I really don't know much about Howdy and Nicole, other than Howdy is his real name, and that he proudly serves our military, and defends my right to say the things I do on this blog. I got Howdy's wedding inquiry a few days before the day of his marriage. It was a quick wedding, like many military weddings are. Howdy and Nicole were also on a budget at the time, so they only ordered a minister, and nothing more.

But it was their lucky day. The week for their wedding, I had just purchased my Canon G10, and I was dying to test it out on a real wedding to see if it were possible to actually shoot an entire wedding, professionally, on a simple snapshot camera, in fairly difficult lighting situations. The deal, I would shoot their wedding for free on my G10, but I could not guarantee any of the shots. They of course agreed, because something was better than nothing.

The results were pretty amazing, as you can see. It was rather surprising to me that I could shoot directly into the sun, while utilizing the on-camera flash. Let me say, that flash on-camera flash is extremely powerful.

It's been about three or four months since Howdy and Nicole's weddings and I now use the G10 regularly. For my patriot package, I have used this camera exclusively for all my shots. And for my eloping package, I sometimes break it out if there are a few extra shots here and there. Are there drawbacks to using digital? Yes...it's not dramatic.

Here is a picture from one my last modeling shoots that I did a few weeks ago.

Film just has a way of making things a lot more dramatic. It's not as sharp as digital, and I think that's a good thing. Sometimes, pictures can be a little too sharp, and will show a little too much flaws into once face. I remember one photographer bragging to me that his digital camera was so sharp, you could see the pores in his brides face. Now, what bride would want a picture that sharp? Film just happens to be sharp in all the right places. And when you touch up film shots in photoshop, they come out even better.

Anyway peeps, I'm outta here. I think I may go mountain biking today...not sure though.


Steven Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com

I'm taking a break from blogging about weddings for a bit, and I just want to unload my brain on you for a long second. What am I going to talk about? A bit of everything. Trust me though, it'll be entertaining and fun, as you'll get to peer into what many consider, the mind of a crazy man. So lets get started!

I'll just tell it the way I see it. What Michael Vick did was horrible, inexcusable, and disgusting. Does he deserve your forgiveness? Well, that's up to you. But he's got mine, even more than ever, and here's the reason why. Before the Eagles-Chiefs game today, Vick sat down with JB of CBS Sports to update him on his new life. He admitted that before prison, he was a cocky S.O.B, first off the field, non-team player, whose ego ruled his life. Emerging from prison was a new Michael Vick. A man committed to a new beginning.

To date, Vick has appeared in numerous schools, preaching himself as an example to kids, of what not to do, of what not to become. In my opinion, what a better role model to younger kids.

Vick also told JB about the hardest critics he had to answer to, his kids. His young son always asked him, "Why did you have to go away for so long?" Well he had to tell him the truth. His daughter always begged for a dog, and he had to tell her exactly why he was not allowed to own one for awhile. And it broke his heart to do so. It would break any fathers heart to tell their kids that they had failed them, and because of his failures, they had to suffer. Vick also mentioned that his grandmother had died while he was in prison. The last image she had of him, was him getting arrested, and walking into prison.

Prison can change a man and kids can change a father. He's humbled, he's found God, and that's all we can ask. The rest is up to him.

Is it just me, or are there too many award shows on TV? You have the Emmy's, the Oscars, the Golden Globes, People Choice Awards, The Grammy's, Country Music Awards Show, SAG, MTV Movie Awards, MTV Music Video Awards.... And that's just in Hollywood. If I were to list the international award shows, the list would go on and on. And lets be honest, all these shows are for the same thing.... ACTING OR SINGING! Okay, I get it. You Hollywood people are talented. After all, I should know, I rubbed elbows with you Hollywood folks for a bit. But do you really need that many award shows? I mean, come on. I've been to some of your houses. Some of you have so many awards, from so many award shows, you don't now what to do with them. And lets just say this. In reality, you're just pretending...oh I mean, acting. It's not like you people are saving lives out there, or fighting the war on terrorism.

Hey I have an idea. Why don't we give awards to Great Americans? Lets roll out the red carpet for Americans who are great teachers, great soldiers, great heroes, great parents...you get my drift.

Roman Polanski was convicted of child rape decades ago, and the wimp fled the country to avoid a 40 day jail sentence. Just recently, he was seized in Switzerland, and now faces extradition. There's a rather huge uproar about this though. Fans of Polanski, including the French President, and other European leaders are saying that Polanski doesn't deserve to go to jail, after all, he's a great movie director. WHAT?!!!

If only every child rapist were a great movie director...geez. Really? Come on. Give me a break. Get this guy back to America, and let justice be served. Period.

Oh, did I mention they caught him while attending an awards show? Hmm...maybe, those awards shows are good for something.

I just wanted to updated you on our President's latest actions:

• Iran fired short range missiles this weekend, capable of striking Israel. No official statement from Obama. He announced today that he's headed to Copenhagen to campaign for Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics. Does this man ever stop campaigning?
  
  
• Two separate non-related terrorist attacks were halted on American soil last weekend. No statement from Obama during his weekend press tour. All he wanted to do was talk about health care.
  
  
• Obama has said he officially supports a tax on soda, junk food, milk, and cows. He believes he should tax soda and junk food so you won't get fat. Yes, he not only is your President, but also your weight coach in chief. Oh, he wants to tax milk and cows, because they contribute to global warming. Apparently, cow farts emit more co2 than cars.
  
  Side note: Can people just come to their senses with this global warming nonsense. Did you know that Co2 is not a major greenhouse gas? It's only 9% of all greenhouse gasses. H20, water is the major greenhouse gas, that's why we have clouds. In fact, Co2, makes up less than .0383% of the earth's atmosphere. Could it be that the sun, which is not stable in temperature, has to do more with warming, than an insignificant gas?
  

Have you notice that there is a new type of prejudice in America? It's a prejudice against those who are wealthy. Here is our President's comments regarding his view on the wealthy:

"But, the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in society. To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, at least as its been interpreted and Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties."

- President Obama

Pretty scary quote, because he's basically saying that the United States Constitution is flawed because it doesn't address how to redistribute wealth. Who thinks like that? Apparently, our President.

Now when I hear the words, redistribution of wealth, and political and economic justice, my stomach cringes. What exactly is economic justice? It's basically the theory that those who are wealthy, got there from robbing the poor. So justice to the poor would consists of taking back the money from the rich, and given to the poor without question. Does that make any sense?

I have no doubt in my mind that there are crooks out there who are not moral. But the crooks are in the minority. The majority of those who are considered wealthy out there, got there from hard work. Yes, the rich get richer, but that's just because the rich know how to invest, know how to not get ripped off from the government, and know how to make money. This knowledge is really not anything that belongs to any rich exclusive club. Why, there are millions of books out there that can teach anyone on how to become rich. Is learning, and reaping the financial benefits from gaining knowledge a sin? So much of a sin, that "economic justice" is required to make everything fair?


Alright...something for you to all ponder. If you made it to the bottom of my blog! Right on! You deserve...hmm... a good pat on the shoulder. I better get headed to bed. I have a wedding this afternoon!


Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com

Rich and Jacqui inquired with me two weeks before their proposed wedding date in Maui. I quickly told them that while two weeks seemed "last minute" to many companies, it was rather a.o.k. for me. While most of my clients book me 6 months to a year in advance, I've gotten wedding couples who booked my services 2 hours before their wedding. So to me, Rich and Jacquie's so called "last minute" inquiry, really was a walk in the park for me.

Rich and Jacqui wanted to get married in Maui. That was not a problem for me. I love Maui for one reason, Krispy Kreme. They just had to pay for my travel and donuts and I was ready to rock-n-roll. They had booked a minister on Maui, so they would just book my photo and video services, a la carte. That was the plan, and it was perfect.

"Krispy Kreme here I come!" I yelled.

Since I was headed off island, I wanted to pack extremely light. Even though I was supplying both photo and video services, I had a pretty good feeling I could pack everything into a camera bag that literally measured 10 inches in length. For the trip, I packed my hand-held 3 chip CCD camcorder (which fit into my palm), wireless mics, and my trusty snapshot G10. I threw in my light meter, just in case I needed it, a book to read, and I was ready to go. This was probably the lightest I had ever traveled for a wedding, and I was confident that my choice in equipment would not jeopardize any quality at all.

Rich and Jacqui's love story began at work. They took a liking to each other rather quickly, and after just four months of dating, they moved in which other. Rich joked with me saying "I couldn't shake her off" and Jacqui said "I couldn't get rid of him." The newlyweds chemistry was quite apparent when they had first inquired. Simply stated, they were fun from the time they first inquired, to when I said my goodbyes after the ceremony. And you know what, that energy, that "fun-ness" transferred into some really great pictures.

Rev. Tino blows the con shell to start Rich and Jacqui's ceremony

It was Makeda, friend to Danielle and Anthony, who inquired on their behalf about getting married. Makeda had a strange request. She asked me if I could plan a surprise wedding for her friends. I immediately didn't understand what she was talking about. After all, how could a friend plan a wedding, without the bride and grooms knowledge? Makeda clarified. She was inquiring on behalf of Anthony, who wanted to surprise his girlfriend, Danielle with a surprise wedding. Well, that still didn't make sense to me. Not to be argumentative, but I explained to Makeda that it just wouldn't possible because Anthony and Danielle would have to apply for the marriage license in advance at the Department of Health, before the actual wedding ceremony. So there basically wouldn't be much of a surprise.

"Anyway", I insisted, "A surprise wedding wouldn't really wouldn't jive well with the bride."

Makeda agreed.

A few days later, Makeda called me telling me that Anthony had broke the news of his intentions, and that Danielle and he would tie the knot the next week.

Anthony and Danielle, who both proudly serve the United States Army, met through mutual friends in the service. On the day of his wedding, while Anthony patiently waited for Danielle to arrive, his friends jabbed at him about marriage.

"There goes all your freedom!"

Anthony shook his head and said, "This is it. There's no need for anyone else." Of course, Anthony could have easily matched wits with friends, and could have said something else. But he didn't. The look on his face was one of seriousness. "This is it."

The newlyweds purchased the patriot package from me. This discounted package was originally exclusive for military couples, but I soon expanded its availability to the entire public as I realize that everyone was on a budget. Just recently I had redesigned my patriot package into an affordable minister/digital photo package. The photos taken with the patriot package, are taken exclusively with my Canon G10 snapshot camera. I call it my pocket SLR, as it's manual capabilities are equivalent to most digital SLR's on the market. And the quality is outstanding. The G10 is my camera of choice when it comes to photographing family events, and even professional photos at times. I must add though, my little biased towards film. Film, still rules the day.

Anthony, Danielle, you have my best wishes. Good luck in all your life's adventures, and thank you very much for your service to our country.


Steven Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com

"I need to get married on August 8th", Rosanna insisted in the most non-bridezilla way you could imagine.

Despite the sound of her joking and calm demeanor voice, I knew there was no negotiating. The day was special to Rosanna and Butch because it would mark their three-year-anniversary; the day they reconnected, and everything fell into place.

The star-destined couple actually knew each other as friends for over seventeen years. As the years went by, like most friends, they grew farther apart, and saw less and less of each other. But surprisingly, they never gave up hope. Somehow, somewhere, they had a feeling that they would reconnect. That somehow came on August 8th, of 2006. Rosanna decided to mosey into a casino, and at that same moment, Butch did too.

According to Rosanna and Butch, "We sure didn't win any money that day, but they did hit the jackpot!"

This is truly a testament that gambling does lead to good things! So don't let anyone tell you anything different.

Rosanna actually got my name from one of my previous wedding couples, John and Lakrissa Suthers. John had told them that I wasn't rabid, had all my shots, and I was cleared to come into contact with humans twice a week. On that note, they were sold.

BUT I really like this shot, because Butch begged me not to post it
...oh well Butch...

All joking aside, Rosanna and Butch were on a budget for their wedding, so they booked the Patriot Package, which consist of a minister and digital photography coverage. My camera of choice for this package is the Canon G10. Just in case you have not read my other blogs, the Canon G10 is my digital camera of choice. It's what I call a pocket SLR. The quality is outstanding, especially if you use manual mode. Yes, all of the photos you see here in this article were shot using a simple snapshot camera!

Funny story, did I ever tell you that the photographer who trained me? He actually taught me for 2 years on a disposable film camera! Talk about a pain in the butt. I could not touch his SLR camera until I could get professional quality shots with a disposable camera! I hated it! But the Kung Fu photography training paid off. I can credit his training for turning me into the photographer I am today.

My last thoughts to Butch and Rosanna...I may actually see you very soon. Like I mentioned to you folks on the phone, my friend and I are planning a road trip across America, and we may just pop into your neck of the woods! I promise, I don't have rabies. Wait, are their woods in Oklahoma? Maybe I'll meet you in your neck of the grass. Anyway, I may have to take up that deal you offered me; crashing in your extra room....remember? hehe You know, that gets me thinking a little here. What if I meet as many former wedding clients on this trip as I could? That's an idea....

Talk to you all soon! And keep in touch by getting yourself on facebook!



Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com

My parents used to always tell me, "Steve, you don't need college to become successful, you just need to be good, and the rest will follow." Great advice. Too bad I was too young and too foolish to appreciate it. I remember rolling my eyes when I heard that "nonsense" when I was 13 years old, because my teachers, my primary educators, had told me something entirely different. My wise teachers preached, "If you don't study hard and don't get into a good college, you're going to be a failure."

Attending a college prep pretty much brainwashed me into thinking that anyone who attended college was a genius, and anyone who didn't was on the road to the poorhouse. Could you imagine how I felt when I made the "disastrous" decision to drop out of college after just one semester. I was so sure I was going to become a failure, so sure that I was going to be begging for coins on the side street, so sure that I was going to amount to nothing, that I began to do...nothing. There was a point in my life that all I wanted to do was to ride my mountain bike all through town, every night. What was the use of trying...I was headed to the poorhouse.

But as time passed, I soon fell into my own. I began to do what I love, to write and to bike. I taught myself to write screenplays, and soon found myself on the cusp of a professional writing career. At the same time, my love for biking, led me to produce an instructional bike video, which ultimately led to the creation of Canoe Girl Productions. Three years passed, and soon Canoe Girl Productions had two Japanese Television shows on Sky Perfect TV, the exclusive to produce commercials for the closed circuit tv shows in hotels, ownership of a non-profit organization, and numerous events under it's belt that it had promoted. Canoe Girl Productions also was on the cutting edge of wedding photography and videography, bringing commercial photo and video quality to the wedding industry.

I don't actually know how it happened, but I had become my father without even trying it. Like him, I was a successful entrepreneur, without a college degree.

September 11th, basically spelled the end of Canoe Girl Productions. Tourism hit an all time low after the cowards known as Al Queda attacked our country. Businesses here started to close down one by one. Every business cut their advertising budget, and consequently affected Canoe Girl Productions since we made most of our money through fulfilling marketing goals of companies. Knowing that Canoe Girl Productions would soon be closing it's doors, I quickly took the wedding portion of the company and spun it off into Dream Weddings Hawaii.

Dream Weddings Hawaii, would be the last leg into fulfilling my life long dream of creating my ultimate wedding business. And it would be different. It would be streamlined, affordable, and consists of outstanding photography/video services. Best of all, Dream Weddings Hawaii consisted of just me!!!! Canoe Girl Productions at one time, housed a staff of 15 persons, talk about a headache of a payroll. That ultimate wedding business idea by the way, it has nothing to do with Dream Weddings Hawaii. It's a little secret that you'll have to ask me about. I won't post it on the web..yet!

I find it ironic these days that I get calls from college students begging to intern under me, a college dropout. One day with me, and their mouth literally drops. Many are surprised that I am not only my company's sole wedding planner, but I am also the photographer, graphic designer, videographer, accountant, receptionist, marketer, custodian, and everything else you can think of in between. I take great pictures, and I know how to scrub my toilets clean, and I know how to advertise my business. They told me, that college never has really taught them all the skills to run a small business. They then and asked me if every small business operated like mine.

I told them, "Yes, they do. We have to do everything."

I remember one arrogant college intern asking me if bricklayers actually knew how to balance their own checkbook.

I told him, "For the most part, most do. And most, make more than college graduates. Brick layers charge $80 an hour boy, they ain't cheap."

At the current moment, I am only 32 years old, and I know I have a lot to learn. But thank God, my parents were right. Now that I think about it, I think we as Americans have been sending the wrong message to our kids. Why must we push 4 year college degrees on our kids when attending a vocational school to learn a/c repair could be just as, or more, financially rewarding. If we keep sending kids to college, what American's will we train to perform all of the hard dirty labor, which by the way....is high paying...

Just something to think about.

Steve

Dirk and Nicole had inquired with my company one year before they made the long trek from Michigan to Oahu. Their original plans called for a small intimate wedding on the North Shore, with a handful of family and friends in attendance. Well, as we got closer to their wedding date, their plans changed. They decided to get married on the beaches in Michigan instead, and to use their original travel plans to Oahu, for their honeymoon. Dirk did insist to me though, that he and his wife still wanted me to take photos of them when they were here. I of course agreed.

Their plan was simple. I would meet Dirk and his wife at Turtle Bay, and we would hit a few locations for pictures: Kawela Bay and Keiki Beach. If you're fan of Lost, you'll recognize Kawela Bay rather quickly as it is where "the hatch" was. By the way, if you're not a fan of Lost, you're really missing out. That show has some of the best writing I've seen on network TV. I believe their last season is next year. Keiki Beach on the other hand, isn't that popular; but that's why it makes for great pictures!

The young couple met in their freshmen year at Michigan's West Ottawa High School and have been together ever since. In case you're wondering, it's been seven years. Currently, Dirk is attending Notre Dame while Nicole is studying culinary arts, and who aspires to become a pastry chef and baker. Isn't this a wedding couple you'd love to be friends with? Their nice, smart, and they can cook. They would be the B.T.B's.....best tailgating buddies.... ever!

It was the 10th grade and something was about to strike Isabel. No, it wasn't love, but a coke bottle, plastic of course; it smacked her abruptly in the back of the head.

"Hey", Russel smirked.

Isabel couldn't imagine that Russel, a boy she didn't know too well, had thrown a coke bottle, at her head of all places, to get her attention.

"Hey, do you wanna watch me swim?", he continued. Russel was part of the school's swim meet, the Michael Phelps of his school.

"If I say no, will you throw another coke bottle at me?" Isabel said rubbing the back of her head.

"Probably not," Russel smiled. "Most likely, next time I'll throw a diet coke bottle. I'm trying to watch my figure....after all, I do wear speedos."

Okay okay, that is not how Russel and Isabel met. That is me using my "Ex-Hollywood-Screenwriter-Creative-Freedom-License." But Russel and Isabel did meet in the 10th grade after Russel threw a coke bottle at her. After talking for awhile, he did invite her to one of his swim meets, which according to Isabel, "looked awesome." I'll take her word on that, and try not to picture Russel in speedos.

Talking about speedos, what use does speedos serve outside of competitive swimming? Why do men, especially old hairy men, with butt-crack hair extending to the back hair on their shoulders, elect to wear waterproof underwear at the beaches in Hawaii. I think there should be a law against that. I wonder if Isabel would have fallen for Russel if he were 400 pounds heavier, sported Sasquatch like fur all over his body, and sported that same speedo at his swim meet? Things that make you go hmmm.....


Since meeting in the 10th grade, Russel and Isabel had been together. To date, they have been together an amazing nine years. That's actually 900 years, if you count relationship years in Hollywood years. The Hollywood relationship formula is as follows:

So my last words on Russel and Isabel? Quoting Spock, "Live long and prosper."

Talk to you all soon,

Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com