Category Archives: Event Photography

How to Save Big Money by Not Hiring a Professional Wedding Photographer

Good morning, Friends.

Talk to any professional wedding photographer and they will tell you that one of the biggest challenges they face two fold: first, the notion from potential clients that I can save big money if they do it themselves (that is taking your own photographs) and a very closely related second, the cost of a professional photographer is just too much money. Well, I’m not going to get into the why a professional wedding photographer costs money (there are plenty of blog postings that break down everything from the cost of professional knowledge and expertise, marketing, equipment, time, etc., etc.) but I would like to share something that came across my desk yesterday.

As you know, I am not one who regularly reposts other’s blog, but every once in a while something comes along that is worth sharing.This post will explain the monetary benefits you will reap by doing your own wedding photographs. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. Click on the link below to view the post.

http://petapixel.com/2013/10/04/save-big-money-hiring-professional-wedding-photographer/

Keep in mind my post is not intended to offend anyone, just provide a good humored look at things to take into account when considering taking your own wedding photographs. I can’t speak for the intent of the original author, however. 🙂

Blessings,

Chris

Also posted in Photography Tips & Techniques, Wedding Photography Tagged , , |

Franklin Pierce vs Sumner 10/04/13

Good evening, friends.

I had the opportunity to take some photographs at the Franklin Pierce Cardinals vs. Sumner Spartans high school football game last Friday and got some wonderful shots. Just thought that  I’d share a few.

Blessings,

Chris.

Also posted in Sports Photography Tagged , , , , |

Sounders FC Reserves September 14, 2013

Taking a photograph of another individual is an honor to me, but taking photographs of athlete’s is something I love to do.

Yesterday, I was able to take some photographs of the Sounders FC reserve squad as they played the Real Salt Lake reserve at Starfire. I didn’t shoot the entire game, but in the half or so I was able to shoot I got some wonderful pictures. I hope you enjoy them.

Blessings,

Chris.

Also posted in Sports Photography Tagged , , , , , |

Fireworks 2013

So for years I’ve always posted and reposted tips on getting great firework photographs and have yet to post any of my own (that is without having to dig through the archives). This year was going to be different-a trip out to the big firework display with lots and lots of new and exciting photo’s to post. But, the dogs wouldn’t hear of letting us go away. If any of you are aware, the last 3 years have been especially challenging for us with keeping our animals under control during the days leading up to and following the holiday (they have escaped the yard the last couple of years and have been lost and gone for hours and hours). So once again we were forced to be at home.

Nevertheless, there are usually plenty of opportunities to get cool photographs of fireworks around your own house. The pictures I post here are just a few of the ones that I shot just around my own abode. Ok, they are not as spectacular as those you might capture at a large fireworks display, but still cool.

Anyway, enjoy and perhaps next year we can post some photographs from a larger display.

Blessings,

Chris

P.S. If you are an individual that likes to set off fireworks around your house, please be responsible and clean up your mess. Lynette and I took a walk around our neighborhood yesterday and both of us were disgusted at the amount of firework trash left to rot in the street. Do the right and responsible thing and clean-up after yourself please. Your neighbors will appreciate it

Also posted in Photography Tips & Techniques Tagged , , , , |

Photographs on Fine Art America

Good evening friends,

Just wanted to let you know that I have a site on Fine Art America in which I am featuring some of my work for sale. Please take a look and give me feedback.

The link is here:

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chris-mckenna.html

chris-mckenna.artistwebsites.com

flowers art

 

Thank you and have a good night.

Chris.

 

Also posted in Landscape and Nature Photography, Photography Tips & Techniques Tagged , , , |

Federal Way Football Club Reign State Cup

Greetings friends,

It’s been a while since we posted any sports shots lately, but we’ve only been following one team this last season: the Federal Way Football Club Reign ’96 girls. They are in the State Cup now after a wonderful winter season (season photographs will follow later), but here a few from today’s quarterfinal game against the Washington Rush.

Enjoy the photographs, girls. And best wishes as you continue in the cup.

Blessings,

Chris.

Also posted in Sports Photography Tagged , , , |

Relay for Life-Puyallup

Watching a sea of purple clad folks make their first lap as  2012 cancer survivors was and emotional time for me. Last night was the opening ceremony for the Puyallup Relay for Life held at Sparks Stadium. In my family, we have 2 survivors. Both walked in this weekend’s Relay. My dad was treated for prostate cancer 2 years ago, and praise God, he is free and clear now! Mom is being treated for lung cancer with weekly chemo. My family and I are blessed to have them with us. I was able to join my sister and her girls in watching our parents make their “victory lap”. Here are a few photos of the event.

Lynette McKenna

 

This is what love and commitment looks like.

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Events In The City-Gilda’s Club Charity Event

Earlier this month, I had the unique privilege to photograph my favorite event planners in action! Often I document events as they unfold, but rarely do I have the opportunity to concentrate on the behind-the-scenes action-you know, where all of the hard work happens, which is often unseen and even more, unappreciated. I know of this world and wanted to showcase some of the best of the industry’s behind-the-scenes professionals.

I have been working with Cheri Wells and Tafona Brar from Events In The City, for a couple of years now. I was introduced to them at a wedding show that Chris and I showcased our wedding work early in 2009. They were looking for a photographer for a client of theirs, and there we were! That wedding was the first time Cheri, Tafona and I had worked together. I have worked with plenty of event planners before, but truly, the professionalism and thoroughness of the ladies of Events In The City was unparalleled. They helped my job to be easier, and they weren’t even working for me. Since then we, McKenna Video and Photo, had the privilege of taking some great head shots of the ladies which you can see on their website www.eventsnthecity.com.

I have recently embarked on a new continuing education project and asked Tafona and Cheri if there was an event this summer where I could shoot them doing the terrific job organizing and coordinating that they are known for. They were so gracious and suggested the Gilda’s Club Surviving With Style fashion show fundraising event at the Westin Seattle. I jumped at the chance and am so happy that we could come together for this event. Events In The City provided the logistical organization of the fashion show, organizing the models and demonstrating how to “work the catwalk”. This was a huge job! 28 models showing off their survivor style in area fashion designer wear. Way to go ladies!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in my part of this great event. I love to watch true professionals in action, and this time I was able to document for them. Thank you, Events In The City, for the opportunity to work on a class project and become a more enlightened in the cancer survival world. Thank you to Gilda’s Club for hosting such a worthwhile event. Thank you cancer survivors for fighting hard.

Here are a few of the photos I took of Tafona and Cheri from Events In The City. Also, take a couple of minutes to watch a short video of the whole event. I think you will see that they not only get the job done, but also smile and engage with their clients, helping everyone to enjoy their time together.

Lynette
McKenna Video and Photo-VP Sales and Marketing

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Franklin Pierce Senior Prom 6-04-11

Our son Joseph asked us if we could take some photographs of him and his friends before their senior prom last night (they attend Franklin Pierce High School). We were only happy to oblige, so we took them down to the Tacoma Waterfront to get a few formals and a few candid shot.

While I’d love to post all of them here, I don’t want to give it all away. But here are a few of them for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy.

Blessings,

Chris.

 

P.S. If you are a school planner or ASB representative, remember that we can be the on-site photographer for all your formal events (i.e., homecoming, prom). No longer are you stuck with impersonal, “box-store”, factory-like photographer. You can support a local business and get better shots, better pricing, and a better selection of products for your attendees. Call for details.

Also posted in Portraits, Senior Portraits Tagged , , , , |

Melanie & Tyler – Tacoma Wedding Photography

A great big congratulations go out to Melanie and Tyler, who were married in late February. (I know that this post is late but we were waiting for the new website to go live before posting).

We were very fortunate that the weather broke for us, no rain but definitely not a warm day! The happy couple and the wedding party were incredible as they braved the cold, and we thank them for that. We did not want to go to plan b if the weather had been like it was earlier in the week-heavy rain.

We started the day at the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf and Country Club in Snoqualmie, Wa. for their preparation and formal photographs. From there we moved to Lake Sawyer Christian Church in Black Diamond for a beautiful candle lit ceremony and then back to Snoqualmie Ridge for the reception.

We hope that you enjoy a preview of their photographs.

And finally, a great big shout out to Carol’s Maple Valley Floral, Marni Good Coat Check Complete, Crown Limousine, Something Delicious Bakery & Espresso and Music Plus Lance Daly for doing all that you did to make this wedding a big hit!

Enjoy the photographs and thank you for the honor of being your wedding photographer.

Blessings,

Chris.

Also posted in Wedding Photography Tagged , , , , , , , , |