KristinRogersPhotography

Super Sweet Words from Bride - Jamie

Ahhh shucks, it makes me so so so happy to know our clients are so pleased with our work and us!

 
 

What wedding photographers want to tell you …but don’t

I recently read an article in wedding magazine called “What wedding photographers want to tell you …but don’t”. It went over some items that photographer’s would love to tell their wedding clients but at times might feel too pushy or embarrassed to do so. I liked a few of them and had many of my own that I would like to share. I hope I don’t come off too pushy or later feel embarrassed for writing this...but here it goes! 

I also want to be clear….what matters on the wedding day is the marriage itself and what these two people are committing to each other. We want you to be happy and comfortable so some of these things might not be worth the photography opportunities it will provide or it is not in your budget. That is understood and you can still have a beautiful wedding and pictures. But if its in your budget and you are up for it, here are some things that would be beneficial to consider.

 

Seeing each other before the ceremony aka “First Look” Here are some reasons why it is beneficial:

 

  

 

* Your make up and hair are fresh and looking the best it will be before you possibly get sweaty or all scrunched up by all the guests that are going to squeeze and kiss you all day.

* It allows you to share that moment (which for some is quite emotional) in privacy. You have a moment to talk and be with each other without all eyes on you.

* It allows for the photographers to have great positioning for the shots. Sometimes the ceremony venue does not have spots with great angles to allow us to capture both the bride and grooms first look at each other.

* If you are having an evening wedding... you are able to get some amazing bride and groom portraits before the sun goes down. You will be in the natural lighting which is always best in my opinion!

* This is the huge one..... after the ceremony the amount of pictures needed to be taken will be kept to a minimum which will allow for family to be freed up to visit with guests and enjoy the cocktail hour. Also, it will relieve the stress of having to squeeze in a ton of pictures knowing you have a whole party of hungry guest waiting your arrival.

* It normally will allow for the photographers to take pictures of the reception venue before guests are seated and details are moved around. You spend so much time prepping for everything to look perfect, we want to capture that!

* Most brides simply find it a stress reliever….get the jitters out.

* I have never heard a bride say that it took away from that "moment". The moment you imagine when he sees you for the first time...if anything you have the moment to soak up and enjoy and in the mean time we are getting great pictures of it (from a distance).

 

Keep Room Clean

 
 

When we come in to do “getting ready” shots, it is helpful when the room is not too messy, have random trash or anything that would not be great in the pictures. The background does show up and it can be a bummer when little things are in the background that takes away from the shot.

 

Professional Make UP

 
  

You may have a friend who knows how to do make up better then the average Joe, but normally when someone does not have their make up professionally done, it looks great for a couple hours but then begins to wipe off, smear or simply disappear. Professional make up artists use primers, sprays and other tricks to keep your make up clean and set for the whole day!

Lighting

 

 
Lighting is everything in photography. Please keep this in mind when choosing where your alter will face or the brightness of a room/church you may use. Dim settings with candles create a great ambiance but is tough for photography if there is just not much light. Your pictures will turn out as crisp and clear the more light you have. You can have the DJ or venue light the floor, hire a lighting specialist or add coffee shop lights to add ambient if its indoors.

Details/Props

 

Details and fun props add so much character to your pictures. I am stoked that “Do It Yourself” projects are getting so popular for weddings. Many couples are also finding neat bottles, umbrellas, jars, bird cages, windows, picture frames, etc at thrift shops or garage sales to use on their tables or as decor around their venue. Also, details like bright colored shoes, a fun veil, parasols, bow ties and crazy socks are so fun!  All these little things photograph well and will bring a unique touch to your pictures. 

 Food and Payment

 

Please don’t forget to provide a vendor meal for your photographer…especially if it’s me. I love me some food and get super hungry when I have been working for hours taking your rad pictures. Also, please don’t make the photographer ask for payment, especially if you owe a payment on your wedding day. We don’t want to make you uncomfortable or have you whip out your check book while your enjoying your day…plus it can just be kinda awkward. Have all the funds ready!

 Have Fun

 

It also adds a ton of goodness when you are willing to do fun things for your photographs. Sit down, lie down, climb up, and stand on things in your wedding dress and suits. As my friend Logan said “dust can be removed from the fabric but great wedding pictures are once in a life time”.  



I hope this helps future brides when considering photography for their big day! :)

 

It's coming quick!

Now is the time to start booking your family session for those fun Christmas cards! You might wanna hurry, I'm filling up quick this year!

Email me to set it up..... KristinRogersPhotography@gmail.com

 

 

 

Steve & Jamie Amazing LA Wedding Part 2 !!

If you have not seen it, you have to look at part one of this wedding HERE.

Steve and Jamie did a lot of creative work for their day. All the details of the reception were do it yourself projects...from the goodies on the table to the photo wall Steve and his dad built for guests to take pictures with. We loved it all.

We pick up from the bridal party, who we loved, leaving the Walt Disney Concert Hall and made our way through the streets of LA to their ceremony site at the Catherdral of Our Lady Angels , then to their reception at the Union Station. Jamie and Steve did a choreographed dance that was so fun and hilarious! The food was amazingly cute (mini milk shakes killed me) and tasty and the band, The Creepers, wrapped up the night with a full dance floor. All this was coordinated by Amanda Auer and her friendly team at In The Now!

Credits:

Dress -  Pronovias (Megan) 2010 Collection

Flowers by: Floral Design by Jaqueline Ahne

Make Up by: Flawless Faces 

Catering by: 24 Carrots

Bakery: Sweet & Saucy Shop

Again, some mass props to the very talented wedding photographer Bill Blakey that shot with us.

 

Jamie and Steve, thank you for being so fun and choosing us to capture your amazing wedding. We had so much fun and loved every detail. We wish you the greatest happiness and such a fun marriage.

I had to share a veil blooper that happened during some family shots...

 

Teen Fashion Designer - Tatiana McLane turns 18!

Her hair was pulled half up in a tiara and the other half down passed the bottom of her back, she wore a pale pink gown and big smile. Tatiana turned eighteen and to celebrate she had a fancy party with her parents and some of her closest friends in the classic Beverly Hills Hotel.

Tatiana has so many things going with college and her fashion designs for Queenie4ever...but her and her friends had such an elegant and fun afternoon to celebrate her big day.    

Credits:

*Wardrobe styling Venice Wong and Tatiana Mclane for Queenie4ever
*Hair and Makeup Styling Monika Monroe
*Tatiana's Cake by CAKEDIVAS
*Floral Arrangements & Decor by Especially For You Designs and Le Petit Gardens
*Event Coordinator Jennifer Newmark for Beverly Hills Hotel
*Tatiana's Shoes by Peter Fox

 

We took some pictures and then headed over to the party......

 

Tatiana's mother, Venice Wong, looked so pretty!

 
 
Thank you for being so kind and treating me like a guest!  
 

Steve & Jamie Amazing Wedding - Part One

For sure one of my favorites! These two are goofy, kind and full of good attitude and humor. It was so fun to document their day. Jamie is an architect and has an eye for neat buildings, color and details. There whole day was full of creative goodness and "Do it Yourself" projects. They are so sweet to each other and everyone had nothing but such good things to say about their love and character.

There is just too much goodness in this wedding so I will split it up in two posts! We started at the very classy Los Angeles Athletic Club where everyone was getting ready and in fun spirits! We then made our way to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for their "First Look" and bridal shots. This group was so funny and would strike a pose at the drop of a hat. So fun.

Credits for this post:

Dress -  Pronovias (Megan) 2010 Collection

Make up (which was amazing) - Flawless Faces, Inc  

Their pretty and unique flowers - Floral Design By Jaqueline Ahne

Check back soon for more bridal party pics, flowers, ceremony at Catherdral of Our Lady of Angles, reception at Union Station that was coordinated by Amanda Auer and her team from In The Now.

Big props to my third shooter and awesome photographer - Bill Blakey!

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
As Steve would say "Countdown to Radtown" aka Next post :)