Matthew Kuehl Photography

Maria's Maternity Shoot

2010-04-18T23:17:00.005-05:00

This was my first pregnancy / maternity shoot. For more pictures, see my we page at www.kuehlphoto.com.

Yelitza Winter Shoot 2010

2010-02-03T13:54:00.001-06:00

Little known fact: I don't just do weddings! I do other events, portraits, fashion, boudoir, family...you name it. Here's a shoot I did this weekend with a very talented Venezuelan-American model named Yelitza Staley. The last project we collaborated on ended up being published in Shape Magazine. Some of the work for this shoot was to promote her and her husband's social sport organization Soco Sports in southern Florida. Some was just for fun. She did a great job, and I'm very happy with the way these came out. And yes, it was 24 degrees outside and she was wearing a bikini on the Chicago lakefront. I was freezing cold wrapped up in a down coat and hat. Way to take one for the team!

Sarah Mary & Nick - January 2, 2010

2010-02-03T13:42:00.003-06:00

My Post-Wedding Workflow

2009-12-30T15:39:00.002-06:00

I know, I've got to do better keeping up on my blog...Anyway, people have asked me about my post-wedding workflow, so here goes.

It's important to me to go through each and every picture individually and make it just the way I want it. I refuse to do any batch editing, except sometimes for the goofy guest dancing stuff at the end of the reception. That of course takes lots of time, but it must be done. My wife doesn't so much like it when i spend all Saturday working and then come home and sit on the computer for 20 hours, but luckily the technology has come a long way in this department.

The key is always getting it right in the camera, but the PP work is important for stylizing, clean up and fine tuning. IMO, pictures rarely look professional coming straight out of the camera, even if the exposure and color is spot on. The standards are much higher this day in age, at least in some respects.

So here is my workflow, starting at the last photograph I take:

1) Protect the files until I can back them up. A guy I know got beat up and robbed of his gear coming home from a wedding. He lost $20,000 worth of gear. The stuff was replaceable, but the pictures were priceless. Fortunately for him, the bridge and the groom, he had his memory cards tucked in his sock.
2) Upload them to the computer, and back them up at least twice in separate locations, preferably in separate buildings.
3) Import all files into Adobe Lightroom and sort by capture time. If I have accurately synched the time on my camera with my assistant's, all the pictures should show up in the correct order.
4) Pick out the 10-20 best pictures, do a quick edit and post them as a sneak preview.
5) Cull, once for obvious outtakes and once for anything unflattering, with blinks, redundant or having technical problems. This will leave me with 4-500 pictures, depending on the length of the event.
6) Rename all the files to be event specific, in chronological order.
7) Preliminarily batch adjust groups of similar pictures. If a series of pictures were all taken with the same lighting conditions, I will adjust the first one and then sync the remaining pictures.
8) Go through each photo in LR and adjust the settings - white balance, exposure, recovery, fill light, black clipping, noise reduction, contrast curves, etc.
9) Stylize. For this, I make virtual copies of select images, so that I have one clean copy and one stylized copy for the client. I then apply a variety of presets that may work well with a particual image, and then do some more tweaking.
9) Go back through and check the full set, making minor tweaks.
10) Export from LR to .jpg's.
11) Select a small number of highlights for further refinement in Photoshop. PS, as opposed to LR, allows me to do "local adjustments", which is where I can erase distracting elements, touch up skin and add other effects. 99% of my pictures get no local adjustments, which is why I rarely go over to PS.
12) Upload the full gallery to my Smugmug web site, with highlights copied to the front end of the gallery.
12) Mail the CD to the client and begin working on the custom photo book, if purchased.

Voila! The whole process takes me about 1.5 hours of PP per every hour of shooting.

Carrie & Larry

2009-11-22T16:32:00.004-06:00

Simone's First Days

2009-07-17T10:11:00.003-05:00

01-x090716ss_058, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

06-x090716ss_105, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

02-x090716ss_089, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

Rebecca & Sam - 07.11.09

2009-07-15T15:55:00.005-05:00

01-x090711rs_241-2, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

03-x090711rs_297, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

05-x090711rs_156, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

03-x090711rs_110, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

02-x090711rs_393-2, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

WPC Photo Shoot at Promontory Point

2009-07-14T14:53:00.007-05:00

This was a gathering of Chicagoland wedding photographers for networking and a little fun shoot with some great models. I'll post a link to their MM sites when I find them out. The shots weren't what I anticipated getting out of a wedding session, but there were some pretty fun modeling shots.

Facebook

2009-07-08T20:29:00.001-05:00

Matthew Kuehl Photography on Facebook

Olga & Dan 06.27.09

2009-06-29T18:57:00.006-05:00

01-x090629od_233, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

03-x090629od_281, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

02-x090629od_190, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

00-x090629od_309-2, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

The garter toss, originally uploaded by Matthew Kuehl Photography - Chicago.

Matt's Tips for the Bride and Groom

2009-06-26T10:20:00.007-05:00

With much credit due to Steve C. of Florida.

PREFACE:
Your wedding...it's an unrepeatable event. We photographers only get one "shot" at capturing it, so it's very important that we as professionals do what we can to make things go smoothly from a photography standpoint. I've developed a number of tips and suggestions I’d like to share with you that can help make the day easier for you and help me to capture every shot as best I can. These tips come from my personal and professional experience. I hope some of them will help you on your special day...

BEFORE THE WEDDING

Budget your time:
Long before the big day, you will probably be working on planning out the timeline of your event down to the minute. This is necessary, but in my experience these schedules are almost always broken. Things just end up running longer than you expect. Rather than stress yourself out trying to get from place to place, allow plenty of time for everything to unfold.

This is especially important with formal photos and group shots, which are typically done between the ceremony and reception and are a crucial part of your wedding album. Try to budget at least 45 minutes to this, especially for larger groups. Usually, we will start with pictures involving little kids. We get them done quickly, and let them go play. Then we do the largest group, and keep letting people leave until it is just the bride and groom. Then, with most of the group gone, you can relax a little and for some more romantic shots of just the two of you. This part should be at least 15 minutes of the 45.

An alternate plan that works very well is to get most of the formals out of the way before the ceremony. If the bride and groom do not wish to see each other at that time, we can shoot the groom, his family and the groomsmen first, let them leave, and then do the same with the bride. Then after the ceremony, we can shoot just the pictures that require the b&g together.

When formals are rushed, it is evident in the pictures – I might not be able to light properly, you may forget to include a family member, you may look anxious in the pictures. So it is very important to leave plenty of time for this part of the day.

The time of day is also an important factor in getting good pictures if shooting outside. The best time for formals is during the “magic hour”, which is the hour before sunset, when the light is soft and golden. Doing formals outside is usually better than doing them indoors, unless it’s raining or you are in a cluttered environment.

Choose a “Wrangler”.
The “Wrangler” is the person you designate – usually a family member or close friend – who helps the photographer gather all the friends and family members for the group shots. Since I will be meeting 100-some people for the first time, I can’t possibly know who are the important people, and I might miss a few.
Sit down before the wedding and make a list of every group picture you want (eg. bride/groom/mom/dad, bride/groom/nephew/cousin, bride/coworkers, etc.). Then give a copy of this to me and the Wrangler.

Tell me everything else I need to know.
Please let me know anything that will help me do what I do. Send me detailed directions to every place I need to be, along with the full schedule, allowing me 15 minutes to set up (more if portable studios are required). Provide me with cell phone numbers of alternate contacts if I can’t get hold of you the day of. Let me know restrictions on photography (ie, is flash prohibited…do I need to stay in the back of the church?). Let me know any family considerations (ie, divorced parents, etc.).

Don’t be afraid to le me know if there something you are conscious about before we shoot portraits. If you don’t like your left side, I’ll make an effort to shoot from your right. I’m there to do what I can to take flattering pictures that you will be happy with.

ON THE DAY OF

#1 – Enjoy your day!
For obvious reasons, you want your wedding to be the time of your life. But from a photographic standpoint, your attitude is especially important. If you are relaxed and having fun, happy to be in each other’s company, it will show through greatly in the pictures.

As a photojournalist style photographer, I try to capture the spirit of the day, not create it. If I can sit back and capture you having fun, the pictures will look so much more natural and emotional than if I have to coax you into looking at the camera and forcing a smile.

SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! This is a HAPPY DAY! This is an emotional day, even for guys. Check that – this goes DOUBLE for the groom. So cry, smile, laugh, enjoy. If something funny happens, go ahead and LAUGH! I'll be snapping away, and these will make for GREAT pictures later on. Just relax, be happy, and go with it.
Forget I’m there.

My style of photojournalism requires me to capture all the action, events and emotion of the day to produce a documentary that tells a linear story. This means that I will be taking a lot of candid pictures throughout the day. I make great efforts to produce natural looking images to make the viewer feel like a “fly on the wall” observing all the little moments that occur.

I know it’s a little tough to do at first because you’re not used to it, but it should not take you too long to just be able to ignore me. You will never need to look into the camera unless I prompt you or we are taking posed formals.
That being said, there are ways that you can help me get good candid pictures without “looking” like you are posing. For instance, if you are standing and talking with a group of friends, don’t close in the circle, as I won’t be able to see everybody. Or if you are doing something such as putting on your veil, try to be conscious of my line of sight, and if possible, don’t keep your back toward me. Just knowing where the camera is will help me make great pictures.

Look sharp!
I don’t pretend to be a fashion or makeup consultant, but I do have a few handy tips for looking good in the photos. A) Avoid tanning for at least three days prior to the wedding. Freshly burned skin will look like it’s on fire in a photograph. B) Have a professional cut your hair and give you pointers so you look your best. C) BE WELL RESTED. If you’re going to go out drinking, do it a few days before the wedding so you have time to recover. You need to be and look fresh. D) Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water the night before and the day of will help your skin glow and will keep you from losing energy. E) Wear contacts, if possible. In addition to dressing you down, eye glasses tend to reflect flash back at the camera and can hide emotion that the eyes reveal. F) Carry a napkin to dry your forehead. A little sweat turns your face shiny and very noticeable in pictures.

Getting Ready

The time you spend getting prepared for the big day - putting on makeup, doing your hair, fixing the veil, etc. - is an important chapter in the story of your day. And since the photos will be the best record you have of this story, I always suggest that I be there to capture these moments. This is where the photo albums start, and it builds anticipation of the day to come. It also helps you get used to me being there. To help me get the most out of getting ready shots, it's good to do it in a nice, tidy room with a large open window to get some natural light.

For the Groom
During the ceremony, again, forget I'm there. Just focus on marrying the woman you love. It's her day, her chance to be a princess and the center of attention. Make her YOUR center of attention. Look at her lovingly. Be proud and happy! Smile. Be gallant, suave, smooth, happy, and loving. Walk smoothly - don't stomp or walk too quickly. If you slow your pace down bit, and carry yourself like you're royalty, you'll look better, and be easier to photograph.

Interact with your beloved. Look deeply into her eyes with a smile on your face and love in your heart. Hold hands lovingly.

THE KISS. I'm sure you have some idea how to do this, but let me interject a couple of pointers. First, it's a romantic kiss. The most romantic you'll probably ever give her. Be smooth. If she has a veil, lift it gently over her head. Don't take her chin in your hand or grab the back of her head. Put your arms around her waist and pull her close. Close your eyes, kiss her lovingly, and try to hold the kiss for at least a couple of seconds or longer, so I have time to sneak up to the front and get the shot. Even multiple kisses are better, just don’t overdo it.

SMILE some more! You're MARRIED now. Turn and face the crowd! You survived! Take your cues from her, don't trip on her dress, and walk slowly (DON’T RUN) down the aisle with her, smiling all the way. I'll be continuously shooting as you walk, so anything you do such as looking at her and smiling, leaning over and kissing her, giving thumbs-ups to attendees, a playful wink, high-fives, etc. are all okay, just don't overdo it. Remember: SHE is your focus. Just be smooth, graceful, and happy.

For the Bride
Brides typically have a better handle on this marriage thing than the guys do. However, I do have some tips that can help you too...

This is YOUR day, and your chance to be a princess and the center of attention. Don't focus on unimportant things, or micro-managing every detail. We’ve all heard stories about nice girls becoming “bridezellas” because they are overloaded. Learn to DELEGATE. More importantly, try to go with the flow when things inevitably don’t go precisely as planned.

During your ceremony, again, forget I'm there. Focus on the union that's about to take place, and the love in your heart. Now is the time to let any emotions you're feeling flow freely; love, anticipation, happiness, trepidation, crying, etc. They'll be captured in the photos forever, and will always bring you back to relive the moment. Be proud and happy! Carry yourself like royalty, with grace and style. Slow down your pace and move smoothly and deliberately.

SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! This is a HAPPY DAY! Even though a wedding is a solemn event, let the emotion show in your face. Tears of joy are welcome too! If something funny happens, go ahead and LAUGH! I'll be snapping away, and these will make for GREAT pictures later on. If you blow your lines, don't sweat it. Just laugh it off and go on.

Interact with your beloved. Look deeply into his eyes with a smile on your face and love in your heart. Hold hands lovingly.

THE KISS: Close your eyes, kiss him lovingly, and try to hold the kiss for at least a couple of seconds or longer, so I have time to get the shot. I can’t catch a “quick peck”. Multiple kisses are fine too. Just remember, the kiss photos come out better if you tilt your head slightly TOWARD my side, so I can see your closed eyes and expression of passion during the kiss. If you tilt your head the other way, all I’ll be able to see is your chin. Of course, we can always do other “kiss” shots later if I happen to miss it.

SMILE some more! You're MARRIED now. Turn and face the crowd! You survived! Walk slowly (DON’T RUN!) down the aisle with pride and grace, smiling all the way. Anything you do such as looking at the Groom and smiling, leaning over for a kiss, waving to attendees, a playful wink, etc. will look great in pictures. Heck, jump up in the air! That would make for a great shot!

Posing
Volumes have been written on the subject of posing for pictures. When it comes to the formals and group shots, there are a few basic tips you should know. First, we want to avoid the “mug shot” look at all costs. People look more interesting when shot slightly from the side than head-on. So turn your body at a slight angle away from me. Turn your face so that your nose is pointed slightly away from me, but your eyes are still at the camera, chin slightly down. Keep your posture tall, but relaxed, with your weight on your back foot, with your front foot pointed at me. Embrace your partner in a loving, comfortable way. I’ll help you out with this, but it’s a good idea to practice at home before hand.

Dancing
The first dance is a very important part of the day. Even though this is a special moment that the two of you will be sharing, it is another time that you will want to remember in photos. To help me capture this, you can dance in a way that allows me to see both of your faces at the same time. Most partners slow dance with their heads on each others’ shoulders. But this only allows me to see one person’s face, and one person’s back. Instead, try dancing with one shoulder together and one open, looking at each other, rather than over the other’s shoulder. Below are examples of both.

One last thing: I need food and drink just like everyone else, especially in the middle of a very long day. At the reception, I generally eat when everyone else does. I try to do so quickly, so I can be ready to get back into the action. Please try to arrange for me to get a plate of food from your caterer – whatever is available. It is also best that I sit in a location where I can be ready for any action that comes up. I work very hard on your wedding day, and this will be greatly appreciated!

I hope these tips will be of help to you. Good luck on the big day!

The Wedding of Stephanie & Erik, June 12, 2009

2009-06-15T14:13:00.008-05:00

Below is a sampling of pictures from the wedding of Stephanie and Erik on June 12, 2009. The ceremony was held at a beautiful private residence in Palatine, lush with bucolic greenery and water features. After the ceremony, everybody headed to their new home for a sports themed barbeque, where the happy couple changed into personalized White Sox uniforms with their married names.

The Baptisms of Aristia & Nikolette

2009-06-11T23:12:00.016-05:00

Nikolette & Aristia are first cousins who both had their Christian baptisms this spring. We started the day off with a little portrait session while they were still in a happy mood, unaware of what was in store for them in the afternoon.

If either could speak, I think they might tell me that they didn't care too much for the ceremony. At least that's what I gathered from the crying.

But later in the day, in accordance with greek custom, there was a big party with over a hundred guests, traditional circle dancing and lots of food and drink for everybody.

Claudia & Rose - BFF Shots in Millenium Park

2009-06-11T23:00:00.008-05:00

Claudia & Rose have been bff's since grade school. Rose lives on the east coast and was in town to visit Claudia and see Chicago for the first time. They asked me to stop by and take a couple portraits of them, but we ended up doing a tour of Chicago attractions, including Navy Pier, Millenium Park and Buckingham fountain.

Rachel & Robbin - Wedding in Chicago

2009-06-10T10:23:00.001-05:00

These are my friends Rachel and Robbin. I went to the University of Illinois with Rachel, who met Robbin working in the paper industry. They got married on May 3, 2009 near O'Hare airport in Chicago.

We had some nice golden sunlight during the magic hour for the formals that set Rachel's red hair on fire.

Thanks to Pete Coons and Gil Acevedo for their help on this one.

So rarely do I get to include myself in a wedding gallery, but I'm #2 from the right with my photo belts. Other charactars from the left are my bro's Chris Diehl, Todd Goldberg, Sean Watkins and Troy Smith.

Storybook Wedding

2009-06-09T13:41:00.001-05:00

Audrey & Jeff are literature fans who got married on the site of their first date, at the Printers Row Book Fair on Dearborn Street in Chicago. The romance began with a simple, three word email "You like books?".

The groom's boutonniere was fashioned from a copy of Rudyard Kipling's "If", the favorite poem of the groom's deceased father.

The rings were carried in a box shaped from the book "The Courtship of Peggy McCoy" by Ray Shepard.

The bride and groom stopped by one of the vendors to purchase typeset blocks for the name "Mr. & Mrs. Raden".

Jessica & Paul Wedding at the Naper Settlement in Naperville

2009-06-09T09:34:00.000-05:00