Fire!

It wasn't hot enough Saturday so I draped my body over the prayer candles for this shot.

Shapes

Just a quick silhouette of Sunday's bride.

Bride and groom in 2030?

I guess you're never too young to find your soul mate.

Serenity

You'd never guess from this picture that Angel was getting married in less than an hour.

Dressed and ready

 

These two flower girls are just waiting for the big show to begin.

Party Shot

Paige is having a little get together this weekend and wanted a print from our session on Morris Ave to show off her guy. Don't they look perfect together? The answer is yes. ;) Her June wedding pix will be available on www.rickpennington.com about two weeks after the big day.

A few minutes on Morris Ave

The end of March always offers some much needed warmer weather, bright light therapy and the chance to escape the confines of the studio and indoor shoots. So Paige, Matt and I went "kickin' down the cobblestones, look at the fun in feelin' groovy." My apologies to Simon & Garfunkel. The rest of the session may be viewed on www.rickpennington.com.

Hiding in plain sight

Meet Amy and Nicole, two young assistant photogs in their natural habitat. Notice the clever camouflage to keep them from being spotted while stalking their subjects during a wedding reception at The Club. ;)
More traditional shots from the event can be found at http://www.rickpennington.com next week.

Recently...

I've been having a great time! I've worked with several of my advertising clients, shot a few very nice weddings, found a couple of new camera assistants and reconnected with a few musician friends from my youth.     All in all... a great start to 2010.

As I loaded this past Saturday's wedding pictures into my computer this morning this shot of Cathrine caught my eye. She was sitting in front of the make up mirror to have her veil secured. I had planned to feature the veil at some point during the day because it's also her Mom's wedding veil. If that isn't sweet enough for you...Cathrine had her and her Mom's monograms embroidered on each side of the veil. You can see pictures of those when I post the rest of pictures to my website www.rickpennington.com in a couple of weeks.

A class act

 

I've often wondered where the grace of yesterday has gone, turns out it isn't completely gone. It lives on in at least one wonderful family I was lucky enough to meet this past Monday. While shooting for an annual report for the East Alabama Medical Center, one of my subjects was Fred Lacy... a true gentleman who, along with his wife of over fifty years, radiates warmth and kindness. I love my job.

Black and White Visitor

Kelly came to see me today about shooting her Fall wedding... yes, her eyes really are that striking!
UPDATE February 25...  Kelly has booked me for her November wedding. Thanks K!

Sweet music

 

Chris and Krista, a couple of local musicians, are playing their wedding gig this June. They've asked me to sit in as photographer. ;) 

To have and have not

Due to an unfortunate problem with Cathrine's wedding gown we were unable to shoot her bridal portrait last night. There are still a few weeks before the big day so I'm sure everything will get sorted out in plenty of time. I did get a few nice shots of her before we discovered the gown issue. This is one of my favorites, she reminds me of a young Lauren Bacall. The blog title is one of Bacall's better known movies, it seemed to fit the situation. ;)

OK, one more... take two

I just love her profile! You can tell Casey does too. I can't wait to shoot her bridal portrait. 

OK, one more...

There is a whole series of quick headshots from last night with Cathrine & Casey so I thought I'd share one before I run out to lunch. The rest will be on my website next week.

Candid camera

Some unexpected warm weather gave me the chance to drag Cathrine and Casey around the 5 Points area. While looking for the next shot I turned around and saw them just being themselves, so naturally I ruined that moment by taking a picture. ;)

Here's looking up at you, Kid.

As Brad wanted April to appear to be a 50 foot tall Bridezilla I thought I'd get a different perspective to help the illusion. ;)

Tokyo, Alabama?

 

This groom wanted a Bridezilla shot... looks like he and his groomsmen have called down the thunder!

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

These two love birds don't need much incentive to cuddle, but as the temperature was quite low during their engagement session outside The Club they took full advantage of the opportunity for some body heat.  Cathrine and Casey are to be wed in February, hmmm... it seems they are looking for every cuddle opportunity possible.  ;) 

The finish line is in sight

April & Brad are closing in on their big day! I know April is excited because she closes every mail to me by saying so! Brad is doing the guy thing and is very cool on the surface but I know he's just as happy. Just one more week to go.

The calm after the storm

The whirlwind known as Lindsey has abated, the wedding and reception went without a hitch. Well I guess since she did get hitched to Mark that's not entirely accurate. ;) I've rarely been around a couple that laughed more, they really are a perfect match.

Sam I am

OK, it's really Samantha... but since the Bewitched TV series I always liked the idea of a female Sam. Sam and I meet some time ago, at a bridal show, and just clicked. Anyway... Samantha and her intended Brett are getting married next June and I'm honored to be their wedding photographer.

Whirlwind

Lindsey Eubank is breaking all speed records for planning a wedding. No long drawn out engagement here. Right after Mark Wilson popped the question she was ready to be his wife! The wedding and reception will be at stylish Matthews Manor this November 21st. I'd give you more details but I don't think they exist. Just kidding, Lindsey has actually planned the entire event in just a couple of weeks.

Lost and found

Memories can be treacherous things. Events and people in our past often take on near mythical proportion when compared to our present. I am not immune to this phenomenon. But just recently I've had the romanticized attachment to my own past at least somewhat justified. A friend I believed to be lost to the vagaries of life suddenly reappeared. Gotta love the internet. His friendship is one I've often missed, especially during my second and third decades. Bound by a common creative bent and the innocence of youthful pursuits it's nice to discover that we have, or so it seems, remained interesting to each other. Our life trajectories have apparently moved along a similar artistic arc. He's a wordsmith and I'm an image maker, a couple of storytellers using different tools. Welcome back Mr. Ellis.

Yes, I know...

I've been away from the blog for too long. It's been a crazy few weeks but I will post several new items soon. In case you haven't been through my website portfolios in a while there are several new pix in each one. Besides, wouldn't you rather see new pictures than read about them? OK, you can have both, we'll talk soon.

Remember this face

I met Patrick recently when he needed a couple of headshots for his new talent agency in Miami. You just never know who is going to 'make it' in the acting world, maybe Patrick will be one of those guys. Hey... I could sell his 'before he was famous' pictures to People Magazine for a pile of money! ;)

Winter vows

Emily Lewis and Joey Rich are both getting exactly what they want for Christmas this year, married! They will have a smallish but chic ceremony December 20th at Historic Rucker Place in Birmingham. http://www.ruckerplace.com
As you have probably guessed I'll be handling the photography. Joey wasn't available when Emily came by the office but I'll get a picture of him soon.

The couple are renovating an older home in Moody, AL and plan to live there right after the honeymoon. A new life, a new home and a new year all at once... I'd say they're Rich in more than name only.

Erin. Rucker Place. Perfect.

As June wound to a close I had the chance to bring a beautiful bride and a treasure of Birmingham together for a memorable photography experience. Historic Rucker Place is the setting for Erin's July 18th wedding and the two are ideal compliments to the other. While Erin is a modern young woman she is also a southerner and radiates the same warm charm and grace that is Rucker Place. To find out more about the history of this wonderful venue just check out their website. http://www.ruckerplace.com To find out more about Erin... here's a few pix from our session. Note her playful smile as she's backing into the wine cellar. I have a more serious shot of her at the wine cellar door in the wedding portfolio of my website.

Double J

Jennifer and John went for a little hike with me yesterday at the Botanical Gardens. Considering the humidity level I think that borders on courageous! Here's a couple of shots of Jenn that caught my eye from the death march, I mean... session. I'll be putting up some more samples next week.

Rick & Karen plus one

The happy couple have been busy with their new daughter, Madison, but they finally got around to selecting the pictures for their album. "Maddy Bug" came along to our meeting but was asleep most of the time... so no pix to share yet. Hopefully I'll snap a few shots when she comes to pick up the book for Mom. ;)