PHOTOGRAPHY: WHY YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS HAS A BACK UP PLAN.

Lately we have received quit a few e-mails from brides that “had” a wedding photographer but the photographer cancelled on them for all sorts of different reasons. We were happy to be able to help some of them. Unfortunately we weren’t able to help many others because we were already booked on their date. I am the first to stress the importance of booking your photographer early on, especially during popular months like June and September.  But what happens when you booked a photographer and later you find out they can’t shoot your wedding? What if for some reason beyond the photographer’s control they’re unable to make your wedding?

Of course a photographer will make every possible effort to fulfill their duties.  Let’s be real though, things happen. That is why a back up plan is really important.  Before you hire a photographer make sure you talk about their backup plan. Who will shoot the wedding in case they can’t? Will you just receive a refund? Will you be able to find another photographer to shoot your wedding on a short notice?

A Professional should have a network of other photographers that can help them out in a situation like this. We feel fortunate to be friends with amazing fellow photographers that we can call if something was to happen to one of us. Our brides can be sure that no matter what, their wedding day will be captured.

K~B

Southern Oregon & Medford Wedding photographers

MY LATEST OBSESSION: HEADBANDS

I came across this tutorial last night and I just had to share it with all the brides out there! It is super cute and the directions seem simple enough (unless you’re me of course!). If anyone decides to try it out let me know how it goes.

K~B

DYI Hair Flower

Courtesy of Project Weddings

http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-hair-flower

Ashalnd Grants Pass and Medford Oregon Wedding Photographers

HOW MANY HOURS OF COVERAGE SHOULD I HIRE MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR?

Peter and I hear this question often. We don’t think there is a one size fits all answer for this.  There are many factors involved such as size of the wedding party/family,number of guests, location of ceremony & reception, number of formals to be done, etc.

To determined how much coverage you need, first you have to think of what you want to cover like getting ready, pre-ceremony, ceremony, formals, reception pictures, and dance pictures.

We personally start wedding coverage, one hour before the ceremony if couples opt not to have the “Fist Look”. Since our goal is to tell their wedding day story through photos we want to capture getting ready shots and details photos (wedding dress, shoes, rings, bouquet etc.).  We also use this time to photograph the ceremony and reception details as well.

To give you an idea of how much time you need to budget for we created a “Wedding Day Photography Time Line”.  Granted every wedding is different; therefore this is only the general schedule we like to follow. When deciding on how much wedding coverage you need, remember to allow some time cushion in case things run a little late, and believe me they probably will. If you have any thought on this or just want to give your two cents worth please leave a comment below…

K~B

 1:30 pm

- Wedding Coverage begins

- Details (wedding dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, bouquet, rings, etc)

-  Last minute makeup & hair touchups

2:00 pm

- Dress on

- Final touches

- Candid photos of bride with mom & bride’s maids

2:30pm

- First Look

- Bride & Groom Portraits

-  Solo Portraits

3:00 pm

- Bridal party pictures
- Bride with her bridesmaids

- Groom with his groomsmen
- Entire group

3:30 pm - Family Photos

4:00pm

- Bride is tucked away from guests

- Photographer shoots ceremony & reception details

4:30 pm - Ceremony begins

5:00 pm - Ceremony ends

5:10 pm  -  Couple’s sunset photos

5:30 pm  -  Couple Joins cocktail hour

5:45 pm  - Grand Entrance to reception

5:50 pm - First dance

6:00 pm - First course served

Ashland, Medford & Grants Pass Oregon Wedding Photographer

PHOTOGRAPHY: TIME TRAVEL + WEDDING PHOTOS

I find it rather odd that wedding photographers are among the last vendors a bride will hire. I can’t help but to wonder, because photography is such an important part of my life. It is hard to imaging not having photos to remember precious moments by. The real value of photographs is much more than what money can ever buy. I think of my childhood photos, and the old, yellow and decaying photos of my grandfather and I get a bit nostalgic.  He passed away a few years ago and it was like a piece of me died with him. He was my hero. When I look at his pictures I’m taken back in time and I feel like I could almost touch him. Memories flood my mind and I can hear his deep and tired voice as if he was talking to me.  If I ever lost those pictures I would be heartbroken.  And if somebody told me they could bring them back for a certain amount of money, I would pay it with out giving it a second thought. Yet sometimes we are reluctant to pay someone to create those images that we will treasure forever…for example, our wedding pictures.

 I look through our album quite often. Every time, it takes me back to that day. The excitement, the nervousness and the happiness I felt are recorded in those images. They tell my wedding story over and over again, yet every time I look at them it’s as if it has just happened. I just fall in love with my husband all over again and I’m overtaken by joy. I say this at the risk of sound dumb, cliché or wishy-washy but it’s truly how I feel. Again, if I lost these pictures due to some unfortunate event I would be devastated. If I could buy them back I would in heart beat.

So if you are a bride out there, a wedding photographer should be one of the top priorities. I’m saying this because before being a photographer I too was a bride. A bride with a budget… I know you want your day to be perfect, from the flowers, to the cake, and the dress.  But just think, what will you have left when the flowers wither, the cake is gone and the dress is tucked away in a closet? What will you have to show?  Isn’t it your wedding photos?

I didn’t mean to make this post so long, but when I’m passionate abut something words just flow. Thank you for bearing with me. Best wishes on your wedding planning adventure.

K~B

Southern Oregon and Grants Pass Wedding Photographer

MAKE UP TIPS FOR A PICTURE - PERFECT FACE

Ok ladies, who doesn’t want to look absolutely gorgeous on their wedding day? Not only because it’s such a special day but also because you’ll have your picture taken over and over again.. The right makeup can make all the difference in the world. So whether you’re doing your own makeup, having a friend do it, or going to a professional, we are sure you’ll find these tips useful. Oh, and please do us a favor, under no circumstances should you go to a tanning booth or use a spay tan right before the wedding!




1. BLEND, BLEND, BLEND

You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day. Many makeup professionals use airbrush makeup, the method of choice for high-definition TV, because it’s lightweight, waterproof and gives flawless coverage.



2. SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE.

Use less makeup for a day wedding and more for evenings. You can get dramatic with eye makeup.



3. DONT SKIMP ON CONCEALER

Use a moisturized concealer on the thin, sensitive skin under the eye. If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream. For blemishes, first treat them with a natural or over the counter anti-inflammatory, then cover with concealer.



4. DO A MAKEUP TRIAL RUN

It’s the only sure-fire, stress-free way to make certain your makeup will look beautiful.




5. NOT ALL MINERAL MAKEUP IS CREATED EQUAL

Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance. In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launched a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography called Advanced Mineral Makeup. May promises it won’t white-out the bride under a flash.



6. USE WATERPROOF MAKEUP WITH STAYING POWDER

You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup. Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be water proof. And in case you cry (and you probably will), have a tissue or handkerchief handy to gently blot your tears right at the eye.



7. KEEP YOUR LIPS MOISTURIZED AND COLORED

Dry lips look dreadful in photos. Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often. Matte and gloss lip-stick both photograph well, and be sure to use blended lip liner for enhanced definition.



8. DON’T FORGET THE GROOM

If the groom is red faced due to too much sun (or drinking), a little powder can help. That goes for shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the groom’s pocket for his dry lips, as well as a handkerchief to dab “well-wishers’’ makeup smudges off his suit.



9. REMEMBER to apply foundation and powder to your neck, shoulders and
décolletage-you want your head to look like it belongs to your body!



Hope you enjoyed these tips! They are courtesy of Bridal tips for a picture-perfect face By Lorna Gentry ppmag digital edition March 2009



Kenya & and Peter

Southern Oregon and medford wedding photographers