I have been in the wedding photography business since 1984. 25 years of photographing couples on one of their happiest and most important days of their lives.
A lot has changed in 25 years, technology, trends, hairstyles, but one thing that hasn’t is the apprehension of the day. So many couples and parents of te couple are so nervous about this “big” day that they forget to enjoy it.
You spend hours trying to figure out a color scheme, them more time working on the gust list, the seating chart and everything else that makes up a wedding. One of the first things you do is hire your team. The team of wedding professionals that will make this day a success. You research them, see their work and hire the best that money can buy. So why is it that some couples don’t trust who they hired?
You did all your homework and picked the best, so let them do their jobs.
I have seen so many weddings get all unorganized and turn south not becasue of the wedding vendors but becasue of the couple or their families involvement. They get in the way of the vendor doing his job. Now I do agree if you hire a wedding vendor off of Craigslist or hire them becasue they are the cheapest, you get what you paid for and sometimes your wedding plans can go terribly wrong. But if you really hired professionals and now weekend warriors to take care of your wedding day, then step back and enjoy your day.
You gave the DJ the song list you want to hear, the cater knows what food you want served and when, the photographer knows what photos you want taken and who is important so get the heck out of their way and let them work!
The best and smoothest weddings I have covered have been those where the couple hires professionals and lets them be. They enjoy their day and have a great time at their reception.
This is a day you are going to remember the rest of your life, so enjoy it becasue it goes by so quickly. And all you’ll have left is your wedding book and your memories and you want those memories to be about all the wonderful moments that happened that day, not how you had to ask the dj 10 times to play a song that he already was going to play.
Sit back, dance, have fun and enjoy your wedding day. You’ve earned it!
This was an unusually active winter for me. Normally I get the wonderful Christmas bride, with a reception site full of red flowers and bridesmaids looking like winter fairies.
But this year I have had three winter weddings.
A lot of people feel it is too cold, and the weather is rough, but it also can be a time to play with color and ideas.
My New Year’s Eve wedding, had the great idea of keeping the party going through midnight to incorporate New Year’s Eve with their wedding celebration.
The color theme was black with silver and gold mixed in. It was elegant, fun and romantic.
So when you are looking at your calendar for that big date, don;y forget December and January, you will save some money and have a beautiful wedding to remember.
Last weekend, I had the unusual pleasure of being a guest at a wedding and not the photographer. The wedding was upscale, the ceremony and the reception where both held at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The Mayor of Philadelphia, Mayor Nutter himself the was officiant and a guest.
The wedding started at 6:30pm, so it was a formal evening wedding All the guest were decked out in their finest, some actually in black tie. There was a 10 piece orchestra all dressed properly and even the wait staff was all very appropriate.
Then there was the photographer and videograper. Let me start off first by saying, I have no idea of the quality of their work as I haven’t seen a single image or frame. So this is in no way a reflection on the actual photographs. But, when the videographer is wearing sneakers, black jeans and a black t-shirt. The photographer was wearing some sort of casual blouse and pants that were so long that they dragged on the floor, which was good because they covered the Crocs she was wearing. Her assistant, who I later found out was her father, was at least wearing black dress pants and shoes, but no tie.
Maybe I am old school but this lack of proper attire shows no respect for the bridal couple. No respect for the ceremony that you are covering and personally no self respect. I really can’t see that the quality of their work could be any good when they don’t have the decency to dress well. When I photograph a wedding I am either in a suit or a tuxedo. The point being is it shows respect for the couple who hired you and also, you can blend in with the guests. So many of my couples are amazed at the images I can get and they don’t know I am taking them. the reason is that when I put the camera down, I look like any other guest at the reception, but when your clothing is just sloppy or not appropriate for the event, then you stand out…like a sore thumb.
Then there was the fact that with about 2 hours still left at the reception, the photographers left. It probably was in their contract that they are only there for six hours but come on. The night was still young. The bridal couple was dancing, having fun with friends and family and being romantic on the dance floor. Great shots, missed because these photographers didn’t think much of it. A bride shouldn’t have to look at her watch and make sure the photographer will still be around when they cut the cake.
I guess the point of this blog post is, make sure you know what your getting when you hire a photographer. they may have a slick website, may have a great selection of photos, but what is their appearance, are they professional, will they get everything that you want and will you be embarrassed to have your guests see them.
A wedding takes months of planning, every detail is important. The emotion, joy and fun of the day what you should be thinking about, not what your photographer is wearing or where they are when you and your fiance are sharing a touching moment.
With the advent of digital photography there are so called professional photographers crawling out of the woodwork because they can shoot a ton of images and the camera will make sure they are at least decent. But if they don’t have the experience, they don’t have the instinct to what will be happening and they won’t have the creative savvy to use a place like the Constitution Center for some once in a life time wedding portraits. Make sure your photographer has been in business for at least 4 years, See if they are a member of any reputable organizations such as the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) or the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) If they are a member of the PPA, are they Certified? This guarantees they have a reputable business as well as the technical knowledge. And also, when you are interviewing them make sure you see complete weddings, maybe the entire proof set from a wedding and also take note of how they are dressed. if they don’t care enough to dress neatly for what could possibly be a job, how will they dress for your wedding.
The entire wedding reflects the couple, shouldn’t your vendors reflect the best?
There are a lot of good ideas to help you with your wedding planning and I recently found an article which I will re-post here to help you decide on a photographer and what to actually have them do.
Planning a wedding, so much to do, so much to remember. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a location that helps with all the little stuff and is beautiful, elegant and the food it wonderful.
I recently had the opportunity agin to shoot at the Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, PA and it always exceeds my expectaions of what a wedding location should be. The staff is wonderful, the mansion is gorgeous and the grounds are a photographers dream. there are so many locations to choose from when shooting the couple, the bridal party or for that matter the entire guest list.
I have been lucky enough to shoot weddings at some of the most sought after locations in Eastern Pennsylvania, but by far my favorite has to be Aldie Mansion.
So if you are still in the planning stages give the great people at Aldie Mansion a call and you won’t be dissapointed. Oh, and the food by Jeffery Miller Catering is wonderful.
Perkasie Photographer Relocates Studio to More Intimate Setting
Barone Photography Studio is now on Fifth Street in the borough
Perkasie, PA – Seeking a more intimate setting for his studio, Perkasie photographer Michael Barone has relocated to smaller space at 101 N. 5th Street.
Barone, who specializes in weddings, portraits, events and commercial photography, recently traded his sprawling 3,000-square foot loft studio on Seventh Street for about 800 square feet in the former Prudential real estate office building owned by Cathy Weierbach of Perkasie Florist. Built in 1925 as a private residence, it oozes Victorian charm and class, making it an ideal setting to practice “the art of photography,” said Barone.
“This building has a lot of style,” he said. “It just feels comfortable and relaxing.”
Barone’s second-floor studio is divided between two spaces: a Client Room, where he can meet with clients to discuss their needs, and a Shoot Room, where his photographic equipment is set up. A spacious second-floor deck just outside the Shoot Room provides a beautiful backdrop for portraits and Barone said he plans to install an outdoor gazebo next to the building in the spring.
“We can achieve a very natural setting for clients without having to go anywhere,” he said.
Barone is also hoping that synergy between his studio and Weierbach’s Perkasie Florist, which specializes in wedding flowers, will help both businesses.
“Having us under one roof will be tremendously convenient for our clients,” said Barone. “They can take care of two major components of their wedding at one time.”
In fact, that’s exactly what happened less than a week after Barone moved to his new location. Former Perkasie resident Jackie Bentz stopped in to see Barone about doing the photographs of her wedding next August at the Warrington Country Club. Not only did Bentz book Barone’s services, she also contracted with Weierbach to provide the flowers.
“Having Barone Photography and Perkasie Florist in one building was such a blessing,” said Bentz. “Brides have so much to do, and having a photographer and a florist in the same building is so convenient. They work wonderfully together, making sure everything coordinates. It’s a tremendous service.”
Barone said he and Weierbach are hoping a bridal consultant might be interested in setting up shop in the building, giving them a full slate of wedding-related professionals.
“I’m very happy in my new location,” said Barone. “There’s a certain vibe about this building and the people in it that makes for a pleasant atmosphere that our clients will appreciate.”
For more information, visit baronephotography.com or call 215-453-1208.
One of the important parts of any wedding book are the the sentimental and often fun moments that happen on the dance floor. About one third of all the images from the entire day happen on the dance floor. But if your music isn’t right, you’re dance floor will be empty. On my website there are links to some great DJs and bands that I have worked with who know how to play the crowd and keep the dance floor full.
Another import aspect is the actual music being played. How appropriate is the song to the moment. I have photographed a lot of weddings where the parents of the couple getting married have been divorced. So what song do you play when the bride wants to dance with her step-father? How about a song entitled “Step-Father of the Bride”. Never heard of it? Well your not alone, it’s pretty new. It isn’t written by some huge mega star, but by a friend of mine who’s step-daughter was getting married and it was his gift to her.
If you happen to be in the situation where this song is appropriate, please check it out.
A few weeks ago I photographed a beautiful wedding. The brides home, church and venue were really made up nice. The brides parents had a wonderful spread laid out for their guests and there must have been 50 people in the house, laughing and enjoying the day. The church was simple and reflected the couples background and faith. The reception hall was very nice, a country club that was well appointed with plenty of space and places to photograph the couple. There were both a DJ and a band who both performed fantastically. The dance floor was never empty, and as a photographer looking for those fun dancing shots, I had plenty of opportunities. HOWEVER, when the couple needed anything, food, drink, someone to help organize the events of the night, there was no one to be found. Once the DJ set up the time line, I was the one organizing the couple, getting them into place for the cake cutting, bouquet toss etc. No one from the reception hall was around except the wait staff and they had no clue who could help the couple. The couple and the parents of both the bride and groom thank the DJ and I for being so helpful and making the evening go smoothly. But the entire drive home I was thinking, this couple thought that an expensive country club reception site would have someone there who would make sure the entire night went smoothly. Who would be there if they needed anything. The point I am trying to make in my long winded way is, when you book your reception site, you really need to check over the contract and make sure that you will have an attendant who will be with you the entire length of the reception. When you need something, they will be there to help, no matter what it is.
This in fact goes for any professional you book for your wedding, whether be it the photographer, florist DJ or band. Make sure you read the entire contract and know exactly what services you are getting. Do not let someone say, “Don’t worry about the contract it’s just standard.” I have heard couples tell me this and I cringe. What are they hiding?
So, to make sure your wedding goes off as smoothly as it should, make sure you know what the professionals you hire are supposed to be doing and hold them to it. You hired them, it’s your day, so ENJOY it!
I am getting ready to photograph a wedding today. The ceremony does not start till 4:00 but I will be at the brides home photographing all the pre-ceremony goings on at 1:30. Today’s weather forecast is not pleasant, hazy, hot and humid. Yes the dreaded three “h”s. By 3:00 it is supposed to be about 95 degrees, the groom will be in a tuxedo, as I will, the bride in her beautiful gown, and everyone else dressed in their finest. It is not even the beginning of summer and our bodies are now being shocked by the sudden bump in temperature.
So just how does one deal with the heat in these conditions? According to Dr. Noel D. Nequin, president of the American Medical Athletic Association, it takes about 10 to 14 days of working or exercising in the heat for your body to adjust or become acclimatized. He also states that the best time to consume fluids is before you are thirsty — by the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. It’s best to drink on a schedule when it is hot outside. Avoid drinks containing caffeine or alcohol while in the sun or heat. These types of drinks stimulate the production of urine thereby promoting dehydration. The best drinks are water, or one of the many flavored sports drinks that are on the market. According to Dr. Nequin, “Research clearly shows that a properly formulated sports drink like Gatorade combines flavor and sodium to encourage people to drink more than they would when they only have access to water. Sports drinks help to replace some of the electrolytes you lose through sweat and provide carbohydrate energy to working muscles.”
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration:
Dry lips and tongue.
Headache.
Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
Nausea.
Muscle cramps
So to make sure you have a happy and fun wedding, make sure that drink plenty of water and Gatorade before the wedding begins and also keep some in your limo next to the champagne. It may not be the sexiest drink but it will keep you partying well into the night.
There are a lot of great ways to create save the date cards for your wedding, but have you ever thought about a business card? Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean boring dull white cards. I am talking about business cards on silk paper or with foil embellishments. I have been using a company called 4colorprint.com
They have been making my business cards for a few years now and they are just wonderful. People always hold on to my card and tell me how wonderful it looks. Mine are their foil cards on their silk paper. They look very elegant and stand out from the rest. Now I know you don’t need 500 save the date cards, but you might. Or think about them as cute announcements, why not!
