Shameless Self Promotion

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

Gardner Photography & Design

:)  There.  I hope they're full.

What's in my Photography Bag?

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

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

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

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 }

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!

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!

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! }

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!

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

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

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 }

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 }

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!

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 }

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

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 }

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

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!

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.....