Why Can’t We Appreciate Differences?

Could you imagine a world of people who all like the same things, believe the same things, wear the same things.. so on and so forth?  Yuck!  Not just yuck but “What the F, Yuck!”.  I’ve kept pretty mum on politics and societal expressions that have emerged and I promise this will be my only public comment but seriously, why can’t we appreciate that people in this world are beautifully different.  Let’s stop getting offended by the smallest things that might be contrary from the so called “norm”.  Stop bashing others for their choices, political or not and just be decent to one another.  Maybe realize that we’re sharing this planet together and the age old rule that many are taught, ‘Live and let live’, should apply.

One of the best things about what we do photographically is meeting so many diverse people from various beliefs, backgrounds, and views- many of which become friends we aim to keep in touch with through the years.  Have prospective clients judged us by showing images from these so called “non-traditional” weddings or couples?  Oh yeah!  I’ve been told a few times that we were passed on because we support or show a certain type of client, wedding style, or belief. I’m usually pretty thankful on the passing as I want to work with clients who are and appreciate that we’re all created differently from one another.

One of my favorite things when I walk into our office/studio is our wedding client wall- all amazing, all gorgeous, and all have their own unique story.

In closing, be thankful for one another; be kind to one another; and respect everyone’s beautiful differences not just around the holidays but every day.

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Behind the Image- The Butterfly

The wedding day goes so incredibly fast that moments are captured but as readers you may not know the stories surrounding the image. Behind the Image is a bi-monthly post featuring one of our favorite images and the story behind it- Why was it captured and what does it mean to us as photographers.

When entering images into competitions, I never like to name my print.  I feel like adding a name to an image puts the creativity into a box and directs viewers into one line of thought, versus allowing imagination.  I know- pretty deep for a wedding blog.  One of my favorite recent captures was of a butterfly, or moth, as some may refer.  In all actuality, this was not the butterfly I was trying to capture on Amy and Bobby’s wedding day.

During their ceremony, a beautiful monarch butterfly was fluttering around the apple tree overhead as they exchanged vows.  I tried to grab the shot but from where I was standing it looked like a speck in the sea of green leaves. Spiritually, I feel that a butterfly on the wedding day may be a loved one who has passed, shining down on the couple as they celebrate their union.  Just a week before Amy and Bobby said I do, Bobby’s grandfather sadly passed.  By capturing this second butterfly (found in a patch of weeds as Jason photographed the couple), it reminded me of the monarch floating above them earlier, perhaps his grandfather’s way of saying hello.

Time to Ditch Your Pinterest Account?

Take a break and think about how well connected people are to social media these days… Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.  All are great tools when planning a wedding or could be if used correctly.  Lately I’ve noticed a decline in Pinterest fandom among professional creatives and although some valid points were made, I have to agree with NOT using much of pinterest in wedding planning.  Before bringing out the pitch forks and torches.. let’s discuss.

*It’s Recycled Ideas.  I’m all for inspiration however it should be taken lightly in planning.  The best weddings photographically in my opinion are those with a touch of the couple’s personality more so than handfuls of pinterest recreations.   I still remember weddings where the couple made DIY items or creations that may have had some pinterest inspiration, however they twisted it to fit their wedding design dream which made their celebrations even more personalized.

*Stylized Images.  Okay hope you’re sitting for this one, but a lot of those pinned couple images are stylized sessions.  Stylized shoots are fantastic for inspiration, but should be known that it’s designers, photographers, or publishers who are setting these up, gathering every detail surrounding the couple and the photographers have hours to shoot with perfect light.  Not every image is from a “set up” session thankfully but be aware that some are and although can be “inspiration” for your own images, will take time to set up, so plan accordingly for your timeline if that’s a heart set item.

*Backfire on Trying to be Unique.  Although I don’t believe that every plan in a wedding needs to be unique, I do feel the couple IS unique and shouldn’t aspire to recreating poses in images that may not fit the personalities of both you and your spouse.  If you’re a fun and goofy couple, pulling off that sensual pose you pinned months ago is going to be more work than one would think, especially to make it look natural and “fitting” for who you guys really are as a couple.

*Out of Date Boards or Unrelated Pins.  I tend to look up pinterest boards of our clients to see where your image preference is more so than the details planned.  Like your guests, I want to be a little surprised when I walk into your reception to enjoy my own personal ‘Oooo’ and ‘Ahhh’ moment.  Don’t laugh.. I seriously love this part of the day:)  The hardest part of scoping out boards is that preferences and poses may change over time and with trends (i.e the jump shot.. hated personally but done upon request although I’ll sigh internally as I shoot it).  Also pinterest is tricky and it’s so darn easy to pin tomorrow night’s dinner recipe up with your wedding inspiration boards. Although I love new recipes, I’d rather just cruise your inspiration on it’s own.  Keep it clean and keep it up to date.

*Does it Match?  There are tens of thousands of wedding venues all across the nation and most rarely look the same.  Pinning a grand ballroom photograph of a couple’s first dance in NYC doesn’t really match your chic rustic B&B style wedding here in central PA.  When looking over boards as a viewer, it’s hard to see why a couple may have pinned an image that isn’t the same “feel” as what was described for their wedding venue, especially if the pin remarks at the bottom of the image are passed along from pinner to pinner.  Best recommendation, if you’re going to pin and have others ogle them, make appropriate inspiration remarks such as “Love the lighting, love the pose, love the dress” to avoid that ‘Say wha…’ moment to your viewers.

So to ditch or not to ditch is up to you, however when it comes to wedding posing, inspirations and creations, trust your professionals such as your wedding planner, DJ, or photographer… after all, they’re typically at a wedding almost every weekend in the spring, summer, and fall months.

Where’s Your Wedding Inspiration Coming From?

Wedding planning is never an easy project for most couples, however it amazes me how many fantastic planning and inspirational tools are available for today’s couples within a few short keystrokes!  Actually.. it makes me downright jealous!  Eight years ago when we were planning, we had magazines, books, and a few select websites which were all heavily geared towards more traditional style weddings.  Today you can find a blog or site that is specifically catered to your personality, orientation, or wedding style.  Did I mention I’m jealous?  For those new to your engagement or looking for a little special something to make your wedding more customized, here are a handful of our favorite inspirational sites.

*Offbeat Bride– One of our fabulous couples turned me on to this site a few years ago (thanks Rebecca & Mason) and I’ve been an avid creeper on their real wedding posts ever since!  Offbeat Bride caters to non-traditional couples who can pop over to their site for a daily dose of ‘wedding porn’, advice, and inspiration.  What I love most is there isn’t a one size fits all to their real wedding posts- GLBT, plus size, cultural traditions.. nothing is off limits and every type of offbeat style is covered.  Also after the wedding, you can still check in for your daily dose of offbeat with sister sites of Offbeat Home, Families, and Empire.

*Wedding Chicks– I love poking through this site for the mass amounts of pretty, very much trend-setting, wedding images and of course real wedding inspiration. The coolest part of this blog is the DIY section for those ueber creative couples who not only save a buck or two but love the hands on details portrayed at their wedding.

*A Bicycle Built for Two– ABB2 is definitely geared towards lesbian couples celebrating their weddings and engagements but I love sneaking a peek at how other photographers are capturing these gorgeous ladies and customized details couples choose to incorporate in their wedding day.  This site is all about real wedding inspiration but the best part is reading about how couples made the planning decisions for their wedding day and of course their back stories which are always heartwarming.

*Green Wedding Shoes– Fabulous finds and gorgeous imagery geared towards the fashionista bride is what this blog is all about.  Along with a DIY section and the real wedding gallery, my favorite feature of this site is the Galleries section where images are broken down into different categories based off of what inspiration you’re on the hunt for.  There’s even a section for honeymoon planning which who wouldn’t want to ogle some fantastic vacation hot spots?

*When Geeks Wed– Okay so I married a geek, I have friends who married geeks, and a good chunk of our MMP client family are geeks in some fashion so this site was a given on my daily blog check in’s.  From ideas on how to DIY a Star Wars themed wedding to the best bridesmaid dresses for the geeky gals, this site is jam packed with unique awesomeness that caters to all forms of geekdom.

This is of course not the end all, be all of amazing wedding inspiration out there but just a few of our favorites.  What blogs or sites can you not live without or do you recommend we check out?

 

 

How to be the best possible wedding guest in five easy steps!

With the warmer temps (finally) and the beautiful spring blooms, so begins the wedding season!  Aside from the warmer weather, it’s both one of my favorite yet busiest times of the year with just about every weekend booked with weddings and portrait sessions.  Although each wedding is completely different from the next, guest etiquette is pretty standard across the board, yet party fouls sometimes seem to happen when couples least expect it.  You already know the etiquette staples of never wearing white, don’t be too early or definitely not late, and no whining or complaints.  Definitely not the end all be all tips for guests, but here are a few to get your guests through the wedding and keep you in a peaceful state of mind.

1. Be Respectful of the Day.  It’s easy as a guest to get a bit carried away when seeing others you may not have seen in months or years, get snap happy with your iPhone, iPad, or point and shoot, or take full advantage of the open bar… repeatedly.  We’re not saying don’t do these things or other “wedding tourist” actions, just be mindful of your actions and how it may affect the bride or groom you love and came to see.  The average couple spends upwards of $25,000 to $30,000 on their wedding day with a huge chunk going towards their venue, entertainment, and photography- they want you to have an amazing and unforgettable time, but falling over drunk will only make some not so desirable memories.  One respectful practice that can help out a photographer- keep the cell phones down during the ceremony and key moments that are imperative to the couple.  Believe me.. your iPhone won’t capture nearly the same quality image as a photographers $5000 camera will:)

2. Go to Cocktail Hour.  I’ll never understand why guests like to mingle and hang out at the ceremony venue after the kiss and recessional are complete.  Go… drink… nibble on tasty hors d’oeuvres!  Spoiler Alert- after the ceremony, a limited amount of time is devoted to family pictures, which most photographers want to accomplish as soon as possible, and couple portraits which they will showcase in their home, share with family and friends, and use as their Facebook profile pictures.  Unless you’ve been asked to hang out afterward, please go enjoy cocktail hour.  It keeps the couple calm and on time which leads to a happy photographer and caterer (late couples = late food service = mushy vegetables = yuck!).

3. Sign the Guest Book and Take your Favors.  A couple typically plans out their wedding day 12-18 months in advance of your arrival to their festivities.  From the linens, to the flowers, and beyond they’re envisioning how they want their dream to come together, which includes the fun favors planned for their guests as a sincere thank you for being a part of their wedding day.  Take these!  Favors can cost between $1-$10 a piece depending on the personalization and what exactly they are.  Most couples are opting for edible favors which can serve as a bonus snack for the drive home!  Although most are doing away with it, couples are still choosing to do some sort of guest book/ ‘I was here’ item to remember you by- Sign it!  Make it a bit more personal and add a sweet note to the couple for great marriage tips, well wishes, or even a good recipe.  Knowing ahead of time that most couples choose some sort of guest book item, plan ahead with what you’re most apt to write.

 4. Dance!  Whether you need a drink or two, or have the moves of Beyoncé.. get out there!  The DJ appreciates it, the photographers appreciate it, and the couple appreciates it!  Hate the thought of your picture being taken while you’re getting your groove on?  No worries.. you may want to sit down for this one… but we honestly don’t care what you look like when you dance.  Picture wise we get to capture a packed dance floor which makes the couple’s wedding portfolio look even more kick ass and focus on your happy, smiling faces as you laugh up someone’s fantastic MJ moves or attempts on break dancing.  The more candid, the better memories the couple has in their imagery.  You’ll also look like a rockstar to get your date out there dancing throughout the evening!

5. Avoid Social Media Posts. Sure you want to share how awesome of a wedding you’re at or post selfies of your gorgeous wedding attire but resist the urge.  Most couples, especially the brides, prefer to NOT have their guests post wedding play-by-plays on social media pages.  Although you may be the next Ansel Adams of iPhone photography, I’ve rarely seen a good looking instant post of a bride on her wedding day.  A good rule of thumb is to wait until the bride or groom (usually the bride) posts images from her wedding day on her page or the photographer has released professional images of the beautiful bride and groom.  Think of it like the 80’s.. when the average American didn’t have a cell phone, but had big ass hair, eclectic dance moves, and funky fashions instead.

 

Engagement Session: What the hell am I to wear?!

I personally LOVE photographing our couple’s engagement sessions!  The E-session is one of the first times, aside from our first consultation, that we really get to know our couples personally.  We learn the poses they’re great at and the poses that.. uh.. well.. let’s just not do that one on the wedding day:)  Every couple is different so even if shooting at a common location, we’re quick to offer unique options to make their session truly their own.

One of the most popular questions we are asked from our couples is ‘What should I wear?’ or ‘Should we do more than one outfit?’.  Here are a couple key thoughts to keep in mind when planning the cosmetics of your engagement session:

-Don’t go too matchy-matchy!  If you Google image search ‘Beach Photography Portraits‘ almost all of the top hits come back with families and couples dressed the same- white shirt and blue jeans or white shirt and khaki pants.  Although this attire may look good at the beach for some folks, your engagement session isn’t a family reunion and you may want to shy away from this style.  Aside from the highly matched wardrobe, be cautious not to go balls out on not matching at all, looking like two strangers who met up for a portrait session.  Here are some outfit examples that mesh well together:

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-The Shoes Matter!  Not only do the shoe choices matter but so do the accessories.  For gentlemen, if going casual in a tucked in button down shirt, properly rolled sleeves and a matching or stylish belt might be a consideration.  Going more formal, go for a fun, personality fitting pair of cufflinks or a stylish watch.  For the ladies, bold statement piece necklaces, a gorgeous pair of earrings or dapper pearls is a great add on option for either casual or dressy styles.  Lastly the shoes!  Men if wearing a pair of dress shoes, consider polishing those babe’s up prior to your photo op.  Gals consider something with a heel fitting for the time of year and the location.  Your session is a great time to break out those stylish, more expensive, or cherished pair of Chuck Taylors or Louboutins!

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-Dress for the season and the session!  Although spring and fall are the two most popular times to schedule your session, we do see couples throughout the year.  Summer sessions are tricky and we recommend to our clients to avoid or be prepared to reschedule in case of super hot weather.  Unfortunately the heat can make some skin tones red and splotchy and if humidity is in the mix, a bit of shine on the face that can’t be removed organically.  Also the colors of your outfits should be taken into consideration based off of where your session is located.  Wearing a bright red or orange shirt in the middle of a forest doesn’t have as nice of a photo flow as would whites, blues, or yellows.  Urban locations usually have a darker color base, such as blacks, deep blues, or grays.  Can you mix and match color hues best in a nature area to an urban area.. absolutely.  Just keep in mind what the primary colors will be in your setting.

-Don’t hide your gorgeous figure!  We see couples of all shapes and sizes- there is no normal size anymore folks! The worst thing picture wise is to overly hide your unfavorable spots.. on camera that’s when it adds rather than minimizes.. and no one, especially us gals want to see that!  Our best recommendation is to learn what figure you have and shop for styles that flatter rather than hinder that gorgeous shape.  Worse case scenario ladies.. grab an A-line dress- it’s flattering on almost all body shapes!  The great news.. by hiring a professional we know some tips and tricks to create poses and positions that make anyone look amazing!

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– Comfortable and Confident!  Ultimately regardless of what you wear, be comfortable!  If you’re not comfortable, you’re most definitely not going to feel very confident.  Ever hear the saying ‘The Camera Doesn’t Lie’… it’s so true!  I can tell immediately if a couple is stressed, not comfortable with the pose, or hates what he/she is wearing- your body language gives it away in a heartbeat!  Lastly on the confidence soap box is your personalities.  If you bring your tremendous, unique personalities, the camera picks up your natural awesomeness whether it’s goof, romance, quirkiness, or humor!

If I’ve missed any great elements of ‘What the hell do I wear to my engagement session?’ be sure to shout them out in our comments!

Etsy-Up Your Wedding Day!

The modern couple gets major props from most photographers for their strong attention to detail and continuous pushing of the envelope on the look, touch, and themes for their wedding.  Some of my absolute favorite weddings were a combination of thoughtful purchases that matched the couples personality or those who went balls out on the DIY designs!  Though most of our clients are super creative in some capacity, we do have a few who are always on the hunt for a helping hand in design to which we recommend sites such as Pinterest for inspiration or Etsy for those truly unique touches.  Not sure how to incorporate a few personalized touches?  Try starting here with some finds from Etsy:

-Cake/Dessert Toppers:

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-Alternative Bouquets:

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-Guest Books:

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-For the Groom:

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What are some of your favorite Etsy finds or purchases?

Dead Wedding Trends

Everyone knows that couples have been tying the knot for centuries, however over the years some of those old fashioned trends are dissipating from planned wedding details.  With the ultimate goal for the modern day couple to make their wedding more personalized, more relaxed, and more fun for guests we’re seeing more and more “traditions” being dropped.. and for good reason.   Given we’ll photograph anything here’s what we’ve seen lately in the soon to be sealed barrel of dead wedding trends….

– The “Ghost” Wedding Dress Shot.  More often than not we’re asked by our ladies to avoid capturing their ghostly hanging wedding gown in preference of a stunning front and back image of the gorgeous gal actually in her threads.

– Ceremony “Accessories”.  More couples are opting for a simplistic wedding ceremony, incorporating personalized vows in an abbreviated yet thoughtful ceremony.  Departing are sand blending ceremonies, unity candles, and lengthy impersonal readings.

– The Super Extended Family Photo.  Almost every couple we work with prefer to scale back their family posed images that are captured after the ceremony to include just parents, grandparents, and siblings versus the aunts, great-uncles, twice removed cousins, the who-the-hell-are-you family members, etc.

– The Receiving Line.  [Insert Imperial March Music Here]  The receiving line is an old hold over from when couples chose to get hitched and hit the road versus head to an immediately following cocktail hour and reception.  A good old fashion receiving line will suck time away from your day faster than an Olympic Speed Skater and depending on the month you’re more susceptible to sharing colds and other fabulous illnesses with your invited guests.  Most couples opt to visit tables to talk with and thank each of their guests or just drag everyone out to the dance floor or photo booth!

– Not Attending Cocktail Hour.  With more opting to do a first look pre-ceremony, couples are making time to hit up their cocktail hour.  Takes care of being able to talk to invited guests, family and friends plus.. hey you paid for it!  Why not enjoy that specialty cocktail and tasty hors d’oeuvre?

– The Cake Smash.  Many modern couples are either forgoing the “baby’s first birthday style” cake smash or just saying to hell with cake all together and opting for creative sweets such as pies, cupcakes, dessert bars, or even whoopie pies!  No gal looks good with a nose full of icing nor is it very lady like trying to get smashed cake bits out of your bosoms!

– Tosses!  Yes there’s an exclamation point here for a reason. I have to agree with this dying trend over any other.  The bouquet toss… not so bad.  Garter toss… it’s alright.  Garter removal and garter replacement on a new gal… not a favorite.  Many couples we’ve spoken to prefer to completely do away with the tradition as not to embarrass or point out the relationship status of their close friends or family.  We do still see a handful of couples doing tosses and a handful of guests going balls out to grab the garb.

All in all, plan your day as you like, traditional or not.  If all goes as planned, you’re only doing this once:)