Your Bridal Make Up Questions Answered! - Thanks Jo Boring!

Make up artists and fabulous person Jo Boring recently helped me answer some questions I had received from a bride in regard to her wedding day make up.  I loved her response and used it to fill the post to the brim with awesome!
If you have any other questions feel free to post them and I will make sure we find those answers!!


Should wedding makeup be thicker and darker than everyday?

This is a fine line. You want to feel like yourself but it is true that wearing a bit more in the right places helps give you the coveted "flawless" look and helps define your features in pictures. Most people use a full-coverage foundation on their wedding day and a setting powder. That might be a lot more than you are used to but applied the right way it does not have to feel cakey or heavy....but it is heavy duty coverage that will help eliminate redness, blemishes etc. and make your skin look perfect:) In terms of darker, this doesn't mean wear darker colors. It means use makeup to help define features you want to pop in pictures and in person. Eyeliner, mascara (even fake lashes) can help define your eyes. You can use eye shadow to contour and shadow strategically to make your eyes look big. Lipliner can help give  lipstick or lipgloss a defined look and a base to stick to. These are just a few examples of things that every woman might not wear every day - but are often used in bridal makeup even to achieve a "natural" look. It's good to amp it up a bit as long as you still feel like you:)

Can a bride wear foundation with SPF:

In general I am careful about using SPF foundations for special events with photography because of the whitening effect they can have. However I have found exceptions to the rule as well. Try out your foundation beforehand and take some pics. A drugstore brand that is full coverage and fine in photos in my opinion is Revlon Colorstay. Of course, there are a million foundations ranging in price - you have to find one you like.

What if I sweat?

Be sure to use a powder to set your foundation. After you are all done you can also use a setting spray such as "Model in a Bottle" to lock it all in place. I use this setting spray on ALL my brides not to mention at dance performances....my makeup never moves!

Anyone can feel free to contact me via my facebook page "Saving Face" with any makeup questions! Happy wedding!

Beware... Photographer Friends :)

God has blessed. It was a big jump to decide to go into this whole photography thing and give up what was safe and known. Let's face it, change can be so hard especially for the creature of comfort and security :)

A couple of things: I know photography is super popular right now.  I see and will continue to see "businesses" pop up all over on Facebook.
If you really want the business...Beware:
1. You will spend more time marketing, preparing, contracting, buying, promoting and selling than photographing. Love photographing? You better. It's a small piece of the pie.
2. Self regulating. Balancing your own business, family, friends and other obligation= mind blowing organization. (I'm still working on this). Make sure your family truly understands - in the throws of the peak photography season- your weekends are obsolete.
3. Learning to say No. Good luck. I haven't mastered this yet, but I am getting better. Saying no to jobs, saying yes to others. It's a tricky balance.
4. Support other photographers. The pie is big. Don't under cut, don't be too cheap, don't criticize. Every photographer is an artist. Embrace them..they will make you better at what you do.
5. Can you handle demanding clients?  :) They are out there. We might not want them, but honestly they hone your business savvy.
6. Make it legit. If you are selling your expertise...make sure you have DBA's, contracts, insurance and you are claiming your taxes. It will take one client to question you or demand to see your "paperwork"...if you don't have it, it will be damage control on your end.

I could go on, but I just thought I would answer some of the questions I have gotten lately. I have actually suggested..IF you just want to wield a mean camera...great second shooters are hard to come by, offer to second shoot.  

This year, God has blessed OR at least given me what I asked for (haha)..I might change my mind after this summer! Just kidding. It's been a challenge, at times frustrating, at times amazing and brilliant. I'll take the ups and the downs and thankfully my husband has supported me the entire way. Without him, none of this would happen. So, that would be my 7th suggestion..make sure your spouse ( if you have one) and children clearly understand. It takes a lot, they have to give you up sometimes.  My husband knows nothing about photography, but he is my biggest fan :)

Beautiful Us Campaign... Congrats Jody and Vanessa!

Even photographers need a little inspiration sometimes, and let me tell you, the Beautiful Us Campaign was amazing. I was so excited every time a new gallery came through! There were so many facets to this idea. Raising awareness and some money (almost $300) for Love146 was the heart and soul of this idea.  Please take some time to visit www.love146.org and read the stories of children rescued and needing to be rescued from child sex slavery.
Additionally, we had students, teachers, business people, moms, dads and college students submit to this campaign and it was amazing!
The judges consisted of 4 out of state professional photographers, 2 art teachers, 2 designers, 1 up and coming photographer, 2 people not in a professional...BUT with a great creative eye! So we had a lot of different eyes looking at this gallery that has been viewed by 5,000 people according to facebook business stats!!!!! WHOO HOO!
I am including the first and second place winners as well as honorable mention submissions that our judges really liked!


First Place: Jody ( Kindle Fire Coming your way!!!)

Judges comments: "I liked the composition, it was just enough to see where she was at, which tells you and I think goes hand in hand with the joy in her face. I like how the pews slowly go out of focus too. Great use of light and color. A face and eyes definitely tell a story. For instance, she obviously still has her real teeth! She grew up in a time when fixing the gap either wasn't important, or she never had the money to do so. Very different thinking by today's standards, being that we're such a cosmetic society. It helps show that true beauty isn't always just cosmetic. It's the joy in your soul, which will shine through your face and eyes."

"Composition is strong in all of the pictures. The subject is not in the center of the frame in any of the pictures,using the rule of 3rds. In one all you see is her hand. But in the shot of her hand you still understand who this lady is. The work is well composed, but simple, portraiture. It tells the story of Helen well. The subject was well lit in all pictures. Well done."



Second Place: Vanessa! ( $75 gift card coming your way!)

Judges Comments: "A story well told with creative lighting using the sun as back lighting. I especially liked the one of her just standing, almost moving, further into the frame. I thought it conveyed emotion and thoughtfulness well. the composition was fairly good in all three photos."




"These images tell a story. They invite you in and your realize you are just kind of wondering and thinking. The girl's face isn't clear, so there is some mystery, the use of sun gives it a fairytale like feeling, and the dream that this young woman wants to convey something beautiful in her dance. loved it."

Honorable Mentions: Luz

Judges comments: "It was a very creative concept. I liked the use of b&W and color in the first photograph. I got the point they were trying to convey. It needed a little polish, but overall thinking outside the box to tell a story with visuals"

SUMER:

"This gallery is refreshing. I love it's simplicity and the earthy feel I get. I wonder what she is looking at? It's eye catching and has that free feeling, almost whimsical.  If you can invoke that in a person, than you have done a great job."
 FELICIA:

Judges comments:  "I spent about an hour going through these, and slowly narrowed it down to this one. I liked her story, and taking that into consideration, I think this photo shows her natural beauty- natural feminine curves, beautiful red hair, and her curves flow along with her legs. Excellent use of light and composition, and I like how you can clearly see her face and eyes. Even how she's looking out a window toward the light, as if to say despite the challenges so far in life, she's overcome them and she's looking ahead."

Rainy Day Originals Creates Something Just For Me!

SO. The dilemma? I couldn't find a laptop bag I liked. My Mac Book has a 17 inch screen and very few laptop bags fit that size screen. I also wanted one that kinda went with my colors (baby blue and chocolate brown) can we say I had no luck?
I asked the lovely ladies at Rainy Day Originals if they could design a bag just for me. Could they??? Of course they could!! They ALSO designed a sleeve for one of my long lenses so while I am shooting I have it right there on my hip and can change lenses quickly if I need to - without carrying an entire bag around....and of course...everything matches. Needless to say - it didn't break the bank either.
Check it out :)

laptop  messenger bag!!

lens style bag! love it!
check out Rainy Day On facebook!

Time To Choose, Specializing In Wedding/Child Photography

Here it goes. It was a hard decision to make, but I had a wonderful, fantastic, super fabulous photographer friend...(I won't mention any names Crystal George). Who has talked me through a few business lumps and bumps. However, she did stress one thing to me...and that was to specialize.
At first, I had no idea how to do that or what it truly meant.  Now that I have been on my own for nearly a year, I get it.
No photographer can do it all. A photographer can be good in a lot of avenues such as newborn work, seniors, children, brides, pets, sports, weddings..you name it, there is a genre for it. However, I don't believe a photographer can be  THE BEST at all of these things. So, in the past few months as I have looked through the year I asked what work to I absolutely LOVE the most.





I categorized by:
Do I feel passionately about it?
Where do I enjoy investing most of my energy?
During a session..which one do I feel most alive in?
What's working?
What is the most fulfilling?
Where and I am working really hard to be better?

It came down to two areas: children and everything to do with weddings :)

Children
I was surprised by this actually. Choosing children over some other categories, but I can see why now.  After a year of shooting various events and sessions, photographing children has brought me a sense of accomplishment.  My style and my personality definitely cater to making a professional child shoot work. I know what parents are looking for and I know what a child will love and hate. All this to say..having two children of my own to practice..never hurts! This also includes families. I feel they go hand in hand. While some people love to have their children photographed exclusively, some may also want to figure in a total family shoot. Of course!

Weddings:
From engagement shoots, client meetings to the big day..I truly love every aspect of it.  There is a challenge to produce high quality work in a fast paced environment and I truly enjoy it!
Furthermore, I adore the relationships it fosters. The brides are friends,  the families become a part of me and I don't say that because it sounds nice,  I say it because it's absolutely true.

Relationships are a lot about who I am and I find relating to children is very easy and fostering solid friendships with my brides and their families is making my life richer.

It's not to say that I don't enjoy other aspects of photography, but at this stage of my career, it's full throttle with children and "I do"...and it will be my passion to be great at both of these :)

Cobleskill Best Western -It's Home For Your Next Event

Finding a venue for your next event or wedding reception just got easier.   Jessie Griffin and Nancy Spenello of the Best Western In Cobleskill- treated this photographer to a breakfast complete with corn fritters. That's right...corn fritters.  I was in love with the tasty food, I almost forgot why I was there!

In my pursuit to find local businesses that can help my clients achieve their desires, I found the Best Western in Cobleskill to be AMAZING (and not just because of the corn fritters).

First of all, despite it's national chain affiliation, the BW is all about local people, local business and local investments.  Jessie and Nancy both live and work in Schoharie and Warnerville respectively where together, they have dedicated over 30 years of service to the business that is their second home.  They are actively involved in the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce and work hard to invest in the communities they live in.  Check out their Facebook Page to follow along!
The Best Western enhances your entire experience for just about any event.  They love weddings, but they shine in events such as birthday parties, retirement parties, anniversary parties, bridal shower and baby showers.  They also host conferences, retreats, scrap bookers and quilter weekends.  They don't stop there. This crew also hosts kids pool and bowling birthday parties.  Hold on,  It gets better. There is no extra charge for set up or clean up, table linens, center pieces, cake cutting, champagne pouring...and so much more.  No matter what the event there is a variety of decor options to choose from. Call today!!!

Rainyday and Photography! Free stuff!!

Since local businesses are gems! I have connected with Rainyday Originals on several ideas.  ONE sliver of brilliance is their designs for babies.  They have a complete line of baby essentials and products so you can visit them on facebook to inquire....they can pretty much make anything!!

However, I want my clients to have an amazing experience when they book with me and it's a gift to me when someone choose me to be their photographer. 

SO! For those who book maternity sessions and/or newborn sessions I am including a pottipak... it's trendy, cute and totally functional. 

However, if you choose to do a combined maternity/newborn package, I will include a onesie and/or booties...