This Monday morning, I feel like dreaming big. And making big, terrifying plans to achieve those dreams. To stop asking permission, holding myself back or putting things off, and to plant my feet straight towards the direction I want to go. One wild and precious life–what do you plan to do with it?
Photo from Jenny & Michael’s wedding in Cleveland on Saturday–so much more to come later this week.
It has been a little bit since we’ve checked in on my Instagram feed (where you can find me @brianasnyder). From the past few weeks: homegrown, handpicked sunflowers; our puppers wrestling with Tuffy, my parents’ ‘horsedog’; a little pool break; hairbows from Kassie’s shower; finally getting to use a gift card to Press that was given to me by a dear photo student; and, lastly, my grandpa (ain’t he handsome?) at Ghostlight–I took him to see a showing of ‘The Wrong Man‘ at the Kroc Center, but the movie decided to stop working halfway through, so we went to get a coffee instead and he told me stories of driving trains in WWII.
I’ll be traveling to Cleveland today for a wedding this weekend–do you have any adventures planned? Have a wonderful weekend!
Almost all of the photographers I know–myself, included!–are avid DIY-ers and like to create as much as they like to photograph the creations of others. I recently hosted a baby shower for a dear friend and her soon-to-be-here little girl. Perhaps it can be a little inspiration, if you have a similar event to host in the future!
I decorated entirely with tissue paper pompoms, made following this Martha Stewart how-to. In addition to full sheets of tissue paper, as the tutorial shows, I cut the paper into increasingly smaller squares to make varying sizes, including teensy ones for the cake (I just wrapped the wire around a toothpick to make them stand up).
Guests each filled out a card of “Wishes for Baby,” that we then gave to the mother. I made these based on the one created by Melisa of The Lil Bee blog (the original link where I found it is broken, but I was able to find a photo of her original creation here). If you’d like the file, send me a note and I’ll pass it along!
Then, since this little lady will be this mama’s fourth and she requested no gifts, we made hairbows for her to have for the baby. I purchased some pre-made flowers and other pretties to put on headbands and hairclips, and those who wanted to get a little more crafty made bows according to this tutorial. People seemed to have a great time, and them mom-to-be ended up with a whole bag full of bows for her baby.
Lastly, favors were candles in candle holders that I had wrapped in matching ribbon, so that, when we hear that she goes into labor, everyone could light their candle and send a thought or a prayer her way.
Thanks, Kassie, for allowing me to host a time to honor you and baby Jayla–we can’t wait to meet her!
The “first look” debate. Is there really anything new to say? There are great benefits (especially from a photographer’s perspective) for a couple seeing each other before the ceremony. You have much more time to get portraits, and you can be ready to head straight to the party after the ceremony. Those “first look” photos can be really stinkin’ cute. Also, you also get to have some quiet and relaxed time together, before the festivities of the day. Zack and I did not see each other beforehand, and that is what I most think we missed–just having some time to just be together and breathe, before all the events began.
But! I 100%, completely get not wanting to see one another (um, we did it that way!), and I never try to persuade couples one way or another. If a couple asks my opinion, I will tell them honestly the pros and cons of each option. Otherwise, I simply ask what they plan to do, and we arrange the schedule from there.
Two of my recent couples, though, did something a little bit differently. Both couples had planned to see each other before the ceremony, and both did. But both couples, full of wedding-day emotions and for wholly different reasons, decided the morning of to have their “first look” entirely alone–without anyone else, even me, around.
Yes, I am a photographer and yes, my goal (and, um, job) is to capture beautiful, emotion-filled photos of your day. And, yes, those couples now don’t have photographs of their first few, emotional moments together. But, as I thought about it, not a single other one of the “benefits” of seeing each other before the ceremony was lost. If anything, they had the added joy of getting to simply enjoy being together, entirely alone, for a few moments before the day began.
I’m, of course, not saying everyone should things this way–I firmly believe whatever your wedding day is to you, that is the wedding day that I am there to document, and your wedding is not a photoshoot. If you want to see each other for the first time when one of you comes down the aisle? Awesome! If you want to get ready in the same place and walk out together to great your guests? That sounds lovely. And, if you want to get pictures before, but not see each other until the wedding, so you want to do all your portraits wearing a chicken head mask? Please hire me, cause that would be awesome.
At one of these recent weddings, after the bride went out to meet her groom, I happened to catch a glance of the couple as a passed a window. The groom look was one of, “oh-my-gosh she’s beautiful,” and the bride was wiping away tears. Though I wasn’t anywhere near them, I instinctively grabbed my camera and felt a little pang–it would have made such a perfect photograph! But, I also found myself glad, because, regardless of what would be the best photo-op, they did what was right for them.
So, brides and grooms, what did you do (or what will you do)? How did you make this decision?
When Zack and I arrived to Katie’s family’s farm last Saturday morning, we found Katie’s whole family working as one to put the finishing touches on the yard and barn, which they had spent months preparing for Katie & Joel’s special day. And Katie, herself, with her hair already done, was up on a ladder, nailing the final decorations in place. It couldn’t have been clearer that their wedding was constructed by hand with the love and support of family and friends.
The whole day was bursting at the seams with gorgeous details that Katie created herself. It was hot–104!–but not even record-breaking heat could faze this couple. Just like during their engagement session, it was so obvious all day how at ease Joel & Katie are together, and how much they love and enjoy being around each other.
Katie & Joel, I hope you’re enjoying your honeymoon–congratulations! :)
The couple commissioned the art piece on the left to be made just for them by the lovely Kristin, and then used it on their invitations and ceremony programs. It was beautiful!
Hi, Rebecca! You can reach her at: katie.baumgardner@gmail.com :)ReplyCancel
Love this baby shower! Would love to see more pics of it and feature it at Baby Lifestyles. Please email me if you’re interested to discuss further.
Lauren, that sounds fantastic! An email will be on its way! :)
[…] wrestling with Tuffy, my parents’ ‘horsedog’; a little pool break; hairbows from Kassie’s shower; finally getting to use a gift card to Press that was given to me by a dear photo student; and, […]