Champaign and Urbana wedding photographer | Holly Birch Photography

Lara + Mike | Champaign engagement photography session

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:17:06 +0000

Lara & Mike sought me out for an engagement session recently, and I had an assistant come along to help me so I could shoot some video while she was doing stills. I’m learning more about my HD movie capabilities the more I use my camera, and these are so fun to do and put together! I think I’m going to start offering the videos as an add-on to engagement and portrait sessions. So if you’re interested in having one of these done, definitely let me know!!

Lara + Mike from Holly Smith on Vimeo.

Like us on Facebook!

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:40:01 +0000

Hey blog readers! I know many people read my photo posts over here, and many others also ready my Facebook fan page posts, so I’m trying to close the gap a bit. If you are reading this, would you please “like” Holly Birch Photography on Facebook? As a fan, you’ll get more up-to-date announcements, sales, and just day-to-day tidbits of information (in fact, there’s a sale going on there right now!). Thanks so much!

Here’s a photo from my most recent engagement session which I will hopefully be finishing and posting in the next couple of days.

Wedding album proofs | Champaign iHotel wedding photography

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:59 +0000

I just finished up Adrienne + Kevin’s wedding album proofs, and I thought I’d post some page samples for my blog readers. I really love the way the images from this nighttime winter wedding turned out, and I’m even happier to add their album as a sample to my collection for wedding consultations. Adrienne + Kevin’s album will be a 12×12″ 24-page album with a black cover (though they’re considering match their wedding colors of navy and champagne) and a square metal cameo on the front. It’s going to be gorgeous!

Urbana Business Association headshots | Downtown Urbana

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:00:10 +0000

I had the privilege of photographing the staff of the Urbana Business Association this winter. And although Katie is leaving at the end of the month, I’m excited for future opportunties to work with the staff there. Thanks Cynthia, Katie & Cody!

These photos were taken at CU Studio Share.

Ainsley + Tim | St. Matthews Champaign wedding photographer

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:25:25 +0000

I had the privilege of second shooting a wedding on Jan. 14 with Nashville photographer Meishach Moore. The wedding and reception were held at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Champaign, and we went to the University of Illinois quad, Smith Hall and the Union for some photos in between the two. Here are some of my favorite images!

Photographed for Meishach Moore Photographers.

Elegant Bridal Expo | Champaign-Urbana wedding photography

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:21:48 +0000

I want to give out a big shout-out and hello to all the brides who came out to the Elegant Bridal Expo today! I got to meet many of you, but some I know I didn’t, but I would still love to hear from you if not! I still have some remaining 2012 dates available, and plenty left in 2013. Just shoot me an email or call me anytime (217-737-0971) if you have questions — we’d love to get you into the studio for a consultation too if you want to chat in person.

Also, don’t forget about the Bridal Bucks special! You can redeem your Bridal Bucks at Holly Birch Photography for up to 10% off your wedding package (packages 1-3 only). The Bucks are valid for a month, but my packages will be changing some starting next Sunday. To book a date, I need a $500 deposit and signed contract.

I will also have a BOUDOIR SPECIAL starting on Saturday 1/15. Be sure to check back for that! It would make a great Valentine’s day or wedding gift!

I can’t wait to hear from several of you that I talked to today! I hope that we can set up a meeting and get you on the books!

THANK YOU!! -Holly
And here’s a look at our booth in case you missed it… we love the way it turned out!

Adrienne + Kevin | iHotel wedding Champaign Illinois

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:33:53 +0000

Kevin + Adrienne are high school sweethearts who finally tied the knot after 12 years together. They were surrounded by their closest friends and family on New Year’s Eve at the iHotel where they held both their ceremony + reception. Their ceremony ended just before sunset, so we didn’t get many photos in the daylight, but it gave me a chance to get some beautiful after-dark images with Christmas lights (with the help of my assistant for the night, Melanie). As everything was very hectic leading up to the reception, I let Melanie handle most of the detail shots that you see below, except for the ring photos, which I shot with my brand new (to me) macro lens!

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do! I especially loved being a part of their champagne toast at midnight, and was very happy that there were “2012″ props, noisemakers & hats galore.

Leave a comment below for Adrienne + Kevin, and after 50 comments, they’ll receive a complimentary 16×20″ mounted print. Thanks for looking!

Their guest favors were decks of playing cards. Such a cute and useful idea!

Adrienne’s signature “thumbs up”!

These next few images are going to give them a very unique wedding album! Can’t wait to put it together!

Adrienne definitely got some good dance genes from her dad.

Happy new year!!!

The beginning…

Vendors:
Ceremony + reception: iHotel
Cake: Cakes by Lori
Florist: Blossom Basket + UI Floral
DJ + Linens: Elite Entertainment
Officiant: Bob McCleary
Dress, bridesmaids + tuxes: Michelle’s Bridal Shoppe
Photographer: Holly Birch Photography

Upcoming Package Changes | Sneak peek iHotel wedding

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:17:17 +0000

Happy new year! I am excited for all the great weddings in the works for 2012. 2011 was a year of new techniques, assistants, equipment, & products (among other things) for Holly Birch Photography, and I am hoping for even bigger and better milestones for my business for this year. I have a bunch of new ideas floating around in my head, and am eager to implement them and announce them to my clients both here and in person.

As a part of these changes for 2012, I am changing my current packages on JANUARY 15, 2012. This will mostly affect package structure, but will somewhat affect pricing as well. To lock in the current packages, I must have your contract and deposit by Saturday the 14th. Additionally, I will be exhibiting at the Elegant Bridal Expo this coming Sunday, January 8, at the iHotel. I’d love to see you there! There will be a ton of great perks, including discounts from many vendors (including HBP!), Bridal Bucks, swag bags, a fashion show, and grand prize drawings, where you could win a FREE boudoir session from Champaign Boudoir by Holly Birch Photography.

Now, to appease your photo appetite, here is a photo from Adrienne & Kevin’s wedding that I did on NYE!

Heidi + Matt | University of Illinois wedding photography

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:02:01 +0000

Heidi + Matt were married in mid-December, and we ended up with a pretty nice weekend considering we could have expected snow, sleet, high winds or all of the above! It was a little chilly but all in all not bad. After a little confusion, Heidi ended up joining Matt in front of the steps at Foellinger Auditorium for their first look. It was probably one of my favorite first looks ever! Matt is not really crazy about having his picture taken, and he definitely is not into the mushy stuff, so the First Look is where I got some of the best raw emotion out of him. Some of my best shots from the whole day are when Matt was just enjoying himself, and forgot that the camera was pointed at him. Heidi’s sister is a wedding photographer in Kentucky, and so the chose to hire me just for the group & formal photos, and the ceremony and then let Isabel handle the rest!

Leave a comment below the post and after 50 comments, Heidi + Matt will receive a complimentary 16×20″ print. Thanks for looking!!

Vendors:
Ceremony: Twin City Bible Church
Florist: Blossom Basket
Officiant: Shannon Caughey
Dress: Bridal Elegance (Bloomington)
Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal
Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Canvas deadline extended | Take 20% off!

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:32:21 +0000

The canvas holiday deadline has been extended! Last chance to order canvases is now SUNDAY, Dec. 11 at 10pm to get them by Dec. 24. Use code JINGLEBELL to take 20% off! Email/msg me with questions! 217-737-0971 or holly [at] hollybirchphotography [dot] com. Or on Facebook!