Journal

Do you love beauty as much as I do?

Tom Sparks — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:48:34 +0000

My son's violin teacher mentioned Pintrest to me a couple of weeks go. My wife was showing it to me earlier last week. Today Jeremy Cowart mentioned it on Google Plus. So I started a Pintrest. Of course there is the "about me" crap that I have to fill out. Here is what I said

I like to find beauty. I find beauty in ugly things, and I can even find beauty in beautiful things. I want to capture your beauty, both body and soul.

This is true of my musical life and also my photographic life. I love the equisite beauty that comes from all ends of human expression. pain, sorrow, lust, love, kindness, selfishness. To hear the terror of the dies ire in Verdi's requiem or the soft forgiving strains of love from a Mozart duet.

In photography, I find the same joy and passion. If you ever hire a photographer, I hope you hire one who throws their whole soul into finding your beauty, what ever it is.

What follows is some of the beauty I have been fortunate to capture in the couple of months.

Bridal on the Temple Lawn

Tom Sparks — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:05:34 +0000

Brandon and Amber take a moment to enjoy being alone and being just married on the lawn of the Salt Lake City LDS temple in Utah.

Taking a look back...

Tom Sparks — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:34:03 +0000

I shot my first wedding in 2008. So much has changed in the time since then. I appreciate Jessica and Dave trusting me to photograph their wedding. I have found wedding photography to be a supreme challenge that is fun and rewarding and keeps me on my toes. I am looking forward to the 2012 wedding season.

Sugar Bubbles and Wedding Cake

Tom Sparks — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:05:15 +0000

I've seen a lot of wedding cakes, but so far my favorite decorations have been by the cake lady. I loved this simple cake with lemon sugar bubbles. The bubbles are hand blown, like a glass bubble.

Who needs a staged kiss?

Tom Sparks — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:48:34 +0000

David and Andrea were one of my favorite couples. They just seemed to be so in sync with each other. And they were so cute. So in a moment when we were getting the whole extended family together on the steps of the LDS Salt Lake City temple and they had been married for a whole 30 minutes or so, they were enjoying looking at each other while the group got in place. They talked and looked at each other, and naturally, they kissed. I love moments like this at weddings, that just happen and look good.

Senior Portraits in January

Tom Sparks — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:42:38 +0000

I was lucky enough to get to photograph a couple of high school seniors this month. Lucky because January is slow for portrait work and lucky becuase these kids were so much fun!

STOP SOPA STOP PIPA! Take Action Today!

Tom Sparks — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

Please call your US Congressmen and US Senators today. The United States of America tells China and other countries to not censor the internet, yet that is exactly what the US Congress is getting ready to do.

Please inform yourself about the matter ASAP. Here are some links:

Good basic review here

Sign the Google Petition here

More below

The brilliant photographer Trey Ratcliff talks about SOPA and Creative Commons

What Adam Savage of Myth Busters has to say

Wired dot com

Info at Infographic

Baseball Nation on SOPA

Arstechnica

EFF dot Org

Wedding Details, Unexpected Moments

Tom Sparks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:42:50 +0000

One of the things that you want to have in your collection of photographs from your wedding day, are the details of the special moments of that day. You want to find a photographer who pays attention to little details like this.

Here is a couple, sharing a moment together looking at their marriage certificate from the temple during their wedding luncheon.

Bridals on New Years Eve

Tom Sparks — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:30:44 +0000

You have got to love a woman who can brave the cold, and hike over rocks and sand bars in high heels to get the bridal images she wants. I have to admit, my fingers screamed when I grabbed the metal light stands! Ouch. I love doing sessions like this, even if my fingers complain. Find me a bride who wants something different, a bit unusual, and I will be happy. I love finding a way to make interesting images with people.

How Does a Wedding Photographer Deal With Their Own Wedding?

Tom Sparks — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:03:58 +0000

My son got married Saturday. It was a wonderful event and I was so proud. Family members I haven't seen in ages, ex-wife and her family, the billions of cousins of the bride, etc, etc. all there enjoying the moment and celbrating with us.

Everyone I know, knows that I am a photographer. I was surprised at how many people asked me if I was photographing the wedding. NO! It was my day to be the father of the groom. I did have my camera in my car, but never touched it. I left the photography desicions to the bride and her family. I have to admit, that was hard to do and I offered my input.

I did Amada's bridals and Amanda and Wynton's engagement photos and that was it. But now, after it is all done, I am left to wait and wonder what the photographer got, how good it was, if they got certain shots, how in focus, or how much noise in the photos. Did she get all the guests and family. I am aware how I would have done several things differently (not that it would be better, just different). But now, my anxiety of wondering if the photography job got done well is there.

When I photograph a wedding, I always have the anxiety of wanting the photos to come out well, and of not missing anything. But I have not experienced that anxiety before as a member of the wedding party. Photographing a wedding is the olympics of photography. There are so many moments that you only have once very short chance to get it right. So many special and tender moments to be captured and saved that you have to be watching and looking for. Like a tear in the eye of the father of the bride as he quietly talks to her, or the surprise and delight on the brides face as a dear friend arrives. The list is endless. I now appreciate the wedding from a new perspective.

Live long and happy Wynton and Amanda. I will be here to photograph the grandchildren!