I’m a sucker for dancing at weddings. This is why.

Also, cute story of the session: a mother and her daughter walked up to us while Jenni was sitting on the grass. Mother explains that her daughter could not stop talking about the princess, and realllly wanted to meet her. Poor little thing got so shy in front of Princess Jenni that she totally clammed up and hid behind her mom, still peeking around to stare. It was the cutest thing ever!

Also, major kudos should be given to Jenni. The best times of the day to shoot are the golden hours just after sunrise and just before sunset. Since there was a wedding at Garden Park Ward later on in the day and into the evening, we had to shoot in the morning at 8am, which means Jenni was up at 4 or 5 I believe so she could get ready. That’s dedication! And it totally paid off.

Here’s a few from the set, I will be putting a lot more of the photos on Facebook soon, so keep an eye out for it at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Epic-Photography-and-Design/102147369868850,

I’ll update this post when the gallery is up. Oh and while you’re there, check out our wedding photography giveaway worth $2,000, it ends October 24, so hurry!

I often feel inspired by music and books. You may remember my When the Day Met the Night  shoot inspired by a song from Panic! at the Disco. Since then I haven’t found myself with much spare time or creativity, but my photo season is winding down a little bit and I want to do something fun for Halloween. I had toyed with the idea of doing shoots based off of all of Jane Austen’s novels…. But, with winter just around the corner (well, it could already be here since it snowed last week!) I figured I’d put that off til the springtime. In the meantime though, I could combine my love of halloween with my love of Austen and do a shoot based off of the novel “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Seth Grahame-Smith. Sooooo good. And gory.

Here’s the deal: I have volunteers for Darcy and Elizabeth already… But who would like to be a zombie? Or help with hair and makeup? I would love as many zombies as possible. For models and stylists/makeup artists who donate their time and talents, I will give a cd of pictures (that’s a given), but I will also do a free shoot in trade.

Tentative date is October 22 (possibly the 29th?). Time is still to be determined. Location: I’m thinking the International Peace Gardens or Wheeler Farm right now, but am open to ideas. Times and dates and locations are all tentative as I want to get an idea of every person’s schedule and try to work with it. Interested? Send an email to sheadrake@live.com.

Anywho, on to the fun stuff! We are giving away a wedding photography package worth $2,000. It includes an engagement session, bridal session, and up to 8 hours of coverage at up to two locations on the wedding day! AND, each session will come with a dvd/usb flash drive with high resolution images and printing license so you can print and share where you please.

Excited yet?

The rules to enter are fairly simple: “Like” our page on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Epic-Photography-and-Design/102147369868850?ref=ts, then submit an essay or video telling us why you deserve this great photography package, how you met, and any fun/cute/hilarious moments during your courtship. Stories will be published as “Notes” on the Epic Photography and Design Facebook Page. From there, get your friends and family to vote for your story!

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, head over to our page now to take a look at all the details: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Epic-Photography-and-Design/102147369868850?ref=ts

And please don’t hesitate to email Shea at sheadrake@live.com with any questions, concerns, or your stories/videos!

This is our first wedding contest and we are looking forward to all of your awesome stories, so hurry and get them in! Submissions are due by October 24, 2011, and voting will end October 31, 2011.

From my first emails with Jillian I knew we would get along well, and we totally did. Together along with Justin, we quoted everything from Charlie the Unicorn to Seinfeld to Pride and Prejudice. Each session brought fresh laughs and even more gorgeous photos. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t updated the blog though. So I will get on getting some of their engagements and bridals/groomals up here. But I did want to share some fun moments while they’re still fresh in my mind.

Here’s one gorgeous photo:

As we were heading back towards the temple to take more photos, Jillian let me know of a certain look she wanted. She’s so modest that she asked if that was okay, and of course I replied that I love it when people tell me what they want (after all, it’s her wedding!). So she immediately responded, “What I really really want?” And I sang back, “So tell me what you want!” And all together (except Justin) we sang the rest of the chorus from the Spice Girls song.  Then we burst out laughing. Then there may have been a little more quoting from Pride and Prejudice. It’s the little moments like that, the inside jokes shared with the bride and groom and their families, that I love.

Here’s one of the ring shots:

Right after I was finished photographing the rings I went to give them back to Jillian and Justin while they were in their receiving line. When I went to hand Jillian’s back to her she held out her hand to me, so I got down on one knee and put it on her finger, much to the entertainment of everyone around. Then I went back to sneaking around looking for moments and interactions.

Those were the super awesome stories. There were plenty of jokes in between, but those were the big two. I love how open and just how fun Justin and Jillian are together. They’re the couple you just know are the life of the party, greatly optimistic and sure to make friends wherever they go. Their friends were the same way, so throughout the whole night it was a great party. Thanks so much Jillian and Justin. I loved your excellent taste in venues and detail shots (more will come later, I promise!). But here’s a couple more for now.

Edit to add: Apparently this is my 100th blog on here. Whoooooaaaa! Super crazy and awesome

So not only are these two hot, but they’re totally modest about it. Even more than that, they are super relaxed and laid back, even with my requests for them to sit in the gross sand and sit in the middle of road, they were all for it. When I got home I told my husband I have the best couples ever. We hang out, make jokes, laugh, etc. Oh, and ya know, take some pictures and all. I’m pretty dang stoked for Jenni’s bridals and wedding coming up in October, that’s all I can say.

Also, just a heads up, Jenni and I rang bells together. Literally. We were part of an elite force known as Jordan High’s Bell Choir. I know what you’re thinking, how did JHS manage to get such a smokin hot bell choir? Because chicks dig bells.

Also, to see more of the sexy goodness that is Jenni and John, see all of their engagements at Drake Photography and Design on Facebook

The ring ceremony was beautiful, but perhaps my favorite part was the dancing. Both Bronson and Kristen are awesome ballroom dancers and so it was a great treat to see them twirl, waltz, and cha-cha their way around the room. Not only were they graceful, but they were hilarious, but you can probably gather that from some of the photos below.

Congrats you two, I feel truly honored that I was able to spend your day with you

I love you both, Mahs!

P.S. Spread the word “Mah/Meh” around like wildfire. Much like the words smurf, it can be used an adjective, noun, verb, etc.

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They were married at the Salt Lake Temple, and Spring’s beautiful blossoms were all around. It wasn’t too cold or too hot, it was juuuuust right. Those two were beaming with joy and happiness, and even their friends were excited for pictures. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had groomsmen and bridesmaids so excited for photos, ever! It was awesome, it was contagious.

The reception was held in a cottage at This is the Place Heritage Park, which is one of the most amazing places to be in the Salt Lake Valley. On one side are the gorgeous Wasatch mountains, on the other is the sprawling view of the valley and the Great Salt Lake itself. Not to mention all the amazing little details on the inside, such as a gorgeous mirror and the most fantastic clawfoot tub ever! Which Shanda and Mike happily got into for me (thanks guys!).

Shanda’s younger sister is a talented artist and even provided a lovely painting of the couple which was hung up over the fireplace next to the reception line. Shanda and her mother sang a gorgeous duet together, and I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. And if there was, the first dance between Mike and Shanda made sure that those dry eyes didn’t stay dry for long.

Also, take a close look at the cake cutting/eating images. I included a lot more of these than I usually do. You can totally see Mike shoving the cake up poor Shanda’s nose, and then cake was everywhere! It was all very adorable and Shanda took it quite well

Congratulations again, Mike and Shanda. You’re a truly amazing couple, inside and out!

Tori even trusts me enough that she wanted me to make her birdcage veil for her. Most birdcage veils we had seen featured feathers and/or flowers. The thing was, Tori wasn’t into those things so much. Like me, she was all about shiny things, which is why she wanted me to make it for her.

Anywho, I hope you enjoy the gorgeous Mrs. Victoria!

And finally, here is one of my favorite photos, shot using the Brenizer Method. Essentially it’s a portrait panorama. I took 40 pictures and stitched them together to get a more dreamy looking backround (or shorter Depth of Field). I love the results of this! For the hardcore photo nerds, I shot 40 pictures with a 90mm 2.8 macro, the end result is equivalent to using a 26mm f/.8 lens.

Bronson and Kristen, brave and awesome souls that they are, went ahead with the session. And though the skies looked bleak and dreary, these two were the exact opposite. Made for a nice contrast =).

Lately I’ve gotten into making my own hair clips. I like the flowers that people make, but I like shiny things more. And I like having complete control over what I think it should look like. Plus there’s the uniqueness aspect, very few other people, if anyone, will have this exact thing. What I’ve been doing is scouring eBay for vintage brooches and jewelry, using jewelry I don’t wear anymore, and raiding jewelry clearance racks at Claire’s at the mall. In addition, I went to Hobby Lobby to buy some felt (4 12x12in squares for $1.00), peacock feathers as well as other kinds of feathers, and then some alligator clips at Wal-Mart. You’ll also need a hot glue gun (at least that’s what I use). Practice on something you don’t really care about first, and keep the hot glue gun on extra newpapers or something as the hot glue will drip.

Here’s my latest creation:

This is really simple, really pretty, and can be worn day to day or on more formal occasions. All I used was a single strip of white felt, one alligator clip, one peacock feather trimmed slightly, and the pendant part of a necklace I found at Claire’s. First I decided how I wanted the clip to look, whether I wanted a lot of feathers and bling or just to keep it simple, play around with your supplies and you’ll find something you’ll love. I first intended to use three peacock feathers, but much preferred the simple flair of one after playing around. Also figure out where you want the clip to be, if it will fit, and where you need to place it for where you want to wear it.

Next, plug in the hot glue gun. While that’s heating up, cut up a small piece of felt, nothing too big or small, just enough to cover the underside of the jewelry and big enough to attach a clip to.

When the glue gun heats up, put a small little dollop on the back of the jewelry where you’ll attach the feather. Lightly press the feather into the glue, or prod it down with dowell/stick/etc so as not to burn your fingers with the glue. Next, spread a line (not too much!) of hot glue across the middle of the jewelry. Grab the felt, and gently press it on top of the glue and let it set for a few minutes.

Inspect both sides to make sure everything is setting nice and that you don’t globs of hot glue on either the jewelry or feather. Re-align the clip to check it is where you want it to be, model it in a mirror to double check how it would look. Lightly line the clip with hot glue and press it firmly against the felt, and remove any access on the edges.

I’m sure there are other (possibly better) ways to do this, but this is just how I did it. A lot better than spending $50 on a piece that a. that you’re not in love with. And b. that 10 other brides will be wearing that day.

Here’s a few more pics

My next project is to make a bride’s birdcage veil. Wish me luck

Birds are chirping. Kids are running around outside.

My favorite part, however, are the blossoms on the cherry and apricot trees.

I always wish I could pull together a shoot centered around them, but I never seem to have the time. Somehow those blossoms sneak up on me and past me.

This may not be a whole shoot, but it’s surely one shot I’m so glad I got to take.

P.S. My niece rocks for indulging my photographic whims =)

Shanda was a gorgeous princess, so we made sure to play up that aspect. You’ll notice we totally did a Cinderella shot, complete with the pretty, dainty shoe on the stairs. And you’ll also notice in some shots that Shanda has the cutest satin kid gloves on. Now to be honest, normally I’m not a huge fan of kid gloves, but Shanda knew how to work them! She converted me. I hope you enjoy some of these highlights from her bridals. I wish I could post them all, but there were… a lot.

The moment: I’ve probably said this before, but I love the moment before an actual kiss moreso than the kiss itself. And this is definitely one of my top faves. I feel like there’s a lot of emotion here, and that’s the goal!

The shot: 1/250 sec at f/6.3 at ISO 200, zoomed in at 60mm to get the tightly framed composition.

The processing: Lots of work on this one…. I warmed up the white balance from 4300 to 4529 on the blue/yellow, and on green/magenta I went from -12 to +2 to take away a hint of green hue from the image. I raised the exposure about a stop, the exposure I had in camera was pretty on the nose, but I do like bright, colorful images, so I will tweak accordingly. Plus, it’s easier to lighten skintones than to try and get back details on a gorgeous white dress. I lightened the lights and darkened the darks in the tone curve to bring in more contrast, and added some vignette to burn the edges. I then opened the image up in Photoshop to sharpen and to add a layer that makes things bright and smooth. I added a couple of gradient map layers set to different colors (one brown, one a light pink), setting the blending mode to softlight and the opacity to between 20-30%. Added a beige fill layer set to overlay at 19% to fill some of the shadows just a touch. A curves layer and levels layer with very tiny tweaks was added. I then copied the background, set it to high pass filter at 3.2, set that to softlight to sharpen the photo. For photos like this I do a lot of tiny quick little things that add up to be something big compared to the RAW file.

Next up:

The moment: Every temple wedding needs a shot in front of the temple.  Since the ceremony isn’t photographed, getting shots in front of the temple is a way to show that connection between the couple and their faith. It’s beautiful. This is a favorite because Rachel is saying something to Kyle. I have no idea what as I was further away, but I love how they’re looking at each other, whispering sweet nothings, or making fun of me =P

The shot: ISO 200, f/6.3 and 1/200 sec.

The processing: I didn’t change the exposure at all, I bumped up the black clipping in Lightroom, and made the lights lighter, the darks darker, and the shadows a bit darker in the Tone Curve. I added some lens vignette to burn in a little of the sky and corners of the image. Last but not least, I made the image sepia using a preset in LR.

There you have it!

I will say this though… There will be three winners, and this will not be your average contest (Hint: Think “Pay It Forward” . I’ve also decided to open it up for couples who want to ‘redo’ their wedding photography. 

Alright, no more hints until there’s 100 likes!