If I were a color, I'd be yellow. I don't know why, I just would. Daffodils, saffron, and manilla folders make me want to curl up close and inhale deeply, smelling what I think may the color of my energy. Geesh, now I sound like some crazy new ager hanging out in Venice Beach, but as I sat at my computer to write, I thought of yellow…and it makes me happy.

I've been wanting to blog last weekend's wedding, but I don't know if it'll happen due to certain restrictions, so instead I'm writing another round of FAQs. And in case anyone else is wondering, my FAQ Posts are yellow. Totally, yellow.

Stephanie asked:
I want to know how you interact with your clients when meeting them for the first time and having to find a way to reflect their personalities through your photographs? Do you ask them to pose in a certain way?

When given the first opportunity to photograph my clients, I want to make sure one thing happens: They have FUN. In order to accomplish this, I do my best to gauge their personalities and discover what makes them tick…what makes them smile…what makes their relationship unique. By doing so, it’s easier to extract the sincerest laughter, the sweetest kisses, and the biggest hugs. I’m often asked what’s the best way to get to know clients. I doubt there’s a clear-cut answer, but here’s what an average engagement session looks like for me:
*Meet and Greet
Quickly get reacquainted with my clients, or exchange introductions if it’s the first time meeting in person. As soon as we start walking, I start asking questions. Any questions. How was traffic? Where did you get your dress? How is wedding planning faring? I want to immediately put my clients at ease and chew the fat for a while…it’s during this time when I’m figuring out who they are and what makes them special.
*Love Affair
Getting to know how my clients met and fell in love is truly important to me. It reveals SO much about a couple and allows me a glimpse into their personal lives. As soon as they divulge the details of their love affair, barriers are broken and we become friends.
*Strike a Pose
Yes, I sometimes pose my clients. I try to keep things natural most of the time, but I'm also in love with stylish poses, so if I can see something in my mind, I'm going to see if my clients are game for the same thing. And because I have the best clients in the world, they are. Up for it, that is. My clients WANT to look fabulous and feel good, so it's my job to be in control and make the photos as strong as possible.
*Fun In The Sun
When I start shooting, I always explain our main objective: Let’s have fun. The minute you extract the pressure and/or discomfort from the situation, people are free to be who they are and embrace the person they fell in love with. While I’m shooting, I like to engage my clients and laugh WITH them…if my clients have a picture of them laughing, I can guarantee I was laughing right along with them. There’s no way a photographer can get happy images, if she’s not happy herself.

Sean asked:
My blog initially started out more as just a personal one for family and friends. Then I linked it to my website. So now I feel that anything I post should at least be related to photography. How do you decide how much is too much? You say your old blog is terrible. Why so? It's really open and personal.

Allow my clarify about my old blog…it's not terrible…sure, I might feel that way sometimes, but that's just because my first blog was a raw and open journal about who I wasn't, and what I wanted to become. In working on a response to your question, I went back to the archives (I started it in February 2006), and as I read through the entries, I bawled. I sat on my couch and cried a thousand little tears. And then I thanked JD for dealing with me. Goodness, starting a business is hard–very hard–and while I'm open with having the old blog on the web, it's still sometimes awkward to see the struggle of discovering who I was.
I guess I've always been an open person so talking about my life isn't that big of a deal to me. Sure, there are a ton of people who don't read my personal entries, but I'm not writing for them, I'm writing for me. I'm writing for the me I'll be three years from now. The girl who may look back at this blog and cry a thousand little tears…because I know the flecks of self-doubt and insecurity that fill these pages. But I also know it'll carve the person I want to become.

Sarah asked:
Kind of an odd question, but maybe you can answer it in your next FAQ blog post. I'm always torn by what is appropriate to wear when i am shooting a wedding. Skirst and dresses hinder my ability to get into the positions i need to get great shots without showing the world what they dont need to be seeing! Black pants get boring, do you have any helpful wardrobe ideas to share?

To be honest, I get asked this question a lot. It's kind of ironic, because I'm the last person I'd ask for this advice…especially since my last post made everyone believe I was barefoot shooting a wedding (really, Internet?!). The truth of the matter is that I simply ask myself what the guests are wearing to the wedding. There's no sense in me wearing a black suit if the ceremony is on a sandy beach and all the guests are wearing summer dresses. Conversely, there's no way I could ever dream of wearing a Maxi dress to shoot a wedding at the Ritz Carlton! It's all about using your best judgement and choosing an outfit that will allow you to blend in as much as possible with guests.
I usually wear black, and choose a suit if the event is formal, pants/vest if the event is semi-formal, a tailored knee-length dress if the event is semi-formal, pants and a button-up shirt if it's casual, and–not normally–a dress if I'm shooting outdoors in a tropical location. As you can tell, all of these outfits are as boring as they come, but I try to spice things up with accessories like earrings or hair pieces. I'm not sure if this helps much, but if I ever get it to make sense, I'll be sure to let ya'll know! 🙂

Melissa asked:
I know you are super busy, but I was curious if the next time you do a FAQS post if you could explain what your schedule is like once you get to the wedding. Do you have a list of shots you like to get? I am trying to figure out a good flow to shooting a wedding, but I am so clueless!

Well, hmmm, I don't think so. Every wedding is different, so there's no hard and fast rule. Usually, I arrive and spread some lovin' with my bride…then I ask her maid of honor to help me procure all the details the bride would like photographed (invitation, dress, shoes, rings, etc). For the first 20 minutes while I'm photographing these items, I'm listening. Listening to the stories being swapped and the laughter…this helps me understand who is who without having to ask. From listening to a 20 minute conversation, I know who are friends, sisters, cousins, Mom, and crazy aunt Sarah is…by the time I'm done with the photos, I can mesh in and document the story as it unfolds. From this point, the day is free reign…I simply shoot the wedding as it happens, but if there's a lull, I'm off shooting details or candid moments.
I educate my clients in giving me at least 15 minutes before guests walk into the reception as this will allow me to capture reception details while being untouched, so once I'm done with those photos, any formalities are taken care of.
I strongly suggest second shooting a wedding with another photographer before you shoot one on your own because learning the ebb and flow of the day is of tantamount importance and will help alleviate stress! 🙂

And because a post is naked without a photo, here's a sneak peek of what's in store…

Happy Wednesday!