2007 September | Laurel McConnell Photography

Monthly Archives: September 2007

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Shooting the Harvest Moon

September 29, 2007 – 11:16 pm

Have you ever looked East at the moon rising, just after sunset during the fall, and seen it so so so bright and absolutely HUGE? Right as it comes up over the city skyline (or mountains, or neighborhood roofline)?? This is the Harvest Moon. It usually occurs between September 23rd and October 8th, depending on the year. So I’m a little late in writing this post since it’s Sept. 29th… but you guys know how busy this fall has been if you know me or have been following the blog a little.
I’m not much of a landscape photographer- I prefer the hustle and bustle of people doing things, whizzing by my lens, being spontaneous. Not so much of the “Hurry Up and Wait For It” sort of photographer, who would wait hours in the freezing cold for the right shot.
It just so happens, that on my way home from a fun little shoot with Holly and Mike at the beach, I saw it, the Harvest Moon, rising so huge and yellow above Ballard. Not having the patience of a true landscape photographer, I just pulled over my car, slapped on my long lens, and used the roof of my car and my elbows as a makeshift tripod. This is just a little snapshot, not all that glorious, but to show you how easy it is to take a Harvest Moon picture, here we are!

You don’t have to have super fancy equipment- a simple SLR with a long lens will do it. Try a 200mm to compress the landscape and make your subject larger in the frame. Use a fence post, car roof, mailbox, or tripod, and set yourself on the “nighttime” mode or on manual. No flash, by the way….
Then just “Hurry Up and Wait” til the lighting is just right, and the moon clears the horizon.
Or shoot real fast and hop back in the car and drive off because it’s dinner time…

By Laurel | Posted in stuff in general | Comments (0)

Engaged: Holly & Mike

September 28, 2007 – 9:29 pm

This week Holly, Mike, and I went down to Golden Gardens to shoot some fun pictures and get to know each other before their wedding in November. They had a great idea- they wanted to bring a unique vehicle and some props to incorporate into some of the pictures. Their big yellow vintageVW bus and surfboards are very much a part of who they are: they love to surf and travel. They’ve taken that bus as far South as Baja, as far West as Westport, and as far East as ?? (Mike told me but I forgot… but it was really far away!). Even though we were in Puget Sound where the only waves are from passing by boats, they grabbed their boards and headed to the sand with me to make some really fun and unique images in the gorgeous fall light! (brrr, it’s cooold on the beach in the end of September!)

By Laurel | Posted in engagements | Comments (0)

Hitched: Kim & Steve

September 26, 2007 – 12:23 am

How many people can say that they got married on an Alpaca Farm?? Kim and Steve can! I was so excited when they contacted me to document their ceremony and cocktail party at Maxwelton Aerie, an Alpaca farm on Whidbey Island, complete with the cutest little red farm house (which by the way is available to rent for gatherings and small events!).

Kim’s fitting red dress and Steve’s swanky grey suit with red pinstripes, plus the shades of gorgeous red and purple flowers tied it all together, not to mention the signature red drinks at the bar! And Alpacas!

We went from a dream of a day with super blue skies and white fluffy clouds right down to raindrops, but what Northwest wedding isn’t complete without rain?? And Alpacas, did I mention those?

Kim and Steve chose to have their great friend perform the ceremony, whose audience was speckled with blue haired children. And Alpacas. As I understand it, back in the day Steve used to sport bright blue hair, and as a tribute to Steve’s olden days, the kids all died their hair blue.

We really couldn’t resist- we were at a farmhouse for crying out loud! (I sound like my grandmother…)

Venue: Maxwelton Aerie
Photography: Laurel McConnell Photography
Dress: Cicada
Purse: Laura Bee
Suit: Merc at Kuhlman
Rings: Alex Sepkus
Cupcakes: Trophy
Flowers: Cultus Bay Nursery
Catering: Fireseed Catering
Invitations: Cielo Blu at Moxie Paper Goods
Musicians: The Bottom Line Duo

By Laurel | Posted in real weddings | Comments (1)

Hitched: Laura & Aadip

September 21, 2007 – 3:14 pm

For a few years now, Laura and Aadip have lived happily ever after in their little house with their little dog. They’ve shared a love for anything vintage, old Hollywood, and movies. So much that they even named their little white dog Brando, who they brought with them when we met for the very first time (he came along as a coolness indicator- if I didn’t like him and he didn’t like me then I wouldn’t be their photographer. I don’t know how I passed that one, but Brando is one cute pup, it’s no wonder Aadip tattooed him on his arm!).

When it was time for Aadip to pop the question, he did it on a family vacation when they were on the steps of the Taj Mahal! Who can beat that!

They settled on none other than Seattle’s premier film and photography production studio, Pravda, for their Bollywood-themed wedding- combining their love for movies, anything Hollywood, and Aadip’s family’s roots.

Laura was dressed in an over the top Hollywood starlet gown, with the bridesmaids, bridesmen, bridal sidekick, groomsmen and Brando the ringbearer clad in super swanky classy tuxes and va va voom red cocktail dresses. Aadip was of course, also sporting a very classy tux in true Hollywood style, patent leather shoes and all.

Act One was a traditional Hindu marraige ceremony, spanning a jam-packed hour and a half. The Hindu religion is full of so many ceremonial events, it was so interesting watching it all unfold along with 250 of their closest friends and relatives. The most lively moment in the ceremony was after the Manhal Phera (circling of the sacred fire), where the first person who sat down after circling four times would be the boss in the marraige. They both fought for it as their feet went out under them, Aadip barely beating Laura to the floor, throwing out some victory devil horns.

Act Two, a somewhat traditional Western ceremony, was performed by long time family friend, Reverend Adam Gehrke, who you may recognize from Channel 13 Fox news (how Hollywood is that!). Short and sweet with a dash of humor is how Adam likes to marry his friends, and it’s always a pleasure photographing his ceremonies (somehow, randomly, he’s popped up as officient at three of my weddings!). Brando (their dog, remember) was the ring bearer, and was given the spotlight more times that I can count as the crowd chuckled.

Here are just a few of my favorite images throughout the day- they range from totally classy to totally rockstar.

(Is this devious little cherub giving us the finger and then laughing about it??)
Venue: Pravda Studios
Photography: Laurel McConnell Photography
Dress: La Belle Elaine’s
Catering: Taste of India
Cake: Creme de la Creme
Rings: Greenlake Jewelry Works
Flowers: Phinney Ridge Florist and Luna Flora
Vintage Tiara and Broach: Lil Paisley
Venue decor: Prop Gallery
Bride’s hair and makeup: Gary Manuel