Christmas Eve for A Wedding Photographer

It's early afternoon on Christmas Eve and I'm about to leave to go visit family and have dinner.  I checked up on some last minute email and confirmed some orders for clients.  The thought occured to me that not only will I be with my family this holiday season, in a sense I'm going to be with many others as well.

I feel honored that the images I made for my wedding and engagement couples are going to be shown around a lot this holiday season.  The thought of folks laughing, smiling and maybe even crying a little as they look through the wedding albums or view the images in a video slideshow is very heartwarming.  It just sort of hit me right now that that is exactly what is going to be happening this holiday weekend.

So, thank you for letting me into your family circle for a little while.  I truly appreciate it.  Enjoy those photographs!!

Happy Holdiays,

Steve

Introducing Wedding Album E-Books

All of my wedding clients and some of my engaged couples as well, are familiar with my custom designed wedding albums.  They are large 12x12 hardcover coffee table style books with your wedding pictures laid out and embedded onto the page.  They are a big hit, especially the designer flourishes I put onto many of the pages.

I'm happy to announce that E-Book versions of these books are now available.  I convert the designs into epub format that is readable by apps. such as iBooks for the iPad and iPhone.  Here's how it works: 

  • After your designed book is finished in software, I send out to the printer and it's usually a 10 day turnaround after that.
  • During this wait time (or anytime after) you may now purchase an E-Book version.  The E-Book will cost $9.99 and I will provide a link for download.
  • You will need to download the free iBooks App. from the Apple App. Store.  It is compatible with iPad and iPhone.  Install on one or both devices.  You can also pass the book around to friends and family.
  • Instead of turning physical pages, you will be turning the full color pages onscreen.  It's the ultimate portable brag book.

The Wedding Album E-Book works great on the iPad and equally well on iPhone.  You simply drag the file into iTunes for Mac or Windows and then sync your device with the iBooks Application already installed.  You will then have your wedding album on your virtual book shelf.

This is a great way to leave your actual physical book safe at home and take your wedding around town to show friends and co-workers.  The E-Book is an exact replica of your wedding album.

Here are a few examples of some recent client books.  The first image is the cover of Zach and Olivia's wedding book followed by a custum designed Henna themed page from Jay and Rupal.

- click images to enlarge -

Next time you are at the hair salon, take out your iPhone and show your stylist your wedding right there on the spot....

For now, this new offering is only available on iPad and iPhone, but Android versions will be coming soon.  Take a moment to view this quick video promo all about Wedding album E-Books:

For a full screen version of this video, go here.

Think Big Sale: Large Wedding Images (16x20 or more)

- click image to enlarge -

If you ask any client of mine who has gotten prints from Region Weddings or SBV Photography, they will tell you that they are top of the line.  I get them from a professional lab with protective coatings and they come with a Lifetime Guarantee.  Viewing your wedding photos online is one thing, but a larger than life prints is 10 times better.

One of the most popular items for Wedding Photos are the 16x20 Wraps or Stand Outs.  Starting today, you can get any large print 16x20 or larger for 20% off the regular price.  

Take a look at the Print Prices Brochure and take the discount off of the listed price.  This is available only though me and NOT the website (different lab) and expires March 1st.

- click image to enlarge -

 

 

Northwest Indiana Wedding Photographer: A Day in the Life

What does a wedding photographer do in the cold, dark days of February in Northwest Indiana? My last wedding was January 7th in Crown Point, Indiana and the next is April 30th with Angela and Mike in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Although that is quite a gap, I feel busier than ever.  I just finished the Wicker Park Bridal Show for Bride's Guide Magazine and have been busy fielding questions from potential clients I met there.  I've also booked three weddings this month and I'm scheduling meetings with couples for their weddings all around Northwest Indiana and Chicago. My latest clients are Jessica and Doug who just booked last night.  Thanks guys!!

This is also the time where I scout new products that I can offer clients for the coming year.  I foresee a beautiful wedding ceremony guest book being offered soon.  Each page will feature a different engagement picture of the bride and groom.  I will post a sample as soon as mine arrives.

This time of year is also known as "wedding booking season" for most wedding photographers.  This means lots of marketing and advertising as well.  One example of what I'm doing for Region Weddings is this listing for Northwest Indiana Wedding Photographer at Thumbtack.com.  It's a new and exciting alternative to Google Places that I hope will bring many new people to the site. However, as I told my client Stephanie the other day, doing a great job creating wonderful wedding images is the best advertising of all.  

I'm also handling print orders and deliveries of product to recent clients.  Anthony and Elizabeth's wedding book arrived just today.  It's filled with images of their wedding in Crown Point just one month ago.  I can't wait to get it into their hands.

Lastly, this is also the time of year when I take training classes to learn new techniques that I can apply for all my upcoming weddings.  I take photography workshops as well as post processing classes.  A good photographer never stops learning.  It's the only way to stay fresh and bring in new flavor to one's images.  I can't wait to start applying the new ideas I've already just discovered.  Your wedding photos are going to look better than ever!!

This Saturday night I will be shooting an adult prom in Chesterton, Indiana.  It's a pretty cool idea where adult couples come dressed in "prom attire" either new or original clothing and dance the night away.  For two hours I will be doing "studio portraits" on location with a backdrop and studio lighting as well.  It's all in the spirit of Valentines Day and should be a lot of fun.  Who know, maybe I'll end up booking one of those renewing of the vows type weddings!!

So, the purpose of today's post is to give you an idea of some behind the scenes information and also to apologize for not many new postings of late.  See, I've been busy.  See, see...  :)