To tie the knot or not?

I have been doing some thinking lately about marketing.  I think I may try to join The Knot Florida's team.   Say whaaat?  You have never heard of The Knot?  It is an online "one-stop wedding planning solution."  Perfect for destination brides, as well as, brides needing vendors in their area.  Not to mention they have a really kick butt magazine that comes out once a month that feature REAL weddings.

I spoke with The Knot panhandle's advertising representative earlier today.  She was able to answer a lot of my questions and gave me a few pointers.

But in a nut shell... what does WS Photography joining The Knot mean?

To you:  (+) An opportunity to have your wedding published in an amazing magazine.
              (+) Future brides can look at your wedding in aww and get inspiration for their own wedding.
              (-) An increase of price on packages to cover the fee.

To me:  (+) An opportunity to advertise on a larger scale.
             (+) An opportunity to have my work published in a magazine that I looked at religiously for inspiration for my own wedding. [well, that and Martha Stewart Weddings]
             (-) A large monthly fee.  I would have to sign up for at least 6 months.

I am currently trying to decide if it would be a good idea or not.  I love the idea of being able to advertise on a larger scale.  However, I am afraid that the monthly fee will murder me.  If I were to sign up for it then I wouldn't have it run until December.  Although my work has been published before, it would be ideal if my work could be published in The Knot because that is the demographic I am trying to reach.  So I know eventually I would like to join their team but I just do not know if it is the right time or not.  I think I will have to wait and see how the upcoming wedding consultation goes first.

I sent a message to another photographer that is part of The Knot to get her opinion on working with them.  (i.e. Pros, Cons, Is it worth it in her opnion?)

I also made a discussion on Fbook, you are welcome to become a fan and join it or respond here on the blog: 

What made you choose your wedding photographer
and where did you find out about them? 
What did you love/not love about working with them?

Personally, I found my wedding photographer on google.  I googled my heart out.  I tried looking everywhere from The Knot to that disorganized DJWed site.  I couldn't find one in my price range (which was a pretty decent price range) whose work that I loved.  She was a portrait photographer that was trying to break into weddings so I luckily got her at a steal.  Since then (2 years in December) her prices have almost doubled what I paid for and she won Brides Choice in 2010 from Wedding Wire.  I loved her accent, she was french.  I loved the 400 complimentary 4x6 prints. I loved her style of shooting.  I loved that she paid attention to detail.

Update:  I decided to join The Knot!

So as the title says... should I tie the knot or not?

Inspire me...

Hi guys!

With many inquiries in the upcoming months for wedding photography I decided that it was time to get some inspiration. (With help from Style Me Pretty) And I think... no... I know that I am in LOVE!  Here are some photographers whose work I am totally digging!

Millie Holloman
KT Merry

Aaron Delesie

Jessica Lorren - double love!

I love how each photographer captures light and airy photographs, no clutter. It is a picture with a purpose, each picture tells a story of its own not just nice pictures taken at a wedding. 

You can look forward to seeing me put this inspiration to use!

Below is my attempt (so far) to edit similar to those that inspire me... it is still a work in progress.

Update:  Well! the lovely Jessica of Jessica Lorren Photography got back with me and taught me a few things which I greatly appreciate. :)

This week I am looking forward to an Engagement shoot in Fort Pickens, as well as, a wedding consultation. 

I think when it comes to photography if you are not picking up new tricks or learning something new then you are doing something wrong.  So earlier this week I purchased a handful of books in hopes to improve my technique.  I am really looking forward to them getting here!  In other words my week will consist of:  shooting a photography session, editing a photography session, talking about photography & reading about photography.  It will be my version of Eat. Pray. Love. : Eat. Pray. Photography.

Once I purchase my new flash I think I will pick up this one next... (maybe later this weekend. Double YAY!)



                                   Sony HVL-F42AM

And maybe if I am not tired of reading or need some extra material to read on the beach then I will pick up these...

All of the books featured in this post can be found on Amazon

Reading = Education.  Education = Knowledge.

Such thing as over posting??

I have been playing with older pictures today so I can get used to all of my new editing programs... so I am sorry if it is post overload/"Hey!  I have seen that one before?!" today.  I am falling in love with each picture that I play with so I wanted to share them with you... I am sure I will keep posting more as I finish them.
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I have been doing a lot of thinking about portrait pricing and packages lately... I decided the price will stay the same but now including 15 shared copyrighted high resolution images on a disk.  Taking pictures is something that I love to do but shoots are rare because of the economy and relocating my business to FL.  I hope the new package will make it more appealing for everyone even more so because of the upcoming holiday season.  Let me know what you think of the package by booking a session!

Same picture but with a twist...

Again, same picture... both edited a bit different.  Which one is better?  One with a tint, or the other more natural?

What I have been up to...

Make sure you keep an eye out for next month's (October 2010) Golf Business Magazine.  You will see WS Photography's work in it! Woo hoo! 
I have upgraded my computer and editing software this week... today I finally put it to the test with some test shots w/my new lens.  I hope you enjoy... if you want you can tell me what you think of it.  :)
Also, in honor of Military Appreciation week sessions booked between now and the 16th by Active Military members will receieve 20% off their session. Thank you to all that serve our country!

And it couldn't be a good test shoot w/o some pictures of some of my favorite pups.  :)

Okay, I guess I wasn't done playing with my new equipment... I think I am down pack for all of the equipment that I need to keep me happy for a while.  Ahh I love it.

Tweak

So I have been inspired to tweak the blog.  Don't worry it is nothing too serious.  But keep an eye out for the settle change within the next couple of posts.

p.s.  Is there anyone out there that is the master of applications/pages on fbook?  I could use your help.  I am a smart cookie after all.  After many Google searches and one attempt to search with Bing  I figured out how to add a Pricing & Welcome tab to the Fbook Fan Page.  They are still a work in progress... but at least they are there!  That was 80% of the struggle!

Photographer Lunch Update

Just an updated on the photographer lunch... it was a hit!  I had a ton of fun networking with my fellow photographers in the area.  We actually decided to do it again next month & I am looking forward to it.  Hopefully next time we can get some more to join in.  :)

Keep an eye out for Wade & Deanna's sneek peek coming soon!

Not snow!

I think I actually resent the Groundhog for seeing his shadow and giving us six more weeks of winter.  I am so ready for spring... not more snow, Eww!  But at least Lucy enjoyed it this morning.  We went out at the crack of dawn to play in the snow and she would not stand still one bit!  She eventually took a break after all of her running and I was able to snap one keeper. :) 

Although, I totally did not want this snow storm [as if I am bff with Mother Nature & I could stop it] I was secretly hoping for some ice sickles. Dominique Attaway has a really neat picture of ice sickles on a bright blue sky and I wanted to try something like that... since we have the Carolina Blue Skies and all. But since Mother Nature and I are not BFFs she gave me snow with no ice... womp-womp-waaah. But I did fall in love with the snow hanging on the braches of trees... to me the only thing that is missing is a bright red cardinal. I really like how the picture right below this turned out... very organic.

Eventually I became bored/cold from being outside so I made Lucy come inside with me... Sadly, I don't think Lucy was ready to come in. She propped herself on the sofa to look out at the snow. :) It kind of reminded me of Erin Vey's picture of her dog, Gracie, looking out the window... Except it looks like she put a lot of thought into that picture... instead of my "quick my battery is about to die kodak moment."

Just an update on the previous post: I have been working my booty off since yesterday evening on the offical site [haha somehow that doesn't sound as long as it felt]. :) I am really excited about revealing it to everyone... sadly, I have to wait 36 hours. But follow closely because there will be photo session giveaways. Oh and I decided that I like the look of the blog without the titles... so I am not worried about bringing them back anymore.

P.S. I think the Groundhog & Mother Nature are working against me.

Paperwhites

I can grow flowers from bulbs!  I have a horrible track record with plants... I can never remember to water plants or figure out where the best location is to place the plants for sun/lack of sun.  I saw a package of bulbs and decided to take a chance at it.  For the longest time I thought they would never bloom, instead they grew freakisly tall... but to my suprise they bloomed!  And they are beautiful!

Christmas details

Christmas for me is all about the details and when I came home (to my parents house) it was a beautiful winter wonderland!  My mom decorated her heart out and I fully enjoyed it.

p.s. There is nothing better than yummy warm gingerbread cookies!  Don't you think?