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!

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 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.

It Figures

Photographer Credit  :  Akelis Studios Photography
Model Credit  :  Black Lizzie

Tonight will be a lesson in working with a fabulous curvy figure for bridal and classic boudoir!

I am not a size four.  Actually, since becoming pregnant with my son, I have gained weight and topped out at an uncomfortable size 16 shortly before giving birth.  I am back down to a slightly more tolerable weight and becoming comfortable with the permanent changes around my stomach and hips.  This leads me to some insecurities in my clothing choice and understanding when talking with boudoir clients about heir own bodies.

Tonight I want to discuss how boudoir can be even more wonderful when you have truly womanly curves to play with as you pose.  Hips should have a sway and legs ending in heels do much to make that happen.  But if you are a tall woman looking for the classic "poses on the bed" style of boudoir, there are great ways to primp and pose.  Remember to inform your photographer of what areas you are uncomfortable showing and work with them to plan how to show the parts you adore.

Most of all, make sure you choose bold colors.  Lingerie colors are a fantastic way to complement a figure or hide something you want to avoid.  Blues and purples dial up the most amazing view because they draw focus and accentuate the eyes of the subject in their own way.

And finally, I suggest that the most beautiful thing you can wear is your confidence.  I rarely take implied nude or true nudes when shooting. The fact that not all clients are confident being so exposed is something that makes very good sense.  Respecting their wishes means finding a ton of fun poses and ways to express seduction and beauty without ever having to remove a single stitch of silk or lace.  But for those brave enough to bare it all... remember that coy and confident women each have a charm all their own.

Beyond what you wear, how you pose can be the best line of defense against having nothing you like out of a boudoir session.  Each photographer will have their own unique shooting and editing style, but some will even have a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to posing for your shape. My model for this set of examples has a wonderful pear-shape and uses it to her advantage.

One hint I do have for everyone nervous about people seeing "too much" is to remember that when a photographer lines up, you have the right to ask if everything is covered properly.  It seems basic, but taking just a moment to ask can make sure you like the look and reduce their work in post production.  This goes for busty women worried about a little too much hanging out when they tilt forward AND for the girls worried about anything unsightly peeking out from under a skirt.

If your photographer "shoots from above" they can complement wider pear and hourglass shapes with the right tilt.  This leads to the eye naturally flowing from the face to the cleavage, but can also put fun angles to use.  I refer here to the image above with our model in the sapphire selection; take a good look at how her legs and hands are placed.  If you bring the palm placement closer to the knee and shrug the shoulders up and forward, this pinches the chest to add cleavage.  If you bring the camera down and to one side, this becomes a great pose to complement an apple shape by focusing on eyes and lips over a coy shoulder shrug.  As it is currently posed, there is something inviting yet almost masculine about it, giving a fierce tone and showing off the bold choice of wrist accent.

Suggestion number two is one I keep as a pose for every client because of how it relaxes the face and neck.  I am talking here about the pose to the left, with legs up straight against a wall or crossed and knees bent on the bed, hanging the hair and top of head off of the bed or pose platform.  We naturally focus here on eyes, but by standing upright the photographer can play up curvy hips and stems.  I have this pose in several forms, but chose to change it here to show off shoes which match the eyes and add a touch of the "something blue" for our wedding theme.  Remember to narrow your profile by bringing arms in and bending elbows and wrists slightly.  Keep lips in a soft pout and give the camera eye contact to keep your viewer interested.

Finally, I refer here to the image at the very top.  Face it, a perfect way to make any album lovely is to keep it simple.  I could zoom in here and crop down to a headshot without the beauty of the model being lost.  She is not nude here, but the lack of lingerie is implied (hence the term)by the positioning of a prop.  This pose can also be done without the implied nude element if shapely details of clothing design are used.
 

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.