New Moon Wedding Dress

Ladies. Are you looking for Bella's gown from Twilight? Check here and remember who sent ya.

A Resume' for Consideration

In keeping with the tradition of this blog, I occassionally post the home listings or resumes' of client-friends. Todd is not a client, but he is a friend. Please take a moment to review his resume', and if you or someone you know needs his expertise, take action.

G. Todd Redman
42 Circle Way 636-699-7781 Cell Phone
St. Peters, MO 63376 636-447-6755 home phone
toddred12@gmail.com


PROFESSIONAL SKILLS SUMMARY

• Fork Lift Skidded Freight • ¬Drill Press Operator
• Operated Milling Machines • ¬Excellent Customer Service Skills
• Staged, Operated Shrink Wrap Equipment • Followed precise cabinet drill, assembly instructions
• Maintained Equipment according to Safety Standards • ¬Quality assembly and production line worker

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Kelly Services Nike Warehouse #8 Research Park, St. Charles, MO

External Temporary Worker Production Employee / Laid Off November 2011

• Quality Inspector for parts
• Grinding Machine Operator
• Adam Press Operator
• RF Welder Operator

Zoltek Corporation Research Park, St. Charles, MO

Mill and Fork Lift Operator
• Checked materials, followed precise procedures prior to operating milling equipment
• Manually measured and placed materials in equipment according to standards
• Operated shrink wrap Equipment in the Staging Process
• Fork Lift Certified by company, moved finished product to shipping area daily

Ameriwood Industries Wright City, MO
Drill Press Operator and Cabinet Maker
• Promoted from assembly line to drill press operator within 3 months
• Followed Detailed Drilling templates and directions for various cabinet assembly
• Conducted Quality Assurance Review for all Drill Equipment
• 100% Quality for Finished Cabinet Products

Target St. Peters, MO

Customer Service Attendant
• Assisted customers with their purchases loading and unloading
• Cleaned all customer entries, exits by sweeping, mopping and vacuuming
• Unloaded trailers and assisted with carts in the parking lot
• Stocked merchandise according to company standards
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EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
• Graduated Francis Howell High School
• Fork Lift Certified 5-25-2007 through 5-25-2010
• St. Charles Community College
• Lewis and Clark Careers Program for Small Engines
Volunteer Interests and Hobbies
Youth Van Driver, Sundays since 2010
Camping, Fishing and Baseball Games
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References Available upon Request

Blanket Drive & The Newsletter

Do you know about our annual blanket drive? Or that I publish a newsletter about once a month? Missing out on the newsletter means missing out on discounts, images from the latest weddings, and interesting stories from myself and outside authors. To start seeing what you've been missing, click HERE.

Mike & Jessica, a Destination Wedding!

It's amazing to me that, of all the "jobs" I had growing up, and of all the jobs I could be doing today, someone out there was interested in traveling from Saint Louis to New York to get married, and chose me to come along just to photograph the blessed day. I truly must have the greatest job on earth. Please know that this isn't meant to come off as boastful, but rather it's my best attempt at being thankful and humble (I lack the literary skill to be a good writer, which is perhaps why I went into art).

Jessica & Mike were so incredibly considerate, and their families too, that I often felt like their guest. Nevertheless, I prefer to serve rather than being served, which is perhaps why I enjoy wedding photography so much. I could not contain my excitement regarding the opportunity to photograph their NYC wedding. My only regret is that we didn’t spend an entire day dedicated to photographing around the city. No ceremony or reception, just a day of shooting (I would have walked until my feet fell off if given the opportunity). Here's some images from the rehearsal, followed by dinner at Il Vagabondo.



On the wedding day, Jessica and the girls did morning hair appointments at Bloom Hair & Nail Spa.

Here’s Mike & Jessica’s first sighting at their hotel, Courtyard by Marriott on the Upper East Side.

The Occupy Wall Street group did cause us some concern, and there was a short amount of time, so plans to shoot at Brooklyn Bridge were abandoned in favor of locations that were closer and more significant to the bride and groom.

The nuptials took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Yorkville, followed by a dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of New York.

It’s still so surreal to me. I wish I could repeat their wedding at least a few times a year. So if you’re an engaged bride or groom, and thinking of traveling, bring me along :) Here’s what Jessica had to say after seeing the images.

“Thank you so so much for everything!!! I know it was a lot in two days and I hope that you'll be able to stand one more night with us- haha.

I just took a look at the gallery and they are so amazing!!!! I can't believe we have so many pictures to choose from- it's awesome!!! They look so good!!! There are so many really cool shots- you did such a good job.

We're so happy that you were our photographer- not only do the pictures rock but everyone kept saying how much they love you. Even when we were waiting for the plane, everyone kept saying how much they liked you and what a good job you did. All of my other friends hated their photographers (and some even their pictures) but I love everything!!!”

Jessica left me speechless with her testimony. With the prints, frames, albums or whatever they end up ordering, I hope to return the favor.

Keep Smiling,
Joseph

October

We're closing out the season with a bang. Four weddings to go, three of which are in October, one of which is in New York City! Can you tell I'm excited? Among my local weddings I'll be with Courtney & Josh at The Grand Opera House, then Neil joins me for Kate & Scott's wedding where we'll go to Forest Park and Heart of Saint Charles, and in early November I'll shoot the local reception for Jessica & Mike (NYC wedding) at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. A little travel, a lot of awesomeness.

This past week I updated the family portraits of returning client-friends, Erica & Jeff, at Forest Park. The light and colors have been perfect for outdoor portraits.

Oh, and here's a couple of shots from the movie theater engagement session I promised two posts ago.

Courtney & Josh were great to humor me and cooperate with this concept. We also headed out to a park and got great images there. I'm VERY excited to be shooting their wedding soon.

The rest of today is packing and prep for NYC. If I'm worth my salt as a husband and father, I'll get the house picked up before my wife comes home and spend some time with my girls.

Blessings and awesomeness,

Joseph

9/11 Remembering & Reflection

My story isn't special. I am not remarkable. People say it's vanity that causes our culture to blog and to update our Facebook status, as if everyone in our circle of influence should stop to read. On this matter, I call B.S. I think it can be theraputic, at least regarding 9/11, to share.

I was working in a barely-higher-than-secretarial position for Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield, Missouri. On this particular day it was assigned to me to sort the mail pieces for the health club newsletter, and although I had been told about these planes crashing in New York, my mind was focused on my work and I really didn't give it as much attention as I should have. It was later in the morning when I passed one of the ballrooms, and saw that many of my co-workers were gathered around a television to watch the news. My oldest daughter, Maddie, was just over 2 months old at that time. What made the event more real to me was, obviously, the news footage, but also something that our hotel GM said to me. "Your little girl", he said, "is going to grow up in a different world". Time has proven him wise.

Later in the day I took a staircase to the administrative offices, as I often did, but realized on this day that hundreds, maybe thousands, were fleeing for their lives in a similar-looking staircase. It was finally at that time that the full gravity of the events had taken hold, and I paused to weep and ask God "why?".

George Orwell said, "People sleep peaceable in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf". While this is true, 9/11 has taught us that any government will have gaps in intelligence, no military can stop every threat, and that those gaps need to be filled by all of us. 9/11 was a wakeup call (I hope) that we all need to be alert, to question boldly things that apear suspect, regardless of how politically incorrect they may be, in the interest of pulic safety.

Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. Teach your kids everything you can about this event. Correct your neighbors and family members when they tell you how Islam is a "peaceful religon". To learn from this is to honor those who died that fateful day, and the men and women who have since given their time, talents, and their very lives so that the rest of us can sleep peacably.

Aaron & Jessica

Last Saturday was my first-ever wedding that I could directly credit Facebook for. As Jessica will tell you, she happened upon my images from some unknown connection. It would seem fate, and Mark Zuckerberg, brought us together.

This is what we call an "establishing shot" outside Immaculate Conception of Dardene Prairie.

The bride and groom met while working at Bass Pro, so how could we not go there on their wedding day for some ass-kicking photos?

Then it was off to Main Street in Saint Charles for some general fun and relaxed images.

The remainder of the images are from Ameristar Casino in Saint Charles, Missouri, featuring the "Night Club". A dark, difficult venue to shoot, but it sure sets a mood and allows for very unique images.

This was literally at the end of the evening. Evidentally the wonderful ladies who worked the event with us went out for late night snacks afterward. As we posessing a Y chromosome, Neil and I were not invited. :(

Please check back soon. I'm shooting 3 engagement sessions this week, including my first session in a movie theater (always been on my list).

The Value of Absence

I am currently re-making an album for a wonderful lady, who will remain anonymous. And knowing this person a little, I can truly say that she has a wonderful smile, except in her wedding photos. We didn't shoot this wedding, you see. I think her photographer must have been wearing a Hawian T-shirt and shouting "LOOK HERE! Say CHEESE!" before each shot because my sweet-natured bride looks about ready to kill, and it's SO not her nature.

I am most proud of being one of the first in our area to offer two-photographer coverage about 7 years ago. One thing we've always done differently is to be unobtrusive, especially with the 2nd (what we call "Documentary") photographer. I think that the unobtrusice nature, combined with generally being likeable and respectful, has a lot to do with your facial expressions on your wedding day.

This is a poor excuse for a blog entry. There are many clients from June that I need to brag on, but July has been a month of recovery, travel, and order fulfillment. Please be patient. It's been a busy and blessed summer.

I don't know why, but I know some of you will find it interesting that a group from my church just got back from a week in Cleveland, OH to help a small church with their VBS. This was my second year going, and the fifth our church sent a group. I don't know how much use I am to them, but if it matters to at least one person it was worth it. On the day we were supposed to head back home, we decided to show the kids (and us) Niagara Falls for the first time. That was 5 hours in the wrong direction, so the trip home was quite lengthy. I loved every minute.

This Week In Pictures

It's been too long since we've connected. That statement applies to everyone reading because I've been kind of a shut-in lately. I still employ multiple subcontractors, but for the most part, it's just me at Josephotography. Just know that we don't have to have business together for you to drop me a line to let me know what's new in your life. It might even make an interesting story here on the blog, if you're comfortable sharing that is.

What an amazing, diverse week it's been for me. Last Sunday (5/15) Neil and I were honored to serve as the official photographers for Matthew & Melissa's wedding. Our location shots at Tower Grove Park were in constant jeopordy because of the funky weather, but we managed to pull off some great shots. Both the ceremony and reception were at Hendri's, which had truly the most excellent tortellini I've ever had by the way.

Mike from Complete Music did a wonderful job as usual.

On Monday, I shot yet another session for my most loyal client-friends, the Hoffmanns. Their little Mollie is 1 year now. If you peruse the Engagement, Ankle Biters, Wedding and Maternity slide shows of my website, you'll see plenty of Hoffmann images. I hope that's an indication of how proud I am to be their family photographer.

Then on Tuesday I got to shoot an engagement session for Chris & Miranda on Main Street in Saint Charles. I've shot down there plenty of times, but can't ever remember having so much real estate all to myself. Who would have thought that the place would be pleasantly dead at 6:30 pm on a Tuesday?! Anyway, Miranda was very cooperative (okay, Chris also) and it was nice to be able to spend some time with them shooting my favorite kind of images.

Wednesday was an "edit" day for all those images.

And now, the finale'. I've been priviledged to have a job that I love. There are many perks, but every so often I get to be a part of something extra special. Perhaps more special than a wedding, but that's arguable. Yesterday I was honored to photograph a MARRIAGE PROPOSAL. The groom, Tom, called me about a week beforehand to introduce himself and tell me about his beloved Bailey. Together we came up with the location and setup. Who would have thought that a 30% change for rain would include the exact location and time for this clandestine event? So what did we do? PLAN B, which involved moving to Saint Peters Recreation Complex (we needed to stay near Saint Peters and continue with the groom's original plan of a picnic). The following images are from that moment when a man asked that most-important question, and his soul-mate said "yes".

I was truly honored to be present for this moment, and won't mess it up further by blathering on.

Keep Smiling,

Joseph