I’ve seen some great wedding videos over the years…  And while I have a vested interest in still photography (suprise suprise) – every once in a while I see something that just blows my mind.

If you poll anyone in tune with the Wedding Cinematography industry you’re sure to hear great things about Pacific Pictures, Stillmotion , Mind Castle Studios, and Joe Simon Productions.  It seems that they are often consistently on the top in videographer rankings, at least over the past few years.  What’s kind of cool is that even though they all produce outstanding work with their own companies – Kevin (Pacific Pictures), Patrick (Stillmotion), Casey(Mind Castle), and Joe (Joe Simon Productions) recently combined forces to produce a combination live wedding/concept production in India for a couple traveling there from the states to be wed.  Although this was primarily a Pacific Pictures production – Patrick, Joe and Casey all flew over to assist Kevin.  I guess when you put all that talent together something awesome is bound to come of it.

This is just the teaser…  It’s too good to not share! Check it out!

-Andrew

Bob & Jennifer were married back in January and were my first 2010 couple…  Jen and my wife have known each other for many years and when she asked me to shoot her wedding I couldn’t say no!   They are also both friends with Kim (whose wedding I shot a little while back) – so there were a lot of familiar faces on the dance floor…

The ceremony was held at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Franklin Park, followed by a gorgeous reception at Beau Jolie in Schiller Park.

Check out the photos and slideshow link below!

-Andrew

*** Watch Slideshow ***

I received a few emails from people interested in being able to view the Photo Spots that I referred to in my last post – but they don’t have iPhones…

The good news is that you can view them as well. It won’t be as slick as the iPhone app presentation – but all of the same data is there including sample photos etc.

Just click on the link below to jump over to a Google Map view of some of my favorite Photo Spots.

I will definitely be adding many more in the coming weeks when I get a chance!

John Andrews Photography – Photo Spots Google Map

-Andrew

Clients always ask me what I think are some of the great locations in Chicago to take photos for Engagements, Weddings and Portrait sessions… Honestly there are so many cool locations in Chicago it’s hard to tell or show them without digging out a map

For those of you that have iPhones or iPod Touches – I have just rolled out a cool new feature for my Studio’s Client Connect App – Photo Spots.

Photo Spots is a really fun way to check out some of my favorite Chicago locations. Right now there are a few dozen of my favorite locations listed, but I will be adding a bunch more when I get some time in the coming weeks.

Photo Spot Feature Highlights

• Move, Pan, and Zoom an interactive map of the Chicagoland area that displays pin locations of some of my favorite Photo Spots.
• Tap on the pins to see highlight detail, drill through to view a short POI (Point of Interest) commentary on the location with tips for photos to be taken there.
• View a sample photo shot at the Photo Spot.
• Click on a “Locate Me” icon to show your real-time position relative to the Photo Spot (only works with iPhone w/GPS) – if you are an adventurer you can use the map to navigate to the exact spot as displayed on the map!

Photo Spots Screen Shots

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. I am grateful to have been able to work with so many wonderful couples in 2009 and am looking forward to 2010!

Many blessings…
-Andrew

Brett & Lindsay were married just about a month ago and had one of the most fun weddings that I’ve shot this year.  All of my couples have fantastic weddings though!   Brett & Lindsay were a referral from Ted & Katie from 2008.  They share a lot of the same group of friends – so there were lots of familiar faces!

The ceremony was held at St. Teresa of Avila church, followed by an intimate reception at Salvatore’s Restaurant.  We hit Michigan Ave for some fun shots after the ceremony because at around 4:30 this time of year it’s dark in Chicago!  Nothing that the lights of the city couldn’t fix!

Check out the photos and slideshow link below!

-Andrew

*** Watch Slideshow ***

Justin & Amy were married in November and we were lucky enough to get an absolutely gorgeous warm day.  End of the year Chicago weddings are always a roll of the dice   The ceremony was held at St Louis de Montfort church with a super fun reception at the Abbington.  The wedding was absolutely perfect and everyone in attendance had a ton of fun!

Check out the photos and slideshow link below!

-Andrew

*** Watch Slideshow ***

Kevin & Molly had an absolutely beautiful wedding a little over a month ago.  Molly is Meghan’s sister and I’ll be shooting Meghan’s wedding next year.  I’m certainly looking forward to that wedding too!

The ceremony was held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette and the reception at the Union League Club in Chicago.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos from the day as well as a slideshow.

-Andrew

*** Watch Slideshow ***

Back in June I shot Mike & Ann’s wedding.  David Clawson from Perfect Pear Media was also at the event shooting video…  I just wanted to post up his highlights film which gives his take on the day.  It also gives you a little peek into a typical wedding day shoot as you can see me working in a bunch of the scenes

Just look for the flashing camera or guy dressed all in black with the big camera

Great  film David!!

Andrew

Jeff & Jennifer were married back in June and I was honored to be asked to document their day.  Their wedding day activities were held in Northern Indiana, so I traveled out from Chicago the day prior and was able to snap some photos at their awesome Pig Roast and Rehearsal – super fun times!

The ceremony was held at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Nortre Dame campus followed by an intimate reception at Tippecanoe Place which is a fantastic mansion and landmark located in South Bend Indiana’s historic district.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day.  I will follow up with a post just highlighting some more of the Basilica’s beautiful architecture at a later post.

-Andrew

*** Watch Slideshow ***