Category Archives: Weddings & Elopements

Styled Shoots Across America

 

Styled Shoots Across America

Styled Shoots Across America Conference – Dreamboat Shoot – Model Nicole Kirksey

 

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Texas for a conference specifically for wedding photographers at the coveted and Pinterest-worthy White Sparrow Barn. The lineup of speakers was out of this world with perspectives ranging from high end florists to world-renowned photographers and PR gurus. Those sessions alone were worth crossing four states, but the icing on the cake was the array of styled photography sessions with dreamy scenes and professional models that set the stage to capture a portfolio most photographers can only dream of. As 150 photographers broke out into groups to photograph the variety of stations over the two days, out walked this sassy lass who melted lenses with one stare. Obviously, most brides are not professional models and get a little nervous when a camera is in their face–totally understandable! It’s not every day that you’re the center of attention with paparazzi…unless of course, it’s your wedding day. Part of my job as a wedding photographer is to make the bride feel comfortable and enjoy the fabulous day that she worked so hard to prepare and waited so long for. That was the beauty of this styled shoot–since it was a faux wedding with faux brides sans normal wedding day jitters and pressures. Not this fabulous smile. This was my first experience delving into the world of styled shoots designed for publications, and I hope to have many, many more in my future. What fun!

 

*****

VENDORS

#SSAACONFERENCE

Host: Styled Shoots Across America (Instagram; @styledshootsacrossamerica)

Planning & Design: Heather Benge Events (Instagram: @heatherbengeevents)

Venue: The White Sparrow (Instagram: @thewhitesparrow)

Stationery: Brown Fox Creative (Instagram: @brownfoxcreative)

Hair & Makeup: Sunkissed & Madeup (Instagram: @sunkissedandmadeup)

Gowns: Impression Bridal (Instagram: @impressionbridalstore)

Florals: Details Dallas (Instagram: @detailsdallasflorals) | Intrique Designs (@intriquedesigns) | Flower Shack Blooms (Instagram: @flowershackblooms) | Sweet Southern Charm (Instagram: @southerncharmcolorado)

Rentals: Big D Party Rentals (Instagram: @bigdpartyrentals)

Shoes: David Tutera Footwear (Instagram: @davidtuterafootwear)

Vintage Furniture & Rentals: Love Birds Vintage (Instagram: @lovebirdsvintage) | Gold Dust Vintage (Instagram: @golddustvintagerentals)

Linens: Nuage Designs (Instagram: @nuagedesigns)

Cakes: Iced N Frosted (Instagram: @icednfrostedhouston) | Moonlight Cakes (Instagram: @moonlightcakes)

Wooden & Acrylic Signs: Blissfully Inspired (Instagram: @blissfullyinspired)

Veils: Kathryn Ann Bridal (Instagram: @kathrynannbridal)

Floral Lollipops: Flour & Fig (Instagram: @flourandfig)

Models:

– Monday: Halie Gibbs & Boyfriend (@haliegibbs) | Ashley Sherrell (@ashley_sherrell) | Maria Carr (@mariiaaa_7) | Nicole Kirksey

 – Tuesday: Rebecca Adames (redreb0211) | Maria Carr (@mariiaaa_7) | Luisa & Douglas Manning (@luisas.secret) | Cindy & Joseph Woodard (@cindynhuvo)

A Kiss for the Father of the Bride

Bride giving a kiss on the cheek to the father of the bride

A Kiss for the Father of the Bride

I live for smoochie photos. Throughout the course of the day, I tend to heckle my bride and groom. I actually heckle everyone, so teasing is just part of what I do. Do not hire me as your photographer if you do not want to play on your wedding day. For this particular father-daughter duo there was a special kiss for the father of the bride.

On that note, some of my favorite shots to get during a wedding day are kissie shots between family members. I understand how that can sound weird, but bear with me. I love pecks on the cheeks. There are very few moments in life where professional photos are a part of the day and I figure if you can’t laugh and show affection on a wedding day, when the heck can you?  I also realize that this is not especially a traditional thing that comes natural in most family dynamics, hence a little heckling and encouragement from the photographer. I may get hesitancy and eyerolls, but there are always smiles and moments of joy. There’s nothing better than getting a thank you note from an appreciative bride and groom for a day filled with moments they can treasure and put on their mantle.

You May Kiss The Bride

You May Kiss The Bride - Bride and groom kissing in front of an old barn at sunset

You May Kiss the Bride

 

You may now kiss the bride. These are the words and the most anticipated moment of the day. The kiss is what seals the contract. It’s what makes the vows real and final. I love kissing. I love kissing and being kissed, and I love being a part of someone’s special day where the highlight is that magic kiss.

This bride and groom tied the knot on a winter day where the bitter cold is not reflected in the photo and hidden from the lens. Nevertheless, they were game for playing in the field and sneaking away for a few private “bride & groom” moments during sunset. Sunset was happening a little faster than I had anticipated and although I had a specific shot I wanted to get closer to the barn, we were losing the light and were not going to get there fast enough. With not a moment to lose, I stopped them dead in their tracks and said, “We’re doing it here.” Not a moment too soon, with seconds left in the sunset the smooch was on. Yes, you may now kiss the bride! 

Hide-e-holes

couple kissing behind ironwork heart

Most photographers have their favorite locations and go-to poses that make for tried-and-true photos that clients love. I have mine. At a certain bed and breakfast in Southern Colorado lies a corner with a hide-e-hole that I almost always stick my couples in. This corner is one of my favorites to shoot elopements–it’s a hot tub canopy that has curlie-cue ironwork detail that is perfect for some playful moments. It’s kind of like my own personal version of mistletoe.

Just the Two of Us

Elopement couple cuddling

Just the Two of Us

Just the two of us moments.

These are the moments that make wedding photography worth it. My favorite moment of a wedding day is stealing the couple immediately after the ceremony and sneaking away from all things bridal party and any attendee peeping eyes to allow the newlyweds 5-10 minutes by themselves. Of course this makes me one of the most hated photographers by the attendees with cell phones and iPads, but it is in this very sensitive window that the smiles are as genuine and loving as they get. It is in these moments that things are whispered for only their ears, panic and stress have been traded for relief and joy. These are the moments that make the best wedding photos. These are the moments that make memories. I love whisking them away for a private snuggle and blending into the background and giving them a few minutes to feel like they are the only two people in the world. It is worth it. Every time.