Thru my lens...

Leah - Senior Portraits....Class of 2010

2009-10-07T13:00:00.001-07:00

Shelley & Mike

2009-07-14T03:48:00.000-07:00

A few from Shelley & Mike's wedding.

Melody & Marcus

2009-06-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Lynsy & Nathan

2009-06-06T21:50:00.001-07:00

MIB

Nathan & the guys

Few shots of Lynsy getting ready..

Here is a collage of Lynsy & Nathan's rings!

Rahul

2009-03-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

Rahul

2009-02-23T20:28:00.001-08:00

Mellisa & Shawn - Engagement Pictures

2009-02-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of pics for now...more to come later!

Choosing a wedding photographer

2009-02-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Don't select by price alone
The most common mistake is most definitely in selecting a photographer solely based on the price paid. It seems as if PRICE is usually the main determining factor, even though there's NEVER going to be a second chance. Nor has there ever been anything written that gives you, the bride, a true guideline as to how to select the one person who could supply you with a heart full of memories to last a lifetime.
The phrase "you get what you pay for" is very true when it comes to artistic professions such as photography and videography. When you simply go with the lowest bidder in photography, you are generally selecting someone who is either (A) inexperienced, (B) not confident enough in their own work to put a higher value on it, (C) not in high demand, or (D) cuts corners on quality of products or amount of time they will devote to you.

Recommendation of friends
The bride can get an idea about the competency of the wedding photographer through a recommendation from someone whose opinion she trusts. If she has more than one recommendation, that's even better - especially if the same photographer's name comes from different sources.

Find out the name of the photographer who would be doing the actual pictures at your wedding, and at least a rough estimate of the costs involved. You should find out what style of photography the wedding photographer is most comfortable with. Ask this of the photographer before you tell him or her what style of photography you like. Then make an appointment with the photographer to see his work and discuss the details. Without doubt, this meeting should include both the bride and groom.

At that meeting the first assessment you should make is whether or not you feel comfortable in the presence of the photographer. If you're going to spend a good part of the most important day of your life with this person, it should be someone with whom you know you'll enjoy sharing that time. Then, I feel that you should see some of the photographer's work. If you see a picture, or a series of pictures, that you really like, you should ask:

1. Who are these people?

2. Did you, personally, take these photographs?

3. May I call these people for a personal reference?

After all, it's one thing to see some beautiful pictures, but it's equally important to find out if the bride and groom ENJOYED working with this photographer. It's also a way of knowing that the photographs you're being shown were actually made by the person you're speaking to. You want to be sure that the work you're admiring was made by the photographer who'll be at your wedding.

Another result of this meeting could be to allow you and your photographer to begin a one-on-one relationship. In that way, neither of you would be strangers to each other on the day of the wedding and you'll be more relaxed in front of the camera.

If you're still interested in the photographer's services at this point, I'd ask to see a complete coverage of a single wedding. That's a lot more important than seeing a selection of beautiful highlights from many different weddings.

More on this later....

Getting married in Peoria? Check out my wedding website!

Some of my wedding details

2009-02-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated my blog in a while. Just moved to a new website, so now I have two websites! www.rkweddings.net and www.rkpictures.com Eventually my plan is to have once exclusively for my wedding clients and the other for my portrait clients.

Here are some images of jewelry from sometime ago.

Suzie and Josh - Engagement pictures

2008-10-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful weekend for pictures. Here are some pictures from Suzie and Josh's engagement shoot in Peoria.

Krysten and Jacob

2008-08-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

Krysten and Jacob are both US Marines. I feel so honored to have been part of their wonderful wedding day. Here are a few. More to come! They got married near Galesburg and the wedding ceremony and the setting was just gorgeous! Wedding photography is so much fun when you shoot in such settings!

Getting her hair done by her best friend Michelle

Introducing Cole

2008-08-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Senior Portraits of Cole, a senior in Morton. The day was just gorgeous when I took Cole's Senior pictures. Here are a few.

Here are some cool "RK Signature Montallages"

Engagement session - Melody and Marc

2008-08-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a few from Melody and Marc's engagement session. We couldn't have asked for a better day. The perfect day to be doing anything outdoors. Their wedding is going to be in Peoria next year and I'm sure its going to be a blast!

Couple of cute kids

2008-08-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Our friends' kids. Just some quick shots during one of those all day swim meets.

Rhoda & Steve Wedding

2008-07-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

A quick picture from this weekend. More to follow later.

Melody and Marcus - Engagement Photos

2008-07-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Melody and Marcus on their engagement! What a great couple. Their wedding will be next year and I can't wait. This set of pictures were taken on 13-July in rural Central Illinois. The day was just gorgeous unlike the day before when it was so humid and threatening to break out. I can never understand our Midwestern weather patterns. The good thing is anybody could be the weather guy on TV and get it right 50% of the time! We don't have to go to weather school to be a midwestern weatherman. Back to Melody and Mark. A very sweet couple. I love this aspect of my job where I get to meet the coolest people and make new friends!

Rahul and his Cast

2008-07-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Rahul broke his wrist the last day of school[bummer :( ] His cast comes off on July 10th. The kid can finally have some fun!

Neha on July 4th

2008-07-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

Had a very nice holiday weekend. My friend, who is also my bro-in-law, his nephew Prem and Prem's wife visited us. The weather couldn't have been better. I remember how hot and humid last years' July 4th was in Peoria. I took a few pictures. The first one is of Neha. Just a quick grab shot.

Maria & Joshua - Engagement pictures cont..

2008-07-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

I tried something a little different with post processing. Some people like this effect and some dont - but it sure is different.

Maria & Joshua - Engagement session

2008-07-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

June 29th, 2008 - Had an engagement session with Maria and Josh. The weatherman's forecast wasn't great. Infact it was supposed to rain all afternoon in Peoria. The rain gods had other ideas though. Not sure if they tried to accomodate our little session or the bicycle race that was going on in downtown Peoria, but all we had was a few splatters here and there! The day was overcast and perfect for shooting(not with a gun!) I tried to work as quickly as possible to finish before the skies opened up. Maria and Josh were super cool. I chose a few of my favorites from the engagement session. Some of the images are very close to each other, but hey, I liked them all!

Lynsy and Nathan - Engagement Photos

2008-06-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

June 22nd, 2008 - Had an awesome photosession with Lynsy and Nathan. They make such a wonderful couple! Absolutely made for each other! We started shooting in the afternoon and went to a few places around Peoria. The weather was just fantabulously stupendous to the nth power! Perfect backyard BBQ weather, or for that matter, perfect photo weather. I'm really looking forward to shoot their wedding next year and know its going to be awesome. Here are a few pictures from the engagement session.

Cooked up a quick composite. Nothing fancy, but some shots from the engagement session. Can't wait for their wedding next year!

Lynsy and Nathan

2008-06-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

What a blessed couple! Wish you the best guys! More pictures to come in the next few days.

Some of the wedding detail shots from my last wedding

2008-05-28T18:48:00.001-07:00

The beauty is in the details. These kind of images look fabulous when incorporated in a wedding album.

Some more from Jen and Nate's wedding

2008-05-20T15:11:00.001-07:00

Wedding from last Saturday

2008-05-19T19:40:00.001-07:00

A few samples from the wedding on 5/17... The wedding was awesome..very glamorous.

A few samples from the wedding on 5/17...

Gymnastics Team Pictures at my daughter's gym

2008-05-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to take the team pictures at the place where my daughter takes gymnastics classes. Was a lot of fun and had a chance to play with some high key lighting setup. Would love to do this kind of lighting setup for a bridal portrait sitting. Would look awesome!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!

2008-05-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

The one Hallmark Holiday that makes sense IMO.

Introducing Myshele

2008-05-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

It was a fun shoot today. The weather was great and Myshele was a joy to work with. I photographed her for my high school senior portfolio. We shot some pictures at Glen Oak Park in Peoria, which BTW is a wonderful place for wedding photography and then went to a couple of different places. Myshele's joining the Navy this November. All the best to you Myshele! Wish you the very best!

The next two have some frames and textures on them. Some people like this look and some don't. I think they kinda look cool on the right images.

Baby Pierce(ing Blue Eyes!!!!!)

2008-04-29T17:19:00.001-07:00

The BEST model I've EVER had the honor to photograph! What a cute boy! My wife and I couldn't stop admiring his pictures. Just adorable. Baby portraits are not easy, but this session with Pierce was so easy. He had just had his nap and was in a great mood.

Another one of my daughter

2008-04-22T18:56:00.001-07:00

Not sure what exactly she was doing, but I was lucky to get this shot.

The little Jedi!

2008-04-19T21:35:00.001-07:00

This is a painted portrait. Took me only 3 hours to finish!

My little 9 year old!

2008-04-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

Neha hates being photographed. I was so thrilled that she agreed to be my model, but she negotiated a fee of $2 with me!!!

Some pictures from Amanda and Russ' wedding day.

2008-04-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

What a lovely couple! I had so much fun recording their wedding for them. Here are some pictures.

This wedding was in Joliet. When I'm shooting weddings in Peoria, I usually do a seperate Bridal portrait session. We would have still done it if not for the rainy weather.

Amanda & Russ - Continued

2008-04-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Rebecca was the flower girl. Such a nice kid. I had a chance to chat a little with her parents also, a lovely family.

In my mind wedding photography is all about capturing the spirit of the event as it unfolds.

Amanda and Russ

2008-04-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of recording the images for a very handsome couple, Amanda and Russ. The wedding was so much fun and the food was great! Here are a few pictures from the wedding day.

My son Deep in thought

2008-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

I caught my son deep in thought trying to figure out how to put his trumpet together after took it apart..

Senior Photography in Peoria

2008-04-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for Ambassadors from the class of 2009. Two students per area school are eligible for this program. The sitting fee will be waived for these students and they'll also receive a 25% discount off of the package price. Email me for details.

Preparations before a wedding

2008-04-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Two days before a wedding, I pull out my "list of things to do before a wedding". This list consists of things like charging batteries, reformatting memory cards, cleaning the lenses, making sure that I have all the cameras, lenses, flashes etc. etc in working condition and draw up my gameplan for the wedding day. I already have a good idea of what gear I'm gonna be using for different parts of the wedding day and pack accordingly. Being well prepared is the key. I find that I learn a few new things every wedding that come only with experience. And don't forget to pack a few snickers!

Cavemen Weddings.

2008-04-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today's Food for thought..

Did Cavemen have weddings? Wonder what their wedding traditions were like! Hey GEICO guy, we need some info here.

Dull dreary Illinois winter

2008-03-31T17:53:00.001-07:00

Not if you say..."Let there be Flash!"..

Hi Everybody!

2008-03-31T12:39:00.001-07:00

I'm a wedding photographer in Peoria, IL and like taking cool photos and I'm positively sure that you'd rather enjoy my art than my bio:) The one thing I'd like to share is that I love a thick steak and a juicy brat!

Chao then!