Chris Ohta Photography Blog - Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan and Seattle Wedding Photographer

Getting the most from your wedding photography...

2012-01-24T09:44:00.000-08:00

We recently did a short workshop at the Weddings at Lake Chelan Bridal Show about "Getting the most from your Wedding Photography". In the short time that we had for the workshop, we talked about the importance of finding the right photographer, having open lines of communication and the Day of the Wedding. This is by no means the only, or "right way", but rather these are just some suggestions that we have found will help to make the couple's experience, and the photos themselves, the best they can be.

We hope that this outline will help you, or someone you know, in finding the right photographer and having the best possible experience on the wedding day.

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact us at cohta@chrisohta.com
Here is an outline from the workshop:

Weddings at Lake Chelan Bridal Show 2012

2012-01-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had the honor and pleasure of being a part of the Weddings at Lake Chelan Bridal Show 2012. This was the best wedding show that we have ever been to. It was made up of a select group of vendors and was held at two of Chelan's best wineries, Tsillan Cellars and Karma Vineyards. This gave the brides and couples a chance to sip wine, talk with the vendors in relaxed and intimate atmosphere and check out two incredible Chelan wineries. This is how bridal shows should be!!! A special thanks to Lynn Tuttle of Fleur de Lis and Molly Nickles of Nickles Photography for all of their efforts. It was great to meet and share with so many great people and we are already looking forward to next year!!!
Here are some photos from the event:

Alli and Louis's Los Cabos Wedding is featured on Destination I Do's Blog

2012-01-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to announce that Alli and Louis's wedding is featured on the Destination I Do Blog
Click Here to go to the Destination I Do Blog

Just a handful of our favorites from 2011...

2012-01-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

Bella Sera Bride's Day 2012

2012-01-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, we had the pleasure of participating in Bride's Day at Bella Sera in Wenatchee, WA. Bella Sera is the best bridal boutique in Central Washington and we partnered with them to offer their bride's a special opportunity. We took photos of bride's as they tried on various gowns so that they can view the photos later to compare the different gowns before they buy. This also gave the brides the chance to see how the gowns photograph before the big day.

This was a great idea and we had a blast photographing beautiful brides and hanging out with awesome people. Nickles Photography, Atlas and Elia and Lynette Smith Photography were also on hand speaking and sharing with brides throughout the day. There were also some delicious mini-cupcakes and a cake on display by Top Tier Cakes for all Occasions out of Cashmere, WA.

Be sure to check us out at the Weddings at Lake Chelan Bridal Show this January 21st, 2012. This will be a special bridal show in which brides can speak with the areas best vendors in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere at two of Chelan's best wineries, Tsillan Cellars and Karma Vineyards. There will be wine and cake tastings, mini workshops (one by us), complimentary limo rides between the wineries and incredible giveaways from many of the vendors. Don't miss out and come say Hi... Pre-register before Wednesday. January 18, 2012 for a special drawing of a $250 cash prize! Must be a bride or groom getting married in 2012-2013 to win. http://www.vineyard2door.com/web/product_detail.cfm?id=12565

Here are some detail photos of the day as we are keeping the photos of the brides private for their viewing pleasure:

Jenni and Pukar

2011-12-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

Last year, we had the honor and pleasure of photographing Jenni and Pukar when they returned home from Nepal after a long adoption process. So we were super excited to photograph the two of them again this past December. They are so awesome!!!
We love capturing their love for one another and the fun that they have with each other.

We were joined this time by Jenni's boyfriend's kids, Lucas and Ellie. Jenni wanted to surprise her boyfriend with some new photos of his kids so they drove over to take part in the family session in Leavenworth, WA.

We always have a blast with Jenni and Pukar and we can't wait till the next time...

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

We wish everyone nothing but the best this holiday season. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Heidi and Chris!!! Thank you and we appreciate you all!!!

Winter walks in Wenatchee...

2011-12-18T10:37:00.000-08:00

Winter has become a transition time for us. It marks the end of another wedding season and it's our time to begin getting ready for the upcoming 2012 wedding season. It also means we have a little more time to take for ourselves and to enjoy some winter walks with the dogs.

Here are some photos from a recent winter walk that we took in the foothills of Wenatchee:

Kira and Rocky's Wedding

2011-12-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

A little while back, we got a phone call at around 5:15pm on a Saturday inquiring about our availability to shoot a wedding the following Sunday at noon. We were available. So by 6:30pm, we were meeting with the couple and discussing the possibilities. Since they are having a large Catholic wedding in Brazil in 2012, this one was going to be a very small and very short wedding.

We ended up being there for only about an hour and a half. This was a very unique wedding for us for a handful of reasons. This wedding was booked on the least amount of notice, this was the shortest wedding we have shot, this was the smallest wedding we have shot, and the bride barely understood English.

It was a crisp and beautiful fall day for a wedding. We were honored to have been a part of Kira and Rocky's wedding day. Thank you!!!

Here is just some of what we were able to do in an hour and a half:

The Towne Family

2011-12-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

We recently had the pleasure of photographing the Towne Family at the their home in Redmond, WA. Thank you to the Towne Family for being so welcoming and sharing your contagious energy with us. We had a blast!!!

Kira and Rocky's Wedding - Sneak Peek

2011-12-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

Towne Family - Sneak Peek

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Brooklynn and Dan's Save the Date Session

2011-11-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

We recently met with Brooklynn and Dan in Chelan on a chilly, winter day to finalize plans for us to photograph their wedding in September of 2012. While we were there we also did a quick Save the Date Session with them so here are a handful of photos from our chilly but beautiful session with Brooklynn and Dan.

Bella Signature Design Shoot - WPPI 2011

2011-11-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

We have been hanging on to these photos since last February with out posting them for submission reasons but here we go. We made the best with some harsh mid day light and we did eventually find some good light. Here are some photos that we shot at last years Bella Signature Design Shoot at WPPI in Las Vegas:

Angel's Maternity Session

2011-10-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

We recently had the honor and pleasure of photographing a maternity/family session. Maternity sessions are so beautiful and meaningful!! We love telling the story of a family's LOVE...
Here are some photos from Angel's maternity/family session that we did in East Wenatchee, WA.

Liquidlogic Stomper 90 - Review

2011-10-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

My Background:

My name is Chris Ohta and I currently live in Wenatchee, WA with my wonderful wife and 2 dogs. I have been paddling since 2002 and was an ACA certified Whitewater Instructor and raft guide for 7 years in Leavenworth, WA. My local runs are the Tumwater Canyon, Icicle Creek, Little Wenatchee, Nason and the Wenatchee Play Run. We don't have many real low volume "Butt Busters" out here and many of our "creeks" might be considered rivers to people from other regions. Bigger boulder gardens, consistent gradient and some big drops would be a good description of many of our runs but not too much pool-drop in our immediate area.

Where to start?

Let me start by saying that I have paddled the Jefe and the Jefe Grande for a number of years now and I have paddle primarily displacement hull creek boats. The Jefe Grande had been the best creek boat for me and will continue to be one of my favorite creek boats, but the new Liquidlogic Stomper has now become my favorite creek boat.

Why?

1. Speed/Maneuverability

The Stomper feels like the fastest under 9' boat I have paddled. I love the feeling of it's speed when crossing eddy lines, holding a gliding draw into boofs, and when making ferries. I feel like it's about a couple strokes faster than the regular Jefe I was paddling before I got the Stomper, and maybe a stroke faster than the Jefe Grande. I am going the same distance on fewer strokes and I feel like can get up to speed faster than in the Jefe series. It is also one of the most maneuverable boats that I have ever paddled. It turns on a dime while holding a line relatively well.

2. Secondary Stability/Edge

For me, the Stomper seems to have way more secondary stability than the Jefe series did. I feel like I can take off and land from boofs at a more severe angle and feel stable. This makes eddy boofs more fun as I can land on more of an edge, and then feel like I am instantly carving into the eddy. It feels great to be carving hard and really snapping into and out of eddies. I had to actually keep reminding myself that I had an edge that I could engage when making ferries and cross current moves. The edge and secondary stability also give me more confidence when battling out of holes. The ability to move more easily to the edge of a hole is awesome, and I actually can't wait to surf the Stomper on some big green waves on the Wenactchee this next year.

3. Boofalicious
Just like the Jefe series, the Stomper loves to boof. So boofalicious!!! Initially I was concerned that the edges might be a little grabby when getting a little dry on some boofs but I have been pleasantly surprised. The best thing about the edges on the Stomper is that I don't notice them until I want to. The Stomper also accelerates away from drops and holes like no other boat. I thought the Jefe Grande was good at this but the Stomper takes it to a new level. It's like landing a MX kayak with a little built in "braaaap-braaap".

4. Rear Access/Larger Cockpit
This is one of those things that has been overlooked until now. Don't think this is just for overnight and expedition boaters. If you carry anything in the back of your boat it makes it more accessible, especially if you have to get it fast, and it allows for stowing your gear with less chafing on your dry bags. I carry my breakdown paddle, pin kit and first aid kit in the back of my boat every time I paddle so I love how easy the access is now. Great design for instructors that have to carry extra gear/food, safety boaters, video/photo boaters and anyone that just likes to carry some extra gear. The larger cockpit is a great feature too. Note: It is an XL cockpit not a L like the Jefe series. This allows for more storage in front of the paddler but I found that it also just feels better getting in and out. I am only 5'7" and 175lbs but I even like the larger cockpit for easy of entry and exit, especially in little eddies.

Conclusion:
The Stomper 90 is my new favorite creek boat!!! It is perfect for the way I paddle and the rivers/creeks in our area. This boat inspires confidence and I find that it makes everything I want to do easier which is exactly what I want in my creek boat. You should get out and demo one and you will see that the Stomper is a sick new addition to the Liquidlogic arsenal. My hat is off to the folks at Liquidlogic Kayaks and thank you for making another incredible boat.

Stay tuned for some action shots as they are on the way...

Lisa and Bruce's Wedding - Sneak Peek

2011-10-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek into Lisa and Bruce's wedding this past Saturday which was over looking Leavenworth, WA and the Icicle Valley with their reception at the Sleeping Lady.

Training our assistants at an early age...

2011-10-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

Our nieces, Haylee and Araya, shooting a photo of Uncle Chris...well maybe Araya is taking a photo of Uncle's shoe.

Becca and Nate's Wedding - Sneak Peek

2011-09-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Katie and Dan's Wedding - Slideshow

2011-09-22T06:59:00.001-07:00

One of our favorite "First Looks"...

2011-09-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Danielle and Cam's First Look:

Katie and Dan's Wedding - Sneak Peek

2011-09-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Just one of the favorites...

Danielle and Cam's Wedding - Slideshow

2011-09-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Danielle and Cam - Sneak Peek

2011-09-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quick Sneak Peak into Danielle and Cam's Wedding Day:

Annika and Kevin's Wedding Slideshow

2011-08-30T20:27:00.001-07:00

Irina and Erin - Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-08-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Irina and Erin's Wedding on the Skansonia in Seattle, WA:

Annika and Kevin's Wedding - Sneak Peek

2011-08-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yarley's Quincenera - Los Angeles Quincenera Photographer

2011-08-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Yarley's Quincenera that we shot last month in Los Angeles, CA

Irina and Erin - Sneak Peek - Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-08-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

Tessa and Adam's Wedding - Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan, Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-08-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Tessa and Adam's beautiful wedding in East Wenatchee:

Sus's Maternity Session - Seattle Maternity Session

2011-07-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from a recent maternity session that we did with our amazing friends Susanne and Cory at Carkeek Park in Seattle, WA.

Terra and Jarod - Sneak Peek 2

2011-07-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

We found a couple more that we wanted to share from Terra and Jarod's Wedding but because of her work these photos don't reveal her identity over the internet.
So here are a couple more photos of Terra and her Dad's first glimpse of his daughter:

Terra and Jarod - Sneak Peek

2011-07-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

We recently shot Terra and Jarod's Wedding in Leavenworth, WA. I am still working on the photos but because of her job we won't be posting many photos from their wedding. Although, I did come across one that I had to share.

To all of you that do it "face down" or like to go "planking", this one is for you. Oh, and he just did it with out any encouragement.
I love my job!!!

Tessa and Adam's Wedding - Sneak Peek

2011-06-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

Becca and Nate's Engagement Session

2011-06-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you Becca and Nate for being such troopers and sticking it out in the rain!!!

Becca and Nate's Engagement Session - Sneak Peek

2011-05-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Danielle and Cam's Engagement Session

2011-05-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Danielle and Cam's recent Engagement Session:

Danielle and Cam's Engagement Session - Sneak Peek

2011-05-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here is just a sneak peak of Danielle and Cam's Engagement Session:

Tessa and Adam's Engagement Session

2011-05-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you Tessa and Adam for spending a beautiful evening making some gorgeous images with us.
Here are some photos from Tessa and Adam's recent Engagement Session:

Tessa and Adam's Engagement Session - Sneak Peek

2011-05-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak from Tessa and Adam's Engagement Session. Stay tuned as there is more to come...

Chief for a Day Slideshow

2011-05-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Chief for a Day - One of the best events in Wenatchee

2011-05-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Heidi and I recently had the extreme pleasure and honor of photographing Chief for a Day, which is part of the Apple Blossom Festival. This is a day where each of the Law Enforcement Agencies gets a new "chief", and an absolutely amazing kid gets to be the "chief" for a day and run the show. These kids have debilitating illnesses and some even have terminal illnesses but they definitely don't let that affect their enjoyment for life. They are so incredibly special and we are so, so, so honored to have been in attendance. This was easily one of the best events that we have attended in Wenatchee as it showcased the best parts of our community.
One of the most touching moments of the day was Chelan County Sherif Brian Burnett sharing the story of his "chief for a day", and how she courageously fought for her life but in the end she wasn't able to make it to be chief for the day. Tears are hard to shoot through...
This is such a special event!!! We encourage everyone to check it out next year and do what you can to support the event.
Here are some photos from the event and here is a link to the entire Gallery:

Our Finao Albums

2011-04-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

We finally took sometime last week to photograph our new Finao sample albums. We recently switched our album companies so that we can offer all of our clients the best albums possible. We are absolutely loving the Finao Albums and we know you will too!!! We are so excited to share the story of love and create gorgeous new albums for our couple's this year.
Here are some photos of a few new albums:

A recent photo session with Vanessa

2011-04-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of doing a short photo session with my sister in law, Vanessa. She is a beautiful woman and it was super fun to photograph her. It was her first time modeling and it was our first time working with just her so we just went out and had a little fun in Wenatchee.

Here are some photos from our session:

A day at the park hanging with friends - Wenatchee and Leavenworth Family Photographer

2011-04-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from a day at Walla Walla Park hanging out with Lori, Savanna and Logan. Next time they have to bring Big Papa too. Thanks you guys!!! It was great to catch up and to meet the kiddos.

Portraits in the Park - Leavenworth, WA

2011-04-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some favorite photos from our FREE Portraits in the Park Day in Leavenworth, WA:

What would you do for LOVE? - Leavenworth Family Photographer

2011-04-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

We recently had the incredible honor and pleasure of photographing a very special family, Jenni and Pukar. This is a family that was started purely from commitment, devotion and unconditional love. Jenni is an absolutely amazing woman. She recently went through a very long and uncertain adoption process in order to finally bring Pukar home from Nepal. Jenni was willing to sacrifice her life here in the United States to ensure that Pukar would not only live a better life, but would have a mother and family to call his own. Pukar is such an incredible kid and seems so, so happy. Thank you Jenni and Pukar!!! We are sincerely honored to have had the opportunity to photograph your love for one another, and we are very much looking forward to the next time. Namaste

Here are some photos from our recent family session in Leavenworth, WA:

FREE Headshot Day by Chris Ohta Photography

2011-04-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Do you need a new Facebook or Twitter photo/avatar? Wouldn't it be great to have an awesome avatar photo? Do you need a new headshot for your resume/portfolio? When is the last time you sent your family a photo of yourself?

We, Chris Ohta Photography, are doing a Free Headshot Day in Leavenworth, WA on Saturday April 9th, 2011. We will be at the Lions Club Park which is next to City Hall and the swimming pool. We will be there from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and all are welcome.

We will spend approximately 5-10 minutes photographing each person (depending on the turnout) and will upload 3-5 photos of each person to an online gallery where the photos can be viewed. We will provide each person with 1-FREE Low Resolution image (250 pixels and 72 dpi) that can be used for an avatar. If you would like a high resolution print or digital image, they can be purchased separately.

How to get the photo from us after the shoot:

1. We will post a link to the entire gallery on our Chris Ohta Photography Fan Page on Facebook

2. Leave us a comment on our page with your name and the # of the photo you would like us to send you

3. We will either send you the photo via Facebook private message or you can leave us your email address

4. If you would like to purchase any high resolution prints they will be available via the gallery website, just add to your cart. If you would like to purchase one or more of the digital files please contact us at:

cohta@chrisohta.com or 425.466.8370

Life is short. Please come get your photo taken and share it with the people you love. You are so special and the people you share the photo with will cherish it more than you know. After recent tragedies in both the local skiing and kayaking communities, we felt it was important for people to have recent photos of themselves to share with loved ones.

Thank you very much and we hope to see you on Saturday!!!

All posts are better with photos so here are a couple portraits that I shot while walking the Vegas Strip earlier this year:

Haylee Amaya

2011-03-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

Some recent photos of our wonderful niece Haylee Amaya. We love you Haylee!!!

A macro perspective

2011-03-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

We recently picked up a macro lens to give us more diversity in our detail shots and to give us more flexibility in our photography in general. It has been a super fun lens thus far and makes me even more stoked to shoot details shots.
Here are some photos I shot around the house on the first day with the lens (all handheld):

She's such a cutie...

2011-03-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent photos of one of our wonderful nieces. We love you Araya!!!

For Japan With Love

2011-03-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Inspired by some friends, we will be participating in the "bloggers day of silence" For Japan With Love, http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/. We will be thinking of everyone that has been affected by this tragic natural disaster and sending our love. Get involved and donate. Send your love and thoughts.

Cupcakes and the WPPI SARS...

2011-03-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

Since we got back from WPPI, we have been fighting off cold after cold. It all started with the "WPPI SARS" (just a joke because so many people came home sick) and has since become the never ending cold. Thankfully we are starting to feel better and get back to normal. Be sick is stupid (I'm stomping my foot while typing too)!!!

Here are some cupcakes that helped to keep us entertained last week while we were on a self-imposed quarantine:

The day my backside thanked me...

2011-03-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

I will let the photo speak for itself... Oh yeah, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Araya's Wisdom

2011-03-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Our niece, Araya, is at the age where she tries to talk to us. Actually, she does talk to us but we just don't fully understand what she is saying yet. It feels like one of theses times, all of a sudden, she is just going to go into a monologue and tell us everything that has been on her mind. Even though we don't really understand except for a couple words here and there, she just keeps on going because she doesn't care that we don't understand. We are the one's miss out on what's going on in her head.
Araya helps me to keep things in perspective. She reminds me that life is about giving LOVE. She reminds me to see everyday as new and fresh. She reminds me to love life, and just keep on going...
Here is a recent photo that Heidi took of our niece Araya:

Mas Vegas...

2011-03-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some more photos from one of our recent walks on the Las Vegas strip:

Dimes, Quarters and Prada - Wenatchee and Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-02-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we look to create contrasty images to get a certain look but this time the "contrast" in the images was very different. We were walking the Las Vegas Strip and checking out some of the newer hotels when we came upon the Cosmopolitan Hotel and the Prada Shop. The building was super posh and contemporary. There were high end shops and their target clientele was pretty obvious. We then noticed a gentleman out front of Prada. He was asking for dimes or quarters and he had a very pleasant demeanor. We shared some conversation and then I asked to take his photograph which he obliged. I tipped him $2 for his time (30 seconds and 4 photos), shook his hand, said goodbye and we started walking again. It was a simple and quick encounter but one of those that we won't soon forget...

WPPI 2011 is almost here... - Wenatchee and Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-02-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

WPPI is less than 1 week away and we are getting excited to go to Las Vegas. For those non-photographers, WPPI stands for Wedding and Portrait Photographers International. This is the largest gathering of photographers in our industry and there is also a huge trade show as well. There are classes, presentations, workshops, and parties all week long which are designed to bring us together as an industry/community, and to provide the opportunity for all of us to learn a ton while there. We are also very much looking forward to seeing family and spending time catching up with all of them. We hope to see you in Las Vegas next week!!!
Here are some random photos from last year:

Patti Bosket @ Au Naturel - Wenatchee and Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-02-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

We have had the pleasure of working and developing a great relationship with one of the areas best florists, Patti Bosket of Au Naturel in Leavenworth, WA. Patti's designs feel natural yet elegant, and her arrangements and bouquets are always simply gorgeous. Not only is she an amazing florist and decorator, but she in an incredible and caring person too. So if you are looking for the best, don't look any further, just contact Patti Bosket @ Au Naturel .

Here are some images of Patti's work from some recent weddings:

Snowmen, lunch and hawaiian shirts...

2011-02-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

Heidi and I were walking around Wenatchee today shooting some photos and we stopped in at the Lemolo Cafe for some lunch. It was fairly cold out this morning but winter, thus far, has been very mild with little snowpack even in the mountains. We were surprised though to see someone else "hangin' out" inside, and looking very tropical rockin' a hawaiian shirt and some shades. I guess we are not the only one's dreaming of beaches and tropical climates this winter...

Advances...

2011-02-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

As a friend and I were watching the first ever triple cork in snowboarding on the internet, we started talking about different advances in technology and what things were before them, like the internet for example. It seems weird that the internet is so young yet feels like it has been around for so long. Remember learning to use the internet and figuring out what "email" was? Just saying that makes me feel old but, really, it wasn't that long ago. Anyway, before we get into how old I am getting, I am going to sneak out of here with a photo of something I am happy I never have had to use. Thank you for the advances in razors and my Gillette Mach razors because this thing scares me...

Rebecca and John - Seattle and Wenatchee Wedding Photography

2011-01-31T07:50:00.000-08:00

We had planned on blogging this wedding earlier but weren't exactly sure how to go about blogging it. The couple is awesome and the wedding was different from most any that we had shot. It was New Year's Eve, it was a Masquerade Theme, and we shot most photos from 8pm-2am.

Since it was a very unique wedding, I wanted to blog it a little different than we have in the past. Here are some images of the couple that were shot on location with a room full of waiting guests. We snuck around using alternate stairways and exits. We like to shoot almost all available light so we had to get a creative, and use all that was available to us. Did I mention it was bitter cold out that night? So we weren't going to be outside for long.

The First Look - On the balcony which was really pretty dark except this cool light reflecting off the walls in the corner (just like behind the bride).

Did I mention it was bitter cold? We didn't get very far from the building...

These were shot downstairs in the basement with only the wall lights on to backlight the bride and groom. The lighting was horrible down there so we killed the main lights, and this is what we got. I love the way they ended up turning out.

We did the "first look" up stairs on the balcony, then we snuck out front, then downstairs and we were almost done but I wanted just a little more... We needed a place where we had awesome, soft, side lighting and where most people couldn't fit to take photos over my shoulder. I had been wondering why there were still Christmas trees up on New Year's Eve until right now. We snuck over and put them between the wall and the Christmas tree to see what we could get.

The light from the Christmas tree was all we needed to make the next few images.

The Elliott Family - Wenatchee and Seattle Wedding Photographer

2011-01-25T08:03:00.000-08:00

Eben and I have been friends for over 20 years now. He is one of the most genuine and caring people in this world, and we are lucky to have him in our lives. Erin, is Eben's wife and we have loved Erin since the moment we met her. Together they make such a beautiful family, and recently they added the perfect compliment to their love story, meet Eme...

We got to spend a little time with the Elliott's this past Saturday and here are just some of the images that we shot during that time.

"The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" - Wenatchee and Seattle Wedding Photography

2011-01-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

As wedding photographers, we often get to photograph the bride and her girls getting ready for the big wedding day. Often, we assume that this means women, right? Wrong!!! We recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding in which the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" were in attendance. One of the sisters was the make-up artist for our bride and her bride's maids. Once finished with the make-up for the bridal party, the "sisters" got themselves ready for the wedding. We were honored and loved the opportunity to photograph the sister's, and thank them for being the life of the party.
Here are some photos of the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" making sure they look their best for the wedding:

One with the groom's son

A quick one of the "Sisters" and the groomsmen

Stevens Pass - "Der Town Rail Jam 2011"

2011-01-17T11:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we had a the opportunity to shoot some of the Stevens Pass Rail Jam in Leavenworth, WA. This was part of the Ice Fest but it was more like a Slush Fest in Leavenworth. Although the conditions were not ideal, the riders still threw down some ill moves on the festive candy cane rail.

Here are some photos from the "Der Town Rail Jam 2011" and there is a link to the entire gallery at the bottom:

Here is a link to the entire gallery: Der Town Rail Jam 2011

Becky and John - Sneak Peak

2011-01-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

Becky and John were married on New Year Eve at the Marysville Opera House. It was a bitter cold night but they were surrounded by the love of family and friends to keep them warm. Here is just a sneak peak of Becky and John's Wedding, so stay tuned there is more to come...

Make your wedding day yours...

2011-01-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how many times I have seen this video but I will say that I LOVE IT. The video has inspired many copy cats and it is a bit cheesy, but what I love about it is that the bride and groom made their wedding day theirs and unique. They brought something special and created a memory that will never be forgotten by anyone in attendance, and many of us online for that matter.
We strongly encourage our clients to make their wedding day theirs, unique and special. We love creativity and out of the box ideas, so lets get creative and have some fun living life.
Remember, your wedding day is extremely special and we just want to help you make it so...

Chasing bubbles...

2011-01-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

A couple/few years ago, both Heidi and I were working jobs that were not right for us, we just didn't care. We need to care and we need to have passion in our lives. As a matter of a fact, we felt as though we were losing ourselves and our dreams. This is when we decided to chase our passion for wedding photography full time and the dream of Chris Ohta Photography. We get fired up to shoot each and every wedding!!! It is so fun... We love what we do and we get to share it all together. It was just a dream at one point, and ultimately still is, but we are chasing it and chasing it together.

Every post is better with a photo, so here is Haylee "chasing bubbles". This photo just stood out to me from the moment that I pushed the shutter. There is nothing really special about the photo. It's a girl chasing bubbles, but, at the time that I shot this, to me it represented chasing our dream like a child that doesn't think it's just a dream. Chase your bubbles...

NCW Bridal Premiere

2011-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone!!! We made it through 2010 and now we are looking forward to an awesome 2011. We feel honored to have already shot our first wedding of 2011, and now we are looking forward to the 2011 NCW Bridal Premiere at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, WA on the 8th of January (this Saturday). NCW Bridal Premiere

We are super excited to be sharing a booth with amazing floral designer Patti Bosket of Au' Naturel in Leavenworth, WA, www.pattibosket.com. Our photography will be on display along with Patti's awesome floral designs. We will be there from 10am-5pm on the 8th of January and look forward to seeing you there. Don't miss out on our special show pricing as well as the prizes/giveaways. Come stop by and say hello as we would love to get to know you!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

2010-12-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Chris Ohta Photography!!! If there is ever anything we can do for any of you, please do not hesitate to contact us. Wishing everyone all the best and THANK YOU!!!

BK shredding on his Ski- Doo

2010-12-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to go riding with my good bro, Bryan Kiele. There wasn't much new snow but we still found some fun spots to rip around near Mission Ridge, WA.
Here are some photos of BK shredding it up:

Some Favorite Wedding Images from 2010

2010-12-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

We are finishing up what was an awesome first full year for Chris Ohta Photography. Thank you to all of our brides and grooms, their families, the new friends that we have made along the way and our family and friends for their support. We appreciate all of you more than you will know and look forward to future relationships and possibilities. Our last wedding of 2010 will be New Years which means we will leave 2010 and enter 2011 doing what we love to do most, photographing weddings. Thank you!!!
Here are some of our favorite wedding images from July 2010 to November 2010:

Wedding Favorites of 2010 from Chris Ohta on Vimeo.

A family session in a snow storm...

2010-12-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, we had the pleasure of doing a family session with the Delaney Family. We were extra excited because we had not done a family session in a full-on snow storm. We have shot family sessions in the snow but not like this. We decided to do the session earlier in the day as the snow fall was only supposed to increase which it did. We tried to come up with spots that would allow us to utilized the heavy snowfall versus having it hinder our session. It was a shortened session due to weather but we were happy with some of the images that we were able to capture before calling it a day.
Here are some photos from our family session in the snow:

Winter Project - Lifestyle

2010-12-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from a recent waxing session at a friend's house:

Meet Kota

2010-11-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

Kota is the newest edition to our family. She is half Golden Retriever and half German Short Hair Pointer yet she is ALL black. Apparently, Black is a recessive gene and the entire litter was all black. She is a super sweet little girl and she loves to cuddle. Our other dog Kalea already loves her and they love playing together. We were having trouble with a name for a bit and then chose Kota. We were looking at other Hawaiian names that started with a K but didn't really like them for our dog. It is a K and Ohta just shortened to Kota.
Here are some photos of Kota's fist day in our home:

Stoked for WInter...

2010-11-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

This year, I am stoked for winter. I haven't been as stoked for winter over the past couple years as I used to be but this year is different. We just finished our first full year of operating Chris Ohta Photography and we are looking forward to what we hope is another fantastic year. I am also back playing in the snow and working on a personal winter photo project. We wish you all the best and hope you all enjoy the winter as well.

Here are some images that may be a part of my winter project:

Smallwood Farms with our nieces and the Kiele's

2010-11-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

Some of our closet friends, the Kiele's, came over to Leavenworth for a visit so we met them with our nieces at Smallwood Farms. It was a cold November day but it was fun none the less. We went to the petting zoo, a sweet maze (even adults could get lost, pretty easily), played on the swings and ran around. A fun day with great friends and our wonderful nieces...

Here are some photos from our day:

Our niece Haylee and Anna actually sitting down, a rare moment on this day...

Haylee loves horses

Our niece Araya

Kristen and Ben

2010-11-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

Kristen and Ben were married on a beautiful October day at the Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth, WA. This was very special because Kristen and Ben both serve our country in the military and will each be deployed in the next months, one to Iraq and the other to Afghanistan. We are honored to have captured such an intimate and special day for Kristen and Ben. We wish you only the best and safe travels. A huge thank you to Kristen and Ben along with all of the other men and women that serve our country!!!

Here are some photos from their wedding day:

Kristen and Ben - Sneak Peak

2010-11-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

We recently had the honor and pleasure of photographing Kristen and Ben's wedding at the Sleeping Lady in Leavenworth, WA. This was a very special wedding for us as it was our first time photographing a wedding for a military couple, and both Kristen and Ben are being deployed in the next few months, one to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. They wanted to officially declare their love for one another before deployment and we were extremely honored to be chosen to tell the story of their wedding day.

Thank you to Kristen and Ben along with all of the other men and women that serve our country and protect of freedom!!!

Stay tuned as the full story and blog post are soon to come...as always we hope you enjoy!!!

This might be our favorite dress shot yet...

Lindsay and Josh - Slideshow

2010-11-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

Lindsay and Josh were married at the Monte Villa Farmhouse in Bothell, WA on a beautiful October day. It was a perfect day for sharing the love that Lindsay and Josh have for one another. We were honored to have photographed their wedding day and to tell the story of their love.
Here is a link to their wedding website:
http://lindsayandjosh.chrisohta.com/
Here is a quick slideshow of their wedding day:

Araya

2010-10-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

Araya is our youngest niece and we are very lucky to spend at least a few days a week with her right now. She is such an adorable little kid. She has huge chubby cheeks and a buddha belly to match. She celebrated her 1st birthday a little while ago and she is just starting to walk around. We love you Araya!!!

Here are some recent photos of our niece Araya:

Our niece Haylee and the Zoo

2010-10-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

We have been blogging about our work and weddings but have not blogged much recently about our personal lives. We have the opportunity right now to watch our nieces during the week and to spend some quality time with them as they grow up. A couple months ago, we had the chance to take our niece Haylee Amaya to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA and we had an awesome time together. We absolutely love the time that we get to spend with our nieces and nephews and can't wait till next time. We love you Haylee!!!
Here are some photos from our trip to the zoo:

Aly and Mike - Part 2

2010-10-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Aly and Mike's Wedding Reception was held at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange, New Jersey. The hotel and ballroom were beautifully decorated for the festivities. The fun that everyone was having at the reception was a perfect end to an absolutely gorgeous wedding day. Congratulations Aly and Mike!!!

Here are some photos from Aly and Mike's Wedding Reception:

Aly and Mike - Part 1

2010-10-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

We recently had the honor and pleasure of flying out to New Jersey to photograph Aly and Mike's wedding day. The weather was perfect for a wedding and we were super excited. The day was filled with beautiful moments, love and joy. Congratulations again to Aly and Mike!!!

Here are some photos from Part 1 of Aly and Mike's wedding day and here is a link to their wedding website which has a slideshow and tells their story, http://alyandmike.chrisohta.com/

Aly and Mike - Sneak Peak

2010-10-11T09:48:00.000-07:00

We had the honor of photographing Aly and Mike's wedding day last month in New Jersey. Although we are not finished with all of the wedding images, we do have one that we wanted to share. Aly and Mike had such a beautiful and special wedding day that we have way more to come so stay tuned...

So here is a little sneak peak of Aly and Mike's wedding:

Jen and Gavin

2010-09-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

Jen and Gavin's wedding was a beautiful intimate affair near Chelan, WA. We had so much fun working with Jen, Gavin, their family and friends. The atmosphere was perfect for sharing their love as they were surrounded by just family and their closest friends. We are so lucky to have such awesome clients and we are honored to be invited to share in these special moments in life.
Congratulations Jen and Gavin!!!
Here is a link to the slideshow and their wedding website:
http://jenandgavin.chrisohta.com/#/slideshow/
Here are some photos from the day:

The butterflies were out for Jen and Gavin's wedding

The stunning couple

The beautiful bride

The bridal party

Angel, Dan and Haidyn - A family session at Ohme Gardens

2010-09-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

We have had the pleasure of photographing this family a few times now and we enjoy every chance we get to spend time with them. We recently took an afternoon to walk around Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee and took some photos along the way.

Here are some photos from our walk together:

Lindsay and Josh's Engagement Session

2010-09-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

We love to spend time with our clients and engagement sessions are perfect ways for us to get comfortable with one another. It is such a great opportunity for our bride and groom to get used to us and get a feel for the way that we work, and it allows us to better understand and to know our clients better.
We had the pleasure of shooting Lindsay and Josh's engagement session in Mill Creek, WA. They chose an awesome little park near their house which they walk regularly with their beautiful dog, Kaiya. We walked, we talked and we shot some photos of this gorgeous couple along the way.
Here are some photos from Lindsay and Josh's engagement session: