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I ask all my couples that, if there was only one shot they could have from their wedding day, what would it be? Claire quickly answered, “One of us walking together through the trees.” You can’t get more Tree than Nestldown, and that’s the whole reason why they were there. This was my favorite shot, just after the ceremony, as we walked back to the cocktail hour.
Walking up to the Nestldown barn after the wedding ceremony.
I love my favorite venues. I love them because of great light and scenery. And the catering staff and those in charge treat every guest and every couple as almost part of the family. They go above and beyond in every way. I recommend venues because they’re amazing. I feature them in my studio sample albums and wall portraits and brochures and calendars. Those that don’t make the cut? Well, I don’t say anything bad but I also don’t really mention them.
I’m blessed to have many of these venues love me right back. They go out of their way to recommend me and others they’ve seen in action and whom they know will treat their brides and grooms beautifully. 
When wedding professionals recommend each other, it’s because they KNOW that the bride and groom will be surrounded by the best and that the chances for a great wedding and reception are high. A happy couple is one that has a smooth and on-time experience!
I ask every couple who meets with me – every single one – if they need any recommendations for vendors or, if they haven’t found the venue yet, the venues I love the most. It goes back to my earlier reason – a happy couple is one that’s very well taken care of all throughout the process. So if I know their cake is going to taste as great as it looks, well, their big smiles can only help my coverage.
There is a company that produces event brochures. A great deal for the venue it would appear at first mention, but one that has many negative consequences in the long run.
For those on the preferred list, they now have to PAY to be in the brochure. They must get at least the smallest ad or else they will NOT be listed in the brochure. The brochure that is given out to all prospective brides and grooms, both on paper and in electronic format. The brochure that is only good for one year. The brochure which features tiny ads for close to $1000 each.
So one day, you’re recommended because you’re good. The next, you can’t afford to be on their list.
It’s obvious why it’s bad for the vendors. But it’s even worse for the venue and for the brides and grooms who think they can trust the list. Here’s why – Gorgeous Venue decides to hire the brochure company, who then goes through the list to get “advertisers.” As those who can’t afford the brochure are dropped, only vendors who CAN afford it are listed. These are the big corporate style vendors who make millions by crankin’ them out with no thought to quality and service. Nickle and Dime, Inc.
And the boutiques like me who know the venue and the best light and time of day and those little nooks that other not-as-experienced photographers might overlook, well, we’re now not brought to the attention of potential clients anymore, unless we’re loved enough by the venue to be mentioned in person. And if that’s the case, if no one on the “list” in the brochure is a company or vendor the event staff loves, why bother with the brochure in the first place?
So bride and groom hire crappy vendors and the next thing you know, the Gorgeous Venue has a bunch of really awful reviews. Then no one wants to work there. Or get married there. Or pay to be on their list.
Not good all the way around.
One of my favorite wedding stylists works right next door to me. Not my amazing colorist Christy whom I’ve been going to for three years, but Karen, one of the fastest and dang good hair and makeup artist I’ve had the pleasure to know. Yeah, she’s next door to me in Salon Rache, how cool is that!
Erin's acting headshot and modeling portfolio example
Erin's casual first look, all about approachability! Is that a word?
She introduced me to Erin, a beautiful young woman who will be moving to LA soon and who needed actor headshots, plus a few samples to start her modeling portfolio. It was so much fun! Karen had her first look done within 15 minutes (yes, 15!) and at first, we did the “normal” backdrop/studio combo that every actor needs to have, somewhere. But then we busted out and went outside! To me, a studio can be confining.
Don’t get me wrong, I love having it, but it’s just not my thing. I’d rather shape and mold the light that’s there! It’s SO much fun for me to try to find amazing light rather than just recreate that light. But that’s me – I know a ton of folks that would say I’m a total silly for not loving studio lights.
Close up headshot of Erin
We found killer light, so much so that when it came time to do Erin’s second look, my self-proclaimed cabana boy and super-assistant Don V was having to do something I call “subtractive light” by blocking a bit of side light from her face and create a bit of shadow on her left side. What’dya think?
This winter, we had a HUGE number of albums in the production queue. So many in fact that some of my wonderfully patient couples understood that it would be summer before we could put our full attention on their wedding album retouching and design.
I’m super excited because we now have only a few left – I’ve been a busy girl! And although most of our albums ordered this year are a special Japanese papercraft album which is more like a matted album, I thought I’d share a page or two from some of our more recent flushmount storybook designs.
This one I finished last night and my couple is reviewing as we speak. I want to wait until they approve and then I want to post the whole darn thing. They’re SO cute and crazy in love and the little moments we caught from them so powerful.
from the wedding album for Lauren & Jeff, Casa Real
This one’s from a couple who wanted a very traditional look, almost to the point of looking like a matted album. My personal taste is a ton of color and lots of texture and surprising graphic elements, so I had to tone myself down a bit. It also features a cool shot of Peninsula Golf & Country Club, one of my favorite venues that their planner Kristina Taheri and lighting designer John Woods from Enhanced Lighting just made shine! Floral design was La Lavande and all the sparklies were from Classic Party Rentals. Such a cool place – and a wonderful and fun couple. We’ve just sent their album today to our bookbinder and I’m excited to see the final album!
A page from Cindy & Tim's album, Peninsula Golf & Country Club.
Next is from Amanda & Zech, who recently picked up their album. This layout’s one of the more serious moments in the whole day. Just imagine Zech’s brother halfway through the reception clamping a bowling ball and chain on Zech’s leg and making him do a lap around the Palm Event Center! I already miss these two. 
A page from Amanda & Zech's album, Palm Event Center
I’m so excited – I placed in the latest WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) contest. Yipee!
Why does this contest mean so much more to me than others? Because they judge the content of the image, not the retouching or the artistic effects. Don’t get me wrong, I loves me some Photoshop, but my mantra is, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Ya know? If the subject matter stands out, you really should leave it be, at least in my world.
These guys mean business. No retouching, no nothin. As it was in the camera. We can change it to B&W and sharpen it a little but that’s it. In fact, when you apply for membership, if they see your site has too much “effects” going on, they won’t allow you to join.
The competition gets tougher every single time, too. This time images that placed were from all over the world, only a handful of us from Northern CA placed.
Mine was in the Full Frame B&W category, from our recent wedding with Sarah & Ryan. So excited!
