Introducing Wedding Wish Books

I always tell my couples to be themselves for their engagement photos and to display them at the reception hall when guests arrive.  Your family and friends are their to celebrate you, so show them who you are.  I have a new way to display your engagement pictures and I'm excited to show it to you.  I call it the Wedding Wish Book.  It's awesome.  Remind me to show it to you at our meeting.

I designed it so that a good amount of images fits into the 20 pages along with sections where guests can write their own messages.  The pages above has space for Best Wishes with my clients Rachel and Dustin's Fall engagement photos on the opposite side.  The image below is a two page spread with romantic engagement pictures on the bottom and an area for remembrances above.

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Two page spread of wedding day remembrances.

The book is 12x12 in size and the pages comes uncoated so a ball point pen will not smear as family and friends write into it.  I believe it's a fantastic keepsake to look back on in years to come and pass on to future generations.

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Two page spread featuring a Favorite Memories section with engagement pictures on the opposite side.

The book just arrived last week so it's literally hot off the press.  By the way, these Fall engagement photos were taken at Lemon Lake Park if you are looking for that Autumn, outdoor look.  Any types of photos from a Chicago Session to a beach session can be featured.   

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Tips for falling love over and over again.

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Best advice for first year of marriage.

You have probably seen Wedding Guests Books that feature engagement photos and I have a book like that as well.  It also is an uncoated, 20 page book with an area for attendees to your wedding to sign.  It can act as a simple registry with 432 maximum signatures or 216 signatures with a message.

To celebrate the arrival of the Wedding Wish Book, both of these items are currently on sale in the Region Weddings store.  If I already photographed your engagement session and you want to add this book to your wedding decorations on the big day, please order at least a month beforehand to give me time to put the book together and get it printed and bound.  If we are doing your session later this year, definitely keep these books in mind.  I think they are a great way to show yourselves off and your guests will surely enjoy contributing to your wedding day with their best wishes and advice.

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What do you admire most about us as a couple?

Did you get your homework done?

This past weekend I met with Heather and Gordon at the beautiful church they are getting married in - Grace Lutheran in Hobart, Indiana.  They gave me a tour of the church and described in detail how they envisioned their ceremony would take place.  I was able to take notes, offer suggestions and grab a few quick test shots.  We then headed to their reception hall and went over the details of their arrival and where in the hall I would set up a backdrop for portraits of their guests.  I will be scouting locations soon for their outdoor formals as well.  I consider this part of the photographer's "homework" that must be completed.

I also hand out homework to my couples in the form of a Wedding Shotlist that I use a a guide so I don't miss anything important.  Heather and Gordon simply checked off things I already had listed and used the blank back of the form for special requests.

Once I have a timeline established, the ideas of the bride and groom as well as myself locked in - everything goes into one document.  It gets printed out and my assistant will have it with her throughout the wedding day.  This keeps all of us on track and helps me get the shots we are all looking for.

So don't forget to complete your homework assignment!!  I give Heather and Gordon a grade of A+.  :)

News: Large Groups, New Toys and More

As wedding season quickly approaches, my mind has been spinning with ideas on how to pose large groups differently.  I want to get away from having everyone scrunched together staring into the camera.  I'm thinking of going wide and using whatever surrounding are available like steps or around a limo, etc.  No examples to show as of yet, but I will be having a Spring Family special announced shortly so stay tuned for that.  I will definitely follow this up with some images.

For my upcoming clients, you will be happy to know that I have new on location lighting on the way to me as I type this.  This is going to be a highly portable set up that will enable me to give you that beautiful studio light inside the church, at the beach or the local park.  I can't wait to start using my new toys.

In personal news, I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can hit the bike trail.  If I'm going to be chasing brides around all summer, I'm gonna have to be in tip top shape!!  :)

Here is a non wedding group shot from last year.  Highland High School put on a nice rendition of South Pacific and I was there to capture the play as well as this photo of the entire cast plus teachers.

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