Upstate NY Photographer: Burlap? Who Knew?

I saw a post, then another, then another all on how burlap can be incorporated into a rustic and chic wedding. So, instead of coming up with a post all on my own, I figured I would list a few links that I liked!

A unique post by Emmaline Bride here focuses on a variety of uses for burlap.  It gives ideas on shoes, save the dates, and weddings.  So cool! But it is definitely for the hands on bride.

 

 

 

 

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Another cool showcase for accenting the archway or altar was to use burlap as featured here on Wedding Chicks. 

Last but not least!!!!  THIS wedding entertained an entire burlap theme!!! Check it out on one of my favorite blogs... Rustic Wedding Chic.

Enjoy!!!

Upstate NY Photographer: I'm No Tattoo Artist...

Being a professional photographer has a catch.  It's that whole word "professional". That moment when you want your clients to realize you have it together, you know how to produce amazing  images and yet connect with them on a personal level.
Before vacation wrapped me up in sunshine, I met with an adorable couple in the little town of Roxbury, NY.  From minute one it started to unravel with professionalism slowly leaking from all areas of what should compose a meeting between photographer and client.
1. The client ran super late (that happens)
2. Client got a little lost maneuvering some roads to their venue prior to meeting me, even later.
3. Absolutely no cell service in this cute little town. None. I was cut off.
4. All little cafes and restaurants CLOSED by the time we met up that Sunday afternoon.

Therefore our little client meeting took place on a bench outside of a shop on Main Street.  It was a little chilly, but not intolerable, but still everyone was a little frazzled by the time things began.  The meeting was lighthearted, but it started to get uncomfortable when a wayside pedestrian become very interested in our conversation and decided to comment... a lot. Insert many polite smiles and absolutely no where to go and hide.

Unraveling continues.

I was beginning to think, there is no way this meeting is going to solidify a great relationship - everything is going downhill.

It got worse.

In my final goodbyes and thanking them for their time, the wayward pedestrian couldn't resist asking if I was some sort of artist.
I concurred.
"Are you a tattoo artist?" We all stopped and looked at him, there were no words.
"No, sir, I am just a wedding a photographer."  JUST a wedding photographer? Like that is sublimely inferior to a tattoo artist?
"Could you take pictures of dogs and make them into tattoos?"  He was serious. The conversation was getting worse and my cute little couple just stood there watching the whole thing - nearly as confused as I was.
"No sir, I don't do tattoos. At. all."
He continued on his way (with his little dog tucked under his arm) and I looked at my couple and asked..."Is there something about me that screams dog tattoo artist?"
Hysterical laughter commenced and the most awkward client meeting in history went down in the books.
And yes, I will be photographing their wedding this July.

Upstate NY Photographer: Don't Give Up

I try to find something inspirational every day. Perhaps it's better said, that you can find inspiration when you are looking for it.  This video has been seen by millions, because it invokes such a sense of emotion and stirs something inside us that we tend not to feel very often.
Dreams are possible, faith is necessary, love conquers all....we dig the quotes, but I'm not sure there is true belief in them..until we see something like this happen.
Then.
We are reminded of the very beautiful possibilities we have before us.  He didn't win a medal, but he won hearts.  I can't tell who won the Olympic medals that year...but I know Derek Redmond.

Upstate NY Photographer: A Bride Made Me Think...

I limited myself on explaining a few aspects of why we are turning our attention to rustic, chic and country weddings.  The first and foremost reason is because I absolutely adore them and when you combine photography and passion, you can help but produce something filled with excitement and love.
However, the less romantic side of it all comes down to the technical aspects of barn and farmhouse weddings.  Lighting.
A bride came to me this week with an inquiry about her wedding in a nearby barn style venue. Her main question was about the lighting and if I would be able to photograph there. Honestly, I am not used to those kind of questions from brides, so it was cathartic for me to answer her.
Now, I know most venues for receptions and churches offer less than stellar lighting.  The most challenging, by far are the old dark barns and sweet farmhouses that cast very little flattering light.
The romantic wood planks and high wooden archways that enhance the fairytale atmosphere can plummet a photographers ability to capture the enchantment.
I have focused my energy in the past few months to become proficient in photographing at these types of venues. It's necessary.  With venues stretching from Albany, Oneonta, Roxbury, Hudson and Lake George this was something I was noticing not being done very well!

Nothing should stop you from having the most romantic country wedding ever...just make sure you have a photographer that knows how to showcase it from the camera ;)

Upstate NY Photographer: The Hardest Thing...

Ok, maybe the blog title is a little dramatic. It's not THE hardest thing, but waiting for spring to get here..is testing my endurance of patience. Anyone in the northeast understands March is the crazy month as winter and spring dual it out for position in the weather system. I love following all my photographer friends, but it's killing me as they start to post their images in the rolling hills and sweet sunsets of early spring as I stare at the 6 inches of snow still caressing my property. The plus side? I have been forced to reconcile to organization and planning. Now that I know what is in front of me (kind of) I have more of a purpose and a plan and that feels good. I know I want to focus more on the rustic and chic style of wedding photography. It's where I am from, it's what has made me, I'm a country girl and I do love it. It's easy to express what you love. In doing so, I created a board on PINTREST just for this... check it out here: Rustic, Chic and Country Weddings Feel free to share your ideas~

Upstate NY Photographer: Wedding Visual Entree'

As we progress into 2013, I am going to be implementing more video segments. It's fun, it's playful and that's exactly how I like to be! I will be showcasing more rustic and chic weddings especially outdoor weddings as well as barn weddings. Just to let you in on my planning!! It's gonna be fabulous! For now, enjoy this little ditty showcasing a few of our weddings! Another video coming soon!

Upstate NY Photographer: Inspiration for writing wedding vows

There are more songs written about love, there are more quotes about love and there are more poems about love than any other subject.  I have had a few brides wanting to write their own vows and words can be a tricky thing.  How can you define feelings with words?  It's not easy and I feel that is why there can be difficulty in doing such a monumental task.
A few suggestions and a few inspirational quotes to jump start you.

1. Keep it simple. Take one moment you have shared an indulge in it's story. Your first date, your most embarrassing moments, the first time "I love you" was said. Expand on the simple moments.

2. Don't write for the ceremony, write for each other. 

3. Don't put pressure on yourself to make it perfect, you aren't perfect, neither is your partner.  Roll with it.

4. Write down random ideas as they come to mind.(just maybe not while you are driving). Make notes and then when you have some time, go through them, see what comes to mind over days and weeks. You may write your vows without even knowing it!

5. Enjoy this. This is a time to go back and see where your relationship has grown. Why do you trust and love this person more than any other? Why do you feel safe and secure in this person and where do you see yourself in years to come.

6. Don't write something you are not. If you are not a creative and witty writing genius, then don't be. Write down your thoughts as they are. Using words and phrasing that aren't yours...well just doesn't work. Be simple, be cute, be fun, be serious, be lighthearted...just be you. Please.

Here are some quotes I found, that I love.  Enjoy and good luck! (The third one is my favorite)

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

"You can talk with someone for years, everyday, and still, it won't mean as much as what you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever.... connections are made with the heart, not the tongue."

“You only need one man to love you. But him to love you free like a wildfire, crazy like the moon, always like tomorrow, sudden like an inhale and overcoming like the tides. Only one man and all of this.”

“If I am to be fallen into love, I will. And if as a result I will appear to be stupid, disillusioned, and of poor judgment, I will. And I would be damned if I cared what other people think. For I would rather be thought of as all of these things, than not love. If in loving, I become the naked woman on the horse, I will ride that horse with my head held high. This is my spirit. I am unbreakable.”

“A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, and must empty ourselves. Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in his love than in your weakness.”

“Before, I wanted to say: "I found love!" But now, I want to say: "I found a person. And he belongs to me and I belong to him.”

Be inspired!