Monthly Archives: January 2010

The First Look

PinExt The First Look: Scottsdale Arizona wedding and portrait photographer

When it comes to weddings, there are so many great parts and it’s hard to choose a favorite. The more and more weddings I’ve been to as a photographer though has made it completely clear that my favorite part is when a couple opts in to having a First Look. The First Look is when a couple agrees to see each other in private before the ceremony with only the photographer present. Seeing each other for the first time is one of the most intimate and special parts of a wedding day, and although the traditional way to do it is in front of all of your guests, I’ve really fallen in love with First Looks. Every bride and groom I’ve talked to who have done this were SO glad they did because it helped calm their nerves, gave them private time with their future spouse, and made for some beautiful photographs! They also said that seeing each other down the aisle was still just as special but they were able to appreciate their guests and the environment and soak it all in more than they would if they were seeing each other for the first time. Wedding days go by so quickly. Sometimes being able to pause for a moment turns into the most precious part of the day. I know for sure that at my wedding I will be a ball of nerves and seeing my groom before all the commotion starts will be so amazing! (Not to mention that it’s great as a photographer to have time alone with the couple before things are rushed!) At the last wedding I went to, Juli and Chris opted to have a first look as you may remember. I almost had tears in my eyes when they saw each other!! They both started crying and it was just so perfect. Here are a few photos from it:

blank The First Look: Scottsdale Arizona wedding and portrait photographer

blank The First Look: Scottsdale Arizona wedding and portrait photographer

I encourage all of you future brides to really consider having a First Look be part of your wedding day! You will thank yourself in the end and you will have one happy photographer too!

I don’t like the mold.

PinExt I dont like the mold.: Scottsdale Arizona wedding and portrait photographer

I’ve never really thought I was the kind to fit into certain molds. I always felt a little bit different growing up, and I’ve learned to accept that. :) Recently, I’ve felt like there is this “photographer” mold I’ve been trying to squeeze myself into. I made this blog to be all about my business and to showcase the work I do when I’m hired by my wonderful clients. It was to be professional, and mostly just about work. Well…I don’t really like that approach anymore. I want this blog to really be about me as a person and as a photographer. I want potential clients to hire me, not just hire the images, if that makes sense. I’ve been reading some really great business books lately and all of them have challenged the reader to realize what makes them different from the “competition.” I was really struggling to realize that one thing that makes me different because I was looking for a small thing. It just took some time to realize the thing that makes me different is that there is no one else out there who is exactly me. I may still be on my journey of figuring out who exactly that is, but from what I know so far, I’ve never really met someone who is as weird/unique/passionate about certain things as me. For my future brides and clients, I want this blog to show my true personality and my life for what it is. I’m hoping that you’ll find something here to connect with me about so that after you are my client, we will continue our relationship as friends. From now on, I’m hoping that this blog will be the home to all of my professional work, my personal photography projects (something I want to work on more this year as another 2010 goal,) and a place for you to get to know me and what makes me who I am. I’d love your feedback and if you want to ask me questions about anything at all, visit my formspring!

Here’s a little peek into my life and what January is unfortunately like in the desert! I’m definitely jealous of those of you with snow, rain, or really anything but sun!!

blank I dont like the mold.: Scottsdale Arizona wedding and portrait photographer

So…do you like it??

PinExt So...do you like it??: Scottsdale Arizona wedding and portrait photographer

…My new blog, I mean! I sure do. Last week I decided to take the plunge and purchase a ProPhoto blog. I’m so in love with it now!! I’m not really sure how I got by without it before. This blog is the easiest thing to customize with no coding (my old blog took 20+ hours of me working in code just to get it looking like what I wanted, cause I’m so not good with that stuff!) It’s amazing and I would recommend it to anyone! If you’re a photographer, or anyone else looking for a sweet awesome blog, I’d definitely say look into ProPhoto.

Here’s a little video to sell you on the greatness:

Also, I have a discount code that will get you $10 off of the price! Just enter: ALLSWS485 before you purchase!

I don’t think that I could say enough good things about the product and the people over at ProPhoto. They are so friendly and the customer support is incredible!

I’d love to hear what you all think about the new look in the comments section below :)

Happy Wednesday!!