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...




======

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.

=======

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!

Wedding on Friday - Can't Wait!

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!

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!

Site Visit : Receptions Loveland, Lake Isabella

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!