A little test shoot for Bridal Spectacular at Ravella at Lake Las Vegas..

Dresses by Couture Bride
Hair and Make Up by Amelia C. and Your Beauty Call

photography & blog post by john michael cooper
Ok, brush up on your “Sicilian Defense” cause we are playing big chess with Catherine and Victor’s studio engagement session…. I love it when couples bring a idea into the studio that i can wrap my head around.. Chess used to be one of my favorite games. When Victor brought the black queen and king pieces Catherine asked why both them had the same color piece, and Victor said “that’s because we’re playing on the same team!” See even chess can be romantic. I can’t wait to see how beautiful this couples wedding images turn out!

photography mostly by John Michael Cooper, blog post by Dalisa Cooper

It’s funny how things come together sometimes.  How we are brought together for one reason or another.  I live for moments like this.  Just when I believe that my job couldn’t be any better, that I have some how maxed out my luck for the year… we are handed a chance of a lifetime.  A gift to help others.  A chance to make someone smile.

Being a member of the Digital Wedding Forum is essential to what we do.  We must share, discuss and connect with other photographers around the world to progress and grow in our business.  It’s a complete honor that the CEO of the Digital Wedding Forum, Jeff Caplan, continues to contact us year after year and ask that we not only attend his annual convention but also speak and share our knowledge.  It’s truly humbling and rewarding at the same time.  This year there were layers of icing added to our perfectly formed DWF Convention cake.  Not only did we speak once, but twice – the second was a truly unique opportunity.  The convention was being held in New Orleans and this year they were on the hunt for three couples that truly deserved some great photos.  They were looking for New Orleans couples that lost their wedding photos in hurricane Katrina and we were the lucky kids who got to photograph these deserving couples.

In an additioanl attempt to have some attendees that were interested in also hanging out with us and learning a few of our tricks we took off in the streets of New Orleans and had a blast with these couples.  Below are the couples and a few inserts from their new wedding album designs.  Please see below for a bit more of the action…

April and Darryl

Holly and Tim

Katy and Bill

I feel so lucky to have met these three couples – with all they have been through they were not only grateful but so hospitable – instead of feeling like a lost puppy in a strange place they opened their minds and hearts and showed us true southern hospitality – something this west coast girl is foreign to.  I also met some great photographers that I can now call friends.  Harlin Miller – a local New Orleans photographer showed up to take part in the action – not with a camera in hand but with a mind full of knowledge and ideas and navigated us to exactly what we wanted to see.  Tabitha Clarke, my long lost sister who not only carried a plethora of equipement and umbrellas but also carried the emotional support that I need when taking on large tasks that I can potentially really screw.  I also will never forget her soulful voice singing beautifully out loud and without hesitation as JMC and I realized we did not have any “first dance” songs cued when the time came.  She is a true angel.  As I would look around from time to time I loved seeing friends like Jen Kelly with her arms full of umbrellas, shoes, bags and lighting.  Not to mention, all of the talented photographers that came out and played and supported us and shared their images with these amazing couples.

It goes without saying but I am certainly still going to say:  Thank you…..
Thank you to Jeff Caplan of the Digital Wedding Forum for bringing us all together.
Thank you, Deborah Molique for birthing the idea and making it actually happen.
Thank you to Azura Albums for making these couples brand new albums for them
Thank you to Animoto for putting together slide shows of these images
Thank you to Cat Vo for making these beautiful ladies even more beautiful on their “new” wedding day
Thank you to John’s Tuxedo’s and Pearls Place for dressing these couples
Thank you to the Local ABC News and ABC National for covering the event and sharing the love

And thank you to you, the person reading this blog for taking the time and hopefully being inspired to Pay it Forward – you get back so much more than one could imagine.

photography and blog post by john michael cooper
Another play day with photographers! Downtown Las Vegas was a great choice for Lauren and Toby, two Texas based photographers. A little grit, glamour, and a whole lot of fun..

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy Holidays

blog post and photography by John Michael Cooper

What better way to end the 2011 wedding season with a chilly December wedding. I loved the fact the the cold wind did not sway Audra and Jason from having the ceremony outside which was at the Las Vegas Paiute – the the best place to be. It seems that no matter whether there are clouds or not the Paiute sky is always breathtaking. The light just seemed to linger waiting solely on me to shoot a few images of the stunning Audra and Jason..
Congratulations Jason and Audra, I had a fun time and you made it a great way to wrap up a great 2011.

Floral and Decor by the amazing crew at Naakiti Floral

We have been doing a lot of studio portraits lately and of course our favorite studio style has always been the old hollywood look.. which fit nicely with Jackie and Russell’s personalities.

Love the shadows on these.

photography by john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper
A perfect day for a little outing with a darling couple and their pup, Rufus! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate an engagement!

I love Ann’s hair, done by her stylist, Lauren Davis Mortensen and the make up that Lori White did for Ann – flawless! Congrats, you two! I can’t wait for your 2012 wedding!

photography and blog post by john michael cooper

As a wedding and engagement photographer who’s always trying to push the bounds and alter the paradigms, you occasionally run into the opportunity to just say “fuck the lovey dovey stuff” and create for those certain clients something that just has “bad ass” written all over it. This was just the case with Joey and Stephannie, their personal dark style lining up perfect with what I love to shoot the most!  When Joey mentioned that they have these skull laden indonesian chairs, I said, “we need to shoot those in the studio and cast big dark shadows… sweet!”

We are thrilled to be working on this wedding with Brit Bertino of Simply Weddings and a massive shout out to Your Beauty Call for killer hair and make up!

photography and blog post by john michael cooper

What more can you ask for with a military wedding; the groom in mess dress and a bride in a stunning gown. How about nice stormy clouds, the beautiful desert of the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort and the fun and cool decor of Naakiti Floral. Who couldn’t hit a home run when the stars are all lined up, and add to the mix that Tia and Brad are such a pleasure to photograph. More than textbook beautiful!

Tia’s stunning gown is by designer Anna Maier Ulla-Maija found at Las Vegas’ most fabulous Bridal salon, Couture Bride

Hair and Make up by the always amazing, Ms. Whitney Urichuk at One Luv Bridal

We are looking forward to Memory Lane’s cinema – we promise to share the link as soon as it’s ready!

photography by john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper
Just a few hours before Lara and Justin’s bridal session, we obtained a bit of information pertaining to a scene in a movie in which Justin was particularly drawn to. A little research and two opera singers with a flare for drama gave JMC just the inspiration that he needed to put a little twist on this story. This is La Dolce Vita…

photography and blog post by john michael cooper

I love intimate weddings, especially elopements. When it is pretty much just the couple and a few select wedding professionals the photography pretty much centers on my favorite part of weddings that I love to shoot the most, and that is the couple themselves. Celia and Dave are such an awesome couple to have all to my self. With out a very strict timeline we had the opportunity to shoot in multiple locations, from the desert, downtown and then even to the new Cosmo giving them what I think is the best tour of Las Vegas you can get. Thanks Dave and Celia you made me feel like your guest!

Hair and Make up by Your Beauty Call
Floral by Enchanted Florist
Event planning by Andrea Eppolito

Photography by john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa
Janelle and Ed and the softest Bentley I’ve ever met! With temps falling in Vegas and Winter just around the corner, a pooch like Bentley would be the perfect cuddle mate! As Janelle and Ed prep for their Fall 2012 wedding, we took it upon ourselves to play for an afternoon and grab some great engagement shots for them. Here’s just a small peek!

After Bentley had enough play time at the park we headed downtown for a little evening Vegas themed session.  I’m soooo looking forward to this October wedding!  Congrats you two!

photography by dalisa cooper and john michael cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper

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I feel so fortunate to be the chosen photographer of Amanda and Chris! They are a truly fun and free spirited couple who constantly reminds you not to take yourself too seriously. The wedding and reception took place at Red Rock Country Club where Gina orchestrated a fabulous event.  Below, Amanda’s father in law puts the final touches on her hair styling..

Randi and her crew from Naakiti Floral put together these fantastic floral arrangements as well as the rest of the decor

Being that it was such a popular day, the kick off to a three day weekend AND a holiday, I couldn’t help but recruit JMC as my assistant for the day and I am glad I did – he always rocks out great portraits for us!

And just a few details from the reception. It was fabulous! thank you, Amanda and Chris, for allowing us to take part.

It was five years ago that our industry companion by trade and friend by choice, Randi of Naakiti Floral told us that she was getting married! And in Fiji! Of course, my first question was “what’s the date?” – my heart dropped when she had a set date that we were already booked for. Who knew a Monday in November would be so popular?
Imagine my excitement when she decided that her five year anniversary would be a great time to return! So we packed up the cameras and headed out for one of the coolest destination shoots to date! Instagram was our weapon of choice to document the travel and details

One fast-ass car ride, some chicken and waffles, a crappy airport bar, crammed 747 and an island hopper complete with what looked like very friendly pilots and we arrived at the Namale Resort in Fiji. Also known as paradise.

The resort itself was amazing but to add the icing to our decadent cake, we stayed in the two bedroom Dream House that properly equipped us with our own private infinity pool, two out door beds, two out door showers and a view that leaves you without words.

Randi and Junior were more than happy to get back into their wedding attire and run around this tropical paradise with us for some memorable photos

It’s not common for John to repeat his concepts but this was an exception. Considering Ophelia is Johns longest study, it was certainly appropriate when this setting presented itself and Randi was completely on board.

Happy Anniversary, Randi and Junior. Thank you for allowing us to capture this occasion and for being such amazing friends. We love you two.

Photography and blog post by john michael cooper

It’s always an honor to photograph another photographer, I just think it’s one of the greatest compliments one can receive when someone within your industry seeks you out to do just what they are capable of themselves. Although I get a little nervous when Dalisa refers to me as “the photographers photographer” I do really enjoy photographing those that know exactly what it’s like to be on this side of the lens. So with Yasmin and her lovely dog, Presley, in for a studio session I had thrown in all my favorite things, cameras, hollywood lights, and shadows.
Beautiful Hair and Make up by Your Beauty Call

Harmony and Conor’s engagement session began at the Neon Museum where we reminisced Harmony’s youth and remembrance of many of the famous hotel’s and casino’s of the Las Vegas strip. If you ever meet a true native of Las Vegas – as in born and raised, you know that you have met a very rare being. Several people tend to move to the area as adults saturating our conversations with “so where are you from originally..?” and making the true natives, like Harmony, a rarity in our community. It was certainly a lot of fun to chat about the history of Las Vegas and what her family has experienced over the years with many of the casinos as we ran around capturing frames of this amazing couple.

After the Neon Museum, we headed to our studio for a few final shots – we will only show off the one to give you an idea of what took place. I am ecstatic and excited to be a part of Harmony and Conor’s wedding next year – I know it will be here in the blink of an eye but I can’t wait! More to come in the Fall of 2012!

blog post and photography by john michael cooper

Robin and Nate wanted something just a little bit different. They wanted all the regular beautiful stuff for their family and friends; a gorgeous ceremony complete with surreal light and exquisite service at the Four Seasons, but for themselves they wanted me to weave something that was a little darker into their wedding story.. Well darkness comes easy to altF. Although it doesn’t make much sense in the context of a blog post, the overall visual story should play out nicely in a wedding album that’s just a little different. The last few images in the post are just a hint of the “reverse Romeo and Juliet” that comes from an occasional apocalyptic day dream of being the only ones left on the planet.

Hair and Make up by Lori White

Cinema by Memory Lane Video

Photography by john michael cooper and dalisa cooper, blog post by dalisa cooper
Tiffany and Brad put a little spin on things – the day they arrived to Las Vegas (which was only about three days prior to their wedding) they hoped off of the plane and ran around Vegas with us for a few hours. This was a great way to get to know them, ease them up behind the camera and show off our little town of sparkling lights.

The wedding day went off without a hitch! These two had their ceremony and reception at the Paiute Golf Resort – one of our favorite locations.

Naakiti Floral put together this gorgeous bouquet

And Tiffany and Brad had these really cool paper lanterns for all of their guests among other surprises. All in all it was a fabulous night with a fabulous couple!

photography by john michael cooper and dalisa cooper, blog post by dalisa
Another fabulous Fall wedding! Jim and Lynley wed at Henderson’s beautiful Anthem Country Club.  I loooooved Lynley’s dress and don’t even get me started on her Jimmy Choo’s!

Floral and Decor by Las Vegas’ most amazing decor company Naakiti Floral – I adore this color scheme; it’s so different and visually appealing. I admire a bride willing to step away from the norm.

Congrat’s Jim and Lynley! It was a beautiful day and a fabulous event! Thank you for being so much fun!