Dogs are Fun… So are Their Owners

PORT BYRON, Ill. – Mary Blank, co-owner of Tailz ‘Er Waggin’ in Davenport, along with her husband Al and their kids met me for a Holiday Card session near the river.

I’ve shot dogs before, but this was a unique opportunity to photograph a handful at once. It was a mix of personality, curiosity, and good humor from everyone!

The kids (from left to right, starting at the top) are: Jake (Beagle), Jasmine (Beagle/Basset),  Dory (Basset), Mollee (Basset), and Shelby (Shih-poo). The dogs can usually be seen at the store at different times,  where they are happy to greet owners and their human pets.

Good times!

Shuva

Jessica & Justin’s Spectacular Peoria, Illinois Wedding

PEORIA, Ill. – More than a year’s worth of preparation came down to one day, and for Jess it was finally sinking in. I’m getting married, I’m getting married, I’m getting married…

She was saying this out loud to herself as much as to anyone within earshot in the hotel room and at the church, adding the footnote: I’m not nervous about getting married… I’m nervous about the process. But Jess was also her excited bubbly self throughout the morning as she got ready and made sure everyone was where they were supposed to be.

Luckily she didn’t have much to worry about. In the morning I had a chance to take a peek at the reception site, Kickapoo Creek Winery, where Jess’ idea of having wine-themed table names were showcased on the place cards themselves!

… and the respective wine bottle – each table had a different one – listed alphabetically from the front of the room to the back. They all had funky names, like the ones shown below. The “Broke Ass” table belonged to Jess and Justin.

Meanwhile, Jess was in the hotel room getting all prettied up. She and I are close in height, which made for a fun shoot especially with Jess standing on the toilet. But mostly, it was her cheerful personality that made this such a great wedding.

Justin was getting ready at the church, sporting a feather with a gold ribbon on his suit. This was a theme throughout the day – as everything a wedding would normally have as flowers was replaced with the use of feathers. What a creative concept!

Shortly before the ceremony, Jess was still a bit nervous, anxious… then moved to tears reading a beautiful card from Justin.

And then it was time. Justin proudly saw his bride-to-be for the first time, as she was escorted down the aisle by her grandfather – and holding a feather bouquet.

Their church, Trinity Lutheran, is a photographers’ dream to shoot in. There was so much beautiful natural light coming through the stained glass it was incredible.

Their ceremony was short, simple and with a homily that addressed their relationship perfectly.

After that, it was time to celebrate… and Jess and Justin gave us photographers (myself and Peoria photographer Scott Laidler) a massive time frame with the bridal party. Here’s one of my favorites from a shoot in a park.

Our next stop was a local bar, where the couple posed themselves. Seriously, they should go into modeling.

Afterward, we headed to the winery – stylin’ it for the cameras they did!

Scott took these shots, the second of which was taken just minutes before they headed into the reception.

After enjoying a cocktail hour, the guests were eagerly awaiting for them. The banquet hall had tables dressed up with ostrich plumes and candelabras, and blue accent lighting placed by the DJs. Gorgeous setup!

Cake!

Their First Dance was impressive, and a wonderful display of dancing skills!

Last but not least, we had a CrazyBooth at this reception which guests thoroughly enjoyed, including Jess and Justin (bottom center).

And that was the end of our incredibly fun day. Thanks, Jess and Justin, for having me to document your fantastic event! What a privilege it was to be part of this big day! Much congrats to you both!

Shuva

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Wedding Notes:

Ceremony: Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria with the Pastor Mark Nelson officiating

Reception: Kickapoo Creek Winery, Edwards, Illinois

Photographer: Accent Photographics (me!), assisted by Scott Laidler

Party Bus: One Sweet Dream, Bloomington, Illinois

DJ: Absolute Light and Sound, Hudson, Illinois

First Dance Song: “The Best is Yet to Come” by Frank Sinatra

Feather Bouquets, Corsages, Boutonnieres & Reception Decorations: Heaven on Earth, Peoria

Ostrich Plume Centerpieces: purchased from Weddingbee.com, assembled by Jessica and Maid of Honor Katie Jurgens.

Cake: Tammy Woodmancy

Wedding Dress: Hope’s Bridal, Davenport, Iowa

Bridesmaids Dresses: Bobbie’s Bridal, Peoria

Tuxes: Savvi Formalwear, Peoria

Reception Linens: I Do Events, Washington, Illinois

My Weddings: Helping Kids, Turtles and the World

When I first decided to pursue photography as a career, my initial goal was to shoot photos full-time for non-profits – specifically international humanitarian organizations. But there are very few people who are successful (make a decent living) at that without fear of being cut from the payroll.

So I shifted gears and by a random series of events got into wedding photography. It’s been fun, and I am excited with the couples I have this year and next. But the yearning to do more persisted…

I’ve been thinking about this since January, and am finally ready to just do it. – From now on, couples who book me for their wedding will have the option to give a small percentage – $50 – of their photography investment toward at least one of four organizations. It is the best way for me to balance the things I care about. While the need is everywhere, the groups (links are given with each name) I selected were chosen based on the high quality of work they do, and the success in continuing/fulfilling their missions. They are as follows:

The Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities

I’ve had an incredible relationship with this organization for the past couple years. Based in Moline, Illinois, the CTC is the only Quad City-area facility that provides physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapies to children up to age 9. I’ve had an opportunity to photograph some of the kids, and their parents will tell you that the therapy received has helped in many ways.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders)

I think most of us have heard of this organization. But here’s a refresher. They’re an international medical humanitarian organization formed by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. They’ve responded to about every major emergency in the world in more than 60 countries, whether it results from armed conflict, malnutrition or natural disaster. Most recently, they’ve had a strong presence since the earthquake in Haiti. And they have a Nobel Peace Prize to prove they’re awesome.

Peace Corps’ Health and HIV/AIDS Fund

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the South American country of Suriname (2004-06). During that time, my fellow PCVs and I worked on a wide range of health-care related projects. They ranged from organized initiatives to impromptu lessons about everything from daily exercise to nutrition to maternal care to HIV/AIDS. In some cases, we were left to our own imaginations to teach these lessons. The Peace Corps fund – which is a donation-driven Special Fund – helps volunteers tackle daily health issues in their developing communities by way of educational resources for schools, construction materials to build health clinics, and equipment, such as first-aid kits. It’s an important fund that has the potential for more than 7,000 U.S. volunteers to change lives in 77 developing countries – without the element of disaster.

The Turtle Hospital

Seriously, I couldn’t imagine offering something like this and not mentioning turtles. My interest in sea turtles stems from my Peace Corps days when I worked extensively with endangered leatherbacks. I haven’t looked at sea turtles the same way since. And long before the BP oil disaster, I struggled as to which turtle-related organization to support until I finally decided recently on The Turtle Hospital, based in the Florida Keys. This facility treats sick and injured sea turtles, many which have flippers amputated from fishing lines and/or have ingested plastic bags. The hospital can also perform surgeries. And the staff’s work has taken on greater importance since the oil spill. To see more on this hospital, take a moment to check out this news clip that aired just over a month ago.

My wedding couples will get to choose which organization(s) to support. In doing so, they’ll be contributing to something that will help make a difference.

Cheers,

Shuva 🙂

New Year’s Togetherness ~ Milan, Illinois Family Session

Sherri contacted me just before Christmas, after winning a photo session from me from the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction last October. Her son, who had served in Afghanistan and now was living in Washington, D.C., would be home for the holidays. And so just before New Year’s we got together – Sherri, her husband Craig, son Dillon and his girlfriend Molly at Sherri’s mother’s home in Milan. Here’s some favorites from our time together:

Sherri saw the photos of her son and said, “I have a handsome boy.”

Love and fun in the snow.

Naurin & Joe ~ Quad Cities Muslim Engagement Ceremony

For Naurin and Joe getting engaged was a blending of cultures, traditions, ceremony and families. They got engaged the weekend before Christmas, making their intentions to marry official in a Muslim engagement ceremony held at Naurin’s parents’ home in Bettendorf.

It was only a year ago during their family session that Naurin first told me about Joe. They’d met while Naurin was in medical school at SIU and continued their relationship while he stayed in Springfield, Illinois and she moved to do her residency in Washington, D.C. Their connection only grew despite the long distance and two very busy schedules. This is how their engagement ceremony unfolded.

I got to the house and was welcomed by this sight:

Naurin was upstairs getting ready with her sister, cousins, aunts and closest friends (and replying to Joe’s text asking if he could come yet).

As we waited, I checked out the rest of the decor around the house, like the ceremony setup and the table in the dining room of beautiful flowers, cakes and desserts.

The groom’s family traditionally brings the bride her engagement sari (dress). So upon their arrival, Naurin’s father and brother went outside to greet Joe and his family, who were armed with the sari as well as a cake and gifts for the couple. Naurin’s cousins greeted each family member with a flower.

Meanwhile, Naurin’s sari was taken upstairs to her. She changed and was escorted down.

Honoring tradition, the eldest member of the groom’s family (Joe’s oldest brother Dan) formally asked the eldest member of the bride’s family (Naurin’s grandmother) permission for the couple to marry. Once Naurin’s grandmother gave her consent then Joe  – breaking from tradition – took the ring out and proposed.

Congrats to Naurin and Joe! I’m excited for them both and wish them all the best!

Katie & Ben ~ Finally Reunited

After a year in Iraq, Ben returned home on Oct. 8 ready for real life and most importantly his wife, Katie.

I photographed Katie and the couple’s dog, Ellie, this past summer as part of Operation: Love Reunited, for active-duty military serving overseas and their families. Katie and Ben, who live in Dixon, Illinois, and I finally met up in Davenport this past weekend for a reunion session.

Here’s a glimpse of the soldier and his lady:

Katie & Ellie ~ A Gift for the Hero

Katie’s husband, Benjamin, is scheduled to return home in October – after 1 year in Iraq. It’s one year too long, but Katie knows that military service means putting country first. She lives in Dixon, Illinois, but came to Davenport – also where Benjamin’s unit is based – to be photographed with the couple’s Sheltie, Ellie, in late July.

Katie wrote me the following about Benjamin before we met:

Not only does he serve in the military, he also is a volunteer firefighter/EMT. He takes his leadership position very seriously, but also knows how to keep the morale up with his soldiers. He is my Hero.

I got word from Katie today that Benjamin received his session album – a complimentary gift via Operation: Love Reunited. And I’m excited to meet him when he comes home this fall! This is a glimpse of what Benjamin got in the mail:

Ome & Javier ~ Wedding

They met as young teenagers when she visited Mexico. Who would’ve thought they would meet down the road again, fall in love and marry as adults? After she got engaged, Ome – who lives in Peoria – found me through my blog last year and decided she wanted me as her photographer. I knew she was going to be a special bride when she talked about having a photo session incorporated as part of her wedding day with her and her new husband – a guy with whom she traveled to Las Vegas only a couple weeks before the wedding so they two could bring Javier’s family along for the occasion. Here’s a sneak peek of the day as it unfolded:

Ome got her hair done at a relative’s house in Viola before heading to her parents’ home in Aledo to get dressed.

They got married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Davenport. In Mexican weddings, the couple is draped with a rosary for part of the ceremony to signify the man and woman’s commitment to each other.

After church, we headed to Vander Veer Botanical Park where Ome and Javier gave me and my assistant the luxury of photographing them for a significant amount of time. This was my favorite part of the day:

Then it was off to the Col Ballroom in Davenport for the reception, a place I’d shot many times last summer and fall. But I was BLOWN AWAY at the amount of planning Ome put into decorating the place. Simply incredible!!

These photos only represent a part of the entire cake ensemble.

Another tradition in Mexican weddings is when the groom holds onto the veil while all the guys run around him like crazy trying to push him away from his bride. Lucky for Ome, Javier managed to hold on. But that didn’t stop the guys later from doing the traditional “tossing of the groom”. A fun day for me, and much congrats to you both!

Wedding Key Notes

Ceremony: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Davenport

Reception: Col Ballroom, Davenport

Photography: Accent Photographics (me!), Iowa & Illinois

Videography: Peralta Productions Video, Quad Cities

Cake: Irma Torrez, Moline

Flowers: Milan Flower & Gift Shop, Milan

In Search of a Compelling Story

I checked the Giving Is Awesome site a little while ago, and was excited to see the number of photographers participating has gone over 330 worldwide, and the amount of custom photography donated is now more than $330,000. Amazing, what the Internet has the ability to do!

To review, what I’m offering a custom photo package worth $600. That includes:

– A 1-hour photo shoot

– A disc of at least 20 images

– A memory box of 5×7 images

– And a custom-designed hardbound coffee table book

If you nominate the person who wins you receive a $150 print credit.

You cannot nominate yourself. The person you nominate must be truly deserving  of this incredible prize. By “truly deserving” I mean they must be the sort of individual overcoming a great deal in life and cannot afford a great deal of luxury items, while still keeping a smile on their face.

To date, I’ve received 2 nominations, and the last day to send in yours is Dec. 23.  An announcement for the winner will be made on this blog on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve.

So please send me your nominations via email at shuva@accentphotographics.com. And if you know of someone outside the area, click on the banner above to direct you to the map and see if there is a photographer in that locale you can send a nomination to.

Thanks much, and have a great week!

Shuva Rahim

Meghan and Adam’s Wedding

No amount of chilly weather last month in Bloomington, Illinois, would stop Meghan and Adam from getting married. The two were a great pair to work with and just as much fun to photograph on their wedding day. Simplicity and generosity were at the heart of this couple. The bridesmaids walked down – not with flowers – but lanterns. Meghan walked down the candlelit aisle of her church on her father’s arm. For their reception decided against the traditional favors for their guests. Instead, they made a small donation to the ASPCA in honor of their friends and loved ones who attended their reception. Stay tuned for a few photos from their wedding to get on the WEDDING link of Accent Photographics. In the meantime, here’s some of my favorites from their special day.

A beautiful, but cold day. Meghan runs inside before the groom sees her.

Last moments before the ceremony.

"We did!"

An emotional, hilarious and heartfelt toast

First dance