Sherie Kording & "Bubba" Trace are surrounded by sparklers as they kiss outside MacMurray College's Annie Merner Chapel during their New Year's Eve wedding. Photo by Tiffany.
Received an e-mail today on quick tips for shooting fireworks that I thought I’d share. The main things to remember are you’ll want a long exposure so to get the full streak to show and you’ll want to use a tripod to hold the camera steady (both of which Tiffany used to get the photo above).
Other than that, to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend we will be having a print sale. Prints ordered this weekend on July 3rd & 4th will be at 10 percent off. Details will be sent to e-mail addresses registered via our on-line galleries.
Posted by Steve. Warmowski Photography, wedding photojournalism in Jacksonville 62650.
Hans Burlin, 8, flicks a seed as he climbs on a tractor with his brother, Axel, 10, during a visit to Two Roads Farm in Assumption. Their parents, Johannes and DD Burlin, of River Forest, recently bought a share of the farm which produces organic grain.
I like to joke and say I’m a retired newspaper photojournalist (with more than 20 years experience including college, internships in Michigan and newspaper positions across Illinois). But, this is a working retirement — mostly telling couples’ wedding stories, but I also get to do some news work every now and then.
The Chicago Tribune has called on me a couple times over the past few months. It’s a nice way to keep my newspaper skills up to date.
I have been freelancing for the Chicago Tribune since my college days at the University of Illinois — Urbana-Champaign. The first job I can remember was photographing two students who used their martial arts expertise playing the roles the turtles in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie. I even photographed a hog confinement near Bearstown — later my stomping grounds while working at the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. I even got to take photos of my mentor, Archie Lieberman.
I was blessed to work with Wes Smith, of the newspaper’s Midwest Bureau based out of Bloomington-Normal. He’d call me to check my availability, then I’d be off. I have a box of negatives somewhere in my basement. Some of the stories I remember are the Lawlor family and Galena Cellars winery, motorcyclist/protestor at Starved Rock State Park near LaSalle-Peru/Ottawa, Slave House in southern Illinois near Carbondale, and an old guy who was a stink bait supplier for Wal-Mart in Metro East St. Louis.
The most attention I gained was from a story I suggested to Wes. An Amish family near Decatur opened their doors and offered home-cooked meals to raise money to cover medical bills after a son’s farming accident. The story made a big splash on the feature page, and was the talk of the town on WGN radio for several days.
That all being said, at this stage I get more fulfillment telling a bride and groom’s wedding story. To be an intimate part of their wedding day is such a thrill, such a gift, and always inspires me to do my best work.
Posted by Steve, experienced photojournalist and wedding photographer, and part of the husband-wife team of Warmowski Photography.
The constant theme that ran through Audra & Francis’ June 12, 2010, wedding was zebra stripes. During our meeting months ago, to talk about the wedding, I asked Audra what her colors were. Her answer, “Zebra stripes and lime green.” Now there’s a color scheme. Not black & white and lime green, but zebra stripes and lime green. As the day approached and we met again to go over final details, I wondered how this color scheme would work – would it be zebra stripes over the top?
I’d have to say, it was done very tastefully. There is a fine, fine line between just enough zebra stripes and too many zebra stripes. Audra toed the line perfectly.
Here are a couple of examples of stripes done well. Way to go, Audra!
Aurda & Francis' invitations hinted at the zebra-stripe theme that ran through the day. Copyright 2010 Warmowski PhotographyThe week of the wedding, Audra found these kissing zebra salt-and-pepper shakers at Kirlin's Hallmark in Jacksonville. There's a magnet on the girl zebra's cheek and one on the boy zebra's snout. They spent all night kissing in front of the cake. Copyright 2010 WarmowskiPhotographyCopyright 2010 Warmowski PhotographyOnly one tier of the cake had zebra-striped ribbon on it. Copyright 2010 Warmowski PhotographyOne of the bridesmaids gifts was a tote bag in which the ladies could carry their wedding weekend necessities. Copyright 2010 Warmowski Photography Audra's bridesmaids wore black dresses and zebra-striped heels. Even the box they came in had zebra stripes on them! Copyright 2010 Warmowski PhotographyThe one place I expected to see zebra stripes, I didn't! Because Francis graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Illinois, that was the theme she used for her garter and the groom's cake. Her purse, however, kept with the zebra-striped theme. Copyright 2010 Warmowski PhotographyInstead of flowers, the pew decorations were lime green Chinese lanterns with zebra-striped ribbon hanging from them. Copyright 2010 Warmowski Photography
Last Saturday, Audra Fanning married Francis Nelson in a beautiful ceremony at Annie Merner Chapel on the campus of MacMurray College with a fun reception at the Jacksonville Country Club. Her brother, Wade, served as her “Man-of-Honor.” He told the guests during his speech that night that she had “warned” him for years that he was going to take the place of a maid-of-honor at her wedding someday. He didn’t believe her. But, they are the closest of siblings and she made good on her promise. Wade took her bouquet during the ceremony (placing it on the organ, not holding it throughout the ceremony), arranged her train when needed and gave a wonderfully sentimental toast only a brother can. I’m sure he fulfilled many “person-of-honor” duties prior to the wedding as well. Here are a few photos of Wade willingly fulfilling his role of the day.
Wade Fanning stands up with his sister, Audra Fanning, as her "Man-of-Honor" at her marriage to Francis Nelson Saturday, June 12, 2010, in Jacksonville, Illinois.Wade Fanning adjusts his sister's train during her marriage to Francis Nelson Saturday, June 12, 2010, in Jacksonville, Illinois.Wade Fanning, the "Man-of-Honor," gives a toast to the newlyweds Saturday at Audra & Francis Nelson's wedding reception.
I went to the SpringfieldLocalFavorites meeting at the Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center earlier this week. We’ve photographed a couple weddings there, and it was nice to see the facility and get info from Pamela Risinger, director of sales (217.492.5552). She loved our sample book, and we left a couple small copies for her to show!
The group brings together the top wedding vendors in Springfield (see listing of members). Some of the other people I met with were . . .
Lisa Lukaszewski (great name!) of Lisa Lu Designs, invitations and programs, 217.416.1970
Dan Williams of Treetop Productions, wedding video and slideshows, 217.899.1823
Adam Christopher Rainis of Themes From The Heart, custom-composed wedding music, 618.593.6262
And don’t forget, Springfield Local Favorites will be holding their Third Annual Bridal Bash on your calendar, Sunday 26 September 2010 from 1-5 pm at The Rail Golf Course. The event is free, and beyond door prizes includes an 8-day, 7-night honeymoon vacation package drawing. Now you can register on-line for free tickets. Unlike other expos, you don’t have to pay to get in, and you don’t have to go bar-to-bar to get a ticket — provide your info and print out your own ticket now.
Posted by Steve. Warmowski Photography, one of the top wedding photographers in the Springfield region.
Saturday, June 5 was the wedding of Hannah (Cunningham) and Joe Reed. Congrats on a fantastic day! Here are a FEW of the highlights (and there were MANY!)
I had to take a double-take when I waled by the gift table at Hannah & Joe's wedding. There were a dozen white roses WITH THEIR NAMES AND WEDDING DATE ON THEM!! I had never seen anything like this before. Apparently they know someone in Nebraska and used the Omaha location of Speaking Roses to get these roses. The Omaha location's web address is www.speakingrosesomaha.com. Speaking Roses' web address is www.speakingroses.com. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010Although severe weather was predicted for the area Saturday night, luckily it never materialized, outside of a bit of lightning late in the evening. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
The First Baptist Church in Carrollton was barely big enough to hold all of Hannah & Joe's guests! There are some seats in the front empty, of course, because those coming in later don't want to go up to the front. It was a cozy, but celebratory crowd. Steve took this photo from the elevated baptismal tub. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010Because their wedding reception was in a tent outside, they decided to use plastic cups for beverages. But instead of using an endless supply of disposable cups, there was a personalized plastic cup at each place setting. The couple put a note on each table encouraging people to use these cups during the evening so there would be less trash at the end of the night. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
When photographing a couple’s wedding rings, I try to think of something a bit more creative than just the “hand-over-hand” shot. I sometimes resort to putting the rings in the flowers of the bride’s bouquet, but I have been trying to do something more creative than that lately as well. A couple of the photos below are the result of remembering something someone said earlier in the day and incorporating it into the photo.
Pam & Dave’s pride and joy is a blue Mustang. They had a small model of the car in their home. The sapphires in Pam’s wedding band pulled it all together. May 23, 2010, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Buffalo Grove, Illinois & Maggiano’s restaurant in Schaumburg, Illinois. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
Part of the reception goodies at Jamie & Justin Daws wedding were personalized M&Ms. September 18, 2009, Our Saviour Catholic Church & Hamilton’s 110 N. East, Jacksonville, Illinois. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
Elisha & Bob had a special box for their rings. June 5, 2009 – Jacksonville, Illinois. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
Connie & Gary Hutchinson were married at the Liberty Chapel in Jacksonville. A small model of the church was part of the decorations at their reception. I photographed the rings with the church. March 27, 2010 – Jacksonville, Illinois. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
Aleisha & Jimmy’s rings on a gerbera daisy – 29 May 2010 – Carrollton/White Hall, Illinois. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
Hannah & Joe found a Champagne they liked while traveling in France. Hannah’s brother found a store in Chicago that carried it and brought them a bottle for their wedding day. I thought it would make a good backdrop for their rings. June 5, 2010 – Hannah (Cunningham) & Joe Reed – Carrollton, Illinois. Photo copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
Congratulations to Aleisha & Jimmy! They had an absolutely incredible wedding Saturday, May 29, 2010. The wedding ceremony was at St. John’s Catholic Church in Carrollton, Illinois. The reception was at Green Gables Inn in White Hall, Illinois.
There were so many neat things about this wedding! Here are a few of my favorites:
Aleisha said she wanted her look to be timeless. She decided on a birdcage veil with an additional adornment of flowers and feathers, which stayed in while the veil came off for the reception. Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010Jamie, a bridesmaid, sported these amazing heels! You could see yourself in the soles, they were so shiny! Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010Aleisha's mom brought Peiko, Aleisha & Jimmy's dog, to the in-between gathering at Aleisha's dad's house. Of course, Aleisha made sure Peiko was appropriately dressed for the occasion. Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010Aleisha & Jimmy had two cakes, the wedding cake was white cake and the groom's cake was chocolate! Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010Jimmy proposed to Aleisha in his 67 camaro, so that's what they chose as the groom's cake. Copyright Warmowski Photography 2010
