Heather Dunn PhoBLOGraphy

Jump For My Love

2008-08-11T11:55:46Z

I have been waiting the longest time to shoot a wedding out at the The Victorian Gardens of Two Sisters. This past weekend the wait ended.

I had the privilege of shooting Randi and Derricks wedding on Saturday the ninth of August. It was a beautiful ceremony. And Randi was a very beautiful bride.

One of the shots I'd had in mind to take at that location was an indoor Bridal Portrait. In other parts of the country the bride gets her dress early and has a whole "Bridal Session" with a photographer. There is just not usually time on the wedding day to get the kind of photos that can be done during a dedicated Bridal Session. I certainly wish the tradition of the Bridal Session would make it's way to Central California! Most of the time here a bride will get her dress only a day or two before the wedding.

Here are two versions of one of the Bridal Portraits taken indoors at the Victorian Gardens.

Not only was it a beautiful ceremony, but the Bridal Party was a fun group. It can make shooting a wedding a blast when you have a fun group that isn't afraid to do things a little bit differently. I knew after these moments that at least the gals in the wedding would be up to taking some fun shots:

So, another first of mine......JUMP! I've seen other photographers that have taken these great fun jumping shots. I'd now like to know exactly how many shots it took them to get everyone to jump at the same time? The girls jumped first.

Ready? 1.......2............3...............

JUMP!

Great.......except, not everyone's off the ground at the same time, and I don't think they want flowers in front of their faces. Let's try it again.

1,2,3.......JUMP!

OK, but still not the perfect jumping shot. One more try........

1,2,3..........JUMP!

That's more like it! Now of course the guys wanted in on some of the fun. Here's their "Cool" shot. I love the ring bearers expression.

OK guys, let's see if you can do better at jumping than the gals.......

1,2,3.........JUMP!

Uh oh.....Of all people not to be off the ground, it's the groom. That means it's time for take 2.

1,2,3.........JUMP!

Not bad! One more for good measure.......

1,2,3.........JUMP!

Now I'm up for a challenge........the ENTIRE Wedding Party.
Ready?

1,2,3......JUMP!

Thanks to everyone in the wedding party for being willing to JUMP, and JUMP......and one more time, JUMP again!

One last shot to share with you all. I had a request from the bride for this shot, I had to throw in the ring bearer! What a strong little guy he was!

On a serious note, thank you Randi and Derrick for letting me be part of your very special day. It was a beautiful day! Congratulations!

-Heather

A Bride, A Groom, and A Blindfold

2008-06-02T20:08:35Z

On Saturday, May 31, I had the privilege of being the photographer for Michelle and Jonah's wedding. To me, it is always an honor when someone chooses me as their photographer. This series is from one of my favorite moments of the day.....when the groom first sees the bride.

Michelle and Jonah had decided to take some of their formal posed wedding pictures before the wedding. This prevents guests from having to sit and wait for +/- an hour after the wedding for the reception to start. It also allows the bride and groom to have an alone moment during the day. When a wedding takes place in a church, it is easy to arrange for the first moment the groom is going to see his bride. But, Michelle and Jonah's wedding was outdoors. We had to plan a way for him not to see her until she wanted him to.

Michelle wanted Jonah to first see her under the giant willow tree. To keep Jonah from seeing her walk up to the tree.......his co-best men (his brothers) blindfolded him.

So, Jonah was blindfolded and ready to see his bride on their wedding day. What we didn't know is that the girls were going to be delayed in arriving. So Jonah had to stand there blindfolded and wait for his bride.

Jonah's groomsmen needed something to do to pass the time.....and well, Jonah was an easy target.

He was also the subject of a few photos.....

Finally Michelle arrived. Her mother helped her with the train on her dress. She looked stunning.

Michelle was able to have her moment under the willow tree with her groom. The rest of the pictures tell the story well enough to speak for themselves. One last note....I love the way a groom looks at his bride on a wedding day.

Congratulations Michelle and Jonah! It truly was a pleasure sharing and recording your wedding day.

-Heather

16 Years and a Cemetery

2008-05-25T21:10:00Z

Jeff and I celebrated our 16th anniversary on Friday the 23rd. He was in San Francisco for business, so I went along. I love San Francisco. Not so much the "tourist" side of the city....but the little places most tourists never discover.

My Aunt and Uncle lived in the city when I was a child. I used to love going to visit them. They began to introduce me to the wonders of the city. I had been to the ACT Theater (A Christmas Carol) on a field trip with a Church music group when I was very young, but not until my Aunt and Uncle took me to Les Miserables did my love of the theater begin.

Don't get me wrong, I love some of the tourist spots as well. Mainly the museums. I love the deYoung in Golden Gate Park. The history in the Asian Art Museum is incredible. Spending an afternoon in the Museum of Modern Art is always an adventure. There are many places I love to take my camera in the city. The Japanese Tea Garden is always a beautiful spot for photogrpahy.

Until recently my dad lived in the Bay Area. He and I used to wander around with our cameras. After a day of shooting we'd go back to his place and compare shots. I was quite sad when he moved away from the area.

Then perhaps comes an oddity about me. This past Thursday while Jeff was in conferences, I hung out in one of my absolute favorite places with my camera. It was a great day of stress relief and beauty. I love to spend time alone with my camera in old cemeteries. Thursday I spent most of the afternoon in Colma, CA. Colma is known for having a larger dead and buried population than alive. 73% of the land in Colma is used by cemeteries. I wish I had the time to visit more than one cemetery there, but I did not. I spent my time in the Italian Cemetery. Photos from the day can be found HERE

Senior Pictures

2008-03-28T17:51:46Z

Senior Picture season is just around the corner! Here are a few from my latest senior picture session with Courtney.

I’m beginning the process to put together a Senior Modeling Team. Think you have what it takes?

If you are:

1 - a current high school junior
2 - looking for great senior pictures
3 - want a senior picture that is unique and not like everyone else’s
4 - want a great deal on senior pictures
5 - willing to pass out tons of wallets to classmates and tell them who you got them
from

Then the Senior Modeling Team may be for you!! Please contact me right away if you are interested for further details!

559-906-7970
SMTinfo@heatherdunnphotography.com

I can’t wait to hear from you!
-Heather

Spring Sittings

2008-02-21T08:38:37Z

Today I started taking Spring Pictures. I have designed a new set. I'm looking forward to the wonderful images that will come out of this. Here's one of the first from today:

Up the Mountain I Go......

2008-02-08T23:43:08Z

I am so excited. I volunteer up at Hartland Christian Camp (www.hartlandcamp.com) I donate photography time and slide show production. I will be up there for the last three weekends in February. This will be the first time in three years that there is SNOW!! It's going to be a blast taking pictures of all the kids playing in the snow.

It's always good to go and see all my friends up there as well. I'm looking forward to it very much.

See you all when I get back!

Giving Back

2008-02-05T18:19:27Z

I have always believed that giving back is important. I try to find a way to give back in everything that I do.

I have partnered with an incredible organization! Operation: Love ReUnited

Operation: Love ReUnited is a group of photographers wanting to give something back to those who make the United States what it is, and ask for nothing in return- but to come home.

OpLove is designed to thank members of the United States Military. It is for those who are interested in having very special and touching images with a patriotic edge taken of them and/or your family before a deployment or during, and at your reunion.

You will receive a special package as a gift in appreciation for all you have been through as a military member. The package will always include a 4x6 album of pre-deployment images, such as a child's hand clasped in his parent's with the faint glimpse of a BDU sleeve, a marine in dress with his family, a salior with his parents right before departure, or a child playing dress up in combat boots and a helmet.

The album will be sent to the deployed soldier by the photographer, at no cost to you. Also with your package, all session fees will be waived.

It's my small way of giving back.

New Studio

2008-02-04T19:30:53Z

Wow, I seem to have fallen behind in my blog entries. I guess I need to keep up a bit better. I am thrilled though about the reason I have fallen behind. I finally found my space! I was able to open Heather Dunn Photography Studio in downtown Kingsburg this past November. What a dream come true!

The Studio is located at:
1425 Marion St.
Kingsburg, CA 93631
559-897-1672
559-906-7970

I LOVE what I do. I'll keep everyone updated on the studio happenings!

Space.........the Final Frontier

2007-09-18T22:48:49Z

I am in the process of looking for a retail space to open up a studio space in Kingsburg. My dilema? Trying to find a space that is within the price range of a start up business that won't require me to sign my life away for five years.

Today I talked to someone with 1100 square feet. Comes ready to move in except for paint and floor covering. Granted it is in new construction, but they want 1.65/sq. ft for rent and .35/sq ft. for maintenance. They also would require me to sign my life away for 5 years. And if the business struggles? Too bad, I'm on the hook for 5 years...their suggestion was that I could then sub lease the space. So....1100 sq ft. = $2200/month for five years.....ooo, wait I forgot the 3% included annual increase.

Another location is just shy of 900 square feet. Again, new construction. They are asking 2.00/sq. ft + .50/sq ft maintenance. They want me to sign my life away for three years. So 900 sq. ft = $2250/month for Three years.

I had been looking into a place downtown that quoted me .45-.65/sq ft. It would be close to down town. People could walk by and see the portrait samples in the window. I got word yesterday that they are not doing anything with that building anytime soon and that I should look somewhere else.

I am going tomorrow to go look at a little place. I'm excited but nervous at the same time. I'm afraid it might be too small. But, at the same time, it might be just right for a start up location. The outside is cute as a bug..........that would be great for a photography studio. I'm afraid that the ceiling might be too low and that it might be divided into too small of rooms for my use.

The search continues.......I just need a small space and someone willing to help out a new business owner get started. *sigh*

Heather Dunn.........blogger?

2007-09-14T00:49:08Z

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I have finally given in and started a blog. It will be a way for me to spread the word about what is going on in my business. By subscribing you will be able to get notifications of special offers.

Thanks to everyone that has helped to support me in getting my business started. I wouldn't be where I am without you.

-Heather

SMILE

2007-09-13T17:53:56Z

In celebration of Family Portrait Month, October 2007, I'm donating all family portrait session fees to PPA Charities to benefit Operation Smile.

When families participate in Family Portrait Month, they will change the lives of children who would
otherwise face a lifetime of pain and rejection. Each year, Operation Smile, a private, not-for-profit
organization with thousands of volunteer surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and other specialized health care professionals, performs free surgeries on thousands of needy children around the world. In as little as 45 minutes and for a cost of approximately $240, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever. Each year, more than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity in Operation Smile's 25 partner countries. Tens of thousands remain untreated. Last year participating photographers raised over $40,000...that's a lot of smiles.

Call and make your family portrait sitting appointment TODAY!

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