When should we book the photo shoot?

The engagement photo shoot should be booked 2 to 3 months before the wedding. Of course, you can always do it sooner or later if your schedule requires.

Do I have to hire a professional photographer? A friend or family member has offered to shoot our engagement pictures for free.

Stop right there! A wedding is a once in a life time event and that means your engagement pictures symbolize this part of your relationship together. Establishing a relationship with your wedding photographer long before your wedding will make a difference in the outcome of your wedding images. As a couple you've probably never been photographed professionally before so your engagement session is a good time for the photographer to see your individual personalities and how you interact with each other. This will help the photographer to capture images on the wedding day that are unique to that couple.

When should we send out wedding invitations with our engagement photo?

When you invite people from out of town you should send their invitation at least 8 weeks in advance. For local guests 4 weeks before the wedding is ideal.

Where should we do the photo shoot?

Have your engagement pictures taken at a location that is important or that has some meaning to the two of you. This could be the place you got engaged, first date, the college where you met, a favorite restaurant, or your home town. Your photographer will also have a list of great locations for your photo shoot if you want something different. An open meadow, an abandoned house, a local carnival, or a bowling alley are all examples of non-traditional locations you could also try.

What time of day is best for pictures?

The early morning or the late evening is best for photos right when the sun is rising or setting. If you are planning on having your hair and makeup done for your engagement session you will have an easier time scheduling your photo shoot in the late afternoon. Always schedule your shoot at least two hours before sunset so you will have plenty of time for pictures.

What should we wear?

If you schedule a two hour engagement session you probably have time to do a formal and casual outfit for each hour. Keep your clothing classic and colorful. Solid colors are a must and try to avoid plaids, florals, patterns, and head to toe in the same color. Make sure your clothing is not coordinated to the point where it looks too matchy. Keep your jewelry simple to avoid flashy distractions in your pictures. Of course wear your engagement ring.

How should I do my makeup/hair?

If you don't normally wear makeup I highly suggest you wear some for your photo shoot. I highly recommend having your hair and makeup done professionally so you can start to experiment with different looks for your wedding day. False eye lashes are a must have for any photo shoot. Don't bother with a fancy up-do since these photos are casual and relaxed. It's best to keep your hair down in loose curls or completely strait. Make sure you bring some lip gloss with you to the photo shoot so you can reapply after kisses.

What should we do with the engagement photos?

The most popular use for engagement photos is to include a loose print with your wedding invitations. Another great idea is to have custom wedding invitations made with your favorite engagement pictures. This means you save money on not having to do a print on photo paper and you can include more then one photo on the invites. Another great idea is to have your photographer create a guest sign in book using your engagement photos and white space for your guests to write their well wishes. This ends up being a great keepsake after the wedding.

What should we bring with us to our engagement session?

If your doing your engagement pictures in the summer bring some bottled water and sunblock. If your doing your engagement session in the winter make sure you bring gloves, hand warmers, and a change of shoes. Get creative with props. You can bring: bikes, balloons, a picnic, a vintage car, a piece of furniture, an umbrella, a suit case, a skateboard, hats, and books.

Do I get the digital negatives?

In most cases the photographer will break up the session fee and the cost of the digital negatives. The session fee is for the photographer's time and talent to shoot and process the pictures. The digital negatives are supplied on disc with a print release giving you permission to print the images for personal use.

Come visit us at the Thanksgiving Point Bridal Expo tomorrow, January 9th from 10am to 6pm. We've put together a new slide show playing on the flat screen and some fresh new wedding albums for 2010. If you book your wedding at the show you will get a free 10x10 20 page Engagement Guest Sign in book. We are also doing a booth drawing for a $300 gift certificate. Brides get in free if you Pre-Register or register at the show.

Here are the details for the show:
Saturday, January 9th
10am to 6pm
Thanksgiving Point Show Barn

I'm so trilled that Jenn and Josh's mountain wedding at The Canyons was published in the new 2010 Utah Bride and Groom magazine. It's such an honor to have a wedding featured in this awesome local bridal magazine. I highly recommend that you pick up your own copy and read the article. Jenn and Josh first met at The Canyon's in Park City, Utah and are originally from California. They decided to go back to the place where they first met to exchange vows on top of the mountain at the Red Pine Lodge. This wedding is also featured on the Utah Bride and Groom Blog.

A special thanks to Heather at Heather Nan Photography for 2nd shooting with me for this wedding. Here is her post about the article.

Check out one of my new sample albums! This is a 10x10 two tone leather album with a photo cameo cut out and the names and wedding date imprinted. I'm excited to be showing this off to all the new 2010 brides.

Amy + Ricky
November 28, 2009
Salt Lake Temple
Highland Gardens


BEFORE THE WEDDING

Occupations: Amy is a manager at Logoworks by HP, Ricky is on the Marketing team at Logoworks by HP

How the couple met: We worked together at Logoworks by HP for over 2 years before Ricky convinced Amy to go out with him.

How he proposed: It was a quiet, private proposal early one morning, after Rick had a sleepless night and knew he had to do it.

Bridal shower/Bachelorette party: Amy's girlfriends threw a fun shower on Halloween morning, complete with an appearance by Jack the "stripping" Elf.

Bachelor party: 10 guys in Vegas for a weekend. Who knows what antics took place???


WEDDING

Ceremony Place: Salt Lake Temple

Date: Nov 28, 2009

The bride wore: Maggie Sotterro

The groom wore: Ralph Lauren


RECEPTION

Reception Place: Highland Gardens

Wedding music: Live music provided by Cubworld (Jake Kongaika). We went on our first date to his concert.

Wedding song: You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Menu: The Traveling Chefs provided delicious pastas with salads and breadsticks and yummy treats

Cake: Kneaders Bakery...it was delicious

Colors: Navy blue and ivory

Flowers: We did them ourselves...one effort to cut costs

Décor elements: Lots of candles and flowers and photos

Unique details: The fireplace mantle was one of the favorites...


MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT

Bride's answer: The ceremony was really special and a happy, calm moment for me. Seeing all of our family and friends gathered together for us was really cool too.

Groom's answer: The temple ceremony was the highlight.


HONEYMOON

Place: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

A memorable moment of the honeymoon: Best 10 days ever.


WEDDING ADVICE

Keep it simple and have fun. Try not to let the details stress you out. Enjoy the wedding day as much as possible.









































VENDORS

Rings: Amy's ring is a Hacking family heirloom, along with a wedding band purchased at Jared

Invitations: Custom designed by Rob Kirby

Guest book: TheWeddingOutlet.com

Photography: Opie Foto (she was fantastic to work with)

Videography: Stephanie Jenson (she did a great job)

Bridal gown: The Perfect Dress in Murray, UT

Alterations: Provided thru The Perfect Dress

Hair and Makeup: Remedez Salon in University Mall

Groom’s Tux/Suit: Dillards

Flowers: Costco

Decorations and rentals: The reception venue provided everything we would have otherwise had to rent. The decorations were purchased at lots of different places.

Catering: The Traveling Chefs (they were great to work with also)

Cake: Kneaders Bakery (tasted really yummy)

Venue: Highland Gardens, American Fork, UT (loved it)

Entertainment/Music: Cubworld...www.cubworldmusic.com (he's amazing)

Wedding favors: Mother of the bride took care of them

Colby + Eric
November 14, 2009
Oquirrh Mountain Temple
The Point

BEFORE THE WEDDING

Occupations:
Colby- Victim Advocate for local police department






























VENDORS

Rings: Piano on auto play and a guests ipod. Entertainment provided by the Quinney brother's.

I had a blast shooting Alicia and Brandon's engagement pictures on Saturday. We shot half of the session outside and the other half at the Utah State Capitol. It was cold but a lot of fun. I'll be shooting their wedding in on February 6th at Noah's. Enjoy.

<3 Opie

Christmas Deadline is TODAY!

Today is the Christmas cut off for all Christmas cards, prints, albums, and canvas orders. You must place or order by Midnight today to guarantee Christmas delivery of your items. All orders must be picked up by Friday, December 18th at 6pm.

Studio Closed:
December 19th through January 2nd

Quick! Log in to your gallery and place your order to get a head of the crowd.

I just love how Hillary and Derek's wedding album turned out. Hillary selected a beautiful brown floral leather that went perfect with their fall wedding.

Lynn + Mark
November 8, 2009
Inn on The Creek
Midway, Utah

BEFORE THE WEDDING

Occupations: L: Flight Attendant M: Commercial Real Estate

How the couple met: We met on a flight from Oakland to Salt Lake City. Mark was on his way to his nephew's first birthday party and I was working the flight. I picked up the trip specifically for the SLC overnight so I could go to my friend's Med School Graduation party.

How he proposed: Made me ride up a hell-acious hill over looking the Golden gate bridge in Marin. We sat on a bench resting and snacking when he got on his knee...

Bachelorette party: My sister threw me a party with all my close friends at my friends salon. We ate, drank and posed for our own boudoir photoshoot.

Bridal Shower: My fiancee's mom and sister in-law threw me a tea party shower. We had finger sandwiches, cakes, and tea... along with wine.


WEDDING

Ceremony Place: "Inn on the Creek" in Midway, Utah

Date: November 8, 2009

The bride wore: BCBG dress. The dress had been altered and changed by a friend of mine.

The groom wore: Calvin Klein Suit


RECEPTION

Reception Place: Inn on the Creek

Wedding music: DJ's Ted Dancin'

Menu: Catered by Charlie Perry who owns EVA, in SLC

Colors: Fuschia, Slate Grey, and touches of metallics

Theme: Asian Fusion

Flowers: Dominic Tartaro

Décor elements: Dominic Tartaro

Unique details: Our invitations where designed to resemble airplane tickets, and name tags for the seating were like little bag tags because we had met on the plane.


HONEYMOON

Place: London, Berlin, and Prague
































































VENDORS

Rings: Bride's ring belonged to his great grandmother.

Invitations: We designed them ourselves, and had them printed at Paper Creations.

Rehearsal dinner: Golden Dragon

Guest book: Polaroid Photos with guests signatures

Photography: OpieFoto

Bridal gown:BCBG dress. The dress had been altered and changed by a friend of mine.

Alterations: The dress had been altered and changed by a friend of mine.

Hair and Makeup: Hair: Kaleb Andersen/Lunatic Fringe, Makeup Marian Rivkind/Main Street Studio

Bridesmaids' dresses: BCBG

Groom’s Tux/Suit: Calvin Klein Suit

Flowers: Dominic Tartaro

Catering: Charlie Perry who owns EVA, in SLC

Cake:

Venue: Inn on the Creek

Entertainment/Music: DJ's Ted Dancin'

Wedding favors: We put oriental candy in little take-out boxes.

Officiant: Family Friend

Guest lodging: Inn on the Creek

Brooke and Brian got married at the beginning of October on the east coast and then had an open house reception at Fort Douglas in mid October. They had me shoot some bride and groom pictures and family pictures before the open house. Check it out!