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Preparing for Your Wedding Photos - Tip 9 - Getting Dressed - Things to Consider |
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Office News
Posted by Carie - 9/1/10
Photographed by Jennifer
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posted by Carie |
Getting dressed for your wedding day is obviously not like getting ready for any other event in your life. Unless you are a celebrity attending the Emmy's! Since most of us are real people, we want to share with you some insight on preparing for your wedding day. Of course, as photographers, this insight usually benefits us as well as it creates great photo opportunities as you can see in these photos from the wedding day of Nicole and John (January 2010).
An important thing to consider about getting ready for your big day is 'who will be in the room with me?' This behind the scenes crew should consist of your best and most helpful girlfriends and close family. Most Moms and Mother of the Grooms LOVE to be included in this part of the day. These are great gals to have on hand as they usually know a lot of tricks and will keep a cool head should anything go wrong with your preparation. Not to mention, it gives them a chance to impart any last minute words of wisdom. |
| Also, don't forget the grannies! Grandmothers will get a kick out of helping too and are great for keeping any little ones occupied while their mommy helps out bridey. |
| Most importantly, be sure one of your gals knows how to properly put on a veil and make sure she is in the room while you get ready. Also, if any special tools like a crochet needle for buttoning buttons will be needed, make sure you have one on hand. |
| And don't forget to smile (if that's your thing)! |
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Canon Cinema Caravan - We won! |
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Office News
Posted by Jennifer - 8/31/10
Photographed by Jennifer
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posted by Jennifer |
Less than a week ago, we posted about the Canon Cinema Caravan commercial competition - asking you all to go and watch and vote.
It was just announced today that we WON!
WOOHOO!!!!
HUGE thank you's go out to each and every one of you that voted. There were hundreds of you. Special thanks to the following people who really got the word out there: Dawn (our little model's mom), Terry, Carie, and all my family and friends who spread the word.
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Taking Better Photographs - Photo Tip Tuesday Tip 9 - When to change to black and white photos |
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Office News
Posted by Jennifer - 8/31/10
Photographed by Jennifer
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posted by Jennifer |
The last several weeks we've covered many composition topics. Last week we talked about Symmetry. You can review our past Tuesday Tips on the blog. This week, we're going to talk about the use of black and white, in particular when to change a photo to black and white. And when black and white photos look best. This will be the first of our tips about coloring, or in this case the lack thereof.
This first shot was taken recently of little Mari. In this case the focus of Mari was her eyes, or more precisely her eye lashes as she leaned over one of her favorite books. In this case, I didn't want the shelving rack behind Mari to be at all part of the composition or where people eyes would be drawn. Turning this image to black and white really made Mari stand out. Her eye lashes, her hair, and the word baby in her book. |
| This is Mari's aunt, Tina. Tina and Henry were married in 2008. In this case, really cranking up my ISO (which we will talk about in the future) added grain to this image and softened it to look older. |
| Here's an example where it's really a matter of personal taste. Ashlie and Charlie, married in 2009, used pink up-lighting and it's good to show the natural color of an event as that is how it looked and how people will remember it. |
| Here is Elisa and Dan, married in 2008, in the great outdoors! But would you know it?! That's kind of the point in this photo. The focus is merely the couple...the kiss. The natural outdoor lighting was beautiful, it added some hair light and back-lighting between the trees and the color images were awesome. But doesn't this seem so stunning and simple? |
| You can use black and white to direct the viewer's eye to the specific subject in your photos. You can use black and white to make an image feel a certain way...more vintage for example, and you can use black and white to show off artistic elements in a simple fashion that makes a bold understatement. |
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Sacramento Vintage Limousine Service - Elizabeth and Claudio |
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Weddings
Posted by Jennifer - 8/27/10
Photographed by Jennifer, Kelly
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posted by Jennifer |
| Elizabeth and Claudio had reason to rent a vintage limousine for their wedding day. Elizabeth had a photograph from Elizabeth's grandparents in such a car with a "Just Married" sign across the back. |
| This vintage limo was a beauty. Look at these white-wall tires. |
| While I drove behind the vintage limo (with Elizabeth and Claudio inside), Kelly rolled down the window and hung herself out there to get some "in action" shots. Great job Kelly! |
| And Elizabeth brought the photograph from her Grandparent's wedding day, so that we could take this exact photo of Claudio and herself with it. Oh and in case you can't tell....this IS THE EXACT "Just Married" sign that her grandparent used. They've saved it all these years. Too cool! |
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Finding a Sacramento Wedding Florist - Talk of the Town Thursdays - Botanica Floral Designs |
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Office News
Posted by Carie - 8/26/10
Photographed by Jennifer
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posted by Carie |
I am so excited to write our Talk of the Town Thursday post today! We are featuring Botanica Floral Designs and I couldn't wait to talk about Audrey and her fabulous work! Audrey Gardemeyer with Botanica Floral Designs has been the florist for several weddings and events we've photographed in the last couple of years. We have also worked directly with Audrey on several Memory Journalists' shoots. Audrey is so talented and an all-around wonderful person. She is always so helpful, timely and super easy to work with. A couple of times we have had last minute flower emergencies and Audrey came to our rescue. Audrey, we can't thank you enough! We hope our readers enjoy some insight on Botanica Floral Designs including our fun interview and several storyboards (of course).
Audrey Gardemeyer, Floral stylist and founder of Botanica Floral Designs, is passionate about wedding flowers and the beauty behind well-crafted wedding design. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Horticulture Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Audrey began her pursuit of starting her own design firm in Sacramento. Specializing in wedding flowers and event floral design, Botanica Floral Designs has grown to be a premier wedding floral design studio where clients are offered a boutique experience, personalized service and dramatic results.
I love this photo of Audrey! Not only is she talented but so beautiful inside and out. This photo was taken by David Pascolla Photography. |
We caught up with Audrey recently for a quick interview. Check out what we learned.....
How long have you been a floral designer and what made you choose this career? My goodness, I have been designing flowers for over ten years now, but remember as far back as being in elementary school when I started my fascination with flowers. I think flowers and horticulture have just always been a part of my life, and I am a true believer in making what you love your career.
What is your favorite wedding element or moment? Well, I LOVE weddings, and it's more than just my love of flowers. My favorite thing about a wedding is how "true to style" it matches the couple. The REAL PEOPLE getting married. Whether you like fried chicken, dancing to crazy songs, or sharing your family's jam recipe, I simply love when the wedding day reflects the bride and groom and how they live and love life. This is the one day that is about you as a couple and all the quirkiness which makes you, YOU!
What do you think is the biggest thing that sets you apart from other wedding florists? My creativity and versatile style. My design background allows me to create different designs and styles as well as create fresh and innovative ideas to keep my clients' events one of a kind. Some examples of this would include our use of interesting and unique elements, whether they be fresh botanicals or vessels and containers to make our clients' events totally unique.
What's the craziest "theme" you have ever incorporated into wedding flowers? Most of our clients don't take huge risks when it comes to their wedding flowers... so nothing too crazy-weird per se. I've had clients incorporate fish in their arrangements, I've also had their pets wear flowers, and we've done some other "fun" elements such as this. It's got to be different, but not sooo different that it's weird or doesn't make sense.
What's the most fun thing you have done locally lately? Being a nature lover...and a dog lover, my husband and I love taking our dogs out for hikes and exploring. We've got two Boston terriers, a chihuahua and a lab so they're always looking to get out and exercise! It's good to get out and get some fresh air with all the working that goes on around here.
Is there any other info you would like to add about Botanica Floral Designs? We have an awesome blog you and all your friends should follow, it's loaded with helpful tips, featured weddings and all things wedding. You can check it out here: Botanica Blog
Thanks, Audrey!
The below photos showcase a few of my personal favorites from Audrey for one of our fashion shoots. I love her use of surprising elements in her bouquets. The feathers are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! |
Botanica Floral Designs specializes in bridal flowers, bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, reception flowers, ceremony flowers, centerpieces and wedding decorations and decor.
Below are more examples of Audrey's creative work. These are from the Beyond Platinum event at Arden Hills. We were partnered up with Audrey and just love how everything turned out! |
Botanica Floral Designs is based in Sacramento and services all of Northern California, including Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, Roseville, Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton and Modesto.
We worked with Audrey at a NACE event out at Le Rivage last summer. Again, the work is so crisp. Audrey seamlessly incorporates whatever color scheme is desired into her florals bringing everything together so nicely. |
| You may have seen these photos on our blog or Botanica's blog but I just had to throw in one more storyboard. Audrey did such an amazing job on Caitlin and Sean's wedding flowers and incorporated gold fish for the couple's fish theme! |
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