This is My WPPI Video

Thanks to the help of Christine Bonnivier, Owen Cameron, Lauren Barela, Melissa Britt and Missy Hughes under the creative direction of my lovely wife Ann Heidemann, we pulled off a great short film shoot for the WPPI Speakers film contest for WPPI 2012. Here's a link. Hopefully you think it's a funny as I do. My wife tells me that if I think it's funny, it's really not. Hopefully she's wrong this time!

Jeremy and Kristin -- September 10, 2011

Kristin and Jeremy were married Saturday in Monett and enjoyed the most fantastic weather of the year!! Got out to the Jack Henry campus for a little experience the day time and then back for Mass. Picture-Perfect All Around Day!! Wish every wedding was this much fun!!

1st Place Color at Ozark Empire Fair

Congratulations to my lovely wife Ann for her first place award at the Ozark Empire Fair in the color division. She made this picture responding to Joplin after the tornado with her insurance company, ANPAC. She shot this picture of an unknown man as he surveyed the damage to his Chinese restaurant. His head seems to rise above all of the wreckage and his face looks sad but determined. I love this shot! Good job Ann. Super proud of you! She also won third place color with another image she made on the same day while she was in Joplin. She really captured the mood of what was happening at the time. I was in Joplin last week, and despite the devastation and loss, the people I talked to are really positive and determined to rebuild. There's so much work that will have to be done over the next years, it's hard to imagine.

WPPI U - Atlanta, Georgia

What you didn’t learn in college, you’ll learn at WPPI U. Rangefinder will be hosting a 2 1/2 day workshop with a full slate of classes for emerging photographers. Classes will cover all of the essentials you need to know for your new business from top professionals in the industry. I'll be speaking along with Doug Gordon, Jasmine Star, fellow Missourian Sal Cincotta and others. Attendees will receive a course completion certificate from WPPI and a “WPPI U” t-shirt. Hope to see you there. Registration is now open.

Amy & Kyle E-Session 4/23

Nicole and Young Choe Wedding -- April 16

Children's Baptisms March, 2011

I was privileged to photograph the children's baptisms at Second Baptist Church on March 13 of this year. Such a lovely testimony to the decisions of these precious kids. What made it even more special was the opportunity to photography my daughter Abby as she was baptized on the day of her own birthday! Two birthdays in one this year! Hope you love the HD video...

10 Hardest Questions for Your Wedding Photographer

Sure, today’s affordable digital cameras can make anyone seem like a good photographer. But there’s a lot more to getting the wedding photos you want and deserve than just pointing and shooting. After this most important and special of days, it will be your wedding albums and pictures that you turn to time and again to remember and cherish those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Choose your photographer as carefully as you’ve planned every other detail of your wedding, and you’ll still be enjoying those images years from now.

To help, we’ve put together a list of ten critical aspects of wedding photography you should know and understand, along with some of the most important questions you should ask prospective photographers to help you make your final decision.

#10 Samples: Do you have samples of your work I can see? Do you have a completed product exactly like we will receive that shows us one wedding from start to finish? Is this sample from the actual photographer who will be at my wedding or someone else on your staff?

#9 Image Preservation: What steps do you take to protect my wedding photographs and how long do you archive them? Can I come back in 5 or 10 years and get more photographs or replace my album if something happens to it?

#8 Equipment: Do you use professional-quality cameras capable of capturing great images in all lighting conditions, or do you use consumer-level cameras? Do you have backup equipment if something happens to your camera or lights? Can I have black-and-white photographs or can you add special effects if I want to? Do you bring additional lighting equipment if it is needed?

#7 Collaboration: Will I be working with you or someone else on your staff? Do you work with an assistant? What is the process for reviewing, selecting and editing the final images for the album, enlargements and print sets?

#6 Deliverables: In what format do you deliver the proofs? What is included in the price? What additional options or products are available and how much extra for those items?

#5 Time: What is the maximum amount of time I will wait to see proofs? Once I’ve selected my pictures, how long will it take for final delivery of all printed products?

#4 Quality: Do you print the photos yourself or do you use a professional lab or a consumer hobbyist photofinisher like one of the big box stores? Are the images guaranteed against fading for my lifetime or beyond?

#3 Style: What is your artistic style? Do you shoot traditional poses, or have a more photojournalistic approach, or is it mixed? Do you like to shoot in the studio or at different locations, as well as on the wedding day? Can I see examples of an entire wedding day shoot to see how you might tell a wedding day “story”?

#2 Experience: How long have you been photographing weddings? How long have you been in business? Can you provide references? Can I view some of your albums? How do you manage distracted or uncooperative subjects or guests?

And perhaps the most important thing you need to discuss with your photographer …

# 1 Assurances: How do you ensure my satisfaction? What are your backup plans in the event you’re late or called away by an emergency? What happens if there’s an equipment failure, or some other unforeseen issue? Do you carry liability insurance? Can I get all of the points we’ve covered in a written contractual agreement?

Do not take “no” for an answer to that last question! A written contract signed by all parties protects you and the photographer, and does more to ensure your wedding photo bliss than any other action or decision you can make.

Capture your dream with professional wedding photography

A professional wedding photographer may be the most important investment you make, since your wedding pictures are the only lasting keepsake of your dream day.

While you don’t need a professional photographer for everything, your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. And your wedding photography will only grow in value and importance as the years go by. Shouldn’t you entrust it to a highly trained professional photographer, someone who will do you justice on your big day?

After all, when the cake is long gone and the dress is packed away, your wedding photography will be the one lasting symbol of your perfect moment…and you’ll be so glad you invested in professional wedding photography.

Metropolitan Bride Wedding Show

Don't forget about the Met Bride show at the expo center tomorrow from 11 to 4. Over 150 vendors will be out in force to help make your wedding day spectactular! For those of you that want to save $150 off any of our four fabulous photography packages, book your photography before or at the show and SAVE!