Laura and her Bridesmaid, Mary, in Portumna's Old Abbey as the Autumn leaves fall.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Some Recent Weddings
Kieran & Tatiana at The Galway Bay Hotel
Adrian & Claire at UCG
Enda & Lisa at The Meadow Court Hotel
Liz at
The Oranmore
Lodge
Andrew & Rita at
The Keadeau Hotel,
Co Kildare
Adrian
And
Claire
at UCG
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
On-Line Surveys
Wonder if anyone else has noticed the increase of on-line surveys that are happening right now. Its almost annoying when you try to go on to a site or a search engine and you must first "take this short survey". The questions are usually worded in a slick way and I find sometimes my negative imputs sound positive by the time I have finished. There are never spaces provided for you to give your true imputs and comments.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wedding tips for the Bride & Groom ........ and even a few for guests
As a wedding photographer I attend more weddings each year than most people, and as a result I have learned so many simple things that will help your day run smoothly. These tips are just little things that I have discovered along the way that you might find useful:
Bridal tips
-----------
When you're having your hair styled on your wedding day, wear a shirt. Many brides wear a t-shirt, then struggle to get it over their newly coiffeured head. If you wear a shirt it can be unbuttoned and will not damage your hairdo.
If you have a dress that goes over your head, get a pillow a silk underskirt to put over your head first. This way your dress will slide on more easily with damaging hair or getting any make-up on it.
One little thing about make-up .......... ensure that your make-up artist dulls the makeup - don't leave it shiny/oily as it will reflect light from flash, windows, etc and does not make for good photographs. Ensure also before the day that make-up used does not re-act with your skin, sot try it out first.
Remove labels on the underside of shoes in advance of your wedding day.
If your dress has laces or buttons, ask a friend to come and help you dress. Often a bridesmaid or family member will be there for bridal preparations, but it is likely that they may also have false nails for the occasion. If you have a friend present who isn’t in the bridal party they will be able to help the bride to get dressed.
Dress the bride first. Lots of people dress the bride last so everyone is ready to help, but if plans start to run behind it will be the bride who is in a rush to get dressed. If you dress the bride first she can get ready at her own pace, feel relaxed and have time to make any adjustments to her dress for maximum comfort. It is not the bride’s job to dress the bridesmaids or any children – make sure you have plenty of helpers to do this so that she can enjoy her wedding day.
Guys – you need to plan ahead also!
--------------------------------------
This may seem obvious, but remember your socks! Far too many grooms get married without socks and it can sometimes be seen on photographs.
If you usually have your head shaven don’t do it on the day of your wedding or you will look bald or shiny on photographs. Have your head shaved at least one week prior to your wedding to allow time for some of it to grow back.
As with the ladies – if you have new shoes then take the labels off the sole before your wedding day.
Your buttonhole is traditionally worn on your left lapel and do ensure that you and your best man/groomsmen all wear their buttonholes on the same side.
The most important thing for both bride and groom is to forget about everybody else on the day and enjoy your wedding day! The planning is complete and it’s time to have a great day. Whatever happens you need to take it in your stride – don’t dwell on minor mishaps, but laugh at them and enjoy yourself. Never lose sight of the reason you are there – to become husband and wife. If there are minor mishaps only you will know about them - the guests never knew the plan of the day so they will not notice if some little thing goes wrong or you forget something.
A word to the Guests;
-----------------------
Remember you are there at the invitation of the Bride & Groom. They could have asked anyone of probably hundreds of people that they know and, indeed, they made a hard decission to omit many from their list that they would dearly love to have there but it was just not practical to have them because of number constraints on the reception venue. So they thought long and hard and invited you over so many more. You should be honoured that you were invited along and you should behave accordingly.
Some pointers on "good manners" and common courtsey;
Be on time as invited. Don't wander in half way through the ceremony.
Do not stand about outside the church waiting for the bride to arrive. This is the height of bad manners as every bride wants to be seen for the first time as she walks up the aisle. I have seen brides cry when they arrive at the church because they expect people to be in the church. Do not add to the stress of the day for your bride.
When you are asked to stand into the group photograph do not refuse and walk away. You were invited and its part of the day and the occasion. If you do not appear in the group shot then it will look like you could not be bothered to attend the ceremony and just went to the reception for the food and entertainment.
You were asked to attend the wedding as a guest. The photographer was hired to take the photographs. Do not mix up the two ! ! ! While most photographers do not mind you taking the odd photograph they will not tolerate anyone moving in and taking over the couple. Never get in the photographers way. The Couple are paying good money for their photography and nobody should interfere in the process. You would never disrupt the Celebrant at the ceremony or arrive at the reception and begin to cook your own food so why disrupt the photographer and start taking your own photographs. It is manners to ask and then be unobtrusive.
Be on time for the Meal Sit-Down. Its surprising to see people walk in as the second course begins and expect to be catered to as if they were on time. Proceed to the reception after the ceremony. The drink is the same there as in the many pubs you pass along the way.
Above all else, don't get drunk and become a nuicence. Thats the worst of all !
====================================================================
Bridal tips
-----------
When you're having your hair styled on your wedding day, wear a shirt. Many brides wear a t-shirt, then struggle to get it over their newly coiffeured head. If you wear a shirt it can be unbuttoned and will not damage your hairdo.
If you have a dress that goes over your head, get a pillow a silk underskirt to put over your head first. This way your dress will slide on more easily with damaging hair or getting any make-up on it.
One little thing about make-up .......... ensure that your make-up artist dulls the makeup - don't leave it shiny/oily as it will reflect light from flash, windows, etc and does not make for good photographs. Ensure also before the day that make-up used does not re-act with your skin, sot try it out first.
Remove labels on the underside of shoes in advance of your wedding day.
If your dress has laces or buttons, ask a friend to come and help you dress. Often a bridesmaid or family member will be there for bridal preparations, but it is likely that they may also have false nails for the occasion. If you have a friend present who isn’t in the bridal party they will be able to help the bride to get dressed.
Dress the bride first. Lots of people dress the bride last so everyone is ready to help, but if plans start to run behind it will be the bride who is in a rush to get dressed. If you dress the bride first she can get ready at her own pace, feel relaxed and have time to make any adjustments to her dress for maximum comfort. It is not the bride’s job to dress the bridesmaids or any children – make sure you have plenty of helpers to do this so that she can enjoy her wedding day.
Guys – you need to plan ahead also!
--------------------------------------
This may seem obvious, but remember your socks! Far too many grooms get married without socks and it can sometimes be seen on photographs.
If you usually have your head shaven don’t do it on the day of your wedding or you will look bald or shiny on photographs. Have your head shaved at least one week prior to your wedding to allow time for some of it to grow back.
As with the ladies – if you have new shoes then take the labels off the sole before your wedding day.
Your buttonhole is traditionally worn on your left lapel and do ensure that you and your best man/groomsmen all wear their buttonholes on the same side.
The most important thing for both bride and groom is to forget about everybody else on the day and enjoy your wedding day! The planning is complete and it’s time to have a great day. Whatever happens you need to take it in your stride – don’t dwell on minor mishaps, but laugh at them and enjoy yourself. Never lose sight of the reason you are there – to become husband and wife. If there are minor mishaps only you will know about them - the guests never knew the plan of the day so they will not notice if some little thing goes wrong or you forget something.
A word to the Guests;
-----------------------
Remember you are there at the invitation of the Bride & Groom. They could have asked anyone of probably hundreds of people that they know and, indeed, they made a hard decission to omit many from their list that they would dearly love to have there but it was just not practical to have them because of number constraints on the reception venue. So they thought long and hard and invited you over so many more. You should be honoured that you were invited along and you should behave accordingly.
Some pointers on "good manners" and common courtsey;
Be on time as invited. Don't wander in half way through the ceremony.
Do not stand about outside the church waiting for the bride to arrive. This is the height of bad manners as every bride wants to be seen for the first time as she walks up the aisle. I have seen brides cry when they arrive at the church because they expect people to be in the church. Do not add to the stress of the day for your bride.
When you are asked to stand into the group photograph do not refuse and walk away. You were invited and its part of the day and the occasion. If you do not appear in the group shot then it will look like you could not be bothered to attend the ceremony and just went to the reception for the food and entertainment.
You were asked to attend the wedding as a guest. The photographer was hired to take the photographs. Do not mix up the two ! ! ! While most photographers do not mind you taking the odd photograph they will not tolerate anyone moving in and taking over the couple. Never get in the photographers way. The Couple are paying good money for their photography and nobody should interfere in the process. You would never disrupt the Celebrant at the ceremony or arrive at the reception and begin to cook your own food so why disrupt the photographer and start taking your own photographs. It is manners to ask and then be unobtrusive.
Be on time for the Meal Sit-Down. Its surprising to see people walk in as the second course begins and expect to be catered to as if they were on time. Proceed to the reception after the ceremony. The drink is the same there as in the many pubs you pass along the way.
Above all else, don't get drunk and become a nuicence. Thats the worst of all !
====================================================================
Friday, October 17, 2008
Gold Award Winning Photographer
In August I managed to win my first IPPA Gold Award. I was "arm twisted" and "forced" to enter the photographs by RTE Make-Up Artist, Joey Keegan, whom I am doing an ongoing portfolio of work for. If you get to know Joey not only will you have a great conversationalist but also a lady who does not take no for an answer - so I thought it best to enter the photographs.
Good for me that I did. Thanks to Joey I am now among the IPPA Members who hold a Gold Award.
This is the press release that appeared on the occasion.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
New Website
My new Website went live today. My old one was long overdue a facelift and I have to say a big "Thank you" to my good friend Dee (Deirdre) Organ for putting the whole thing together and coming up with the design to suit the logo which I was already using. She has been so patient and helpful with her ideas in design and in the choice of the photographs used.
Dee thank you so much and hopefully we I can help in return.
So, hope you all enjoy the site !
Dee thank you so much and hopefully we I can help in return.
So, hope you all enjoy the site !
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day is one of the few occasions in your life that you will comission the services of a Professional Photographer. You will need someone whom you will be at ease with and who will help to make your day become "your day"! So many photographers think that a wedding is their day out to grab that award winning shot and will stop at nothing and will take all the time in the world to get the shot. This practise is not practical on a weding day. There is a time slot between the ceremony time and sitting down time at the reception venue and this is the allocated time for photography
Your photographer will be with you for the best part of five hours and you will need him/her to be friendly, helpful, guiding and most of all able to get on with the guests, priest or minister and the reception venue management. It is a good idea to ask the reception venue co-ordinator which photographers are most helpful when they arrive. Basically mention the name of the photographer you are thinking about and ask your co-ordinator for an honest assessment. They are dealing with photographers every day and know who will be easy to work with and who will break your heart on the day. The most important thing is that you have a full-time professional photographer cover your wedding who is qualified, insured and business registered. This is not only for your peace of mind but also for your protection also. What if a guest falls over the photographic equipment and gets injured? If the photographer is not insured you may well have a claim on yourself as the person who invited the guest and therefore you have a duty of care towards your guests.
More and more venues and all public parks and ameniety areas now demand that all photohraphers entering for the purpose of taking wedding photographs must have public liability insurance to the value of €6.5 million.
Some tips when booking a Wedding Photographer:
1 Make sure your Photographer is qualified and is a member of a recognised Association. In Ireland the Irish Professional Photographers Association is the main regulatory body. The Master Photographers Association is also another good association.
2 Make sure they have a base or office where you can visit.
3 A proper land line telephone number is also an indication of a good business.
A mobile number only looks a bit "doddgy".
4 A business address is also vital. It has been my experience over the past two years that some photographers set up a website and give a mobile number, take deposits and dissappear into the night.
5 Make sure the photographer you book is the one covering your wedding and the samples you viewed are the ones done by your photographer. It can be a nightmare to find a staff photographer whom you do not know attending your wedding.
6 Your photographer is the person you should be dealing with person to person both before and after your wedding. Its a professional service and when you visit your professional such as the accountant, solicitor, advisor, doctor, etc. you expect to talk to them and not their wife, secretary or housekeeper. If you can't get access to your photographer then its not a good service.
7 Know exactly what is covered in your chosen package and that there are no nasty surprises or hidden extras that you were not told about in the beginning.
8 By choosing a qualified, registered professional photographer you will be drawing on their wealth of expeirience and you can rest assured that your Photographs will be something special that you will treasure for ever
Your photographer will be with you for the best part of five hours and you will need him/her to be friendly, helpful, guiding and most of all able to get on with the guests, priest or minister and the reception venue management. It is a good idea to ask the reception venue co-ordinator which photographers are most helpful when they arrive. Basically mention the name of the photographer you are thinking about and ask your co-ordinator for an honest assessment. They are dealing with photographers every day and know who will be easy to work with and who will break your heart on the day. The most important thing is that you have a full-time professional photographer cover your wedding who is qualified, insured and business registered. This is not only for your peace of mind but also for your protection also. What if a guest falls over the photographic equipment and gets injured? If the photographer is not insured you may well have a claim on yourself as the person who invited the guest and therefore you have a duty of care towards your guests.
More and more venues and all public parks and ameniety areas now demand that all photohraphers entering for the purpose of taking wedding photographs must have public liability insurance to the value of €6.5 million.
Some tips when booking a Wedding Photographer:
1 Make sure your Photographer is qualified and is a member of a recognised Association. In Ireland the Irish Professional Photographers Association is the main regulatory body. The Master Photographers Association is also another good association.
2 Make sure they have a base or office where you can visit.
3 A proper land line telephone number is also an indication of a good business.
A mobile number only looks a bit "doddgy".
4 A business address is also vital. It has been my experience over the past two years that some photographers set up a website and give a mobile number, take deposits and dissappear into the night.
5 Make sure the photographer you book is the one covering your wedding and the samples you viewed are the ones done by your photographer. It can be a nightmare to find a staff photographer whom you do not know attending your wedding.
6 Your photographer is the person you should be dealing with person to person both before and after your wedding. Its a professional service and when you visit your professional such as the accountant, solicitor, advisor, doctor, etc. you expect to talk to them and not their wife, secretary or housekeeper. If you can't get access to your photographer then its not a good service.
7 Know exactly what is covered in your chosen package and that there are no nasty surprises or hidden extras that you were not told about in the beginning.
8 By choosing a qualified, registered professional photographer you will be drawing on their wealth of expeirience and you can rest assured that your Photographs will be something special that you will treasure for ever
Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life. The wedding photographer is responsible for photograpohing ordinary people of all shapes and sizes and from every walk of life who generally are not used to being photographed and often don't want to be photographed. I have mentioned most of this above but just consider the following points before you choose your photographer...
Is your photographer a full time professional photographer?
Have you seen more than one complete wedding in order to assess his/her work?
Is the person(s) you met the one(s) that will be photographing your wedding? If not, you will want to meet and see the work of the person who will be your photographer.
Is he/she a member of a professional association?
Does the photographer have Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Do you get on with the photographer? Have you seen them at work at a wedding?
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