More Baby Pictures | Lincoln, NE

A quick Harper update for everyone. We took her out to the park during a sunny and unseasonably warm day last week. She has a new tooth coming in so she wasn't terribly happy but we did get a few fun giggles out of her.

Paul & Carrie Engagement Photos | Malcolm, Nebraska

We hit the back roads, chased the dog, and had a great time making some really cool images. I will really be looking forward to see these two later this year at their wedding!

Professional Photographer vs. The Friend with a Camera

Once in a while I receive a panicked phone call from a bride who's looking for a photographer at the last minute. The reason? The couple originally opted to let a friend or family member shoot their engagement pictures or even wedding pictures, and now...well, they're having second thoughts.

Usually this scenario develops due to a combination of two main factors --

1. a desire to save money on wedding expenses
2. and/or a relative or friend who pushes the couple to let them take the pictures "because they have a professional-style camera."

It's easy to see how couples might opt for the friend photographer. Not only are they knocking out the expense of a professional shooter, but their friend gets an opportunity to expand his/her portfolio. Everyone wins and everyone has more fun that way, right?

Only it doesn't always work out quite that well...which is why I get those last-second calls from people desperate to find a good photographer.

Let's start with number one in our list above -- the desire to save money on your wedding expenses. I can tell you that your photography probably the last place you should cut corners. Why? The answer is very simple. You don't get to keep anything else to remember your wedding 20 years from now. The cake will be long gone. The dress will be gathering dust. You'll watch the video two or three times and be done with it. And all of the expensive flowers? Right.

But still images are different. They freeze bits of emotion in time; they snag drama and story and encapsulate them into images that rekindle a feeling. So as mementos of an important day, pictures are irreplaceable and vital.

Then there's point number two. Yes, the price of digital photography equipment continues to drop, making great gear more affordable for people who take up shooting as a hobby or even as a part-time gig. And yes, the camera and lights are important.

But a lot of people who own that equipment don't really know how to use it. That's true even if they can show you a few nice pictures that they took.

In addition, here's what non-photographers often misunderstand -- photography isn't about cameras and equipment.

Making great pictures is about connecting with people...and it's about service. Your friend or relative will certainly have your best interests in mind, but their perspective will be entirely different that than of a professional who is there for the express purpose of making the best possible pictures of your day.

So as you're planning your wedding, be sure to prioritize the things that are most important to you. If timeless, powerful photography is near the top of your list, you'll want to find and hire a photographer you like and trust to handle your big day...because you'll never have a chance to do it over again.

Kevin & Heather - Fairbury, Nebraska Wedding Photography

I took a trip to Fairbury for Kevin and Heather's day. The wind was a bit brisk but there was some great sunshine.

Heather didn't find me until late last fall but I'm so glad she did. They have one of the cutest little boys (Drayton) ever, and their family and friends made the whole day a blast.

Engagement Photo FAQ

In the past year I've encountered this question numerous times: "If we omit the engagement session from our package, would that lower the price?"

I love this question because it means my couples are thinking concretely about their budgets and because it give me a chance to explain how my process works.

First, to answer the question. My time is totally free during engagement sessions. I don't set silly limits on time / clothes changes, or any other factors. But I do ask that you buy prints or a CD after the session. So because I'm not charging for the shoot, there's no logic in discounting the overall package price.

Second, the engagement session is critical to the kinds of pictures I make. Absolutely, totally, utterly indispensable. Even if you already have engagement pictures taken by another photographer, I will insist on another round of pictures taken by me.

Why, you ask?

My style of photography has very little to do with fancy lighting, or Photoshop or gadgetry. It's all about connecting with people.

The only want to capture intimate moments of people is to get to know them -- to connect. And that means investing the time and energy into building a real friendship. The engagement session is just the first of what I hope is many opportunities to share parts of our lives.

Finally, and just as important, my philosophy on engagement picture sessions is different from that of many photographers. I push people to find the most adventurous and creative ways possible to express themselves in these pictures. That concept often leaves couples scratching their heads, but it's no problem -- I'm here to be your guide in that process.

The end result of our hard work?

Amazing pictures.

Billboards slowly going up

The billboard campaign I shot for LCAD is now going up all over Lincoln! This one is on HWY 6 near Waverly. If you see others around town please let me know the locations.

Wiley & Katie

Wiley and Katie got married on New Year's Eve. Katie was disappointed that there wasn't any snow...however, it did rain for a few minutes. I am so glad I met this two. They make for a perfect couple.