Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | Minneapolis Portrait Photographer | Exposed To Light

Focused or Not, Who Cares? | Minneapolis Photographer

Bill — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:09:25 +0000

I had fun yesterday… we should all hang around with people like this and have some real fun from time to time. Put down the iPad (or NOOK Tablet in my case) and get out and have some fun with the kids. Some of these shots are not in focus. Does that matter? Heck no, look at those faces. Every bit of emotion of the moment still comes beaming through. So, lighten up… don’t sweat the small things… and have some real fun!

Tapestry | Together In Hope | Minneapolis Event Photography

Bill — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:53:13 +0000

Tapestry had an event at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove several months ago. I had photographed that event just due to the simple fact I wanted to. So, I was grateful to be asked to shoot this event for them which took place at International Market Square in Minneapolis on February 9, 2012. It was a wonderful evening of letting people know just what Tapestry does and how they do it. Founded in 1978, they have been around for awhile serving our community in a way only they could.

From their site:
“Our Mission:
With a spirit of dignity and grace, we provide life-affirming support to women and children in crisis in three areas: unplanned pregnancy, personal empowerment and humanitarian outreach.

Our Vision
To transform lives.
To make what seems impossible, possible.
To remove barriers and reveal options.
To equip, empower and educate.
To live and serve in truth.

Our Values
We are Christian.
We value all life.
We are good stewards.
We respond.

We are Christian. We are a community of people who have come together to serve because we feel called by God to weave His grace into the lives of those we serve.
We value all life. We are deeply committed to providing an environment that fosters life-affirming values for the unborn, as well as the mother and father. Everything we do either directly protects the sanctity of life or directly focuses on improving the quality of life.
We are good stewards. We are dedicated to the highest level of excellence in both service and stewardship. We strive to identify the most critical needs of our clients and devote our resources to meeting those needs. In addition, we offer complete financial transparency so that our financial partners can feel confident that their investment in our ministry completely aligns with their values and goals.
We respond. To the fullest extent of our resources and abilities, we will serve all of our clients needs regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender.”

It turned out to be sold out which was an awesome thing to have happen. I believe there were about 300 people there. Here are some shots from the event. I also encourage you to check out their website.

Lastly… thank you to Kimberly and all involved at Tapestry and to all the beautiful people who pour into this ministry.

What do I shoot with? | Minneapolis Photographer | Exposed To Light

Bill — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:43:27 +0000

If you came to this article to find out about the gear I use I will provide a gear list at the end of the article. However, this is not intended as a “gear head” post. I like gear but it is not what I shoot with… it is a means to an end.

Let me explain…

What I bring (what every photographer should bring… but often times they don’t) is a heart and passion for the work that I shoot. My eyes are only a portion of what I see with. I feel as much as I see.

A short time ago I shot some work, alongside me was another professional photographer. We weren’t there together, but we were both in the same place at the same time shooting the same thing. Once all was said and done I got the chance, after a few days, to see this other photographer’s work. To me it was immediately evident that this other photographer shot this “work” with no passion whatsoever. Anybody with this photographer’s gear could have gotten the same shots.

If there is no connection to your heart, to your emotions, to your spirit… believe me, your images will reveal that. On the flip side if you are experiencing this sort of connection and are passionate, not only about your work, but your client (subject), that will be revealed. There are so many photographers out there right now… and there will only be more… you need to differentiate yourself from the crowd. You need to chase what you are passionate about and what moves you.

Photography in its truest form (IMO) is about imagery that evokes emotion, imagination and memories. Aside from that anyone with a modern camera can fulfill the meager expectations of just taking pictures.

Two things… One, I say this all as one who has not arrived. I am not where I want to be but I am chasing the goal… and I have the heart. Whether I ever arrive at the destination I envision, or not, I will chase that vision with all of what is in me. I want it to be apparent in all that I shoot that I did it with heart and passion and with a love of what I do.

Two… the gear

Canon 5D x2, Canon 40D, Canon 16-35mm f2.8L, Canon 24-105mm f4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 50mm f1.2L, Canon 85mm f1.8, Canon 70-200 f2.8L, Canon 580EXII, Canon 430EX and various other supporting equipment. (Smiling) But it is not what I shoot with.

PFR 12 in 2012 Opening Concert | Minneapolis Event Photographer

Bill — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:22:31 +0000

On January 27th 2012 PFR once again came together. The occasion was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first release. The tour is dubbed “12 in 2012″ and kicked off at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN. You should have been there. I admit my familiarity with PFR was non-existent until I met Deb 8 years ago and she introduced me to their music. We had seen them the last time they were together here in the cities which I am guessing was like four years ago (Correction make that three years ago. Thank you Erin Bennett!). It was an awesome concert that night but I did not head there with a camera. This time was different… alot different. There were film crews and another photographer running around. With all the activity going on I tried to limit my photography to the first three songs of the concert. I think I probably dipped into number five but then I set the camera aside. My intent was to focus on the event, not an individual with my photography. It was a wonderful night. I loved the Beatles tune… awesome! Totally unexpected.

Lets all hope we get to see them again soon. Thank you guys for blessing us one more time with your gifts and for putting that delightful ring back in our ears. Sweetness!

Grayshot in Concert | Minneapolis Event Photographer

Bill — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:20:48 +0000

Last night (January 27, 2012) at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN PFR came together to kick off their “12 in 2012″ concert tour. Opening the night was Grayshot. We have had the awesome pleasure of seeing the Ankrum brothers many times at Open Door, and outside of OD as well playing with Joel Hanson. They will be embarking on a UK tour later this year and then dropping into a missions trip. I had not seen Grayshot before nor heard their music. They were great! You can check them out here. Here are some shots from their set. PFR will be in a separate posting.

An Article for Brides To Be | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

Bill — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:30:54 +0000

I came upon this article which I really think brings up some good points to consider for your wedding from Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine. Very worthwhile reading if you can spare a few minutes.

An exclusive conversation with Twin Cities’ wedding photographer Hilary Bullock

Passion 2012 Atlanta | A Generation United For His Renown

Bill — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:11:26 +0000

Passion 2012 in the Georgia Dome was sold out… lets start there.
Passion’ s mission is to glorify God and unite college students in worship and prayer for spiritual awakening in this generation.

Sold out means a couple of things when you start talking about Passion. In numbers for 2012 it meant over 42,000 students! In heart and spirit it is all about 42,000+ being “sold out” for God. Sound amazing? It was and is.

Deb and I have served at Passion ’07, ’10, ’11 and the Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta Regionals. To be honest I did not know what to expect this year it sounded huge and overwhelming. I should trust God more… it was amazing and the best Passion experience yet. We were on the Meals/Registration team. In the past we were on the Touch Team but we felt a change and different perspective was needed for us in 2012.

What an amazing week it was and God was moving through it all. Even to the point of saving people from being crushed by teetering pallets filled with 384 meals each. Due to our roles this year we were only able to make one session one night where we just had a difficult time hearing, let alone seeing. That was okay though as those it was intended for could hear and see just fine. The last session Deb and I were invited to be bucket holders where we watched as the students, at the close of the session, poured out one more time with the last of their money to help fund the next Passion conference taking place in Vancouver. I stood there holding my bucket with tears streaming down my face as they dropped their offerings in… it was beyond moving. I actually had one girl bring a piggy bank to me stuffed with coins… you had to be there… you should have been there.

Alright, as a photographer of course I would love to shoot but that has not been in the cards these past years at the conference. But I did get away with Deb one lunch period and took some shots and then again the next evening. A representative amount of those shots are below. The Freedom Hand was an art installation that the students took part in. They would donate to fund a cause and be given the opportunity to add to the artwork. It was an amazing thing! The theme this year was FREEDOM which should be apparent from the remainder of the shots.

In closing… next year Passion hopes to “tear down the curtain” which sectioned off an unused portion of the dome. We want to use the entire dome. This year was a sell out so some could not get in. We want those to get in next year plus a bunch more. We also want more volunteers so please prayerfully consider joining Deb, myself and the other 2000+ volunteers. Lives are changed at Passion, courses are steered and others re-mapped. If you come, you will never be the same.

BTW: Totals from Passion 2012: $3,066,670 to end slavery. 36K towels/156K pairs socks for homeless. $148K to Passion World Tour dates.

Enjoy the images and please visit the Passion website for more information.

Kneel

Waiting to add to the Freedom Hand

Freedom Hand

Freedom Hand at night

the steps to freedom

prayers

restore

writing prayers

Let Freedom Ring

Enslaved

27 Million Slaves

Break The Chains

Enslaved

Flags representing 1000 slaves each hung across the International Square eventually.

Slavery Still Exists (it needs to be abolished)

Slavery Defined

E of FREEDOM

Happy New Year and Thank You!

Bill — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:30:15 +0000

Deb and I just put the final packing touches on our bags for our annual trip to Atlanta for the Passion Conference. As you can see from the image below this year is going to be a big deal. We are delighted so many will be coming…. some 40,000+. What is even more awesome is that 40,000+ Spirit filled and lead people will come away from that conference carrying all that was given… all over this world. God is good, very good.

As we close on 2011 and turn a new page, maybe even start a new chapter, in 2012 I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has stopped by this website. Especially those that I worked with this past year. This was a wonderful year of meeting new people, being a part of some beautiful unions of two, very much in love people, seeing the beauty of God’s creation in each and every portrait, growing in my abilities and delighting in every moment I was able to do what I love to do with people I love doing it with. I mean that. You all have a special place in my heart. Thank you for letting me in… it was an honor and privilege and I am humbled to be allowed into these spaces.

May God bless you and all your loved ones in this “new year”. May it be your best yet.

I hope to see you all again in 2012. I also hope to see and photograph many new faces in the coming year.

With love,

Bill

Some shots from Passion 2011 can be found here and Passion 2010 here. We also were at Passion 2007, the Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta Regionals. Images are out there but no official posting of those events.

Gorgeous Couple (smile) | Minneapolis Photographer

Bill — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:27:11 +0000

I love all, okay most, animals. Especially cats, of which we have three. We have Sopper (Yes that is really her name. Ask me about it sometime.) who is about to turn 10 and we recently welcomed Kalli and Lexi into our home this Summer. Over the past couple of years we lost Brandy and Titus our beloved older cats so we had just Sopper for awhile but she (and we) needed some more friends.

So… here are a couple of images of our two new kitties. These were taken this week so they are a wee bit larger than they were back in the Summer. They are so darned cute, we love them.

Here they are… say Hi!

Which lenses do I use… or… What lens should I buy? | Minneapolis Photographer

Bill — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:14:44 +0000

I have been asked before what lenses I use… I have also agonized for days and weeks over lens purchases. Glass is quite possibly your best investment as a photographer. But it does not necessarily mean a large expenditure is needed to achieve great results.

Heather asked me about the lens I used in a recent portrait session I had posted. I wanted to answer her question with more than just a straight up answer so here we go…

The lenses I own are: Canon EF 50mm f1.4, Canon EF 85mm f1.8, Canon EF 24-105MM f4 L and Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 L. Those are not the only lenses I use as I rent lenses at West Photo when circumstance dictates.

Anyways, when people ask me about what lens they should buy I suggest they first discover what lens they need. What focal length do they find themselves shooting most of the time? Start there and if you really are so new that you are not even sure of the answer to that question, stop trying to figure out what you should buy as you are more than likely trying to mimic what you have seen rather than looking at your own creative side. In that case I just say stop, and instead, spend the best $100 you will ever spend on your photography gear.

The best place to start when you want to move beyond your kit lens (and I honestly believe this, especially if you are unsure what to buy) is to purchase the Canon or Nikon 50mm f1.8. If you aren’t shooting Canon or Nikon you most likely have an equivalent option. These lenses are fast, meaning great for low light and they are cheap. They feel like a toy but they are great pieces of glass to start out with. You can achieve bokeh in your imagery that you never could with your kit lens. But more importantly you will learn how to compose. You will not have the option to zoom in or out. You will either need to move in, or back out, in relation to your subject. It is an invaluable educational tool. As you work with it and use it you will eventually develop a feel for what focal lengths work for you. Maybe you wish you had something wider… maybe something longer. Maybe you will find that 50mm suits you best… many do.

I use all the lenses I have and I use them often. I painstakingly chose each one. I never chose one just because someone else uses one or just because I wanted to fill my camera bag. I urge all of you just starting out to not worry so much about what everyone else has or uses. This is really all about what you bring to the table. Figure out what works for you and move in that direction. Your path is the only one intended for you, walk it.

Rather than spend hundreds to find out you bought the wrong lens spend $100 and I am willing to bet you will never regret the purchase. It will benefit you in more ways than you will realize.