This bride and groom have an adorable nine month old little girl together, and the bride has a son (with the cutest smile).  I have several images of all four of them looking forward but I think there is one particular that stands out.  For a moment, the bride stopped thinking about the camera, and turned towards her daughter. 

I quickly grabbed all the information I could about how to create a wedding photobooth, and came back with a quote.  I made sure she understood this would be the first time I was doing this.  The more I looked into it, the more excited I got about the idea.  Here are some highlights from our first photobooth, shot by Hollie. I look forward to offering wedding photobooths as an option to all my 2011 brides!

I use Mini Moo cards.  They are smaller than a business card but really thick and sturdy.  On the front is one or two photos of the wedding couple, and the back is information about the website.  It will have the couple’s personalized url, their password, and my blogsite for previews.  I’m trying to think about a way to incorporate these cards in for couples that do not have an engagement session, usually those that are not from Portland.  So far, my brides have absolutely loved these.

Kelly & Eli, here is a preview of yours.

When I was first dating my husband, Short Skirt/ Long Jacket by Cake was popular.  Dan said this last line reminded him of me.  I understand the need for rules and have a great respect for tradition, but I don’t believe in blindly doing anything just because we are “supposed to”.  This is very true when it comes to weddings.  So many people feel they have to invite certain guests, or incorporate something into their wedding just because other brides do it.

As a wedding photographer, I say honor tradition if it means something to you, or someone important to you.  If it doesn’t, think creatively, do want is in your heart.  I love being exposed to both new ideas and old customs.  I am photographing my first Korean church wedding this summer.  It is going to be very family oriented, and traditional.  I am just as excited to see what things are important to this family as I am to photograph the wedding of an outdoor bride that is doing every herself, their own way, just five days before, on a Monday!  Yes, to me a Monday wedding is an amazing brave decision in doing what you want.

One of my favorite blogs and wedding resources is based in Seattle, Offbeat Bride.  It’s filled with refreshing ideas for everything from flowers to wedding dresses, and of course real weddings.  They also recently launched, Offbeat Mama, a spin off that I can’t wait to read more of.  If your a new mom, check out this fun article on the author’s road trip with her baby.

]]> http://jessicashepard.com/2010/photography/offbeat-bride-offbeat-mama/feed/ 0 http://jessicashepard.com/2010/photography/wedding-photography-photography/weddings/four-things-to-tell-your-wedding-photographer/ http://jessicashepard.com/2010/photography/wedding-photography-photography/weddings/four-things-to-tell-your-wedding-photographer/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 03:17:00 +0000 Jessica http://jessicashepard.com/?p=4337 As a wedding photographer, there are questions I always ask my brides.  I’m sure each wedding photographer is different but to me I think there are some things that you should always communicate to your photographer.

• Family Dynamics:  Does your mom’s brother no longer speak to her?  Has it been ten years since your divorced parents have seen each other?  Were your raised by someone other then your mom and dad?  These are all very real situations that can happen, and if your photographer is not aware of any little special things about your family, it can make for awkward moments especially during the formal portraits.  I’m not saying your wedding photographer needs to know every detail of your life but a general overview of what to expect for how people may be on your wedding day can be very helpful.  I am used to reacting to situations and expecting change but prefer to be as prepared as possible.
• Your Favorite Things about You:  Do you love your smile?  Are you self conscious about your arms or nose?  Do you not like kissing photos?  Some of these things will come out during the engagement session but some times I meet brides for the first time on their wedding day.  Knowing what features you love about yourself and what you prefer not to be too noticable can help me photograph you best.
• Schedule of your Day:  Most brides send me a copy of the plans for their wedding day.  There is something charming about when it starts, “go for a run”, “get coffee at peets”.  It might just be me but I appreciate the little details.  They are not necessary but for me they give me an idea of where you are mentally when I arrive.  The important details are of course the times of your ceremony, where you are getting ready, when you want to do family portraits, and when your reception starts.  Most wedding photographers will help you with this, so that you can be sure to schedule in enough time for photos.  I tend to let my brides spend their wedding day how they want, and just give an opinion if something looks like it is not going to work.
• Your Feel about Being Photographed:  Do you love being in front of the camera?  Could you not care less?  Is it important that your day is interrupted as little as possible for photographs?  How do you feel about me being in the room and possibly taking photos while you are getting dressed?  I have learned that women all have different rules for what is dressed, so this is a very important question.  I have never had a bride ask me to leave the room but I often have restrictions given about when I can take a photo.  I have been told anything from “my dress must be getting zippered” to “as long as I have undies on”.  I do always put any even slightly revealing photographs in a separate private gallery for only the bride and groom’s eyes.

Grooms definitely have their say for these things too.  Typically the bride tends to be who I communicate with most so I tend to default to saying bride.  If your wedding photographer doesn’t ask any questions, that may just be their style.  To me I think these are important, and if I was a bride I would want my photographer to know a little bit about me.  Though, I must admit when I was a bride (before I was a wedding photographer) I was just happy that I felt comfortable with my photographer, and left the rest to him.

For fun, I thought I’d highlight some of my favorite wedding photos from 2009.  Different things make a photo a favorite for me.  Sometimes it is the emotion in ones face, sometimes the lines of composition or the lighting, the frozen action, or just really documenting the day.  At a bridal show this last weekend, I had a framed photo on display.  A bride and groom started talking about the photo saying the bridesmaid looked protective of her friend, and the bride looked quite nervous.  It brought me right back to the moment I captured, and as I described the scene to this bride I realized it was very similar to how she saw it.  I was elated to know my photo communicated it so well to someone that was not even part of the day!

My wedding photography client, Sirius, shares this love of shoes. She showed up for her engagement photos, in cute maryjane style red patent leather pumps. A bit difficult to walk through muddy park grounds, she slipped on black ballet flats and Chris got to tote the adorable red shoes. Later when we were back on paved ground, Sirius mentioned putting the shoes back on but then said, “oh wait”. Chris ran to the car for her and came back with another pair of crimson red super high healed super sexy shoes. As Sirius spoke about this pair (in the photo) she told me they were almost her wedding shoes but she found even better ones! I thought it was just charming how through the hour an a half session, Chris was almost always carrying a pair of cute heels for his wife to be.

I love seeing the different shoes brides wear on their wedding day. I wanted to be a flip flop bride but I kept seeing my toes sticking out as I walked. Considering I had a wedding in a historic church, toes didn’t seem right. I wore rather ugly one inch heeled white shoes because they were the perfect height for my dress. (Note, get the shoes and then get your dress altered.) As soon as the ceremony was over, the pretty white beaded flip flops went on!