Joseph Mark Photography Blog

Brandan and Ian's sweet Downtown Dallas wedding

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:30:49 -0600

I think the thing I'll remember most about Brandan and Ian's wedding is how much fun everyone had.. from the moment the day started to the dash to the escalator at the end of the night it was a celebration that was brimming with laughter and sweetness that just emanated from these two amazing people and their amazing friends and family.

The day started and ended at the amazing Fairmont Hotel and the ceremony was held at First United Methodist on Ross Ave.. With everything being within walking distance it almost felt like a single location wedding and gave us the opportunity to do some shooting while on the way to the reception (quickly of course, it was 105). The ballroom at the hotel was this amazing theater/ 40's nightclub layout with tiered seating and a stage (where Andy Austin rocked it out). The fabulous floral this weekend was by long time family friend Nathaniel Shell.

This is just a sneak preview.... we'll follow up with a full posting as soon as we can.

Hand made flower and feathers... gorgeous

Caught this at the very last moment before they walked into the sanctuary

Check out our flower-girl in the lower left hand corner of the frame as I was prepping for a portrait of Brandan and Ian

Andy's stage lights really made this shot... love the ambiance and the vintage curtain that hangs over the stage

Word to the wise... if your wearing a long dress watch out when climbing onto an escalator :)

Best,

S+J

Gorgeous wedding at The Belo Mansion and New Covenant Pres.

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:47:26 -0600

Stephenie and David were married at a picturesque little church not more than a couple of miles away from The Dallas Arboretum and they had their reception at one of our favorite venues in downtown Dallas, The Belo Mansion. Stephenie and her mom put two years worth of work into this stunning event and everything came off just perfectly.

We were able to work with some amazing friends at this wedding including Brian at The Belo, Adrienne at Turquoise Video, floral by Junior at The Garden Gate, Cakes by Frosted Art (amazing stack of books relating to the time they dated). Brian Prescott with Absolute Entertainment was our Emcee and DJ for the evening and hair and makeup was the ladies at Haute Facade.

OK here we go.....

Given that David is currently in seminary and awaiting his first position I loved the idea of incorporating some of the gorgeous stained glass into their portraits.... kind of fitting when you think about putting god first in your marriage. :)

Love those lips... dressed and ready for the party courtesy of the team at Haute Facade

I'm not usually one for sepia but this image just seemed to work with the warmer tone.

The bouquet :)

David gets in a minute of prayer before the ceremony

This is one of my favorite images from the entire day... I love her expression, the great light and the fact that this was just seconds before she walked down the aisle.

Stephenie and David had a quick moment after the ceremony for a private communion with the pastor

Practicing the first dance just before being announced

Well if your a Food Network fan it'll come as no surprise.... cakes by Frosted Art. The books are volumes that are significant to the couple's history together...sweet :)

This had to be one of the most emotional first dances we've ever photographed, the music and the choreographed dance was so well done it brought tears to a lot of the guests... including mom

This was not a speech I'm likely to forget, I know for sure, even from behind the camera, that Dr. Sharp had all the fathers in the room with him as he shared stories about his little girl and how it felt to be her father on her wedding day.

Yet another elegantly choreographed dance, this time with her dad

David's mom smiled for the entire dance... easy to see how proud she was :)

Thank you so much to both families for letting us share in this unforgettable wedding day.

Best,

Stephanie and Joe

Carolyn - The Bridal Portriats

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:00:32 -0600

These bridals were taken at The Old Red Courthouse in Downtown Dallas...where Carolyn married Devon just this last Friday. I always love this venue because there are so many different places to photograph among the four floors, turrets, downtown city streets.... I could go on... In the end we all loved this first image of Carolyn and the Pegasus that lives on the first floor entry.

Best,

S+J

Vintage B&W Polaroid Photo Booth

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:18:31 -0600

Stephanie and I have never really gotten into the photo booth craze only because we never really knew how to make it our own. That being said I think we found something this last weekend we really feel is "us" by marrying together a booth concept and some of the vintage Polaroid film we've been loving. These all Black and White prints were used for a guest book and as keepsakes and we just love how they turned out.

Here are a couple of the images, no computer or printer needed these aren't something faked in Photoshop. The look of real black and white...the feel of the paper.... it's all part of the charm of something you might remember from your high school photo class. :)

Caroline and Devon, thank you for letting us try this, your wedding was such a good time and we really enjoyed spending time with you and your friends and family.

Best,

S+J

Brooke and Derek & 'Diva' The Bulldog

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:12:28 -0600

Brooke and Derek... y'all were so much fun to work with and Diva was awesome! Loved your choice of clothing and locations!

Best,

Joe

Helping dad make cookies.... :)

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:55:45 -0600

So... it turns out Viv is a bit of a cookie monster... oatmeal chocolate chip anyone?

Best,

S+J and Viv

Noah + Heather | Dallas Arboretum

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:13:15 -0600

Locations: East Dallas Christian Church, The Dallas Arboretum

Event Planner and Floral: Kerrie at A Stylish Soiree

Master of Ceremonies: Colby Logan, Astounding Sounds

Photo Booth: Pic Flips

Linens: BBJ Linens and Posh Couture

Caterer: Gills Elegant Catering

Jessica + Justin | Highland Park Methodist, Belo Mansion

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:51:59 -0600

Locations: Highland Park United Methodist, The Belo Pavilion
Event Coordination: Events By Hala
Floral: Bella Flora
Band: Emerald City
Cakes: Frosted Art

It was a perfect, classic, fairy tale, all American wedding. Gorgeous, genuine and fun to be around... Jessica and Justin y'all were amazing to watch and work with and we loved your friends and family as well. What can we say we were so blessed to meet you and to get to be a part of this stunning wedding day. :)

Kelly + Aaron | Downtown

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:45:11 -0600

Kelly and Aaron are getting married next year in beautiful Nantucket but wanted some quintessential Dallas images for their engagement since they'll be moving to NYC after the big day. The images were taken in the design district near downtown and on top of our studio building which has a great view of the Dallas skyline.

So here you go... pilot meets fashion maven

Best,

J+S

Katie + Jordan | Maui, Hawaii

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:11:56 -0600

A few favorites from our wedding in Hawaii... not much I can say.... we LOVED every minute of our time with both families... Katie and Jordan y'all are amazing and we were so honored to be with you for your wedding. Love, S J and V

Heather

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:08:20 -0600

Here are a few images from Heather's bridal portrait, she married Noah this past Sunday and it was amazing. Wedding pictures are coming but I really want to share some of the killer portraits we've taken this Spring so here is the first post in a series.

These were taken at our studio and out near White Rock Lake, the light was amazing probably because just seconds after we finished it starting pouring. What it gave us was soft pastel light that I love.

Best, Joe

Vivien update | Almost 2 years old

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:36:44 -0600

Hard to believe our little one is going to be two in just a few days... already well into things like climbing into bed with mom and dad, changing the channel on the TV when you're not watching her shows, loving puzzles, coloring, chasing our dogs around the house...

And just this last weekend as I was leaving for Elizabeth and Rob's wedding she comes running up to me holding my toy Holga camera and saying 'cheeeeese', yes that's right, we start them young around here :)

Love,

S+J plus V!

Isabelle and Jon | Argyle, TX

Fri, 21 May 2010 15:53:29 -0600

First time ever getting to shoot in an open field with a hay bail...you'd think that it would be more common for a Texas photographer.. it only took me ten years :) Seriously we passed this on the way to see one of Isabelle's horses in Arglye and I thought it might work out really well if we came back near sunset... We LOVE sessions like these in locations that are meaningful to our clients and occasionally get us out of town.

Best,

S+J

John and Crissy | Wimberly, TX

Fri, 21 May 2010 12:49:47 -0600

Location: Red Corral Ranch | Wimberly, TX (outside Austin)
Event Planner: Corin with Clink Events
Videographer: McKenzie Miller Films
Band: Memphis Soul
Florist: Mervielle
Cakes: Michelle's Patisserie

If you were told stories about John and Crissy's wedding you might hear about how the skies opened up just as they started their vows and how after racing out of the rain they eventually finished their ceremony under the main tent with all of their friends and family encircling them, or you might hear about the gorgeous peacocks that inhabit the property, their amazing first dance, the killer groom's cake.... but if you didn't hear about how much these two people love one another you would be remiss because that was the best part of being out at Red Corral Ranch that day.

Crissy and Johnny watching the two of you was inspiring, nothing else was important but being together and with your amazing friends and family... and that is my favorite thing about weddings. Thank you so much for having us!

Best,

S+J

Black and white film | love it

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:03:30 -0600

I was going through some film we got back from the lab and I fell in love with this image. The expressions, the tones and the grain just work for me. One of these days I'll have to get back into a darkroom. :)