Carl Stevens

Oppa!

2011-06-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago it was my pleasure to join my good friend Elizabeth in shooting a wedding. We had a great time and I can't wait to work with her again. If you have never been to a greek wedding you are missing out. Vicky's family was so inviting to the both of us, it really made us feel like part of their big fat greet wedding.

Harley Fashion Show

2011-03-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Last week I was invited to shoot a fashion show to bennifit for the Sojourner Family Peace Center. If you want to make a real difference in someones life go to the link below and donate your time or money.

Sojourner Family Peace Center

"On The Verge"

2011-03-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

Last month I had the pleasure of spending time on the set of a feature film being shot here in Milwaukee. All the crew and actors were a blast to meet! I can't wait to see it! Click HERE and friend them on facebook.

The Game

2011-01-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

Last night I shot my first basket ball game. There is nothing like sitting on the court and feeling the wood boards shake with each bounce of the ball. The camera takes me to the best places. I hope to shoot more games for the Milwaukee Panthers.

Just Finished

2010-11-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

I just finished some changes Liz & Andrew had to their wedding album. I am really happy with the way this book turned out. All the pages have a slight paper texture that together with calligraphy embellishments give it a vintage feel. Take a look HERE.

Time Lapse Day

2010-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

McNeiley Park from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Yesterday was a time lapse day. I started shooting a series that will add up to "A Day In Milwaukee".

Blog Break

2010-11-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

Just finished the first draft of Julie and Greg's wedding book. I am happy with how it turned out, but you can check it out for your self and let me know what you think. The page below is the last in the book. It the marital fist bump.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE!

Time Lapse Day

2010-10-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

Glass Buildings from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

I had a little extra time Thursday morning so I packed my camera and shoot this time lapse on the way. I've always wanted to shoot clouds reflected in the glass of these two buildings I drive pass everyday. This is also my first time using Apple Color to color grade a time lapse. Best software ever!

Have a Look

2010-10-17T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is my first VR post......oooooo.......ahahahah. I am going to start doing these when I have time at every wedding. There is no better way to show off a room than with a virtual tour.

src="http://www.carlstevens.net/events/Julie%20&%20Greg/MAC.mov"
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Lake Lawn Resort

2010-10-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to post this time lapse of the reception hall at Lake Lawn resort being set up.

The Set Up from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

A Friend

2010-10-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

A friend and co-worker, a beautiful day, and a dress shrouded in secrecy made Sundays wedding one to remember. It was my privilege to document Liz & Andrew's wedding at the Golden Mast. Liz is the tuxedo manager at Amelishan Bridal so as you can imagine everyone wanted to know one detail. What dress is she going to wear? Keeping this secret involved a late night shopping session, a seamstress working at home, and a dress hanging some where in a back room under a pseudo name. Best wishes to these two in their new lives together.

On a side note I need to shout out to fellow photographer's Amy and Chris McManigal who were guests at the wedding and lent me a cord when mine broke. Click their names to Check out their work.

More color......... MORE!

2010-10-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday I hung out with Juile, Greg, and three hundred of their closest friends. The two of them were married in West Bend and then it was off to the Milwaukee Athletic Club for dinner and dancing. We made one quick stop on the way at a near by park to take a few photos. I love the bright fall colors behind the wedding party. My hats off to Miss Ruby for helping them choose those great dresses.

The Beach

2010-09-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

I thought I would make one last post for Carolyn & Kyle now that their photos are online. Check out the rest of the photos HERE.

Carolyn & Kyle

2010-09-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday I hung out with Carolyn & Kyle downtown for the Wisconsin half of their wedding. We stopped at a couple spots and then went down to the beach before heading to Swig for their reception. The beach was good but we found some great light downtown so I thought I would post those. I meet Carolyn for the first time a year ago at her brothers wedding and hope to see these two at a future wedding. Maybe in their home state of Montana.

Popcorn Anyone?

2010-09-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am a little behind on my blog posts. I just finished Katie and Ryan's engagement photos late last night. We had a great time hanging out by the beach in Hartland. My favorite shot is the one through the mirror in the popcorn stand.

All aboard!

2010-08-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

I had a great time with Amanda & Jeremy in Chicago on Monday. We took a walk with their dog on the beach then took the train downtown for a drink. Yeah this is my job.

Jon & Alice

2010-08-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my bother Jon got married. Thankfully he gave me the day off hiring some real professionals Sara & Steve Spottswood (link to wedding slideshow). I did bring my camera and shot a time lapse of the set up and take down. It was nice to be on the other side of the lens for a change. I got to spend the day with Alice and Jon and the rest of our newly joined families with a cocktail in my hand and not a camera. A cocktail I raised many times in toast of the new couple. "May they grow many leaves...and...Branches." Inside joke sorry.

Alice & Jon from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Cousin Carl

2010-08-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

For the last week I have been posting landscape photos from Alaska. Though I love the chance to spend some one on one time with my camera, it doesn't compare to the joy of connecting with my clients. It was a real treat to get to know Sharon & Dan and their blended family. The whole group was so kind to me and treated me like a member of the family. Because the cruise did not allow professional photographers to shoot weddings on board I took the name "Cousin Carl". It is a name that I took with pride. This weekend I will be shooting their Wisconsin reception so I thought it was time to post a slideshow images.

Sharon & Dan from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Last Day.

2010-08-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is the last of my Alaska landscape posts, they are also some of my favorite images. For me these images are Alaska. All the lakes are replenished by melting glaciers witch makes for murky water but at low tide forms silt beaches. Water trickling down mountain sides creates amazing fractal patterns as they cut through the soft silt. Click the images to see them larger.

Day 5

2010-08-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just one photo today, but it's a good one. On the fifth day of the cruise we docked in Juno where my wedding was going to take place. In a few more days I will post the wedding photos, for me the best part of the trip was the night of the wedding. The ship had departed Juno and we were on the way to Hubbard Glacier. After loading all the wedding photos on my laptop I opened the bottle of wine in my room and went out on deck with my camera. I took a few photos and watched the lights of the fishing boats move along the water in the distance. Then it happened........ At first I did not know what the single strange light in the sky was. Then another green ripple emerged and another. I rushed to my camera and managed to get off three 30 second exposures before it faded away. I remember laughing while I was taking the photos. The northern light are usually a winter phenomenon so seeing them was so surprising. It's a glass of wine I will never forget.

Sweet Bike Man.....

2010-08-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

Before my trip to Alaska I had the privilege of spending some time with friend and co-worker Liz Meyer and her soon to be husband Andrew. It was my first trip to the Meyer home, I thought my parents house was busy. Kids out back playing in the yard, a massive dinner being cooked, and some engagement photos being taken. I had something to do with the last one. The big day less than 2 months away........WHOOOOO! Lizzy is getting married!

Day 4

2010-08-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Day four of my trip was the only wet dock of the voyage, you can see the ship drift in the time lapse. I went to shore with the couple and their family to check out the local park and town. We found all sorts of cool stuff on shore that I will post after in finish the landscape portion of my journey. Tomorrow will be a good one so keep watching.

Icy Strait Point from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Day 3

2010-08-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

Ketchikan Timelapse from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

After a day spent high in the tree tops on a zip-line. I had a glass of wine on deck and shot a time lapse of clouds moving over the Tongass National Forest, the largest national park in the US.

Day 2

2010-08-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

Day two was one of the windiest of the week at sea. That didn't stop me from getting out on deck and grabbing a few shots.

Bon Voyage

2010-08-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is the first I have had internet access for the last week. For the last 6 days I have been on a cruise ship in the Alaskan Fjords. It was a great trip and this is just the first of a string of posts with images from the trip. We began our trip in Vancouver where I went to sleep on a full stomach of a Tim Hortons sandwich and donut. The next morning the wedding party and I set sail or picked up anchor.....or what ever a floating city dose.

"Hellooooo Milwaukee"

2010-07-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of shooting Ethan Keller's first Summer Fest show last month. You can hear Ethan on 88.9 Radio Milwaukee by calling their request line. I love the last shot, your a rock star brother.

Wooo Hooooo!

2010-06-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

My new website is ready......well almost ready. I am having trouble with the video side of the site but that is beside the point. Click the link below to check it out!

My New Site!

Packing Peanuts

2010-06-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Packing Peanuts from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

This is my first short film. For three months I stayed up to shoot this movie in my apartment. It all began as a few "un-boxing" of a new wedding album to post on my blog. As I looked through the images of the back of my camera it looked like the books were putting them self's into the boxes. it snowballed from there into a short film staring packing peanuts. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

2010-06-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

I made the call tonight that this was blog worthy. I had the pleasure of taking photos today at the Transformers 3 casting call in Milwaukee. As I made my way through the line I thought I would show some trade mark midwest "friendliness" an offer to help out with my camera. The casting director put me right to work and 2000 people later my face is on the news. You have to watch carefully but I give you a hint. I"m the guy barking orders and holding a camera.

Available Lightning

2010-06-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

This is one of those rare occasions where available light is a flash. A really.......really........big flash. Tonight was my first time trying to shoot natures fire works and I left the house with two almost dead batteries. Needless to say I didn't get as many shots as I would have liked, but I like this one.

The Barn

2010-06-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

I had some time to kill on Sunday so I shot this time lapse of clouds passing over a farm. An hour of shooting gives me about 17 seconds of video.

Barn from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Time Lapse Day

2010-05-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

Villa Terrace from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Tree in Bloom from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Sunday I took a little drive and made a few time lapse images. I have a hard time calling them videos because they are made with a still camera. From now on I will be taking my time lapse rig with me every where.

The Big Show

2010-04-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

Friday night was Ethan Keller's CD release party at Club Timbukto in river west. I was there with my camera to grab some shots for Ethan. The show was great! This album will be at the top of my playlist for a long time. Click the link's below to fallow Ethan on twitter and check out his website.

Follow Ethan Keller

EthanKeller.com

The Set Up from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Miller Park......ing

2010-04-10T05:51:00.000-07:00

Those of you who watch the blog know that I have been getting into time lapse photography. It has proven to be an exercise in patience and none more than last night. I spend hours watching a parking lot fill and then empty. It was like watching water boil except with out the joy of a cup of tea at the end.

Fill It Up from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Time To Go from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Sing it bro!

2010-04-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

This weekend my brother plays the lead in the latest Monona Grove High musical. I had the chance to see him preform at one of the dress rehearsals and I got to say it was great. Thanks in no small part to my bro. His character is a smooth talkin' ladies man who rides into town on a motorcycle, which is basically my brother on any Tuesday minus the motorcycle.

New Look, Same Blog.

2010-04-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Clock from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

In case you didn't notice my blog has a new look. Out with the old and in with the time lapse in the case of this post. I have been having lots of fun creating time lapse videos and they will have a place on my new website coming soon.

Vote for me!

2010-04-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not running for office but I do need your support. One of the photos from my recent trip through the south west has made it to the National Geographic Daily dozen. It's the last of the 12 images so click the link below and vote me a big fat 10.

VOTE NOW!

The making of.....

2010-03-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

A photographer friend asked how I made the first shot of the coming to LA story. I had to make another one for my client Kristen Don and thought I would record it for your viewing pleasure. Most of the time I am a "get it right in camera" kind of guy but there are times when it just makes more sense to leave your self some photoshop work. The location for the highway with the view of the city was an hour away and I knew we were not going to fit it in into our schedule. Since I was building the image in photoshop anyway I made the city a little closer than it normally is. It took me about 45 minutes to complete the the final image but here you see it in super fast motion.

Making of from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Back to the Lakefont

2010-03-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm back in Milwaukee I can get back to my lakefront waves project. These images were taken at Doctors Park, a park I remember going to as a child with my father. He would go down to the beach and make sculptures out of drift wood with his friends. I might try my hand at that on my next visit and photograph the results.

One More

2010-03-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

Last night I was going over some of the images from my road trip that didn't make it to the blog. I managed to find one more to post. The mountain stream in this image is almost glowing. Most of my images are color but sometimes removing that color can add so much to the image. It was taken on my first drive through the Superstition Mountains of Arizona so I was thinking of "Superstitious Fog" as the title.

Coming to LA: a fashion story

2010-03-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of working with a talented fashion designer in Los Angeles last week. We came up with a fashion story about a girl who comes to Los Angeles and becomes a star. It's the same dream that everyone has when they come to Hollywood. The story fallows our protagonist as she hitchhikes to the city, finds her new home, reads some scripts, has a head shot done, and becomes famous. I love the first shot, downtown Los Angeles reminds me of the first shot of the emerald city at the edge of the poppy field in The Wizard of OZ.

The Road Home

2010-03-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

The road home was full of long days in the car. It has been amazing being on the road these last two months. The rumble of the engine on my feet the feel of the rising sun on my back and a horizon begging to be found.

Los Angeles Stars

2010-02-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles is one of the few places where the stars come out below you. Both literally and figuratively. Over the course of this trip I am realizing that the best part of being a photographer is you have to be there. A painter can put brush to canvas in a basement but photographers get to go to these locations and experience them first hand.

City of Angles from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Hollywood Land

2010-02-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hollywood Sign from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

I might be the tourist thing to do but I had to shoot the Hollywood Sign. It's hard to get a good view of the sign because you are not allowed to get close to it. I did manage to find an empty lot deep in the hollywood hills to shoot this time lapse. Los Angeles is a great town full of things to do and see. I will be back in LA in a week but for now it's off to the Grand Canyon.

Leaving Los Angeles

2010-02-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

I spent most of the day on the road to Phoenix yesterday, making one stop in an amazing valley. The entire valley is covered with windmills of all types. It is a wonderful sight to be able to see green power being created and behind it the reason for its creation.

Ocean Waves

2010-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

My journey in the most american of directions has brought me just about as far as I can go. I spent Friday walking the beach in along the city of angles to photograph Santa Monica and Venice Piers. These are the first in my series of wave images taken on the ocean.

Great Show.

2010-02-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

Last night my tour of the south west took me to the Rhythm Room in Phoenix to hear Tony Lucca and Keaton Simons. It was the first show of their tour and a great first show at that. The two of them who normally play separately showed true humility by taking the stage together and not stepping into the headliner position individually. Click here and see if this great blues show is coming to a venue near you.

A day @ Liberty Wildlife

2010-02-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

I spent the day at Liberty Wildlife getting the tour and taking some photos. I have never seen large birds so close, it was great. They let me release a small bird back into the wild. There will be more wildlife photos in coming weeks for sure.

Falling Water

2010-02-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

These are the images of the mountain stream I mentioned in the last post. It was a challenge to climb down to the stream with all my camera equipment but even harder to climb back up. It was more than a 45 degree incline covered with loose rocks. Landscape photography lesson #52 is big rocks on the side of a mountain are not the most steady. Thankfully the large rocks I caused to fall were falling away from me and not on top of me.

Mountain Drive

2010-02-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

I took another drive into the mountains this week with my camera. I found a great mountain stream that fell through a series of falls that was great. They will be in my next post.

Watch out for snakes.

2010-02-05T21:06:00.000-08:00

I hiked into Lost Dutchman's State Park today. The park is on the west side of the Superstition Mountains and gets it's name from an old myth about a lost gold mine know as the lost dutchman's mine. This most famous of american lost mines is said to be cursed or protected by guardians keeping the gold safe for it's former Apache Tribe owners. Maybe it's the snakes this sign warn about that is keeping the mine hidden.

Right Time, Right Place.

2010-01-29T16:02:00.000-08:00

My trip on Thursday to the Superstition Mountains was rained out. But on the way back to Phoenix I stopped by Lost Dutchman State Park to see this.

It's the trailing edge of the rain storm I had been in all day long. The sun was pouring through a single hole in the cloud spilling onto a cliff face. It only lasted for a minute and then it was gone.

More Time Lapse

2010-01-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

I spent an entire day shooting time lapse photos in and around Phoenix last week. This shot was made while leaning against the 202 loop on a 45 degree angle. Proof that a tripod is good for something.

Downtown Phoenix from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Outside Phoenix

2010-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

I spent Saturday driving around with my camera finding something to take a picture of. Three locations later I found this little spot just outside phoenix.

Big Red Rocks from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Monument Valley

2010-01-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

Monument Valley Sunrise from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

This valley is deserving of it's name. The shapes these huge rock structures take truly are monuments. This is the sunrise on the first day of this decade so I also make a time lapse of the occasion. When I drive back through the valley in March I am going to walk down and see some of the other rock features.

Overcast Skies

2010-01-13T09:32:00.001-08:00

I drove through bad weather for most of the trip so I did not stop nearly as much as I would have liked. I had to skip the Grand Tetons because of overcast and they wouldn't even let me in Arches National Park. This landscape is some where between Jackson Hole and Salt Lake City. The sun was struggling to break through those clouds and bouncing of the red rock face behind me. I love the purple hue the clouds took on.

Yellowstone

2010-01-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Yellowstone was amazing, so amazing in fact that my camera could not take it and stopped working. It was that or the -21 weather we had that morning. I was able to take two photos but still had a great time. The rivers that run through the park never freeze because they are both fast moving and thermally active. Because of this they steam which freezes in the air and falls very slowly to the ground. The air literally sparkles because of these microscopic ice particles. A group of us took 10 snow mobiles 30 miles into the park to old faithful. It was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. You have to go if you get a chance.

The Long Drive

2010-01-06T11:45:00.000-08:00

It was a long trip but I am finally here in Phoenix Now that I have arrived and got some work done I can start a series of posts on my trip. Bad weather forced me to skip several landmarks I wanted to photograph. You will see that first hand in this time lapse of my drive to Yellowstone.

The drive to yellowstone from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

In the Studio.

2009-12-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

Those of you who get my twitter feed saw this coming. These are just a few of the images from Kyle Feerick's recording session. Some of you may have seen Kyle in an earlier blog post. You can tell he is now fully domesticated because one of the first things he said to me is "you have to try one of my wife's cookies". The cookies were pretty good.

Check out some of his music here.

Bitter Sweet.

2009-10-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

This will be the last album I post for the year. Now it's on to the revisions! I really like the way Abby and Ryan's book came out. It feels like a unified design and the images look great even if I do say so myself. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Abby and Ryan's Book

Great Church

2009-10-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

Off to the Party.

2009-10-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

Two more spreads from Abby and Ryan's wedding. I love the shot of the wedding party leaving church.

Bar Hoppin'

2009-10-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

We had some extra time so I took the wedding party to a great bar I knew in Elkhart Lake. My definition of a great bar is not how most would define it. It's got to be well lit, almost empty, and have a big mural of guys smoking cigars.

upside down and backwards?

2009-10-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

I am trying a new approach to this book. The layout is done and now I am doing the overall design of the book from back to front to give it a more unified look. I like the way it's turning out so far. The image on the left is one of my favorites in this book. Ryan's hands look so gentile on Abby's back but you can tell he's holding her tight.

Time to Paint

2009-10-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

Untitled from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

I just finished working on Karen and Ryan's painting. Maybe finished is not the right word since I still have to let it dry for a few more days and then go over it with a clear coat and then spray it with a finish. There is a cool time lapse you can watch of me painting it though. This was a two day painting because Karen's dress was a tuff color to mix.

Searching for a Skyline

2009-10-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

Greg is a big fan of skylines we I got to shoot Julie & Greg close to home. We started at Altera by the lake and went in search of tall building from there. I like how they came out. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Amy & Joe

2009-10-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

Amy, Joe, and I took a walk around Holy Hill the other day to take a few pictures. I knew I wanted to get a shot of Amy's scarf blowing in the wind before I got there. What I didn't know is I would need to enlist a young man to help me out. The wind just wasn't picking the scarf up so I had my new assistant through it up for me. I hope I didn't ruin the moment for you.

Blog Break!

2009-10-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

When I took this picture I knew it was going to be the first page of the book. Click the link below to see what the rest of the pages look like.

http://www.artists-eyes.com/events/Jennifer%20and%20Paul/book/book.php

Last One.

2009-10-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

I met Abby and Ryan almost two years ago at Kathryn and Preston's wedding in Elkhart Lake. Saturday I was back in Elkhart for Abby and Ryan's wedding. I have never seen such crazy weather but I guess that's Wisconsin for you. We had lots of time for pictures so we thought we would stop for a drink on the way to the reception. I love the shot of the guys by the pool table.

Father and Son's

2009-10-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have been working on Jen and Paul's book this week. I just have to go through and put the finishing touches on but I wanted to post a few spreads as I work. I like these two spreads of Paul and his boys. They both have Paul's sense of humor and got matching pictures of their father tying their shoes while they sent text messages to each other.

All Done.

2009-09-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Just finished Shannon and Matt's book. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Almost Done.

2009-09-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

Two more spreads from Shannon and Matt's wedding album. I am almost done, just have to put the final touches on a few spreads.

What a Day.

2009-09-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of spending this past weekend with Jennifer & Paul. They had a beautiful ceremony overlooking the lake followed by a reception with one of the best wedding bands I have ever heard. It's almost an insult to call them a wedding band. A day like that is a great way to start a new life together.

Nice Suit.

2009-09-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have been working on Shannon & Matt's book this week. These are two of the first spreads. Matt had and his groomsmen had great suits. I wonder who helped him pick them out?

Changes done.

2009-09-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

I just finished working on Katie & TJ's changes last night. The book is looking nice. The first page even has the correct date on it now. It's like I was at the wedding and knew the date. Check it out and leave a comment to let me know what you think. Tonight I start to work on Julie & Greg's changes.

See it here.

Act 2: The Book

2009-09-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

Just finished with Lisa and Luke's wedding album. I like the way it turned out so leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

http://www.artists-eyes.com/events/Lisa%20&%20Luke/book/book.php

Dark Skies

2009-09-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

Those clouds rained on us a bit but they look cool in the photo.

Message from our Sponsors.

2009-09-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have never seen a bunch of grooms men so relaxed. Matt and his guys were just hanging out by the pool before the wedding. Thanks to the refreshing taste of Bud Lite Lime.

Show me the money Anheuser Busch.

There in spirit.

2009-09-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Small bear sitting next to the candles represents Luke's brother who is no longer with us. I thought it was fitting to have him on the same spread with Luke's other brother and sister singing.

A Perfect Day.

2009-09-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

I spent this past weekend with Shannon and Matt in Oconomowoc. Saturday could not have been a nicer day. These two love birds got hitched at the Golden Mast and had the shortest trip ever to their reception at.......you guested it, the Golden Mast. Just to make things interesting we took a walk around the building and took a few pictures just to make the commute a bit longer. I love the shot of Shannon getting her dress bustled in the hallway, their is a series of shots that will make a great spread in their wedding book.

Blog Break!

2009-09-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

I am almost done with Lisa and Luke's book but I wanted to post a spread or two before I finish. That and posting gives me a chance to put down the pen tool and stretch out my hands with a little hunt and peck on my keyboard.

Act 1: The Wedding

2009-08-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

I had another great wedding this past weekend. I wonder if other photographers have clients as fun as mine. I almost didn't need my gps to find Luke's parents house on Friday morning, you could hear the piano from a block away. When I pulled up I found the hole family gathered around Luke and his brother with instruments in hand. It was a sight to see and I am glad Lisa and Luke invited me to join in on it and so many more like it on their wedding day. I love the shot of Lisa in Luke's arms.

Weekend Drive

2009-08-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

My wedding this weekend had me driving all over north east Wisconsin. Long drives like that are bound to see some good landscapes. The first image is of storm clouds rolling in Thursday evening and the second is them rolling out Saturday morning.

Entertainers

2009-08-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

The couple that entertains together stays together. I had a great time last night at Rebecca and Kyle's house. Kyle showed off his famous cheese plate as Rebecca made dinner. What a dinner! It is amazing she got anything done with Kyle distracting her at every chance with a kiss. I love the shots of the two of them on the bike.

Blue

2009-07-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

I like these shots of the wedding party. What a perfect building.

Blog Break!

2009-07-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

I started working on Kathy and Ross's book last night. I tried to post these spreads this morning but my computer had other plans. All is well now. I love the shots of Kathy posing at the salon.

50 years and counting

2009-07-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

As a wedding photographer I have the privilege of photographing life at one of its many beginnings. This past weekend was a rare chance for me to capture life in the middle of its cycle at Pat and Frank's 50th anniversary party. It seemed to me that these two are in the middle of many lives. They have 11 grand-children! It was a breath of fresh air, literally. I went out on the boat with Frank and the kids and enjoyed the view from the deck overlooking the lake with Pat. Check out the old black and white photos from their wedding. How classic is that. Standing next to a Chevy in front of their house about to carry your bride over the threshold. I can only hope that photos I take will hold the same nostalgia 50 years from now.

2009-07-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

If any of you brides want to spice up your ceremony here's an idea. Leave a comment with other songs you could use. I'm thinking "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith.

Ocean's 9?

2009-07-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

I love the shots of the guys outside the run down filling station. It reminds me of "Ocean's 11" some how. All the guys just finished a big heist and are laying low until the heat dies down. I think in this analogy Dina is the prize that has been stolen.

Here comes the bride.

2009-07-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Workin'

2009-07-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am working on Dina and Jake's book this weekend. I like these shots of Jake getting ready at his parents house. There was great light coming from huge windows.

For Fun!

2009-07-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

25 seconds from Carl Stevens on Vimeo.

Shannon & Matt

2009-07-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

When I got to this park I knew the pictures would be cool. I love all the dramatic clouds.

2009-07-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

I think it's fitting that the last spread I post from this book are the two last pictures I took that night. I thought about leaving these out of the book but I figured that Katie and TJ can always take them out. You can see the whole book at the link below. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

http://www.artists-eyes.com/events/Katie%20&%20TJ/book/book.php

Mom's House

2009-07-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Katie's parents hosted a pre-reception at their house so we stopped by to take a few photos. I liked the contrast of the purple flowers against all the green.

Working Late.

2009-07-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

I love this church. All those leading lines go right to the action.

Blog Break!

2009-07-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

I have been working on Katie & TJ's wedding book this week. What do you think about the pattern in the background. Leave a comment and let me know.

2009-07-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

The best thing about my job is meeting the people and hearing their stories. Each story is unique and full of moments you think only happen in the movies, but they are real. Big moments like Kathy's birth in the back of a late model chevy and little ones like the notes Ross used to leave on her car years later. Some moments come and go with out a second thought but some you hold on to and keep in the photo album that is your life to be pulled out on a rainy day. Sometimes I think it's the job of the photographer to capture those decisive moments. So someday many years from now Kathy and Ross can look back on their photos and remember what was the beginning of their lives together.

Look, NATURE.

2009-07-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

I had a ton of fun with Lisa and Luke Saturday. We went to the dells for their engagement shoot to visit the spot Luke popped the question. After a day walking around downtown we caught some fireworks.

Almost done.

2009-06-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

I'm almost done with Kaycee and Brien's book. Just a few more pages. These two got married at a great location in Green Bay called "Heritage Hill". I wish I could give you all the history lesson but I don't know enough about it. I know it was the site of Wisconsin's first court house, that's about it. It's basically an old town. We had to do a little sneaking around to take pictures but these things happen.