bobschnellphoto Weblog

jacky in the cold

bobschnellphoto — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:07:05 +0000

There is tenacity, there is determination and there is a focused pursuit of a dream…

And then there is tramping around a frozen field in a strapless dress.

Jacqueline (hereafter Jacky for brevity’s sake), needed additional images for her portfolio, and I was pleased to assist. We spent a Saturday at a family home in the Virginia low country. The weather was alarmingly, bitingly cold. So much so that I became concerned a bit for her as we surveyed the grounds.

Modeling is not digging ditches; it is not a day spent pouring asphalt in the summer sun. However, neither is it a cakewalk, and those who dismiss it as such are ill-informed.
Jacky was a soldier the entire day, an attentive and upbeat professional who made my job unquestionably easier. When the wind blew bitterly – as it often did – I zipped up my second jacket and shivered.

Jacky simply smiled.

Erin & Kevin close the circle

bobschnellphoto — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:08:27 +0000

My last wedding of the season, alas and anon.
Yet, it was a good note to end on, a small wedding of gracious people, and one of the finest couples I have had the pleasure of spending time with.

As promised, Erin and Kevin’s wedding. Subjects of my last post, a recent engagement session just a short scroll down this page.

I will not add to the praise I had for them in that posting, lest I appear disingenuous. It is enough to mention their act of dragging a recently engaged stranger they met in the lobby into their own reception to introduce him to me.

It is often the small gestures that strike so close to where we live and work…

Erin and Kevin’s wedding was a late fall gem of taste and warmth – hosted at the Omni Richmond Hotel. My first time there, but I hope to visit again. I must also recommend the efforts and great spirits of Charlene Gadoury, the Director of Catering who seemed to everywhere at once, equipped with a ready smile.

The ache in my feet long forgotten, I am left with the memory of the fun and companionship I had at their wedding. It makes me long for the next one.

For this reason (and many others of course), I am more than grateful to Erin and Kevin

Erin & Kevin love each other

bobschnellphoto — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:33:30 +0000

An engagement session is a great time for a couple and their photographer to spend a little time together and get to know one another – typically months before the wedding date.
Typically.
Erin and Kevin live out of town these days. Distance and schedules dictated that we meet just this past Thursday (my birfday!), so that we could wander around the cobbles and shops of Shockoe Slip – just 3 days before their wedding.
That they are in love is to be expected in two people betrothed. That they are so in love is a thing that shone through the white noise of details and ideas and nerves typically running through my head when photographing people.
It is an inspiring thing, a pure thing that humbles you a bit when witnessed.

Their wedding images await.

The Bordewyks go out in the yard

bobschnellphoto — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:14:52 +0000

Sunday afternoon in the country (or country enough for this city boy at any rate), and I was with Jennifer and Chad, and their twin girls – Mallory and Faith. Six year old twins, but the easy kind: one blonde and one brunette -both happy and great.

It can be a difficult thing to have your picture taken; to invite a stranger to your home and then have them point a camera at you for a couple of hours. The Bordewyks handled it like ducks to water. Gracious and relaxed, I felt like an old friend in moments. Mallory and Faith were not shy about getting their picture taken (what little girl is?), and they charmed immediately.

November 4th, 2008 – Vote!

bobschnellphoto — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:23:15 +0000

Rain or shine. Sleet or snow.

Get out there…

Melissa & Ben wear white

bobschnellphoto — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:26:10 +0000

and we return to Melissa Davis – now with Ben Nice, making her Melissa Nice.

And, it was a good day.

A week ago the sun shone, breeze cooled and clouds marched across the roof of the sky. It was no work at all to spend the day out doors with such people as Melissa and Ben’s extended family.

Once again, words are inadequate to describe the setting of Tuchahoe Plantation. I am shamed to admit my ignorance of this gem overlooking the James River. I cannot recommend it enough.

Similar sentiments extend to the wedding Coordinations of Amy Thomas. Her professionalism, style and manner are beyond any I have encountered.

Once again, Melissa and Ben Nice.

Nice indeed…

Syd gets funky

bobschnellphoto — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:47:46 +0000

Sydney is 15. She is an old friend’s daughter, and she used to be a little goofy girl in glasses.

No more…

My own daughter is 11 now, and I am suddenly afraid of the next few years.

But this is for Sydney, and her funky Homecoming dress, and her even funkier ‘hippie’ dress. Sydney is cool in ways she perhaps does not yet realize. Her mother (my old friend) is cool in ways she does realize – but in a good way; and so it goes.

Syd was fearless and a natural when we worked together. And, I have to think, the boys in her world should be a little afraid as well…

Melissa puts on her dress

bobschnellphoto — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:10:33 +0000

Bridal Portraits are promise…
They are romance…
and of course, they are beauty.

They are also impatience. Impatience to finally be able to show. For the wedding day to finally come and convention allows the dress to be revealed – finally.

The wedding has and is now complete; and is fodder for impending interest. For now we are concerned with Melissa, and her dress, and those hazel eyes. Words are inadequate, images (lucky for me) are all.

Gratittude of course – Nora (Melissa’s mother), Amy (an incomparable wedding coordinator), and the stunning Tuchahoe Plantation.

Brandy gets her dress dirty

bobschnellphoto — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:32:48 +0000

I have to say that I have not been as excited (and nervous) about shoot in a long time. Brandy surprised me way back at their engagement session that she wanted to do a Trash the Dress session, in lieu of a traditional bridal portrait. This is a trend started out west (where everyone is insane of course:)). Basically taking the bride out of the traditional portrait setting and putting her somewhere… else – a carnival, an old warehouse, etc. Or in this case, the river.
Brandy and friends and I tramped around the James River, braving misquitos and stares; and generally had a great time. I am always impressed greatly when a bride is game to try just about anything. Brandy was all that and more.
My thanks to her husband Brett and friend Brook for their assistance, as well as Penny Lane (I think that was her name) for being a fearless stand in model.

Ginny & Matt

bobschnellphoto — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:37:45 +0000

Ginny and Matt booked me late last year over the via email (because my reputation is just that far reaching:)).

They are both from the Northern Virginia area so we corresponded for some time before we could finally get together and meet. Once again, I have been fortunate to work with a great couple who are clearly crazy about each other.

They had their wedding at The Liberty at Compass Quay Inn in downtown Urbanna. Urbanna is a quaint little town near the Chesapeake Bay. For one weekend in November though, the town population explodes when they host the Urbanna Oyster Festival. Always great fun.

Okay, Ginny and Matt’s wedding was also great fun and a beautiful location. They also had one of the cutest flower girls I have ever seen – though a little hairier than I am used to.