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.

So, I feel like I need to say thank you for the glowing praise. Each review on Google Maps goes a long way to helping me gain quality new customers which grows my business. I’ve already had new clients come specifically because of what was said. So anyone that posted a review during the contest (6-8-10 through 7-31-10) watch your mail boxes, because I will be sending you a $50 gift certificate. For some of my oldest customers this is nothing new, I have always rewarded referrals with free photos and discounts on future sessions. So please, keep sending your friends and family my way and earning a little somethin’ for yourself.

There can only be one winner of the 16×20 canvas though, and this was a hard decision.  Here’s the winning review.

By Michele – Jul 9, 2010

We’ve worked with Irene for a long time now, and can attest that every experience with her is convenient and rewarding. She knows what we want before we want it. It’s nice to know that we can ask her to capture a memory and not worry at all that the essence of what we value will be communicated in her work. And whatever creative idea we have, she’s able to make it happen. The quality is superb, the price is great, and the experience is fun. We’ve recommended her to countless people and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again.‎

Thanks Michele for referring people over and over. At last count I have done 5 weddings from your referrals and sold prints to dozens of extend family members and friends across the country.

If you’ve had a positive experience as a wedding I’ve shot, or I’ve done portraits for you, please add your reviews to google maps, and tell your friends. Thanks again to everyone to who wrote a review.

I just made this as a promo for the studio, what do you folks think? I’d love some feed back. I have a feeling this is the first in a long series…

Click on the link above to view!

When I arrived, it was 3pm and my client opened the door in just  her bathrobe.  She took one look at me and the contact sheets/negative sleeves in my hand, and screamed at her kids, “We’ve got company! Turn down the TV!” We had a brief and uncomfortable conversation before she made up an excuse about running late and I left.

On the way home I couldn’t help but wonder  “wasn’t shooting a wedding supposed to be glamorous job?”. I had this idea in my head that things would be, well different.  Then I started totaling up how much I made. For the two hours I was shooting, plus the time it took to develop the negatives, print the contact sheets, meet with the client, and drive around looking for their house in the middle of nowhere, I got $300.00. Before this job I worked at our local movie theater making min. wage. So even though I only profited $60 after all expenses, it felt like I had gotten a $1.25 raise per hour.

Despite all of this, I was un-detoured. I shot another wedding the following year, I doubled my rates and thought I was really hitting the big time. I think I kept going because with each job I saw how my images effected my clients.  Seeing their wedding photos for the first time was life altering! I had preserved a personal moment in a creative and descriptive way.  I impacted their lives for good and I felt great.

Fast forward 11 years later, my day rate is now 9 times what it was then and my clients don’t come to the door in their bathrobes at 3pm.  The best part? The couples I work for! Meeting these wonderful people who truly love each other, their families and friends is a blessing that will keep me shooting weddings as long as I can pick up a camera.

How does this tie into Momtography School?

The purpose of this Momtography class is to help people who were in my shoes 11 years ago gain the skills set and self confidence necessary to make any event they shoot a success. Though the class will be focusing on how to shoot a wedding, these same skills can be translated to a ballet recital, soccer game, or birthday party. Any event worth photographing really.

Here’s what we will be covering:

• Shooting with available light indoors
• Strobe indoors
• Mixing strobe and available light
• Achieving correct color balance in mixed lighting
• Creating a narrative for your images
• How to make a great candid image
• The best equipment for low light

The class will go like this. All attendees and myself will meet and tour The Manor. Together, we will create a shot list of what images we want to capture throughout the “event”.  Once we have compiled a shot list will we will begin executing each image in order. As we go though each area of the Manor will will be able to work with different lighting scenarios and practice each technique. We will have a bride, fresh flowers, beautifully set tables, and all the elements of a real event at our disposal.

Best of all, we will be able to work our way through different portions of the event at a decelerated, learning friendly pace. As with all my classes, questions are welcome and demonstration provided. Plus each participant will receive a detailed packet which covers all of the technical vocabulary and a step by step how to guide to recreate similar shots in the future.

As an added bonus, the Manor, and the shops providing our flowers and cake, would love to post your best images from our two hour shoot on their website! Photo credit will be provided. This is a great opportunity for some free advertising.

Oh and did I mention the buy one get one free? Pay for this class and you’ll also get the Outdoor Event class for free. The Outdoor Event class is a perfect stepping stone for any photographer wanting to add strobe on location to their photographic tool box.

For anyone reading this and feeling overwhelmed or that these classes are out of your league, please don’t worry. On purpose I’ve dedicated these classes to small groups. I want your questions to get answered face to face and you to grow as a photographer. If you’re struggling to shoot in manual mode, or even auto mode, there will be something in this class for you. I take that back, there will be A LOT of things in this class for you.

If you’ve been thinking about registering, now is the time.  Follow this link to take advantage of the buy one get one free offer now.

http://momtogrphyindoorevent.eventbrite.com/?discount=bogo

Once you’ve registered for either the Outdoor or Indoor class, I’ll send you an email with info on how to register for the second class at no charge.

Still have questions? Call me. 425.367.4781 or email irene@ijphoto.net .

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.

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.

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.

Lucas pauses for a brief moment mid cake. Look at those eyes!

Moments before cake madness, Lucas found a birthday hat. He was so excited to hold it, but wearing it was another story…

What a beautiful family!

5:30am: I hauled my sorry butt out of bed and into the shower.

6:30am: Our models and myself arrived at Salon Dolche‘ in Everett, WA for hair and make up. The staff did a wonderful job and by 8pm everyone was dressed and we were packed into my van and carpooling to the Emerald City.

8:30am: Picked up Lara Reau of Blue Ivy Photography who’s car was parked by the Spaghetti Factory and headed to our starting point at Pike St and Boren Ave.

9:00am: We found a parking spot right on Pike St. We then passed out name tags, maps, and information, then split into shooting groups. Heidi Lawson of Wishful Thinking Photography also helped Lara and I guide each group down our Pike St path.

Now in the last ten years I’ve shot A LOT in downtown. High school seniors especially love the urban look and without fail at least one of my brides wants to photograph at Pike Place Market with the entire wedding party. So I’ve learned where the great spots are. Our starting point was no exception. Here’s a photo of Simone, one of the models, using one of the columns that line the less then great view of I-5 from this spot.

Image by Cara Miller

The leading lines coming from the top of the frame and the intersection of her body and lines from the bench are really powerful. Plus her eyes look so great in the shallow depth of field. This is totally one for Simone’s book and Cara’s portfolio!

My group and the others began moving down Pike St about 9:15am, after we applied name tags and discussed ground rules. (BTW-took me all day to print those things on friday! I don’t think anyone knows- besides my assistant Terice – how much work went into making this event happen.)

Since the moment I first agreed to lead the Photowalk I had been imagining a shot of a tall leggy girl hailing a cab in front of the convention center. For those not from Seattle, the main area in the Convention Center is directly above street level and can be seen in the photo I took below. Katie was my model and I love the low wide angle perspective (my trademark of sorts) that really give movement and accentuate her long thin frame. The black and white reminded me of something out of Hollywood’s golden years but with a person touch.

Katie Heart Hailing a Cab By Irene Jones Photography

Along the way to Pike Place Market a number of nice shots were created, here’s one from Photos by Trina Gueck. The perspective is classic. The market sign gives a great sense of place, and I feel like singing in the rain just from looking at it.

Photos by Trina Gueck: Li Leung Model

10:00am (Give or take 15 minutes): The groups met up and we switched models, the models switched clothes and we started exploring the Market. First stop for many was the best brick wall in all of Seattle. Here’s a photo by Heidi Lawson that shows off the most beautiful/disgusting spot in our fair city.

Katie Heart by Wishful Thinking Photography

Yes, the gum wall. It has it’s own facebook page and the saliva of natives and tourists alike. Katie is so good, she can even make this hot.

On the other end of the market my group was working with Simone and loving it. There were a lot of great images of her posted to the I Heart Faces Group on Flikr. Most from a few key spots in Pike Place. Here’s one by Kara Rue.

Simone Grant by Kara Rue

So far, my favorite done by one of the attendees. The framing and out of focus plants are so nice. It looks quiet and intimate, which was exactly opposite of the actual situation! Great job Kara!

11:00am (So, we are a little behind at this point…) The groups all met at the Seattle Aquarium which is just west of the Pike Place Market and we began the long walk to the Olympic Sculpture Garden. I’m sure at this point I made everyone grumpy by demanding that no one stop with any of the models until we got there. It was a somber death march, but I think all was forgiven when we got there and some great images happened. My last shot was of Li and it’s my favorite from the whole day. I love her eyes, and freckles. Again I’m using a wide angle but this time it’s closer up and from above. I just can’t help myself, nothing I shoot is from eye level.

Li Lueng by Irene Jones Photography

I think Salon Dolche‘ will love this one too, her hair still looks just as good as it did at 7am!

I think the best part was being able to teach new things to some very hungry to learn pupils.  I don’t claim to be an expert in everything but after 10 years as a full time professional, I’m really enjoying the opportunity to give some of that knowledge to those that want to learn.

If you attended the photo walk or just live in the greater Seattle area and want to learn one-on-one how to use off camera flash, shoot great portrait indoors, or just use your camera to it’s full potential, please sign up for my Momtography Training Program going on this summer. Five classes designed to help photographers of varied skill levels create more professional looking images for clients or themselves. More information and registration can be found on this blog.  Space is limited so please don’t wait to sign up!

A special thanks to Salon Dolche‘ for providing amazing hair and make up! Please visit their website for more information about other quality products and services.

To see more visit IHeartFaces or the IHeartFaces Flikr group for more photos from the event by talented photogs!

]]> http://blog.ijphoto.net/2010/06/16/results-2/feed/ 4 http://blog.ijphoto.net/2010/05/21/heather-and-ricardos-wedding-sneak-peek/ http://blog.ijphoto.net/2010/05/21/heather-and-ricardos-wedding-sneak-peek/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 22:45:14 +0000 Irene Jones http://blog.ijphoto.net/?p=207 Congratulations to Heather and Ricardo, married May 1, 2010! Below are a selection of photos from their wedding that I have added some of my favorite borders to.  When creating wedding albums for my clients I often use these and other filters to create the custom designed look of each book. If you are interested in seeing samples of albums I’ve created please call 425.367.4781 to schedule a consultation and to learn more about pricing.