posted September 15, 2012 in Weddings 10 Comments

Lindsey & Matt {Chicago wedding}

Lindsey & Matt’s wedding represents a turning point in my wedding photography: it’s the first big step I’ve taken to creatively reinvent myself and depart from the norms for modern wedding photography, and turn Old Masters for added inspiration.

I relish solid tradition, garnished with spice, depth, and punch.

This journey started in 1998 when I met Lindsey’s brother, Kyle, while studying abroad for a semester in Wollongong, Australia. Kyle and I took several art classes together, Aboriginal Art and an art studio study with Jelle van den Berg. We talked theory and practice of art while hiking and exploring the Gold Coast, which continued to Sante Fe, New York, and now Chicago. Like many artists, we share that constant dynamic state of flux. It sucks. But as most creatives will attest to, there’s no such thing as hitting a plateau. You are either getting better, or worse. The hard part is knowing which one. And for sure which direction you are headed. It’s often a foggy path, embellished with fad-derailling detours. I dream the uncertainty of learning something new matches the pride of accomplishment. Sometimes that is the case.

After self-study with Rembrandt, I return to traditional timelessness while sharing my gregarious creative enthusiasm self. Old School is the new old school, and not just for the hipsters. I’m stoked I shared my sentiment with Lindsey and Matt. After we hit it off on their engagement session, I knew their wedding was going to be a treat. They were a cute couple to connect with, on a personal level, but also from a meaningful artistic perspective well appreciated by her mom, also an artist. Inside, Lindsey and Matt are driven, compassionate, and sincere. Outside, they are just as beautiful. They’ll make cute kids.

I enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing many old ones at this wedding in Chicago:One of my favorite photographs from their day… love the painterly look. We broke at least one rule.

Technical note: I took along the PhaseOne 645DF and IQ 140 back on this wedding and am so glad I did. The next image below was shot with available light as Lindsey and Matt enjoyed the final rays of sun on their wedding day. While the light was bright, the dynamic range of this camera system couldn’t have been beat. Skin tones are amazing, the clarity and depth pulled my eyes in, I couldn’t blow out highlights, and 16-bit per color chanel tonality in the transitions from highlights to shadows can’t be beat. This special formulae helps bring out the ‘fashion edge’ and ‘medium format look’ which make the investment totally worthwhile for me as an artist and businessman. I’ll share more details next week in an upcoming post by David Hobby on the Strobist, the world’s most popular blog for off-camera lighting. I’m also proud to announce I’m working on an exciting project and case study by one of the world’s best camera manufacturers, PhaseOne. Details announced on my blog in a few weeks!

Solid tradition, with spice, depth, and visual punch:

 An ode to 1920’s Chicago, moving full speed, yet slowing down just enough. The train, my crew, and me.

The wedding day runs by in a blur, one of the reasons I really like to slow down and cause pause… especially for the bridal party to enjoy their day together. We scheduled in about an hour for all of our creative portraits, before the ceremony, which proved to be an amazing way to head out on location and create stress-free portraits in celebration of the day…. my favorite way to roll.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg wed recently. As did Lindsey and Matt. As a photographer, I’m always curious how a big event, red carpet treatment creates visual interest in the masses. Red carpet, security guard, limo, bubbles… People Magazine? Here’s a side personal project inspired by celebrity photojournalism and that pause for photo curiosity at the supermarket checkout counter.

Now back to regular programming:

Lindsey & Matt, thank you for being inviting me into your lives! I wish you both my sincerest best! And your wedding album is gonna rock!

Be sure to check out the Sonnenberg fun-booth, creative portraits shot on white seamless paper during the reception.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE WEDDING DAY SLIDESHOW.

Ceremony at the Lutheran Church of Atonement in Barrington, IL with Pastor Paul VanDeBerg and reception at the Makray Memorial Golf course. Lindsay’s face brighten with joy when she saw her florals by Karen Cook at the Flower Studio. Guests enjoyed classy, endearing Chicago Wedding DJ entertainment by Jay Congdon at Fourth Estate Audio.

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Posted by R. J. on September 15, 2012
Tags: chicago wedding photographer, PhaseOne wedding, wedding shot on medium format