Awkward Things You Might Hear Me Say

"I wish the flowers would stop trying to involve me in their love lives."

Actually, I'm usually a bit more graphic about it when I've been sneezing for a few hours, but for today there is rain and the damp keeps the pollen from attacking my face.  Even so, I have been spending the day cleaning cameras like crazy and trying not to feed my Pinterest addiction with yet more frilly wedding photography.  I need to stop drooling over barn and beach weddings until later this spring when I can start shooting them more often, for now I am just focused on building ideas.

I've changed editing programs after my favorite publisher/printer stated hey would no longer be supporting the previous one.  I don't normally use third party "actions" for editing, but there are a few unique ones I adore for this set so it may be a change for the better.  Also, it allows me to reduce the time spent fighting with individual tools because I am obsessive over getting skin, hair and eyes to look ideal in my photography.

On the up-side, I've managed to hear from a number of weddings and our June and July dates are filling up again.  Couples still looking should request their day soon, and those thinking about a 2015 date will get fresh new images in the next few weeks to give them some ideas for their day.

Budgets Are My Bag

So many lovely brides contacting us for late summer and early fall weddings!  Tanya and I are working hard to answer emails and keep planning the shoot for the fall line while I wait for the impending baby to decide they are ready to join us "on the outside".  Add in that the poor husband and I are still looking for a larger place closer to where he is working, and I feel like I have plenty of reasons to "pop" any day now.

Prices have been updated and I need to plug them in this week so you can see the new price lists for all our services.  We're keeping in mind budgets and trying to offer the best over all results based on what has been popular for the last year or two.  My biggest aim is to offer digital galleries and options to allow more clients to share their images with friends and family even if they do not feel an album is part of their needs.

Once again I am sticking to my guns on affordable packages and quality images being the goals, meaning I have taken on the challenge to find ways to keep everything in-house for editing and sourced local printing to keep cost down.  I am proud that for the third year in a row we are set to do everything under $2000 for even our most elaborate package and longest day.

Cupcake Catastrophy

While discussing the baby shower plans for tomorrow a memory popped up that made me wish I had my back-up drive handy today.  I'm working from the laptop while on some doctor ordered bedrest at the moment, so I'll have to pry the pictures out a little later.

Some of the most hilariously perfect photos happen when you are "there for set-up".  I often pop in to the venue on the day of an event and take a look around to get a fast mental image of the where-and-what to expect when we arrive at a reception.  On this particular day I arrived at the same time as the baker and the desert delivery and the ever so cute flower-girl in her sparkly pink and white dress.

Yep... anyone with babysitting or parenting experience can see where this is going...

Part of the delivery of deserts was a tower of beautiful cupcakes and lady-finger treats, all delicately frosted with an array of soft pinks, spring greens, and cheerful blues.  I saw the colors and made a mental note to get some good images of the colors before the reception turned them to crumbs, then headed upstairs to see the bride. 

The bride was lovely and already most of the way through dressing and hair so we had a chance to play with images of the bridesmaids.  We did some lovely images in front of the dressing room mirror and the window to catch the pristine white of her gown.  Just as we were ready to head down to the ceremony site outside, the bride asked where her flower girl was and a frantic search ensued as nobody had kept track.  Like any concerned mom I had a momentary "if that was my kid what would I do" then remembered the last time I had spotted the flower girl and where.

Yes, as you can guess she was mostly safe, though I'm not sure how long it took for her to work off the sugar rush.  Only about ten total cupcakes and cookies were mangled, but the results were slightly hilarious to behold.  Thankfully, the flowergirl, bride, and nervous mom (a bridesmaid so the girl was supposed to be under grandma's watch) were all fine though nothing could be done to save the pretty toddler dress from some very large stains.  What I did get for images were actually quite cute.  Covered in crumbs and frosting, the big grin on that messy little face made an appearance in the wedding album and I remember the bride asking for prints to share with her friend later.  

So what does all this mean to me?  Well, when life gives you cupcakes... MAKE A MESS!

Hotel Shenanigans

As Valentine's Day creeps ever closer I keep wanting to do one big day of shooting to get in as many bookings as possible in a single push to help limit how often I am over extending as the due date for this baby crawls ever closer.  Thankfully, the ever beautiful Tanya has thrown her hat in the ring to pull an event out for all our sultry brides to be and sexy ladies in lingerie!

While I am gearing up with new lens orders for the 2014 wedding season, we are going to do a big day of shooting at a local hotel as well.  The goal will be to book a fancy room that has all those picture perfect elements you know and love about great boudoir.  So girls, are you ready?  Bring your favorite something sexy, have your make-up and hair done by our team, and get your very own session of seductive images to share with your Valentine or yourself.

Dates and location to follow soon.  And a big bonus for one lovely bride to be may just be in the works too!

Cyber Monday

I do about 90% of my holiday shopping online.  I work and edited images from home and spend a good part of my day here at the computer desk while enjoying the chance to be a work-from-home-mother.  This means Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday are big on my "save money by shopping this way" list of budgeting tricks.  So why should you forget to save money on what is already one of the most expensive days of your life?  Yes... I offer Cyber Monday Wedding Deals!

This year I am focused on small weddings and elopements.  They are near and dear to my heart and budget brides should get the chance to be sale loving on every day of the year.  This means my Cyber Monday Special is for small events with deals available on larger bookings.  Note that this can be purchased any time Monday 12/02 - Friday 12/06.

As part of Cyber Monday we are offering a $350 total package for small events and elopements. Couples interested in this type of booking will have three hours of shooting, the top 100 images edited to their personal taste and finished on CD, and a simple press-print album and credit for another edited image CD on a future family photo shoot (ideal if planning on starting a family or interested in having photos with fur babies at the holidays).
 
Those who need a longer time, are looking to include a boudoir sitting, or want to investigate our other packages now offered at 30% off, should continue over to our weddings page.

Winter is Coming

Actually, winter is always coming in this area.  Just about the time the last snow melts, we start doing our job to prepare for next year's storms.  This somehow never manages to dampen my love for snow.  It can be a love/hate relationship at times, but nothing quite compares to watching children and pets play in the pretty white flakes.

Duke is getting older now, he is less about frolicking in the snowbanks and more about finding a soft pile to flop down for a nap, and yet manages to look adorable the whole time.  He reminds me how lovely it can be to enjoy the little things, and with a fair sized storm slated for Wednesday, I am trying to focus on how lovely it will look and not how little I enjoy driving through it for our trip to visit family.

Next comes the fun of winter weddings.  So many brides skip over this season because they cannot see how beautiful it can look or forget that often they will save money because of the off-peak booking which can go into a larger reception or upgrade in honeymoon. 

If you are a winter wonderland bride, congratulations on picking an uncommon season and making the most of the snowy white world!  Jewel tones against fresh snow can look amazing in photos, and I am a sucker for the look of a classic wool pea-coat over a wedding gown.  And don't forget that you can keep that dress off the ground by going with a knee length design and adding some super cute fashionable boots to warm your toes outside and slip on your dancing shoes at the reception.

As always, winter is slow season for many wedding businesses, so you can save with "End of Season Sales" and booking for the year ahead well in advance.  Small business Saturday is on the way too, so keep an eye out for all those discounts and deals where you can.  Because there are fewer events, this is a good time to research and contact vendors if you are the kind to ask a ton of questions, take notes and make use of the time wisely, doing everything in a rush can lead to impulse choices that cost you in the end.

As always, enjoy the snow and the holidays!

Wedding Day Details

 

Last weekend my high school best friend had a small, informal wedding to celebrate her marriage with a great guy.  It was lovely to see her and her bridesmaids in the gowns from our shop, and I am proud I could be a part of helping them celebrate the day.  I have been busy training a new assistant and preparing the final stages of moving out of our "too little" condo so editing has taken a while, but here are some of the cute little details and moments from that day.

New Beginnings

Gowns provided by:
Weddings By Armando

Congratulations to Steven & Lorina Gray.  

It was a beautiful wedding,
and we all wish you a wonderful married life.

Why Boudoir?

Boudoir can be intimidating for many reasons; personal image issues with your weight or confidence, the fear that somebody would find the photos or that they will be plastered all over the internet to ruin your reputation, or the misconception that boudoir requires you to be pornographic in some way. Perhaps there is even the feeling that when you hand the finished product to your special somebody that they will be unhappy about the results, or angry that you allowed another person to see you in such an intimate way.

After hearing stories from many of my clients on how this was a huge step outside their comfort zone or how getting their photos back gave them a chance to really see how beautiful they are inside and out, I wanted to share their stories to let you all in on the not-so-secret.

Pamela

A few weeks ago I shared the story of my best friend and her boudoir shoot. She and I were college roommates and have similarly aged toddlers. She is a wonderful person and has a glowing smile, but really never has the chance to shine anymore between her work as a nurse and her work as a mom. I am so pleased she took the time to share her thoughts as her shoot has some of my favorite classic poses.

"Being a mom has given me a very different image of myself an sometimes it overtakes who I feel I am as an individual. For me boudoir was a reminder of that person I am and have always been. It's a way of showing myself I'm not just a mom I'm still woman and that is something to celebrate. It's fun and it's probably outside of a lot of woman's comfort zones (mine included) but the images afterward are incredible it gives you a glimpse of what others see in you not just the physical features."

Tanya

A stay-at-home mother of two that once had some serious self esteem and body image issues, she has had a long road to get to the confident and outspoken woman we see today. I feel blessed to help show off her big, beautiful smile in this surprise sitting done while her husband was out at work. This survivor of a truly unpleasant past is an inspiration for being so confident no matter what her detractors try to say.

"I feel it isn't so much about the modeling as it is about how the woman feels in their own skin. the fact that I have posed for pictures of this fashion says a lot of how I portray myself in my own eyes. Do I have some problem areas that need to be worked on? sure I do! do I have areas that I wish would never see the light of the sun and curse the eyes of others? maybe... but I am who I am, not one single person is going to change that and the ability to be photographed and show that personality, MY personality and my soul and inner being shines through. when I look at any and all pictures taken of me not only do I see body and soul and personality, I also see growth, as a person, and I also see the growth of the photographer. "

Charity

Charity has been featured here on our blog a few times and writes her own thoughts on working as a model in boudoir, fashion and fetish. She is always a pleasure to work with and talk to about many things. I often call Charity when it is time to do a study on poses or for a chance to practice with an experienced and flexible model before working with a client. She is happy to give feedback and honest opinions without overly praising or dragging out a negative when having a bad day. For this reason I respect her thoughts on boudoir as an art form and as a model.

"Boudoir shots for me are all about the setting and the mood. These shots are based on the concept of a lady’s “sitting room” where she would entertain visitors and lovers. They can include nudity and implied nudity but in essence nudity and being scantily clad is not a requirement. Boudoir for me typically uses lingerie and lighting. They can involve props and gloves as well as full body or just an arm."

Writing this and speaking to these ladies has given me the final push to put aside my own insecurities about my health troubles and lingering baby weight. In the coming weeks I will be planning and posing for a new boudoir shoot of my very own. I plan to share some inside images of the process and the results in an up coming blog later in June.

Thank you to every one of my brave and beautiful ladies for sharing this experience with the world. I hope they can inspire you to be brave and believe in your own beauty!  If you are located in the New Hampshire or southern Maine area and would like to book your own boudoir session, please contact our studio for more details.

Toes In The Sand

Saturday was my first beach wedding of the 2013 season.  The bride and groom picked a great spot and made the best of a rainy day to celebrate the start to a whole new life.  I wanted a share a little summary of the day and some of my favorite moments with you all.

Congratulations again on your marriage!

 

 

Spring Portfolio Cleaning

OneWed.com : Spring Green Wedding Shoes

It's spring, time to make my new list of photos I want to get for my portfolio while covering weddings this season.  I always consider the gaps and try to find ways to fill them without missing a moment of a bride's big day and making sure to work with her ideas.  I encourage every bride to build a profile on Pinterest and send a link while we are planning her details so that I can see the thoughts in her planning process and important moments she wants captured. 

This year I am all about the colorful brides.  The weddings I have booked are nontraditional in their color choices and I love that about these brides.  I look forward to picking up an image or two like this with color and class mixed into a different way to salute the wedding rings.  I'm a fan of shoes anyway, so it also feeding into my obsession with those things that cover a girl's toes.  

My other recent obsession is looking up wedding gowns through wholesale brokers online.  I spend a huge amount of time looking at dress designs on wholesale ordering sites to keep an eye on trends in bridal fashion.  I get to figure out if I am looking at a year full of lace or one with beading and bling.  I adore the fun of looking at lace and long flowing lines but short and flirty can be a welcome change as I book with modern brides.

I love the color and spark in this dress from MLtailor.com.  The flower detail on the waist is not my personal style, but is one of the better executions on a fabric flower that I have seen in the last few weeks.  Normally, I am also not a huge fan of peachy-pinks, but the blush tone on this is really pretty over the tulle layers in that mermaid gown, a works so well with the backdrop they selected for this shoot.  It all reminds me of spring!

Finally, I really want to play with perspective again this year.  I have a few ideas of what will work for poses, and now I just need to book enough weddings to keep up with them.  As of now, July is almost all open for bookings and one June weekend is un-filled.  I am looking to take elopements as well as large events to keep giving my all to couples on a budget for their day.  Remember to check out the new portfolio at www.AkelisStudios.com as well!

Beautiful Bride

Five years ago I was a bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding.  I remember helping her into her dress and braiding everybody's hair when the stylist canceled at the last minute and only called about two hours before the ceremony was supposed to start.  It no longer fits, but the dress I wore is still in my closet and reminds me of that day.

After five years of marriage, my college roommate finally made the choice to do some lovely boudoir as a gift for her hubby.  Taking advantage of the fact that five years and two children later she still fits her gown, she brought it along and we told a wonderful story.

Thank you so much for being an amazing friend!

Bridal Boudoir 2013

I so enjoy my work.  I get to spend time with wonderful people, see the beauty in every one of them, and show them a little of that beauty as well.

I am in the process of making a new gallery display for the Akelis Studios website and today made a nice start for the boudoir collection.  This is a recolor of one of my favorites.  The look was so strong even with her eyes closed that I could hardly resist the chance to play with this shot.

Production Begins

Today is about the creative process of gowns.  This process all starts with an idea, usually one that pops into my head without warning just as I am trying to close my eyes for bed. Once they are in there I write them down and go back to it later for sketching.  I often peruse wedding gown catalogs and websites to make sure I am not copying something already on the market then go with modifications to really make it a custom design and be sure I am not copying a designer unfairly.

May favorite inspiration comes from classical art and walking around fabric mills when I get the chance.  Letting the lace or chiffon run through my hands allows me to think about how I want to sculpt with it.  

In general my work seems to have a tendency toward dropped waist and mermaid or trumpet gowns at the moment because that is the style I prefer for myself.  There is a theme of heavy lace detail and minimal beading but a little touch of feminine charm in each with a simple floral cap or lace edged veil and gloves.  

In the next few days I will make final choices on the fabrics to begin testing my concepts in the real world.  I have the ever wonderful Fox Affect working on a design for a headband.  She has an amazing eye for crystals and lace, far more skillful than I could ever hope to be with my clumsy photographer fingers. We have known each other since 2003 when we attended college together, and share a good deal of mutual weirdness.  This makes communication of otherwise very strange ideas about design much more simple.

I expect that production will start fairly soon on the first elements, and we can begin to the fruits of all this effort.  Until that point, I will share a few more rough sketches with my chicken scratch notes along the edges.

Weddings By Armando Model Search Applications

Nemo has come and gone.  We survived two days of snow that far surpassed all previous records in our area meant three days snowed in with the family.  We have dug ourselves out and dove back to Valentine's Day insanity as usual. 

Nemo's snow at our front door.

I clock in hours with my camera, at my regular part-time job at the cosmetics store, and a third batch of hours at a local florist shop handling their customer service lines for phone orders.  That means this Saturday was the first chance I had to look at my computer for myself.  Today's list of things to do starts with posting  applications for our modeling campaign that people have been waiting for...

The application is simple, but I wanted to remind everybody to go back to the previous entry and read over our categories for models and select carefully.  Remember that we only have a few spots open, and will be selecting those that best fit our needs for this round.  If you don't get chosen, we do keep people in mind when we know a fun shoot might be coming up that they would be perfect for in the future.

Once you have the required images and information, please send your application via email and we will store it until we start the selection process on the 1st of March.  

Please refer to this chart when taking measurements to submit in your application:

(Bust, Waist, Hip, Arm, Hollow to Hem,  Skirt Length)

WEDDINGS by ARMANDO Model Application

FULL NAME:

HAIR COLOR:

EYE COLOR:

SECTION(S) APPLIYING FOR:

DO YOU WEAR MAKE-UP OFTEN:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG FROM A MOVIE & WHY:

SHOULD COMIC BOOK SUPER HEROES BE REQUIRED TO REBUILD OR PAY
FOR DAMAGES DONE WHEN THEY ARE DEFEATING A VILLAIN:

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY HAIR & EYE COLOR WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE:

WHY DO YO THINK YOU WOULD ROCK AS A MODEL FOR WBA:

PLEASE INCLUDE THE MEASUREMENTS SHOWN ON THE CHART ABOVE FOR OUR REFERENCE WHEN CONNECTING A MODEL WITH THEIR CLOTHING SIZE. ALSO INCLUDE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF REFERENCE IMAGES (2 HEADSHOTS, 2 FULL BODY IMAGES, 1 BACK VIEW) . ALL IMAGES SUBMITTED MUST BE OF THE APPLICANT ONLY AND BE CLOTHED.

Weddings By Armando 2013 Models

Because every body is unique and every bride has her own style, we are looking for real women to model our 2013 line of gowns.  You can be married, engaged, or even single; we just want girls willing to but their best face forward and help us show off the beauty in every bride. 

We are looking for two men and five women that fit one or more of the following catagories we will showcase with our spring line for 2013:

1. Healthy Curves -  If you have a rocking body that doesn't fit the size 2 cookie cutter of the bridal boutique world this is you time to shine! We do need models here to be at least 5' 6'' and comfortable in heels.
2. Petite - Not a tall drink of water but still have curves that rock? We may still need your help.  We would like to work with at least one model willing to show her legs.  Again, comfort in heels is a must, as is a winning smile the captures the focus.
3. The Un-Bride -  If your covered in tattoos, have hair that makes old ladies stare, and want to show that even unusual looks can work at a wedding, we agree with you 100%.  Models for this section may be asked to supply shoes based on the looks chosen so prepare to wear something fun.  Couples interested in posing together for this section would be compensated with additional final images.  
4. Classic Wedding - Have the model look that every woman wants?  Well we want you too.  While we love all our full figured gals, there are some dresses that look awesome on lighter bodies.  In this case you'll need to be able to walk, pose, maybe even dance in heels and if possible we would like a model with hair below the shoulder.  This is the collection most up for scrutiny because we have had previous models show interest.  We may choose more than one person for this group and split the looks based on what looks better on each person.  
5. Ladies In Love - We are looking for a same sex couple willing to share the love of their relationship for our fantastic new complementing looks line.  This will have one gown and one pant-suit in each look and both partners will be asked to sit with our hair and make-up team.  Partners should be comfortable with their choice of partner being public, and be willing to have these images shared at events or online in our advertising where they could be seen by the public. 
6. Gentlemen - You lucky dogs.  Our needs are far less strict though you will need to be willing to wear everything from a tux to informal attire for a more laid-back event.  We do ask that males be prepared with black dress socks and formal shoes (no sneakers or loafers).  Guys will need to be available for multiple days or longer shoot times to work with models from different collections. 

Ready to join the fun?  Then you will need to prepare the following photos and answer some questions.
We will be accepting applications  February 15th - 25th

1. Two Headshots - at least one should be with no make-up or digital editing and straight to the camera.
2. Full Body - head to toe in everyday clothes and a formal look if possible.  These must be clothed, all applications with nudes will be deleted without consideration.
3. Back View - Full or 3/4 view of you from the back.  Wedding gowns are all about the train!

Step-By-Step: Design to Dress

 

Going from sketch to gown is a long process.  Having a one of a kind dress is a dream fewer brides can enjoy with tight budgets and the massive numbers of off the rack gowns.  Fewer shops offer the chance to sit with a designer and really discuss ideas on what would be perfect for that one special day.

This is one of four new sketches starting the 2013 Spring/Summer season for Weddings By Armando.  Updates on how this beauty will go from thoughts, to sketch, to being ready for a walk to the alter will be available in future updates.  Until that point our new quest for models to participate in our 2013 search continues.  Plus size, same sex couples, and anyone wanting to have a chance at being a model for a day should keep track of our updates on facebook and apply as soon as we open the information. 

Until then, we are working on big website updates, new dress designs, and a wonderful winter trash the dress idea for snowy brides to get some ideas for fun photos in the frosty outdoors!

A Little Sneeky Peek

Winter and I usually get along just fine, but today it seriously made me sad panda.

I'm a jogger when the opportunity is there.  I say when, because if you are familiar with a typical Maine winter you will understand that it is not always an option.  Our condo is lovely, but not at all large enough to house exercise equipment more extensive than my Wii Fit.  I waiting until the baby was napping, hooked up my infant monitor with the awesome radius that allows me to get to the end of the road (about a half mile) without loss of signal and headed out the door.  I got to then end of my drive way before landing firmly on my backside thanks to our recent melt-freeze cycle that has been making this area it's pet project.

That meant trading jogging time for logging in to more wedding websites and working on the 2013 campaign for elopements and weddings.  Bookings have started to pick up a bit and I find myself hopeful that adding in two new services will expand on that growth.  The bigger of these two factors is that we will be launching an option for brides to work with our exclusive seamstress to design a one-of-a-kind gown to go with their one-of-a-kind day!  

This seamstress has over thirty years professional experience and a passion for rich fabrics paired with figure flattering designs.  She has done everything from prom gowns and wedding design to approved regiment garments for reenactments presenting battles from the American Revolution.  She has owned and operated a costume design company for over ten years specializing in beautiful designs for children.  And finally, she did the detail work on all of the gowns this budding photographer wore through her early years and in high school.  Yes, she was even the skilled hand for fitting wedding gowns for my closest friends, bridesmaid gowns I have worn, and my own wedding gown.  I am talking of course about the fact that I am now employing the seamstress services of Diane Martell... the person my son calls "Namma" and I call "Mom".

We have both been budget brides and planned our events in a limited schedule.  When she and my father held their wedding they announced their engagement and set out the details so quickly her family was shocked.  We both believe in getting things done the right way first and making sure that services match the price, but that a couple should not have to spend themselves into a lifetime of debt for one day.  From finding unusual venues for a wonderful price, to planning a special surprise with the DJ to make the father of the bride sniffle when he dances with his little girl... we work as a team to bring out the best in a big day.  And we do it because the strongest force in the 'verse is LOVE!

Check in soon for more updates with Diane's designs, our adventures in planning the wedding of a close friend for this summer, and more amazing news about our contacts with officiants and other vendors through the newest part of the Akelis Studios family:

Make Overs Make Me Sick

About as girlie as I get,
and this is mixed media paint/photo.

I am not now, nor have I ever been particularly girlie.  I have never hand a professional manicure or pedicure in my life.  The last time my hair was touched by a trained professional was in the summer of 2009 when I cut and donated a large portion of it.

It is not that I dislike the idea of a make-over or being pretty.  I am a fan of well finished hair and make-up and have taken years working to achieve a signature look that I can complete with little to no extra effort.  I even have a "mundane" job for extra income that involves selling skin-care and make-up products.  I take my hair color choices seriously, and I now use strictly henna dye for health and beauty reasons.

That said... I am not a fan of excessive tanning, heavily made-up faces, or a highly altered look plastered with the label "beauty".  I see this kind of thing from the point of view of a person who then has to spend time correcting skin tones, the odd look of running make-up, or generally working to fit a false standard when looking at their photography.  Most often, I see this is terms of working with brides, because white does not help skin tone to look it's best and requires some careful metering to make sure it is not blown out with poor lighting already.

What I say here is just a suggestion for brides and anyone else looking to have important events documented in the near (or not so near) future:

1. LESS IS MORE:
   
   I know I sound like a broken record here, but it will continue to be a valid point for the rest of eternity!  Keep your make-up fairly simple.  Stay true to the kind of look you achieve every day or perhaps on date-nights.  You want to look like the lovely woman he fell for when you look into his eyes and hear him say I do.
   
   
2. THE EYES HAVE IT:
   
   Perhaps take your time to focus on having eyebrows shaped and finished and do a smokey eye using those neutrals to keep the attention on your sparkling baby blues (or browns, or greens in my case). If you are a neutrals girl, stay in that realm and work it up a notch or two buy using a black mascara and liner in place of brown.  Drawing the attention to your gaze can make for some beautiful photography in either a cathedral veil or a petite bird-cage.
   
   
3. TEST EVERYTHING: 
   
   When you hire a make-up artist, or if you re going the road alone, you should be certain to plan a date to test out your concept.  This is standard practice for most professionals to book, but there is another step I suggest. 
   
   Get a digital or disposable camera and once you find a look you think will work, take a bunch of photos in different light.  What looks lovely under staged lighting at the salon might not hold up out in the full glare of a sunny day.  You need to know if you will have to re-apply or fix smudges for an outdoor event. 
   
   
4. EVERYBODY CRIES AT WEDDINGS:
   
   Bring a bottle of fake tears (eye drops) to test how much it might run when you do what we all do and start weeping at the alter while you say your vows. If you are doing your own make-up, check out Sephora or other make-up counters and see what they suggest if you know you're a teary eyed bride.  It took me forever to find a truly waterproof mascara in a brown shade, so let your artist know if that is a concern for you too!

This is a short list of a few of the things I suggest when preparing for your big day.  It is a ton to think about when you are looking at layers of white gowns, billions of floral arrangements and color choices, and thinking about your hair and make-up.  Remember that you are getting married and will have these photos forever.  Think about the fact that in twenty years you will be showing them to your kids and want to look at them and see the genuine joy in your face.

Good Bye To 2012

Hell to a happy 2013!

The holidays are gone, and I cannot say I am sad to see them fade into memory.  I always feel drained after Christmas and this year was no exception.  By the time Christmas day arrives I have been covering so many holiday parties and weddings, that I write "sleep" on the top of my list each year when family asks what I want.

With the trees no longer covered in lights it is time for planning the next big holiday for photography... this time for adults!  I am talking here about Valentine's Day. 

Boudoir is always a popular gift for that special somebody and this time of year just increases that focus.  This year I am going to work on planning boudoir sessions without having to drag a ton of equipment out for each shoot.  I am working on changes in how I light and draw focal lines so that everything can be done with just a simple standing light and portable flash.  My ideal would be to have a set-up that can be set or packed in under 5 minutes and prepared to shoot at any location.

I also count this as my time to start focusing on bookings for late spring weddings.  These brides tend to book a little later in their planning and I want to make sure they are not ignored.  Being a budget bride and knowing how hard it can be to plan an elopement without feeling that you have nothing to share... I will be rolling out new offers for small events.

Keep an eye out for the announcement of new packages.  The goal is to produce three new ofers that can work for couples planning a weekend get-away elopement, all the way to the grand bash that every princess dreams about for her wedding day.