This particular wedding was DIY in almost every way. Every little detail showed off the fun personalities of this amazing couple. From the paper dragons, to the little golden buddhas, to the giant fake plastic ring! And, of course, the barbie and strong man toys to top the cupcakes! So fun!

A long time favorite customer of the Herkimer Cafe, Tina was given a special opportunity to have her small wedding here. With a friend’s art on the walls, yummy home made food, and an Australian relative on Skype, the cafe was an ideal place for this cozy, loving wedding.

Aren’t they a nice looking family? Tina and Jeff, thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

Besides the fact that photography is a specialized service and one must earn a profit to live, there are many other costs to the photographer that you may not have considered. Here is a list of costs to the photographer, in some form or another, and this is just off the top of my head:

• Years of education, time, training, and energy put into learning the art. It’s more than just a fancy camera, folks!
• Speaking of the fancy camera… Yes, that’s a big one. Then there’s the fancy lenses (sometimes more than the camera itself!), lighting, and other equipment that you wouldn’t think would cost so much, but it does, unfortunately.
• Another big piece of equipment is the computer, not to mention all the things that go along with the computer. Extra hard drives, printer, software (editing software is expensive!), online accounts, etc.
• That just reminds me of all the time I spend on my computer. Not only to edit! Time is valuable, but I spend a lot of it on social media, marketing, advertising, writing blog posts, uploading photos, designing albums, book keeping, and, of course, communication.
• Which brings me to the next one. From the moment someone inquires with a photographer to the moment the final photos are delivered, a lot of time is put into the interaction. This includes a consultation, planning, and just plain communicating a lot!
• An obvious one is material costs. This will be a range, depending on what quality of prints and products your photographer provides, but it’s always there. And it can be pricey!
• Cost of running a business. Licenses, fees, taxes, insurance, and all the other fun things you’re supposed to have when you are a business owner.
• Finally, and in my opinion most importantly, a “creative fee”. This is the cost of doing business with the one and only person that can capture your moments in a certain way. No one else can do it the same. You’re paying for a unique creative vision.

This list really just boils down to 3 things. Time, costs, and service . It’s up to you to decide what you value the most, and that is how you should choose your photographer.

To get some insight on a wedding day in the life of a wedding vendor, click here.

On to the photos… I call this first one, “how you doin’?”

As a ship engineer, Rini felt right at home amongst the industrial pumps and pipes. So, of course, we had to play around with that a bit.

This bell kick jumping shot was totally their idea. They used to do this in a lot of their travel photos. I think they’ve perfected it, don’t you?

These ladies chose to come all the way from Chicago to have their ceremony here, in Washington state! I love a chance to brag about my state, but I really have to credit Orcas Island (again!) specifically for drawing them here for their destination wedding.

The wedding was teeny-tiny in number of guests and participants, but the love and joy that exuded from this group was immeasurable. In fact, all 13 people came out here from the mid-west to support Sally and Jenn on their wedding day.

I am so thankful that it was a small wedding, because I was newly sick, just in time for it. That means I had no time to find a replacement! I managed to tap into my photo-taking-mojo though, so I didn’t have to focus on feeling bad for most of the day. I think the easy-going attitude of the group helped too!

Anyway, they rented a house with a nice garden, which is where the ceremony took place. After the ceremony, we headed out for couple photos at a spot previously scouted by Sally and Jenn. They were great in front of the camera. And, of course, I always appreciate the opportunity to shoot a few silly poses!

We went back to the house and then off to dinner at the Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant. It seemed like almost everyone at the table made a toast! These women are so loved!

All things considered (don’t even ask me about the ferry ordeal!), the day went really well. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these awesome mid-west visitors!

And now for the photos!

There will be over 50 other wedding and event vendors there with me. Make sure to stop by Goodfellow Grove and say hello. I love that place! It’s actually the same spot that I shot the vintage vendor collaboration shoot. In fact, I will also have the table and chairs from that shoot, and probably even a photo booth. Just for something a little different.

There are lots of other cool spots at the Botanic Gardens though, so if you come, you should definitely take some time to explore a bit and check out the other vendors! Two other vendors who participated in the collaboration shoot will also be there, so make sure to find Cameron Catering and Midnight Blossom!

This is a good time to mention a deal I have going on right now… If you work with me and one of my preferred vendors, I will give you an engagement session for free! See “deals” for more details!

Anyway, there will be lots to see and do… and eat! Don’t forget about the caterers! Yum!

Here is the official press release for the event:

Hold The Date – July 21

You Are Invited!

UWBG Vendor Showcase at the Center for Urban Horticulture

What’s Happening: This event is being held to showcase the beautiful botanic gardens, event lawns, outdoor patios, large hall and classrooms of the Center for Urban Horticulture, along with over 50 vendors who our rental clientele have relied on over the years for their service or product. The many caterers, rental companies, photographers, entertainers, florists and others will bring the venue to life and showcase the variety of styles of events the Center for Urban Horticulture can present. From business meetings, conferences, graduations, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, auctions, memorial services, fundraisers and parties, we will showcase them all at this grand event.

Who’s Hosting: UWBG Rental Program in collaboration with over 50 vendors

Who’s Invited: UW department representatives, government representatives, event planners, wedding planners, the general public shopping for a beautiful rental facility and top-notch vendors

When: Thursday, July 21, 2011

3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Where: Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St. (Near U-Village)

For directions, see your website at www.uwbotanicgardens.org

RSVP: Call 206-221-2500 with your name and # attending

Or email uwbgfac@uw.edu with your name and # attending

Questions: Contact Lauren S. Fortune, UWBG Facilities & Rental Program

206-685-1706

laurenf@u.washington.edu

Here is a UWBG site map. Come find Tracie Howe Photography!

The idea was to make up a small scale scene, with a model as a bride. I found a couple of used dresses, a model, and a florist, but I decided that it would be much cooler with more people involved. Vendors sent things in from everywhere, I went to pick up several things, and a few people even showed up to help out! I ended up having so much stuff, that I needed to switch out items and backgrounds so that everything matched.

We managed to pull it off, highlighting each vendor at least a little bit. I intended to do much more, but the rain became an issue and shortened the time we could spend on each shot. I swear, Seattle is usually sunny by late June! I also had a problem with my preferred method of lighting, so we made do with alternative lighting options underneath the gloomy clouds. Despite all of the complications, I think the shoot went pretty well! I certainly am happy about a lot of the shots, and I hope that each vendor feels the same.

Be sure to see the list of contributing vendors below! They all have great stuff to offer! Our model Alexandra also did a fantastic job!

Anyway, on to a lot of photos!

Don’t forget to check out what more these fabulously awesome vendors can offer:

Midnight Blossom provided the pretty bouquet. They also lent me the cool bird cage, which I sadly only got one shot of because we were running out of time.

Cameron Catering made the yummy chocolate treats possible.  They also provided the small potted flowers seen in a few shots.

The UW Botanic Gardens was the gorgeous venue where the shoot took place. Good Fellow Grove is the specific spot in the gardens.

All on Location Hairstyling was responsible for the model’s hair and makeup.

Veils by Jules provided the cool hair accessories and veils.

Kate Hiccox, a Stella and Dot stylist, showed up to decorate the model with lots of fun jewelry.

Cakes by Look provided the gorgeous white cake.

BrainFry Concepts sent me the fun black and white invitations and matching paper goods.

Chic Ink also sent me some invitations and menu cards (the cute ones with the tree).

The Favour Shoppe provided the cute little espresso set favors.

Alexandra Flint was our fabulous model.

Thanks everyone for a job well done!

I am sorry. Let me take this opportunity to make it up to you by posting about my recent wedding, and promising a few more posts to come. Every day in fact, until I’m back on track! I won’t say too much, because you’re really here for the photos, aren’t you?

Here goes…

The Candice and Russell wedding happened over in West Richland. They got married at The Sandberg Event Center, which has a beautifully landscaped back yard, and an inside area where we all briefly took refuge during an uncommon bout of rain. Uncommon for Eastern Washington, that is. My favorite part of the venue was probably the women’s powder room where the ladies got ready.

Before showing the pictures, I have to mention how thankful I am to my second shooter, Natasha Ali, who not only drove out to Eastern Washington with me, but also came even further, from Canada, to help me out. I also want to thank Candice and Russell for being awesome clients, and for putting both me and Natasha up for two nights in a hotel. It’s a long drive out there!

And on to the pictures…

Check back tomorrow for another post!

This past weekend presented promising weather for a photo shoot. I was so excited that the sun decided to show it’s bright yellow face over Seattle, that I didn’t even consider looking for a sheltered spot in case the rain came back. The appearance of the sun often tricks us  ignorant optimistic Northwestern folk, into thinking that it will remain sunny and suddenly be warm. I should have known better after living here for at least a decade. Needless to say, about 10 minutes before the shoot, it started raining.

The weather literally put a damper on the plan to capture Candice and Russell against the gorgeous Seattle skyline at Kerry Park. I’m glad they had decided to go with a casual look, otherwise we may have had to cancel the entire shoot for fear of Candice freezing to death in a skirt. She had a jacket and jeans on, so she never got too uncomfortable.

After a few dreary shots, I remembered that there was an adorable, partially covered park a few blocks away. I had never been there, so I hoped that there was enough shelter from the trees to buy us some time while the Spring rain passed. Fortunately, there were several trees that provided ample protection from the elements.

We spent some time there, and, when the rain stopped, we even wandered around outside of the park. There were lots of good photo locations, and Candice and Russell were up for trying them all.

After we finished there, we headed back to Kerry Park to find a gaggle of teenagers posing for prom! Well, at least the weather was better. We wandered down the grassy hill a bit to get some more unconventional Kerry Park photos. Finally, we managed to get a few shots at the typical spots, including a few in the sculpture.

Throughout the shoot, wind and a light drizzle made an appearance on occasion, but the sun did too. The changing weather conditions made for a nice mix of lighting though! I even managed to capture them with a rainbow in the background! I’m glad they were such good sports about the temperamental weather.

They really did a great job! Such a cute and sweet couple. You can really tell that they are in love. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding later this month.

Krista suggested setting up a photo booth for the event in addition to my general event photos. I was happy to try it out! I’ve never done one for an event before, but I have a little experience with setting them up for friends. There were a few things to figure out, such as the fact that some people really ARE taller than 6’5″! But all in all, it went pretty well! I have to thank my friend, Olivia, for helping me out with it. I was afraid of being too busy shooting the event, so I asked her to be in charge of the booth as my assistant for the evening. She was great about helping people use it and chatting with everyone. People really had a good time with the booth and the props. I have collected some random props over the years, so I was well armed with fun things for people to pose with. I think the fake arm I purchased for April Fool’s day was quite popular! Here is a mix of event photos and photo booth shots. Enjoy!

If you want to see more images from this event, please visit my SmugMug gallery for the event:

http://traciehowe.smugmug.com/Events/Lake-Washington-Rowing-Club

This couldn’t have happened without my friend, Natasha Ali, who invited me to shoot alongside her  for this wedding. I also want to thank the bride, Renee, for providing the information for the rest of the vendors, which can be found on La Belle Bride under the featured wedding. I’m glad they have been acknowledged as well!

The wedding took place at Strathcona Lodge on Vancouver Island. The gorgeous setting along with the beautiful bride made for some great photographic opportunities! Make sure to check out the post which includes photos from both Natasha and me.

You can see them here at La Belle Bride!

By Tracie Howe

Many people would argue that it doesn’t seem that hard to shoot a wedding, so why should it be so expensive? Well, there is a lot that goes into it. Not only on the actual wedding day, but before and after, not to mention all the training and skills involved. The wedding day is only when everyone sees the photographer doing work. I don’t want to get into the pre and post wedding work, because it’s not as much fun (in my opinion). But I do want to shed light on what work DOES go into a typical wedding day. I can only speak from my own experiences.

The traditional, North American weddings that I’ve shot (and attended) have all been pretty similar in respect to the schedule, the photo expectations, the obstacles, etc. Many of you know what it’s like to attend or be in a wedding, but here I will give you my perspective as the photographer… You might be surprised at how much us wedding photographers do!

First, if I haven’t already scouted out all of the locations for the entire day, I make sure to get this done before I even begin taking pictures. Why would I do this? Well, maybe I’m paranoid, but I want to know what to expect. Sometimes there are A LOT of locations to visit. One wedding involved 4 different locations, all of which were not walking distance from each other. Another advantage of this is simply knowing how to get to each place. I would not want to get lost on the way to the ceremony!

There are many challenges involved with shooting in a variety of locations. One example would be a dark reception hall.  If I can see it ahead of time, I may have an opportunity to set up lights around the room. This will save me the effort later when I will be much busier.

I’ll justify my pre-wedding preparations with another example. Let’s say the ceremony is taking place inside a dark church. I will try to find out in advance if flash is allowed, because it is often not. Some churches don’t allow cameras at all, and photographers may be limited to shooting from just outside the door! This kind of knowledge helps me decide how I will overcome such problems. In the case of a dark church where flash is not allowed, like in the photo below, I would make sure to have my tripod ready (know where I would be able to put it), my fastest lens, and a high ISO. This is all geeky photo talk, but it’s important stuff! Anyway, I check out all of the locations to make sure I know how I’m going to shoot there. It helps me think about how to prepare, rather than just flying by the seat of my pants.

When I actually do start shooting, I might begin with shots of the ceremony and reception spaces, along with some detail shots of each place. This way I can capture everything in it’s original (and usually more presentable) state, and I don’t have to worry about people being in the way. I will have plenty of opportunities later to capture people in these places.

After the “prep work” is done, I finally see the bride and/or groom. Depending on the schedule and the couples’ preferences, I will take “getting ready” shots of the bride, groom, and wedding party. This is a nice way for me to gradually introduce myself to those I will be around throughout the day. It really helps everyone get used to my presence. This also allows me to become more comfortable with everyone.

Next can be either the wedding or the group photos. The decision for when to take group shots varies for each couple. My personal preference is to do it after the ceremony, or at least WELL before it. Most people think they can get this done quickly, but in my experience, taking pictures a little before the wedding, is always a rushed affair. Rushing = stress = unhappy people. So, I will always recommend doing group photos after the ceremony or at least an hour and a half before, simply to avoid unnecessary stress for all involved.

Unfortunately, when you throw any number of people together for photos, it can turn into chaos no matter what! Taking group photos after the ceremony at least eliminates the stress of rushing.

There are several factors that add to the often unavoidable chaos:

First, people blink at different times. As simple as it sounds, it’s one of the most difficult things to avoid. I have a few tricks to TRY to avoid this.

Second, everyone has a camera now! This is a sore point with most photographers. I won’t get too into it here, but there are two main problems. Either people are taking their own pictures at the same time as you (the professional, paid photographer), leading to straying eyes and more distraction; or they want the professional photographer to take a picture with their camera, leading to much time wasted. Other cameras simply interfere with my work as the hired photographer. My solution for the camera problem is to mention it beforehand to the bride and groom. They are usually understanding on this point, and agree to not allow other pictures to be taken during my designated time.

Third, people get really caught up in the social energy that happens when they are thrown together in groups. They become chatty, distracted, and sometimes annoyed. It’s natural for this to happen, but difficult to work with.

My solution for the general chaos is to be confident and instructive. Groups of people respond to leaders, and you have to be a sort of leader during the group photos. That’s what I had to do with a group of about 50, in the photo just below.

On to the ceremony.

Moments just before and after the ceremony can be tricky. If you are trying to capture the procession, you might be running in front and then behind to avoid missing anyone walking down the aisle. An assistant or second shooter really helps here! Both photographers can be stationed strategically for when the procession comes in and when they leave.

I find it best to ask the couple how involved they want me to be during the ceremony. If they want me right in the action, then I can get as close as any other guest in the front row, but I try not to block anyone’s view. If they want me to be less invasive, I usually pick a few spots towards the back and stay relatively still.

After the ceremony, and after most of the group shots (assuming they are scheduled after the ceremony), most people head off for cocktails at the reception. If I have plenty of time, I will first get some shots with the bridal party. This excitable group is usually very cooperative and fun, so this time can make for some great photos!

Then I take photos with just the bride and groom together. They seem to be especially sweet and lovey-dovey after the ceremony, so this is another point for doing photos later.

When it’s time for the reception, I try to beat the couple to that location so I can capture them arriving if they are planning a grand entrance. Another advantage of having an assistant or second shooter, would be that they could make sure to be there in case you don’t make it in time.

Receptions can vary quite a bit. I try to get a fairly detailed schedule from the couple so that I know when the note-worthy moments will be happening, such as the father/ daughter dance, or the bouquet toss. This way I can make sure that I am not on one side of a very crowded room while the cake is being cut on the other side. Another photographer is helpful here too, of course!

Schedules tend to be pretty lose when it comes to parties, so there has to be a lot of communication. It also helps to be in touch with the DJ or planner, who is usually more informed about any schedule changes.

In between all of the important photo ops, I go around to different tables and mingle with the crowd. I’m taking pictures of as many of the guests as I can. When all of the scheduled events are over, I make sure I’ve covered everything, including funny shots of people dancing.

I hang around a little longer, making sure I haven’t missed anything, and then I ask the couple if they need anything else. The photo just below shows one such occasion, when the groom wanted some shots of the boys smoking cigars.

When they don’t need anything else, I am done for the evening. I usually end up working way harder than I probably should, but it’s worth the photos I will come away with in the end. When the day is really packed, I usually forget to eat or get off of my feet until well after the reception dinner (which I always make sure to eat eventually! ). This entire day of work leads to pure exhaustion. If I can shut my overly stimulated brain down for the night, I will crash upon hitting my pillow.

If I am not too tired the next day, I usually start processing the photos. But that is an entirely different kind of day. Not nearly as fun, and always happening over a period of days or weeks.

So, that’s what it’s like for me!

Keep in mind, I don’t claim to be an expert on this subject, I simply want to share what has been typical for me. In fact,  I welcome input from other wedding photographers to expand on what I’ve said. It can be a very challenging job, because you are never truly in control, and you have to be prepared for anything that could happen. In my opinion, however, it is the best job and I couldn’t imagine doing any of the other work involved with a wedding!

…Planner

By Elaine Roberts at www.eventsbyelaine.com

For a wedding planner, the day of the wedding is when we get to see all the details finally come together in a beautiful and memorable way.  Most people see a wedding planner as a glitzy and glamorous job.  But reality is very different from what you see in the movies.  Most planners work 12 – 14 hours the day of the wedding, with most of that being on their feet.

Unless you are in the event industry, few people realize how much work goes into making a wedding happen.  The day of the wedding, the first thing I do is check-in with the bride.  Sometimes this takes a few minutes; sometimes this takes hours.  If I walk into the hotel suite or brides room and realize that the bride is stressed and mom is crying, my job is to help everyone relax so they can enjoy the day.  This might be making a few phone calls or emails or it could mean taking on a project that the family was going to handle.

Once I know the bride is happy, I head to the reception venue.  I like to verify that the rentals have arrived and that the catering staff is setup and have everything they need.  Then, the fun begins.  I start setting up and decorating all the reception tables.  If I’m lucky, the family has drafted some volunteers to help, but that isn’t a guarantee.  From there, I meet the florist to take the flower delivery.   The centerpieces and arrangements are placed at the venue and I take the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres to the ceremony site.

At the ceremony site, I track down all of the bridal party and family members to pin on their flowers, while the photographer take pictures.  I talk with the photographer and typically will stay with them for a while to help round up people and style the bride’s wedding dress until it is time for the bride to go into hiding.

Once the guests have been seated, the fun begins.  I cue the musicians and the officiant.  I send the groom and groomsmen down the aisle followed by the family members.  The bridesmaids and bride soon follow.  As the ceremony ends, I wait at the back to open the doors and escort the bridal party to a private location to begin photos.

I then leave and head to the reception site to make sure the candles are lit and everything is ready for the guests.  I may also be transporting flower arrangements, wedding gifts, and personal items for the bridal party.  As soon as the bridal party arrives, I line everyone up correctly and cue the emcee to start the announcements.

As the bride and groom are entering, I quickly check in with catering to make sure that food is ready to be served to the bride and groom.  If it’s not, I handle it myself.  The rest of the reception is filled with finding and cueing all the appropriate people for the events – cake cutting, toasts, dances, bouquet, and garter.  These people include the emcee, photographer, videographer and immediate family members.  It can be a full time job just tracking down everyone.

As the evening winds down, the bride and groom do a last dance and head off to their honeymoon.  But, for the wedding planner, more work remains.  The remains of the cake have to be packed and distributed to a family member.  The wedding gifts sent home along with guest book and personal items.  The décor has to be removed and packed up to be sent home with the family or left for the florist or rental company.  All the linens have to be bagged and the trash taken out.  Sometimes, it is even required that the floor be swept.  By the end of the day, I have been on my feet for a long time and am ready to go home.  Just like the bride, I will enjoy seeing the photos from the photographer and remembering what a beautiful day it was.

www.eventsbyelaine.com

…Lighting Designer

By Len Woelfel at www.chicagolightingdesign.com and www.chicagolightingdesign.com/cgi-bin/blog

People wonder about what goes on during event days.  They ask what I’m doing from sometimes 9 AM until 3 or 4 the next morning.  Here’s a typical timeline.

9 AM I start looking at the room diagram and calculating the equipment needed.  Mostly, I’m counting the number of cables we’ll need, what lengths, etc.  We have both electrical cords and data cords that allow our lights to communicate with each other.  And because we don’t want a lot of excess cable laying in sight it’s important that we plan very carefully.

10 AM  We start loading cases, testing equipment, packing the equipment.  Cable has to go into the trunks so that it’s all easily accessible and visible on the site.  The lights have to have the correct clamps on them.  We make sure that the lights and controller all have the correct address, so they will communicate properly. Since every event is different, things have to be re-checked every week.

12 Noon.  We load the truck.  My mis-spent youth playing Tetris comes in handy as we make sure that everything fits safely.  Typically, we have more than one event per day, so it’s important to load the truck(s) in the correct order, that the first event set-up is last on the truck.

1 PM.  Arrive at the first venue, assign tasks to the crew, explain the overall design, and get the event set up.  This is the part of the job I like the most.  Often there is something unexpected to overcome, and the challenges are always unique.  Set-up can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours and require from one to as many as 10 people. On days where there is more than one event, I’m travelling back and forth between events, making sure everything is done to the client’s desires.  I always like to do a “reveal” with the client, but sometimes the guests are already in the room before they arrive, so it doesn’t always happen.

6 PM – Midnight The parties are in full swing.  I’ll check in again with each venue to see how things are progressing.  I try and take some photos of the event, grab some dinner, relax a bit, but not always.

11 PM I meet my crew back at the venue scheduled to end earliest.  We’re ready to disassemble our equipment and remove it as soon as possible so that the venue can close up quickly.  They’ve been working a long day also.

1 – 3 AM  We’re packing up at the other venues and loading trucks.

3 – 4 AM Back to the warehouse and the day is complete.

Once all events for the weekend are complete we can finally relax.  Until Monday when we start preparing for the next events.

Our main page:   www.chicagolightingdesign.com

The blog:  www.chicagolightingdesign.com/cgi-bin/blog

Free engagement session when you book soon!

Why I’m doing this?

This Facebook promotion is meant to get the word out about my photography, so you’re already helping me by finding out who I am and hopefully telling your friends. Now, I can help you by giving you a little something extra in return.

How this can benefit you?

Offering you a free engagement session along with fun, fabulous wedding photos only hints at the personal, quality service that I will provide as your wedding photographer. I will admit that wedding photography can be expensive, but I will work with you to give you the best price for your custom wedding photography experience. Maybe some of the money you save with me can be put towards something else that you want, like a gorgeous venue for your wedding.

What about the goods?

Your free engagement session will include 2 hours on location. The location will likely be a park within the Seattle area. You can bring as many changes of clothes as you like, just remember changing time takes away from the time spent on your photos. After the session is done, I will post an online gallery for you to pick your favorite 5 photos to be printed. One of these can be an 8×10 if you’d like, but the rest will be 4×6 or 5×7. You will receive all of the images as digital files on a DVD. The online gallery will remain viewable until after your wedding. You can easily share this with your future guests or anybody else.

Take a look at my Wedding Galleries to see what kind of photos you can expect for your wedding. I also have Portrait gallery that includes couples and engagement photography.

Why engagement photos are SO important?

Not many couples realize this, but an engagement session really helps prepare people for having an entire day documented (this is especially true for the guys!). Imagine meeting your wedding photographer for the first time as you’re getting ready in the morning. That could be quite uncomfortable for everyone. If you’ve already met your photographer AND had photos taken by him/ her, you will have less to stress about on your wedding day.

Another reason why engagement photos are important is because you can practice being in front of the camera. Sure, you can feel free to practice your diva pose, but I really mean that you can practice ignoring the camera’s presence. Ideally you will forget that I’m there on your wedding day, and just carry on as you would if I weren’t. This is hard for most people because we are taught to “say cheese!” at an early age.

Want an obvious reason? Well, you have more photos of course! Perhaps you haven’t thought of what you can do with those photos though. Guestbooks, invitations, thank you cards, or even a little something for your guests so they know where to see your online gallery of wedding photos. Cool, huh? Don’t forget, you’ll also have a nice set of professional photos to choose from when you want to update your Facebook profile.

You’re walking away with a great deal and I get a great new client! It’s a win win!

Enough already! How can you book me?

Just click on the contact link above in the menu!

Okay, if I still haven’t convinced you how much you need engagement photos, and you still choose to hire me as your wedding photographer, then you are more than welcome to offer the same free deal to anybody you know as a gift from you. A 2 hour on location photo session + 5 prints.

*Additional fees required for families of more than 4 people.