Glow Imagery's Photoblog

We've moved!!!

2009-03-03T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

We have moved our blog to a new location. Go to http://www.glowimagery.com/glowblog to see our new location. We hope you'll like it!

Arrowhead Yacht Club

2009-02-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

I have recenly completed a gallery of images featuring the wonderful Arrowhead Yacht Club in Greenwood, Mo. I've lived in Kansas City for the great majority of my life but I didn't know about this beautiful community nestled around Arrowhead Lake south of Lee's Summit. The yacht club is a spectacular location for a wedding. The club overlooks the lake with a wonderful sloping hill crowned with trees right next to the water. It's awesome.

Book your portrait session with Glow Imagery

2009-02-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to announce a new portraits gallery on our website. We also have links and an inquiry form for those wishing to find out more information about availability packages and pricing for a variety of portrait session including high school seniors, family, maternity and baby pictures! Check out the gallery here.

Are you interested in booking a portrait session with Glow Imagery? Click here to fill our our inquiry form.

Mike and Megan engagement

2009-01-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

Mike and Megan were the winning bidders for a portrait session I had donated to the Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph for their "Late Night with Catholic Charities" event Nov. 1. It's awesome when couples can have their memories and celebration captured in great shots and help a good cause. These two will be tying the knot in late December of 2009 and they wanted a Christmas feel to their save the date cards and engagement pictures. So went with winter coats and Plaza lights. I've always wanted to experiment with nighttime engagement pictures... we are all excitied with the results!

Three wedding links you should see

2009-01-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

1. Think you have seen some ugly cakes? Check out Cake Wrecks. I have to say the second one is stupendously bad.

2.On another note much more asethetic note, this couple used a very cool wedding theme using pixelated images and flowers to create a distinctive look.

3.Lastly this is a pretty neat proposal video.

St. Joseph Country Club gallery

2009-01-21T14:38:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to share with you a new gallery Glow Imagery has created for the St. Joseph Country Club. I have covered a few weddings at this pristine location in recent years and I must say golf clubhouse weddings are usually pretty nice but the St. Joseph Country Club as a wedding venue has to be tops on that list! Spectacular views and spacious interiors allow for couples to plan an outdoor wedding and have the comfort of knowing they can move everything indoors in the vent of bad weather and still have a wonderful event. The locations drip with wonderful photos Spring, Summer or Fall... heck even Winter.

Geeked-out wedding photos

2009-01-18T05:45:00.001-08:00

Are you worried about questionable style choices for your wedding? Don't fret. Wanna good laugh? Check these wedding pics out. Enjoy!

Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village

2009-01-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with everyone a new gallery of images I made from a couple of weddings we have photographed at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village over the last couple of years. This church is really lovely with beautiful light and spacious interiors not to mention a great location which is not far from many reception sites in the Kansas City area.

Click the picture below to see more!

Jennifer and Troy - Reception

2009-01-15T12:12:00.001-08:00

Jennifer and Troy - Portraits

2009-01-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Jennifer and Troy - Ceremony

2009-01-10T11:53:00.001-08:00

Jennifer and Troy - Getting Ready

2009-01-07T11:33:00.001-08:00

Cindi and Ed - Reception and Portraits

2009-01-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

Cindi and Ed were fortunate enough to pick my last remaining Saturday in October. But really the true fortune was all mine... because these two were simply awesome! Ever since meeting Cindi I've bragged to anyone and everyone about how my bride is a grandmother. The pair met through a mutual friend... the rest is history and the future.

They held their wedding at Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa in Riverside, Mo. I had never shot there, but no unfamiliar location scares me. I have many, many years of experience shooting pictures in a variety of challenging locations and situations. It was a nice location with a great view, wonderful staff, terrific interiors with a lot of space for an event. I recommend checking it out.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

"Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cindi and Ed - Ceremony

2008-12-31T12:30:00.001-08:00

Cindi and Ed - Getting Ready

2008-12-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

Angela and Dave - Portraits

2008-12-21T15:04:00.001-08:00

Angela and Dave - Getting Ready and Ceremony

2008-12-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Angela and Dave live in Baltimore, Maryland. He found me through a close friend who is also a wedding photographer. Dave is a freelance photographer working in his neck of the woods. It can be a little awkward shooting another photographer's wedding... we just aren't used to being in front of the camera. But I was up for the challenge! It also helped this couple was purely awesome. They really brought a lot of creativity and fun to the event by using Angie's parents' backyard in the country as a reception site. The entire wedding day took place in around Springfield, Mo. It's always a bit of effort to do a road trip wedding like this, but I was very glad to help Angie and Dave remember the wedding for years to come.

Shannon and Mark - Reception

2008-12-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

Wedding planning for Shannon and Mark's event was by Kim Ho of You're Invited, LLC. Kim did an awesome job! The wedding reception was at Weddle Event Space.

Shannon and Mark - Portraits

2008-12-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

Shannon and Mark - Ceremony

2008-12-04T20:01:00.001-08:00

Shannon and Mark - Getting Ready

2008-12-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T07:16:00.001-08:00

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”

Thornton Wilder

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Quotation

2008-11-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

"I find that the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor -"

Oliver Wendell Holmes

High School Senior - Heather

2008-11-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

Heather is a member of the Class of 2009. She and her aunt discovered Glow Imagery at a charity event for the Kansas School for the Deaf in September. Heather is a part of her school's sign language club and has a love for music, playing the guitar and bassoon. She was a treat to work with. A rain storm swept over us during her session and Heather didn't bat an eye or complain at all. Soon we were back at it, making some great pictures!

Kelly and Dave - reception

2008-10-30T08:42:00.001-07:00

Kelly and Dave - portraits

2008-10-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

Kelly and Dave - ceremony

2008-10-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Kelly and Dave's wedding - getting ready

2008-10-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Darren II

2008-09-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Darren I

2008-09-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

Thriller

2008-09-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

O.K., I have seen some "Thriller" moments at a couple of my weddings, they were both solo efforts. This was a wedding I did not shoot but found on YouTube. If you can get five or six groomsmen brave enough to do something like these guys, you and they deserve a standing ovation:

Giving Back: Young Survival Coalition

2008-09-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

Glow Imagery is proud to help support the In Living Pink fundraiser at the Overland Park Marriott Sept. 19. In Living Pink is being presented by the Young Survival Coalition. YSC is the only international network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer.

The reception begins at 6 p.m., dinner begin at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature a silent and live auctions.

For more information:

phone (913) 742-8846
email ysckansascity@youngsurvival.org
www.youngsurvival.org/kansascity

Longview Horse Park show

2008-08-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has ever been around my girlfriend for more than a few moments knows she has a life-long love of horses. I've noticed it's a common passion among the ladies. Gen and I have a running debate between which was the cooler toy: G.I. Joe or My Little Pony. It can get quite animated. We ventured to the Longview Lake Horse Park to watch the Longview Horse Park Association's benefit show on Saturday. Naturally I took some pictures.

Afterwards we watched "The Puppy Games" on Animal Planet. Yes, my lady enjoyed puppies and ponies all in the same night. I'll be expecting to receive my "Boyfriend of the Year" trophy any day now.

Darcie and John's wedding: reception

2008-08-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

Bride's gown by Amore Bridal
DJ Entertainment by Platinum Soundworks
Ceremony location was at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village.
Reception catered by Brancato's Catering

Darcie and John's wedding: ceremony

2008-08-23T13:35:00.001-07:00

Giving Back: MOCSA

2008-08-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

Glow Imagery is proud to announce its support of MOCSA's Young at Art Cocktail Party and Art Auction which will take place Friday, August 22 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Webster House in downtown Kansas City.

The Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault has been the only community-wide resource exclusively commited to providing services in the are of sexual assault and abuse in the greater metropolitan area. Its mission is to lessen the trauma of sexual assault and abuse through prevention, education, intervention, treatment and advocacy.

We have donated a portrait session to the Young at Art Cocktail Party and Art Auction to help support this fine organization.

Darcie and John's wedding: getting ready

2008-08-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Darcie and John's wedding: portraits

2008-08-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Darcie and John's wedding II

2008-08-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Darcie and John's wedding I

2008-08-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

Giving Back: Sheffield Place

2008-08-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Join us the first annual art auction and gallery event to benefit Sheffield Place, Kansas City's only long-term transitional shelter for homeless women and their children. Come bid on art created by the children of Sheffield Place have created art along with donated pieces by local artists. Ticket price includes entry, 2 drink tickets and light appetizers provided by The Capital Grille.

The event will be Aug. 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Arts Incubator, 115 W. 18th St. in the Crossroads near downtown Kansas City, MO.

Glow Imagery is proud to support Sheffield Place by donating a portrait sitting for the event's silent auction.

Kristin and Chad's reception

2008-08-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Kristin and Chad's wedding VII

2008-08-04T08:16:00.001-07:00

Kristin and Chad's wedding VI

2008-08-01T21:42:00.001-07:00

Kristin and Chad's wedding V

2008-07-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Clubhouse on Baltimore

2008-07-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Check out a new online gallery of images I have made from Meghan and Chris' wedding June 7, 2008 at The Clubhouse on Baltimore. (Click on the image below to see the full gallery in action.)

The wedding took place at the venue's Walnut Room. There are several excellent spaces at The Clubhouse on Baltimore which can fit any variety of weddings and events. Staff really worked hard to get all the many details right. This is a really nice location for your next big event.

Kristin and Chad's wedding IV

2008-07-24T21:42:00.001-07:00

Kristin and Chad's wedding III

2008-07-24T09:27:00.001-07:00

Kristin and Chad's wedding II

2008-07-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

Kristin and Chad's wedding I

2008-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Fleming Park 2006

2008-07-18T12:18:00.001-07:00

And now for something completely different...

Triathlon

2008-07-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

Now for something completely different. The KC Star needed help this weekend at the Shawnee Mission Triathlon at Shawnee Mission Park. As most of you know, I accept assignments from local and national publications, magazines and newspapers from time to time.

Anytime I get the chance to get out and shoot and tell people's stories through images I jump on it!

Giving Back: Tastes and Tees for TLC

2008-07-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Glow Imagery is proud to announce its charitable support of TLC for Children and Families.

The mission of TLC is to provide opportunities that encourage positive growth and change for children, youth and families while ensuring a safe environment. TLC strives for the preservation and healing of families by providing services that work with existing community services.

Fine examples of their work can be seen through TLC programs like Residential Treatment Services, Resource Family Services, Juvenile Intake and Assessment, Youth Crisis Services, Juvenile Intervention Services, Street Outreach Services, and Project Hope at the Claire Learning Center.

Glow Imagery has donated a portrait sitting for auction during Tastes and Tees for TLC. The two-day event features a wine tasting party at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe on July 17 at 6 p.m. and a women's golf tournament all day July 21 at Falcon Lakes Golf Course in Olathe. For more information click here.

Megan and Ed's wedding V

2008-07-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Powell Gardens gallery

2008-07-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a gallery of wedding images shot at Powell Gardens, one of the very best wedding venues in the Kansas City area.

Sam Haught is the weddings coordinator there at Powell Gardens. She and her staff are exceptional with a real devotion to the legacy of Powell Gardens.

Check out the Gallery

Megan and Ed's wedding IV

2008-07-09T10:14:00.001-07:00

Fireworks

2008-07-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a selection from some shots I made at the Great Mall of the Great Plains fireworks display in Olathe, Kan. last night.

Megan and Ed's wedding III

2008-07-01T07:07:00.001-07:00

Weddings from outer space

2008-07-01T06:47:00.001-07:00

Here is a fun idea: Get married in space. Cool idea, if you have $2.3 million you can find between the couch cushions.

Megan and Ed's wedding II

2008-06-30T07:44:00.001-07:00

Megan and Ed's wedding I

2008-06-28T11:27:00.001-07:00

When is sunset on your wedding day?

2008-06-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Check out the website for The Old Farmer's Almanac to see when the sun sets the day of your wedding.

Darcie and John engagement II

2008-06-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Giving Back: Sheffield Place

2008-06-19T08:55:00.001-07:00

Glow Imagery is pleased to announce its support of Sheffield Place. This is a wonderful agency located in northeast Kansas City which strives to help mothers with children to break out of the cycles of homelessness and poverty to become self sufficient. Their efforts help women achieve greater self-determination, respect and happiness in their lives.

On June 25, Sheffield Place will host its second annual HopSnobs event at the Boulevard Brewing Company.

In addition to enjoying fabulous beers from Boulevard (I'm an unfiltered-wheat guy myself) and appetizers from wonderful restaurants, participants will help raise much-needed funding that will provide shelter and services to more than 30 homeless mothers and their children this year. More than 300 people are expected at the event.

Restaurant sponsors include the Capital Grill, Reverse, Mango Room, Nara, Thai Place, The Drop and Christoper Elbows. Entertainment will be provided by KC Rausch, The Konza Swamp, and Ricki Brothers.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 the night of the event and include beer, heavy appetizers, live music and silent auction. Glow Imagery has donated a portrait sitting for the silent auction. Come join us!

Darcie and John engagement I

2008-06-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Meghan and Chris wedding I

2008-06-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

Kelly and Dave engagement IV

2008-06-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hillcrest Country Club gallery

2008-06-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a nice gallery of images I have made featuring some images from a wedding I shot at Hillcrest Country Club last month.

According to their management they have renovated the entire clubhouse and all I can say is, "Wow!" What a great place surrounded by beautiful scenery. The staff were really professional and enthusiastic and they worked real hard for the bride and groom. It made for a beautiful event.

Check out the Gallery

Kelly and Dave engagement III

2008-06-03T01:40:00.000-07:00

Kelly and Dave engagement II

2008-05-30T08:25:00.001-07:00

Glow Imagery partners with new lab!

2008-05-23T10:52:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

I am very excited to announce that Glow Imagery has begun a new partnership with Miller's Professional Imaging. This partnership will help supply you, my valued client, with superior photography products you can purchase through Glow Imagery.

Those of you who have worked with me for any period of time know giving my clients first-class service is my highest priority and an intense point of pride. Over time I have become increasingly displeased with my former labs commitment to such lofty standards.

Miller represents a step forward in customer service, offering improved shipping standards, greater reliability and more choices for products to help you enjoy your cherished memories.

Chris Cummins

Kelly and Dave engagement I

2008-05-15T08:32:00.001-07:00

Meghan and Chris engagement shoot IV

2008-05-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Meghan and Chris engagement shoot III

2008-05-03T00:03:00.000-07:00

Meghan and Chris engagement shoot II

2008-04-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

Meghan and Chris engagement shoot I

2008-04-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Getting married sensibly

2008-04-11T13:19:00.001-07:00

Hey all,
Here's a great story from Bankrate.com about having a memorable wedding without breaking the bank. And another great link here.

Congratulations Jayhawks.

2008-04-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

Yes... I tip my Mizzou hat to the national champions. Well done.

The photo shoot I will NEVER do...

2008-03-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just don't know what some photographers are thinking! I won't ever ask someone to do something I myself will not do, regardless of how creative the idea. No, I will not do Tai Chi standing next to a living, breathing 400 lbs. lion. My subjects will not either.

Nancy Trash the Dress IV

2008-03-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

Nancy Trash the Dress III

2008-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Nancy Trash the Dress II

2008-03-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Trash the Dress - Nancy 02.29.2008 I

2008-03-12T09:41:00.001-07:00

Nancy's wedding was this past October. Early on she expressed a keen interest in experimenting with some sort of a trash the dress session after her big day. We agreed to shoot some photos of her getting a tattoo inspired by the needlework design of her
wedding dress.

My clients almost all appreciate my hunger to take creative chances and push their photography to be something more unique and personal for them. The idea of trash the dress is fun and certainly has been a hot trend in my industry... if not a little overdone. As a creative artist I am suspicious of hot trends but creativity is king in my book so I'm glad to try and place my own signature on it!

Funny vid...

2008-02-25T09:31:00.001-08:00

This wasn't a wedding I shot but wish I did. Many of you may have seen it on YouTube. I did however get a solo performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at a wedding in 2007. I could understand if most folks don't want to go this far but it sure makes the day unique.

Fighting the cold...

2008-02-22T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hey all, sorry I have not attended to this. I've got a good excuse. Yesterday I fought the common cold so I called a "sick day" and stayed on the couch for most of it. I turned in a couple of naps in the process. I'm back at it today...

Here's one of my all-time favorite couples: Aimee and Mike. They had a fun engagement shoot we did last Spring.

Cool Valentine's Day ideas

2008-02-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a pretty fun list of unique Valentine's Day ideas from Bankrate.com. The ideas seem to be pretty much oriented towards romantic little surprises for guys to give their sweethearts... but isn't that the whole point of Valentine's Day ladies?

Shelly and Jeff at Loose Park

2008-02-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

To heck with the snow and cold!!! The engagement session season will soon be in full swing. Honoring the forthcoming Spring, here's another favorite from a 2007 engagement session with Shelly and Jeff at Loose Park. These two were about as cool as a couple could be. There are certain couples you meet in which you know instantaneously they were made for one another and that describes Shelly and Jeff.

Nicole and Dave at Union Station

2008-02-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is an engagement shoot from last year I thought was a lot of fun. We did them at Union Station in Kansas City. Those who have worked with me before know I'm big on being creative with these sessions, we'll get the pretty flowers and scenery but then work in some more atypical stuff and have fun with it.

Lindsey and Rick - Reception

2008-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

Don't trash it... Donate it!

2008-01-21T08:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a great idea for turning your wedding into an occasion for giving...

Recent brides can donate their dresses to Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization whose mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.

The effort is titled Brides Against Breast Cancer. Here's how it works, you donate your gown to the charity, the foundation turns around and sells it to a bride-to-be during one of the foundation's nationwide tours. The proceeds go to the foundation's efforts of helping breast cancer patients and fighting the disease.

Check it out here!

Hiring a photographer?

2008-01-16T06:18:00.001-08:00

Never hired a photographer before? Or, for that matter, never hired any kind of creative professional before? Here's a neat article from the Wedding Photojournalist Association which give some nice insight into what to expect and how to make a productive relationship with your creative professional.

Off-season weddings

2008-01-12T13:30:00.000-08:00

Don't have a wedding date set? If your interested in getting better bang for the dollar, something to think about is an off-season wedding. Here in Kansas City January to March is generally considered the wedding off-season. Vendors are more likely to work pretty hard to get your business for one of these dates. Bankrate.com, (one of my favorite website of all time) has posted a neat article titled, "Seven ways to save on an off-season wedding." Check it out...

Valentine's Day print sale, 35% off prints!

2008-01-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

After our successful and very popular Christmas 35% off print sale last month, Glow Imagery will be running another 35% off print sale for your cherished wedding photos and engagement pictures for Valentine's Day! The sale will take place January 24 to January 26.

Lindsey and Rick - Ceremony

2008-01-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Lindsey and Rick had a fun little first meeting. Sometimes you just don't get much expression in a groom's face when he first sees his bride all decked out. Not the case with Rick, check out the pictures.

Lindsey and Rick - Getting Ready

2008-01-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I had the honor of photographing Lindsey and Rick's wedding at Tiffany Greens up by the Kansas City International airport.

It was really a lot of fun and very beautiful. The couple was magnificent and had just the best time. There was something about Lindsey that reminded me of a 1940's movie starlet as she worked her lovely blond curls. Take a look... I think you'll agree.

My answers to the 16 questions

2008-01-03T21:44:00.000-08:00

In case you wanted to know my answers to the 16 questions from my previous post, here they are:

1. (For self-described photojournalists) How much of your candid-looking work is posing and setting-up of shots or do you get shots as they happen without posing or reenactment?

I only direct action during the posed groups and formals portion of your wedding day. I believe very much in using my camera and abilities to find the genuine sparks between a couple and record the emotions, feeling and pageantry of their day as it truly happens.
Your wedding photos should be joyous celebration of your love and the momentous event you two are sharing.

2. Are you full-time? When did you start shooting full-time?

Yes, I have been a full-time throughout my career as a publications photojournalist (12 years) and an independent studio photographer (five years.) My career began during college at the Missouri School of Journalism in the mid 1990's.

3. Why do you like to photograph weddings?

It's about moments, and weddings are full of them! I've always been interested in telling stories through photos, particularly the stories of people. My greatest joy as a professional is to find those photos that reveal relationships and the feelings two people share. This makes photographing a couple's wedding day a great thrill and tremendous honor.

4. Will you be the actual photographer to shoot our wedding? If not, who?

Yes, I will be your shooter. The only reason I would not be your shooter is in the event of my being physically indisposed or incapable of shooting your wedding due to events beyond my control.

5. What kind of input can we have on the shots? i.e. subject matter, shotlists and ideas from other wedding shots we liked?

Upon request, I provide a formals worksheet with the most popularly requested groupings. The sheet helps couples plan out this process and budget for the necessary amount of time to devote to what they want to have shot.

As a wedding photojournalist, I welcome a few ideas and suggestions but encourage couples to allow an open-ended approach to their wedding photography which helps me as your photographer find those genuine, real moments and memories to unfold and be recorded. I can't produce every kind of photo you can think of but I can produce the photos you never dreamed of.

6. Are the digital files available on CD/DVD? If so, are they high resolution?

Yes, many of my packages are structured with CD/DVD's of high resolution images. My images are recorded by 8.2 megapixel cameras which are sufficient for any variety of size of prints you would require. They also included a written copyright release signed by Chris Cummins which is often necessary to have before labs will produce prints of professionally created files.

I also offer discounted prices for CD/DVD's after the first anniversary of your wedding.

7. What kind of color correction and adjustments do you make to the files on the CD/DVD.

I give individual attention to assure a decent quality print of each of the files on your disc. I color correct, adjust for exposure and other assorted adjustments to images which will help you produce a good quliaty print from a variety of printers.

8. Do you have a list of references with contact info?

Yes, this is available upon request.

9. Who do you carry liability insurance with?

My liability insurance is with Fireman's Fund Insurance. Certificates of insurance are available when required.

10. What is the delivery time for the various products you offer?

I deliver CDs and DVDs within six weeks of your wedding date. Album first-drafts are completed within eight weeks of your wedding date or from the ordering date, whichever is later. The first drafts are submitted to my clients via an online proofing gallery.

All clients have 60 days from the time they are sent the online proofing gallery to request changes to the album's first draft.

11. With the albums, how does the design and picture selection process work? Are there any fees for changes we would like prior to the album's production?

I believe our clients should have ample opportunity to give us their input on the products they receive. Most clients receive their album first drafts by email and respond with requested changes by email. There are no fees for changes.

12. When will the proofs be ready? Is there a time limit for the online proofing galleries?

Online proofs are ready and posted to an online gallery within one week of your wedding. Your wedding gallery stays online for nine months from its first posting date.

13. What happens if the photographer is ill? What about back-up equipment?

I have a network of shooters I work with to help each other with assistant shooters and emergency shooters for such occassions. I have two Canon cameras and Nikon digital bodies as back-up plus film gear as back-ups for the back-ups. I also have multiple CF discs (go into my cameras and store the actual pictures throughout your wedding day) and disk recovery software.

14. Should our event last longer than scheduled? Will the photographer stay, are there extra charges?

All of my packages are built around a six to eight hour time frame. If there are major reception events we have not yet covered after eight hours, I will politely remind couple of the schedule we are on and see about completing the events in a timely fashion. Hours in excess of eight hours are handled on a case-by-case basis and may require extra hourly surcharges.

15. What associations do you belong to?

I belong to the Wedding Photojournalist Association and am a member of the Digital Wedding Forum. I have past memberships in the Nationa Press Photographers Association.

16. Why should we hire you?

I love what I do. I love people and telling their stories through images. What better story than such a momentous day as your wedding day?

Chris Cummins
Owner/Chief Photographer, Glow Imagery
chris@glowimagery.com

16 questions for your wedding photographer

2007-12-28T07:29:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year. Of course among wedding professional we look at the next six to eight weeks as "booking season." Easily half of our business for the upcoming year is scheduled during the next several weeks. To help brides and grooms, here is a list of pretty effective questions built from my years of experience working with couples and working with others.

1. (For self-described photojournalists) How much of your candid-looking work is posing and setting-up of shots or do you get shots as they happen without posing or reenactment?

"Wedding photojournalist" has become a buzzword which has lost its specific meaning with it surge in popularity among photographers. Often, the term "photojournalist" means candid-looking when used by photographers and studios to describe their own work. Often these photographers will set up and reenact a few things during your wedding day but rely heavily upon traditional portraiture for a lot of your photos... there is nothing wrong with this approach if you are comfortable with that. But a true wedding photojournalist has the talent and ability to anticipate, observe and "see" moments as they happen, thus really documenting the flavor and fun of your day with very rarely any need to "stage" things.

2. Are you full-time? When did you start shooting full-time?

Many, many wedding shooters out there work full-time jobs in something other than photography. Their plan is to grow and develop by gaining experience and building a client base which will ultimately allow them to go full-time. A full-time photographer has already made the personal and professional investment of their time and energy to create a valued, sought-after business. Look for the full-time shooters if you want a photographer with experience and who can give their undivided attention to all details about your wedding before during and after your event.

3. Why do you like to photograph weddings?

This question helps you to gauge who your photographer is as a person and artist. Gauge the person's passion and energy. Does he/she seem enthusiastic or kind of flat? People who love what they do have a tendency to be very good at what they do, and they tend to make the process enjoyable and fun. And knowing a little about what makes the person tick is a good way to feel out what kind of a "fit" personality-wise you may be. After all, you will be spending an entire day with your photographer, so do what you can to be sure the person you pick will be genuinely excited to be there and pleasant throughout that day.

4. Will you be the actual photographer to shoot our wedding? If not, who?

It's not uncommon for photographers and larger studios to have a network of shooters. If you learn the person you are talking to will not be the shooter. Insist you talk to the person who will and also insist you see their personal portfolio.

5. What kind of input can we have on the shots? i.e. subject matter, shotlists and ideas from other wedding shots we liked?

A formals/posed groupings worksheet is sometimes necessary when planning when and how to get that part of your wedding. I know I have one. Of note: if you are keen on hiring a wedding photojournalist and have a bunch of photojournalism style shots you have seen elsewhere for your wedding, it's wise limit your shot suggestions to a handful. It is important when capturing the unique qualities and moments of your wedding to keep it open-ended for your photojournalist. A good wedding photojournalist cannot produce every photo you can think of, but he/she can produce photos you never dreamed of.

6. Are the digital files available on CD/DVD? If so, are they high resolution?

This is a popular request by couples. The discs can vary widely in price. Also ask if there are any discounts applied to the CD/DVD after a certain time has passed from the wedding., i.e. half-price two years after the wedding.

7. What kind of color correction and adjustments do you make to the files on the CD/DVD.

It is nice to have your pictures in hand to keep safe and make whatever prints you like. Keep in mind all digital images on the disc should be toned, adjusted and worked a little to make an adequate print. I usually tell all my clients if they want the very best gallery quality prints with minimal fuss, they may want to think about ordering the photography products from me and not on their own from a disc. I can provide more superior quality control over five 8x10 prints than I can 500 image files.

8. Do you have a list of references with contact info?

This is fairly self-explanatory. A real live person who has worked with a photographer will give you valuable information.

9. Who do you carry liability insurance with?

Chances are slim you will ever have to worry about this. Enough venues out there require a certificate of insurance for a photographer to work an event at their venue it is worth asking. More importantly, a photographer who will produce a professional standard for you operates their business with professional standards focused on the long-term viability of their business.

10. What is the delivery time for the various products you offer?

It really shouldn't take half a year to receive an album, your proofs or any other products. A caveat: although it is not always possible, try to be timely with any input your photographer requires as far as albums, edits to help this process along.

11. With the albums, how does the design and picture selection process work? Are there any fees for changes we would like prior to the album's production?

You should have some input into important keepsakes of your wedding. Some photographers charge extra for a certain number of changes to the albums they design for you prior to the printing and binding of any album. Beware of time deadlines too, they are necessary to preventing production bottlenecks.

12. When will the proofs be ready? Is there a time limit for the online proofing galleries?

If working with a digital photographer, online proofing (when you first get to see your photos online) should be completed within a couple of weeks of your event. The time period of online availability for those galleries varies among photographers. Some post them for three months, others post for a full year. Check with your photographer.

13. What happens if the photographer is ill? What about back-up equipment?

Any succesfull, established professional photographer should have a network of shooters available for emergency help. You should have written assurance the substitute photographer will be a competent professional.

14. Should our event last longer than scheduled? Will the photographer stay, are there extra charges?

Self explanatory.

15. What associations do you belong to?

I find most couples don't care but it is one (among many) useful ways to gauge a photographer's qualifications and professional commitment.

16. Why should we hire you?

Again, this question is similar in spirit to Question 3. Your photographer's answer should communicate some excitement not just about potentially getting a wedding gig but getting to shoot your wedding.

These are some good starter questions. Add your own and you'll be on your way to some breath-taking images!

Chris Cummins
Owner/Chief Photographer, Glow Imagery
chris@glowimagery.com

Why I love designing your wedding album

2007-12-27T19:25:00.000-08:00

For many years, as a staff photojournalist working for daily newspapers across the country, I learned to dread opening the morning paper.

This dread did not arise from some need to avoid the latest roll call of bad news in the world. It was to avoid the enormous letdown of seeing my hard fought artistic efforts presented in horrible layouts that wasted good pictures. Most days it was best to not look at what became of my photos for fear of starting the day on the wrong foot.

Most publications photographers as visual communicators develop a very good eye for how pictures should be used on a page. They understand how to use pictures for the greatest impact and storytelling experience.

Truth be told, this understanding comes from years and years of watching good pictures run too small, cropped awful or ignored entirely.

My suffering was for a good cause. Now, as a wedding photojournalist with my own business here in Kansas City, my eye for good layout and how to use pictures has been a very welcome asset from my wedding clients. It is a joy to take the best pictures I can and present them the best way I can and watch couples react with glee, enormous grins and excitement.

Because of this I like to think of Glow Imagery as a truly comprehensive storytelling approach to your day. It is an excellent experience for my couples before, during and after the wedding.
I have some fun examples: here, here, here and here.

More dance surprises!

2007-12-26T08:54:00.001-08:00

Hey all,

I'm knocked out with a cold today. So I'm going to post this thing... more first dance surprises. Again, it's not a wedding I was at but it looks like quite a blast.