Saturday, February 6, 2010
I have two June weddings and a July wedding booked for 2011. Yippee! It’s exciting to have clients in Arkansas and Oklahoma who love my work and recognize the fact that I’m booking popular dates rather quickly.
After checking out some “professional” photos of weddings this last year on people’s social networking sites and their prints, I’m taken aback by what people consider good photography. Maybe I’m too critical because I know what “good” photos are supposed to look like, or maybe people are just trying to be polite, but if you’re shopping around for a wedding photographer I’m offering you some MORE tips to make your decision easier. You may also check out my previous posts about Choosing a Wedding Photographer Wisely and What I Think Makes a Good Photographer.
Questions to ask your potential wedding photographer:
- Are you a full-time photographer?
- How many weddings do you shoot per year?
- Is my wedding the only one you will shoot that day?
- Have you ever been published?
- What is your style? (Traditional, photojournalist…)
- Do you have a plan for getting the posed shots done in a timely manner after the ceremony?
- How will you safeguard my photos?
- How many photos on average can I expect?
- Do you offer a disc and release?
- What kind of albums do you offer?
- Are you willing to customize a package?
- What kind of corrections will be done on my photos?
- Do you have back-up equipment?
- Do you have references?
- Are there any additional charges? (travel fee?)
- Is the deposit fee an additional charge or is it coming off the balance?
- What would our payment schedule be?
Bridal Extravaganza is Sunday, the 31st of January, from 1:00-4:00. Brides get in FREE.
It’s being held at Kay Rogers Park this year due to the overwhelming crowds the last few years. The ladies at Unforgettables Wedding and Party Rentals always try to bring in the most local vendors of any bridal show, so you’ll be able to see local talent not only in photographers, but cakes, catering, wedding attire, DJs, venues….There will be BIG giveaways and fashion shows.
Lauren and Josh are a fun-loving couple. I had a great time with them yesterday. Here are a few previews of coming attractions.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Aimee & Sam have a darling baby girl, Ashlynn. She’s so adorable I could take photos of her all day if they’d let me.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Brian & Kellye !
Congratulations! I’ll be contacting you about details. Thanks and best wishes to everyone who entered!
Voting:
Our three wonderful finalist couples in the free wedding photography contest are featured below. Voting closes the 8th of November. (Extended for the couple I can’t seem to contact) You may vote on this blog in the comments section under the couples or by email. One vote per email address please. contest@charleneday.com
The voting will only last a few days, so start voting now!
On comment moderation:
We have three sweet couples who are all deserving to win this contest, and as moderator I made a judgment call late, last night to scrub some comments a little (some a lot). I saw that feelings were hurt, possibly unintentionally and I’m sure my editing of comments caused more hurt feelings. For my part I can only apologize and tell you this is my first time contest and did what I thought best at the time, even though I had some second thoughts about it this morning. So just know that no offense was intended at all on my part AND I will clean up comments down to “I vote for” in the future if I have to, so think about other’s feeling as you post your well wishes.
Thanks and good luck!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
James and Kimberly have lost loved ones and are trying to better their life though finances are tight. Here’s their story:
My Uncle James met his fiance, Kimberly, after he got out of a bad relationship and had given up on love. They say it was love at first sight and I believe them.
They’ve been through quite a lot recently and finances are very limited.
James was demoted at his job, so he got a large pay cut, and Kimberly quit her job to start going to school so they could have a better life together. She sprained her ankle at school but continued classes. They’ve both lost grandparents and other loved ones recently, including a father figure to our family.
When her nephew was set on fire in a brutal attack Kimberly was at the hospital almost every day until 2 in the morning.
Even with all this she still manages to go to school and always help people. My uncle is the same way. I think they have a hard time telling people no. They’re very generous with others. I know my aunt would love professional photography for the wedding, but with other expenses she gave up on the idea. I know both of them would be very grateful and they truly deserve it! Thank you for considering them.
Sincerely, Crystal
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Brian and Kellye have been friends from toddlerhood. Brian is going into the ministry so finances are limited for this wedding. Here’s their story:
When Brian was two years old, his father was called to a staff position in Camden, AR. There he met a little two year old girl named Kellye. Our families became friends and were together for six years, while together our children spent many hours playing and going to church together. Kellye used to sing to Brian and end each song by leaning forward and saying “kissee, kissee. She told him she was going to marry him when they grew up. Our paths did part, but our friendship remained strong. We would see each other every year or two.
When Brian was 12, his dad and I felt the Lord calling us to a full-time traveling ministry that would strengthen families. There were a lot of times that we would run into financial trials. We would teach our children how to fast and pray and let God show Himself strong on our behalf. We taught them to “seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”. At 20, Brian decided that God was calling him to get a law degree. He had a twenty year plan of what he was going to do with his life. He went to college one semester and came home saying “God has called me to preach for Him. He also felt that God had a sweet girl for him to marry. His concern was that he would not have the money to get married. We told him to seek God first.
Brian has unselfishly served the Lord, taught children character and honored his parents for many years and now God has allowed him the awesome privilege of marrying a precious young lady who has done the same. Kellye at the age of twelve told her mother that God wanted her to make some dresses for our two younger daughters, so they would have a nice dress to sing in. She even bought a dress for me. She has served her parents and younger brother and sisters for many years.
They began courting on Feb. 14th. Brian asked her to marry him in Aug. We have encouraged him to go ahead by faith and watch the Lord provide for their every need. They have seen the Lord open many doors of opportunity in housing and furniture, and now a chance for beautiful pictures to remember one of their most treasured times of their lives.
Brian and Kellye both know that God has called to serve Him as a ministry team. That means a path that is sometimes hard and financially challenging. But, they are committed to seeking Him first and watching for His provision.
Kellye has told my daughter that Brian is every thing she has prayed for and dreamed of. Brian and Kellye are eagerly awaiting Jan 16th. They will stand with seven of their friends and start their own “household of faith” and share their first kiss.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Anthony and Lauren have a stretched budget and a new baby in the house. Here’s their story:
Like many other couples, my fiance and I are doing all that we can to make our wedding as beautiful and affordable as possible!
As the bride it is customary for my parents to fit a majority of the bill for the wedding. I have found many locations in my area that are beautiful, but most certainly NOT affordable. My father recently lost his job, a job that he had maintained for 24 years, due to lay-offs. He is now working a temporary job, but at a salary that is greatly reduced from his previous position. My mom has been fortunate to have a relatively stable job at a good company. However, as with most families, money is tight. In addition, my parents have recently begun helping take care of a young man that has a disfortunate family life. Along with my brother, there are now two teenage boys at my parents’ house that they are feeding and caring for. If you know anything about teenage boys and their appetites, then you know what kind of a financial burden that can be!
My fiance and I would love to help out with the costs of the wedding, but we are in a tough financial position ourselves. I am currently an unemployed college student, and we are living on my fiance’s income alone. We are currently living in a remodeled garage/apartment of his parents’, and this past August received the blessing of our little baby boy, Lain Anthony. The remodel of the garage/apartment along with the unplanned pregnancy put a strain on both our relationship and our finances! We feel that these challenges have made our relationship just that much stronger, but planning a wedding on such a limited budget has been quite a challenge!
Thank you very much for considering us as the recipients of your generous gift. We are already truly blessed, and would consider ourselves all the more so if we are chosen!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
This is one special lady. She’s been through a lot in her young life.
She’s pretty wonderful and her family and friends are all proud of her.
