Travel Photography

Since restarting this blog, there are a few posts I never got transferred over from my old one. These pics are from a couple of years ago, when Jenn and I did a bit of planning ahead, and were able to have a great experience – we attended Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s in Vatican City.

You see, I have to book my vacations 1-2 years in advance. The planning cycle of an uberBride is about 10-14 months. That’s how long I am usually booked in the future. It means my weekends are pretty full, and that I need to plan way ahead if we want to take any significant trips. Since I knew I wanted to visit Rome in the Winter (because it is Off season, rates are cheaper, and there are less tourists), I began to look at the different activities one could do during that time of year. That’s when I discovered that it may be possible to visit St. Peters during Christmas.

The planning all started sometime in May, when we decided to go. We did a bit of research about how to attend Midnight mass at the Vatican, and began the process by contacting the Catholic Diocese in Austin. After many months, faxes, and phone calls, we had a letter in hand when we boarded the plane.

Overall the trip was fantastic – here are some photos highlighting the best parts.

Tickets to Chrismas mass at St Peters 2007.

Santa Claus lives in Rome, we saw him on our way to the Vatican

La Befana is the Christmas Witch, an Italian tradition.

St. Peter's Cathedral reflecting in the Tiber River.

Night Pictures of St. Peters

The Pope giving the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day.

As I was ust writing this, there is a story about a woman jumping the barricade and knocking the pope to the ground. While we were there there was a crazy guy who tried to do the same thing, but the plainclothes security guys took the nut down. I wasn’t didn’t have a clear view of that incident, but was able to get this shot of the crowd just before it happened in 2007:

People waiting for the pope to walk by

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Last month, while on vacation in Barcelona, I decided to walk around for a while with my Leica M4-P, and take a few shots on Las Ramblas, and near the water.

Part of what makes a trip enjoyable for me is using my camera for me. Some people think lying on a beach with an umbrella drink is relaxing, others like to cruise and have lots of activities to choose from. I like to get lost in a city. Just start walking, and explore. I don’t really care if I get confused and have to ask for directions.

This is 100% different from photographing a wedding. When I attend a wedding, I’m working for a couple. During the process of the newly engaged interviewing me, I am interactive, asking just as many questions about them, their lifestyle, and relationship. And I’m taking notes. So that when I shoot your wedding, I can incorporate bits about you into the photographs. Sometimes it’s football, or pets, or hobbies, or lifestyle. I always try to include the details, and location into the pictures, so you can tell your wedding apart from everybody elses’. Of course you hire me for my style and look, but I want to incorporate as much of You as I can in your wedding photography.

So when I’m on vacation, I like to try new things – different cameras, unusual photography techniques, and take risks. That way I know what works and doesn’t when it comes to your wedding. I’m not shooting for my portfolio, or experimenting on your big day.

Anyhoo, I now know much, much more about Barcelona – so if ever you have a destination wedding in Barcelona, or need a photographer who knows Spain, let me know. I’ll give you a great deal.