Hurry up and wait
That was my mantra as a newspaper photographer, and it often pops in to my head at weddings when I am waiting for all the elements in a photograph to come together. I saw this nice light on the doors of the church after the ceremony, and was just waiting for the bride to walk out. But it took her a lot longer then I thought, and was afraid the light would be gone. She came out just as the last sliver was on the door making the time spent well worth my time. To see more of my work go to KarlMaasdam.com
Sailing away
I have had couples leave in fancy old cars, shiny new sports cars, horse and carriage, but only one by row boat.
See more of my Oregon Wedding photography.
Subtle Moments
Getting ready is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day. All the anticipation and fussing over all the last minute details. Mom’s helping their daughters get their dress on always makes for nice subtle moments.
Click on my website to see more of my wedding photography
Shotgun Wedding
After working as a professional photojournalist for 15 years I like to think that I am ready for anything that happens at a wedding. And I have seen a lot of crazy things at weddings.
But Brian caught me off guard at his and Hilary’s wedding earlier this year. After the ceremony was over and he had kissed the bride. He pulled a cap pistol out of his jacket and started firing it off. Click the photo to see it larger.
It was great. I laughed along with everyone else, I was just glad I remembered to fire a few frames also.
To see more surprises and examples of my work check out Corvallis wedding photography.
Full Day Coverage
I have this photo in one of the sample albums at my studio. It gets more comments than most any other photo. People always want to know if they invited me up, do I go to the hotel room of everyone, how long did I stay?
The bride really wanted cool photos of them in downtown PDX and we shot some of them in front of Hotel Monaco, where they were staying. When we were done they said lets get some photos of them in their room, the groom carrying her in to the room. I did not stay long, I did not want to intrude. Check out my website if you want to see more of my Portland wedding photography.
Dad’s & Daughters
It must be because I have two girls myself but when a father gives a great touching heartfelt toast at the wedding of his daughter I get choked up. This toast was wonderful and when dad broke down and his daughter reached out for him, it was a very special moment that I was glad I got to share.
You can see more touching moments at my website www.karlmaasdam.com and if you need a photographer find out who is available for you wedding here.
Memories
Some of the best photos from a wedding come after the bride and groom walk down the aisle. All the stress and tension is gone and all that is left to do is have fun. I don’t remember what Charles was doing in this photo but I love the look that Monica is giving him. What I do remember from the wedding was the great location Mountain Springs Lodge , the rain, the Natural Light Beer, and the bride playing beer pong at the end of the night. One of my great weddings from last year.
To see more of my other great weddings visit KarlMaasdam.com. Looking to find a great photographer for your wedding?
The Waiting
Sometimes we think that it is just the bride who is anxious and nervous for the wedding to start. A lot of times the grooms are just as if not more anxious. Brian and his groomsmen kept looking out the window to see who was there and what they were doing. The natural light coming through the window made for a nice image.
See more of my work at KarlMaasdam.com
The big group shot
I was meeting with a potential couple last week and they brought up that they would like a photo with every guest in it. I had not done one in a while and forgot how cool they can be.
See more cool photos at karlmaasdam.com, or if you need a photographer for your wedding check out this great group of photographers date checker.
Nice words
I got a nice email from a former bride and thought I would share.
“Karl, we just wanted to let you know what an amazing job you did. We realized this when Matt and I went to a friend’s wedding. She hired a photographer who brought along 2 other assistants. Throughout the ceremony, 3 loud cameras were flashing and going off left and right — they were on the stage, walking through the audience, and were overall incredibly intrusive. You were very unobtrusive, professional, and created amazing results. We feel very grateful to have worked with you and will recommend you to anyone we know looking for a photographer in the future.”
You can see more of my work at my KarlMaasdam.com, and check MPP to see if any of these great photographers are open your day.
Happy New Year
I have just spent the last hour trying to find the perfect image to end the year on. I was going to do a photo from a New Years wedding from a couple of years ago, but those photos are in storage and I did not want to drag them out. I was going to do photos from a snowy wedding to go with the day here in Corvallis, but the snow is melting and I don’t want to encourage it to come back. So I went with this a photo of people having a good time at a wedding. One of the reasons I love weddings is 99% of the time everyone is happy and having a great time. If you are getting married this year consider having me or one of the other great photographers here at MPP photograph your wedding. All the good times will be preserved forever.
Happy New Year
Karl
World in My Eyes
I sometimes wonder if guest at a wedding think I am crazy, or that I don’t know what I am doing. There was some great sky at this wedding, and as the bride and groom strolled through the reception holding hands I wanted to frame them against that background so I dropped to my knees put the camera on the ground and fired away, hoping for a nice photo. Once the groom looked over at the bride I knew I had it.
You can see more of my craziness at KarlMaasdam.com or see my other work at my blog
The Waiting
I love the time between the bride being ready and the start of the wedding. Emotions are high, there is nothing to do but wait, and often times some of the best photos are made.
Monica kept peeking out the window to see who was coming. All brides know who are coming to there wedding but they can never resist the urge to peek.
You can see more of my brides at my website or keep up on my current work at my blog.
If you are a bride looking for a photographer you can use the My Portland Photographer handy dandy date checker to see which of the wonder photographers from this blog are available to photograph your wedding here.
Walk to the Light
While Ruthann and Jacob were greeting people after their wedding I saw the wonderful light over towards where the reception was being held.
I knew it would be a great photo of them walking over. I kept saying to myself ” I wish they would hurry so I don’t miss that light” they did make it in time and right before they got to the light they grab each others hand making for a nice photo.
To see more real people and real moments check out karlmaasdam.com or my blog
Sometimes It All Comes Together
I photographed Emily and Seth’s wedding in Emily’s parents backyard outside of Enterprise Oregon at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains.
One of the most beautiful spots in the world.
I saw the sign on the back of Seth’s truck before the ceremony and made a note to myself that it could be a nice photo of them driving away. (I’m always looking for a closer)
But everything came together better then I could of hoped for, the dust kicking up, the couple on the right holding hands, and Seth’s arm out the window and his smile in the side view mirror.
see more at karlmaasdam.com or the blog
Weddings + Kids = Moments
I also love kids at weddings especially during the ceremony.
This little guy was not disruptive. No one (except me) noticed him for a minute or two, but once his mom did, the fun was over. That was more then enough time to capture a great moment at Josh and Katie’s wedding that they never saw, until they viewed the photographs.
Capturing moments are the most important part of what I do at weddings, everyone is different and you can’t stage them.
Real moments are what you will remember about your wedding forever.
To see more check out my website karlmaasdam.com or keep up on my current work at my blog
Details Details…
There are always lots of details to shoot at a wedding,
The flowers, cake, rings etc… and every once in a while a great little detail and moment. Like the crumpled up vows from the groom that he left on a table after finishing memorizing them 10 minutes before the ceremony.
You can see more details and moments at my website KarlMaasdam.com
Unplanned Events
I like it at weddings when not everything goes as planned. It often makes for good photos when something different or unexpected happens.
Like when half of the guest shared the first dance with Keri and Andrew at their wedding earlier this summer at Altavista Bed and Breakfast in Brownsville.
You can see more spontaneous moments at KarlMaasdam.com
Great Wedding Venue
Not all wedding venues are created equal. Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast is a great one. Great location, great views, and the owners are wonderful to work with. You can see more of my work at my website KarlMaasdam.com
Closing shot
Every wedding I shoot the couple gets a slideshow as part of their package. This is my favorite part of what I give them.
It is my telling of the story from there wedding day. My stories are non-fiction.
Except for portraits I don’t set up photos at a wedding. I am a true believer in “real people doing real things”. Oops I am rambling.
I always need a great closing shot to end the story, and they are not always easy to come by. Brian and Hilary’s wedding the last dance of the evening and them touching foreheads with the wonderful light from the DeeJay made for a great closing. You can see more of my work at my website KarlMaasdam.com
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