This poor blog has been so neglected. I'm horrible at blogging on a regular basis. So sad. However, in an effort to try to help fix the deplorable state of my blog ( at least a teensy bit ), I've decided to start a 'Tuesday's Tips!' post. I would be lying if I said I thought I could actually post something useful every Tuesday, but maybe every other? Realistically, we're probably looking at once a month, but hey! Practice makes perfect! And maybe one day I'll actually get good enough to live up the the weekly tip that the title implies. =) We've learned alot from the weddings we've been at. We aren't just there to take pictures of the day, but help make things run more smoothly. Seamlessly. I always have, in my photo bag, an 'Emergency Kit', which includes the following:
Bandaids, A sewing kit with scissors, breath mints, Tide On The Go Stain remover, Crest one use brushes, First Aid Kit, safety pins, bobby pins, and a lint roller.
It has come in handy a number of times!
Your day is going to be amazing! And I'm one of the people you are going to hire to make it so! ;)
So without further ado, I'd like to kick off my first Tuesday's Tips!

How to Get the Best Pre-Ceremony Photos

All of our packages include time to meet up with the bride as she and her girls are getting ready. There are a few things to keep in mind when planning where you would like to be. Wherever you choose, make sure there are plenty of windows! Window light is the most natural, and the most flattering. Makeup Artists prefer natural light, and it's better for all the girls when applying makeup. Some hotels or rooms only have minimal lighting, and this can be a problem for girls trying to see properly to put on the best eye shadow!
It also helps when you have a large room, with plenty of space for everyone to move freely in. We always take as many portraits as possible before the ceremony, and it's nice to be able to have plenty of room to fluff out the dress. Many times, you are stuck in this room until the ceremony starts, so make the most of it! And this point goes hand in hand with my next:
If there are more than one rooms, perhaps we can put most of the bags in the smaller room? There is alot of stuff that has to be brought along on the day of the wedding, and most of those large bags are left in open areas. Makes it easy to access, but sometimes the pictures can look better in a more clutter free area. Or at least, keeping it out of a nicer area where you will be putting on your dress and doing more portraits.
Obviously, the emotions and moments are the most important things when it comes to the portraits, and it doesn't matter what the room looks like when you capture an amazing moment. But it is something to think about (among the bajillion other things that come with weddings), and a little thought can go a long way. And of course, since every post is so much better with pictures, here are a few favorites of mine, all pre-Ceremony, where the bride was getting ready: