Steve Matteo Photography

news photographer blog bridal candid capture the moment chicago photographer corporate photographer sports contact commercial photography details destinations documentary email engagement events photojournalist faqs gallery press photographer illinois emotion bridal party matteo wedding photographer bio award winning packages reception phone Steve Matteo Photography chicago photographers photojournalist BRIDES professional photographer creative specializing sports photographer wedding photojournalist stories Chicago testimonials weddings COUPLES wedding photography weddings photographers experience

created at TagCrowd.com

Steve Matteo Photography

If your mother is anything like mine, you can expect some sports related gifts for Christmas. Along with the traditional Bears accessories, I received the book, Cubs: From Tinker to Banks to Sandberg to... Today. What she didn't know was that one of my photographs (fans outside the Wrigley Field Marque) was both inside and on the back cover. Yes, once again a photo from that fateful 2003 season resurfaces. I suppose these photos will be used until a Cubs team gets past game 6 of the NLCS. Anyway, seeing that image in print again sparked my curiosity, so I went down to Borders Books. I also found a copy of, Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today. This book features my photo of Sammy Sosa jumping into the ivy to make a nice catch. Usually, its my photo of Sosa and his corked bat that makes the news every time Sammy does. It was good to see some of my sports photos making the rounds and I'll keep working on my wedding photography.

Steve Matteo Photography

There's still at least one photography technique that film can do and digital cameras can't, and that' s a double exposure. While you can take two image files and combine them on a computer, you can't do it in the digital camera, at least not yet. This photo of the Chicago Skyline was shot on film, the first exposure was of the moon and on the same frame, the city exposure was made. Here the moon appears between the Willis, formerly Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building when in reality, it was in the eastern sky. Getting the images to fit nicely in the composition is the tricky part. It's a fact that the exposure on the moon is ISO 100 at F16 and 1/125 of a second so you'll just need to take a proper reading for the second exposure. I shot the image of the moon with a 300 mm lens and the skyline with a 28 mm to complete my double exposure. When I'm not working as a wedding photographer in Chicago, I shoot features as often as possible.

[caption id="attachment_514" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Full moon on the Chicago skyline."][/caption]

Steve Matteo Photography

There's still at least one photography technique that film can do and digital cameras can't, and that' s a double exposure. While you can take two image files and combine them on a computer, you can't do it in the digital camera, at least not yet. This photo of the Chicago Skyline was shot on film, the first exposure was of the moon and on the same frame, the city exposure was made. Here the moon appears between the Willis, formerly Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building when in reality, it was in the eastern sky. Getting the images to fit nicely in the composition is the tricky part. It's a fact that the exposure on the moon is ISO 100 at F16 and 1/125 of a second so you'll just need to take a proper reading for the second exposure. I shot the image of the moon with a 300 mm lens and the skyline with a 28 mm to complete my double exposure. When I'm not working as a wedding photographer in Chicago, I shoot features as often as possible.

[caption id="attachment_514" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Full moon on the Chicago skyline."][/caption]

Steve Matteo Photography-News!

Fortunately, this motorist wasn't seriously hurt when he crashed his car on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago. He felt good enough to save his vanity license plate too as the Chicago Fire Dept. took him to the hospital for minor injuries. Working as a wedding photographer is great but as a news photographer, sometimes you have to cover accidents, fortunately this one wasn't serious.
[caption id="attachment_506" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="This motorist rescued his personalized license plate after a minor accident on Lakeshore Dr."][/caption]

Wedding Photographers Chicago

Are you having a winter wedding? Have no fear, the cold weather won't stop you from getting some nice wedding photography. I've shot many a winter wedding and always found a nice location and composition, regardless of the cold and snow. In these samples, you can see Katie and Michael along the Chicago River, Melissa & Drew at Millennium Park on a frosty, February evening. Clients Nancy & Hugo posed in the middle of the road near the Crooked Creek Woods in Palos, IL. Al & Sarah stopped to pose on another frigid evening with the Wrigley Building as a backdrop. While clients Lee & TL didn't venture out into the cold for portraits, they did stop outside church long enough for a quick photo op. And if you feel like braving the cold without your winter wedding coat, checkout Marisa & Brian outside the University of Chicago . There are plenty options when considering where to go with your wedding photographer. Stay warm and bring some extra shoes!

[caption id="attachment_266" align="alignleft" width="428" caption="Near the Chicago River in February."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_121" align="alignnone" width="504" caption="Melissa & Drew"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_119" align="alignnone" width="384" caption="Nancy & Hugo"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_112" align="alignnone" width="384" caption="Sarah & Al"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_113" align="alignnone" width="378" caption="TL & Lee"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_115" align="alignnone" width="382" caption="Marisa & Brian"][/caption]

Sports Photographer Chicago

What a turn around for the Chicago Blackhawks. Just a few years ago, the United Center was probably only half full during home games and the Hawks routinely missed the playoffs. With new management and a new marketing department, the first place Hawks are packing them in at the UC. Hockey, fast paced and exciting, is by far the toughest sport to photograph but it does have a few advantages. I photographed many games and always preferred shooting from the glass. There are small openings in the corners, just large enough to poke your camera lens through. You can also shoot from the platform in the balcony but bring at least a 400mm lens. I found this angle gives you somewhat flat images and usually no faces. Is a bit different than being a wedding photographer in Chicago I must say.



It is easier however, since you only have to pan left to right and a bit up and down. Your reaction time on the glass has to be much faster as the players fly past your camera and you won't always have a clear angle. Also, be on your toes when players hit the boards, the glass can come out (see below). One good thing about shooting hockey is the light. The ice gives you some bounce to fill in the shadow if a player's head is down. The temperature is comfortable and you get to sit on the last step, but bring a seat cushion. You can easily shoot at 800 ASA and 1/500th of a second, making for great action photos.




And of course, what would a good hockey game be without a little fisticuffs? With players jerseys usually getting pulled over their head, it can be difficult to get a clean shot of their faces, expressions and contact.

Steve Matteo Photography - Chicago Bears

Before I began working as a Wedding Photographer in Chicago and shooting Corporate Photographer , I covered sports for AP.

This week, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs acknowledged the Bears miss fired defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, running back Thomas Jones and other key players whose departures have contributed to an overall downgrade since the 2006 Super Bowl season. Jones, who rushed for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns in 2006, was traded to the New York Jets in 2007 for a draft pick to make Cedric Benson the featured running back.

[caption id="attachment_487" align="aligncenter" width="416" caption="Former Bear Thomas Jones"][/caption]

Brian Urlacher, who suffered a fractured wrist in the season opener at Green Bay and has been out for the season, recently said the Bears lost their identity.
Head coach Lovie Smith still proclaims the Bears are a running team even though they now rank 32nd in the league running the ball.

[caption id="attachment_488" align="aligncenter" width="416" caption="Brian Urlacher has been out for the season."][/caption]

Steve Matteo Photography

Before I began working as a Wedding Photojournalist in Chicago and shooting Corporate Photographer , I covered sports for AP.
Steve Matteo Photography

Steve Matteo Photography

Steve Matteo Photography

Steve Matteo Photography

Steve Matteo Photography