A Photographers Wedding Vol 1

When Audrey came to me to ask for my help with her wedding I was on board before she even got to the question part of the question. In the Ft Myers and Naples area all the wedding professionals are pretty friendly with each other since we're such a small community.  I'd been working with Mike & Audrey for years and so we were not only industry professionals, we were friends.   Two of our kids started kindergarten the same day, and we celebrate birthdays and attend the same holiday parties, so on and so on.  The great thing about planning a wedding with wedding photographers is that you know that you're going to have a phenomenal team to work with. Boy did we ever... Signature Floral, Hope Artistry, Ashley Brockinton, Clint Wiley of None Other and Ellas Cakes.

 

What does the bride & groom who usually photograph weddings decide to do when planning their own wedding?  Take as many photos before the wedding as possible so that they can enjoy the wedding day with their family & friends.  All the images in this post (there will be 3 posts) were taken in the days before the wedding (by Ashley Brockinton). Besides giving you more time for your wedding experience, it also allows you to have more fun with your pictures.  Like this portrait with tea cups. SO freaking cute.

Yeah, Mike & Audrey are always like this.  Ridiculously in love.  No staging required.

This is how excited they are at weddings too.  But their cameras are a bit more modern. I promise.

We couldn't past 30 images, so there are 2 more blog posts to come! Pin It

Why You Should Get Engagement Photos

If you are engaged and planning your wedding I highly encourage you to have engagement photos. Not only are these photos a great keepsake and so fun to do, but they have come such a long way since the traditional staged portraits from the '90s. They are now so much more fun and creative.Check out Aly & Michael...
 

Photos by Concept Photography Save the Dates created by Minted.

Reason #1: Getting engagement pictures done will give you and the photographer the opportunity to get acquainted before your wedding day. This means one less stranger that will be in your face wedding day. Plus after working together once you will feel much more comfortable being yourself.

Reason #2: While you will love your wedding day photos, there will come a time that you wish you had another great picture of you and your groom outside of your wedding dress.

Reason #3: Engagement Pictures provide a great picture for your Save the Dates and for wedding websites. They are fun, corky and totally natural.

 Here are a few more Engagement Pictures from our clients that we are dying over!

Christy & Keith our 2011 Grand Wedding Couple. Photo Credit Maria Glassford

Kate & Ryan. Photo Credit Ashley Brockinton

Aly & Michael. Photo Credit Concept Photography

Liza & Todd. Photo Credit Maggie Stolzberg Photography

Nick & Sara our 2010 Grand Wedding Couple. Photo Credit Riversedge Lifestyle Photography 

Photographer Tastes the Cake

Today was a fun cake tasting.  Actually, I haven't been to a cake tasting that wasn't fun, but that's beside the point.  The hour at Ella's cakes today was with Photographer Bride & Groom. This is what I caught on twitter just after we sent them the message about their cake tasting at Ella's Cakes today:

and so, today he didn't photograph Daniella's beautiful cakes (as seen here and here).

Photographer Bride & Groom tasting the cake

Today the photographers ate the cake.  So how was is different than our typical bride & groom? It was funny to see "the professionals" struggle a bit with being the client they always wish to have.  The client that allows the professionals to do what they do best and trust that we as professionals always have our clients best interests in mind.  Photographer bride & groom did though, because they do know.  And because they are trusting- they'll have an amazing cake they love.

The Pro Series: Jason P Smith

Insanely talented.  That's what I emailed back to Jason after he shared these last images with me from our wedding just a week ago (click on featured weddings and then Melissa and Brandon).  While I was looking at his site, I also looked back to watch the slideshow from our 1st wedding together (Holly & Bradd) and wow did the memories come flying back.  Jason is the epitome of a true wedding photojournalist...he doesn't make pictures happen at all, he waits for the moments to arrive and captures them instantly.  In other words, "enjoy your wedding day as you will, I'll document it for you."

What is your company name and profession?

Jason P. Smith Weddings; I'm a photographer

What’s your name?

Should I know anyone else from your company?

Jason. Nope, it's just me.

Where do you do weddings?

 I've shot in a lot of places: Florida, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, etc. I really enjoy traveling, so I'm always open to new locations and destinations. I'm available internationally.

Website:

www.JasonPSmithWeddings.com

How long have you been in business?

I've been in business seven years

Why weddings?

I love to tell stories with photos. My background is in photojournalism, and that is what photojournalism is all about; weddings are a natural extension of this in many ways. It's a story that is only told once, so it's always very rewarding when someone asks me tell their story--from the little things they spent months planning to the things they never expected would happen. Every wedding has a unique story and personality, and I work to make all of that come together in my images.

What your clients most often commend you on?

I would have to say the one thing that most people mention is that they really didn't notice me much during the course of the day, which is a big compliment. I do my best not to interfere with the course of the day as much as possible. My philosophy on wedding photography is that if you are working as a photojournalist and capturing the day as it unfolds, you will come away with a more compelling and story of the day.

Oh, and people enjoy the photos as well!

Best piece of advice for brides & grooms?

he best piece of advice I can give is to just plan a wedding that fits your style, and have a great time doing it.

What is one thing that makes working with new clients easier?

It would have to be having a similar vision for how the day's story will unfold through photos. It is so important that couples not only look for someone who they would like to spend the day with, but also someone they can trust to tell their story in a way that will really help preserve the memories for their future.

Can I find you on Twitter?

JasonPSmithP

What is the craziest request you’ve ever received? Or

What is the craziest thing you saw happen at a wedding?

Groomsmen burning money with their cigars at the reception

What is something you hope to do in the near future?

Man, that could be a long list. I always enjoy shooting in new locations, and places I've never been, so I hope to keep meeting interesting people and seeing new things. Both are a great source of inspiration.

Special just for you!

I'm currently offering a discount on travel rates.

This is how your wedding should end

I just love this picture that Michelle Reed captured of Clint & Lauren last month. In this one single picture you see the excitement, joy, and fun.
What a great memory this photo will evoke for each of the guests that experienced that evening. A few key things I'd like to point out that you might consider to get the same kind of picture for your wedding day:

1. Lauren changed into a "getaway dress" or "going away outfit" 20 minutes before the reception ended.
2. The photographer was scheduled to stay until the end of the reception.
3. Confetti was given to all the guests as they were ushered to the porte-cochere.
4. A "getaway" car was rented for the wedding day to use for all the arrival and departures. In this case we rented a white convertible; but an antique car is also a great idea.

The Pro Series: Michael Schuhmann

What do you get when you mix photopgraphy and art? Micheal Schuhmann. After reading his interview, be sure to view some of the slideshows on his website!

What are your company and profession?
Photography by Michael
What’s your name and title?
Michael Schuhmann
Where do you do weddings?
Tampa, Boca Grande, Italy, Cabo, Charleston, Connecticut, New York, Miami, Florida Keys, Orlando, St. Augustine, Sarasota, Marco Island, Sanibel, Naples...
Website:
www.photographybymichael.com
How long have you been in business?
15 Years
Why weddings?
An endless opportunity to create art. The pleasure I get when I find someone who truly understands and appreciates what I do.
What your clients most often commend you on?
Breath taking images. Timely service. Personal attention to details.
Best piece of advice for brides & grooms?
Spend as much as you can on photography, you wont regret it.
What is one thing that makes working with new clients easier?
Doing an engagement session helps them become more comfortable with me and the camera.
Can I find you on Twitter?
No, but I'm on Facebook.
What is the oddest request you’ve ever received? Or
What is the craziest thing you saw happen at a wedding?
Well, I was shooting this very chic outdoor wedding one day and the ceremony was just about to start and a guest came up to me and said" I have to tell you something" I said what, she said "your pants are split". Well the bride was about to walk down the isle so I had to keep shooting, then after the ceremony I had to photograph all of the family groups as well...later during the reception I located some duct tape and repaired my pants. Ahhhh what fun....
What is something you hope to do in the near future?
I'm going to Burning Man this month, after that I'm not sure.

Wedding Photography you might not have known about (but you should)

Your wedding, although its one of the biggest events in your life, literally life changing, passes by in just a matter of hours. There are so many ways to capture more of everything that your wedding means to you through photography. So I called up one of our Wise Bride experts, Audrey Snow to explain all the different wedding photography options that there are. Audrey and her photography partner & fiance Michael are based out of Sarasota.
Looking back, I very much wish I'd had the opportunity to do a few of these, especially the Bridal Portrait. And even more so, I wish I had some of these of my parents. So often we forget to think of the future.
Here are all the various types of wedding photography we could list. The descriptions are all Audreys words- thank you so much Audrey! Check out more of Audreys words and images on her blog

Engagement: The engagement session is a more casual reflection of the bride and groom. While sometimes dressy, it's usually not as formal as the wedding day look. More often the engaged couple will be in jeans or other more casual looks. Another great chance to play around with different locations and styles. With these images, many couples will make fantastic guest books for the wedding, or submit one to the local paper for the engagement announcement. We love engagement sessions so much we include them in all our packages. It gives us a chance to get to know our couples before the big day and all work together.
Pre-wedding Celebration coverage: How much thought and planning goes into the events leading up to the wedding? Engagement parties, showers, rehearsal dinners? Why not round out your wedding image collection by including your pre-wedding events in your coverage? Tell the whole story! This image is from an engagement party/ceremony that took place months before the wedding. Images from this day will likely be included in their wedding album along with images from other events surrounding their wedding.

Boudoir: A sexy photo shoot of the bride done just for her groom (she's likely to be in gorgeous lingerie), the boudoir session is typically done anytime in the months leading up to the wedding, sometimes even on the day of. Smaller coffee table books and fine art prints are wonderful finished products for presentation. Could there be a better gift? Nope, but the truth is it ends up being just as much a gift for a woman to herself. Playing supermodel and having amazing images of yourself to show for it is so much fun.
Bridal Portrait: A bridal session is all about just the bride alone in her dress. Somewhat like the boudoir shoot, the bridal session takes place in the months before the wedding or at the very least, earlier the day of. If the session is planned for an earlier day it can be a fun opportunity to get images in a different location than the wedding/reception location. Some of a woman's most beautiful moments are in her wedding dress, she deserves a little extra press in it! As a photographer I could photograph just the bride all day long. Many of my favorite images are brides alone where they can really shine and take the attention solo for a bit.
Day before/Day after: Concerned about not having enough time to get all your favorite wedding images on your wedding day? A shoot in your wedding clothes the day before or after the wedding can be the perfect solution. This couple did most of their wedding photos the day before to be able to spend more time with their guests they day of rather than spending the time on photos. They were relaxed and had a great time shooting all over town. Important note: If you choose to do the pictures the day after, I still recommend shooting on the actual wedding day everything you would if you didn't have the extra shoot planned. Just to be on the safe side. Think of the day after shoot as bonus images rather than replacement images. And consider changing up your look just a little. Had a tough time deciding on the veil, or his tie, etc? Try this shoot with the runner up goods and enjoy some variety in your images.

Wedding Day:Wedding day coverage usually begins with getting ready moments, and continues to include ceremony coverage, formal photo sessions of family, bridal party, and of course just the bride and groom (all of which may actually happen before the wedding ceremony rather than after), as well as reception coverage. It is likely anywhere from 6 to 12 hours of coverage on the day of the wedding and is combination of true photojournalistic moments and more loosely posed, stylized shots as well as lots of images of the details that make your day unique to you. These are the images to remind you exactly how your wedding day looked and felt for years to come.Trash the dress: A session done sometime after the wedding where you don't worry about getting a little wet or dirty or messing up the dress. Locations might include in the water at the beach or in a swamp. Activities might include anything you wouldn't expect to see someone dressed up participating in. Painting, auto repair... you get the idea. It's about creating fun, daring, unexpected, dramatic images. You don't even have to use your actual wedding dress. Check out a local bridal shop's clearance rack. This gem came from the off the rack sale from a local bridal boutique. We spiced it up a bit with a corset and accessories and had a ball!

Quite a list isn't it? You can catch Audrey and Mike on twitter for more wedding photography tips and tidbits
Quick Tip: Many of these images taken prior to the wedding can be used in your wedding videos and slideshows. Check with your videographer on how you can incorporate them.

Attention Wedding Professionals: Brides don't always know.

Yesterday I was out picking out my husbands birthday gift and I went to his favorite shop. Now here's the thing, I had every intention of buying a gift. Like a Reel or a Rod or something like that. And then, I walked into the store and saw this:

I twittered that after seeing this table of I have no idea what these all are, I quickly became confused, overwhelmed, and ready to run for the oh so not unique gift certificate. A moment later, Monica of The White Box twittered back, "Aghh! Just looking at that kind of stressed me out." This comment instantly made me think,

you know, this must be what its like when a newly engaged bride is trying to decipher the abyss of flowers,fillers & vases; playlists, instruments & protocols; linens, chairs & tables; cake styles, frostings & fillings...

Do you remember when you first realized you had no idea there was so much you didn't know?
So just a reminder to us all, to make conscious efforts to explain everything to our clients, or at least inquire into their knowledge so that they aren't feeling like a chick in a fishing tackle shop when her comfort zone is Homegoods (this would be me).
Here is a great example of a magazine that totally gets it. Bride & Bloom used to include these flower cards. I still use them to this day.


YES! You can follow Monica of The White Box, Bride & Bloom, and me on twitter. Good stuff over there...

Trash the Dress (Oh did they EVER trash it)

I can't even begin to explain how stunning McBride looked on her wedding day. Exquisite is an understatement. We all balled when she came down the grand staircase (yes, they have a photo of me balling behind the scenes).

The guy carrying McBride is McGroom. McBride: Model by profession and a model bride :)


The ceremony was a tearjerker and then some.
So when I got these pictures that Turtle Pond Photography did the day after- my jaw dropped. I was blown away. I knew they would be good, but I most certainly did not expect this phenomenal imagery.
If you had told me this was Ft Myers Beach I would have called you crazy. I'm still wondering where oh where these landscapes came from.
These are the work of a husband/wife photography team overflowing with talent and skill (and such fun to be with to boot).
Here is what Nate and Amanda had to say about this destination wedding and Trash the Dress session:

“Let me first say, Jamie is as beautiful a person on the inside as she is on the out, which only made me love capturing her even more! She's obviously no novice to this modeling gig...and blew me away with her mad skills. Eager for more shots of her and her fabulous dress, we caught the last bit of sun the day after their wedding. Jamie was quite the trooper and needed little direction which made my job all the easier! Perhaps my favorite part of the shoot was watching her new husband stand by in awe of her....and fetch us dry sand (now that's true love). Seriously, they are absolutely precious together and we are so thankful to call them friends.”

You can see more of the Trash the Dress photos on the Turtle Pond Blog. Nate & Amanda are out of Indiana but travel worldwide for destination weddings.

The best video intro I've ever seen.

Seriously, this is so cute I can't stand it. I just wish I had thought of it 1st. I adore working with Ashley & Sam for 2 reasons: Pure talent and awesome people. We had a blast with them at Writer Bride's wedding, Ladies and gentlemen,

Wedding Pictures you ask for vs. the pictures ultimately purchased

As I was helping one of my clients find a photographer this past week, I asked as usual,

"What kinds of pictures are the ones you are drawn to? What pictures are you most looking forward to having?"

If I am lucky enough to have the client in our planning studio and brides library I will sit down with the client and we'll go through some of the wedding albums photographers have given us and some wedding photography books. I have to go through this process because narrowing down the enormous list of talented photographers isn't a task I take lightly and it is incredibly time consuming.

Anyway, more often than not, the response to my question is:

"I don't like the posed pictures, I want candid (or photojournalistic), and I absolutely have to have sunset photos, and I don't want to see the sweaty dance photos."

I wondered if this is what actually ends up being the case though. So I asked some photographers who follow me on twitter,

"What are the 2 most REQUESTED pictures (before wedding day) & the 2 most PURCHASED after?"

Here is what some of them had to say:

"I get a lot of formal requests and a lot of group photos are often purchased." Alicia Williams of Cordele Photography

"Most requested: formal poses, most purchased: guests buying posed & candid photos of themselves (not bride&groom)" Anne Ruthmann of Anne Ruthmann photography

"Requested: "lots of details" & "don't want to pose" Purchased: Posed couple and posed family." Kara hudson of Solais Photography

"2 most REQUESTED pictures: candid + romantic shots. Most PURCHASED: I agree with Anne, guests buying pix of themselves + formal" Shari Bare of Shari Bare Photography

"Requested: candids, photojournalism style shots. Purchased: posed groups, posed couple shots" Christine Tremoulet of Christine Tremoulet Photography

How about that? Looks like there are some differences. What does this mean? It means you should be looking very closely at everything your photographer shoots. Ask to see at least 2 recent complete weddings. Why two? Because every wedding is different, and different lighting, venues, and people make all the difference when you're "browsing". Ask yourself if all of the above mentioned requested and purchased photos are done well, and are there enough of them.

Engagement Sessions for just $25!

One of my favorite photography studios, Impressions Photography, is having their annual engagement portrait mini session day on March 1st.
You know what makes me really happy to pass along this information? The session fee, which is typically $150 (and worth every penny) is just $25 and its going to be a donation to the Animal Refuge Center!
Oh, and remember this mornings post about the PWG blog? Here's a link to their blog post on making the most of your engagement session. One of the things they mention is having your hair & makeup professionally done for the shoot. I agree something fierce.
Hmmm, I wonder if they'd take a picture of my pooch since I'm already married?
Don't wait to reserve your session, the day is certain to sell out.

Scrappy Jack Bauer McWilliams

Our New Website is Live!

Check it out! We are so excited. Let us know what you think: The Weddings by Socialites Website
Oh my gosh- so excited.
A few more changes to come (fun pictures of us), but couldn't wait any longer to share.
Many thanks to all the photographers who contributed their stunning images of our weddings:


Ashley Brockinton
Impact UK
Jason P Smith
Impressions Photography
Michelle Reed
Hillary Hopkins
Shari Bare
Julie Goodacre
Gigi Hamlett

So shoot me. I like pictures.

I know the pictures make the blog load slower. But I like pictures and I like this one alot. This is a photo by Susan Stripling. It's Lucky bride dancing with her dad. Look at that sweet smile on his face. Doesn't it just make you want to hug your dad?
Yes, I was crying then too. I should have made this weekends posts a series on crying huh?

Heather Donlan's Gallery Opening

Last night I had the pleasure to attend the grand opening of Heather Donlan's new gallery & studio down in Naples. What an amazing space! If you're in downtown Naples, you'll have to stop by to check it out. The walls are decked out with her photographic art and it is truly breathtaking. I sat down in the client preview room and had a hard time ripping myself away from the beautiful wedding albums on display.While I was there I ran into Lynn Alexander from LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. Well, i didn't actually run into her, but I did get my foot stuck between 2 chairs and almost spilled my fizze all over the place. oops. Anyway, Both of us were just in awe of what Heather has brought to the area. Its seldom that you find a wedding photographer who has studio space and its in a location where you can literally walk down the block to the beach for sunset photos!
Heather and I worked together on Jenn & Johns wedding at LaPlaya late last year and she was gracious enough to send me back with a few miniature copies of their wedding album for display here at the studio.

Florida Bride: A gorgeous Sanibel Wedding!

Don't yell at me. It was such a busy day that we never broke out the camera. No worries though because Michael from Impressions photography was there and I know he'll have amazing pictures on their blog quickly. So, in the meantime, we staged a few detail photos and I took a couple with my iphone. Just so that we could share a few.Here she is just an hour after she became a Mrs.
Mr & Mrs Florida Bride at Lighthouse beach on Sanibel Island
This is Jessica's Bouquet. There is quite the story behind this bouquet, which I will tell you all about in a later post.
These are the wedding programs that Jessica made herself! Aren't they super cute? I love the palm tree cut out.

Instead of your ordinary guest book, Jessica & Ryan bought this adirondack chair and had a friend paint and attach the plaque. Jessica has the best plans for it, she's keeping the chair in the guest room as a luggage rack.

Instead of starting off the day with the ceremony, we planned a mini cocktail hour with pink and green signature drinks. The cocktail hour and ceremony were poolside at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. They have a fantastic paved deck with palm trees and a fountain for a wedding ceremony, call Kristin if you're looking for a truly stunning sunset poolside event. So the rule is you never serve drinks without something to eat. You know me, the details count. We kept the appetizers pink and green as well: Prosciutto wrapped Asparagus with Garlic Aioli & Ahi Tuna on Risotto cake with Wasabi Creme Fraiche. Yummy and they matched too.
The reception was held at Dolce Vita on Sanibel Island. All the hot pink roses in the vases (filled with keylimes) looked amazing against the dark cherry woods of the italian restaurant. It really was a romantic scene in the candlelit dining room that night.