Chicago Destination Lifestyle Wedding Photographer - Kenny Kim Photography » Photographer

Now Available: Digital Wedding Photographer’s Planner

kennykim — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:14:59 +0000

Digital Wedding Photographer's Planner - Book by Kenny Kim

I am filled with emotion as I write this blog post. I am proud, humbled, amazed, thankful + probably about 10 other adjectives that I cannot think of right now when I think about the fact that I am now an author. Thank you Wiley Press for giving me the opportunity to write a book that I am passionate about. I am really thankful for many people out there that have given me so many opportunities to be where I am today and this is yet another major milestone in my career.

If you had asked me five years ago what I would be doing now, I doubt being a wedding photographer or writing a book would have been my answer. The truth is, I really had no clue what I was going to do. I probably would have guessed working in sports management or managing a coffee shop or possibly working for a top design agency, or even better: a sports photographer. But my life took a different path to wedding photography, and for the first time in my life, I have found something I am really passionate about.

By picking up this book, you are either considering becoming a full-time photographer or perhaps you already started and need a little direction. While there are many planning guides available for couples, this is one for designed you, the wedding photographer. The more prepared you are the more you can concentrate on taking the photographs and getting the images that will delight your clients. In this planner you will find numerous tips and checklists from the more than 100 weddings I have photographed in the past four years, as well as some lessons I learned from other photographers. It covers everything you need to think about and plan for when it comes to photographing a wedding—from the initial meeting with the prospective clients and how to make a good first impression, through the various stages of the wedding how you can deliver the final product to the newlyweds. Just remember that nothing here is really set in stone. The beauty of this industry is that you can study books like this and make it your own.

Welcome to wedding photography. You are in a community of people who will help and encourage to you become a better photographer. Think of this book as just a starting point—the tip of the iceberg. Use it to develop your own style and explore new ways to doing things. I hope you find this profession as rewarding and fulfilling as I have.

For more information, visit: Wiley Press

You can purchase a copy at:
Amazon
Books-A-Million
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Wiley

Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas Wedding – Monica & Brent

kennykim — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:13:45 +0000

Few months ago I had the pleasure of traveling down to The Atlantis Paradise Island, a dreamy vacation getaway location located near Nassau Bahamas. This was my 4th time going down there so the natives consider me a Bahamian now. During the cold season, nothing beats spending a few days in paradise so I always look forward to their warm climate and friendly staff at the Atlantis resort. This is my third wedding that I got to photograph here. Joe & Jina got married here in October 2007 (their wedding was featured in the Destination Weddings & Honeymoon publication) and Jason & Riley had their beautiful wedding in December 2008.

Brent is a law enforcement officer & Monica is a lawyer so they have the whole legal system in check! They are from Atlanta, Georgia and both love coming down to the Atlantis for their vacation so they thought it only makes sense to get married there too. They wanted to their engagement session back at home around the streets of their familiar hometown. So I went down early that year to photograph their engagement session. We went all over Atlanta. Starting out at the Georgian Terrace, we explored locations like Centennial Olympic Park, Piedmont Park, Fernbank Museum of Natural History (before we got kicked out) and the Little Five Points. We had so much fun that day I knew they were going to an awesome couple to spend time with down in the Bahamas for their wedding. Here are few shots from their engagement session:

Photos from Monica & Brent's engagement session in Atlanta Georgia

Monica & Brent decided to get married at the Atlantis in October of 2009 and I was excited and honored to be chosen as their wedding photographer. Hopefully I can make this an annual tradition and go back there in 2010 for another amazing wedding. I feel like Atlantis is like my vacation resort spot now. This time I had the pleasure of bringing my good friend & mentor Bob Davis to assist me with the wedding. Bringing him is always an honor because he himself is a big name in the industry and to be able to shoot for another is a big privilege and I’m thankful for the opportunity.

Going back to the wedding, Monica & Brent invited close group of their family and friends and had a long weekend filled with fun and activities. We were fortunate to be down there for everything. We started out having an informal gathering at the Plato’s Lounge and Patio in the Royal Tower so that all the guests could mingle and get to know one another. We then had the rehearsal at the Cloisters located near the One & Only Ocean Club (where the James Bond Movie Casino Royale was filmed. Also many celebrities have their own weddings & events here). This was where the ceremony was going to take place. It was then followed by a cocktail hour at outside the Dig Deck overlooking the sunset and a sweeping lagoon views as the guests enjoyed some drinks before the big party. The reception was held at the Fathom’s private dining area where they had their dinner while enjoying the underwater view of ocean life and ruins. All in all, this was a special event for me to photograph. (I even got the garter from the bride since I was the only single guy there!). I hope you enjoy these 20+ collection of images that were taken by Bob Davis & myself. Please be patient as it downloads:

Conch shells are popular souvenir items at the Bahamas

One of many beatiful scenery at the One & Ocean Club

Doing some creative shots of their invitation & save-the-date cards

Atlantis has one of the biggest exotic marine life exhibits in their acquarium

Getting some creative shots at the Reef resort in Atlantis

Atlantis Paradise Island landscape view

Monica enjoying the view of the ocean and the Atlantis before her wedding

Wedding ceremony at the Cloisters, One & Only Oceans Club, Bahamas

Wedding photos around The One & Only Oceans Club, Bahamas

Wedding reception at the Fathom's Lounge inside the Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Day after photoshoot session around the Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Thank you Monica & Brent for this unforgettable weekend. Congratulations on your beautiful wedding!

If you enjoyed these photos, you can find more of them on my facebook page. Thank you for stopping by and be sure to leave a comment!

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Resources For Photographers | Twitter: KennyKim | Facebook Page
contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294

Chicago Model Fashion Beauty Photo Shoot

kennykim — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:28:45 +0000

This week I had a chance to do something outside my wedding photography element. I got to work with a San Francisco-based model (you might recognize her from a previous lifestyle shoot I did back in September) named Crystelle. She is a friend of mine and does professional modeling. Working with models is a great way to practice your craft as a photographer. You can also learn their posing techniques and implement them on the wedding day with your bride or on your next lifestyle engagement session. It was a freezing day in Chicago so we went to various indoor & outdoor locations in Evanston downtown area for the shoot. Crystelle is a trooper and did a great job despite the Chicago weather.

Big thanks goes out to Lillian from Starlight Makeup Chicago for providing hair & makeup for the shoot. She did an amazing work on Crystelle! She even came out to the shoot w/ us and helped me w/ lighting and even some posing tips. If you need referrals for a professional stylist, look up her company!

Here are some photos from the shoot. I would love to hear comments & suggestions from fashion shoot photographers (if you are out there reading my blog). Be kind, I don’t do this too often! And if you are a model wanting to do lifestyle/fashion shoots like this, drop me a note. I don’t have time to do much of these but would love to do it once in awhile to sharpen my skills & improve my portfolio.

Fashion & Lifestyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifstyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifestyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifstyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifestyle Photoshoot

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Resources For Photographers | Twitter: KennyKim | Facebook Page
contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294

Denver Colorado Family & Lifestyle Portrait Photos: Mayo Family

kennykim — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:12:53 +0000

Thank you everyone for all the support & the comments that you have been leaving on the previous blog post about my recent trip to Tanzania Africa for Thirst Relief International. There will be more things covered in the future about that project but for now we will take a break from there and talk about a recent photoshoot I did before my trip to Africa. I was commissioned to photograph the Mayo family out in Denver Colorado.

I knew Jim & Julie back in college but it has been over 12 years since I last saw them. Recently we reconnected through facebook and from that relationship this opportunity came. I have no idea what their secrets are, but they have not changed physically – they looked the same as they did in college. I don’t know what fountain of youth they are drinking from but I want some of it. We decided to kill two birds with one stone and did a family photo session in the morning then spent the afternoon doing a lifestyle session as a couple. I have never done a photoshoot like this before so I thought this would be a fun idea!

We ended up having so much fun that day shooting and just catching up on what we missed out in the past 12 years that day. The Mayo family were amazing and such a great host as well. They treated like I was their family member coming over to stay at their house and I felt so welcomed and I am not going to lie – it was almost like being on vacation! Denver also welcomed me the next day with over 20 inches of snow so I even got to do a quick session with the family in snow! Talk about having cool images for your portfolio.

Any ways, here are some images that we were able to capture during this visit. I primarily focus on weddings but it was good to take a break from it and do something outside the box for a change. Julie & James thank you for being such wonderful friends & ideal clients. I can’t wait to visit you guys again in the near future!

We started out in the morning by shooting the family in the local park

They were so cute! I think can pose as models for the GAP kids!

We even took advantage of all the snow the next day and did another family photoshoot in the snow. That was a lot of fun!

Then it was time to have some fun with the parents! Looking at this couple, you’d never guess that they have been married for over 12 years with 2 beautiful kids! I could probably post this as a Denver engagement session and no one would second guess it!

We walked around and found various bridges and architecture around Denver downtown area.

Did you know Denver has a Union Train Station too? We spent some time doing photos there as well.

I think i am going to start doing this more often in my future engagement / lifestyle shoots. I like to call this shot a “Double Take”.

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Resources For Photographers | Twitter: KennyKim | Facebook Page
contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294