A letter from a client

I thought I would share a letter that I received this past summer from a bride. As we enter the wedding planning season for 2008 weddings; I am struck at how few times brides and grooms will ask for my references. The end product is sometimes all they are interested in....which I guess is fine...but I am a nice person too. I just lack the ability to brag about that part....until now. :-) So, read on, just keep in mind that I would never say these things about myself.
:-)
Thanks for reading. ~Denise Lee

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Dear Denise,

We just received all of our photos from our wedding and they are absolutely fantastic! The wedding day went by so fast in a blur that we just didn’t’ have time to notice all of the details that came as a result of all our planning and hard work. You and your team captured every element and provided us with a beautiful photo journal of the entire day’s festivities. We are now very excited to print up the photos and fill the walls of our new home together with the memories.

When we set out to find a photographer, it was important to us to find someone with whom we felt comfortable and relaxed and we really wanted our day to be a fun and relaxed celebration with our family and friends . You and your team fit in perfectly with our guests. We even had several of our guests comment on how great the photographers were! While I love all of the formal shots we got, the candid and posed shots of our guests and their smiling faces tell us just really how much fun our wedding was!

Thank you for enhancing, capturing and preserving such a beautiful memory. Please feel free to pass along our name and phone number should you ever need a verbal reference.

Sincerely,

Theresa Stockton-Fouquette425-513-****

An Open Letter to Future Brides

So few brides have a good grasp on what it will take to produce excellent photographs. So I am writing this little guide.

Some have asked me how to have terrific wedding photography. Information and patience is the key. If the photographer has provided you with a questionaire or similar, fill it out and get it back to the photographer as soon as possible. This information allows the photographer to anticipate the days activities. Likewise if you have provided your photographer with a "shot list" please also assign someone from you family that knows who everyone is to gather the necessary people for each shot.

If anything changes with the plans, notify the photographer in person or over the phone, voice to voice. Do not leave messages or send emails when it is an important change. You need to know that the photographer in question has received the information directly.

If you are having your hair/makeup done professionally, the day of the wedding, allow an extra half hour or so above and beyond what they actually tell you. You are paying them for the style, but you are paying us by the hour. I can't remember how many times I am left standing around in a church, ready and waiting, because the hair person took too long. But what happens is that the clock starts on the agreed upon time, whether or not the bride is ready to be photographed. This will almost always push the photography into overtime.

One of the biggest dilemmas that our couple face is when to take the formal photographs. Ideally, all formals would be completed prior to the wedding, allowing the couple to proceed directly to the reception. One way to reduce the amount of time the waiting guests need to endure is to do both sides of the wedding party separately prior to the ceremony and then the combined group following the service. Typically, I start with the groom and his groomsman, followed by groom and parents and groom and family. This allows the bride a few moments more to get ready. Then after the groom has hidden himself away, we will shoot the bride and bridal party with bride and parents and bride and family. Then following the ceremony all we need to do is entire wedding party, bride and groom, and family shots.

If you have chosen a classical style of portraiture for your wedding formals, this will take a bit more time to set up and should allow extra time accordingly.

"What about the type of photography you see in the magazines?" A typical magazine or glamour style shoot is at a location that is usually different from the wedding venue. These are usually shot prior to the wedding. If you do want to have a location photograph made, please discuss this in detail with your photographer. Most photographers will jump at the chance to do such shots as they are great for portfolios as well.

One thing I try to do for my clients to arrange a place for the groom to see the bride for the first time. This will give them both a beautiful memory and properly choreographed will give me a great photo opportunity.
If you choose to have your photographs done after the ceremony please have checked with your ceremony venue to be certain they don't mind staying open later. It will take at least 90 minutes for a small wedding party, for example a wedding party of 2 groomsmen and 2 bridesmaids.
For photographs you will need full cooperation of your wedding party. Make sure that everyone knows when the photographs will be taken and that are ready.

Adding videography, one bride just mentioned to me that the only thing we did wrong with her wedding was not insisting that they get videography as well. Our videography packages add on for only an extra $500 when compared to the going rate for entire videography crew is an average of $1500; it is quite a savings. The reason for the savings is that my videography crew can double as my assistance during the formals. This saves me a great deal of money and trouble, thus I pass the savings on the bride and groom.

Finding diamonds in the rough - after all the ceremony site photographs and the reception photographs are planned, you will want to have a look around and use a little imagination. Area gardens or parks, sometimes even just an outdoor evergreen will provide some special background or sentimental meaning to your photos.

And my last bit of advice, if you have provided a timetable of events for the reception to the DJ, fire off a copy to your photographer. The photographer and DJ need to work together to make your reception a flawless piece of art.

So now, relax and enjoy your special day.

Family Portrait Time

So I was asked once...what is the best way to create a nice family portrait?
So, the first part of the answer is to...get a good photographer.
Our goal is to create portraits as individual as the subjects we photograph. Our tools include various styles, techniques and settings that make each portrait a unique work of art.

Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the clothing that you choose is very important to your portrait's sucess. These guidelines will help you to make important decisions about the clothing and style of your artwork.

In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical. When decorating a home, a major concern is to coordinate the colors and tones of the walls, carpets, drapes and furniture. Similar coordination is necessary when selecting clothing for a group portrait. Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright as compared to the rest of the group. Proper clothing selection makes the difference between a portrait that appears to be a group of seemingly unrelated individuals and one in which every member of the family "belongs" to the group.

Clothing for small groups or couples should choose simple outfits within the same tonal ranges. When subjects appear in a mixture of light and dark tones together, there is visual confusion - as the light color comes forward, and the dark recedes. When this happens, one person becomes dominate and appears heavier than in reality.

Turtle necks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style. Avoid very wide or particulary deep V-neck garments or bulky cowlnect sweaters that completely hide the neck.

For closeup portraits, long sleeves are essential for teens and adults, as bare arms call attention to themselves and will overpower the face. The goal of any classical fine portrait is to direct the viewer's eye to the face(s) in the portrait. All other elements should be secondary. For individuals, simple long-sleeved garments in medium to dark tones of brown, gray, burgandy, green or blue are pleasing choices when photographed against a medium or dark background. When looking to achieve a more contemporary look and feel for your portrait, dress in lighter pastels, blues, green and pinks, when photographed against a white background will achieve a light airy high-key art portrait.

Because darker clothing is slimming, it often is a good choice for close-up, full-length or three-quarter portraits in which a medium to dark background is used. Bold stripes, plaids, and prints are visually confusing and do not photograph well. Brights colors such as pink and orange will overwhelm the face and ruin a portrait. Light colors that approximate flext tones will overpower the face and make the subject look unusually pale.
Women being photographs in full length should wear long skirts, pants or dark stockings in order to keep the eye from being directed toward the legs and away from the face. If feet are to show in the portrait, make sure that shoes and socks are in keeping with the visual intent of the portrait.
Don't forget that casual clothing copliments portraits made in outdoor environments.

Men should be clean shaven or facial hair should be carefully groomed, with their hair cut about one week prior to the portrait session. Women should be photographed whenever they are happiest with their hair in relation to the time it is styled.

Skin Tone Considerations
Whether working with light or dark complexions, the object is always for the face to dominate the portrait. Accordingly, skin highlights must be the lightest, brightest, or most intense areas of the portrait. So when a medium to dark background is used, all subjects photograph best in medium to dark tones, whatever the skin tone. Having said that, please allow me to completely contradict myself. One fabulous new trend in portraiture is the use of high-key or very light almost white photographs, where the dark areas draw your eye. We do both here and enjoy a wide variety of applications from both.

I hope this helps clear up the mystery of how to make a cohesive family portrait. Please feel free to call with questions, we love to help out. We also make house calls, at no charge, to help you determine exactly the size and style of portrait to decorate your home.

Wedding Season 2007

Well wow, the wedding season for 2007 is almost complete. We have two more booked weddings for this year and will probably have another two that book with small notice. This will finish us out at over 30 for the year.

We have made many changes in our business through this year. The biggest being the addition of videography services. We have a very dedicated crew who is doing top notch work and getting better and better every shoot. I am still personally handling all post production on the photography as well as the videography.

So like David Letterman, here is our two top 10 lists from 2007:


Things that I pray I get to do again:
1) Listen to the private comments of brides and grooms after they walk down the isle together as man and wife. What gems!!! My favorite from a groom, "I am marrying perfection today."
2) Watch little girls in their dresses twirl around under the trees in the evening light, dreaming of their wedding day.
3) Catch just the right moment in mid-air and groom and best man jump and slap a high five.
4) Capture a bride's first tear as it first begins to threaten it's escape and then as it wells up and overflows down her cheek.
5) Watch, learn and embrace a new ethnic custom in a wedding. In 2006 we did a Hindu wedding and this year we did a traditional African wedding.
6) That moment when my husband (videographer) and myself (photographer) will lock eyes across a crowded congregation at the phrase "til death do you part". Some people renew their vows once or twice after being married, we do it almost every weekend.
7) Hear the squeal of enjoyment from the bride and the happy tears that follow when she see's her wedding photos for the first time.
8) Talk a little child into smiling for the camera when he/she would rather be playing.
9) Capture that perfect moment when the father hands his daughter off to her groom.
10) and yes, I saved the best for last. That beautiful moment when I have heard back from the bride and groom, how much THEY LOVED THEIR PHOTOS!!!!

Things to never do again:
1) believe a groom when he says he will mail the check right after the wedding.
2) do a wedding without a completed contract and questionnaire.
3) stay at a wedding even though being harrassed and tortured.
4) Use stick on disk labels on DVD's.
5) Shoot without an assistant....or 3. :-)
6) Accept payment via postal money order for a wedding in Hawaii and be expected to return the change. - Common Fraud.
7) Overpromise and Underdeliver.
8) Use directions to a wedding provided by a venue - GPS Rules.
9) Allow only 30 minutes to find parking in Seattle. - Now we allow at least an hour.
10) Let a guest at a wedding hold, inspect, shoot with my camera.

So yes, we learned a lot this year, and more that I don't think would be appropriate to put up here. But catch me at our holiday party with some wine in me and I will tell you all some great stories.

What's New???

Hmmm here is a new show on FOX called "The Wedding Bells" http://www.fox.com/weddingbells/
This might be fun. Though it has received bad/poor reviews. We shall see.

The New Wedding Photography

There have been incredible changes in wedding photography over the past few years, which is great news to anyone who is currently shopping for a wedding photographer. The trend is toward a new, more contemporary style of photography. It's more relaxed, more natural and more artistic than ever. Gone are the old, forced, unnatural looking poses of the past. The formal poses of today are free flowing and create a look and feel of fine art while relaxing the bride and groom to enjoy their day. Today's couples are more educated consumers and don't want the old, stuffy styles of photography that their parents had on their wedding day.

Besides looking more natural, how is it different that traditional photography? Contemporary photographers know that today's couples want to enjoy their wedding day. Couples spend so much time and money planning and preparing for the event. It does not make sense to miss a few hours of the wedding, being ordered around by a photographer who makes them maintain stiff, rigid, uncomfortable poses. Many photographers now offer a "photojournalistic" style of photography, where the day is recorded just the way it happens.

The photographs tell the story of your day. No posing, no taking time away from the fun....just natural, artistic and beautiful photos that capture the events and moods of the day. What about the family and group shots? Many of these photographers will take these group shots before or after the ceremony, taking less time than photographers of the past so you can get on with your day and not miss out on the fun. Make sure you ask this question before you hire a photographer if family and group shots are important to you.

Black and white photography is also extremely popular, but is it a trend? Many modern couples are requesting to have their weddings photographed solely or partially in black and white. There is just something about it. It has a very classic, timeless and artistic feel. It has it's own mood. It lends itself well to the photojournalistic style. This trend is probably here to stay.

Black and white has been around a long time. It doesn't fade as fast as color photographs. Go to any photography gallery and you will see that most of what you see is in black and white. It is now, and always will be, a classic form of art. It is always nice to have a combination of both color and black and white.

Do all photographers photograph in this style? No, there are still plenty of the traditional photographers out there who have not changed their ways. When interviewing photographers, ask them if they specialize in a photojournalistic style of photography, or if they do a combination of both photojournalistic and traditional styles. Make sure you see samples of work from the specific photographer who is going to photograph your wedding, not just samples from a studio that may send out a different photographer. Consider not only the style of different photographers, but also the personality and choose the one that you feel the most comfortable with. Let's face it...the wedding you are spending so much time planning is only going to last a few short hours. The music will stop, the food will be eaten, and the flowers wilt, but you will always have those photos to remember your day. And that is why it is so important to find a good photographer who will give you beautiful, artistic pictures you will love!!

What is the Average Wedding Cost

FROM ONEWED.COM
These prices are based on an average wedding cost for 2004. Average wedding cost may vary in price to your location, wedding vendors, bridal accessories, and wedding favors. To get an idea of your average wedding cost in your area use the vendor search to price your local vendors, use the bridal forums to ask other brides, or contact a local wedding coordinator for help. Once you get an idea of average wedding cost in your area make a note of it next to the prices listed there for best results, try to include vendor travel cost, taxes, shipping and other fees that may occur. Make sure that once you get all your wedding cost written down review your budget and be sure to leave extra money to the side for emergencies! The best place to save on wedding cost is on flowers, catering, invitations, wedding favors and ceremony/reception site.

Invitations, Announcements and Thank You Notes $ 350.00 - $500
Flowers $ 800.00
Photography $ 900.00 - $ 2,500
Videography $ 700.00 - $ 1,500
Music (DJ, Band, Etc.) $ 900.00 - $ 1,500
Officiant & Ceremony Site $ 400.00
Transportation (Limo, Carriage, Etc.) $ 450.00
Gifts for Attendants $ 400.00
Wedding Rings $ 500.00
Engagement Ring $ 1,000.00- 3,000.00
Rehearsal Dinner $ 750.00
Bride's Gown $ 900.00
Wedding Veil & Headpiece $ 200.00
Bridesmaids' Apparel (for 5 bridesmaids) $ 1000.00
Mother of the Bride's Apparel $ 900.00
Groom's Rental Tuxedo $ 500.00
Groomsmen's Rental Tuxedos $ 200.00
Wedding Reception (Caterer, Cake, Site, Etc.) $ 500.00-$ 8,000.00
Honeymoon $ 5,000
GRAND TOTAL $ 20,000 - $ 25,000

MOVIE ONLINE

Ok, I've done it. I have exposed my ignorance regarding uploading movies to the web. So this is my first attempt. Please have a peek and let me know what you think.

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?pid=954626&T=1153

2007 Wedding Guide from Stanwood Camano News

Check out this cover!

http://www.scnews.com/wedding/2007.pdf

My Favorite Quote

"Hope is a waking dream. " Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

They used my photo for the wedding guide!

This is the wedding cake from a wedding I shot last summer in Monroe, WA. The cake was made by Judy Tallant, Tallant House - Fine Sweets & Other Eats
Snohomish, WA 360-863-1533 http://www.tallanthouse.com/company.html

This photograph is featured on the cover of the Stanwood-Camano News Wedding Guide in the newstands on Tuesday, February 27.

Now I don't usually forward on email jokes....but...

Disclaimer: I have no idea if the below described information is correct and therefore could completely mislead you into think I am much more well-read that should be correctly assumed.

Here are results from the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

The 2005 winners are:

1. Cashtration : The act of buying (or building) a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. EDITED FOR TASTELESS CONTENT.

3 Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize that it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone : The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

11. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

12. Karmageddon: It's when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, and then the Earth explodes and it's a serious bummer.

13. Decafalon : The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you

14. Glibido: All talk and no action.

15. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

16. Arachnoleptic fit : The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

17. Beelzebug : Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

18. Caterpallor : The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.


The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:

1. Coffee, n. the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, adj. appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. Abdicate, v. to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade, v. to attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-Nilly, adj. impotent.

6. Negligent, adj. absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, v. to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, n. olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, n. emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, n. a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Pokemon, n. a Rastafarian proctologist.

12. Oyster, n. a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

13. Frisbeetarianism, n. the belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

Passing the time

Sometimes in between the formals and ceremony, as a photographer, there is a little pocket of free-time. I also like to give the bride a bid of space. I ask if she would like me to accompany her back to her bride's room. But typically she will not. The preparations are done, mostly she wants quiet conversation with her Mom or the matron of honor.

I use this time to capture the beauty of the surroundings. The bride and groom will be so caught up in the event that they will not notice the special touches that their loved ones took great pains with, unless I can show them after the wedding.

Little Diva

Last year I was shooting a wedding, pool-side, in the heat of a June afternoon. We did the formals after the wedding. The kids were hot and tired and wanted to go. This little girls face took the cake. Everything about her is indignant. I love this shot.

It is very interesting to note that we are now very good friends with the bride and groom. This seems to be a common phenomena. The closeness that you feel with your photographer will show in the photos taken at a wedding. I try to become the rock the bride needs on her wedding day. The one thing that will not contribute to the caos. I am astounded how many brides and grooms I am still in touch with. Those friendships enrich my life and I feel very honored to have been a part of their very special day.

Somehow this quote sums it all up for me "Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end, and somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends. ~Author Unknown"

My First Wedding

I shot my first wedding with my knees knocking and it was wild. At the time, I had no idea what was normal and what was not. Now I know, there is nothing normal about weddings.

I arrived at the Bride's apartment to take photos of her preparations. I had no idea this was going to include a strip tease for the camera. Ok, well I shot it. Just had to remember not to post 'those' shots on the internet.

I had no idea that we would start the wedding 1hr late. I was very careful to screen the bride and groom, they both knew this was a first for me. They were getting virtually free photography and I was getting the lesson of a lifetime. Everything seemed like it would be fine; however, I forgot to ask about mothers.

We have all heard about bridezilla, but does everyone know about the momzillas? Well one didn't speak English and the other one was drunk - before the wedding.

Through all this, I was fine.... Until the reception, when every unattached (and some attached) male thought it was very important to get as close as possible to me. (Yes, Hope Haven is a female photographer).

So the crowning moment was when a particularly drunk person toasted the bride and groom and congratulated them on finding a photographer with such great equipment. Knowing he didn't mean my camera, I could only reply with a smile "Watch out, it IS a Canon!"

Welcome to my blog. This is a new endeavor for me, so hang in there...it can only get better.