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Two Videos of Weddings at Lord Hill Farms, Snohomish WA

Irene Jones — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:34:34 +0000

In the last few weeks I’ve spent a lot of time at Lord Hill Farms. Here are two videos of great weddings that have taken place there. Julia and Josh had a lovely indoor ceremony and reception. The view is amazing and there is plenty of room for all your friends and family.

Lindsay and Jesse, chose an outdoor ceremony overlooking the Snohomish valley. Both weddings are great examples of the elegant style that Lord Hill Farms provides. Now if only I could make a video that also shows how friendly the staff is, and how great the food tastes…

Brides Club Wedding Expo: Where Do I Go From Here?

Irene Jones — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:16:35 +0000

This last weekend Terice and I took part in the Seattle Wedding Expo. We met with literally hundreds of brides with weddings coming up in 2011 and 2012. It was great to meet so many of you first hand. Over the course of the last 11 years I’ve done my share of wedding shows and in that time I’ve learned a few best practices that will help brides to be make the most of their experience. Here’s a few tips that answer the question, “Now what?” that so many woman find themselves asking on the Monday after the Wedding Expo.

Most brides go to a wedding show looking for information. It’s common for a Bride to leave a wedding show overwhelmed. The Bride and her entourage will exit the show completely stunned at the volume of tasks that must be completed before the big day. I call this, “Deer in the Headlights Syndrome.”

If you are currently suffering from DHS, don’t worry there is a cure.

Your first task is to spread the pile of literature you’ve collected on the floor and begin shorting. I suggest sorting first into categories (ie, photographers, caterers, venues, etc.)

Second, remove the brochures from vendors that were unappealing. Chances are, you remember the vendors that left a bad taste in your mouth very well. If you haven’t already, toss these out! Now you should be left with a manageable, and less daunting to-do list.

Third, choose the vendor category that peaks your interest and browsing the internet!Compare the brochure you picked up to each website. Additionally it never hurts to check Google Maps for reviews from customers, physical location, and a list of services offered. Don’t be afraid to call the vendor and ask for references from past clients or set up a face to face consultation. Meeting with for favorite vendor will help you to judge if they are a right fit for you and your fiance’.

Once the right vendor has been found, ask that person for a referral and some guidance in where to turn next. Venues will often have lists of preferred vendors they will share. If you don’t have a venue, but you do like a particular photographer or DJ, ask them! Understandably it’s not the best idea to book a photographer or DJ until a venue has been chosen, but it never hurts to pick the brain of a seasoned pro. Another good resource is one you’re already familiar with, bridesclub.com . Don’t hesitate to return again and again to find new vendors and revisit others as you continue your search.

Finally, it’s important to remember that pricing and availability of the best vendors is time sensitive! Personally I love the September Wedding Expos because my calendar books 12-18 months ahead for the most popular dates (can you say 09-10-11 ladies?) Right now is a great time to book next Fall’s wedding or the summer of 2012. Plus, it’s not uncommon to see a vendor raise their prices just prior to the busy January wedding show season.

Most importantly ladies, remember how much you love your man! Wedding planning can be stressful, time consuming, and even debilitating! Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy each other along the way.

Sneak Peek: Lindsay and Jesse’s Wedding

Irene Jones — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:33:36 +0000

On Saturday Terice and I spent our day at the lovely Lord Hill Farms for the wedding of Lindsay Bowyer and Jesse McCelland. To say these two are fun loving is an understatement! Jesse loves the camera, and it loves him back.

After shooting this image I couldn’t help but show it to Lindsay. Her smile when she saw the image was fantastic. It was a perfect way to start off the day. For those photographers out there reading this post. I shot this in the middle of the day with strobe. The goal? Over power the harsh overhead light to create dimension and shape. Using strobe allows me to mold the light into what I want it to be instead of muddling through with only natural light as a source. It’s techniques like this one that are taught during the Indoor and Outdoor Event classes I teach as part of my Momtography School: Photo Workshops for Moms. These classes are coming soon, and space is still open. Please check them out!

Lord Hill Farms has recently finished a number of renovations to their facility. It looks amazing. If you’re looking for a venue for your wedding, this should be on the top of your list!

This shot shows the reception area on the main floor. They also have an indoor and outdoor ceremony site, a must have for any venue in Western WA. Here’s another angle of the table decorations. I love their choice of flowers on the tables. I think it complemented the elegant, yet rustic look that this beautifully converted farm embodies.

While Terice, Jesse, and the groomsmen (Matt and Ryan) were photographing outside, I was with Lindsay as she put on the her final touches prior to the ceremony. For this wedding Lindsay and Jesse opted for “split formals.” Splitting the portrait session into before and after the ceremony is a good way to keep the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other prior to the ceremony, while still allowing for us to take a bulk of the portraits before hand. This keeps the guests happy, and gives us ample time to get creative shots. Other couples choose to do a “first look” where we have the bride and groom meet up a private little moment before the ceremony. With this option we get all of the photos out of the way prior to the ceremony. Some photographers want all their clients to do a first look, others always do split formals. Personally, I do whatever make the bride happy.

Once Lindsay was ready for her turn in front of the camera, I couldn’t resist a few shots on the dock. The Snohomish Valley is just amazing, and the sky, looks like something from a childhood memory.

The 5pm ceremony was perfect. Set on the hillside overlooking the river, Lindsay, Jesse, and their families participated in a heartfelt expression of love and unity. Both the bride and groom incorporated traditions from their individual heritage and then sealed their vows with passionate kiss.

And it’s that very idea of passion that I think best encapsulates these two. Their love is infectious and a joy to witness!

As a part of the ceremony, Ryan, the best man read a traditional Irish wedding blessing, which says:

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

The rains fall soft upon the fields.

May the light of friendship guide your paths together.

May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.

May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, A twinkle from your eye.

And when eternity beckons, at the end of a life heaped high with love, May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have nurtured you the whole length of your joy-filled days.

May the gracious God hold you both in the palm of His hands. And, today, may the Spirit of Love find a dwelling place in your hearts.

Amen.

May I add my agreement to these beautiful words and my wish for a long and happy marriage for Lindsay and Jesse!

To view more of Lindsay and Jesse’s photos please visit our online ordering page. All of the images will be online July 24, 2010. Please use the following username and password to view the images.

Username: Lindsay & Jesse

Password: 21366

And finally, if you attended Lindsay and Jesse’s wedding and love what we did, please write a review for us! Follow the link below to learn how to win an 16×20 canvas just for telling us what you thought!

http://blog.ijphoto.net/2010/06/08/write-a-review-and-win-our-contest/

How About Head over Heals?

Irene Jones — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:56:00 +0000

Today’s photo challenge for I Heart Faces is “Over your Head.” The challenge is pretty open and I shot this on Saturday at Lord Hill Farms in Snohomish, WA. More images from Lindsay and Jessie’s wedding will be posted later this week.

The photo was a series of fortunate happenings all at once. Right after the ceremony the wedding party and a bunch of friends were standing outside the reception hall. I grabbed my gear, some flower petals the florist had stashed for me earlier that day, and a strobe. We passed out flower petals and told our bride and groom to kiss. I had one shot, luckily it turned out great!

Lindsay and Jessie were so fun to photograph! One of my favorite things is seeing the way a groom looks at his bride. The love, passion, and commitment to each other is beyond words.

Check back in later this week for a sneak peek from their gorgeous wedding day!

Momtography School: Intro to Digital- What did you learn?

Irene Jones — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:52:26 +0000

On July 10, myself, Terice and a great group of photographers met up for the first ever Momtography Class. For anyone thinking about attending a class in the future, we had a great time and everyone said they learned a lot along the way.

The first hour was a crash course for many of our photographers in how to use the features their DSLR has. These include Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Mode, White Balance, and ISO. We also discussed in depth the relationship between aperture, focal length, and distance from a subject.

Then is was off to the Everett Arboretum for a more practical application of our favorite artistic medium. It was a bright sunny day with the sun high in the sky. Not the easiest light for a flattering portrait, but we used the following simple tricks to capture some great photos.

1. Minimize the contrast level by placing a subject in the shade.

2. Meter for the shadows on the subject’s face to find a pleasing exposure.

3. Fill with a reflector to add depth, dimension, and interest to a portrait.

Here are a few examples that attendees submitted.

This image is by Lynell Hildebrand. Exposure is 1/400 @ F 5. The lens is 85mm focal length. Notice how the background is a beautiful blur but still recognizable, thus keeping the image in context. What you don’t see, is me on camera right doing my best to bounce light onto my son’s face while keeping him smiling. The slight over exposure (highlights on the top of his head, left side of his face and back) which would be distracting in some photos is okay here. The added warmth in the image is great too. These elements really play into the sweet expression.

If you’ re wondering how to tell what kind of lighting is used in an image, just look in the eyes of the subject. You can see in Tyler’s right eye a large round catchlight. This is the reflector I was holding. The eyes will tell you every time how to mimic the lighting senario. Here’s a diagram of the set up.

Jessica Burnett caught a different angle on the same shot and even used a similar exposure. Completely different results though. Take a look.

Jessica’s exposure was 1/640 @ F5.3 using a 200mm lens. The telephoto lens really added to the compression on this image, rendering the background a solid color blur where the park once was. Also the depth of field has been severely shortened. The only thing truly in focus is his eyes and the hair on his arms! The rest is blurred because of the shallow depth of field. Both images are great and would please any client. This time, that client is me, (oh how the tables have turned!) and as a Mom I’m very happy with the great photos of my darling boy.

Next up in the Momtography Class series is Intro to Composition on July 24. I’ve added space for additional photographers to attend. To help this one sell out quickly, as of today the class is on sale! Now only $35 per person. This is a savings of $90! Register now.

I’ve heard from a number of people, “I don’t need a composition class,” and I totally understand the sentiment. But this will be a more hands on workshop environment with each person shooting and learning as you go how to improve your images. No matter the skill level this will be a great opportunity. The best part? Professional models and beautiful historic buildings. It’s worth the money just to add to your portfolio.

Details about what the class will cover and where we will be going are coming soon! If you have questions, just call me! 425.367.4781.

Hope to see you there!

Oh, and I almost forgot. If you attended and would like to share more images or your experience, please comment below!

Lyndze DuPape

Irene Jones — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:56:53 +0000

Recently Lyndze DuPape, a student of Lake Stevens High School, visited my studio for a mini session and applied to be a Senior Portrait Representative. This years Reps are a part of the class of 2011 and it’s their job to spread the word about Irene Jones Photography.

Here’s a few images from her session.

After our session, Lyndze received 50 Rep Cards with a coupon for free wallets to pass out to friends. If you know Lyndze, ask her for a card! Or if you like what you see, call or email me and let me know you saw Lyndze’s photos and would like to book. You’ll also receive 16 free wallets just for booking.

Now is a great time to schedule your session while space is still available! Call 425.367.4781 to book.

For more information about packages and to view more images please visit our Senior Portrait Site.

Zaidy Barradas

Irene Jones — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:53:08 +0000

Recently Zaidy Barradas, a student of Kamiak High School, visited my studio for a mini session and applied to be a Senior Portrait Representative. This years Reps are a part of the class of 2011 and it’s their job to spread the word about Irene Jones Photography.

Here’s a few images from her session.

After our session, Zaidy received 50 Rep Cards with a coupon for free wallets to pass out to friends. If you know Zaidy, ask her for a card! Or if you like what you see, call or email me and let me know you saw Zaidy’s photos and would like to book. You’ll also receive 16 free wallets just for booking.

Now is a great time to schedule your session while space is still available! Call 425.367.4781 to book.

For more information about packages and to view more images please visit our Senior Portrait Site.

Annie Vo – Senior Rep

Irene Jones — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:55:32 +0000

Recently Annie Vo, a student of Cascade High School, visited my studio for a mini session and applied to be a Senior Portrait Representative. This years Reps are a part of the class of 2011 and it’s their job to spread the word about Irene Jones Photography.

Here’s a few images from her session.

After our session, Annie received 50 Rep Cards with a coupon for free wallets to pass out to friends. If you know Annie, ask her for a card! Or if you like what you see, call or email me and let me know you saw Annie’’s photos and would like to book. You’ll also receive 16 free wallets just for booking.

Now is a great time to schedule your session while space is still available! Call 425.367.4781 to book.

For more information about packages and to view more images please visit our Senior Portrait Site.

Momtography School: Introduction to Digital Photography Class

Irene Jones — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:41:42 +0000

Are you attending Momtography School, or thinking about attending but you want to know more before you hand over your hard earned cash and precious Saturday? Keep reading!

First off, who is Momtography School for? Well anyone really, but as the name suggests, it’s geared towards the busy schedule Mom’s have. And if you’re a like me (I have three kids under 6!) Getting a free moment to do something I want to do, can be hard! Momtography school is for those of us that love photographing and want to take better pictures; of our children, families, and all of those special moments where hiring a professional isn’t a possibility.

Below is a detailed description of the first class, Introduction to Digital Photography and the topics we will cover. This is a great place to start if you’ve recently purchased a DSLR or you’ve had one for a while but you’ve been afraid to take it off Auto. The class will include detailed demonstrations, examples, and hands-on practice to help you understand the theory as well as the application of the features listed. In addition to the information below, if you have specific concerns or questions, time will be provided for personal, one-on-one instruction, regarding your individual questions.

Class Outline:

The class will be a two hour course which will begin with some instruction in the universal features that all DSLR cameras use. These included:

ISO
Shutter Speed/ Shutter Speed Priority Mode
Aperture/ Aperture Priority Mode
Manual Mode
White Balance
Camera Metering Modes
Exposure Compensation

From there we will move into a discussion of how to use these features to control the following and achieve:

Shallow/Infinite Depth of Field
Stop Action/ Motion Blur
Correct Color in Any Light
How to Correctly Expose a Subject (ie bright backgrounds, or dark foregrounds)
Photography Tricks all North-Westerner’s Should Know

Just in case you don’t have a photographic memory, (forgive the stupid pun) information sheets will be provided to help you remember what you’ve learned. If the list above seems daunting, don’t worry, the small class size will allow for a friendly exchange of ideas and lots of room for questions.

During the second hour we will leave my studio and go to a local park (Everett Arboretum) to practice these concepts and demonstrate how to correctly expose a scene. Joining us will be a professional model that I have worked with in the past and is a joy to photograph! Each photographer will have the chance to apply the discussed camera settings, ask questions, and photograph images that will instantly show an improvement in the quality of your work.

This class is a perfect for anyone that loves photography but has had difficulty making the images they imagine translate to the viewfinder. No matter the brand of camera you use, or how much you already know, this class will build your confidence and provide new technical know-how.

As an added incentive I’ve extended the $10 off coupon through July 4! Space is still open so please don’t hesitate, register now to save! Invite a friend to register and you’ll both save $15 off the Introduction to Composition Class which builds upon the skills learned during the Introduction to Digital Photography Course.

See all available classes for all skill levels and register now!

Momtography Class Winner!

Irene Jones — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:19:15 +0000

Congrats to Sheryl Salisbury who won a free Momtography class yesterday from the I Heart Faces Photo Giveaway!

So many of you entered and left great comments about wanting to attend. By far, the most popular classes seem to be the Indoor and Outdoor Location classes that focus on off camera flash, creative posing, and how to solve difficult lighting problems when under pressure!

Space is still open in both of these classes if you would like to attend. Only 15 photographers total for the Outdoor class and 10 for the Indoor Event class. For today only: Register for the Indoor Event Class and get half off the Outdoor Location class! You’ll save $100.00 and get valuable training that will instantly improve your skill set.

All you need to do is register for the Indoor class and I will email you a special discounted link for the Outdoor class at half off! If you have questions about the topics covered, what you’ll need to bring, or you just want to chat, please call me at 425.367.4781 or email irene@ijphoto.net .

I can’t wait to meet all of you talented photographers!