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.

Married Go Round Photography

Please remember that if you like the work on any of these photos, you should look up the studios responsible - each is one I have seen work from and found something I enjoy; all are listed so that you can find them for your event.  

 
Now that I have had a few days to goof off ... it is time to get back to that list I gave you the other day.  Today I am going to cover the ones that will have a special place in my own wedding album. And I'll start with something that can become a disaster so quickly it almost hurts.

Photo Credit:  Ampersand Photography

My wedding gown is hanging in what was once my bedroom at my mother's house across town. At some point fairly soon I will take a few photos of it so details and those lovely “lonely gown” shots can begin the album I will someday build for my wedding photos. I think the biggest part is making sure that the whole scene is carefully planned and executed. My own plan involves a tribute to my grandfather since he had such an impact on my life.

There are a number of fantastic things I have taken but still get that fluttering thrill every time I line up the shot and click the shutter.  The thought put into what I will do before this shot happens is one of those drawn out moments that makes my stomach clench.  There is a little fear that it will not manage to live up to what is in my head, but I cannot wait to see it.

The sequence I have in mind for my wedding actually includes some other great elements that I adore, an idea of childhood memories. One version of this I love is done through use of the rope swing. It is that kind of childhood or celebration salute that blends right into the next style that I adore; though my choice of childish prop is a bit more massive. For that reason I plan on letting it have a starring role in the images of myself and my bridal party.

Photo Credit:  Akelis Studios

I adore my bridesmaid. She is one of the most amazing souls I have ever had the privilege to encounter in my life. We share so much, so many laughs and tears, and I cannot imagine how I could ever go without her at my wedding. The thrill of getting my beautiful best friend to model her ruby red gown for her own portraits in that album is something I am looking forward to greatly. For her I have this image in my head of sitting on one of the lavish painted horses that decorate the classic carousel I most covet.

Yes, I am going to have my bridal portraits on a carousel!

Photo Credit:  Akelis Studios

The goal is for both of us to take a ride along with our children – all boys – and take some perfect mommy moment photos we can share with our kids as they get older. I want to have that moment with the breeze brushing back my veil and those sweet moments with the boy. Eventually we will add in my husband, our best man and his two children, and our other groomsmen. The idea of a wonderful riot of color around my husband and I as we kiss on the spinning ride is something I have held in my head for years.

I adore the colors and lights, the carnival feeling, that matches the lively party I want for our wedding day. Something between a mad-hatter tea party and the country festival from Mary Poppins is what I have in mind for our reception. We'll have tea-pot center pieces, lemony finger cakes, and my steampunk details for the slightly science fictional side that happens in everything my loving nerd man encounters.

And speaking of the men... how about those manly details that should really get some photographic love? I'm a sucker for those awesome socks. I love those bright color statement things, most of all the ones that match the bride's bright shoes. Who says the girls get all the fun photos anyway.. just because they might all be secret shoe addicts does not mean you have to let them have all the fun either.

Knot.com Image  (photographer not listed) 
(If you are the photographer, please comment below so I can add your credit)

Pick something fun and go with it guys. I secretly dread the photos that will appear when my husband and his friends get their turn with the camera. I foresee a Dungeons & Dragons game theme since we are all gamers that ran table top back in the days before my pregnancy. I was thinking about ordering dice for the groomsmen as a thank you, so they could well appear at some point.

Photo Credit:  Simply Southern Photography

Don't just let your bride hog the spot light with her girls. Take some time and really think about what you share with your buddies. Would you be the guys walking down the train tracks for that “almost an album cover” look to your photos? Perhaps you are military men looking to salute your days in the service. Or are you Star Wars nerds that want to have a light saber duel on the steps of your venue? If you do have that battle, make sure you remember your Padawan training and give the camera a great show!

Speaking of stairs, I love brides or the stairs. Oh, and photographers, make sure that you consider those stairs for the couple as well. They make such a wonderful setting for those scattered groups or large parties that need to fit neatly in a shot without being a panoramic image.

Photo Credit: Fairy Godmother Weddings

Even if all you have is a more modern and slightly dim stairwell, you may be surprised to see what a fantastic shot can be achieved. The fun angles, sharp lines, and extreme shadows that occur there make for a very striking backdrop when the subject is such an elegantly outfitted subject. More romantic styles can be achieve by adding rose petals or soft editing to enhance the glow of marble or mahogany.

They can give such a fun element to the moments before walking down the aisle or getting dressed. This particular shot brings to mind the White Rabbit and his “I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!” as the bride runs for the alter. Perhaps it is the clock tower on the right side, but I actually adore the fairy tale element it calls to mind.

The grandeur and scale here leads me to the last of my favorite styles that will appear tonight, and the style I love shooting. I am talking about the distortion and scale of an amazingly framed image. The uncompromising shot that has you looking up a Gothic church or down a long row of trees in a woodland path. The kind of image that makes the backdrop outweigh the couple and still manages to tell a story.

I have chosen a venue which lends to this style of image. The beauty and grandeur of the backdrop captures the eye without quite over powering the figures so long as they are dynamically posed. Remember that the key there is having a dynamic pose! Go for the drama of a dipped kiss or wait for a strong breeze to catch the bride's veil in a long gust. Remember that man made structures are not the only setting for something of this sweeping strength. Perhaps a combination of thunderstorms and romance is more they style of your wedding, but there needs to be some “movement” in the image to capture the attention, but it will bring about a wonderful result that will certainly not disappoint.

Photo Credit:  Club Corp.

Dancing In The Rain

Please remember that if you like the work on any of these photos, you should look up the studios responsible - each is one I have seen work from and found something I enjoy; all are listed so that you can find them for your event.  

I intended to make a post about building a home gallery, but I have not had time to do sufficient work on the visual aids, so that will be delayed until a later time.  Tonight I will tell you about the images I would love to capture, and perhaps have taken of myself if ever I feel satisfied with my weight loss and to ever allow anyone to take my photo again.  This will involve items from other photographers who's work I adore, and a discussion about changes I would make or things it makes me think about while reading.

While preparing for my marriage I thought about what I wanted to look like even at our tiny legal ceremony.  I knew that there was forecast for rain and that I would still look like I had at about five months pregnant.  My mother and I went dress shopping and I settled on a knee length dress in white cotton eyelet and bright pair of rain boots with matching umbrella.  this plays right into one of my favorite kinds of wedding photography... rainy day photos!

Photo Credit: www.elizabethannedesigns.com

I adore the kind of people that don't let those moments ruin their day... the ones that go out of their way to make the most of it are even better.  They make shooting so much fun because they don't let the uncontrolled moments get them down.  They go with it and get some amazing photos even though the weather might just be out of control. 

Photo Credit: Scott Zuehlke Photography

The same goes for snow days and winter brides.  The women who risk a blizzard on their big day are my heroes!  I also adore the girls who go for wintery wedding coats over their gowns. If a coat isn't your thing, mittens can be such a classy addition that can really make the winter feeling read even in snow-less moments.  I am also a fan of seeing poinsettias in wedding bouquets, perhaps because I feel they just don't get the love they should for being such bold flowers.

Dressing for inclement conditions was a part of my considerations for my wedding gown this year because we risked a serious chill by planning an outdoor event on the coast in hurricane season.  I even had to trade open toe shoes for boots my freshman year of high school when we had a dusting of snow on prom night in early May... but that kind of hazard is par for the course in what my nerdy friends and I refer to as living "Beyond The Wall".

Padmé Amidala as played by Natalie Portman in
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Hooded Wedding Gowns may be the most beautiful thing in the world.  I believe I am biased here because my own mother made her own wedding gown with a simple, flattering hood.  I could not find a copy of any of her wedding photos so I will go with a well known hooded wedding gown from one of my favorite movie series.

I am not a massive fan of the heavy embroidery and beading that make this hood appear cumbersome, but the flow of the lace is lovely and highly complements the flowing twists of hair.  I suppose using a Star Wars reference while writing about weddings solidifies my nerd status in a new way.  That aside, this does prove my feeling that hoods make for a lovely detail and perfect opportunity to take the face framing shot that the bride will want to keep forever as a token of her special day.

I am a lover of the image that comes from one of the rare moments that standing square to the lens can complement the bride.  Hoods allow for an ideal cover over shoulder which otherwise might appear bulky so brides can give the full force of direct eye contact without the downside of looking like a linebacker.  The elegant gesture of your ring hand holding the edge carefully away as though lowering the hood for a kiss can be a fantastic way to show the new jewelry.

Photo Credit: Jeff Stone

The next image is really something for the groom.  If anything speaks to the masculine element in a wedding it is the fantastic photography of that sexy car that carries the couple away to start their new life together.  For emphasis on the sexy car moment I had to refer to male friends on mine and gauge their level of drooling over several beautiful autos but it came down to what they felt best told a man's story.  I think it was all the more awesome that this car happened to match the wedding colors perfectly.

Personally, I am waiting for next summer when a close friend of mine is having her own wedding.  There has been discussion of her having a fire truck as the wedding vehicle as a salute to her husband's years on the fire department and work as an EMT.  Their ceremony is taking place in the hay field of his family's dairy farm and gives me hundreds of ideas for fun photos with a tractor.  I feel a tractor would be a perfect prop since she and actually met at an agricultural college where we were both in a program centered on equine science.  I want to see the bride enjoying her day and make use of perspective to get something much like this shot from a senior photography session back in May.

Akelis Studios Photography

For the moment I am going to stop the list here.  There are many more things I cannot wait to try, but this was only meant to be a little taste of what I have in my head as an artist.  Brides looking to book and willing to try any of these are welcomed to contact me so that we can discuss their vision.  My job is to please the client first, meaning that your needs come before my artistic dreams.