BLOG ARCHIVES

• May 2013
• April 2013
• March 2013
• February 2013
• January 2013
• December 2012
• November 2012
• October 2012
• September 2012
• August 2012
• July 2012
• June 2012
• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011
• August 2011
• July 2011
• June 2011
• May 2011
• April 2011
• March 2011
• February 2011
• January 2011
• December 2010
• November 2010
• October 2010
• September 2010
• August 2010
• July 2010
• June 2010
• May 2010
• April 2010
• March 2010
• February 2010
• January 2010
• December 2009
• November 2009
• October 2009
• September 2009
• August 2009
• July 2009
• June 2009
• May 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009
• February 2009
• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• February 2007
• January 2007
• December 2006
• November 2006
• October 2006
• September 2006
• August 2006
• July 2006
• June 2006
• May 2006
• April 2006
• March 2006
• February 2006
• January 2006
• December 2005
• November 2005
• October 2005
• September 2005
• August 2005
• July 2005
• June 2005
• May 2005
• April 2005
• March 2005
• February 2005
• January 2005
• December 2004
• November 2004

So this past July I had 4 weddings in 5 days... and on each on of them it rained. But you know what?... each one turned out wonderful. Why? Attitude. The couples were amazing. Not one of them, and I'm serious, let the rain get in the way of them having a perfect wedding day. One bride was rained out of her park and ended up a completely different venue. Another bride experienced the same thing. The morning of her wedding we were all looking for alternative places to have her ceremony. At the third wedding the father of the bride and I were sitting under umbrellas trying to keep the photography equipment and ourselves dry. We laughed and figured we had absolutely perfect spots to sit in beautiful Pt. Defiance Park... I mean when is the last time you got to just sit and watch the rain? The fourth wedding we ended up out in the country at a Grange and while it misted we took the most beautiful photos under the protection of huge old trees. The ferns carpeted the forest floor and the images look like they are out of a woodland fantasy.

So you see... rain or no rain... it's your day. Keep your eye on what is really important... the fact that you are getting married!!!!! The rest of it is just "icing on the cake".

I have the best clients. It's true. You know all the Bridezilla stuff?... I have never seen it. Why? Well, I think it's a combination of things. I listen... it's important that the couple feels like their vendors are aware of their concerns. I also believe that there is nothing that can't be handled if communication is there. Contacting my clients in a timely manner, keeping my word about delievery of proofs, basically doing what I say I will do is as important to me as taking great photos.

Saturday night the groom took my hand while I was taking photos on the dance floor and gave me a spin around the floor, the Bride was ever helpful in making sure that I had what I needed before the day began. We had a wonderful time. Great people, Great day...I can't thank them enough for making it such a wonderful night.

This weekend was wonderful... had three weddings and each one of them so different. Oh there are many things the same, there are flowers, beautiful gowns and of course cake, but what sets them all apart from each other is energy.

One wedding was small, with an emphasis on their connection to their church. The next was larger, in a romantic setting and there was an intimate quiet to the day. The last wedding was the largest of the three, with a focus on the total joy of friends and family being together.

When photographing such diverse weddings it is so important that I am sensitive to the feel of the couple. In creating their photos I never push, I do not want them to feel manipulated into poses and expressions that are not authentic. I believe in guiding them to the right moment. To set up trust and let them know that their well being is as important to me as getting the right moment. If a couple gets tired I want them to take a break, yes I know every thing is on a tight deadline (and I have not missed one!), but if you are tired it shows, and this is your wedding day. To enjoy each moment is what it is all about.

So what is your energy? Will it be romantic; will you wear your heart on your sleeve? Will you be shyer, maybe a little quiet? Will your energy be big, boisterous with unabashed emotion? Whatever your emotion... let it show... and have fun. You do that and I promise you, your photos will sing.

I always love a beautiful location... but with that said it is not the location that is the most important. I mean who can resist including those amazing mountains, or that beautiful skyline in a photo? Yes a lovely venue lends much to the ambience and it's always so nice to have lots of options for where to take photos. But in the end it is those photos of you and your guests that will keep all those wonderful wedding day memories alive.

Recently I had a wedding in a location that was difficult. By that I mean the Bride had asked me not to really include any of the venue in the images. She was on a very tight budget and had to make do with the Club House at her apartment complex. I knew going in that I would need to shoot tighter than usual, to really focus on the emotion and keep my eye on those guests! Now she did have some lovely table settings so between the beautiful table and the wonderful energy and all of us working together, we produced photos that made her so very happy.

There is nothing like sitting with a Couple as they view their proofs and see their joy. To hear that it's just the way they always wanted their wedding day to be must be the best thing I can hear.

I really enjoyed that wedding and the challenge of creating images that would make them happy was the very best part. Yes it was harder work, and yes I spent a ton of time in Photoshop to get those backgrounds perfect, but was it worth it? You bet, the bride's smile said it all!

Take care,

Tasha

This week I celebrate 26 years of being married. Can't believe how quickly time has flown. I mean how can it be that just yesterday we were saying our own "I do's"? In thinking back on our day I remember how perfect it was... and it makes me chuckle because perfection is indeed a state of mind. Some would say that your photographer not showing up would be a problem... and then some would say that having 300 guests show up at the reception hall only to discover the venue was 2 hours behind would be a disaster. But you know what I say?... it was all really perfect. You see I believe those things are just challenges, the most important thing of that day was marrying the most perfect man in the world for me. Once I kept my eye on that detail the rest fell into place. Tom and I were in photo school so along with another student we photographed our wedding, my father handled the caterers and we ended up dancing far into the night.

I learned a lot from that day. One... I am never and I do mean never... late for a wedding. In fact I am always in the area 1 hour before start time in case something should come up. I never trust traffic in the Pacific Northwest so leaving extra early for my assignment is just part of the service. The other thing I learned is that I appreciate the stress a wedding day can create... but with if everyone pulls together the Bride and Groom should only remember that it was perfect... absolutely perfect.

Bridal Shows

Get a list of upcoming bridal shows in cities near you. Shopping at a bridal expo beats driving all over town so take advantage of this opportunity.

Wedding Magazines

A wedding magazine is the perfect start to planning your wedding; browse for ideas, pick styles and colors, and get in touch with the reality of planning.

Planning Your Wedding

• Receive exclusive special offers
• Create your budget & notes
• Share with family & friends
• Announce your wedding
• Favorites: Articles, Photos, Vendors, etc.
• Shop through hundreds of websites