Thankfulness

Because today is the day of giving thanks I wanted to say a big thanks to all of my clients who so generously give me the chance live out my passions and dreams. Without the encouragement you have given me I would not be the person I am today.

Today is also our little Ainsley’s first Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving around our house the past five years has been loaded with family packed into our home. With nearly 15 people I quickly run out of room to stack them so most choose the floor to sleep on. With all of the noise, crowdedness, and lots of dishes I found myself enjoying those few days a year when everyone comes over to my house for food and fun.

This year nobody came over. It was a slow and quiet day with just the three of us. We did spend a few hours over at my brother-in-laws house but most of the day was spent with my new three-person family. It was a welcome change of pace and a day full of thanksgiving for me as I am surrounded by the two people that mean the world to me.

Here are a few shots of my little Thanksgiving.

The day started off by mom doing a little bit of “Pre-Black Friday” shopping. She got up at 4:30 to snag this cool noisemaker of a table for Ainsley at half price. By the time Ainsley woke up we had it set up for her to begin the play of a new toy.








Because this was Ainsley’s first Thanksgiving Sarah and I have been doing a lot of talking about traditions. Today we started our first Thanksgiving tradition of drawing turkeys by tracing our hands on construction paper. It was obviously difficult for a 6 ½ month old to hold her hand still but we made it through it. Once we finished coloring each of us wrote a few things we are thankful for this year. The goal is to do this every year and write down five things we are thankful for. We will move this to small index cards in the future. It will be fun to read through all of them and see how our kids change their priorities over the years.








Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Modern Baby

I am surprised, astonished, even shocked that my Internet savvy friends find it odd that Sarah and I would create a website solely dedicated to our unborn daughter. Either way the power of Show IT Sites has given us the ability to create, add and recreate any number of websites with ease. Our daughter’s website example now includes images of her baby room, a mom’s journal, and a registry page informing our friends and family where we are registered. I really enjoy taking advantage of all the technology available to us and when our 3-D ultra sound video is complete later this month I put it on her website. This is only the beginning. With the merge of two industries, still photography and videography, our websites will soon include short video clips giving our future brides a look at what is like to have us shoot their wedding.

The personalizing websites don’t stop with our daughter. Imagine what it would be like to have a fully customized website for your wedding. You can inform your friends and family of all the exciting events of your day, link guests to your registries, and show off those beautiful images by Matt Hall Photography! It is just one more way we are helping make your wedding day be an unforgettable day.

***NOTE TO ADD***
If anyone is wanting to follow our Baby's Website please send us an email and will will get you the link to the website. Thanks!

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have and are serving in the United States Miltiary. To learn more about Veterans Day click here. Have a great day!

Matt and Sarah by bobbiandmike.com

We are just bursting at the seams with excitement today! A few weeks back, we had a photo shoot with the amazing Indy photographers Bobbi and Mike. We have been planning this session for months, but finding out that we are pregnant made the session a bit more exciting. I must admit, mostly because Bobbi called me out on her blog, that I was a little bit nervous. Ok, a ton nervous. I totally know how my clients feel the days leading up to their photo shoot. Sarah and I took the session and turned it into a two day mid-week retreat. Sarah and I enjoyed the time together wandering around Indy just being together. It was awesome!

There is a lot more of our photo session with Bobbi and Mike on their website!!! Check them out by going to bobbiandmike.com/blog

Fast Track Photographer

I did it! I finished the book Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders. Anyone who knows me knows I have trouble finishing books. I have good intentions of finishing a book when I buy it. I love the thought of ending a long busy day with my feet up reading a book. However this typically ends up leading to falling asleep while reading. I have also tried reading first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee. This too has been unsuccessful because I haven’t figured out a good way to hold a hot mug and hold open a book at the same time. I love both too much!

I have a bookshelf full of great books that came highly recommended. They each have their own bookmarks that stay in near the middle of the book. Today however, I finished Fast Track Photographer. This book is absolutely a must read for a photographer who is considering taking their photography to a business level. I learned through this book that if I want to grow a successful photography business I must learn who I am as a person. Without clear understanding of who I am as a person my photography business would be unfocused and misguided. It was a great book and I know there are a few others on my bookshelf that beg to be finished. I think I might finish up Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.

Get a copy of this amazing book at Amazon.com and get your photography moving!

City Barn and Updates

This weekend I enjoyed a visit to Chicago to meet up with my family. We toured the Lincoln Park Zoo downtown and I couldn't help but notice the contrasting scene of a barn among the tall buildings. I found it funny that we put the barn and the farm back in the big city that may have once, many years ago, been there.

On another note, the new website is nearing completion. It is looking like I may not make my Tuesday planned launch. There are some exciting new updates to Show It Sites that will be out early this week that I would love to incorporate into the new site. Keep checking back for the launch mid-week. Have a great Monday!

Facebook: The Modern Day Class Reunion

Ok, so I will be the first to admit it. I am slow when it comes to Facebook. I stood by as I watched countless friends brag about how fun they are having on Facebook. It is time for me to join them. I was kindly welcomed to Facebook by my high school peers and it has been fun reading up on what they have been doing the past nine years. I can't wait to make additional contacts with past friends! Enjoy your weekend and look for Fort Wayne's Best photo shoot coming up.

One Light DVD Coming Soon!

You might remember this post a little while back. I had a great time hanging out in Detroit back in April with fellow photographers as we learned off camera lighting techniques from Zack Arias. Zack’s personality is a one of a kind and he is not afraid to show it. He has rebuilt his business after putting the camera down for a couple of years to refocus his priorities in life. My absolute favorite thing about Zack is his strong belief in not wasting money on cheap gimmicks. The photography industry is so saturated with people offering products that they promise will make you a better photographer. (There is no such magic bullet!)

When Zack put together his business the second time he started with off with one camera body and lens, and one off camera flash. He now runs a successful business of shooting bands in Atlanta. When Zack is not shooting bands, he is traveling the country teaching his lighting techniques. Below is a preview of Zack’s first One Light Workshop DVD. I can’t wait for this amazing tool to come out! I believe in Zack’s vision and would love to support his role in making photographers better at their craft. Check out his blog for more tips, tricks, and techniques if you are interested in learning more about photography.

6x2: Complete!

Eight years ago today I signed the dotted line on a contract that would provide me with experiences I wouldn’t otherwise had. I, like so many others did at the time, joined the National Guard for the college tuition benefits. I had no idea what the next eight years would hold for me, but I needed a way to pay for college. The contract included six years of National Guard drill status and two years of inactive status. For the brides out there I have a side note for you. During my basic training Sarah planned 100% of our wedding. We married a few months after I completed training. After my basic training was complete I settled into a one weekend a month routine. Then September 11th happened. As we all know that changed everything. I was called to active duty and spent nearly a year deployed to Kuwait and Iraq. I don’t know how Sarah ever survived without me. After returning I also deployed to Mississippi for hurricane relief. I wouldn’t trade these past eight years for anything. Those people I met and placed I lived make me who I am today. I also want to mention that today is my younger sister’s birthday. I was totally unintentional that I would raise my right hand on her birthday, but at least this way I will never forget her birthday. With all of that said, I thought today I would share a few photos of my past eight years with you. Oh, and one shot of me and my sister on my birthday!

I was fortunate to have Sarah come to visit me while I was in basic training.


This is a picture of Sarah and I just after my basic training graduation ceremony.


This is a shot from one of our many visits with some Iraqi people. This family actually lives in a tent! They invited us to share in some tea in their tent. They are a very humble people.


Just for fun I thought I would stand next to a camel. You would think this would be a common event, but it isn't often that one is on a leash. The owner of this particular camel actually wanted to charge me $20 to ride it. Not going to happen, sorry.


Our unit returned just before Veteran's Day. We proudly participated in the Veteran's Day parade that was held downtown Indianapolis.


This picture was taken a very long time ago. It is the only image I have of my sister when we were young. Since it is her birthday today, I wanted to put a picture of her on my blog. This was taken on my birthday, but it is a picture of a birthday party and she happens to be in it. Oh, and who didn't want a Knight Rider bike! I loved that bike!

Palm Sunday

I love being in the wedding industry. I get to meet such wonderful couples who all have such different stories. Today we enjoyed watching one groom perform his heart out in a passion play followed by dinner at Pizza King. Just before the play started Sarah leaned over and asked what part he will be playing. With great excitement the bride told us he would be playing the role of Satan! I can’t get over how happy and proud of him she was. She has been to all three showings of the play this weekend and will attend all of them next weekend. It is such a blessing to be a part of all these young couples’s lives. Every time I am with them they refocus my marriage and give me the chance to be a newlywed with them.

The following is just some random shots of our Palm Sunday. Have a great week!


Sarah and our youngest...Ruby!




A nice, close shot of the donkey Jesus rode in on. Actually the donkey came down the aisle before Jesus, but as a viewer of the play we got the idea.




While we waited for our groom/actor to get out of costume we went out to a nearby playground. It has been a while, but today we played on the merry-go-round. I caught some fun shots of Amanda while we spun on the merry-go-round. Notice the cool background blur!




Finally we have our bride who turned photographer. We gladly posed as she practiced her skills.



Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Curtis and Amanda! See you in a couple of weeks!!!

Fathers and Daughters

Dads and daughters of all ages came together for one amazing night. With valet parking, music, dancing, and dinner they shared a special evening. The entertainment for the evening was professional dance lessons which caused plenty of stepping on toes. It was wonderful watching daughters who range from 5 year old little girls to 20+ adult women dance with their fathers. It was a joy to watch, and an honor to capture the emotion.

Master Your Craft Seminar with Bob Davis & Mike Colón

Hey blog readers, I just returned from Chicago after attending a seminar with Bob Davis and Mike Colón. These two guys are amazing people and photographers! Bob started by working for the Chicago Sun Times, but soon advanced to celebrity photography. Bob shot Oprah Winfrey's car give away, and Eva Longoria's wedding just to name a few. Mike started only a few years ago in California, but has quickly grown to the point of charging 25-50 thousand a wedding. Mike gives credit to those in the photography industry who he calls givers. When other photographers open their doors as well as their hearts to sharing with others, we grow and master our craft. I do what to mention Kenny Kim. Kenny is another great photographer in the Chicago area. He has been following Bob and Mike on their 9 city tour offering assistance when needed. Check out the following images from the show shot by Kenny and used with his permission.

101 New Friends!

Today we reached a new level in the blogging world. I now know that Matt Hall Photography has 101 new friends! As you can see the world is watching and they should be! We have new and exciting things planned for this year, so don't forget to check our blog daily! Just another reminder to all those engaged couples, we will be at booth number 20 at the Classic City Bridal Show on January 27th! To all my new friends....Thanks for reading!!!

Green Bay Packers!

It is a good weekend to be a Packer fan! Sorry Colts fans! A couple of years ago Sarah and I indulged in Packer heaven and went to Green Bay WI. What a place! Packer fans are one of a kind. I think the people of Green Bay WI bleed green and yellow. After spending our anniversary dinner at the Brett Favre's Steakhouse, who needs diamonds, we could hardly contain our excitement of going to a game. The day before the game we took a tour of the stadium and encountered a lot of fog as you can see in the picture. Go Pack Go!

Winter Wonderland

Well it is the first day of the new year, and in Ft. Wayne we have snow. Snow isn't so bad if you are sitting inside with a hot cup of coffee, but to go shopping is another story.We drove over to Jefferson Pointe to do some shopping and found that some stores did not open today. The few stores that did open offered plenty of treasures to buy, like a new book! Now I have new books and hot coffee inside my warm home!

Christimas Early!

I was blessed yesterday by the giving of another person. A friend of mine had an excessive amount of darkroom equipment in his garage. He asked if I would have some use for it, and with open arms and truck I gladly took the equipment off his hands. As you can see I have some cleaning to do, but underneath that dust is hours of creativity just asking to be released. Now if I can just find my 35mm FILM camera!

Hope City

Everyone has a story yet the stories from the victims of Hurricane Katrina are amazing. Stories like a husband/father watching the bodies of his wife and children floating past him as he hangs onto a tree. Or of the many families that waited the storm out in their attics as the water levels rise. Nobody expected the water to rise over 20 feet like it did. Nobody expected so much devastation. Even two years later the Gulf Coast still needs help rebuilding. Last week I went with a group of nearly 30 people to help. We framed up a house for Richard and his wife. To see Richard’s smile from ear to ear was enough to keep us motivated and encouraged. Mid week Richard brought over a 25 pound Red fish to share with the group. It was an experience we wont soon forget.