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Ben has been shooting weddings all over the country this summer, so I asked him to share some of his personal favorites from different weddings this season! Take a look at this beautiful eye candy, and check out his website and blog for more!

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I am in love with the rich colors of fall, so I think my favorite is the bride on the right with the golden leaves! I love fall colors, and I can’t wait until it’s here! I love when brides and grooms take a “photo walk” to find amazing locations for their post-ceremony photos like parks, beaches, or even off-beat places like cool alleys or industiral locations. Do you have any special locations lined up for your wedding photos?

(photo via Benpancoast.com)

Ben shot one of my weddings in April and we had a wonderful time! Not only were the pictures great, but the couple absolutely loved working with him! Here is a little info on this Southwest Michigan native…

How would you describe your style?
Style is a tricky thing—lots of photographers love to say they are one thing or another, but I find it’s important to be versatile and willing to work with each bride to capture what is important to her. As far as a visual style goes, I gravitate towards clean, modern portraiture and candid documentary style moments. Currently, I’m enjoying playing with color in my images.

How did you get into photography?
I’ve always enjoyed photography as a hobby, but never really considered it a career option until I got a job working with a photographer shooting homes for magazines. Eventually I began working as a freelance photojournalist for newspapers, and went on to Columbia College in Chicago where I got my bachelor’s degree in photography with an emphasis in Photojournalism. After graduating, I found my skill set was a natural fit for wedding photography and have been enjoying shooting them ever since!

What is your favorite moment during a wedding? Do you have a favorite image to capture?
I love to shoot fun bridal portraits, but my favorite part of the day would have to be the preparations before the ceremony! The anticipation, nerves, the details—it’s just so much fun to be a part of the excitement as the day builds up to that life-changing moment when the bride and groom finally exchange vows!

What inspires your photography?
When I’m shooting a wedding I think the locations are really what inspire me. I love the challenge of coming up with surprising images in unexpected places. It’s easy to shoot something beautiful on a beach or in a vineyard, but what about the basement of the church where a bride is preparing? What about the alley behind the church, an underpass down the road, or the parking lot at the reception venue? I love finding a locations’ artistic potential and then pushing it to the limit!

What are you doing when you’re not snapping wedding pics?
When I’m not shooting pictures I’m working on my computer with the pictures I’ve already taken! One thing many people don’t realize is how much time photographers spend working on images after they have been taken. Even when an image is shot correctly it must be sorted, converted, backed up, prepped for printing, then you design the album. A typical wedding may only take 1 day to shoot, but that same wedding will require many, many days of work on the back end!

Thanks Ben! For more pictures of his weddings, information on booking and availability, visit Ben’s website and blog…And stay tuned later today for his photo feature!

(Tim Holte via photo.net)

I always tell brides that one of the vendors they’ll remember most will be their photographers! You’ll be looking at the pictures they snapped for the rest of your life, and you’ll spend an entire (emotional) day with them. They’ll get to see you at your most excited, possibly most nervous and most beautiful! If the person making your cake has an obnoxious sense of humor, you may never know…but you’ll definitely be interacting with your photographer, so pick someone you’ll be comfortable with! You want someone who you can consider a “friend” for the day, as you invite them into your personal moments!

I cannot stress enough how important it is that you have some sort of connection with your photographer. Not neccessarily an “instant best friend” connection—but at the least, you should be able to talk with them, spend time with them, and tell them what you want without problems. Your photographer should show interest in your wedding, be willing to listen, and have a general excitement about helping you with your day.

Don’t be afraid to shop around—there are photographers out there with every style and personality you can imagine! First, find photographers who take images you love!  Start out by talking to friends and family who were recently married—how did they feel about their photographer? Do you like the pictures? Check out websites, blogs, The Knot or your local wedding planner to compile some possibilities. Once you’ve found some photographers who fit your style, set up meetings and get to know them—after spending a whole day with them, you’ll be glad you picked someone you’ll mesh with!

Day Two of photography week (and yes, I’m still excited about it!)…

There are few things I love more than beautiful details! Which is one of the many reasons I love to peruse the blog pages of Trista Lerit Photography! Not only does she have a beautiful and edgy style, but she always shares the detail shots that I just drool over!

Check out a few of these detail shots from her recent weddings and then run over to her blog for so many more! Trista is in Orange County, California, but thankfully you can visit her online for your daily dose of beautiful West coast photography. Make sure you have some time, because I guarantee once you start peaking at her lovely photos you’ll be hooked!

Oh, and her site is covered in pink, which makes her top-notch in my book! Enjoy!

I love this beautiful centerpiece and the perfect linens!

*All Photos copyright Trista Lerit Photography

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(All photos copyright LVL Photography)

Leda gave me my choice of 2 amazing weddings to showcase—one was bright and dramatic, and the other soft and subtle. While I’m normally a sucker for some bright, beautiful colors, I was completely smitten with the gorgeous tones (and beautiful setting) of this wedding! Everything is so subtle and subdued, yet still so very, very beautiful!

Check out Leda’s website and blog for more beautiful eye candy!

(photo courtesy Terry Johnston-GR Flikr)

I worked a wedding with Leda of LVL Photography back in May, and she is such a fun and energetic person! She’s currently located in Cedar Springs, Michigan, but she’s a Southwest Michigan native, and you can find her here all summer shooting weddings. Here’s a little Q+A to get to know Leda!

How would you describe your style?
Fun. Real. Natural. I love capturing life as it happens.

How did you get into photography?
I can blame it all on two of my favorite guys. My dad and my son. Photography gave my dad and I a common interest when I was a kid, and it was also a way for him to challenge me and my eye. I took a break during college, got married, then our son was born. Tyler re-inspired me.  No training, just many hours of trial and error. The best part of photography is the learning is never over. Oh, wait…I do have training. I have a college degree in sales and advertising and many years of experience with customer service. *giggle*

What is your favorite moment during a wedding? Do you have a favorite image to capture?
I love the uniqueness of every wedding. There is always a favorite capture, but never the same one. I LOVE details. All the planning and creativity of each bride’s vision. I also love the romance and goofiest of wedding parties. That first meet, the “almost” kiss, a tender touch, and glances across the reception location.

What inspires your photography?
The search for something new, different, unique. I shoot because I love the capture. I’ll never forget my first “walk” around MSU’s campus looking at architecture as a subject and learning about long exposures downtown Grand Rapids. What it truly comes down to is I am inspired by my friends and family. They are a priceless tool to success.

What do you love about wedding photography?
I get to experience months of personal touches that go into every wedding. I love the locations, the details, first looks, incredible families, fabulous bridal parties, and the unexpected moments as the day flows. Seriously, what better “job” could I have? I get to spend the first most important day of a couples life with them! Would this also be the area where I can admit that weddings are a great means of exercise? *giggles*

What are you doing when you’re not snapping wedding pics?
I am spending time with my family. Playing with my kids, road trips, days at the lake, and projects around the house.  I love date nights with my husband, girls night out, and kicking back with a movie and ice cream at home.

Thanks Leda, for starting off Photography week! I’ve got to give a huge “Thanks!” to the photographers we get to feature this week! Stay tuned later today for Leda’s beautiful photo feature!

I’m so excited that Photography Week is officially here! Stay tuned all this week for fun Photography-related features! We’ll showcase 3 local photographers, offer advise and inspirational photos for your big day, and we’ll even have a guest blogger!

First up today is the lovely Leda of LVL Photography—check out her Q+A this morning , and her featured wedding later today!

…drum roll please!

Photography Week!

I’m excited to blog all-things-photo next week, and we’ve got a couple of fun things in store! First, we’ll have Q+A and featured weddings with 3 wonderful local photographers. You’ll get to know more about them, their style, and check out pics that show off what they do best!

We’ll also have helpful tips for your wedding day and even a guest blogger! Stay tuned for more details, and don’t miss Photo Week starting August 11th—there will be some fabulous eye candy…and who doesn’t like candy!?

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(all photos copyright Chad Bosma Photography)

I absolutely love coming across new wedding vendors! Last weekend I had a consultation with Megan, who I will be doing decor design and day-of coordination for in October! She and her mom were so fun to chat with, and one of the many things we discussed were some of the vendors she already had picked out!

Her photographer, Chad Bosma, was a new name to me (though not at all new to the wedding biz!) and I was excited to check out his work! So, of course I jumped over to The Knot (where Megan found him) and then hopped over to his website, and I was not at all disappointed with what I saw! Tons of beautiful eye candy! So, if you’re planning a wedding in West Michigan (Chad is located in Grand Rapids) or Southwest Michigan (he’ll travel!) then add Chad to your list—you’ll definitely want to check him out!

Here are a few of my favorites—can you tell I was completely loving the silhouettes and field shots? I think everyone needs ATLEAST one of each—they are gorgeous! Check out Chads gallery for a little of everything!

It’s hard to believe we’re already booking 2009 weddings—this season is flying by! Our 2009 services and pricing are now updated and I’m really excited about some new things for ‘09!

We’ll be offering proposal planning services! Southwest Michigan offers such a romantic backdrop for popping the question, and I’m excited to be able to assist with this! Pricing will vary—contact us for more information or a custom quote!

2009 is booking fast and we’d love to assist you in your special day! If you’re interested in planning services, contact us for a free consultation—we’d love to meet with you and discuss how we can help you create your special day!

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