Where Have You Seen us? { A Wedding And Senior Portrait Photographer Goes Public}

We (Shelly and I ) submitted several pieces of work this year. Let it be said again:  I work with some truly amazing people! I simply have the opportunity to put these stories into images.   This year, we went public or the public went with us.

www.amberjphoto.com

RUSTIC CHIC GOES PUBLIC WITH AMBER J PHOTOGRAPHY

In January we were featured on Rustic Wedding Chic.  Lisa and Jason’s wedding at Maple Shade Farm in Delhi was give the nod by one of my favorite wedding blogs of all time and I literally jumped when I saw the acceptance note. 

KNOTSVILLA GIVES US THE NOD

In March of this year Knotsvilla Wedding Blog published our Winter Wonderland Wedding at Mallozzi’s in Schenectady.  Nicole and Glen’s wedding was a fine display of the beauty winter can bring for a wedding.  We were once again thrilled as Knotsvilla is clearly one of the best blogs out there!

www.amberjphoto.com

www.amberjseniors.com

On the senior side of things, one our photos of Kiera was published in Senior Study Hall magazine and were are waiting right now to hear back from another publication (TBA!)

Instasenior on Instagram featured a session from Molly’s senior portrait session with us and we hope to just keep rolling with this!

It's only April and we have SO SO much coming our way this year that I really just look at this year and think, wow! God has truly opened doors and closed some others.

AMAZING.

For wedding information please visit: amberjphoto.com

For Senior Portrait Information please visit: www.amberjseniors.com

PS: we have installed a wonderful program for teens: www.epicteenimages.com.   If you have a young teen, capture them now before they aren't so young anymore :)

SOS: My Wedding Photographer Has Never Shot At My Venue Before!!

There are approximate 1.5 million wedding venues in upstate NY, ok just kidding there are not that many, however there are a plethora of venues and chances are, any one photographer has not shot at all of them.

I have been asked a number of times “have you shot there before?”

It’s a good question and I understand why it’s asked, but it’s not the right question.  It would take me approximately 25 years with a wedding every weekend in a different place to shoot at every venue.  This is not a scientific approximation and no actual math was done here, but you get my drift. Just because your photographer has not actually shot at your venue of choice does not mean you should dismiss them!

 Barns are some of the darkest venues around...but we specialize in just that!

ANSWER YOUR OWN QUESTION

*Look through your photographer of choice’s blogs and galleries and see what they capture and how they do inside with their reception shots.  

*Request a full gallery from your photographer so you can see a sample from beginning to end.  MOST reception halls have a terrible light source, if they can shoot in a dark reception hall in Albany, NY they can shoot in a dark hall in the Hudson Valley.

*A PROFESSIONAL photographer should have no problem knowing how to work a dimly lit room whether it be a venue they have worked 100 times or never before.

I’M NERVOUS YOU HAVEN’T WORKED MY VENUE

*Ask your photographer to walk through the venue with you and discuss prime ideas for wedding photos.

*Find out if you can do your engagement session in the same place and you can get a feel for how your photographer will handle the venue and it’s enmities

*Personally, if I have not shot in a venue I will ask for a walk through well before the wedding so I have an idea of what will look great and what will not. 

A NEW VENUE CAN BE BETTER

I have found a new venue can stimulate a photographer's creative senses. When I find a new place to shoot I am excited about the opportunity to shoot something different. 

SO WHAT DO YOU ASK?

If your photographer has not shot in your venue before, it’s not time to panic. 

Ask to see work produced in dimly lit areas (if you aren’t satisfied with what the website showcases).

Ask if they would walk through with you.

Ask what their experience is and how they handle a dark reception hall or barn. 

Be up front if you are only going to have a candle light vigil at your reception at 9pm and work together on how to produce quality images. 

YOUR VENUE IS NOTHING NEW

That is not to sound mean or demeaning.  Your venue was chosen for what you loved about it, but for a photographer your venue is all about shadows and lights and textures and “where do we go if it rains”. 

A professional reads all that in mere minutes of seeing a location, so unless your spidey senses tell you otherwise.  We crazy photographers got this whether it’s a venue that is new or old, you just go on and get married :)

PS: We may not fear dark shadows, but we may fear water fountains - seriously...

More Than Photography:

Dear anyone who looks at this blog, 
I want to tell you so many things, but that will all come in time.  Please help me spread the word about the beautiful organization and this wonderful family.
Doesn't she look great in purple???
For more highlights please visit the high school senior division of our work: www.amberjseniors.com  We provide a direct link to donate as well.  Go. Visit. Be Blessed.
Love,
Amber

Don't Be Afraid of the Word Custom: Check DG Invites and Why Your Wedding Can Be Different!

Whenever I come across something at a wedding I think others should know about I get all excited. I track down where it came from and want to share the information so others can relish in all it's goodness.

This summer I had the pleasure of photographing a rustic, country wedding at Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont for Marissa.  Marissa has a super creative sister (bridesmaid) who own DG Invites. Once I caught wind of the creativity gene I was blown away about how Darci pulled together the entire event through her work. It wasn't just invitations. It was Save the Dates, Invitations, Table Numbers, Ceremony Programs, Escort Cards, Menus, Thank You Cards and the list goes on!
I tracked Darci down and together we worked out the highlights of her amazing work!

Please check out Darci's work on facebook and on her site to get a complete feel for all that she has done!

I asked: What is unique about your work?
Darci:What is and always has been unique about us is that we are TOTALLY custom.  Someone can certainly choose an invite we have done in the past and just change the wording and colors.  However, we like it when people come to us with really unique ideas.  We have done some amazing invites in the past that may have started out with a feeling of uncertainty for sure, but came together in the end.  With almost limitless paper options, several printing options, the ability to order 4 or 462, to layer or not layer, add some kind of pocket, create a special die-cut, add duck feet to their invite....we can do just about anything.  People that are searching for something that is very traditional do no necessarily come to us.  Not to say we don't love creating something that is timeless and classic we do, but we tend to get more "out there" ideas.  Cutout clover escort cards to sit on glasses of Guiness for a St. Patricks Day Wedding; neon pink, orange and green invites for a "Dream in Color" Gala event; disco balls and bowling for a surprise birthday party, sketched drawings of the grooms little white dog who is the "best pet", a combination of snake skin print and peacock feather and I did already mention duck feet right? Yes, duck feet!

I asked: What do you want your clients to know most about you?

Darci: What I really want people to know is that they should not be afraid of the word custom.  Custom means a number of things and it doesn't have to be insanely expensive.  I work really hard to stay within a clients budget and still create an invitation they will love.  There are all kinds of things that can be done that will affect pricing: quantity ordered, type of paper, type of printing, number of layers, number of inserts, any embellishments, pocketfolds and so on.  Can we create a $10.00 boxed, ribbon embellished invite with 3 inserts that are all layered and have raised printing...yes!  We can however also create something beautiful, but much more simple for the client with a smaller budget.

I asked: What do you enjoy most about your work?

Darci: There are a couple things I really enjoy about my work.  One is that I get to stay home with my little man and watch him grow up.  Soon he will be off to preschool and our 2nd little man will be arriving!  With all the things I have experienced along side him working from home I can't imagine what life would be like otherwise and what I would have missed!  The second thing I love is my clients. Yes at times
things can be extremely challenging but in the end I truly love my clients.  The best part by far has got to be when I give them their finished product and if they are local,  seeing their faces light up!  After the hours of work, reviewing designs and colors, getting to that finished product is the greatest feeling.  Seeing how happy they are for what I have created for them, getting lots of hugs (even from grooms), so many thank yous for pure appreciation for all I have done....that is the best feeling ever!  When the reviews and emails come through about how all their guests keep commenting on how amazing their invites are is just the icing on the cake!  It just makes me realize that even when times are tough I do what I do because I love it and other people love it too.

I asked: How did you get started in doing something like this?

Darci: I come from a very crafty and creative family.  So it was only natural for me to in some way be just like them. As a child I would always do small projects with my mother and sell ribbon bracelets along side her at craft shows.  Once I hit college I expanded to designing and creating banners, t-shirts, posters, flyers and so on for my Sorority.  After graduating I took a job with FELD Entertainment. Feld produces Disney on Ice, Disney Live and Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.  I had the privilege of working in product development where we designed all of the items sold at the shows from the lights and swords to the plush characters and vendor uniforms.  I loved that job and it just fueled my passion for design even more.  While there I got engaged, planned my own wedding and designed my own invites. With the motivation from my lovely co-workers & family DG Invites was made official....at least that was the start!

Upstate NY Wedding Photographer: Choosing a photographer must be mind numbing..

You, the soon-to-be bride and groom have a LOT going on as you plan for your up and coming wedding day. In so many ways, I envy you.  Weddings have a come a long way in the past decade or so with the internet, social media and of course, Pinterest. There are million or more choices out there and that includes wedding photographers.
It's over-whelming for me to see how many people have started there own photography business.  In a sea of facebook jump starts, I don't envy the job of pouring through countless calls for your attention.

A few simple steps could ease the pain:
1. WHO RECOMMENDS US AND WHY? Word of mouth.  Almost all of my brides have come to me by recommendations from either a friend or a venue I have worked for.  Ask around. If you already have your venue booked, ask the venue director. Chances are they are not going to recommend someone who they don't feel will suit their couples.
On a secondary note, if someone recommends a photographer, find out why.  Do they have first hand experience with the distinguished work of a certain wedding photographer or are they simply recommending their best friend, daughter or cousin? Know the source.

2. PORTFOLIO INVESTIGATION? Look over their online portfolio. As you are looking through, decide what you LIKE about a certain portfolio.  Is it their candid style? Is it their detail shots? Are they portraying a certain artistry you enjoy?

3. A PHONE CALL INSTEAD OF EMAIL? Call. Get on the phone first with your photographer. You may be able to tell right away if their personality will fit yours and believe it or not, that is vital to a successful telling of your wedding day story.

4. WHY A CONSULT?  Your photographer should always be willing to meet you in person.  Rarely will I book with a bride who I don't have a face to face consult with.  We need to talk and get to know each other a little, after all I am going to be with you every step of your wedding day... that's a big deal!

5.  WHY CAN'T I FIND PRICES ONLINE?
Most photographers are pulling their price list from their sites. Why? For me personally, I would not want to be passed over or judged on my services based on my price list.  It is the last point I discuss with a bride simply because I want to know what a couple wants in a photographer first.  There is a relationship that needs to be established that goes far beyond just a hired service.  I need to be the right photographer for you, not just a piece that fits in the budget process. After all, I am re-telling the priceless story of your wedding day!!!  Price points are always important, but should not be your only deciding factor :)

Always check and ask about insurance, experience and legit business standing. A photographer should always, at the very least have a DBA (doing business as) in their county and insurance.  An official facebook page is not proof of business. ASK!

Those are just a few ideas as you begin looking for the wedding photographer that is right for you.
Happy planning!!!!!

Finding A Good DJ Just Got Easier

Please check out these DJs for your next event!!

Picking a Disc Jockey is like inviting one the most important guests to your wedding or other event. It shouldn't be taken lightly.

The partnership between a DJ and a photographer at a wedding or any event, is crucial.  After photographing numerous events and working with several professionals, it became clear that a DJ can pull everything together or they can leave people cringing!
The DJ and photographer should be able to  choreograph your event with a seamless effort so you can enjoy your day without a worry.
I highly recommend the following :)

Pat del Rosario - http://www.djpatdelrosario.com
Email
djpatdel@hotmail.com

Jameson Duncan -  607-222-7447

Jennifer Insetta - 45 East St, Oneonta, NY 13820 - Phone: 607-349-0494 jenniferinsetta@yahoo.com.

These DJs can pull together an event with charisma and a fluidity that puts everyone at ease  and at the same time can get everyone on the dance floor.

If you are on the fence about having a DJ at all, I would suggest contacting one of them and talking to them about your concerns or needs.  They can be the thread that ties the entire day leaving you well- pleased with your investment. 

Good luck in you endeavors!

Jewelry By Hope! Just look and see!

Hope Knapp and her jewelry design will blow you away...better yet, her prices will keep you coming back for more.
Hope owns her own jewelry business E.Claire Jewelry which can be found on Facebook as E.Claire Designs.  The entrepreneur commenced her journey in jewelry making in 2008 being inspired by the beautiful items in the back of her "mom" magazines.  However, the prices attached to the hand crafted items suffocated any desire to purchase!  She began to research supplies and ideas as well as tutorials and jumped in with the idea to design custom jewelry which was affordable.
Hope's line is unique and refreshing. No two pieces are the same, so when a piece is designed for YOU, there is none other like it.
"My jewelry is created by me through you with your children’s names, birth crystals or even sayings that inspire you. Each piece is hand stamped by me so no two are ever the same," said Hope.
Here are some ideas to utilize Hope's incredible talents!
 - Brides desire these for their save the date necklace, bridesmaid gifts and bridal jewelry..
- Moms of all types! Grand, Great etc..these pieces are made for you to wear your most precious possessions in the world, your children
- Kids love to have their name on display especially those are hard to find names with unique spellings
One of a kind sterling silver pieces with copper, aluminum, and Swarovski crystal embellishments. Each piece is uniquely yours with your personalized information.
Hope is from DeLancey NY and she can be contacted a number of ways!
 www.facebook.com/E.ClaireDesign
o My Etsy store is http://www.etsy.com/shop/EClaireJewelry
o My website which is under construction is http://www.eclairejewelry.com/
o Email is e.clairejewelry@gmail.com

Attention Brides (Esp. ones planning a July Wedding), Businesses and Artists...

 It's been quiet blogging through the holidays, but we are gearing up to feature some fantastic ideas, places, businesses, artists... the list goes on. However,  we can't be everywhere, so ideas? Have you seen something inspiring or unique that we could share?
  We would love to give a shout out to businesses as well. This month we will be featuring small business, DJ's and and a beautiful venue for your special event. Can't wait to get started!
OH! and If you are a July 2012 Bride...check out our super fabulous, incredible deals on www.amberjphoto.com.  There is a link just for you :)

Happy New Year! Let's be inspired!

Gulp. Blogging do-over.

First off: If you are looking for my site, please click here or go to amberjphoto.com
I just wiped away over a year of photography blogging. I consider it cathartic, but it wasn't easy. I just closed my eyes and I pressed delete.
 I had a love/hate relationship with this blog, almost like trying on a pair of jeans that you can't quite get to fit though your really like them.  THEN! just when you are about to give up and go home, you try on one last pair and BAM, you like the look and feel perfectly.
After churning out several ideas of what I wanted to do here. I decided to integrate other businesses that hold hands with mine. I come from a small town and small town business owners are GEMS of the marketing world.  These people have independent, strong and creative minds that have survived everything  (including the latest floods here in upstate New York.)  Therefore, my blog will focus on them and act as a resource for those looking for the most out of their photographer.  I already have my features lined up for over a month. I was inspired by a recent wedding invitation - and so we will be featuring it here! Glassblowers, cake decorators, card designers, florists, local and obscure places for weddings, jewelry designers, graphic artists and so much more. I am looking to publish a blog every Wednesday, that is my goal :)
Additionally, I want YOUR help. If you know of someone who would be a great feature on this blog. Let me know. I would love to help out a small business. This blog has been averages thousands of hits and I want that to keep growing!!!  If you see a creative idea that others should know about it, please get in touch with me. 
Ideas I am looking for: those that apply to weddings, child photography shoots, newborn portraits and senior shoots.  (think unique jewelry or shops for gifts,  someone who designs clothing or hats, a baker? candy store?...you get the idea). Email me at amberjphoto.com with your idea and contact info!
Thanks and see you Wednesday!