Friday, June 27, 2008

Destination Weddings


Each year Mark and I are approached by a hand full of brides hoping that we can salvage their wedding photographs. Some are local weddings, but the majority are destination weddings. If you or a friend are planning a destination wedding, please! please! be careful with your photography selection.

If you are working exclusively from the resort referral list, you may be selling yourself short. Many of those referrals are not because those vendors are superior, but rather because they are friends of the event coordinator or because they pay kickbacks or referral fees. Some of those referral fees are as high as 25%, which are only passed on to you in your package price.

Despite lack luster photographs, and slow delivery times, the number one complaint we hear is no communication and poor service on the photographer's behalf. I think many of those resort photographers know you are out of state or country and there isn't much you can do if you are unsatisfied.

Possible Solutions! We had a destination wedding ourselves and used a combination of The Knot and referrals from the resort. The Knot has city-by-city guides that are extremely useful for planning. This at least gives you more options. Log onto the Professional Photographers of America or Wedding and Portrait Photographers International and search for a photographer in that local. At least then you know they belong to a professional guild.

Bring your vendors along with you! Our travel fee is very nominal! We only charge two nights hotel plus travel. The beauty of that is knowing you are in good hands and that you will get one-on-one service before, during and after the wedding too! Peace of mind is priceless.

Happy Planning!
PS. That's Wayne and Kriston in Key West. Kriston even had the Cakery ship her wedding cake from Dayton to Florida. Kriston owns Lillian's, which is our favorite bridal salon in the area. Awesome dresses, accessories and service!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Lindsay & Alan!







Okay, so we always have fun at weddings, but Lindsay and Alan's had us in stitches all day! We had so much fun photographing their crazy friends in the wedding party. The guys were certainly content killing some time at BW3's. Alan's dad was the life of the party and the had us laughing out loud with his moves on the dance floor...look for him in the video.

I love couples with a sense of humor and that comes across in their photographs. I love the one of them on the hill at Beavercreek Golf Club. I think is shows their humor. Thanks for sharing such a fun day with us! Happy honeymooning!

Congrats to the Parent's to Be!


A special congrats to Megan and Dan who just found out that they are having a little boy! Hard to believe that almost three years has gone by since we photographed their wedding. Dan was a groomsman at Alan and Lindsay's wedding this past weekend...we certainly had a fun time with everyone! What a great group of friends.

One of the best parts of our job is watching our bridal couples evolve into parents. Seeing families blossom is pretty amazing! We wish you all the best...including some well deserved sleep...you'll know what we mean soon enough :)

Friday, June 20, 2008

Best Bouquets...and then some!


Congrats to LoAnn at Furst Florist who won the Best Bouquets category in Florist's Review with a wedding at the Schuster Center (one of our favorite venues) that we did together. Seeing what other florists submitted, the competition was definitely tough!
Mark and I always love it when we work with our Vendor Dream Team because we know everything will run extra smooth and that every detail is taken care of. Stress free event planning is all about putting yourself in the right people's hands and letting them do all the work and thinking for you ;)
Congrats again! We always knew you guys rocked!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Congrats! Alison and Andrew




What a wonderful day we had! Cox Arboretum never looked so pretty...or felt so hot! We had a great time with all of Alison and Andrew's family and friends who traveled from far and wide to make it to the wedding.
The elegant garden party theme was so beautiful and the ceremony shots are some of my favorites including the recessional. I just love seeing everyone else following them up the isle. The light during dinner was perfect highlighting the cake and the bride and groom. The vintage look of the photograph complimented the romantic evening. Congrats and enjoy Jamaica! Have a rum punch or two for us!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

New Blog Theme for Charlie!

So I got the whim to change the theme for Charlie's blog, which I plan on (hopefully) changing seasonally. We had done a bunch of other photographs first and had saved the bee outfit for last, which you can tell by the last frame she had had enough...



Although...I do think she is the cutest grumpy bumble bee ever!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Kate and Brian





What a great couple! We did their engagement pics as well as a bridal session (can't post that since Brian can't see the dress yet!). We're designing a Guest Book from the engagement session that we will have posted soon.

Their wedding is coming up soon and we can't wait to work with them at the Manor House. Kate is also in good hands with Brigid with I Do Weddings so we know it will be a perfect day!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Annie and Robert!






Pphewwww! Annie and Robert's wedding was our fourth in seven days! We were at one of our favorite country clubs, Cincinnati Country Club, which photographs beautifully! The weather was hot and humid, but we all had a great time despite the heat.
Annie's dress was superb and she had it custom made in Taiwan. The detailing was amazing and the Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses went with it perfectly. The family and wedding party had us laughing all day. What a wonderful group!

We know that they are having a great time in Italy (another one of our favorite spots)! Congratulazioni! Auguri per il vostro matrimonio!

Elizabeth and Michael





What a fun day we had...despite 96 degrees outside! Elizabeth and Michael are such a cute fun couple. We have had a run of weddings with an international flare lately and Elizabeth and Michael are keeping up the hot streak. Elizabeth is from Canada and the two met via the Internet...love always prevails!

We had such a great time with Elizabeth and Michael and all their friends and family that it was hard to just pick a few photos for the post. Their niece, Amelia, stole the show and wins the award for not only the 'best behaved' flower girl but also the 'cutest one' ever! She did all her own posing for the camera...look at her modeling right down to her toes.

It turns out too that Michael comes from a very large family and his aunt was our birthing coach for our Charlie...it's truly a small world out there! We wish the wonderful couple a happy honeymoon in St. Thomas!

Announcing the new Dr. & Dr. Santillan!






We had a wonderful day with Melody and Edgar. Melody was truly a beautiful bride in a gorgeous gown from Lillian's...one of my favorite dress shops. Edgar's family made the long journey from Bolivia to share in the occasion. His nieces and nephews were too cute!

I love the photograph of Melody with the wind blowing through her veil...truly one of my all time favorites!

Unique Designs and Entertainment Unlimited did a tremedous job making Yankee Trace look the prettiest that we have ever seen it! It was so romantic all in white. Mucho Felicidad!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Congrats Amy & Travis!






We had an awesome time with Amy and Travis this past weekend! The weather was perfect and we had so much fun playing on the Lakeside Pier. The wedding party was really fun too! The Mon Ami Winery is one of our favorite hangout spots when we are in town so it was fun to do a reception there. Congrats and Enjoy the show!

Hello Opportunity!

We are currently looking for a new office manager! We are looking for someone who is looking for a career and not just 'a job.' Below are some of the qualities that we are looking for. If you think your a good fit and want a chance at a great career, please call the studio (937-748-8445)for more information.

Technical Qualifications:
-In depth knowledge of Photoshop 7.01 or CS2 or higher with emphasis on retouching and design.
-Knowledge of Photoshop Lightroom...not a must, but would be nice :)
-Familiarity with digital printing...i.e., color management and quality control
-Digital cameras (we use Fujis and Cannons although not critical)
-Web Savvy...blogging, e-mail, google, myspace, facebook, etc.
-Microsoft Office
-Intimate knowledge of both PC and Mac

Personal Qualifications:
-Outgoing friendly people person!
-Very (and we mean very) self-motivated
-Someone who isn't afraid to try new things and learn new things
-A positive and common sense thinker
-Someone who believes in going the extra mile!
-Must be willing to have flexible hours including some evenings and Saturdays
-Likes to have Fun!

Bonus Qualities that we are looking for:
-Strong eye for design for albums, web, promotional materials, etc.
-Knowledge of presentation software like PowerPoint
-Knowledge of how to make slide show presentations for publication on the web or for DVD

We look forward to meeting you!