Becky + Kellen | slideshow

Here is Becky and Kellen's slideshow from their wedding in Natchez, Mississippi earlier this month. It was a really fun three-day shoot, with lots of crawfish, laughing and late night bars. Becky and Kellen grew up down the street from each other as little kids, and have been dating since high school. They are so obviously in love with each other and so wonderful to photograph.

Becky + Kellen | Natchez, Mississippi wedding

Here are a few quick frames from Becky and Kellen's beautiful wedding last weekend in Natchez. Because I was in Las Vegas this week for WPPI, which was as crazy and fun as ever, I didn't have much time to work. But we'll get more up soon, along with their slide show. It was a great three days of shooting back in Mississippi. I really love it there, and both families were incredible to be with. I've never eaten so much crawfish in my life. And special thanks to Bridget and Glen for putting me up at The Burn, and also Vicki and Jacob for taking me out in Jackson. See ya'll at Thanksgiving!

Laura + Satoshi | San Francisco engagement session

I spent an afternoon last week with the lovely Laura and Satoshi, who are getting married later this year here in the Bay. We started at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park and ended up in Union Square. They are so much fun to photograph, and always smiling.

I'm back to Natchez, Mississippi tomorrow for this weekend's wedding of Becky and Kellen. After that, I'm heading to Las Vegas for the WPPI convention where the wedding photographers of the world will unite for several days of oxygen-filled hotel rooms, endless geeky camera talk and a few too many martinis.

From there I will fly to Phoenix where I will get to see the Livingood family again for Shelli and Bryan's wedding. I'll be on the road for about two weeks, which will slow me down a little with responding to email and phone calls (although I am always faster with email). But you can always contact Nathalie at the studio. Her email is nathalie@benchrisman dot com. I haven't formally introduced Nathalie yet, but I will soon. She is my superstar around here, and saves me from going crazy with work every day. She can answer any questions you might have if I am not around, or even if I am.

See everyone soon. Vegas, baby. Vegas!

Wedding Photojournalist Association awards

Yesterday the WPJA announced that I have received the Photographer of the Year award, which is determined from the culmination of the year's contests. Ever since I joined the WPJA three years ago, it's been a fun ride with all my fellow photographer friends rooting each other on contest after contest. And past POYs have always been an inspiration, especially Carlo Carletti of Italy and Huy Nguyen of Dallas. I look forward to seeing who wins this award next year. It will be tough, for sure.

Here are the photographs that placed in the most recent contest.

Sarah + Dan | San Juan, Puerto Rico wedding

Living out West, you see a lot of pretty sunsets. But I've never actually felt like I was standing in a pink cloud, which is what it looked like right after Sarah and Dan's ceremony at the fort overlooking the ocean. I got to spend three days with everyone, and I also got to see my old friends Ya and Kevin, whose wedding I photographed last year in Lake Las Vegas. I also learned a card game (a first for me) and watched Sarah and Dan's friend Mike eat a pig's brain. If you're vegetarian, steer clear from the last couple of photos. I'll work on the slide show over the next few days, but here are some shots to start out with. Mike is itching to see the pig photos.














































The day after the wedding:





Mike's conquest at the rehearsal dinner:








Ya, Kevin and I