Photography by Jay Eads | Wedding and Portrait Photographer. Oregon and Everywhere

I’ve known Allison’s family for a number of years now, and I really enjoy weddings that have a long-time personal connection… there is some additional pressure, but it makes the moments personal for me, as well. I admit, I definitely become personally involved in every wedding I do, and I have gotten teary over a ceremony involving people I have only met one or two times… on more than one occasion. And as I am sitting here editing and working away at Barnes&Noble with the Backstreet Boys currently playing on the iPod, I realize it may be time to post something on the blog that makes me seem really manly to counteract this “sensitive” blog post. PR time.

Allison and Porter are solid people. Smart, kind, responsible, and a lot of fun. We shot for probably twice the regular time I spend on an engagement session, just because we were having so much fun. I used everything I brought with me, and I took the opportunity to try out a few ideas I had wanted to do for quite some time. One good example is the first image shot on the U of O campus (where they met), using all available light from the lamp posts. Good times get even better when you walk away with images that meet your hopes and expectations.

They are getting married in December at the River Bend Resort in Harrisburg, which I had the opportunity to shoot a wedding with Kacy Kizer, which just so happened to be River Bend’s very first wedding. They were amazing, and I’m pretty sure that December is going to be equally great.

I really enjoy Oregon in the fall. I’m just saying. We get beautiful light, cool sunny days, good football at Autzen and a good deal of senior portraits.

Katie is a senior at Springfield, and I feel like I need to tell you right upfront that I didn’t do anything to her eyes… you probably wouldn’t believe me if I didn’t say so, but it is true. I have boring hazel/green eyes that do nothing interesting in any light, so it is always fun for me when I photograph amazing eyes. Honestly, I feel like so much of my editing is derived directly from the person I photograph. I know there is something to be said for consistent, clean work (Zack Arias taught me that), but I also feel strongly that variety is also a good thing. I use Totally Rad Actions if I use actions, and I definitely have found my favorite uses. Variety in personality means variety in work. That’s how I see it.

Katie has a totally infectious laugh and smile, but man, can this girl “do serious” well. We had a great time shooting and discovering new locations. I always try to bring something new to the table for my locations, even if it is somewhere I have shot before. It’s what I do. I love it, really. It forces me to pay attention to my surroundings and my clients.

Katie brought her friend Tori along with her, which is a great idea, it makes the whole day more fun. And trust me, I couldn’t get all the shots I get without the help of clients’ friends. Well, enjoy Katie’s session, and try not to covet her eye color.

+ - 6 comments

October 16, 2009 - 8:55 pm

teddy - Love the way you worked the lighting in the photos. Great job.

October 16, 2009 - 9:15 pm

Sean Porto - I love your work. This new style of photography that everyone else is going for is really amazing. I’m glad this photography nation is slowly braking out of the traditional mold cause it was really starting to bore me.

October 16, 2009 - 9:41 pm

Gene - nice work! I love the movement of the second one.

October 16, 2009 - 10:49 pm

Mary Schroeder - the coloring with the pink flowers and road : mmmmm….makes me wanna hug it.

October 17, 2009 - 10:36 pm

Dorothy - I love that black and white one towards the bottom! You are such an inspiration!!

November 3, 2009 - 9:30 pm

James Rubio - Totally love this session! Your lighting is off the hook!

+ - 10 comments

October 15, 2009 - 8:30 pm

jena - gorgeous work, jay! love the “best friends” shots

October 15, 2009 - 8:47 pm

Sarah - I was wondering what, if any, actions you used. It’s nice to hear the hows and whys of your work Beautiful photos, as usual!

October 15, 2009 - 8:50 pm

Beth - wow Jay!! GORGEOUS!!

October 15, 2009 - 8:51 pm

Brooke Dainty - love the first one. the colors are just too good.

October 15, 2009 - 9:31 pm

michael rowley - first and last are easily my favorite. nice work, jay.

October 15, 2009 - 9:47 pm

Chris Lin - Nice Jay, way to rock this session. Those are some killer baby blues on Katie, especially in the last two.

October 15, 2009 - 9:55 pm

stephen.hunton@gmail.com - WOW… dude, you’re rockin it man. great session.

October 16, 2009 - 12:25 am

jayeads - thanks you guys… i appreciate the feedback on shoots. plus, i like to know if what i did connected with anyone or if they were like “eh, it’s so-so.”

sarah – i do use actions. the TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS, to be exact. BUT, i use them in ways that separates the final product from someone else who may use the same action sets. what i REALLY love about the TRA sets is the core-actions they include become some of my bread and butter, used on every shot, kind of treatments. thinks like contrast and color is directly derived from your camera and lenses, but i like to amplify certain aspects with the TRA stuff. I can actually throw a link on here so you can check them out. Everyone has to think through what kinds of actions they use, and use them wisely. that’s what i think.

October 16, 2009 - 3:41 pm

daniel lateulade - Jay, these images are seriously amazing. You seriously inspiring me to pick myself up an 85 1.2 and a little bit more talent

October 16, 2009 - 6:57 pm

jayeads - wow, thank you daniel. i think one of my next posts will be about photographers who inspire me, because there are so many