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Here you will find all sorts of things: tips and tricks, book reviews, stories of my adventures, client features, and so much more!
Moonlighting for Complete Weddings and Events
I have a confession to make: I’ve spent the last two and a half wedding seasons moonlighting as a photographer for Complete Weddings and Events. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, ‘Moonlighting’ means that you are working a secondary job, in addition to your main employment, usually in the same field. So, why am I sharing this? Well, I want to share with y’all what I’ve learned as a result of this experience!
Wedding Vendors: What's the Difference Between a Service Provider and a Product Provider?
Earlier today I shared an article from Huffington Post entitled “The Most Common Wedding Emergencies, and How to Deal with Each”, and while their advice is spot-on, one of the underling, but unsaid ideas was to choose reliable and trustworthy wedding service providers. It made me think; do people know the difference between a service provider and a product provider? You need both when planning a wedding, but which ones are which? Well, in continuing the conversation started by the Huffington Post article, I’m gonna break it down for you!
Taryn and James Thompson- A Farmington, New Mexico Wedding
I have had the pleasure of knowing Taryn from almost the beginning of my business 5 years ago. I’m not sure how she found me, but I’m so glad she did! I have had the pleasure of watching her boys grow up, and getting to know one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Taryn and her family have since moved out of New Mexico, but when she got engaged to James earlier this year, and called asking if I could photograph her wedding, of course I said yes!
How to Tie a Windsor Tie Knot with Justin Bradshaw
Justin was wonderful in helping me create this video tutorial for y’all! He has been tying his own ties for church every Sunday since the age of twelve, when his father first taught him how to tie a full Windsor Knot. Through my experience as a wedding photographer, I’ve learned that not every groom or groomsman knows how to tie their tie the day of the wedding, so we created an easy-to-follow video tutorial to explain how to do it!
Botto/Torcich Wedding- Paradise Hills Golf Course, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Gary and Jacquelyn were married on May 25th, 2019 in a very intimate wedding at Paradise Hills Golf Course in Rio Rancho, New Mexico! Read on below to learn more about their wedding!
Adam and Milly Little's Temple Sealing
I have known Milly and Adam for several years, specifically since we moved into the Los Lunas Ward in the Los Lunas Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Milly was one of the first Sisters who reached out to me, and welcomed me into the Ward. I’ve never forgotten her kindness, so when she reached out and asked if I could photograph her and Adam’s Temple Sealing, of course I said yes!
Easy Posing Tips and Tricks for the Everyday Person
In the art of photography, photographers are responsible for taking three-dimensional (3D) objects and creating a two-dimensional (2D) piece of art that can be framed and hung on a wall. In theory this sounds quite simple: you get everyone posed, and you click the shutter button on the camera. But, in reality, it isn’t so simple. There are some things you can learn to do to help your photographer out, though! Here they are:
Copyright Ownership vs. Right to Print
One of the questions that I find myself addressing quite often is, “Will I get copyright of my photos?'“ This is, and isn’t, a simple question to answer, because the answer varies based upon each photographer and how they run their individual business. First, let’s define some terms:
Amateur vs. Pro: What's the Diff?
It’s recently become more and more clear to me that most people don’t know a whole lot about what professional photography is, or what a professional photographer (like me!) does. That’s why I’ve written the last couple of posts, but I wanted to provide you all with some context for this course of education before I go too much further, and y’all think I’ve lost my mind (clearly my children have stolen it and sold it on the black market).
Putting Together a Wedding Day Timeline
I sometimes have a problem remembering that not everyone was a Girl Scout, and learned how to put together an event like I did. I have a bad habit of assuming that people can automatically lay out a timeline for an event- without writing it down!- and make it happen on schedule. I planned several dozen events for Girl Scouts over the years, so it almost became second nature to me. Today, I’m gonna share some of that insight with y’all!
Workshop with Maura Jane Photography
I am always working to learn new skills and techniques, tips and tricks, and business management so that I can do my absolute best to serve you guys, so when Maura of Maura Jane Photography hosted her first workshop last November, I had to attend! Maura is someone that I’ve admired and looked to for inspiration in my own work, as well as a friend and fellow photographer.
Angela and Karen Ruiz- an ABQ Party Space Wedding!!
Angela and Karen actually connected over Facebook several years ago, and after taking the time to get to know one another through Facebook Messenger, emails, and phone calls, they knew they had to meet in person! So, Karen made plans to come visit Angela here in Albuquerque from her home in SoCal. Personally, I think these two knew in their hearts that it was love at first sight, but secretly didn’t want to admit it. That first trip was a wonderful time for the both of them! Over the course of the next year, Karen flew to Albuquerque to visit Angela and her daughters a few more times before deciding to relocate here permanently, with her mom and her mom’s partner.
Karissa and Steven’s Wedding
This wedding may have been one of my most challenging to date, because Karissa and her mom have been close friends of mine for a number of years, and just six weeks before the wedding they unexpectedly lost Karissa’s dad. And, the loss was felt throughout the day by all of us.
What is a Bridal Portrait Session and Why is it Important?
When it comes to weddings, no matter how much a couple plans or how organized they are, there are always some unknowns before the wedding.
What You Need to Know About Photography Business Models
I was recently watching a masterclass for photographers, and the speaker- another photographer by the name of Matt Kennedy- was teaching about pricing and business models for photographers. I realized right off that there is A LOT of confusion about business models for photographers, not only among photographers, but for our clients as well! If we can't event figure out what business model we follow, how can we explain it to y'all?! Well, I'm going to try to clear up some of the confusion for you.
Wedding Collective New Mexico’s Diamond Dash Wedding Show- Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, New Mexico
About a month ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the Perfect Wedding Guide's Diamond Dash Wedding Show at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show itself was an amazing experience, allowing me to meet a lot of brides that were planning weddings in the Albuquerque area. But, it was a LOT of hard work before the show to get this booth ready!
Styled Wedding at Nature Pointe Wedding and Event Center in Tijeras, New Mexico
Nature Pointe Wedding and Event Center in Tijeras, New Mexico is definitely one of New Mexico’s hidden gems. Nature Pointe is a convenient 30 minute drive from Albuquerque, but with a definite feeling of being in the forest. I recently received the opportunity to work with them and some very amazing other vendors on a styled wedding session. Below are all the people that contributed to this collaboration:
How to Get a New Mexico Marriage License and Change Your Name
One of the many things couples have to worry about during the wedding planning process is how to obtain their marriage license and- if you’ve decided to- how to change your last name. Surprisingly, these are easy things to do, but they are oftentimes confusing or overwhelming to think about doing on top of all the wedding planning. So, here’s how to do it in New Mexico:
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm- An Albuquerque, New Mexico Wedding Venue
Wedding photographers often have a secret list of places they’re DIEING to be asked to photograph weddings at. Today, I’m sharing one of the places on my list, in the hopes that, if I put it out there, someone will eventually ask me to photograph their wedding there.
Using Your Wedding to Give Back
Philanthropy is the act of giving either money or materials to an organization for the betterment of others. And, it is also becoming a trend for many to use items or gifts from their wedding to give back to others. So, what are some ways that you can give back?