Wedding photography season for 2011 kicks off for me in two weeks as I head to Chicago to photograph a Chicago Sessions Engagement Package. The weather is finally starting to break a little here in Northwest Indiana and calls are coming in to schedule the local / Chicago engagement shoots as well as outdoor family portraits, kids and high school seniors too.

The first actual wedding of the year will be April 30th with Angela and Mike's Valparaiso wedding with a reception at The Raddison at Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville.

As a wedding photographer there is MUCH to do in these weeks leading up to the photo shoots. Here is some of what has been on my agenda in recent weeks:

Meetings with clients and potential clients. Emails and calls have been coming in daily as it is booking season. I do presentations here at the home studio and also a mobile presentation. I bring sample wedding albums, prints, gallery wraps and more. Most importantly, I answer all your wedding photography questions. For already booked clients, we get out photographic timeline together along with locations, etc.
New photography gear. It's NOT about the gear you have. However, one of my camera bodies was getting long in the tooth. So I bit the bullet and purchased a new professional body to add to my collection. I'm always traveling with two to every wedding for shooting convenience and for back up as well.
Classes and workshops. To avoid getting stale, a good photographer is always going to be adding knowledge. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for 2011 weddings courtesy of some top of the line pros who unselfishly share their craft.
Equipment maintenance: I love the look of magazine-esque commercial photography and I like to do this with my wedding clients. This requires external lighting and other accessories to make this look happen. I'm testing, cleaning and (unfortunately) even sending some things in for repairs.
New computer. Digital wedding photography requires knowledge of the digital darkroom and a computer that can handle the tasks at hand. With so many weddings booked for 2011 and many back to back, it was time to upgrade my already fast system with and an even faster one with greater storage. All the better to get images back to my clients in a timely manner.

Lookout all you brides, here I come!!

Wedding Season begins for me this Saturday with Debbie and Dave. This will be a short post as I'm in preparation mode for them and my other brides and grooms.

Here is just some of what I'm doing at this time:

Tonight I visit the site of formal shots at the exact time we will be doing them on Saturday. I will be taking the bride and grooms shot list along with me, check the outdoor light and the scene in general.
Charging up the battery for my portable light kit.
Testing out the specialty lens I rented especially for this occasion.
Printing out a mini map for the bridal party for the trek from the ceremony to the park for formals.
Checking the weather. Getting my umbrellas ready if needed.

Debbie and I have already been in contact this past week. However, I may get in touch one last time to see if there are any changes and any other special requests. My prep list is a lot more extensive than this, but time is a restraint right now. Just trying to instill the idea that "just showing up" with camera in hand is NOT my method (nor should it be anyone other photographer's method) for approaching a major event such as this. Not that it's not going to be fun!! I plan on having fun along with my couples and their guests.

Stay tuned for more updates and images as the season rolls along.