What do bloody noses, power outages, dance routines, and shameless plugs at hooking still-single siblings up have in common? These things all happened at the wedding of Amber and Matthew this past Saturday. Oh yeah, they did get married too…

I have to give mega-kudos to Amber and Matt for being so flexible. Just before the ceremony started, it started raining torrentially outside. I would say raining cats and dogs, but we were in the center of Lancaster County, so to be more region specific: it was raining heifers and steers. I think I just got bonus points for using those words in a wedding blog post, and I am seriously getting off track. With that said, I’ll stop yappin’ and show you some pictures:

Amber and Matt had a great group of folks in their wedding party – I didn’t have any problem getting them to give me great expression!

Probably one of my favorite picture of the guys – I just asked for them to give me a “funny face” and this is what I got. What a spectrum of emotion in this picture! Right after this picture, we walked inside and Matt had a bloody nose, probably brought about by all of the contortions his face got into. For the benefits of everyone’s stomachs, no bloody nose pictures online!

Matt was trying… okay, I’m not sure what he was trying to do.

Matt’s brother and bestman Nate – this is the face he gave me when I asked him if he was working on the bestman’s toast speech at t-minus 7  minutes to the ceremony start. I love it!

This is Amber looking very much at peace. The power had gone out just before the ceremony started. I’m so glad it stayed on the rest of the time for them.

Two captures from my second shooter Kyle – Amber and Matt did a choreographed dance routine for their recessional.

Pictures outside the church. Notice the pouring rain in the background. Other than having to utilize the church’s carport for shelter, I was loving the light!

We jumped into our cars and headed off to the Lancaster Host Resort. It was still raining quite hard, so we scouted out some locations for indoor pictures. This was a tiny maintenance hallway deep in the bowels of the resort.

Somewhat of a tribute to Michelangelo:

I told Nate I would post this on a blog that gets lots of visits: a name tag with his number makes it really easy for the ladies…

Another picture from Kyle – these two refused to be photographed together earlier in the evening because someone had told this little girl that she had to kiss the ring bearer. No wonder she’s hiding behind bushes!

The rain finally went away and left us a near perfect sunset. We headed out onto the golf course and grabbed a few of my favorite shots of the evening. Kyle’s picture on the left, mine on the right. It’s super nice to have two photographers capturing different angles at the same time.

Again, picture from Kyle on the left, and mine on the right. I love the starburst effect Kyle got on his picture…

I really want to get this printed big just to see what it would look like! Such a beautiful area, and a gorgeous end to the day!

Off to the honeymoon suite…

Amber and Matt, it was a huge pleasure to work with you both and your families. Thanks for having Kyle and I there for the day!

This past Tuesday evening found me taking my tiny Honda Civic up a winding dirt road in a small town in Juanita County. As I was bouncing up the road, I determined that I should have taking my wife’s 4WD – she’s always right! The road bends and I immediately see a beautiful house and what looks like a kid’s paradise. I see rope swings. I see a pond. I see a wooden ramp in front of the pond. Just by the looks of the surroundings, I knew I would enjoy the evening. Enjoy it, I did.

I was hired to shoot some baby portraits as a gift to the family from a close relative. Titan (cool name, by the way!) was born just a little over a week ago. He was interested in two things – warmth and sleep, as most newborns are:

However, once I was there, we all decided to do some family portraits. Notice that Titan still sleeping peacefully. That takes some skill, especially with me flashing lights and gabbing incessantly.

We headed outside their house for some pictures of Titan with each of his siblings:

We then headed back inside for pictures of just Titan. These last three were my absolute favorites in different ways: The first, because I now really want a sheepskin rug to sleep in like that. It looks really comfy.

This second one, because I play piano myself. Photographically, I love the different textures all in the same photo.

Lastly, just looking at this picture relaxes me. Not that I suck my thumb or anything.

I had a blast with you guys! I’ll have to stop by again to get pictures of Hunter nabbing some huge air off of that ramp.There are a lot more fabulous pictures to check out right here.

Jess is one of the worship leaders at the church I attend, and she and her husband Brian have one of the cutest little babies ever – Naomi! I had a ton of fun with them this past Saturday morning. It’s always a blast to watch a little baby grow and begin to smile and sit up, etc. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

I love to just come into a family’s home and take pictures of the family having fun!

Boys… watch out for this little girl…

My favorite “artsy” photo… shot through an Ikea coffee table my wife and I also own….

Probably my favorite from the session!

More pix online at http://www.toddg.net/toddg/pines/.

This past Saturday I had the privilege to photograph the wedding of a friend I’ve known since we were both in middle school. I’ve always known DJ to be a hilarious person, and sometimes just crazy! He totally fits the definition of counter-culture, and is a rebel to the core. Notice the tie-dye undershirt. That would be DJ. When Alicen came into DJ’s life, everyone knew that she was the one. She had a clever come-back for every one of DJ’s jokes. She wasn’t turned off by his love of fishing, hunting, and big pick-up trucks.  She stood her ground, and DJ had finally met his match!

With that introduction to this couple, the wedding day was a blast! I hope you enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the day:

The guys found a box of old glasses to wear for this pic… I think everyone was a bit dizzy after that…

I love this picture for what it says about each of the guys in the wedding party. I’d love to hear your take on what each of these guys are thinking…

The picture on the left is from my second shooter – Kyle. I love it.

Curt (one of DJ’s good friends, and a friend of mine) playing guitar during the ceremony.

Emily, DJ’s sister, singing a beautiful song called Knees To The Earth. I love her expression of worship here.

I’m a huge fan of wedding photography because of the chance to capture a lot of real emotion. Pastor Steve Blayer shared an awesome message, and Alicen and DJ were both very emotional during their vows. That’s Dale, DJ’s dad and best man in the foreground to the right.

Beautiful church!

One more thing about Alicen – she’s actually a bit taller than DJ. That is saying a lot – DJ is not a short guy either!

After the ceremony, we traveled a short 3 miles to the reception at a place called Vereinigung Erzgebirge. Yes, that’s the name, and I haven’t yet successfully been able to pronounce it. Anyway, there were some beautiful locations at the reception site. Notice DJ’s camo vest. Alicen agreed to let him wear it, but only at the reception! UPDATE: DJ’s mom (Suzanne) filled me in that the vest was actually Alicen’s surprise to DJ. DJ, you are one blessed man!

I love the little details here. Dale (DJ’s father and best man) is well known for his canning expertise. I have no doubt they’ll probably be reused for storing pickled vegetables for the winter. The deer on the cake – another indication of DJ’s love of the outdoors.

Fantastic emotion conveyed during the toasts!

DJ and Alicen, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day! You can view or purchase prints of the photos here.

I first met the Hoover family when they started to attend the church I attend, Hillside Christian Fellowship. I was kept busy (and entertained) the whole evening with the excited (and never-ending!) antics of Clay, the oldest of two kids. The cutest thing – he now wants to be a photographer when he grows up. I was impressed with his working digital camera that he has. Anyway, just wanted to show you a few of my favorites from the session:

Clay wanted photos just by himself…

Clay seriously just spontaneously posed himself like this – I wish I could take the credit for his mad posing skills…

Andy and Heather spent some time with Elliana, their newest addition:

We went inside for some comfy living room photos:

Shortly before her bedtime, Elliana decides to grace us with a beautiful smile.

Clay mugging for the camera. He’s one cool kid.

Andy, Heather, Clay, and Elliana, thanks for letting me spend the evening with you! More photos from their session can be viewed here.