Rick Jennisch Photography

Encounter with a Fox

On a Sunday afternoon back in October I had an engagement session at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve with my clients, Matt and Jennifer.  As usual, I arrived early to get some ideas about locations and lighting.  I was standing near the boat docks, there was not a soul around, and this red fox comes trotting down the road toward me.  I aimed a 200 mm lens at the fox and began to fire away!  But the fox kept trotting toward me!

He stopped about twenty feet away and just looked at me.  I started to get nervous at this point, because I have never been this close to a fox and I didn't know their their demeanor or the nature of their behavior.

The fox started to walk toward me again.  I was surrounded by boats and water, and the fox was inbetween me and my truck!  I was getting nervous as the animal was about four feet away!  I had a titanium monopod in my hands with $5000.00 of camera equipment mounted on top, and I stuck the monopod out in a defensive position.  I thought, "Oh my God...this animal probably has rabies!"

At this point, the fox is about three feet away.  It turns out that all he wanted to do is check out the lens I had laid down on the pavement.  Perhaps he thought it might be some food?  I'm sure the people that recreate at the park have left food for the animals.

Having realized the lens was not something to eat, the fox moved toward the water for a drink...I moved to my car for saftey!

Mr. Fox goes to the watering hole. 

I thought foxes were nocturnal.  I used to see them at night when I lived near John Deere Middle School in Moline, and they never approached humans.  That's why I thought this one might be sick when it walked up to me!

And here is Jen and Matt! 

What a beautiful fall day, and a perfect place to shoot an engagement session!

I have always used this  TypePad blog blog for my wedding photography business.  I considered eliminating this site since my new web site has a new blog for my business.  I have decided to keep this blog for a place to post  personal images and commentary.

The fall colors in October at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve.

Adam and Jann

August 18, 2007

Ceremony: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Davenport, IA

Reception: Holiday Inn (Four Points), Rock Island, IL

Since VanderVeer Park is right across the street from St. Paul's, we walked over to shoot Adam and Jann's bride and groom shots.

Here is a series of images from that sequence.

This image has a subtle vignette on the edges to frame, and focus the viewer's attention on the subjects; Adam and Jann.

I used the fountain at VanderVeer Park for a backdrop in this image.

Adam and Jann wanted to do some photography down by the River with the bridge in the background.  Since it's a popular place I always try to look for something different.  In this image I set my camera on the rail to let the line lead to Adam and Jann.  And the lines from the bridge lead to them from the other side.  I have used a similar composition at other locations along the river without the camera resting on the rail.  I like the result of that choice!

Here is a color image at the same location.

Jann's Portrait in color.

Jann's portrait in black and white.

Adam's portrait.

Jann and the bridemaids were walking to the park in this black and white image.

This was about as formal as we got for group shots at this wedding...and that suits us just fine!

Jann was interacting with the Flower Girls, and I just stood back with a long telephoto and recorded the action.

I must say...I love my black and white images!

Here is one more from that sequence.

I had to post this image.  It was nap time for the younger Flower Girl when the ceremony started, so she slept her way down the ailse!

The older Flower Girl wasn't tired, but she wasn't into watching Adam and Jann take their vows either!

I will close with with this image of Keith and his two daughters.  Keith is a professional wildlife photographer, and he and his wife travel all over the US to shoot wildlife and landscapes.  Their work is outstanding!  You can view the photography at their website: www.imagesbydavenport.com

Special thanks to Adam, Jann, their families, and the wedding party.  It was a fun day.

Thank you for visiting!  I still have five more weddings we have already shot to post on the blog!  I will get them all caught up with in the next 2-3 weeks.

John and Emily

August 11, 2007

Ceremony: River Music Experience, Davenport, IA

Reception: Redstone Room at The River Music Experience, Davenport, IA

I got behind om my blog entries with the open house at my studio.  We have seven recent weddings that I need to post since my last enrty!  I am going to get ALL the weddings posted!

John and Emily had the distinction of the hottest Saturday for their wedding in 2007, but we have had quite a few hot Saturdays this year.  We walked around downtown Davenport after the ceremony and did some Bride and Groom portraits.

Here is one of Emily's Portraits I shot in her Hotel Room at the Radisson in Downtown Davenport.

We did this portrait of John near the Radisson before the ceremony.

Here is another one of Emily's portraits taken in the hotel room.  Or maybe I should say it's a half of a portrait!

I shot this image at the hotel room as Emily was getting ready for the ceremony.

I love the way the light from the window is falling on Emily in this shot.

  I shot this image while Emily was getting ready, with the help of a Bridesmaid.

Here is one more of Emily in the hotel room.

 

I'll close with this first dance image of John and Emily.

Now that the Open House for my studio is behind us, I can focus my attention on keeping my Blog updated.  I apologize to my clients that have been waiting to see their wedding images.  I will post Adam and Jann's August 18th wedding soon!

Lindy and Nate

August 4, 2007

Ceremony:  Bass Street Landing, Moline, IL

Reception: Stoney Creek Inn, Moline, IL

I will add the comments later this weekend!

Rick's

Rick's

Rick's

Rick's

Kristi's

Krist's

Rick's

Kristi's

Rick's

Rick's

Rick's

Kristi's

Rick's

I ran out time today to get the commentary in this entry!  But I wanted to at least get the images online!

I'll finish it this weekend.

Melinda & Allen

July 21, 2007

Ceremony: The Abbey Hotel, Bettendorf, IA

Reception: The Abbey Hotel, Bettendorf, IA

Videographer: Ruby Media Services

Entertainment: Black Tie Entertainment

Cake: Al Nitz

Transportation: Luxury Limosine

I will add the remaining vendors when I have the list available!

I did some portraits of Melinda in the hotel room at The Abbey.  This one was one of my favorites.

While I took a wide variety of portraits of Allen, I really liked this image of him with the sunglasses!  It kind of reminded me of Tom Cruise in the movie, Risky Business.

Here is another Bride and Groom image in the courtyard at The Abbey Hotel, which is perfect for outdoor wedding photographs.  The Abbey is one of the most elegant venues in the Quad City area.  The service, decor, and amenities are excellent, and the food is wonderful!  Likewise, the staff is always kind and generous to all the guests and vendors.

The Flower Girl was camera shy, or she was just afraid of me!  So, we just had to capture some images of her with a long telephoto lens.

We captured this image outside the ice skating facility near the River of all places.  We had just finished doing a session along the levy in downtown Davenport, and I looked across the field and saw these pillars; I thought they would be great to use in some Bride and Groom photos.  And a stroke of luck always helps!  The wind caught Melinda's veil which made the picture perfect!

I have been at this location several times this year, so I aways look for a new angle.   I was at this same location with Jacklyn and Brian on a rainy day, and I didn't want to shoot from the same angle.  I found a totally different angle with the same effect...all the lines lead to the Bride and Groom.

Here is one more of the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl without them knowing they were being photographed!

And here is another at the levy in downtown Davenport.

One more portrait of Melinda.

We didn't set up this shot!  While I was doing the portrait above, I noticed the Bridesmaids relaxing in the grass behind Melinda.  So, I had to get this one!

Blue skies smiling at me!

Someone asked me if the sky was really that blue...what do you think?

This will close out this post!  I had almost 30 additional images picked out to post on this blog entry, but I can't post all of them! 

Melinda's Dad, Al, made on of the best toasts I have ever heard in the eight years I have been shooting weddings.  It was genuine and from the heart, and I must admit, it made this photographer's eyes a little misty.  I had some images from that sequence ready to post, but I just thought it would be better to leave them for private viewing.  I don't want to sound cliche' by saying this, because I say it about every Bride and Groom...it was truly a pleasure to work with Melinda and Allen, and the entire family and wedding party.  Likewise, it was great to work with such a fine group of vendors.

I will be having an open house at my Studio on September 9th from 1:00 to 4:00, with a gallery viewing and wine and cheese tasting to showcase my wedding, portrait, and lifestyle photography.  Invitations will be sent out within two weeks.  My studio went full service on August 1st, this event will be the official grand opening!  I hope to see a lot my current and former clients, as well as the vendors I work with on a regular basis.  Wedding photography will always be a primary focus of my artistic passion, because I love to shoot weddings!  But we will also be shooting seniors, babies, children, and some commercial work. 

We were off on July 28th, and I will post Lindy and Nate's blog images from August 4th soon!

Okay...here is Al, the Father of the Bride,  and his daughter as they met for the first time with Melinda in her wedding dress. 

Felicia captured this image while I was with Allen and the guys...when I say "we capture moments" I say it because we do capture moments!

Thanks for visiting!

Erin and Sam

July 14, 2007

Ceremony: St. John Vianney, Bettendorf, IA

Reception: The Golden Leaf, Davenport, IA

Florist: West End Gardens, Davenport, IA

Erin and Sam are both from Bettendorf, and they came to me by their friends Jennifer and Justin, whose wedding I shot in 2004. 

In between the ceremony and reception we stopped in the East Village of Davenport to use the old buildings and streets as a back drop.  I really like the look of old brick buildings in wedding photographs, and the East Village has plenty of them.

Here is another image in the East Village with an old tobbaco ad as a background.  I added a vignette to focus the attention on Sam and Erin.

Here is a portrait of Erin at St. John Vianney.  I know I have said this before on the blog: I love shooting at this church because of the abundance of available light!

Here is Sam's portrait in the church.

Kristi was in Erin's dressing room while I was shooting with Sam and the groomsmen.  Here is a few of Kristi's images from the day:

   

A "getting ready" image by Kristi.

Kristi got this image while I was doing the "formals."

It is bridesmaids taking pictures of bridesmaids!

Kristi caught this image of the bridesmaids with their West End Gardens bouquets while I was shooting their faces.

Here is Kristi's angle of Erin and Sam leaving the reception in '76 Corvette.

And here is my angle....

Even though Kristi and Felicia do most the "getting ready" images, I still like to do some myself at every wedding...and this is one of mine.

I wanted to share one more of Erin's portraits at St. John Vianney with the available light in the church.  My favorite bridal portraits in the church are the ones I can take without artificial lighting.

This is something I usually don't show on the blog...an image from communion.  I think it would make a nice accent shot in a storytelling album.

A long telephoto lens made this image possible as Erin places the ring on Sam's finger.

And the same lens made this image possible too.

I'll close this one with Elvis and Sam at the reception.  Elvis is Sam's uncle and after this number, he left the building!

Breann and Paul

07-07-07

Ceremony:  Christ The King Chapel, St Ambrose University, Davenport, IA

Ceremony:  Rogalski Center, St, Ambrose University, Davenport, IA

Florist:  Clazzy Designs, Davenport, IA

Event Coordinator, Exceptional Events, Coal Valley, IL

Videographer:  Tom's Videography

Cake:  Sweet Perfections, Perian Webb

Entertainment: S&L Sounds

Bridal Gown:  Storybook Endings, Dewitt, IA

It was the most popular wedding date of the year, and I think it was the hottest day of ther year too!  But that didn't matter...the date 07-07-07 only comes around once every one hundred years or so, but we didn't let a little heat affect the results of our wedding images.

Breann and Paul, the wedding party, family, and all the vendors were great to work with and we had fun despite the heat!  And I must say, when I reviewed the results,  the images were hot too!

Here is one of Breann's portraits we shot in the dressing room.

I had a more traditional portrait of Paul picked out, but I decided to go with this one.  Actually, this shot was Paul's idea.

Breann and Paul met while they were students at St. Ambrose University, and the campus obviously has special meaning.

Having said that.  Here is another image at a great spot at St. Ambrose.

It's time to change gears with one Felicia's images.  I love this one!  I was working with Paul and the Groomsmen when Felicia captured this great moment in Breann's dressing room.

This is another one of Felicia's in the dressing room.  Breann and the Maid of Honor share a moment together.

I got this one!  This group of kids were handing out programs prior to the ceremony, and bells after the ceremony.  This image was before the ceremony, and I don't know what they were doing here.

Even though Felicia and Kristi do most the Bride's detail shots, I still like to do a good number of my own.  And here is one of mine!

  This is another one of mine I caught before the ceremony...one of many!

Breann and Paul share their first dance.   You might wonder how I could get so close during such an intimate moment.  I wasn't close...I just had the right tools to be close without invading their space.

This is another one of Felicia's images she captured while I was doing the processional at the altar.  Breann gets a kiss from Dad just before they go down the aisle.  Notice the two Ushers ready to open the door to the sanctuary?   It's a great image!  How could I get this shot without having two great second shooters like Felicia and Kristi?  I couldn't!

 

I am going to close with this image.  We had just finished doing the outdoor session with Breann and Paul and the wedding party, and everyone was hot and sweaty.  So, we all took a little break inside the church to cool off for a few minutes.  Paul and two of the groomsmen were sitting on the altar, and I asked them to give me this:  Three sevens. 

I want to thank Breann and Paul and the wedding party for being so easy to work with on a hot day.  A great group of vendors that all work well together always helps!  I want to also thank Tom Harlan from Tom's Videography, Peg Terry from exceptional Events, Lynn from Clazzy Designs, and Josh from S&L Sounds for making the day a picture perfect!

Melissa and Steve

June 23, 2007

Ceremony:  Bass Street Landing, Moline, IL

Reception: Stoney Creek Inn, Moline, IL

I fell behind on my wedding posts!  We had five weddings in June and then the Holiday week was also busy.  I will try to keep the blog up-to-date!

This was my first outdoor wedding at Bass Street Landing in Moline, and I hope it will be the first of many more to come.  It looked like rain all day at Melissa and Steve's event, but it didn't start to rain until I was leaving the reception at 9:00 PM.

A leading line to the leading lady!

There was a chair sitting there at Bass Street Landing, and it was perfect for some unusual bridal portraits.

Here is another with a classic vignette around the edges.

This portrait was taken in the bridal suite with some window light. 

The ringbearer and flower girl are making their way to the "altar" in this image.

  Here is the ringbearer during the ceremony; I think he was paying more attention to one of the guests in the audience rather than the wedding ceremony.

Melissa and her Dad arrived at the ceremony with two horses and a carriage.

After the ceremony, Melissa and Steve went for a short ride in the carriage.  Kristi and I met them down the road for a few quick portraits while the guests were making their way to the reception.

Melissa got a nice congratulatory hug from the flower girl, and we were right there to capture the moment.

Kristi was my second shooter at this wedding.  This one would make a great background image in the reception sequence of the album.  Kristi and Felicia capture most the bride's getting ready images, as well as most the detail shots.

I'll close with another portrait of Melissa.  I enjoyed shooting at Bass Street landing, and Stoney Creek.  Sometimes it's refreshing to shoot an entire wedding outside. 

Thank you Melissa and Steve!

I will post our 07-07-07 wedding within the next few days of Breann and Paul.  It was a hot day on the most popular wedding day of the year, and I can't wait to share the images!

Bonus Image!  I forgot to post this one which was one of my favorites.  Sometimes my favorites are not the same as my client's favorites, but I liked the converging lines all around Melissa from the pavement and the string of lights above.

I hope you like it too!

Monica and Cory

June 16, 2007

Ceremony: First Baptist Church, Davenport, IA

Reception: Steeplegate Inn, Davenport, IA

Videography: GCH Video

Florist: Clazzy Designs, Davenport, IA

Bridal Gown: Storybook Endings

Entertainment: Master DJ

Cake: Nancy Trout

I posted Monica's bridal portraits last week, but wanted to share some more favorites.  we made a quick stop down by the River for a few Bride and Groom portraits with the bridge in the background.

Here is another one at the same location.

We also stopped by the East Village of Davenport on our way to the reception.

Cory's Portrait.

In the East Village we shot this image of Monica and her bridesmaids in the park.

When you want to focus the viewer's attention away from the faces, it is best not to include them!  Here the focus is on the dresses, bouquets, and the shoes.

Felicia was working in the Bride's dressing room  while I was working with the Groom and Groomsmen.

Here is another one of Felicia's images.

I will close this post with one I have already shared...I like it that much!

Thank you Monica and Cory for a day that went smooth and was fun to shoot.

I also want to thank Tana and Bill from GCH Video for being fun and easy to work with.  I have seen their videos, and they are creative and proactive in the way they capture the events of the day.  I truly believe it is important to hire a group of vendors that work well with each other, and conduct themselves with a  professional and amiable demeanor.  Likewise, Brian and Andre from Master DJ were excellent too.   I didn't see Lynn from Clazzy Designs, but the flowers were beautiful.

I have been doing a lot of portrait sessions of seniors, children and babies over the past two months, and I have been asked why I do not post images from those sessions.  The short answer is that I don't have time.  All the images have to be selected, edited, resized, posted on the blog, and it is a time consuming process.  I will continue to post the wedding images every week.  Wedding photography will always be my passion, and I will continue to make that aspect the main focus of my blog.  Thank you for visiting!

After I finish with the Groom, I like to get in the Bride's dressing room for a few images after everyone is dressed.  And here is one of my detail shots.

Felicia

  Felicia Bonynge

I would like to introduce Felicia Bonynge.  Felicia just started working for me in May, and she is a recent graduate of The Ohio Institute of Photography.  This is her self portrait.

In addition to shooting weddings with me, she has been designing albums.  In the near future Felicia will be doing senior portraits and studio portraits.

I have posted some of her portfolio work, which is excellent!

Felicia and Kristi will both have their own galleries on my new web site, which will be finished soon.

Please call for information about portrait sessions with Felicia.