Wedding Day Tips: Top Ten Details to Remember

As a wedding photographer, I've seen my share of problem weddings that only add to the ever-present wedding stress. Planned improperly from the get-go, no one person is to blame, but the outcome is upsetting for everyone involved. Often, the bride's face looks utterly uncomfortable in all the pictures thanks to mile-high heels, guests are kept waiting for an inordinate amount of time, and the DJ is running around trying to get everyone name straight for the announcement at the reception. (I've seen this take up to 30 mins.) 

Planning a wedding is serious business, especially if you have out of town guest to worry about and little children to keep an eye on. Here are ten wedding day tips to keep you upbeat - and stress-free - on your special day!

Avoid Wedding Stress with These Ten Wedding Day Tips

#1 - Have an emergency kit on hand: A bride without her trusty emergency kit is a meltdown waiting to happen. Before the wedding day, put together a little kit of must-haves in case something should go wrong. Ideally, you should have extra make-up, safety pins, breath spray, nail polish for snags, hairspray, a comb, and anything else you deem appropriate to combat wedding stress. If a situation does arise, you'll be thankful you had these things with you.

#2 - Bring comfortable shoes to change in to: Please don't maintain the illusion that you can wear those fabulous designer heels all night long. They will begin to hurt your feet and impede your ability to hob-knob with your friends. Pack some cute flats (that you've previously broken in) or some simple white sandals so you can keep dancing all night long!

#3 - Put someone in charge of the vendors: Entrust a friend or family member to keep track of vendors, such as the DJ/band, caterers, florists, facility manager, wait staff, and photography team. Let him or her be the point person if the vendor has a question, if something has changed, or there is an issue. Trust me - this will reduce much of the wedding stress that will occur throughout the day.

#4 - Don't forget to eat before and during the wedding: Number four on this list of wedding day tips is incredibly important. Sounds impossible, but brides do forget to eat with all that's going on. One of the best wedding day tips I can offer is to start the day out with a healthy breakfast that will keep you going until your afternoon or evening meal is served. The last thing that you want to do is add to your wedding stress and pass out in front of your guests or experience hunger pangs all day. Rely on one of your  bridesmaids to fix a plate for you or do it yourself while you converse with guests waiting in line and then actually sit down and eat it. You picked the menu. Don't you deserve to enjoy it?

#5 - Provide your guests with an accurate map and directions: Everyone will tell you this is one of the best wedding tips you could get! The last thing you want to deal with is guests calling you or your friends asking for directions because yours aren't quite clear. Talk about wedding stress! Make sure you provide turn-by-turn navigation (especially helpful for those out-of-towners) as well as a detailed map of your venues with each surrounding street clearly listed and identifiable.

#6 - Make sure your bridal party knows to come early: Every photographer's nightmare - and a major wedding stress inducer - is a scattered, mismanaged bridal party. Make sure to coordinate with your bridesmaids and fiancé's groomsmen beforehand. If pictures are to be taken before the ceremony, everyone needs to show up with ample time to allow for this. If you are dressing at the church or venue and require the assistance of your bridesmaids, set the time back appropriately.

#7 - Set up something special for your guests in the facilities' bathrooms: A basket of toiletries is a clever way to show your creativity at your wedding. Usually, the bathrooms get overwhelmed and guests may need something to get them through the rest of the night.

#8 - Keep the kids in mind: Everyone is having a good time, but what are the kids up to? If you choose to have children at your wedding, so be it. They'll need a little entertainment though if you want to keep wedding stress at bay. One of my favorite wedding day tips is to serve fun finger foods like chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, French fries, and carrot sticks to get them to eat and keep them happy. A great idea is to have all the children at a centrally located children's table - adorn the table with activity and coloring books, crayons, puzzles, and lots of drawing paper to keep them occupied. If you and your fiancé decide not to have children at your wedding, however, make sure that all parents know this well in advance so that they can find a babysitter.

#9 - Hand the rings off to someone responsible: Have one of the attendants in your bridal party hang on to the rings before the ceremony. Instruct her to wait until right before the party is sent down the aisle to give the ring bearer and flower girl the rings so that they don't get lost in the day's hustle and bustle.

#10 - Create a menu for guests to peruse: Number 10 on this list of wedding day tips isn't hard to do, but gives your guests an idea of what kind of food will be served. For a sit-down dinner, this is imperative, of course, as there will be multiple options to choose from. Even if you're having a large buffet meal where guests help themselves, place a menu on each table so that anticipation can build. Sometimes, without a menu, your guests might have even overlooked a food station with their favorite dish!

Preparation Fights Wedding Stress

It's easy to overlook the little things. Planning ahead of time is the only way to keep wedding stress at bay. Don't let months of planning come undone by not being prepared. Combat potential disasters - and that annoying wedding stress.

Get The CIP Phone APP!

In keeping with technology and social media, last year we developed and launched an app for android devices. 

Now you can download the app and keep up to date with all of our Blog, Twitter and YouTube 

post all in one place!

We are currently working on getting our Facebook Feeds posted to the app as well. In the near future we hope to start featuring some of our favorite weddings each week. 

You can download the CIP App right from your phone, tablet or other device using the Android market. Just search Crystal Image Photography on the market, download it and you're all set!

Go Get It Here!

The Changing Face Of Wedding Photography

When your grandparents got married they may have had a few photographs taken of them that were then placed of walls or shelves. Possibly these photos were snapped by a friend or relatives and they may not have been very professional looking. They were probably black and white photos and may not have been of good quality. By the time your parents were getting married they may have had a selection of colored pictures taken. These photos were always posed and most were group pictures. These may have been put in a plastic album that they took out for family reunions and other occasions.

Are you wondering what options you will have for your wedding?

 Photography has come a long way since your parent’s day. You will not only have better equipment that will be used, your choice for photos; albums and even online sharing will be something grandma never imagined. Technology has changed so much in the last twenty five years. You will be glad that you are getting married in this age of high tech digital cameras. Your wedding photographer will know if they have captured the best shots of you in each frame. They will be able to keep snapping until they know that they have captured the proper shot. In the past, photographers had no way of telling if the picture they were taking was of good quality or not. They had to wait until the photographs were developed before they knew the results.

A photographer today will ask you what group pictures you would like to take at your wedding. This is a great idea because you won't want to miss having a picture with that favorite aunt. Photographers, however, now take more photos that are not posed. Your photographer will be constantly taking pictures, telling the story of your wedding day. Candid and random photos are often amazing and can capture the feeling and emotions of your important moments. Having videos of your wedding may not be necessary if your photographer takes a series of photographers depicting the complete picture of your wedding day. Many photographers are experts at this and a professional photo album can be made of your wedding. From getting ready to the throwing of the rice your wedding can be captured. 

Photography today is more exciting than ever. From digital cameras to new methods of putting these photos in albums, today's photography has come a long way from grandma’s day. You have great options to create memories that will last a lifetime take advantage of all of the possibilities.

You're Engaged! ~ Choosing A Wedding Date

The most commonly asked question you will hear when your friends and family are informed of your engagement is "When is the wedding?" Choosing a wedding date is very important because almost all of your wedding planning details will revolve around the date that you choose. Here are some things to take into consideration to help you pick a perfect date for your wedding. 

If you already know where you would like to have the ceremony and reception, you should call them and confirm what dates they have available. If you are set on a specific location, your wedding date will have to coincide with the availability of the location, especially if you have chosen a very popular location because these places tend to get booked very quickly.

Take into consideration what type of wedding you have in mind. For example, have you always dreamed of a beach wedding surrounded by the calming sounds of the ocean or a fall wedding with beautiful red and orange leaves in the background? You will have to choose a date that is appropriate in terms of temperature and seasons. In addition, if there is a particular style of dress that you have in mind, the time of year will influence your bridal attire choices.

Have you always wanted a wedding during a specific holiday such as Christmas? Christmas is a popular time because many wedding locations are already beautifully decorated at this time of year. However, getting ready for a wedding in addition to all the activities that occur during the Christmas holidays such as shopping, parties, wrapping gifts can be too much for some people.


Are there important people in your life that you feel must attend the wedding? While there will always be people who will not be able to make it, some people may be higher on your priority list than others. For example, if your maid of honor is giving birth the same month you choose to have your wedding, you may want to give her a little time after the birth to feel more comfortable in her bridesmaid dress. Or maybe your parents have a vacation already planned for the same time. Prevent scheduling conflicts as much as possible by discussing your wedding date with these important people to avoid any problems.

www.crystalimagephoto.com

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How to Plan Your Wedding Photography - 4 Steps to Memorable Wedding Pictures

 As one of the most important decisions you will make concerning the big day, planning your wedding photography should be considered with care. Follow these four steps to ensure your wedding pictures capture these priceless wedding day memories.

1) Select Your Photography Style

How do you envision your wedding photographs? Wedding Photographers generally fall into three stylistic categories: traditional, photojournalist, or a combination of both. Traditional photographers are practiced in obtaining great portraits and posed shots. For more candid shots that document the day's emotions and all the behind-the-scenes action, you may lean towards the photojournalistic style of photography (a hot trend for today's weddings). For brides who simply cannot decide, seek a wedding photographer who can offer the perfect mix. (that’s us) J

2) Consider the Cost

This really is one area in which you should avoid cutting corners, as your photographs will be one of the few keepsakes you can actually take from your wedding. Expect to allocate at least $1000 to your wedding photography budget (the bottom line in metro areas will be higher). If budget is a concern, consider ordering the most basic package, but avoid hiring an inexperienced photographer to save money.

3) Hire your Wedding Photographer

Do your research, and compile a list of potentials and commence the "meet and greet." When meeting with potential photographers, be sure to review his or her work and remember to consider the importance of personality. Your photographer will capture some of the best shots behind the scenes, so you must feel comfortable in working with this person and inviting them backstage. Trust your instinct: if you find anything disagreeable about working with this person, keep looking. And don't forget to get everything in writing.

4) Plan the Wedding Pictures

Well before your wedding day, make sure you have considered the must-have photography shots and their execution. You should discuss these details with your photographer so that he or she will be familiar with the site location, the VIPs of the wedding (attendants, parents etc.), and the best and most un-obtrusive way to get these important shots.

Consider every aspect of your wedding day and how you would like it captured. From the pre-ceremony preparation, to your walk down the aisle, to your "I Dos," to your first dance and finally to your departure, make sure to discuss the perfect shots for each special moment. Throughout the planning process, be in the lookout out for images that catch your eye, and consider bringing clips to your photographer. Browse this gallery of creative wedding pictures for inspiration.

Now that you know the basics, this complete wedding photography guide will walk you the rest of the way towards planning your wedding day pictures.

www.crystalimagephoto.com

It's your turn! ~ Ask Me Any Photography Questions You Have

On any given week I am asked questions about photography. Rather related to general photography "How To" questions or questions on how to start or run a successful photography studio or about Project CIP (something very special to me)

Here is your chance to ask me any photography related question you may have.

For the next week, until July 19th I will take and answer your questions.

All questions and answers will be posted here on the blog for others to read and learn from (no names will be used) so, don't be shy! Ask away!

The one who submits the best question will receive a gift certificate towards a portrait session with Crystal Image Photography and I personally will spend an hour with them showing them just what it is I do and answering any other questions.

So, if you're an inspiring photographer or a newbie here is your chance!

Send your questions to:  cv@crystalimagephoto.com

Photographers Be Nice.....To Each Other!

Photographers Let's be nice to each other~

Just a few weeks ago I saw a post from a young photographer just learning her way around a camera and how a professional photographer had basically put her down and criticized her. 

Now, this young photographer fired back! Stating how she was not a pro...just a beginner and didnt need a pro telling her she was not good....it was her customers who she looked to for approval.

I commented on her post, giving her encouragement, agreeing with her.

As I drove home that afternoon I began to think more about it.

All professional photographers had to start somewhere! Did we not? We all started out as beginners. I'm sure we all as beginners had other professionals looking at our work and judging it. Shoot, even pros judge other pros and put each other down! Why?

My thoughts on that - other photographers do not pay my bills or your bills nor do they define us. We each have our own style and way of doing things.

It is our customers that we should seek approval and satisfaction from. They are the ones who spend their hard earned money on our photography.....Why? Because THEY like what it is we do!

Becoming a better photographer requires times, practice and learning new things.....The things your customers  want....the type of photography they want and will buy. Not what another photographers say is right or wrong.

This is exactly why I do not belong to  professional photography groups, clubs, or otherwise. Oh, I have in the past. But each time, I find the same thing....a room full of arrogant photographers (now there is always a few who are not) seeking to come across as they are more skilled than the next.

No matter what it is we do or the type of job or service one preforms there is always room for improvement, so help one another and stop putting each other down because you may not like their style of photography.

Life's about helping one another! Pass it on! And, remember we all started out as beginners!

www.crystalimagephoto.com

Two Important Wedding Photography Questions We're Rarely Asked

As wedding photographers, it's no surprise that we meet with a lot of brides. And their mothers. So it goes without saying that we have become professionals at answering questions about wedding photography as well just about everything else that has to do with weddings.

I guess it's precisely because we answer so many questions that we've become aware of the questions that aren't being asked. And the ones that should be.

I think the first question stems more from my personal conviction than from the hearts of brides. But if they knew ins and outs of wedding photography, my bet is that more brides would be asking this question, "what is your backup strategy and how do you protect my files against data loss and corruption?" Or, more simply stated, "what do you do to make sure you don't lose our pictures?!"

From my brief research, i've picked up that approximately 7% of hard drives crash in their first year, and by the end of the second year, that number climbs closer to 20%. Yikes! That means that if your wedding pictures are being saved on a drive that's at least two years old, then there's a one in five chance that that drive will crash. That's comforting.

While this article is not a primer on digital backup and media protection, I do hope that it encourages more brides to simply ask the question. For what it's worth, we maintain copies of every wedding, including one offsite in the event our studio burns down, until our product has been delivered and archived online.

The second obvious question that's rarely asked is, "how many weddings have you been the lead shooter for?" Well, I’ve been the lead for just about all the weddings we do. But, this is a question you may want to ask if you’re looking at bigger studios with several photographers.

 In these days of website templates, it's rather easy for photographers to come by some great photos and fancy websites which really make them appear established. I encourage brides to ask for links to view complete wedding galleries from recent weddings as this will give them a good idea of what they might expect to receive. Anyone can come up with a few good shots for their website. But it's much more difficult to come by a complete and impressive gallery.

www.crystalimagephoto.com

Crystal Image Photography is WeddingWire Rated 2012

 WeddingWire is excited to announce that Crystal Image Photography is WeddingWire Rated for 2012 for Wedding Photography. WeddingWire Rated is the annual ratings program that recognizes wedding professionals across the country for their commitment to service and is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples, as they start their search for local wedding businesses. The ratings program is based on hundreds of thousands of recent newlywed reviews of over 200,000 wedding professionals in the US and Canada, across 20 different service categories.

"We are very pleased to announce WeddingWire Rated 2012, recognizing Crystal Image Photography for their commitment to exemplary service in wedding photography said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. “They have shown dedication to their craft and service, helping engaged couples understand what to expect from their business through reviews on the nation’s leading wedding review site.”

The read some of the reviews about Crystal Image Photography please visit   Reviews on Weddingwire

Wedding Photography Prices Guide: How to Set Your Photography Budget

 How much does professional photography cost for your wedding? Well, not $300 as one bride told me she thought it would cost!

 Learn how to set a realistic photography budget with this guide to wedding photography prices and rates.

The Going Rate for Professional Photography

When determining your wedding photography budget, keep in mind that you get what you pay for.(read my other post on Why Choose A Pro) You should expect to spend at least $1000 on having a professional wedding photographer document your wedding (not including the actual prints and other extras). Rates, of course, will vary depending on skill level, experience and geographic region (metro areas are usually considerably higher). The size of your wedding can also affect the photography cost, as additional people may increase the amount of time that the photographer must spend at your event.

Comparing Photographer Rates

Most wedding photographers will give general pricing information over the phone or on their websites, so you can use an initial online search or phone call as your first step towards finding a photographer that suits your budget. In comparing photography costs, remember that different photographers offer different packages - so initial rates can be misleading. Some rates only include the photographer's time, while prints and albums are extra. Other photography packages may include proofs, a set number of prints and an album. Determine what services and options you want first, then compare photographers' rates for providing those specific options to determine which professional works within your wedding photography budget.

Once You Have Chosen a Photographer:  Photography Contract Points

When reviewing your contract with a potential photographer, make sure that it is specifically clear in what it covers. Consider these questions:

•             Do you need to make a deposit?

•             What is the cancellation policy? Will you get anything back?

•             Is any travel time considered an extra or included in the bill?

•             Are you entitled to final prints only, or can you obtain all of the proofs?

•            Do you have all the printing rights to print any photos you get on CD/DVD?

The question that opened my photography studio

 What would you do if you knew that you could not fail? Someone asked me this once and I thought that it was a completely bogus question. If you knew you could not fail, you would do whatever it is that you wanted to do. I think the more appropriate question is, what would you do if you were never afraid to fail? The answer is just as simple as from the other question, but it is much more realistic. The answer to this question is, you would take a chance even if you would fail more times than you would succeed.

This is the question that drove me to opening my photography studio in Downtown Farmville. All I heard for months prior to opening was, it is to dangerous to start a business these days. The economy is bad. No one has money to spend. The risk outweighs the reward. Don't do it!!! But what would I do if I was never afraid? That is the only question I could think about. So I took that chance, left a full time job of 17 years and now I get to live my dream of taking professional photographs every day. Wedding photos, Senior Portraits, Families, babies, and I am shooting it, and I could not be happier.

Crystal Image Photography started off very small but has grown over the years. From photographing weddings right down the street to across the country.  

Granted it is not easy to start up a photography studio, much less any other type of small business. Hours and hours of hard work are put into making a dream a reality. No shortcuts, no early days! In order to succeed in this market, you have to go further then anyone else is willing to go. Photography is my dream; it is what this company is based on. That, and sharing the talent God blessed me with. Going after what other people would not because they are too afraid to try.

Don’t be afraid to try whatever it is you dream of. You never know just how far you can go until you TRY!

See how our photography has changed and developed over the past few years.

www.crystalimagephoto.comwww.crystalimagephoto.com

Rave Review of The Quarter! ~ Send Us Your Reviews & Get a Portrait Session!

Rave Review of The Quarter!

It’s wonderful and means so much to receive thank you notes from our customers. Below is my favorite one I that I received over the past few months.

"Crystal, as it's coming up on mine & Chris' 3rd wedding anniversary on the 17th and since then learning more about what you do .. I have to say thank you a thousand times, if not more, for putting SO much time into everything you do. I hope whoever reads this truely understands that wedding photography takes SO much time and you get what you pay for. I would spend the money again to have what all we have. Actually .. I'd pay more. Going back and looking at our wedding photos makes me feel great and I can remember everything because of two amazing photographers that captured each detail and didn't miss a thing from our day."

Beth Anne Jackson - Keysville

Send us a testimonal about your expericane with CIP and if we use it in our newsletter or blog you get a FREE PORTRAIT SESSION as our Thanks! 




Email your review to cv@crystalimagephoto.com

Wedding Photography ~ Why Choose A Professional? It's the Personality, Customer Service, & Experience

It’s All In The Personality!

It's a wedding, not a photo shoot. Personality is important. You will spend more time with the photographer than anyone else during your wedding day. If you don't think he or she is relaxed, funny, or will get along with your guests, etc., keep looking. It's nothing personal; it's just all about you. When looking at a photographer's website, I go straight to the gallery. NOT THE PRICES. Look at the photos. If you like the style, the colors, the B&Ws, the feel of the photo, then go check out the rest of the site.

Always meet with the photographer and meet with more than one photographer. This way you can compare not only their styles but most importantly their personality. (The last thing you need on your wedding day is a bossy/rude photographer!

Remember, you’re being “interviewed” too. You are not only deciding if you can work with the photographer but the more often than not the photographer is also deciding if they can work with you!

It may sound mean but, I do not accept every wedding that comes in the door. I don’t do bridezillas!

It’s Not Just the Equipment!

The camera doesn't make the photo. The photographer does. Every year I see guests showing up with amazing cameras, (I love the ones who stand right next to me and say “you have the same camera I do”) Some guests are great photographers. But you're not hiring me for my camera. Because truth be known, I can pull off an award winning image with a $600 camera just as good as I can a $6,000. 

You're hiring me for how I see a wedding. For how I feel it. For how I edit it. For my experience in knowing the pace of what will happen next, for my patience when things don’t go off on time or as planned for you and the wedding party, and the ability to adjust without flinching when something unexpected turns into something amazing.

It’s About Customer Service!

Customer service is a huge thing for me and how I run Crystal Image Photography.

My simple philosophy: Treat your customers they way you would want to be treated if you were doing business with that company.  (Now, that doesn’t mean I agree with the “customer is always right” statement.) 

I have seen it time and time again and even experienced it first hand from several local businesses their rudeness toward customers.  It is my customers who have helped make Crystal Image Photography what it is today and that I never forget!

You Get What You Pay For!

Remember, you are not just purchasing a service from a wedding photographer you are also in most cases purchasing a product.

Be sure to ask your photographer how long it takes to get your images, albums, etc. Here at Crystal Image Photography our turnaround time from the time we photograph your wedding until you see your images is 1 to 2 weeks MAX!

It was just recently that I heard a horror story of a bride not even seeing her images until 5 months after the wedding. That’s just crazy. I’m here to tell you that it does not take months and months to edit and print images.

When I heard this story I felt so sad for the bride.  She chose not to have us photograph her wedding. Why? Because of the cost, we were “too expensive”.

Expense was a issue for another couple we talked with last year. They chose to have a friend photograph their wedding for free.  Three months after the wedding they finally see their images and the bride frantically puts out a request to anyone who was at the wedding to post any wedding images because their “professional” pictures were so bad.  

When dealing with your wedding images, remember you get what you pay for or in these cases want you don’t pay for!

When deciding on a wedding photographer and a photography budget, remember, a rude photographer will only make you and your wedding party uncomfortable and a cheap photographer will produce not so great images and/or poor customer service.

When your wedding day is over, the cake and food is gone, the flowers are dead, the guests are gone and all you have left are memoires and your photographs.  

Go Get The CIP Phone App! ~ We're Now on the Android Market!

In keeping with technology and social media, earlier this year we developed and launched an app for android devices. 

Now you can download the app and keep up to date with all of our Blog, Twitter and YouTube 

post all in one place!

We are currently working on getting our Facebook Feeds posted to the app as well. In the near future we hope to start featuring some of our favorite weddings each week. 

You can download the CIP App right from your phone, tablet or other device using the Android market. Just search Crystal Image Photography on the market, download it and you're all set!

So, what are you waiting for? GO GET IT! :)