Personalize you Engagement Portraits

A really neat way to get totally personalized Engagement portraits is to do an activity you both enjoy while your photographer tags along. This could be anything like horseback riding, hiking, or Golfing. Just about any outdoor activity could work, even some indoor ones. You'll be more relaxed and you'll be enjoying each others company as well. This will translate into very beautiful, natural portraits. I'm always full of ideas but I'm also always up for suggestions. Have something in mind? Let's talk about it.

Wedding Specials

I'm currently offering a 20% discount to any bride and groom with the following ceremonies:
Handfasting, Hindu, Themed (like goth, renissance, etc), any other UNIQUE Non-traditional wedding ceremony. Now by non-traditional I mean a non-American traditional ceremony, it can be traditional for your culture. For now this is an ongoing special.

Spring and Summer 2009 dates are filling up quickly. Book now to reserve your date.

Customizing a Package

So you don't see a package that fits your particular needs and budget. Well drop me an email with the following information and I'll send you a customized quote. Please remember to include your wedding date.

1. Budget (I don't usually like asking for your budget but it's important so that I know what you have to work with.)

2. Number of hours you feel you'll need for the day.

3. Size of the wedding party (this lets me know if the hours you have requested is do-able for the amount of people you have.)

4.The album you desire. Size, type(if other than PhotoBook), and number of pages desired.

5. The prints you want (number of 8x10s etc.)

6. Do you want a Bridal session? before wedding or after? (yes after is possible. In fact it's fun because you're not as worried about the dress getting dirty. This is also referred to as a Trash the Dress session, but we don't really trash your dress.)

6A. Do you want an Engagement session? (this is included with all my packages. I do give a choice of engagement or Bridal session after a certain price point. This is because a lot more work goes into the Bridal session.)

7. Do you want a second photographer? (this person usually follows the groom before the wedding and takes some candid shots at the reception.)

8. Do you want CD/DVDs of the photos?

9. Anything I left out that you would like added to the package.

Once I have this information, I can setup a quote made just for you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

When photography is too expensive

Now I know I wrote this entire blog about why you should pay more for a professional photographer. But there are some instances when you shouldn't pay too much.
I was searching the internet for inspiration and came across several photography sites where the work is not up to par. One in particular had me fuming with anger. This particular female photographer was charging way too much for the quality of her work. Not one of her photos was truly clear. She also had her bride in unflattering poses. I got the impression she bought an expensive camera and felt that made her a professional. Sure there are some out there who are just born with an "eye." But there are some people who simply can't take more than a family snap shot.

Some photographers' work justifies their high price tags. Personally, I love the work of the following two photographers. Check out their photos. Crystal clear and beautiful flattering poses.

Carlos Baez

Greg Bumatay

Ladies & gentlemen PLEASE PLEASE take the time to look at your prospective photographer's work. I tell all my Brides to look at several examples of the photographer's work. The photographer should be able to show you a book that shows a wedding start to finish. You should book a photographer because you love their work not because of their prices. Some people think because something costs more that it is better this is not always the case.

Basically what I'm trying to say is, Love your photographer for his/her work not the price tag no matter how high or low.

Recent bridal show

Thanks to everyone who came to our booth. Your comments help me know what I'm doing right and what I can improve on. Also thanks to all the great vendors who agreed to network with me.

I plan to participate in several of the future bridal shows in the area. So keep an eye out for my booth.

Why does Professional Wedding Photography Cost so Much?

A lot of people have started asking this question. With the cost of a good digital camera decreasing and the cost of gas increasing many Brides want to know why they should pay so much for a professional photographer.

Sure you could have your Uncle Earl photograph your wedding, but how are you going to be sure that the photos are going to turn out. By hiring a professional, you're hiring someone for their knowledge and skill. A professional photographer knows what camera settings will be needed in certain situations, such as low light situations. The photograph to the left was taken under very low light. In fact you can see that the lights hanging above are not even on. The only available light was coming through the stained glass windows. If Uncle Earl didn't know the correct settings, he would have to use a flash and would have to be almost in the front pew to get a decent photograph. Now that would be very unpleasant for you and your guests, not to mention the stained glass wouldn't turn out right either.

A professional photographer is also going to be able to offer you the best albums; ones that are meant to last. Uncle Earl doesn't have the resources to be able to offer you a quality album.

A professional photographer also knows what looks good. They have spent years training their "eye." They know how to pose a Bride so she looks her best. They also know when to be creative with a shot. Uncle Earl may have only had his camera for a few months and he's just learning how to take so-so photos.

Many professionals offer you a package price that includes digital editing. Uncle Earl might not even have a program to do touch ups or special effects such as the ones to the right. It takes a good deal of time, patience, & knowledge to create an image like this. A Professional photographer will be able to give you images like these and more. A professional photographer is only limited by their own imagination.

Humans are visual by nature, you may see a photograph and it will trigger a vivid memory. Photorgaphs capture the moments you want to remember. They help freeze those moments in time for you to enjoy for the rest of your life. Why trust your memories to anyone but a professional?

As they say, You get what you pay for. You may have only had to pay Uncle Earl $300 to do your wedding but then you're going to have to live with the bad photos for the rest of your life. You pay more for a professional in order to insure that you'll have images to last a lifetime.

Getting to Know Amber

Hello to everyone!

I'm new to this blogging thing. Don't expect too much from me here. Maybe a little advice about weddings and such. I won't be posting every day. Ok. Now let's get to know each other a bit more.

I'm originally from NW Arkansas and recently moved to Columbia, SC. As I said before I have two children; a two year old and a five month old. I'm happily married. I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas. I enjoy the outdoors (as long as it's spring or fall). Of course I enjoy photography. In fact I adore being able to take photos. I was a model at the age of 15. I didn't do any huge jobs or anything like that, just a little PR work for a few companies. I decided I liked behind the camera better than in front of it. You won't find too many recent photos of me but here is the latest with my girls.

More about me? I'm a perfectionist. All of my work represents me, so it's as close to perfect as I can get. Did I miss anything you'd like to know? Leave me a comment. I'll do my best to answer you.