Every now and then it’s nice to take a back seat to things. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. There is an indescribable sense of calmness when you don’t have to be in the driver seat calling the shots. As photographers we are sometimes overlooked as being ‘hard workers’ but trust me, it’s not as easy as it may look. Since I know all the stress that can come from being in charge of preserving someone’s fondest memories, I try to help out when I can. I recently went to second shoot for the incredible Andrea Hillis at a wedding and had an amazing time. I knew she had the brunt of having the pressure being placed on her so I did whatever she asked me to so that things could go as smooth as possible. This particular couple decided to do a destination wedding in Savannah, GA and had guest come all the way from Ohio! They were a very fun couple and were willing to put up with some of my crazy antics and request…. That makes them good people in my book!
Here are a few of the photos that I took. Of course, you’d be able to see more from Andrea’s site soon!
Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 10:34am Posted in Weddings
Road trips are a lot of fun. All the site-seeing and visiting new places can be pretty exciting. The wedding from this past weekend gave me the opportunity to make one of those trips and it was a lot of fun! Jessica and Nigel contacted me months ago to ask me to be their wedding photographer and I had be anxious ever since. They live in Brooklyn, NY where I have family so i just decided to make a mini family vacation out of it.
After packing up the clothes and taking the long drive up, there was little time to rest because rehearsals were starting the same day of arrival. Everything about this wedding was just FUN! From start to finish all you could see were smiles from everyone. Well, there were a few moments here and there that lacked a smile or two But trust me that was far and few in between. Anywho, I wanted to make sure that I did what I was hired to do which was to provide memorable photos for everyone to enjoy. There were so many places to go and so much that we were going to be able to do! Jessie and Nigel were so willing to do whatever it took to make that happen and I am very grateful for their willingness! Here are just a few highlights from the big day. Enjoy!
This is just a sneak peek for now. I’ll post a slideshow later after they get to see all their photos
If you’d like to order any photos from this event you can do so by clicking here.
June 2, 2010 - 4:24 pmLottie Webb - Hey,
I wish my son had your expertise for his upcoming wedding. These are beautiful. Will keep information close for referral.
Lottie.
June 2, 2010 - 4:32 pmMitzie Agard - OMG..OMG..OMG You have captured the very essence of this relationship in your pictures. What an outstanding job. Looking forward to viewing the slideshow.
June 3, 2010 - 8:57 amMayra Castaneda - These pictures are amazing!
June 3, 2010 - 12:15 pmDenise Frazier - What a beautiful couple. These pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Excellent work!!
June 7, 2010 - 10:37 pmTammy - Very, very nice! Great job Mikhail!
June 8, 2010 - 10:31 pmJess - mikhail, these pics are ridiculous! you are doing exactly what you should be doing!
June 11, 2010 - 10:28 amm. thomas - These pictures are ART. Well done, Mikhail. Jess 'n Gel, you look REAL GOOD together!
June 14, 2010 - 8:03 pmMyrtie Chery - These pictures are AMAZING, OVER THE TOP. We could not ask for a better photographer. Thanks a million.
June 21, 2010 - 10:59 amNaomie Fleurant - Thanks for sharing that moment with me .Its outstanding .
June 25, 2010 - 3:03 amMsKiss - :) These photos are as much captivating as they are beautiful. Congrats to the bride and groom and the photographer for sharing with us all.
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 10:14pm Posted in Weddings
When I first heard about this engagement I got very excited! I met Jess a couple of years ago when I was doing a photo shoot for her sister Jesstine. We went to downtown Charleston and had a lot of fun that day. After that she had her own photo shoot where we walked around and made some really great images. She just made it so easy to take pictures of her! Needless to say this is why I was so excited about the engagement. It wasn’t excited because I knew they would ask me to take the photos, because I honestly didn’t know. But rather it was because I knew that whoever did, they were going to have the best bride ever to work with.
I met Derek when they were in the beginning stages of the engagement and were looking around for their photographer. He’s a nice laid back kinda guy who just wants to keep his girl happy. Apparently he does an excellent job at. These two are always happy and always helping each other. Isn’t that what marriage is all about? He knew she was the girl for him and she knew he was the guy for her. I couldn’t have been more happy to know that I was able to be a part of this day with them. I got to share in their joys and their families’ happiness. I am EXTREMELY greatful. Thank you both once more for letting me be there Here are a few of my favorite pictures from that day.
June 25, 2010 - 3:15 amMsKiss - The first pic with the rings marked what lead to be a "montage" of candid and warm-felt pictures. You can just see the love in this couple's eyes. Good job and congrats!!
Today has been a good day for me so far. I always like to do things that will make me better at what I do. I’ve been watching the Escalate seminar going on out in California being hosted by Dane Sanders, a lengendary photographer in his own right. I heard Jasmine Star speak and it was just amazing how much information she was willing to share about her business! Ever since I got started in photography I’ve had to deal with other photographers that don’t like to share. What I mean is that they don’t want you to know what they know about photography. It’s like it’s some sort of secret craft that only a select few can be chosen to do. Most of what I’ve learned about photography I had to learn on my own by reading books, going to the library and just a lot of trial and error. Dane Sanders was the first photographer that I saw that was successful at it and wasn’t stingy with his knowledge. That inspired me to be the same way. I know the hard time that I had from other photographers and I don’t want to be the same way. I’m really enjoying watching this seminar and I am learning a whole lot! Can’t wait to be able to put it into practice and show you all what I’ve learned! This seminar will be online for two days… today and tomorrow. If you have a chance or an interest in what photographers do to get better for their clients, please check it out. Here is the link.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 8:35pm Posted in Babies
What can be more precious than the tender love shown from a mother to a child? Gladys decided to take her son Jaiden out to have some pictures taken with him. First, let me just say that Jaiden is one cute baby! I’m sure that when he grows up he’s going to be breaking many hearts.
This was a hot day but Jaiden and his mom pulled through it like troopers. He has so much energy and loves to run so I got to put in a mini workout with this too. Taking photos is always fun no matter what or who your taking pictures of! This shoot really made me realize that every smile is worth taking a picture of
Friday, April 30, 2010 at 7:45am Posted in Personal
You know how trends get started and everyone is into it at the same time? Then, once everybody does it, the appeal is gone because of it being overdone by too many. Even so, trends seem to come and go every season. The discerning person is one who picks and chooses what to wear without basing it on current trends… That way they can create their own sense of style.
One look that has definitely made an impact on the fashion world is the vintage style of wedding dresses. This look has literally been around for decades (actually centuries but I like the way ‘decades’ sounds better ) and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon.
I did a photo shoot recently to showcase one of such dresses for a local bridal shop. The area we shot in was the perfect scenery to have the dress in. There were stone walls and forts and everything that just looked vintage in it’s own right. Once again we had Yaismelly out handling the makeup and hair. She did a fabulous job with it!!! We also brought Ashanti back out to be our model for the dress. She is such a trooper and really went the extra mile for us on this shoot!
Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 11:16pm Posted in Engagement
Have you wondered what it would be like to have your own theme music playing everywhere you go? I sure have. I’ve even considered hiring a band to follow me around. Not because I feel like I’m something special or anything. Just because I’ve always liked watching movies or tv shows where you know who’s coming by hearing the music, lol!
Anyway, since I doubt I’ll ever get that to happen I could just ask this couple to let me follow them around to hear theirs. Meet the couple that has music following them everywhere they go. They didn’t hire a band or anything but just being around them you can hear and see the harmony that they have together. We walked all over downtown Charleston to find some sweet spots and get some awesome photos. I’m really looking forward to their wedding in the next few weeks. Enjoy!
Here's some of that music I was talking about
And a little bit of harmony to go along with it... their expressions are priceless! lol
June 25, 2010 - 3:36 amMsKiss - The photo of the couple posing against the red brick wall says it all: Happy, loving, and strong!! Really liked that one!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 4:10pm Posted in Weddings
Me alegro de que la primera boda en este blog es para esta pareja. Conoce Vivianette y Osvaldo. Ellos viven en Carolina del Norte y me pidió que tome fotografías de su día especial. La boda fue en Myrtle Beach. Eso significa que soy un fotógrafo de destino!!!
Creo que esto es lo más divertido que he hecho en una boda en mucho tiempo! Fue una ceremonia pequeña e íntima disfrutado por la familia. Incluso me hizo sentir como parte de su familia. Fue genial!!!!!
April 13, 2010 - 8:44 pmVivianette Y Osvaldo - Mikhail we are sooooo amazed with our pictures! They are great! And it was such a wonderful experience!! Thanks so much! I love the one with Adrianette peeking between us, well we love them all!!!
June 25, 2010 - 3:45 amMsKiss - I agree, great pics!! Luv the one of the couple on the beach in the background with the champagne glasses in the forefront... just beautiful!! Felicidades a la pareja en una ocasión tan bella!
Monday, April 5, 2010 at 9:05am Posted in Engagement
The last time we got together with this couple the cold air was brutal. This time, we were sweating lol. But the fun was still there in full effect! These two know how to have a good time and know how to keep smiles on each others’ face. I just can’t wait for the wedding day! I won’t ramble too much more on this post. I’ll let you enjoy the pix!
Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7:35am Posted in Lifestyle
I received a message not too long away about taking some pictures for someone as a surprise. This was going to be a well thought out plan that involved some real good stuff to make it happen right. I came up with some crazy ideas and how to get them in the needed places. It got me really excited because I love surprises! The only problem was to decide on how to actually pull it off. I was coming up with ideas for a sneak attack and everything. I put all my ideas together so that I could present them to the person hiring me for this. Well, it turned out my ideas were futile because Kelley (the person who asked me to do this) had already told Sam (the person who was being surprised) about the pictures. So said she had to because she didn’t Sam to not like it due to any small technicalities, like not wearing the right outfit or something. Oh well, it still turned out to be a nice gesture on Kelley’s part and Sam really appreciated it. They got together with some more of their friends and we went out to a couple of different locations and had tons of fun!
March 24, 2010 - 7:24 pmsam garrett - kelley is not good with secrets, but im glad to know you were putting so much time & thought in how to suprise me. lol. :)
June 25, 2010 - 3:48 amMsKiss - You guys look great!
Every now and then it’s nice to take a back seat to things. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. There is an indescribable sense of calmness when you don’t have to be in the driver seat calling the shots. As photographers we are sometimes overlooked as being ‘hard workers’ but trust me, it’s not as easy as it may look. Since I know all the stress that can come from being in charge of preserving someone’s fondest memories, I try to help out when I can. I recently went to second shoot for the incredible Andrea Hillis at a wedding and had an amazing time. I knew she had the brunt of having the pressure being placed on her so I did whatever she asked me to so that things could go as smooth as possible. This particular couple decided to do a destination wedding in Savannah, GA and had guest come all the way from Ohio! They were a very fun couple and were willing to put up with some of my crazy antics and request…. That makes them good people in my book! 
But trust me that was far and few in between. Anywho, I wanted to make sure that I did what I was hired to do which was to provide memorable photos for everyone to enjoy. There were so many places to go and so much that we were going to be able to do! Jessie and Nigel were so willing to do whatever it took to make that happen and I am very grateful for their willingness! Here are just a few highlights from the big day. Enjoy!
by Mikhail Thomas
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend