A Great Addition…

Meet Jeff Loder.  Jeff recently joined Elaine & I as another wedding photographer to our ever growing business.  Jeff has been taking photos since he was 15 years old and has been doing professional photography assignments for the past two years.  His diverse portfolio includes working with Smashing Pumpkins photographing their 20th anniversary tour, as well as commerical, wedding & fashion photography.  Welcome Aboard Jeff.  We’re excited to have Jeff join us!

Here is a small sample of wedding photo’s Jeff has taken.

And a couple of Jeff’s Favorite Smashing Pumpkin Assignment Photos..

It’s Senior Time

Senior season is in full gear at Giraffe Photography!  If your a parent of a Senior (not senior citizen) then you’re probably starting or will be getting all the glossy postcards in the mail from different companies and lets not forget the ever bland school photographer!  Trust me they haven’t gotten better.  I was just looking a photo taken of me in school and I’m wearing a turqoise turtleneck and my face looks like someone just slapped me!  Then the other day my neighbor was showing me their kids school senior photo, and it had the same lame background and boring pose.  Kind of looks like a passport photo.  Enough of that.  If you want something totally different, and unique then give us a call.

April 25, 2009 – Elaine’s Wedding

Ronnie & Cherie Saldana had there ceremony in Milan and the reception followed at the University Club in Moline.  In between sites, Elaine was able to take them on location and get some cool images capturing there fun personality and rocker side!  Ronnie is in a band so he wasn’t at all camera shy.  Take a look at some of the photos.

April 25, 2009 – Stephen’s Wedding

Perfect weather & and a very unique location makes awesome photos!  Jason & Shannon Myers were married at the Rivermonte Collegiate Mansion in Bettendorf.  I’m a history buff and live in an old home myself so I was like a kid in a candy store with no spending limit when I got there.  This gorgeous mansion was build in 1915 and is a whopping total of 21,000 square feet.  Here is a look at some of the images.

Rani’s Senior Photos

Rani wanted something truly unique for her senior portraits.  So instead of the plain-jane sport uniform photos that we are often asked to do (BORING);

she brought a few of her umbrellas (NOT BORING) that she collects from around the world.  They really set the photos off!  Take a look at her super cool, non-traditonal senior photos!

April 18, 2009 – Elaine’s Wedding

Elaine had the great pleasure of working with Mike & Katie Crawford who were married at the Orion Lutheran Church with the reception following at the Rock Island Arsenal.  Elaine really liked this first photo.  The backdrop is an old barn.  The rustic wood plank siding just gives the photo so much character.  Here is a look of their big day.

April 18, 2009 – Stephen’s Wedding

Hans & Julie Meckley were married at St Marks Church in Davenport with the Reception following at Stoney Creek Inn.  The weather was abit iffy at first with the threat of rain, but fortunatly it didn’t amount to more than a few drips.  Here is small sample of their wedding.

I really love this last photo.  It was taken on the back steps of Stoney Creek facing Bass Street Landing.  The sun was getting ready to go down and the golden rays of sunlight really lit my couple up and made some fabolous photos!

If You Haven’t Had Your Engagement Photos Taken Yet…

Than Call Today.  Spring is one of the best times to do your engagement photos.  Why, well for starters it’s not 340 degrees outside.  Since we are located in the village, weather permitting, we take alot of our couples outside here.  Second, if your having a late summer/fall wedding, its simply a change of scenary for your engagement session.

With that in mind, I’ve listed some clothing tips, since we get asked all the time “Stephen, what should I wear?”  Well for starters, clothes.  We don’t do boudoir photos here.

On a serious note, wear solid neutral colors.  No patterns (pin-stripes are okay..noticed how I said okay) solids look better.  And never wear matching shirts.  Instead, if he is gonna wear dark gray, then you wear light gray.  Or dark chocolate and tan.  Keep it simple.  Guys, if your going to shave for your photoshoot (up to you) do it the night before to avoid having razor burn in your photos.  If you have any questions, just call the studio.  Remember, there is never a dumb question.

Designer Reception – March 28, 2009

Meet Tami & Boo.  They were married on the beach and hired us to do their reception back home in the Quad Cities at Blackhawk Lodge.  We’ve been to the lodge more times than I can remember.  But, one thing I’ll never forget is how good her decorations were!  This bride decked the place out!!  It looked AWESOME!  And it was all her idea’s!  To really top things off, she had remote controlled lights that changed colors all over the place!  Here is a look of her reception.

When You Want the Coolest Senior Photos….

You go to Giraffe Photography! Why? Because all of our photos are different.  We don’t use corny Senior Props with a Styro-foam Cut-out of the year.  We don’t pose you on plastic rocks.  We don’t setup a fake fog machine so it looks like WWF World Wrestling!  Your photos reflect who you are.  Your personality.  There is a reason why we are “A Head Above the Rest”