Kennedy Carter's finally here!

Yes, that's right, my wife Joanne and I have a new daughter, Kennedy Rhae brought to us just this last week. Born at 8lbs, 11oz and 22.5" long both Kennedy and Mom are home and doing very well. Cash, Kennedy's 3yr old brother is also super excited to finally have her home and he's been unbelievably great with his little sister so far. So, here are a couple pictures taken at the hospital of our new addition. I'm sure that when things settle down I'll be taking more official shots so stay tuned for more to come.

Who is Troy Carter?

Who am I?

I am a 30 something year old photographer with a background as a design engineer. My wife and I have one Son and a soon to be here daughter. I am always outgoing and fit in well at parties, which works out well for weddings. Some people think I'm a techie but I think I've only really got one foot in that hole with the other foot stuck in a pile of fun.


Why me over the other guys?

Simple, I strive to provide outstanding photography with unbeatable customer relationships. I’m dedicated to you and your needs no matter what they may be and work with you in order to achieve your goals. I like to form relationships with my clients that allow my work and what I supply to you to be as good as it gets and to fit with exactly what you have envisioned. I deal directly and honestly with Clients from the very beginning and I am available to support my work and products at all stages of our working relationship.


What about my work?

Did I mention that I like to have fun? Well, I also like to have fun when taking pictures so I try to keep things upbeat and fun when I'm working and I like to show that with some of my work. I prefer vivid photographs that draw you into the subject but I don't claim to have a single specific style, instead I shoot with various styles depending on the mood of the event. I love, love, love outdoor shoots just about anywhere with some of my favorite photographs being taken at some of the most unlikely locations.


My favorite tools:

>Canon Professional Digital Cameras
>Imagination
>Fun

Hey, look it's me creating some photographs.



Look what happens when you hand a guest your camera! That's me on the right with my second shooter Marty receiving the tongue lashing. I'm certain he'll really love to see this shot up here on the blog;-)

Melissa and Christian Tie the Knot with Cubbies Flare!

“Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living.”
- Alvin Dark

Maybe it wasn't a full season but for one fleeting moment Melissa and Christian had the privilege of playing at Wrigley Field. Six years to the day after the Cubs clinch the National League Central division title their wedding was hosted at The Friendly Confines on Chicago's north side where the Cubs have played ball since 1916. On this day there were no bleacher bums throwing balls back onto the field but all of the greats were there in spirit and the place was truly alive for Melissa and Chris's day.

My Take - Photobooth

Some call it a backdrop area, portrait station, crazy booth, or photo station but I call it the Photobooth and put a slightly different spin on how it works. Most photobooth rentals are just that, a photobooth like you would find in any mall that spits out a tiny little strip of pictures that are virtually useless for anything more than a quick giggle and a trash can. The booths are small fitting 1-2 people and really limit the fun to be had with groups and props.

So what's the solution to this?

Enter a proper Photobooth! A cross between the classic mall photostation and a traditional wedding portrait backdrop area where you get rewarded with instant hard copy prints and the help of a dedicated photographer. This is entertainment! No more confusion on when the picture is going to be taken, or what you do with a miniature 1-1/2" picture but instead you get a professional photographer working with you to produce fun, useful 4x6 or 5x7 pictures for your guests to take home with them. Each complete set of photobooth pictures is also included with your photography package and available for online viewing and printing just like all the rest of the images from your wedding.

Kelly and Matt Begin Their Life Together!

Kelly and Matt held their nuptials at the wonderful Christ Lutheran Church in Orland Park followed by a blow out bash at Galic Park in Oak Forest. From start to finish this was a wonderful day for everyone involved! Congratulations to both of you!

Not for the Traditional Bride - Trashing the Dress

Did you ever imagine that you would see a Bride doing unthinkable things while wearing her dress?  A few years ago I didn't either but more and more Brides are breaking the mold taking part in trash the dress photo sessions and I'm super excited to be a part of them.  The TTD photo shoots are fun, spontaneous and best of all they don't have any rules, like keeping the dress clean so any hooligan thoughts that you may have can come to life.  Some recent divorced women are even dawning their wedding dress one last time in a symbolic display as they ruin what they once cherished doing unthinkable things and I say to them, go for it!  In fact, let’s trash the dress together!  If you happen to see a bride running through a fountain in Chicago with a photographer close behind you may have just found me.

















Yes, that is a burning wedding dress. No Photoshop required, just a match and some gasoline!

Leticia and Jim Tie the Knot

Who: Leticia and Jim
What: Wedding Ceremony and Reception

Where: Blue Island, St. Donatus-Hickory Hills, Sabre Room

When: June 6th 2009

Why: Love

Everyone meet Stephen. Stephen meet Everyone.

Who: Stephen (plus Mom and Dad)
What: Maternity
Where: Chicago Illinois
When: May 10th 2009
Why: Because we can.

Spring, finally!

Is that spring I smell in the air? I think it is!

I can't wait to get outside and shoot after what seems like the eternal winter here in Chicago and with this weeks warm weather and budding trees I'm bound to find somewhere to go. So while I prepare for a couple portrait sessions and bridal shoots that I have coming up shortly I'm going to post a few shots taken over the winter when outdoor portraits were not really something anyone was willing to attempt.

And as a reminder I'm available for all of your photography needs; Weddings in Chicago and abroad, portraits sessions, newborn photographs, engagement sessions, boudoir, and I cover corporate and private events of all types.

A few from a trip to Washington state's Palouse Falls shortly after a winter thaw.

Easter Egg hunting anyone?

The edge of a frozen river.

Meredith and Mike Out and About

As winter in Chicago drags it's way through February I find myself really, really wishing for spring and I'm certain that I am not the only one who feels this way. Earlier this week we had a couple teaser days of warmth that served as reminders of just how great spring and fall weather in the midwest really is. As much as I wish that I could bring those days back at my beckoning will, the reality is that I simply cannot, but I can bring a touch of warmth to my little corner of the world wide web by sharing a few portraits taken back when warm weather was the norm. So for now, until spring, enjoy and stay warm.

P.S. Don't forget to schedule your portrait session soon!