Video recommendation ...

Since filling most of my open Saturdays photographing weddings (as opposed to video) I've found that some couples are having a hard time finding a quality video company. After all ... video preserves not only a moving picture, but the audio as well. How many of you would like to be able to hear the vows from your parent's wedding? I'm guessing just about everyone. Yet, so many people turn that job over to someone that has no clue what they're doing.

So who would I recommend? Basically ... this one was easy ... I highly recommend Chuck and Kathy Moore from Katch Video. I've known Chuck and Kathy for many years now and can truthfully say that if you're wanting a high quality wedding video then contact them at Katch Video.

Chuck and Kathy mainly service the St. Louis and southern Illinois area, but I checked with them to see if they would be interested in stretching that into central Illinois and they said, "Sure!"

If you are fortunate enough to find that they are available on your wedding day then I suggest you get them booked as soon as possible. You won't be disappointed.

Their website is Katch Video. Take a look at their on-line videos and see for yourself why you need them to record your wedding.

Slide Show for Melanie & Derek

We've been asked before if we could create a slide show or photo montage for our couples. Of course the anwer is yes. Just like albums, not every couple is looking for a photo montage of their wedding day. On the other hand if you're not purchasing an album, an extended photo montage provided on DVD is an excellent way of reliving your wedding day.

I posted a few photos from Melanie and Derek's wedding further down the page. The following basic montage is from their wedding on May 5th with approximately 40 photos.

Kristin & Ben

Relaxed, laid back, a stress-free zone ... that's how I like my weddings. Kristin, Ben and the entire bridal party were great to work with. Only two goals for the day ... number one ... get married. Number two ... have fun! (Any couple that brings their dog in for some photos is ok in my book.)

Nicole couldn't make it this weekend, so my friend Jana spent the day with me, getting some great shots. (She took the one below with their dog.) Hopefully we can team up again sometime.

Jennifer and Adam

My apologies for getting a bit behind with my photos. I'm actually going to try and take a few days off for a family vacation, but before I did ... I wanted to make sure I had a few photos up from my most current weddings.

Jennifer and Adam were married in Sigel at 2:30 on May 2nd. I guess that's Doctor Adam. You see ... he graduated the night before and then drove down for his wedding. I guess that meant if I were to pass out or fall out of a tree (like I could climb a tree) that someone was there to take care of our medical needs. ;-)

After the ceremony it was off to Lake Sara for the reception. After a few photos in the tux and gown it was time to relax and unwind with boat rides.

Thanks guys ... we had fun.

Melanie & Derek

Melanie and Derek got married on May 5th in Thomasboro, Illinois. Now if you don't know where Thomasboro is ... don't feel alone. I've lived in central Illinois my entire life and hadn't heard of it, yet it was only about an hour away. So much for not needing a map.

As usual ... we had a great looking couple that was laid back and just wanted to enjoy their wedding day.

Here's a couple of Melanie.





NOTHING comes between a man and his John Deere!



Ok ... maybe one?



If you're in the market for a landscaper in the Champaign-Urbana area, look up Deem Landscaping. Derek's the man to call.



I like cake at a reception just as much as the next guy ... but set up a chocolate fountain? That's just not fair.



Friends and family can visit www.scottbrooksphoto.com/photocart to see or order photos from the wedding.

Thanks everyone. We had a great time.

Nia & Spencer Engagement Session

Nia and Spencer are getting married in August, so it was time to head out for an engagement session.

We would end up picking the day that it started getting a bit on the hot side to do an engagement session ... not horribly hot ... but enough to make us sweat just a little.

Even though the plants were not in full bloom we ended up in Arcola at Rockome Gardens. And just to show you how much I don't know ... I always thought it was Rockhome Gardens. I've lived in central Illinois my whole life and never knew that I had been pronouncing it incorrectly.

We were able to find several places to shoot from and Nia and Spencer were great to work with.

Doing an engagement session gives me a chance for me to get to know the couple better and for them to get to know me. When it comes to the wedding day it makes everything so much more relaxed because we've been through it before.

Here are a few photos from the session.

CHS Musical

This is my 6th year of taping the CHS spring musical and it just seems like they keep getting better and better. Therese Kincade does a fantastic job directing the show and the musical direction is led by Debbie Rappe.

This year's show is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I've never even seen the movie version, so this is my first exposure to the show. All I can say is if you get the chance ... buy your ticket now. (Only three nights left.) I've seen both casts and each one is full of talent ... both from an acting and singing standpoint.

You know ... it's hard to concentrate on taping a show when you're laughing that hard.

I was going to post a slide show of photos that I took during dress rehearsals. Instead ... I decided to post one of the main numbers from the show ... Brotherhood of Man.