Archive for the 'e-session' Category

Nate Mathai Photography | 2008
- December 25, 2008 -

I’m a bit of a people watcher. I find myself in an area, watching the subtleties of the interactions between people. What I see is not simply the kiss between the couple, but the shy smile and glance she gives him immediately afterward. It’s not the laughter of a child being thrown in the air by her father, but the look of anticipation right before she is lifted up. It’s these moments before and after ‘the moment’ that get my attention, and play a huge role in the story that I tell through my work.

Throughout the past year, I’ve had the honor and privilege of being asked to participate and document the important moments in the lives of many. Here’s a recap of 2008 (I also have done a handful of family sessions and events, but I wanted to keep these images more…couple-y… ;)).

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[04.26.08] Deb+Cabin for Nakai Photography

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[05.31.08] Dawn+Richard for Nakai Photography

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[06.07.08] Namratha+Lenie

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[06.07.08] Dianna+Joe

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[06.20.08] Nisha+Joel

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[06.28.08] Soumy+Jiju

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[07.05.08] Linu+Sunil

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[07.12.08] Linzy+Christiaan

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[08.23.08] Sherry+Phuc for Nakai Photography

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[08.24.08] Sudha+Stinson

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[08.30.08] Liza+Shibu

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[09.13.08] Carolyn+Chris for Nakai Photography

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[10.04.08] Susan+Jason

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[10.11.08] Julie+Mark

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[11.29.08] Michelle+Suresh

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Once again, a big thank you to all of my clients (or as I like to call them, friends) for allowing me to have the greatest job ever. You all make it so easy for me!

2009 is right around the corner, and I’m looking forward to some awesome things to come. If you are interested in learning more about my services or availability, head over to the contact section and drop me a line! I’m looking forward to connect with all of you a bit more in the years to come.

[08.04.08] Monday Night Recap
- August 4, 2008 -

• [Photo Challenge] Was the last challenge that difficult? I haven’t received a single entry…how sad is that?!? Well…as always, there’s a grace period, but I’ll have August’s challenge up in the next day or so.
  
• [Wedding Photographer] Especially when you are a photographer, one of the most common questions asked is “Who’s going to be your wedding photographer?”, which is commonly answered with “I am. I’m going to set up the cameras on tripods with a remote in my hand and get everything I need.” Seriously though, it’s a tough choice…I know of so many amazing photographers that it’s hard to narrow it down. Setting a budget helps a bit (but you’re always willing to bend on it!).
  One thing I plan on doing from now until the wedding is ‘feature’ a couple photographers that I would have loved to shoot my wedding if money/location/time/etc. were of no issue whatsoever. And it would have been cool to have it all lead up to the actual photographer chosen around my wedding next year, but it’s not possible, because I’m going to post some images of his shortly :). I’ll probably still ‘feature’ him at the end with an explanation of why we chose him, but for now, here he is: Kenny Kim (of Kenny Kim Photography).
  
• [The Proposal] People have been asking about the who/when of the proposal for quite some time now (including my now fiance ). It was quite difficult planning one with the busy-ness of our schedules this summer, and more so my sister’s wedding last weekend (can’t steal her thunder…that’d be mean of me). When I met with Kenny earlier in the year, we were trying to find a time for a mini e-session because we wanted to get a couple of images in time for our traditional engagement ceremony/party in a few weeks. He was able to find time for us this weekend in the midst of his nationwide travels, and I immediately knew what I wanted for the proposal.
  We scheduled to have our e-session at the beach, and God blessed us with some BEAUTIFUL weather (more on that to come). And so our plan was to meet up with Kenny at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park, and then walk over to the beach. Nithya and I got to the museum a little early, and I texted Kenny to see how long he was going to be (we’d been texting back and forth for the moments prior to set everything up). In the back of the museum was a pond and a bit of a cross-platform over it, which would have been a perfect place for the proposal. The only problem was there was a wedding being held at the museum, so everything was closed off…there were some people from the wedding party hanging out on the platform too. So I took Nithya around the back to walk around while we ‘waited’ for Kenny (…Kenny was making his own pathway through the bushes and found a way up on the platform). Nearby that area, I found a little rocky area just next to the pond, so I stepped in to see if I could get on the platform from there…sadly we couldn’t. But it was a nice enough place, and I knew Kenny could see us there (I spotted him because I was searching for him to make sure, luckily Nithya didn’t)…
  After a few more random words, I turned, looked at Nithya, (insert words here), got down on one knee, (insert more words), pulled out the ring, asked her if she’d marry me, she said yes, I put it on her finger, and stood to hug her with the applause of the wedding party. By that time Kenny moved into plain view where Nithya saw him. Here’s one of the shots he got:
  



• [The E-Session] We carried on the rest of the day as planned. We headed over to the beach to get a handful of shots and call it a day. Let me tell you, it’s very awkward being on that side of the camera. With a camera in front of my face, I never have to worry about my facial expressions or what not…luckily, weddings/e-sessions are all about the girl so I’ll be out of focus in a majority of them . There will be more to come, but here’s one that Kenny got to us so far:
  



• [The Cubbies] As I posted before, Nithya bought us Cubs tickets for my birthday, and we went on Sunday afternoon (after church and getting her ring sized). We had a great view and experienced a great win…Zambrano pitched a decent game, back-to-back-to-back doubles, after being down 2-0, and then after the Pirates tied it up with 3 in the 8th, the Reed Johnson hit a pinch-hit two-run homer to put us back up by two, followed by a solo shot by Soriano. And then Marmol closed it off for the win as expected. For my first (and probably only) Cubs game this season, I can say I was satisfied.
  


A model?










This fun friend helped lead the YMCA in our area…here he is donning the construction hat and the cowboy hat…

The anatomy of a swing, by Derrick Lee (I seriously think he has one of the most beautiful swings in all of baseball - if he would just stop hitting into so many double plays)…

The anatomy of a close, by Carlos Marmol…

version2…


• [The Power of the Ring] I’ve noticed that there is a lot of power that comes with a diamond engagement ring. Prior to the proposal, the perception was it being in my ‘possession’. And with that, I got a lot of attention…everyone asking me about it, when’s the proposal, how am I going to do it, etc. Now that she has the engagement ring, I get nothing. The occasional congrats, but that’s it. Now, its all about her. Every question is now directed to her and I’m all alone. Woe is me…woe is me.
  

Lenie & Namratha’s E-Session
- June 20, 2008 -

I knew Lenie and his family growing up, but then awhile back they moved out to Atlanta. After graduation, he found a job as a Math teacher in the Chicago Public School which brought him back around, and we re-connected since I came back from U of I. Lenie and Namratha met while they were in college, and have been doing the distance thing for a bit as she is still out in Georgia, but she was able to come down for a recent weekend so we made sure we got a session in for them. We took a stroll around downtown Chicago in some great weather (though the weatherman told us we’d experience rain…silly weathermen). The wedding is going to be out in Atlanta on July 12th, so it’s right around the corner!

Now I don’t do many images with textures, but I knew I had to with this one right when I snapped the picture…

And I love this set…It’s great when my clients are willing to stand in the middle of the road just before a truck comes at them…

Lenie and Namratha, I had a blast with you guys and wish you all the best on your wedding day and married life to come. See you guys back in Chicago in the fall!

[06.09.08] Monday Night Recap
- June 9, 2008 -

I know it’s past midnight, but I just got back from a fun dinner with the Bebbs and some others (I’ll update with links to their sites/blogs when I have a bit more time).

• [Photo Challenge] I know I’ve been very delayed on the last results (apologies), but remember: the new one is already posted!
  
• [Summer League] Last year we had an amazing time at the first annual Summer Basketball League, and since it was met with such great enthusiasm, we’re doing it again! Get the word out because registration ends June 30th and the season starts on Sunday, July 6th. We can only take a maximum of 90 players, and we’re a third of the way there (in only about 2 days), so hurry up! (side note: for anyone who registered this weekend prior to 10am this morning, you need to re-register as our system went down and we lost your info…sorry guys!)
  
• [Things To Come] You’ve probably noticed a few changes going on here, most obviously with my new imge brand. It’s just the beginning, as I have some changes coming up hopefully at the end of the month. Keep an eye out…here’s a blurry teaser…
  


• [Boda Bag] I ordered the original Boda Bag and I got it in the mail this past Friday, just in time for an e-session and wedding. I borrowed Kenny’s when I second shot with him and I knew I needed it…I’m happy!
  
• [Lenie & Namrita] On Saturday morning I shot an e-session for Lenie and Namrita in Chicago, who are getting married in Atlanta July 12th. Here’s a quick favorite:
  


• [Dianna & Jeff] After the e-session, I had a quick break before heading over to shoot the wedding of Dianna and Joe. Of course, I’ll do a more thorough recap later, for now I’ll let a few picture talk:
  





• [ABDCv2] Anybody watch the live casting of the second season of America’s Best Dance Crew? I’m impressed with a couple groups, but a little upset with a few of the crews that advanced. What do you think? I’m thinking its Supreme Soul will take it all…quote it here.
  
• [The Bebbs] The Bebbs were in town all the way from Vancouver, Canada for their Bebbinar Seminar this week, so a bunch of the photogs got together for a dinner at Weber Grill downtown. It’s always a blast hanging out with everyone. Sadly, regardless of how late I get in…I still need to wake up early. Ah well, so is life. Goodnight everyone!
  

Nisha and Joel’s E-Session
- May 22, 2008 -

(Seriously on a roll with this blogging thing! Is it too much, too fast?)

Nisha is my sister, and Joel and her will be getting married this July, so it was about time they got their e-session taken care of (I’ll be standing in the wedding, so I sadly won’t be shooting it)! We all grew up together…myself and my older sisters, Joel and his older sister, and my brother-in-law and his brother. We called ourselves the “Saturday Night Family”…as we basically would spend our Saturday nights together since we all lived within 5 minutes of each (…we were really cool, I know). We all grew up, and these two grew closer…from really good friends to soon to be husband and wife. After I got over the initial awkwardness of my shooting my sister, it turned out pretty well, I think. I figure if I can shoot an e-session my sister…I can shoot anyone! So bring it! They braved the semi-cold-not-really-warm weather out here, so mad props to them.

Alright all, got a busy weekend ahead, so you probably won’t see an update again to Monday…that should give you more than enough time to review the recent posts and leave comments

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