Sometimes I surprise myself with how out there my ideas can be. And most the time I am surprised if anyone is listening when I do come up with an idea.
This was the absolute best idea I have had besides naming my Wedding Photography, Cakes and Kisses. This project was amazing and the support/love that I received overwhelming.
Click the link to view the video: Wedding Testimonials for Photographer
On Saturday, I went to Cooke Pictures in Burbank and we shot a video of past brides and advice they would have for other couples. It focused on photography, and “capturing moments”. I didn’t realize how much I would be touched by what my past clients had to say about my photography and how it still effects them emotionally, even several years later.They made me cry, laugh and feel so special that I was their photographer. It is always good to get a reminder of what you do and why you do it, but this was absolutely the most inspiring thing I could do for myself and my Cakes and Kisses.
Each couple was asked to come in, have a bagel, enjoy the lounge and chat. Being on video was the easy part, because they got to talk about their wedding. Some couples’ wedding day were from 2006 up until two weeks before the shoot. I tried to get a wide spectrum for the time frame. It was perfect because the couples who had been married more than a year could reflect on how the wedding photography made them feel, even today. While the ones that were married a few weeks earlier, were still on the wedding high, and were reflecting on the entirety of the wedding and how the photos captured everything for them so vividly.
I love each of these couples so very much. Each of them as special and I picked for every reason imaginable.
Not to brag (but I am going to), but I am so extremely lucky I have clients/friends like theses.
Mellisa and Pete (I did their engagement photos back in 2005) offered to come and do some behind the scenes magic. Mell did the girls’ makeup and she also makes jewelry. (Check it out for handmade goodies) Pete did all the behind the scenes artsy shooting. Basically capturing all my awkward moments on film (like when I started crying when the couple talked about their father daughter dance). That is the part I will be most embarrassed to see, but it shows alot about my photography, which is what this video is all about.
Pete my behind the scenes camera.
My besty friend Chandra, helped me set this whole studio up, along with a camera man (awesomeness) and the goodies from Noahs’ Bagels. Really having my best friend there to be so supportive was wonderful. But the real story even behind that is she is the person that got me shooting weddings in the first place. It was her wedding I shot back in 2003, that made me want to shoot weddings forever! (oh how I heart film grain)
Yay her! This is me and Chandra testing out the light and the coffee.
I think what I was most surprised with was how willing everyone was to go on camera and chat about their wedding day. My 07/07/07 couple absolutely are my biggest fans. I know that no matter what I will be a part of their lives and vice versa. Sandra and Brian are pregnant, so newly pregnant, they revealed it on the video that they just found out!! Yay!
Sandra and Brian said this about their wedding photography: “Our pictures are amazing! We get compliments all the time. She captured every moment, every smile, every tear… I have our wedding pictures displayed at our home, office AND the entertainment company that we booked to host our wedding, has OUR wedding pictures all over their office. Holly has a gift. She was born to capture priceless and unforgettable moments. Her personality and experience were priceless on our wedding day. She is also very professional. Just look at her work and you will see for yourself why she is such an amazing photographer.”
shucks
My shy and supportive boyfriend is off camera asking questions to the couple. Yay! He also was able to take photos for me after the interview!
Next couple was the fabulous Jeanette and (her words) her work-a-holic husband, that couldn’t make it for the shoot. We put a mic next to her in case he decided to come along. But then I had to jump in with her. :) Also if you want to check out her amazing fashions go to Isabella Baity, for vintage dresses. Her motto is “Isabella Baity has paired the flattering silhouettes of vintage dresses with modern comfort.” I think it is really amazing she is following her dreams and talents. Plus, her design aesthetics are to die for, did you see her dress? CUTE!
This is what Jeanette said about their wedding photography: “Holly gives you 110%. She has a great eye for composition as well as great Photoshop skills to give you amazing photos. I really love her passion and commitment to capturing the most special moments on your wedding day.” wow. I would describe her wedding day as elegant, classic and beautiful, just like her.
Another amazing couple is my 08-08-08 couple. They had a surprise wedding, an incredible reception, and the most wonderful friends and family. They made me feel so welcome in their homes, and more importantly in their lives. Her mom makes amazing flower arrangements, bouquets and has amazing taste, look at her website.
This is what Mary said about my photography, “Holly is AWESOME!!! We love, love, love her to pieces. She is amazing at what she does and has a true gift for capturing the magic and love of a wedding in her beautiful photographs.” Aww. I love love love them too!
During their interview I cried 3 times. 1) when they talked about how they picked me as a photographer. 2) when they described how I was able to capture the most important moments of their lives. 3) when I cried like a baby during the Father/Daughter dance to “I Loved Her First” by Heartland. Personally, I think that her dad thought I was insane, but it was very tender and made me think of my very own dad, who I love and adore.
Oh my gorgeous Sona and Nico. They melt my camera with their hotness. If you didn’t get a chance to see their wedding photos, here is the slideshow! They talked about their fabulous engagement session, the traditional/nontraditional wedding, and the perfectly lovely first dance. I can’t believe how amazing they are and how much they make me laugh. They are adventurous, passionate, and most important to me, dear friends.
I gave them little Moo Cards, I had printed with their wedding/engagement photos on it. And here we are with our true loves. Both Nico and I love our iPhones and had to get a photo with it in there. Sona only laughs because she doesn’t understand. :)
Here is the photo we did with the iPhone on the wedding day… Yay! Apple would be so proud.
Like the kind of friends you can talk to once every blue moon and still feel as close and comforted as the last time you met.
This is my bride/friend/twin look-a-like contest winner. She got married at the most scenic hotel in all of Santa Barbara, and I love her wedding photos. Oh and I love her and her hubby too.They are so wonderful together. They go on vacations and talk to the locals with accents from different countries, just for kicks. They brought their two beagles on their honeymoon, up the California coast. They laugh at all my jokes, good and bad.
They are good friends to have when you need a laugh, hug, or a look a like to take a quiz in school.
And then, poor Oliver in the middle of a redhead sandwich.
One of my favorite moments, from Santa Barbara, Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore.
Another amazing couple is Jess and Mike. Here is a slide show from their wedding … joy.
She has amazing artistic talents, and ultimately the funniest writer I have ever met. She makes me bend over from laughing and her little smirks tug my heart strings. I think that is how she captured Mike’s heart, oh that and she is drop dead gorgeous. She is camera ready all the time, despite how shy she is… Here is a video when she talks about her Michael Jackson art piece, (she is about 4:50 in).
This is a posed shot, in an open fields that we had to hop a fence, and brave the thistles to get. But I think it is just lovely. It is about the little things, like the sun flare, and her toes curled. What an awesome kiss.
Do you remember your first? The one that made it all “click” together, and TaDA! Well, this couple took a chance with me. When I met with them, they were newly engaged, friends of friends, and looking for a photographer. They got married at my favorite wedding locations, The Wayfarer Chapel in Palos Verdes.
They are just adorable for each other. Wait oh wait till you see the video and the beautiful way they talk about each other and their wedding day. Even though it was 11/07/06… so cute.
This is my all time favorite wedding image… from their wedding. I think I will always have it on my website, blog, portfolio and whatever. It is magic.
Thank you to all my friends for helping me make this video happen. What started off as a badly planned idea, turned into a great achievement that I will be able to share with other couples, and to inspire me to do my best.
To see more wedding reviews go here.
by Holly Steen
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