… well, not really. But kind of! Every so often I post something on here about the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association). For those of you who don’t know, the WPJA is an association for photographers who shoot weddings primarily from the eye of an onlooker/storyteller/just-let-it-unfold-as-you-document-it kind of perspective. It has been a great asset to my company and I’m honored to be a part of it! Every quarter, they host a photo competition among their members where images are turned in under various categories (bride/groom getting ready, ceremony, emotion, off-camera flash/strobe, humor, etc.)… well, tonight the Q4 contest closes and I had to make sure to get in a last few entries!
The contest allows you to enter any image captured during that year… though because I’m only now entering my shots, this is a somewhat spotty representation of my 2009 story. There were many more weddings and wonderful stories told! 
For now, here are just some of the contest entries I chose this morning.
THANK YOU everyone for making 2009 such a memorable year!
Meet Ruth and Jonathan. I can honestly say that it’s been an adventure getting to know and shoot this couple… and they aren’t even married yet! Ruth is a Jersey girl who’s found her way south in order to work as the children’s director for a wonderful local church (North Point Community Church). Enter Jonathan. Though, it’s not uncommon for men to get involved and serve at their church, it is uncommon for them to volunteer their time with elementary aged children. What a guy! From that point on, they were hooked. If that serves as any indication of what kind of people they are, their engagement shoot didn’t disappoint. I think I spent more time laughing with the camera by my side than up to my eye!
The last series of photos is for the photo booth they’re setting up at their reception. (Say that 10 times fast) They had a great idea where their guests can use chalkboards in some of the photos in oder to sign and catalogue the pictures afterwards. This was a fun way of illustrating the process!
Peachtree City, GA
Have you ever gone to a website and seen a portrait of someone… only to meet them in person and find out they look nothing like their picture? As if the photo was either heavily photoshopped or seemingly taken 10 years ago? I always find that scenario humorous and because of that, I try to avoid it when it comes to my own website. Herein lays the problem. I’m not exactly “at home” in front of the camera. In fact, it’s downright awkward. Terrifying, even. OK I hate it. There, I said it!
Enter portrait stand in. Given the above, about once a year I ask Courtney to be a sport and take a photo of me for the website. I’ll compose the shot, determine the proper settings, etc. All she has to do is point and shoot. Well, almost. First, I take a picture or eight of Courtney in the same composition in order to be a guide for her. Then it’s point and shoot.
It’s usually about this time when I’m reminded of how great my wife is for being my greatest supporter. It has been by her encouragement that I’ve managed to succeed in doing something I love. When stress is high, work is overwhelming, quality time is a bit more sparse than we’d like… and even when she’s asked to persevere through being a stand in and taking a photo of an uncooperative subject. Patient and loving as ever, she’s there by my side. What a great partner in crime. Or life. ( I wouldn’t know, but I hear crime doesn’t pay. 
)
So here’s to my incredible wife, Courtney. Truly, I’m a lucky guy.
I love several things about my job. One, in particular, is the fact that I get to know and befriend so many people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I think that photography is a very personal process. You’ve got to feel comfortable and safe with the person behind the camera. That’s the reason why I give away engagement shoots with every booking… I want to do everything I can to connect with my clients before their wedding day.
With that said, I was jumping at the chance to shoot Kelly and Dan! You see, Kelly was one of the first people I met after moving to GA. In fact, she has been one of my wife’s best friends since middle school. Kelly was a bridesmaid in our wedding… Courtney in hers… you get the idea. Talk about photography being a personal process! I’m so grateful for the blessing that Kelly and her family has been to my wife over the years, and I very much look forward to deepening that relationship with her and Dan for many years to come. So without further ado, I present a few of the portraits I was able to grab while hanging out with good friends. Thanks, Kelly and Dan!
The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception | Atlanta, GA
Wow. To say that 2009 has been a roller coaster ride would be a drastic understatement. What a crazy / chaotic / rewarding/ trying year! And though it’s always fun to look ahead to the fresh starts and unfulfilled dreams of what has yet to come… I’d say it’s rather vital to look back and reflect on what’s already happened. There we learn from our mistakes, seek inspiration for future endeavors or, perhaps most importantly, gain perspective on what matters to you most.
In the case of 2009, reflection takes me to innumerable places. Though, for the sake of brevity, I wanted to focus on just one today. Relationships. I’m forever grateful for the family and friends that surround and support me through my crazy, adventurous life! One part of that fellowship includes my wonderful friends at Young Life of Fayette County. I think it’s safe to say that Young Life has weaved its way into just about most arenas of my life! It’s grown my faith, introduced me to my closest friends… and heck, it even got me a smokin’ wife! For those of you who aren’t familiar with Young Life, it’s a non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to adolescents through volunteers, staff, club meetings, and camps by building meaningful relationships with teenagers and sharing the love of Jesus Christ! If you’re interested in finding out if you have a program in your area, check the previous link to find out.
All that to say, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful group of people around the community that help, support and love on each other… all while on a mission for the teenagers of Fayette County. Here’s a quick snapshot of the volunteer leaders that were able to make it to our Christmas party!
( Don’t worry, family! Your turn is coming up… )
by Nam
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