james christianson - the blog

a couple of portrait shoots

here's a few photos from some portrait session done recently...more on these later.

first, paul and brenna

and a few of this precious little girl.  we did this shoot here in boulder, co

award winning image

every quarter, the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) holds an international competition where wedding photographers around the world submit their best images.  in july, i photographed Hannah and Malcolm's beautiful wedding out in Napa, Ca.  Hannah and Malcolm were such a wonderful couple to work with.  Hannah's father walked her down the aisle and gave her a big hug as he gave her away.  the moment was real, so full of love and simply beautiful.  i submitted the image to the WPJA competition under the ceremony category.  to my joy and surprise, i received second place for the image and i just found out while i was shooting another wedding out in California this weekend.  here is the award winning image:

JUDGES COMMENTS: The bride’s veil sweeps up from the corner of this frame to lead you to the man’s face and his embracing arms. Set against the black background, this photo’s simplicity and moment is a striking combination.       

I love this photo. Perfect light/background separation. His face and embrace really tells the story of the dad and his love for his daughter.

if you are looking for a photographer (hopefully you are here because you already found one! : ) check out the WPJA, i can be found under Colorado.

The F-Stop Workshop

on tuesday we finished up our 2nd f-stop workshop.  i teach this workshop with the fabulous Jenna Walker.  we also had Chris and Katie Humphreys out from Santa Babara as guest speakers and they were absolutely wonderful to work with and added so much.  sixteen great photographers attended the workshop, and we were so blessed by this group of people.  we all quickly created a sense of community and i am really looking forward to continuing the relationships we formed in those two days.  i will be posting all of the attendants website and blogs a little later.

the workshop consisted of lots of shooting and discussions and lectures on business and marketing.    i would again like to say a big thank you to all who attended and to Jenna Walker for taking on this huge project with me.  Jenna, you are the greatest.  thanks also to Chris and Katie Humphreys for joining us this time around.  finally, i'd like to thank all three of you for your friendship.

i was busy teaching and talking, so i didn't shoot as much as i usually do or as much as i would have liked, but here a few of my favorites from the workshop.

the Christianson's do tahoe

i don't usually put a bunch of personal family photos on here...mostly because i don't have time.  but i thought i would share how the Christianson's do a vacation (it can be a lot of FUN work)!  we were able to spend an entire week in Tahoe without cell service or internet service which was very relaxing for me.  though i must admit i spent some time walking around the neighborhood trying to find a free wireless connection to download emails.  we went up with Charlene's sister and her family and had some good times.  we had 5 cameras between us so we shot some fun pictures.  most of the photos that i am in were shot by my brother-in-law Todd who is an amazing photographer.  check out his portfolio from africa here.  WWW.TODDREESE.COM anyway onto the photos, check it out:
my son Ian playing.

hiking.

charlene shot this one of me and Ian hiking.

the mountain biking in Tahoe is amazing.  here is Charlene and i tearing it up.

kayaking.

swimming.

Todd and i found this pier to jump off and we had so much fun jumping and shooting photos from the kayak.  it was like being a little kid again! woohoo!

i love this last one of Charlene and Ian hanging out on the dock.

Tori and Jenda - wedding

so if you haven't noticed recently, i am waaaaaay behind on my blogging.  i have so much to share it's not even funny but i have our 2nd F-Stop Workshop coming up on monday and things have been crazy for me with everything going on. 

this wedding was coordinated by Heather Clark owner of Calluna Events.  They pulled this wedding off without a hitch and you never knew they were there.  If you are looking for someone to create an amazing event for you, look no further then Heather Clark.

i wanted to share a great wedding i shot in august.  Tori and Jenda are the most amazing people.  kind, generous, adventurous people that really know how to live.  they wanted everything at their wedding to be just a little different and it was.  stylish, fun and unique is the best way i can describe this wedding.   for example, they had dinner first.  then they bussed  everyone to the top of a mountain with a great view of the continental divide here in Colorado, for the ceremony.  everyone stood on this cliff for the ceremony and then we all went back for the party.  soooo cool and refreshing for photographer who sees a lot of weddings.  oh and i almost forgot, their wedding cake was suspended, up-side-down from the ceiling.  Jenda is an architect and figured out how to make it work.  Tori and Jenda, i had so much fun with you guys.  blessings on your marriage.  here's some of my favorite photos from the wedding (since i haven't posted for a while, this will be an extended post with lots of photos).

the dress.

i shot this in the mirror of my landcruiser as we drove up a precariously curvy stretch of road.

we went up and photographed Tori and Jenda at the ceremony spot before dinner.

this is my favorite shot from the day.

Tori and Jenda, just before dinner.  notice the up-side-down cake.  that says jenda on one side and tori on the other.

the rings.

how's this for a ceremony venue?!

what can i say...i love shoes...though not as much as my wife does.

they hoped for a spectacular sunset as they were married...they got it.

Jenda, doing his thing.

going back to the party on the Buff Bus.

now this is style.

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