http://ericandnelle.com

Long Overdue…

But it’ll have to wait a bit longer
See, I have a surprise for those of you who only know me through my blogging…

Something tells me it’ll be worth the wait though
Oh, and I’m going to make up for it in the mean time!

I’ve missed writing so, so, so much.
This past year has been such a whirlwind, there is MUCH I need to share,
so many epiphanies, so much joy, so much challenge. You’re all going to
dig it, I’m pretty darn sure

But let me just do what I do best… Share a little bit of true beauty with you

Rodney & Melodie (Are Amazing)….

Oh, did I forget to mention?
NORMALLY, Rodney’s not a videographer… NORMALLY he’s a photographer
and lighting expert. Basically? He’s the MAN

See his work here:
http://RodneyBursiel.com

Rodney asked me to shoot he and his beautiful Bride’s private wedding on their
property in Wimberly, TX. I had a truly incredible time photographing and spending
time with friends… Oh, and I kind of fell in love with the area too

Let’s get started though, I think you deserve to see some pictures

Hard at Work…

Did I mention Rodney was a photographer?
Did I also mention that he lives in the middle of no where, Texas?
OF COURSE he has his own giant photo printer, haha… He was working
hard and fast, just hours before the ceremony to print off some of the engagement
photos I’d taken of ‘em

The Bride However?

Had The RIGHT Idea

Sometimes, if you’re crazy enough to hire me to shoot your wedding,
I’ll bring champagne so you never have to be nervous about anything

Pretty soon though, she was getting primped as could be

The make up artist was extraordinary, and fun too!

(Her name is Carol Wagener if you’re looking for a MUA in the East TX area)

I just love the dynamics of this one

SO Cute!!

And this? This just SMITES me with it’s ’70s style awesomeness

The Groom was off getting ready on his own; but I popped over to
quickly to snap a photo of the uber sweet boutonnieres.

Their ride arrived in style

Joe Vitale (aka “Mr. Fire”) is a dear friend who was oh so kind
as to offer the car and his time to the happy couple

I love this next one… Melodie’s sweet son walked her down the aisle
and their expressions are absolutely PERFECT to me

Rodney cleans up pretty well too

Married!

Snagged a fun one of the little guy’s devious personality

Now onto the portraits…
Leave it to a fellow photographer to have a vintage sofa in a field of
wildflowers, just STEPS from the cedar grove they held their wedding in…


Getting Ready…

Talk about PERFECT!!

I simply adore this

Soon though, our time was up… In 15 minutes I’d shot nearly 300 images though
so I figured that was okay

We hopped in the Rolls with Joe and hit the road to the reception site.

They didn’t stop being cute though

“Mr. Fire” was having fun too

We made it!
(But let me tell you, Off-Roading in a Rolls Royce Phantom IS possible, haha)

As we arrived, an incredible thunderstorm was just beginning.
Many of the next shots were back lit by lightning, WAY cool

Beautiful details were abundant… The Guest Book for instance:

Her Flowers:

Even the chandeliers in the open pavilion.

Just to remind you this is Texas

(GREAT Fajitas were served)

A First Dance:

And a special moment between Mother and her son.

See the clouds in the background?!
LIGHTNING Packed

After the (Awesome) party, they were about to depart
when everyone realized they hadn’t set up a place to pelt them with
bird seed. I made the slight mistake of saying they should do it right
then, right there… While standing a bit too close to them

We had FUN

And then it was over… After 8 amazing days in Texas, I flew home
to Florida and into an even better time!!

But I’ll tell you more about that later

**UPDATED!**
Robert & Angela’s Wedding Adventure!!

This past weekend in Santa Barbara, CA we experienced something radical.
Something DIFFERENT.

You see, most days in Southern California, we’re blessed by divine weather…
Clear, blue, 65-75 degrees and far from humid… Occasionally though, we’re
blessed… Nay, BLESSED by what I can only call “Hawaii Skies”

You’ll see what I mean below… We had such fun with Robert and Angela under
those “Hawaii Skies” that I really cannot even imagine shooting them without
the impending threat of drenching rain, lol.

Gorgeous eh?!

We started things off on Friday afternoon with a quick engagement session,
before we rushed off to the ceremony site for a fun and easy rehearsal
(and a DELICIOUS dinner!).

Trees!!

I’m a big fan of Piers

But I have a serious love affair with THIS photo:

So has every other guy I’ve shown it to though… Must be a guy thing

They’re perfect for each other

Look at those crazy clouds!!

So Cute

And Romantic too!

The Santa Barbara Courthouse has some great views from the top…

P.S. I’m officially addicted to Tilt Shift lenses…

And you can see why…

Click to see the LARGE version *HERE*

Brian and Mandee

Click to see the LARGE version *HERE*

Call me non-traditional, but I simply couldn’t resist capturing a few pictures
of the Bride’s brother and his girlfriend… They’re just too cute!

Besides, I met Brian and Angela at the wedding I shot in the redwoods
a couple years back… So I already knew they were BOTH awesome


And that’s the end of day one
I’ll add the day two photos to the end of this post sometime soon,
but for now; I’m exhausted and getting sick!!

Oh, and I’m moving back to Florida too
Loooots of reasons why and I promise to fill you all in soon.

_______________________________________________________

Day Two:

It’s 3:26AM so I’m going to do my best to post just a few photos and very few
words… That said, I’d LOVE to get your thoughts on them, so make sure you let
me know which you like best!

Preparations…

The Waiting Game…

Sometimes it simply amazes me how little sleep we get during big events
in our lives like weddings… Makes catnaps all the more appreciated!!

Push!

Beauty…

Sometimes over exposing an image can bring out the most beautiful things

Boys…

You really ought to see alllll the ones I have of them horsing around,
they’re too much fun!! (A few more made it onto my Facebook, so if we’re
friends there you can check ‘em out!

Girls…

Flowers!

A Moment… Just For Them.

Swoop!

Kiss time

Testing…

My lights… Before I decided to go it without ‘em

A Good Choice!

Back Up…

They’re just TOO cute together, aren’t they?!



Last One… Epic!

I really need to photoshop more of my images… None of these have been properly
“shopped” I’ve only just BARELY run them through Camera Raw. One day soon,
I’ll upload images that look like these… Only better

Matt’s shots are phenomenal as well, and of course we have hundreds more from
the ceremony, and the reception… But; I’m falling asleep… Sooooo that means it’s
time to POST this thing!

Thank you all as always for your time, and for sharing your thoughts.
You make the time spent blogging OH so worth it!

P.S. I promise to finish up the “Adventures of Bugsie” as soon as possible
too… Right now, my primary concern is getting packed, and getting healthy!
(Have a nagging little sickness that’s just begun Pray for me!)

P.P.S. Which was your favorite photo so far??


Oh, and what can I be praying for YOU about?

Of Ballerinas and Road Cones….

Just got in a few days ago from a weekend trip to Atlanta, GA
to shoot Jeremy and Liz’s wedding… Shockingly enough, this was
my 9th weekend on the go with just a few days at home between
them. It’s been such a crazy summer!!

I’m home now for a few more days but I’m thinking seriously about
taking a car trip up the Coast toward Northern Cali, OR one down
South to Mexico… We shall see!

In the meantime… (And before I pass out from exhaustion)
Let me share a few images and a video from this weekend’s shooting.
It was SUCH a blast! Plus, some of the images I captured I’d have to
say are certainly in my list of all time favorites.

I liked them so much in fact, that I made my first EVER video slideshow…
I think I’ll be making a habit of this… Whaddya say, do you like it?

Pretty darn cool, eh?!

And now, the photo highlights for those of you who want to see
things a bit larger (in no particular order )

So Happy Together!!

All Smiles…
(And ready for her dress!)

See?
Told you she was ready….

And now for her close-up(s)…

Don’t you just love her pointe shoes?!
But wait.. Let’s see ‘em in action.

As you can see, the Church had an awesome parking garage
attached… AND it had reasonably good light that was just begging
for a little contrast / off camera flash work…

A Bride with Attitude…

Doesn’t she just look so stinkin’ saucy?!
(She really is a bit of a sharp one It’s awesome!)

As I looked around the garage we tried to find a few cool props
that might make for an interesting shot… We found ‘em, though
they came with their own complications

Push!

The golf cart… I had this great, crazy shot in mind, but ya’ see…
The Church was smart enough to pull the keys out of the carts
before they parked them, leaving our wedding party to push it up
the slope… (Luckily, they’re all incredibly good sports, haha!)

And this is what came of it…

Other fun props…
“Dunces?”

I absolutely love Andrew (the groomsman on the far left)’s expression…
Priceless!

Of course the girls loved the Groom as much as the guys liked the Bride:

*Time And Location Swap = Over*
And yet, a few of them got this wild idea that it might be “cool”
to climb on the wires (in their high heels) - Who ever could have
given them THAT thought?!

See it Larger.

*Time Shift*
The best man happened to be the Groom’s brother… Summarily:

“Brothers and Sisters - Husbands and Wives”

Pretty cool, eh?

Of course, I shot a bunch of headshots for everyone involved,
hmm let me pick a few:

Purty (and wonderful) people!

*Time And Location Jump*
The reception was held in a beautiful little art gallery in Marietta, GA.
Was a perfect venue for this crowd too

We had lots of fun
“Peanut Butter Jelly!”

Departure:

“Oh ya’ the rings”

And this was the first time I’ve ever been asked to shoot the Groom
carrying his new Bride across their threshold… Was a cool shot, and
well worth chasing the limo into Atlanta I think

(But then, I just love the mirror!)

And that’s all for now folks….
Could really use your prayers for Wisdom, endurance, love, hope and kindness
in my life right now… How can I be praying for you?

P.S. Alright… Fess up… Which was your favorite photo?!