Let it Rain - Jodee and Greg Engagement Session

 Let it rain - we don't care!  We wanted a 'gloomy' vibe for the background so these two would be the ONLY beautiful thing in the image.  I think we accomplished what we wanted! 

We really don't get much rain in Arizona, so we schedule Photo Sessions pretty much regardless of the weather.  Today it wasn't raining really hard yet, but it was a steady misty drizzle all day long.  It was cool especially for them not having jackets on, but we kept going until we got all the locations and images we had in mind.

Originally, we planned to have this session in an amazing location about 2 hours away, but we noticed the weather alert and decided to keep it closer to home (but we never even discussed cancelling).  We met at the Studio, picked through a few items to take with us and headed out - and the rest is an EPIC adventure!

I can't wait to share the full gallery with these two, but for now I do have permission to post these, and I am so excited about it!  

Rain was not going to stop us, we aligned ourselves in ways that the background colors would be enough difference in brightness/darkness and contrast of textures to give the illusion of background or foreground light and the rainy weather and dark skies.  We picked locations that we don't use often and don't see used often so we could have some originality with this session because these two are celebrating their love, their engagement, the beginning of their forever.  This became so unique with every photo we captured and they went with the flow, the suggestions I had and they just naturally created the best environment in front of the lens I could dream of!

Here are just a few of our rainy day - She Said Yes Session!

A few things I've observed as a Wedding Photographer that may help you...

Look at that … two wedding related blog posts in a row.   And all this for a photographer that started out in business with a vow to NEVER photograph weddings!  And just look at me over here talking about weddings – oh how the tides bring change.

I think of myself as a pretty observant person, but sometimes it takes more than just observing to make an effective difference.  Anyone can see what is going on around them, but it is time to speak up about some of the things that I have observed in the past and hopefully it will help you in the future as you plan for your big day (or help a loved one).

This is just some low-carb food for thought (and some really fun images from a few of the weddings we have photographed) ... and I hope you get a morsel or two of great information out of this.

First and foremost, communicate – communicate – COMMUNICATE

I touched on this a little in my last post, but I just wanted to unpack this subject a little bit more for everyone.  Communication is key – you deserve excellent communication.  I believe that communication is a basic need in any customer service industry.  I want to provide you with the best and most information that I possibly can.  I also hope that in return you share with me when things change, when dreams and ideas migrate into actions that will affect how we provide you with the highest level of customer service available.
No we aren’t planning your wedding, no we aren’t the first person you are going to call, no we aren’t going to be helping you decorate or clean up, but you know what?  We care about every single step of this wedding just like we are one of those people.
We would like to meet with you to discuss some things – we will ask you questions, and hopefully answer your questions too. 
I thought about posting a sampling of the questions we would ask and the items we go over during our initial consultation, but I’ll keep that on a personal basis between you and our Land of Wild Designs photographer(s).  We do however try to keep an open schedule and will meet with you as often as you like to go over your photography needs, ideas, inspirations, and concerns.

Everyone has a different style, we happen to follow inspirational ideas and hopefully our style migrates and evolves with the changing times and the mood and personality of our clients.  We don’t want to take the same photograph that everyone else has in their wedding book, but folks … let’s face it – weddings are pretty typically the SAME.  The same photos anyway, you know?  Cutting the cake – tossing the garter, first kiss, standing in front of our wedding guests stating your vows and promises of forever.  Same-Same and that is ok.
What we want is to find a style that suits your personality and your heart.
So this goes back to communication – we need to talk about what kind of images you want of your wedding.

Here is where I tell you about things I have seen and maybe some suggestions for how you can be prepared for a few things I would have never thought of if I hadn’t seen it for myself.

Make sure that you think about where you will be signing your marriage license.  We will want to take photos of that event and you will have about five people signing that license, so it needs to be an area that can accommodate a small group of people – we have seen weddings do this where they are eating their wedding dinner, but you have plates of food and glasses of beverages in your photos, so maybe the wedding party could move to the guest book table, or even have a designated location set up…just food for thought…

Be sure to bring a steamer to the wedding.  This is not something I usually think about personally, but when you look around, you see a lot of uses for a steamer!  Anything from the tablecloths that have fold-creases to the veil, there are always things that need to be steamed.

 Get yourself a Wedding Coordinator – someone you trust.  Even if you aren’t paying a professional wedding planner – even if it your Mom or Sister that is keeping everything organized, on track and held together for you.  Get yourself a wedding coordinator (worth repeating).  The entire weight of this wedding shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of the Bride.  (My 2¢)

Placement of that beautiful wedding cake is another thing to think about!  You dreamed of the design, you have a lot invested in this amazing cake and now you should think about how to display it for optimal visibility and function.  Yes, function.  I have seen so many amazing, even phenomenal wedding cakes hidden in a corner behind the Bride and Groom table or in an obscure location in the reception hall with no way for guests to clearly see the cutting of the cake, or even for the photographer to have mobility to get good shots of the cake-cutting.  I suggest that you visit the venue, draw a rough floorplan of the room and use little sticky pad papers or sticky flags to mark placement of everything – then move the sticky papers around until you are happy with the layout.  Draw around them, and make yourself a little map of the room so you (and whoever is helping you get set up, delivering the cake, etc.) remember where or how to place things.  Major timesaver!!

Okee dokee, this is all I am going to say on this (for now, lol).  Have a GREAT day and enjoy that wedding planning. 

Oh yes, ONE MORE THING: if you need a wedding photographer, I’m your girl!  Let’s talk!

www.landofwilddesigns.com
www.facebook.com/landofwilddesigns
www.instagram.com/landofwilddesigns
info@landofwilddesigns.com

Looking for a Wedding Photographer?

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You are engaged. 
This is one of the most exciting (and probably most stressful) times of your life.  We understand – weddings are complicated and expensive.  There are a LOT of decisions to be made in what seems like too little time.  Everywhere you look, there seem to be many sources for great information to many of the questions you have and even to questions you didn’t know you had.  Anyone and everyone seems to have advice to offer, and it is easy to get overwhelmed.
∙  There are color schemes to choose…
∙  You have to decide on who is in your wedding party…
∙  You need to be thinking about the menu and catering…
∙  There are important details to remember like getting your wedding license…
∙  You need to ask your officiant to perform the ceremony…
∙  You need to choose a PHOTOGRAPHER…
∙  and the list goes on and on….

 

We here at Land of Wild Designs Photography understand that this is a large task and you need help sometimes!  You need do what is best for you, but we always suggest to plan this out, it is possible to have the wedding of your dreams.  It really is!

This is how we go about it:
Figure out your budget – put it on paper – talk about it – AGREE and stick to it … (revisit it often)
Prioritize
- Cost
- Value
This is a challenge folks, because ‘Cost’ and ‘Value’ really are different.
What does it cost?  Well, that will fit into the financial portion of your budget easily enough, but there is so much more to consider.
What is the VALUE?  That is the question that stays with you for a while.  You may spend money and recover any financial losses, but the value – well, that is something that means something to you emotionally and it is typically something that stays with you long after the financial part is forgotten.  It is okay to use emotion when making these plans, by all means – it is your love that brought you together, your friendship that makes you want to spend the rest of your lives together.  So how about planning the value and cost together – then prioritize and see where you are.
We suggest writing everything down with three columns following – value first and cost second – then in the third column, add your notes.  Now that you have everything (or most everything, because we know this list changes frequently) start thinking/talking about what priority to place these items in – here is an example:

           
This is the way we see it…the longer it will last, the higher the priority needs to be.  Let me explain.  Hair and makeup will be gone the day of the wedding (or the next day), but the way they made you feel - made you look - the memory will last far beyond that day.   The venue is only something that you have for the day usually, but the dream of having a wedding there - the way it makes your wedding come together – the memories will last far beyond.    The Photographer will be gone after the last planned event at the reception in most instances, we are only going to be with you for the day, but the way we made you feel – the attention we paid to your desires will last beyond that day - - - and the memories – the photographs will be with you for long after your wedding day.

We don’t want to assume the priority you are placing on any one thing on your list – everyone is different of course and that is wonderful.  But if Photography is a higher priority for you, please consider Land of Wild Designs Photography.  We would love to talk to you and see if we are what you are looking for in a wedding photographer.

When we book a photography session, these are some of the little things that we ask of you – it isn’t too much, and it doesn’t seem important sometimes, but to us – it is very important!

We want to meet with you a couple times before the wedding – (in person would be great), but we can also do it through phone conversations, emails, messaging, etc. 
Here are some of the things you may want to consider…
- to be sure to send us a wedding invitation if we are photographing your wedding.  This is a big one folks! (When you schedule with us, we will make sure you have our mailing address)
- tell us what time and where you will be getting ready if you would like the ‘getting ready’ images included
- and please understand that we care about your images, we don’t rush wedding photography or the editing of your images, for this reason there may take some time (up to 2 months or so) to get your wedding photo portfolio.  We will send you (or post to social media if you like) some previews, but the full portfolio will come to you customized after it is final.  These are your tangible FOREVER memories and we want to do our best to get them right!

Fun talk!
Thanks for listening ;)
Becca

Styled - Couture - and VERY Kylie ♥

Something amazing happens when we get to take photos of Kylie

We planned a styled, couture session and she absolutely brought it!

And then after we were done shooting the location Couture Session, we had an opportunity to get some couple shots with Josiah! 

And wow - these two are so ... wow!

 

 See what I mean?  Aren't they something GREAT!?!

 

 And the best is yet to come, because we are planning YET ANOTHER spectacular session - this time with all the girls!  Can't wait for that!  Stay tuned for the incredible things we will be posting!!!

Coming Soon - these two - so in love.....

 

Coming soon....