Brookings, South Dakota Wedding: Brittany + Scott

Standing attentively in the church lobby, he removes his hands from his pockets to check his collar, his hair, his tie and again his collar. I thought he looked sharp. Great, really. But he didn't appear to feel likewise. As I try to banter with him, he asks me where I want him to stand, and if he should smile.

These are the symptoms of a groom who is about to see his bride for the first time.

I tell him to take a breath and attempt to soften his expression with a bit of dry humor. He needs to smile. Believe me, I've been in his shoes. (Almost one year ago, BTW, but that's for another post.)

As he sighs and forces a smile, I see a brilliant white dress appear over his shoulder. Carefully trailed by the helpful hands of her maid of honor, she brings her gleaming smile into the lobby, and he brings himself around on his heels.

The effortless, natural version of his smile comes forth, directly reflecting the beauty of his bride.

They promptly approach each other with silent, gleaming observations. She asks him how she looks, and he answers by smiling even brighter.

It happens for every bride and groom, but this type of scene highlights every wedding day in its own unique way. Some are reserved with respect, some scream with joy, some cry, some bring forth cheek-cramping smiles.

In any fashion, I'm always honored to be there, out of the way. Silently and respectfully recording a meaningful moment, just over a shoulder.

Congratulations Brittany and Scott! I was sincerely honored to be part of your big day. THANK YOU!

The Olsons [Brookings, SD - Family Photos]

My timing might be a bit off, but I've been saving these photos for a snowy day - and we're supposed to get about 4 inches in Sioux Falls tonight. So, without further adue, here are my favorite shots from a fun shoot with the Olson family back in warmer times. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays everybody!

Brittany and Scott [Brookings, SD - Engagement Photos]

June is a sacred four weekends for wedding photographers. If June were a house, the wedding photographer would be its obsessive, caffeinated architect. June is gold.

I'll be spending one of those four golden summer Saturdays with my good friends Brittany and Scott, and I couldn't be happier about it. I can already tell that this is going to be a big highlight for me in 2011.

But first - engagement photos! We had a lovely (albeit quite windy) day in the country for their engagement photo session. Brittany and Scott both have heritage which is planted firmly in the midwestern countryside, so the rural scenery fit them very naturally. We had a great time wandering and discovering photographic nooks around the farm. Outings like this are why I love October almost as much as June.

As we dive into the colder months and until my camera graces these two and their families again, June smiles will no doubt be on my mind.

Thank you Brittany and Scott for a great session!

September 2010 Desktop Wallpapers

Spruce up your September with my new desktop wallpaper.

This month's wallpaper features the multi-colored afterglow of a South Dakotan sunset shot in Brookings, S.D. (Woah - tongue twister!)

For September, I chose this Brookings sunset for a special reason.

As you might know by now, I just married my best friend and moved from Brookings to Sioux Falls. Things are going very well so far. We love the city and all it has to offer. We love the people too.

We are very, very blessed to have such wonderful clients and photo-taking opportunities, but all I want right now is to meet more people and to take more pictures.

If you know of anyone who is recently engaged or who needs photos of anything in the Sioux Falls area, please let them know about John's Photography. Clients who are referrals from friends always get an unconditional 25% off their first session.

The desktop calendar is available in two sizes: 1280x1024 (standard) and 2560x1600 (widescreen). Choose your size below!


For standard size monitors:

For widescreen monitors:

August 2010 Desktop Wallpapers

I'm very excited to release the August 2010 John's Photography calendar wallpaper which features the banks of the Missouri River near Ft. Thompson, S.D.

These calendar wallpapers are just a small way for me to say "thanks" for your continued support of John's Photography. They'll feature some of my favorite seasonal shots for you to keep your desktop looking sharp both at home and at work. Please share 'em with your friends and family.

This first official desktop wallpaper is available for you in two sizes: 2560×1600 and 1280×853. Click your preferred size below. Save, set, share and enjoy!

2560x1600

1280x853

Brad + Michelle: Brookings, South Dakota Wedding

The first time I met Brad and Michelle, they were sitting together in a dorm room in Mathews Hall at SDSU. He had his arm around her, and she was nearly falling off of the futon with laughter. Brad, you see, is a funny guy. He's known to liven up any social engagement with a quick joke or with his side-splitting, four-second impression of John Wayne. He has a knack for bringing out the smiles - the most beautiful of which is Michelle's.

Fast forward about 4 years - and they're still smiling, but for more profound reasons. SDSU blue and yellow accent the alter, the dresses, the tuxes and the bouquet. And so it only makes sense for Brad and Michelle to commit their lives to each other in a beautiful church just a few blocks from the beautiful campus where they met.

A couple hours before the ceremony, Michelle takes a practice walk down the aisle, sneaking up behind her man. As soon as she reaches him at the end of the aisle, she lets out the sun-shiniest smile as he turns, sees her for the first time and puts that same arm around her just as he did on that futon back in Mathews Hall. It's one of those moments when you know things are right where they're meant to be, and it's a great day to be a Jackrabbit.