Archive for the ‘Weddings’ Category

31
Dec
2013

Eight years.

2013-12-31_0037

This will be my eighth year as a full-time photographer.  There were a few years prior to that where I went from serious hobbyist to a part-time photographer.  It wasn’t until I moved back to South Carolina from Denver that I set out to make this my career and I couldn’t be happier with that decision.  Heck, it’s really hard to believe that seven years have already gone by since we left the Rockies.  In those years, I have worked a variety of genres ranging from weddings to commercial to families & fashion as well as photography for the music industry.  While weddings have been my primary focus, I have truly enjoyed all of my other shoots and the people I have met through them.  Reflecting back on these years makes me realize how blessed I am to be able to continue to do what I love as well as remember those moments where I had self-doubt or burned the midnight oil night after night working in Photoshop during my busy season.  I do this because I am passionate about working with each and every bride, groom, mom, dad, child, business owner, teenager, model or musician.  The connections I make year after year and sometimes the friendships that form from a shoot are priceless and mean so very much to me.  I love it when a bride & groom call me a year or two after the wedding to tell me that they are expecting and would love to have newborn photos or when I see children grow up over the years…and I even love to see tears of joy when a mom & dad watch their slideshow from a recent family session.

Looking through all the behind the scenes photos taken by my second photographer, assistant or even a family member at a wedding makes me realize that there are a lot of other jobs that I am involved with…such as pinning on boutonnieres swiftly and hopefully with accuracy without pricking my finger.  haha.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

2013-12-31_0024

Helping with posing…

2013-12-31_0027 2013-12-31_0038

2013-12-31_0020

Laughing and hugging…. ( and no..this is not a job description 🙂 )

2013-12-31_0030

2013-12-31_0051 2013-12-31_0052

2013-12-31_0048 2013-12-31_0050

Straightening out a dress…

2013-12-31_0021 2013-12-31_0029

Climbing, kneeling or squatting…anything to get the shot

2013-12-31_0023 2013-12-31_0025 2013-12-31_0034 2013-12-31_0036 2013-12-31_0044

Or placing a veil while offering a hug during an emotional moment…

2013-12-31_0032

There are many summer days when I feel like I have a furnace on my head because my hair holds in heat like insulation or when my feet are calling me bad names because I insist on wearing heels.  BUT I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything.  I get emotional right along with my clients, I care about what is important to them and I am honored to have you all trust me to deliver images that capture those special moments in your lives.  I will always strive to be better and look for ways to grow.  I cannot thank you enough for your business, referrals and friendships.   Thanks for putting up with my silly selfies or asking about my smoothie concoctions.  But mostly, thanks for the smiles, hugs and laughs.

Happy Happy Happy New Year!!!

xo

~lisa

Personality is an important factor when choosing your wedding photographer. Your wedding photographer’s personality can really set the tone for your entire wedding day and your bridal party. Why? Because they will be by your side for pretty much the entire day and night. They will also be spending time with you during the engagement session and bridal session if you choose to have one. If you are not comfortable around your wedding photographer or don’t feel some sort of connection and/or ease with them, it will show in your expressions which will be captured in your photographs. There is a good chance your family and friends will feel the same on the day of your wedding.

choosing your wedding photographer 1

Producing images that look and feel natural is something that is created between the subject and the photographer. Yes…it is vital that your photographer has a strong understanding of the technical side of things and has the ability to direct you into structured or candid poses, BUT you as the subject has to feel natural. Feeling natural in front of the camera isn’t something that comes easy for many, so having someone that can put you at ease is huge! That can happen when you trust and like your photographer. Not saying you have to become besties (although I have with some of my clients), but you really should enjoy their company. Think about it…sometimes you are asked to laugh and act natural while a big ol’ lens is pointed toward you. Uhm, that can be a bit intimidating. The goal is to make it look natural and not contrived.

choosing your wedding photographer 2

The great thing is that those staged laughs often will turn into real laughs – when you feel comfortable.

choosing your wedding photographer 3

choosing your wedding photographer 4

When someone feels comfortable it shows in their body language, smiles and even the eyes. You can tell when someone is laughing naturally or just going through the motions.

choosing your wedding photographer 5

Another time in which you want everyone to feel comfortable and have fun is when it includes your bridal party. Once again, if your bridal party is not enjoying themselves or even worse…is feeling annoyed, it will show. Especially when you want to have a little fun with the poses.

choosing your wedding photographer 6

choosing your wedding photographer 7

Quiet, more intimate moments between a couple is another time in which it is important to feel comfortable. Trust me on this..you can see it in the image when a bride & groom isn’t having a real moment because they are too worried about the camera. This is a time when you want to forget that your special moments are being documented and just enjoy.

choosing your wedding photographer 8

choosing your wedding photographer 9

These photos will last you a lifetime, so remember to get to know your photographer after you have decided to contact them based on their work. I have many out of state clients, so thank goodness for Skype or Google Hangout!!

choosing your wedding photographer 9

Thank you for stopping by!

~lisa