(shhhh, no, i’m not caught up, but i’m going to change it up a bit…there’ll still be more shoots to come!)

laudholm farm in wells, maine is arguably my favorite venue that i’ve photographed at, to date. it’s got it all…rustic, photogenic, interesting lighting, colors, and textures, varied backdrops…what more could a couple (or photographer!) ask for? i can’t think of anything!!

you could choose to have your ceremony outside in front of the lush trees, the rustic barn, or the quaint farmhouse. or, if the day promises rain as this one did, you could move it inside the barn for gorgeous textures and lighting (and protection from the elements.) there’s a tent on site, which is perfect for mealtime…then head back into the barn to burn up that dance floor!

some photographers believe that if your coverage doesn’t include the disc of images with printing rights…you’re being gypped!

some photographers think you should have 2 or 3 perspectives or moments are being missed!…others are sure they do a better job blending in and capturing all the action shooting solo.

some photographers are passionate about telling you you deserve/need/require FULL coverage…from waking up in the morning until your last guest leaves and the venue starts breaking down tables.

some photographers firmly hold the stance that if you don’t do an engagement session…the photos on your wedding day will suffer!

i can see all of these perspectives…and i agree with all of them to a certain extent. let me elaborate.

your images: i definitely believe that you should have the option to have the images from your wedding and the license to use them for personal use. this is why you can either include the images in your package or if you choose to go a la carte, you can purchase them for a reasonable fee after the wedding. those images have value…we both know that. that is why they are not automatically included. i want you to think about whether you’d like to be responsible for archiving them yourself while creating your own prints/books or whether you’d like to collaborate with me on prints and albums. there is no wrong answer. i want you to get exactly what you want!

number of shooters: i like working alone…and i like working with other photographers. so this isn’t one of my hot-button topics. i see the value in both approaches, and i usually make a recommendation based on how many hours of coverage you want and how large your event will be. i can’t be in two places at once…but one person blends in and moves around more freely than two. again…no wrong answer!

full coverage: there is something about the pace of the day that slows down when your photographer is there for extended hours. it’s a little more relaxed, the timeline is still important, but there’s less concern about fitting things in like a tetris game. that said, i normally do offer shorter coverage, and it is has never been an issue in my experience. well-planned timelines make it possible for everything to happen when it should…and to capture the entire story of the day, from getting ready to guests tearing up the dance floor without breaking the bank.

engagement session: while i think it’s hyperbolic to say that wedding day photos will SUFFER without doing an engagement session…i do include them in all of my packages because i think it’s a great way to get to know each other…the trust and rapport built in more relaxed settings does translate to comfort on the wedding day that is often invaluable for couples who aren’t used to being photographed. plus…it’s super fun! i really like getting to hang out with clients without being worried about getting back in time for the prime rib to be served.

so…basically the point of this post is…you’re going to read a lot of different things in your search for a photographer. everyone’s got their THING that they feel really strongly about. you’ll hear persuasive arguments…and sometimes directly contradicting arguments from person to person. it might be confusing or overwhelming, but if you can take a minute and think about what you really need and what you really want…you’ll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel! and if you have a question…you should NEVER hesitate to ask it. (if you don’t feel comfortable asking someone a question…it might be a good sign that you should continue your search!) that’s what we’re here for; we do this…a LOT…and we’re happy to share our experiences and perspectives…and to make sure that things work out for you the way you want them to.

2. i got altared out of the library today. it is fantastic. i kind of don’t want to keep reading it, because…then i’ll finish it. kind of like a cookie…SO. GOOD. you want it to last for way longer than it realistically will. or maybe that’s just me…with the cookies.
anyway, it’s a series of anecdotal essays about various wedding related things written by women who are engaging and hilarious. you should read it.

3. this is not bridey in any way…but i am going to the south island of new zealand tomorrow for a few days. i’m bringing my camera, so…eventually, maybe in 2010 you’ll see some pictures from it.  the point is…if you want to email me, please do, but i will not be back near my computer until monday, 2/9 your time.

i’m excited to announce that you may now purchase prints with your hand-dandy plastic (or paypal.)

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also, for clients whose events i haven’t photographed yet…if you’re interested in having a gift registry set-up, please contact me!  it’s an option which would allow your friends and relatives to give you gifts toward your photos (or albums, or digital negatives.)

2. wpja got a write-up from divine caroline. i’ve never heard of her/it, but…a friend sent me the link, and it was fun to say, “i haven’t seen this yet, but…i’m a member of that association!”

yes. i know. you never would have guessed. my glasses and logo would tip off only the super-stealthiest of sleuths.

but i do!

which is why i am dedicating this whole post to new/recent finds that make my heart go pitter-patter with glee.

1. dave and polly. they’re getting married in tiverton, ri in september, and i’m excited, because we’ve got the same sort of aesthetic sense, i think. (well, it’s a safe assumption based on their wedding website, and the fact that she wore a SUPER CUTE polka-dotted top to our meeting.) they also won major points with me for…well, that deserves a number 2.

2. the friendly toast-portsmouth, nh. polly and i were discussing where we should meet, and even though they’re in boston, she said, “we’re always up for a visit to the friendly toast!” i thought, hmmm, this must be some kinda place if they’re VOLUNTEERING to drive over an hour north just to experience its goodness. and lo. it IS. it is AWESOME. it’s…hard to describe, too. all the tables/chairs/decorations/dishes are 100% gen-yoo-wine mid-century americana relics. it’s magnificent. and the food is awesome, too. my new favourite is the “almond joy” pancakes (sans almonds, so…really, more “mounds” pancakes.) they’re giant, big-as-your-plate flapjacks with coconut and chocolate chips. mmmmmm. open 24 hours. go. you won’t regret it.

3. at ben and claire’s wedding brian and natalie introduced themselves. they’ve got a letterpress business down in boston called dick and jane letterpress (recently written up in, uh, some…local wedding mag…as the most affordable option around for letterpressed invites! they told me what publication it was, but i forgot, and google didn’t help.) anyway, they’re both super fun, hip people, and their site design is quirky, cool, and professional. so…if you’re looking for an invite solution, check ‘em out. tell them i sent you. (also, natalie plays harp at weddings sometimes, so…you could possibly kill 2 birds with one stone here.)

4. moxie design studios. i don’t have any need of design services right now, but if i did…they’re the first place i’d head. i lovelovelove their work. (the kind of love where you just sorta…visit the site every day just because it’s so cute and inspiring.)

leave me links if you’ve got anything else you think i’d love!

yesterday we photographed ben and claire’s wedding in lincoln, ma (it was a sublimely beautiful crisp, winter day in  new england), and today we headed to the friendly toast in portsmouth for breakfast.  (i had almond joy pancakes…coconut and chocolate chip pancakes…DELICIOUS!  well, i guess i just had “mounds” pancakes…because i asked for no almonds.  )

anyway, if any of you love japanese design aesthetics as much as i do…check out paper source for their japanese blossom invitations.  the red and blue plum ones are to die for.

I have been obsessed with this penny-pinching idea ever since I read about it on offbeatbride.com. One particular vendor appeals to budget conscious brides by allowing them to RENT a wedding cake. The cakes look beautiful and artistic; they’re decorated to match whatever extravagant idea the bride has in her mind’s eye… The secret element that allows them to go for the low, low* price of $150 is…they’re not really real. They’re styrofoam. The manufacturers even build in a special compartment where they’ll hide an actual piece of cake so that traditional brides can still feed their grooms some butter-creamy confection. (I find this part extremely amusing/resourceful/ridiculous.)

*But…$150 to RENT some fondant covered styrofoam? Seriously? I mean, sure…you can get just-as-delicious sheet cakes from the bakery, and you’re still saving money while maintaining appearances, but…$150 to RENT a “cake”? I suppose if you don’t have a sister who went to culinary school and worked in a bakery frosting wedding cakes for a while, that might be your best option. Thankfully, someday when my prandsome hince** comes along, I will be calling said sister and letting her know it’s time to go to Michael’s and buy some pre-cut styrofoam rounds and the cheapest, nastiest frosting they make.

**What? you haven’t heard the age old tale of Rindercella and the Prandsome Hince?

Also, a real quick notification: I’m out of town/state until July 10/11-ish. I will be checking email as I get internet access, but as I’m sleeping on a different couch almost every night catching up with all my old college chums, I cannot guarantee that I’ll be able to get back to you as quickly as I’d like. Please bear with me…and if you have my phone number, go ahead and give me a buzz!