james christianson - the blog

the value of a second photographer

one of the questions i am asked often by brides is, "do you think i need a second photographer?"  so i thought i would write a little something about the second photographer.  the benefits of having a second photographer at the wedding are numerous, but i want to talk about four reasons i like having a second photographer.

first, it is a good feeling to know that you have someone there to help in every aspect.  to help organize people, to run and get the bride a espresso should she need it, to run and get me a vallium should i need it : ), to help download images into the computer for a slideshow...the list goes on.

second, it is always a good feeling to know that i have gear to back up my back up gear...you just never know when you might fall into the ocean with all of your gear.

third, often times the photographers that a client gets as a second photographer are truly first class photographers.  i shoot as a second photographer sometimes, just to keep thing fresh and fun and see the way other people are dong things.  in effect, the client is getting a great 2 for 1 deal.

the last, is the most obvious.  a second photographer shoots a lot of pictures.  so we have more angles, more places and more chances of catching real moments.  i mean, as hard as we might try we can only be in one place at a time.

here is a great example of this from a couple of weddings ago.  we actually had three photographers at this wedding but you get the point.  so these three shots were all taken within two seconds of each other.  each shot was taken by a different photographer from a different angle with a different lens and even though we captured essentially the same moment, the feel is different in all three.

this first image was taken by me.

the second was taken by one of my best friends in the world Jason Wells of Jason Wells Photography

the third was shot by the amazing and so so sweet, Julie Afflerbaugh

i hope this has helped with the decision of having a second photographer or not. 

A Short Guide to a Happy Life

i know that this book has been around for a while...but i love it.  if you have never picked it up I encourage you to do so.  it really is a quick read.  you can read through it in about 20 minutes...every second of it worth while.  i have it sitting on my desk and every now and then i pick it up and read a little.  it keeps me grounded and living in the moment, because that is really all we have.  anyhow, i thought i would share a few of my favorite tidbits from the book:

" Life is made of moments..."  (this is what i read today and it really hit me)

"Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work."

"I am a good friend to my husband/wife.  I show up.  I listen.  I try to laugh."

"You cannot really be first-rate at your work if your work is all you are."

"Keep still.  Be present."

"...realize that life is glorious, and you have no business taking it for granted."

"It is so easy to exist instead of live."

"It's amazing how much you can learn in one year."

"And think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived."

"...try to look at the view."

Buy it on Amazon

Cindy & Mike - engagement

last friday, I met up with Cindy and Mike to shoot there engagement session.  i had a lot of fun photographing these two and i hope they enjoyed themselves too.  we made all of these images within a 3 block radius in downtown Denver (it's such an incredible place to shoot).  Cindy made it easy on both me and Mike with her bubbly personality.  i'm looking forward to shooting their wedding this Saturday.  here's some of my favorites from the day:

these are from the first few frames that i shot.

can't you just feel the love in these.

i'm always looking for some sort of graphic element to include in photos.  here the line from a parking space worked quite nicely.

look at these sexy looks from these two.  wow!

i just loved the light and shadows on this garage door.

i think these next two really show their relationship.  look at the way Mike looks at her...i love it.

some fun with off camera flash.

Jenn & Kyle Wedding

get ready for a post with lots of photos in this post.  back in August (yes, I am way behind in my editing) i photographed the wedding of Jenn & Kyle here in the beautiful rocky mountains.  this event was fabulous.  lots of great style, fun people and absolutely beautiful scenery.  Jenn & Kyle are so in love and it shows in every photo.  thanks guys for just being you and loving every minute of it...blessings on your marriage.

the wedding was held at the rustic and cozy Gold Lake Resort.  the entire resort was rented out so that family and guests could come in from out of town and enjoy the entire weekend...great idea!

some fun details that i saw the minute i walked in the door.

the beautiful bride.

there is a lesson for every bride, in the photos directly above and below.  in the photos above not only does Jenn look beautiful, but she looks calm and composed which is amazing when you look at the photo below...yes it rained like I haven't seen in Colorado.  All the while, Jenn kept saying, "this is my day, and  I will make it beautiful."  she wasn't going to let her day be ruined by a little rain.  and when the rain broke into one of the most glorious days i have seen in Colorado, she still made beautiful moments like the one below with her father. 

the father and mo

one of the reasons i love shooting in Colorado so much is all the great rustic but stylish combinations you can shoot.  like this one of kyle's brother just standing there looking like he just jumped off the cover of GQ magazine.

just minutes before the cermony.

here is what they are looking at.

i love the look on Kyle's face as he watches Jenn come down the aisle.  i think he loves her.

i love this series of them.

this gorgeous image was taken by my assistant on the day.  Rachel Olsen of Rachel Olsen Photography.  Great shot Rachel.

fun.

i think this shot totally captures the sense of the day with the stormy clouds in the backgound and the beautiful light they are walking in and the rockies in the background...stunning location.

Jenn worked together with the fabulous Nicole Mulvany of RSVP Shindig to create an absolutely gorgeous event.  With details to die for.  I created a montage of some of them below.

the first dance.

below is another shot from Rachel.  I am continually amazed with how much story a simple photograph can tell.  this photo is so simple, but it carries with it so much story...what story does it tell you?