We just wanted to announce that we have filled the space for New Hampshire Photographers in the 25-50k budget. We’re so very excited to announce the photographers who are representing this category, and they are:
Matthew Lomanno Photography
Website: www.matthewlomanno.com
MAC Photography
Website: www.mac-photography.com
Allison Hope Photography
Website: www.allisonhopephotography.com
Donald & Trenholm Photographers
Website: www.donaldtrenholm.com
If you’re looking for a cake (or dessert) that not only tastes amazing but looks impeccable, Sin has just the right cake designers to do the trick. Check out what Jennifer has to say about Sin in today’s Vendor Spotlight!
Company: Sin
Owner: Jennifer Luxmoore
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Phone: 401.369.8427
Website: www.eatwicked.com
Number of Years in Business: Technically, about 3 years now.
Pricing Information: The average price is about $5.00 per slice
What makes me stand out in what I do? We’ll do almost any design (my designer says “we’re not afraid of anything!”), attention to taste is incredibly important to us, and we have very talented designers each with an incredible eye.
What’s the favorite part of my work? The versatility in the wedding and groom cakes. We rarely do the same thing twice!
What do I like to do in my spare time? Sleep.
What charity am I supporting and why? The ASPCA. Even as a child we always adopted our dogs from the pound. We currently have 2 basset hounds that we’ve adopted from rescue groups.
Candace from Candace Jeffery Photography shares with brides some advice on choosing a photographer and working with that photographer throughout the planning year.
-During the consultation, the discussion of budget always comes up. And if budget is an issue or concern, I often tell the brides to make sure that they get more coverage rather than products. Brides can always purchase an album at a later date but they can never replay the time getting ready. Also, purchasing an album or prints for holidays or anniversaries are always a great gift!
-It’s important to gauge how important photography is to the couple getting married so that I know the type of package to suggest and know how much time to dedicate to particular shots. I love when a couple says that their photos are really important to them!
-I encourage every bride to click with the photographer before, during and after the wedding. The wedding year can be a long time so make sure there is a good connection between the bride, groom and the photographer. Personally, most of my brides are my friends on Facebook so that we can stay in touch and they can ask me questions or see some of my work at any time.
-The bride and groom also have to the TRUST the photographer they’re working with. I encourage the couple to go through photographers’ work upon choosing someone for their wedding. Really get to know the photographer so that you never have to worry.
-For special requests, brides typically show me magazine photos or something printed from online. I truly don’t mind being particular to what a bride is looking for. However, if I feel like the venue or location’s environment will not provide the right setting for what the bride is looking for, I will explain that to her at the time. For example, brides love a beautiful sunset photo, however with some locations, the the sunset may not be available due to the time of the wedding.
-For any couples interested in having their formal photos before the ceremony, I truly feel that it’s a good way to get all the formal photos in that you want without having to squeeze them in during your cocktail hour. I had a bride tell me that she wanted to do formal photos before the ceremony but she was concerned that her and her fiance would not get that initial feeling when you spot each other down the aisle. She went ahead with her formals before the ceremony and said that the feeling was still there and probably just as strong. And by doing photos before the ceremony, it gives the bride and groom time to react to one another with a hug or kiss and gives them some time alone. Typically when you get to the alter, you don’t get to do that right away. One other thing about formals before the ceremony (especially for an evening wedding), it allows for a little more daylight.
-As you’re planning your formals for the day of the wedding, if the schedule does not allow enough time for bride and groom photos, think about shortening the time used to capture shots of the bridal party.
And check out some of Candace’s fabulous work!
We’ve had the pleasure of working with Jan for several occasions as her work is absolutely stunning. And since anything she does is to perfection, we just had to share her talents with everyone!
Company: Jan Boyd Calligraphy
Owner: Jan Boyd
Location: West Roxbury, Massachusetts
Phone: 617.327.6041
Website: www.janboyd.com
Years in Business: Since 1980 (so almost 30!)
Pricing Information: Pricing varies per request, but here are just some starting points for a few items.
-Place Cards start around $1.70 each
-Table Center Numbers and Names start around $5.00 each
-Envelopes start around $3.25 each
-Menus or Programs personalized with name start around $1.75 each
-Seating Scrolls (22″x28″ – most common size) which includes up to 130 listings for approximately 225 guests is $400. Smaller and larger scrolls are priced upon request.
What makes me stand out with what I do: I have developed many, many different lettering styles over the years. I think I have about 30 on my website and I’m developing new ones all the time. With a basic, solid foundation in letter forms, I have learned to adapt lettering to match the style on each bride’s invitation – or to do a style that enhances the look of the invitation by being boldly different. If the invitation is printed in color, I hand-mix paint to come very close to an exact match for addressing the envelopes. I’m always learning and adapting to new styles, trends and colors. I also do “combo” styles on invitations so that if the invitation the couple has chosen has their names in script and the rest in block letters, for instance, I can replicate that look on the envelope. I have lots of samples on my site and in my studio for ideas and inspiration. I aspire to create envelopes that set the tone for the wedding. After all, it’s likely the first thing that the guests will have seen to herald the upcoming event.
I also feel that my studio stands out because of our professional approach to the business. I operate a full-time home studio, so doing lettering is not a hobby for me. My assistant and office manager, Ilene, manages all the details except the actual lettering. She goes over every list, checking with the bride for any missing details or questionable spellings, etc. She counts the list and envelopes to make sure there are plenty long before it’s a crisis (a list of 150 addresses and 125 envelopes, or inner envelopes that don’t fit into the outer envelopes has happened more than once!). In most cases Ilene also proofs my finished work before it leaves the studio. We are very accurate in meeting our deadlines – and are available and in constant contact for any issues that arise.
What’s the favorite part of my work? Creativity. I love meeting with a couple or a bride and her mom and brainstorming ideas about how to make calligraphy really add to the look of the wedding. From envelopes, invitations and place cards to signage, favor tags, menus, programs, bar signs, seating boards, gifts for bridesmaids, gifts for the bride and groom to give to each other, vows hand-calligraphed for the first anniversary (which is paper!)… etc., it’s an endless list of things that can be done. I love working with people who get excited about the possibilities ☺. My least favorite part is not having enough time – brides not knowing that they need to have planned ahead enough so that their envelopes get to me with enough time for me to hand letter each one. My normal turnaround is 2 weeks. I hate to disappoint people, but if I know I can’t meet their deadline, I’ll turn down the job.
What do I like to do in my spare time? I have learned that I need to have some “down time” in order to be my most creative and productive in my “up time”. I love to read, I paint watercolors and pastels, and I take weekly yoga and pilates classes. I usually take at least one master class a year with another calligrapher, and weekend classes in new techniques whenever I can. While my kids are grown, I love spending time with them whenever possible. My husband and I enjoy movies and gardening and great meals together (cooked by him!). I also travel to visit with my parents in Seattle at least 3 times a year.
Which charities am I supporting and why? I am supporting the American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the ASPCA. All of those you support are very worthy of your involvement. We also support WGBH, Rosie’s Place, the Pan Mass challenge and are often involved with human service related agencies. My husband is a social worker (I was too, in a former pre-child life ☺) , so the myriad events run by his agency are a part of our lives.
Check out just a few examples of Jan’s work…
The market for Connecticut 80k+ Photographers has closed! We’re really excited to announce the photographers representing the category, and they are:
Bruce Plotkin Photography
Website: www.bruceplotkin.com
Justin & Mary
Website: www.justinmarantz.com
Studio 1923
Website: www.studio1923.com
Richard Esposito
Website: www.photographer-re.com
