1. Pick a pretty hanger for your dress. You’ve spent so much time, money, effort, and emotion in picking the perfect dress; why not complete the picture with the hanger? Something padded and silk, a nice wooden one; or even a personalized hanger cover would look stunning in your pics.

2. If there’s something that might be out of the ordinary (at my wedding we did personalized candy bags with little facts about us), but super sweet and personal to you…put it on your list.

3. Drink lots of water before the big day. It reduces puffiness and redness in the skin.

4. How many hours will your photographer be there and what will they be there for? If you don’t have unlimited funds for photography, prioritize; are pre-ceremony photos less important to you than reception photos? Do you want hours and hours of portrait time? When you’re picking your package, keep *your* priorities for photography in mind.

5. The schedule. When will you be walking down the aisle? When you do want us to arrive? What time will you be announced? The more we know in advance, the more we’re able to capture your day as it happens.

6. Leave room for the unexpected. Try to leave “wiggle-room” in your schedule in case of traffic (or construction on the 405); you’ll short-change yourself if you schedule things too tightly.

7. Have an engagement session. It’s the best way to get used to having your photo taken and many photographers offer them as part of their packages! It may seem easy, but having been on both sides of the camera, having your photo taken can be hard work; posing, getting the right angles, holding your body in ways that you’re unaccustomed to. The engagement session is the perfect time to practice- and learn what you like and what you might not.

8. If there is something you’re self consciousness about, please tell your photographer!!! We want to make you feel beautiful and, as “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” the thing you may not like, we may think is beautiful.

9. How many photographers will you have? One of favorite photos was of my husband getting ready. I don’t know what about this photo was so touching, but I would never have been able to have it without two photographers.

10. Do what makes you happy! If you want to wear hot pink shoes, bright feathers in your hair, or sneakers-wear them! You don’t want to look back on your photos and think “awww, I wish I had ______.”

And because every post is better with a photo; although it’s completely out of order and there are other posts coming before this one, I wanted to share this one from Jaclyn and Jeff’s maternity sitting the other day:

Karen Leah on 09.24.09 @ 08:34 AM PST [link]

As I said (or, exclaimed) before this was a beautiful wedding. Since moving to Los Angeles, Bethany (bwarelaw@yahoo.com) has been a designer and coordinator-which was apparent the moment you walked in the courtyard at the Ayres Hotel. Crystal accents, butterflies (which were very personal to Bethany and reminded her of her grandmother), a color scheme that complimented the grounds beautifully...she even had the dress so perfectly laid out in her room...well, you'll see.

And the wedding; besides being lovely and elegant, was incredibly personal. They incorporated the christening of baby Kennedy into their ceremony which made it just perfect leading into a reception that went full force until the very last second of the evening when the lights went back on. This is a long entry because I had the hardest time narrowing down my favorites from the evening. (obviously, I have some personal favorites, but I'll keep those to myself). And the one of Bethany with the microphone? She surprised her groom with a perfect rendition of "At Last." Seriously, jaws dropped and Temell was speechless; Brian and I even needed a second to compose ourselves.

There are a few vendors I still need but I couldn't *wait* to get these photos up!

Karen Leah on 09.20.09 @ 09:16 PM PST [link]

While server issues have put me a little behind, the first thing I *had* to share are these amazing images from Bethany and Temell's wedding at the Ayres Manhattan Beach Hotel. When you have a bride who's a designer you know you'll have nothing less than spectacular detatils to photograph and this wedding did not disappoint. Bethany designed such amazing details I have no idea HOW I'm going to narrow it down for the full entry. I'll have more this weekend (off to shoot a wedding in Porter Ranch right now), but for the moment:

Karen Leah on 09.19.09 @ 09:14 AM PST [link]

OK, unfortunately my blog server is still acting really, really glitchy (that's totally a word) but I was able to upload these before it crashed again (there are like, 2 or 3 more).

Pearl and Ken are planning a beautiful, rose-filled wedding at the Whittier College Chapel in a few weeks and we can't wait.

Even though I'm a Bruin, I do have a soft spot for 'SC and it's a beautiful campus. We had a great time wandering around campus last weekend. Pearl and Ken, we'll see you in a few weeks!











Pearl, I know I posted some of these on your Facebook, but this is the one I was talking about-my favorite; I just love how you're looking at Ken:

Karen Leah on 09.14.09 @ 07:44 PM PST [link]

Hello!

Our webhost is having issues with our blog host; I know a few of you are waiting for photos and hopefully, this will be resolved in the next day or so; in the meantime, I'll be sending samples out via email.

Thanks for your patience!
Karen

Karen Leah on 09.14.09 @ 08:58 AM PST [link]

There are days where I KNOW that I have the greatest job ever- when I become friends with my clients, when I'm spending some quiet time with a bride as she's getting ready, and when I get to do things totally out of ordinary...This was one of them.

A quick backstory: during my weddings and sittings I climb, jump, crawl, and embarrass myself in a multitude of ways to get the perfect shot and I often get asked how I'm able to do all of this: These Guys. Crossfit is an amazing program-I was active before, but now (Yes, Jonsey, even when I don't go to class I'm still working out) it so far beyond what I could do before.

So when John asked me if I was available to photograph the Grand Opening of Crossfit LA I couldn't say yes fast enough.

So, Andy, John, Becca, Michael, Jennifer, and Jonesy-thank you for letting me be a part of this; we had an amazing time.








OK, I have give Brian an apology for this one, see, The guy on the right is Psycho Mike from KROQ-we listen to Kevin and Bean every morning. Yes, I knew who he was and how happy it would make Brian to know this. And someday, if you meet me, remind me to tell you the story of what Brian did when we saw someone from a certain television show Brian DOESN'T EVEN WATCH walking his dog-why I didn't tell Brian who we were photographing will make sense. I'm sorry, Brian.



I love this photo. The gentleman sitting down is Coach Glassman. Even if you know nothing about Crossfit, just listening to him speak and seeing how much he loves what he does is inspiring for anyone in any industry.

Karen Leah on 09.03.09 @ 02:41 PM PST [link]