Heirloom Wedding Films

Interview With A Make Up Artist: Elea Blake Cosmetics

There are many people who are unknowingly an active participant in making a bride’s photos and video look amazing.

Obviously, a bride’s choice of a venue is going to determine the backdrop of her photos and her video.

A bride’s choice of dress and florist is going to help shape the colors, style, and feel for the photos and video.

Even a bride’s choice of her band or DJ is going to determine how fun and exciting her reception photos and reception video footage is going to appear.

But probably more important than any of those is the bride’s choice of a makeup artist (Or, as we in the wedding industry commonly refer to them as, an “MUA”).

Frankly, I don’t even film a bride’s face until she is about 90% through with having her makeup applied, an MUA’s job is just that important to my craft.
While all my brides are beautiful with or without makeup, most don’t want an eternal documentation of her without makeup on on her wedding day, so I let the MUA do their magic, and then step in and get some shots of the glowing bride.

An MUA’s work not only can determine the epic-ness of the bride’s photos and video based upon the craft and skill of the artist in covering flaws and extenuating the possitive, but a bride just feel good when she know she looks good and after being told for about half an hour “Oh you look so gorgeous! I love your eyes! Wow look at those cheekbones!” and so on, she’s on cloud 9! When a bride feels good about herself, she has this smile and look in her eyes all day long that can not be ‘faked’. And THAT is the look she wants immortalized in her photos and videos forever. Not the “Okay now, smile for the camera!” smile.

So today we talk to Darin Wright of one of Chattanooga’s most recognized group of MUAs; Elea Blake Studios in downtown Chattanooga. EB has clients not just in the Chattanooga market, but globally! Elea Blake not only provides make up artistry for wedding clients, they also manufacture and design their own products in their Chattanooga studio. They can even custom create colors not just for their in-studio clients, but their online clients also!

Darin Wright of Elea Blake in Chattanooga

Darin attributes her success not just to the quality of her makeup and services but to seeing the beauty in every client who walks through the door or purchases makeup online. Every Colorista is told on their hiring day to show each client how beautiful they truly are … with or without makeup. It is this mission, to empower women with color belonging, that continues to fuel Darin’s professional drive.

LET’S START WITH AN EASY ONE! TELL US WHAT ELEA BLAKE STUDIOS IS, AND WHAT YOUR ROLE IS?

I am the creator of Elea Blake cosmetics. I started the company 21 years ago with just a small line of mixable and customizable foundations. Now I have created over 5,000 different makeup colors in all mediums. A lot of people think because I am the owner I am not on the floor with the rest of the Coloristas (what we call our makeup artist) but that is my favorite place to be!

WHEN DID YOU KNOW A CAREER IN BEAUTY WAS FOR YOU?

Growing up, I always loved beauty! Back then a career in makeup and beauty was seen as a crazy pipe dream. I actually started selling makeup at 16, going door to door with Avon products. It was at that time when I realized how limited makeup colors were for people. I always felt terrible having to sell people so many different products just to get the right foundation shade. That is where this whole journey started!

HOW DO WEDDING MAKEUP TRIALS WORK? DO YOU OFFER THEM?

Our studio makes trials mandatory for brides. We do this because planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful and the last thing you want to do on the day of is try to communicate a makeup look. Oftentimes what people communicate isn’t always what they end up wanting. For this reason, we insist on a bridal trial. You come into the studio and show us ideas you want, a picture of your dress, or just give us the gist. We match your skin and write down your foundation formula, write down all the products we put on you and make a face chart of your look. You approve the look or have us change it until you are happy. That way the day of the wedding there is no surprises. You know exactly how you will look and can sit back and relax, (or try to haha!)

DO BRIDES HAVE TO COME TO YOUR SALON OR DO SOME OF YOUR MUAS GO ON LOCATION?

All of our MUAs are available to go on location with our special EB studio to-go kit and the notecard with the bridal look information on it.

HOW LONG SHOULD BRIDES ALLOW IN THEIR DAY OF SCHEDULE FOR MAKEUP APPLICATION FOR THEM, AND FOR EACH MEMBER OF THEIR WEDDING PARTY?

It really depends on false lashes. It usually takes us about 30 minutes to replicate the approved look but if lashes are involved we recommend 45 minutes for each person. As for a member of the wedding party, it depends on whether they come in before the wedding, but it usually takes 45 minutes. It is also worth mentioning that we offer touch-up services throughout the wedding day.

DO YOU OFFER ANY OTHER BEAUTY SERVICES BESIDES MAKEUP?

We offer lash extensions, waxing, facials, and Personal Color Analysis. The Personal Color Analysis service has a bridal specific service that can be purchased separately that finds you best bridal white. It can also help you choose the wedding color scheme that will make you look incredible!

DO YOU ALLOW A BRIDE PROVIDE HER OWN MAKEUP?

We find that this has never been an issue as all the brides we have worked with love our long lasting reliable makeup. We would be hesitant to use other products as we know our foundation will last, won’t melt off the face in the heat, won’t get on clothing, and will last all day. The few touch-ups needed would be lips, if eating things that tend to get a bit messy, and maybe some finishing powder if you get a bit dewy.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR BRIDES TO REMEMBER/KNOW REGARDING THEIR WEDDING DAY MAKEUP?

As we do a bridal trial we relay most of this information way before the day of. I will say that something a lot of people overlook is if we are hired to do the mother of the bride or the bridal party, it is important for the bride to relay to her party if she wants a specific look and perhaps remind her bridal party that they are the support cast to her. Sometimes we have a bridal party member who forgets that the bride is the star and that can be incredibly awkward for everyone involved if she tries to monopolize the makeup artist’s time. (JBV’s note: Yes, yes and YES! We’ve seen this happen more times than we’d like and our timeline’s often suffer as a result. The wedding day is the BRIDE’S DAY!)

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A BRIDE WHO IS ON THE FENCE ABOUT HIRING A PROFESSIONAL MUA FOR HER WEDDING DAY?

Honestly, if makeup isn’t your thing that is fine. Just keep in mind that if you have a photographer or videographer on that day, you have already spent a good bit of money on remembering the event. You don’t have to have makeup that makes you look like someone else, we can do natural makeup that will just make sure you look dynamic and like you appear in person. The camera can be really harsh to the face and pores and alter how lovely you appear in person. We make sure you look how you want, no matter what that may be.

FOR SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO IS REALLY INTO MAKEUP ARTISTRY LOOKING TO MAKE IT A CAREER, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THEM?

Learn how to read the undertone of a person. The biggest mistake I see in makeup artists is 1. They don’t listen to their client or 2. they put colors on that do not flatter their client. Make sure you know how to perfectly match someone’s skin tone. Altering the skin tone will easily date your makeup application. Showing someone that their skin tone is beautiful and worthy of being matched is the most essential aspect of any look.

Check out this little video made IN HOUSE (I need to hire them to work for me!) at Elea Blake that gives you a better idea of their philosophy and passion!

Thank you so much Darin! You rocked it! In my opinion, an MUA can make or break a timeline and as such, they pretty much set the tone and rhythm of your entire wedding day. Obviously, there are factors an MUA can’t really control (Like, as Darin mentioned, that ‘one bridesmaid’ who kind of monopolizes the MUA’s time), but a good MUA can either give your videographer and photographer some extra padding in your timeline (Making the day MORE relaxed) or can take up more time than they promised and cause you to be rushed for the rest of the day to squeeze in all your photos and video.

Interview With A Wedding Cake Designer: Dan “The Cakeman” of Cakemakers Etc

This week we talk about the good stuff, the reason everyone stops dancing, eating, drinking and chatting at a wedding. The one thing that gets every kid to gather in one place for a few moments… CAKE!

Believe it or not, this is a gluten-free wedding cake! Dan does that too! Photo by Melody Hood of Innamorata Photography – www.innamorata.com – 423-315-2092

If you’ve worked in the Chattanooga area as a wedding professional for any length of time, you have no doubt heard of “Dan the Cakeman”. He’s a legend locally when it comes to wedding cakes and other goodies you’ll find at a high-end wedding.

There’s average wedding cakes, there’s great wedding cakes, then there’s Dan’s works of art.
And the “icing on the cake” is that Dan is a super nice guy; if you can’t walk away from meeting Dan with a grin on your face, then something’s wrong with you.

In keeping with my “Meet a Vendor” series here on the blog, the first name to pop into my head when I thought about wedding cakes was Dan!

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO CAKE BAKING AND DECORATING?

Our family business was Cakemakers Fantasyland. We sold cake and candy supplies for the novice to the professional. This was my mother’s hobby since I was 10 year. So I have been involved in the “business” for 36 years. It’s hard to admit that since I’m only 39 HAHA!!!

Another year of Dan “The Cakeman” enjoying his “39th” birthday cake!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE WEDDING BAKERY BUSINESS?

I have been in my present location 21 years as CAKEMAKERS, ETC – Wedding Cakes & Catering. While we also do food for receptions and events, I am best known as Dan “the Cakeman”

WHAT EVENT PROMPTED YOU TO WANT TO START UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

Our family closed the supply business in 1992. I ran away from my “calling” for about 5 years. People kept telling me that I was not doing what I was “supposed” to be doing. Aa generous gentleman who thought we should be back in business offered me and my sister Debbie an open door in early 1997 and the rest is history!

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

I suppose that all so-called “artists” in the wedding business EAT, SLEEP, and DRINK there particular “calling” 24/7/365!! Honestly it is mainly talking (emailing, texting) to potential clients from 11am until about 6pm. Then I start the actual work on producing specialty birthday cakes, and my real passion; WEDDING CAKES!!!

Sunday is generally recovering from the previous week.

Monday begins the list prep and supplies buying for the week.

Tuesday is a continuum of Monday.

Wednesday begins the baking process for the wedding cakes generally.

Thursday is fill and ice as many cakes as possible.

Friday is finishing day.

Saturday is busiest delivery day of making a brides cake dreams come true. Honestly, I cry a lot while setting up a wedding cake. I am very aware that Cakemakers is a “special” thread in the fabric of a couple’s life. And what an honor and privilege to be trusted and chosen as a brides wedding cake baker!

WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU COULDN’T FUNCTION WITHOUT?

I just can’t pick 1: Mixers – 6 cake batter mixers and 2 very large icing mixers.

And 1 very large professional oven that allows me to bake an average of 3 large wedding cakes all at once. What a time saver!

Chattanooga wedding cake by Dan Carey of Cakemakers, Etc

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?

For many years it was from mainstream bridal magazines. I or a bride-to-be would come across a picture and follow a design from that magazine.

Many times it was my “interpretation” or “inspiration” of a picture I came across.

I describe myself sometimes as being an “impressionist” designer. Not exact copy but really emotionally and creatively inspired by many elements, not just pictures of another’s cake designs.

Since the internet came along and speciality wedding programs on cable, most brides will show me their favorite cake at the beginning of the appointment/consultation process. I will challenge her much like an eye doctor asks;”Now, is this better….or is this better?” It’s a neat process offering versions of her initial favorite design to see if she is really sold on it.

FOR FOLKS STARTING OUT IN THE BAKING INDUSTRY (MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE WEDDING CAKE MARKET), WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM; BOTH TECHNICAL AND INSPIRATIONAL?

They should be prepared to spend more money on equipment that the local Health Dept requires. It’s not just an oven and a sink and a table. Rules and regulations attempt to snuff out most “beginner’s” desires. However, if you have a “gift” and a desire to proceed beyond the rules and regulations to do what inspires you, giving one’s best to every client, then go for it! This is not for the weak or faint of heart! Inspiration will take one through many long and hard hours to finish. But the payoff of tears of joy and “thank you” cards and emails and texts from pleased clients helps in the hard times.

Chattanooga wedding baker Dan Carey of Cakemakers, Etc creates beautiful masterpieces like this each week!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BAKING?

Taking bags of ingredients I’ve spent two days shopping for and ultimately crafting them into a client’s vision for a wedding cake. Each bride has put her trust in me to bring to fruition her “special” day cake and display in a style that elevates and even exceeds her expectation!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT?

An old fashioned 10 super-thin-layer white layer cake with cooked chocolate fudge icing, very thinly between each layer and iced in the same wonderful goodness!

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR AS A PROFESSIONAL?

In all honesty – I HATE paperwork!! I am a creative person!

I prefer to “live in the clouds” of creativity and dreams of my next great and beautiful production!

And not in the restrictive hours of paperwork that is dull and boring (to me).

One of Cakemakers, Inc’s beautiful cake creations overlooking the Tennessee River while on display at the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga, TN

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST REWARD?

The countless numbers of moms, daughters, dads and sons I’ve been privileged to serve over all these many years.

And the great number of the “grand cakes” I’ve done for a bride whose mom’s cake I did as well. That was a hard pill to swallow when I did my first one about 18 years ago. But what a compliment to my business and gifting that I impacted someone that I would be blessed with that kind of referral!

One of Dan Carey’s (Dan “The CakeMan”) amazing wedding cake creations. Cakemakers Etc, cakemakers.com

Thanks so much to Dan “The CakeMan!” for taking the time to talk with me for this blog about his wedding bakery and wedding cake business!
You can reach Dan at (423) 629-2248 or by going to his website at http://cakemakers.com/

Also a thanks to the amazing Melody Hood of Innamorata Photography for providing her amazing photo of the gluten-free wedding cake! You can see more of her work at www.innamorata.com or reach her by calling 423-315-2092.

Interview With A Wedding Venue: Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton, Georgia

If you’re planning your wedding then you know how crucial your wedding location is. Some couples don’t even set a date in stone until they have booked their wedding venue. You HOPE that your top choice has availability on your wedding date, but if they don’t, you either have to shuffle your date around, or choose another venue.

In my 10 years of doing weddings, there are about 3 or 4 venues that I consider my “regulars” but if i had to call one my “home field”, if would be Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton, Georgia.

In the years that I have been doing weddings in this region, Walnut Hill Farm has changed owners once, but the hospitality and professionalism must be a part of that property because no matter the owner and management, Walnut Hill Farm weddings run like a well-oiled machine.

Matt Barrett of Walnut Hill Farms takes a short break from taking care of business at a wedding to pose for a photo with me!

Today, Matt Barrett makes sure that machine runs like clockwork and he does a killer job. Matt has become a friend over the years and has championed my work over and over again. So for this week’s Meet A Wedding Vendor blog, we will be chatting with Matt!

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT WALNUT HILL FARM?

I am the General Manager. I oversee all operations for our estate.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR A LLAMA FARM RIGHT? WHAT’S THE HISTORY THERE?

Joe and Nannette Yarbrough first started developing our property about 30 years ago. While in the planning of the farm Nannette took her grand kids to a petting zoo where she first met a baby Llama. It was love at first “pet” and the history of Walnut Hill began. 12 years ago the Yarbrough’s converted our spaces from hosting animals to host the finest of events. With well over 55 acres of managed gardens and meadows, Walnut Hill sits in a unique spot to overlook the Appalachian Mountains.

HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE STYLE OF THE VENUE?

Southern Elegance and Appalachian Hospitality.

Walnut Hill Farm has multiple ceremony options (5 different set ups that I have seen) and can accommodate virtually any size wedding, and the property is so large that it can accommodate multiple weddings on the same day without the either even being aware of the other! Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

DOES WALNUT HILL FARM SUIT OR CATER TO A PARTICULAR STYLE OF WEDDING?

Walnut Hill offers a beautiful canvas to which a bride can design her dream wedding. From low key and casual affairs to high end formal celebrations, we are flexible to any style.

HOW HAS WALNUT HILL FARM GROWN AND CHANGED SINCE IT FIRST WAS USED AS A WEDDING VENUE?

Four years ago Kasey & Julie Carpenter purchased the property and began renovating and updating our spaces. With the addition of air conditioning and a commercial kitchen we were able to increase our guest’s experience. Today Walnut Hill Farm is equipped to welcome over 30 overnight guests and events of 600 guests or more. While the Yarbrough’s surely developed the land, gardens and buildings into beautiful spaces in which to enjoy the perfect day, the Carpenters brought world class food. Restaurant people by trade, Kasey and Julie began a culture of food and hospitality that is simply unmatched in area venues. Our team of chefs help to develop and execute menus custom tailored to our clients taste. Our floral stylist and wedding coordinators work tirelessly to make sure every detail is perfect. Coming to Walnut Hill is an escape from the hectic nature of the day to day grind. The perfect place to rest, reflect on the beauty of God’s creation, and enjoy a glass of wine.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT WALNUT HILL FARM THAT MAKES IT STAND OUT APART FROM OTHER NORTH GEORGIA/EAST TENNESSEE WEDDING VENUES?

There are so many wonderful venues and places to host weddings in our area. What breaks Walnut Hill away from the others is our concierge style of service. We custom tailor all of our weddings to specifically reflect the brides choices and desires. All of our meals are prepared onsite by our executive chef. Our coordinators walk you through your timeline, ceremony and even pack to-go food for you when you exit. Jennifer, our baker, creates the most delicious and beautiful cakes we have ever seen while Amanda, our floral stylist, will deliver flowers so fresh and amazing you will swear they were cut from our gardens. While we do offer so many services and details in house we also love to work with our industry friends. This area has so many local artisans and professionals we love being a part of that large community.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS WALNUT HILL FARM OFFERS COUPLES?

Our couples first option would be location. Walnut Hill is blessed to offer two separate venues with two different atmospheres to choose from. Dependent on your guest count and desired mood for your wedding would help determine which venue you choose. Walnut Hill offers so many different options. From planning your menu to designing impeccable floral pieces, each bride has every available option and choice.

WHY DOES WALNUT HILL FARM ONLY ALLOW IN-HOUSE CATERING?

We are food people by trade. The preparation of our food and the execution of our service on our passion. We want every guest of Walnut Hill to be captivated by the beauty of their surroundings and perfection of their meal.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SPACES WALNUT HILL FARMS OFFERS FOR WEDDING PREPARATIONS, CEREMONIES, AND RECEPTION

Walnut Hill hosts two venues both complete with event space and bridal suites. Outdoor ceremonies can happen anywhere on our 55 acre farm. The most popular views are of the pond and mountains.

CAN WALNUT HILL FARM HELP WITH PLANNING, COORDINATING, AND EVEN CATERING?

The team of professionals we have gathered together at Walnut Hill will assist you with every detail of your wedding. From setting the tables and floor-plan to designing the perfect centerpiece our team is here for you.

WHAT WEEKS OF THE YEAR IS WALNUT HILL IS THE MOST BUSY?

Our September through mid November usually book 18 months in advance. By far our Spring and Fall seasons are the busiest.

The views of the mountains from almost anywhere on the property is breath-taking! Photo by Chattanooga Wedding Photographer Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

HOW MANY WEDDINGS DOES WALNUT HILL FARM HOST IN A TYPICAL YEAR?

We were so blessed to have had 44 weddings this past year.

WHY DO YOU THINK WALNUT HILL FARM IS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE TO TIE THE KNOT?

It is hard to deny the beauty and goodness of God when you come out to Walnut Hill. Once you pass through the gates you can feel the stress of the day decrease. It truly is a special place, one that you don’t want to leave.

Water features, mountains, barns, trees, and wide open fields. WHF has virtually every sort of backdrop a bride could ever want! Photo by Chattanooga Wedding Photographer Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

TELL US ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS YOU’VE SEEN OCCUR DURING A WEDDING DAY AT WALNUT HILL FARM.

One of the most memorable ceremony events happen when two of the sweetest couples I’ve had the please to meet began to read their vows. The groom went first and lost it immediately. You could hear the passionate all consuming love they had for each other. It took each of them a while to get through their vows but I’ll never forget just how sweet and pure the raw emotion was. That couple are preparing for the birth of their first child now.

FINALLY, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

Being able to join a family in the celebration of two uniting as one is pure joy. Getting to know each family and inviting them into our home is a wonderful honor. We treasure each and every relationship we make here and love when those friendships continue long after the celebration.

Thanks so much Matt! To schedule a meeting or a tour with Matt at Walnut Hill Farms, go on over to their website and click the “Contact” link!

Here’s a wedding film I shot at Walnut Hill farms in the early Spring!

Another special THANK YOU to the Amazing Greg Beasley of Beasley Photography! Greg provided all the photos for this post! Check him out at www.beasleyphoto.com

Meet A Wedding Photographer In Chattanooga: Rich Smith of Rich Smith Photography

If you’re planning a wedding, you probably already know that the one group of vendors that you have a MULTITUDE of professionals to choose from is the Photographer group.

A statistic by the Bureau of Labor suggests that in America there are over 48,000 people who identify their job as a “Photographer”. That doesn’t take into account all the people who do it part time or are just starting out.

Unless you know a photographer personally, have worked with them before, or have a family member or friend who can attest to their skill, ability, and professionalism, it is virtually impossible to know if you are choosing the right photographer for your event (And for your personality).

I have worked with many photographers in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. I’ve managed to become friends (and champions) of many of these photographers. As a result, I have sometimes been asked to provide brides with a list of photographers that I feel suits their personality, vision for their day, and photography style,
One of those that I recommend quite often is Rich Smith of Rich Smith Photography.

Rich and I like to be goofy together when we’re able to work the same wedding! This bride got us both our very own personalized water bottles!

Rich is goofy, easy going, friendly, and super professional. His photography style is very much like my film style; Natural, intimate, ‘free-spirited’. If I could boil my impression of Rich’s work down into one sentence, it typically looks like he just happen to catch the couple being “in love” rather than posed.
It feels very real.

This is a style that some brides love, and some brides don’t. Like any of the vendors you choose, you are choosing solely based on what style you like. The greatest photographer on earth may be great, but if their style doesn’t move you, they aren’t the right photographer for you.

So, since most people on Earth aren’t fortunate enough to know Rich as well as I and others in the Chattanooga area do, I felt it was my duty to the people of the planet to share this little interview I conducted with Rich Smith that is keeping with my blog series of “Meet A Wedding Vendor”!

DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE IN 3 ADJECTIVES.

Authentic, Energetic, Meaningful. My passion is to capture, as closely as possible, the essence of a couples relationship! The biggest compliment I can receive is when friends and family tell me that I documented the spirit of a couple and captured exactly who they are!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU GOT INTO THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS?

I was working full time for a mechanical and electrical engineering firm as an Auto Cad draftsman! In a cubicle. Not meeting new people. Turns out it wasn’t my calling. 🙂

WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO TAKE THE LEAP AND GO FULL TIME INTO THE WORLD OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?

I’ll never forget the phone call I received from an emotional (very happy) mom after my very first photo shoot. I’d done a lifestyle session in their home with their new baby, and through her tears, she thanked me profusely for documenting that special time in their lives. It made me come alive, and I felt that I was doing something with purpose that would enhance the lives of my clients. And something that would increase in value over time. One of our best God-given gifts in this life is our relationships, and to be able to do something that reaffirms the value of those connections; that is pretty awesome to me!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT BEING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

I’m absolutely an extrovert, and working with my clients, hearing their stories, and being around their passion and energy, that is my favorite part!

WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF A WEDDING FOR YOU?

The most challenging aspect of a wedding is when a wedding coordinator has not been hired and that job becomes mine. Rather than focus solely on the photography, I become, by default, the person who has to keep things running smoothly.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT LIVING AND WORKING IN THE EAST TENNESSEE MARKET?

I love living and working here because the people are incredible (I love my clients!) and we have beautiful scenery all around!

Rich and I discuss our plan of action before a ceremony begins at the amazing Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton, Georgia!

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SHOOT NEXT?

Scotland, if we’re being ambitious! Truly, I’ve had the honor to photograph a wedding in Sweden, an engagement session in Hawaii, family sessions in California and Washington DC, and and as much as I love living and working here in the Chattanooga area, Heather and I also have a passion for travel and new experiences as a family.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A COUPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

I would suggest meeting your photographer in person to ensure that you connect on a personal level! It’s important to love the work of a potential photographer, but it’s also important to like them as a person, since you’ll be spending quality time with your photographer on your wedding day! I also highly recommend an engagement session, not just for the beautiful images from that season of your lives, but also to get comfortable in front of my camera so that by the time your wedding rolls around, we are friends who are truly enjoying the process! I love when my clients are willing to be themselves in front of my camera, and let me in on their joyful, intimate moments!

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE EVERY BRIDE AND GROOM TO KNOW BEFORE THEIR WEDDING?

Once the planning is done and the vendors are hired, I want my clients to relax, savor the moment, trust me to do a fantastic job, enjoy their friends and family, and have an incredible wedding day!

Rich does anything he needs to do to get the perfect shot, even if it means he may fall into the hot tub in the spa area of the Bell Mill Mansion in Ooltewah, Tennessee!

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARE WANTING TO TURN THEIR HOBBY INTO A WAY THEY CAN EARN A LIVING, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?

I would recommend improving their craft of photography, of course (we are all lifelong learners!) but just as importantly, I would recommend honing their business and interpersonal skills. This is a wonderful industry to be part of, and much of our success is due to our ability to run a business (90% of what we do is workflow/business related; 10% is time spent photographing) and to be able to develop great relationships with local vendors!

SHOW US YOUR 3 FAVORITE IMAGES YOU’VE TAKEN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS!

Rich Smith Photography Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

Thanks so much to Rich Smith for taking the time to be a part of this blog post! Some of the venues shown in the photos in this post were Walnut Hill Farm, Bell Mill Mansion, and Howe Farms!

How Wedding Films Can Reshape The Future

Today I got some very depressing news.

Without going into it much, a documentary idea I had been researching and working on for nearly a year was crushed.

A production company with several documentaries under their belt had the same idea (Even the same title I had come up with) and produced a trailer long before I even started a single interview.

I went on a drive, called a good friend, moaned and groaned, angrily wondered aloud “Are wedding films all I will ever make?!?!” …and got it out of my system.

After my long and contemplative drive, God put something in my heart that I had to share.

I’m often blinded by editing, scheduling, making money, and spending money to realize what my wedding films are actually “doing”.

Then, 3 “What If” thoughts kept going through my head about what my films actually “accomplish.”

1) What if wedding films lower divorce rates?

The truth is, after most people are married for 5 or 6 years, the “spark” is gone.

Not to say the love is gone, but the butterflies and the excitement of the honeymoon phase is often replaced with duties of career, kids, and just life in general.

It’s no wonder that most divorces occur within the first 10 years of marriage and it’s where the term “7 year itch” comes from. After 7 years, some start looking around for that “spark” again.

When editing a wedding video, I sometimes think “What if, 6 or 7 years from now, this couple is struggling and has forgotten that feeling they had on their wedding day?”

I then imagine that one of them decides to re-watch their wedding video and they see that “spark” again and the excitement.

It’s like me with my kids; Sometimes they drive me and my wife nuts. Then, for whatever reason, I stumble across a home movie I made of them when they were 3 or 4 years old and suddenly that feeling of newness, and love, and adoration flood my emotions. By the time I’m done watching them learn to ride a bike or say “dada” for the first time in the videos, I’ve forgotten whatever was causing me and my wife so much stress. I want to wake them up from their sleep and tell them how much I love them.

2) What if this wedding film changes the definition of “Love” for future generations?

I have been doing this long enough now to have couples email me saying that they showed their wedding video to their toddler. They LOVED it and continually ask to watch it over and over. I think about these kids as they get into their tweens and teens. These kids will see something that most of us never saw growing up; our parents being crazy in love with each other. These kids will hear their parents say words that they may never hear them say to each other on a typical day.

These kids will grow up having an idea of what “love” is implanted in their subconscious. A definition of love created by their parents, not a TV show, a movie, or a book.

A daughter might now grow up looking for a man who reminds her of how her father spoke to her mother in their wedding video, and vice versa for the son who sees his mother’s love for his father as the quality he should seek in a mate.

3) What if my wedding films, and ALL wedding films made, change the way women and men choose a partner?

This may be a stretch, but I’m pouring out my thoughts here so bear with me (Plus, 3 points are always better than 2 points!)
20 years ago, we didn’t have social media, we didn’t see wedding films pop up on an Instagram or Facebook feed.

Girls today see more weddings of strangers now than in any time in history.

Brides are hearing men say some of the most sincere, and powerful words of love to their chosen mate.

The idea of what “The perfect husband or wife” is, could begin to shift just based upon the fact that people see “The best” of what an ideal bride or groom can be.

Once I started contemplating how my wedding films, or any wedding film, has the potential to reshape the future of relationships, I began to feel more rewarded by the opportunities I have to be a part of a couple’s most important day.

How to Save Money on your Wedding (But Risk Ruining It)

There is no doubt about it:

Weddings these days are EXPENSIVE!

According to TheKnot.com, the AVERAGE cost of a wedding in America is a little over $35,000.

Trust me, that is WAY more than I spent on my wedding 17 years ago.

But, a lot of folks do spend that kind of money on their wedding. If, for example, a potential bride goes to their friend’s high-budget wedding and see the sparkle and the glamour, that potential bride (Whose budget may be significantly smaller than her friend’s) will want the same feel and “luxury” at their upcoming wedding.
But, not every bride has the same budget, so naturally, some folks pay for the vendors they CAN afford, and for the rest, they try to cut corners.

But at what cost?

In general (Budget-wise) there are 3 kinds of weddings, all of which have the same awesome, wonderful outcome; A married couple!:

The Low Budget Wedding – $10,000-ish or less. Usually at the church of the bride or groom, and a reception is generally on the property of the church. My wife and I fell into this category 🙂 so there is nothing wrong with it in my book!

The Middle to Middle-High Budget Wedding – $10,000-ish to $40,000-ish. This is a big range because it’s where most weddings fall and this is where virtually all my clients fall into. Keep in mind that a wedding in Arkansas on average, will be less expensive than a wedding in, say, Manhattan, NY

The Super-Expensive High-End Wedding – $20,000 to even, yes, $100,000+. Nationwide, this is about 5% of all weddings.

So clearly, not every bride can afford “the best” vendors in every category…

…and that’s okay!

Let me just go ahead and say that many brides have a perfectly awesome wedding day when friends and family help make things happen. I did a wedding in 2016 where I was the ONLY wedding vendor that was NOT a family or a friend, unless you count the venue… and things went PERFECTLY… half the guests even stayed late to clean up and put up tables and chairs!
But in most cases, this comes with a great risk.
While you may not be able to afford the BEST florist, photographer, DJ, etc in your town, there are still many great, experienced vendors out there. The risk comes when a bride bypasses the best, AND bypasses the great and more affordable ones, only to end up hiring vendors that have little to virtually zero experience.

The Wedding Day Learning Curve

Brides trying to save a few hundred dollars will inevitably hire a friend or family member (We refer to the family members as “Uncle Bob” in the wedding industry) to do things that the bride assumes can’t possibly be that hard:

Your cousin owns a Canon DSLR camera so you consider her as your photographer.
Your fiance’s roommate from college has an iPod full of awesome tunes so you ask him if he can be your DJ.
A guy at your church runs the camera in the balcony so you ask him to make your wedding video.
Your uncle bought a “really expensive” drone at the hobby shop last week.

These all have the potential of saving you thousands of dollars. And some maybe even have the potential to work perfectly well with your style of wedding. But as someone who has been in the wedding business for almost 10 years I can tell you that these “vendors” often come with a steep price, and sometimes can impede the other vendors.

Of the ones that actually show up, there is a huge learning curve. Weddings are not easy-going events for vendors. Professional, seasoned vendors work very hard to make sure the day goes smoothly for the bride, so she has no idea of how hectic day really is. (Side note: If a bride feels stressed on her wedding day, she has hired the wrong vendors or she chose to not hire a wedding planner or coordinator and decided to be the coordinator herself… BIG mistake unless you thrive on stress.)
A wedding moves fast, there are many moving parts. Knowing how to work well with the other vendors is crucial. Knowing where to be and when to be there is top priority. Do you want YOUR wedding to be the one that someone uses in order to get their sea-legs?

I actually worked with a “DJ” who was a friend of the bride and groom. Some of his songs stopped mid-way during the reception dancing. Everyone would stop dancing, and look around, puzzled. Then he would apologize, saying his data connection ON HIS PHONE kept dropping. He was streaming “YouTube” videos to broadcast those songs. Do you want to risk such a buzz kill on your special day?

What’s in it for Them?

If you hire a friend or family member to do your photos or video and you’ve paid them next to nothing, what’s their incentive to get your photos or videos out to you in less than a year? I did a video for a couple 7 years ago. They hired someone they knew for a low price to be their photographer. 7 years later they still don’t have a single photo from their wedding. My video is all they have.

But what happens more often than not is that these fly-by-night vendors just decide not to show up. I get planners and other vendors frantically calling and texting me to see if I am available to fill in for a videographer who didn’t show up, or they ask me if I know any DJs who are available. It’s really kind of sad.

And what’s the real risk for them? They aren’t risking their reputation because they don’t have a business. They aren’t risking losing money because they’ve charged you very little or even nothing at all. Just this week I had a venue owner contact me desperately asking for some vendor recommendations for her bride that is getting married in 3 weeks. One of the friend-vendors bailed. One story I heard was the friend/family member was invited to go to Florida the weekend of a wedding they were asked to work. They chose to go to the beach and left the couple without a videographer.

When these people bail out, you are left scrambling at the last minute to find any available vendor. And trust me; all of the good ones were booked a year ago and you will be left with the scraps, IF you are able to get anyone at all. By trying to save money you have potentially forgone any opportunity to have nice photos/videos taken of your most important day. Or that big party reception you always dreamed about now turns into just a nice, quiet dinner with family and friends. Or, people realize something is missing from your wedding photos. Oh yeah; flowers!

Is the risk of this stress worth it?

Keep some things in mind when budgeting for your wedding:
This day is more than a party. It is truly a ceremony of two families joining together to form a brand-new branch on a family tree. It IS worth capturing, and it IS worth remembering. It IS worth “passing down” to the next generation. Your venue will not allow your children and grandchildren to visit their property to “remember” your wedding day. Your caterer will not prepare another meal for you on your 50th wedding anniversary for free. Your cake will lose it’s taste in a few weeks. Your flowers will be dead in a week. Your photos, video, dress, and wedding ring are honestly the only items you get to keep forever and pass down to countless generations from this day forward after your wedding day.
“Going cheap” is never a good idea with any wedding vendor, but some provide a product that outlasts the others and hiring those vendors and being assured they WILL show up (Because their contract says they will), is important.

Hiring a friend or family member as a wedding vendor isn’t the problem. The problem is hiring a friend or family member who aren’t professionals in their field.

5 Signs That Your Wedding Videographer Isn’t The Right One

More and more brides today are wanting to have their special day encapsulated in video form.
Naturally, all brides hire a photographer to capture those moments that kids, grand-kids, and great grandchildren will be able to look back on. Photography is a well established industry in the wedding world and brides know what to look for, and what to expect. But wedding films, while truly a treasure and an heirloom, have not fully established themselves in the wedding niche and therefore, brides can be confused about what to expect and what is considered reputable business practices.

Today I want to look at 5 things all brides need to look for and be aware of when considering hiring a wedding filmmaker. These could be the red flags that could save you stress, headache, heartache, and possibly money:

1. Music Choice.

This seems like a strange topic to start out with, but it will make sense.
All wedding films have music in them. But not all wedding films are using that music legally.
Without getting into the legalities of it too deeply, the basics are this: If someone makes a film (whether for profit or not), and they want to use music in the film, they need permission to put that music in the film from the musician, (unless the filmmaker wrote and performed the music themselves). The musician made the music, wrote the music, paid for the studio time, paid for the promotion, etc… and so they deserve to be paid.

For us film makers, we have 3 options;

Use a resource like musicbed.com to find the PERFECT song to match our films, and pay the licensing fee of $49 to $99 per song to use once (This is what I do).
Pay thousands of dollars (even tens of thousands) to license a song that is very popular that is often heard in movies or on the radio (Not a viable option for most of us).
Download a song for 99 cents that we like (Or that the client has chosen), and put it in the film without paying for the rights to the song (Very, very illegal).

If your videographer says “YES!” when you ask them if you can choose the song, beware; they are likely agreeing to use a song that can get them sued, and your film pulled down off any publicly shared social media or video site. I sometimes send my brides to musicbed.com and show them options. In the end, ALL of my brides for almost 10 years have let ME choose the song, and every bride has been over the moon of my choice. Not all songs fit every story or every couple. A professional videographer can find the song that is the perfect fit. An unprofessional videographer finds a song on iTunes, pays 99 cents for it, and uses it in your film.
Your love is precious, and is to be passed down from generation to generation. If your videographers takes shortcuts to save $49 by breaking the law, what other shortcuts will they take with your story? To me, committing a federal crime to tell a love story is the ultimate irony.
More information can be found here on this topic.

2. The no-meeting contract
We do weddings for people all over the country but mostly in East TN, West NC, and North GA. Sometimes I CAN’T meet with the bride due to distance. In cases like this, I either have a lengthy phone meeting (With BOTH the bride and groom) or we try to meet halfway sometime before signing a contract. I do this for several reasons:

To get to know you. I can’t tell your love story that is unique to you without knowing you a little first.
To make sure you like me! The last thing you want (And I want) is for you to hire someone that annoys you who ends up following you around for 10 hours on a day that is supposed to be your least stressful and most happy day. If you don’t meet your videographer, how do you know this person is going to be nice, fun, and stress-free?
To make sure my shooting and editing style matches your story.

It’s no secret that I don’t take every wedding that inquires with me. Sometimes personalities do not click, and sometimes a wedding plan isn’t going to mesh with the way I shoot or tell stories. However, if the videographer you wish to hire only speaks to you via email or texts, and never offers to meet with you in person before signing a contract (Even if you live in the same town), consider this a red flag. They may not have the same passion about your story that you want your filmmaker to have. Ask a videographer if you can meet with them sometime. Their excitement to meet you will be a good indication that they are the right pick to tell your story.

3. The over-booker.
Some wedding filmmakers will book LOADS of weddings per year, sometimes multiple weddings in one weekend. They will brag that they book 60+ weddings per year. When a weekend comes around and they realize they have double booked, they start asking the local videographers in town if they can cover one of those weddings. If no one can, then one of those bride’s will not have a videographer that day. They choose which wedding to shoot and refund the other one. Don’t be pulled in by the glamour of a videographer who claims they are booked every weekend because they may double book your weekend and run the risk of not having a video of your special day at all. Ask your videographer “About how many weddings to you do per year?” Anything over 40 and there’s a good risk your wedding day may get double booked.

4. The long edit.
This goes hand in hand with number 3. Some videographers take MONTHS to edit a wedding film (I know one group that takes 6 months to edit a wedding film). This can be due to inexperience, poor time management, or they take weddings every weekend and those edits overlap, causing your film to take 3, 4, and even 6 months to finish. They’ll suddenly get on a kick and try to knock out 3 or 4 weddings in a week. You don’t want to be one of those wedding edits that gets rushed through. This is the reason I limit how many weddings I take per year (less than 20) so I can focus 100% of my editing time on YOUR wedding. Often times I am done with a film in 10 days. I realize that is fast for the industry and I don’t know the “Secret” to me being so quick, but I think one reason is because I don’t overbook. Ask the videographer you are communicating with how long they can expect to wait until their product is finished. 8 weeks or less is pretty standard.

5. The photographer-turned-videographer
For some reason, there are a handful of photographers who look at videography as “Photography 2.0”; They have the cameras, they know lighting, they know composition, so they feel they can make videos too! They offer photo and video packages which is very alluring to a bride (One less vendor to meet and pay). The truth is that a wedding film is nothing like making a photo album. My wedding films tell a story that no photos can ever tell. On the flip side, a videographer really has no business trying to do photography either. While both businesses use similar equipment, if you hire someone offering you both, they are giving you only half of their time and abilities to each aspect.
I’ve found that the majority of photographers who offer video services are fairly new to the industry and that inexperience will ensure you get a very average (at best) video. Your best bet is to find the photographer who’s style you LOVE, and ask them what wedding filmmaker they recommend and have worked with before. Most of my referrals come from photographers I have worked with.

This list comes from being in the wedding industry for almost 10 years. I have heard all the horror stories and seen all the heart-ache because brides didn’t do the research or notice the warning signs and red flags when hiring an inexperienced or fly-by-night wedding videographer. Hopefully this list will help you or someone you know as they begin their wedding planning!