Kevin Campbell

2008-09-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

To me, the photo above is what my job is all about. Capturing those intimate moments during the day. The looks between the bridal couple are fun and moving for everyone to look at, always a hit in everyones album. This particular portrait session is something new for me. I used a new tool to create the special soft lighting, my 2nd photographer held the light, and it rapped up the session in about 5-7 minutes. Way quick! I think this is one of the nicest photos of the day. I love capturing candid photography, I'd say it is what most clients most recognize and love about my photography. Formal portrait photography that I do with my studio lights takes hours to get those half a dozen photos, but it is also stunning when you are done, so it is worth it. I've found a way to get that look at a wedding, and it painless for everyone!

Shoshana & Karl August 16th, 2008

2008-08-18T12:16:00.001-07:00

Shoshana & Karl had a beautiful wedding. This top photo is powerful I think, one of my favorite this summer. And, the bottom set up was something that I use from time to time, and I think it worked out really nicely. I did a balancing act on the arms of a patio chair to get the angle on the ladies, it prooved entertaining for everyone & we got a awesome photo.

More Weddings...

2008-08-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Lynette was up stairs in the balcony of the church here. At first I had the flash on, really low light conditions, but then I noticed some track lighting pointed upwards on the wall beside all the girls. So, I stood on a chair and redirected then onto the bride and all the girls! I about fell in the process, but I'll do almost anything to get great photos. These 1st couple photos of the brides hands and ring were un-posed. She was just chatting away with her sisters & I was doing my thing. I love these, they'll make great photos in her album.
All of these photos came from just before the ceremony. I think that this is by far the most precious part of the day for the bride and her family. If you get me to your event soon enough, I start taking photos, and when enough time has passed with me in the presence of everyone pointing my camera & shooting away, I become almost invisable & everyone starts to act as though I'm not even there. That is when I get some really extraordinary photos that tell the story as it really unfolded during your wedding day. All the "formals" in the world at the Alter after the ceremony can't replace these candids & their beautiful emotion.

2008-08-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

On a recent portrait shoot on a small river in Upper Michigan, Kayleigh proclaimed to be an all american outdoors girl, and I must admit, she is! This fly fishing get up came to be after admitting she was a fisherman. So, she thought her Father would really enjoy these photos...

I wish I would have taken a photo of the lighting set up, my portable lights and stands are standing in the river bed on all of these photos, it was a grin to see!

June wedding photos, now that I'm caught up!

2008-07-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

We set this shot up before the ceremony. The Mother of the bride and eye got the flowers all ready & then took several photos of just the flowers & then several of the flower girl. Thought they turned out very nice, special even.

This particular photo was from a set of artistic photos I set up with the girls, we had some time, so why not! It highlights the pretty flowers, and then some cool bouquet of the bride and her bridesmaids. I enjoy this sort of photography, and I know that my brides see this sort of photography on my site, so I make an effort to get something like this if the time allows. Now, this bottom photo, well, it rained! So, we went the park & I jumped into the limo. We got all sorts of cool photography.

This is my favorite image of Beth Ann. This sort of photo comes and goes in an instant, so you have to be quick on the draw!

I love getting the formal photos turned into fun. Everyone is there to have fun, so I set up the stock formal to record the beautiful gowns and dress & then I turn the shot into a free for all that always ends up making fun photography. And, as you can see, everyone is enjoying themselves. I often get my best compliments from this period. Many of the Parents, as well as the Participants have been in several weddings recently, so they know that the time taken up to take these photos can be less than fun.

Heather & Andrew May 2008

2008-05-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

OK, when you are a wedding photographer, these sort of images come along all day long, and if you are really fast, you get them. When I turned around from setting up another shot, this is what was in front of me. To me, it is gold! Great photo, and all I had to do was take the photo super quick before it melted away. It was blowing, raining, and cold, thus the huddle of the crew on camera left! Lucky me, the Bride and Groom were once again enjoying themselves between shots! My favorite candid moment of the day...

I'm always looking for the emotion of the day. I just love the emotion in the eyes here. To me, and to almost every bridal couple and their friends and family, it is all about the emotion & the story. Get both, you've got a winner...

While were we taking some photos on the golf course, I over heard one of the bridesmaids make a comment about Heather "actually wants photos of her vail blowing" SO when it blew, I had my camera blasting away! I caught a couple dozen photos of the vail in the wind. It is one of the most diffecult photo to get because you need wind, in the correct direction, at the right moment, with a bride that wants her vail to blow. BELIEVE ME some brides aren't to happy when it gets to blowing their vail around! I like this one...
We had loads of time to make cool photos, and I had my first bride to ever climb a tree while hunting fun wedding photos. The key, the entire party enjoyed themselves, and we walked away with some fun photography...

OK, Heather and Andrew had it really going on their wedding day, I didn't have to ever call for a kiss, there was plenty of kissing going on from the 1st kiss on!

This photo of them running in the rain doesn't look like much here, but enlarged you can see the great expressions on their faces, so it is just another great photo that tells the story of the day. Heather will likely have great memories of those moments, and she'll tie those to this photo. That's the whole idea, capturing the day as it unfolds, so your couple & their friends and family can recall the memories...

This sort of image is something I strive to get at all of my events. And, to top if off, the Bride had just made it clear that she wanted loads of special photos of her Gramma. So, I made sure to get special shots of her all day and evening long...

Look, that was candid. The Bride layed a heart felt kiss on her Dad, and I was fortunate to get it. I actually thought I missed it, so I asked for it again! Make no mistake, this is the original!

My first Spring wedding! Teresa & Al...

2008-04-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

I always try to capture as much of the details in as artistic a way as possible. Fun for me, and all of my brides love these types of photos inside their finished albums.

Teresa & Al had a wonderful wedding. My goal is to always catch as much true emotion that I can while I'm at any event. This particular wedding had friends and family from all over the USA & as far away as China. It was really special to see family travel from around the globe to celebrate this couples wedding vows.
So, I spent a good amount of time recording family members re-uniting at the wedding.

I really had to work the sidelines to get shots at this reception. The headtable was round, and it was set inside the other tables. These shots don't look like much, but I was shooting between dozens of other photographers and guests to get it. So, when I got these toast moments, I was very happy & relieved!

I wish I could post a dozen shots of this moment, but in a nut shell, it is really nice to see when the bride and groom really show that special emotion during their vows. Laughter and tears were on center stage, and it is always a honor to be allowed to record it for them.

I love catching very happy moments at weddings, and I must admit, it is far more difficult to catch men really enjoying themselves. As hard as I work, I typically get 5 great photos of the ladies enjoying themselves to every 1 great shot of the men. So, when I catch a great shot of the guys, it is really that much more special.

Teresa & Al had a tea hour at their event. After the small traditional ceremony, Al explained how it came about, very interesting. Really, it was a nice private moment (except for the 5 photographers!) for both sides of the newly formed family to exchange some very personal thoughts & exchange gifts with the newly weds. I turned off the flash, and caught some very fine photos. I posted this because it was different. Sometimes flash from another camera can ruin a moment, but this was very telling of the day. This particular wedding event had more cameras going at all times than any other wedding event I've ever been too, very cool!
Now, here I've caught a moment in between some of the formals at a local park. Al had me doing a few formals with the guys, and in the distant the missing bridesmaid, who missed the limo bus, was showing up. This is part of the reaction that I caught, and like all good photojournalists, I didn't ask questions, I knew it was part of the story. At the time, I didn't even know what was going on, my eye was in the camera viewfinder, and all of the sudden you see their attention went elsewhere! I got it!

Quinceaneras Party

2008-02-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

Now, when I'm at event, I try to keep an eye on the key people at all times, and I had my eye on the birthday girl all day long, of course. What I'm trying to get are the real moments that happen when everyone lets their guards down. I worked hard for this shot, took about 40 photos to finally catch the fantastic moment I got here. There was dancers everywhere, so it was hard to just get a clear photo, not to mention one with great emotion...

The Quindeanera party is a Mexican tradition that celebrates a young girls (la Quinceanera) passage from childhood to being a young lady. The tradition highlights God, family, friends, food, music, and dance. It was my pleasure to be involved in such a beautiful event. It was every bit as beautiful as a wedding, and as I was told before the event, it was very similar to a traditional wedding that we see today. Of course, I took lots of wonderful photos of the Father Daughter dance, and I got lucky, this was the one and only spine of the night, it got a big applause. I was really happy I snapped off 3 photos of it from beginning to end spin! Ha, got it!!

When you are a photographer, you see the event different then everyone else, and while you aren't part of the party, you are definitely very aware of how things are going. The photo above is one of my favorite photos. I try to stay really on top of how an event is progressing, and in doing so, I am typically aware of those special moments. This was about 3/4 of the way into the evening, and the father of the birthday girl was sitting and enjoying a moment alone, taking it all in, and I'd imagine really enjoying his daughters big party. It was a grand party...

Amalia, being the Birthday girl, had to take a bunch of photos this day! After getting the shot with both of these VIPs together, I saw a grand smile on her face, so I jumped forward 5-6 feet to snap off this artistic photo. One of my favorite shots of the night. At any event, be it a wedding, birthday party, or a portrait shoot, I've learned to snap off shots when they come, because it is impossible to make it happen again.

Winter shoots...

2008-01-17T22:42:00.001-08:00

It's true, the winter scenery can make for some wonderful photographs, but the cold is really to much! Brittany is a young aspiring model looking to fill up her portfolio with great photography, so we ventured out to make some. At the start of the final location, Brittany was frozen, but she stuck it out and ended up loving those photos the best.

Happy New Year!!

2007-12-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

When Michelle first contacted me she mentioned that her event would have lots of candles and very little light. I love low light photography, so I figured it would be fun. The shot during the ceremony with the slideshow photo of Michelle and her mother is one of my all time favorite photos. This ceremony was one of the most unique & beautiful ceremonies I've ever been a part of. The bridal party all participated in singing and playing wonderful music.

I don't do many super close ups at weddings, but when I mentioned I was going to do a close up, Michelle said she "loves closeups" SO I got CLOSE! So, here is a beautiful headshot of the last bride and groom of the year...

Michelle & Rob didn't have a bunch of time, so we did a few quick "formals" of just them after banging out the main formals. Michelle played the piano during the ceremony, it was very beautiful. So, we got this well lit shot, one of my favorites from the church.

I've said it a hundred times, the best photos just happen. Babies and small children always make for wonderful photos. This is a great photograph...

This particular image looks candid, but it really is not. We were running on a very tight time frame, so I just threw this one in while doing a set shot from the front. I just told the ladies to continue to look forward and smile! We laughed a bit, and the photos turned out nice. So, it is candid and formal, if that makes sense!

Merry Christmas Heather and Andrew...

2007-12-23T12:20:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a quick engagement session with Heather and Andrew, who are due to get married this spring. I mentioned to Andrew months ago that I had the idea of doing the engagement session in a bar, and he thought that would be cool too. This particular Bar and Grill jumped in my mind the other day, so I went and checked it out. It had some really cool lighting already, and they added some additional nice Christmas decor too. When I looked at the venue last week, this image was what I had in mind to make, and I think it really shines. I had gotten permission from the bars manager to do the shoot, and believe it or not the entire staff were very helpful and willing to let me have at it. So, I drug my light and softbox in to give us some fantastic lighting to add to the bars Holiday feel...

Off camera lights at a wedding shoot is very difficult to pull off. However, at a engagement shoot, or just about any other type of photography that might require flash, having off camera lighting can really step up the quality of the final photograph. I use a very portable set up that allows me to take photos fast, move around and change photography looks smoothly, and set up and tear down very quickly too.

This particular image was taken just before the top and bottom sets. I knew before I hit the shutter button that it wasn't going to be what I wanted. On camera flash is always flat, and it can have shadows casted onto walls or onto other people, like the ones on Andrews face here. Long story short, we had the time, so I got the off camera lights set up. The off camera lights offer better modeling on your subject. And, if you have a softbox, like I've used on these other photos, the lighting is always much softer. I think the other photos are far superior, what do you think?

High School Seniors...

2007-11-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

Senior photography is always fun, I find. Here are a few shots from a recent session. This 1st shot was done with 2 off camera lights, the foreground was lit with one flash, and the senior was lit with a medium softbox camera left just above his head. It is fun setting up the lighting for these sets. The lighting really makes the colors pop, and the modeling of the faces of the seniors is also enhanced. In the end, you end up with portraits that should last a life time...

This final shot was lit with a medium soft box only. I underexposed the background, as I was trying to make a more dramatic lighted shot that would look more manly! The senior loved the drama of it...

2007-11-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

I have been really wanting to do a fall color shoot, and I got my wish this past weekend. I had 2 nice young ladies eager to make some nice High School Senior portraits out at Elizebeth Park in Trenton Michigan. This fall has been so warm that there really wasn't any great fall colors until just the last few days. It got cold so fast we only had a couple days to cash in. Well, the gals are happy, and so was I. Unlike wedding photography, where you have no time to set up stunning photography YOU just have to get it as it happens, the senior portrait sessions can be planned in several locations with plenty of time to create the look you're looking for. As you can see, I've moved from one location to another fairly fast. I'll set a photograph up, and then click off several photos.

A few more shots for Nichole...

2007-10-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Almost every wedding that I go to has some sort of low light situation that tests my photography skills. I know some photographers don't have the equipment nor know how to really make those situations work. This particular wedding was the darkest ceremony and reception combo of the year. I did manage to get some really awsome photos from both venues. The reception area had no lights turned on at all. Candles and the tiny christmas tree type lighting for accent was pretty much it. Really makes for a nice atmosphere to eat, dance, and party. I go out of my way to capture it, it is my favorite type of photography...

When I look back at photos from any particular wedding, I'm always struck by photos like this (photo just below)that really capture the moment. Of course, I'm always looking for such moments, but it is hard to catch them like this. My hope is that I get half a dozen for each bride. Some weddings I'm blessed with a couple that is so into the moment that I get dozens, but it is hard to escape into your own world while particapating in a event that requires the bride and groom, and their family and friends, to interact with hundreds of other quests, vendors, AND PHOTOGRAPHERS! Bottom line, this photo of Nichole and her daughter is one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy it...

HighSchool Seniors 2008!

2007-10-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

The best part about doing outdoor photography for Senior shoots is that the sets are endless, and always very interesting...

I wish I had the time to lug around the lighting equipment that I use for these HighSchool senior shoots for my weddings, because it really makes some beautiful photos.

Crystal & Dylan

2007-10-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

At the end of this reception I felt like I hadn't really caught this bride and groom in a really candid moment that showed off something super special about their relationship. Oh, I got plenty of really nice candids, but I like to have something different for every couple. So, I turned off the flash and stayed pretty far off the dance floor while they hid on the dance floor and really had a great time dancing (Of course, little did they know that I was taking pictures between the other dancers the entire time!). I caught several winners, packed up my gear, and went and said good night and told them I wished I was going to the Virgin Islands too the next day! I need to find more weddings that fly me to the Caribbean!

It doesn't matter how long I shoot weddings, the best pictures are unplanned. Crystal and Dylan are from a very small midwest town, and they wanted a couple cool photos against this street light pole with the city buildings in the background. Well, Dylan's father was on a quest to get a operational tapper for the party AND we stole this great shot with him as he dropped by, my favorite of the reception!

2007-10-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

I like my formals to be loose, tight, and happy!

2007-10-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

I love low light detail photography, it's fun!

2007-10-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

2007-10-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was filled with happy brides! It is always nice to see a couple that is really happy. I do see some of the brides and grooms, and even their parents, friends, and family, stressing out over all of the details of the day AND if they are going to come off as planned. I generally try to set their minds at ease by mentioning that "everything is going to be perfect. You have nothing to worry about today, it is your day." And, typically that helps out a bunch. You've put in months of preparation into your wedding, now kick back, don't worry, and really enjoy yourselfs, you'll be glad you did.

Shoes, flowers, and more...

2007-10-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

I think that the guys are jeolous of the ladies getting all the attention with their shoes, I've had more than a few grooms AND even fathers of the brides toss in their foot during a fun shot of everyones high heels!

Just some fun before heading to the church. Every bride and her wedding party love the details, the shoes, the jewelery, the stories of past weddings, so I make a point of getting a fun shot like this. Doing a shoe shot always loosens everyone up!

2007-10-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

My father brought his camera to Cedar Point one year, and he caught some very exciting AND funny photography of us while riding roller coasters when we were kids. I stole his idea and I took my small digital camera on some rides with us. My son is looking around the corner to the next big hill, the story is in the photo...

2007-10-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

This may very well be my favorite photograph of last year. I was setting up for another shot, and you see that I caught the moment we all are looking for. I don't even recall what the "set" formal shot ended up looking like because this shot overshadowed it! Most of my brides love that I'm able to catch photography like this while I'm doing formals OR just watching the wedding unfold.

2007-10-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

I wasn't fishing, but taking photos was the next best thing!

Some favorites from the past year...

2007-10-01T11:38:00.001-07:00

If you've been to my wedding photography site, then you'll notice that I like taking candid moments. I saw the father of the graduate just sitting all by his self enjoying that his event had really come off nicely. He sat there for a good long time, and I think this photo really captured the mood...

I go though stages with my own personal photography, I've found that if I'm always taking the movie or photos that I tend to miss out on some of the fun. Therefore, I've found myself deliberately setting the camera down so I could join in on the fun. Of course, regardless of my feelings, I am always handed the camera and expected to catalog every event! This was one of the times when I was into messing around with my camera. It was a timed exposure that really tells the story...

2007-09-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

This group of guys had fun! I'd like to think that having these types of photos makes for great memories...

2007-09-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm willing to bet that none of you have seen the father of the bride and the bride hand cuffed to each other walking down the aisle!

This bride thought it would lighten up the mood at the alter if her groom had to pay for the keys for her hand in marriage from her father, and it did work! This was a very loose wedding. Everyone enjoyed the handcuffs at the alter, and that loose mood continued on for the rest of the day. Try it, it may work for you too!

2007-09-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Now, I could try and produce this photo in a set, but it will never happen again, not in a million years! Not likely these 2 sisters intended on twisting their arms in such ways, but here it is never the less.

It is my favorite getting ready shot from 2007, everyone should have one! Be sure to book me way ahead of time in the morning, it really makes for some great photos. And, you'll really be relaxed with me and the camera early on in the day then. After a while, you'll be enjoying yourself, your wedding party, and your new husband, AND you won't even notice that I'm taking pictures...

2007-09-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

I know that all of you see pictures of brides on staircases, and I love making & then looking at them too! Jodie and her bridal group where on their way to our 1st formals location before the ceremony, and I just shouted out "do you want to do a shot in front of the window there?" The best photos come candidly, and this was candid. I told her I was setting up my camera, and I caught her gazing out the window. I've got several others from just after, when she was smiling and all, but this was the one we liked.

Just above is the shot that was taken at the bottom of the stair case as I turned around to head back down. Jodie shouted out "don't miss that!" BUT I was already taking the picture, and it was a winner. Have to fast on the draw, cause most moments like these are gone in a flash...

2007-09-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Anyways, this is one of my favorite shots from 2007. Being a wedding photographer means that you are taking pictures of families and friends that may not have been gathered in one spot for many years, so recording those people together is a huge part of what we do. I try to make those "formals" fun and easy for all of the particapants. The shot above is in transit from one formal shoot to another, and since I'm a photojournalist by nature, I grabbed the shot! Brides from all over the country see those types of shots on my site, and they of course love and expect them to be in their photo album too. But, they also want everyones faces smiling for the camera too, and this next few photos show the same wedding just after the ceremony.
It is at a time that everyone is relaxed and happy. We did most of these formals outside, and if you have the chance, I highly suggest using the outdoors for such formals. They are always a hit with our brides and there family and friends.

2007-09-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

Lets face it ladies, the guys just don't get to much attention when it comes to the photos at a wedding! This is by far my favorite candid moment taken of any groom this summer. I'll usually drop off to the side of a formals shoot so that my assistant and/or 2nd photographer and guests can take photos of any particular set up I've arranged. I do this for 2 reasons, I get another view of the shot, one that can produce great candid moments like we see here. And, of course, the guests get a clear look at the photo set, and that always makes them happy as well.

OK, I've completely deleted my old blog. Just couldn't get it looking the way I wanted. I changed it so many times that my templates started over lapping, and things just didn't look right. So, this is my main, and only, blog for the time being!

Be sure to visit my new low speed dial up site at http://www.digital-wedding-photographer.com/ I'd begun to here from brides and senior portrait clients that couldn't load my main photography site up. This new site doesn't have all the beautiful full resolution photos on it, but the new site will give you an idea.

One more for the road...

2007-08-28T21:44:00.001-07:00

That was fun!

2007-08-28T21:21:00.001-07:00

The great part about being a professional wedding photographer is to get to look at all of the great photography that comes from all of the work on Saturdays. I never get tired of looking at the photos. I'll look at thousands of shots each day for months on end, and never get board! This layout is one of my favorite from Jodie and Grants wedding...enjoy.

Well, just another blog!

2007-08-28T21:17:00.001-07:00

I'm all caught up with my current weddings, so I decided to give blogging another try.