Oh man, Heather and Lee’s wedding was awesome! It took place in a little white gazebo at the end of a peninsula in the Choctawhatchee Bay. The sun was wonderful but not to hot and the water sparkled all around with a smattering of palm trees to just give that isle of paradise look! Inside the yacht club it was a festive pink with black accents. Very pretty!
Heather was simply a dream in her dress with fun sassy pink heels! Lee and the boys were very handsome in their tuxedos and everyone had a blast at the reception dancing with B Boy Productions!
Alison and Eric had a fun wedding packed with family and friends in a little neighborhood off of the famous 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. It is the type of quiet beach neighborhood that has attracted celebrities like Sheryl Crow to own homes there. Eric’s mom did all of the table decorating. She was simply amazing!! Like really, she could do this as a profession! All of the decorations were based on things Alison loved in wedding magazines and Eric’s sister did the best scrapbook style ornament tree ever! It must have taken her weeks! It was beautiful! The cupcake tiers were also made by family friends. It was truly a team wedding! Even the dog participated for a moment as the co-flower girl! All in all everything was beautiful and worked out so well. Alison wrote me a few days after the wedding telling me that into the night after we had left, the whole wedding party ended up in the pool!!
The dish was set in a bed of live lemon grass. Very cool!
This was their first look at each other. It was awesome!
What a cute couple!! Mary Catherine and Waylon decided to see each other before their wedding. With three photographers on the job, we got a full view of their love and emotion from the meeting. It was simply awesome! Their wedding was at one of the prettiest churches in the area. The St. Simon flower guild really could have competed with any florist in the area on their alter displays and the wedding party bouquets were done in perfect matching harmony by Nancy Krenkel and Ann Wallace. I’m not knocking any local florists by any means. I’m just saying that the guild did a great job on the alter! The wedding was picture perfect. The flower girls and ring bearers did their jobs flawlessly and the service was intimate and beautiful. We were able to utilize three different views of the ceremony and also use a remote camera in the alter area to capture the moments as they came. Then came the fun! Their reception was at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island and it looked like a royal ball! There was wonderful uplighting as well as some of the most ornate table centerpieces I have seen in a while. While Mark and I worked the reception, Monika rocked the photo booth outside. Everyone did a tremendous job and now it’s time for all of you to enjoy the images from Mary Catherine and Waylon’s wedding!
It's not fun til the whole wedding party kisses!
"Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped it's head!"
Priceless!!
Putting down her flower petals!
Precious!
Our remote "alter cam"
Putting down her flower petals.
Husband and wife at last!
Mary Catherine putting on the moves!! You go girl!
By the time you read this Mary Catherine will be a Mrs.! How exciting is this? I have been waiting and waiting to blog her full bridal session. I mean how could you not be excited as a photographer? She is gorgeous and the flowers are amazing! I am so excited as well to be photographing her and Waylon’s wedding at the Emerald Coast Conference Center as you are reading this. I know you can’t wait to see those images
In the meantime enjoy these of a beautiful bride on the inside and out!
Thanks to her mom and sister-in-law for pulling the azaleas for me
Jen and Andrew are destined to be married. That’s simply all there is to it, no if’s ands or buts! Everyone has their little trials and tribulations while planning a wedding, but Jen and Andrew found theirs a bit more daunting than usual and dealt with them with a smile. Their first stumbling block was a photographer. A good friend of mine and great photographer was going to shoot their wedding since he was a family friend. The bride and groom were so excited as he had already done their engagement session. Then, the photographer gets some life altering news. He needs a heart transplant and his doctor will not let him do strenuous activities. Thankfully however when he recommended me I was open for the date and it all worked out. I am hoping it all works out for Rich and his wife as well. He is a fantastic photographer and even better person. I hope and pray that the doctors can find a less evasive solution besides the transplant.
Jen and Andrew’s next stumbling block came all the way from Iceland. You see this dormant and docile volcano whose name nobody can seem to pronounce decided to act up and spew a wrath of ash all over Europe. This would have been fine, except they live in England and had to fly to the states for their wedding. Once again fate changed and they were able to get to the states in time. One of their friends recounted having a conversation with Jen when it seemed that they would not be able to come to their own wedding. Jen had told her, even if we can’t be there, just come and enjoy yourselves anyway, we want you to have fun. That says a whole lot about her personality. In light of what they were facing it takes a very kind and good people to have that wonderful selfless giving attitude.
Their last possible thorn in the plan of a perfect wedding was mother nature. The skies were a dark gray and the rain seemed like it could come at any second the morning of the wedding. Everyone stayed calm and the moment Jen walked down the aisle the sun broke from the clouds allowing them to have a beautiful wedding.
I am thrilled to have been part of such a beautiful and fun event. I hope you enjoy looking at the images as much as I had a blast shooting them.
Are they a gorgeous couple or what?!
Jen's mom looks up as the sun comes out during the wedding
Jen's Dad found the Beatles bobbleheads online and the cake toppers were Jen and Andrew!
This was so cute. They made it up to "Eight Days a Week" by the Beatles
Crazy fun dancing!
So romantic! Andrew played "Beautiful Tonight" by Eric Clapton for Jen
MJ and Justin. Now they are such a cute couple! Maybe I just have a certain kinship to MJ because we both are a bit lower to the ground than most folks!! Okay, if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at huh? Anyway, when they say that dynamite comes in small packages, they mean MJ! She is a smart and beautiful girl with the most fun spunk and attitude you can find in a bride! And Justin, he likes to have fun as well, but he is a little more reserved. Together they make a beautiful couple. Their wedding was surrounded by friends and family from everywhere. Most of MJ’s family and friends came from Hawaii to celebrate the wedding. If absence makes the heart fonder, than distance makes the friendships stronger as her girls made her laugh and have fun. Take a little time and enjoy some images from their special day!
I love to have fun!! Whether it’s hanging out with an old college gymnastics teammate or shooting a wedding, high energy and laughter are a part of my life. Usually it’s because I’m able to laugh at myself. Recently two of these occasions have been captured on film. I thought I would share them so you can laugh too!
A couple of weeks ago, KK, a teammate of mine from Kent State University came to Destin with her family. We had a blast and made some great images of her family. But in the process we had to stop and have a good old fashioned handstand contest on the beach!! Oh….I think the winner held it for all of like 10 seconds….LOL That darned gravity! It probably would have been easier if we had not been laughing our heads off while doing it! I think her husband had 911 on speed dial just in case we decided to try any more risky tumbling!
Okay...so maybe not a 10 for form!!! LOL
Then there are those fun wedding moments. Michelle’s way (see below post for her awesome wedding) of calming her pre-wedding nerves was to chew gum. Now I let my brides do whatever they need to calm down, but there comes a time when it’s time to do some formal images and gum…it just doesn’t look so good. I thought her mother was going to laugh herself half to death when I told Michelle to give me her gum so I could throw it away. I guess the mom in me just comes out sometimes!!! LOL Thanks to Michelle’s mom by the way for sending me this photo. It is pretty funny!
Michelle and Matt are quite a match. Michelle has been a client of mine for a couple of years and has always been as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. So when she asked me to be her wedding photographer I was thrilled!
She and her equally wonderful fiance’ now husband Matt are so compatible together. She watches him with bright and happy eyes and gushes with glee as she talks about him, and he would walk barefoot across hot lava for her I am pretty sure. The both love and respect one another and it shows.
Michelle chose the beach behind the Inn at Crystal Beach as her wedding location. 790 on the Gulf inside the inn was the reception site. The weather was perfect and the sunset amazing for the wedding. You could have not asked for a more beautiful setting or day. Enjoy their images, they are a cute couple!! Monika and I had a blast capturing their awesome wedding moments!
Aren't they just precious together!!
The dolphins were "surfing" prior to the ceremony
Since her father had passed, Michelle had her parent's wedding rings on her bouquet.
Marlene and Mike had a wonderful wedding last month on Navarre Beach. It was a mix of Ecuadorian and American cultures and all broadcast via Skype to the members of Marlene’s family who could not attend the wedding and were still in Ecuador. One of the main differences that I noticed in the cultures of the weddings was that Marlene’s family told me that the cake is not cut and shared in their country. Isn’t it cool to go places and learn new things? It makes the world a much smaller and more interesting place I think!! In order for nobody to be left out, the ceremony and vows were both in English and Spanish and to me that was just plain romantic! Mike even toasted his new family in Spanish and Marlene in English. It was very cool indeed!
Hey what do you know, we are entering the peak of wedding season once again. I swear the year just seems to fly sometimes. Maybe because I love what I do for a living! I have noticed many people asking some of the same questions and have decided to do an FAQ for wedding photography!!! So here you go!
What are the advantages of hiring a professional?
A professional photographer will be timely – arriving at your wedding promptly, and make sure you have quality products. A professional has just the right equipment and film for photographing your wedding. Having attended many weddings, an experienced wedding photographer will be at ease at your wedding. A professional uses a color laboratory that is in the business of meeting high professional standards of print quality. And, a professional is used to working with individuals, couples, and groups to make the formal photography go smoothly. When you think about the cost of photography, remember that the photographer’s fee is only part of your investment: You, your parents, your extended family and your friends will be investing time with the photographer during your wedding. Don’t waste time on your wedding day with a photographer who won’t produce results you love!
What is the first question I should ask a photographer?
First establish that the photographer is available for your date and location. Then you will want to ask, “If we select your studio, will you be the photographer covering our wedding?” Some studios have several photographers and you may be speaking to a salesperson. The sample albums may have been done by photographers who do not even work for the studio anymore. If this is the case, you should make arrangements to meet with and see the work of the particular photographer who will be doing your wedding. You should also ask for a commitment from the studio to that effect, in writing.
Shouldn’t I be asking “What do I get and how much does it cost?”
Even shopping for shoes or furniture you wouldn’t ask that question until you find the style and quality you like. After you have looked through a photographer’s portfolio – seeing candids, formals and illustrative pictures, you will know if this photographer has the technique, style and spirit to be the eyes through which you and your children will see your wedding day. Of course, you should determine if the photographer is within your budget, give or take a little, but what you really want from photography is memories and feeling. Look for an established and reliable photographer whose work moves you, whose technical quality is tops. If you find a photographer who makes you happy, you never will regret your investment, whatever the dollar cost. When we have invested in items that will be with us for the rest of our lives, our satisfaction has been highest when we have paid that extra bit for the best quality.
So, how much does wedding photography cost?
Prices range from $950 to $10,000, and even more! Photographs (and maybe video) will be your only permanent record of the day. You want good photographs, so be prepared to spend a minimum of $1,500. Reprints will begin at $15 to $45 each. Expect better photographers to charge the higher rates. In other words, it is reasonable for an unexperienced photographer to charge you as little as $10 for a print. And, it is reasonable for an excellent photographer to charge you $40 for a print of the same size. That is because you are getting better service and a better product from the experienced professional. If you are looking for a bargain and shop via phone for pricing, you are following a recipe for poor to mediocre photography. My research indicates that photography runs between nine and fifteen percent of the total wedding budget. When couples value photography highly and are on a limited budget, they will spend up to 30% of their wedding budget on photography.
We want to spend no more than $1,500, but all the good photographers start at $2,000 and up. Why is it so expensive?
Because photography is not a commodity, it is a well honed art. Because some people can see the difference between poor photography and good photography, and they are willing to pay for it. Because to make a living at photography, the artist must gross an average of $3,000 to $6,000 per wedding. Because if the not-good-enough-yet photographers charged more than $1,500 he/she would never get a chance to practice at a real wedding. Because a professional photographer knows that his/her expenses and overhead, even with digital photography, even with the smallest package, are $1,500 to $2,000 per wedding.
We’re having a small wedding, with thirty people, and only wanted to spend $1,500 on pictures. What can we do?
The first thing to do if you want a professional photographer under these circumstances is to be flexible. A true wedding professional only can only work so many weekends a year, and reasonably expects one or two large weddings per weekend from May through October, or year round in tropical climates. If he/she reserves a prime Saturday or Sunday in October for you, then larger weddings will have to be turned away. If your budget is small, you will be choosing from the second and third tiers of wedding photographers. If you plan your wedding in the evening or especially early in the day, you might find a photographer who can fit you in after or before another event, and thus be able to work with your budget. Unfortunately, when you are limiting yourself to a smaller photo budget you can expect lower quality photographs.
What does Mari’s Paradise Images charge for a Saturday or Sunday Wedding?
Costs, which include an album and proofs, perhaps even the high-resolution files, start at $2,500.
What technical details in sample photographs should I watch out for?
Lighting quality is an important ingredient in superior photographs. The light in photographs should be natural and flattering, so that the pictures look three-dimensional. Overuse of on-camera flash can ruin wedding pictures. Watch out for flattened faces, harsh reflections off of cheeks and foreheads, and dark shadows directly behind or next to the subjects. With finesse, a fine photographer can work with almost any outdoor lighting situation without using flash.Look for a variety in subject size – a mix of distant, medium and close-up pictures. Even with groups, lighting and posing should be interesting. The well posed bridal portrait should minimize the subjects’ flaws (weight problem, blemishes, etc.) and express who the subject is and how he/she/they feel. The dramatic and scenic wedding image, like the red convertable on the show-room floor, attracts everyone’s attention, but most brides and their families, like most car buyers, want what suits them personally. You want pictures that tell the story simply, with immediate impact, and as if the photographer was not even there.
Some photographers ask that no one else take pictures during the formal photography. Is that reasonable?
Yes. If the photographer is trying to work quickly through a series of formal pictures, a snap-shooter might slow the process. A problem arises when there are several cameras aimed at a formal group – the subjects will be looking at different lenses. The diverted attention will ruin the professional’s picture. Or, if the professional is using a light-sensing trigger device (“slave”) on a second flash, other flashes will trigger this flash, ruining the pictures [that you are paying for] and wasting battery power. There are many other reasons why a professional might ask others to refrain from picture taking during formals. On the other hand, many guests find snapping a few pictures a pleasant part of attending weddings, so it should not be a big deal for your professional to be relaxed and let people snap away when formals are over. Ideally, guests should show respect for the bridal party and photographer and put down their cameras during the formal photos.
I want to make copies of my photos. Does my photographer really own the copyright of his/her pictures? Do I still have to pay the photographer if I make the copies myself at a copy shop?
Yes and yes. According to federal law, images produced by a professional photographer are copyrighted the moment they are created. Federal law prohibits copying or reproducing copyrighted material without permission from the owner of the copyright, i.e., the photographer. If you copy or scan your photos, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints. If you or your videographer transfer the proofs to videotape, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints. If you don’t feel comfortable paying for these copies, find a photographer whose work is so good that you are glad to pay. When I really appreciate something I purchase, like a purse, my child’s education, a good pair of shoes, or even medical care, I do not mind paying a premium for getting the highest quality. Look for the photographer who will provide you the satisfaction of paying for job well done.
Well, I hope this has answered a few questions for some folks. And please contact me at mari@destinweddingphotographer.com if you have any more questions you want answered!
Now on the the big news! We have added new a best of new wedding video! It is a compilation of some of our most fun weddings. Come and check them out!
