July 31st, 2009

More smiles from Maine Photo Booth Co.

Peter Small from Maine Photo Booth Co. chats with my KPW about adding some extra smiles to a wedding! Check out their website: Maine Photo Booth Co.

What makes you stand out from other photo booth rentals?

Unlike the “curtain and rod” companies, our photo booth is actually a vintage one with very high-end technology, and compared to national companies, our pricing seems to be one of the lowest. Our cost for booth rental is generally between $1,000 – $1,500.

What does the pricing include?

The pricing includes 5-hour rental, including set-up and breakdown. You can always rent the booth for a longer period of time; every hour is an additional cost. It also includes an unlimited number of 6 individual digital photos, either black and white or color. This cost also includes an attendant to assist guests with the booth or provide some inspiration and ideas when taking photos.

What’s the set-up like for the photo booth?

Well, keep in mind, the photo booth is about 750lbs, so it can take us a little bit of travel time, to and from. We typically like to arrive 2-3 hours prior to the event start time and it generally takes us about 15-20 minutes to place down.

What type of venue is the booth suitable for?

The booth can be placed either inside or outdoors underneath a tent. Sometimes, if the ground seems like it’s going to be a little damp, we’ll put a small floor underneath. One thing to discuss with us when renting a booth is, think about whether or not the booth will have to be taken up to a second floor or moved down narrow hallways. Because the booth is so heavy and wide, steep narrow stairs may not be suitable or even fit.

What is the experience like?

It’s funny, when parents of the bride or groom find out this is something they want at the reception, they’re a bit leery at first thinking that guests wouldn’t use it. But then once they get into it, they’re the ones that love it the most! And it’s fun to watch! As soon as people begin to do it, it becomes very popular and there is always a steady line to get pictures taken. Oh, and the attendant is always there giving ideas to people who don’t know how to pose :)

What cool things can be done with the booth?

We can interchange the curtain to match their wedding (it costs a little bit more to do), or we can wrap the outside of the booth, as well! Also, on the actual print out of the photo, there is a little gap between the photos where the bride and groom can either have their date, names, or a photo. Also, some brides like to have a scrapbook or photo album next to the booth in place of a guestbook. That way, when guests take pictures, they can cut out a few pictures of themselves, place it in the book, and write a message next to it.

Posted by admin at 5:00 am 1 Comment
Labels: my Kate Parker Wedding

July 29th, 2009

Wedding Photography Schedules: No. 5, Paige Hiller Photography

Paige Hiller for Paige Hiller Photography gives great advice on Formal photographs. Check out some of her work below or you can visit her website: Paige Hiller Photography


The dreaded formal photograph…

Formal photographs are traditionally thoses images that capture the bride and groom with immediate family and the wedding party. As a photographer, I like to start with the formal more traditional photograph and then see how far I can push the envelope and create some fun, out of the box images that are not what are traditionally expected from the formal photo session. Such as how high can the groom really jump, or the laughter between to best friends or look of joy on the nana’s face. There is so much you can do with a formal photograph. The skies the limit!

Who is typically included in formal photos?

I traditionally will include the bride and groom, their direct family members and the wedding party in formal photographs. That being said there are no set rules to who should be included. Sometimes there maybe no siblings but a very dear friend who is considered a family member or a parent may have passed away and the aunt/uncle has become a surrogate father or mother to the bride or groom and it is important to include them as well. When scheduling the formal photographs, I ask the bride and groom to think about their family members and who they would like to include in the session. I feel that it is important that the bride and groom make the final decision to who included in the formal photos.

How much time do you allot for the bride and groom/parents/bridal party/others?

I break it down into three photo shoots. One half hour for the groom, groomsmen and his family, forty five minutes to an hour for the bride, bridesmaids, her family and details/getting ready photographs and forty five minutes for the combined families, extended families, entire wedding party and bride and groom.

Where do you usually go to take photos? Who goes? Feelings about off-site photos?

I will typically shoot in three or four different locations. The locations are determined by the bride and groom and the distance between homes/hotels, the church/ceremony site and the reception. The off-site location maybe a special spot that means something to the bride and groom or just a beautiful location that lends itself to the photographs.

Who goes?

Bride, grooms, family and wedding party.

Feelings about off-site photos?

I love shooting off-site. However, the photographer and bride and groom have to make sure that they schedule in enough time either before or after the ceremony to travel to the site, shoot and return to the reception in a timely fashion, so as to not take time from enjoying your day and the family and friends who have come to celebrate with you.

What are your thoughts about having all formals before the ceremony?

My goal as a photographer is to shoot as much as I can before the ceremony. Since it is easier for the men to get ready, I like to shoot the groom, his family and groomsmen first. Then they are free to go to the church/ceremony site to greet the guests. Then shoot the bride, her family and bridesmaids. That also gives me the opportunity to photograph her heading off to and arriving at the church.

Do you ever suggest this and how do the bride/groom react?

I think that it is important to set up a schedule that is realistic to work with in the layout of the day. Most brides and grooms are thrilled to get most of the photographs out of the way before the ceremony, leaving more time after for them to actually go to the cocktail hour and mingle with family and friends. However, I do strongly recommend that we leave the formal bride and groom shots until after the ceremony.

I prefer not to photograph the bride and groom until after the service. In my experience of shooting weddings over the last ten years, I have observed a distinct difference in the bride and grooms reaction to seeing each other for the first time when walking down the aisle as opposed to seeing each other after they have just finished their formal shots. There is also a difference in the way they interact with each other in the photographs from before the ceremony to after. It is an intimacy that I am very blessed to witness and capture on film.

Classmates/College photos?

Get them done as soon as possible. The longer you wait after the service and into the cocktail hour/reception the harder it is to find everyone. You also want to get a fun photo of the group so that everyone can put it in a frames and look at it with great memories, not an image of everyone standing around the table looking as if you were just transported back to your prom!

It is so important to work with your photographer to create a schedule that will work for you. A schedule that helps create a stress-free timeline and helps you tell your family, wedding party and friends where they need to be for that all important photograph.

Posted by admin at 1:07 pm 0 Comments
Labels: my Kate Parker Wedding

July 29th, 2009

2009 Vendor Advice and Trends from Joanne McDonough – Joya beauty

Joanne McDonough from Joya beauty answers some very important and popular questions brides have when thinking about makeup applications on their wedding day. Check out her website at Joya beauty!

Q. Is there a difference in makeup for digital photographs?

A. Lights… Camera… Pixels! The expression “What you see is what you get” is more accurate than ever in the world of digital photography. As the years have passed, cameras, lighting and makeup products have all become more sophisticated. Photo quality and detail is so precise that your makeup must be clean, color correct, meticulously blended, and lightweight- yet still offer the coverage needed to make your skin look natural and feel great..

Q. How do weather conditions impact my makeup?

A. Rain, heat and humidity all affect how makeup not only lasts throughout your event but also how it needs to be applied applies. Cream products such as eyeliners, eye shadows, blushes, lip pencils, and lipsticks all have melting points. They will crease, run and smudge before you can say “I do”. Choose powders for eyes and cheeks as well as the new long lasting formulas for eye liners and lip products to make sure you look as fresh at the end of your reception as you did for the pre-ceremony photos.

Q. How to convey your ideas about makeup looks to your makeup specialist.

A. Here are a glossary of terms to make sure your makeup specialist gets a clear picture of what you mean by “natural”, “dramatic”, “smoky” etc., use photos – good and bad etc., search the Internet to find examples of what you like and don’t like.

Q. What should happen at a pre-application, makeup design appointment?

A. Make the appointment time for the same time of day when you are having your formal photographs taken. That way you can see yourself in the correct light and make sure the makeup is appropriate. Allow enough time to try out different colors, products and intensities. You should know exactly how the makeup will look and feel for the Big Day so you take that walk down the aisle as radiant as you always dreamed.

Q. Airbrush makeup applications are all the buzz. What exactly is airbrush makeup?

A. It’s an entirely new way to apply color to skin. It sprays a gentle mist of air and the colors can be blended and mixed to look incredibly natural. This technique has been used in entertainment, film and TV as well as in live theater and for fantasy special effects. It minimizes skin imperfections, while still giving a beautifully natural finished looking result. Lighter than air – this is the cosmetic industry breakthrough.

Airbrush makeup has been used for over a decade by leading motion picture and television professional makeup artists. The pressure is so light it feels like blowing on a candle. The spray-on makeup is so natural looking that it can be easily sprayed on arms, legs and hands without the appearance of heavy, powdery makeup. Airbrush makeup formulations are quick drying and can be layered to cover fine lines, wrinkles, scares, spider veins, and age spots. Even tattoos and skin conditions such as port wine stains, birthmarks, and burns vanish. It safely covers up bruises and scars after surgery .

Q. How can I get my skin to look picture perfect for my wedding day and beyond?

A. Top 10 ways to defend your skin:

1. Sunscreen all year long. The sun showers us with hazardous rays even on grey days. We are just fooled because it is cloudy. Don’t forget that sun reflects off of water so you need to protect your skin poolside even while wearing a hat.

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. Drink plenty of water and reduce caffeine consumption and watch your skin glow.

3. Practice “barrier” repair and “lipid” replenishment – products that contain lipids keep the skin barrier intact. This will enhance your body’s natural moisturizing factor, reduce irritation and inflammation, speed skin healing and recovery.

4. Consume vitamins and anti-oxidants daily topically and internally.

5. Reduce sugar intake which causes a process known as “glycation” – a naturally occurring process which increases as we age. Sugar molecules bond with protein molecules which creates a glycated protein and it becomes weak, brittle or fractured making it vulnerable to the dreaded free radical attack.

6. Reduce the occurrences of inflammation caused by UV exposure and overuse of harsh, acidic and irritating chemicals.

7. Stop Over-exfoliating.

8. Manage and Reduce stress.

9. Get regular professional facials using products that contain ingredients that are generally more bio-available, massage which releases deeply embedded toxins, floods tissues with fresh re-oxygenated blood that will bring a boost to the skin.

10. Don’t skip home care – if we are faithful with our home care we have 60 opportunities a month to nourish, hydrate and protect skin against environmental damage.

Q. What are the “must haves” in my day of touch up kit?

A. “Must haves” are:

- Blotting Papers

- Pressed Translucent Powder in case blotting papers are not enough

- Lipstick, Lip Gloss and or Lip Pencil to retouch after all of the kissing and champagne – small container of hairspray to keep fly-aways under control

- Bobby Pins in case your up-do comes undone while dancing

- Toothpicks to dislodge strawberry seeds, celery strings or spinach or even a small package of floss

- Tissues to wipe away smudges or other well wishing kisses from your cheek

- Double-sided Tape or a needle and thread for torn hems and straps

- Foot pads to keep your feet from perspiring and slipping in your shoes

- Small band-aids for blisters

- Baby powder and white chalk to remove or cover stains

- Breath mints, nail file, small vial of fragrance and the pain reliever of your choice just in case a headache comes on during the festivities

And just rememer, a good professional makeup artist will help you every step of the way. Make sure your makeup artist is willing to listen and work with you. It’s your day. You deserve to look as beautiful as you feel.

Posted by admin at 10:50 am 0 Comments
Labels: my Kate Parker Wedding

July 28th, 2009

Wedding Photography Schedules – No. 4 Sarah Fantom Photography

Sarah Fantom shares with us her thoughts and process on taking wedding day formals. Check out some of her photos below or visit her website: Sarah Fantom Photography


When I begin formals I request immediate family and bridal party only. Once we have completed immediate family, I send them off to “host” while I finish with the wedding party. This typically takes 25 minutes or so. I then will finish up with the bride & groom. In total it would take about 45 minutes(if all are cooperative!).

Even grandparents can be taken later during cocktails or between dinner courses. Sometimes they cannot move so easily and this does not hinder them at all. I am flexible and want to work with my clients to help them enjoy every aspect of their day. I certainly will suggest certain times to take pictures and what sequence if they have an unusual reception, ceremony etc.

I always leave it up to the bride & groom to choose when they want their formals taken. Who am I to say they should break tradition and see one another before the walk down the aisle? Sometimes the day would move much smoother if they do indeed opt for this option- to me it does not make a difference either way. I am there to capture everything from start to finish anyhow.

Most resorts I work at are so beautiful within themselves, there is no need to go off site. If there is a church ceremony and a reception site elsewhere then I always recommend a place in between that would be a nice transition location – be it the beach, a park, or even the Brewster Grist Mill.

I tell my bride’s and groom’s during our first meeting how I would expect the day to go – doesn’t always happen – but it gives them a sense of how I work as well as my second photographer. It also gives them reassurance that I do know what should be happening when, you know there is something to be said for experience! This is when I also tell them, as well as the parents who I expect to be in formals. So any college, sororities, fraternities, work friends, high school or extended family pictures can be taken during cocktails or during dancing. Many times we stop the DJ/Band and simply take 10 minutes to call up those large groups. This is a very efficient way to get everyone there and make sure no one is missing.

Overall it is my job to take pictures. I am hired by my client and despite that I have my own work flow I can fit in just about any photo they may be looking for. Between 2 photographers, we work it out so to keep everyone happy.

Posted by admin at 9:35 am 0 Comments
Labels: my Kate Parker Wedding

July 27th, 2009

Wedding Photography Schedules – No. 3 Claris Photography

Liesl Clark from Claris Photography gives some great advice on scheduling your wedding day formals. You can also see her work on her website: Claris Photography






One of the most important but sometimes least favorite parts of the wedding day are the “planned” photos – the “formals” as some may call it. This portion of the day, while essential, is often looked upon as a “grip and grin” section of the wedding that a bride and groom want to just “get through”. At the same time, most everyone will agree that without this part of the day, some very valuable photographs of family and friends would be overlooked and later one may have regrets that they weren’t captured.
This part of the day doesn’t have to be dreaded. With proper planning (ie. scouting of the locations, a thorough shot list provided by the bride and groom, and a detailed photography schedule) the photography needs of the couple and their families can be met without any headache, frustration or confusion.

Communicate early (up to a month or two) with your planner and/or photographer by filling out a “shot list” which is a detailed account of the groups you are hoping to capture. By doing this, you will avoid missing an important grouping. Additionally, you will avoid possible hectic confusion trying to find all the individuals involved in the shot on the wedding day. Your photographer should take this information and create a “photography schedule” for your review which will show the timeline for the entire wedding day which includes details of when and where each photo will take place. Finally, take this schedule along with you and “scout” or walk through the location where these photos will take place if possible. Couples can even make extra copies of this photography schedule and pass them out to key members of the bridal party at the rehearsal to enlist the help of others.

Additionally, this is a good time to decide if the couples want to see each other ahead of time for these formal photographs. This is a topic of much debate as the tradition of not seeing one another until the ceremony still stands strong in most couples. The choice is a very individual one but from a photographers point of view has may benefits (ie. everyone is at their “freshest” and it gives the entire bridal party, including the couple, a chance to enjoy all or a portion of the cocktail hour).

Again, this portion of the day can be well planned out in advance to allow the moment when a couple will see each other for the first time to be dramatic and special. With your photographer, scout a location where this wonderful moment can take place. Generally about an hour total is allotted for “formal” photos so allow 5 or 10 minutes to relish this moment and let it sink in – your photographer will most likely be shooting away without your knowledge. Then move right into a romantic photography session with just the two of you. After another 15 – 20 minutes of these shots together schedule it in a way that the bridal party and the family show up to complete the photography process before the ceremony (usually another 30-40 minutes). There are other variations on this “before the ceremony” photography idea such as doing it half and half – see each other ahead of time and have those amazing shots together and/or with the bridal party then do just the family shots following the ceremony. This will still allow the couple to still enjoy a portion of the cocktail hour.

The benefits to planning ahead by creating this photography itinerary – either seeing each other beforehand or not – are many. Take the time to talk it over with your planner and/or photographer and get all those amazing shots you had hoped for! You will look back and be so glad that you did!

Below is an example of a schedule Liesl might use:

3:00 – 3:45 Photographs of Kate and Bridesmaids in the last stages of getting ready
- Kate w/ Mom and Dad and individually
- Kate w/ Bridesmaids
- Kate w/ MOH
- Kate Alone

3:45 – 4:00 Travel to church (St Andrews by the Sea)
4:00 – 4:30 Photos of Mark and Groomsmen waiting and guests arriving

4:30 – 5:30 Ceremony
5:30 – 5:45 Travel time for Photography – Locations TBD

6:00 – 7:00 Photos to include:
- K & M w/ Lemkes and Keatings
- K & M w/ Arnfields
- K & M w/ Cathleen and Robert, Brett
- Kate w/ Brett
- K & M w/ Cathleen and Robert
- K & M w/ All Parents (Cathleen & Robert,Donna & John)
- K & M w/ Donna, John, Mike and John
- Mark w/ John and Mike
- K & M w/ Donna and John
- Mark w/ Donna and John
- K & M w/ Robert (Grandfather)

- K & M w/ Bridal Party (8)
- K & M w/ Stephen and Alyssa (after this shot they are finished)
- Kate w/ Bridesmaids
- Mark w/ Bridesmaids
- K & M w/ MOH and BM (6)
- Kate w/ Jessica and Jaime
- Mark w/ Groomsmen
- Kate w/ Groomsmen
- Groom w/ Chris and Andy

- K & M Alone
- Kate Alone
- Mark Alone

7:00 – 10:00 Reception Coverage
Photos during reception:
- Kate w/ College Friends
- Kate w/ HS Friends
- Mark w/ HS Friends
- Cathleen and Robert with Dzielaks and VanAlstines

Posted by admin at 11:20 am 0 Comments
Labels: my Kate Parker Wedding

« Older Entries