Photography, Video & DJ

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Some things you can procrastinate purchasingfor your Wedding,like your flowers,party favors,and shoes.3 things not to procrastinate on are:Photography -Videography-DJ/MC ServiceThese top pros book 8 to 16 months in advance,especially for Spring/Summer Saturdays.Be sure to reserve these right after your Wedding locations,(or else no one will be left for you to book,or you'll be stuck with undesired vendors,at high last minute prices.)

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. #1 is on our website,here's 2-19:
2.Keep it fairly simple.The more complicated you make it,the more can go wrong and the more  you and every one else will be stressed.Think elegant,light,easy on your Bridal Party and family.Provide extra time for everything on your day.Start early.3.You want a nice reception ambiance,but remembergreat photos require light.Candles and Christmas lights are not photographically considered "light".Recommendation:Keep it fairly well lit (50-75%)for the Grand Entrance,darker for dinner,well lit for toasts,half way lit for event dances, full lighting for cake cutting.(Large white cakes soak up camera flash like a sponge).When it's time to party dance,lights can go down.4.The less ceremony obstructions the better.Remember,your photographer has to be able to see you from every angle if you want photos from every angle.If possible,have the Bridal Party stand at their seats behind the parents' row upon entering.Full altar photos with them can be taken after the ceremony.For flowers,short is best,ask your florist "please,no long wiley branches. If possible,only book a ceremony site that allows an unobstructed view from behind the altar area,so when facing in, your photographer can catch your facial expressions.5.Slow pace with spacing for Bridal Party.A Wedding Coordinators' pet peeve.If you want photos of your bridal party's processions & recessions,a slow pace and wide spacing is best.6.Let your photographer choose/approve the after-ceremony portrait spot.If you don't, it's like telling your mechanic how tofix your car.Please tell us what you would like,but in the end,leave it to the professional.Background colors and lighting are critical to great photos.If it is a "must have" background like your family church's altar,but it's rather dark,(like 99% are),tell your photographer days in advance,and allowthem time to bring in and set up the necessary lighting arrays.(Make sure electric outlets are available).7.Avoid reception halls that do not offer curtains for the windows behind the Sweetheart/Bridal & Cake tables.Once the sun goes down,flashes are needed and will make reflection spots on the glass.(The most difficult thing to Photoshop out!)While any careful pro photographer can minimize this,family's flashes are ever-present in toast & cake photos,if windows are not curtained.8.Ask your DJ to not put on club lights during yourFirst Dance.You probably don't want green,red,yellow and blue spots on your dress in these precious "firsts" photos.9. Make sure your DJ & photographer honor requests-We do! --If you have "must have" photo/song lists in your mind,please write them out and submit them.It's our job to care you get all the photos/songs that you want,it's your job to reveal all that you want and provide enough time on your Wedding Day to allow it to happen.(e.g. If you request 75 different family members' photos and can only provide 1 photo hour,please book a second photo day,or re-plan your day.)10.Try not to fit 300 guests into a 100 person area.A few outdoor facilities avoid the Fire Marshall by tentinga large outdoor reception area,but indoors,cramming creates walking issues for the food & beverage servers,seniors,and vendors,like photographers!Please keep aisles wide,especially for your Grand Entrance aisle.If you have a montage,please provide a clear"video pathway", meaning no guest tables betweenthe projector and screen/viewing area please.  Also,remember you need space in front of your Bridal table for photos,video,etc.Never have guest tables right up next to it.11.Make your guests' comfort first priority.Make sure your wedding locations have ample,easy and close parking,and if on a roof or above ground floor,please make sure for your guests and vendors,that they offer at least 3 elevators.Nothing makes a guest more unhappy than walking a milethen waiting an hour for a place to sit.Please make sure long outdoor ceremonies in the sun are covered with umbrellas.Seniors can't take the heat like we can.It is a very good wedding when no one is taken to the hospital for heat stroke.Be sure to offer water bottles on ice,2 per guest per half hour is best.12.Care for yourself: Hydrate,eat and wait to party.We've seen brides faint from not having enough to drink and eat. By drink we mean water,Gatorade,fruit juice.Please don't think a donut at 7am willlast you the whole day until dinner.Eat a nice,large breakfast (and lunch if possible).You will be amazed how much energy you will use on yourWedding Day...akin to running 8 miles...pulling a Buick.Though helpful to some,try not to get stinky drunk 10 minutes before your ceremony.13.Make sure all Bridal Party members are on the same page.There's nothing worse than having your day go absolutelyperfect until you find that you walk in 2 minutes,and theBest Man,with the Bride's ring,is no where to be found.Send every BP member a Wedding Day timeline,complete with rehearsal schedule & photo schedules.Best hint:Call each the morning of,reminding them of important items (e.g. Maid of Honor,please bring the "blue" item you promised to lend,Groosmen be at the pre-ceremony photo session at 2pm sharp please).Ask us for  a free Bridal Party timeline planner,made by one of our most organized brides!14.Think out transportation arrangements.From guest shuttles to photographers in your limo,please remember to thoroughly think out every driving arrangement.You won't want to strand any person on your wedding day,nor yourselves!15. Bring your Marriage license,credit cards and checkbook.We've seen these ruin Wedding Days...one even ruinedanother couples' Wedding Day:One couple left the marriage license 80 miles away and through Friday rush hour traffic had to send someone to get it.3 hours later,the next wedding at the church was delayed 2 hours...they were not happy to say the least.One couple forgot their credit cards and check book andforgot they still needed to pay the Limo,Minister,andmost importantly the $7,000 balance on the Hotel Reception hall...(No one should be arrested for Defrauding the Innkeeper; on their Wedding Day!)  Paying everybody off early is good,but there's always thoselast minute unexpected expenses...(One couple forgot they needed coloring for their sand for their sand ceremony 1 hour before it was to start!)16.Treat your wedding vendors as well asyou would your brake mechanic...(he/she's really important!).Remember,your vendors are human beings too.Treat them with respect and consideration.When it comes to your photographer,well,think about it,He/She holds your most precious memories in his hands.(Just like a brake mechanic holds your life in his hands.)You wouldn't rush him nor make himwork in the dark... would you?There are similarities in the importance of the customers' roles in both these professions.If you want dependable brakes,having proper brake maintenance done is your responsibility,and if you want great photos,then choose venues with proper lighting & decor,(ask if you need help in knowing what's proper) and please provide enough time for the photos you want, to be taken,unrushed...Even if it means booking a second day.Pro cameras are not like "point and shoots" or disposables.They need adjustments,lens changes,light readings, etc.to make their magic: Clarity,detail,and depth of field non-pro cameras won't give you.17.Avoid procrastination.We see this all the time: If your photographer tells you (for the 5th time that day,and now it's 11pm:)"Hey, we should do that special Groomsmens' photo you requested now" and you say "we'll do it later" ,don't expect to see it in your portfolio.Remember,this is up to you: If your photographer asks and asks and you say "we'll get it later" you probably won't.18. The Knot Wedding Magazine's standard is 5 mins per photo you EXPECT to be perfect.Though perhaps a little long for perfect conditions,it is not unreasonable for imperfect ones.(Ever see those amazing Porsche ad photos?...You know,the ones where the car looks like it's whizzing byand the stars are moving with it?...That one photo takes 24 hours to create.Or watch the David Lachapelle Photography Show.He spends all day (and $100's of dollars) to get just one perfect photo.)Once the lighting is stable,90 secs per photo is realistic.Note that sunlight at sunset provides only about 15 mins of quality stable lighting.19.Smile all day.You won't love your photos if you're frowning in them!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Do you offer full day service?
Do you offer touch ups?
Do you offer a discount for booking multiple services
through you?
Do you offer special effect photos?
Do you offer large family photos with high quality detail?
Do you honor requests?
Is your turnaround time fast?
How many years have been servicng weddings?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Their Wedding date,location and budget for Photography,Video,DJ,montage,album and prints.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. A committment to excellence and elegance that won us the 2011 Brides' Choice Award,and and a perfect 32 out of 32 time 5 Gold Star Award from Bridalhood.com
We offer Classic Portraits and Modern Effect Imagery
such as the Bride in B&W with flowers in color,etc.
See our website montage for more examples.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Creating art for couples!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. "This beautiful photography must be expensive,is it?"

We offer very competitive pricing,money saving package deals,and we are the only company that offers layaway!

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Watch Wedding Day Makeover and Bridezillas to see my
stories on TV....Monica,Bernadette,Johanne...

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. We've won 32 pf 32 5 gold star awards for photography and customer service,plus the 2011 Brides' Choice Award,for good reasons...a committment to excellence and elegance.