To All My Sisters Out There: Floral Design

One of the things that brides often ask about, is floral design. Who do I like working with? What looks best? To be perfectly honest, every bride is so different,  I could never say what looks best. Each wedding is unique to itself, and the floral design usually echoes the style of couple perfectly.

And, that's what I love about my job. I don't have to be the amazing designer behind the floral work, I just get to take photos of the beautiful art.

So this post showcases a few talented vendors and some of the beautiful work we captured this past wedding season. By no means does it showcase all of the vendors that I love, just a few who stood out last season. Hopefully their work will inspire you and help you in the planning process.

Feel free to check out our friends below. They would love to hear from you: Melinda with M Creations Pam with Cambray Rose Florist Seasons Floral Design, Napa

So thankful to work with such talented people. Have a great Thursday everyone! K

Love how Lacey included these photos of some very special people in her bouquet.

Our Wedding Photography Story

I shared this post almost two years ago, but wanted to repost this today for many of you as you sift through the many ideas and dreams that come with wedding planning: Back in 2004, when I was engaged and planning my wedding, I did not make photography a priority. I know, so crazy huh? If you know anything about me, I am super practical. I had a budget for our wedding and in my logical mind, photography had to fit in that budget, no matter what the cost: even if the cost meant giving up my dream of having amazing wedding photos that would last the rest of my life.

No one told me to think about this differently.

So, I hired a friend. Someone who loved photography, had a great camera and the best of intentions. This person was excited for the opportunity and I was excited about the price break. Can you even believe I said that? Yes, it was true. I wouldn't have to break the bank for wedding photos and that made me and my family happy.

But not forever.

While I am so thankful for the hard work that our photographer put into on our wedding day, he lacked some very important things. Important things that make a huge difference. Important skills that would have given me wedding photos I would hang on my wall for decades to come.

I made the wrong choice.

Looking back, I don't regret very much about the choices we made for our wedding day. I don't regret anything about the decor or the food or the drinks. I don't regret anything about the people or the time of year. Kenny and I got married -- we had our family and friends around us and we had an incredible wedding day. But I do regret this: I regret that we don't have amazing photos to help us remember the day. I regret that we don't have beautiful portraits to display around our home.

I wish someone would have told me.

So I encourage you to learn from our mistake. Don't simply dismiss a photographer because of price. Meet with that photographer. See if you truly appreciate their work, and be convinced that this vendor is worth investing in. I would have worked ten, twenty, fifty more shifts to earn my wedding photos. I would have compromised something else to pay for amazing and lifelong wedding photos.

I really wish I would have invested in a good photographer.

That's our story. I hope it is helpful and thought provoking for you. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Wednesday friends! K and K

And as for photos -- we took this on Sunday evening in San Diego, where we attended a wedding :) That's right, we were guests and we had a blast!!

Guest Post, Katie Campbell: On Makeup

While being with my family this week, I asked my sweet friend, Katie, to write a blog post. Katie and I have known one another since Junior High.  We went to the same church, high school and then ten years later, we both lived in Portland. She is like a sister to me.  Katie and I both began our photography businesses in the same year. We are both married to pastors and we both love Starbucks. She is so talented and sweet and I know that she is making a difference in this world.  Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here today. I just love you Katie! Ok, and is she just the cutest?

As a photographer one thing that has become a vital part of my photo experience and shooting style is professional makeup. Several months ago I teamed up with the fabulous Courtney Rogers of Human Beauty to help work with my clients. I knew I wanted to work with Courtney because I loved her makeup style and overall feel. When she works with women she is so genuine. Makeup for courtney isn’t just the outer beauty but rather, who you are as person. That’s why I adore her!!

I also think it’s so important to find a makeup artist who is good fit for your shooting style and esthetic. I love Courtney and how flawless her makeup is upon completion. She does a great job enhancing features and drawing out natural beauty.

Before heading out to get professional photos I personally think finding a good makeup artist to do your makeup before pictures truly makes or breaks great pictures. When you feel confident as a person you feel confident in front of the camera. I think every woman holds her head a little higher once she gets professional makeup done. Getting your hair and makeup done enhances the overall picture experience If you are a getting married, getting your engagement pictures done, or even for senior pictures I HIGHLY suggest finding a great makeup artist to work with. You won’t regret it.

Below are some before and after sessions that Courtney and I worked on together. It's so fun to see the transformation

Chapelle De L'artiste Wedding and Lovely Layers Cake and Blue Shoes

I am editing a wedding right now that was full of details. Everything planned so well and among the common theme was the color blue. It made me realize that a well thought out day makes a good end story. For all of us. So here's my quick thought for the day. Before you invest in a bunch of details, think about what your common theme will be. Whether it is a color or a style, if you know and can stay true to that, then the planning process may just be easier for you.

And you will love the end result, the design of your wedding day will be beautiful and cohesive. Who would have known that shoes could complement a cake so well? (and wait until you see how the rest of these details came together)

Happy planning friends! I hope to share so much more from this wedding soon.

Emily, with Lovely Layers Cakes, handcrafted this beautiful cake.

To All My Sisters Out There: Bouquets

Well it is here -- wedding season is upon us and every time around this year, I am reminded of how beautiful flowers really are. And the floral creations from Saturday's wedding were among the prettiest. As you prepare for your wedding, consider what kind of statement your flowers will make. Some brides choose pops of color that complement their overall look and others choose very subtle whites to work together with their look. Either way, try not to overlook these details. I wrote a more thorough blog post on flowers last spring and you can read that by clicking here.

A brief look at last week's bouquets: They were really stunning. The designer of this work was Sunshine Flowers out of Martinez, California. I would highly recommend their work if you are planning a wedding in the Bay Area.

The Bride's Bouquet was beautiful.

The bouquet for the Maid of Honor had just enough differences to really stand out.

Chico Wedding Photographer: To All My Sisters Out There

I LOVE it when our clients send us an invitation to their wedding. Seriously, it makes my day! And, I keep all of them just as a reminder of how blessed I am to work with some of the most amazing couples in the world :) This week, I received this invitation in the mail and had to share it (with permission from the couple :)) It reminded me of how much creativity and personalization goes into a wedding. I am constantly inspired by the details that our couples choose to implement into their day. And this invitation goes to show just how much of a statement the little details can make. Ok, and I may be a little biased seeing as their color schemes match our brand :)

As I was thinking through this blog post, I realized that it has been over seven years since I designed our wedding invitations. So, in keeping things fresh, I asked Kelsey and Stephen to share a bit about their own process of creating this beautiful invitation.

From the very beginning of our engagement, Stephen and I knew that we wanted to put love, thought and energy into our wedding invitations. Paper crafting is one of my favorite hobbies, so the task was definitely an exciting one for me! However, the process of actually finding the right design was much longer and more laborious than I thought! We wanted something that reflected our style and the vibe of our wedding--something unique and fun. After spending hours upon hours on various wedding invitation websites, we finally found one that was just perfect! But that was only the beginning. I then began to work on designing some RSVP, accommodation, and registry cards that would go with the invitation we had chosen. I had also seen really cute things done with baker's twine, and a friend had designed us a monogram stamp, so it was like a puzzle trying to piece together all of the elements into one invitation. But the best part about the invitations was the loving help I received from some of the ladies I work with on our Chico State Campus Crusade for Christ staff team (and my future cousin-in-law!). I am so thankful for all the time they put into working on the invitations, even doing all the intricate cutting by hand. It was so much fun to see the invitations come together, and by the time I had addressed and stamped the last one, it felt like quite the accomplishment! The process of creating these invitations involved a lot of love, conversation and laughter, and that is exactly the thing I want to share with every person who opens one.

Planning a wedding can definitely be a lot of work, but I love that the possibilities for creativity are endless. And, I know that there are so many people willing to jump in and help. A big thanks to Kelsey and Stephen for showcasing that today!

Oh yes, and many thanks to Love vs. Design for helping Kelsey and Stephen implement this creativity into their invitation.

Have a great weekend friends!

Don't you just love these details?

To All My Sisters Out There: Accessories

Since working in the photography industry, I have become a little more interested in fashion. I will be honest -- I am not very fashionable. I prefer sweats and t-shirts. Infact, I am currently wearing my sweats as I write this to you :) I will say that deep down, I want to have some sort of style. It's a puzzle, and I am always trying to figure out just what that is for me. I will let you know if I ever figure it out... One of the things that I tend to swoon over, although not always purchase, is jewelery and accessories. I actually really encourage my clients to accessorize their outfits. Jewelery adds another layer to portraits and it tells us a little more about a person; their preferences, style and even quirks. I don't know, you may disagree, but as an artist, I love it!

And thanks to my very stylish sister, I have added a few more of these elements to my wardrobe. They are showcased below, in an effort to inspire you.

Cheers to the weekend! Maybe you will find yourself in the accessories aisle at Target this weekend. Who knows, maybe I will see you there :)

And yes, I do kind of have a fetish for big, funky rings. Believe it or not, Kenny picked this one out :)

To All My Sisters Out There: A Post on Perfume

Something to consider on your wedding day is what kind of perfume you will wear. Is it the same kind that you have worn throughout your dating relationship? Will you choose something different and new for your wedding day? Either way, I say don't forget this special detail. Perfume has been around since the ancient times. I did some research for this post and it was quite interesting to read about the history of fragrances. You see, scent, paricularly the scent of perfume, can do a number of things for the human psyche. Obviously it creates desire, as a smell can definitely stir all sorts of emotions. But you know what else I discovered? There is a strong connection between fragrances and memory. The perfume worn on your wedding day, will actually become a memory, a memory of scent. It is much like the connection between the smell of homemade cookies. For me, this brings back memories of my childhood, as my Mom loved to bake. A groom will not forget the perfume you wear. And everytime he senses that perfume, he will be reminded of the memory of your wedding day.

I know, kind of crazy post, huh? For me, I just think it is special when a bride prepares to see her groom and gives attention to the smallest of details, including the perfume that she will wear. These things are thoughtful. And the perfume becomes nostalgic. It is a scent that your husband will remember for years to come.

So I say, go ahead and parouse the cosmetic counters next time you are at Nordstrom. Splurge on a special perfume for your wedding day. And after you do, I will be there to capture that perfume so that it can be a photographic memory as well. Because let's be honest, I also happen to love photographing a bride's perfume of choice.

Cheers to Tuesday! Have a great day friends!

To All My Sisters Out There: The Smallest of Details

Hey Friends -- Quick post today, as I am just working away. Oh yes, and let's not forget, that my sister is going to have a baby any day. So perhaps my brain is on excitement overload, making it much harder to concentrate on these blog posts. As a wedding photographer, I continue to see that the smallest of details matter. While it is certainly my job to be creative and set the scene for the extraordinary; sometimes I find a bride has gone the extra mile in considering so many of her details. Here is an example below. The bride had ordered a custom hanger for her wedding dress and it made a world of difference in her photos. A tiny detail like this, will give such personalized character to your photos. Photos with this kind of detail are also perfect for wedding albums. I just love it.

In your wedding planning, perhaps you can find a few extra moments to consider the small things. And in case any of you want to know how to order these: here is a link to an etsy site for you!

Cheers to Wednesday! Wow, this week is flying by! Thank you again to the best of clients and friends!

To All My Sisters Out There: Your Wedding Day Shoe

When I saw on my calendar, that today was going to be a "To All My Sisters Out There" post, I knew exactly what I would write. When you see the pair of shoes below, you will know exactly why I was inspired. I like shoes. I don't own a lot of shoes, but I love to photograph shoes. So, I am already biased as I write this post. Every weddding, I look forward to photographing a bride's shoes. Give me a good pair of heels to photograph, and I am all over it. They make for beautiful photos and a perfect addition to a wedding album.

Ok, now that we got that out of the way, let me tell you why I think a bride should give thought to her pair of shoes.

When I meet with a bride, we often chat about their wedding day vision. And along with this, what is their personal style -- what kind of dress will they be wearing, will they wear a veil, and what kind of accessories will they choose. Then we get to the shoes. I don't know why, but there is something about shoes that makes women swoon. We get all giddy. This is the point in my meetings, where most women, bust out their iphone and show me a photo of the shoes they have chosen for their big day.

And so this tells me something. It tells me that the shoe a bride chooses, has significance to her. It is her way of sharing more of her personality and style. I have never photographed the same shoe, and so perhaps this is why they are an important part of a wedding day. The pair of heels or shoes that a bride chooses, are certainly unique and telling.

In the end, I realize that it is just a pair of shoes. And while these are small details to a wedding day, it is still once in a lifetime. So consider what story your pair of shoes will tell.

Cheers to the Thursday! And the fact that I now want to wear heels tonight!

PS: Don't you love this bride's choice of shoes?

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Lately I have been meeting with quite a few couples, and I have begun to wonder how I could help more -- how can I help people make a good decision about their wedding photography? And when I say that, I do not assume that we are the best choice for everyone, because we aren't. There are so many choices and good choices. So what are some helpful things for couples to discern about the wedding photographers that they meet with. How can they make the best choice for themselves? I would say more than anything -- make sure the photographer is a professional. Ask them about their work, look at their photos. View a variety of their photos to see how they look in different situations, are they consistently producing high quality images? Interview them about their experience.

Once you are able to discern whether or not a photographer has the experience that you want, then I would say the second most important thing to determine, is whether or not this photographer makes you comfortable. Do you get along well with them and do you think that they will be able to put you at ease on your wedding day? A photographer spends a great deal of time with you on your wedding day and it is important that they are someone who you would want to invite into that day. Can you envision this photographer as part of your day? Kenny and I love the relationships that we get to build because of our work. You almost want your photographer to feel like a friend. At least that is how we want our clients to feel -- because this will give them the freedom to be themselves.

Obviously photographers have different styles, and you will see that, in the images that they produce. So make sure that their work matches what you envision as an end product. Also, does the kind of work they do, have a timeless value to it -- so that in ten years you will still love your photos?

Perhaps there is more I could say on this subject. Perhaps there is less I could say. I want the kind of clients who cannot wait to see what images we produce and trust us to the fullest. At the end of the day, if you can feel this way about the photographer you choose, then that is certainly the right choice for you.

Cheers to decision making (which I am slowly improving on). And because I am steadily working on this wedding, I thought I would show you at least one more photo -- because I can hardly wait!

To All My Sisters Out There: Where to Start....

In cased you missed the first edition, a few months ago, here is a link that explains what is behind these posts: To All My Sisters Out There... Today, I wanted to chat really quickly about wedding planning. Perhaps this is because I just arrived home from the Chico Bridal Showcase and have a lot of thoughts. Which I just have to say -- Kenny and I had a blast meeting so many of you! Maybe it is because of our love for people and passion for photography --yesterday we got the best of both worlds!

Anyway, all of this, made me think about the process of planning a wedding. There are so many things to to think about and so many options. Where does one even start? I would say before you can even begin to book your vendors, it is such a good idea to come up with a vision for your wedding day. Think about what is most important to you about the event.

Here is a bit of a process that Kenny and I went through to plan our wedding.

To me, my marriage to Kenny was unequivocally (is that even a word) more important than the wedding day event, but that didn't mean that we lacked dreams for our wedding day. Weddings are once in a lifetime and for us, that day was so important. As we began to dream about our wedding day, we had a few thoughts (Ok, I had thousands of thoughts, but I will save those for a later post :) )

We wanted people to know they were loved and appreciated. We wanted to have fun and laugh a lot. We wanted the day to be beautiful. So we began to put those thoughts on paper and came up with somewhat of a plan for our day. It was a threefold vision for us, that kind of looked like this: 1. Appreciation for our friends and family 2. Fun 3. Beautiful

So that became a starting point for us. Who we were going to hire, what our venue was going to be, what colors we would choose, all depended on whether or not that helped us achieve our goal above. I make it sound so simple huh? I think the hardest part is making decisions to support your goals.

Well -- perhaps this is helpful. I say dream and enjoy the process. Remember that the end result is a beautiful marriage. Surround yourself with people that will support that to the utmost!

Cheers to Wedding Plans! K

And because this couple had dreams of a beach wedding -- I am pretty sure their decision to wear boat shoes, even went along with that.

To All My Sisters Out There: Wearing a Veil

In ancient culture, a wedding veil was worn by a bride to signify many things. Some cultures believed that the veil would ward off evil and was worn to protect a woman. Other cultures believed that the veil was a sign of modesty and morality. Still, other people groups, wore the veil to signify submission to the husband. At the end of a ceremony, the groom would lift the veil, as the first sign of headship to his family. Today,the decision to wear a veil, is usually based on personal choice, rather than tradition. Similar to how a wedding gown reveals the uniqueness of a bride, so too can a veil. I encourage my brides to find a veil that compliments their style and gown choice. A veil really is a stunning and unique accessory to a gown. It photographs beautifully and adds another dimension to portraits.

While I say all of this, there are also many brides who choose not to wear a veil. I think that even this choice, shows us something about that bride's style and personality.

The goal in this post, is not to sway you one way or the other. Rather to give you some food for thought. It is so fun for a bride to see the components of her wedding day come together -- including her gown and accessories. Look at photos and magazines and envision what you see yourself choosing. More than any thing, I hope you will find joy in giving thought to all these things. And at the end of the day, remember what really matters most is your marriage.

Cheers to engagements and wedding planning!

The same veil from above, added to the dimension of this photo...

These are some beautiful styles..

Both these brides chose not to wear a veil, and complimented their look with something totally different and equally as stunning.

To All My Sisters Out There: What Happens When I Stand in Line at the Grocery Store

It happened last Monday. While standing in line to pay for my groceries, I got very distracted by the magazines. Now, that is not something that usually happens to me. Usually, I am just trying to decide which pack of gum to purchase. This time, however, it was the bridal magazines that really got me. Before I knew it, I wasn't just browsing, a magazine was placed on top of my groceries and purchased :) As I later parused the pages of The Knot, Northern California, I came across an awesome article. It is about photography and I think you will appreciate it. I WISH I would have come across the article while planning my wedding. It is so helpful.

The article is titled, 17 Tips for Perfect Pictures by Lisa Freedman. If you click here, it will take you to the PDF copy of this article. Enjoy and I would love to hear your thoughts on this one...

Another beautiful wedding coming tomorrow on this blog... And because we all love photos... here is one more from Chris and Mallory's wedding...

To All My Sisters Out There: The Powder Room

Well this is long overdue -- another installment of To All My Sisters Out There. Thanks for your patience as the wedding season has made my life a bit crazy lately. Today, I am thrilled to showcase The Powder Room -- a beauty bar in downtown Chico. The concept here is makeup and skin care in a boutique fashion. When clients walk in, they are greeted with a beautiful design and served well. The Powder Room works with many brides and bridal parties, so I thought this was fitting for this post. I believe that makeup design can be a sweet part of your wedding day look and finding a good artist, who understands your desires, is really important.

Ashley, is the owner of The Powder Room and so I asked her to share briefly her perspective on the way that this brand serves the wedding industry.

Ashley first said that Brides incur a lot of stress (even good stress) and tension leading up to their wedding day. This where she comes in: On the day of the wedding, it is her desire to make those moments enjoyable, relaxing, and the most beautiful that a bride can have. She takes careful attention to consult with her brides before and so the day of is totally stress free, when it comes to finishing her look with makeup. Ashley takes the time to understand what her brides envision.

Ashley also said, "I really love my job, and hope it shows! I travel to do makeup for the bridal party and do whatever it takes to make the bride feel SPECIAL and IMPORTANT on her wedding day. Because that is what it comes down to..."

In hearing these things, I think it is safe to say that brides are served in a special way by their makeup artist. These are the people who put the finishing touches on your look in a beautiful, personal way. So consider this investment on your wedding day.

Lastly, here are some photos of the details in her shop -- the beauty bar we call it. Cheers to The Powder Room and Thursday mornings in my office. Thanks Ashley, for sharing a bit of your brand with us.

She has put so much work into the details of her store. I just love it.

Oh yes, and the bride below: Her makeup was designed by Ashley at the Powder Room. Gorgeous!

To All My Sisters Out There: Wedding Bouquets

Many of you know that it doesn’t take long and I will refer to you as sister. I am not sure when this all started, but a few years ago instead of saying someone’s name, I would just say sister. And it kind of stuck. I have found myself saying this to most of my brides and any of the girls in my life. Now bear with me, there is a reason for this story. Today is the debut of a new blog journey. Every other Friday, I will be posting wedding information for my brides to be and any girl out there who is already thinking of her wedding day (hopefully that is a lot of us). There will be posts about choosing a wedding dress, choosing a venue, elements of a first dance – Basically, anything that has to do with the wedding industry, I will try to post at some point.

Now, I had to come up with a name for these blog posts. Let me tell you – this was the hardest of part, for sure. Here’s where the “sister story” comes in: Because I refer to so many of you as my sisters, I have titled these posts: To All My Sisters Out There.

Ok – so I hope you like that part. When you see that title, you will know that wedding thoughts are coming your way.

And for today’s debut post: It is about Choosing Wedding Bouquets with a Different Perspective.

The floral arrangements for a wedding are often chosen to compliment the colors and theme of a wedding day. Great idea? Absolutely. But let me ask you to consider a different perspective.

Choose flowers that you want to see as photos on your wall. Choose flowers that you will love on the day of, with all of your color combinations and dresses, but remember that you will see these flowers for the rest of your life: in your wedding photos.

Giving attention to your floral investment with a wider perspective will make you more satisfied in the long run. Just think – some of your wedding photos, even of the floral details, could be art on your wall. It is definitely something new to consider.

And below, are a few of my favorite bouquet photos. These are shots that I take at nearly every wedding – and some of these are hung in my office. See, I love them as photos as well!

Cheers to Friday and all of my sisters out there!

Sometimes, I like to photograph the bouquet very subtly.

I photograph the boutonierre and a Mother's bouquet as well.

The bridesmaid's Bouquet.

Some close ups of the bridal bouquet.

I didn't include any photos of the other floral arrangements at a wedding -- because that will be another post, for another time. Cheers!