Saturday, November 24, 2007

Wedding Invitation?

I was on another photographer's blog doing some, um, research (yeah, that's it!) and I found this wedding invitation. Isn't it hilarious!

I know the blog's been a bit quiet recently but we'll get going on it again real soon. For the most part, our shooting season is over but there is still a LOT of work to be done to finish up the weddings we're working on. The blog is meant to be a bit of a break from the hard work and something we both really enjoy, but customer commitments and deliveries come first. That's what we're focused on right now. It's CRUNCH time!

There is TONS of news to share though, as soon as we have time! Lots of new, cool stuff to tell you about going on at TSD (wait until you see our new album products Val and I discovered, you're gonna LOVE them!). The business continues to grow thanks to all of you and all we can say is THANK YOU!!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Don't blink though 'cause here comes Christmas!

Much more soon...

-Bruce


Thursday, November 08, 2007

Are You Settling?

No... I don't mean like that! lol I'm sure you aren't, and besides, that's none of my business! But what is my business is wedding photography. I've met with a few couples in the past several months that have chosen exquisite locations for their weddings, picked an incredible menu, selected wonderful designer gowns and the finest in flowers and accessories only to have a minimal budget for the photography. According to a recent poll in CT, the average wedding photographer charges $5500 for a wedding... holy cow!! We aren't even close to that and yet some find us too expensive. So they shop around and settle for less than what they really want. I'm wondering if they realize that only the photographs will be ALL they have to remember from that incredible day? The bouquets are generally forgotten after the intros,the dresses are stepped on and torn, even the centerpieces are given away. Do you know how much food and cake isn't even eaten and thrown away in the kitchen? We go to a lot of weddings and see it at nearly every single one.

I had a wonderful bride last year that told me her sister cried when she saw the wedding pictures we delivered. Of course, that is our goal... to capture the emotion of the day and bring tears to your eyes. So I was quite pleased about what she said... then she went on to tell me it wasn't just that... it was that when the sister got married 5 years ago, they settled on a photographer and have regretted it ever since. She wanted to get married again, just to have us do the photography. As flattered as we were, it still was heartbreaking.

Another photographer's website (of course we look!) had a great quote... "Good work is not cheap, and cheap work is not good." Something to think about.

A great big thank you to all the couples that have booked us for next year, we look forward to your wedding almost as much as you do! :-) We just love weddings and hope that the passion we have will always show in the work that we do.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Erin and Mike - by Bruce

Well fall is here and I have to admit, fall weddings are my favorite! I love the colors and there just seems to be that autumn "feel" that tends to come out in the pictures. I can't really explain it so instead I'll just post pictures and let them talk!

We talk a lot on the blog about having two photographers at your wedding and how important we feel it is and I love to show examples of why. Remember this shot from Val's post? (Sorry Val for the poor quality, but I had to STEAL it ;) That's me up in the balcony...



...getting this cool shot! I love catching someone else's flash!



Erin and Mike's ceremony was at St. Joseph's church in Occum, Connecticut.



Another BIG wedding party! This is right outside the church.



Ok, don't try this at home. The "hanging out the car window taking a picture" part. Not the "stopping on the side of the road for a smoke" part ;)



Sometimes having two photographers isn't just about being in two places at once. We knew the waterfall shot was something Erin wanted and while Val was getting the shot she posted, I took this one. We're standing in almost the same place but using completely different lenses for a different look. So Erin gets not just one shot she loves, but two!



So many interesting places to take pics at Wright's Mill! I love this barn as a backdrop.



One potato, two potato, three potato...oh wait, that's not right...



And the inside at Wright's is just as nice as the outside.





Lots of hard work and time went into the father/daughter dance. It was well worth it, they nailed it! 10.0!



My favorite shot. Ever.



Thanks Erin and Mike (and Cathy and Cliff!) for such a fun night! Not only did Val and I get to shoot together but we were both GUESTS at the wedding too! How cool is that?!

All the best-
Bruce