Akesson PhotoBlog

Well this guy has been building and repairing his web for some weeks now. Started out just a little garden spider and now has a massive web and huge food storage supply. Rain and wind has not dislodge him.

But today we noticed that he is a she. There are little spiders circulating around her web. No wonder he [she] is about 10 times large now. And we have noticed that there aren’t many mosquitoes and other insects around at the moment. So at my daughters urging I got close with the new 100mm f2.8 macro canon lens. Hand held and as close as I could get without losing focus.

Don’t know if there is a Mr Garden Spider around,… have only seen one.  So I guess the wedding photo is of her on her own!  The Web has to be her Veil maybe…!

Wedding photography is a team game,… a two way street .

It’s not only the photographer’s perceptions and influence but it’s also the expectations and participation of the various people involved. Since doing some second shooting at weddings [where I assist the contracted photographer - Chris Brown ] I’ve spent some time contemplating / analysing / reflecting on my experiences when it comes to shooting the guys in all the weddings I’ve shot.

Hmmm! Often it’s been less than relaxed. Chaotic even. More intent at burning off the nervous energy than getting ready for pics. At the same time you have this photographer who can make the mistake of assuming they would keen to get their faces into a digital image.

What’s the answer? Clarity in pre-planning with the groom and communicating that first up with all the guys. A bunch of guys on a wedding will, if there is no direction, go in all directions at a whim. It’s a team thing. At this wedding I talked to each of the guys as I took their individual photos first up. Told them what the pics were going to be used for.

So guys, this is what I had in mind with those first pics - simple portraits with a purpose. Sure we took heaps more pics of you during the day. But you got into game right from the start. It’s not just about the glamorous girls mostly but not all.

Now here’s a topic to create huge division in Australia,…. just talk about politics and politicians. Everybody has an opinion about politicians in general. And everybody has an opinion about our leaders. Even I have an opinion.  So here goes.

I got to go listen to our Prime Minister at a breakfast in the Grand Ballroom number 2 at Burswood this morning. A few others also came [about 650 others]. I have two impressions to convey. First reflects a personal opinion on public speaking.   Second reflects my response to what I heard.

1.  PM Kevin Rudd is not too bad a speaker,… in terms of political figures in Australia who are all very careful not to veer off the beaten [or written] track. There’s safety in a carefully cultivated creative writing. That’s the way it is nowdays with everyone ready to pounce if a phrase is ever so slightly open to interpretation.  Sadly the loss of eye contact with the audience is a victim of the current climate. Politicians should go listen to some of our contemporary Pentecostal Pastors and learn how to really communicate to the hearts of people.

2.  Nonetheless he spoke with conviction; with a degree of passion and a steely commitment to the long term future of our country. I couldn’t help but continue to gain the impression that not only had we voted for a change of government at the last election, but we had also received a generational change. He might only be about 15 years younger than our previous PM, but he is a generation of difference.

If that was all I got out of this mornings breakfast,… well it would have been sufficient. For me there was a sense of hope, a perception that all will be well in the next few years with Kevin Rudd at the helm. It’s something that I had been feeling since before the election. It’s something that reassures my heart as a father that my daughters’ future in this country remain bright.

But then who really cares what I think. Here’s a pic I took, from the middle of the Grand Ballroom Number 2, of our Honourable Prime Minister this morning.

Go for it Kevin.  Make your own daughters proud of you.  And continue to give my daughters generation hope for the future.

Sean was just a tad nervous. We used all the blues of the room and furniture as a calming effect for a pic full of smiles that actually camouflage the reality of inner butterflies. We guys don’t like to admit such a thing though!

WoW! My blogging has been a bit spasmodic for the last few weeks. Time to get a few pics up more regularly.

Been proofing weddings and preparing family shoots for printing and such - and getting company financial reports done for my day job. Nonetheless have heaps of fab and fun pics ready to blog.

Tonight 3 pics from the pre wedding preparations. Of course the beautiful bride Melissa, and then all the girls showing their enthusiasm and pre-ceremony butterflies by flexing their muscles. Add then one of the youngest groomsmen,… doing me a favour by sitting where dad will sit and being my model during the set up.

Lots more coming so keep checking back for more of the wedding - nearly finished proofing and then lots more will be up on the gallery for family and friends. And coming up are some different shots of Julia in front of Perth City [ a week before she left for USA] , a pre-wed shoot of Brant and Felicity, and more.

A wedding can be somewhat go-go-go for the newly-weds. The schedule of events gets jam packed with busyness. So nearing the end of some location shoots at the old railway station we took the opportunity to give Sean and Melissa time to take the weight off their feet and catch their breath. No such rest for the photography team though. And just as well,…. the pic we got was great!

Few weeks ago I posted some pics of a prewedding shoot with this terrific couple.

Well last Sunday they were married in an afternoon outdoor ceremony about 100 kms north of Perth. Great wedding. Fabulous day - though a bit bright outside during the ceremony [that's the photographer in me who likes a pile of fluffy white clouds to help with the lighting!!!] The whole wedding party were a fun group who appeared to really enjoy themselves all through the day. And with all the hard work that went into making the day just right it was really great that the day progressed pretty well without a hitch. A wonderful wedding.

Melissa was so beautiful that Sean just had to shed a tear when came down to join the ceremony. They both wore ivory/cream and the ladies had little black gowns.

One pic for tonight and some more during the week. For those who took part in the “photobooth” we had up, you can see some of them on the Akesson Photo Gallery. You will need a password - Melissa’s surname again. Again there will be more pics up in the various sections over the next week or so.

Now it isn’t very often that I get to take pics of Heather these days. Mostly when we go out for coffee it’s a “no camera” zone,…. that is she wants my attention not my focus and exposure … if you get my drift!

Well last week I got to take a few pics - I’ve been using Nikon digitals for a few years and recently have been loaned a Canon 30D. Well I needed to keep testing it - didn’t I. Tell you what, the 30D is certainly much faster/easier in focus than my current Nikons. But then it’s newer technology too.

And today we when we went for a coffee we went out with the intent of checking out the wireless flash equipment. Now I know I could have done that at home with a stuffed toy or an empty box, but it’s heaps more fun doing it with a real person at the end of the lens.

Thing is I need to give good consideration, at the moment, as to whether I stick with Nikon and buy one of the brand spanking new fantabulous D300 units or do I take the plunge and go over to the DARK SIDE and buy a Canon 40D or even a 5D full frame. It’s an expensive shift. I can get two 40D’s for the price of one D300. Now I know that the D300 is 5 times better than the 40D but will the end results be that much better? That’s a good question. And the price of camera’s suggests get it right before buying.

So here’s one more from last week. We were sitting having coffee outside the London Court Cafe in central Perth. Heaps of fabulous light being reflected from the old bricks and cream painted walls.

For the last 4 years our Kids Church at CCCHH have held an annual Hepburn Heights Super Star event for all the young budding entertainers of primary school age.  Last Sunday morning it was on. And I am truly amazed how talented some of these young kids are.  The odd butterflies to begin with but once they are on they are really into it.  And sometimes the winning talent just seems to come right out of left field.

Two of my favourite pics for today.  The first I felt was one of those really dramatic pics that I didn’t realise was so good til I processed them.  As you can see George the Gorilla was baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! So this one will be my opening pic for the slideshow.

And then the guitarist.  He was really good.  Sang that Linkin Park song,… What I’ve Done.  Tough song for a kid so young; a bit long for him.  Nevertheless I reckon he did a pretty fair job at it.  His guitar work was really great.

Went shopping in the city of Perth with Heather this morning. Wanted to take a few photos to celebrate her birthday [which was on 26th Feb]. Another amazing early autumn day. We must be the most blessed people in the world to live in this city!

Then lo and behold,… she goes strolling off with this rather tall gentleman in a dark brown suit. Managed to get a photo of her as evidence. As you can see she’s step for step with him. Heading right into St Martins Square. What can one do except post a photo

For those that missed it, these 5 ‘gentlemen’ were set in place in 2004 to celebrate Perth’s 175th foundation anniversary.