Gardner Photography & Design

Shameless Self Promotion

2012-01-25T18:50:00.000-05:00

Sometimes....you must feed the SEO Gods.....here goes...

Gardner Photography & Design

:) There. I hope they're full.

What's in my Photography Bag?

2012-01-22T17:22:00.001-05:00

Recently, I discovered Pinterest - and I'm hooked! For fun, I created a board to show what is in my bag, so to speak. Sure, I don't carry around all this stuff, but it's still part of my overall gear. All these things are important to creating the ultimate wedding and family photos!

So, are you curious what camera I use? Which lenses I have? The software I prefer? Then, check it out....

Peek inside Gardner Photo's gear bag....

While you're at it, check us out online at our website or visit us on Facebook. We'd love a "like" while you're there!

Wedding-Day Beauty Tips

2012-01-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

These are some GREAT times from Real Simple Weddings! As a wedding photographer in Cincinnati, I often give my brides the same advice for their wedding days or bridal sessions. Here are the tips:

Don’t Wash Your Hair

Surprise! You shouldn’t suds up your hair on your wedding day. “Let your hair’s natural oils work their magic―they’ll make it look shinier and healthier, and help keep whatever style you have in place longer,” says hair and makeup artist Ann Minahan, owner of Riah salon in NYC. “Shampoo and condition the night before, then just give it a rinse with water in the morning.”

Use Product to Keep Flyaways at Bay

For banishing mid-reception flyaways and frizz, use a wax or pomade stick like Tigi Bedhead Wax Stick (amazon.com, $15) to smooth strands back into place, says Lisa Leming, a bridal hair and makeup expert in Irvine, CA. “It’s heavy, so apply it to your fingers first and then run your fingers along the hair,” she says. And have lots of bobby pins handy to secure larger strands that have broken free.

Try Powder to Combat Grease

If your hair is prone to grease, stop it in its tracks with a tinted hair powder (Bumble and Bumble’s has five shades (bumbleandbumble.com, $34). “Sprinkle it lightly along the hairline and greasy areas, and it will absorb the oil,” says Minahan. Just don’t overdo it, or you’ll lose the shine.

Revive Flat Hair with a Good Shake

Hair that’s worn down runs the risk of falling flat. To revive it, “Slip off to the ladies’ room and flip your head forward, spray it with a shot of hairspray, and shake your hands through it to add volume,” says Leming.

Wear Sunscreen Under Your Makeup

Many ceremonies and photo sessions take place in bright sunlight, and if you skip the SPF, you could transform into a lobster as the night wears on. “Once you’re burnt, it’s really hard to make your makeup look right,” says Ashlee Barnes, a makeup artist in Los Angeles. (Her favorite? Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock in SPF 55, drugstore.com, $9.)

Fix Eyelash Clumps with a Comb

Emotions run high―and waterworks can wreak havoc on even the best waterproof eye makeup. “Tears have saline in them, so when they hit the lashes, mascara will start to clump,” says celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip. “Bring along an eyelash comb to declump them and a cotton swab with a bit of moisturizer on the tip to run under the eyes and remove any smeared makeup.” The finishing touch? “Use eye-drops so that your eyes look bright and white in all the pictures,” says Barnes.

Do a Shine Check

About once an hour, check your complexion―either with a mirror or a no-nonsense bridesmaid. Using a tissue, dab off any perspiration, says Minahan, then remove surface oil with a blotting paper such as Alcone Face-Matte Oil-Blotting Blue Sheets (alconeco.com, $6). Schlip recommends finishing off the job with a tinted pressed mineral powder. “Don’t use a heavy powder or one that contains talc or petroleum by-products, which will cake when you keep reapplying,” says Schlip. (Her pick: Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear, physiciansformula.com, $13.)

Exfoliate to Make Lip Color Last

To make your lip color survive a full night of smooching, Barnes prescribes this routine: First, exfoliate lips with an old toothbrush to rid them of flakes. Using a neutral lip liner like Spice by MAC (maccosmetics.com, $13), line your lips and fill them in with the pencil. Apply lipstick, then blot with a tissue. Apply a second layer of lipstick. Throughout the evening, keep lips shiny with a tinted gloss such as Nars Lip Lacquer (narscosmetics.com, $24).

Carry Concealer

Your foundation is bound to wear thin in spots, but reapplying can make it look too heavy―and isn’t exactly practical when you’re in party mode. Instead, carry a small container of concealer. “You can use it on redness around your nose, discoloration under your eyes or blemishes,” says Leming, who recommends Laura Mercier Undercover Pot (lauramercier.com, $34).

Check out the full article from Real Simple Weddings - and then come check us out at Gardner Photography & Design or on Facebook.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette 101

2012-01-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

If you'll be tying the knot in a less-than-traditional setting, the wording of the wedding invitation can be as creative as you want: Think meaningful quotations, song lyrics, or any other phrases that will give your guests a sense of the style of your wedding. Just don't forget to include the basics:

Your name and the name of your fiancé, including last names.
The date, location, and time of the wedding.
The location and time of the reception.
Reply information.

Read more from Real Simple Weddings. And don't forget to visit Gardner Photography & Design online!

WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2012

2012-01-10T06:44:00.001-05:00

We won the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2012! This is our third year in a row.

This means we are in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide! The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined solely by the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds.

THANK YOU to all of our fabulous couples who gave us such great reviews! We couldn't have won without you. :)

Check out Gardner Photography & Design's reviews on WeddingWire.

Night Time eSession Downtown { Sneak Peek }

2012-01-08T17:17:00.000-05:00

We had a blast with Nicole and Matthew for their eSession last night. We started at Longworth Hall and got super lucky - there was this red caboose car there! All the times I've been there, and no caboose, so it was a little surprise.

Once the sun was setting, we headed to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati for some super cool night shots. The holiday lights were all still up - making for some great photos!

We made a stop at Via Vite for a Champagne toast and a few more photos. And then wrapped up with some slow shutter shots. I've been dying to do some downtown for awhile, and they turned out cool!

Check out their sneak peek. We're super excited for Nicole and Matt's July 2012 wedding in Northern Kentucky. Enjoy!

Check us out online at www.gardner-photo.com or come Like us at Facebook!

Fun Night Time eSession Planned!

2012-01-07T14:08:00.000-05:00

Fun evening engagement session planned tonight! We'll be starting out at Longworth Hall to get some pre-sunset light. Then, we'll head down to Fountain Square for some cool night time photos. Can't wait!

Check out the sneak peek on our Facebook page - coming soon!

Submit Your Wedding!

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

There are many ways to submit your wedding and be featured online or in magazines. Here is one way to share your beautiful wedding with future brides!

>> Real Wedding Submissions

Be sure to visit us at Gardner Photography & Design! We've added some new vendor recommendations and will be making more updates soon.

{ 2011 - Super Busy Year! }

2011-12-03T18:34:00.000-05:00

It has been a super busy year for Gardner Photography & Design! We have photographed weddings all over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky - including The Phoenix, Alms Park, Niederman Family Farm, The Syndicate, 20th Century, Aston Oaks, VOA Park, Celebrations Cruise Line, Receptions Erlanger, Savannah Center and more!

Look for our Best of 2011 coming soon. Will be super tough to narrow it down, but I'll try!

2011-11-29T18:43:00.000-05:00

Find us on Facebook! We are hoping to break 250 fans by the end of January 2012. Will you help us??

{ Meagan + Nick } Oct. 2011 Wedding

2011-11-18T18:36:00.000-05:00

Beautiful fall day at Niederman Family Farm - perfect for a wedding! Check out Meagan + Nick's wedding montage. One of my favorite songs ever! They had so many unique, cool details for their farm/barn wedding in Ohio. Enjoy!

{ Trena + Kevin } Oct. 2011 Wedding

2011-11-04T18:40:00.000-04:00

Another gorgeous fall wedding from Cincinnati Wedding Photographers, Gardner Photography & Design! Ceremony and reception were held at Aston Oaks in North Bend, Ohio. What a great place for a fall wedding! The country club motif was leaves - they are on the walls, stamped in the cement, used in furniture. I love leaves, so I noticed them right away!

Kevin and Trena saw each other before their ceremony - which meant LOTS of time for photos around the golf course with the wedding party. We took out several carts and had a blast. And got some gorgeous photos with the beautiful fall colors.

Enjoy their wedding montage!

eSession Ideas { Devou Park }

2011-02-06T13:31:00.005-05:00

So far, we've looked at Ault Park, Glenwood Gardens and Cincinnati Music Hall. It's times to cross the river and check out a great park in Kentucky....and another free location to do engagement (and wedding) photos in Cincinnati.

DEVOU PARK

Located in the hills overlooking Covington, Kentucky, Devou Park offers a range of entertainment and recreational activities including theater, symphony, nature trails, golf, tennis, picnic facilities, fishing, Behringer-Crawford Museum and the newly constructed Drees Pavilion. When most people say they are doing photos at Devou Park - they mean Drees Pavilion, with its breathtaking view of downtown Cincinnati (one of the best in the city).

Beyond the amazing view, is there anything else....? Yes - there's some nice grassy areas with large trees and shade. There are some benches and flowers - and more flowers in front of the building. There is also a little gazebo - which works well on very sunny days.

Devou Park can be like Ault Park - a very busy place on a Saturday during wedding season! You may have to wait to do photos in certain spots, since other wedding parties will be there. You may also get asked to leave the gazebo area - the bride who has Drees Pavilion booked for her event obviously takes priority. Hopefully, HER photographer is nice about asking you to leave, so they can do photos (not always the case).

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Looking for the best Cincinnati wedding photographer? Contact Gardner Photography & Design today to get a custom package quote. Ask about our "Try Before You Buy" engagement sessions.

Video Montage { Diana & Jay }

2011-01-30T15:48:00.001-05:00

Diana and Jay had their wedding at one of my favorite venues - the beautiful Oscar Event Center in Fairfield, OH! This gorgeous venue is located at one of my favorite grocery stores - Jungle Jim's!

When I first spoke to Diana, she told me about the Oscar Center. Before we even booked her, I drove up and did a site visit (and a little shopping at JJ's). We got lucky and the Oscar was open. So, we went in, looked around and fell in love!

There are so many very cool details at this place - from the large chandelier that looks like a bunch of grapes to the wall sconces that are bottles of wine/Champagne. Even the bathrooms have multiple photo opportunities.

We started with photos at Diana's salon in Fairfield and then returned to her house, so everyone could get dressed - and I could do make-up! Then, the limo arrived, and we headed for Sharon Woods. The ceremony was held at the Sharonville United Methodist Church with the reception at the fabulous Oscar Event Center.

Enjoy!

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Are you planning your reception at the Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim's? We would love to talk to you! It's a fabulous venue with so many opportunities for great photos - and we'd love to be the photographers taking those photos. Contact us today, and let us craft a custom package perfect for you.

Gardner Photography & Design Won a 2011 Bride's Choice Award!

2011-01-28T11:28:00.000-05:00

We're excited to announce that Gardner Photography & Design has won a WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award for 2011. It's our second year in a row, so we hope to continue the trend in years to come!

We couldn't have done this without all of our fabulous 2010 Brides and Grooms. Thanks to your awesome reviews, we earned this award! THANK YOU! We love you guys.

We look forward to all of our 2011 weddings - and hope we'll be sharing this exciting news again in another year. We definitely plan to work hard and earn this honor again.

WeddingWire Announces Bride's Choice Awards™ 2011

BETHESDA, MD - January 25, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce the 2011 winners of its prestigious annual Bride's Choice Awards™. With more than 200,000 wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community throughout the US and Canada, the 2011 award recipients represent the top five percent in quality and service excellence within the wedding industry.

Recognition for the Bride's Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Awards are distributed to winning wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and are based on the overall professional achievements throughout the previous year.

"WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of our top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. "Over the past three years, the Bride's Choice Awards™ program has afforded WeddingWire, and the bridal community, the opportunity to recognize those professionals for their unparalleled service and commitment to the wedding industry. We applaud the 2011 winners for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience for couples throughout the prior year."

The Bride's Choice Awards™ 2011 winners will be notified via email on January 25, 2011. Recipients will be given the Bride's Choice Awards™ 2011 badge, along with access to additional marketing tools to showcase the award. A complete list of the winners will be available on the WeddingWire homepage in early February.

For more information on the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.

WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

eSession Ideas { Glenwood Gardens }

2011-01-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

Looking for great places to do your engagement photos in Cincinnati? This is my second post in a long series - based on places I've been to or done other photo sessions.

My first post was about one of my favorite places for any type of photos - Ault Park. But we have so many great options, and another one is Glenwood Gardens.

GLENWOOD GARDENS PARK

Glenwood Gardens Park is located on Springfield Pike off I-75 (in Woodlawn near Glendale-Milford Road). It is 335 acres and occupies land that was once the Burchenal family cattle and produce farm. It includes a small wetland complex with fountain and rocks, gatehouse entrance, rock structures, beautiful plants and a gorgeous gazebo with painted foliage ceiling.

I did a mini eSession there in 2010. I was actually scouting out locations to do pre-wedding photos and wanted to show the park to the bride and groom. My couple, Brandon and Cindy, were having their wedding ceremony and reception at the Receptions location in Fairfield on Boymel Drive. Since everything was indoors and at one location, we wanted to find an outdoor option for them. We got so lucky with Glendale Gardens!

I told the groom that this photo looked like an ad for Men's Warehouse! These large rocks are absolutely PERFECT for posing the men.

The bride, Cynthia, is actually standing on part of the fountain. We did group shots with the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen in this area. But it would be a great spot to do photos in an eSession, too!

One of the large, sweeping views - if you look over the wall and into the distance. Great place to do some dramatic photos - or even some fun ones.

I consider Glenwood Gardens one of the free places to do engagement photos - however, it does require a parking pass. An annual Hamilton County Park Motor Vehicle Permit (MVP) is only $10; daily is $3.00. It's well worth it, since it gets you into any Hamilton County Park, and you get some coupons included. More information >>

In summary, Glenwood Gardens is a great option for engagement photos in Cincinnati or pre-wedding photos, especially if your reception is at Receptions in Fairfield or another nearby venue. Check it out!

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Looking for the best Cincinnati wedding photographer? Contact Gardner Photography & Design today to get a custom package quote. Ask about our "Try Before You Buy" engagement sessions.

Bridal Session { Diana O } - The Movie

2011-01-23T09:23:00.002-05:00

Okay, so it isn't really a major motion picture or anything....just an awesome video montage! I am loving my new Photodex styles - and creating some custom ones of my own. Making video montages is becoming one of my favorite things!!

With my next eSession, I hope to capture some actual video snippets of the couple. My Canon 5D Mark II and 7D both have video capabilities, but I'm so busy taking photos that I rarely pause to capture video. I am hoping to have one camera (the 7D) doing some video work while I snap away with the 5D - and then merge the stills and video into a future montage.

Anyway, I digress! As I said in my last post, we did Diana's bridal session at the Loveland Castle. It's was perfect all around - beautiful bride, beautiful location, beautiful spring day! Who could ask for more?

Check out Diana's bridal montage...

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Are you a Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky bride looking for a fabulous wedding photographer? We hope you will consider Gardner Photography for your 2011, 2012 and beyond wedding! We can customize any package - and offer engagement, bridal and other sessions. Just ask about our "Try Before You Buy" engagement session today.

Bridal Session { Diana O }

2011-01-22T08:33:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite places to shoot is Loveland Castle - look for my write-up coming soon! I was fortunate enough to do a bridal shoot there with Diana O in April 2009. Her wedding was in May 2009, and she wanted to do bridal photos beforehand. I was also doing her make-up, so it was a great opportunity to try make-up and hair (which I didn't do) and take some photos!

Diana got her hair done first and then met me at my house with her dress and veil. I did her make-up, and then she got dressed. I had actually done her and her bridesmaid's make-up a few weeks prior to that, so we had already done our "dry run." I got Diana started on a skin care regime at that time, and her skin was just glowing by the bridal shoot!

So, why was her photographer doing her make-up, you ask??? In college, I worked for Clinique and did make-overs all the time. I was the top producer in Ohio at one point - at 19 years of age. Not bad! I learned a lot about make-up and skin care during that time. I told Diana about my background and offered to do her make-up. Heck, I was there, so why not?

We got Diana all ready, carefully eased her into my SUV and headed for the Loveland Castle. It was a beautiful day - although, a little windy. There are some hysterical photos of Diana's veil being blown straight up!

When we arrived, the awesome guys at the Loveland Castle were there to welcome us. They really took care of us while we were there doing photos and even let us do some photos with their motorcycles and swords!

This bridal shoot was a fabulous time, and we got some many great photos! I would highly recommend the Loveland Castle for engagement or bridal shoots - look for more information coming about the experience, their pricing, the castle, etc.

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Are you a 2011 or 2012 bride looking to have photos done? Please contact Gardner Photography & Design. We would love to talk about your upcoming wedding and schedule a session at the Loveland Castle or another great location in the Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area!

Not All Weddings are on a Saturday

2011-01-21T20:33:00.000-05:00

Here it is. A Friday. A great day for a wedding, right? Sure! Definitely! ANY day is a great day for a wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio - or anywhere else.

I had my own wedding on a Friday night at the Krippendorf Lodge in Cincinnati, Ohio. We picked a Friday in October to get married. Actually, we got married on my birthday - so, my lucky husband only has ONE day to remember.

There are some big pluses to a wedding that isn't on a Saturday - first off, many wedding vendors offer discounts for Friday night weddings. Or Monday weddings. Or Thursday weddings. Saturday is clearly the most popular day to have your wedding, so you can usually expect some sort of discount for any other day.

Another plus - many vendors unavailable on a Saturday are available the night before. Or the day after. This is great news if you have your heart set on a venue, photographer, DJ or other vendor who can only book one event per night/day. (Not so much an issue with florists, bakers, etc.)

With my own wedding, we had many friends and family members coming from out of town. So, we had the wedding on Friday night and then a small party at our house the next day for everyone who had traveled to be there. Sadly, you don't usually get much time to talk to guests at your wedding. This way, we had the entire day and night to spend with everyone.

In 2011, Gardner Photography has a first - a Monday wedding! The date is incredibly significant to the couple, and it just happens to be on a Monday this year. I love their story and what they have planned! We'll be doing photos at Spring Grove Cemetery with the ceremony and reception at 20th Century Theater. We love this venue and this couple - so, we're super excited about their April wedding!

I think non-Saturday weddings often have a story behind them, too - which is the case for this couple and was the case for my own wedding. As I mentioned, I got married on my birthday. It was also the same date our house plans were drafted. In the case of my April Bride and Groom - the wedding is the same date as their first date and engagement. Clearly, this is a good day for them! (And ironically, it's one of my best friend's birthdays, so one more reason to love this day.)

Did you recently get engaged and are planning a 2011 or 2012 wedding in the Cincinnati area? We'd love to talk to you! And we DO offer special discounts for weddings being held on days other than Saturday. If you're planning your Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana wedding on a day other than Saturday, then be sure to ask about our special discounts!

Many 2011 dates are already booked, so please contact Gardner Photography today - we'd love to customize a package for you and hear more about your special day (whether it's Saturday, Friday, Sunday, Monday....any day)!

We love weddings - any day of the week!

Another eSession at Ault Park - We Had Fun!

2011-01-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

This eSession was done during August 2010. So, it was HOT! But that didn't stop me, Mairi and Joshua from having a lot of fun during their engagement session. Can't wait for their July 2011 wedding at the Savannah Center!

As you can see, an eSession at Ault Park is perfect almost any time of the year. Next week, I'll talk about photos at Glenwood Gardens. An almost free option. Look for my Cincinnati Music Hall review and photos coming soon!

In the meantime, enjoy a little slice of summer.....

Before & After - When Photoshop Saves the Day

2011-01-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

I wish every photo that came off my memory card was perfect, every time....but that doesn't always happen. Heck, that never happens! There are many factors that go into creating a photo, so anything can go wrong. That's when Adobe Photoshop can sometimes save the day.

I had a wedding about a year ago and was asked to work some Photoshop magic. A very specific image of the Bride and Groom didn't exist, so the Bride asked me if I could "create" this image.

It was a tough challenge, but I was up for it! It would mean finding an image that was close and then removing people and recreating a background. With something like trees or sky, it can be relatively easy to clone the background.

Not with this photo.

It had a lot of details that were in focus - the slats in the porch, the windows next to the front door, the vase of flowers....luckily, I did find two choices, and the couple looked great in both!

You can see the amazing "before" and "after" here....

This was a very rare and extreme case - but it shows that Gardner Photography & Design has the ability to work their "magic" behind the lens AND on the computer.

eSession at Ault Park

2011-01-17T14:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I mentioned that one of my favorite places to do engagement sessions is Ault Park. And for good reason! I did an eSession at Ault Park last Spring - everything was in bloom, and the park was simply gorgeous.

Check out Mindy and Danny's 2010 eSession at Ault park...

I'm also trying out some of my new montage effects. I just added a new collection and have started doing more custom effects. I love how this montage turned out.

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Did you recently get engaged and are planning a 2011 or 2012 wedding in the Cincinnati area? We'd love to talk to you! Ask about our engagement sessions - and get your own video montage! Many 2011 dates are already booked, so please contact Gardner Photography today - we'd love to customize a package for you and hear more about your special day!

eSession Ideas { Kick-off and Ault Park }

2011-01-16T12:25:00.002-05:00

Where should you do your engagement session in Cincinnati? As a Cincinnati wedding photographer, I get asked this question by many of my brides and grooms. Luckily, there are numerous awesome options available to you! I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite places and any costs associated with them and will post them over the next coming weeks - so keep checking back!

Let's start with FREE options. Free is always good, right? And some of the best locations to do engagement photos in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are free – but also outdoors. That’s great in June or October but may be an issue if you want an engagement session in January. Of course, a little snow can make for a fun eSession! And some outdoor locations are always gorgeous.

I'm kicking off this series of posts with one of my absolute favorite free places to do an eSession (or any type of photos for that matter!).....

AULT PARK

Cincinnati is known as a city of parks, and Ault is its fourth largest at nearly 224 acres. Top attractions include the pavilion, lookout point and formal gardens. There's an outstanding collection of roses and a grove of trees chosen specifically for their ability to grow in the Cincinnati area.

I have shot weddings, eSessions, portraits, stock photography, families, senior sessions - you name it. And every time, we get fabulous photos!

What's so great about Ault Park? Besides being free, it's just beautiful almost all year long. You have the paths, the foliage, the pavilion, lookout point, the fountain and more. Sunsets on top of the pavilion at Ault Park can be spectacular. Photos in front of the waterfall fountain when the lights are on are also beautiful.

Okay, I know - those are wedding photos. It's because Ault Park is such a great place to have your wedding or do photos before/after the ceremony. There's good reason why you'll see multiple limos in the park on any given Saturday during wedding season.

The best time of year to do photos at Ault Park is....all year. Okay, seriously - it's probably in the Spring. There's a few weeks when the park explodes with flowers, and the new blossoms are on every tree. It doesn't last long, but it's beyond beautiful - everywhere you go.

Summer and Fall are also great times to do photos - the park offers so much each season.

So, if you're looking for a great, free place to do engagement photos in Cincinnati, then consider Ault Park! Or if you're looking for a beautiful place for your wedding or wedding photos. It's a popular spot for photos for good reason!

Next post - more free parks. And a paid indoor option at Cincinnati Music Hall. I'll be doing an eSession there on January 21, 2011, so look for photos and my review to follow!

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Looking for the best Cincinnati wedding photographer? Contact Gardner Photography & Design today to get a custom package quote. Ask about our "Try Before You Buy" engagement sessions.

Album { Kim & Matt } September 2010, Part Deux

2011-01-08T07:40:00.028-05:00

In addition to several mini accordion albums, Kim and Matt got our Flush Mount Panoramic album as part of their package. This is a GORGEOUS album with thick photographic pages. It's a true flush mount, so the photos extend across the entire page without any seam to break them up. Although we offer several album and book options, this is our most premium album.

I haven't made a slide show of the album before, but I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't do all the fancy transitions - just some nice fades and a little music. Enjoy!

Video Montage { Beth & Dan } July 2009

2011-01-06T10:19:00.001-05:00

Fourth of July wedding in Cincinnati, OH! Everything was held at their church, Northminster Presbyterian on Compton Road. We loved doing photographs with Dan's motorcycle in front of the church - he had to quickly get it home before it rained, though!

We finished up the day with sparklers in front of the church - then headed off to our own Fourth of July celebration. It was a great day - with a super fun couple!

Album { Kim & Matt } September 2010, Part I

2011-01-04T10:25:00.000-05:00

Kim and Matt had a beautiful wedding at 20th Century in Oakley (Cincinnati, OH). After the ceremony, we went to Ault Park for some gorgeous sunset shots. It was a fabulous event - and a great couple!

We delivered the album and some mini accordion albums to Kim before the holidays. She used the minis as Christmas gifts - they make excellent stocking stuffers! We did two different designs - one with more images from her family, and the other featured Matt's family.

Kim's Family Album:

Matt's Family Album:

Find Us on Facebook!

2011-01-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

Looking for us on Facebook? We'd love to add you to our family! Check out Gardner Photography on Facebook - stop in, look around. We add new photos and information all the time. Hope to see you there!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T12:31:00.000-05:00

Gardner Photography & Design wishes everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

Video Montage { Amanda & Chris } May 2009

2010-12-31T09:50:00.001-05:00

This video montage is from Amanda and Chris's May 2009 wedding at beautiful Ault Park. We started with photos in the gardens, but a pop-up shower caused us to make a mad dash for the pavilion. The couple originally planned to have the ceremony outside but had to move everything under the cover of the building and tents.

Luckily, the rain didn't last long and gave us the opportunity to take some very cool umbrella photos! Amanda and Chris were such great sports and took it all in stride. And were rewarded with a beautiful sunset.

I LOVE Ault Park - it's one of my favorite places to shoot, and I do photos there all the time. I would love to talk to you if you are planning your wedding at Ault Park - or any park, for that matter! We have several 2011 weddings scheduled at local parks, and my camera loves taking photos outdoors.

Also, all 2011 packages now include the video montage - let us know if you want to discuss your 2011 Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana or destination wedding. We'd love to hear from you!

What's New in 2011?

2010-12-30T09:51:00.001-05:00

For all 2011 weddings, we will include a video montage - set to a song of your choosing! Use your first dance song or let us pick something for you.

AND we will also include all the low resolution images on disc. These are perfect for posting online or sending via email. The high resolution files are just too big for sharing, so now you don't have to worry about trying to reduce them or blowing up someone's email. You'll have images sized perfectly for online use.

We'd love to talk to you about your 2011 wedding! Many dates are already booked, and our availability in May and July is very limited - only a few dates are open. We hope to talk to you soon about your Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana or destination wedding.

Tips for your eSession/Engagement Shoot

2010-12-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

A few tips for making your eSession (Engagment Session) the BEST it can be:

Take care of any hair removal 24-48 hours before the shoot. Hair removal can leave your skin reddish or irritated - not good for photos!
Speaking of reddish skin - avoid the sun for several days before your shoot. Sunburned skin does not look good in photographs. If you have a sunburn already (any areas exposed during photos), then wait until it has faded before scheduling the session.
A full-body exfoliation is a great way to get healthy looking skin! Be sure to follow up with a good moisturizer.
Get a manicure for sure. If toes will be exposed, then get the pedicure, too. Guys - this can also apply to YOU. If you don't want to have this done, then just make sure nails are trimmed.
Hydrate! Start drinking water the day before the shoot. This is especially important if the shoot will be outdoors during a hot time of year.
If you can afford it, then have your hair and make-up done by a professional. Or schedule a hair cut/style the day of your session. Some salons, like Aveda, will do your make-up as part of your overall service - at no extra charge! (I personally go to Aveda and love them! I've shot a wedding and two family sessions for some of the ladies who work there.)
Make sure you have plenty of time to get to the session and get ready. The experience should be fun and relaxed - not stressful and rushed!
Don't have a big, heavy meal beforehand. If you're hungry, have a light snack instead. Plan to eat after the shoot. (Or bring some fun food props!)
Make sure your clothing is clean and pressed. And make sure it FITS. Your outfits should flatter you and each other. Try on everything beforehand and then look at yourself in a mirror from every angle. This applies more to the girls - make sure nothing shows that you don't want showing! Have all accessories and props gathered and ready to go - the day before. Remember, you shouldn't feel rushed the day of the shoot!
If you plan to wear some killer heels/shoes, then think about bringing some comfy flip flops along, too. We may need to walk between shoot locations, and your killer heels may start killing your feet!
If the session is outdoors, then start paying attention to the weather a few days beforehand - I will, too! We should talk about an indoor Plan B location - or be prepared to reschedule if there's a good chance of inclement weather, and you definitely want the outdoor location.
Don't forget the props! A few fun "props" can be great for any eSession. If you plan to use a photo for your "Save the Date" cards/magnets, then we can come up with a unique way to communicate your date. Let's discuss beforehand! I have many props I'm happy to bring along, too.

Lastly, the most important tip for having a great eSession.....hire Gardner Photography & Design! Ask us about our "Try Before You Buy" eSession. It's a way to take us on a test drive before your wedding. And many of our packages include engagement sessions with photo prints/mats or custom guest books. Let's talk!

Video Montage { Kimberly & Matt } Sept. 2010

2010-10-17T20:21:00.000-04:00

Fabulous wedding and reception at 20th Century in Oakley. We snuck out for some sunset shots at Ault Park right after the ceremony - they turned out gorgeous! Looking forward to working on the album next - look for a sneak peek coming soon.

Video Montage { Mindy & Brad } July 2010

2010-10-13T16:11:00.005-04:00

Loved meeting Mindy and Brad and shooting their summer wedding at Royal Oak Country Club. They had a beach theme - which meant lots of cool details and an amazing wedding cake! Check out their video and enjoy.

Wedding and Fire Trucks?

2010-10-12T19:13:00.014-04:00

We had our first wedding at a fire house! It was in Kentucky on October 9. I was hopeful we could talk the fine firefighters there into pulling a truck out for us - and we were in luck! Love this photo of Stephanie and Bryon on the back of the truck - look for more coming soon from this fun, unique wedding.

Video Montage { Cynthia & Brandon } July 2010

2010-10-11T14:47:00.006-04:00

Our You Tube Channel - Check Us Out!

2010-10-01T14:08:00.000-04:00

We've launched our You Tube channel and uploaded several video montages from weddings and eSessions. Look for more coming soon - all packages will now include this video montage with your choice of song!

http://www.youtube.com/user/gardnerphotodesign

Wedding Today!

2010-05-30T11:33:00.000-04:00

We have a wedding this fine holiday weekend. It will start out at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Batavia. The reception will be held at Pattison Park in Owensville. Both are new venues for us, so I can't wait to check them out! Look for some photos to follow soon. Congrats to Joe & Kelly! And Happy Memorial Day to all!

Something's Fishy - But it's a GOOD Thing!

2010-05-18T20:21:00.001-04:00

For a long time, I've wanted to add a Fisheye lens to my arsenal - and today was the day! I ordered the full frame Canon 15mm FE and will have it before the weekend. I've got two weddings this weekend, and I plan to have some fun with this FUN lens. One wedding is in a gorgeous church - the kind that is perfect for some fishy goodness. Look for photos coming soon!

Canon 15mm Fisheye Lens

{ VENUE } The Plantation Club at Twin Oaks

2010-05-16T20:23:00.002-04:00

The Plantation Club at Twin Oaks

This past Saturday, we had a great day in Kentucky. Pre-wedding photos started at Devou Park. The ceremony was at Blessed Sacrament in Ft. Mitchell. It's a beautiful Catholic church!

The reception was at The Plantation Club at Twin Oaks. It's located in Covington at E. 43rd and Michigan.

I've never been to this venue before, so I had no idea what to expect.

First off, the food is excellent. I was lucky enough to try some - in fact, the fabulous staff there offered to pack some up for me to take home (which has NEVER happened before). And speaking of the staff - super friendly, professional, etc. They did a great job with everything.

The layout worked very well for a reception, too - with the buffet out of the main room but close by. There was some self-serve drinks (water, soda, beer), so you weren't waiting in line at the bar all the time. It just all worked really well - an efficient flow!

We were able to get some great photos, too - by the pond and fountain, on the greens, in front with the main entrance (see photo above), etc.

In summary - I would definitely recommend Twin Oaks to couples looking for a reception venue. It has a lot to offer, and they do a fabulous job! Check them out - and we hope we'll be back there soon.

Wedding on Friday - Can't Wait!

2010-04-28T21:37:00.001-04:00

We have a wedding on Friday - Mindy and Danny. We're excited! And now, I'm even MORE excited, because we're doing pre-ceremony photos at Peterloon Estate.

While driving around Loveland for a park to do photos, we stumbled upon Peterloon - and what a lucky stumble! We had checked out Symmes, Riverview, Hopewell and Lake Isabella. Seriously, I think I plotted out every park within a fifteen minute radius - and was not thrilled with the results. We were leaning towards Symmes or Riverview with luck intervened.

A friend of mine had mentioned Peterloon Estate awhile ago - otherwise, the reddish sign on Hopewell might not have caught my attention and made me ask hubby to take a turn. You can't see the estate from the road - just a simple, white shack and an unassuming dirt road. We had no idea what we would find - reminded me of our honeymoon in Maui. We turned down many unmarked roads for a little adventure.

But you drive back there and WOW.

The gardens are gorgeous and in perfect shade - which will be great for even lighting. We're meeting our wedding party at 6:00 for photos, and I know they're just going to be fabulous! Check back for a sneak peak soon!

Wedding Today!

2010-04-10T09:29:00.002-04:00

I'm off to Ivy Hills Country Club today to shoot M&J's wedding. The morning has started out chilly, but I'm hoping for a warmer day! Luckily, it looks like we should be in the 60s today with a clear night. Sunset is due around 8:00 - important at a place like Ivy Hills. There's a great opportunity for a gorgeous sunset shot on the 10th hole.

These are the things I always check before any wedding.

A few weeks before any wedding, I try to meet with the Bride and Groom for a pre-wedding session. It's our chance to talk about the wedding and schedule for the day one last time. I don't like to pester the Bride and Groom during their special day. If we get all the questions answered beforehand, then things usually run smoothly, and I can be unobtrusive and almost invisible at times. I love when a couple tells me that they forgot I was there but can't believe all the fabulous photos I got!

I'm off to get my bags all packed and ready to go! And at the end of the month, I have M&D's wedding in Loveland - can't wait!

Bat Mitzvah for June

2010-04-09T11:39:00.040-04:00

We're very excited to have booked our first Bat Mitzvah for June! It was a referral from a Bar Mitzvah we did last year (thanks, Barb! We owe you - we always reward our awesome referrals!).

I was very surprised to find that the Bar Mitzvah we shot wasn't that different from a wedding - there's a combination of traditional/posed photos with PJ photos at the reception/party. I was nervous at first - not having shot a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. But given all my wedding experience, I was quickly at ease and able to get some fabulous photos.

As part of the package, I think we're doing another slide show. I love doing slide shows - especially with our Photodex ProShow Producer software. It's totally amazing, and I think the results speak for themselves.

You can check out the slide show we put together for Kal's Bar Mitzvah (be sure to have your volume on - it's so much better with the music!):

Check out all the photos from Kal's Bar Mitzvah.

Who Pays for What, Part Deux

2010-04-08T07:02:00.002-04:00

So yesterday, we talked about what the bride pays for - what about her groom? The engagement ring is the obvious first answer, but what else should he start saving for (and how many month's salary will it cost)?

Accommodations for the groom's attendants (optional)
Bride's engagement ring AND wedding ring(s)
Bride's bouquet, corsages for mothers and other honored family members and boutonnieres for fathers and men (other than the groom) in the wedding party (remember from yesterday - the bride buys the groom's boutonniere - but seriously, who is going to split up the flower bill?)
Gift to the bride (optional.....? Personally, I don't think this is up for debate)
Gifts to the groom's attendants
Honeymoon, including transportation to the airport
Liquor
Marriage license
Officiant's fee and/or gratuity
Rehearsal dinner (all costs - yes, ALL costs)
Transportation for the groom and best man to the ceremony (guess the other guys are on their own!)
Transportation or lodging expenses for the officiant (if invited by groom's family)
Transportation and lodging for the groom's parents

There you have it - the traditional way to split the wedding bill.

Who Pays for What....?

2010-04-07T19:02:00.000-04:00

Curious as to the most traditional way to divvy up the costs of your wedding? Here is what the Bride's side is usually responsible for....

Accommodations for the bride's attendants (although, this is optional - but if you're feeling generous....)
Gifts to the bride's attendants
Gift to the groom (again, optional)
Bride's gown and accessories
Bridesmaids' luncheon (this is usually 2-3 days before the wedding)
Church/ceremony costs
Flowers for the ceremoney and reception - this includes the bridesmaid's bouquets and boutonnieres for the groom
Groom's ring
Invitations and all things paper
Music at the ceremony and reception
Photography AND videography
Reception expenses
Rentals for the ceremony or reception
Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception
Transportation or lodging expenses for the officiant if invited by the bride's family
Wedding consultant/planner

Of course, like anything else - these are just guidelines. Today, many brides and grooms are paying for more of their own wedding expenses. And it used to be that the parents selected the photographer - but the majority of the time, that decision is being made by the bride and groom.

Tomorrow - look for the other half of this. What does the groom pay for?

Weekend Wedding : Ivy Hills Country Club

2010-04-06T19:02:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I have a wedding at Ivy Hills Country Club. I have been to Ivy Hills many times - and it's a very nice venue. The last wedding I photographed involved a beautiful tea ceremony. The bride's red dress for the tea ceremony was gorgeous - I especially remember the jeweled dragonfly and her awesome shoes.

The sunset on the 10th hole can be spectacular, especially if it's reflecting off the little pond. I have had some fun shots with golf carts, too. This time, I might have to try some unusual ring shots with golf tees!

Looking forward to another wonderful wedding! Congrats to the Bride & Groom!

Engagement Shoot at Ault Park : Mindy & Danny

2010-04-04T20:44:00.003-04:00

Mindy and Danny's engagement shoot at Ault Park was an absolute blast! We had so much fun and got some great photos. Can't wait for their wedding in a few weeks! Here are some of the highlights of their shoot:

Site Visit : Receptions Loveland, Lake Isabella

2010-04-03T10:19:00.001-04:00

We have an upcoming wedding at the Loveland Receptions. The ceremony and reception will both take place there, so the couple is considering pre-wedding photos at another location. Yesterday, I called the Loveland Castle (aka Chateau Laroche) to see if they were available for photos. It's less than four miles away - maybe a ten minute drive. And photos at the Loveland Castle are always spectacular.

Another option is Lake Isabella. One negative to the Loveland Castle - they charge $50/hour to do professional photos. Lake Isabella is free - and closer. We could practically walk there! I'd probably be willing to split the cost for the Loveland Castle - just not sure if the timing will work out for us.

I've never been to Lake Isabella - just driven by it. So, this will be a fun adventure as well as a valuable site visit. I'm always on the lookout for new places to do photos - and it sounds like Lake Isabella could be a great option for future weddings in the Loveland area or at the Receptions in Loveland.

Tonight, I have an engagement shoot at Ault Park - boy, it's windy! I hope it calms down between now and 5:00 - when I meet with the couple. Can't wait to see how Ault Park looks with all the new blooms!

Professional Photographer Magazine - Vote for Me!

2010-04-02T09:34:00.000-04:00

I almost never enter contests - just not enough time! But I thought I'd try one out, so I entered the Professional Photographer Magazine 2010 cover contest.

The first thing to decide - which photo do I even enter??? I could only enter ONE per the contest rules. And I have several favorites - from weddings, portrait sessions, etc. How could I choose just ONE? Seriously, just one?? This was going to be tough!

After over an hour of pouring through photos, I settled on this one from Rachel and Dan's wedding in September 2009. I am in love with the light from the window, and Rachel was a beautiful Bride. It was taken at Arthur's in downtown Cincinnati - hard to believe this was taken in a bar!

Want to vote for me? Go here: http://www.ppmag.com/cover-contest-2010/vote/1165/.

Save 25% on wedding invitations and stationery thru 4/19/10

2010-04-01T18:11:00.018-04:00

Currently eInvite.com is running one of their biggest sales of 2010 - 25% off select invitations, announcements and stationery, including select wedding invitations! Now thru 4/19/10! Shop now!

The Face-Space Deal - FREE DIGITAL IMAGES

2010-03-31T06:23:00.000-04:00

Many of our packages include a DVD of high resolution images, but are you able to quickly and easily re-size them for online use? Now, you won't need to! Book your 2010 wedding with Gardner Photography & Design and receive all of your digital images in a smaller size - perfect for emailing or posting to Facebook, My Space or other online sites.

Just mention the Face-Space Deal when you contact us, and we'll add this to your package at no additional charge.

Our 2010 Calendar is Filling Up!

2010-03-30T11:43:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend, we booked two more weddings for this Fall - and possibly a Bat Mitzvah for June. Our calendar is definitely filling up - and we're excited about all of our upcoming events. We've got so many awesome couples again this year....and some very cool venues!

But we still have some dates open for 2010 - so, if you're looking for a creative, professional, affordable photographer for your wedding, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or event, please consider Gardner Photography & Design! We can customize any of our packages and offer all the great extras you would want or expect.

A New Venue - 20th Century Theater

2010-03-28T11:12:00.019-04:00

We just booked a wedding for this Fall (with an awesome couple!), and it will take place at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley. I'm very excited! It's a cool, fun couple and a cool place - I think there will be tons of great photo opportunities, so the creative juices are already flowing.

I'm in that area all the time and dread the construction - but the Bride told me they were assured it should be gone by their wedding. Let's hope! I can see some street photos outside the theater - or in the grassy area across the street. When I do my site visit this summer, I'll really check it all out and make my notes.

Congrats, K&M, and thanks for choosing us for your upcoming wedding! We can't wait!

The Wedding Budget - How Much on What?

2010-03-26T17:18:00.043-04:00

So, you set your budget....ish. And now you're trying to decide how much to spend on all the things you need, right? Venue, flowers, dress, photographer, etc. Most Brides and Grooms will spend the bulk of their budget on food, drinks and reception or venue site fee. But...what about the rest?

Here is a rough guideline of where your money will go:

Venue/Reception (site, food, drink): 42%
Wedding Rings: 8% (this doesn't include your engagement ring)
Photography: 8%
Flowers: 6%
Rehearsal Dinner: 6%
Wedding Dress: 5% (this assumes ONE dress, although some Brides have more)
Videography: 5%
Reception Music: 4% (this could be a DJ, band or both)
Groom's Formal wear: 3%
Hair/make-up for Bride (and usually bridal party): 2%
Invitations and announcements: 2% (this might also include your Thank You cards)
Ceremony Music: 2%
Church/Synagogue/Ceremony Location: 2% (assuming it's different from the reception location)
Wedding Cake: 2%
Transportation: 2%
Favors: 1%

The average cost for a wedding is now between $21,000 and $24,000. For a $21,000 budget, you should plan to spend approximately $1,700 on your photographer. Gardner Photography & Design has the perfect package for your budget:

1 Photographer (Up to 7 hours; each additional hour at $100)
Up to 3 locations (within 50 mile radius)
Download high resolution images from private, online gallery, DVD of images with Letter of Release allowing you to make your own prints.
12.5” x 10" Custom Hard Cover Coffee Table Book, 10 pages, with custom cover
$100 credit/coupon towards print photo order (from gallery only)
Engagement Session (1 hour, 1 location)

All that for only $1,500 - so, you'll even have $200 left to spend on your honeymoon (or extra bling for yourself...shhhhh....we won't tell the Groom).

Want some helpful tips on cutting your budget? Check out They'll Never Know: Eight Hidden Ways to Cut Wedding Costs.

Bride's Choice Award 2010

2010-03-11T10:13:00.003-05:00

We received a 2010 Bride's Choice Award - yea US! http://www.weddingwire.com/brides-choice-awards/cincinnati-dayton/515-r.html

Thank you to all the Brides who gave us such awesome reviews! We couldn't have done it without you guys.

Thriller Reception

2010-03-09T16:13:00.002-05:00

More fun at receptions! I need to learn this dance...all I know is the Electric Slide!

Wedding Venue : The Madison

2010-03-07T10:13:00.022-05:00

On March 5, 2010, we shot our first event at The Madison in Covington, Kentucky. I've heard a lot about this venue and was excited to check it out!

The reception was actually at The Madison South, located at 740 Madison Avenue Covington KY 41011. It's a cool, little place - with lots of exposed brick walls, HUGE mirrors, leather chairs, curtains, etc. Many opportunities for some great photos!

Unfortunately, we didn't get a lot of time to do some of those cool photos. The Bride and Groom decided to ride around in the limo with the wedding party for an hour after the wedding - hey, it's cool. It was their day, after all, so they can do whatever they want, right? Gave me lots of time to photograph the cake and other details....

We did get all the reception photos with barely a minute to spare - the DJ and I definitely worked together to make sure nothing was missed!

So, speaking of those huge mirrors - I did use one to get some interesting lighting on the rings/flower shots. I bounced my light off the mirror and got some back lights - which gave the diamonds a different look. Check it out.

We certainly hope we'll be back at The Madison soon! I had so many ideas for photos! Hopefully, I get the opportunity to try some of them out soon!

Are you considering your wedding at The Madison or The Madison South? We'd love to talk to you! (And hey - I'd even be willing to offer you a special discount, so I can get back there and try out some of my photo ideas.) Contact us at contact@gardner-photo.com or 513.207.6738.

To Tip or Not to Tip....?

2010-03-03T19:38:00.048-05:00

Although some vendors will include gratuities in their bills - tipping is usually optional. Be sure to read contracts and bills carefully! A tip isn't always appropriate either, especially for professionals who own their own businesses. Instead, a personal note or gift is always appreciated. AND there's nothing better than referrals and good word-of-mouth.

However, if you are thinking of tipping, here are some guidelines to help you:

Bartenders: 10% of total liquor bill (this is split among them)
Bathroom Attendants: $1-2/per guest
Catering Manager: $200+ OR a personal gift
Chef: $100+
Coat Check Attendants: $1-2/per guest
Hairstylist: 15-20%
Hotel Chambermaids: $2-5/per room; $10-15 if you used a suite to get dressed in
Limo/Bus Drivers: 15%
Maitre d' or Head Waiter: 1-3% of food/beverage fee
Make-up Artist: 15-20% (unless the same person does your hair and make-up)
Musicians: 15% of fee for ceremony music; $25-50/per musician for reception
Photographer/Videographer: $100 - if you paid a flat fee without over time (otherwise a note or personal gift)
Valet/Parking Attendants: $1-2/per car
Waiters: $20+/each (this is usually distributed by the Catering Manager or Maitre d')
Wedding Planner: 15% of fee OR a personal gift

Again, these are JUST guidelines - so, don't feel badly if you don't tip everyone or tip everyone these exact amounts. You may decide to add/subtract based on the quality of the service, the size of your wedding, the location, the role played by a particular vendor, etc.

Gardner Photography & Design does NOT include any sort of gratuities or extra/hidden fees in our contracts. Instead of tips, we would love for you to post positive reviews of us and tell everyone you know about your fabulous experience with us! That's the best tip or gift we could ever receive - there's nothing better than you raving about us and remembering us for all your photographic needs. (Pssst.....we reward you if your referrals book, too....)

Review : From Katie B, Wedding 8/29/09

2010-02-22T08:32:00.007-05:00

"She was amazing to work with and gave me everything I wanted in my pictures and more. We have a seperated family and she made it very easy to get pictures and make it comfortable for everyone. Thanks again for the great service. I have given everyone her number! Now we're expecting and I can't wait for her to do our pictures in the future!"

Thanks, Katie, and congratulations! We loved photographing your beautiful wedding and meeting you, Nick and your families.

Happy Valentine's Day - But a Good Day for a Wedding?

2010-02-14T17:56:00.037-05:00

When picking your wedding date, you should think about what also might be happening on that date - religious holidays, regional holidays, sporting events...even conventions! For example, hotel rooms might be hard to find or pricey if you schedule your wedding in Chicago during the National Restaurant Show. Do an online check for any huge local events or conventions on your proposed date and keep in mind that some holidays are more regional.

Here are some dates you might want to think twice about:

April 1 - April Fool's Day
Chinese New Year
Christmas and the days before/after
December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Father's Day
Final Four - March Madness (your Groom might not even show!)
4th of July weekend
Friday the 13th (of any month)
Halloween - unless this is your theme!
March 15 - the Ides of March
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day (again, forget Chicago!)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (and possibly the weekend before)
Mother's Day
New Year's Eve and Day
Oscar Night (Academy Awards)
September 11
Super Bowl Sunday
Thanksgiving Weekend
Valentine's Day (although, it's a popular day to get engaged!)
Weekend before or after April 15 (Tax Day)

This doesn't mean you can't pick any of these dates, but just consider the ramifications.

In Cincinnati, you might also want to think about some of our local events - Flying Pig Marathon, Cross Town Shoot Out, Oktoberfest, Reggae Run, etc.

Oh, and if your wedding falls over the weekend of Daylight Savings Time - be sure you send out LOTS of reminders about the time change.

New Lens, New Love

2010-02-12T19:53:00.049-05:00

At every wedding, we take photos of the rings. As soon as our Bride and Groom are seated and enjoying their meal, we quietly borrow their rings and the Bride's beautiful bouquet. Next, we find a spot with decent lighting or a good setting, away from the wedding guests, and get set up to shoot.

We always start out with the rings in the flowers - but I try to do something different and creative every time, too. I've used black pianos to get gorgeous reflections. I've tried the wedding favors. Christmas ornaments. Pillows. Martini and Champagne glasses (one still had Champagne in it! I did ask the Bride and Groom first, too). Hmmm....what else? Oh, part of a lamp! (It was a cool lamp!) And ribbons. You never know until you try, right?

My favorite lens to use when I photograph rings is my Canon 100mm Macro lens. It's a fabulous lens - and I love being able to fill the image with the rings and flowers. You can capture amazing detail - sometimes too much! (Note - I've learned to bring a cloth napkin and polish up the rings before photos and look for little pieces of lint.)

Recently, Canon upgraded this great lens - so, we upgraded, too. That's one thing about me - I want the best and have invested heavily in my equipment. My husband/second shooter, Andy, is in total agreement.

In 2010, we have plans to pick up another top-of-the-line lens or two (can we say FISHEYE?) and really expand our lighting options. It just means better and better photos!

But I digress. All I can say is - this lens ROCKS! I can't wait to use it for all of our upcoming weddings. Gorgeous photos, here we come!

Review : From Jennifer K, Wedding 9/5/09

2010-01-10T08:24:00.001-05:00

"Gardner Photography & Design will work with you on all aspects of your wedding photography ideas. They will work around your schedule and they will make sure that you get exactly what you want for your wedding day photos. Gardner Photography & Design has a great selection of package deals, but if you've got different ideas for your own photo package then definitely talk with them. They will work with you and make your wedding photography package perfect for you! Just an FYI...when you're deciding on a photos for your wedding, make sure that you write down exactly what pictures you want taken at your wedding. Give that list to your photographer and stick with it! You don't want to miss those most important pictures on your special day."

Good point, Jennifer, thanks for bringing it up!

That's exactly why we have a pre-wedding session before your big day! We use that time to go over your wedding checklist (if you're using one), review the schedule one last time and discuss any last minute details. It helps ensure that everything runs smoothly - so important shots aren't missed.

Santa Claus Must be a Canon Man

2010-01-02T20:13:00.000-05:00

I've decided Santa must be a fan of Canon. This past holiday, he brought me some fabulous new toys to add to my camera bag....

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" for the Photographer

Twelve Powerex batteries...
Eleven new wedding leads...
Ten SanDisk memory cards...
Nine lens cleaning cloths...
Eight lens filters...
Seven new Photoshop plug-ins...
Six hour wedding shoot...
Five (in 1) disc reflectors...
Four new back drops...
Three Scott Kelby photo books...
Two Canon L Lenses...

....and a Canon battery pack......

Happy Holidays!

Bling it On!

2009-09-26T17:11:00.002-04:00

While processing wedding photos today, I had an episode of "Amazing Wedding Cakes" playing for some background noise. The hubby and the kids had gone shopping for gifts for my upcoming birthday in October, so the house was pretty quiet - almost too quiet.

I decided to check out the WE TV website and saw a banner ad for cake toppers. It caught my attention, and I checked out the site.

Toppers With Glitz
http://www.topperswithglitz.com/

Let me tell you, I am loving these cake toppers! Their designs are gorgeous, and they add a unique touch of elegance. I will definitely have to recommend these to my Brides - I would love to see one on top of a wedding cake and get to photograph it.

Some Tough Church Rules & The Manor House

2009-09-18T21:32:00.000-04:00

Big wedding tomorrow. Ceremony is at a church in Hyde Park. I read their photographer rules on their website, and WOW - they are STRICT. I've worked under some crazy conditions, but these are the worst by FAR.

1. No photos except from the balcony or the narthex (which is the church lobby). So, that means all telephoto shots, maybe a few wide angle from the balcony. And I'm going to assume that the narthex will have glass between it and the church area - those photos through the glass are going to look GREAT (yeah, right!).

2. I can't go past the eighth pew during the processional.

3. Only ONE shot of the Bride and each Bridesmaid as they walk down the aisle. Seriously, ONE??? I just don't think that's possible - and come on, how will they know? Are they going to count the number of times I press the shutter...? I may follow all of their other crazy rules, but I'm going to bend this one for sure.

4. No flash except during the processional. I don't remember anything about the recessional, but another rule I'll break if necessary.

From what I can tell, it's a fairly pretty church - I even think I was in a wedding there years ago (this will jar my memory for sure). But some pretty hard core rules on photography!

The reception will be at The Manor House in Mason, Ohio. It's on my "list" of places I want to do photos. From what I've seen online, there's a gorgeous courtyard area with a gazebo, small stream, bridge, etc. We'll be rushing from the church to The Manor House to squeeze in some of those key photos before the sun sets! We won't have much time, that's for sure.

All in all, tomorrow won't be the easiest of weddings - some of the conditions are definitely not in favor of the photographer (yours truly), but that won't stop me from trying to get the most fabulous photos I can! I haven't had an angry Bride and Groom yet, and I don't plan to start now.

On the Subject of Boutonnieres...

2009-09-17T19:19:00.001-04:00

While searching on Google for information on pinning on boutonnieres, I came across this website of fun and unusual boutonnieres - for those who don't want flowers or the expected....

Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres

Some examples of their super cool boutonnieres! Photo opp anyone?

How to Pin on and Wear Boutonniere

2009-09-16T18:34:00.003-04:00

I have a wedding on Saturday, and sometimes I get asked about pinning on the boutonnieres. Honestly, I don't know! I know they go on the left side, and that's about it. Usually, the boutonnieres are on the guys before I start taking photos, but it does happen sometimes. I often carry extra pins, just in case, but I thought it was time I learned a little about pinning on the boutonniere. A quick Google search resulted in this handy information

1. With one hand behind holding the stem of the boutonniere, flowers facing away from the wearer and toward you, place the boutonniere at a slight angle on the dress or lapel. This is an average of about 4 inches in from the tip of the left shoulder.

2. Make sure that the boutonniere is evenly placed on the lapel before attempting to pin it.

3. Use a Boutonniere Pin to pin into the fabric at the bottom left corner of the stem.

4. Weave the pin back out from under the fabric. Push it through about 1 inch, laying it at an angle over the top of the boutonniere stem.

5. Stick the tip of the pin back into the fabric on the other side of the stem. Insure that the stem is tightly in place with the length of the pin pushing it down.

6. Weave the pin back out of the fabric once more. Be sure that the very tip of the pin does not stick out, nor does it poke under the fabric and touch the skin.

Helpful Tip: A boutonniere is always worn on the left side of the body. For a clean polished look try weaving the Boutonniere Pin through the underside of the lapel. This keeps the head of the pin from showing, for a smart look. Another alternative to Boutonniere Pins, try using a strong adhesive magnet made especially for corsages and boutonnieres. One part of the magnet sticks to the underside of the boutonniere, while the other side is slid under the lapel, attracting itself to the magnet and clamping the boutonniere in place.

Hope this information helps others who are trying to figure out how and where to pin the boutonniere!

Another Fun First Dance - With Wedding Party

2009-09-15T15:51:00.000-04:00

Another fun first dance - involving the entire wedding party this time! I wish I had done something like this at my own reception, but one of my bridesmaids was nine months pregnant at the time...not sure how that would have worked!

Too Busy to Blog!

2009-09-10T09:18:00.000-04:00

It's been a crazy week or two! We had the long holiday weekend, a leaking hot water tank, a newborn shoot and TWO amazing weddings. I'll be posting photos from the newborn shoot and weddings soon.

Something Borrowed, Something New...

2009-08-27T05:43:00.006-04:00

I love playing around with Photoshop. After all, I've been doing it for....gasp....20 years now! But there's always something new to try - a filter, technique, action, you name it. I especially like some of the tools from Nik Software and Alien Skin.

Yesterday, I came across a tutorial for making faux HDR images. From Wikipedia:

In image processing, computer graphics, and photography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of luminances between light and dark areas of a scene than normal digital imaging techniques or photographic prints. This wider dynamic range can allow HDRI to more accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to deep shadows.

In English - it creates some very cool images.

I haven't really done much with HDR. My one and only attempt didn't turn out, so I poo-pooed it as some passing fad and moved on.

Yesterday, I read a tutorial about faking HDR and gave it a try. What fun! I saved it as a preset in Lightroom and went to town on a bunch of photos. It is definitely NOT for some photos, but I rather liked how crazy some others turned out.

Full slideshow:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gotbaby/sets/72157622154433356/show/

I may start to offer this option to Clients who want something a little more edgy or artsy - ask if you're interested in knowing or seeing more! Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the photos.

Upgrades to our Online Galleries

2009-08-26T07:25:00.002-04:00

With every package/shoot, we include a private, password-protected, online gallery. This way, you can see your images faster, because we upload batches as they become available. You don't have to wait for all the images to get done or a CD/DVD to be mailed to you. Plus, you can order prints, view, download, share with others (some options depend upon the package you selected).

I did a great deal of research before we picked our current vendor, Zenfolio.com. They offered many of the features I wanted, BUT they continue to add more! This means that we can offer more and better features to our clients. Some of the latest enhancements:

1. Batch downloads. Nice! Now, you can download more than one image at a time - which can be a slow and painful process, I admit. Of course, downloading hundreds of images will take you days due to the large file size. We are on a very high speed connection, and it will still take 8-10 hours to upload 500 or so images. So, keep that in mind if you select the option to download all files.

2. Export to Flickr. This is more of a feature for the photographer (me), BUT it means I might be able to offer this service to clients. Need to noodle on it some more and check it out, but if there's a way to offer better service to my clients, I'll find it!

3. Share the love! Now your gallery will offer a "Share" feature. Cool new option! With one click, you can Tweet your gallery, post to Facebook, send in an email, etc.

Can't wait to see what new enhancements Zenfolio will announce next! Keep them coming - we love them!

Three Years Ago....

2009-08-25T14:31:00.005-04:00

....I was in the hospital giving birth to my beloved Nicholas! All nine pounds and six ounces of him. Happy Birthday, my silly, little Boo! I can't believe you're three already....you're the reason I finally indulged my passion for photography. Hard to put a camera down when such a cute subject is around....

A Day Off!

2009-08-24T11:59:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is my son's third birthday. To celebrate, my husband and I decided to take the day off and take all the kids to The Beach Waterpark. I'm doing some quick work in the morning, and then we'll head out. I know the three kids are looking forward to it - especially the birthday boy.

Hope we have some good weather for our fun day out!

Gone Shoppin'

2009-08-23T14:05:00.003-04:00

Was out shopping for my almost 3-year-old's birthday and decided to stop into Best Buy for some new movies for him. Well, we wandered into the computer section, and I ended up with a few new toys!

I'm all about the latest gadgets - especially if they'll make my life easier, and I can deliver better quality in less time. I'm also all about having the right equipment. External hard drives are VERY important, because I would hate to think of what would happen if I ever lost any photos - eek! That thought gives me nightmares, chills and gray hair.

That's why I back up my images online at Zenfolio.com AND on an external hard drive. My current drive of choice is the Western Digital My Book. It's 1 TB (size matters!) and is a slick looking black device. Ever since we got the new Canon 5Ds with their 21 megapixel awesomeness, I've been filling up my current My Book rather quickly. It's down to 500 GBs!

So, I picked up a second 1 TB My Book, and I'm ready for the megabytes - bring them on!

In addition, I got a fancy new DVD writer. It is much faster than the one in my laptop and offers some additional features like LightScribe label printing. I am VERY interested in checking this out, because it means I can print on the CDs and DVDs - much better than marking them with my trusty Sharpie. Hey, it works, but it's just not the prettiest way to go.

As we add more fancy, cool gadgets to our arsenal, I'll report them here! Just one more way we are trying to offer the best service and options to our clients.

Good to the Last Shot

2009-08-22T13:51:00.002-04:00

Batteries may not sound like an exciting thing to discuss, but they really are very important to a wedding photographer. We go through A LOT of batteries in one wedding, because our Canon 580 EX II flashes are battery hogs. I can almost hear the sucking noise as I take photos.

Like myself, my husband is a research freak. And, like me, he wants to have the best equipment, so that we know we can take the best photos. I never want to worry about my gear and whether it's going to deliver.

So far, we've been using Eneloop and Duracell rechargeable AA batteries. At first, I thought I preferred the Eneloop, but it seems the Duracell actually last a little longer. I know the Duracell are 2650 mAh, but the Eneloop might be a little less.

A fellow photographer recommended Powerex. Since I liked their chargers and planned to order one, I decided I'd get two packs of the 2700 mAh batteries and give them a "shot." They should arrive this week - just in time for our next wedding on 8/29. I'll have to report back on how they do.

One of the goals at Gardner Photography & Design is to deliver the best service possible - that is why we put so much time and effort into picking out something as small as batteries. They seem like nothing major until they die on you in the middle of a key shot!

BEST Best Man Speech

2009-08-21T16:32:00.000-04:00

Even I was laughing, and I don't know these people....this guy was a riot!

Capture Cincinnati - More Shameless Promotion!

2009-08-20T18:57:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday

2009-08-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to my awesome Dad! Can't wait to visit and bring you the silly gift your crazy grandson picked out.

Wedding Venue : Veraestau

2009-08-16T10:04:00.006-04:00

On September 5, 2009, we are shooting a wedding at Veraestau in Aurora, Indiana. It will be our first wedding at this venue and our first Indiana wedding. Due to the uniqueness of the location, we thought we'd do a site visit before the wedding. So, yesterday, my hubby (and second shooter), son and I all went on a little adventure to Aurora, IN.

As soon as we made the turn into the driveway, I was excited! It's a long, narrow drive with large trees and a white fence running alongside. Then, we saw the stables and main house - both white. I couldn't wait to see inside both buildings!

We were the only ones there, so we had a "private" tour of the buildings and grounds by Josh. He was very helpful and informative and was giving us some ideas for photos as we walked through the house! We're very excited for our September wedding - now, we just need some good weather and light!

Slide show of photos from our visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gotbaby/sets/72157622053771050/show/

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Veraestau: Indiana Historic Landmark

When Jesse Holman combined the Latin words for spring, summer and fall to name his property in 1810, he hoped winter would never touch his home. In a way, it never has. Set high above the Ohio River in Aurora, Indiana, the landmark home captures a long sweep of Indiana's architectural history and exemplifies the historic preservation practiced by generations of two families - the Holman/Hamilton clan and the O'Brien/Gibson family.

Although the two-story log house with a brick addition Holman built in 1810 was humble, his choice of name and the value he placed on history set the tone for a grand estate. An Indiana Supreme Court Justice and a federal judge, Holman participated in drafting the state's first constitution and founding the Indiana Historical Society and Franklin College.

After Holman's log home burned in 1837, his son-in-law Allen Hamilton bought Veraestau, salvaged the remaining brick portion, and in 1838 added a one-story Greek Revival structure. The style was at its height; architectural trendsetters employed Greek Revival to reinforce similarities between the democratic ideals of ancient Greece and the new United States of America. In 1913, Allen's daughter Margaret Vance Hamilton added a two-story Greek Revival structure that included four bedrooms, a bathroom, a dining room, a kitchen, a breakfast room and two sleeping porches.

Learn More about Veraestau.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 2004, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received the 116-acre property as a gift from the Cornelius and Anna Cook O’Brien Foundation. Today, Veraestau serves as Historic Landmarks Foundation's Southeast Field Office, and is open each weekend April through December for tours and rentals.

Veraestau Historic Site
4696 Veraestau Lane
Aurora, IN 47001-9406
812-926-0983
Fax 812-926-3122
veraestau@historiclandmarks.org
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Zenfolio.com - Great Way to Present Photos

2009-08-15T11:12:00.002-04:00

I have been using Zenfolio hosting service for organizing and presenting my photos online to clients. You can view my home page at http://gardnerphoto.zenfolio.com. Most of the collections are locked with a password, because they allow the downloading of full size images. Smaller versions of select photos are available to view at flickr.com/photos/gotbaby.

I think Zenfolio is a great service, and I recommend it to other photographers all the time! I tried other services, but Zenfolio meets all my needs, and my clients like it, too.

Some of the features Zenfolio offers are:
- Unlimited storage
- Elegant pages with a choice of layouts and theme designs. Clients can create a free account and make their own mini-albums, too!
- Highest quality presentation of photos online - variety of settings, so photos can be viewed, ordered, downloaded, etc.
- Easy to use intuitive interface
- Full screen Slideshow
- Links from auctions, blogs, and forums to seven different image sizes

Anyone can use my referral code Y96-Y3D-G5V during sign up to save $5.00 off their own subscription until August 14. Once subscribed, you'll get your own code, and if you get enough referrals, you may never need to pay for the service again.

Zenfolio offers a Free Trial account for two weeks so you can see if you like it.

http://www.zenfolio.com

GREAT First Dance - Baby Got Back!

2009-08-14T06:36:00.004-04:00

This is an older video, but it's still a lot of fun! If you plan something like this, be SURE to tell your photographer, so they don't miss any of the action! I've had something like this sprung on me, and although we got the photos, it would have been nice to get a little warning....enjoy!

Baby Got Back Wedding Dance

Inspiration : Greeting Cards?

2009-08-13T07:28:00.002-04:00

Last night, I did an engagement shoot for Katie & Nick – what a wonderful couple! We met at Devou Park at the overlook (behind the Drees Pavilion) for an early evening shoot. This part of the park isn’t really positioned right for a sunset, but there is some fabulous lighting to be had as the sun sets behind the tall trees. The sun went behind the clouds for a little bit, too, and the lighting was studio quality – if only I could get natural light that amazing all the time!

Nick and Katie brought along Whitney, Nick’s daughter, and we took a variety of shots – with Whitney, without Whitney, just Whitney…you get the idea. All three had on white tops, jeans and cowboy boots. Katie did a spectacular job of coordinating their outfits!

We got so many great shots – and then, Katie asks me if we can try something. I had already planned to do some photos with everyone in the grass on their bellies. I also shoot on my belly, and I love how these look. But Katie had a special shot in mind. It was based on a greeting card she had received from Nick – and she loved this card. The card had a couple tangled in sheets, their feet the only thing visible. I didn’t actually see the card, but Katie explained it to me, and I got a visual.

Katie and Nick removed their boots and socks – Nick was definitely wondering where this was going when Katie first asked him to take off his shoes! The first photos were of just the feet, but then I got down low, and that’s when the magic started. The resulting photos were FABULOUS! I may just have to get every couple to play footsy in the grass and see how it goes. Or I may have to start spending some time in the greeting card department at my local Target!

THANK YOU Katie for your wonderful inspiration! We are so excited for your August 29 wedding and can’t wait to see all of you again and meet the rest of your clan.

Great Places : Devou Park

2009-08-12T15:33:00.000-04:00

Tonight, I'm doing an engagement/family shoot at Devou Park. It's for my August 29 Bride and Groom - very last minute, but they want a photo for the mat for their reception. They are bringing the Groom's daughter, too, so we plan to get a variety of shots, and they can pick their favorite.

I'm looking forward to meeting Katie and Nick, since we've only handled things via telephone or email. I have yet to meet them! I met Katie's grandmother at Devou Park while shooting another wedding, and she passed my information onto Katie.

I am also excited about shooting at Devou - the view of downtown Cincinnati is fabulous! I'm hoping the weather will cooperate, and we'll get some good light. I'll post photos soon!

More information on Devou Park: http://www.cincinnati.com/visitorsguide/parks/061400_devoupark.html

Be sure to ask about our special DISCOUNTS for weddings at Devou Park! The first wedding we shoot at select venues will often get select discounts - and the Drees Pavilion at Devou Park is still on the list!

Tweetin' in Style

2009-08-11T12:44:00.000-04:00

This week, I made two big changes in regards to Twitter. First, I downloaded TweetDeck, so I could manage my Twitter and Facebook posts better. Check it out - tweetdeck.com.

View larger size: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gotbaby/3812733772/sizes/o/

Secondly, I changed the look of my Twitter home page - no more templates for me! I created a new design to match my new website. Want to fly along with me? Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gardner_photo. Let me know what you think of the new design!

Behind the Scenes

2009-08-10T12:54:00.000-04:00

It's bound to happen - you have two (or more!) photographers, and you sometimes get in each others way. And next thing you know, one of you is in the background of the other person's photo!

My second shooter (who is also my husband!) and I have mostly worked this out. We have our "positions" for different points in the ceremony and reception, and we try to time our photos, so that the other person can move out of the way.

For example, he might be at the end of the aisle shooting people as they walk down it. Since I tend to stick with my bride, I am often at the other end of the aisle getting them before they enter the church or ceremony site. And I get photos of the back of people as they walk down and the candids of the Bride before she enters.

We try to make sure we've positioned ourselves, so we can duck out of the way or hide when the other person is taking their photo. I will see his flash go, and then he will get out of the way, so I can take a photo without him in it. Takes a little coordination, but come on, nobody wants a bunch of photos with US in them!

Since I am the primary photographer, I am often the one in the way....but hey, I need to make sure I'm getting all the photos the Bride and Groom have requested. Sometimes, it's just not really possible to get the photo without one of us in it....here I am shooting Beth and Dan at their recent July 4th wedding...

Countdown Calendar Worksheet

2009-08-09T14:16:00.000-04:00

Here is a great resource for brides: http://www.engagedmagazine.com/images/stories/Worksheets/Countdown%20Calendar%20Worksheet.pdf.

I came across this information while checking out another photographer's blog. The Engaged! Magazine looks interesting, so check it out if you're a bride-to-be.

To Stock or Not to Stock...?

2009-08-08T12:29:00.000-04:00

I've been selling stock photography online for the last year or so. I make some money - was really hoping to make more, but my library is pretty limited. It's somewhat of a pain to upload images, especially at istockphoto.com! Others allow more batch processing, but istockphoto.com is a slow, painful, one-at-a-time process.

However, I decided I would try uploading some new ones that I thought might meet the uber strict requirements of istockphoto. It's the only site where I sell much of anything, so I have decided to focus on them and try and become an exclusive photographer. I almost have enough downloads (250) and am super close on my acceptance rate. Maybe these latest uploads will get me over these humps, and I can move everything to istockphoto!

Our Next Wedding

2009-08-07T22:30:00.000-04:00

Just spoke with the Bride of our next wedding (end of August). I have yet to meet her! We handled everything via e-mail and the telephone. But we're planning a quickie engagement shoot, so they'll have a photo for the mat that everyone will sign at the reception.

It's kind of a crazy story. I always show up early for photos, especially when it's a location I've never been to (and haven't scouted out beforehand). This particular wedding party wanted to start out at Devou Park. I was so excited, because it was on my list of places I wanted to do photos! I heard the views of the Cincinnati skyline are fabulous!

It was a hot, late June day - with bright sunlight. NOT the best conditions for being outside and taking photos. I was walking around doing test photos, waiting for my wedding party to arrive, when I started chatting with a very nice woman named Barbara. She was helping out with another wedding and worked for the flower vendor.

Well, it turned out that her granddaughter was getting marred at the end of August and asked for my business card. Luckily, her granddaughter, Katie, called me and booked! Katie sounds super nice, and I can't wait to meet her and her future husband, Nick! Her small wedding will take place at her grandmother's house, and it sounds like it's going to be special, intimate and a beautiful event! We can't wait!

New David Ziser Webinar

2009-08-06T13:26:00.000-04:00

Recently, I attended David Ziser's "Digital Wakeup Tour" when it came to Cincinnati. I was SUPER excited about it, and it was a fabulous evening! I learned so much - and am thankful that Ziser got me playing with my Kelvin WB settings. I now have a dream combo that delivers nearly perfect WB in certain situations. My 5D Mark IIs do a great job with natural light, but I needed to find the right setting for incandescent - now, I feel I have it! I have so many more techniques and tips that I want to master, but one thing at a time.

Got word that Ziser has a webinar coming up in a few weeks! I'll definitely be registering for this, and I also look forward to his book being published! I was lucky enough to meet David at the end of the Wakeup Tour seminar and hope to have future opportunities to learn from him.

More information on the webinar:
http://store.ziser.com/12excitinglightingandphotographytutorials-1.aspx

Vendor Recommendation : Jewelry

2009-08-05T09:19:00.000-04:00

I've decided to start something new - vendor recommendations! The longer you're in this business, the more vendors you meet, and the better your recommendations get. Some of my recommendations are based on who I used for my own wedding - and some are based on the fabulous folks I've met and worked with at other weddings.

For my own wedding, I truly struggled with the dresses and jewelry for.....my bridesmaids! Yes, picking out my own dress was pretty easy. I went to David's Bridal and quickly had it narrowed down to two dresses. With the help of my stepdaughter, Taylor, and some very nice women at the store, I was able to settle on a dress (okay, okay, so it was about four hours later, but it was only ONE trip to the store).

After that, I spent countless hours searching for dresses for my bridesmaids - they even laughed at me for working so hard on finding THEIR dresses. I didn't want them stuck with ugly dresses that they would hate. Same for the jewelry - for them and me! After I did find dresses (also from David's Bridal), I spent weeks trying to find matching jewelry that wasn't tacky or cheap but something I could afford. NOT an easy task.

That's when I was lucky enough to find Redot Designs. I was actually able to custom design my own necklace based on earrings they offered. I mocked up the design in Photoshop and sent it to Rebecca Dotson (the owner), and the resulting necklace was perfect! I ordered all the jewelry for myself and my bridesmaids from Redot Designs and was VERY happy with the entire experience. One of my bridesmaids was wearing her necklace of black Swarovski crystals recently, so I'm happy to know that my gift is getting more use than one day!

I was just on the site and noticed they now have a "Christie" necklace. It's not the one I designed, but I love it and may have even ordered it for myself! It looks like they're going to start a big face lift/redesign, so I will be sure to check them out afterwards and possible pick up some bling for myself.

To learn more about Redot Designs or order their gorgeous jewelry, visit: http://redotdesigns.com!

The BEST Wedding Ceremony Entrance

2009-08-04T15:30:00.000-04:00

Something else NEW I am going to do! If I come across a wedding video and think, "Wow, I really wish I had been their wedding photographer!!", then I'll share it here on my blog. With that said, let's get the show going...if you haven't seen this one, then you are in for a real treat! I have watched it several times and just love it.

Jill & Kevin's Big Day

Wedding Makeup - Beauty Tips for Brides

2009-08-03T15:09:00.000-04:00

For years, I sold Clinique and did many make-overs. I was the top producer in both Ohio and North Carolina (when I lived in each state). I continue to do make-up, as needed, for photo shoots and weddings. Most recently, I did the make-up of my gorgeous bride, Diana, for her bridal shoot and wedding:

However, not everyone wants to or can hire someone else to do their make-up. Here are some tips for everyone. Taken from an Associated Content article:

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Every bride wants to be picture-perfect for their big day. You want to look like yourself - but different, more dramatic, fresh... it can feel like a big task. Many brides think that because a wedding is such a big day, they have to go big on the makeup. Well, you've got the perfect groom, the perfect dress, and the perfect flowers - don't overshadow that by making your face as grand as the day itself.

Here are some top tips for helping you create a beautiful look that you will treasure in your wedding photographs for years to come...

Read the full article by clicking here.

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I'll be posting more tips about skin care in the future! I got Diana started on a serious skin care routine months before the wedding, and the results were very evident! Her skin glowed, and her make-up looked more natural. If nothing else, I suggest you exfoliate. Otherwise, make-up can "sit" on your skin and look caked on. But more about this later!

What I Learned From a Week at the OBX, Part III

2009-08-02T13:31:00.000-04:00

10. Chelsea is a good dog. One day, we were playing in the water, when I saw a black dog quickly walking off when a plastic baggy from our site. It had a mostly eaten sandwich in it. I retried the bag from this friendly dog, and that is how we met Chelsea. We came to learn that she’s a “local” who likes to play at the beach and befriend the tourists. You would have thought she was ours – playing in the surf with the kids and trying to make herself at home in one of our beach chairs. So, if you find a black dog with red collar who seems friendly enough, then check the tag – it might be sweet Chelsea.

11. The BEST corn I ever had in my LIFE came from a roadside stand across from the Cotton Gin on 158. We all gobbled it up. I really wanted to stop and take some home, but we didn’t have enough time. I plan to buy enough to eat it every day on our next trip!

12. Cameras steam up. As hot and humid as Cincinnati gets, I’ve never encountered this problem. But I ran into this issue constantly and missed several shots because of it. C’est la vie. Stupid me, though, tried to wipe it off one time and scratched something inside the camera that will require some work by Canon. I just hope it doesn’t cost too much to fix…..lesson learned for sure!

13. A distant thunderstorm from the comfort of your hot tub is awesome. ‘Nuff said.

14. Lastly, since I am a wedding photographer, I am now desperate to photograph a fabulous beach wedding in the OBX. Something at The Whalehead Club would be truly spectacular, I’m sure. Even something simple on the beach. Hopefully, I can book something in the next year and plan vacation around it. I’m glad I have already dealt with the lens steaming up, sand scratching something, the lighting conditions, etc. If you are planning your wedding at the OBX for next summer, then please consider contacting Gardner Photography & Design! We’ll certainly give you a great deal.

What I Learned From a Week at the OBX, Part II

2009-08-02T01:28:00.000-04:00

5. Speaking of the Hobie Cat – they are SO much fun. We spent the entire time being wet, but the water is warm and not nearly as salty as the Atlantic Ocean. I really don’t like getting saltwater in my mouth – waaaaay too salty for me. But since the Atlantic can’t “feed” the Currituck anymore, it’s become less salty.

6. Wild mustangs are cool – no matter how many times you see them! We were lucky enough to see the horses every day, except the morning we left. It was pretty early when we packed up and said goodbye to II If By Sea. No horses to see us off. We were lucky enough to see a dolphin or two cruising for an early breakfast. And there were these crazy, little tree frogs stuck to the house. But no horses. I was excited every time I saw them and regretted when I didn’t have my camera. It was amazing the one time they grazed in our yard, just a few feet from us.

7. Dolphins are also cool – no matter how many times you see them! Andy got the closest for sure. He was out on the boogie board and thought he’d swim out a little father than usual. I was watching and noticed the school of fish jumping out of the water on the next wave. And then the familiar fins! Andy was right in the middle of their lunch. He said it freaked him out, all the fish under and around him. And he’s pretty sure he kicked a dolphin in his haste to escape! We just observed them from the water, as close as we could get. They did get very close to shore a few times – and it was magical being so near a wild dolphin.

8. The water in the Carova area was nasty – at our house, at least. Andy said it was well water and had sulphur in it. It smelled SO BAD. If we didn’t leave the lid down on the toilet, then the bathroom smelled. I wrongfully accused Andy of stinking it up several times! It nearly made me gag when I brushed my teeth, and we certainly never drank it. I was NOT prepared for the stinky water at all!

9. Good shells (like good men) are hard to find. I am used to this – having always vacationed on the Atlantic (growing up in GA and NC). We found plenty of broken shells and “junk” shells like mollusks – but nothing really worth keeping. I guess that’s what souvenir shops are for!

What I Learned From a Week at the OBX, Part I

2009-07-31T13:24:00.000-04:00

1. The BEST breakfast was at Uncle Ike’s in Corolla. The pancakes were truly fantastic – and after two horrible meals, a welcomed meal. Taylor and I split an omelet, and Andy had French toast – all very good! Nothing beats those pancakes, though! We shall start every vacation there.

2. Driving on sand can be scary. I didn’t try it – it was stressful enough being a passenger! I was very concerned the first time we did it – for some reason, it reminded me of our Road to Hana trip in Maui. The back part is known as the “Divorce Highway” (at least, that’s what a local told us!). I understood why after we made the trip. I wouldn’t call the drive on the sand the “Divorce Beach” or anything! But it does try the nerves when hubby is experimenting with what his truck can do!

3. The beach is windy. Whoa, was it just the week we want or always like that? We went the last week of July, and I plan to research this a little more. Don’t get me wrong – the breeze was VERY nice. Without it, our long days on the beach would have been far less enjoyable. But I had sand in my hair, ears, nose, teeth…..just a fine coat of it on my face, which I didn’t much like.

4. The Currituck Sound is warm and shallow – well, parts of it. We rented a Hobie Cat and went sailing the last Friday of our trip. That was a BLAST! We took the pram with us, too, and both girls went sailing on their own. I tried to captain the Hobie Cat and didn’t get us into any trouble. I usually just crew and pull the rope to move the front sail back and forth (CLEARLY, I don’t know all the lingo). Anyway, we took a little swim break and soon discovered we could stand on the bottom! This is something else I’ll have to look into – how deep is the sound?

4th of July Wedding - Beth & Dan

2009-07-08T10:47:00.000-04:00

Beth & Dan, July 4, 2009

We were lucky to meet Beth and Dan - a truly fun, happy couple! This is another crazy story. They had a photographer lined up for their wedding, but it was a friend who was going to charge them next to nothing.

Well, last minute, the "friend" decided they would be out-of-town and couldn't do the wedding! That is when Beth began to frantically search the Internet for someone else. Some magic combination of keywords brought her to us, and they booked during our first meeting!

See a mini slide show of photos from their wedding here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gotbaby/sets/72157621856831147/show/

Congratulations, Beth & Dan!

2009-07-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

Beth and Dan are getting married today - photos to come! After we shoot the wedding, we are off to Columbus, OH to celebrate the holiday with my family. My older brother's friend is having a pig roast, and my younger brother and part of his family will be up from Charlotte, NC, too. Should be a fun day!

Capture Cincinnati is Back! Please Vote for Moi!

2009-06-28T21:50:00.001-04:00

Goodbye, Abbey Dog

2009-03-22T20:16:00.000-04:00

Just found out that my sister's 13-year-old Golden Retriever, Abbey, passed away. Very sad day. She was the best dog. I will miss her.

What is it with Scammers???

2009-03-17T13:30:00.000-04:00

Recently, we upgraded our Canon 5D, Mark I and got two new Canon 5D, Mark IIs. We picked up a 70-200 f/2.8 L lens and another 580 EX II Speedlite while we were at it....boy, that L lens makes some gorgeous, buttery-smooth backgrounds....but I digress.

The 5D Mark I is now for sale on Cragislist. I've had a couple legitimate inquiries, but the majority of them have CLEARLY been from scammers! I even changed my ad and said don't contact me if you think I'm going to ship to another country or accept overpayments and then wire the balance somewhere....

Here's a recent e-mail I got:

Hello,
Thanks for your response,Well am buying the item for my son
abroad,and i will be paying you via paypal.i will give you $150usd
for the postage fee through usps/express mail international,so you simply
get back to me asap with your paypal email address or you can easily
send me an invoice through paypal.so that i can send the payment to
your paypal account asap.I look forward to hear from you soon.
Many thanks and God bless.

Needless to say, I didn't write back. I had another one that seemed to be legit until I got this:

Would you be willing to ship to victorville, CA 92395,?If so let me
know.how much is the shipping cost via www.usps.com an how much are you willing
to sell your item for buy it now,how can i trust you??because moneygram or paypal
would be my prefer method of payment,once you are okay with this e-mail
me back,an i will need your name address city state zipcode for the paypal i will only need your e-mail address.thanks.

As soon as the grammar starts to go and the words "God bless" are used, I'm pretty sure they are looking to scam me. I've seen this scam run so many times - from ads I've posted on Craigslist, auction items on eBay....even from a paid referral source! That one truly gets me.

This one just makes me laugh.....

My name is mark Fish,I'm a professional MALE Agro-biotechnologist (PGD/M.Sc.) working on Crop Protection & Crop Biotechnology project with International Institute of Biological Control (IIBC), in one of the regional office in London; Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB,i was born in
london,england.i saw your advert and email and thought it will be nice if u be the event planner on the day,My wedding is coming up on April 5th and i
will be needing your service for the
occasion, pls let me know if you can handle this asap so we
can be able to start the preparation and also how much do
you charge for this service.
Mark Fish

I wish these scammers would leave me alone and let me sell my camera and book weddings in peace. Speaking of which, if you are looking for a like new Canon 5D, Mark I (purchased late July 2008), low actuations, and all the original packaging, etc., let me know. Extra battery, too. Only $1395. NO SCAMMERS!

New Lights

2008-12-27T13:34:00.000-05:00

Hubby came home the other day with some new work lights. They are shockingly cool, and I think I will have to steal them for a photo shoot. They are more watts than my current strobes, and they have several settings. Of course, they stay on and get hot, but I'm thinking I can work around this small detail....

Next weekend, I will take some photos with my girls and see how it goes! Stay tuned to see the results of our crazy lighting test. If it works, then who needs $700 lights? These babies were a mere $65 at the Home Depot (or Lowe's, I'm not sure where he actually got them).