Baby M Newborn(ish) Shoot
Posted on September 23, 2009
Sandor and Sveltana are my first wedding clients to book me for a newborn lifestyle shoot and I couldn’t have been more excited for the shoot or to meet M. He’s so adorable! As you can see, even though he was just 3 weeks the day of the shoot, he’s already growing so fast! His cousin G also came over for a few shots with the two of them as a gift to Grandma so I got the double pleasure of shooting TWO adorable boys!!
Congratulations many moons over Sandor and Svetlana, I couldn’t be more excited for the two of you!
Someone was just a WEE bit hungry 
The first time G even got into the same ROOM with Baby M – so him holding the baby was quite a feat! He did a great job though!
While they were calming the baby down I got a couple shots of G – his first day of school was the next day!
LOVE this smile!!
Married: Trisha and Jason 09.05.09
Posted on September 20, 2009
Phew! I am so behind on my blogging but I’m hoping to get caught up this week!!!
Last year at Amber’s wedding, Trisha was Amber’s hairstylist. She had just got engaged and asked for a card… the rest they say is history!
Trisha and Jason had a very casual but fun wedding and reception! The highlight of the day for me was when they busted out of their slow first dance and got their groove on with a choreographed dance to “Get Low” by Flo Rida & T-Pain. It was a surprise to everyone but the Bridal Party so it was great to not only photograph but see everyone’s reactions when they started to “get low.”
Vendors I was honored to work with:
Cake Artist: Johnny’s Bakery
Ceremony: Canaan Lutheran Church
DJ: Pure Energy
Florist: Seville Flower & Gift
Reception/Catering: Genesis Party Center
Trisha getting her makeup done at the salon where she works.
Checking out the final product.
I think it is safe to say that the Flower Girl didn’t dig getting her hair done!
Getting the bride laced into her dress is sometimes I multi-person task!
The flower girl takes a moment to wave to her fans…
Trisha and Jason were oblivious to the antics of the flower girl and ring bearer, which is a good thing!
The always popular dip-n-kiss!
Rocking out to the first dance!
The DJ played a game with the bride and groom prior to the garter toss… it was pretty cute!
Corey Talks: Timelines
Posted on September 15, 2009
I am often asked about timelines and how to build one. Rather than show you a timeline from my typical wedding day, I’d rather give you the information behind how to build one so that you can create your own based on your needs and what you will be doing during the day! At the end I’ll show a couple sample timelines using the info I’ve written just so you can see how it all goes together.
Above all, each vendor is going to want you to plan their day around them. We all are somewhat egotistical in the thought we’re the most important vendor of your day . If something is important to you though – DO NOT be afraid to say it! If you really really really want to cut the cake first, say so! If it’s important that you don’t do a First Look, don’t let your photographer force you into it!! It’s your day and as vendors, we are here to serve you and make YOUR day how you want it not how WE want it. I’m just here to help you muddle through what is often a daunting task of putting together the timeline!
Salon
Time: 1 – 3 hours depending on services.
Whenever a bride creates her own timeline, this is the first area to fall apart which can then trickle into the rest of the day. I highly suggest having a hair trial not only so you can test the look, but also so you can estimate how long it takes for you to achieve that look – and then add on another 15 minutes at least for fusssing and adding the veil on. Typically an hour is about spot on for a bridal updo but everything depends on the brides hair, style and how much it takes to achieve the look (straightening, curling and so forth add on time).
When adding bridesmaids into the equation you want to add on another hour. Even if all of your appointments are at the same time, almost ALWAYS there is one stylist that is running behind (usually due to another bridal party ahead of yours) and/or someone in your party is running late. When it comes to making a timeline – it is always better to OVER estimate on time than UNDER. You’ll hear this a lot from me!
If you are adding on makeup to the services at the salon, I suggest adding another hour. Typically I see this service taking about 30-45 minutes but you want a buffer in case you don’t like the way you look, the mascara gets all over your face etc.
If you are adding nails onto the service, I suggest (if it is color only) another 30 minutes. However I STRONGLY suggest having your nails done the day or two before as nails are SO easy to mess up when drying and typically the day of the wedding you don’t have the luxury of not doing anything for an hour so that they look perfect.
Makeup
Time: 1 – 2 hours
If you are not having makeup done at the salon but are having someone else do it or doing it yourself where you are getting ready I suggest to budget at least 1 – 2 hours for this time. 1 hour should be sufficient for JUST the bride, but when you factor in more girls, you need to factor in more time. There are only so many mirrors and usually everyone wants everyone else’s opinion on what they are doing. Consider this time as your fun giggle time before the stress of the day takes over. I also highly suggest OVER budgeting on time here than under budgeting. Something always happens. Mascara falls and hits a cheek, the blush makes you look like a clown and so on. I also HIGHLY suggest again that brides test their look out before the big day so they know exactly what to use and how long it takes to get there. Takes less time and less trial and error!
Getting Dressed
Time: 1 hour
I know I know, you’re saying ONE HOUR??!?!? Here’s the thing. I like to have all of my maids and mothers dressed BEFORE the bride. Why? It makes for MUCH better pictures! It doesn’t look good if some girls are dressed and some are still in sweats when getting the bride into her gown. With having the bridesmaids being dressed before the bride, it helps then be able to get out the door much quicker. The extra time is also for snafus that can and DO happen. I’ve had more than one bridesmaid’s zipper break this year and one bride had to be sewn in her dress as well. Stuff can and WILL happen. If you have cushions of time, then these things will not be things that ruin your wedding. Also with bridal gowns comes the crazy buttons, zippers, ribbons and so forth so having the extra time helps in case there’s anything special that needs to be done to the gown.
Pre Ceremony Formals
Time: 30 minutes (without a First Look)
While I love love love when my clients do First Looks, I realize that it’s not for everyone. If you are not planning on a First Look I usually suggest about a half hour for formals prior to the ceremony. These are typically the “smile and pose” type shots with your family and bridal party as I personally like to do all the fun shots afterward. It usually is about 15 minutes for each side and I’m pretty quick about it. I save all of the fun shots until after the wedding when I’m not worried about you seeing each other and getting your dress at all out of sorts. Please note that what WILL slow me down at this point is any guests that take pictures while I am taking the pictures. Not only do I have to wait for them to get their shot, but often their flash messes up my meter readings and I have to take more shots to ensure that I have one exposed properly. For more information about how Guest Photographers can muck up the works on your wedding day, read my past blog about it here. Note that I like to have my brides hidden away by 15 minutes (AT THE LATEST!) before the music starts so that no guests see you before the big reveal.
First Look
Time: 15 minutes
I LOVE when my couples opt to do a First Look. It’s always such a beautiful moment and it’s nice when you can actually HUG and talk instead of standing at an altar biting your tongue and hoping you remember to say all the things you wanted to say when you can speak again. Not only does it make for a great moment – it also makes way for the ability to do all the pictures before the ceremony!
Ceremony
Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
This is one thing I really can’t fuss with much as this all depends on your type of ceremony and service. Some are short and sweet, some are long and thoughtful. Keep in mind this is JUST the ceremony time!
Receiving Line
Time: 30 minutes – 2 hours
This figure all depends on the type of line you do. Some couples opt not to do one at all and instead get to the cocktail hour to greet guests before they enter the reception. Some choose to exit by row, which is the quickest option from the church (about 45 minutes for 200 guests) and some choose to do the formal line which can take up to 2 hours for 300 guests – and yes I’ve seen it take that long personally! For a more in depth look at Receiving Lines, please read my blog post about it!
The Exit
Time: 15 minutes
Up here in the North, we do our “grand exits” from the ceremony. Down South, they do them from the reception. I’m listing it here in the day since I primarily shoot in the north but the same time applies to this in the South. This usually doesn’t take much time but it’s an activity you still need to budget for! Typically it takes about 15 minutes to run out, hug the random person that has to hug you and get into the car. NOTE!!! If you have a messy exit remember to factor in time to get the rice, birdseed or whatnot out of your hair, bouquet etc. You may have to completely undress for this!
Family Formals
Time: 30 minutes
I always tell my clients to budget at least 30 minutes for these formals even though I’m usually done quite a bit sooner. What can take up time is when someone has to be tracked down that needs to be in the pictures – so make sure that everyone is present and accounted for so we can get the ball rolling. This time is also the same whether or not I got family formals before the ceremony – why? Because when I do them afterward, I just pull people in and out so it’s not any extra time to do them after for me. The time wasters here are children – many times the younger children do not want to stand still or will pull faces when they have to, large group portraits as once you try and get 10 + people positioned and smiling it’s not quick and other guests taking pictures. If you have extra time planned, it makes it easier to deal with these problems as they arise.
Bridal Party & Bride and Groom Portraits
Time: 1- 2 hours
The reason I lump both of these together is that typically on a day of the wedding after the formals in the church/ceremony area are done, the bridal party & bride and groom jump on a limo and we head off to locations for shooting. When on location I work with the full bridal party and will split off and come together off and on depending on the location to get the maximum use out of the areas we go to. Ideally I always want 2 hours after the family formals to play with the rest of the party. I know it SOUNDS like a lot of time but rarely is it. If we are going to locations there is the drive time to factor in – and if you are using a limo, bus etc. it takes longer for them to get around and park than it does for a car so that’s extra time. Out of my ideal 2 hour timeline, at least 30 minutes of that is driving and parking (and that’s when it’s all local going to a typical 2 location spots). The other time waster when it comes to bridal party location shoots is… the bathroom! You have no idea how often I’ve had to wait after we’re “on the road” so to speak for bathroom breaks. So make sure your bridal party thinks to use the restroom before getting in the limo! Even if we stay ON location I still like to have at least an hour because the bottom line is that if guests can see you, they’ll want to talk with you and inevitably that takes up time.
Cocktail Hour
Time: Time that you set aside for pictures, minus 15 minutes.
The idea behind the cocktail hour is for the guests to be entertained while the bridal party is off taking pictures so they aren’t twiddling their thumbs. Recently, more and more Brides and Grooms are wanting to be there for this part of the day which can put photographers in a bit of a pickle when it comes to taking pictures. If you want to be a part of the cocktail hour, have it start an hour after you expect the receiving line to end so that you can arrive towards the end of the hour and still enjoy it. Otherwise have your guests seated by the time you plan to arrive so that the guests are all seated when you arrive and are ready to make your entrance. Also note that you don’t want the cocktail hour to be TOO long otherwise guests will be pretty tipsy before the reception begins!!
Entrance
Time: 15 minutes
Unless you are planning something elaborate, entrances typically only take about 15 minutes at the most. As with the rest of the day, plan a bit of extra time here so you have a few minutes breathing room in case something runs behind i.e. the limo gets lost coming to the reception (I’ve seen it happen!).
Toasts/Blessing
Time: 15 minutes – 30 minutes
This is one part of your day that will be virtually impossible to plan on as no one tells you what they are going to say! However you should be able to plan on who is going to speak and with that add about 5 minutes per person. The typical speeches are from the Best Man, Maid of Honor and a blessing (15 minutes) but often parents speak, friends speak and so forth so make sure to plan accordingly.
Dinner
Time: 1 – 1 1/2 hours
This all depends on how many guests you are having and what style of dinner you are serving. Typically a plated meal takes longer than a buffet line but it all depends how they are set up! If it’s a single buffet line it can take as long as a plated dinner. Check with your cater and plan accordingly. I typically suggest about 1 1/2 hours – time for everyone to be served and time for the bride and groom to eat and visit while others are finishing up their meals.
Cake Cutting
Time: 15 minutes
This is pretty straightforward and simple and usually takes less time than 15 minutes but again, the extra time gives you space in case anything needs to be taken off of the cake before you cut in. For some information about cutting the cake see my blog here.
Special Dances
5 minutes per dance
Not everyone does every dance so I’m lumping this all together! Any “special” dance that you want to do (First Dance, Bridal Party, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, Anniversary) estimate about 5 minutes unless you know the song is longer. This allows you a bit extra time to be introduced and to dip/kiss/spin/hug at the end.
Bouquet & Garter Toss
Time: 10 minutes
Again, not everyone does this but in case you want to do it I would estimate 10 minutes for both activities unless you know the DJ is planning something elaborate. I’ve seen some garter removals and such that are more than the norm so always check with your DJ/Band to make sure that you’re allowing ample time for it.
Whew that’s a lot of information isn’t it??? To start a timeline, typically you need to know the ceremony and reception times. My example is going to use 3 (without a First Look) or 5 (with a First Look) for the Ceremony time and 6 for the Reception.
Timeline Without First Look
9:00 – 12:00 Salon Appointment (Hair, Makeup for Bride, 5 Bridesmaids and Mothers)
12:00 – 12:30 Drive time from Salon to Bride’s Parents, bite to eat at house
12:30 – 1:30 Getting Dressed
1:30 – 1:45 Drive time to Ceremony
1:45 – 2:15 Pre Ceremony Formals
2:30 Music Begins
3:00 Ceremony
3:30 Processional
3:30 – 4:00 Bride and Groom Receive by Exiting Rows
4:00 Exit by rose petals
4:10 – 4:40 Family Formals
4:40 – 6:40 Bridal Party & Bride and Groom Portraits
6:00 – 6:50 Cocktail Hour
6:40 Photographer takes pictures of Reception Room before guests enter
6:50 Guests allowed into Reception
7:00 Introductions
7:15 Toasts (MOH, BM, Blessing)
7:30 Dinner
8:30 Cake Cutting
8:45 First Dance
8:50 Father/Daughter Dance
8:55 Mother/Son Dance
9:00 Bouquet/Garter Toss
9:15 Open Dancing
11:00 Reception Ends
Timeline With First Look
9:30 – 12:30 Salon Appointment (Hair, Makeup for Bride, 5 Bridesmaids and Mothers)
12:30 – 1:00 Drive time from Salon to Bride’s Parents, bite to eat at house
1:00 – 2:00 Getting Dressed
2:00 – 2:15 Drive time to First Look location
2:15 – 2:30 First Look
2:30 – 4:15 Bridal Party & Bride and Groom Portraits
4:30 Music Begins
5:00 Ceremony
5:30 Exit by rose petals
5:30 – 6:00 Family Formals
6:00 – 6:50 Cocktail Hour, Bride and Groom receive guests
6:50 Guests allowed into Reception
7:00 Introductions
7:15 Toasts (MOH, BM, Blessing)
7:30 Dinner
8:30 Cake Cutting
8:45 First Dance
8:50 Father/Daughter Dance
8:55 Mother/Son Dance
9:00 Bouquet/Garter Toss
9:15 Open Dancing
11:00 Reception Ends
As you can tell, the First Look doesn’t change the timeline much at all – but what it does is exchange the time from receiving your guests after the church to greeting them during the cocktail hour. Each couple has to decide for themselves what style they want but the nice thing with the First Look is that it enables the Bride and Groom to spend more quality time with their guests and not have to leave their guests while they are out getting pictures taken.
Engaged: Angela + Robb
Posted on September 11, 2009
Last Friday I headed down to Columbus to meet up with a couple for next June, Angela and Robb and get some engagement pictures taken. We were originally going to head off to a different park but Angela had taken a trip to the Franklin Park Conservatory and fell in love with it and the stunning Chihuly Glass that is on exhibit there so we went there instead. I am SO glad we did because I’m not sure how in the world anything could have topped the awesomeness of that glass!!! I LOVE cobalt blue and there was so many pieces of it it was hard to not try and take a piece home with me. Angela and Robb were also such a pleasure to work with – I barely had to direct them at all – they are just naturally this awesome in front of a lens.
The glass was BEGGING for a ring shot so I had to oblige.
I love how the glass looked like flames when out of focus.
The glass was BEGGING for a ring shot so I had to oblige.
Sometimes you do things on accident that end up being cool – this is one example where I turned the camera mid-exposure and got this.
LOVE.
September 11, 2009
Posted on September 10, 2009
Eight years ago, what were you doing?
I was busy planning on making a life-long dream come true, I was planning my first trip to NYC which was to happen that weekend. We had a room booked at the World Trade Center Mariott and I couldn’t wait to get there and see the sights, hear the sounds and do some serious shopping!! However, I quickly found out that the dream vacation wasn’t going to happen. I sat in shock as I watched the building collapse and then The Pentagon got hit. I will always remember the day as if it was yesterday and I am sure all Americans will.
Had I not have started a new job, I would have been in the hotel at the time of the bombing as we originally planned to spend the week in NYC.
Eight years ago, Roberta Bernstein Heber, headed off to work like it was your usual Tuesday. She was 60 years old and the Assistant Vice President of Marsh & McLennan. She didn’t come home.
Roberta Bernstein Heber was a loving wife, mother, daughter and grandmother. She stayed home with her three children (Melissa, Robyn and Stuart) during the day and went back to school at night to earn her Master’s Degree so that she could provide a better life for them all. After her final child was a teenager, she went back to the workforce with her new Master’s Degree in hand and secured a job with Marsh & McLennan. It was quickly noted what a valuable worker Roberta was for her attention to detail and strong work ethic and she was promoted through the ranks. While she may have been a superior, she still had close relationships with her co-workers and considered many of them to be her friends.
While work was important to Roberta, the closest thing to her heart was her husband, Jack, her children, stepchildren, mother and grandchildren. She always took time out of her week to go visit her mother whom resided in a nursing home. She was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her newest granddaughter, Rachel, who was born September 19th.
Roberta was many things to many people but now she is one thing: sadly missed. Take a moment from your day and remember Roberta along with the other 2996 victims of 9/11/01.
This blog is part of Project 2,996.
Married: Jessica and Larry 08.29.09
Posted on September 8, 2009
Jessica and Larry had literally the most amazingly beautiful wedding and more importantly (for me!) they also designed the day around the photography so shooting their wedding was SUCH a joy!!!! They started with a First Look and left over two full HOURS for pictures with the bride and groom as well as the bridal party before the ceremony began. They also set aside time after the ceremony for family formals which were taken outside on the rooftop terrace at the Wyndham. It was such a dream to shoot without the scary “tick-tock” going on in the back of my mind!
Besides being a dream to work with because of timing, Jessica and Larry are just great people! SUCH a pleasure to work with and shoot – I am so blessed with such wonderful clients. They never once questioned anything I asked them to do and just smiled all day. Jessica’s beaming smile and Larry’s laugh helped make the day purely magical. I had a feeling they were going to be awesome though after their super fun engagement session in July.
I have to also give mad props to a past bride of mine, Meghan, whom I got to work with for the first time as a wedding coordinator. She did an AMAZING job and I can’t wait to work with her again in January!
Thanks to Jessica and Larry for a great day!!!! It was an immense joy working with you both!
Vendors I was honored to work with:
Cake Artist: Wild Flour Bakery
Ceremony/Reception/Catering: Wyndham at Playhouse Square
DJ: TKO Entertainment
Florist: Hosanna Designs
Salon: Charles Scott Rocky River
Wedding Planner: The Savvy Bride
If you’ve followed my blog at all, you’ll know that I’m a shoe girl. So imagine my glee when I saw Jessica’s AMAZING shoes!!! These were simply STUNNING!
Her bracelet and earrings were also stunning. Yes, that is my Shootsac cover (my second obsession after shoes)… which happened to exactly match the bridesmaids clutches that were a gift from the bride. How awesome is THAT?
Jessica and Larry wrote each other letters to open before the wedding. I love when bride and grooms do this as it makes for not only sweet memories but amazing photos full of emotion.
Another shot of the shoes but really, these beauties deserve more than one showing.
Larry waiting patiently with his groomsman for Jessica to come down for their First Look.
You can tell that Larry’s anxious…
A teary moment that is too perfect for words.
After their emotional moment seeing each other, they hopped on a limo bus and headed off to the Cultural Gardens for some pictures. Originally they wanted to go to a few locations but they quickly decided that they’d rather use the time for pictures instead of driving around. Wise choice Here’s the entire bridal party lined up and looking fabulous!
Another shot of their beautimous bridal party!
Jessica and her bridesmaids were so beautiful!!! I really just adored their dresses.
Larry and his groomsman also looked dashing in their tuxes.
Props to David Beckstead for teaching me to look for and capture the moments that happen between poses as they are often the images that will take your breath away. I loved this moment of Jessica enjoying just being a bride and gazing at her bouquet while waiting for another bridesmaid to make her way over for a posed image of the two of them.
Another “in between” moment as Jessica and Larry walk to the location for the next photo.
Chatting while I snap away!
Remember the whole “in between” thing? Here it is again… and it makes for a great image that makes me giggle every time I see it! Almost EVERY SINGLE Groom I’ve met does this!
Have I mentioned how much I loved working with these two yet??
This is what I like to call the “Mom” shot – because even though I love the moments I know that you have to have some of these type of shots in there as well.
I took a shot with Jessica and Larry during their engagement shoot that they loved with the water fountain so I had to recreate a similar image for their wedding!
If you had to ask me what “one thing” went wrong at their wedding (there is always ONE thing – however small!) this would be it. Just as Jessica and her Dad made their way down the aisle one of the flower girls took off out of her mother’s arms and wanted to play with Jessica. She was quickly captured and it made for a moment no one will forget… so is it really wrong? Or just something that made it memorable? Either way, if this is the worst thing that happens the day of your wedding I think that you are pretty darned lucky!
Exchanging the rings.
Jessica needed an extra push from Larry to get it on tight!
Often “The Kiss” is the most emotional moment and anticipated moment… but personally – I love the hugs afterward more than the kiss!
SO many stunning details were at their wedding that I can’t possibly blog all of them, however I have to show a few!!! The favor was the yummy and always awesome candy buffet that was color coordinated with their wedding.
The reception room was absolutely breathtaking!!!
My personal favorite element though of the wedding was the fabulous bridal party table which featured multiple candles.
Detail shots wouldn’t be complete without one ring shot right??
Toasting to the new Mr & Mrs!
The first dance.
Larry showing off his mad dancing skills to “Thriller.” Color me impressed!
Jessica and her bridesmaids liven up the dance floor!
Meghan and her assistant Shamika show Jessica how to do the Cupid Shuffle and if you look closely, you’ll see another wedding planner out there who was enjoying being a guest that night 
Thanks again to Jessica and Larry for a lovely day!!!!
Day After Session: Stacie and Chris
Posted on September 2, 2009
Being your own boss isn’t always easy and sometimes you have to make the tough choice of who comes first – your clients or yourself. With Stacie and Chris, I sadly had to decide that I came first when they inquired about their wedding – which happened to fall on our two year anniversary – and decline the opportunity to shoot their wedding. However, it all worked out when I got to work with them for a super fun Day After Session when they got home from their honeymoon and before they headed back home to Michigan. They also had their precious pup along for a few shots!
Thanks for such a fun afternoon!!!!
Isn’t their puppy ADORABLE??
Lucky for us, the beach was mostly deserted for the shoot!
I adore this picture for so many reasons… I think mostly though it’s because Chris’s sunglasses are just awesome.
Had to run with the Baywatch theme that was looped in my head after seeing Chris’s sunglasses.
Can you tell they are newlyweds???
I wish that every honeymoon could end with a session with images like these…
A final kiss before we left the beach!!!