Friday, December 18, 2009

Althoff Boys Basketball Pictures

Tonight's varsity basketball game at Althoff showed off a good efforts on Althoff's part. The game was close in the first quarter, but by the 4th quarter, Althoff had a healthy lead, and took the lead all the way to the end of the game. Here are a few of my favorite shots from tonight's game.





Belleville IL Photographer

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Freeburg IL Hockey Photos

Kicking off the hockey season with a close game, Freeburg's hockey team made this one fun to watch. The host mom that requested I take photos at the game handed out information to the other hockey moms. This is probably the most cost effective way to get us to take pictures at a sporting event because we didn't charge her anything for coming out to shoot the game. Her only costs will be when she orders pictures.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the game.






Belleville IL Photographer

Monday, December 14, 2009

Launching TJs Photography Reviews

So I launched a new site today to review different software and equipment related to photography. I already have my first review up now, so be sure to check that out.
The site is:
TJs Photography Reviews

Let me know what you think.

Belleville IL Photographer

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Sports Photography Services

For our sports photography services, we don't have a page on our website yet, but we'll be adding one soon. Until then, here's the information on the different options.

Option 1: Flat-Fee Service $100
TJ will photograph the game, focusing his attention on the student you specify. He’ll also get shots of fellow team members and overall shots of the game. About a week later, you’ll receive a CD with all the images in the mail with the copyright release. The photos will also be posted online in case you want to order some prints as well.

Option 2: Hostess Mom – FREE
The mother of one player acts as hostess. It will be her job to collect the email addresses and student numbers of the moms (or dads) of at least four team members. TJ will photograph the game, post the images online in a couple days, then email each of the mom’s letting them know the images are up. Prints will be available to purchase online shortly after the game at our event prices. For each $100 in total sales generated, the hostess will get $25 worth of action shots for free. If the sales generated are $500 or more, she’ll also get a CD with all the images (copyrights released).

What do we need to get started?
If you’re doing the flat-rate services, we’ll need the sports schedule and the number of the student you want action shots of. Please make note if any games that you will NOT be present at so TJ won’t go to that game. Otherwise, TJ will attend the game that best fits our availability.
If you are acting as a hostess mom, we’ll email you information on our services so you can start contacting other moms to see if anyone else in interested in action shots of their son or daughter. Once you’ve collected the email addresses and student numbers, you can email us with that information along with the sports schedule (or drop the information off at the studio if it’s easier). We’ll attend a game based on our availability, so be sure to mention if there is a game you won’t be at.

Belleville IL Photographer

SEO For Photographers

As a photography studio trying to keep costs low, Search Engine Optimization and Internet marketing ended up being a great way for us to find new customers. With so much of our business coming from the Internet, I thought other photographers might benefit from this too. I asked PPA (Professional Photographers of America) Magazine if they would like me to write an article on how we got SEO to work for us. PPA agreed, and the article is scheduled to appear in the February issue of PPA Magazine.

I'm definitely excited about the exposure, and this will help put our studio on the map. We're hoping to write more articles for PPA in the future as a way to stand out as a photographer in a sea of photographers.

For those of you who don't want to go out and buy the magazine just to see us in there, we're planning to have the article in the studio for anyone interested.

Belleville IL Photographer

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Alton IL Wedding Photographer

In what may have been the last wedding for this year, we had a great time again with another bride and groom. The churh was gorgeous. Amazing lighting. We had unusually good weather for the middle of November. Larissa got some great sunset shots again this wedding. It seems like the timing has worked out just right the past few weddings for us to get sunset backgrounds. Here are a few of my shots from the wedding.

Quick note: I'm hoping to switch over to more sports for the next few months, so my blog will probably have some sports photos instead of the usual wedding posts.



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Collinsville IL Wedding Photographer

We've had a good run of weekends with weddings. Even doing so many weddings, each wedding is still unique. The bride and groom at yesterday's wedding were easy-going, and we got some great pictures. We did all kinds of craziness including a trip to the mall - which we got kicked out of for having a camera...in the main part of the mall. Stores seem to have gone crazy with the whole don't take pictures at my store stuff. Either way, we managed to get some great stuff. Here are a few that I took.



Saturday, November 14, 2009

St Peters Wedding Photography

Last weekend's wedding was in St Peters, MO. The ceremony took place at sunset - perfect timing. We got some fun shots even after the sun wasn't up any more with only the sunset. The reception hall was packed with people, and the bride and groom didn't dissapoint. Instead of a single first dance, there were actually 2 first dances with the bride and groom. The first one was traditional, and the second dance was where the bride busted out the moves. Here are some of the images I got from the wedding.



Sunday, November 8, 2009

Forest Park Wedding Video

For last week's wedding, I was doing both photo and video. You just had to smile watching the bride and groom together. It was easy to tell that they were both thrilled to be getting married. It was a beautiful day to take pictures and to make new friends.

The video clip here was taken when the bride and groom first saw each other on their wedding day in Forest Park. I'll be putting together a full "fusion" video with photos and video later from the entire day. This is just a sneak peak.



Belleville IL Photographer

Friday, October 30, 2009

Waterloo IL Wedding Pictures

Beautiful blue skies, swarms of ladybugs, and a mini-photographer. But the fun from last weekend's wedding doesn't stop there. You might think that out in the middle of cornfields we'd have trouble finding variety, but finding good backgrounds was easier than you might think. The bride and groom did a good job planning, and had a good variety of locations. Here's a sneak peak for some of what we got last weekend.



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Chicago IL Wedding Photographer

At a Bridal show a couple of weeks ago, we met a bride from Chicago who was seriously considering St Louis area vendors to see if the St Louis vendor would be cheaper than Chicago's vendors. With Chicago's wedding vendor prices being so high, and especially considering Chicago IL Wedding Photographers pricing, the bride may have been right on track. Even including travel costs, it may end up coming out cheaper for her to bring up a wedding photographer from St Louis.

We told her that we'd love to visit the windy city, and she was going to be doing pictures down by Navy Pier, so that furthered our hope that she'd have us do her wedding pictures.

Then it occured to me that Chicago may not be the only market that is so expensive in a day's drive. We may even encourage brides from other cities to consider us because we may still be cheaper than their home town photographers. Plus, who doesn't love road trips? We'll see how this ends up playing out.


Belleville IL Photographer

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Germantown Wedding Photos

So we've had this whole German theme going lately. A few weeks ago, it was a German wedding. Last week's wedding was in Germantown, IL. What are the odds?

Last week's wedding was unique in a number of ways. The guys and girls had some of the most interesting accessories I've ever seen at a wedding. The guys wore striped ties, the girls had some crazy colored scarf things. The bride has an eye for that kind of thing - it turned out great.

Not only did the bride coordinate the accessories, she also decorated the American Legion where the reception was held. I've NEVER seen an American Legion look like this. Amazing transformation.

I usually don't post 5 pictures, but I feel like even 5 isn't enough for this wedding. Either way - here's a sampling from the wedding.



Saturday, October 17, 2009

St Louis Wedding Photographer

Last week, Larissa and I crossed the river to be St Louis wedding photographers for the day. It was a German wedding, which was new for me. The guys were all music guys, so that was fun. We got some great shots. Larissa had some really good shots this wedding too. We both worked together to set up quite a few photos - hopefully she'll get around to posting her fav's. Here are some that I took.



Tuesday, October 13, 2009

St Louis Area Sports Pictures

I've recently started taking sports pictures at high school events. If anyone is interested in having me come to a game, let me know. I had one guy ask me about taking pictures at Motocross. Whatever kind of event it is, I'd be happy to come.

I usually just do pictures, but if you want video, I can do that too. Be ready with the sports schedule so I can find a good time that we aren't already booked for. I'll also need to know the player number and all that kind of stuff.


Belleville IL Photographer

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Freeburg Wedding Photography

So this was last weekend's other wedding. This one was in Freeburg, Larissa's home town. The guys at this wedding were "car guys". I think the girls were just waiting for all the car guy testosterone to die down at the end of the day. The church ended up being standing room only. This wedding was a popular place to be on Saturday. Here are a few of my shots.



Thursday, October 8, 2009

Belleville Bridal Show

Larissa and I did a bridal show on Tuesday - it went pretty well. Last year we were the only photographers attending, but this year we were one of about 10. It still seems like we did well at the show, and we'll see if we end up getting bookings from the show.

While the models were doing their show, Larissa and I were goofing off at our booth. We took a few shots of each other for fun. Plus who wants a blog post from a photographer without any pictures?




Ofallon Illinois Wedding Pictures

These pictures look a little deceptive - it was actually pretty cold for last week's wedding. Even with lower temperatures, we got some great pictures. This was a gorgeous Ofallon venue - my first wedding here. Here are some of the images I got.




Saturday, September 26, 2009

Belleville East Vs Belleville West Football

It's all about Belleville rivalry for this game. Belleville East vs Belleville West - this is Cardinals vs Cubs type of competition. Both teams brought their A game. A Saturday matchup in the middle of the day, there should have been no Friday night lights needed, but heavy clouds and rain brought the lights on anyway.

At half time, it was tied 7 to 7, and as the players walked off the field, the lightning started. I think I hear the announcer for the game now, so I'm guessing play has continued. I'm probably missing quite a second half since the turf will be wet.

Here are a few of the photo highlights from the first half. To see the whole session, go to www.LarissaPhotography.com and click on View/Order - Access code BVFTBL926 .







Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Slideshow From Last Weekend's Wedding

I put together a sample of photos and chose some music for last weekend's wedding. The ceremony was in Belleville and the reception was at the falls. I think we've done 2 or 3 weddings at the falls in the last month.




Belleville IL Photographer

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Belleville IL Wedding Photos

Yesterday's wedding was a blast! These guys put the party in wedding party. Take a look at these images. I can't believe the air the guys got in the jumping picture.



Saturday, September 19, 2009

Belleville East Sophomore Football Pictures

The sophomore guys had a football game today right outside our front door. I decided to snap a few shots, and one of the moms wanted me to post the pictures online. The access code on Larissa Photography is EastFootball. Here's some of what I got today.