The Final Best-of-the-Best

For an explanation and recap of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

Well it's finally here, the highly anticipated and often debated final post of our Best-of-the-Best series. It's been a lot of fun for Heather & I to go back through all the work of the last year and we're so happy with how our work has evolved in just the last 12 months. It was extremely difficult to narrow down tens of thousands of images to just our 3 favorites and I'm actually a little surprised that only one overlaps with our choices. Thanks again to all of our great clients that let us share their great events in 2007 and we can't wait for more experiences in 08.

As much as I enjoy engagement sessions it's no surprise that one of those pictures would take my top spot. This image means a lot to me for several reasons. First of all Cody and Tina are a fabulous couple and it's one of the weddings I'm looking most forward to in 08. Most of all though because it really shows the direction that my shooting style is going. Honest, pure, candid, & dramatic emotion is one of the hardest thing for photographers to capture because it is largely out of our control. It takes a wonderful combination of comfort with our clients and the strong personalities of the wonderful couples we work with. Throw in some interesting angles, and some urban/fashion flare and that is what you'll be seeing from Hawes Photography for years to come.

I know this explanation is getting long but telling. I wanted to add that this image has earned me the best compliment I've received in some time. A colleague of ours recently told me that when she saw this image for the first time that she instantly knew where the style was going and that we had found our unduplicatable niche. This is honestly the best compliment that any artist can hope to get and I will appreciate it for some time.

Well that's about enough of the insanely long-winded explanations. For me, this is a nearly perfect capture. The expression and great moment of indulgence is simple and wonderful. If you knew the subject, you'd understand even more.

More great expression and personality. We can't say enough good things about these two and I'm just glad we could give them a great image.

Heather's Picks:

Best of the Best – wow – it is ridiculously hard to narrow down an entire year of work to three pictures. Here’s what I’ve got and why – like Aaron you might be shocked by my choices (yes I was). For me the best of the best are not about technical accuracy, but more about how I feel when I look at them – and what emotions are captured.

I just LOVE this picture! Any couple who is crazy enough to lie on the ground in their wedding attire is perfect for our shooting style. Nathan and Rachel are two of the most engaging and warm people I’ve ever met. The welcomed us into their wedding like we were old friends.

I think this picture captures the intimacy of being in love. When you are with the right person, I think you can spend time in the simplest of locations because you are so entranced with each other. This picture makes me want to get lost in that field ...

How can you NOT love this picture. I think it is so fun! I am a huge “Thriller” fan – I intend to learn the dance someday – so this picture makes me want to hear the song and dance! It’s probably my most shocking choice, but something about it just grabs me.

Best-of-the-Best Grooms

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

We're getting close now, this is the last post before we show our overall favorites from 2007.

Grooms, not shockingly, have a special place in my heart and our style is tooled slightly for them. For the most part guys just don't like to have their pictures taken, I can relate, it's okay. That's a major reason why we shoot with the approach that we do, to make them forget that we're there to take their picture and instead to just have fun. I'm glad we had such a great group of guys this year and the results were pretty good.

Tewaney was definetly one of my favorite guys this year. He has such a wonderful, geniune personality that is electric. I really love everything about this shot, it is one of my favorites this year. It captures so much personality and has a certain amount of honesty to it. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

A much simpler shot than the first, just clean and easy. He is giving quite a look there. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

This is a pick just for the fun of it. Great expression, and it's another Aaron. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Heather's Picks:

Ok, I’m sorry it took me so long to choose for this category. Here’s the problem – to me a wedding is about the BRIDE. She’s been waiting for this day her whole life – I know, I’ve been there. So it’s a big paradigm shift for me to think, what’s my favorite groom picture. So, yeah it was harder than the other categories. In any event, here are my choices.

This shot says “pure satisfaction” to me. Actually it was hard to pick just one shot of Tewaney. He was one of the most expressive and welcoming grooms we’ve shot. And I KNOW Aaron picked this one too, but it is really good so it has to be on my list too. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

I like this picture because while it looks really fake it’s not. Sean struck this pose without being asked and it definitely captures his fun-loving personality. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

I know this isn’t a traditional portrait but I love how Aaron is concentrating so deeply. I thought Aaron was very intense – in a good way – and all of his energy is focused in this shot. It makes me want to know what he’s working on. Photographer: Matt Frye

Best-of-the-Best Wedding Party

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

I know this post is out of order but Heather has been a little slow getting me her last few picks for the Grooms (shame).

Wedding Parties definitely provide for the most variety. You just never know what you're going to get. Sometimes it's a big party, calm and somber, small, huge, you get the idea. Because of the variety I could talk forever so lets just get to it.

This is one of my favorite shots of the year just because it's an attention getter. It's great when we go to bridal shows as it stops so many people that walk by. It's funny though because everyone asks how much photoshop went in to it. I'm here to say that it is almost completely a straight shot, I only blurred the background a little bit. I also love it just because it just fits Gabe & Courtney so well. Photographer: Aaron Hawes


It's great when the we get help from the group. This shot was completely thought up by the guys, I was just lucky enough to get to take the picture. It works though. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

It's amazing how much of a difference a little bit of snow can make in a picture. It completely changed the mood here. If I had my choice every winter wedding would have snow, just my opinion. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Heather's Picks:

This takes our “bad ass” shot to a whole new level! My favorite thing about this picture is the reaction most people have when we show it to them. Everyone seems drawn to it. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

I love how the editing on this shot brought out jewel-tone colors. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Best-of-the-best Brides

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

Shooting our brides is another of our favorite parts of the day. It's almost too easy. When you have beautiful women that are looking their best and having fun the pictures just roll. It is definitely our pleasure to help make these wonderful brides look the part.

Since I took this picture it has instantly become the most requested shot by brides. Everyone wants to look like this. I'll be honest, it's a little more contrived then I typically like to shoot but the results are stunning. This is by far the best capture of this shot we've ever taken. Thanks for being you Stephanie! Photo by: Aaron Hawes

For me this shot really encompasses our style. A beautiful bride just having fun, showing wonderful personality and emotion, and captured with a fashion flare. Kim was one of our easiest brides to photograph this year and we're honored to call her a friend. Photo by: Aaron Hawes

This pick is kind of funny for me. It's not one of my favorite set-ups to do, it is typically on request and not usually a favorite of mine. This one is different though. Just look at those eyes, I don't need to say anything else. Photo by: Aaron Hawes

Heather's Picks:

This category was really hard – by far the hardest for me! I honestly think all of our brides are so gorgeous on their wedding day so it was hard to narrow down my favorites.

Stephanie was a bride who would look good next to the simplest of backgrounds as we prove here. I think this picture is so elegant and simple. Photo by: Aaron Hawes

This picture completely captures Berlice. She has a vibrant personality and is very outgoing. Photo by: Aaron Hawes

Something about this portrait is just so fresh. It almost feels like Gretchen just finished a sentence and is waiting for your reply, like you are the best of friends. Photo by: Matt Frye

Best-of-the-best The Couple

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.


First I want to apologize. I just realized that I haven't been giving photo credit on this series. Most of the images were taken by Aaron but there are quite a few by Heather and Matt too so be sure to go back through the posts and see the real photographer.

Aaron's Picks:

This was a very hard category as you all can imagine. If you've worked with us you know that the time we get to work with our couples is by far our favorite part of the day. We take tons of pictures and we usually get to capture lots of love and great moments. I finally picked 3 favorites but there could easily have been 3-4 more.


I really just love everything about this picture. The expression, tones, light, everything. One of my favorites of the year for sure. Photographer: Aaron Hawes



This is my odd ball pick. It's very simple but I think there is still lots of emotion here. I love that you are led through the image with the lines. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

This is more of a "power" image than we usually do. Lot's of strength with the pose and colors but still very genuine. It just works. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Heather's Picks:
This category was a challenge. Working with our couples is one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding day.

Nathan and Rachel are two of the most genuinely nice people you could hope to meet and they are so obviously in love. On top of that they were up for just about anything, including laying on the grass in their wedding attire. Throw in a perfect sunburst and you have a great picture. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

I just think this picture is classic and stunning. The black and white conversion of this picture really highlights the couple and the historic location. Photographer: Matt Frye

Kim and Nathan’s wedding was in a fantastic old church in downtown St. Joe. I wouldn’t be surprised if the balcony was haunted because it had such an old feel. The light coming through the window was just amazing. I think this shot captures what a good kiss feels like – frozen in time with a warm glow. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Best-of-the-Best Receptions

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

Receptions are definitely one of the most interesting aspects of our job. The variety is immense. We see everything from passed out bridal parties & break dancing Uncle Bob to Grandma sleeping in the corner to organized swing lessons. There are also receptions that seem to drag on forever and those that are a knock-down drag-out party. Regardless, they can be tons of fun and the highlight for every bridal party.

This is my favorite moment at any reception. When the bride realizes that the garter is coming off with teeth. This is the best capture of that moment this year. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Just a great angle that really captured the essence of their reception. Photographer: Matt Frye

Every couple loves the dollar dance, but she really knows what to do with the money. I can't help it, I love everything about this picture. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Heather's Picks:

So apparently I haven’t been writing enough – or picking enough pics (which for the record, I picked 4 in a few categories so I figured it would even out. Aaron has informed me that he will only post 3 for category so I’m revising appropriately).

I think getting awesome reception shots can be a challenge. Most people run the other way when they see you coming with a huge flash or give you a cheesy smile when you just wanted them to act normal. So when you get a good shot it feels awesome. Here are a few of my favorite ones from this year.

You know it’s a party when someone requests “Thriller” – it’s even better when the DJ does the dance with the bride. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Jesse and Lauren were so much fun to shoot! They have engaging personalities and I think that is really captured here. Photographer: Matt Frye

Nathan is the A&W fan but Kim lovingly let it invade her reception. They had personalized mugs, a keg of root beer and the groom’s cake was adorned with the logo. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Best-of-the-Best Details

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

Sorry, this will probably be the least exciting category for everyone. Not that the pictures are boring but because Heather and I agreed on the first 2 (I promise it won't happen again). These were also pretty easy choices for us, they just seem to stand out in our mind. Simple is the theme.

Like I said; simplicity. Just great color and depth here. Photographer: Aaron Hawes


Also very simple. Great tones and texture in the shoes, nice focus as well. Photographer: Heather Hawes

A little more fun with this one. I just liked the custom flip-flops for these really laid-back girls. Fun colors too. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Heather's Picks:

I love the pop of color in these flowers. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Photographer: Heather Hawes

Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Best-of-the-best Ceremony

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

Ah, the ceremony. The staple of the day and ultimately why we're there in the first place. Unfortunately it is also the most repetitive and challenging parts. Between fighting terrible church lighting and near jogging bridesmaids the ceremony can provide quite an assortment of difficulties. Luckily for me the winners were pretty clear cut. No alter shots but emotion and interesting angles are the way to go.

This is probably my favorite all-time ceremony shot that we have done. The angle, depth, color, and even natural lens vignette all works really well. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

This shot is a little more simple. Clean and dynamic, great emotion. Just a good take on the old carry me down the altar shot. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Another simple image. All about emotion here. How excited are they! Photographer: Heather Hawes

Heather's Picks:

To me this is the perfect capture of a maid of honor. She is fastidiously smoothing the bride’s dress before she sees her groom for the first time. This is love between friends --caught on camera. Photographer: Heather Hawes

Most flower girls and ring bearers don’t want anything to do with each other. This couple decided they would get married before the reception started. Photographer: Heather Hawes

Best-of-the-best Getting Ready

For an explanation of best-of-the-best click here.

Aaron's Picks:

Honestly I'm just glad I don't have to pick my favorite engagement session pictures again, that was really hard! For me this was one of the easier categories, although we probably take more images for this category and any other certain ones just stand out to me. There is also a lot more diversity between Heather and I than any other group, she really has different taste than me sometimes.

I can't help it, I really like this shot and I really can't explain why too much. I just don't think I've ever seen this much emotion during the bustling of a dress. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

For me this is all about the candid moment and wonderful color. I rather simple shot that just works. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

In complete contrast from the last shot I like this because of how busy it is. I think it captures how crazy it is with the girls getting ready. Photographer: Aaron Hawes

Heathers Picks:

Children’s furniture and a bride getting her makeup done – so cute. Photographer: Heather Hawes

Photographer: Heather Hawes

Photographer: Heather Hawes