Graeme's blog

Vignettes of 2010 | {August}

What a wonderful month August was! We finally got a few days of relief from the heat and the rain, which made trouncing around (you didn't know I trounced, did you?) in the woods much more agreeable. With these images I really tried to convey the overall feeling of the transition into the soon-to-be-here autumn. Leaves not as pristine as they once were, creek banks still green but with subtle signs that they're struggling to keep that color. All speaking to the fact that the days are going to be shorter and colder  - and I say bring it on. I can't wait to put a sweatshirt on.

Factoid: The white orb in the diptych near the bottom is actually the sun, shot with my macro lens at it's shallowest depth of field. Crazy.

Lucas | {SENIOR}

Lucas wanted to do his senior photos at his high school, which was a great idea! I've never shot at this particular school, so it was a great opportunity to find some new textures and colors. Shelby and Diamond (his two dogs) also accompanied us as we walked around the exterior, but I'm fairly sure they were not overly interested in photo taking.

Lucas is one of my senior reps, so make sure to get a referral card from him and bring it in for $20 off a senior session.

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Ben & Kristi | {Lifestyle}

I shot Kristi and Ben's wedding down in Atlanta AGES ago back in early 2007, and since then we've become great friends! Last November I was running a special to raise money for Blood:Water Mission by offering $50 shoots with all proceeds going directly to the organization. Kristi and Ben were living in Japan at the time, but wanted to donate anyway with the idea that if they were ever back in the area I would get them in front of my camera. Better than just coming for a visit, these two decided to MOVE back to Dubuque! Yay!

These were shot down in the beautiful Mines of Spain. The natural light was just too beautiful to pass up, so we made good use of it, but I've included some lit ones below.

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Peyton | {SENIOR}

My ears certainly perked when Peyton told me she had procured a baby-grand piano at a local college for her senior photos. I'd never shot portraits of anyone w/ a piano before, and I immediately saw in my mind's eye the black and white below of her playing. After leaving the small hall, we went outside on the grounds for a few more, praying that the dramatic sky would not produce a dramatic reschedule. The rain held off and eventually we made our way out to the fringe of town to capture the gorgeous sunset and a few on a road that has a special place in her heart.

Peyton is one of my 2011 Senior Reps - find her to get a card worth $20 off any senior portrait package. Or just find her to tell her that she rocked these photos.

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Kristy and Sean | {Wedding}

Kristy and I went to Sunday School for many years together, so her email to me inquiring about wedding packages came attached with a lot of great memories. Sean is a stand-up guy, leaving for a tour of Afghanistan in the Fall, so shooting this wedding was bitter-sweet knowing that these two would soon be separated for a period. Lots of prayers were said throughout the day for their marriage and his protection, and it was ultimately a day of intense celebration between their two (large!) families. The ceremony was held at Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa.

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Vignettes of 2010 | {July}

July has by far been my busiest month this year, but I still managed go out and make some time to do personal work. Every day this month was either rainy or hot(x2), which didn't necessarily make it the most enjoyable to be outside, but the fruits of the labor are definitely worth it. Enjoy!

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Mackenzie | {SENIOR}

Mackenzie is one of my fantastic Senior Rep's for this year, so seek her out to get your referral card! Begin looking anywhere where dancing is in full swing, or if you happen to se a volleyball game spontaneously erupt. Her session marks the beginning of my 2011 senior season, and she knocked it out of the park with her great sense of humor and lovely style. We started out at (a flooded) Swiss Valley where I promptly stepped in water up to my ankles, and then moved downtown for a more urban feel. Some of my favorite images of the year are below - which one do you like the best?

Enjoy.

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Luci, Lydia, Mady | {Candid Kids}

I had a wonderful time this past weekend hanging out with these three cousins! Luci and Mady had been in front of my lens last fall, but this was my first time meeting Mady's little sister Lydia. We had a great time running through the Mines of Spain (or as Luci called it 'this beautiful garden') looking for snakes and monsters. None were to be found this time, but I did walk away with some of my favorite images of the year.

Enjoy!

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Justin & Danielle | {Wedding}

This wedding will stick in my head primarily for two reasons. First off, both the ceremony and reception venues were new to me, which in Dubuque is not an easy thing to accomplish. The ceremony was on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi at Julien Dubuque's monument, and the reception was held in the Clark College Atrium. The second reason Justin and Danielle's day is a memorable one is...heat! Probably one of the hottest days so far this year, enough to make certain members of the wedding feel less than stellar. But everyone persevered and the day was an absolute success. Justin, Danielle, you guys have a wonderful family and great friends. Thanks for letting me be a part of such an important day.

Enjoy.

(Credit: 2nd ring shot inspired by Gabe McClintock)

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The Thier Family

The Thiers welcomed me into their beautiful home with such warmth that I felt like part of the family almost immediately. That's always a good feeling. Their four grown children and families had come out (some flew in) for the 4th of July weekend and I was there to take as many pictures as I could in the hour time-frame I had.  We headed out to the backyard under the shade of their 100 year old oak trees and before I knew it I was saying goodbye and heading back to my own family's party, thankful for the reminder of how important family is.

Enjoy.

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