The Importance of Advanced Wedding Planning

Yesterday I had to do one of my least favorite things - tell a potential client that I was unavailable to shoot their upcoming wedding.  This was after a heartfelt speech about how she has been viewing my work for some time now and has had me in mind all along to be the photographer.  Unfortunately time got away from her and she was unable to contact me until yesterday.  This happens on occasion, but was the third such inquiry in as many weeks.  :(

I will always refer another qualified photographer, but I hate to dissappoint anyone.  So, if you are here as a potential client, please don't delay in setting up a meeting.  I know the year 2013 may seem like a long time away for your wedding, but I am already booking dates.  I'd love to have you over here in Crown Point to hear about your wedding and of course show you my work in person.

Beautiful Brides

When you photograph as many weddings as I do, you can get into dangerous territory when you entitle a Journal post "beautiful brides" and leave out some of your clients.  So let me say right away, I don't think there as been anyone that I have found to NOT be a beautiful bride.  However, I don't have the space to have everyone's image here.  Plus, I chose a few of these shots to make some points on photography.  So here goes...

I remember walking with Rebecca at the front entrance of the Marquette Park Pavillion just before her and Jack's entrance to their reception.  I saw the tornado like skies with the dramatic looking clouds and though it would make a great shot with her contemplating her big day and holding her exotic and colorful bouquet of flowers.  It's one of my favorite beautiful bride photos and one that is featured in the banner of this website.

This photo of Megan in black and white with her flowers in color was actually taken during her ceremony in front of the old Crown Point Courthouse in downtown.  Her officiator was quite colorful and I cropped in tight to catch her laughing and to isolate her against the brick.  Again, a beautiful, soft bride against the gritty brick - a great contrast I think.

This bridal photo of Terra was taken just before her ceremony was to begin at her church in Sawyer, Michigan.  I liked that my softbox reflected against the inner metal of the piano and that she looked so calm and relaxed.  I thought it was a bit different and unique, yet very simple for a bridal photo.  She agreed and it is featured large in her wedding album.

Last year, Jackie and Brandon and their wedding party wandered all around Centennial Park in Munster taking formal wedding photos, some casual and some posed.  We were about to finish up and head to Villa Cesare Banquet Hall when one of her bridesmaids suggested the wood paneled backdrop as a cool looking background.  She had a great eye and we seized the idea and turned it into a unique bridal photo.  The giant shadow is my assistant Leslie protecting our bride from the sun with a large diffuser.  Normally I'd hate that any of our gear showed up in a shot, but this made it quite cool looking.  Many people have complimented this one.

I remember Heather being quite nervous just before her outdoor Fall ceremony at the bandshell by Lake George in Hobart, Indiana.  This sassy looking pose was taken outside of her mom's house right before we took off for downtown Hobart.  I could tell she had a lot on her mind, so I just told her to look into the distance and let us capture her awesome looking dress and great figure.

You can't cover a wedding ceremony at Grant Park in Chicago without capturing the smiling bride against the cityscape.  Brittany is dwarfed by the skyscrapers in the background and makes for another nice contrast to her lovely wedding dress.

I remember Elise's bridesmaid asking / telling me to take an "amazing" shot of her and the bride together.  Well, I don't know if this one is "amazing", but the pure joy of the bride, the great pink dresses and the all around fun are all I need.  I've had this one on some of my business cards as it's one of my favorite wedding photos.

Sometimes beauty shows itself during the "getting ready" part of the day.  Krystal's maid of honor is helping with the dress and we got some great natural light coming in from the hotel window for a candid, sexy wedding dress photo.

I remember Stephanie diligently putting on make up by herself when I arrived at Griffith Lutheran Church where she was getting ready for her summer wedding.  I like this one for the pretty smile in the mirror along with the softness of her veil.

Megan's bouquet of flowers with their accent on orange was perfect for her Fall wedding.  We took this in a neighborhood called Ellendale Farms in Crown Point, Indiana. I wanted a soft background to disguise all the homes and to focus on the smiling girl in front of me.  I've used this image as one of my sample wedding prints for quite a awhile now.

I'm looking forward to adding all the 2012 brides to a future beautiful brides post here on the Northwest Indiana Wedding Photographer Journal!! 

More from the Wicker Park Bridal Show

Not only was I one of the photography vendors at the January bridal show at Wicker Park Social Center, I also took photographs for Bride's Guide Magazine, the sponsors of the show.  You can find out more about them at the NWI Bridal Shows site.

As a portrait photographer I'm quite used to taking images of people, but this assignment was more about details and capturing the flavor of the event and to also showcase photos for the next edition of the magazine.

Speaking of flavor, the show is an excellent opportunity to taste wedding cake and other delicious desserts...

I'm all about raspberry and chocolate so the above layer cake would be my choice.  However, the strawberries below look just as good.

This show also features the most prizes around.  As I was doing my meet and greets with brides to be, I could hear winners announced again and again.

Romance was in the air as couples strolled the large Wicker Park ballroom.  Vendors from all areas were there to show and tell.

From wedding photographers (yay me) to jewelry to DJ's, this bridal fair definitely had things covered.  Their next show is June 5th from 6pm to 9pm at Wicker Park in Highland.

Outdoor Engagement Photos

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As I type this, the weather outside is close to 70 degrees and it's only the second week into March!!  That's got me thinking about outdoor engagement photos!!  These sessions are great as it gets soon to be married couples a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera.  This makes them old pros by the time the wedding day comes.

The above image was part of a Chicago Session Engagement Package and they had a large Stand Out print displayed at their reception hall, The Patrician in Schererville.  Many of my wedding clients order a large print and mini album to put on display for guests to look at when they enter the party.

Shooting a beach silhouette during the magic twilight hour is one of my favorite images.  We have a LOT of great beaches along the Indiana Dunes to use for romantic engagement photos.

Another idea is to stroll an old part of town such as the downtown Crown Point Square.  The many antique stores their are great for that vintage look we can apply.  Perhaps the local ice cream shop 'What's the Scoop' will be open and two of you can share a milkshake together.

Many couples choose the classic, cinematic black and white look of The Chicago Sessions.  We meet at the train station in East chicago and we shoot as the train arrives, on the train and then stroll around downtown Chicago.  All images are available in color, but the idea is too turn them into vintage looking black and white film shots from the 1960's.

This same retro look was applied to this beach shot at Washington Park in Michigan City.

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Another one of my favorite destinations for photographing brides to be and their future grooms is Coffee Creek Park in Chesterton, Indiana.  If you live in Valparaiso, Portage or even La Porte - this is a great place to walk and get away from the daily grind.

I always encourgage my clients to be themselves when they dress for the shoot, but to avoid logos and things like that.  You are always welcome to bring a change of outfits as well.