Ashley & Casey

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Ashley and Casey Donovan were my first wedding of 2012.  They were a super-fun couple at their engagement shoot back in early December so I knew the wedding was going to be just as fun.  As I posted to Facebook when I got home, it’s not a fun wedding until someone spills beer on you.  Nasty as that sounds, it means everyone was dancing up a storm and having a great time.  I want to wish Ashley and Casey much love and happiness.

 

 

Vendor Information:

Dress and shoes: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid’s dresses: David’s Bridal
Mens ware: J Ferar from JC Penny’s.  Shirts and ties from Express
Hair: Shear Inspriation’s in ConwayMakeup: Kandid Scott did my makeup for wedding.
Cake- Stephanie Meadow.
Music: Jared Haney.
Invites/programs: GotPrint
Venue and Caterer: Peabody Hotel
Paper lanterns and tissue paper: Oriental Trading

Top 20 Wedding Photography Mistakes

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I read a recent article on The Knot.com about the Top 20 Wedding Photography mistakes.  It’s a compilation from wedding photographers around the country of what NOT to do on your big day.  These are in no particular order.  I’ll add my two-cents in after each tip.  To see the original article, please go here.

1. Not Finalizing the Wedding Day Schedule

“Talk to your photographer before finalizing the schedule for your wedding day. There is a lot to consider in terms of photographing and natural light. Certain times of day are more photogenic than others (midday sun casts harsh, unflattering shadows on the face while late day sun casts a beautifying warm glow on everyone).”

–Hillary Harvey, Hillary Harvey Photography

Well said.  I agree with this 110%

2. Not Sticking to the Finalized Schedule

“Pay attention and respect the schedule you and your photographer discuss prior to your wedding. Being an hour late can make or break your images. Don’t just assume it only takes 10 minutes!”

–Alison Clinton, Horizon Photo

Sometimes even 30 minutes late can throw things into chaos.  I always, always pad my time with clients when making the schedule.  If you have relatives (or members of the wedding party) that are chronically late…we all have them….lie to them about the start time.  If you want them there for 2 p.m., tell them 1:30.  I know it’s not the honorable thing to do, but they must respect it’s your day and they need to be on time.

3. Letting Relatives Get in the Way

“We have a name in the industry for a guest who shows up with pro photo equipment and takes ‘unofficial wedding photos’ — we call him Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob may think he’s doing you a favor by taking more shots for the couple, but usually he just gets in the way and makes us miss our shots. Tell Bob to leave the camera at home and just enjoy his time at the wedding without working.”

— Sandra O’Claire, Eau Claire Photographics

I don’t mind “Uncle Bob” shooting photos near me on occasion.  He’s even welcome to piggy-back my family shots, but my photos must come first.  I once had a family member actually shove me aside to get a photo.  I nearly lost it.  The bride did not see this, but the bridesmaids did. 

4. Not Explaining How You Like to Look in Photos

“Beauty is really very subjective. I ask my clients to send a photo of themselves before the wedding that they like and one that they don’t.”

— Dorie Hagler, Dorie Hagler Photography

If you photograph better one the right side compared to the left, etc., let me know in advance.

5. Focusing Too Much on Taking Photos

“A good photojournalist can capture the story of their day and capture some artistic portraits while keeping the time away from loved ones to a minimum.”

–Alex Fagundo, Candidly Elegant Photography

It’s rare for me to have total free reign when it comes to the photos for the day.  I prefer to keep the family shots to a minimum.  If you must have them, send me a list but please keep it short.  The more time I spend on the posed shots, the fewer natural shots I can take.

6. Not Getting a Second Shooter

“Sometimes brides want to save a little money or feel that it is too obtrusive for more than one photographer to be present on the wedding day. But consider this: The second photographer offers another unique point of view throughout the entire day that you would not have had photographed.”

–Chris Leary, Chris Leary Weddings

Many photographers charge a little extra for a second shooter, myself included.  I offer one package where a second shooter comes with.  But keep in mind that whether you have two photographers or 10, there’s no way to capture every single moment of the day.  I’ve worked weddings with 300+ guests and missed very little.  You just have to know how to work your event.

7. Not Getting Help Organizing Your Guests

“Designate someone that you trust and who knows your family and friends to be in charge of organizing people for portraits. That person can gather the people needed, direct them on what shots they will be in, and then release them when they are done. It keeps things moving quickly, smoothly, and enjoyably.”

–Erica Natali, Natali Photography

I love love LOVE it when I have someone to wrangle guests and family members and does this well.  All too often that designated person gets distracted by too much chit-chat. 

8. Trying to Make Things “Perfect”

“Just have fun — whether it’s getting a little cake on your face or some little detail that didn’t turn out 100 percent like you had hoped, go with it, have fun, and keep smiling. The photos will be so different if the bride is scowling at her new hubby, don’t you think?”

–Jennyfer Huff, Florida Weddings Photography

Enough said. 

9. Skipping the “First Look”

“A ‘first look’ [aka taking your couple photos before the ceremony] is so much better than trying to rush bride and groom portraits after the ceremony — especially if your ceremony ran a little late (which most do). You end up trying to hurry up and get to the party.”

–Ashley Nardello, Cleopatra Photography

I’ve had a few clients refuse the first look and trying to wrangle people afterwards was a disaster.  Occasionally it works, but most often it does not.  I’ve also talked a few clients into doing the first look and afterwards, they admitted that not doing it would have been a mistake.

10. Trying to Pose

“A good photographer gives direction for a reason: to get the best moments and shots from the day. The best thing to do is relax and act naturally. Be in the moment. Be hopelessly in love with each other — the pictures will turn out smashingly!”

–Brook S. Hollis, Lucent Photography

The less you tell me to do, the better.  Just be yourself and I’ll take it from there.

11. Waiting Too Long to Book Your Photographer

“If you find a great photographer, book them! Good photographers book a year or more out and won’t be available forever. Nothing is more frustrating than choosing a wedding photographer and then finding out that they booked out your date a week prior.”

–Jeff Livengood, Digital Dreammakers

If you like my work, book me early.  I had to turn away 17 people last year for one date alone. 

12. Looking at the Camera All the Time

“Some couples want candid photographs, but they always feel like they need to look up at the camera and stop what they are doing. It could be an instinct, but remember — unless the photographer asks you, try to act natural for the best journalistic shots.”

–Dina Konovalov, A Dream Picture

“Smile honey!”  These are two words every parents should NOT say to their children.  This often leads to you looking into the camera at every single moment.  It is instinctive, but is shouldn’t be.

13. Not Providing a List of “Don’t Takes”

“Let the photographer know before the wedding if there are certain photos you don’t like. It can be anything such as ‘I don’t like the photos you took of us not smiling’ or ‘I don’t like wide-angle close-ups; they make us look weird and fat.’ It totally throws off a photographer’s creative approach when a bride spills her feelings while you are in the zone.”

–Tony & Natasha, Artistique Photography Productions

If you DON’T want something, let me know ahead of time….please.  It’s heartbreaking for me to hear afterwards that you hated a particular angle.

14. Asking for Too Many Shots

“If clients have done their homework and have chosen an experienced and reputable wedding photographer, then chances are that photographer does not need to be provided with a two-page spreadsheet of every combination for family portraits.”

–Millie B., The Studio Weddings

I limit my shot list to 20.  If there’s time for more, that’s great.  But I try my best to keep it at 20.  And PLEASE communicate your requested list with your (and his) parents.  Parents often throw their list into the mix.

15. Not Choosing a Photographer You Connect With

“Make sure that we get along. I work with clients for sometimes two years or more. If we don’t get along, it’s going to be a very long and very bumpy ride.”

–Gillian Reinhardt, Carolina Studios

In addition to liking my work, you have to like me as a person.  This goes for any photographer.  If you don’t like that person or you’re not comfortable with them, it’ll show in your photos. 

16. Skipping the Engagement Session

“Engagement sessions increase the confidence and comfort level of the bride and groom in front of the camera and allow the bride and groom to practice having their photo taken in a fun, no-stakes atmosphere. Ultimately, an engagement session will let the bride and groom see why the photographer might tell them to do something funny, and this leads to wedding day comfort and trust in the photographer.”

–Heather Cook Elliott, Heather Cook Elliott Photography

This is very important.  You can really tell how you’ll get along from the e-session.

17. Not Hiring a Professional Photographer

“Choose someone who is a professional and not just anyone with a digital camera and a website. Make sure the photographer you choose has an education as a photographer, has apprenticed or interned with other photographers and paid their dues, and has the experience and ability to consistently capture the moments of your wedding no matter what situations may arise. You should expect to spend between $2,000 and $6,000 for any decent wedding photography.”

–Chris & Dawndy, Bendet Photography

Do your homework.  Call around and ask.  Ask for referrals if you need.  Typically – if you go cheap, you get cheap.

18. Falling for Photography Trends

“Too many times, brides fall for something trendy in photography. It is critical that these images stand the test of time and are valued for each following generation. Trends are fun but rarely last! Look for a photographer with a classic shooting style, and be wary of too much Photoshop and digital ‘tricks’ and manipulations.”

–Brie Castell, Castell Photography

If you need a fancy Photoshop filter to make a photo better, it wasn’t a good photo from the start.  I try to steer away from trends.  My style is pretty clear. 

19. Forgetting the Details

“Think about spending a few minutes to decide what other elements are important to photograph — did your sister make special wedding favors? Are you carrying important heirlooms with you? Bring an extra invitation, and try to keep those special elements easily accessible for photos.”

— Nick Coleman, Dave Cross Photography

The little things make for excellent additions to your album.  I love the details and I shoot the hell out of ‘em!

20. Not smiling — All the Time

“Tell all of the individuals walking down the aisle to look up and smile. If they are too nervous to smile, they should at least keep their head up and stare down the aisle. This helps keep the face from forming the ‘evil double chin’ look that happens when you stare at the floor while walking!”

–Christin Berry, Blue Martini Photography

– Justine Lorelle Blanchard

Smile and smile big – but no cheezy smiles….especially during the recessional.  As you walk down the aisle after the ceremony, it looks terrible if you’re not smiling.  The same goes as you walk in with your father or whomever is giving you away!

New Year’s Eve with Allison and Adam

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I could not think of a better way to spend the start of 2012 than celebrating with Allison and Adam.

 

 

Vendor Information:

The Dress: Paloma Blanca, Low’s Bridal in Brinkley
Shoes: Badgley Mischka, Nordstrom
Veil: Hand-made, by the bride’s grandmother
Bridesmaids dresses: J Crew
Mensware:  Men’s Warehouse
Hair: ShaRhonda Adams
Makeup: Alicia Mauldin
Flowers: Curly Willow
Cake: Blue Cake Company
Music and lighting: Central Arkansas Entertainment; Pianist, Pam Smith; Vocalist, Jeremy Wilson
Invites/program and other paper items: Hobart’s Printing
Davors: Donation in honor of guests to Wounded Warrior Project
Reception and Caterer: Clinton Presidential Center and Forty-two restaurant
Transportation: Vintage Motor Car Company (car), The Princess’s Carriage, Rose Bud, AR (horse drawn carriage)
Videographer: IOU productions, Monroe, LA
Photographer: MOI at Photography by KES Weddings

Love at Any Age

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The vast majority of my wedding clients get married young.  And when I say young, I mean younger than me.  I turned 40 *GASP* on Tuesday so most of my clients are typically in the 20s and 30s.

 

Wendy and Jim are the exception.

 

Jim e-mailed me in July asking me about my services.  Since Jim is from Oxfordshire, UK, his English (true English) was a bit different than most of my typical inquiries.  I often get spam e-mail from people overseas wanting to book me ASAP and then they ask for my banking info.  Yea….right.  Since Jim said specifically when (December) and where they were getting married, I felt this was legit.  So I called the venue, The Lookout Point Lakeside Inn in Hot Springs, and verified they were real.

 

Since the Lookout is a B&B, they only needed two hours of time.  I’ve shot at Lookout several times and I was been happy to tailor something just for Jim and Wendy.

 

So we got things booked and it was life as usual until their December wedding.

 

When I arrive at the Inn, I found two women looking at the wedding cake in the parlor.  One lady appeared to be in her 20s and the other a little older, perhaps late 40s.  I saw them and assumed the younger woman was Wendy.  But after listening to them for a moment, I realized that Wendy was the older lady….and I was delighted.

 

After making introductions, Wendy and Christina headed upstairs to get dressed.  Christina was Jim’s niece.  I photographed Wendy for a bit and then headed down to meet Jim.  He reminded me of my dad.  All smiles and loving life.  After all, he was getting married in less than an hour.

 

After countless young couples, it was so refreshing to meet and photograph someone a little older.

 

The wedding was small, less than 10 people.  In attendance was: Jim, Wendy, Jim’s sister Karen, her children Christina and James, Christina’s husband Kevin and their cute-as-a-button son Grant and Gwen, a close family friend. A unique thing about this wedding is that per British tradition, when the bride comes down the aisle (or stairs in this case) the grooms back is turned until she meets him.  Also, during the toast, the first toast is to the Queen, not the bride and groom.  It was just a little different.

 

And unlike older couple who often remarry at their ages.  This was their first wedding.  Jim is 57 and Wendy 48.  I asked him to tell me how they met.

 

“Wendy joined a web site that I was on and I got in touch with Wendy.  We then talked on the phone, then we met in person.  Quite early on, we both knew we were right for each other.  Then I proposed on Feb., 14, Valentines Day, which took Wendy by complete surprise.  We were thinking of getting married at Christmas time in America, so we could share our special day with the family.  So we finally decided on Hot Springs, as it was near to where my sister Karen lived.  We then looked at venues in Hot Springs, and our first choice was the Lookout Point Inn.  And the rest is history.”

 

I want to wish Jim and Wendy many happy years of love and marriage.  They have proven that you can find love at any age.

 

Sh*t Brides Say

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I normally don’t post videos but this is HILARIOUS! It’s comes to you courtesy of the weddingchannel.com. I also posted it to my Facebook page, but the YouTube version is much better….I hope you get as good of a laugh as I did.