VLV Photography

Well it is Monday yet again and today it’s beautiful out!  So it’s going to be a great Monday!   Also, I had a fantastic time shooting the wedding of Carrie & Brian on Saturday and yet again, the weather was NOT an issue!  Woot!  I’m glad the 25 mph winds we were suppose to get held off as well.

Anyway, there’s a lot in the works in the “darkroom” of VLV Photography.  Seriously, I should post a pic of the dreadful office I work in.  Saturday’s Bride, Carrie saw it and I think I apologized for all it’s hideousness.  BUT, I should be thankful I even have an office, which I am.  Although, I would be super-excited if my office were in an all natural-lit room with beautiful decor and huge prints on my walls and oh yeah, all my newborn session gear in its own place.  {sigh}  A girl can dream.

Anyway, onto my post today.  I think today I’ll talk a little bit about how I prepare for a wedding/portrait session.  After that I’ll share an over-due sneak peek for Krista & Nate.  They were to get back from their honeymoon on Friday but with the wedding Saturday, I didn’t get to it on Friday.  Plus, most people actually view blog posts in the beginning of the week rather than the end.  It’s a fact.  Hence, “My Life Monday.”  Plus, it just sounds better than “My Life Friday!”  Maybe I could do something like “Fun Fact Friday.”  I like facts, so maybe it’s a quick, fun post to end a week.  I’ll jot that idea down along with my 3-mile long list of other ideas I’ve yet to touch! ha!

So…how I prepare for a wedding/session goes something like this.  I check to be sure I have the file for that specific client first.  I’m terrible at remembering names and I was always taught it’s not nice to point, so I usually try to reference what a client is wearing or simply “mom,” “dad,” but I DO try my VERY best to remember the kiddos’ names.  Kids respond better when their name is actually used.  The file comes in handy on my way to the session/event as I study the names as I drive.  No lie.  I’ll probably hit the ditch one of these days doing so!

The night before though is when I also check to be sure all my CF {compact flash, which are the dslr version of a point and shoot SD card.  I would put what SD stands for but at this very moment I really don’t know} are clean and formatted.  If you have a dslr or even a point and shoot, it’s always good practice after you remove any images that you format your memory card.  This helps prevent any errors.  I’ve used the same cards for a couple years now without any issues but it may be high time to switch to some new ones.  It’s always good to start fresh from time to time.

So my cards are good-check.  Then I be sure I have my basic settings already set on both my primary camera and also my back-up.  I make sure the batteries are all charged.  I also check to be sure the batteries for my external flash are good to go.  The last thing I make sure is in my bag is some gum/mints, the shot list {if it’s an event}, my cell phone, and my lip gloss/chapstick.  I usually have a Fiber One bar as well if it’s an event as this holds me over from lunch to supper in most cases.  If it’s a family/children session, I also make sure I have my “goody bag” for the kiddos to pick out a treat & prize at the end of the session.

Also for an event, I make sure I have both my lights, in case one takes a crap on me.  I also bring an extention cord and all my tripods and stands.  This last wedding I was unable to get all my stands and umbrellas to fit the same way they were initially placed and it would’ve been rather entertaining for anyone watching me to try and get this bag zipped.  I ended up walking out with my bag wide open.  So much for being smart and trying to fit everyone into one bag!

Oh, I can’t forget my step-stool for all sessions and also I bring a white sheet and towel with on weddings. If we come across something wet, which was the case with this last wedding, we certainly needed it.  I also have to mention that on the way to the event/session, I’m usually jamming out to some Justin Timberlake or some other dance music to get me energized.  I usually have my mug of coffee too.  See, then I of course, need the gum! lol!  I wouldn’t want anyone to keel over with my coffee breath!  Just a weird factoid while I’m talking about drinking coffee;  I had a teacher in high school that would drink coffee but then have fireball candy in his mouth at the same time.  Funny-the things you remember.

Okay so now that you know how I prepare for a session, how about I share some images from Krista & Nates fabulous sunset wedding!  This wedding was not just a wedding for those attending but I really felt it was an experience as well.  It’s kinda like you go to your favorite restaurant because of the experience…well, this is really up there as one of my favorite weddings simply because of “the experience.”  I really felt like I was part of something really special as it was such a personal ceremony.  To be invited to and be a part of a wedding like this was really something I’ll remember for years to come.  Not that I don’t remember all the weddings I photograph, but of course, this was the first wedding I’ve photographed at sunset, on a cliff, overlooking the river…so yeah, not sure I’ll get to photograph a wedding like this for quite some time!  So, it will of course stick with me.

These two are so sweet to each other and together.  Also, their families were down-to-earth and made me feel welcome, not just there hired to do a job.  I’ve been very lucky with all the families of the brides and grooms.  I probably seem more like the quiet, shy one but once I know it’s ”okay” to joke and so on, I can usually dish it out pretty good as much as I can receive it!   I’ve always said I don’t take myself too seriously but I am surprisingly more of an introvert.  I prefer small groups to large and I prefer one one conversation as well.  At this wedding though, everyone was so open and came up to me and started conversation and that’s usually what I need to get talking.  Anyone who knows me well though knows that I do love to talk, once you get me going!  lol!

This day was gorgeous though.  As I was driving there I could see storm clouds and had a few drops hit my windshield.  I was getting  a little anxious for the bride.  I was aware of a plan B, but I was really hoping this day was going to be for them, everything they imagined and more.  And really, it was, and then some.

I’m so happy for you two and also that you chose me to be a part of it.  Everything about it was breath-takingly-beautiful.  I told my husband if were ever renewed our vows, that’s how I would want to do it.  I loved it that much.  Like the minister said, and I don’t remember word for word but it went something like this, “..You can’t get more beautiful than this than in God’s country….”

So now onto the beautiful couple and all the pretty details…..the little lanterns lit up, and rather than a traditional unity candle, Krista & Nate had a “unity rope” that they braided together {in the middle image it is hanging on the hook}, and the arch was adorned with antlers and lilacs.  I would personally love the cream-can arrangement in my own home-love it!  The groom’s mother did the flower arrangements and she did a fabulous job!

The Krista’s brothers surprised her and Nate with fireworks after they were pronounced husband and wife!  How awesome {not to mention sweet} is that?!!!

The bridesmaids were so sweet too!  One of them had broken her foot {well, a horse broke it} not long before the wedding and she did a fabulous job getting around dispite having a 2 pound boot on her foot!  She even made it down the aile without her crutches!  That’s what bff’s are for….no matter what, right?

Thanks for the amazing experience you two!  I wish you more happiness than your hearts can hold.