As your wedding photographer I am your expert for all of your photography questions. Consider me your guide through your photography needs on your wedding day. To help, I wanted to start a new section devoted to answering all of your burning questions. And so begins . . . drum roll please . . . Frequently Asked Questions Friday! To kick off I picked one of my favorite topics: First Looks. Here is the what, when, where, and how of it all.
Your wedding day is going to fly by. Ask any married couple that you know, or better yet just trust me on this one. You will have so many emotions flowing through you, so much on your mind, and your focus split one hundred and one different ways. You have invited so many people to share in your joy on your special day, and you of course want to make sure that you get to spend time with all of them. You are picking out your eye make-up, spending some quality time with the guys, making sure all the girls get their hair done on time, worrying about when the florist is going to arrive, wouldn’t it be great if you could just have a few minutes to yourself to quietly enjoy your special day. Better yet, to spend with the person that you are sharing this day with – minus the hundred and fifty people surrounding you? You can! The idea of a First Look has recently become a more popular option to add to your wedding day timeline. So let me answer wome of your burning questions:
What is a first look? It is when the couple arranges a special time to see each other for the first time on their wedding day before the ceremony. This small chunk of time can easily be the most memorable of your whole day.
But what exactly happens during a first look, you ask. First we will pick the perfect secluded spot with perfect lighting and lovely enough surroundings to make the two of you even more beautiful. The groom will be there, waiting with his back turned, as his bride walks towards him looking absolutely stunning (of course). Then we back off. Because this time isn’t about the photographs – although they will defiantly be some of your favorites of the whole day – this time is about you and your partner just taking the time out of your day to simply enjoy each other. This gives the groom time to talk about his emotions, check out his bride, and have her all to himself. The bride gets to show off her dress, get out those tears of joy, and have a look at her hubby-to-be. These moments are all completely yours, completely private. After this you get to enjoy the rest of your special day, you can really be in the moment as your father is walking you down the isle, family portraits will go by like a breeze, and you can get to the reception early enough to enjoy the cocktail hour with your friends.
But I wanted the first time we saw each other to be when I am walking down the isle. That is absolutely fine. I am not saying that a first look is for everyone. But what I do want to say is, do what makes you happy. Don’t be worried about other people’s traditions, if you don’t feel confortable doing a garter toss, having a white dress, or would like to have a few minutes with your to-be before you walk down the isle – than do it your way.
In the end all you need to do is follow your heart (check) and do what makes you happy. But more on that later. For now enjoy a bit of Coco & John’s First Look and start picturing your own.
I’m thrilled to announce my second online feature! But even more so, I am thrilled to share an new up-and-coming wedding resource that is certainly one to bookmark. Vie d’Amour is not another place to research the ideal wedding day schedule, or to compare the best types of flowers for your boquet (although you will get some great insperation). Instead it celebrates the very reason and purpose of your wedding: the love between two people.
Manda Koolis, the heart of Vie d’Amour, is an amazing person with an amazing story. That, however, is not mine to tell. What I will share is how she has turned all of her passion in life into this amazing outlet. When I first asked what Vie d’Amour would be about, she responded:
“Let me tell you a little bit about the heart of Vie D’amour. My main goal is to showcase photographers that have the ability to capture the essence of a couple. I love details, but I love romance, love and togetherness a hundred times more. Anything (weddings, engagements, day after sessions) shown in a contemporary manner is my cup of tea. Moments that people typically overlook, stolen glances, kisses on the forehead, etc. Those are the shots that will the heartbeat of the blog.”
How could I not submit one of my all time favorite couples! Kelli & Kenny would not be able to hide their love for each other if they tried. I grabbed the most tender moments from their recent session. So just for you, my special readers, here is a sneak peak at Kelli & Kenny’s Rowboat Engagement Session!
Just like an ocean breeze, Alan and Katie have a soft, subtle way of loving each other that makes the world seem uncomplicated. They bring a calmness with them that is so refreshing. When I think of them, they just make sense. They fit together like the ocean and the seashore. They perfectly choose the park at Bug Light in South Portland for the background of their winter beach engagement session. So on a nippy Sunday afternoon we climbed over rocks, picked up seashells, and ran our hands through the sand. I wish Alan and Katie the best on their destination wedding in Jamaica this summer.
I recently had the opportunity to participate in an absolutely amazing event called Help Portrait. This worldwide event is where individual local leaders gather together a team of photographers to take professional portraits for people who might not normally have the opportunity to have one done. I love giving back to my community, and to be able to use my talent and passion to make someone’s day; it just warms my heart.
Families from the Youth Family Outreach in Portland met with me and a group of other professional photographers for a day filled with bagels, laughter, teethy smiles, makeup, squeak toys, families coming together, and the scramble of little feet. The families walked away with a beautifully captured photograph, while I left into the cool night with some amazing new friends, a true appreciation for my community neighbors, and a reminder of just how much one photograph can mean to someone.
The following photographs were captured by the very talented Peter Jensen Bissell Photography
Such a fantastic experience! Can’t wait for next year!
I’m jumping up and down with excitement! It has been so hard to keep it to myself, but now I can shout “yippee” and share with all of you my very first online feature! And Jillian & Jason’s love story deserves to be told, it deserves to be sung from the mountain side.
I love to hear my couple’s story told, especially by one of my favorite local wedding blogs. Real Maine Weddings is a partner of the Maine Wedding Association, both of which offer great resources and inspiration for Maine brides. And I am so thrilled to see an Adorn couple featured! I don’t want to give away any of the juicy details, so grab a glass of wine and head over to read Jillian & Jason tell their love story. The rustic romance will wisp you away. Don’t forget to stay tuned here to see their story told in full!
http://www.realmaineweddings.com/more-real-weddings/real-wedding-jillian-jason.html
You know that couple in your group of friends that has been together forever, yet they are the most passionate, in-love, couple that you know? They are your constant source for relationship advice because no matter what is going on in their lives, they have truly unwavering confidence in each other. Kaitlyn and Stephen is this couple. They have started their lives together years ago, yet they brought the puppy love stage with them.
Kaitlyn and Stephen have spent many beautiful years together, yet this wedding had all the anticipation and excitement it well deserved on the day they officially became one. The ladies got the full works at Sarah Jeanne’s Salon & Spa before heading to the Martindale Country Club for an intimate ceremony of close family and friends, and a hopping reception with everything from tender moments to dance-offs. If anyone is ever convinced that all the sweet moments in a relationship only happen in the beginning, I give them Kaitlyn and Stephen as a shining comparison, keeping true to the romance.
Moving forward into this year I am so excited about the weddings that we have in store. Andrea and I will be traveling all over Maine, from Fort Kent to Bar Harbor to Kennebunkport and all in between to celebrate with some amazing couples. In the mist of my preparation for 2012, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate what made 2011 such a great year for us; the couples!
To thank all of my 2011 couples for being so wonderful I wanted to give one couple a 16×20 canvas gallery wrap of their favorite wedding image. In comes the Best of Weddings 2011 contest. One image from each wedding is posted on our facebook page, the couple with the most ‘likes’ on their image by the end of January will win the canvas. Don’t forget, for the ‘like’ to count you must also ‘like’ Adorn Photography’s facebook page. And just because I love gifts and I think every one of my couples deserve it, any couple that reaches at least 100 ‘likes’ will get a little special surprise.
So let’s take a minute to reminisce on some of my favorite moments, but more importantly my favorite couples, of 2011.
Katy & Jason
Meghan & Branden
Kaitlyn & Stephen
Alana & Peter
Jillian & Jason
Toni & Scott
Coco & John
Jenni & Ian
Whimsical, Boston living-and-loving couple, Meghan & Branden chose to join their Maine families at Lost Valley in Auburn to share their wedding ceremony. Andrea and I were so excited for this day after getting to know Meghan & Branden through emails, phone conversations, Starbucks drinks, and finally their Boston engagement session.
The morning was a furry of events as usual, but I have never heard so much laughter as Meghan got to reunite with her closest family. Those girls sure know how to keep a smile on your face! The outdoor ceremony was held in front of the gazebo and under the whimsical chair lifts that floated through the air. I think I’m going to use whimsical one more time to summarize the rest of their evening, which was filled with suspenders & bowties, surprise family dances, touching toasts, and of course bubbles. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to pass a bubble wand without thinking of these two!
It is resolution season; that time at the beginning of the year when the dreamer part of you is full of hope and ambition. I have never been a big resolution maker; I find it difficult to have a single dream for an entire year and truly focus on it everyday. But what I do believe in is setting goals. See, I LOVE making checklists. I have so many lists all over my house, from daily to-dos to a bucket list. So to start off 2012 I have created my ultimate list, my goals for 2012. I am posting it here to make it official. Now that I have you to keep me in check, be sure to come back to this post throughout the year to see how I am doing. I am excited to say that I already have a few of them crossed off : )
Goals for 2012
1. Launch Adorn Photography (Completed January 1st )
2. Read at least 5 photography or business related books; write a review for each
3. Create a wordpress blog (Completed January 1st )
4. Attend at least 6 photography workshops/ networking events
5. Renew Maine and National Wedding Photographer’s Association Memberships
6. Post a personal blog once a weekish
7. Flatten my tummy
8. Get to know 10 other Maine Wedding Photographers, in person and online
9. Write info pages/blogs for wedding couples
10. Create a pricing sheet (Completed January 1st)
11. Re-design website (Completed January 1st)
12. Make relationships with vendors
13. Financial Forecasting
14. Buy 70-200 IS Lens and rock out during ceremonies
15. Shoot at least 12 weddings
16. Design and Print a sample album
17. Make choices based on establishing a lovemark
18. Submit to at least 20 different wedding editorials
19. Get at least 1 wedding published in print
20. Share some of my personal artwork
21. Find a way to help a starting photographer
22. Have a photo shoot with me and Matrix
23. Connect with more photographers and editorials on Facebook
24. Come up with a plan to better use my Facebook Fan Page
25. Visit Canada!
26. Get at least 3 weddings or engagements published online
27. Research and connect with local wedding planners
28. Start Postcard Challenge for clients
29. Make Butterbeer
30. Enhance portrait side of Adorn Photography
31. Take more atmospheric and detail shots during weddings
32. Buy and love using a shootsac for more freedom
33. Knit myself a hat
34. Write a current bio that is more . . . me (Competed January 1st)
35. Learn more about this SEO madness
36. Join more online forums and engage in posts
37. Create my ideal client profile
38. Frame and hang artwork I got in Italy
39. Get photography equipment insurance
40. Familiarize myself with modern “masters” of wedding photography
41. Create a new client info sheet with more personal client questions
42. Begin sending out Anniversary cards to past clients
43. Create a wedding wire profile and ask for reviews
44. Paint a painting
45. Look into online print ordering for clients
46. Join a flash mob
And because I always want to include a photograph in my blog posts, here is a photograph of one of my 2011 goals: Travel to Europe. This was taken in Venice on an unbelievable trip to Italy. More about this trip to come.
Welcome to the new blog and site! I am so excited to introduce to you Adorn Photography, what formally was Alisa Ann Photography. We have been so looking forward to expressing ourselves in this wonderfully new way and we are even more excited to be sharing it with you!
So what is new?
Our look! We have spent many cups of coffee (well, hot tea and hot chocolate actually – neither of us care for coffee), hundreds of hours discussing, countless crumpled up sketch pages, and so many nights staring up at the ceiling, all to find a better way to show who we are. We made design boards, color pallets, and lists on top of lists. We are so happy to be able to share with you the stories we visually create in the beautiful new space of Adorn Photography.
What stayed the same?
Us! It is still me (Alisa), and Andrea, as so many of you know us. We haven’t gone anywhere, even better we hope you will get to know us even more through Adorn Photography.
Our photography! I truly believe with every shoot we do and every photograph we take, we grow and become more true to the photographers we were meant to be. But not to worry, Adorn Photography is the same great photography that you know and love.
What to look forward to?
We have so much for you to be excited about. We have saved some of our best weddings and portrait shoots to share with you here first! There will be contests, surprise blog posts, and lots of getting to know us. So don’t go anywhere! As they say, ‘the best is yet to come!’
Best,
Alisa
PS Happy New Year!
Leave A Comment