Digital Alchemy

Melissa and Eric 8/21/10

Chris Dana — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 04:08:48 +0000

We were very happy to be able to take part in Melissa and Eric’s wedding in August. They are such a wonderful couple. Sandi and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them and wish them only happiness in their future together.

The weather didn’t quite hold out as we had hoped, but it still turned out to be a wonderful day in the end.

Rachel and Brandon engagement session 7-25-10

Chris Dana — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:47:12 +0000

We had a great time a few weeks ago out with Rachel and Brandon! They are both easy going and a great couple to be around. We’re most definitely looking forward to their wedding next June!

Amber and Travis 7-16-10

Chris Dana — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:38:33 +0000

I was so pleased (and humbled) when Amber (a former co-worker) asked me to photograph their wedding in Minnesota. Both of them are very special people with open and welcoming hearts to those they meet. Amber is a bubbly, wonderful friend who almost always has a smile on her face. Travis is equally goofy and the two make a wonderful couple and it’s obvious within a few minutes of being around them that they are deeply in love.

My wife, daughter and I had a wonderful time at their wedding and we look forward to many years of laughter and friendship with them.

Travis’ brother, PJ, was an absolute riot and kept me in stitches the entire weekend. In fact, I’m not sure Travis knew exactly what to think during this image.

Peek-a-boo! I see you!

Of course, my daughter did her fair share of dancing during the reception as well.

Melissa and Eric e-session

Chris Dana — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:52:02 +0000

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph Melissa and Eric’s e-session in early April. We had uncharacteristically warm weather for early April in Michigan, however the wind was a little out of control. This was a great time shooting and getting to know Melissa and Eric and we’re looking forward to their wedding this August!

The Ramblings of a Photographer

Chris Dana — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:44:57 +0000

Hello out there. I feel the need to compose a blog post to better inform our viewers and potential clients about me as a person, photographer, and occasionally oxygen breathing organism. I tend to buck tradition in my life and career – I came to photography after receiving an advanced degree in biology from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!). Currently, I am a stay at home dad to my wonderful 19 month old daughter. She tends to be the one placed in front of the camera most of the time and I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t started saying “NO” when I pick the camera up. Beyond photography, science and being a father, I am a good cook, gardener, a decent mechanic (on older cars without all those confusing electronics), and a violinist. It goes without saying that I have a wide range of interests.

I have been interested in photography since I was in high school when I inherited my older brother’s Pentax SLR and lenses. I dabbled in still life with that camera for the next decade as trying to focus on fast moving objects with a manual focus resulted in images that were more than slightly out of focus. Who knew turtles could move so fast? Fast forward to 2007 when I purchased my first dSLR, a Canon Rebel XTi, and discovered that it is actually possible to take a picture of something moving without it looking like I was sneezing while taking the image. I spent the next several months photographing our pets, flowers, wildlife, and anything else that I could. The cats eventually started running when the camera came out.

I had never really considered doing photography for anything other than a hobby until December of 2007, when Dionne Haglund of The Shooting Gallery, in a moment of insanity, offered me the opportunity to work with her as a second photographer with her. Once the shock of this offer wore off, I accepted and I have shot over 20 weddings with her between 2007 and fall of 2009. It has been a wonderful learning experience to work with such an amazing person, photographer, and friend.

I am a bit of a goof – I make fun of myself and do my best to make the people around me laugh and be at ease (especially when I’m shooting a couple – in my opinion, the best images come when the subjects are acting naturally and enjoying themselves and their surroundings). Those are the images I strive to get. Along with being a goof, I am also rather sentimental. It’s hard to do this job without being sentimental, and I feel my sentimentality (one could call me a sap) makes me a better photographer.

Hopefully you have not drifted off into a coma from boredom. I’m including a few of my favorite non-wedding images so you can get an idea of my other photographic interests!

My adorable daughter during her first outing in the snow this year. She wasn’t too keen on taking a nosedive into the snow.

Some creative work I did on an image taken shortly after getting back into photography. This is one my few absolute favorite photos I’ve taken.

Thank you for taking the time to allow me to drone on about myself – I hope this gives some insight into how my warped little brain works!

-Chris

Starting the Chemistry

Chris Dana — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:49:33 +0000

… ‘I’d like to say “thank you” on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition’ … John Lennon, Jan 1969

We are very pleased with the responses we are receiving with the Launch of our Website and our appearance at the Canterbury Village Bridal Show. Many thanks to all of you for showing interest. With each couple we meet and each Wedding that we book, we are more assured than ever that the Chemistry created by the unique blend of Digital Alchemy Team Members was well conceived. I can’t wait for the Wedding Season to get going! Watch this space for the results. Ric Martin, Photographer