Katie and Andreas (or, as I know them, @decalsonly and @totalcomposites) are my longtime Instagram friends.
We followed each other for years before I finally learned what they looked like in person (they’re not on Team Selfie), meeting them for the first time during a 15-second walk-by at Rifflandia.
More time passed after that, with many online interactions, and the odd happenstance meeting IRL, until one day, when Katie asked if I would be their wedding photographer!
Um, OKAY!
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 32 mm · 1/500 s · f/4.5 · ISO 400
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 70 mm · 1/400 s · f/2.8 · ISO 320
After a fun engagement session with their son, Cohen, we gathered at The House of Blues, where Katie’s sister (last name of Blue) lives. Serving as both the preshow and reception venue, this beautiful house and its amazing yard were made for a wedding. And a wedding photographer.
Oh, and the “decals” portion of Katie’s IG handle? Yeah, she does that. She applied these words to this table runner on the spot, flawlessly, without putting a hair of her done-up ‘do out of place.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 28 mm · 1/5000 s · f/4.5 · ISO 1600
Also, their invites were CONCERT TICKETS. How cool are these two?
Canon EOS 70D · Tamron 60mm f/2.0 macro · 60 mm · 1/125 s · f/4.5 · ISO 1600
The ringbearers were also the son-tow-ers.
This shot was captured by my trusted second shooter, Meaghan Konopaki, who always brings my stress level down while wedding-ing.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III · Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L · 100 mm · 1/1000s · f/2.8 · ISO 100 · Photographer: Meaghan Konopaki
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 200 mm · 1/1600 s · f/5 · ISO 400
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · L/M/R: 100/135/125 mm · 1/1600 s · f/2.8 · ISO 100
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 70 mm · 1/1600 s · f/2.8 · ISO 100
Yeah, I totally put them up to this. Definitely not selfie-takers, it was the best Instagram connection I could make up for a photo.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 23 mm · 1/640 s · f/3.5 · ISO 1600
Katie’s flowers (which included, I think . . . one of every flower ever) were stunning. Oh, those colours! And it flowed so well into her succulent bracelet for the day.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/320 s · f/1.8 · ISO 100
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 31 mm · 1/160 s · f/2.8 · ISO 100
They clean up nice, but these two are outdoor/camping/roadtripping masters. One day, they might just pack everything into one of those crazy overland vehicles and nomad it across the continent.
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 190 mm · 1/160 s · f/5.6 · ISO 400
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/8 power, 4′ behind subjects, remote triggered
“Here! Have a Cohen!”
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 28 mm · 1/200 s · f/4.5 · ISO 200
Definitely the coolest kids at the party.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 31 mm · 1/200 s · f/6.3 · ISO 100
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/2 power, 4′ camera right, remote triggered
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM · 10 mm · 1/200 s · f/8 · ISO 100
Here’s another from Meaghan. While I shot the preshow with the girls, she hung with the boys, and nailed their fantastic, laid-back fashion for the day.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III · Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L · 35 mm · 1/1600s · f/1.8 · ISO 125 · Photographer: Meaghan Konopaki
Bestie, bride, sis, smooch.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 31 mm · 1/160 s · f/5 · ISO 100
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/16 power, 4′ camera left/right, remote triggered
And one more Meaghan shot, catching the other angle while I got a shot from the left.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III · Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L · 35 mm · 1/160s · f/5 · ISO 100 · Photographer: Meaghan Konopaki
Mr. Blue (first name of Fred), reception host and emcee, was one of the nicest 6′ 6″ bald dudes in a kilt you’d ever want to meet, tho’ maybe not in a dark alley. Mind, he’d probably pick you up and carry you to safety.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 21 mm · 1/2500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 1600
Great spot for a reception, yes. But an even greater spot from which to shoot it.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/1600 s · f/2.8 · ISO 800
Apparently, the wedding cake was THIS GOOD.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM · 17 mm · 1/1600 s · f/3.5 · ISO 1600
Andreas is German, and the bride’s sister, Tobi, gave her speech in German. It was really well done. Only a few people in attendance had any idea what she was talking about.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 1600
It was fun to capture this cutie’s moments through the day.
L: Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 20 mm · 1/1600 s · f/2.8 · ISO 1600
R: Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 130 mm · 1/500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 1600
From my perch on the second floor balcony, and with the music blaring, I couldn’t exactly yell to Katie and Andreas to look up for a photo while everyone else was dancing. But, somehow, they detected me up there, and did exactly what I would’ve asked on their own. Ahhhhhh. =)
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 130 mm · 1/500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 1600
Thanks for joining me on another wonderful wedding, and thanks to Katie and Andreas for looking up @happydesigns to capture their day.
=)
Are you planning your own day o’ love? If you or someone you know is in search of a wedding photographer, I’d love to chat!
Ceremony: Saxe Point Park
Reception: The House of Blues
Officiant: Dave Peck