Rusty Worden Photography

Bridal Show at the Durham, NC Hilton

2009-10-26T15:55:00.003-04:00

Well, I did it. I just finished up with my first bridal show on the east coast over at the Hilton Hotel in Durham, NC. I've been to a lot of bridal shows over the years and this one was unique in this one, very memorable way... I felt like I really was able to connect with some people and had more time to really chat with them.

Certainly there were less brides than at some of the other shows I've been part of in the Bay Area, but I think I enjoyed the fact that there were fewer people at the show and the conversations ended up being more meaningful.

I have some follow up calls to make now. Ciao for now!

Ocean Isle, NC Wedding

2009-10-06T14:54:00.003-04:00

Stephanie and Justin got married last weekend in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Being a photographer for destination weddings presents its challenges (mostly in making sure I pack everything I am going to need), but, as you can see from the photos, the location is always stunning and filled with opportunity.

It is important to mention that we stayed at the Ocean Isle Inn because the place is just awesome. Large affordable rooms, ocean view and wonderful customer service. They have access to the beach as well as an indoor and outdoor pool for families that have kids too young to swim in the ocean (like mine).

The Wedding and Reception itself were held at The Isles Restaurant, less than a mile from theOcean Isle Inn. As always, I like to rate wedding reception venues based on customer service and this place was wonderful - I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a destination wedding without the destination price tag.

Rusty Worden Cary NC Wedding Photographer

2009-09-09T16:12:00.000-04:00

Raleigh Wedding Photography Portfolio Album

2009-09-09T16:11:00.001-04:00

More Raleigh Wedding Photography from Rusty Worden

2009-09-09T16:09:00.001-04:00

Raleigh Wedding Photographer Photo Album

2009-09-09T15:51:00.003-04:00

I've recently put together a new photo album and wanted to share the photos I selected for it here.

Things to know about hiring a wedding planner

2009-08-18T15:18:00.002-04:00

This was originally posted at OneWed.com but having been in the wedding industry for 7 years, I wanted to share this with all of my prospective brides.

It used to be that hiring a wedding planner was something for the rich and famous. Today though, it’s becoming increasingly more common for everyday brides and grooms, with everyday budgets, to hire a planner. With good reason, hiring a planner can actually wind up saving you as much money as it costs, with the added benefit of reducing stress.
Choosing the right person can make a huge difference in your wedding planning, and the day itself. I recently talked to Heather Lynne Vickery of Greatest Expectations, an event planning company in the Chicago area, to learn what sorts of things couples should know before hiring a planner.
1. There are three kinds of “Wedding Planners”
A) Event Producers – If you speak about your wedding as “a wedding production” and have plans to have the video screened at your local theater, this may be the way to go. Event producers can cost $20,000 or more, and specialize in very large events with multiple moving parts.
B) Wedding Day Coordinator – Many people love doing all the legwork and planning of their wedding, they just don’t want to worry about details the day of the wedding. For $500-$3,500 a wedding coordinator can step in, and take care of making sure all the details are in place the day of your wedding.
C) Wedding Planner – A wedding planner helps bring your vision of your wedding day to life. He or she takes care of all the details from day one through the last dance and beyond. Depending on what services you need, and where you live, a typical wedding planner will cost between $1,700-$15,000.
Knowing which kind of event planner you’re looking for can make your search process a lot easier.
2. This should be your first step
If you’re hiring a wedding planner, do yourself a favor and make it the first thing you do (well, besides finding someone to marry). No matter where you are in your planning, an event planner can always step in and help, but involving one at the very beginning will increase your savings of both time and money.
3. Get recommendations and referrals
If you’ve read a lot of these top tips articles, you’re probably sort of bored with this point. But, as I’ve said before, it’s the single most important thing to do. It’s why sites like OneWed let you rate and review vendors. When you first meet with a planner ask him or her for 3-5 referrals. Heather always tries to refer people to more recent clients, including someone for whom she is currently working. If you have any special concerns about your wedding make sure to ask for a referral to a similar couple. For example, if you are planning a Jewish or Catholic wedding, which both have specific requirements that other weddings don’t, ask for a referral from another Jewish or Catholic couple. The planner should also have a portfolio of events, but keep in mind that each of those events was someone else’s vision, it doesn’t have to be yours.
4. Wedding planners are supposed to be helpful
Contrary to reality shows and movies, wedding planners are not supposed to be scary. They are not supposed to make you nervous, yell at you, or impose their will on you. A good wedding planner will listen to you, understand you, and make you feel less stressed, not intimidated. At your first meeting he or she should be asking you questions about your ideas and vision, not forcing their own ideas or vendors on you.
5. Fit is everything
As with the perfect dress, fit is the most important aspect of choosing a wedding planner. You’ll be working closely with this person through most of your planning. One of the things a good planner can do for you is run interference with family members, if you feel that this is a service you’ll need, make sure you feel comfortable that the planner can handle it with tact and discretion.
6. Understand how a planner saves you money
If you’ve ever been a regular customer at a local store or restaurant, you know that it has it’s benefits. You get extra goodies, special treatment, and special deals. Hopefully, you will not be a repeat customer of any wedding vendors! But, your wedding planner is. This is one of the ways they save you money. It’s not that vendors overcharge brides (of course some do), it’s that planners are repeat customers who know how to ask for favors. Similarly, they know how to check vendors’ contracts to make sure that all your needs are included, and prices are reasonable.
The other way planners save you money is by understanding what is and isn’t needed for an event. For example, if you’re having both wedding cake and a sweet table, do you know how big the cake should be, and how many sweets you should order? Probably not, but your planner does and can keep you from over-ordering.
7. You’re paying the planner to have recommendations
One of the reasons you hire a planner is for his or her expertise with other vendors. Your planner should have great options for venues, caterers, photographers, etc. Notice, I said OPTIONS. Planners should recommend vendors they know will serve you well, but they should not push any specific vendor on you. It is important to note though that the more comfortable all your vendors are with each other, the more smoothly your event will run.
8. Understand what you’re paying for
Different wedding planners charge in different ways. Some have specific packages from which you can choose. These packages may specify the number of hours they’ll be working for you, or the services they’ll provide. Others, like Heather, work with you to determine your needs and then give you a flat fee. In either case, the contract should spell out exactly what the services and fees are. You should expect to pay 50% of the fee when signing the contract.
As with all “day of” vendors, tips are not required, but are of course appreciated. Under much duress, Heather suggested 10% of your planner's bill would be an appropriate amount to tip a wedding planner who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.
9. Ask about emergencies and contingency plans
One of the main reasons to hire a planner is so that you don’t have to worry about anything the day of your wedding. That includes, whether or not the planner will show up! You should ask a planner what happens if he or she is sick, or has a family emergency the day of your wedding. There’s no right answer to this question, but you should get a sense that this person is a professional who has thought about how to handle this issue.
If it won’t stress you out, you might also want to ask the planner about day of emergencies he or she has handled for clients. For example, Heather told me about a limo stuck in traffic, and having the wrong cake show up. These problems were both handled without stressing out the couple, AND after the wedding she was able to contact the vendors and arrange for refunds for the couple. This is another benefit of hiring a planner. If you have a problem on your wedding day, a planner has a lot more pull in getting a refund then you do.
10. The wedding is over, the planner is still working
It may seem impossible to believe now, but the day after your wedding, you won’t want anything to do with weddings! A planner can take care of everything from returning tuxes, to having your dress cleaned and mailing out your pre-written thank-you notes.

Apex NC Wedding and Cary NC Prestonwood Reception

2009-08-16T23:20:00.004-04:00

Another wonderful wedding this weekend for numerous reasons. The church in apex NC (St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church) was very luxurious and uniquely designed from the pew pattern all the way up to the beams in the ceiling.

Laurie and Alex got married there last weekend and I was lucky enough to tag along with this great couple and capture the moments for them. I have been busy taking it easy today so I have not yet edited too many of their wedding photos, but stay tuned for more in the next week or so.

The reception was at the posh Prestonwood Country Club and I was extremely impressed with how well the staff were supporting all the vendors as well as the wedding party themselves.

Kim and Charles Wedding Photos from Raleigh NC

2009-08-10T20:23:00.003-04:00

I met Kim and Charles through Craigslist several months ago. I know at first Kim was a bit skeptical of me because my prices were so reasonable compared to other vendors she was talking with at the time. I think Kim was extremely pleased since she recently posted this on Google about my photography services:

Rusty is the best! My husband found Rusty on Craigslist while wefre planning our wedding. I must admit at first I was a little sceptical. But Rusty turned out to be a God sent. I am very well pleased with his work. He took our engagement and wedding photographs. If you are interested in seeing some check me out on facebook. His schedule is flexible and he stayed with us the entire wedding day. Most companies charge 2-3 thousand for this. THANKS RUSTY! YOU ARE THE BEST!

Stephanie and Justin Engagement Photographs

2009-08-05T13:55:00.003-04:00

UPDATE:

A quote from Stephanie about Rusty Worden Photography:

So far, Rusty has done our engagement photos. Our wedding is coming up very soon and I already can tell he does a great job! Our engagement photos are great and we get compliments on them all the time! He has been very flexible with his schedule and is very fun to work with. I was referred to Rusty by one of my former colleagues when my initial photographer backed out of the wedding. In comparison, the price and the amount of service you get with Rusty is hands down a better deal! I look forward to seeing the upcoming bridal portraits and wedding photos!

Stephanie and Justin came to me as a referral about a month ago and two weekends ago we were able to go to downtown Raleigh, NC to do their engagement photos. We were right near Moore Park across from the Marbles Kid Museum. The setting was urban and fresh compared to the typical engagement portraits you see so much of. Check them out!

after spending time in downtown Raleigh, we also skipped over to North Carolina State University (NCSU) for some wedding photos at the main campus and the Free Expression Tunnel. The engagement photos at the free expression tunnel turned out amazing.

Take Great Engagement Photos Tips for Brides

2009-07-09T15:50:00.002-04:00

I’m sure everyone has been to a wedding where the bride and groom stand awkwardly shoulder to shoulder smiling big, fake smiles as the photographer yells at them to “hold it.” Luckily, these days most people have gotten away from that and have started to explore more relaxed ways in taking engagement and wedding photos. But for those who are still apprehensive when it comes to standing in front of a camera, here’s a handy guide for those who need a few photographic pointers. After all, these are photos everyone will see, and the pressure is on to create the perfect photo. With help from a few expert photographers, here are six tips on how to take a great engagement photo:

1. Research your photographer
Each photographer is different and has their own unique style. When hiring a photographer, make sure to check their portfolio and see if his or her style matches your own. “When searching for a photographer, look for variety in their portfolio,” photographer Tom Hayton advises. “Are they always relying on the same look/pose? You need someone who can show you and your other half looking natural. If the portfolio is full of cheese, chances are, your photos will be as well.”

2. Get beautified
So this one sounds obvious (I would hope no one would show up to a photo shoot with bed head), but beautifying yourself (hair, make-up, clothes) will not only help you look your best, but also feel your best. “Go to a good salon and have your make up and hair done,” Anne Nunn from Anne Nunn Photography says. “Being pampered is not just good for the picture, it makes you feel beautiful and ready to be in front of the camera and therefore gives an all around good picture.” She also advises to buy a new outfit (or two) and wear “lots of color.”

3. Practice, Practice, Practice
Anyone who watches America’s Next Top Model knows host Tyra Banks is always telling her models to practice posing in a mirror before shoots. Apparently it’s not as ridiculous as it sounds. “It may sound silly, but practicing smiles, poses and finding the most flattering angles in front of a mirror at home can be extremely helpful,” Jessica from Beach Bum Photography says. “Some of our best customers (in front of the camera) have done this ahead of time.” She also adds, “Remember to take some deep breathes during your session, this will help relax your facial muscles and help prevent those really cheesy smiles.”

4. Relax!
Needless to say, but if you’re nervous and stiff, you’ll look nervous and stiff in photos. All the photographers advise couples to relax and be themselves. “I ask my clients to ‘just be with each other,’ and ask them to interact the way they might at home when no one is around,” photographer Lisa Rigby says. “My goal is to get them to interact in a way that they would interact if no one were around.”

Nunn agrees: “When we begin the shoot, I always ask a couple if they are ’smiley or more serious.’ I want to know what they are going to be comfortable with as far as posing. I don’t want to do a really serious pose with a really smiley couple and then they not feel as comfortable.”

5. Get involved
What couples might not realize is that a photo session is a collaboration. Instead of waiting for the photographer to give orders, try taking the reigns instead. “Feel free to make suggestions to the photographer during the shoot,” Hayton says. “He or she will no doubt guide you, but it should be a process of collaboration. If you’re shooting digitally, you can ask to look at the pictures as they are taken, but don’t do this after every frame as this will spoil the rhythm of the shoot.”

6. Now what?
After you have selected the best photos, make sure to tell the photographer your preferences when it comes to retouching and print/web optimization. “Your photographer should go through the photos with you and select the best for ‘post processing’ and retouching,” Hayton advises. “This involves color correction (for print or web, depending on what you’ve requested), removal of unwanted elements and cosmetic adjustments to the images.”

And before parting with the photographer, ask if they shoot weddings, too. “Perhaps this will be the beginning of a working relationship,” Hayton adds. “And as most photographers rely on recommendations, see what else they can do for you, too.”

A BIG thanks to all the photographers for helping me out on this feature! See? Twitter is good for some things.

Originally posted by "Engagement 101 Magazine"

Kick Ballize Photography

2009-06-24T15:52:00.003-04:00

One of my great friends is participating in a fund raising event for a non-profit Mission endeavor to renovate houses and conduct a vacation Bible school in a poor area the second week in August.

Cool effort, but since I am pretty sure I'd hyper extend my leg playing kick ball, I thought I'd help out by providing photography for the event.

That's right, I do sports photography too ;-)

Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to come to the event this Sunday or donate.

Raleigh and Durham Wedding Photography This Weekend

2009-06-24T15:45:00.002-04:00

I am excited for this weekend. I met Kim and Charles via Craigslist a few months ago and this weekend their day is finally here! The day will start off at Lyon's Park where the bride and groom will be getting ready.

From there we head over to Morehead Avenue Baptist Church in Durham, NC at the church Charles Father is a pastor at. He will be performing the ceremony. How cool is that?

And then, the bride, groom and I will be heading over to Duke Garden's for their formal portraits.

The Difference in Wedding Photographers

2009-06-18T13:55:00.002-04:00

As a person looking for wedding service providers continues their journey, after a short time all providers seems to be the same. Wedding photographers in particular. Very often I'll be talking with someone and they will get one of my wedding photography packages mixed up (understandably) with how most other photographers offer their services. The differences are usually pretty subtle and after viewing a few sites and talking to a few wedding photographers, I am sure they all blend together.

Here is a quick list of what we have really set forth with as our main differences.

We do not charge you by the hour

That's right. What you hire us to do will determine how long we need to be there. Our start time is determined by YOUR start time. This means that if you start getting ready at 4 am (it's happened before) then we wake up at 2 am and get to you by 4 am.

ALL packages come with an engagement session and / or a bridal portrait session

Why pay extra for this service? I do not want to overcomplicate my services in order to confuse people who are not looking for a wedding photographer terribly often.

We do not put other companies down

This is an artistic and creative job and as such it is immediately obvious that our style and personality may not be what you are looking for in your wedding. That's ok. We do not have to try and slander our peers in this business in order to secure your patronage. We know our quality is on par with some of the best photographers out there. We also know that no matter what we say about our photos, once you see them you will make up your own mind so we do not try and put other companies work down either. There are hundreds of great wedding photography companies out there. We let our photos speak for themselves and then meet with you to show you who I am and what I can do for you.

How to choose a great wedding photographer

2009-06-12T10:41:00.001-04:00

Many brides are not completely satisfied with their wedding photographs. Since being asked to provide this editorial contribution, I have been conducting an informal survey to gain insight into the nature of the situation. What I have uncovered is a lack of understanding and insight by the consumer in what is required to secure the correct service provider. I even interviewed a photographer that admitted that she was disappointed with her own wedding photographs.

This situation is more prevalent than you might imagine. When a bride is reluctant to share her wedding photographs, this is a sure sign that she is experiencing "should-a, would-a, could-a."

Being a past president of a large local association of photographers in the Washington, D. C.-metro area, I receive several calls a year from unhappy customers of wedding photographers. The primary reason for the disappointment is related to the content of the photographs; the photographs did not communicate what the customer recalls the event day to represent with respect to mood, ambiance and character. The second most common complaint is that the photographers� approach or behavior during the event was not as expected, therefore certain situations were not recorded on film. Both of these situations are the result of the customer not giving enough thought to what to experience when viewing their wedding photographs.

Once the customer determines what they want the photographs to say about their event, this becomes the basis for screening potential photographers. The more specific your criteria are, the more likely the process will result in a more perfect match.

We live in a very visually sophisticated world, i.e., commercial television, magazine publishing and cinema production. Yet the average consumer, when it comes to visually telling the story of one of the most significant events of their life, does not have a clue about finding the "right" storyteller.

When you see photographic images that move you, ask yourself why you feel that way. The content of the photograph embodies the qualities that will satisfy you about your photographs. My greatest revelation when I interviewed people with unhappy experiences as well as perspective clients is their united statement, "I never thought I could have all that."

You can have all that and more, even if you are on a tight budget. If you find yourself in the situation of budgetary constraints, you might consider forgoing the elaborate fine album presentation and instead invest in the time and dollars needed to secure a photographer that has the ability (talent) to convey your vision on film. Maybe you can only afford to pay for his/her time and talent and a set of edited original photographs. If proofs (original photographs usually 4x5, 4x6, or 5x5 depending on the type of camera used) convey the experience of your event, then later when you have the money to invest in a more elaborate album presentation, your investment will be magnified. It stands to reason, if the small photographs excite you, then the enlargement combined with enhanced presentation will only magnify your enjoyment. Conversely, if the proofs from your story do not move you, larger photographs and expensive presentation will do little to improve your appreciation.

Steps to Finding the Right Photographer
First determine where you are about the content of the photographs of your event. Do you want a few really great photographs that summarize or represent the highlights of your event? Then try a traditional approach where the photographer is proactive in creating situations photographed. Do you prefer a more detailed approached in the body of work that portrays the real story of your event? This then requires a journalistic approach by the photographer. Regardless of your preference, select a photographer that specializes in what you desire. Truly outstanding work is not usually the product of the general practitioner. You will be better if you choose a photographer that is talented, interested and passionate about your point of view and desires concerning your wedding photography.

After determining what you are looking for, ask friends and associates of like mind for referrals. Find out how they felt about their experience and review their photographs. Look at ads in bridal magazines and visit local bridal shows that provide advertising opportunities for photographers. Check with your event planner. It is critical that you know what you want to make the most efficient use of your time in interviewing potential service providers. When making the initial contact with a service provider, be explicit about your desires and requirements. If you are concerned about the investment required, tell the prospective photographer what you want and how much you contemplate investing. Some people value the event more than others. Nationally, consumers invest between 10 to 30 percent of their total wedding budget for photography.

There are two elements to a wedding photography package. First is the cost of acquiring a client, photographing the event, and processing and delivering the original photographs. The second part is producing the enlargements, albums and other assorted products that amount to investing in product presentation. On a tight budget, focus on the first element, the photographer�s ability to capture on film what you desire.

Next, seek out and interview the photographer. You may first encounter a sales consultant or studio manager, but insist on meeting with the photographer that will be photographing your event. The single most important factor affecting the content of your photographs of your event is rapport with the photographer. The photographer has to understand your vision for your event. There must be congruency between your vision and his philosophy and talent. Technical expertise is only a part of the formula for great photographs. Your event is a multidimensional occasion � people, personalities, places, things and real moments all interwoven to become the fabric of your memories, some fleeting, others indelibly etched in the mind.

The Telephone Interview
Be specific concerning your product desires. Question the photographer about philosophy, concepts and policies related to business practices. If the initial screening provides you with a sense that you would like to meet and see more, make an appointment to meet with the specific photographer that potentially would be available to cover your event. At that meeting, rapport is paramount. Regardless of how outstanding you feel his photographs are, if rapport with the photographer is lacking, do not proceed. If you are seeking a photographer to portray the uniqueness of your event and the photographs shown to you of different events all depict similar circumstances and event elements, this may indicate the photographer has a fixed point of view about the events he photographs. Be explicit about what you expect to see in your photographs. Lack of communication is the most frequent cause of disappointment with photographs of an event. If the photographer does not understand your point of view, then the probability of you getting what you want is greatly diminished. If you like the photographs shown to you, you should verify that the photographer being interviewed is the creator. It is not necessary to be overly concerned with technical issues, i.e. camera equipment, type film, etc.

The final step would be to get what is to be delivered in writing. A specific contractual agreement is always advised. Do not forget about written guarantees unconditional satisfaction is best for all involved.

Life is a collection of memories, some fleeting and others indelibly etched in the mind. Choosing the right photographer will insure that you have vivid portrayals of your event to share for years to come. Life is what you make of it. Take care, take charge and make it a great event.

The most expensive photographs (regardless of the amount you invested) are the ones you paid for but do not convey what you intended - just ask any disappointed bride or groom. The greatest value (return on investment) is the photographs that keep giving and giving, as the result of you selecting the right photographer (talent, personality, concept and philosophy) for your event.

Original Post by Jim Johnsonon http://www.bridalspace.com

A Little About Rusty's Wedding Photography Philosophy

2009-06-07T15:10:00.006-04:00

I wanted to take a moment to really introduce myself. Until recently, I'd not really hung out my shingle to provide my creative services to the North Carolina area and so, while I have extensive experience running creative companies like this one, I've never done it in North Carolina so my reputation from the San Francisco Bay Area may not have followed me (however a Google search of my name should clear up any concerns).

I've been working in a creative space since 1997. My experience includes photography and videography which spans multiple client types. I've created content for corporate training and learning, technical documentation, marketing engineering and sales. On top of that, I also have extensive experience in weddings and other personal events, occasions and family portraiture, including kids (hey, I have three of them so why not?).

And so, here I am now. In Cary North Carolina with a new shingle out because, frankly, I missed being a wedding and personal event professional. There is something to be said about being able to provide the level of quality major corporations expect (and pay for) to everyday people in a way that caters to their needs.

For example - this whole artistic copyright thing has always confused me deeply. I can understand maintaining the copyright for a major corporation's project. I mean, residuals for usage not originally agreed to are the bread and butter of the creative industry. With that said, why maintain such tight control over the photographs and video of a couples wedding day?

Maybe I'm a softy here, but to me the sanctity of marriage has been thrown aside by the wedding services industry.

Not with me. The day is about the couple and their family. So, when I photograph a wedding, the bride and groom own the copyright of the images I capture and they can do whatever they like with them.

I also do not charge by the hour. Too often I have seen a wedding reception hurried along because the photographer was going to go into "overtime" if they didn't hurry the cake cutting, garter and bouquet toss. First off, In the six years I have been providing wedding services I have NEVER seen a wedding 100% on time. So, the best plans of the bride and groom end up costing them money because they are paying a photographer by the hour.

That never really sat well with me. So, I am hired by the day. Most people reasonably do not ask me to spend 24 straight hours with them, however, I have done an 18 hour day and that is fine with me... I slept REALLY well that night.

I read a book some time ago called Positively Outrageous Customer Service by Scott T. Gross and it really resonated with me. The basic premise being - if you always do something unexpected and pleasant for every customer you get, it is THEY who will continue to talk about you and bring you business for years.

While that sounds like an act that could potentially be selfishly motivated, here is the truth. If you truly love what you do, it is incredibly easy because it is a sincere act. You love what you do, you are happy doing it, adding some personal flair and flavor to the customer experience... priceless ;-)

Another Wedding Video

2009-06-05T12:34:00.001-04:00

This was one of my favorite videos of all time and the crazy part is we shot and edited this video the same day and showed it on a large projection screen that night at their reception... Awesome...

Rusty's Past as a Wedding Videographer

2009-06-05T10:53:00.003-04:00

I thought I'd share a video I'd shot and edited in the past

Engagement Photography at the Sarah P Duke Gardens

2009-05-26T11:55:00.003-04:00

Because I am relatively new to the North Carolinas (came out here on a business trip, fell in love with the people and places and started trying to move from California ASAP) I'd never gone to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens prior to last saturday. I was heading over to Duke Gardens in order to do an engagement photography shoot for two of my June clients, Kim and Charles.

I got to the Duke gardens about an hour early after searching online for pictures and locations. I am really glad I did because the place is immaculate, amazing and designed completely for photographs and serenity - not necessarily in that order.

The picture below was taken at the entrance to Duke Gardens right next to the parking lot.

After going through the entrance, heading off to the right takes you into the Asiatic area where most of my favorite locations were in the Duke Gardens.

Also in the Asiatic area is what is referred to as the "Criss-Cross" bridge.

You can see more images online at Flickr of some of the beauty of this area of the Sarah P Duke Gardens.

Barclay's in Angier North Carolina

2009-05-18T11:08:00.004-04:00

I had a wonderful time working for A Moment Like This over the weekend. A Moment Like This is a husband and wife photography photography / video company based out of Raleigh NC. They contacted me recently to help them out as a videographer for the wedding this past weekend.

I can safely say without a doubt that after 7 years in the wedding and event photo and video world I have finally seen the wedding location that cannot be topped. Barclay's Villa is one of the most amazing wedding locations I have ever seen. It is immaculate, expansive and and gorgeous.

The grounds are stunningly manicured, replete with statues, fountains, pools grandios balconies and castle-like features.

While Barclay Villa is truly a landmark Castle it is thoroughly modern with deluxe amenities available for cast, staff & crew as required, including accommodations and catering.

Wedding Photography in Wake Forest for Jen and Jesus

2009-04-20T12:10:00.003-04:00

I had a great time this past weekend in Wake Forest with Jen and Jesus - Everyone in the party was ready to ham it up for the photographers.

I hope you enjoy the photos. The wedding spanned between a church in Raleigh, and the reception site in Wake Forest.

Wedding Photography in Raleigh Last Weekend

2009-03-01T20:32:00.004-05:00

I had another opportunity to work with Mark Edwards at a wedding the past weekend. His clients are Cameron and Lauren and what a great couple they are. First, they remind me of... me. They enjoy science fiction, goofy nerdy stuff and probably comic books too.

The wedding was held at the Marriott Hotel in Raleigh, NC. I arrived to the bridal room a bit early and was able to get some nice photographs of the details of their wedding. Flowers, rings, dresses. One thing this couple did for their wedding unlike most weddings I have photographed and shot videos for is the fact that this was a highly self-produced wedding day.

Upon arriving to the bridal preparation room and taking out my Canon 50D, I quickly realized that the people getting the flowers and decorations ready were not your typical wedding and event service provider. This was all-hands-on-deck family members picking up the tasks and getting the bride ready for her wedding day.

The officiant for her wedding was a friend of hers as well.

One really awesome occurrence during the ceremony was a very unique wedding ceremony idea. They had the best man and the maid of honor read a script that told the story of how and why they love each other.

I thought that was such a magnificent way to share the love they feel for each other with the selected audience they wanted with them on their wedding day.

My favorite photo I got on their wedding day was of the flowers you see above - mainly because the flowers were originally on a gray chair and with a bit of photo shop I felt the green I added to it really made those family-made bouquets stand out.

2009-02-21T11:03:00.003-05:00

I absolutely love capturing the essence of children in photographs. Thankfully I have a few of my own to play around with. Every mother on the planet at one point or another takes notice of their kids chubby little fat feet. The difference between children's feet and an adults are so apparent it makes absolute sense to use this to capture the age and innocence.

In addition to this, the closeness of the feet has an implied relationship between the siblings. Closeness, affection and trust.

This image here is something my photography clients can ask for and use as a unique image to hang in their home. Mine is over my mantelpiece.

To contact Rusty Worden for a sitting with your children, please visit the Rusty Worden Photography home page. The cost for the sitting, a 15 X 30 print and a mounting on 1/4" styrene board is a mere 225.00. We have a partnership with a Cary, NC based framing company which will give you a sizable discount of of any framing services you need.

Rusty Worden Photography

2009-02-09T20:29:00.001-05:00

Rusty Worden brings an eclectic range of skills and past experience to the field of photography. His start In the creative industry began in a corporate environment developing interactive online training and technical documentation with graphics and animation back in 1997 when the web was first seeing interactive media on web sites.

With his scholastic career focused on photography and video production, the influx of robust video editing software was a welcome addition to his software arsenal. He started Simply Interactive Llc in 2000 in the California Bay Area as a video production house which garnered him international recognition in corporate and wedding/event video production. He has won numerous awards ranging from Best in Show to Awards of Excellence and Distinction.

His company, Simply Interactive Llc quickly shot to the forefront of the Bay Area Wedding and Event video production companies, handling 50+ weddings per year in addition to his work in the corporate video and multimedia development field.

Rusty had an opportunity to take a leading role in a new multimedia team at one of the world’s largest communications companies. In this role he continued his work with video and photography in addition to interactive media development in a graphically rich environment. It is this reminder of his passion not only for corporate photography, but personal events like weddings.

“In the wedding and event industry there is a focus how the customer can bend to appease the rules of the service provider. This has always been a strange practice to me and is why I have always organized my services around the event’s needs. This is why I always give source files and uncompressed images freely to my wedding clients. It is THEIR wedding, after all! I’ve also always held a commitment to not making the bride look at her watch all day because the photographer is leaving at a certain time. They end up trying to cram events into the photographers schedule and not the natural flow of the event itself. With me they always get unlimited event day hours and they own the copyright so they can do what they want with the images I capture for them.”