Champaign-Urbana wedding and portrait photography
When I go through and do the post-processing for my weddings, I inevitably come across a few more that I would love to share with the world on my blog. Today’s post shows a couple more of my photos that I didn’t blog in the first pass (after my initial rough blog selection/edit), and a few shots from my assistant for the day, Tricia.
I am IN LOVE with this new sample album I received from Forbeyon yesterday. This album was necessary for a few different reasons: 1) I was drooling over the new 2010 eco materials Forbeyon recently released, 2) I needed a sample boudoir album, and 3) I wanted to try one of their non-flushmount products–the linear-bound book. I could not be happier with this book, and I hope that with this sample and my cover swatches, that maybe I’ll get some more album cover orders (my current packages include only the classic black cover with square metal cameo).
And of course, as I was taking photos of this delightful little book, the idea popped into my head to do a short stylized shoot. Luckily I also have a RED kitchen full of red utensils. 
The photos definitely do not do it justice. You need to see it in person.
Actually, I was a bit surprised (pleasantly!) by the pages. I was expecting the linear-bound pages to be much more flimsy than the flushmount pages, but they are still very sturdy and shiny.
Gwen at Nuptiae featured one of my engagement photos today on her blog. I love how she mentions the importance of having photos taken by your photographer prior to the wedding day so that you can see how you look in the photos, but more importantly so that you will be more at ease with your photographer (and vice versa!). The opportunity to interact with the two of you and learn some of your habits is so important. It helps me learn if you are a blinker, if you need to be encouraged to smile, what positions you are most comfortable in, and just the general chemistry between you and your fiance. I could rattle off a bunch more things that are so beneficial to me as the photographer when it comes to e-sessions, but I’ll spare you now! I’m currently booking engagement sessions this fall, so call or email me at holly [at] hollybirchphotography [dot] com if you are interested in getting on my calendar! Engagement sessions are only $150 if booked in addition to a wedding.
This photo was featured on Meg Thilmony’s News-Gazette blog today! She saw the blog post I linked on Facebook yesterday and asked to use it. It’s a win-win situation for both of us.
Melissa & Kyle were married on July 17 at St. Matthew Catholic Parish in Champaign. These two lovebirds met at an athletic banquet a few years ago and Melissa is a volleyball coach, so we incorporated some fun elements into their photos. I think some of these are so fun and I hope you enjoy them too!
This was supposed to be a picture of the guys doing the “high school sports pose”… you know the tough look? The guys were doing terrible at it, so Melissa jumped in to show them how it was done. Fierce!
Then it was the girls’ turn for some attitude.
Melissa & Kyle’s wedding party was so fun & cooperative… they helped the day go smoothly!
MOH & BM
The limo took off to get more beer which left us with a little extra time for some portraits of just Melissa & Kyle. I was so happy that they decided to schedule so much time for portraits… 2 whole hours! It was a photographer’s dream.
Melissa was great at posing! She needed very little direction and seemed to understand what I was going for when I explained a shot to her. Doesn’t she look fabulous here?
Kyle’s dad secretly had his police officer friend come and handcuff them together. Melissa’s face was priceless when the handcuff was slapped on.
I shot some pretty fun dance photos throughout the night… no one is immune to my shutter finger!
See the white dot above their heads? That’s the moon.
Vendors:
Ceremony & reception: St. Matthew Catholic Parish
Caterer & linens: LA Gourmet
Cake: Round Barn IGA (Lori Martin)
Florist: Kelly Allsup
DJ: Bugbee’s DJ Plus (Dan Church)
Dress: Michelle’s Bridal
Tuxes: Kuhn & Co.
Transportation: Starr Limousine
Hair & makeup: Images Hair Design (Katie Gilbert)
Second shooter: Tricia Earp
