Hey all! I get a lot of questions from photographers about my albums, so I thought it might be fun to share my latest design. I have very strong opinions on album design – I like simple, clean layouts that let good photos speak for themselves. I avoid collages, drop shadows, neon backgrounds or crazy designs… I just don’t want my albums to look dated in 20 years. So, about 3 years ago, I decided to simplify my designs and challenge myself to make photos worthy of a simple layout.
I shot Jacque and Matt’s wedding two weeks ago and just finished my initial design for their album. Initially, I choose the photos for all of my books, and then my clients have a chance to go through and make their own edits. I should mention that my second shooter for this wedding was Jeff Lawler, who contributed some really lovely images to this book -
delightfully,
Chenin
pee-ess:Â Some of you have asked what software I use to design and proof the books – I use Photoshop for all of my album designs (kinda crazy, I know, but it works for me!) and the proofing software is from Theta Interactive (who, incidentally, is working on a super-cool Totally Rad Project right now!)
I’m not a big Valentine’s Day freak, but it’s a fun day to drink champagne, eat chocolate and kiss a loved one. Have a delightfully romantic day!
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Happy day to you toooo! enjoy chocolate, great idea! bye
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Aw c’mon… it IS the day we got engaged… remember? Silly Mouse!
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Happy Valentine’s Day Chenin & Doug! Have a wonderful one!
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hope you had a lovely valentine’s day!
xoxo -
I’m about to buy your totally rad action set, and I am so excited. I love your images, and I love the upbeat mood of your site.
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Oh, and I hope everyone had a great V-day!
Last weekend I shot Jacque and Matt’s wedding, which I’ve been looking forward to for some time. They are two of the loveliest people I’ve ever met and their friends and family were wonderful. It made me realize how much I love my job when I’m given complete creative freedom and unconditional support from my clients. Theirs was a dream wedding, and I am so excited to share Jacque and Matt’s photos with you!
Special thanks to Kary from Kary H Events, who did a fabulous job consulting for this event.
First some details -
And some getting ready -
With 12 bridesmaids, it was getting crowded inside. Much to my delight, Jacque finished getting ready outside -
Did I mention I’m loving my new 50mm 1.2?
Then it was off to shoot Matt and the guys -
A couple more little grab shots, while we waited for the ceremony to start -
Jacque and her gorgeous mom hanging out before the ceremony -
And the big walk down the aisle -
Dad giving his girl away -
More ceremony -
Then it was off to take advantage of our last bit of light for some portraits of the wonderful couple -
My favorite portrait from the day (so romantic!)-
They had an adorable cupcake tower -
One of the sweetest first dances I’ve ever shot -
The bride with her dad -
And some shots from the wild party that followed-
To Jacque and Matt: Everything was perfect! Thanks for being wonderful! Enjoy Bora Bora!
delightfully,
Chenin
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Great job as always! Those look killer…
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chenin, what an absolutely wonderful job, — probably my favorite wedding images from you… so saturated with awesome stuff. way to go!
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Wow! Chenin, these are beautiful! You are truly amazing! What fun it was working with you!
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late response, but i was so inspired by your ‘totally rad recipes’ series of blogs, and am stoked to be adding your action set to my set of tools in fleshing out my own style. it was so cool to see how so many rad photogs can use the same tools to come up with a different result.
and these images rock! any bride & groom to have you shoot their wedding should consider themselves blessed. -
Wow…the lighting is beautiful! I really love the shot of the bride and her mom before the ceremony and the one where her dad was giving her away (as she was looking at her groom). The 1st dance shot is so sweet. Just amazing, touching photos!
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AMAZING images. you blow me away with your work Chenin!
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Very nice work Chenin. Makes me want the 1.2
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Chenin, seriously one of the best wedding posts you’ve submitted since you manned the studio by yourself…great moments and portraits
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very nice indeed, Chenin! what a gorgeous couple, and you did a fantastic job covering their special day!
~andrew mejia~ -
these are absolutely gorgeous! I love the photo of her holding her bouquet behind her back-the mood is great!
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Just had to leave a comment finally! I love the one of her and her mom…very nice!
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you are seriously WORLD CLASS, Chenin – the light, the angles, the emotion, the composition, the post processing – these are absolutely stunning!
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AMAZING! All of these images are just perfect. I adore them all. Take me under your wing?
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WOW! these are some of the best wedding shots I have seen! My favorite one is where the bride and bridesmaids are just hanging out before the ceremony. It just gets me! Love it! GREAT JOB!!!
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Chenin this is the third time I’ve left our beach chairs to come up to the hotel library and check out our photos!!! I love them and it was an absolute joy to have you shooting our wedding day!! Tell Jeff thanks as well. Back to sunbathing now….. Jacque & Matt
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Girl! I read you in google reader and hit the link to your blog to comment on that first photo. While scrolling down to find the comment section, I see the rest and totally fell in love with that first dance photo! Such a great moment, and now forever embedded because of you!
way to ROCK it! -
what a gorgeous and touching set… and a beautiful couple to boot!! fabulous as always!
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Really love the picture of the first dance, with the light flare right between them and the most perfect expression on her face. Lovely!
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OMG Chenin… these are so killer! I especially love the 10th one down. beautiful!! You rock girlfriend!
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Chenin, these are beautiful as always!
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You have to love a bride with a huge gorgeous smile…your images make me want to smile right along with her!
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that first image is amazing as are all the rest. rocked it again!
Beautiful! So refreshing in it’s elegant simplicity!
Your pictuers are always amazing. I puchased your actions a couple of weeks ago–I LOVE them!
Stunning album. You’ve officially accomplished your goal in capturing gorgeous images that don’t need a fancy album design.
Wow…this is really great Chenin and I appreciate you sharing this with all of us.
Love the images and the layout. I also completely agree with your design philosophy. Great job!
-E
I love that you shared this. thank you. it’s beautiful!!
Can we say gorgeous??? Muah!
Glad your enjoying the software-Theta rocks.
Fred
I love that concept. It makes me feel like I can conquer my album fears!
You say it best”clean layouts that let good photos speak for themselves”
Delightfully Gorgeous
Thanks for sharing
Wonderful! What an amazing way to tell the story.
Honestly, Chenin – you absolutely without a doubt have the best album design in the business!!!!
Chenin – A beautiful, clean and elegant album! I love the presentation – so delightful! Would you be willing to share what software you are using? Cheers!
I love the album. It makes me cringe when I see crazy colors in the background just because you can. My favorite photo is of the bride laughing as the leaves the altar. So much fun!
What software are you using to show the album? I would LOVE something like that for my brides and grooms!!!
Great job again. Thanks for sharing.
You always produce such lovely work Chenin! There are not many photographers in the world I look at and am so constantly inspired by. I look at your work and it sends my head spinning thinking about what I need to do to be so complete. If you ever need a 2nd shooter I will fly in from London no problem! A beautiful album and couple.
After viewing your album I totally agree if you. You don’t want to make somthing that will be considered cheezy or dated years from now. I think you captured some beautifull moments, and portraided them perfectly.
I agree – I hate layout that start using Photoshop for no good reason with all sorts of layers and type etc! Keep it simple!!!
The simplicity makes the images all the more stunning!
absolutely beautiful! i agree that the best album layouts let the images speak for themselves. loved this wedding when you first blogged it, so it was great to see the whole album.
Oh my, how timely is this post. I am in the process of designing my first show album and love the pages I have done that are simple, the overly complex ones were making me feel uncomfortable – they are toast now! Loving your work x
Dang girl… thats a pretty darn beautiful album design you got there! What is the softwear you are using to present it? its nice.. real swift. Kudos.
radgeous (that’s rad and gorgeous together).
seriously!
WOW!
Just WOW!
Any chance you will share the name of the song and the artist? I have been listening to it over and over again all morning!
what a gorgeous album… such a great story of the whole day. thanks for sharing!
Great album…I also like the simple designs as well!
dude, I am in love with the album presentation. So these guys do your website and blog and what not and then incorporate this album feature as well. I love it. My designs are also full bleed and simple. I can’t stand yearbook style crap. nice work.
I N C R E D I B L E…….whew, amazing. You’re always in the right place at the right time capturing those incredible emotions and moments. Wow.
Lovely! I’d love to know the song and artist, too.
Absolutly Timeless, Classic, Marvelous…need I say more. I love what you have done with your album. It is so wonderful way to desplay such beautiful images. Would love to know what program you use. Thanks for sharing. The album is truly STUNNING.