Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Christmas Gift - Melissa @ just 6 days

About 4 yrs ago we were chosen to photography Kate and Andrew's wedding. Then this week we were honored to have them call us to provide the first professional photos of their new Christmas gift, Melissa. I'm not sure Melissa enjoyed her first opportunity to be a model but I think she is beautiful and we were able to capture some very nice shots of her. I joked as we were leaving that I would still always remember her like she is in the last 2 photos here on the blog. Welcome to the world Miss Melissa and congratulations to Kate and Andrew.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Alicia and Steve at Texas A&M University

Lets start with WOW what a great couple. Kind and gentle with each other and they love to laugh. We met them at the George Bush Presidential Library at A&M on a very chilly Sunday morning in December. You can't tell but Alicia is covered in goose bumps! She was glad when we finished with her first outfit and she could change into a sweater and jeans. We had a great time roaming around the campus taking pictures. A&M is filled with tradition and we heard many stories as we walked around. We visited the century tree and paid tribute to their Aggie rings. Looking forward to this couples wedding!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Perrin at 1 year

We called Perrin a Gerber Baby. Look at those eyes! Such a sweet boy and a joy to his parents. Mom and Dad were married for 10 years before trying to a child and then it took them 9 years! A miracle baby. We are so pleased they found us and we could celebrate Perrin's first birthday through pictures.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Here are the top 10 reasons to have a photographer staffed live photo booth at your wedding!

1. J. Mark Photography provides it FREE. You bring the guests and we bring added entertainment. We have decided it really should call it a FUN booth.
2. Live Photo booths are an easy way to capture all of your guests having a fantastic time at your wedding! Little ones, your friends, your parents and your grandparents will have a fabulous time! And you have a lasting memory of them! It is even entertainment for everyone watching the action!
3. Some of the guests at your reception may not be the "Dancing Queen" type…so they might not get photographed out on the floor…but get them in the fun booth, and they will cut loose!
4. You are absolutely going to love it!
5. Your Bridal Party is going to love it!
6. You can email each of your guests a picture as a favor. No need to spend money on favors. Just have a email sign up sheet available at the booth.
7. If there is a lull in the excitement…its a perfect place to gather up all your gal pals from your sorority or your buddies from college to snap a few!
8. A year after your wedding…you can look through these fun booth images and remember what an amazing time you had!
9. Not crazy about the props? Just have a portrait station and have a picture of each guest!
10. Did we mention we provide this at no additional cost?

7 Things You Should Consider on Your Wedding Day.

Mark and I have written about some of these tips in previous blog entries, but since we see the same issues frequently we decided to do a refresher.

1. Wedding gown problems.

At almost every wedding we have ever photographed the bride has had problems with her bustle. We have photographed over 200 weddings and this happens very often. Some times it is a quick redo of a hook and sometimes it is a broken tie or a tear. Wedding gowns are so heavy that there is often nothing that can be done with safety pins. If someone steps on the back of your gown while you are dancing it’s going to come undone. However, if you know you like to dance and are planning on being a part of all the action, (which we hope you are!) we suggest telling your bridal shop to put some extra hooks on your bustle. Plus, make sure it does not drag the ground and easily stepped on.

2. Flowers that hide too much of your gown.

Photographing a bride on her wedding day is one of the most important assignments a photographer has. Bouquets can easily obscure the beautiful gowns because they may be too large. We can have them positioned properly for the formal posed photographs, but for many key moments through-out the day they are held too high and they hide way too much of the dress. Two examples of this would be; walking down the aisle at your ceremony and being introduced at your reception. If you love the idea of having a large bouquet of flowers, remember to practice holding your flowers low as you’re walking. You’ll be glad you did when you see your photographs.
3. Seeing “you” during the ceremony.

We personally like veils. They’re fun to photograph, they blow in the wind, and they add a classic look to a contemporary gown. But they can hide your face. You are saying your vows and exchanging rings - but no one can see you face or expression! Everyone is wondering is she: crying, smiling, laughing, or all the above? It’s a wonderful moment in your life. You invite everyone that is special to you in the whole world to witness this moment - and they can’t see your face. They can usually see the groom fine, because his face isn’t covered. The same thing can happen with a hairstyle that hides the right side of your face. Remember that the bride will be on the left side during the ceremony and the right side of your face will be what everyone gets to see, or not!
4. Having a friend take your photographs.

This might be the biggest of them all. We have heard at least 100 times "Oh, I have a friend that has volunteered to be our photographer. He is an amateur but he is good." Mark recently helped out a bride with an amateur taking the pictures. The photo's were out of focus, blown out and you could tell the equipment was substandard. Mark did what he could to repair the photos, but at that point "it is what it is". This is why a good photographer is so important. You will want to be able to relive all those wonderful moments that made your day so special. Do not leave those memories to a friend. You only get one shot at great pictures. Select us or don't... but select a professional.

5. Not scheduling enough time for photo's.

For some reason, this seems to be the last thing a bride thinks about. Talk to us. We have many suggestions for effective use of your time that will get you to your guests - as soon as possible, It is easy to build in plenty of time for your pictures. It just takes a little bit of pre planning.
6. Kids at weddings.

This is a tough one! We were parents of small children at one time. If you ask most parents if they would enjoy your wedding reception more if their young children weren’t there, they would probably say yes most of the time. Children do have a lot of fun at weddings and enjoy their role as ring bearer or flower girl. But, they should not dominate the party and take away from the Bride and Groom...like roaming on to the dance floor during the first dance. If you decide to have children at your reception, we have a few suggestions and tips. Naps and sleep are really important for young children. Rehearsals are important for the child so they understand what they need to do - but the rehearsal dinner is not. Take the child home for a good nights sleep. Snacks in a zip-lock bag, (they open quietly), juice boxes, (apple not grape!) a coloring book with crayons (not markers) in a goody bag with books will go a long way to keep the kids busy. Have your reception hall get their meals to them right away. Have your band or DJ play a few kids’ songs during dinner and if possible, have someone take them home early so mom & dad can have some fun.

7. Not visiting your guests as a couple.

We have seen couples separate when greeting family and friends. We suggest you stay together. This way you can be introduced to each other's friends and family that you might not have met and will still be available to move the reception along for first dances, toasts, cake cutting etc. No lost bride or groom this way. We have found that the action is where the couple is. You want your guests to dance... be out there together on the dance floor!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Callie and Joshua at the Headliners Club, Austin, TX

The Headliners Club sits on the 21st floor of the Chase Tower and got its name from the Headliners, movers and shakers that attend events at this by invitation only private club. It has been the location for debutante balls to political gatherings and now Callie and Joshua's spectacular wedding. The Headliners Club was all decked out for Christmas and simply beautiful. Use of the entire floor gave them room for a bride's room, groom's room, ceremony, lobby cocktail hour, reception, photo booth and formal pictures in front of a beautiful Christmas tree. Callie gave Joshua the most romantic gift that I have ever seen.... a pipe wrench (smile). Josh said he will think of Callie every time he uses it. Joshua is a plumber and Callie a manager at Bill Millers BBQ. Callie's signature item was a horseshoe which she incorporated into her jewelry, cake, and ornament favors. The girls were wore red dresses to match the Christmas theme. Happy families and warm toasts. The day ended with an exit to bubbles and a ride in a horse drawn carriage around the downtown area. Lovely wedding - Thanks for including us.