It’s hard to believe that day 12 is here! I feel like just yesterday we started this blog adventure with you! I hope you’re all enjoying learning more about local vendors… these 30 days are just the beginning of all we will be sharing with you this year!

When looking for your photographer, remember that your wedding day is going to fly by and whether you look at your wedding pictures every day and hang them all over the house or you just bring them out every anniversary… your wedding day is the day that marks the first day of the rest of your lives together. Find a photographer that fits your style, fits your personality and fits your budget… If you aren’t able to afford the photographer you want and the prints and albums, keep in mind you can always wait to order those items later. After all, have an album you love a year later is better than an album you have within a few months of your wedding with images you don’t like. Joel Bock photography is about quality and it shows in his work, not just quality images, but quality customer service and quality personality matches. Quality you’ll appreciate for years to come…

Champagne: How did you decide to get into photography?
Joel: Growing up I would watch my dad take pictures.  He would take his time, watching the light, the lines, colors.  I was intrigued by the way he made it a form of art.  Ever since I have worked to see and capture the beauty and essence of people and places. 
Over the course of a summer another photographer and I realized our gifts could be turned to a profession, and that’s exactly what we did.  Since then my wife, Cherice, has joined me in our business, which has been great to work and travel together.

Champagne: How would you describe your style?
Joel: I would say my style is creative and modern, and my technique is photo journalistic with a touch of fine art.  I love the experience of the whole day, not just the ceremony, formals, and reception.  As a result my approach is to create a story board of the day from beginning to end.  My hope is that when people look back on their photographs they will be able to relive the entirety of the day.  They will be able see the art in both the details they have worked so hard to bring together and in who they are as people, presented in an artistic way. 

 
Champagne: What would be your dream wedding to photograph?
Joel: Definitely a wedding in Switzerland where the couple skis in to the ceremony.  I love skiing.  And to photograph a couple who also loves this and incorporates it into their wedding would be amazing!  Since the Alps are some of the most amazing mountains I’ve seen, it would be more than ideal for the setting.

Champagne: What is one thing that is important to you when shooting a wedding?
Joel: The relationship I build with the couple, their families, and friends.  Many people I have photographed have become very good friends.  Without relationship it’s very hard to truly portray who a person is.  That’s why I prefer to meet people in person, converse over the phone, and chat through Skype.  It helps us both to get to know the other person, creates friendship, and makes for a relaxed environment when it comes to taking pictures.

Champagne: What is one thing you like about photographing weddings? 
Joel:  I love being creative with group shots, trying new spots and arrangements.  With larger wedding parties it can be a lot of fun given the right setting.  The photographs of the arches and the group running down the stairs with umbrellas were both a blast!  In both photographs I had given a general suggestion and the group took it from there.  In fact, the umbrella photo was simply the groom’s idea to run down the stairs after a shot by the columns!  The images really become memorable when the couple and wedding party decide to have fun with the creative process.

Champagne: What do you do when you’re not doing what you do?
Joel: I’ve always enjoyed a variety of things.  If I can help it, I’ll definitely be outdoors.  Hiking, skiing, surfing, and fly-fishing just to name a few.  There is something about nature that’s been ingrained in me from a young age.  As a social person I tend to then do those things with my family and friends.  And when I’m not outdoors, taking photos, or sitting at a coffee shop with good book, I’m most likely hanging out with my 2 year old son and his amazing imagination. 

Champagne: Do you have a specific niche with wedding photography?
Joel: I do destination weddings.  I love to travel, and I’m deeply honored to be invited out for weddings at different locations.  I’d say the highlight this last year was shooting a wedding in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  It’s a blast to get to photograph different traditions, cultures, and have lots of new experiences.
The photo of the Korean bride in her traditional dress is one of those new experiences, as is, the bride and groom receiving champagne glasses.  With the latter, upon arrival couples at the reception site in the Northern Ireland countryside are greeted with a “Champagne welcome”.  I’m sure this tradition extends beyond Northern Ireland, but it was my first time to experience it.

  Although I have the opportunity to travel to many different places, I also enjoy getting to work near home in Oregon with my lovely wife, Cherice.  The image of the bridge backlit by the sun was taken blocks away from my home!  It just goes to show that you can get amazing photos no matter where you are.  And whether I’m off to a different destination or keeping it local near Portland, I consider it a gift to practice my art and build friendships through wedding photography.

Champagne: Thank you, Joel, for sharing more about Joel Bock photography! We are looking forward to working with you soon! Make sure to check out Joel’s website and blog!

Check out previous posts from our 30 days of vendors:
Day 11 of 30: True Love Sound
Day 10 of 30: Blum Floral Desgin
Day 9 of 30: Becerra Photography
Day 8 of 30: Black Butte Ranchy
Day 7 of 30: Cupcake Jones
Day 6 of 30: Mosca Photo
Day 5 of 30: Vibrant Table Flowers
Day 4 of 30: Premiere Catering
Day 3 of 30: Paul Rich Studio
Day 2 of 30: Bon Moment Inivitations
Day 1 of 30: Bryan Hoybook Photography
See what the 30 days of vendors is all about!

Cheers,
Mandi & Rachelle

Make sure you don’t miss our current promotion! Book your wedding or event coordination before January 30th, 2010 and receive 5% off your package!* Dates are booking quickly!

Don’t forget, we offer free consultations so you can learn if hiring a wedding planner would benefit you and if we’re the right match! We’d love to learn more about you, your fiance and your upcoming wedding plans!

*Not valid on previously booked packages. Contract and deposit must be returned by January 30th, 2010.