Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Wedding Portraits - Bridal Shower Part 2

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Wedding Portraits - Bridal Shower Part 2

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer - Bridal Shower

This is another image that I shot at Alyssa's wedding shower in Cranberry Township, PA.  As I stated in part 1, there are many opportunities to take great portraits at a bridal shower.  These types of portraits can be used in the wedding guest book that is filled with pictures and other great information about the couple.  For this image, Alyssa was standing on the steps that led to the porch.  The light behind her was very harsh and bright.  She was standing in the shade from the porch roof which caused a beautiful soft light to flow around her face.  Exposing for her face caused the background to blow out and go completely white.  Instead of a background filled with cars, parking lot, and a walkway, we were given a beautiful white background.

We offer a customized wedding guest book for all couples who select to have an engagement shoot within their wedding photography package.   Typically, the wedding guest book is an 8x8 hardback book with one of their engagement pictures on the cover.  We design the guest book to be a story book of the couple as well as a picture book for the guest.  On the left hand pages, a beautiful photo of the couple or a portrait of either the bride or groom is included.  Under the image is usually something about the couple.  Questions such as 'where did you meet' or what is your favorite song is included for the guest to review and discuss.

The right hand page throughout the wedding guest book is left blank for the guest to sign and write notes to the couple.  Unlike a typical guest book that is bought at the local stationary or wedding store, a guest book by Kendralla Photography is custom designed and created for each couple. 

The guest book is created using a hinged page design which causes the book to lay flat on the table.  This will help avoid the pages from flopping over when wedding guests are signing the book.

Alissa and Tim were married in November.  Their wedding ceremony was at Victory Family Church with the reception at Shadow Lakes Country Club in Aliquippa, PA (near Hopewell Twp, PA).


Gear used: Nikon D300, Nikon 85mm 

Book dr Frank to photograph your wedding.  We service Pittsburgh and surrounding areas including Beaver, Butler, Allegheny County, Ohio, and West Virginia. 

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

Pittsburgh Weddings and portraits by dr Frank @
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Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Wedding Portraits - Bridal Shower Part 1

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer - Bridal  Shower

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers - Wedding Portraits - Bridal Shower Part 1


Great photographs can be made regardless of the location and in spite of the lighting.  However, creativity is required often.


This photograph was taken at a Bridal Shower in Cranberry Twp, PA. (Located north of Pittsburgh, PA). The bride's finance arrived to the shower with five dozens of beautiful red roses.  I could not pass up the opportunity to capture this fantastic memory.  This shot was taken on the porch of the venue where the bridal shower was held.  The light was harsh but the porch roof assisted in reducing the harsh light from the mid-day sun.  I bounced the light off the building wall to fill in the bride's face and keep the light very soft on her face.


She was posed in front of the evergreens that were lining the porch which added texture and contrast to the image.  


Alissa and Tim were married in November.  Their wedding ceremony was at Victory Family Church with the reception at Shadow Lakes Country Club in Aliquippa, PA (near Hopewell Twp, PA).


Gear used: Nikon D300, Nikon 85mm f/4.0 1/250 second @ 400 ISO


Weddings and portraits by dr Frank @
www.KendrallaPhotography.com
Please visit my portfolio site:
www.kendralla.com
Contact me @
www.kendrallaphotography.com

Will you marry me? Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

Pittsburgh Engagement Photography - will you marry me?

You might have heard this question around Christmas as you opened a beautiful engagement ring or maybe New Year's eve when you celebrated the New Year together.

The question is asked, "Will you marry me?"  Tears flow and the guy has a tough time speaking.  Maybe a few hours or days before, he met with his future bride's dad.  Do her parents like me, will they accept my request to marry their daughter?  He was scared, what if I am turned down, what if she laughs, what if she says yes?  So many questions and thoughts flow through the young man's mind as he walks with his future bride to a quiet place to 'pop' the question.

Then they are at the perfect place, a place where he thought about many times before.  The young man gets down on one knee and - "will you marry me?"

She shouts with passion and love in her voice, "yes, I will marry you!"  And a new entry in the notebook of love and romance is written.  Reminding me of the great movie, "The Notebook".

Images taken during an engagement shoot are one way to recapture that special day when the groom to be, asked the love of his life, "will you marry me". 

Gateway Clipper Engagement Photo

Station Square, Pittsburgh, Engagement Photo

The above pictures were taken during Vanessa and Andrew's engagement session which ended up near the Gateway Clipper near Station Square.  We took photos not only in Station Square but in Mount Washington overlooking the beautiful city of Pittsburgh.  

Vanessa and Andrew were married at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp, Pa which is is north of Pittsburgh.  The reception was at the Club at Shadow Lakes near Hopewell twp, PA.

Victory Family Church Wedding Portrait

Engagement images by Frank Kendralla

www.kendrallaphotography.com

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Nikon D300

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Narnia – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Life’s lessons from the movie:

We took our grandkids to see it yesterday and this is the first 3D movie for me.  This ‘review’ will not be about the quality of 3D since I have nothing to compare it to and that isn’t why we took the kids to the movie.

1.       This is the third movie in the series and if you didn’t see the first two or at least the first one, you might miss some of the story.  Therefore, I highly recommend that you see at a minumum the first in the series (which is an excellent movie and has many Biblical truths in it).

2.       I am sure when I see the movie again; I will have more values to add to the list below.  It had many Biblical lessons as well as general life’s lessons that can be taught/learned from the movie. 

Seven swords – Number of 7 representing the number of completeness.  Many items in the Bible and the universe are 7 – On the 7^th day, the Lord rested.  7 Octaves in the music scale, 7 days in a week. 7 colors in a rainbow and many more

Aslan’s table – The marriage supper of the Lamb –

The evil mist – filled with temptations combined with the warning by the man they found in the mansion who told them their need to find the seven swords.   He warned them to be wary of temptations and not to fall prey to them.

Proverbs 6:16-19  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Lucy is envious of her sister’s beauty and wishes that she were her sister.  Edmund and Caspian argue as they each show signs of envy and jealousy.  Edmund is continuously tempted with his inner desire of being king as well as his never ending fears.

At the end of the movie, Lucy asks Aslan if she will ever see him again.  He states, not as you see me now.  This is a tremendous parallel to the fact that when Christ left, he told His disciples that he would send a comforter, the Holy Spirit.  

There are many other truths that can be taught from the movie but I wouldn't want to take away anything from it by repeating it all here. Overall it is a clean good movie for the family.  There are some wild items that might ‘frighten’ some kids. e.g. the flying dragon (but nothing more than most kids see or hear from cartoons or advertisements).   If you are taking your kids to see the movie, I suggest discussing some of the tremendous truths taught in it with your kids soon after viewing the movie.   We sat with our grandkids after the movie while eating soup and salad at the near bye Paneara bread.

www.kendrallaphotography.com

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Finding Vivian Maier - Street Photographer - Pittsburgh Wedding Photography

Many will recognize the name of Cartier Bresson as a street photographer but very few will recognize the name of Vivian Maier.  Until recently, her amazing collection of over 100k images were not seen publicly. In this amazing story of how she captured over 100k images in Chicago and around the world as an unknown street photographer is amazing.

A link to this information was sent to me by a friend and since reading the behind the scene story and admiring Vivian's work, I felt I must pass on this information.  It appears that Vivian accomplished what many photographers aspire to achieve.  "Capturing life as it happens."  There are some street photographers that talk to their subject prior to the photograph and others capture the photograph with little to no interaction.

This is not a story about her gear (although there is some discussion); it is a story of a woman who was an outstanding street photographer.

The sad part about this story is that Vivian died before her work was on public display and unfortunately never was able to participate in its public showing. There is a blog dedicated to her work which is linked on the side of this blog.  In addition, there is a documentary being made about her work and life.  Vivian was a nanny as her day job but it is apparent she was passionate about photography and capturing life as it unfolds.

Please take the time to review the video below as well as visit the blog which contains more images from her collection.



This link will take you to a good article on her too.

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Living on the Edge Peter J. Daniels - Autobiography discussion - Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

First - This is not a review of the book.  How do you review an autobiography of one of the most influential, giving Christian businessman of modern days?  Until a few months ago, I never heard of Peter J. Daniels.  Then my wife and I began reading his books and attended a workshop he conducted in a nearby town.  One of the most amazing things that I want to state from the workshop is that it was entirely free and on his dime.  Many might think, no big deal, except for the fact that he flew in from Australia and he has done this for years.  This plus the fact is that he in his late seventies.

Peter J. Daniels is a multi-billionaire and was not raised in riches.  He was raised in poverty, 'graduated' high school as an illiterate, and was told that he would amount to nothing by a school teacher.

It has been stated by those that observe him that "he could motivate an Egyptian mummy to walk".  He has an amazing business mind and to paraphrase him; "Our businesses do not sell junk to kids that rot their minds or teeth.".  He has many goals in his life and one of them is to give more money to the work of the Lord than anyone else.  Known as a genius for creating business formulas that not only solve difficult problems but are in terms that most will understand.

During one of his lectures, I remember him stating that he was not hindered by going to university.   I highly recommend not only this book but every book that he wrote.

Below is one part of a lecture.



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D300s Video - Christmas - Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

A few months ago, I added the D300s to my camera arsenal.  I added it for a variety of reasons and this post will discuss the video reason.  Although the camera has been on the market for 'awhile', I waited for multiple reasons.  I read too many reports stating the video quality on this camera is poor.

Will this camera become the end all for video work?  No, but in many cases, it will surpass your basic video camcorder.  With this thought - below is a video I shot of my daughter singing during an event I photographed.  Since the event had 4 showings, I was able to capture the video in one show and photographed her and the others during other showings. 

1. This is directly out of the camera with zero modifications by me.  Vimeo does do some encoding but other than this, nothing was done to the video.

2. ISO 2000-2500 - auto white balance - f/2.8 - Tamron 17-50 non VR lens on a induro Monopod

3. Manual focus and exposure set prior to starting the video

4. Hand hurt after from pressing down on the camera to ensure it didnt move (but it did move some) :-D

5. Eyes blurred from tears - watching - hearing my daughter sing

6. I have used the video setting during a few recent weddings, receptions,  and other events.  I added some of the video clips to the shows.  (My plan is to present them on this blog and discuss them for your use.)

Should you buy this camera just for the video?  It depends.  Since this camera was released, Nikon released the D3100 and D7000.  Reports show the video on both of those cameras are better than the video on this camera.  However, if using CF cards and a few other features that the D300s has that the other two do not, then I would purchase this camera.  With the rebates Nikon is offering now combined with tremendous lenses, the price is very good.  However, the D3100 is less than $1000 and will do a great job for most folks.

Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens




Victory Christmas 2010 Stacey from Frank Kendralla on Vimeo.

Why we do what we do Kodak Gallery Commercial (Live Forever)