It is no secret that I LOOOOOOOVE Nutella. I mean really. I love the stuff and if it wasn't kinda fattening I'd probably find a way to eat it at least once every day. Yep, I love me some Nutella. So when I saw this recipe for Nutella S'mores on Simply Delicious I felt like I had died and gone to heaven!! I mean look at it! You know that's gotta taste ridiculously yummy. I can't wait to try making this verrrry soon! Yum Yum!
What's your favorite thing to make with Nutella?
One wedding trend I have been loving the past two years are Mexican-inspired fetes! From the vibrant colors, to a dia de los Muertos skeleton motif, to loteria cards, and paper decor, I just LOVE the Mexican inspired weddings that have been popping up lately. I also am a huge fan of cute paper flowers in liu of real flowers. It's such a unique look, and I was totally sold on it after shooting Lauren + Drew's wedding this past year. So it is no wonder that I LOVE this DIY project via 100 Layer Cake. These paper flowers are inexpensive and easy to make and they are just darling! Love it!!! If you are on a budget but looking to infuse a lot of color and style into your wedding this may just be the DIY project to tackle... so go check it out!
While perusing around on Pinterest, I stumbled across this GORGEOUS gray, white and yellow bedroom from The Hills blog! They DIY'd this room and I have to say it turned out amazing! I only hope I can be so skilled and creative when I finally own my own place that I can decorate and paint how I want! While I do love bright colors, I love the timelessness and softness of the gray. I also ADORE the patterned wall, which I cannot believe was done DIY. I would love to do something like this one day! I also love the pops of vibrant yellow. Very chic indeed.
What does your dream bedroom look like? I'd love to know!
So at this point I am sure y'all know who Lauren + Drew are! Their beautiful Santa Monica "art deco meets literary geek chic" wedding has been one of my most popular blog posts and was also featured on Style Me Pretty!
Remember? Yep! I thought so!Well now that the wedding is over, Lauren realized her crafty side was still itching to, well, CRAFT. So she has opened an Etsy store selling customized versions of the amazing handmade paper decor items featured in her own wedding. She is customizing the colors to fit whatever your heart desires, and can also use paper from your favorite novel, play, sheet music, poetry, comic book or any other specific paper request! And even better, the prices for these gorgeous pieces are so reasonable. This is the perfect answer for the bride who is either not super crafty, or is way too busy to craft, yet still wants a handmade, personalized feel to their wedding decor. LOVE!!! I am so excited to see what lovely pieces Lauren will create for future brides!So go check out Lauren's shop, Bookish Bride, on Etsy:
I love love love this super easy and very cute DIY project from 100 Layer Cake: DIY Ribbon Chandeliers! These would be adorable hanging over tables at a reception, or perhaps you could even turn this into a backdrop for behind your ceremony or cake!! Simply fabulous! And very rustic, homemade, chic! I would love to photograph something like this at a wedding! Go over to 100 Layer Cake for the DIY intructions!
Fall is definitely my favorite season. Sure summer day's by the pool or beach are great, but to me Fall still takes the cake...or should I say pumpkin pie? ;) My favorite Holidays are in Fall-- that would be Halloween + Thanksgiving. I love wearing Fall Boots and jackets. I love when the air is a little cooler but still pleasant (and yes I do realize I live in SoCal where things are generally pleasant all year). And another thing I la-la-love is PUMPKIN! Pumpkin pasta, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie... and of course Pumpkin Spice Latte's from Starbucks! They are simply divine. With September just beginning, I can't help but wonder, IS IT TIME YET?! Seriously, when does PSL season officially begin? Cause I am craving it! Yummmm!What about you, do you love Pumpkin Spice Lattes (and other pumpkin treats) as much as me?
A modern, hip trend in wedding decor is to have a cluster of small vases and flower arrangements on each table, instead of one big centerpiece. I LOVE this trend and think it is so fun and cute. But the key to pulling it off with style is to make sure the vases you put the flowers in are striking as well. I love seeing all white vases, all crystal, all mercury glass, or all antique metals. Lots of rad florists will collect these vases and rent them out to you for use on your big day.But maybe you want something a little different that your florist doesn't have? Then what? I LOVE the look of these black painted vases above-- so striking, dramatic and different. And the good news? It's just an easy and fun DIY project from Style Me Pretty! So you can totally pull this look off yourself!Click here for instructions for this DIY Project!!
I was one of the very lucky ladies to snag these killer Tory Burch Riding Boots at The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year! Apparently they sold out pretty quickly! But luckily the amazing Jenni who works at the Salon Shoe Dept in Nordstrom at the Westside Pavillion was able to track me down a pair in my size (which is SIZE 4!!) before the sale ended. These boots have been sitting in my closet for over a month now just screamin' at me to be worn. Unfortunately it's been way to hot for anything other than sandals so far. However, I have big plans for these beauties come late Sept... I am excited to pair them with skinny jeans, some new corduroy jeggigs, a mini skirt, maybe even a few dresses. Ohhhh yes. Mama will wear you boots, don't you worry!!So interwebs did you score anything FANTASTIC at the Nordstrom Anni sale this year?? If so, do tell!
Sooo many of my brides have outdoor weddings, often with a farm/rustic feel. So when I stumbled upon this EASY CHIC decor idea from Style Me Pretty, I knew I had to share! This inspired idea is so easy, and depending on the type of fruit you pick and the season, it can be quite affordable.The idea is to take plain brown bags (preferably made from recycled material) and fill them with seasonal fruits. Above is strawberries but this could be LOVELY with apples, pears, lemons, or oranges too. You can label these bags with each guests name and their table number as an adorable type of escort card. And better yet, guests can take home the fruit to enjoy. You could also just place one bag on each table and label it only with a table number, as a chic and unique table number marker.SOOOO CUTE! Click here for more info on this cute idea and how-to instructions!
I get asked a lot by both photographers AND clients what gear I use to photograph weddings, so I thought I'd address the issue in a fun FAQ blog post. I'm going to go through what basic gear I use to photograph weddings, and also what I use for back up gear. Because like any good photographer, I OF COURSE have back up gear in case emergency should strike. If you are a photog shooting weddings, please please make sure to always have at least one extra camera body and back up flashes and lenses. Brides, you should always make sure you hire a PRO photographer for your big day (and part of that is of course making sure they have back up gear).Camera Bodies:
I have TWO Canon 5D Mark II's. One is my main camera and one is my back up. Also sometimes AJ uses it when he second shoots for me. 5D Mark II is the top of the line for a pro camera. If you are paying at least $2500 for your photographer, I think you should expect that they have at least a 5D, 7D (even though it is crop sensor) or 1D (if they are Canon shooters, not sure what the Nikon equivalent is!) However, I honestly don't think the camera body is EVERYTHING. I know plenty of people with 5D Mark II's who don't know how to use it properly and definitely do not deliver pro-quality images. On the other hand I know super skilled photographers, who don't yet have the savings for a 5D, and they shoot AMAZING stuff on a crop-sensor camera. In fact, the first 1.5 years I shot I only had a 40D (a higher-end crop-sensor camera). So I definitely believe a skilled photographer can deliver high quality images with anything from a 40D or higher. They key is really having skills to shoot in manual and having an eye for composition and an ability to direct people on camera. The fancy camera? That's icing on the cake!My back up to my back up is my 40D. As I mentioned above this camera is what I used at the inception of my business and it has always yielded fabulous images! It's definitely still a handy and old reliable part of my bag!Lenses:Before we start, I will let y'all know that I ONLY shoot with PRIME lenses. That means fixed-focal length (they don't zoom). I often get asked why I do that? It started back in college when I was minoring in photography. My professor forbid us to use zooms in class projects. He wanted us to play with moving our bodies, interacting with subjects to create composition. The classes I took with this professor were the foundation of my knowledge in photography, and so I just always learned by using primes. It's natural to me. In addition primes generally are superior in terms of clarity and color. And they have much lower apertures, and I LOVE shooting low apertures. So that's why you won't see any zooms listed below!
The 50mm 1.2L - This is my go to lens. It's medium range and basically sees what we see with our eyes. I absolutely LOVE the colors & bokeh (blurry backgrounds) it produces. I also love shooting at low apertures so being able to go down to 1.2 is always fun! This lens also focuses pretty fast and holds the focus well! So that's why I LOVE it and use it the MOST! I use it for details, some portraits, and getting ready.
The 35mm 1.4L - I use this lens a LOT! Not as much as my 50mm, but I still love it. This lens is wide but not too wide. There is no distortion on the edges which means it still can be used in portraits. I don't use it too much for portraits but I will use it a little to mix things up and some variety to a portrait session! I love the low aperture-- the bokeh and colors are just beautiful! I use this lens for most group shots on the wedding day-- family formals, and bridal party. I also use this lens for the majority of the reception because it's wide angle allows me to tells a great story.
The 135mm 2.0L - This is my prime alternative to the 70-200mm which most photographers use for ceremonies. I like it more for a few reasons-- it's lighter and I can hold it steadier, it opens wider which lets in more light for dark church weddings, it's still very close and can capture reactions in a big church, it produces beautiful color and focuses fast. This lens is also beautiful for portraits and sometimes I do use it in portraits...but mostly this is my ceremony lens!
The 85mm 1.8 - I LOVE this lens! Eventually I probably will want the 85mm 1.8, but I do love this one just how it is! It focuses fast (where as the 1.2 focuses much slower), and it's much lighter than the 1.2! It also yields beautiful color & images. I use this lens primarily for portraits, along with the 50mm and a touch of the 35mm. It gets close up for beautiful expressions and gorgeous headshots, but you have to back up far if you want a full body shot! I sometimes will also use this lens in smaller ceremonies.
The 100mm Macro 2.8 - This is a fab macro lens and of course I use it most for ring shots and other little details at a wedding, but it's also a GREAT portrait lens! I use it for jewelry details, lockets or brooches on bouquets, beading and lace detail on a wedding gown, and anything else little and special that might pop up! I also use this lens TONS in boudoir sessions as both a portrait lens and to capture small sexy details like a woman's eyelashes. This was one of the first lenses I ever purchased, and while I don't think it should be every photographer's first big purchase, I think it is might lovely and handy!
The back ups: 28mm 1.8 + 50mm 1.4- These were the two lenses, along with the Macro and 85, that got me through my first 1.5 years of business. They are affordable prime lenses and work FANTASTIC! The quality is amazing. While I definitely see an improvement in color and clarity with my L lenses, these lenses still rock and get the job done. Again, it's more about the photographer's skill than the gear itself. An L lens can only deliver so much without a good photographer using it, and conversely these more affordable lenses don't really hold a good photographer back! So while I don't really use these two much anymore, I still think they are awesome and recommend it to any photographer starting out or looking to experiment in shooting PRIME only. These lenses now act for me as a back up, in case GOD FORBID, a lens should break at a wedding. This awful scenario does seem to happen a lot so it's always good to make sure you're covered with back ups. And that's what these lenses do for me!Flashes:
I have THREE 580 exII's! These are the fastest flashes by Canon and rely on them for receptions and dark spaces! I use one of these off-camera at the reception. And one is my back up.Other goodies:LED Video Lights + Pocket Wizards + Reflectors + Lightstands. These are little extra things that make the day run smoothly. Pocket wizards allow for me to fire flashes remotely so I can do some fun off-camera flash stuff at the reception or for a few fun night portraits if a couple is into that sorta thing! I use the video lights to shoot lovely details in a dark reception space. They create a nice soft light, and you can adjust the color, so I like the look much better for details than I like the look of harsh flash. I also have a 5-1 bounce reflector, and I use this rarely but it does help for bouncing flash in specific situations. Also sometimes it can be helpful when light is ridiculously harsh and there are no "natural reflectors" around.***So that's what's in my bag! Every photographer has their own style and own lenses of choice and this is what I like to shoot with. If you're a photographer, I hope this helps you in knowing what works for me and why I choose the lenses I do in any given situation. I also hope you remember to ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP!As a bride or potential bride, don't get too caught up in what lenses your photographer uses. If you like the images on their site, trust they know how to deliver that caliber and quality to you with the gear they have. It's most important for you to know from your photographer if he or she has a variety (at least 3) lenses and back up for all their gear (extra camera bodies, extra flashes, extra batteries for ALL gear) in case something goes wrong! From a bride's perspective, knowing your photographer has enough to gear to not only shoot the wedding but shoot the wedding assuming one or two key items breaks, THAT'S what's important!Also, for brides, while I don't advocate evaluating a photographer solely based on gear (because as I've said 100x above, good gear does NOT always equal good photographer/ and mediocre gear doesn't always equal mediocre photographer), I do think if you are shelling out over $3000 for photographer you should expect good gear (like 5D Mark II bodies and a few L lenses if they are Canon). If you are a low budget bride on the other hand (meaning photography budget $2000 or under) I don't think you can or should except the TOP gear from your photographer. If the photographer charges less than they make less which means they have less to invest in gear. OR they are just starting out and starting to build their bag. That's just my two cents on the matter, but I do think in general people "get what they pay for" so some one paying more can expect a little more from their photographer on the gear front. ;)
on the left: interior by the Novogratz via Coochicoos; on the right: DIY Union Jack Dresser by Southern Eclectic
Sooo, I kinda have an obsession with PINK + ORANGE! Case in point, I own not one but two orange-pink purses. My wedding colors were "tangerine and raspberry" which is a fancy-pants way to say orange an pink. And... if I could I just might live in all orange + pink. Blame it on spending my entire childhood playing Barbies... But the truth is when I see these colors I get overjoyed and infused with a sense of positivity and can-do spirit! This color combo, more than any other, is me. Vibrant, bold, loud, bubbly, maybe even sickeningly sweet and not apologizing for any of it.
Sure I might dress in lots of orange + pink but when it's come to home decor... well I'm all dark and espresso. Maybe a pink or coral accent here and there but really? Its bland up in my hizzy y'all! I really want to redecorate if I ever have a pare moment and the above pink and orange interior decor inspiration just brings me JOY! That bold orange boudoir (with what I believe is a sexy Madonna poster over the bed) is SEXY, no? And how's about an acid-tripped out orange and pink union jack?! Painted on a dresser?! FIERCETACLULAR. rawwwr.
I heart hearty heart. Now? Just gotta convince the hubby he hearts this too! ;)
Welcome back! You've already read in PART 1 how to go about doing the initial research to finding the perfect vendors for you! Now today we will delve into the best way to approach a meeting!As a recap, by now you should have compiled a short list of vendors who's work, website and blog you love. And hopefully you've cross checked their online reviews on Project Wedding and/or Wedding Wire! You probably found these vendors through referrals from friends, family and acquaintances, a trusted inspiration blog, one of your favorite vendors that you've already hired or your wedding planner, or maybe an online message board or bridal community you are a part of! :)Now it's best to email your short-list vendors. Start with your top 3-5 in each category!! This is important, don't just email everyone who's work seems like they might work for you or you can become overwhelmed! Do try to think about your favorites and only meet with those few faves. When emailing a vendor it's good to give them AS MUCH INFO AS POSSIBLE, don't just ask for prices. I try to reply to every email regardless, but there are some vendors I know who delete and don't reply to generic inquiries that just say "Hi, What is your pricing info? Thanks,". So if you really like a vendor, you don't want to end up on their "delete" list. You don't need to tell vendors your life's story in an email, but we love to know a bit about you + your fiance, your likes, your plans for the wedding, maybe even the range of your budget for this particular service. I personally also like to know what you are looking for in a photographer, and if you have any other key vendors on board. The more I know about you and your wedding the more of a response I can give, and the more I can tell if we are a good match for each other.In the reply, a vendor will often give you a rough estimate of what to expect price wise, and ask if you would like to set up a consultation. Personally, I do require a consultation with all potential clients before giving out my detailed pricing guide. The reason? I want to make sure we are a good fit, I want you to see my work in person, and I want to give you some info about what I can do for you that no other photographer can! Of course, I do give you a rough estimate of my prices in an email, so you know if I'm within range of your budget and if it's even worth meeting. If you find a vendor is in your price point and you love their work you should make the time to meet with them. Preferably, you and your future spouse should attend the meeting.
(finding a perfect vendor = BIG WEDDING DAY SMILES! I'm always so happy to work with couples who love my work, my personality, and trust me)
Tips for vendor meetings:
Hopefully this info helps you in knowing what to expect when you meet with a vendor, what to do and what to look for. Try to have fun as you meet people who might just be the right fit to help you create the best wedding ever! If you can have fun with someone at the meeting, you will likely have fun with them throughout the planning process and on your big day! The final decision should also have to do with about loving the work the vendor consistently does and TRUSTING that they will come through for you. If a vendor seems flaky, or inconsistent, like you can't trust them, then do not hire them!! Trust is so key! And when you trust your vendor you can relax knowing they have your back and will do their magic on your big day. :)
(here's a photo of me having fun with one of my beloved 2010 brides, Christine)
So now...make your decisions and book that favorite vendor!! Hope these two posts have been helpful! :)
Welcome to a new 2-part FAQ post series that addresses how to find that perfect wedding vendors for you! Finding vendors (and conversely vendors finding clients) can be a lot like dating. Ultimately you are looking for that perfect match, the one who just fits right and you are comfortable with! You want a vendor who GETS you for who you are, and you should love them for who they are too!! One common mistake is hiring a vendor simply because they are a "good deal" thinking you can direct them into changing their style and how they work. So it's really important you love your vendor for all that they are-- talent, work/portfolio, style, price and personality.As both a recent former bride (I was married in 2009) and a wedding professional, I have been on both sides of the aisle when it comes to vendor selection. I remember clearly what it's like to be a bride who wants nothing more than to hire the BEST, most dependable, most talented vendors and to do that with a budget in mind. It's not an easy task. On the other hand as a vendor, I have seen all sorts of brides come my way, some with a clear idea of the vendors they want, others a little unsure of what they are looking for.It breaks my heart to hear vendor horror stories from brides or to be working a wedding where some part of the day has gone wrong due to the couple not hiring a professional. Often times, this happens when a bride gets overwhelmed in planning and doesn't think vendor decisions through or is on a budget and opts to hire a friend who isn't professional but does the job as a hobby. So I'd like to share some tips on the DO's and DON'Ts of researching, meeting with, hiring vendors. These topics will be addressed in two posts! So stay tuned for more!!
PART 1: Researching VendorsAt the early stages of planning it can be overwhelming trying to find vendors. How does a bride find her perfect dream team?? What avenues yield the best results in finding a reliable vendor? Here's my thoughts.
Once you look around and have some names on a list, look at the vendor's site and blog (if they have one). Blogs are FABULOUS because you can see a vendor's most recent work, and also look back into their past. You can see their style, get to know them and their vibe, and see their journey! It's pretty cool! You should also look to see if they have any reviews on Project Wedding or Wedding Wire. If all looks good contact the vendor to see when you can meet! The meeting is generally the best way to get to know if a vendor is the true fit for you.Sometimes you get such a strong feeling from someone online, and that coupled with glowing reviews or a personal referral can often give couples the confidence to hire a vendor on the spot-- no meeting necessary. If that's the case bravo to you for saving some time and for finding that perfect match! I will say about 50% of my couples this year booked me just from the internet this year and they are often THE MOST PERFECT couples for me! So there's nothing wrong with "just knowing" when it's right either. Still, I am always happy to meet with potential clients. And it's actually something I require of couples who are inquire and want more pricing info.
(me with one of my adorable, "perfect-fit" 2010 couples Ryan + Kristina - who by the way booked me on-the-spot at our consultation in 2009)
Next up.... the MEETING and BOOKING your vendors...stay tuned!
Soooo... I want to share some things, not photography related, that I really love. Stuff that makes me giddy, wows me, and just makes me HAPPY!!! Stuff that I heart. Hence, a new series called I <3 this! Hope you enjoy!This week... I HEART Laura Mercier's Creme Brulee line, specifically the hand creme and eau de toilette.
Until about 3 years ago, I had never been much of a perfume or scented things type of gal. I actually learned about this fragrance line, when one of my veryyyyy first clients ever gave it to me as a gift at their engagement session. Beyond being TOTALLY FLOORED by her generosity, I was also totally intrigued by the gift. She told me it was her favorite scent ever and was amazing. And history, for me, was made.Why do I love this sooo much?First, the SMELL! It smells like...well creme brulee! Vanilla, caramel, burnt sugar...mmm mmm mmm good! When I spray this on myself, I get hungry for dessert! But it also is very relaxing and soothing! It's also not a sickeningly sweet smell like some vanilla based scents. And it doesn't smell chemically or too manufactured like a lot of perfumes, which I hate. I like that the scent is grounded in the familiar, and grounded in food. Cause y'all know I love food!!!The hand creme is very luxurious. It goes on thick but it isn't greasy and all. It moisturizes and soothes the hands! Veryyyyy good! I would love to also try the body souffle lotion, and the honey bath treatment. I have no doubts they are equally heavenly!!To date this is one of my fave beauty products! You can buy it for yourself at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, or at the Laura Mercier site.
I was perusing through one of my favorite inspiration blogs, Hostess With The Mostess, when I came across this awesome DIY project!
(photo via HWTM)These hearts would not only be SOOOO cute as a photobooth prop, which is how HWTM suggests you use it, but they would also make an adorable prop for an engagement session or for the wedding day during the Bride & Groom Romantic Portraits session!The project is pretty easy to do and the adorable-ness would pay off ten-fold! LOVE! Ooooh you could also makes some "X's" and "O's" to match... that'd be SUPER CUTE TOO!So click here for the instructions on how to create this cuteness and, ahem, bring it to our next shoot please!!! xoxo
Wedding day timelines are something couples ask me about quite frequently. After all, planning a wedding timeline is crucial to making the most out of the time you contract your photographer for. All couples want to make sure I am there to capture their day from getting ready to garter/bouquet toss, and planning a timeline is KEY to that.Typically, your wedding coordinator will create a complete timeline of the day, talking of course to the photographer and making the most out of your contracted time. When my clients are unable to afford a coordinator, I always help them to create a great timeline for how photography will unfold throughout the day!I wanted to write a FAQ article discussing very standard timelines and also how many hours most couples truly need from their photographer so here goes...
How many hours are offered in your collections, and how many hours do I need?Most couples need between 6-8 hours for their wedding day. In all honesty, weddings with all the traditional events happening (ie first dance, toasts, parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet/garter) will probably need 8 hours. But it is very rare that a couple needs more than 8 hours. The only situations I have seen where a couple needs additional hours beyond 8 is when: 1) there is an additional event/ceremony, like a tea ceremony and then a western ceremony, 2) there is a large break between a church ceremony and reception (any break longer than 2 hours), 3) the couple wants extra reception events photographed such as table visits, money dance, special performances, or a grand exit with sparklers. Barring these three circumstances, you will likely not need anything over 8 hours of time.My packages come with either 6 or 8 hours of photography depending on the collection you select. You are always welcome to add additional hours as well on the a la carte menu. Interested in my pricing and collections? Please inquire to set up a time for a consultation.
What events do you try to cover in all your weddings?I always try to get getting ready shots for the bride (the groom depends on where he gets ready and how much time you have contracted me for), family formal portraits, bridal party portraits, bride and groom portraits, ceremony coverage, candids of the couple, bridal party, family and other guests through out the day, your decor details, and at least some of the reception. To me the story of your wedding day does start with getting ready and I LOVE to photograph that. The other events I listed are also so important to capturing the iconic images of your day that you will treasure for a lifetime, and I would not miss ANY of them!
Can you give me an example of a standard 6 hour timeline?Sure thing! Here is an example of a recent 6 hour wedding I did. As you can see many of the traditional events were captured, though they were condensed into a short amount of time. Also the couple did skip a few traditions, which did allow for everything they wanted covered to be covered. The six hours is perfect for couples who want to work with me but are on a budget, or for couples who are not having a very traditional wedding.
See? Easy peasy and perfect for couples on a budget and/or who aren't doing all the typical traditions. Also please note, the timeline above assumes all events of the day happen at one location (meaning you get ready, have the ceremony and reception all at your wedding venue).
Can you give me an example of a standard 8 hour timeline?
Yes I sure can! 8 hours really is better for couples who are having all the traditional stuff or are not having all wedding events at one location. It is a little bit more of an investment but the cost is totally worth it for the extra coverage. Also, all of my collections that come with 8 hours include some extra goodies like canvases, print credits, and even albums in some collections! An 8 hour timeline is also definitely necessary if there are multiple locations for a wedding (as in hotel for getting ready, church for ceremony, venue for reception). But even with everything all happening at one space, which is the case for many wedding venues, 8 hours is still so helpful to ensure a smooth day, with the ENTIRE story covered!
Here is a standard 8 hour timeline for a wedding all taking place at ONE venue/location:
As you can see this timeline covers EVERYTHING, and is also a little more buffered in case things go wrong or run late (which they often times do)! Also some of the extra portrait time can be taken out and transferred to travel time, if you are traveling to multiple locations on your wedding day. This is just one example, and as you can see it's a very flexible model. That is why 8 hours is the perfect fit for 90% of my couples.So, the time I contract you for is continuous? You cannot do say four hours in the morning, take a break, and come back for four hours of coverage in the evening?When you book photography coverage with me, you are booking me for a CONTINUOUS amount of time. That means the clock starts from agreed upon arrival time, and runs out 6 or 8 hours later. I can not offer your coverage to be split up. So this is why it's essential to plan out a timeline to make the most of your day. MOST photographers operate this same way, and it is important to take that into consideration when initially planning your day. In the early stages of planning, work to having all your events nearby (both in time and location). Do not book a 11:00am church ceremony and 6:00pm reception as that would cause some *major* timeline issues and will probably make staying in your photography budget much more challenging.What else do I need to know to have an efficient wedding day time line?I am a HUGE advocate of a first look and wrote all about what it is and how it helps the flow of your day/timeline here.
Still have more timeline questions? Leave them in a comment below, I am happy to answer them!
One of my FAVORITE wedding trends of the last few years has been colorful shoes! When I was little it seemed like brides always had to have white (and kinda boring) shoes to match her dress. But now? Anything goes! The bride's shoes are some of the first things I photograph on a wedding day and they tell me oh so much about the bride & her personal style!I loveee colorful shoes. Blue makes for the PERFECT something blue. Or when a bride matches her wedding color palette? That's yummy too! I also loveeee when shoes have cute details like bows, feathers or BLING! What can I say, I am a shoe lover!My new favorite idea though when it comes to bridal shoes, is BAD-ASS BRIDAL SHOES! Yes, it's not for every bride. But for a bride who's a little sassy, funky and uber sexy, it's FAB!What qualifies as a bad-ass shoe? Something with studs or spikes. Something edgy and not your typical soft girlie bridal feeling. Something that might make your grandma's head spin! Yep I love it!Think you have what it takes to be a bad-ass bride and rock an xcore shoe? Here are my favorites that I'd just love to see one of my brides in:Sam Edelman's Lorissa
I die for this shoe! And it comes in soooo many color combos!! Gah! LOVE!Cinderella Gone Bad (Custom Made) by Everlasting Life Fashion
This shoe is custom made for you in the UK! It's pretty frickin' FABULOUS! I love the textures and the disco ball effect. It's very GAGA!Alexander McQueen Punk Skull Peep Toe Pump
These Alexander McQueen's ROCK! Love how it's "something blue" but with a total edge!! I love the studs & the skulls. It could be PERFECTO for brides who embrace the whole Mexican/Day Of The Dead theme for their wedding. Or just brides with a wicked sense of humor/irony. Weddings are all about "til death do us part," right? ;)So what do you think? Would you rock a bad ass bridal shoe for your big day?? Feel free to let me know with a comment below!
Two years ago today I married my best friend. The person who made me laugh the hardest. Smile the brightest. And dream the biggest. The first person I ever truly felt I could show all of myself too-- even my darkest, ugliest and most embarrassing parts. The first person to ever fully accept the real me. The first person, the only person, who felt just right.Our wedding was such a special night. We laughed (lots), cried, partied, and gushed love all night. It was so fun celebrating with our family, seeing all our planning and pretty decor come to life, going through the rite of passage, and just feeling the love. It went by in a blur. And to this day looking at my wedding album and reliving the day through photos gives me the biggest warm and fuzzies. The photos instantly connect me to the memory of THE BEST NIGHT EVER.And while the wedding was JAMMIN.... honestly? The best part of it all was committing myself to my favorite person on Earth. I'm the luckiest that I get to wake up every morning next to you, AJ. And that I get to spend a lifetime with you. Thank you so much for putting up with all my shenanigans-- I know I'm quite the handful. I love you more than anything, and am looking forward to at least 60 more years with you.xoxoxoxooxx
All photos above by the amazingly talented Palos Studio www.palosstudio.com
I am seriously in awe of all the publications that have picked up the Lady Gaga Wedding Inspiration shoot I photographed since it's initial debut on The Wedding Chicks! This thing went viral big time, beyond my wildest dreams. It's latest incarnation... the shoot was published in Marry Me Magazine, a new Russian bridal magazine. Yes, I said RUSSIAN! For real, brides in Russia are perusing my work for wedding inspiration??? What the what?? It's crazy. It's random. And I love it. I kinda feel like I'm on "The Edge of Glory" LOL!The editor of Marry Me Magazine sent me a pdf of the feature. Amazing!
So cool! So crazy! Thanks to Marry Me Russia for the incredible feature.... and hey, if any Russian brides out there wanna fly me over to shoot your wedding? Well I'd be down ;)
One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to be featured on Green Wedding Shoes! I absolutely LOVE the site and all the photoshoots and inspiration they share. Brides who <3 Green Wedding Shoes style are my type of brides. So to be featured on the site would mean the world. Well, we're halfway through 2011 and I am super proud to say that I've now had my work featured on the site TWICE! Yep! We had the adorable Lady and the Tramp shoot feature earlier this year....and now an amazing Western and Silent Film Engagement shoot has been featured! Yippee! Trust me you don't wanna miss this!Check out Virginia + Alex's engagement shoot on Green Wedding Shoes:
And of course, I'll be blogging the images myself! Soon!!! So stay tuned!!!
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