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January 5, 2013 by Bill

Passion 2013 | Atlanta Georgia

Deb and I returned to Atlanta to serve on the Lunch Team of Passion 2013. Making this our eighth Passion conference (2007, 2008 Regionals in Chicago, LA, and Atlanta, 2010, 2011, 2012). This was our second year on the Lunch Team. This year we fed, now get this, 55,000+ people lunch in about 14 minutes. Can you believe it? What an awesome team effort it was. We also worked on the Registration Team which checked in thousands of attendees for the conference. It was a wonderful and blessed time. It was great to see old friends as well as make some new.

LOVE was in the Dome and we all felt it, and we all drank it in.

Please check out this link and join in helping putting an end to slavery… in your own backyard and abroad.

Please check out this link to find out more about Passion Conferences.

I don’t go with the thought of taking photographs… but every where I go I take them. Working your bee-hind off at a Passion Conference is not conducive to much photo taking but I took a couple of opportunities to get some shots. My hope is that one day my friend Leighton will let me onto the media team. :-)

Enjoy

My Lovely One… giving me the crazy eyes

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November 17, 2012 by Bill

First Sight | Minneapolis Wedding | Exposed To Light Photography

In the midst of processing Jillian and Brent’s wedding I came to their First Sight (or First Look).
I had to share.

Some couples choose to do a first sight and others choose the traditional Groom does not see the Bride until she comes down the aisle. Both are beautiful and special in their own ways. From a photographer’s point of view, well mine anyways, I prefer a First Sight. Reason being that it is a special, even intimate, moment when the Groom sees his Bride in her dress for the first time. When there is a first sight there really is the time to savor and cherish the moment. Also, referring to these images here, there can be some lovely moments captured.

Generally, but not always, the First Sight is a private moment. I take some images and then allow the Bride and Groom to have a few moments together in peace before the day kicks into full gear.

It is every bit as special when the Groom sees his Bride in her dress, for the first time, as she walks down the aisle. Seriously… two very special moments, so similar, yet so different.

Regardless of my opinion I encourage B&Gs to make their own minds up. I just wanted to take a moment out of my editing to share these images. I love these shots and I hope you do too. The family and friends looking on from a distance during the First Sight just added to the whole flavor of this beautiful moment. Thank you Jillian and Brent for allowing me in.

Jillian and Brent | First Sight

Jillian and Brent | First Sight

Watching

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September 15, 2012 by Bill

Circus Juventas Performances Download Sale | September 15th thru September 17th Only

From Saturday September 15th through 17th only, all Circus Juventas Performance’s downloads will be on sale. Now is your time to grab images from Julong, Sawdust and Grimm before they disappear. Showdown will remain posted for another year but the download sale will end Tuesday morning. This sale is for downloads only and does not apply to prints or merchandise.

I have no way to contact all Circus Juventas parents and family so if you have contacts please spread the word. Again, this sale goes through Monday only.

Sale Pricing
Low Res = $1.99 (normally $5.99)
Hi Res = $4.99 (normally $23.99)
Original = $19.99 (normally $41.99)

Links to Galleries:
Yulong (password: cj2009)
Sawdust (password: cj2010)
Grimm (password: cj2011)
Showdown (password: gunslinger)

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August 27, 2012 by Bill

Weekend Work | Minneapolis Photographer

A little break between Minneapolis weddings has provided some time for portrait work. This past week I had a professional come in for a portrait session but I also had the pleasure of some more “fun” work.

I shot Bailey’s 2013 Senior Session as well as The M Family’s annual portrait session. It was great to work with Bailey and meet her family. More to come on this session soon. It was a great pleasure and joy to meet up with the M Family for another yearly session.

Did I ever state I have the best clients? I do, and I love working with them. My goal is to translate that love into what I deliver.

Here are some shots from the past couple of days.
More to come on both of these Minneapolis photo sessions very soon.

M Family | Portrait Session

Bailey | 2013 Senior

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August 5, 2012 by Bill

Circus Juventas | Showdown | Opening Weekend

Cooper Smith | German Wheel | Minneapolis Performance Photography

Circus Juventas’ Summer Performance of Showdown has begun.
I have seen it twice and wholeheartedly recommend it.
Ticket information is available here!

The amount of effort that goes into these performance is amazing. From the training, through the costumes and set creations, to the blood and sweat the performers pour into these shows. It all makes for a truly memorable experience and the best part is that tickets are very reasonably priced. One of the best bangs for a dollar you are ever going to get. So, I encourage you to check them out… and soon!

Minneapolis Performing Arts Photography

Minneapolis Performing Arts Photography

Minneapolis Performing Arts Photography

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August 2, 2012 by Bill

Ashes and Roses | Mary Chapin Carpenter Concert | Minnesota Zoo

So…. in the Summer of 2002 I was on my own… literally. I had weathered a divorce in 1998 and then jumped into a train wreck of a relationship that went from ’99 to ’02. It was a time of loss but also a tremendous time of growth and healing. I abstained from dating for two years while I got my head screwed on straight and took ownership of my heart and identity.

Having loved Mary Chapin Carpenter’s music for years I jumped at the chance to see her on the Songwriter’s tour in the Fall of ’02 with Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin and Dar Williams. It was a “guitar pull” type show with each taking turns doing their music. I went alone. Going alone was huge for me. It probably sounds small and foolish but, believe me, it really was a jumping out of the boat moment for me. To this day it ranks as the best concert I have ever attended. Go figure.

At that point I promised myself I would see Mary Chapin every time she came to town. Which I held true to until her music started leaning towards making political and religious sort of statements. I am all for people having their opinions… I do not necessarily want to pay money to hear them though. So I skipped her return to the cities last year.

Now… this year saw the release of her new CD Ashes and Roses. It is a beautiful piece of work and harkens back to her past work. Songs of the heart which reach down deep and tug at our very own. It is what she does best. I listened to the iTunes 30 second snippets and loved them. She just happened to be coming to town so I grabbed a ticket (Deb had a previous commitment) and planned to head to the show… alone. Ironic that the only concerts I have ever attended alone were MCC concerts. Ironic to me anyway.

So, I held off on buying the CD until I got to the show… which I attended last night. Woo hoo, the CD was autographed. I planned to buy it regardless but that was a definite bonus. I also was in the front row… an even bigger bonus. The show got held up for about 15 minutes during a passing storm but that lost time was more than made up for. Mary Chapin lead the group through many of the new songs which all were amazing. I was delighted to hear Twist And Shout performed. I was hoping for The Dreaming Road or This Shirt… maybe next time.

The show opened and closed in the same manner. One woman, one guitar and one amazing voice. Thank you Mary Chapin for digging deep for these songs and thank you for sharing with us. I love your band, especially John Jennings… I was afraid he was not on this tour and was gratefully surprised he was present. They all “brought it”.

Please don’t ever stop what your are doing Mary Chapin…. many of us want to “Grow Old” with you.

B

Mary Chapin Carpenter | Ashes and Roses

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July 22, 2012 by Bill

Exposed To Light in National Christian Foundation 2012 Ministry Report

This year at Passion 2012, as a volunteer, I did not get much of an opportunity to take any photos. In fact I rarely had my camera with me there. However one night in particular I made it a point to just get out and see all the goings on and get some shots.

I made a blog post about our trip once we got back. Somehow the National Christian Foundation came upon my site and found the images. I was delighted when they contacted me about acquiring some of the images for use in their 2012 Ministry Report.

I had the chance to view some of their earlier reports and they were gorgeous so I certainly wanted to be a part of such a well produced print piece.

Here are the pages featuring my images. The page on the far right includes an image (the one in the oval) which is not mine. All the others are mine. You can actually download a copy of the complete report if you wish to see it in its entirety. http://www.nationalchristian.com/download/1353

Minneapolis Photographer | Exposed To Light

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June 4, 2012 by Bill

So Long Old Friend | Canon 5D For Sale | Minneapolis

Two and a half years and lots and lots of photographs taken together. It has come time to bid ado to one of my 5Ds as I make way for (and finance) a brand new Canon 5D MKII. This camera has served me very well. It has been to the Redwood Forests of CA, the Grand Canyon and it has been on The Great Wall of China. She is a good friend and she takes beautiful images.

I am letting her go for $650 (cash, no checks unless I personally know the buyer) and am firm at that low price.
I am including the two batteries you see here, the manual, a battery charger, body cap and possibly a strap if I find it.

Please let me know if you are interested.

These images were shot with the other 5D MKI that I own. They do a sweet sweet job.

Thank you

Couple of notes to those who may not be familiar with this camera:

  • You will need to buy a compact flash memory card ($25 for 4GB)
  • This camera (like all Canon pro-level cameras) has no built-in flash. If you need flash you will need to buy one and they are any where from a couple hundred on up.
  • Remember there is no lens included so I would suggest the $100 (approx) Canon 50mm f1.8 as a starter. It is sharp, cheap and is a great place to begin. It is also excellent for low-light. (Remember no pop up flash on this girl.)
  • Lastly, the LCD on the original 5Ds is not great. Not on any of them. Don’t expect to see beautiful richly colored and sharp images on it. They are dingy and not very sharp. It is just fine as a “marker” but the screen is only a fair representation.
***Note – This camera has been sold.

Canon 5D For Sale | Minneaoplis

Canon 5D For Sale | Minneaoplis

Canon 5D For Sale | Minneaoplis

Canon 5D For Sale | Minneaoplis

Canon 5D For Sale | Minneaoplis

Canon 5D For Sale | Minneaoplis

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