Thinking Different - Converse

The trend towards Converse shoes for grooms, brides, and the entire wedding party has grown steadfast in the recent years. Today's Converse brand promotes individuality through a shoe that has morphed with the times. I wear Converse because they are simple, yet even the plain, solid color editions allow for customization. They are my every day shoes, my rain or shine shoes, and my hurry up and go shoes. They have gone from being the staple of a certain class to being a staple of society as a whole. As my grandma says every time she looks down at my feet, "Only the poor kids wore those when I was little." So why are they so popular for weddings now? Let's take a look at the history of Converse.







The birth of Converse harkens back to 1910, where they were first manufactured as tennis shoes for extremely cheap. In 1917, the company's big break came when they began manufacturing basketball "All-Star" editions. The most widely known "Chuck Taylor" models came when basketball player Charles Taylor approached Converse with sore feet and set his life to helping sell the brand. Converse held onto the NBA through the 1970s until Nike, Adidas, and Reebok became popular brands. Basketball players such as Kirk Heinrick, Kyle Korver, and Kobe Bryant still wear Converse to this day. Nike eventually bought Converse in 2009, and the company turned its eye to revitalization. Editions of Chuck Taylors were released with designs after the Grateful Dead, Nirvana, and The Clash, all bands who were held individuality and personal expression as a core of their music.

Are you still wondering, "Why weddings, though?"







Your wedding is your chance to share the love you found with everyone else you love. The entire day is for two of you and what makes your love unique. Maybe you wore Converse when you first met. Maybe you have different senses of style, but Converse is the one thing you can agree on. You can keep the affair rockstar casual yet classy with some traditional black and leather Converse. The website even lets you completely customize your pair so they can match or be outrageously different. Besides, the threat of breaking your heel and falling into the lap of Great Aunt Hilda is eliminated! As popular as these shoes have become, they still look to represent you. The history of Converse is one of growth as the world changed, as people who love each other can barely wait to do when they get married. These shoes hold the same promises as the adventure your marriage is about to embark on: comfort, excitement, action, individuality, and soul. Converse is no longer just for the show Happy Days, but for your happy day!









For more Converse fun:

Converse Create - For all your Converse creating needs.
Sneakerhead - More on the history of Converse
The Budget Savvy Bride - Incorporating Converse into your budget
The Ocean Side Bride - Ideas for the Converse for the groom.

Katie and Justin Rocked their e-session! Part I

E-sessions require a mix between acting and dancing on the part of the couple, while some directing on the part of the photographer. Coming from a photojournalism background, I just wish that everything fell into place and sometimes it does better than others. Justin and Katie fell into their parts perfectly and required little direction from me, that's the way I like it. Not only did they just go with the flow, but Katie was outright surprising me left and right. I had trouble keeping up with her sometimes!



I love places with some culture, so I suggested the spongedocks in Tarpon Springs. Before we even started walking, there was this gorgeous mural.





I think these are going to be gifts to their guests ;)







Look what Katie caught!






Definitely one of my favorites!


Katie showed me a few dresses via Twitter that she was thinking about for the e-session. Both were cool, but very dark. She had talked about shopping for a new dress and I told her to definitely go! And just tell everyone your wedding photographer sent you! Have you seen this awesome dress that she came back with. Check out the pattern on the back and that cute bow.



One of the local waiters was posing for us, who am I to deny his 5 minutes of fame. I think Katie told him she's taken!











Remember I mentioned dancing? Katie started doing a little two step when I asked her to get a little closer to her boy.
















One thing I've found is that Katie takes her ice cream seriously!






but I'm sure Justin doesn't mind sharing.




Maybe I was thinking ahead for their Christmas cards when I saw this. Or maybe they send their Save the Date cards out at Christmas. Just a thought...


I think they both have good taste in shoes! Definitely a perfect match.




Oh my gosh these two are so cute!












One time that she surprised me, but I was ready! I think she was happy that the e-session went so well.

After we finished at the Spongedocks, we went to a little park to play with their dogs. In case you missed the photos from that here is Part II.

Here is the entire collection with a few others!


073009 Katie and Justin e-session - Images by Chad Pilster

Katie and Justin e-session get's shocking! Part II

Because at Pilster Photography we believe in doing things different (and because we have an awesome photo to show off!), we are starting with part II of this e-session. After we finished up at the Spongedocks in Tarpon Springs we headed over to this little park where we were meeting up with the parents and the dogs. Apparently the weather we had skirted earlier caught up with us. As we drove to the park we got caught in a heavy rain. It finally let up but with some fireworks off in the distance. I amazingly caught this bolt of lightning as they were kissing! How awesome is that?


(Oh, and I have to give some props to my album designer James. I was having some trouble toning the image above and getting it to look right, so I sent it to him. Not does he create awesome album designs, but he also can tone just about anything and make it look spectacular.)

The story of Justin and Katie all started when they were walking their dogs at the dog beach. They started chatting and the magic started, so I felt that we had to do something with the dogs in it. The awesome shoes were all Katie's idea.











Katie asked for a kiss and she got it!



Love these shoes! And you should see the shoes she's wearing on her wedding day!




















Part I coming tomorrow.