One of my favorite weddings of the year was featured today in the Style Me Pretty blog.

This wedding had it all…an incredibly gorgeous couple, idyllic setting, loving friends and family, and oh so awesome details.

Chech out Lisa and Brian Barns Wedding here.

Fantastic coordination by Victoria Canada Weddings and Events!

For my blog post of the wedding and more images, click here.

I am so excited to announce that the new Phoenix Bride and Groom magazines have finally(!) come out.  I was so honored to be selected as the feature photographer for the cover and 6 page style section.  They also added 4 extra pages of my images from the shoot featuring dresses from Destiny’s Bride.

The set  was a Marie Antoinette inspired shoot, photographed at the Wrigley Mansion.  Victoria Canada was the master mind behind the decor, along with Petal Pushers who did the flowers and Will Zecco and Corrinna Cook who did hair and make-up.  To see more of the line up Click Here

Robert Black was kind enough to lend some amazing antique jewelry from his store Fashion by Robert Black.

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These are some larger images from my session for Phoenix Bride and Groom…my personal faves.

The model was the gorgeous Daynalyn at The Agency Arizona

My friends at Bright Bokeh are working on a video for me and swung by the shoot for a bit to get some shots of me behind the lens.  Take a peek at this link if you’re interested in seeing more….

I found myself in the paper today!

The Arizona Republic was kind enough to follow me on an engagement shoot and catch me in action during Stephanie and Brent’s engagement session (see girl lying on back in grass).  Michael McNamara (awesome photog…who also does kick ass photo booths for weddings) had the fun task of shooting me while I photographed the couple.  I’ve never been photographed while photographing but it was a unique experience that made me slightly self conscious for the first 5 minutes…enough time to forget he was there.

The article was essentially about the new trend of couples  who are asking for magazine-style photos.  I think the idea of candid and non-traditional engagement sessions has been around for a while but it’s just now catching the eye of major media outlets.  The attention is great for the photography industry at large.  It’s nice to finally be noticed for the hard work and creative touches we put into our sessions and I was grateful that the newspaper took a respectful spin on the idea.

Other than highlighting the trend, it offered some great “dos and don’ts”, such as do: reflect your style.  Do: an activity you normally do together.

Inspired by their to do list, I came up with a few of my own…

Don’t: wear clashing colors or patterns that will distract the eye in the final image.  Solid colors are best but be sure you’re not too matchy-matchy.  Similar color tones and dressing up is always encouraged.

Don’t: expect to know how to “pose” for the camera.  I’m there to photograph the essence of you as a couple not a catalogue. :)  I’ll help prompt you through the shoot so you’re in good hands.

Don’t: (for guys only) get a haircut the day before your session.  Men’s hair usually looks best about a week after their cuts.

Don’t: Stress out.  For whatever reason, people get stressed when it comes to being in front of the lens.  Be aware that you might get a little ancy before the session.  It’s totally natural.  Share a glass of wine before the session if you need a little relaxer.

Do: consider getting your make up and/or hair professionally done.  Many of my couples use their engagement photos for save the date cards, engagement guest sign in books, for websites or frame them for office desks and as gifts.  You want to be sure you look your best the day of and don’t let a thing like a bad hair day, ruin your photos.

Do: Try to come on-time.  If you’re not…see advice above.  Your photographer is arranging the session to maximize the amount of “good” light during the day.  Good light is limited to just a couple hours and you don’t want your money or time to go to waste.

Do: Remember to tell your photographer anything about yourself that is significant to personalizing your images.  Ie. where did you meet?  Stephanie and Bret (featured in the article) met in an elevator so I did a collage series on canvas of a closing elevator door with them in it.  I love the idea of creating images that tell stories about who you are, how you met, or how you got engaged.

Do: Bring your pet if they are fairly well behaved…and be sure you are going someplace to photograph that will allow pets.  Definitely let your photographer know in advance!!

Do: Plan on having fun!!  A lot of my couples tell me this is one of the best days of their engagement.  You’ll see for yourself!

One of my favorite national wedding blogs, Style Me Pretty, featured a wedding I photographed at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix.

I must also mention that Victoria from Victoria Canada Weddings and Events did the details…who, BTW, has a new, fabulous blog at this link.

The flowers: Table Tops, Etc

Videography: Serendipity Videography

The dress is Ramona Keveza

Below features their collages of the images.  To view the article and see more check out this link

Here are a few more of my faves that I wanted to add to the mix…

Article from Professional Photographer Magazine

A national magazine for professional photographers recently published three of my images in their recent article about tips for brides.  Along with the images of my beautiful brides, Deanna Rene, a top AZ make up artist lists her bridal makeup tips for a picture-perfect face:

From Professional Photographer magazine, March 2010

1. BLEND, BLEND, BLEND. You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day. Many makeup professionals use airbrush makeup, the method of choice for high-definition TV, because it’s lightweight, waterproof and gives flawless coverage.

2. SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE. Use less makeup for a day wedding and more for evenings. You can get dramatic with eye makeup.

3. DON’T SKIMP ON CONCEALER. Use a moisturized concealer on the thin, sensitive skin under the eyes. If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream. For blemishes, first treat them with a natural or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, then cover with concealer.

4. DO A MAKEUP TRIAL RUN. It’s the only sure-fire, stress-free way to make certain your makeup will look beautiful.

5. NOT ALL MINERAL MAKEUP IS CREATED EQUAL. Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance. In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launched a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography called Advanced Mineral Makeup. May promises it won’t white-out the bride under a flash.

6. USE WATERPROOF MAKEUP WITH STAYING POWER. You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup. Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be waterproof. And in case you cry (and you probably will), have a tissue or handkerchief handy to gently blot your tears right at the eye.

7. KEEP YOUR LIPS MOISTURIZED AND COLORED. Dry lips look dreadful in photos. Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often. Matte and gloss lipstick both photograph well, and be sure to use blended lip liner for enhanced definition.

8. DON’T FORGET THE GROOM. If the groom is red faced due to too much sun (or drinking), a little powder can help. That goes for shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the groom’s pocket for his dry lips, as well as a handkerchief to dab well-wishers’ makeup smudges off his suit.

9. DON’T SPRINKLE ON GLITTER. In photographs, it tends to look like little white spots, as if there’s something wrong with the camera.

10. REMEMBER to apply foundation and powder to your neck, shoulders and décolletage—you want your head to look like it belongs to your body!

Camille and Cliff’s beautiful wedding was just published in this month’s Arizona Bride Magazine