So Many Moments Blog

When we tell the visual story of a wedding day, we like the tell it from the perspective of the couple. Some photographers run around a lot trying to capture all the action of the guests and families, but I like to stay in close to my brides and grooms, to tell the story the way they experienced it. There’s an inherent intimacy in being so close, and documenting so much, of someone’s special day. It’s easy to see how the lines between ‘client’ and ‘friend’ can blur, and for me, it seems they always do.

I get so attached to my couples because I love being the person they trust to document their celebration. I like to know what DIY projects they’re planning, who their best friend is, what their grandmother’s name is, because on the day of the wedding I’m that much more in touch with their experience.

This season, it seems some of our closest friends are slipping on engagement rings and coming to us to be their photographers. Monday, my amazing friend Lesley came into the office to sign her contract and before I knew it, we had moved the coffee table the see if we still had the skills to somersault. Somersaults turned into lunch, and lunch turned into an afternoon at her place cutting paper hearts out of construction paper, and singing show-tunes to her dog. Of course, I couldn’t be more excited to photograph Lesley’s wedding. But, what I realized is I feel this excitement for every one of my weddings.

They’re all so different, but the intimacy is the same. I’m being chosen, from all of the photographers in the world, as the artist that MY couple’s want to be there on that day. And for me, there’s not greater honor in the world. To say I love my job just seems such a vast understatement.

You’re engaged! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Having been a bride recently myself, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite tips for keeping yourself inspired (& sane) while you design, plan, and create your wedding day celebration.

• Stay organized. Start a ‘wedding binder’ with separate sections for your guest lists, creative ideas, financial breakdown, and important vendor contracts.

• To give your party a color theme and direction,  collect images and things that you like to create an inspiration board. In the digital realm, pinterest is a great tool for this.

• Share your ideas and get feedback; bridal party members and family love this as it makes them feel included.

• Do not do things just because it’s how it’s “supposed” to be. Let your celebration be a reflection of who you are as a couple and what makes sense to you and your fiancé personally. Creating your own traditions can be very romantic.

• Don’t ever forget to have FUN with it all. If you’re feeling stressed out, let yourself take a break for a few days.

• Get really comfortable with your personal style and expressing it by experimenting and being open to new things.

• Talk to your parents or married friends about their weddings; ask them what was really important and memorable after all was said and done.

• Take risks! You only get to throw this party once, be unique!

• Make sure you hire professional vendors you like, as they’ll be around all day.

• Check online reviews on WeddingWire and contact previous clients to ask about their experiences with your vendors. For photographers, (if you haven’t already hired me at SoManyMoments.com!) the WPJA is a wonderful resource for finding the best of the best.

• Take your fiancé on a date before the wedding with the only rule being NOT to talk at all about the wedding.

• Enjoy every moment of being engaged. It’s such a gift you’ve found someone so perfect for you, and you’re planning a party where all of the people you love most will gather aroundto wish you nothing but the best. Try to remember that this is what this is all about. <3

One of the absolute COOLEST parts of being a photographer is when you get to see your photographs actually being used. We found a lovely surprise in the mailbox today, a thank you card from a previous client who used one of our photos as the cover of the card. Super duper radtastic. Thanks again for having Matt and I take your wedding photos Amanda and John! *high five*

I’m SO stinkin’ over the moon!!! I won 7th place in Ceremony category for the WPJA’s first quarterly contest for the year!

This was particularly difficult because they only accepted photographs taken this year, and we only had the one wedding before the submission deadline. Thankfully, Holly & Scott were a such a lovely couple and I was able to land a winner when they came out of the church. Did I mention how EXCITED I AM!?!

Check out WPJA.com for the other winning photos; it’s such a beautiful collection of pure emotion, delightfully unexpected visual stories, and stellar compositions from a full range of talented international artists.

I entered my first WPJA contest in their 4th quarter, and I am over the moon with the results announced!

“The 2010 Q4 Contest showcases the wedding photojournalism of WPJA members throughout the 2010 year in 18 categories. From 24,112 entries only 360 finalists were selected.”

I landed spot with an engagement photo of Heidi and Rick! Thanks for having such a cute puppy guys!

http://www.WPJA.com

Since the first time I visited the WPJA website, years and years ago, I quickly understood what it was: a career goal. If I was going to dedicate myself to being a wedding photographer, this is where I needed to be.

“The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), an International, membership-based organization, represents professional photographers skilled in the documentation of weddings and events in a candid, unobtrusive style. The WPJA was founded to uphold excellence in the area of wedding photojournalism.”

I would peruse the site every wedding season, checking out the latest award-winning photographs from the site’s quarterly competitions. I would get inspired. I would find the most talented wedding photographers in the country and enjoy their websites all night long.

And finally, after 5 years of developing my craft, I applied, despite the strict membership guidelines. And… I GOT ACCEPTED!
I am now a member of both the WPJA, and the Artistic Guild as well!
(This is the equivalent of being promoted when you’re self-employed.)

I couldn’t be more excited to enter my own photos in to the contests and continue to further my craft in this field. I love this job and the challenges of this industry. To check out loads of ridiculously amazing wedding photographers from around the world, please visit: WPJA and AG|WPJA

There are a few question I’m asked time and time again, so this has encouraged me to create a new F.A.Q. page on my website. Here is one of my favorites to talk about:

What is the metallic paper you offer for the albums?

One of the newest papers on the market, Kodak’s ‘metallic paper’ is absolutely gorgeous to print on. It boasts beautiful vibrant colors, crisp contrast, and a really interesting… sort of etherial metallic quality. Certain prints in certain light are more obvious then others that it’s any different from classic glossy, but it’s over-all beautiful quality sets it apart when compared side by side. We previously offered this as an upgrade options for our albums, as it is more expensive to print with. However, we now provide all So Many Moment’s clients with nothing but the best, so it now comes standard on anything we print for you.

Read more about the nitty gritty specs, straight from the horse’s mouth here: Kodak

For more of my F.A.Q. Q&A’s visit http://www.SoManyMoments.com!

I have finally posted ALBUMS! You will now find a gallery in my website’s portfolio dedicated entirely to showcasing individual weddings and So Many Moment’s wedding albums. I think it’s important to see a photographer’s work from single weddings, rather then just a showcase of favorite photographs from a large body of work. The albums also feature Matt’s photographs, so it’s great to finally represent him on my website as well.

Our leather flush-mounted albums feature thick, stiff pages and every spread opens flat. I do not use pre-made templates, but instead create each layout as a custom art piece to tell the visual story of the wedding celebration.

Creating each one, from the planning stages, to taking the photographs, and then bringing them to life in a cohesive visual story is such a fantastic journey. It’s an honor to create a unique and special keepsake. That sounds terribly cheesy, but I just get so wildly attached to each one of my weddings! My brides and grooms flippin’ ROCK. *high fives* to you all!