Engagement shoot at Rollins College

2009-02-14T01:35:00.003-05:00

Melissa and Chris tell me that they spent a lot of time at Dinky Dock Park so it just made sense to shoot their engagement photos there. Located in between Rollins College, Dinky Dock is a small, quaint park with tons of character. Its a short walk from there to anywhere else on Rollins campus so it was a lot of fun to shoot there and enjoy the awesome weather.

The three of us had a great time and, as usual, Melissa and Chris quickly realized that engagement shoots are laid back, fun and time to get to know each other. I had a great time and I hope you guys enjoy your photos. Here are some of my favorites:

Susan and Tom's Wedding at Lake Mary Events Center

2009-02-07T02:10:00.003-05:00

I teased you a few posts ago with the shot of Susan in the twilight shot near the lake and now I have the rest of their photos done. Here are some of my favorites from the night...

The Lake Mary Event Center is amazing... inside and out. If you havent booked a reception you NEED to look into this place.

I never seen two people come in so happy!!

Their last dance of the evening.... everyone else is out front waiting for the departure.

Thank You!!

2009-02-03T09:12:00.003-05:00

"WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that East Orlando Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community. That means Chris Honour is one of the very best wedding photographers in your area.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

I would like to thank my past clients for speaking on my behalf and helping me win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!"

Leilani & Anthony - Engagement Shoot in Avalon Park

2009-01-31T01:05:00.002-05:00

Leilani booked me as her wedding photographer via email and phone, so we never actually met until her engagement shoot the other day. I have to say that the three of us were laughing and having a great time that I forgot I was working. It really is moments like this that remind me that I have an awesome job!! I know that sounds cheesy but I am pretty lucky.

Here are some of my favorites from the day....

Baby Portraits

2009-01-23T10:12:00.002-05:00

Our friend, Melissa, brought her baby over the other day to hang out and exchange Xmas presents. The funny thing was that it was so close to MLK day that we called the MLK presents. Anyway, you cant bring over a beautiful baby like Sanae and me pass up the chance to take some pics. Nothing fancy here, no light set up... in fact no flash at all as I shot these with available window light.

Hope you enjoy!!

Oh and while I am at it... we babysat a puppy not too long ago. The most adorable chocolate lab, just 8 weeks old. So, how does this fit in with the title, Baby Portraits?? Well, it doesnt, but the puppy is still a baby! Does that count? Here are some pics of her...

Here she is hiding from our 2 year old....

Sneak Peek from Susan and Tom's Wedding

2009-01-13T14:31:00.004-05:00

I was just downloading all the photos from the wedding this past Saturday and this image leaped out at me. I love it... and Susan makes the photo that much more appealing. I had a great time on Saturday, despite being sick and look forward to posting even more photos from the night!!

I love the little fishing boat in the background.

Kayla and Steven: Leu Gardens

2009-01-08T22:24:00.003-05:00

I closed out 2008 with a Monday wedding at Leu Gardens. Its such a large place that you could shoot 10 weddings there and all of them could be in different parts. Its a great place with some of the largest oak trees I have ever seen. We also had amazing weather that reminds me why I love Orlando... I mean come on... the end of December and its 78 degrees outside? My wife's family up North were without power because of snow and ice!

Anyway, thanks guys for letting me be a part of such an amazing day in your life! I had a blast!

Willie and Mary - An intimate wedding

2009-01-02T02:03:00.005-05:00

Willie and Mary were wed at Willie's sister's home on the east side of Orlando. It was a small, intimate wedding that had just a handful of people which consisted of family and the very best of friends. I was very happy and honored to of been able to record this event. I hope you two enjoy your photos and here are a few that I liked.

I love the look on mom's face...

Take better iPhone pictures

2008-12-30T11:54:00.004-05:00

Got an iPhone? Ever since I got mine I have been addicted to it. I shoot daily with the camera and use it for those fleeting moments you need a camera for. Before my iPhone, I would run and get my camera. which of course is packed away and not easy to get to. By the time I got to the camera moment had passed. Since I always have the iPhone in reach, I shoot a lot of family stuff with it. Anyway, this post isnt all about the iPhone... a couple tips relate to most camera phones and a lot of the point and shoots....

Check out what Chase Jarvis has to say on making camera phone photos top notch!!

Tip 1. Hold the camera still, using two hands.
Tip 2. Compose the shot with your finger on the camera button.
Tip 3. Avoid fast-moving subjects and low light.
Tip 4. Keep it simple.
Tip 5. Buy two applications for your iPhone: Camera Bag and Pano.

Read the details for each tip at Chase's blog...

Susan & Tom - Engagement Shoot at Crane's Roost

2008-12-27T14:05:00.005-05:00

I am finally starting to catch up with some of my late November and December clients. Darn Holidays just get in the way... :) I had a great Christmas and hope all of you had a great holiday celebration, as well.

Back in the beginning of December, I shot an engagement shoot up in Altamonte Springs at Crane's Roost park. The park was in the middle of the "lighting the tree" ceremony and there was a large crowd, but that didnt stop us from getting some great shots. Susan and Tom only balked at one idea and that was getting one shot in a huge crowd of folks listening to an orchestra concert hosted by Magic 107.7 with Dave Collins and Leslye Gale. I wanted to put them in the middle of the crowd and have them do a great kiss and have the crowd clap around them. I am not sure how it would of come out, but I am sure it would of been fun. Tom was a bit shy... Susan was game, though! I think we could of gotten the two of them on the radio!! Anyway, here are some of my favorites from the evening...

Costello Family Portraits

2008-12-22T10:23:00.004-05:00

Last month, I stepped out of my wedding comfort zone to shoot some family portraits. Ok, maybe thats a bit of a stretch, but shooting portraits one on one with no other distractions (except for a park full of on-lookers) is definately different than shooting weddings. None the less, I love doing it.

Now that I think about it, there is at least one striking similarity; families coming together and having their photos taken as one big group. Most families havent had everyone together for a big photo in either a long time and some never have. I hear that statement a lot at weddings, too!!

The Costello family and I met at Lake Eola park to get photos of their daughter wearing the dress she wore for her 16th birthday. While we were at it, they invited the rest of their family too. So here is a hidden secret for those that have read this post and didnt skip to photos.... the daughters of the family are the official babysitter(s) for our son. All of them have watched him at one time or another!

Here is the extended family...

Here is mom and dad... they told me that when they got married they had shots done under this weeping willow. I decided there wasnt a better place to shoot them!!

And the 4 kids...

A fun family shot...

And the final of the day...

Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday...

Amazon.com's Wedding Photographer Has Advice

2008-12-12T13:12:00.003-05:00

Ryan Brenizer has been a wedding photographer that I have long followed. You see, photography and specifically wedding photography is full of established, successful photographers parting knowledge all over the internet and through seminars. Both professionals and amateurs alike can gain tons of additional knowledge by subscribing to blogs and websites from all over our globe and attending affordable seminars. This, of course, never will replace true experience which Ryan talks about in today's Amazon Photography blog...

The best line ever reads, "If commercial photography is a scientist in the lab, then wedding photography is an episode of McGuyver -- it's not about what you can do, it's about what you can do in 30 seconds with the weather, location, and subjects possibly working against you and no second chances."

I couldnt agree more with this statement. I have not had a wedding yet that didnt involve some sort of troubleshooting. Lighting, environments, guests, alcohol, and equipment issues are just some of the scenarios I have had to think my way out of. So, when someone asks me what they need to shoot a wedding, my line is, "A dozen weddings working as a second for real world experience.". Of course, thats usually not what that person wants to hear but its really the best advice. As my brother used to say all the time, "Sh** happends; learning how to deal with it is what life is about."

Leu Gardens & Orange County History Center Wedding

2008-12-11T23:53:00.002-05:00

Here is another wedding I shot as a 2nd with Robert McClory of WeddingsbyRobert.com. We actually started shooting the guys at the hotel, then moved to the front of the History Center for the bride and groom reveal before the ceremony. Once that was done we spent the next hour in downtown Orlando shooting "urban scenes". We then went to Leu Gardens for a wedding on the Lawn and finally moved back to History Center for the reception. I had a blast, the weather was great and it really was an awesome experience. Here a few shots that I took...

The guys before a wedding are always so much more calm. It really is interesting the difference...

The bridal part was watching Robert set up a shot. I loved the way this looked and took the picture. No posing and manipulation at all... just a true moment!

The place cards were all hung from a tree and organized by last name. The concept and outcome was awesome.

Daytona Beach Wedding

2008-12-09T10:52:00.004-05:00

Here are some images from another wedding I shot with Robert McClory of WeddingsByRobert.com.

This crowd was lively. Its probably the one wedding that I have shot that had all the 150+ guests stay for the ENTIRE event. The group was young and old with a wide range in between. Every time I made a trip around the tables and room there were people talking, laughing and really enjoying themselves. When I would go around again, everyone was talking to someone different with as much joy as before. It really blew me away, especially when you add in that this was the father of bride's 2nd daughter that had gotten married this year.

Enjoy....

Peeking out around the corner and down the aisle of the church...

The entire wedding party struck some sort of pose....

Mom and Dad watching their daughter and son in law dance...

Time for the Cha Cha Slide...

Did I mention they everyone there was a Gator Fan?? The Gator Chomp...

The Gator fight song...

Shooting for the News: Photojournalism

2008-12-09T10:35:00.002-05:00

I came across another blog post that I found interesting. I always hear the "glamor" side of photojournalism (I am not referring to the wedding photography style, but real newspaper shooters) but never the other less glamorous side. That glamor has always made me think that it would be very rewarding to shoot for a major publication. Dangerous, yes.... but the pay off in the end would be worth it to me. Well, reality check with this story that makes me realize how frustrating it must be to be in that line of work and how much we should all appreciate what our news agencies go through to cover major events around the world.

At least, as a wedding photographer, I know that people will be looking at my images for generations to come. Thats rewarding enough for me....

Read on at The Photographic world of Drew Gardner and his story of "Not making a difference.....?"

The cost of NOW... Seth Godin

2008-12-04T23:34:00.003-05:00

For those of you who do not know who Seth Godin is you should really check out his blog. The man is a marketing and thought provoking genius. Even if you do not need marketing help or run your own business you should read what he has to say. The posts are short and to the point and contain ideas that are just, well, not so much brand new thoughts as they are reminders of the basic nature of mankind. The ideas can be applied to everyday life as much as they can business.

Today's post is about the cost of here and now. Staying on the bleeding age of anything (stocks, email, technology, etc) has a cost that is just about always more expensive than waiting a bit. He doesnt tell you not to invest in the "right now" but asks that you audit yourself if you do. To make sure you really leverage that cost to your advantage. Its just a couple of paragraphs... check out and stay awhile.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/12/the-high-cost-o.html

Dubsdread Wedding

2008-11-29T21:55:00.003-05:00

The last month has been pretty hectic. Between my son's birthday, the holidays and working weddings every weekend... I have a lot to be thankful for. So, while I have worked a lot lately not all of it has been my own weddings. I always love shooting as a second photographer as its a great time to learn and hone your skills even more while all the responsibility is on the main photographer. I always learn something new from Robert McClory and will always take the opportunity to shoot as his second. So the next few posts are as Robert's second...

Winter Haven Wedding - Frances & Radames

2008-11-19T02:25:00.004-05:00

Frances and Radames wed on November 2nd. Even though it rained and it forced us all inside, I think everything turned out amazing. The ceremony and reception were at the Winter Haven Garden Center. Enjoy these photos....

And Frances once told me that she always looks bad in photos.... definitely not here!!

I never did look to see what was in the box...

This has got to be one of my favorite ring shots...

Ponce Inet Beach Wedding - Mary and Greg

2008-11-05T15:07:00.002-05:00

On the weekend of October 25th, I had the chance to shoot Mary and Greg's wedding on the beach at Ponce Inlet. We started out at salon where the ladies got their hair done and got dressed. We were running a bit late on the way to ceremony (almost a half an hour) and the tide was coming in; threatening our ceremony location. We finally made it out of there but in the haste, I did the stupidest thing... I locked my keys in my trunk, with all the camera gear. I had nothing but an iPhone to shoot with and that wasnt going to work. Police and/or a locksmith would of taken way too long to get there, especially given that we were running late to begin with and the tide was moving fast... So, I did what had to be done and broke out the back driver side window in order to pop the trunk, grab the keys and head off to the ceremony....

I, of course, took these later....

Anyway, the weather for the rest of the day was perfect, the beach was beautiful and ceremony rocked. Later we moved to the quaint Ponce Inlet Community Center where everyone had a great night of food and dance. Thanks guys for having me as part of your day!!

Happy Halloween... Photographer Style

2008-10-31T09:12:00.010-05:00

See more just like these at What The Duck. The creator is amazingly talented. If you are a photographer (amateur or professional) you will appreciate this wonderful site.

Paul & Bethel's Winter Haven Wedding

2008-10-29T12:56:00.006-05:00

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure to photograph Paul and Bethel's wedding. They were married at Faith Baptist in Winter Haven, Florida. The service and reception were held at the church and they had an amazing display of love and gratitude during the entire evening. It was an experience that I had not been able to experience until now and I was both blessed and honored to be a part of it. I got some great shots and I thought I would share!!

I love all the hands in the frame, trying to adjust the tie and collar...

This little girl was having so much fun and was a ham in front of the camera...

Even the bobble head doll was checkin' out the bride...

Can that smile get any larger!?!

During the ceremony, tons of friends and family came up and said some nice things about the couple...

Paul is a photographer, too. His groom's cake was very cool...

All during the reception, people took a microphone and spoke about their experiences with one or both of the bride and groom. Some of the stories were just hilarious.

The limo driver opened the back of the SUV limo and I was able to grab this great shot of them inside.

Canvas Prints

2008-10-24T22:02:00.002-05:00

I have always wondered what a good canvas print looks like up close and in person. So, as we do with my son way too often, we experimented. We have this 15 foot wall with a chalk board painted on the bottom, topped off with a chair rail. above that is 7' x 15' blank canvas (pardon the pun). My wife envisioned one of those family style picture frames from Kirklands with 20 some odd pictures within one large frame. I like the idea, but wanted to build on it. So I suggested a couple large prints of our son to hang on the wall left and right of the main multi-pic frame. I mentioned the canvas, but she didnt like the sound of it too much. I went ahead and ordered, canvases that are a mere 3'x2'. I was nervous they would look like, but when they finally arrived I was floored. My wife was too.

Check it out and tell me what you think!!

So, at the end of the day, I write this because I wanted everyone to know what a large canvas print of your loved ones (or you) can look like. I tell you what, I am impressed and I dont say that much...

The Standing Hamptons - Wedding + Band = More Fun

2008-10-21T00:35:00.003-05:00

Went and saw a friend's band at the end of September called the Standing Hamptons. So, why do you care to know this on a wedding photography blog? Well, they are available to play your wedding. These guys are great, fun band that would liven up any wedding to its full potential.

There is nothing better than live music for your big day, but most brides don't even look into it because of the fear of sticker shock. Let me tell you, you would be surprised at how little of a difference there is for a good D.J. and a great, local band.

The Standing Hamptons play everything so no one in the room will be left out. Check out their site and do your self a favor and find out where they are playing next, because it will only take one set to know who will be playing your wedding music.

Mary & Greg Engagment Shoot

2008-10-15T13:01:00.005-05:00

Awesome weather, great location, amazing couple... what else is there to say. Mary and Greg get married on October 25 at Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet. Should be a beautiful location...

A Bit Behind...

2008-10-14T01:25:00.004-05:00

Wow, a bit behind on posting photos to the blog here. I have been so focused on getting the final products in your hands, that I have missed some of the sharing that I get to do on here.

Truth be told, its my son's 2nd birthday on Thursday and I have been dedicating all my free time to helping my wife, clean inside and out, shop and get all those last minute things done before the big party on Saturday. Zach's God Mother (& Lynne's Cousin), Lisa Delaney, is coming down from Massachusetts. We also have a good friend of Lynne's (and mine for that matter), Rhonda Thompson, coming down from Athens with her son Aiden. Lots to do around the house to get ready for food, drinks and fun with family and friends.

I will see if I can get some pictures posted on Tuesday or Wednesday...

Chris

Engagement Shoot with Frances & Radames

2008-09-29T12:40:00.005-05:00

Frances and Thadmes are another couple that got push aside by hurricane Fran. We had scheduled the original time as Fran slowed down while leaving central Florida and thought best that we should just reschedule. We had some overcast skies this time and it even look as though it might rain at one point. We stayed dry and got some great pictures in the process...

Here are some of my favorites.

Susan G. Komen - Race for the Cure

2008-09-20T03:29:00.004-05:00

When I grow up, there’s gonna be a cure.

Thats the t-shirt my son will wear on Sunday, October 5th at Disney's Wide World of Sports. My family will be participating in Orlando's 12th annual Race for the Cure. My wife and I have walked this event each year since we met. The only one we missed was when Zach was born. This year, we are members of a team called "Pretty in Pink". If you follow the link you can donate to the Susan Komen research for breast cancer or, better yet, you can join our team and walk with us. Its a special event for my wife and her family and something that is very moving to be a part of. I will, of course, have my camera and challenge any of my bride and grooms to participate. Free photos for all!!

As the organizer and leader of the team, Shannon Stinson of A Belle Soiree Wedding and Events planned a fund raiser to raise additional money for the cure. She partnered with Cynthia at the Pink Heart Boutique, who hosted the event. We had a DJ, masseuse, a couple of gift baskets for a raffle and many other great things. Oh... I almost forgot!! I was there too. Below are some of my favorite photos from the evening.

Dont forget... if you want to participate or, at the very least, donate 5 or 10 dollars go to the "Pretty in Pink" team page and click the "Make a Gift" link on the right hand side.

Matt and Kayla's Wedding

2008-09-16T09:43:00.003-05:00

Matt and Kayla got married at the Winter Park Farmer's market. Outdoor ceremony on nice balmy August day. After the wedding we moved inside and I shot what is probably one of my favorite locations. The building is an old train station and currently is the home to the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning. There is so much character inside with brick walls, old barn doors and an open ceiling showing the old iron rafters and wood ceiling.

I had a great time shooting and hope that you enjoy some of my favorites.

Matt and Kayla E-Shoot

2008-09-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

I just want to say that Kayla and Matt are actually all ready married so technically this is just a portrait session. However, the scheduling had little to do with us than it did with Hurricane Fran. We rescheduled the shoot 4 or 5 times and got rained out each time... and not just rained out either. It was more of a deluge and blustery winds. So, we shot this just a few days after their wedding. So I will be posting the wedding pictures as soon as I can.

Anyway, we a good time and I hope you enjoy them!!

Paul and Bethel: Engagement Shoot

2008-07-26T01:45:00.004-05:00

Paul and Bethel win the the award for the fastest time between contract and ngagement shoot ever!! We went to contract on Saturday and tried to shoot the engagement photos on Wednesday, but 2.5 inches of rain in just over an hour kinda of killed that idea. We rescheduled for the next evening and I crossed my fingers. Of course, those of us in Orlando know that the last couple months has been nothing more than one big thunderstorm after another and getting a day without ANY rain was just going to be impossible. Well, we made the shoot happen... armed with umbrellas for the lucky couple and trash bags for... not me, just my equipment! We didnt have to use them really... just a few moments of light drizzle is all there was.

The shoot went off without a hitch and I had a great time. Paul and Bethel make it easy to be a photographer as they do very well in front of the camera. Hope you enjoy what I captured!!

Chris Honour Photographer & Dancer

2008-07-24T10:00:00.003-05:00

During a lot of the weddings I shoot, I get so caught up in the moment that I just want to dance with the rest of you. So, to put you at ease, I have the video below that shows your photographer will not make a scene or cause a commotion. I put this video together with my wife and son's help. Thanks guys for being such great dance partners!

Enjoy!!

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Let me know what you think by dropping a comment below!

- Chris

UCF Police Officer Weds

2008-07-14T12:55:00.005-05:00

Below are some pictures from Carolyn and Scott's wedding that I recently shot as Robert McClory's 2nd. The Catholic Mass & Ceremony was held at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and the reception at The Renaissance Orlando Resort (near SeaWorld). Scott is a police officer with the University of Central Florida.

Here are some of my favorites...

My Granddad, His Book

2008-07-12T01:35:00.008-05:00

I was asked by my granddad to shot some portraits of him for a book he is writing about a skirmish he was involved in during WWII on the Pacific front. My granddad can be fairly conservative so I went after safe, Navy Portraits (you know, the desk, the flag). I really wanted to pull of a dramatic photo like
Peter Yang's Esquire magazine shot of Admiral William Fallon, but thats ok. After I set up and he came over to the house, I found out that he wanted full length shots and some with a sword. In fact, he wanted to swing the sword as it relates to some story in the book. Hmm.... wasn't ready for that, but that's OK, I can adapt!!

Here comes the action shots!!! Just look at his eyes in the next few.... WOW!!

A Moving Story...

2008-07-10T13:49:00.005-05:00

Not wedding related. Its about 911 and a wonderful photographer, Joe McNally. Joe is Nikon's photographer. He is actually a freelance photog, but he is one of the guys they go to when they produce a new camera. They tell him to do something amazing and do it with this new prototype. Anyway, if you have ever been to New York and seen the huge, life size Polaroids of 911 heros then you will know his work. This read is about him being a New York photographer and his project that created those life size portraits.

Joe McNally's Blog

St Augustine Wedding

2008-07-10T00:21:00.021-05:00

Here are some of my favorite shots from a wedding I shot with Robert McClory of Weddings By Robert. The wedding was at a small church in downtown historic St Augustine and the reception at Casa Monica just down the road.

Thank Goodness - Thank You Cards

2008-06-27T09:58:00.009-05:00

Ok, so you have heard of companies outsourcing everything to China and India, right? Well, why not take some of that U.S. mentality and outsource your Thank You cards.

I remember when my wife and I had to write those out. I didnt think we would ever be done writing our cards after we got married. I dreaded each night getting home and having to write even more. How many times can you really write, "Thank you so much for the 'insert item here', we will always thank of you each time we 'insert verb here'! Love Lynne and Chris."?

So, in steps an awesome company with an amazing product, Thank Goodness. They have set designs for most occasions, you personalize the cards by choosing every detail such as, card color, envelope color, Inscription color and type style and much more. The prices are what you expect for this type of service, but just think of the hassle you are saving.

Check em out... what do you have to lose?? Wait, I know the answer... countless hours of writing the same thing over and over and over and.....

Jeff Ascough - A Master Photographer

2008-06-23T08:24:00.004-05:00

Jeff has been recognized as one of the world's best photographer since 2004. He probably has been one of the best for well over a decade, but he really wasnt given that credit until 2004 when the Washington Post said that he had "gorgeous work... among the best we have ever seen - an absolute pleasure to see". Since then we has been ranked as one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world by such magazines and organizations as 'PopPhoto' and the 'BBC'. Jeff was one of the largest influences on the photo journalistic style of wedding photography as he isnt a fan of look at the camera and smile. In fact, he writes that if he sees someone recognize the camera, he puts it down and moves on to something else.

I may never reach his level, but I love some of his quotes that he has given during his seminars around the world. I am not a world class "available light" shooter as I use flash on and off camera, but the whole "dont interject yourself in the scene" is something I adhere to as much as humanly possible.

The following is from his blog...

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"It's no good saying "hold it" to a moment in real life."

It was a quote from Lord Snowdon, an eminent photographer and Emmy award winning documentary film maker in the UK.

When I first saw that quote several years ago, it resonated with me. In such a short sentence, it sums up perfectly my whole approach to photography.

For me, whether I'm photographing a wedding or just out and about in the street, photography is about capturing real life, in real time without interfering with or directing the events that are happening in front of me. I enjoy the unpredictability and the challenges of working in this way. Without direction, I have to rely on my skill, experience, and 'eye' to find interesting pictures - I have to be a photographer. I suppose I'm a purist at heart.

On a wedding day, there are so many moments, so many stories, and so many pictures to be taken that it seems ridiculous to want to interfere with, or direct those opportunities.

The great Elliott Erwitt once said;

"I wasn't imposing my presence on anyone,..which is very important for a would-be journalist. I stayed back. Always let people be themselves."

In my experience people behave quite differently when they know they are having their photograph taken. They put on what I call their 'camera face' which is based on how they perceive themselves in photographs. Often this isn't a true reflection of that person, and the personality that can be captured in an unguarded moment, never comes through in a controlled situation. To counteract this, it's so important not to act like a photographer. I'm always quiet, always calm, and never cause a commotion. I want to go unnoticed.

Another of my favourite Erwitt quotes;

"All the technique in the world doesn’t compensate for the inability to notice."

How true this is. Part of being a photographer is to notice - to see images before they happen, and to record those images. Often, the thing that separates a good photographer from a great photographer is the great photographer will notice those moments that pass the good photographer by. This is especially true of wedding photographers. Hence the desire by some to control and make the moments, instead of seeking them out or 'noticing' them.

Furthermore, many photographers put so much emphasis on technique and equipment, and miss what really is important - the picture. It doesn't matter what camera or lens is used. It's totally irrelevant if the image was made on film or digitally. The only thing that matters is the picture.

Some of the most iconic images of the past 100 years were taken with technology that today wouldn't look out of place in a museum. Many of Robert Frank's early images show poor technique, but he noticed the picture. It's true that the picture may have some camera shake, or be a little unsharp or underexposed, but that matters little. It's the emotional response that the image creates within the viewer that is important, and if the picture is strong enough and evokes that response, then that is all that matters.

A poor picture executed with perfect technique is still a poor picture.

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Thats it for today... more pictures coming this week!

- Chris

Rochelle and Brandon

2008-06-18T23:04:00.003-05:00

Rochelle and Brandon had their ceremony and reception at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando. The hotel is just stunning.... from the moment you drive through the entrance as its up on a hill (its Central Florida... what the heck is a hill??) and just has this presence. The lobby is chic and hip and the halls are lined with gold and platinum albums of the greatest musicians on earth. The ceremony was outside in the courtyard and we had beautiful blue skies (although the temperature could of been a bit cooler!!). The reception hall was even better... heck it even had this fabric on the walls that was a bit like a leather chamois. Anyway, these two had a blast and I enjoyed myself as well. Here are some of my favorites from the day...

- Chris

Digital Negatives vs "High Resolution CD"

2008-05-23T11:47:00.007-05:00

What are digital negatives?

Think about what film negatives are; small, unedited, easy to store, with lots of potential. Digital negatives are the same way. These files are virtually straight out of the camera, very minor tweaking if any, no retouching, no resizing. They are a blank canvas, with lots of potential, if you know how to use them. However, digital negatives are NOT the images you see on someone's website galleries or in their portfolio, albums, and or blog. Those photos generally have had editing and retouching to make them the best they can be.

What is a “High Resolution CD”?

Well, its a few leaps beyond what the digital negatives are. When you receive a High Resolution CD from me, you are getting the final, edited and ready to print at any size, images. A lot of time has gone into those images as each one has been touched.

It’s very important to note the difference as there is a considerable about of time and effort put into one and absolutely none put in the other.

I don’t sell the digital negatives as I sell images in their final state only. When I take a picture, I have a vision of what it will look like on screen, in an album or on a wall/table. That’s what I want to sell because that image represents my business and my vision. As your photographer, that is what you have hired me for… nothing less.

All my packages come with a “Low Resolution CD”. The same time and effort has gone into each image, but they have been resized so that the images can only be printed at 4x6 or smaller. Any thing larger, the image comes out as a bunch of pixels. I offer the low resolution CD as most brides and grooms just want the ability to post their images on-line and share via email. This CD is perfect for that and printing those additional 4x6s.

Why would I want the “High Resolution CD”?

Many people want these files because they feel better about having a full digital copy of all of their wedding images, or because they want to print the photos off themselves. I am happy to sell the High Resolution CD to anyone who wants to purchase them.

When I purchase the digital negatives, does that mean I own the copyright?

Yes… and No. I retain the copyright to all the images I take. When you purchase the CD, you receive the images, and a copyright release that gives you permission to use the images for certain purposes, such as making prints or other photo products, posting on a website, or for personal use. The release is specific to the person or persons purchasing the CD only, and cannot be duplicated for others' use. So you may ask, what rights does East Orlando Photography retain? Well basically I continue to own the image and can use it to advertise, sell, enter contests, etc.

What exactly does "editing" a photo entail?

This is truly a huge question, and hard to answer with words. It can mean increasing contrast, adjusting the white balance, changing color hues, removing pimples, erasing debris or distracting backgrounds, adding special effects like vignettes or sepia, etc. The possibilities are truly endless, and every single image requires something different.

Chris Honour
http://EastOrlandoPhotography.com

Aaron & Kelly's Gorgeous Wedding

2008-05-10T14:28:00.005-05:00

I shot Aaron and Kelly's engagment photos back in February at the beautiful Bay Hill Country Club. What a great couple to work with. The venue they had their reception in was one of the best places I have seen in the last year, The West Gate Resort. Regardless the location, these two and their guests were going to have fun... and fun they had!!!

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Danny and Yolanda's Wedding

2008-05-09T11:13:00.003-05:00

You might remember Danny and Yolanda's engagement shoot from back in March as they "melted" my lens with the love and passion for each other. That love and passion was VERY evident in the photos. Well, they finally tied the knot at the end of April.

This wedding was so full of love and joy. This is the first time I had seen this done, but they had tons of wedding toasts done by friends and family... at least 45 minutes worth. I got to really understand Danny and Yolanda... how they met, what they were like as people. It was awesome for me and I am sure others at the wedding they may only know one half of the couple.

Anyway, here are a few shots that I love and hope you do to....

Talk about a beautiful bride.....

I love Yolanda's expression on this one.... LOL!!!

Introducing Grant, Gigi and Taylor

2008-05-06T22:12:00.005-05:00

So, Gigi has to gone down as the most patient bride ever. We had first scheduled her engagement shoot back in the beginning of April but the weather decided to ruin those plans. So, we rescheduled right away for Monday, the 14th. Well, turns out that I was in the hospital with meningitis so we had to reschedule again. We finally got together last Friday and had a great time in Downtown Celebration, Florida. Great setting... great couple and family. We had a great time and the weather was just gorgeous.

Down and Out

2008-04-23T23:12:00.003-05:00

My wife and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who kept us in your thoughts and prayers during our sickness.

For those of you who don't know, Lynne and I came down with viral meningitis April 11th. Our doctors say we got it from our son, Zachary, who had a viral infection (very high temp, but no other symptoms) the previous weekend.

April 11th, my wife had a severe headache (she compared it to "labor pain"), a low fever and was vomiting. We went to our doctor who said that we should immediately check into the ER because she suspected meningitis. While we were waiting for my wife to be seen, I started to get those same symptoms. Once they performed a spinal tap on Lynne, I checked myself into the ER too!! They separated us because they thought we were infecting each other, so we were going through this "alone, but together." Lynne was admitted to the hospital late Friday night and I was admitted early Saturday morning. The hospital was full, so we were on different floors! After a lot of great meds and a lot of yucky food, we were released late Monday afternoon. We're home now and fully recovered. We just have slight headaches and very little energy (which is very hard, taking care of a toddler), but other than that, we're so happy to be well and HOME!!!!!

Again, thanks for all the well wishes and thoughts! We greatly appreciate it!! Oh, Zachary is fine and had a great weekend at "Grammy and Papa Joe's house." He thought he was on vacation!!!!

For my clients, I apologize for any delays in work or contact. I am working quickly to get everything back under control.

Chris

Rochelle and Brandon Engagement Shoot

2008-04-04T00:33:00.002-05:00

Wow, in advance of all the upcoming weddings in April and May it appears that all I have been doing lately is engagement shoots. Well, thats ok with me as an engagement shoot is so much fun!! I get the pleasure of getting to know the couple a bit more over that hour or so and they get a few awesome photos out of it!

I recently met Rochelle and Brandon (aka, Robert... thats an inside joke for the three of us!!) at the Portofino Hotel at Universal Studios. Portofino doesnt normally allow photography sessions unless you are getting married there, but I have inside sources that let us run wild outside. The engagement shoot was scheduled a tad bit too early so we had some harsh, bright sun to deal with... but all in all I think the shots came out great.

I had a blast with you two and I cant wait till the end of May and your wedding across the street at the Hard Rock Hotel. Here are a few of my favorites...

Danny and Yolanda Engagement Shoot

2008-03-15T01:59:00.004-05:00

So the last week has been pretty darn hectic. I had a hard drive failure on Tuesday that I just today recovered from!! Thank goodness I have a great backup plan as I did not lose any data, pictures or anything. WOO HOO!! Anyway, you dont come to the blog to read about computer stuff.....

So last weekend I shoot the engagement shots for Danny and Yolanda. They are getting married in April and I cannot wait till their wedding. These two are sooo in love and the pictures just scream that. They were so much fun and when I told them they could stop kissing... well... Danny didnt want to. Talk about HOT. It was a good thing too, as it was a blistering 60 something degrees out there with a very steady breeze. Ok, all you Northerners are laughing at me.... but 60 for me is almost like what 5 degrees would be for someone in New England!

Here are some of my favorites.... I know Yolanda was looking forward to these being posted so all the girls at work could see. So this is for you Mary and Susan... I cant wait to do your engagement shoots and see if you can "one up" Yolanda!!

WedPix On Line Magazine

2008-03-11T08:44:00.004-05:00

If you are a future bride (or even a groom) and you are not subscribing or reading WedPix.com, then you are missing out on some amazing information. This is a magazine written and published by the Wedding Photojournalist Association, so sure, its skewed a bit on telling you how important Wedding Photography is, but the information is spot on, real and every time I read one of their stories I can't help but saying that I completely agree. Your photographer is one of the few (if not the only one) that will be with you almost all day long and its important that you know the role that he/she will play in capturing your day.

The article below is exactly how I would of written it if I would of been so inclined... or a decent writer. So check out the information here and then head over to Wedpix.com and catch up on the rest of the articles....

WEDDINGS CAN BE CHAOS

A wedding is not just the culmination of a couple’s commitment. It’s also the final product of much planning and preparation. Yet despite the best-laid plans, your big day won’t necessarily get a free pass from Murphy’s Law. Some chaos is almost inevitable at some point along the way. Luckily, when you hire a wedding photojournalist, you have someone on hand who is an expert in capturing those moments as memorable visual stories that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Our WPJA wedding photojournalists weigh in on their experiences with the chaos of the wedding day. They discuss how it affects their shots (for better or for worse), and share their techniques and advice for assuring great pictures despite (or maybe because of) it all!

PHOTOGRAPHER, OR ZEN MASTER?

Nobody knows better than a wedding photojournalist that wedding days can almost seem to breed disorder. At the same time, it’s possible that no one could be better prepared to deal with the unexpected.

For one thing, they’ve been behind the scenes at many other weddings prior to yours. Wedding photojournalists aren’t as intimidated by the hustle and bustle, and know how to blend into the surroundings to document the unique moments of the day. In fact, the chaos may improve their chances of taking that great photo in the first place.

Photo by Michele M. Waite

Prior experience in photographing weddings means the wedding photojournalist knows how to keep calm, says Washington, USA-based WPJA member Michele M. Waite. “Wedding days already can be such a tense time that I want to be the person that’s a calming, supportive presence.” If the wedding party is running late, for example, it works better for everyone to work within a new timeframe than to add to the stress.

Jeff Thompson, a WPJA member based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA, agrees on being a calming presence. "One of my goals is to make it so people don't have to think about photography at all on their wedding day. When I talk to potential clients, I tell them that my approach is to ‘just hang out.’ I'll join in conversations when I feel it is appropriate and I'll drift back and use a longer lens when I sense a more private moment.”

Chicago, IL, USA WPJA photographer Anne Ryan tries to ensure she doesn’t add to the frantic nature of the wedding by maintaining a low profile. “I try to capture everything as well as I can without drawing attention to myself,” Ryan says. “I want to get the best pictures I can without disrupting the ceremony. During the reception, I shoot a lot. I use both wide and long lenses. I don't have to worry about being inconspicuous at the reception so I can work my way through the crowd.”

UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES

Wedding photojournalists want to tell the story of your wedding day in a way that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Sometimes, the images they capture will even fill you in on what you missed—you know, while you were busy getting married.

“The bride and groom are often so busy on the wedding day that they miss out on a lot of what's happening around them,” says Thompson. “When couples receive their photos, I often hear, ‘I don't even remember you taking that photo’ or ‘I never knew that happened until I saw the photo.’”

Photo by Anne Ryan

Ryan agrees. She recently took a WPJA-contest winning photo of a bathroom sink, the surface of which seems covered with a mind-boggling array of make-up and beauty products. “I walked into the bathroom, into this aftermath of the bridal party getting ready and putting on all of their make-up, and I thought, I have to get a picture of this! They’re going to want to remember this.”

What seems like a potential disaster on the day, will often turn into the story you tell over and over, and an experienced wedding photojournalist will know how to capture the tell-tale chaotic mood of your day, should it surface. Waite won a WPJA contest for her photo of the groom’s party dressing on a church lawn.

“I was supposed to meet all the guys at the church after photographing the bride. Well, we all arrived and no one is there yet, the church is completely locked. The guys are standing around wondering how they’re going to get ready.”

Suddenly, they realized they had to get ready; this wedding was happening, Waite recalls. “So they decided, ‘Let’s just get ready on the lawn.’ And of course I thought, thank goodness this happened--this is an awesome photo! It went from a boring stock photo of guys adjusting each other’s ties to stripping down on the lawn!”

Again, the unique and varied experiences of wedding photojournalists are often an asset in taking advantage of a sudden, and brief, opportunity to turn chaos into substance.

“Since I am an experienced photojournalist, I’m used to covering both news and sports,” says Ryan. “Covering a wedding is actually more orderly and predictable that what I'm used to covering! My skills as a sports photographer are particularly helpful, because I can capture everything quickly as it happens.”

IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

Photo by Jeff Thompson

Sometimes, the chaos of the wedding day comes together in ways that no one can fully anticipate, which is, after all, part of the excitement. Says Thompson of his WPJA contest-winner showing bit of flurry over a necklace in the dwindling seconds before a ceremony, “I knew it was a good scene with all the people working on the necklace. I'd love to say I waited and saw the perfect composition of hands coming together and got it in one frame, but I can't. But I wouldn't call it pure luck either. It was just a case of anticipating what might happen and putting myself in position to capture whatever did happen.”

In the chaos department, that scene might pale when compared to another scenario Thompson documented. “I was at a Friday wedding where the ceremony was being held at one church, and was to be presided over by a pastor from a different church. As the ceremony time neared, the pastor had not yet arrived. There were many phone calls made to his cell phone and his office to no avail.”

Thompson says that he tried to document all that was going on because of this situation, and shortly after the scheduled time of the ceremony, someone was finally able to reach the pastor of the church where the wedding was being held. “He arrived in short order, met the bride and groom and improvised a ceremony,” Thompson remembers. “Though it started more than a half-hour late, the improvised ceremony went off without a hitch. It all made for great photos that will be a unique reminder of their unique wedding.”

—by Heather Bowlan for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

Robert and Michelle's Wedding

2008-03-10T21:35:00.008-05:00

Back on the first of March I shot the wedding of the now Robert and Michelle Rivera. Michelle and Robert got married at the always gorgeous St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park. We then moved down to the Florida Mall Hotel and Convention Center.

Everything was set up perfectly and running just on time due to the hard work of Shannon Stinson at A Belle Soiree Weddings & Events. I have to say the room was absolutely beautiful. I have always thought that its the little things that make a huge difference and on that night there were a lot of little things that were just perfect.

I had an amazing time at Robert and Michelle's wedding and I cannot wait to sit down and share these and the rest of their photographs with them. Thanks you two for letting me be your wedding photographer!!

Here are some of my favorites from the night.....

Bay Hill Engagement Shoot

2008-02-27T09:47:00.003-05:00

This last weekend I met Kelly and Aaron at Bay Hill Country Club to shoot their engagement photos. Turns out they have some connections at the club and we were able to take a couple golf carts out on the front nine and do what ever we wanted. Bay Hill is preparing for the PGA tournament on March 10-16 and doesn't take tee times after 2pm, so we had the whole front nine to ourselves!

I had a blast and what started out to be a dreary, gloomy day ended with perfect blue skies and a great sunset.

Thanks Kelly and Aaron and I cant wait for the day you two tie the knot!!

Enjoy...

Jason & Dilenia Rienhart Wedding

2008-02-15T09:05:00.005-05:00

I think last weekend I spent about 3, maybe 4 waking hours at the house. Between Jason and Dilenia's wedding on Saturday and an all day excursion to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday with the family, it was pretty busy. The funny thing is that it was probably one of the best weekends that I have had in a long time.

I love being a wedding photographer and Saturday I must of had goose bumps three or four times during the ceremony and reception. I keep saying to myself, "God, I love this job....". They had an outdoor ceremony, beautiful sunset, Salsa band and I think every single guest was family. Very cool. Of course, Sunday was a blast. It wasn't my 16 month old sons first trip to Disney, but certainly his first that he knew that he was somewhere magical. I took some shots of our trip that I will probably post tomorrow, but first things first.... I present to you some of my favorite shots from Jason and Dilenia's amazing wedding...

Jason and Dilenia Engagement Shoot

2008-01-22T22:31:00.000-05:00

I have the pleasure of shooting Jason and Dilenia's wedding on February 9th, but in the mean time we met at Gaylord Palms resort to shoot some engagement photos. They got engaged at one of the restaurants so it was only fitting to shoot there. Thanks you two for being great sports... and for the memory card!!! Lets not forget to exchange at the wedding...

Here are some of my favorites from the day.....

I love that the two of them are smiling here... almost on the verge of laughing....

Nice ring.....

By far my favorite shot.... I think you guys should use this one as your canvas print.

A Real Website Is Coming....

2008-01-16T11:44:00.001-05:00

Above and below this post are the business cards I created, so I now have them when someone asks me for one.

On another front....last night, I commissioned bludomain.com to build me a website. They said they would have the site completed by Saturday at midnight. They just build the template/frame and I change the color, fonts, upload the photos so it will take me a couple weeks to probably tweak just right. So, stay tuned for a much more professional front end to what has been an amazing ride so far....

Sharon and OW Wedding

2008-01-15T00:59:00.000-05:00

On December 29th, I worked a wedding at a local, private Golf Club named Rio Pinar Country Club. Great staff, good food and a great venue all together.

Sharon and OW got married among their friends and family and as you can see they had a great time and were extremely happy. I specifically remember that Sharon was very cool and collected and was smiling a lot. When I started reviewing the pictures, her smile was every where. I mean, each and every shot of her she was beaming from ear to ear. It was fun editing the photos as I couldnt help but to start smiling myself....

Congratulations to Sharon and OW on their recent marriage and may every day bring you the happiness you experienced on your wedding night.

Here are some of my favorites of the night....

Infant Photography

2007-12-24T13:18:00.000-05:00

Babies are always so much fun to hold and to take pictures of. I was recently given the opportunity to spend an hour with the twins of Janet and Eric and take some photos. Their babies were premature, but only spent a few weeks in the hospital. They are now safe and at home, but are still hooked up to 24hr monitoring... just in case. The guys are absolutely beautiful and so, so small. It was a pleasure being there and I thank the two of you....

Here are some shots that I really love!!

Oh and their big sister Abby was there. Just look at those blue eyes!!

What Was He Thinking??

2007-12-07T13:36:00.001-05:00

Ever heard of the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People"? I don't this photographer has....

For the whole story visit "The West Virginia Record".

Downtown Orlando Wedding - Part Duex

2007-12-06T09:31:00.000-05:00

I got permission to post these, too. This wedding was the huge Methodist Church in Orlando. The reception was at the Orange County History Center, also downtown Orlando.

I had so much fun at this wedding... it was a blast to shoot.

Buena Vista Palace Wedding: Part Duex

2007-12-06T09:16:00.000-05:00

I finally got permission to post these photos. Wedding and Reception at the Buena Vista Palace Resort just outside Downtown Disney.

The wedding was scheduled to be outside, but the weather didn't cooperate. It was a rough decision to make for the bride, but in the end she was very happy with everything. Hope you enjoy!!

Downtown Orlando Wedding

2007-11-27T13:54:00.000-05:00

So, I worked with Robert again as a 2nd photographer at a wedding in Downtown Orlando. The ceremony was at the United Methodist Church in downtown Orlando and the reception at the Orange County Regional History Center.

Typical church restrictions, stay in the back of the church, no flash, etc. On top of that the History Center had these black ceilings that absorbed light like crazy which made using the normal light set up impossible. So we set up our big studio strobes and used bounce off the inside of umbrellas. It was a great wedding with a positive party vibe that was infectious (think 100 people on a 20x20 dance floor for at least 30 minutes straight). We jumped in the middle of it all, got pushed around like we were in the front row of a rock concert, but came out with some great pictures. Here are few teasers with more to come after Robert delivers his proofs to the bride (in a few weeks).

Orlando Weddings on Flickr's Places

2007-11-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

So Flickr introduced a new feature the other day called Flickr Places. Its essentially geotagged Flickr Photos. Geo.. what; you say? Geotagging in its simplest form is nothing more than assigning a location (map, Latitude/Longitude, etc) to a certain photo or set of photos. It has existed in Flickr for awhile now, but it has always been a bit slow. Now, the new version is much faster and allows you to narrow your search before you look at a map. Anyway, I digress....

So, I typed in Orlando and was presented with a lot of neat photos of.... you guessed it.... Disney. "Figures!", I mumbled to myself. However, there was a search tool on the left of the page that allowed you to search further in the Orlando geotagged photos. I reluctantly typed "Weddings" and low and behold... one of my pictures pops up. At first I felt very honored... then I realized what it all really meant.....

It meant nothing more than I was one of a few photographers that has actually tagged a photo "Wedding" and then geotagged it in Orlando. I really only saw a couple of "Photographers" in the feed, as the rest were just party snapshots by guests.

Oh well.... it was my 2 and a half seconds in the lime light....

Updates and Trends

2007-11-15T09:52:00.000-05:00

Photograph by Paparazzi Pictures

I have photos ready to post from the wedding a couple weeks ago, but the photographer that I shot with asked that I wait to post until he delivers his proofs to his bride. So it will be a week or so before those go up.

I am also working another wedding with Robert this weekend at the United Methodist Church in downtown Orlando with the reception at the Orange County Regional History Center this weekend. So look for a teaser photo next week and more to be posted a few weeks from today.

In the mean time... enjoy this interesting trend in engagement/wedding photography from the NY Times where a photographer is asked to act like "paparazzi" and shoot the actual moment where one asks the other to marry them!! When you are done with that article, check out this Texas photographer who has a great example that was masked as a photo shoot of boyfriend and girlfriend.

Buena Vista Palace Wedding

2007-10-29T12:23:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend I shot, as a second photographer, a wedding with a good friend of mine over at Weddings By Robert. We were presented a fair amount of challenges and I always love to watch the way Robert deals with them. I learn so much every time I shoot with him and cant wait to do it again.

Anyway, I am busy processing photos, but thought I would post one to get your taste buds ready....

I call this one Wedding Paparazzi!

Notice the screen in the background? It played a slide show of all the photographs they have taken over the years. The screen was about 10'x20' and was even used at one point to play a video of the bride and groom welcoming everyone to their special day. Very neat idea. Since almost every banquet hall in Orlando also caters to a Convention crowd, I bet each venue has a projector and screen you can rent!

Chris

Portrait Study: Abby the Labby

2007-10-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

My wife and I have two children... there is Zach, our almost 1 year old, and Abby, our almost 11 year old black lab.

Abby has been through a lot this year and just recently had surgery. She has been acting strange ever since then and we dont know why. Even the vet is at a loss, although he has some ideas that we are going to try.

My venture into photography involved Abby 99% of the time. When I worked from home for IBM, I would take every opportunity I could to photographer her. She got so tired of the flash, that she would run as soon as she spotted the camera. I learned to work fast and to try different ways to light so she wouldnt be upset or leave the room. It was practical training, in a sense. It got me ready for paying gigs outside of the house, photographing our ever moving son, and where I am today shooting portraits, weddings and events.

After I left IBM, the photographs of Abby diminished and they really became scarce
when Zach was born and my photography business started taking off. So, here we are at Abby being almost 11 years old and I cant stop thinking that she doenst have 11 years of life left. I really want to start shooting her in ways that show my style and her personality (as big as that personality of her's is!!). Here is the first of those portraits that I hope everyone will enjoy. They were all shot with my 3 light 'Strobist' studio.

Announcing Google Checkout!

2007-09-17T11:41:00.001-05:00

Brides have asked... so now East Orlando Photography offers Google Checkout

As part of my commitment to continually improve your experience with East Orlando Photography, I'd like to let you know I now offer Google Checkout(tm).

If you've used Checkout before, you can make convenient, secure purchases simply by entering your Checkout username and password. If you're using Checkout for the first time, you only need to fill out one page of information to complete your purchase. And you can shop with confidence knowing that Google will protect you from unauthorized purchases should they ever occur.

As of now I do not offer a store front and will send invoices, created by Google Checkout, via email. The email will have the amount due and a link to Google Checkout to complete the transaction.

To learn more about Google Checkout, visit http://checkout.google.com.

Sincerely,

Chris Honour
East Orlando Photography