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Some people ask why I do what I do. Why I am a wedding photographer or why I’m a portrait photographer. It’s because I love being a photographer in Ct.
There’s just something about shooting people (plus I get to say I shoot people) that strikes my fancy. When someone calls me to take portraits of their child they say “we heard you were the portait photographer in Ct. to call”… Do you know how great that makes me feel! Or when a dog shows up at the studio, all bouncing around… Taking pet portraits is also a great thing! Each and every soul has an energy that makes them unique. And that’s what so much of it is about. Not stealing the soul, but freezing it for a split second and holding that part for ever.
That’s what being a wedding photographer in Ct. is all about, it’s what being a ct. portrait photographer is all about and it’s what being one of the top pet potrait photographers in New England is all about!!!
Shine on everyone
~Tim
WWW.TABPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM
There are so many situations in life where you tip, where you don’t tip, how much to tip, can you tip… tip tip tip….
As a wedding photographer in Hartford, Ct. I’m not a tipping expert. Thought I will say that when it comes to dining out I’ve been told I can sometimes over tip… Not the point here. Your wedding. Do you tip your wedding vendors? The answer, quite simply is… Some yes some no. HAH! That wasn’t an easy answer was it. LOL.
Okay, let’s break your wedding vendors down. The do nots. There are wedding vendors where you just don’t have to tip unless you really feel they went above and beyond or you just feel like it’s something that would make you and them feel great. Those vendors – party rental company, they don’t need a penny more, the salon itself – nope, cake baker or stationary company. Nope, don’t need to tip there either. Again, unless you feel it’s something that is well worth it.
The ones that are sometimes expecting tips – your makeup artist, depending on who they are working with on the day, some bridesmaides pay and tip for themselves others don’t. For the MUA you should plan on an average of 15-20% just like you would on a normal salon day trip…. parking, coat check, rest room attendants and the likes, the average seems to be about $1.00 per car / guest. Wait staff seems to be an average of $20.00 per server. HOWEVER, look over the contract and determine if your reception site already has a tip worked into the package. Same goes for your livery service, some limo companies have the tip automatically worked in. Not to say you can’t go above and beyond but look that over so you’re not giving someone $100.00 when they’ve already received $90.00…
How about the wedding florist, wedding photographer, and more. Those are a totally different playing field. As a destination wedding photographer myself. There are times when I’ve received a $500.00 tip, and times when I’ve received a hug and a thank you. I never expect one over the other and am fine with either. And I know many florists that feel the same way. I think it just comes down to what your budget can swing. Just be fair, honest with yourself and if you like the outcome or the energy that was provided with the work, I would say again, go for the 20%… But that’s just my two cents from the ct. wedding photographer….
I may be known as a remarkable wedding photographer from New England but I’m also a wedding photographer that has been and still is married. I was recently chatting with my wife about this and that and a talk came up on planning in general. How tips are great, news is great but where should a newly engaged couple start. It dawned on me that, OMG! I’m writing tips that truly may not matter if you’re too stressed out to deal with them by the time you get to that point… Sooooooooooo, let’s slow down. Lets start basic and work our way up… What do you say?
Let us start together with one of the most emotional struggles women may face. Engagements. One of the most psychological transitions in our lives. With this new engagement may come fear, sadness, anxiety and loss. All feelings that all seem to get overlooked by so many. People would rather ask, when’s the big day, what’s the ring look like, where did it happen! When in reality, it’s those other feelings that need to be overcome if one ever plans to arrive at the alter happy and ready for a life long and love filled marriage.
Feeling a bit lost? Understandable. As women, you are giving up the soul identity you have come to create. With your friends, on your own. You are no longer going to be a single women. You are going to not only give up that single status, A feeling that you may believe is your only relation with your single girlfriends, but you are giving up part of your identity. You will have a new last name (if you choose to take it) and more. All a stage in your life, possibly the only stage you have ever created is going to now be a closed chapter… The loss is understandable but the future is going to be gold!!!
What if you look at that gold and know that as one chapter closes a new one begins. A chapter of love, togetherness and fun! It’s quite possible for a bit of fear to show itself here as you are entering this new chapter which will rely heavily on another individuals commitment as well. Putting your futures happiness onto this other individual partnered with yourself. What if the marriage doesn’t last, what if he cheats on me, what if I cheat on him, what if something happens to me or him, what if the love fades away. These are all thoughts and fears that can come at a bride who even on the outside may seem joyous.
As I mentioned above, as a future bride you’re bombarded with congrats, and what will your dress look like, what will the wedding day be… And more… While deep inside you may be wondering if you’re making the right choice. Is this the right partner for my life? Is this what I truly want? These feelings are normal and you’re better off to find a friend, relative or if need be a DR. to listen to you. Truly listen and help. The other alternative which many people opt for is to take all the planning and let it comsume you as a whole. Not giving those other feelings a chance to come out. The right thing to do?????
All of these thoughts are normal. Don’t worry. Don’t run… They ARE NORMAL! Instead, look back. Look at the years you have already lived and the transitions you have not only made it through but more than likely prospered with. Graduating from highschool and college. Moving out of your hometown. Leaving one secure job for a new endeavor. All of your co-workers, friends and family understood and sympathized with your feelings. BUT… Did you let those feelings drag you down or did you rally your troops, took the steps to the future and raised the flags with full colour?? Did you not take the steps and made them glow? Did you not enjoy what the future held? Did you not just say “DAMN! I made the right choice on that one!!!”…. Because that’s what this is about. Rally the troops, raise the flags and know that yes, you’re making the right choice. Just don’t let it all be pushed deep inside. Let the feelings glow and them put them out because the love and happiness in the future will over power all!!!!
Next blog…. Now what…
I recently read a post somewhere about a couple that did things 100% their way. From their wedding photographer from Seattle Washington to the ceremony location under the bridge by a large troll statue. It was their day! And to top it all off they not only had veagan pastries and other delectable stuff, but their own home made brew… !!! More info on their wedding here http://offbeatbride.com/2008/11/stress-free-vegan-wedding#more-1401
Now as I sit here as a Ct. wedding photographer I can’t help but think back on this year. From the wedding I shot in Portland Oregon to another that was only 10 minutes from the house. They were all just beautiful days. I guess my real question is how much of “YOU” do you actually put into your day??? Do you get pushed in certain directions from the grooms mother? Are you talked into things you may not really care for from the venue??? Then stop! Seriously, it’s your day and the post above makes that ever so clear! From her not only proposing, but him also taking her last name. Seriously, worth reading, it’s actually pretty damn cute of them!
But again, STOP. Sit back, look at yourself and what you truly want in your wedding day. What will make it yours. From the smallest of details to the largest of ordeals. What will make it your day????
Okay, so maybe I’m not just a Wedding Photographer in MA. as a matter of fact I’m located and generally work as a Ct. Wedding photographer, HOWEVER, that has not stopped me from my “worldly” travels. At least around this part of the world! From Portland Oregon to Portland Maine weddings, I’ve been there and done them.
How does any of this possibly revolve around wedding tips? I can’t say as if it does. I just really wanted to share two things, ONE! Some pics from the Sturbridge MA. Wedding that I shot last weekend, and the second, is how I just booked a St. Augustine FL. wedding for 2009! Let alone another for 2010!!! Seriously, how I took my dream of being a photographer, let alone wedding photographer, following in my fathers footsteps with the camera, just rocks! It all just rocks! Anyway, a couple pictures from the Sturbridge MA. wedding that was held at the Publick House!
We all hear it, each and every day, be green, going green, and from Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy being green. Of course he was quite wrong, at least when it comes to the world. I’m sure being the colour green is much harder. Anyway…
I will say it again, as wedding photographers, we all see the inside and out of a wedding, we see just about everything that goes into it, from the food, to the materials to the transportation. And many times, at the end of the night, we see a large amount of waste. But honestly, just because my love happens to land me in New England as a wedding photographer, where we have generally always been eco-minded, doesn’t mean there aren’t some tips we can all use. SO, about a green wedding… Some tips are here…
- Setting the tone, when choosing a location, if your thoughts are pointing to the outdoors, choose a location that truly brings out all the beauty of the surrounding area. Apple Orchards, sea side, nature centers or even just some beautiful vast gardens. Being outside means that there is no need for heaters to be run, a/c’s to be pumping pollution and using energy and even more so, fresh air for all the guests. If your thoughts are leaning inside, think about museums or theatres where many of them donate or at least use the funds from your day for a good cause. And when at all possible, hold your ceremony and reception at the same location to cut down on total driving times. Not only will it cut down on pollution but your guests will enjoy not having to find their way from one place to the next.
- The rings, many jewelers now use recylced gold and or silver, let alone fair labor gemstones to make sure you’re not getting a “blood diamond”… With the right research you can easily find “green” jewelers.
- Though your wedding dress could easily be the most treasured item, tradition tells brides to use their mothers or grand mothers dress. I know what many of you could be thinking, it’s ugly. What about taking it to a seamstress with your own ideas and seeing what kind of transformation it could under go??? You may just be surprised what you could end up with! And if you just can’t fathom that, check out charities where you could buy and or donate a dress such as brides against breast cancer. All proceeds there go to the support of women with breast cancer.
- Used recylced paper, I know, I know, common thought back in the day was that recylced paper can’t be beautiful. How wrong you are if you make that statement today! Try checking out Tasha Rae Designs. Her theory: “Who said recycled invitations can’t be beautiful?” Her invites are just that, beautiful! And to cut back on paper even more, build a wedding website where guests and relatives can look further into the planning side. Such as Paula and Matt had done. www.paulaandmatt.com
- Flowers – quite simply, if you have the space and the time of year permits, grow your own. If that’s not possible, try a local organic farm or florist. And to go one step further, use potted plants as center pieces to be given away!
- Go organic with the meals, vegetarian dishes can be quite delicious! And don’t use disposable plates and platters, if your location or caterer doesn’t provide dishes, try renting them to cut down on waste. And remember to recylce all the bottles, beer and more.
- Instead of wedding favors, quite simply, donate. Let the guests know that you have donated in their honor. And remember less waste, so instead of leaving a little something with the note at every place setting, try one per table or a larger poster for all to see. Sites such as www.ifoundation.org let you raise money for your charity of choice.
I could continue to go on and on but I believe you get the point, if you’re thoughts are on the earth, try it out. Maybe you don’t have to go completely green, but maybe a light green will do??? Might just be worth the time and consideration!
Going green with theknot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/real-weddings/green-weddings.aspx
WWW.TREEHUGGER.COM (who would have thought. LOL)
http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/
Shine on!
~Tim
One thing about being a wedding photographer, I have fun! And one thing about your wedding day, you too need to have fun! Yes, that’s right, HAVE FUN! A couple I shot this past weekend, they seriously knew how to do just that. The bride, before hand, was a weee bit nervous, actually, the most nervous bride I have worked with this year! But Kevin, just the laid back groom. And once they were together, it was all quite obvious why this wedding couple came to be… Because they just fit, he puts her at ease, she brings a light into his eyes. And most of all, they have fun! The second she got down the isle, they were glued together! Kissing right then and there. No waiting… But oh! The kiss that came after the ceremony, I think the church began to shake! Then, much like the picture above, he must have picked her up and spun her around at least 10 times through the evening. So obvious that this is who they truly are. And that’s what I’m trying to get at. Be who you are, be happy, have fun, enjoy the day because you put so much time into its creation! Take it in, laugh with your guests, smile with each other and love with all…
And to put it all together is not the most simple thing around, but here’s the thing, why stress out? Why worrie? What, scared something is out of place, you know what, you’re the only one that will know. So come on, seriously, let your day unfold, let it all come to be, just enjoy it, take it in and get ready for the new chapter coming your way!!!!
Shine on
~Tim
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