Karin and Matt - Engagement

Ahhhh, wedding season. It's finally here, after months of cold and bleak weather when hardly anyone wants to get married. Now that the green grass has arrived and we have lots more sunshine, it is the perfect opportunity for photo sessions, and I had the pleasure of meeting up with engaged couple Karin and Matt at their new home for an outdoor shoot.

This couple is adorable, seriously. You can tell just by watching them that they are so in love and cannot wait for their wedding. I can't wait either! From the sound of it, the reception is going to be a rollicking party, and I get to be the lucky one who captures it all. Not that I want to rush this summer by at all, but I do truly look forward to taking more beautiful images of this couple on their wedding day in October.

Now, without further ado, here are some of my favorites from their engagement session:

Congratulations again, Karin and Matt, enjoy the next few months of planning!

Giant Balloons

For a very long time now, I have been wanting to do a session with some oversized balloons. I tried to find some last year for my daughter's birthday party, but the party store where I went didn't carry them. So when I made a trip down to Massachusetts last weekend to see my best friend Kara and take photos of her daughter Hazel, I was excited that she wanted balloon pics. Little did we know what a debacle getting the balloons would be!

Kara called me when I was driving - not even one of the balloons would fit in her mother's car. We (wrongly) assumed that 36" balloons meant a thirty-six inch circumference when in fact it was a thirty-six inch diameter. These monsters were huge. In fact, one of them exploded in poor Kara's face when she attempted to pick them up. Luckily, the people at the party store were kind enough to give her another, and this time Kara watched like a hawk to make sure they didn't blow it up the whole way. By some miracle, she got this smaller balloon into her mother's car, and waited for me to get there with my minivan to fit in the others.

After folding down the bench seat in my van, and also discovering that one of the side doors opens wider than the other, we managed to wrangle the balloons in and get them back to her mom's house. It was well worth the hassle, though. The balloons looked fabulous and Hazel was fascinated by them!

If you are interested in booking your own giant balloon portrait session, contact me at sweeteventsvt@gmail.com!

Capturing Memories

One of my long-term goals is to have my own studio, but I do very much enjoy going to a client's home to do sessions in the meantime. The moment I walk in the door of someone's home, I get a good impression of who they are "in real life". We tend to create a space that reflects our personalities in our homes, from the colors we choose to decorate in, to the style of our furniture, to the art and photographs that hang on our walls. People tend to be more comfortable in their own surroundings as well, making it much easier to get them to relax and get natural shots.

I was lucky enough to visit some clients who recently had their second baby and wanted some photos of the baby girl and some sibling shots with her big brother. After moving some "baby stuff" around in the living room, I got a few images of baby Torah next to a window and then brought in big brother Aiden (with a little coaxing involving M&Ms, a very important tool in the photographer's arsenal). We then moved upstairs so Aiden could show me his big boy bedroom, as well as get some photos of Torah in her sweet nursery that her mama worked so hard to put together.

Of course, part of the beauty of doing an at-home session is that you get real life moments. People, especially children, don't always look perfectly put-together and posed and smiley. That's something I truly love about my job - I make it a point to capture real memories as well as those greeting-card-ready portraits.

We got Aiden to sit on the bed with his baby sister, and I was hoping for one of those "awwwwww" moments you sometimes get when an older sibling gives the new baby a kiss on the cheek. But, being real life, little Torah decided to cry instead, prompting quite the concerned look from big brother. And even though it wasn't the shot I had planned in my head, I still love how true and real it is.

I always go back to these images, both in photos I take for clients and shots I do at home, and they are more often than not my favorites. I love that, years from now, someone can look at these photos and know exactly what life was like in that moment for that family. As adorable as a baby is all pink and smiling and dressed up in a perfectly coordinating outfit - and believe me, I am all for those photos as well - it is these candid images that pull at my heart and keep me loving what I do. 

Most especially, I love catching shots like this next one of baby Torah's tiny little feet. Babies really do grow so quickly, and it is the little details you want to treasure. Plus, there's just something about baby toes. I just love them!

If you love these types of images as much as I do, don't forget to book a Lifestyle session with me during the month of April for a special deal!

Why Go With a Pro?

Every couple has a wedding budget. Some budgets are big, some are quite small, and a very select few are unlimited. When my husband and I got married, our budget was VERY small. We had the epitome of a DIY wedding, long before DIY weddings were the "it" thing, and sadly, before Pinterest was around to help. My maid of honor did my hair, my bridesmaids and I spent the night before the wedding putting together all of the flowers, my aunt made our ringbearer pillow, and our grandmothers made homemade cookies as our favors. A "real" wedding photographer was beyond our budget, or at least that is what I thought. Looking back, I am sure that I could have cut even more corners to fit professional wedding photography into our day, and I would have been a lot happier in the end. Maybe we could have eliminated our open bar signature drinks. Instead of flowers on the tables, we could have gone with candles. I could have even reached out to a photographer to see if I could work out a payment plan.

Lots of "shoulda, coulda, wouldas". No matter now, but as I think back to my own wedding planning I realize there was a lot I didn't know, and if my knowledge can save another bride the heartache of not being in love with her wedding images, I had better share that knowledge. Here are a couple of things I believed about wedding photography before I really understood what goes into it:

1. A "nice camera" is all you need. A professional-grade camera can make a heck of a lot of difference, sure. But a professional camera in the hands of someone who doesn't understand how to use it is like giving someone with no carpentry skills a router and a saw and expecting them to build fine furniture. Once I learned how to control my camera manually, how to adjust my exposure to get the results I wanted, it was like magic in my hands. I have full control over how my images turn out because I understand how my tools work. That is an important ingredient in finding a photographer who will capture your day in a way that you will treasure.

2. Anyone can take great pictures. I know I used to think that just because someone (even myself) had a DSLR camera, they could just look up ideas for photos online and get similar results. This goes hand-in-hand with number 1 up there - someone really needs to understand how an image was made, from posing to lighting to what lens is used to how to adjust their settings on their camera, to achieve amazing results. This especially applies to the really artistic, oft-pinned images on many wedding boards. An image of a bride in her gown in front of a window may seem like a simple photo to re-create, but I assure you that it's not. If there are really special shots that you want captured on your wedding day, make sure your photographer has the knowledge (and equipment!) to achieve them.

3. Wedding photographers charge too much. Oh, how I wish I could apologize to all the photographers out there that I thought this about. Prices vary widely among photographers, depending on location, skill level, and how big their studios are. But I'll tell you this: the great photographers who charge a lot (like my faves, Elizabeth Etienne and Jose Villa) have well earned the right to charge a lot. Professional photography equipment alone is very expensive, requires costly repairs and maintenance at times, as well as equipment insurance. Add in business insurance, a website, taxes, editing software, and not to mention the many hours spent editing, marketing, and shooting, and many photographers barely earn minimum wage.

4. All I want is all the photos on a disc. There are many "shoot and burn" photographers out there - people who spend eight hours at a wedding, don't edit the images, and burn all of them to a disc. They don't charge a lot, and may seem like a great idea to someone on a budget. Quantity over quality is definitely not a bonus when it comes to photography. After all, wouldn't you rather have a handful of swoon-worthy images hung on your wall at home than a box full of so-so photos that you hardly ever look at? Also, you might think that you'll use that disc to make prints of your wedding images, but many people rarely do that. Professional photographers work with at least one, if not more, professional printing labs as a way to assure quality paper, ink, and color matching.

5. Photography really isn't that important. Maybe this is true for you. Or maybe it's an easy way to justify putting extra money from your budget into other parts of the wedding. I get it. Like I said - I've been there. But the truth is, when the day is over, the photos are the most tangible way to remember every aspect of your wedding. From how you looked in your gorgeous gown, to the color palette you agonized over, to the look on your groom's face as you walked down the aisle, professional photographs are what capture all of that for you to treasure forever.

Please understand, I'm not trying to knock amateur photographers at all! We all start somewhere, and it was because I had wonderful friends with full confidence in my abilities that I broke into this business. I just want to present some facts that I've learned along the way that might help you make your decision to hire a pro for your own wedding images.

Finally, don't ever be afraid to ask a photographer (or another vendor for that matter) if they are willing to work within your budget. Often you will learn about a special discount or a payment plan that will bring their price within reach. I know I am always willing to work with someone who truly admires my work and has a tight budget. For more information about booking your Sweet Events wedding, click here.

Best of luck in your wedding planning!
-Elysha

Ribbon Cutting for K's Bridal

I was so sad last year to learn that Barre would no longer have a bridal shop. A bridal shop is where I started my long journey and career in the wedding industry, and locally-owned small boutiques are where I always encourage brides to buy their gowns. So when I learned through Kerri of Simply Planned that a new bridal shop was going in downtown, I immediately reached out to the owners to offer help and any photography services they might need.

Kate and her mom Kathy decided to open K's Bridal and Formal Wear after Needleman's closed last year, which is where Kate used to work. They are in the same space that Needleman's used to be, although it is quite obvious as soon as you walk in that they have made some major improvements and renovations to the space. It is much more open now, and the newly-painted walls are fresh and bright. The lighting is great, perfect for brides to try on the dazzling array of gowns that K's Bridal offers. Kate and Kathy are really focusing on offering designers that are otherwise not available in Vermont, such as Alfred Angelo's Disney line as well as their Modern Vintage line, Sophia Tolli by Mon Cheri, and David Tutera's bridal gown line.

Bridal gowns are just one piece of what they are offering at K's Bridal. Tuxedo rentals, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, bridal accessories, prom gowns, and even a small gift section round out the selection nicely. They are stocking gowns in many different sizes and colors, and there are plenty of dressing rooms to accommodate whatever you might need to try on.

Kate told me that they plan on offering trunk shows in the future, which is a fun experience and a way to see the entire current collection of a designer's gowns. They have lots of gowns in stock already, but many more are on their way to the shop. I am sure that any bride in Central Vermont (and the rest of the state!) will be able to find just what she is looking for at K's Bridal!

I wish Kate and Kathy all the best in their endeavor and look forward to working with them on lots of future projects. Check out their store's website here, and show them some love on their Facebook page as well. Best of luck, ladies!

Welcome Margot!

I was very lucky recently to take a short trip to Arizona to visit my sister-in-law, her husband, and their two precious girls. Baby Margot had just turned two weeks old when I got there, and big sister Isabelle was happy to show me the ropes. Besides missing my own little ones (and hubby!), it was a fantastic visit filled with snuggles and that special new-baby smell. 

I, of course, took lots and lots of pictures. My sister-in-law, Mandy, and I had planned out a few posed shots, but I was most excited to get some great lifestyle images of the two girls. They are among some of my most favorite photos I have ever taken.

Margot's nursery is as sweet as can be, with soft pinks, ivory, and shades of brown. The afghan in the photos above was lovingly crocheted by her mommy and is among the most beautiful I've ever seen. Her big sister is just right in love, and is so helpful fetching diapers, binkies, and loveys whenever the baby cries. It seemed to me that Isabelle just grew up overnight!

Although my crochet skills are nowhere near Mandy's, I did bring a handmade-by-me bonnet and diaper cover set to do a few posed pictures in. Margot's original due date was right around Valentine's Day, which inspired my color choice of reds and pinks. Little stinker was impatient to arrive, though, and came almost three weeks early (just like my own babies!). 

Although she is quite the peanut, we did her pictures just in time to still fit in this adorable hat that her mommy made:

It was so wonderful to spend time with all of them, and to get a little warm weather and sunshine as well! I'm afraid it will still be a while before I can enjoy outdoor family sessions in Vermont without everyone bundled up in jackets and scarves. 

Although I am so happy to be home again with my family, sleeping in my own bed, this visit to Arizona with my in-laws is one I'll treasure for a lifetime. Congratulations Mandy and Matt!

A Sweet and Simple Partnership

I'm excited. Really, really excited. I was feeling a little stuck in a rut recently and wracking my brain for something fresh and new that could catapult this business to the next level. Luckily, I talked to the right person at the right time. Funny how things like that happen, right?! ;) Anyway, my husband and I have gotten to know our next-door neighbors pretty well this past year, and neighbor Kerri and I have developed a great friendship and now what I hope is going to be a very successful partnership for us both!

Kerri is amazing at all things organization. She started a blog last year, Picture Perfect Clutter, and set about working on projects in her own home and for friends and colleagues to find a way to simplify life and reduce the stress that comes with a cluttered home and lifestyle. In talking with her, I found out that she has a love for event planning, especially weddings, just like I do. As we talked more and more, it seemed pretty clear that a collaboration between the two of us could be pretty amazing. I helped her re-brand herself into Simply Planned, a business all about organizing events, weddings, and even your home. We are going to be working side-by-side on a lot of projects, including a very special wedding planning binder that is going to be available very soon! I am also going to be training Kerri as my exclusive second shooter for weddings. This means re-working my packages to include a second photographer at all weddings, so stay tuned for some updates about that in the near future.

This partnership between Sweet Events and Simply Planned is going to mean so many new and exciting things! We have a really fun collaborative project in the works that involves a little bit of travel, as well as some DIY projects we are going to work on together and share on our blogs. Get ready, friends - and show Kerri some love on her Facebook page while you're at it!

I will be on a bit of a blogging break for about a week, as I am leaving tomorrow for Arizona, to meet my brand-new niece (and take lots of pics too!). Miss me while I'm gone. :)

Cheers!
Elysha