NEW blog with NEW design!

Along with my new logo, brand identity and marketing materials comes a new blog! My new blog is hosted through Typepad at http://visionphotographs.typepad.com.

I wanted to create a custom blog that suited my new needs and allowed me to add very cool new features. I also wanted a clean design that made my photos really pop for the viewer!

Please provide any feedback while I am fine tuning my new blog. On the top right of the new blog you will see a new feature....Pages! This allows me to make my blog into what people are now calling a "blogsite", a mixute between a Website and a blog.

The pages will include information about wedding, portrait and senior session pricing and packages! That way you will be able to access very important information upfront!

Thanks again and make sure to bookmark this new blogsite http://visionphotographs.typepad.com!

Theme: Ten Forget me Nots

You've given your caterer the final head count, confirmed (and reconfirmed) every single vendor on the list, and handed out timelines to make absolutely sure the cake cutting occurs at 10:05 p.m.-followed by the bouquet toss at 10:13. Think you're ready to just sit back and enjoy the big party? NOT QUITE...

Pay the piper.
(And the caterer, too.) Write final-payment checks for your vendors a few days before, and give them to a trusted friend or family member to pass out on the big day. (Or better yet, pay everyone in full a few days in advance.) If you're planning to tip, put the checks or cash in envelopes ahead of time, so they can be easily distributed.

Do the bustle.
To keep your reception from being a total drag, make sure your mother, maid of honor, or another friend will be available to bustle your gown. Give them a crash course in the complicated hook-and-eye configuration before you want to hit the dance floor.

Feed Me, Seymour!
Ask your banquet manager or your best pal to bring you a plateful of those fabulous hors d'oeuvres and keep your champagne glass filled. During the cocktail hour, you'll never make it to the bar.

Get a room.
Find out if your site has a separate room for you and your party to leave your bags and change into "going away" clothes. A restroom will serve in a pinch, but you'll probably want a little more privacy.

Lose the excess baggage.
Put a reliable pal in charge of getting your luggage into the honeymoon suite...or at least into the getaway car.

Theme: Money Saving Photography Tips

First, it must be emphasized that your photography is NOT an area of the wedding where you should cut corners. There are a few ways to save money but overall, you DON'T want to skimp on your photography. Here are a few ways to save money, but without sacrificing the quality of your wedding photos.

ALWAYS hire a professional. DON'T ask your friend who "takes good pictures" to photograph your wedding. Hire a professional and one that has experience photographing weddings. You've only got ONE chance to get it right, so don't take chances.

Ask your photographer to limit their time taking pictures. Some couples choose a "ceremony only" package where the photographer takes pictures before and during the ceremony but not at the reception. The photographer would take all of the formal pictures of the bride and groom, family and wedding party and photograph the ceremony. Then, ask friends and relatives to take candid photographs at the reception.

To save money on your videographer, you can also ask them to videotape the ceremony only and then have friends videotape the reception.

When using disposable cameras, think twice before placing one at every table. The cameras are inexpensive, but the cost to develop 20-30 roles of film is not! Try assigning an hour for each camera use, having cameras passed out to designated people, or place a camera on every other table.

Choose a photography package rather than purchasing all of the items separately. If there is something that you really want that is not included in a package, ask the photographer if something can be swapped without increasing the price.

Sometimes choosing the smallest or least expensive photography package is not the most cost effective option. One bride chose the least expensive package and afterwards spent $700 to buy additional prints that were not included in her original package. A more comprehensive package would have cost her only an additional $250 more if purchased up front.

Be careful of all the extras that your photographer may offer, such as the "Deluxe or Ultra" wedding album or a framed wedding portrait. Remember, what really counts are the pictures themselves - not the packaging!

Todd and Michelle's Wedding!

I had a great time shooting Todd and Michelle's wedding day. They are very fun! The ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s, followed by the reception at the Orange Tree Golf Resort. Very nice setting! Loved it. Great sunset, beautiful lighting! Thanks again!





Having fun with Keri!

Theme: Wedding site basics

Modern wedding reception sites today are breaking tradition when it comes to creativity and special settings.

There are basically two general types of locations. The first is on-site, which means that the place can provide services such as food, drinks, wait staff, tables, linens, china, maybe even flowers, music and the wedding cake. Some favorite on-site places include:

Hotels
Restaurants
Clubs
Catering halls
Church and community centers
Corporate centers
Inns or bed-and-breakfast establishments

The other location type is off-site: There are no services offered. You have your own space or pay a rental fee for one and bring in everything yourself, from seats to spoons. The good news? You can have it all your way. Here are some popular off-site places:

Yachts
Mansions
Botanical gardens
Wineries
Museums
Historic buildings
Movie theaters
College compuses
Amusement parks
Wildlife preserves and zoos
Racetracks
On the beach

Wherever you choose, book your site as far in advance as possible. Visit the site while another wedding is taking place to see how the staff runs the affair. Sample the food, inspect the kitchen and check the restrooms.

If space allows, an at-home wedding can be the perfect alternative to renting a location. Just know what you're getting into. Logistics may pose a problem if electrical, toilet and parking facilities are inadequate for the number of guests attending. For outdoor weddings, a tent is recommended in case of rain. If you're determined to be wed at home, an experienced caterer or party planner may get you over the larger hurdles.

For those extra special places, the search may be become more involved. Here's how to go about it:

Naturally, the web is a sure bet for tons of leads. If you haven't already, do a search for "wedding locations" and watch what's revealed. You'll turn up websites that deal with specific regions of the country and others that offer helpful links.

Check with a caterer or party planner in your vicinity. They know where the best spots can be found.

Next, contact your local Chamber of Commerce, parks commission, historical society or National Register of Historic Trusts to find out about specific sites.

Traditions
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe. This good luck saying dates back to Victorian times and many brides try to arrange their wedding attire accordingly.

Something Old represents the link with the brides family and the past. Many brides choose to wear a piece of antique family jewelry or a mothers or grandmothers wedding gown.

Something New represents good fortune and success in the brides new life. The wedding gown is often chosen as the new item.

Something Borrowed is to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. The borrowed object might be something such as a lace handkerchief.

Something Blue is the symbol of faithfulness and loyalty. Often the blue item is the garter.

Silver Sixpence in her Shoe is to wish the bride wealth.

Flowers and their Symbols
Rose is Love, White Daisy is Purity, Gardenia is Joy, Orchard is Beauty, Carnation is Distinction, Blue Violet is Constancy, Forget-me-not is True Love, Red Chrysanthemum is Sharing, Lily of the Valley is Happiness, White Lilac is Youthful Innocence.

Theme: Before or After ~ When to Shoot the Formals

In Medieval times, a bride and groom were not even allowed to meet each other until the actual wedding ceremony. This was so neither one could back out if, when they saw the person, they would not want to be married to them! This ancient custom has carried forth to the 2000's where now people feel it is bad luck to see each other before the ceremony. In fact, there is no basis to the success or longevity of a marriage if the bride and groom wait to see each other until the ceremony.

It is important for the couple to decide for themselves which way they would like to go, and inform the photographer about a week before the wedding. To assist the bride and groom with making an informed decision, there are a few items worth noting:

It is a special moment when the couple first sees each other. When it is done before the ceremony, they can talk to each other and express how they like the way the other one looks! This is what each one wants to know anyway, but a ceremony itself is not the place for a bride and groom to talk to each other and tell each other what they are thinking. The moment they first see each other also makes a wonderful candid photo!

Many times the couple is glad that they are seeing each other in advance in case there are any wedding details that they need to discuss. In this case, it is a good thing they were together beforehand to discuss it!

It adds to the stress to not see each other and it actually reduces stress when the couple DOES see each other first.

When the flowers, hair, make-up and clothes are all new and fresh is the best time to take pictures. This can be especially true for a hot and/or humid day.

The bride and groom can choose any location within a half hour drive of the ceremony to take pictures. There are many beautiful spots that have water, trees, flowers, grass, nice sky, impressive architecture, etc., that would not be practical to visit after a ceremony.

This is me

Hey all! I finally have a picture for my profile! Keri Doolitte took my picture at the last wedding we photographed. So now you know what I look like. Thanks Keri!

This is my self portrait =)

Model Shoot

Here's another model shoot. This is Christina from Model Mayhem. She is a real pro, moves beautifully and full of spunk and energy. She's also very sweet. She has great ideas as well! I was at Steele Indian Park in Phoenix. It turned out to be a great location!

Theme: Getting the best photographs

Assign your own "photographer's assistant"

This person's allegiance will be to you, not the photographer. Choose someone close to you who will know your family and friends and be able to point them out to the photographer. Trust me, your photographer will appreciate this, because we don't always know who are "musts" to be photographed. And of course, we want you to be happy!

Make sure your loved ones look fantastic in all your shots by having your photo assistant check smiles and fix hair, dresses, flowers, etc. A little preventative care can help ensure everyone (and everything) is preserved in your photo album looking their best.

Inform photographer of all "special events"
Throwing a surprise or two into your wedding or reception helps to keep a magical, spontaneous atmosphere. For example, some brides like to slip out of the reception to change dresses and return with a grand entrance to dance the night away. Be sure to let your photographer in on the secret! Otherwise, you may miss what can be the best candid photos of special moments in your wedding or reception.

Mix it up
Have your photographer take different kinds of shots. Unusual angles or fuzzy focus can add interest to traditional photographs. Zoom in so close on the wedding cake you can see the texture, or photograph the bride and grooms hands as they talk at the reception table. In addition, candid photos are often taken by guests at the reception tables. These provide a delightful complement to the more formal compositions of a professional photographer.

To color or not to color?
Many of today's brides are having their photographer snap both color and black and white photos. Black and white images provide a classic, timeless look. This traditional approach focuses in on your faces and expressions of love without the flashy distractions of color. Yet color does add a liveliness and reality to photos and can preserve a more accurate record of how your day really appeared. After all, you don't want to have spent all that time anguishing over your wedding colors for nothing! Get the best of both worlds by combining the two approaches.

Studio shoot

This was a recent model shoot I did with Alysha. She's on Model Mayhem for anyone that is a member. She's super sweet and great to work with! These can easily be reinterpreted for a senior! Enjoy!

This week's theme: Picking the right wedding photographer

I'm going to try to start doing themes for some of my blog posts. When I have an idea for a theme, I will announce it that week and all my blogs will focus on that topic.

This week I chose to focus on tips to choosing the right wedding photographer. This not only includes the search process, but also what kinds of poses you should ask the photographer to use on your wedding day.

Today's post will focus on what questions to ask a photographer when you are interviewing them.

Are you the one who's going to be shooting our wedding, or will it be one of your colleagues?
Make sure the person whose book you've seen is also the one who takes the pictures. Not only should you meet the photographer in question, but his or her name should be clearly indicated on your contract. This is not to say, the photographer shouldn't have an assistant or second shooter.

What percentage of your pictures are candids, as opposed to posed?
This is going to be important if you prefer formal portraits to spontaneous shots, or vice versa, or want a mixture of both.

How many rolls of films or digital images are you going to shoot?
The more pictures your photographer takes, the more shots you'll be able to choose from for the final prints. You'll also want to find out whether pictures will be in color or black and white, or both, and whether you can pick your own album. As a general rule, the more flexible your photographer-and the greater the options you're offered-the greater the likelihood that you'll be pleased by the final outcome.

Have you shot at the selected wedding and reception sites before?
Photographers should be aware of the various rooms' special lighting needs, or specific restrictions regarding picture-taking or, say, the use of flash equipment. If they haven't shot at the location, it's not a deal breaker at all. But you want to make sure they will visit the site ahead of time with you to familiarize themselves in all possible shoot areas.

When must I put the deposit down, and when is the balance due?
Costs are tricky, and you should establish ahead of time what is owed when, and whether it is refundable (rarely!) if you decide to cancel. Normally, it's half due at signing the contract and the remaining amount due a week prior. Some photographers will do payment plans. You should also find out whether there is a charge for overtime, when the albums will be delivered, and whether you can hold onto the negatives longer than scheduled--or other loving members of the family--keep coming back for more! Also, see if there are smaller album options for making two or three albums; maybe your Mom or your Mom-in-law would like a small yet professional album.

NEW LOGO!!

I have a new logo designed by the fabulous Christa Soltis! If you are a fellow photographer (or business person) you can browse her shop of available logos that she will customize just for you! She's extremely quick and does a great job at listening to your feedback.

So now my new marketing image is complete! Please leave your feedback!

More tips to a great portrait or modeling session

The week before the shoot - Both men and women
-Hydrate yourself for several days to help moisturize your skin.

-Gently and regularly massage under your eyes for several days.

-Get lots of sleep and avoid alcohol the evening before the shoot.-Enjoy a full meal before the shoot.

-Do no use ANY self tanners in the days leading up to the shoot.

-Women, meticulously apply mascara to avoid eye lash clumping.

-Exfoliate your skin (IMPORTANT FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN) hours before the shoot with face scrub. we recommend clinique face scrub.

-If using a hair/make up artist (typically required), please come to the studio with clean hair and no make up or mascara.what to bring to your shoot

-Bring visine if you are experiencing any eye irritation (redness).

-Refreshments are available in the studio. However, we recommend bringing your favorite beverage and a light snack.-Photos from magazines you would like Erica to emulate.

-Lip balm (IMPORTANT FOR BOTH WOMEN AND MEN) to prevent your lips from drying and chapping during shoot. We recommend origins "cover your mouth" lip protector.

Women wardrobe options
-Bring a wide variety of nicely ironed garments including dresses, collared shirts, jeans, t-shirts, under shirts, tank tops, etc.

-Avoid black tops if you have long, dark black hair.

-Bring a variety of accessories (e.g., earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, belts, boots, watches, scarves, hand bands, knit hats, hair clips, purses, sun glasses, etc.)

Men wardrobe options -Bring a wide variety of nicely ironed garments including suits, collared shirts, sweaters, t-shirts, and jeans.

-Bring a variety of accessories (e.g., watches, sun glasses, belts, rings, etc.)

Model portfolio suggestions
If building a modeling portfolio, be sure to bring props. Suggestions include; sunglasses and/or eye wear, long flowing dresses, vintage wear, high boots, rain coat, something with an edge (biker wear), retro wear, fur coats, boxing head gear and gloves, balloons and matching colorful dresses, scooter helmet and shiny leather top, wedding vail/head band with matching necklace and dress, elegant gowns and matching backgrounds (e.g., vintage wallpaper, muslim, etc.) ski goggles and corresponding high neck top, etc.

New Shootsac covers!

OK so I totally bought into the promotion that Jessica Claire is promoting on her Shootsac Website. Her promo this month is if you spend more than $75 on a Shootsac or accessories, you will be entered into winning......$1800 toward one of her favorite lenses!!!!! How incredible is that! I would LOOOOVVEEE to win this.

She has this really cute video explaining the promotion and the lenses she loves. The one that I would pick - WHEN I win - is the 70-200 2.8 Canon L lense. Sigh. Anyway, here are the covers that I bought to go with my Shootsac. I figured I can match them to my clothes or my mood =)

Cross your fingers!

Some tips to a great session

OK, so I want to contact you and set up an appointment, where shall we shoot the pictures?

Well it all depends on you and your family if it applies. If you want, I can set up my studio, with a background and lights, we can do that. Or if you love your back/front yard, that works well too. The park or outdoor location works great too. If you want something different, we can shoot in a more urban setting. Great!

What should we wear?
Simple is the best. Prints do not make for good images. I tend to suggest monochromatic clothes such as one color tees/shirts, jean or khakis. But if you have a more eclectic style and you want a more stylized shoot, we can do that too. For costumes, whether simple or elaborate, we can have fun with that as well!

What about hair and make-up?
If you would like, I can have a hair and make-up person come do their magic. However this is an extra cost. But they really can complete the look and make for even more beautiful photos.

Anything else?
Only bring to the shoot, yourself and others that are to be photographed. Bystanders tend to distract everyone and this does not make for good pictures. Props are great, just keep it simple and to the theme of the shoot.

If there are any additional items you'd like me to bring, I love to bounce around ideas and find the perfect fit :)

Photos from Cavecreek photo workshops

I took a class this last weekend from Cavecreek Photo Workshops. They are really great. Anyway, here are some photos from it, sorry I'm adding a lot. I hope you like! Erica!

Post from Strategy Avenue

This is a Booth Fair idea from the blog Strategy Avenue. Laura Novak and John Meyer own this blog and it's basically how to become a successful business person. I just thought it was a great idea for local and even wedding events. So I thought I would link the story. Thanks for the bloggers out there who help us little guys everyday!

Erica

My flowers!

My boyfriend is fantastic! He got me a dozen - actually 13 because the arranger didn't count - and they are beautiful aren't they! I asked him what I did to deserve to get them and he said "nothing." Awwww. He said "You have to let the other person know that they are alive and matter." AWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Yes he is fantastic isn't he. How lucky am I. It really makes you appreciate what you have doesn't it =) Enjoy!

It's here!

My new Tracy Joy Bag is here! I am so excited! I got it the other day but I finally got my busy life together and put my extra camera stuff in it. Below are some pics of my new Kristine bag, inside and out. It's bigger than it looks online, but bigger in a good way! Now all my photo stuff fits into two bags that are light AND stylish! The best part is that Tracy Joy is donating 5% of all sales will to the American Cancer Society this May.

Quote from her site:
"This donation is in honour of my two sister in laws, Kristine & Amy Beth, who both bravely lost their battles with cancer & celebrated birthdays in the month of MAY."

Mary Kay promotion!

Here is my Mary Kay promotion! I made it into a flyer to promote the idea. If there are any Mary Kay consultants out there in the Phoenix area, let me know if you are interested!

New Branding Campaign!

Look at my new brand image! I'm launching a new image, which includes a business kit and will follow with brochures, flyers and ads! Let me know what you thing =)

Business card:
Postcard:
Letterhead:Envelope:
CD/DVD cover:

Jerome wedding part three!

So here's the last part. Just the details!





This is such a great idea! I love it! Keri said they were going out of business =( So get your poloroids while you can!