Photography by John Hunter (800) 925-1693
Destination Weddings
Photo slideshow
As we prepare to launch our new website, we have put together a slideshow (no music) of favorite photos from over the past year. CLICK HERE FOR SLIDE SHOW ...<< MORE >>
Danielle
Danielle made my job easy.
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Kristina & Ian
Many more photos coming from this retro wedding with two of the most down to earth people we have worked with.
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Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?
Hannah had alot of fun working with everyone from the TV show 'Who's Wedding Is It Anyway?' last night in Key West as she photographed a wedding for the upcoming season. Photos coming soon! ...<< MORE >>
Kelly & Shane
Kelly & Shane at Tranquility Bay - what a rowdy night! You guys were a blast!
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Erin & Michael
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Emily & Josh
Photos by Hannah, editing by John.
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New website
We are getting ready to launch our new website in the coming weeks and are very excited. WODU Media have yet again out done themselves. If possible, we will still have the current Flash website online as well, however, the new site will be viewable on iPods, iPhones, etc. Very cool. There are also a couple of other surprises in store for everyone some time this Summer! ...<< MORE >>
Lisa & John
Working with Lisa & John was easy as they never stopped smiling! Thanks to Simply You Weddings and Ocean Key Resort in Key West.
Emotional weekends
So my wife officially told a planner I am a sap. There was just no hiding it this time. Having shot hundreds of weddings, there are still some that just reach right inside of you and push out a tear or two. I don't know if it was the moon or what, but this past week the weddings we shot should have been handing out tissues as gifts. It was truly amazing. And on top of it all, the most moving words were from the guys. It certainly presents a unique challenge while taking the photos, but totally reinforces why ...<< MORE >>
Heather & Shane
Heather and Shane's wedding was short but sweet. Perfect for a windy Spring afternoon.
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Mo Williams of the Cleveland Cavs
You can find a larger collection of photos from Mo & Kesha's Key West wedding on our website, this is a sample as the Cav's are going into the NBA playoffs.
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Peak wedding seasson
I am hoping to start actually 'writing' entries some time in the near future, but right now it is just too busy and pics are the best I can do. Have a look at Hannah's blog www.AKeyWestRomance.com which will be debuting very soon for regular entries. Don't let the title fool you, it will cover a broad range of wedding ideas, thoughts, etc. of weddings throughout the state. ...<< MORE >>
Caitlin getting ready
Photos of Caitlin & Dave coming up in a couple weeks...
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Engagement photo
We had alot of fun this weekend running around and taking photos for Deirdre & Ryan's engagement. Good luck with all of your planning in the coming year you two!
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Weekend phone calls
Here is something simple that often gets overlooked - While you are in the midst of your search for the right photographer or vendor, keep in mind that calling us on the weekend and expecting a call back before Monday is not very realistic as we are probably out working someone else's special day. ...<< MORE >>
Sample photo gallery
I finally added a new gallery of favorites to the first page of our portfolio! There are just over 100 on the Flash website and nearly two thousand on the iPOD friendly HTML site. Both are accessible from the main page - www.JHunterPhotography.com
For those that are just looking for a quick glance at my current faves check this private gallery - Sampler gallery
FLICKR Photos
I just finished putting up over two thousand new wedding photos on FLICKR. If you want to see a thorough look at our recent work, here it is - FLICKR
More photos from other projects
While I am still in the process of having a couple of different websites built to display other work Hannah and I have done, listed below are links to projects that will be online asap. You can also see alot of travel photos I have taken over the years during my cross country adventures here - www.PhotosByJohnHunter.com. It will also be updated this Spring as I am going on another excursion with my buddy Nathaniel back into Panamint & Death Valley's in California. I need an intern to start doing these updates!!!
Various project links:
1. This one is from a BRIDES FLORIDA MAGAZINE social event for wedding professionals. All photos were taken at the amazing Palms Hotel in South Beach.
http://www.jhunterphotography.com/shoots/brides/
2. These two girls are nieces of Jim & Joanna Cooper (www.soundwavekeywest.com). Many of them on the second page were instrumental in freeing my creativity for shooting weddings believe it or not. The last few photos are of the Coopers doingwhat they do best (aside from DJ & Video weddings) - chilling in the pool. If you haven't seen the episode of Wife Swap with them you are missing out.
http://www.jhunterphotography.com/shoots/caya-mallory/
3. Here are some unique photos from the Reach Resort in Key West (non-wedding) and Strip House Restaurant. Thank you Luke for allowing us to have some fun!
http://www.jhunterphotography.com/shoots/reach-strip-house/
4. Looking for a place to stay in Key West? Originally for sale as condos, I believe the are now part of the Marquesa properties.
http://www.jhunterphotography.com/shoots/realestate/
5. Travel photos from my 2006 excursion into remote California and Nevada.
http://www.jhunterphotography.com/deathvalley/
Enjoy.
New photos from a wedding at the Reach in Key West
Still trying to find the time to update this blog and add more photos to the website.... Maybe in February. Here is a complete gallery of photos from a wedding at the Reach Resort in Key West as well as getting ready photos at a guest house around the corner - Elaine & Erik
Cleveland Magazine
In 2008 one of our biggest highlights was having the opportunity to shoot Cleveland Cavaliers star Mo Williams wedding to Kesha. Despite the near hurricane weather, it was certainly an event we will not forget. View a feature article in Cleveland Magazine with our pics here: Cleveland Magazine
Article written for Resident Magazine NYC
JHunterPhotography.com
photos@jhunterphotography.com
(800) 925 1693
Established in 2002, JHunter Photography.com is breathing new life into destination wedding photography by capturing and creating organic images that are both stylish & artistic.
Having lived in NYC, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Miami Beach, Key West, founder John Hunter's mixed background in photography and music has truly influenced the way he views the world through a camera lens.
A self taught photographer, John mixes photojournalistic technique with today's exciting technology to produce professional and fun wedding imagery. WIth his wife Hannah, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, they attract clients from around the world that are looking for more than just a wedding photographer.
"A couple of things that we believe makes our service unique on a personal level are that we make a point of working within our clients comfort zone and create a natural, flowing photographic environment. We don't push to have things our way and stay flexible throughout the day as wedding moments are often very unpredictable."
"Another perk for our clients is that they actually receive ALL of the photos taken throughout the day (obvious bad ones excluded), print rights and a generous collection of color, black & white and antiqued photos. We love what we do and don't believe in making people have to choose which photos they want from a larger collection."
Serving all of Florida, JHunter Photography continues to evolve with the ever growing destination wedding industry. Available to shoot anywhere. Visit www.JHunterPhotography.com to see something different.
Footnote - RESIDENT MAGAZINE has a bait and switch advertising policy.
BRIDES FLORIDA MAGAZINE EVENT - SOUTH BEACH
Have a look at our collection of pics from the event held at The Palms Hotel, South Beach. Thank you to everyone at Brides in Florida & NYC for the opportunity. John, Hannah & baby Josef.
BRIDES.COM GALLERY: www.brides.com/community/albums/album/1551641/
Full collection can be viewed here: http://www.jhunterphotography.com/shoots/brides/
Online books
We will be starting a new website that shows each of the books we produce. In the meantime, here is a list of links:
Choosing a vendor
Key West is known for it's quirky, laid back, positive attitude toward life and that certainly holds true in the wedding business. As you are planning you will notice many of the same names popping up on lists and through referrals. That's because the wedding professionals on the island work together often and provide consistent results. Whether you are planning a large event or intimate affair on the beach, be sure to call around and find the people that match your specific needs and taste (there are plenty). If by chance you run into someone that says they refuse to work with another person or company on the island, know that this is an extreme rarity and ask why. This is not an accurate reflection of the wedding business or even Key West for that matter. On an island that is only 1 1/2 by 4 miles small, most everyone coexists peacefully and that really comes across when it matters most - on your wedding day. Long distance planning can be tough so look for the names you see the most. These are the people that you can count on. For additional help you can also join the Yahoo Key West destination wedding forum or The Knot to learn from brides that have already had the experience.
Photography/Photographer tips
Your going to spend a fair amount of your budget on your photos, here are some things to consider when making your decision:
1. Quality of work - camera, prints, books.
2. Personality compatibility - Is this someone you feel comfortable speaking to and that will listen to your desires?
3. References - Don't be afraid to ask for them.
1. Don't sunburn the day before your wedding. Especially if you're wearing a strapless dress.
2. Consider a make up artist or at least prepare for having shine spots by bringing face powder or blotting papers.
3. Place the rings on your partners finger with your finger tips so we can zoom in.
4. Back cleavage is not your friend.
5. If you're hair will be down, humidity will be a problem.
6. Waterproof mascara.
7. Lists are often more trouble than their worth. Should you really have to ask your photographer to take a picture of you and your family? If you feel the need to have a list, appoint someone close to you that is not shy, or even better, knows many of your guests, to assist in gathering people together. This will allow everyone to get to the cocktail hour asap.
8. Lavender dresses and pale complexions are not a good combination.
9. If you plan to use bubbles for your recessional photo, small novelty bubble items generally don't produce enough to make a difference. Use the real thing. All bubbles will stain silk!
10. Butterflies don't always have a great pre-ceremony survival rate and can also stain your dress if they land on you.
11. Tell your photographer if you are releasing any kind of animal, bubbles, confetti, etc. so they can be prepared.
12. Flower petals in the isle (on the runner) and in the air can look magnificent.
12. RELAX beforehand with a bubbling glass of champagne.
GUYS
1. Watches are not very photogenic and take attention from the important jewelry in the photos - the rings!
2. If you're going to wear a suit for your beach wedding, prepare to swim in it.
3. Don't sun burn your face with sunglasses on the day before your wedding.
4. Sunglasses in general, bad.
5. If you don't like having your picture taken for portraits, smile and think of something else. Perhaps how beautiful your new wife looks in her dress. Forget about the camera.
6. RELAX beforehand with a beer or perhaps a Jaeger bomb.
7. If mom wears alot of lipstick, have a hankie on deck.
Things to consider from a photographers point of view...
As I have just started getting back into the swing of things (see baby pics), this will be an on going list of ideas and situations that we run into at hotels and beach weddings.
1. Beach weddings are a great idea. Sand, ocean, sky, sunset, etc. Yes, these make for some amazing photos and if you happen to be from somewhere that has no beach, then it does not get much better. However, one thing we as photographers end up dealing with on a regular basis is trying to shoot the ceremony with late afternoon sun (low in the sky) shining right down the aisle and into the camera. We do manage to work around it, but it often limits the photo opportunities and defeats the purpose of having a ceremony on the beach - THE VIEW!! With little or no shade there can be alot of glare or harsh shadows and more often than not, the chairs are set up to directly face the water. A well intended idea, but not very thoughtful if your guests will be staring directly into the sun.
Keep these things in mind when selecting your location and ask how/where the planner will be setting up your arch, chuppa, or alter area as well as what direction the chairs will be facing. Then make sure you visit your location at the time of day you plan to be married and put yourself in your guests shoes. If you are having to squint to look down the isle and out over the water, consider this minor change that will make everyone's celebration a little more comfortable - simply ask that the chairs be turned at an angle away from the sun. You will still have the view AND everyone will actually be able to see the exchanging of rings. As a photographer, I will also be able to capture more of the picturesque sky, water and sand you came for.
One other thing to keep in mind if you are having an arch, chuppa, etc. is to leave enough room between the back side and the waters edge so your photographer can walk around and get additional perspectives.
2. If you are going to have your wedding in a hot/humid tropical climate and you are from anywhere north of Florida, take extra precautions to stay hydrated the night before and day of your wedding. Especially if you will be consuming alcohol. Tonight was exceptionally humid and my bride ended up having mild heat exhaustion and needing medical attention. It was not serious, but she barely made it through her first dance.