Welcoming Braden

Awaiting Jaxon

I can't thank you guys enough for allowing me to be apart of such an exciting and intimate time in your lives.  I can't wait to do it again soon!

Such a Beautiful Family

This was some of the most fun I've had in quite a while.  Thank you guys so much for allowing me a glimps into a day of your precious lives!

A Day in the Life of Caysen

Love this lil' Guy!

The wedding of Jennifer Colburn and Jeremy Wiles

This weekends wedding took place at the Woodend Sanctuary, one of the few remaining Grand Old Estates in Chevy-Chase, Maryland.  The 40-acre property has a wonderful history that dates back to a 1699 colonial land grant.

Just before sunset, Sunday Evening, we couldn't have dreamed of better weather.  The air was so clear and cool.  As you make your way up the winding drive, the beautiful 16th century colonial is revealed through the clusters of oak trees.  The ceremony was held in the grove, about a 100 yards walk from the house to the left.  A winding path of cobble stones leads you down the hill to the lush lawn, surrounded by beautiful daddy oaks.  Just before the ceremony we were greeted by a family of deer passing through with the sound of celtic bag pipes in the distance.

The ceremony was perfect!  About 30 minutes , not too long, not too short, just right!  As the officiant called Jenn and Jeremy to the alter to exchange vows, the cutest thing happened!  Poor thing, she was so embarrassed, Jenn walked right out of her shoe.  And, to her rescue, Jeremy slightly lifted her dress to reveal the heal of her shoe stuck between the cobblestones!  He tenderly pulled it away and helped it return to it's rightful owner as they were on their way to the beginning of the rest of their lives!

Buy Now and Save!

I would like to inform you of an amazing  rate for friends and family.  You know how parents always want extra pictures? 

NOW you can offer them a 50% off discount if they purchase their prints in advance by registering with pictage.com under the account that has been set up for you.

 Please contact me for further details!

                                                                 *Offer valid through December 31, 2007

The wedding of Jessica Kirby and Jason Loman.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing my "Best Friends Wedding"!  Although our trip started off a little rocky, (being stuck at Baltimore Washington International Airport for 9 hours, due to weather) it was all sooo worth it in the end!

Jessica Kirby and Jason Loman joined their lives as one yesterday in the presence of many loved ones who traveled to share in this joyous occasion.  The beautiful ceremony conducted by her loving Aunt and Uncle, was held in her older brother and sister-in-laws backyard filled with beautiful gardens and love, on Long Island's, Miller Place, New York!  It was so great to return to the city I love most, for a few days of much needed vacation, but to also get to spend my time there with my three best friends and my Husband as well as celebrate the marriage of Jess and Jason.

It was a trip of a life-time!  Congrats, you two!

It’s all about emotion!

What makes a great shot?

Emotion!  

For example, during the cake cutting, a great idea is to ask all of your guests to surround the two of you while you cut the cake.  In order to better facilitate this, have your caterer place the cake in the center of the dance floor or a designated room instead of placing the cake against the wall somewhere.  Have your guests gather around the sides and behind you with your VIP’s in clear sight so we can capture their emotion during the cake cutting ceremony.

How important are ceremony pictures to you?

When choosing a venue, consider their guidelines.  Some officiates have strict requests on photographer placement, as well as flash photography.

    

If that classic shot of you and Dad walking down the aisle is a must for you, be sure to check with your officiate on their preferences on where your photographer can shoot during the processional.  He may require your Photographer to be in the back of the church at all times.  Some even require your photographer to be in the balcony throughout the entire ceremony.

 

If you’re getting married near sunset and you have ideas of romantic low light during your ceremony, you need to also consider the flash photography guidelines of your ceremony venue.  If they insist on no flash photography during the ceremony, your photographer is going to have a tough time getting a properly exposed image with no movement in “mood lighting”.  

Thank You's!

Adding a personal touch to your thank you’s says you really mean it! Beach Bums- Think Sand!

       

More Traditional-Have your photographer take the shot the day of the ceremony.  Susan and Bill say ‘Thank You’ on the steps of the Loyola Alumni Chapel”.  Nothing says “Thank You” like showing that you were thinking of your guests minutes after saying “I Do.”

Taking the stress out of the day and the Formal shots

Designate someone “special” to help ease the stress on your big day! How about 13 year-old cousin Suzy? You’re not quite sure where she fits into the wedding day but you don’t want her to feel left out. Making her your “Personal Assistant” for the day will make her feel important and help you focus on what's most important, YOU! 

Example tasks:

1. Ask her to put together a Wedding Day Emergency Kit - a grab bag of “emergency” items such as back-up bobby pins, hair spray, safety pins, scissors, feminine products, deodorant, etc.

You could even go shopping for these items together one afternoon. It doesn’t have to be super extravagant, just an afternoon at the local Dollar Store. 

2. Who better to give the task of getting everyone together for those dreaded but all-so-necessary-for-mom Formal shots? Make your adolescent sister/cousin/niece feel valuable; give her the task of handing out the shot lists at the rehearsal and calling out the group numbers the day of the ceremony. (Note: It’s always a good idea to start your group shots off with family first. This way Grandparents and cousins can get started partying while the Bridal Party is finishing up.)

Start by grouping your formal shots by number. 

Ex: 

1. Bride’s Family

2. Bride’s Family and Grandparents

3. Both Bride and Groom’s Family

4. Groom’s Family and Grandparents

5. Groom’s Family

6. Bride and Groom w/ Bride’s Grandparent(s)

7. Bride and Groom w/ Groom’s Grandparent(s)

8. Groom and Bride with Siblings and Cousins

Then make a separate list including each person who will be included in the Formal shots on the day of the ceremony and a list of each photo they will need to be available for. 

EX: Terry (Groomsman-Bride’s Brother): shots 1, 2, 3, and 8.

Mamma Clarie (Bride’s Grandmother): shots 2, 3, and 6.

After compiling the list, make small cards with the group numbers for each formal shot. Your “Personal Assistant” will then hand out the numbered cards to each person the night of the rehearsal dinner and call out the numbers on the day of the ceremony.

When and what should my photographer eat?

If at all possible, we prefer to eat when the Bride and Groom eat, and in a separate area, away from you and your guests. (*Note: you will need to specify this to your caterer, otherwise we will likely be the very last person served.)

Allowing us to eat when you are eating allows us to be available for capturing those emotional moments when you are greeting all of those long-lost guests.

Seating Arrangements

If your toasts are scheduled to begin just as everyone sits down for dinner, you may want to consider your seating arrangement of VIP's

There's just something to be said about a shot of the Best Man, Bride and Groom, Parents and Grandparents all in one shot; capturing all the great emotion in everyone's face from the story the best man told about the Groom. Let's just hope those looks aren't of exasperation, surprise, and fear from the Best Man recounting one of those stories the Groom would likely pay to forget!

Welcome!

I am so excited about sharing my blog with all of you.  I hope in doing so it will help keep everyone up-to-date on the current happenings at Bella Experience.

One of my goals in growing my business is to give back to my entire client community in as many ways as possible. Please just let me know how I can help.  Feel free to contact me regarding what you would like to see or learn about.

I know that the success of my business depends not only on the  quality of my work, but my ability to answer your questions openly & honestly. If there are ways I can make your experience more beautiful please don't hesitate to let me know.