Getting closer

Today I was playing a game in my mind similar to the Kevin Bacon Challenge, only tracing my clients back to see where a large portion came from. They didn't lead back to Kevin Bacon (thank goodness) but I was able to make the trace. Warning... this may be boring to most of you.

In 2005 I was able to donate some photography to a foundation focused on children with Autism. I heard about this from one of my first clients (Sorensen's) and was all over the opportunity. It was here that I met Alyse and her beautiful family as we photographed them later in the year for some Christmas cards.

A few days later, she was asked by a good friend (Michelle) who took that picture and was then forwarded her on to me. I was then hired to shoot Michelles daughter's wedding that March in Nauvoo (3 hours some direction from Chicago). After this shoot, Michelle and Alyse have since referred me to several of their other friends/neighbors allowing me to work with some of the nicest and most sincere people I have ever met. I consider these families some of my good friends.

Anyway... TO THE POINT

Michelle and Alyse called me up a few months ago and said that they had a new project for me and wanted to see if I was interested. Michelle told me that she wanted to create a cookbook that was unlike any other cookbook on the market. You'll have to wait to see it (as we are finishing up with the last 3 shoots this week) but coming from a guy who can eat but can't cook, I already have mine on reserve. This food is AMAZING! I know because I eat it as I photograph it :)

Last month Michelle had the opportunity to host a private event for the Nationally syndicated radio host Glenn Beck. He loved the food and loved the book. How's that for an unofficial, soon-to-be official endorsement. This is just the beginning. I'll let them tell the rest of their story as the website soon launches and the book releases.

I thought that I would include an image from the "how to create an intimate setting" section. Why Not?

Second Generation MCP Client

I'm not sure if that is the correct way to spell de ja vu, but I will tell you I had it. Allow me to set the stage for a moment, clear the fog if you will. A couple years back I met Morgan and Todd. These two were hilarious and out of control (people I like to associate with). Anyway, after the engagement shoot, naturally we shot her bridals at Thanksgiving Point.

>>>Now fast forward two years and I am shooting her sister's engagements and bridals. Yet again, another couple full of uncontrollable energy...and love. **This is where I had my moment of that funny french phrase no one knows how to spell. I don't know if that stage is well set, but I love a good de ja vu.

Brooke decided to also bring with her what I like to call her Women-tourage. The baby you see is Morgan and Todd's, a second generation MCP Client. Also present, Morgan and both Mom and Mom-in-law.

Thanks again for such a great shoot guys!.

Grand America Show and Advice

Brides-

Congrats on your upcoming event! Come and check out our website if you haven’t already booked a photographer. We are all about CANDID’S, STRESS-FREE PHOTOGRAPHY, and YOU! We are serious when we say:

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GRUMPY PHOTOGRAPHER
www.mattchristensenphotography.com

We offer a variety of packages for both prints as well as magazine-style albums. You can even purchase the negatives if they are not already included in the package. Any package can be customized to fit your needs.

We invite you to come visit us tomorrow at the Grand America Bridal Show from 10-8pm. Here you will talk to the wedding professionals. Come talk to us and see what the show special is if you book tomorrow (Saturday only).

If you are still reading this, I would like to give you a couple words of advice before booking a photographer.

Hire a professional, not a relative. We have had to recreate weddings of people who hired an “friend” or even most recently a “newspaper photographer with a lot of experience.” These images are what will help you remember your wedding for the rest of your lives. If you want good sports photography. hire a sports photographer…dog’s, hire a pet photographer; but weddings are for wedding photography specialists. Think of it as an investment.

Find a photographer with whom you can communicate. This is huge when finding the right photographer. Tell them what you want, what you are like, and if they don’t want to work around that, find another! Most credible photographers should want to work around you, rather than you around them.

Ask the photographers if they have ever shot at where you are having your ceremony/reception.

Do they carry back-up equipment with them?

Do they offer any additional services?

Once again, please come visit our site and see if we qualify as your photographer.

Thank you and Good Luck!
Matt Christensen
801.832.0707 office
800.769.4522 toll free

matt@mattchristensenphotography.com

MOOSE!!!

The last little while I have been telling myself to get out and do a little hiking. It's a hard thing to do during the peak season with weddings but this morning I decided to actually do it. I had plans to go with a buddy of mine but he had to bail last minute because of work. So I changed locations and headed up another canyon that was a few miles closer.

It was early and to be honest, it was the first time I have been cold since February. As I was hiking, I saw in the distance what seemed to be a few coyotes or fox's hanging out on a pile of stones that was in the form of a den. My eyes decieve me horribly in the morning so I walked up closer and found that my little den was filled with pot-gut's (fat squirrels if you are not from Utah).

Anyway, I continued my hike and just enjoyed the beauty that surrounded me. We are extremely blessed in Utah. Fatique set in and I made my way back to the car to head home. On my way back, I noticed two very dark animals on a hillside just grazing. I thought maybe some stray cattle until I got a little closer and realized that they were Moose. They were Ginormous. Anyway, the rest can't be explained with words, other than I have made two new friends high in the mountains, both of which let me even take their picture. Enjoy.

New addition- Baby Adelin

Congrat's to the Sanders family! Baby Adelin was born just 3 weeks ago. We took her to the exact same location where we did this couple's engagement pictures 2 years ago to the date...give or take a couple days.

Adelin is one of those baby's that was born cute, rather than some that have to grow into it. Sounds rude, but we have all seen the Seinfeld episode with the baby...."Jerry, when are you going to come see the baby?"

Anyway, beautiful healthy baby to a family that deserves such. Congrat's guys :)

Oakland Wedding

I finished up the week with an amazing shoot in Oakland for Janelle and Adam (both natives of CA). These have to be two of the coolest people in the world and fortunately, for them, they found each other. Guess their kids will be cool too. Stellar families; I really enjoyed working with both of them.

It was hot, but ya gotta love CA sunshine. Its therapy for me. The first shot I noticed right as I pulled in and had to take it. I have shot here before but never saw this angle.



We took our sweet time shooting in the heat. Their are numerous spots to shoot at this temple and I wish we would have had two more hours. You have to be creative with the light and use it rather than fight it. Shade here is a rarity, nevertheless, ample spots for ample shots.



I was really happy to see the bride and groom want to take a lot of pictures with the wedding party at the Temple. We spent a good 30 min just with the wedding party and took some fun pictures. Good smiling chicken man.

The reception was perfectly executed. Every detail was noticed and far from overlooked! The shot shows the Oakland Temple taken at night. I made a special trip the night before I left to get some night shots so that they could put them in their album.

Congrats guys!

Antelope Shoot

Last week was an amazing week for the company. We started off with a bridal at Antelope Island. This bride (Candice) is being married in Hawaii to one of the coolest gentleman in the world, in less than a month; so as for her bridals we brought her to the closest thing in Utah to keep her theme consistant with the photographs to be taken in Hawaii. She was able to purchase some ankle jewelry that added a nice touch with the sand between the toes.

We had finished the shoot after the sun had set and were able to take these last three images before we packed up. Candice brought her family with her (great friends of ours) which made the shoot go smoothe! Thanks for your help guys :)

3 wedding dresses!

I was able to have a unique shoot the other day. One of my clients came to me with a request that I don't usually get. She wanted to get some fun bridal shots and so we did up in Park City. We went to a fire station up there where she has some hook-ups and did the majority of the shoot with huge fire trucks (engines) behind her. I even convinced (with no reservation on their part) to shoot a huge stream of water behind us.

Getting to the point, Rachael also wanted to take some pictures in two other dresses. Her family has preserved not only her mom's wedding dress but also her grandma's from over 50 years ago. The best part was that she could get in all three perfectly.

Check them out!

My Story-

My name is Matt Christensen. This is my story:
I am a native of Salt Lake City. I have an absolute passion for photography and have since the age of 14. I worked as a paperboy while attending junior high so that I could save money and eventually buy my own camera. I paid cash for my camera still use it on occasion today**. Fast forward 11 years and now I own and operate Christensen Photography, Inc, which was established in 2004. I currently shoot weddings as my primary source of income and average around 80 weddings per year, many out-of-state. Total shoots per year average around 300. I manage this while still allowing myself 2-3 days off per week. Why do I say this? Because I love to work and love to play.

**More details on how I got started later. If I tell it all now, what else is there to read about?

This last Thursday, we were featured on Channel 4's Good Morning Utah with reporter Christiana Brady. This is where I learned about this thing called BLOG from one of the wedding professionals that I met this week at www.weddingwishlist.com. The funny thing is that I have recommended to other photographers that they "have to have a blog" but never took my own advice. Audrey, from Studio Stems www.studiostems.com was the one who taught me about this. Beyond giving her credit for that, you should see her work. She's more than a florist, she's a complete designer with a degree in design.

This week I also learned that the photography that I have been doing for a national cook book is getting closer to being published. More on this later since it is still hush hush.

Today I am shooting a wedding in West Jordan for Shaun and Kristen. Congrats on being very in love!