I'm a sucker for love add I'm a sucker for anything romantic & sappy (so I'm really a sucker for weddings).
My neighbors, Bob & Cheryl asked me if I would be interested in shooting their daughter's wedding awhile back and I had to say yes because #1 I have really great neighbors and #2 because I'm a sucker for weddings.
And their daughter, Julie was such a fun, easy-going bride to chase around all day.
And she looked so amazing.
We were standing in the doorway of a barn for this shot.
The nephew (who cracked me up).
And the neice (I had to really out-think this little cutie to get any pictures of her).
So I mentioned this swingset I had seen and asked her if she wanted to go help me find it.
The Groom.
Took this one while Julie was walking down the isle.
Everyone took a minute to pray.
The reception started right away.
One sweet moment quickly followed by another 'sweet moment'...
And then we took a few group and family shots.
And then I finally got to do the couple shots that I had been dying to do...
We just walked around for awhile, shooting and looking for the prettiest light I could find.
And a big thank you to the Freed's and the Baumer's (and everyone else) for letting me be a part of such a wonderful day.
HOLY freakin' moly Karen Russell....you were not kidding when you said the light was unbelievable!! I am soooo blown away....these are SOOOO gorgeous!!! wish i coulda been there to catch some "money" shots of this wedding too...you totally rocked it girlie!!
Posted by: Tanya Webster | September 12, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Absolutely wonderful! These shots are just gorgeous! So can't wait to take your class! You rock!!
Posted by: Nita | September 12, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Wow...just simply WOW! Those photos are incredible...the light is stunning. Thank you for sharing these photos.
Posted by: Michelle Gauthier | September 12, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Awesome pictures, Karen. They are so lucky that you were able to take their pictures.
The first group shot, with the lady in the brown polk a dot dress, did you use a wide angle lens?
Posted by: Sara M | September 12, 2008 at 10:01 AM
awesome!
and you don't do weddings!
well maybe you should!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | September 12, 2008 at 10:04 AM
These are absolutely incredible! I am speechless! The shots are perfect-oh, just everything!
Posted by: Chris P | September 12, 2008 at 10:12 AM
ohmydog!!! i don't even know these folks, and i've got tears welling up!! especially when they were praying!! you did a GREAT job!! maybe you SHOULD do weddings!! ditto to what everybody else says above (and below)!!
Posted by: karlalala | September 12, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Karen,
It was so wonderful meeting you and thank you for your unending energy and the gift of your exceedingly wonderful photography talent. Your ability is amazing!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly McGee (Mother of the Groom) | September 12, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Wow! I wish I had used you for our wedding! Those are gorgeous photos!
Amy
Posted by: Amy | September 12, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Great shots Karen and I LOVE that last one. Totally my favorite.
Posted by: Dawn M. | September 12, 2008 at 11:09 AM
AWESOME pics. absolutely, without a doubt, i love every single one AWESOME!!!
Posted by: cindy b | September 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Another kick *ss wedding Karen!! You ROCK!!! Awesome!!
Posted by: teresa b | September 12, 2008 at 11:57 AM
What a fabulous job you did with these wedding pics! The families must be thrilled with the images...you too! Great job, and thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Christine E | September 12, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Ohhhh, to just have 1/1000th of the creativity & ability you have with photography. Those pictures are amazing! So, I guess this year is the year of the Nellie Olson hair???!!!
Posted by: beth s. | September 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Karen those pictures are GORGEOUS!!! (And so was the bride!)
That's a gift beyond measure having wedding photos that beautiful.
Gave me chills! But I also loved the cake shot and the ring bearer playing with the pillow! ha.ha.
She'll be so proud to show them off! Way to Go!!!!
Posted by: kat-in-texas | September 12, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I have goose bumps!! I hope by taking your class I can take pictures HALF as good as you. Simply amazing and beautiful!!!
Posted by: Tracy | September 12, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Love that last shot!
Posted by: Jodi | September 12, 2008 at 01:27 PM
the last one is my favorite photo of any you have taken...it is just beautiful.
Posted by: Amy | September 12, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Amazingly gorgeous, as always! :D Beautiful lighting! I LOVE the ring shot.
Posted by: Kori | September 12, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Beautiful Photo's again....
You are the BOMB !!!
Thanks for sharing..... See you soon at Route 5
Laura P
Posted by: Laura Plunk | September 12, 2008 at 01:46 PM
wow, beautiful photos that will be treasured forever! love your work!!
Posted by: Gina | September 12, 2008 at 01:58 PM
These pics are amazing. Really, really beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Meredith | September 12, 2008 at 02:21 PM
If I can talk my husband into a second wedding will you come to South Carolina to take the photos? Or we could come to you and just pretend there was wedding. There really was a wedding, just a long time ago. These photos are absolutely beautiful. You should be very proud.
Have a groovy weekend.
Shaun
Posted by: Shaun Paddock | September 12, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Lucky neighbors! These photos are spectacular! You are so talented... : )
Posted by: | September 12, 2008 at 07:00 PM
hey cuz... I'm leaving you a comment to let you know that along with ur fans, i visit ur blog all the time. I gotta keep up on the family somehow! ;) Well I love you hun... sorry I didnt call last time I was in town. I was on lurk mode, but I will definitely see you guys next weekend! You can help me figure out my new camera! Send Josh and the kids my love, dont tell him but i have to say... GO DUCK FOOTBALL!!! ;) sorry, I still love you even if you are a beaver.
Posted by: Roshelle Nieto | September 12, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I'm in LOVE with the last shot!
Posted by: Sharon | September 12, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Beautiful pictures as always....!!!! Got my binder today for class and am sooooo excited!!! When's Week 0?
Ann
Posted by: Ann Grounds | September 12, 2008 at 10:49 PM
you are such a talented person karen (sigh)... thanks for sharing and being an inspiration.
Posted by: Val from Down Under | September 13, 2008 at 03:03 AM
Stunning photos and angles. The lighting was perfect!
Posted by: Kimberly | September 13, 2008 at 03:03 AM
Holllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy! Just amazing, better than Mr. Becker I would say. Beautiful job. Way to go Karen Russell.
Posted by: Misti | September 13, 2008 at 07:44 AM
absolutely stunning karen. you're awesome.
Posted by: traci | September 13, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Karen,
Thank you so much for the gift of wonderful pictures. I am so delighted and thankful that you could shoot our wedding. The photos are amazing. Chris and I love them!! You have amazing talent. Thanks again,
Julie Baumer
Posted by: Julie Baumer | September 13, 2008 at 09:28 AM
OH KAREN!!! Those photos are sooooooo breathe taking!!! I really love the last couple ones!!!
Posted by: KT | September 13, 2008 at 09:29 AM
beautiful...I wish I had pictures like that from my wedding!
Posted by: Melissa J | September 13, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Breathtakingly beautiful photos as always. I must admit as I scrolled through them, I felt a sense of envy of the bride and groom for being at such a beautiful point in their journey together and for being lucky enough to have "The Karen Russell" shoot the photos of their special day. Most photographers only worry about capturing the technically correct photos, but not you. You always manage to capture the personalities, connections, feelings and mood of the moment. You give me something to aspire to someday (after I learn how to use my Canon Rebel). God bless you and your family and God bless the newlyweds!
Posted by: dragonflydreamer | September 13, 2008 at 11:25 AM
As the mother of this bride ~~ Julie~~, I am so blessed as the only thing that will last forever besides the bride and grooms marriage are the photos. Julie let me pick her photographer and of course Karen was my first choice. I will be forever grateful to her because the photos are stunning. I wish you could see all of them!! She captures ever moment and each persons personality! Karen is truly and talented and blessed gal and I feel so lucky that she photographed my only daughter!! If you would like to see the whole group feel free to email me and I will pass on the information for you to check it out. suess60@gmail.com
Thanks again Karen!! YOU are the great neighbor!!
Posted by: Cheryl Freed (mother of the Bride) | September 13, 2008 at 12:43 PM
and i think you are A PROFESSIONAL!
Posted by: loveloi | September 13, 2008 at 05:10 PM
wow! what a beautiful couple and a wonderful day - and your are the most amazing photographer, I can't wait to learn even more about photography from you!!
Posted by: Tina Benton | September 13, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Hi Karen,
I am a lurker who visits your site regularly. These photos moved me to comment! I want to get married all over again so you can do my wedding photos. You are just awsome!!
Posted by: Erin | September 13, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Dan Karen, you got skillz...
Posted by: Kia Gregory | September 13, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Good grief! Could that last shot be any prettier? The colors, the focus, AWESOME! I was going to say the shot of them in the arch with the sun flare was tops but then you ended with that and I had to switch. Great job all around.
Posted by: Alison | September 14, 2008 at 01:53 PM
beautiful photos! and what a cool idea for the monogram on the top of the cake. Love that!
Unrelated, I have a question about photo editing software. True that actions can only be applied in photoshop c2 or c3? Not in Elements? From what I can find, it looks like short of getting the c2 or c3, there's not much point to elemtns....?? Is there any other photo editing software out there that you might recommend for more advanced editing ability? thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | September 14, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Wow!!! Just when I thought I was making progress with my own photography skills, you go and blow me away with these wedding pictures. Totally amazing and so inspiring!!!
Posted by: Carolyn Hall | September 14, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Karen, you SHOULD be doing WEDDING Photography! These are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh I cant pick a favorite shot because they are all good! Where were you when I got married ten years ago. Oh how I wish you had been around then to shoot my wedding.
You are an awesome photographer and an awesome person to do this for your neighbors! LOVE LOVE LOVE your stuff!!!
Posted by: Edie | September 14, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Oh wow these pictures are perfect...love the one where they are "eating" the cake - and the last one...great...
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie B. | September 15, 2008 at 02:54 AM
I want to do our wedding all over so you can come to Kansas and take it. Our photographer promised all these wonderful things and didn't follow through with them. I was not a happy bride.
Posted by: Carrie T | September 15, 2008 at 08:30 AM
These, along with the first set of wedding pics, are BEE-U-T-FULL!!! I cannot wait to get learned by you in November! :)
Posted by: Val in Ohio | September 15, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Oh my gosh the photos are absolutely amazing! TFS!
Posted by: Tammy | October 04, 2008 at 08:19 AM