As part of Nicki Hill's Couture Collection of beautiful wedding dresses, she likes to include something a little different (it's not just photographers who can be creative). Nicki loves checkered dresses and asked me to photograph this black and white gown for her. Due to the quirky style of the dress, the location needed to be considered carefully and I chose a wooded area filled with bluebells which gave the shoot a slight Alice in Wonderland feel to it. This suited the dress perfectly. I also chose Crystal as the model for her red hair which created a striking contrast against the dress.

Photo by Kathryn Andrews Photography

Photo by Kathryn Andrews Photography

For this shoot I enlisted the help of Claire Wallace Hairdressing who I had worked with on a previous shoot. Claire styled model Crystal's hair and make-up and the transformation was incredible. We opted for 50's style hair and makeup which created a strong look to match the bold style of the dress.

Photo by Kathryn Andrews Photography

Photo by Kathryn Andrews Photography

Credits:

Dress: Niki Hill Bridal Couture

Hair and Make-Up: Claire Wallace Hairdressing

Model: Crystal – Model Mayhem

Photographer: Kathryn Andrews Photography

I hope you found this article useful in some way and feel inspired to go out and shoot something out of the ordinary. I love to read your comments so feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below…

When you meet with a couple for the first time, you're setting the tone for the rest of your relationship with them. You want that relationship to be based on one thing – TRUST. Clients who trust you don't feel the need to mirco manage the photos on their wedding day. They allow you to create the kind of images you love because they love them too. They hire you because they believe in you. Clients who trust you, BOOK you.

Last week we talked about overcoming “job interview” consultations (link to previous) by establishing yourself as a professional through branding and web presence and by standing out among the other photographers in your area. Today we're going to talk a little more about what happens when a client comes to meet with us in our in home studio and how we use all aspects of the experience to establish a strong level of trust with them.

HOW WE ESTABLISH TRUST

Demonstrate the Ability to Capture Their Most Important Moments

Wedding photography isn't just about capturing how a couple's wedding day LOOKED, it's about capturing how it FELT. Couples spend time and money on things like decor, flowers and food, but at the heart of it all, they want their day to be about love and beautiful memories. When a couple arrives at our studio the first thing we do is sit them down, thank them for coming and invite them to watch a slideshow of our work. We excuse ourselves to grab some drinks in the kitchen and dim the lights as we leave. (Ryan's absolute favorite part of our studio is the awesome remote control dimmer switch that controls our recessed lights! We get lots of “Oohhs” and “Ahhhs” when we show off this little piece of mood-setting magic.) As photographers, our favorite images tend to be portraits of our couples, but we make it a point to show much more than that in our slideshow. We want to showcase the moments of the weddings we capture – the bridesmaids swooning over the bride in her wedding dress, the proud father walking his daughter down the isle, the groom wiping away a tear as he sees his bride for the first time and the laughter and crazy dance moves of their friends on the dance floor. Couple's want to know that they'll be able to look at their wedding photos years down the line and experience these emotions all over again. Our goal is to assure them that they can trust us to deliver those images.

Take A Genuine Interest in Every Couple

As we return to the room and the lights “magically” go up, we get things started by congratulating the happy couple on their engagement with a sparkling apple cider toast, and then we start to ask questions. Whenever possible, we try to get our couples to share things about themselves. We ask them about their relationship, their lives, their hobbies, what TV shows they watch, what's important to them about their wedding, what they love about their venue, etc. As long as we can keep them talking, we do. The thing that's so nerve racking about consultation is the idea of a “sales pitch.” We've found over the years that the less we talk about ourselves, the better. Takes the pressure off a bit doesn't it? When someone shows a genuine interest in you, they endear themselves to you. We want every couple who meets with us to feel heard and valued.

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people
than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
– Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Be Up Front About Pricing

When a client sends us an initial inquiry, the first thing we do is send them a PDF of our complete price list. I know there are two schools of thought on this and we're definitely not trying to say that one way is right and the other is wrong. Some photographers prefer to share pricing when they have the client in person and some just send a price range up front rather than their whole list of options. Neither approach is right or wrong, sending it in advance is just what works for us. The last thing we want is for a couple to fall in love with our work and come all the way out to meet with us only to discover we're no where near their price range. We want to be clear about what we offer so there's never any feeling that we're trying to be “pushy sales people.” That would diminish the trust we're trying to establish with them. We'd rather talk as little about money as possible and spend the time getting to know the couple and talking about the role we'll play in their day. When we know they've already looked at everything we have to offer, all we have to do is answer any questions they may have. It gives us a chance to help guide them to the coverage options that make the most sense for them based on what we've learned about what is important to them.

Let Them Know That We Value Their Marriage

To wrap things up, we tell them how much more important their marriage is than any aspect of their wedding day. (And yes, we actually mean it!) The best part of our job is coming alongside our couples at the forefront of their life together and being able to celebrate the beginning of something so much more important that just their wedding day. It may be the biggest day of most couple's lives, but it's still just the beginning of something so much greater – their incredible journey as husband and wife. We gift each couple with a marriage book that we hope will impact their relationship in a positive way.(And yes, we even give the book to couples who don't book us!) It's not a booking gift – it's a “we value your marriage” gift and that is true no matter who they use as their wedding photographer. Demonstrating that we care for them as a couple and not just as a client makes a world of difference in establishing a relationship built on trust.

Only one post left in our consultation series! Next up – the dreaded “close” and how we make it easy for our couples to say YES! You can catch up on any posts you've missed below:

Winning at Client Consultations

Part I: Standing Out from the Crowd – How to Overcome the “Job Interview”

Part II: Establishing Trust – Laying the Ground Work

Part III: Closing Time – Helping Clients Choose You

If you are just joining us, this is part 3 of 4 in a series I am writing on Pinterest! I would encourage you to go back and read articles 1 and 2: HERE before reading the following article as I will be referring back to the previous articles in the series. We've talked about whether or not Pinterest is a curse or an asset for us as photographers and how to use it as an asset in how we communicate with our brides and manage their expectations in regards to getting ready photos and couples shots. Today we are going to talk about ‘First Looks'.

Photo By Joe Elario Photography

Photo By Brie Marie Photographers

Every bride whose wedding I have photographed has made a point of requesting above all else that I get a picture of her groom when he sees her for the first time on their wedding day. It is one of the most precious parts of the entire day, and every Bride wants to remember the way her man looked at her in her wedding dress for the first time- captured in a photograph that she can treasure until her dying breath. [pullquote]It is an irreplaceable, unexplainable, once in a life time moment and an expression that is gone in a few seconds. [/pullquote] It is one of the moments throughout a wedding day that I am the most careful and prepared to capture.

Many times this request from my Brides is attached to a very similar or sometimes even the exact picture as the above photo by Joe Elario Photography, which is one of the most popular ‘First Look' images on Pinterest. As photographers we know that we have no control over where the groom stands during the ceremony. Often times the lighting at wedding ceremonies is difficult at best. The groom could have half his face in solid shade and the other half blown out by direct sun exposure. The ceremony could take place in a poorly lit church that won't allow any sort of flash or speedlite during the ceremony. The groom could be standing underneath a tree with blotchy harsh sun spots on his face making it difficult to capture any sort of expression at all. There really are a hundred different scenarios and then some. No two weddings are alike.

If you've been following this series and read my previous posts on this subject you probably know what I am going to say, but I am going to say it again anyways. When you're client shows you a photo from Pinterest like the above image, use the opportunity to COMMUNICATE with them. Explain what a First Look is and the differences that come with a first look which is a relatively controlled environment (meaning you have control over where they stand, the kind of light you want to shoot in, how close they are to each other when he sees her etc etc etc) vs. an uncontrolled environment, where the groom stands at the alter wherever the coordinator has told him to stand and the bride walks towards him from any number of distances depending on the venue. Will you be able to get a picture of the groom at the end of the aisle when he sees his bride for the first time? Absolutely. Will it be like all of the first look photos the Bride fell in love with on Pinterest? Most likely not.

I know that everyone's business models look different. Some photographers require their couples to do a first look because they believe they can better serve their clients by requiring that extra bit of time with the couple in order to get more or better quality couples photos. This works for some people, however it is not the business model for Brie Marie Photographers. We have come to the conclusion that the best way we can serve our clients is communicating with them, giving them as much info as we can and letting them make the decision that is best for them based on that info. It is very important to some couples that the first time the groom sees his bride is when she is walking down the aisle on her Dad's arm towards him. It's tradition and it is a precious moment that cannot be replaced, not even by a first look. I personally don't feel comfortable trying to talk my clients out of something that is important to them.

I explain to my clients that:

1. There is always a first look. It is either a private, intimate first look with just the bride, groom and a couple of photographers there to capture it or it is the traditional first look when the groom sees his bride for the first time walking down the aisle towards him to become his wife. Both are incredible moments.
2. The groom's reaction could be different depending on if he is up in front of potentially hundreds of people or if it is just he and his bride.
3. The difference between a controlled environment where the photographer sets up the first look based on where the lighting and scenery is best vs. an uncontrolled environment where everything depends on the set up of the venue, time of day, where the coordinator tells you to stand etc.

Once I have communicated all of this to my clients I ultimately let them make the decision based on what is most important to them. It's just another way to use Pinterest to have open and honest communication with our clients to help them make an informed decision.

As wedding photographers we all know that things don't always go according to plan. In fact, they rarely do. While some things aren't easily solved, some are and I've spent quite a while compiling a collection of things that have proven themselves indispensible. I like to call it the ‘uh-oh kit.' I keep everything separated by category in plastic bags. I know that this may seem like overkill, but I like to be prepared for just about anything. It's not just about taking care of myself, it's also about taking care of the clients. The last thing I want is a bride worrying about a pimple on her wedding day or a member of the bridal party having to leave to get someone allergy medication.

So the first thing you probably noticed was the rain boots. You're probably wondering why in the world I would carry a pair of rain boots around on a wedding day. I don't, but I do keep them in my car. While they can obviously be used for rainy days, they're also useful in case you're shooting in mud or near water. I'm not really a textbook girly girl, but I don't want to be stuck with wet or muddy shoes for the rest of the day. I usually shove a few plastic grocery or trash bags in one of the boots to use to keep my gear dry if I end up having to shoot in the rain.

I always take a wooden hanger with me to weddings, as well as a command hook (Thanks to Justin & Mary Marantz). Brides don't always remember to replace the plastic hanger their dress came on, and a nice wooden hanger can really save that iconic dress shot. I've actually started looking for a prettier alternative to the Command hook, but haven't found anything I'm absolutely in love with yet.

Tip: Don't cheap out on the hanger. Wedding dresses are HEAVY and those metal hooks will bend.

How many times have you gotten to a wedding, asked for the rings, and had the bride tell you that she forgot to clean them? That purple stuff is the best ring cleaner I've EVER used. It's not cheap, but it is amazing. A Touch of Purple sells travel size bottles, or you buy the big one and pour it into a smaller spray bottle like I do.

I wear contact lenses on wedding days because I hate shooting while wearing glasses. I always carry a spare pair of contacts, a NEW case and solution with me. I emphasize the new case because there's a chance that someone in the wedding party may need one at some point and I would never give them one that I had been using. The most important item in the above photo is the bottle of Opti-Free Pure Moist Rewetting Drops. If you wear contacts, these will save your eyes. They moisturize your contacts and help to keep your eyes from getting too tired. I actually carry these in my pocket because I like to keep them handy. I usually find that I need to use them around the beginning of the reception.

This is the ‘general care' part of the kit. Listerine strips are pretty obvious, and I usually offer one to the groom before the first look or ceremony. I also use them before shooting close ups because I really want my brides to stay friends with me. You're probably wondering why I have two ring cleaners in this kit. I include this because the Diamond Dazzle Stik is sometimes more convenient. It's more affordable and easy to get. If you get one of the two, get this one.

Next up is Davines Universal Polishing Coat for Wizards. There's a reason for the name; this stuff is magic. It's just enough hold to tame a bride's fly aways, it comes in a compact little canister and it smells AMAZING. It's a little bit pricey, but I've had this tub for a year and haven't even made a dent in the amount of product.

The lip balm and fingernail clippers really don't need any explanation. I keep the Duo Eyelash Adhesive in the bag in case a few tears knock any false eyelashes loose, and Murad Acne Spot Treatment can clear up a wedding day pimple in no time.

Tip:If you get there too close to picture time, cut an Advil Liqui-gel in half and have the bride dab the liquid on the blemish. It reduces the swelling and redness.

Not pictured: Gatorade. Never forget the Gatorade. It will help ease the wedding day hangover so that you can enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick. Use it and you will never have a blister again (and neither will your bride!) Just don't leave it in your car because it WILL melt.

Now on to the first aid part of the kit. I always keep a few essentials on hand. Band-aids, Advil, Excedrine Migraine, Pepto Chewables, Claritin and Tums. Somebody will need one of these, I promise.

What are some things you have in your “uh-oh kit” that I don't? I'd love to hear from you, so please leave your comments below so we can all benefit from your go to items.

Below you will find the product reference links. Happy shopping and here is being prepared for those wedding day “uh-oh's”.

1. Davines No 10 Universal Polishing Coat for Wizards

2. Touch of Purple

3. Murad Acne Spot Treatment

4. Opti-Free Rewetting Drops

5. Band-Aid Friction Block Stick

6. Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik

7. Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blister Bandages

8. Duo Eyelash Adhesive

9. EOS Lip Balm

Working with my clients to build the timeline for their wedding day has been a game changer.

When I first started shooting weddings, I would show up on the wedding day with a “go with the flow” mentality. A better phrase would be, “stay within eye and ear shot of at least one person important to the wedding (i.e. the bride, groom, maid of honor etc.). Once you manage to find that person, run around like a chicken with its head chopped off all while trying to keep myself and the wedding organized. I would frantically run around taking pictures of everything, and just hoping and praying I wasn't missing or forgetting to document anything.”

I found myself so relieved once I got to the reception and could talk to the DJ to get the timeline for the rest of the night. After shooting a couple of weddings with a “go with the flow” mentality, it finally hit me: Why would I wait until the day is almost over to obtain a timeline, when I am there as an integral part of the wedding from start to finish? I realized that I had been failing my clients in this area and needed to make some changes. As a vendor that is primarily with the bride all day long, who was better for the task of managing the timeline when a coordinator wasn't present to do so? No one!

From that realization on, we have played a huge role in helping our brides build their timeline for the day. (By “we” I mean, my partner & I, because, as I'm sure you are starting to realize based on the previous paragraphs, having me in charge of your timeline is almost guaranteed mayhem. Organization is NOT my strength.)

We do not have a set timeline for every wedding because every wedding has different variables (i.e. when the venue allows the bride and groom to arrive, the start time of their ceremony, etc.). We set up a time to meet or talk on the phone with our brides a few months before their wedding to plan out every detail of their own personal timeline.

Here is an example of what an average timeline would look like for us:

1:00 – Photographers arrive (all details should be there for photos: brides shoes, dress, jewelry, rings, garter, bouquets, perfume, clutch, etc. Any detail bride wants pictures of should be there at this time.) Photographers will get detail shots while bride finishes getting her hair and make up done. We will also grab some “Getting Ready” shots at this time.

1:30 – Bridesmaids and Mothers are completely ready for the ceremony.

1:45 – Bride gets in her dress.

2:15 – Bridal Portraits and Bridesmaids Portraits are taken.

3:00 – Groomsmen: Getting Ready photos and Formal Groom and Groomsmen Portraits will be taken at this time. Make certain the Boutonnieres are on and/or accessible.

3:45 – Bride and Groom are tucked away for the ceremony.

If the reception is set up photographers will go get detail shots of the reception and ceremony site at this time.

4:15 – Ceremony Begins

5:00 – Family Formals and Wedding Party Photos (Any family that will be included in the Family Formals should not leave the ceremony site.)

5:30 – Couples Portraits

6:45 – Bride is bustled, photographers set up in reception and await Grand Entrance.

7:00 – Grand Entrance to Reception.

From here we leave the timeline up to the DJ. The only other thing that might be included in our timeline is the Exit time, if they are doing a Formal Exit. (Sparklers, get away car, etc) If they are, that is also included in their timeline.

It is very important that we as photographers communicate with our clients before and during their wedding day.

In most cases this is the first time they are doing this “wedding thing.” In our case, we do it a couple times a month or for some of us every weekend. [pullquote]WE are the experts, the professionals. It is our job to communicate and educate our clients. Educating them and helping with the timeline for their day not only serves them, but is yet another way we can build confidence and trust with our brides. It leaves little doubt in their minds that they chose the right photographer.[/pullquote]

Tell your clients when and where you need the details in order to get those photos for them. Educate your bride about the “Magic Hour” and how to plan her ceremony time in order to best take advantage of that time for their Couples Portraits. Include details in your timeline such as when the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer need to be ready, where immediately family should be, and at what time, for their photos. Pad the schedule, because we all know, something unplanned will happen and the timeline will need wiggle room. When the unexpected happens, you can just look at the bride, smile, and put her fears to rest as you remind her, “We've got this- there's plenty of time. We made room for the unexpected.”

A timeline is an awesome way to educate your bride, help the day to run smoothly, and ensure that you, as the photographer, will have the time you need to get the shots your clients want, all while earning their trust and confidence. It helps you serve your brides and grooms by giving them peace of mind and one less thing to think about.

What are some things that you all do to ensure the wedding day runs smoothly?

Aubrey Greene is a Newport, RI and Boston, MA wedding photographer who used a Tonic Site Shop style group with Showit for her website.

How long have you had a Showit website?

A few years, but my NEW site launched TODAY! (5/19)

How did you find your website designer?

Via the Showiteers site. I purchased the template, then hired Jen to do some custom work on it.

What was your favorite thing about the process of working with your designer?

Having the chance to work personally with Jen was fantastic. She was positive and thoughtful about everything and super creative on the spot. She had such a clear understanding of Showit that anything and everything that functionally came up was fixed immediately.

What is your favorite thing about your website and what makes your website unique?

My website is clean, sophisticated and luxurious. While my site was a template, Jen and I were able to take it apart and craft something that would showcase my work and speak directly to my ideal wedding client.

Visit Aubrey Greene: http://www.aubreygreene.com

Visit Tonic Site Shop: http://www.tonicsiteshop.com

Want to be considered for a Friday Feature? SUBMIT YOUR SITE

My grandma makes the best daiquiris ever.

I know, I know- traditionally, grandmas make things like little knit booties, or ugly sweaters, or muffins or something, but my grandma is AWESOME. Don't be jealous. I'm going to totally show you everything she taught me!

Sometimes as a creative small business owner, we have stressful days. When that happens, what we need are buckets of daiquiris.

Time to grab your bucket!

That's right- BUCKET!

This is a top secret family recipe from my grandma and today I will share it with you all, as long as you promise to keep it on the DL, ok?

Ingredients for a Bucket of Daiquiris

A Bucket of Daiquiris
What you'll need:

• One large container with an airtight lid- you can use an ice cream bucket, or Tupperware container
• One 750 mL bottle of White Rum
• Two tins of frozen Limeade concentrate
• One tin of water
• One bottle of Sprite or 7up

Bucket ‘o' Daiquiris Recipe

Pour both tins of Limeade into your bucket. Add the water, and rum. Mix just enough that the Limeade dissolves, then add the Sprite. Don't mix the bubbles out- that will help your drinks to not freeze solid. (I mean… it's a lot of rum, so it's probably not going to anyway, but just in case)

At this stage, you have a few choices. If you're impatient like me, you'll love the first two. If you're a sucker for perfection, then the third option, which is the way the recipe was originally written, is for you.

Time to Make Your Daiquiri Yours!

1. You can pour this mixture over some muddled lime slices & mint leaves, add some ice, and make a Mojito on the rocks! Yum!
2. You can grab some frozen strawberries, pour the lime mixture over them in a blender, and make a fresh strawberry daiquiri- which is my favorite.
3. You can seal up your bucket, and chuck it in the freezer overnight (I know, right?! Who has time for that?!)

The Traditional Daiquiri

Traditionally, daiquiris are made with a sugared rim and a slice of lime as a garnish. The easy way to make your drinks look fancy is to take two plates, pour a little water or lime juice into one, and about 1/4 cup sugar into the other. Dip the rim of your glass into the water, then into the sugar. Slice up some limes & strawberries and you've got a perfectly garnished party beverage- or your new editing BFF.

Once your daiquiris are good and frozen, grab your bucket out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for about 5 minutes. Use a spoon to slush up the drink, and spoon it into a glass with a sugared rim. Add a lime slice, and voila! The perfect lime daiquiri.

These are the perfect drink to wind down on a deck and watch the sunset.
Or pour yourself a celebratory drink after you launch your site! Or because it's Tuesday. It's a daiquiri. It has fruit in it. It's basically a salad in fun liquid form. And also – treat yo' self.

Just remember, it's a bucket of daiquiris. A bucket of daiquiris is made to be shared. So call your friends, or your grandma and her friends! Toast to whatever you want, just make sure you have someone to toast with!