betty_lowrey2

<p>Mary- I just did a "vintage" theme wedding where the bride wore a dress that had been passed down from grandma to mom to bride and then saved for her sister. It was BEAUTIFUL, and so fun to photograph.</p>

<p>If your client likes it, go for it.<br>

I have refused to do it for a client, because I just don't do it. But, the beauty of owning your own business is running it the way you see fit.</p>

<p>It's just personal opinion MM.

<p>Eeek...selective color.<br>

Why not full color?

<p>It's okay. The one thing that bothers me about is the lack of light on any of the faces. None of them seem defined. You can't see expression, which is a big part of the wedding day.</p>

<p>Stephen, that's such a lovely picture and a wonderful story.<br>

I think it depends on the dress, of course. I wouldn't have ever handed down my dress. It was a cheap, off-the-rack David's Bridal buy that probably wouldn't have survived being preserved. It was ripped the day of the wedding because I caught the bustle in a door and it now lays dormant in a trash bag in my storage closet. I may let my daughter play with it someday, but to WEAR it on her big day? Ew.<br>

But, that's just MY dress....I would be completely honored if my grandmother would have saved her dress for me to wear. And I would never imagine destroying it.<br>

But, these days a lot of girls buy pretty much "disposable" David's Bridal $250 dresses (like I did). In those cases, it's fun to have an extra photo shoot out of them.<br>

To each his or her own. Not everyone is sentimental over dresses.</p>

<p>Eek David, I don't think I'd ever ask. To me, that's kind of like saying "I notice your sister has a huge nose, would you like me to tone it down?"</p>

<p>C Jo- They don't do TTD the day of the wedding....it's a different day after the wedding. After that most brides don't care about messing up their dress. I know I didn't! Heck, after the ceremony I didn't care what happened to my dress. Evidenced by the big tear that ended up in the bustle!</p>

<p>I have to wonder about all you miss leaving after the cake cutting. Normally my couples cut their cake right away. If I left then I'd miss the dances, the bouquet, the toasts......<br>

I normally stay until after the bouquet toss. But, I have stayed for the entire reception on New Years. That was too fun to leave.</p>

<p>Caveat Emptor</p>

 

<p>I didn't know non-members were rated as well, William.</p>

<p>I had the same issue a few weeks ago. Leave it as is...tattoos are part of the person. I have one on my foot and a big one on my shoulder. I would be pretty irritated if someone got rid of it as a flaw.</p>

<p>TTD is normally a session AFTER the wedding where the bride wears her dress and literally "trashes" it during the course of the session, either by getting it excessively dirty, torn, or even wet. I've seen some lovely TTD sessions done in water. Chiffon in water is awesome.<br>

Here's an example: <a href="http://trashthedressminnesota.blogspot.com/2008/03/featured-photographer-sally-gruman.html">http://trashthedressminnesota.blogspot.com/2008/03/featured-photographer-sally-gruman.html</a></p>

 

<p>Yeah, I suppose. I do have a testamonials page, but I was hoping to drive traffic to my site.</p>

<p>Well, not listed is not listed. Can't fault them for that.<br>

But an F rating is an F rating! Kinda wish I would have checked out my old website template provider before I went with them. That's a good example of F rating warning!</p>

<p>I don't use a bracket, honestly. I think they look weird (this is just a personal choice, no judgement on anyone who uses them). I like to be as streamlined as possible.<br>

I do use a Gary Fong Lightsphere though, which kind of eliminates my need for a bracket. And, to me anyway, it looks nicer.</p>

<p>I planned this pregnancy around wedding season. I'll be 32 weeks at my last wedding (in January). Then I'm taking a much needed 3 months off!!!</p>

<p>1. Adam above is right. Tripod use is a matter of preference. I prefer not to ever use one really, unless it's necessary in a low light ceremony situation where I need the stability.<br>

2. Cropping is also up to you. (Isn't this job and the creativity great!) I do a bit of both.<br>

3. You have to really take control of the situation. YOU are in charge during the portrait sessions. So, if you put forward the image of being in control and in charge, people will follow suit. I basically use a classic "1....2...3...smile" formula. It's been the most successful to get the least amount of throw away images due to blinking.<br>

A lot of my "formals" are really "informal", so I don't try really hard to get a perfectly formed group. I want them all comfortable, visible, and happy looking. That is my main goal. When it's guys and girls together I'll often ask the guys to whisper something in the girls ear....no matter WHAT it is, it makes them smile and laugh. And laughter on film is a great capture.</p>

<p>Thanks Bob. I just know they have a good reputation and people really rely on them a lot to steer them in the right direction. I know I do. There are plenty of times I've been wanting to go with a certain company and the BBB and their rating there has been what changed my mind one way or the other.</p>

 

<p>When it comes to finding a reputable business, I know a lot of people rely on the BBB. They have called me several times to do a listing and get accreditied (oy...spelling!). Anyone here on there, is it worthwhile?</p>

<p>I think it all boils down to what you want for your clients and what kind of photography coverage you are selling. Some clients really prefer a hands-off approach. Normally, my formals take about 45 mins...at the very most. The rest of the day is completely unobtrusive and non-orchestrated. Completely fly on the wall. I love the results I get from this.<br>

To each their own, as is the case with MANY aspects of photography.

<p>I'm due in March, so I'm still pretty early on. I'm just entering that part in the 1st Trimester where you are so tired you could sleep 16 hours and still feel exhausted. It's making wedidng season interesting.</p>

<p>You know, I have to wonder if anyone would call what the Pictoralists did a "fad"...since that was, in a sense, just "actions" before computers.</p>

 

<p>Greg- Do you mean it's a tradition that they DO see one another or they don't?</p>

<p>I didn't say it was an impossibility. I am Catholic as well. I just offered it as a possibility for the reason why none of my brides seem to want to see their fiance prior to the wedding. </p>