Bridal Trends: Flo & Percy

Romantic.....

Lovely.....................

Absolutely unique..................

UK Handmade

According to the website, Flo  & Percy are  "Florence and Percy [and] were married for 80 years and held the record for the longest marriage in the world. May the Flo & Percy piece you purchase bring you the same luck, health and happiness that they shared."

This website is brimming with a number of handmade timeless and classical looks that will strike your fancy.  The pieces are bright, vintage, and infused with a taste of nostagia.  Kristin Taylor, the designer, is a award winning accessory designer.  She has been creating these pieces for over 10 years with her work having been feature in a number of magazines both wedding and national publications.

Her work can be described as "vintage chic" with "every single hand finished piece that is made in [their] studio..."

Like the FB page at Percy & Flo

Pictures courtesy Percy and Flo

Bridal Trends: DIY Cake Inspiration via Babes in Boyland

Babes in Boyland is one of the many blogs  I follow via Lovely Life and use for my photographic inspiration. I'm almost positive the website is based in Denmark given the fact that the site is predominantly in Danish ;) Please go check out this website. This is probably one of the single most appetizing and easy tutorials I have ever read.  It's also an incredible tutorial for the Rustic Bride, DIY queens, and Vintage Mavens.

xo-Ollie

Source and Photo Credits: Babes in Boyland

How to Pick the Right Wedding Photographer

Most brides are bombarded by hundreds of vendors vying for their attention.  It's a shark tank out there.  And with the average wedding costing around $30K, its understandable why brides would be so choosy and vendors would be so aggressive.  As a photographer, I will be the first one to tell you that many times, we are the last one picked.  Most people just want someone to "take some cheap pictures."  What those brides, don't realize, however, is that the photographer is probably the most important and lasting choice you will EVER make.  Unlike the caterer, our services are life lasting.  Unlike the venue, our job isn't done at the end of the wedding.  In fact, our services will be what all of your "accurate" memories will be dependent upon.  What we capture is what you and your family will see forever.  So yes, you pay for what you get.  If you want your memories to be a bunch of mediocre photos, fine.  If you're happy with your Uncle Buck using his "real good camera" to butcher your wedding day, also fine.  You get what you pay for. But if you want your wedding to be storybook memories for years to come, I'd say pay a little more.

Picking a photographer requires research.  It requires actually talking to the photographer to make sure they fit what you are looking for.  If you like candid photo journalistic style photos, I would not recommend getting those who enjoy doing posed shots. That is why it is vital for you, as the bride, to really look through their portfolio.  For instance, I have a very photo journalistic, artistic, and creative style of shooting. I'm very much so suited for rustic vintage inspired weddings. But, I CAN shoot in many different styles which is apparent through my portfolio. This may not be apparent with all other photographers, so ask.

Choose your Style

Before you decide to book the first photographer with the best price, decide what style you like.  What appeals to you? What strikes your fancy?  Do you like documentary style shooting? Do you prefer simple traditional photos (where parties are facing the camera). Or do you like an artistic approach where lighting and coloring play a significant role.  This is very important.  In fact, this will determine if you like your photos.

There are times I have been hired by clients for my price who did not understand my style.  They, in turn, were not happy with my approach and voice.  This is because they picked on price rather than style.  That is a no no.  Although photographers work for you, they also work within their capacity.

Go to their website. Google them. Check them out. Like their Facebook Page.

Read their Reviews

I happen to have 5 out of 5 stars on my Thumbtack webpage.  But as a photographer, I want to have a few four stars too.  Why?  It's more trustworthy.  And you should feel the same way.  Although I know I am perfect (photographers all feel they are perfect), I know the reality is that not all of my clients think I am perfect 100 percent of time.  NO ONE is perfect 100 percent of the time.  Read the reviews. Read their pros and their cons.  And, if they have a bad review, READ THOSE TOO. These will give you those all too important clues to if they are easy to work with, personality flaws, or if they have a penchant for taking their time on editing your photographs. I am an over-repsonsive photographer in that I LOVE talking to my clients.  I like communicating.  But not ever photographer is the same. That's why you need to read their reviews.  But, keep in mind, sometimes there are those clients who are malicious and will write harmful reviews just because they are "difficult clients." Ask the photographer about this experience.  Ask them how they handled it.  How they answer you will speak volumes about who they are as a person than any review.

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

I am shocked by how many people are willing to give me their money without at least talking to me on the phone. It's unreal.  I, as a photographer, don't like this.  How can you ensure I am a fit for you and how can I ensure you are fit for me.  Believe me, we have a fit too.  I take on a limited number of events a year and therefore have to be choosy about the opportunities I take.  When clients want to hire me and haven't viewed my work, it makes me very cautious.  You, as the consumer should also be cautious of photographers who are willing to do the same.  Consultations are important for this reason.

Make sure that you are also prepared for the appointment.  Most photographers want to know the venue (to make sure you are a fit for them). Have this info.  Know how many photographers you want on that day.  The standard rate for additional photographers is 100-500 more  than the quote amount if they quote you for just one photographer.  Remember, we have to pay every additional photographer that comes and shoots on your wedding date.

Ask to view Full Albums

Photographers showcase their BEST work.  For that reason, you should ask a photographer to see a FULL gallery so that you can see their range of work.  You want to see how they shoot indoors, outdoors, at night, during the day, on bright days, and on overcast days.  You want to see if they are capable of handling your wedding. This is the best method of gauging that.

I am the first to tell my clients that I am a natural light photographer.  I can shoot indoors (and quite well), but I'm not a studio photographer. So, you won't catch me with a bunch of extra equipment.  It's just not my style.  That is something you also need to know about your photographer. WILL THEY BRING A LOT OF EQUIPMENT. To a photographer, this equipment is not distracting.  It is necessary. But to a client, during a very intimate wedding, it can be distracting if you are not expecting this.  So ask them if there is a lot of equipment required to get those storybook shots you love.

View their albums very critically.  Remember, this is YOUR big day and no one else.  Do they take pictures of everyone and everything. Do the photos look washed out and blurry.  Do the pictures look edited? These are the questions you need to ask yourself.

Compare Pricing and Packages

There is a difference in purchasing a package for $1200.00 and a package for $3000.00 at my shop.  One gives you 4 hours of coverage while the other one gives you a full range of coverage.  Packages are built to give clients help making their decisions.  It throws a little bit of what we offer in a a little group for a discount. Is important to compare what each package will give you and to ask your photographer if they are willing to customize those packages.  I have some clients who do not want photobooks in their package and simply want more time.  I negotiate these things.

That is the difference between customizing a package and simply ordering a package.  I also offer my clients the opportunity to purchase me hourly or buy products a la carte. 

Know  Your Rights

Most photographers own exclusive rights to their photos. In my contract, I am allowed to use my photographs   for promotional usage, on my website, blog, business, or any publication.  But, if you do not want this, you need to tell your photographer. Also, most photographers stipulate if you are allowed to share the images with or without watermark.  This is something you should know up front.

Know Expectations

It usually takes me anywhere from two weeks to a month to get digital proofs posted for my clients.  A lot of my clients ask why does it take this long? Because we are weeding through a massive amount of massively large files.  I know it usually takes about 3 hours of editing for every hour shot at an event I shoot.  That doesn't include the time it takes me to upload photographs, change formats, etc. It's just in editing. I am also a workaholic who will continuously work on files for days and days until I'm at the cusp of burn out.  Not every photographer is like me however. Some require 8 weeks. Some require longer. For nine-12 hour events,  I require at LEAST one month to edit. 

Also understand that some photographers may not give you an unedited product.  I know I don't want my unedited work floating around the internet.  I'm sure yours may not.  You definitely need to know if this is the case.

How many images will you get? I usually guarantee at least 50 edited images per hour shot.  Will they be retouched or will this be required. These are all important and necessary questions.