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FAQ : Design, Photography + Publishing a Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T he conversation occurred on a sandy beach in the Cayman Islands. As I spoke with wedding designer, Calder Clark, and Southern Weddings Magazine Editor, Lara Casey, I realized we expressed similar sentiment, but came from different angles. The story: A wedding designer spends forever and a day creating a spectacular wedding. Then the photographer doesn't pay attention to the timeline and misses his opportunity to get the detail photos. Then the magazine editor is left with a lackluster wedding submission because the detail photos are...well...lackluster. When they truly could have been spectacular.
What went wrong? And could this situation been avoided?
Calder, Lara, and I collaborated on the following blog post to offer insight as to best prepare yourself for the ideal approach if you (the photographer) and the bride are interested in submitting the wedding for magazine publication. This is merely just three girls offering our opinion. Of course, there are hundreds of ways to get it done right, but if you'd like to join our conversation, you're more than welcome to. The comment box is yours at the end. |
Rockstar photographer? That's you. Wedding Designer in the mix? I'm in. Together: a shoo-in for the glossy mag? Hardly.
We know you're gonna nail the first waltz and the sugary wedge of cake. But what about a shot of the entire stationery suite? Not without a plan, Stan.
Rewind, and let's have a little pow-wow. I've been slaving over the details for a year. Now, the exhaustive agenda is in place and I have sky-high expectations that you'll clone yourself and be in 4 places at once. Obviously, we need to chat.
Do we want the same thing?
I'd love to see this in a magazine, would you? I have painstaking details ready to shoot; all I need is your talent on site to capture.
How can we capture the details without destroying the fabric of the evening?
I'm armed with the timeline and you have a second shooter. How can we put our heads together to serve the bride (first and foremost) and snag the pretty little nuances before night falls?
Here's a gameplan:
Be aggressive about being collaborative
Team up with the planner to hash out the agenda and detail shot lists. The wedding is designed for flow, but you can talk us through where your editorial prep-work fits in best.
Share your second shooter
Divide and conquer to cover all your bases. Perhaps, you can stop by to take tight shots and then retreat to the bride while your second shooter stays behind to capture the broader scope.
Think like a commercial photographer
Surfaces, props, lighting, juxtaposition: all of them matter. I can gather her old, new, borrowed, and blue if you can shoot it in the afternoon light on a reclaimed wood console.
In a nutshell? Communicate and anticipate together......then capture. Better yet, hear it from a world class photographer next.
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I'll keep this short. The only thing I need from a wedding planner is time. I just need time. I recently had a conversation with a planner and explained that there was no way I could capture the bridal party, the family (immediate and extended), the cocktail hour, the bride+groom, and reception details in the 55 minutes she allotted in the schedule.
Having the conversation opened the doors for open communication, got us on the same page, and she happily reworked the schedule to accommodate my requests. At the end of the day, the planner and I are on the same team...creating conversations in advance help ensure we work together for seamless execution, which creates a stronger wedding submission.
And, of course, I'll take this chance to remind brides of the benefits of having a First Look. Oh, com'on...you know I wasn't going to talk about the best thing on the wedding day besides the First Kiss! ;)
For more on this subject from an editorial perspective, here's the ever talented Lara Casey... |
Brides, if your first sentence to your planner or photographer is "Which magazines will you be submitting me to?" then, Houston, we have a problem. Planners, if in your first consultation with a bride you are talking glossies, it's time to refocus. Photographers, If you miss an important moment because you are getting a detail shot that will look great in a spread, back up. Marriage is sacred. Photographers are paid the big bucks because they are artists hired to capture sacred moments for the couple and their family to treasure... Not for press. Having said that, yes, you are running a business. Yes, press can aid said business. I happen to publish a magazine and, like any editor, I want your best work in its pages. If you choose to submit your work, there is a way to do it well... and lots of ways to shoot yourself in the foot.
After countless conversations with fellow editors, it's clear that, while our submission requirements may be vastly different, we share much of the same perspective on how to do it right.
What I need from the photographer is simple in concept but sometimes harder in practice. A sampling of the many things editors will thank you for:
• Rule #1 to getting published on major wedding blogs and magazines: read them. Know what they want, style, image format, who they target. Do your research and follow the rules. Every publication has a unique system for submissions. I repeat: follow the rules. Check FAQ pages before asking a question.
• Use Two Bright Lights. It is the solution to most submissions woes. You create great images, Two Bright Lights gives you the tools to get them seen in the best light. We love it and use it every day to accept work for publication.
• Make sure your brides WANT to be published. Many times we have a feature done but the bride won't return an interview. Feature lost.
• When you do submit, put your company name in the image file name. I went through 867 image submissions last week and had to have an intern spend two hours downloading and renaming files for me to sift through. Help a girl out! "amazingweddingphotographer_rad_couple.jpg" Easy.
• For editorial, don't over-process. Trust your images and hone your craft in the camera. I can't stress this enough. You will rarely see heavily processed images in a magazine because we need consistency. Most editors want true-to-life color to inspire brides. Clean, crisp, clear editorial images publishable.
• Photographers, study commercial and food photography to learn how to shoot details. Brides love seeing them, we love publishing them. For our brand, we love details that have meaning and they have to be realistic to inspire brides. On that note, brides, don't create details because they'll look great in pictures. Create them because they reflect who you are.
• Deliver. If you want to get published, be a responsible business owner and, like I always say, just make it happen. Bottom line, no matter which role you play, be a professional. Be aware of all the players' needs. And most of all, do your job. Take care of that couple and produce, capture, design, execute, unfold that perfect love story that is just waiting to be told. Glossies are great. Love is all that really matters.
I'm doing an online intensive on how to get published on August 24th. Too much to say in a single blog post. If you read this post, send me a twitter message and I'll give you a special discount code for registration since I love Jasmine so much. I'm always happy to answer submission and publication questions because I want your work to shine. I want that great love story to change people, to inspire and to heighten the level of quality and integrity in our industry. Selfishly, I want to be changed by the love story you tell, too. I'm a sucker for great photography.
I know for a fact we could never touch on all the aspects of publication in a single post, so this is just the start of the conversation. We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions. |
    
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FAQ : Shooting Wedding Details
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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Y esterday I had the distinct honor of having a wedding featured on Style Me Pretty. Like always, I love working with Abby and the SMP crew, so when Emily and D.J.'s Montage Laguna Beach wedding was featured, I was thrilled. It was awesome to revisit their wedding, so as I perused their wedding details, I thought I'd post a few more pictures...and include the metadata.
After posting the Dark Church and Ceremony FAQ post, a few photographers emailed and asked for more metadata posts. I usually shy away from these posts because they take f.o.r.e.v.e.r, but I'll try to make more of an effort to share. Like usual, I'm not inferring my way is the best (or the right) way to shoot..I'm merely sharing how I do it. I hope it's cool... |
| Emily made a truly stunning bride and her wedding remains one of my favorites still to this day... |
| This photo isn't really a detail, but, just look at this pretty much grainless photo...shot at 3200iso...seriously, I love my Canon 5DMII. |
| Cocktail hour and lounge... |
| Many thanks to Patty Burns and Jaime Puffer of the Montage Laguna Beach Events and Catering department...they're simply divine. |
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Hotel Del Coronado Wedding : Sarah+Chris
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T he room was warm, the balcony suite door closed from the Pacific breeze, and Sarah sat in socks and covered in a blanket. As she had her hair and makeup done, Sarah explained she wasn't feeling well and the morning started off with a few bumps, but she called her acupuncturist in LA and she came down to help Sarah get back to where she needed to be. Hence the soothing sounds of crashing waves and tropical rain forest birds coming from the radio.
Sarah dressed with the help of her amazing friends and family, and looked radiant. But her smile was just a wee bit incomplete. And everyone knew why. Sarah needed Chris. It was just that simple. The minute she walked down the aisle and into his arms, the soothing sounds of his laughter and the San Diego ocean relaxed her soul. They, together, were the perfect display of love, respect, and dependance.
The rest of the wedding day at Hotel Del Coronado was spent together--Chris holding her dress, Sarah clasping his hand, sharing moments that belonged only to them--and the world was back to where it needed to be. They need each other and last Sunday they made the commitment to ensure it lasts forever.
Sarah and Chris, I adore you both. I think you're perfect for each other and I had a blast getting to know you, especially on one of the most important days of your lives. Thank you for being so amazing and I can't wait to see where life takes you...preferably on your honeymoon once Chris finishes his law school finals! Enjoy the journey and I'm thrilled to call you friends. Much love and appreciation... j*
The day was spectacular...but so was Sarah's Vera Wang wedding dress... |
| Timeout...Valentino's on the left...and an Adorations bouquet on the right?! Awwww, yeah, that's how I starting a wedding in San Diego...perfection... |
| A little garter action... |
| Sarah's bridesmaids were my fav... |
| Wedding details can breathe new life into a perfect day and Lavonne with Adorations knows how to do this perfectly with her floral creations...I love working with her! |
| Sarah, you're st-st-stunning. You made me stutter. |
| And Chris cleaned up nice himself. As a sidenote, I really like this guy. Like, really. One of the coolest grooms ever and a total gentleman...Sarah totally scored with Chris and she found a great husband. Trust me...I know what a good husband looks like! :) |
| The wedding was centered around a Summer Romance, so whimsical elements and pastel flowers were used to create a distinctly feminine appeal... |
| A special thanks to Kelly of Mint Weddings for working so tirelessly on creating a flawlessly wedding day. She and her team are some of the best coordinators in San Diego! |
| The wedding was filled with lots of hugs, love and laughter... |
| &phonalytiAfter the extraordinarily hot ceremony (Internet...it was 90 degrees...ON THE BEACH!), we used the gorgeous backdrop of the Hotel Del Coronado for wedding pictures... |
| JD's angle...along with a special photo for Sarah. JD snuck away to capture photos of literally tons of dandelions Sarah cultivated for her wedding...she wanted to make sure her guests could all make a wish on her wedding day... |
| What else would a couple who's getting married on 7/11 provide to cool down their guests...Slurpees of course! |
| In spite of the heat, Sarah and Chris decided they wanted beach photos, so we made the best of it and played along the San Diego shoreline for more wedding pictures... |
| ...and I'm so glad we did because we got this photo... |
| A few more wedding reception details in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Del Coronado...with many thanks to Lavonne at Adorations for her ever fabulous work... |
| That's right, Sarah...go on and be gorgeous during your dance...do your thang.... |
| I wasn't able to get the rings before the ceremony (which is what I prefer), but JD and I used off-camera light for the following wedding ring photo we took at night... |
| I think I took a million photos of this cake...it was unreal...there were SO many details and it was an absolutely incredible creation. The girls at CAKE deserve all their accolades... |
| The toasts were particularly funny...and Sarah's sister may or may not have quoted the entire Golden Girls theme song. Awesome. |
| "If you like it then you betta put a ring on it..." |
| This post will end with two photos of Chris and Sarah reveling in their perfect wedding day... |
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St. Regis Monarch Beach Wedding : Monique+Mike
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T here are times when it becomes about the wedding, and not the marriage. About the hue of the flowers in the bouquet, about every last strand of hair secured, about the position of the salad fork in relation to the dessert spoon. The wedding. And there are times when the entire day is about the love, care, and devotion. The marriage. Without a doubt, Mike and Monique's wedding was about the marriage. And everyone knew it.
Monique floated from room to room in her suite overlooking the Pacific ocean laughing and complimenting her bridesmaids. Her toes wiggled on the cool tile floor as the hair stylist finished the last bit of teasing and curling, as she called out for another bottle of champagne. The moment required a toast, naturally. The girls raised their glasses and after Monique thanked them, she turned to Mike's mom and promised she'd never break his heart, hurt him, or let him down. And, eeeeek!!, she was excited to one day have his children.
Mike sat just a few doors down in his St. Regis Monarch Beach suite and carefully opened her card. Monique sent him a gift, but took the time to write a heartfelt message. He wiped his eyes a few times, smiled, and lifted his new iPad from the gift bag. Mike walked around the hotel and resort like he was the luckiest man in the world...and he was. Because there, on Independence Day 2010, Mike was admitting his dependence on Monique. For all eternity.
Monique and Mike, from the moment we met, I felt like we were old friends. You ease into conversations, you're warm, and you make any room you're in glow with the certainty of love. Thank you for the distinct honor of being your wedding photographer and I can't wait to see where life takes you. Together. Enjoy you're honeymoon to France...be sure to eat a baguette, toast with lots of champagne, and kiss like the French! ;) Much love and appreciation.... j*
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| Bling. On the bouquet. And on the Jimmy Choo's. |
| Before we get to more wedding details, I need to give a shout out, big-ups, and holllllla to R. Jack Balthazar for the amazing florals and bouquets. I've been wanting to work with them since I started my business and they didn't disappoint...oh, how I love details... |
| Monique, you're gorgeous. I mean, totally. |
| And just in case you were having some doubts...here are two more! ;) |
| I love wedding recessional pictures... |
| Just after the wedding ceremony, the light peeked out from behind the clouds and we were able to quickly shoot around the St. Regis Monarch Beach property. |
| JD took this picture. It's why I pay him the big bucks! ;) |
| JD's angle...and it made me jealous... |
| Okay, so here's where the day reeeeeeally picked up...the partay! Michelle Weita of Details, Details is phenomenal. No, really, whenever I work with Michelle, I know the day will be perfect. The wedding will go as planned, the details will be fabulous, and I'll have everything I need before I know I need it. I can never say enough good things about Michelle and the entire Details, Details team. Here, the streamer-lined path leads to Club 19 where the wedding reception took place. |
| And this? This is the reaction Mike and Monique had to seeing the reception site on their wedding day. Every couple should be this excited! Again, huge thanks goes to Michelle, R. Jack Balthazar, and the entire St. Regis team for working tirelessly on making things perfect. |
| Because Monique changed into a new wedding dress, I wanted to snap a couple photos rocking her new look.... |
| And THE CAKE! Mike Hampton is a professional Major League Baseball pitcher....and here I thought he was just regular 'ole Mike! ;) There were a few details paying homage to Mike's roots, the cake topper being one of them. |
| The Grand Entrace, as captured by JD... |
| Special thanks goes to Jeff of Moondance for being an amazing DJ... |
| I'll end this post with JD's photos of Mike and Monique dancing....because that's precisely what they did. They danced the night away under a sky of fireworks, a bright moon, and an overwhelming sense of perfection. |
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Featured : Your Wedding Day Magazine
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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O ne of the things I'm most worried about being my sister's maid of honor (and wedding photographer) is throwing her a bridal shower. Not because I don't know what to do, but quite the opposite. I've seen some of the most lavish showers and parties...I'm not sure I can measure up! I have already starting throwing ideas around with a friend about the design, decor, and colors, but I've got my work cut out for me. And if you've seen the recent spread in Your Wedding Day Magazine, you'll know what I mean. A few months ago I had the pleasure of collaborating with a spectacular group of wedding industry peers for a Sex In The City inspired bridal shower. The day was perfect and I was honored to be able to document it.
Event Planner and Designer: Jeannie Savage with Details, Details
Floral Design: Enchanted Florist
Paper Goods: Details A La Carte
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Catering: 24 Carrots
Cake: Sweet Gems
Shoot Producer: Hermes & Associates CC
Photography: Jasmine Star
And special thanks to Thea at YWD Magazine for being a visionary and an amazing editor...I just love this magazine! |
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