Sneak Peek: Frank + Peggy

This past weekend we had a blast at Frank and Peggy's wedding! The church had beautiful natural light during the ceremony which made for some stunning images. The reception was so much fun. How can you go wrong with cutting the cake with a saber, a pair of panties under the garter (which ended up on Frank's head, ha!) and and room full of loving friends and family. Enjoy the sneak peek below by clicking on the image to take you to the slideshow... more to come!

Dress Decisions?

So, you are engaged. You have set your date. booked your venues and your photographer. Now is the time to find that PERFECT dress!


Some ladies are lucky to have an eye for that type of thing. Some know exactly what they want since they have envisioned it since they were a little girl. However, some of us really had no idea what looked good on them, much less what they were interested in. I was definitely one of the latter.

After 150+ weddings, I have come to develop a few ideas, theories, and tips from the photographers point of view that might help you when finding your gown.

• Keep in mind the time of year and location that you are getting married- If you are getting married indoors and do not want any outdoor photos at all, then you really don't need to worry about much. However, most brides at least want some outdoor images if the weather is cooperating. If you are getting married in the summer, in an area that has HOT weather, you need to realize that many dresses are very heavy and thick. Not to mention they are usually tight and don't leave much room to "breathe" or "air out." I recommend not doing outdoor ceremonies in the dog days of summer (especially here in GA), however, if you are dead set on an outdoor event, try to get a dress that is light and airy. The more layers you have, the hotter and more miserable you may be. Also, help out your bridal party by picking out shorter cocktail length dresses for the ladies.
  
• Train or No Train- A long flowing train is beautiful. It flows behind you when you walk down the aisle leaving all your guests in awe. However, if you plan on large wedding parties, know that your train will not be showcased in all of your images. Of course, you will have the images of you alone and of your and your new husband with the train shown in all it's glory, but you will have to have it tucked behind you for large group shots in many cases so that everyone fits in. Also, a long train needs to be bustled before your reception. I have seen, on more than one occasion, the bustle break from he weight of a heavy train. The bride had to hold her dress with one hand all night! If you love that long train look, as I do, I recommend having your seamstress add a few extra hooks or buttons for the bustle just in case.
  
• Color Traditions- Now white, off white, cream, etc, are only some of the color choices you have available to you. I have seen so many beautiful gowns with accent belts, beads and trimming in every color under the rainbow. Obviously it works best when you coordinate with your flowers and bridal party dresses. You can be creative and really stand out just by adding a little color.
• Tight Budget- If you, like many brides, are on a budget, spend time looking around. Visit a couple of the larger Bridal chains but also visit some of the mom and pop shops. If you spend a little while looking, chances are you will find a great deal. If you have awhile before your wedding day, keep an eye out for sales. David's Bridal usually has a $99 sale once a year (near November). Also attend Filene's Basement "Running of the Brides" event (this year it was in March). It is alot of work but if you take a couple of your bridesmaids and have a solid plan, you will all have a blast and save a ton of cash! Who said it has to be expensive? If you love how you look in it, who cares?
• Who to bring- This seems like a no-brainer to some people. Bring someone whose opinion you really appreciate. Bring your mother, sister, aunt, best friend, anyone! However, make sure they will give you an HONEST opinion. On your wedding day, they are supposed to keep you calm and tell you how beautiful you look (which will be 100% true by the way!) but during dress shopping, they need to be ready to tell you if something just doesn't look right on you.

Once you find your dress, you will open the bag 1000 times just to look at it. It is such an exciting part of the planning process! Feeling like you look absolutely breath-taking will ease the stress on your big day. Not to mention how you will feel when your husband looks at you for the first time... he will be speechless.

Breathe in....Breathe out....

We know many of our brides are super busy with the whole planning process. One thing you need to remember is to take time for yourself and RELAX!!! This should be a time of excitement and not a time of constant stress. Here are a few tips Courtesy of ARA Content and Nina Callaway, at About.com that may help you find a "zen" moment.

* Plan ahead with your hair stylist. A month before the wedding, meet with your stylist to discuss color and styling ideas. Bring a picture of your dress, your wedding headpiece and some pictures of cuts you like. This way you will avoid the stress of last minute decisions about your hair.

* When you’re stressed out, you’ll want to avoid caffeine, chocolate and alcohol – those foods that are easy to reach for, but only increase your stress level. Make sure to drink lots of water and try to eat more vegetables which will help keep your system clear. (This will also help you make sure you fit in that dress perfectly on your wedding day!)

* Go on a ten minute walk in the middle of your day to appreciate nature and architecture. Avoid thinking about anything wedding related, and instead focus on what you’re seeing and how nice it feels to be outside. You’ll come back in far more able to deal with what’s going on.

A Wonderful Article

We found this article and just had to share it. It is chock full of good information!

10 Reasons Professional Photographers Charge What They Do

By Lori Osterberg

10. Professional photographers are in business, and as a business, need to make a profit. Because they make it their career, they dedicate themselves to becoming the best they can be, and share that knowledge with their clientele.

9. Professional photographers have to buy professional equipment. Nope, they don't just pick up a point-and-shoot from Wal-Mart and declare themselves a professional. They spend thousands upon thousands of dollars getting multiple camera bodies, the finest lenses, flash equipment for every situation, tripods, light stands, backdrops, props, carrying and storage cases. And then when you think you have it all - you need to get backups for everything to make sure you never miss an image.

8. Professional photographers continue their education, and learn as much as they can about the business. They join groups like Professional Photographers of America or the National Press Photographers Association. They attend seminars and training by some of the best names in the business. They concentrate on becoming the best they can be.

7. Professional photographers don't just snap a picture, they create a photograph. They understand positioning. They understand lighting. They understand placement. You're not just paying for the ability to place a finger on the trigger and snap a picture. You're paying for the years of experience it took to create the perfect image.

6. Professional photographers can spend hours producing one professional photograph. Time can include:

• creating the marketing
• answering emails and phone calls
• meeting with the client to talk about the event
• setting up for the event
• drive time to and from the event
• time for the actual photographing
• running to and from the lab
• meeting with the client for previews and decisions
• processing the image
• retouching the image
• mounting the image
• framing the image
• packaging the image
• dropping off final images
• production work
• follow up work

Add it all up, and you can see why one portrait session may include hours worth of work. It's impossible to stay in business if you only make a few pennies per client.

5. Professional photographers have to be more than photographers. They have to be CEOs and marketers, and bankers, and salespeople, and production workers, and janitors, and buyers, and negotiators, and networkers, and drivers, and organizers. And photographers. That's a lot of skills for one person to master.

4. Professional photographers will do it all. Want to get married at the top of a 14,000 foot high mountain, where the only way up is a 30 minute ski-lift ride? A professional photographer will be there. Want a portrait running through the waves on a Southern California beach? A professional photographer will be there.

3. Professional photographers aren't just order takers, they provide total customer service. Professionals photograph dozens or even hundreds of clients a year. They understand what looks good, how to put together albums, and how to group multiple photographs together. Their goal is to provide you with what you need and what's best for you - not just have you sign on the dotted line.

2. Professional photographers watch for the newest, most innovative, creative products available. They stay up to date on industry news, and find things that perfectly match their clients taste. They don't try and fit you into something you don't like - they find out what you want and search the world over for the perfect things. They are the professional.

1. Professional photographers have the knowledge and the skill to make you look the best you can be. I can buy a hammer for a few dollars at the hardware store. Yet I spent hundreds of dollars for a handyman to repair my deck. I can buy a needle and thread for a few dollars at the fabric store. Yet I spent over $100 on alterations at a local tailor. It's not about the tools; it's about the outcome.

Sure, anyone can buy a camera and take a picture. You can head down to your local discount store, wait several hours and have a minimum wage clerk place you on an X and snap a few pictures. But they can't get what a professional can get. They won't concentrate on expressions. They won't advise you on outfits and locations. They won't provide 110 percent customer service. You won't get a professional portrait.

Isn't it time to see a professional?