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Aloha!

This week I thought I would share with you some little tips that I have given to each of my bridal parties just before we start shooting. I have taken the ideas from what was going on when the photo was taken, how I approached the experience, and many other factors!


*Tip #1 -The first thing that I say to my brides as soon as I am at the location is:

"Relax. It's your wedding day, the worst part, the planning, it's all over. This is your day and I want to capture the spell-bound look in your eyes, NOT the worry that we all know is going on underneath!"

I can't imagine the things that are swarming through the bride's head days, hours, even minutes before the ceremony begins, and there really is no way for anyone to know UNTIL they, themselves are the bride. All I know is when a bride's mind is somewhere else, it will effect the perfect images that she wants to look at when it is all OVER!


*Tip #2 - Remember to SMILE!! :)

Even though you think this is a lame tip, it is surprising how many brides forget to smile! It's not so much that they forget, more that they aren't going with Tip #1. Sometimes, a good thing to do is just say, "Wait. One second." and take a look around. Look at your family and friends and the smiles that are plastered to their faces. Go over to a parent or close friend and just tell them how happy you are that they are there with you and how much you love them. Smile. If you are taking photos with your groom. Take a moment to just look into his eyes and realize that at that moment, you are completely happy.

If you are your family, friends, and groom don't have a "sappy" relationship, then maybe ask Dad how much he'll love you after he sees the bill; stick your tongue out at a close friend who you may share a silly, child-like relationship with; or give your groom a little pinch on the toosh! :) SMILE!

Whatever does it for you, whatever brings that chuckle, giggle, sly smile, or even a gafaw, DO IT!


*Tip #3 - And this is one that is a "if you can and are willing to do it, it might help". Spray that hair till nothing, not even a little itty-bitty strand will move!

I know, I hate it when I have too much hairspray in my hair, but I hate it even more when I look great in a photo except for the GIANT chunk of hair that flew across my face!

Maybe don't spray it till it's practically cement. Maybe have it a little-itty-bitty wet just for the photos. Not, Robert Palmer "Addicted to Love" video vixen hair. Just something so those wasps aren't making you look like you have static electricity.

Yes, I could PhotoShop those strands out, those litte wispy ones. Not the chunks though.

So I'll keep an eye out for them and push them out of your face as much as I can. Hey, maybe it'll be a non-gusty day. Hopefully there will be a little breeze (cause that dress may get hot) but no wind storms please.


Let's see. I was going to make Tip #4 be something about a good lipstick that doesn't rub off and stays bright and non-running mascara, but you'll have that covered. Why not this:


*Tip #4: Watch out for those may be quenching their thirsts (and I'm not talking about Soda and Juice)! :)

Yeah, the bride and groom are allowed to one or two to calm the nerves, but beware of over-doing it!

Standing through procession is nerve-wreaking enough! Walking down the aisle is hard enough when your knees are wobbling!

You're all asking how this effects photos. Well, if you and your friends tend to get a little wild with even a little sip of libations, think of what might happen in front of the camera. There will probably be a lot of great, funny shots of you and the girls! A last "Look how Kooky we are before blank's wedding!", but what about those soft group shots of all of you looking so pretty in the dresses that took you FOREVER to pick find in everyone's size!

All I'm saying is take it easy before the photos and ceremony, then go nuts! I'll make sure to get the crazy shots on the dance floor! :)

How about one more,


*Tip #5 - And this can either be the easiest or the hardest of the day.

Make sure everyone you want to take a photo with is there!

Give your photographer a list ahead of time with people/shots that you HAVE TO GET! And although I will try and learn all your names over the course of the night, it may be easier to just give a list with "Joe's Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, 5 Brothers, etc". If you have both sets of grandparents on both sides, maybe a "Grandma Laura, Grandpa Fred, etc" might help, too.

Oh, and make sure THEY know you want a photo with them! :)
It's always a challenge finding that ONE person that you want to take a photo with, so hopefully if they are aware of what they are needed for, they will keep an eye and ear out.

Alright then.

I'll come up with more stuff as I think of it. Since I'll be shooting a wedding this weekend, it should be no problem to come up with more ideas! :)

Mahalo Nui Loa

Tricia Ilima Hamasaki
Island Girl Photography

To all the beautiful Brides-To-Be,

Although I have been shooting weddings for only a short time, I have noticed a few recurring trends. I thought they may help you who are in the planning stages to have a little bit of a "heads up" from an outsiderﾒs point of view.

I'll be doing a few blogs over the next few days/weeks to try and convey what I have seen/heard at the weddings that I have had the privilege to partake of.

1. Wedding Coordination

A. Yourself: If you are shouldering all the burden, are you going to be relaxed and calm before your ceremony or wondering about the flower petals being evenly spaced along the runner? I know that you want the ceremony and reception to go exactly as you want and that you may not want or have the budget for a coordinator, but beware of placing too much of the details on yourself. Remember, the few hours before the ceremony will commence, you are going to be a ball of nerves already worrying about your make-up, hair, dress, and the people in the wedding party. Do you really want to add the stress of whether or not the place cards are set on the side of the plate or on top of them like you want? If you can't squeeze a coordinator into the budget, ask a few (not just one) family members or friends to help out. Assign one or two tasks to each person. If it is a big task, think about asking 2 or 3 people to work together on it, breaking up individual elements for each to take care of. Make sure they are reliable and not forgetful people. Getting angry at your cousin for forgetting to bring the bubbles, when you knew that he/she would forget their head if it wasnﾒt attached to them, is only going to cause tension within the family and headaches for you.

1. Counter-point: One thing to make sure of when assigning tasks to family or friends is: Do they really want to help you? Ask them if they really want to help, or just feel that they have to because they donﾒt want to say ﾓNo.ﾔ If they really donﾒt want to, donﾒt force them, as it will only cause problems. On the same note, donﾒt be hurt about it. Some people just donﾒt feel confident enough to have a part of something this important placed upon their shoulders. There are plenty of people more than willing to help out! Use your resources.
2. Mother/Mother-in-Law: If you are close to either your Mother or Mother-in-Law, and you feel that if you put your entire wedding in their hands, they would give you everything you would want, by all means go right ahead! For those brides with differing tastes, not that you love them less, but you know they would want your wedding one way and you another, make sure you converse frequently the days leading up to the wedding on what you want exactly. Donﾒt be harsh; just let them know that this is what you want and that you want to be watching over their shoulders at every detail. Remember, and remind them sometimes (gently), this is your day and you want them to be a part of it because you love them. You donﾒt want to remember your wedding day as ﾓthe day Mom and I didnﾒt speak because she refused to let my fianc￩ see me before the wedding for our photo session.ﾔ

B. Coordinator: Whether itﾒs a friend or someone you hired, you have to understand that they are going to be in charge of EVERYTHING that is going to happen on the day of your wedding. The Coordinator is there for a reason: You hired them to take the stress off! If you have hired someone, meet with them many times, as many as you feel it takes, to get them to see your vision. Some of you are saying, ﾓI donﾒt really have a vision.ﾔ Iﾒm sure some of you donﾒt have a completely detailed image of what you want, but you have an idea of what you donﾒt want. You may only know the flowers that you definitely want. No matter what, no bride has ﾓno clueﾔ of what they want. Back to the Coordinator: See what they have done before and think about what they can do for you. Do you see a trend or are they eclectic? If you see a recurring theme or item, such as a flower, color, flower vase, column, etc., is that something that will work for you? Like everything else in the planning of your big day, nothing beats Research!

1. Friend Coordinator: If your friend offers to coordinate your wedding and you take them up on it, I hope you flash one thought in your mind: Can we be friends if she/he messes this day up? Think back in your friendship, have you gone through rougher times? Have you survived? Did it take you a long time to forgive her/him? This is one of the biggest days of your life. If you leave it all on their shoulders and they disappoint you, even the slightest bit, are you going to be okay? Remember, the day of your wedding if going to be ﾓ24 PMSﾔ; youﾒll be okay until someone upsets you, and then everything may go up in the air. On the other hand, if this is someone who knows you, inside and out, or someone who is completely like you, there may be an upside. Again, meet with them as many times as it takes for them to see your vision. But be careful and donﾒt tread on any toes. This is your friend, they arenﾒt getting paid to put up with you, but they might just do it for free.


The one thing I would like to stress is, Be Patient. All those involved with your special day want you to be happy; they want you to have all that you dreamed.

And you take care of yourself. Maybe this is the day you have been dreaming about for a long time and maybe itﾒs not, but either way, stress is not healthy so why not just eliminate the need!

Mahalo!

Tricia Ilima Hamasaki
Island Girl Photography

What a Great time!

I met lots of wonderful people, vendors and brides alike!

The days leading up to my first wedding expo were filled with apprehension, uncertainty, and at times pure terror. But when I walked into the convention center and was greeted with friendly simles and words of welcome, I was completely set at ease.

From this experience I have taken away fond memories and I have learned a great deal for the next time!

I am completely thankful to my family, friends and clients for all the unwaivering support that they have always shown towards my aspirations of building my own business.

Mahalo Nui Loa!

Sincerely,

Tricia Ilima Hamasaki

Aloha!

As a recent graduate of The Evergreen State College, I have been shooting weddings for the last 3 years as an adventurous way to pay for college!

Now I'm celebrating my "Grand Opening" and I want to share it with you!

In celebration, I am offering 15% off all packages booked before Jan 31, 2006!

Not only are the wonderful people you will see my clients, I am now fortunate to also call them ﾓfriendsﾔ. They have helped my endeavor from the ground up and I am grateful for their kindness and willingness to do what few couples would do, that is take a chance on a rather unknown photographer. Because of them, I have pledged to always help those in need of my services by giving them the quality that they want at an affordable price.

Now I am asking you to please take some time to visit my website and browse a few of the weddings that I have had the privilege to be a part of. I approach each and every event knowing that I am responsible for catching those instances that you may not be present for. I give you nothing less than what I would want for my own wedding! While you are looking through some of the wonderful moments captured through my lens, imagine all that I will see for you!


Mahalo Nui Loa!
(ﾓA Very Big Thanksﾔ in Hawaiian)

Tricia Ilima Hamasaki
Island Girl Photography

Island Girl Photography finally has a new website!

WWW.IslandGirlPhoto.Com

Check it out!

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