To make it more exciting, if the image placed in the top 3 after voting period, we will give the couple our awesome Art Gallery Canvas with an image of their choice!! So VOTE NOW, VOTE DAILY, for your favorite image! ^_^ CLICK on the image below to vote directly at WPD site. The contest is open for public voting until 5.26.09.

the first image was from the amazing wedding of nilsa + dan in october. it was taken at a park near navy pier. we were rushing back to the car as i passed by the scene and told them to go quickly towards the wheel. i captured the almost kiss, as dan dipped nilsa… i knew i got an awesome shot at that moment ^_^

the second image was from the awesome wedding of jessica + rusty at the Palmer House Hilton grand ballroom. it was taken before we left for the night. i asked jessica + rusty to went up the balcony and stand on the left & right curtain, while my assistant held a light from below. i was actually shooting on the 1st floor really far away. i didn’t know how the shot will turn out, but i took a chance and it paid off! the light gave a great shadow perfectly on each curtain and it shows how luxurious and grand the ballroom is. jessica + rusty loved the image so much they already have a 20×30 Art Canvas showcased at their house! ^_^

Thanks for your support friends!! Hope the best image win! ^_^

My name is Noelle and my fiance’s name is Kenny. We met, of all places, in the third and fourth grade. I remember I would make fun of him for picking his nose and in band class, he would empty the spit out of his trombone valve very near my shoe and it would make me so mad. After fourth grade, we lost contact, as I moved to a different school but in the last year of college, I found Kenny on facebook, and we got back in touch after my sister convinced me to text him.

We both remembered each other from grade school and it was surreal for both of us to meet up again after twelve years. But it was so wonderful and beautiful how the Lord orchestrated everything and helped us grow together. We started courting (old fashioned, but we did) after two months of getting reacquainted, and we have been growing together ever since. We have been though our share of difficulties, with family members being in the hospital, my mother having trouble with the law, and being apart from each other for months at a time.

In these times, the only thing getting us through was knowing the faithfulness of God, trusting that He would get us through, and how much we love each other. Something I love about our relationship is that when we have the chance we pray together to re-center and re-focus our relationship on Him.

One of the worst moments was when we had an important discussion that we were not sure would turn out in our favor, but we knew that it had to be discussed to determine where our relationship would go. Obviously it turned out well, because now we are getting married.

One of the happiest moments we have had was when Kenny came home after being a teacher in Vietnam for 6 months. I did not know that he was coming home early, and on a weekend visit to his family’s house, he surprised me by coming home that weekend. I remember laughing and crying and just holding him, being thankful to God that he was home with me and home safely.

We are not perfect, but I can say with honesty that I cannot wait to commit myself before God for life to my best friend and the man I love more than life itself on March 14th. And I know that Kenny would say the same.

We would truly be appreciative and grateful for this gift of photography, because we are on a tight budget, and this would be such a blessing. If another more deserving couple receives it, though, we will be more than happy for them. Thank you for your time and blessings to all those couples who enter!

Thanks again everyone for supporting us! I’m looking forward to shoot Noelle + Kenny wedding soon! ^_^

Here’s the deal: If you are getting married between March 14 – April 26, 2009, we are looking for YOUR STORY. We want to hear how you met, the worst and happiest moments, challenges and how you overcome them together. We’re looking for a couple who can’t afford a lavish wedding but believe in the importance of having a wedding, to stand before God and witnesses to make their lifetime commitment.

The deserving couple will receive these complimentary:
+ up to 6 hours continuous wedding day coverage by oscar
+ a wedding album
+ digital negatives files

The qualification:
+ the wedding must take place between March 14 – April 26, 2009 within 50 miles of Streamwood, IL
+ you didn’t sign a contract with another professional photographer
+ submit your story to oscar@S1weddings.com by February 9, 2009 midnight CST
+ submit one image of you together along with your story

We will share the top three stories by February 14, 2009 at our Facebook Page. You’ll get a chance to write your thoughts after reading the stories too! We will choose and announce the deserving couple a few days after. So forward this to all your friends and families, nominate a couple, spread the word out! We are excited to read all the stories, and more excited to bless one deserving couple this year! ^_^

Blessings,
oscar + kartika
2 Cor 9:11

This image from Jessica + Rusty wedding we shot at The Palmer House Hilton received 8th place in scene setters category! ^_^