• It seems to be doing just fine without me. :( so much for making it jealous & begging me to come back.

Archive for 'Weddings'

January 21, 2012

Modern Spokane wedding photographers "coeur d'alene" Matt Shumate photography

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" silhouette moonlight romantic portrait

 

I’m a little sad to post the last wedding of 2011—at least I’m going out on a high note! It was such a great year & I’m already excited about what’s coming in 2012! Jenn & Rick wanted to be absolutely positive that they’d have a snowy winter wedding so they enlisted Elkins Resort to make that happen. Good thing too since even though it was plenty cold in Spokane, there was zero snow. Elkins is a beautiful venue with so many beautiful, natural features. Of course I was thrilled to be back photographing in the snow! If you hadn’t noticed, I kinda enjoy taking pictures in the white stuff. Even though we didn’t have much day light, we used it to our advantage because while it was there, it was wonderful. Then when the moon came up, we employed it for light as well. Thank goodness for an amazing camera (Nikon’s D3s) that dominates every other camera with its ability to take pictures in low light (at least until the D4 comes out).

Also, thank goodness for a couple so willing to let me try a few things in the 12 degree weather. Fortunately they had a fire waiting for them. My couples are the absolute best.

Photography nerd warning: The ceremony was so dark that I shot it at ISO 12,800, F/2.8, 1/25 shutter speed. I then pushed nearly 2 more stops in Lightroom. Like I said, thank goodness for my Nikon D3s. I really don’t like using flash during ceremonies—especially when it would ruin such an intimate ambiance. 

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin rental snow

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" gown cabin rental

"Elkins resort" winter wedding bird house rings shoes boots

 

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bride reflection

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bride

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bride

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bridesmaids "tilt/shift" "45mm pc-e" nikon

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bride dressing

funny bridesmaids dressing train cabin bride

bride funny face "herp derp" bridesmaid

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin groom groomsmen tux

"Elkins resort" winter wedding groom groomsmen

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bride groom "first look" bridge

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin bride groom portrait kiss bridge

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"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin window romantic

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" cabin window romantic

"Elkins resort" winter wedding chimney fireplace "christmas lights" bride groom romantic walk

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"flash composite" bridal party wedding "Elkins resort" winter "priest lake" strobist night

panorama "priest lake" art "tilt/shift" "Nikon 45mm pc-e" blue "elkins resort"

"Elkins resort" winter wedding "priest Lake" gown cabin rental bride

"Elkins resort" winter wedding christmas lights snowshoes

"Elkins resort" winter wedding christmas lights snowflake macro "nikon 45mm pc-e" "tilt shift"

reflective moment groom father wedding ceremony "Elkins resort"

bride processional aisle "christmas lights" dark wedding ceremony "Elkins resort"

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bride emotional tears crying "christmas lights" dark wedding ceremony "Elkins resort"

bride emotional tears crying "christmas lights" dark wedding ceremony "Elkins resort"

"nikon 45mm pc-e" "tilt shift" "christmas lights" dark wedding ceremony "Elkins resort"

"christmas lights" dark wedding ceremony "Elkins resort" groom emotional tears crying

"black & white"wedding ceremony rings "elkins resort"

"christmas lights" dark wedding ceremony "Elkins resort" kiss

"christmas lights" snowflakes wedding "Elkins resort" reception

funny groom cutting the cake sleeves

cutting the cake tradition feeding smash funny mess laughing

reception silhouette wedding "Elkins resort" groom "garter belt"

reception wedding "Elkins resort" groom "garter toss" fun

reception wedding "Elkins resort" groom "garter toss" fun "bouquet toss"

reception wedding "Elkins resort" "first dance" romantic romance love

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"Elkins resort" wedding reception party fun dancing dancefloor funny

Yup, that’s the moon and no, the rolling fog was not added in Photoshop.

wedding "priest lake" "Elkins resort" romantic moonlight moonlit portrait strobist "flash composite" fog bride groom

wedding "priest lake" "Elkins resort" romantic moonlight moonlit portrait silhouette reflection

January 11, 2012

best modern Spokane wedding photographers matt shumate photography

We had one snow storm this year (so far). While most are probably happy with that, I am certainly not. I love taking pictures in the snow. The texture it creates in addition to the romantic feeling make for wonderful wedding photos. Even more than that, what it does to light is magical. Fortunately for me, I had a couple of weddings to photograph during this one single storm. After Katie & her bridesmaids were ready we headed up to the beautiful & extremely cold grounds of Arbor Crest so Justin could see his bride for the first time & take a few pictires. I can’t imagine viewing these photos without really being able to feel the excitement the bride & groom felt. The wedding & reception were held at Eastpoint Church in Spokane Valley. After the festivities were wrapped up we snuck off downtown for a few more portraits (including a few at The Davenport Hotel) before calling it a (cold) night.

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groom groomsmen walking snow umbrellas "arbor crest winery wedding"

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"arbor crest winery wedding" groom bride portrait archway kiss

"arbor crest winery wedding" groom bride portrait archway kiss

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"arbor crest winery wedding" groom bride walking snow umrbella

"arbor crest winery wedding" groom bride romantic snowy "tilt shift" "nikon 45mm pc-e"

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"davenport hotel" wedding portrait flash composite bride groom best photographer

January 2, 2012

As 2011 comes to an end I reflect on what an amazing year it’s been. Really. Not a day went by when I didn’t actively thing about how lucky I am. Lucky to be doing exactly what I enjoy. Lucky to be able to support a family by taking pictures with a camera. I make a living by making art. Since quitting work as a graphic designer exactly one year ago I can say I’ve never been happier. Photography took us to Hawaii, NYC, & Seattle several times—as well as places in between. Truly a dream come true. That couldn’t happen without having such amazing couples to work with. I can say that without reservation while speaking of every single couple who’s wedding I photographed this year.

Rather than take on the impossible task of choosing all of my favorite photos (& risk ending up with a 300+ photo blog post) I’m taking the easier (& admittedly lazier) route of just choosing a single photo from each wedding. In many cases they aren’t even necessarily my favorite from that wedding. Really, I could spend months trying to choose if I tried to choose favorites. If you want to see more from these weddings (except for a few I still have yet to blog) just use the search bar at the top of the page.

Best spokane seattle wedding photographers matt shumate photography

Melissa & Jared. Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

lewiston wedding photographers cinematic portraits "lewiston hotel"

Katie & Olin, Lewis and Clark Plaza, Lewiston, ID

favorite wedding photographer "mt. spokane" black white

Kailin & Bret, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, ID

davenport hotel wedding photos portraits

Amber & Sam, The Davenport Hotel

seattle wedding photographers "georgetown ballroom" ceremony

Kelli & Kevin, Georgetown Ballroom, Seattle

davenport wedding pictures photographers bride groom laughing

Samm & Nathan, Davenport Hotel

anniversary ceremony photos "air force" uniform pregnant bride

Tove & Jason, Normanna Hall, Tacoma, WA

oahu wedding photographers waimanalo beach bride groom dog

Chelsey & Barry, Waimanalo Beach Park & Honolulu Polo Club, Waimanalo, HI

brick building portrait "sigma 12-24mm" bride groom

Brittney & Nate, Clayton, WA

first dance wedding reception "spokane masonic temple" lodge

Ashley & Mike, Spokane Masonic Center

"beacon hill" wedding reception first dance bride groom

Talia & Justin, Beacon Hill

"glover mansion" wedding photos pictures bride groom romantic moment kiss

Christie & Paul, The Glover Mansion

"riverfront park carousel" wedding funny bride groom

Renee & Bob, Riverfront Park

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Rachelle & Steve, Dance Street Ballroom

"glover mansion" wedding reception bride groom first dance

Katie & Dan, The Glover Mansion

"coeur d'alene white house" wedding bride groom portrait

Paul & Stefanie, The White House, Coeur d’Alene, ID

tacoma wedding photographers "chihuly glass museum" bride groom unique

Tara & Spencer, Point Defiance, Tacoma

gonzaga wedding photos khaki portrait "brenizer method"

Laurel & Jack, Gonzaga University

"mazama ranch house" wedding khaki bride groom twisp winthrop washington central

Rachel & Tucker, The Mazama Ranch House, Mazama, WA

seattle wedding photographers "des moines" washington "lake washington" landmark events

Alicia & Aaron, Landmark Event Center, Des Moines, WA

"coeur d'alene wedding photographers" resort romantic moment bride groom "lake coeur d'alene" ceremony

Maggie & John, The Parkside Event Center, Coeur d’Alene, ID

"high country orchard" wedding pictures marine blues groom bride embracing

Nikki & Clayton, High Country Orchard

"glover mansion" wedding pictures chiaroscuro stairs romantic moment kiss

Sarah & Nate, The Glover Mansion

"high country orchard" wedding pictures romantic moment kissing reflection

Kristy & Brian, High Country Orchard

"gonzaga university wedding pictures" romantic moment kissing doors

Lindsey & David, Spokane Country Club

"glover mansion wedding" excited bride orange clapping

Sammie & Darrin, The Glover Mansion

"krem wedding" grace chris "beacon hill" portraits pictures

Gracie & Chris, Beacon Hill

"trezzi farm wedding photos" grape vineyard romantic

Charissa & Erik, Trezzi Farm

"trash the dress" backyard wedding photos jump pool wet dress

Rachel & Houston, Backyard wedding, St Maries, ID

"pine river ranch" barn wedding reception party dancing

Kortney & Aaron, Pine River Ranch, Leavenworth, WA

"arborcrest winery" wedding pictures romantic vineyard

Rachiah & Andy, Arbor Crest

"red barn farms" dramatic wedding portrait photo pictures strobist skies

Sarah & William, Red Barn Farms, Colton, WA

funny wedding pictures kissing wedding party "beacon hill wedding" stone bridge

Patsy & Kevin, Beacon Hill

seattle wedding photographers beach ferries ferry romantic portrait

Tiffany & Nate, Blue Ribbon Culinary Center, Seattle

"glover mansion" wedding ceremony first kiss reflection

Kathy & Matt, The Glover Mansion

"davenport wedding pictures" portrait library room

Flori & John, The Davenport Hotel

idaho wedding photographer teal turquoise happy walking street

Lauren & Darrick, Wallace, ID

"gonzaga university wedding pictures" gonzaga campus snow romantic kinkade photography

Lindsey & Jaron, Gonzaga University Chapel & The Glover Mansion

downtown spokane snow street lights kiss wedding bride groom couple

Katie & Justin, Arbor Crest & The Davenport Hotel

"glover mansion" wedding bride groom kiss doors symmetry

Terese & Kurt, The Glover Mansion

"elkins resort" "idaho wedding photographer" embrace hug kiss romantic happy

Jenn & Rick, Elkins Resort, Norman, ID

send off goodbye bride groom throwing rice "trezzi farms" "trezzi wines"

Erin & Jim, Trezzi Farm

Last but not least, I owe the biggest thanks to my family without who’s support I couldn’t do this. I don’t even mean support, I mean SUPPORT!!!! Happy new year everybody. Here’s to an even more amazing 2012—with 30 weddings already booked, it’s looking like we’re well on our way!

shumate family photo 2011 "glover mansion" christmas piano

December 29, 2011

best Spokane wedding photographer Matt shumate photography snowy wedding thomas kinkade painting gonzaga

I’m happy to finally post this wedding because no matter how impressive a single photo is to some, a wedding day meant to be represented in an entire set of photos. The first photo caused a bit of a ruckus across the internet (well, a different version of the photo—I like this one a little better) and lead me to write an entire post about how it was created. You can see that post here. Lindsey & Jaron were married at the Gonzaga University Chapel Chapel & their reception was held at Spokane’s Glover Mansion. The time in between was spent taking a surprise in the weather & turning it in to something special.

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snowy wedding rings snow detail

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bride high key detail

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bridal portraits "glover mansion" beauty happy natural window light

bridal portraits "glover mansion" beauty happy natural window light

bridal portraits "glover mansion" beauty happy natural window light reflection

"glover mansion" first look bride father proud

groom black and white tux formal funny tails

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"glover mansion" first look bride groom mirror

"glover mansion" first look bride groom excitement

"glover mansion" first look bride groom happy

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"Glover Mansion" wedding party portrait front steps wide angle "12-24mm sigma"

"going to the chapel and we're gonna get married" bride groom gonzaga

"Gonzaga University Chapel" wedding ceremony processional

"Gonzaga University Chapel" wedding ceremony processional father bride

"Gonzaga University Chapel" wedding ceremony

"Gonzaga University" wedding ceremony stained glass chapel

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"Gonzaga University" Chapel wedding bride groom

"Gonzaga University" Chapel wedding ceremony tilt/shift

"Gonzaga University" Chapel wedding ceremony bride groom

"Gonzaga University" Chapel wedding first kiss

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"Gonzaga University" bridal party portrait unique original bridesmaids flash composite

"Gonzaga University" groom groomsmen portrait unique original flash composite

"Gonzaga University" bride groom portrait snow umbrella

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"Gonzaga University" bride groom walking snow umbrella snowing beautiful

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