Say cheese!: Wedding photographer search a success

As most of you know, I dabble in photography in addition to my job at the newspaper. My passion with photography began in third grade when my parents bought me a little Ninja Turtles camera that used 110 film. My love for the art bloomed and has been a part of my life ever since.

I scored an internship in college with Jeff Bennett in the marketing department at Rochester College. He also began inviting me along to shoot weddings with him on the weekends, and even recommended me to other wedding photographer friends. He taught me pretty much everything I know.

Jeff was my first (and only) pick for a wedding photography. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Jeff is unable to shoot my wedding. The day I found I definitely cried. I'm such a nerdy girl.

So, Jake and I set out on the search for a wedding photographer and came across this guy:

Oliver Howell

You don't realize how many over-priced photographic hacks there are out there until you start searching. Having photographed a few weddings myself, I know how much work goes into the job and what a fair price is for the product and services. Oliver was the only photographer who really interested me and fit all my criteria.

This is the photo that first caught my eye on his website

Oliver is a student at Michigan State University and a talented photographer. He shoots with Nikon equipment (which I've forgiven him for as I am a Canon girl) and really produces some great art. I appreciate his approach to photography: Not only does he take nice photos, he documents moments that will never happen again ... and all with an artistic eye.

Jake and I are not fans of most traditional wedding things. Photography is no exception. Most people these days have their wedding portraits taken outside in a nice garden or by a fountain or something else like that. Jake and I want to break out of the box. We thought it would be interesting to have wedding photos taken in a few of these places (photos taken by Amy Napier):

When we described our desire for "out of the box" wedding photos, Oliver said he was excited for the chance to flex his artistic muscle, as most couples want to stick with simple outdoor-sie venues. Granted, Jake and I will still take a few posed photos in a nice outdoor location with our families. But, we're definitely going to take the wedding party and have some fun creating awesome one-of-a-kind photographic art.

We think the classy look of wedding attire juxtaposed with the hard lines and dinginess of the city will create eye-catching wedding photos unique to us and our relationship.




We're planning on taking Oliver and our wedding party to downtown Battle Creek for the photos. There are so many hidden gems as far as photographic opportunities are concerned. I didn't realize how great the architecture and accidental art was until I did Caleb Sunnock's senior pictures there this past August.

I'm excited to see what Oliver can do given the chance to create without boundaries.





To learn more about Oliver and his art, please visit:
Oliver's photography website
Oliver's blog