Foto Friday: Liana Lehman Photography

Congratulations to Liana Lehman on her recent engagement! I recently discovered Liana through the lovely Jasmine Star's blog. She is an Atlanta-based wedding and portrait photographer. Liana Lehman is a true entrepreneur and has accomplished so much at age 27! She was recently featured on F-Stop Beyond podcast as July is Creative Entrepreneurs Month. Liana is not only a photographer, but also believes in helping others achieve the impossible as featured on BananasEDU, her website where she offers a Complete Business Makeover, the Photo Biz Boot Camp, and DVDs and other tools, helping others succeed. Read the BananasEDU blog here for more information.

All photos from Liana Lehman.

Foto Friday: Jessica Claire

I first learned about Jessica Claire on one of my favorite wedding websites - WeddingBee. I was immediately drawn to her photos. The color, the vibrancy, the life that jumps off the screen. Just wonderful. The ever-so amazing Jessica Claire is not just a photographer. She's also an entrepreneur and creator of a beloved bag for photographers - the Shootsac. She's also revolutionized the use of her blogsite - a blog and a website: www.jessicaclaire.net. She not only has some amazing images, she also lets her personality shine through in her posts and in her photos. You can really see that she genuinely cares for her clients, which I feel is so important for great rapport. I'm a regular reader of her blog and an admirer of her images.

All photos from Jessica Claire:

 

  

 

All these photos are so beautiful! Check out Jessica's latest wedding here.

In case you're wondering here's Jessica's creation - the Shootsac!

Mission: Finding a Photographer Part II

To me wedding photography was all about style. I wasn't really feeling the super traditional posed portrait that make you think "look here and smile at the camera". I do appreciate nicely composed portraits, but I didn't want my photos to be "just" that.

Even before the proposal, I've been blog-stalking photographers. I'm just in such awe at the wonderful images they are able to capture. I always think, "how did they see that?!" when they capture the finest detail or slightest nuance. It takes real talent and an eye to do that. It's not all about the point and shoot.

Another quality I wanted in a photographer? Youthful fun. I want my photographer to be able to identify with me and be able to understand my wants. Someone who would listen and understand and work with what I want and the style I want. Someone who is perhaps recently married and understands all that goes into a wedding.

A few photographers who embody this in my mind:

Jasmine Star





Trista Lerit




Sarah K. Chen





I love their youthful and fun style as well as all the little details that they capture! So wonderful! And they are a testament to why blogs are so useful and necessary in the photography world. My advice is to choose a photographer who's style you like as well as who's personality you click with. Now, I didn't end up booking any of these talented ladies, but I certainly would!

Next, how I found my photographer and what led me to book him!

Foto Friday: Becker Photographer

This Friday's feature is the uber-talented and incredibly amazing photographer, Becker. I think I discovered Becker's work when someone blogged one of his images on WeddingBee. The details, the lighting, the relaxed portraits, everything caught my eye. Along with [b]ecker's blog, I also uncovered his forthcoming project that he has been promoting for the past several months, the [b] school, found on the [b] school blog. It's a fantastic resource for seasoned and newbie photographers alike. I've checked out some of the Photoshop features for my own use. There's an abundance of information in there and it keeps getting better every day! I've told my friends who are aspiring photographers to check it out. And, because Becker posts videos giving tips and his own insights, you get a snapshot (yes, pun intended again) of his personality. He truly lives up to what he's set out to do, make his brides happy with fantastic images and service as well as spread the love throughout the photography community. Thanks Becker!

Check out his latest engagement session here! I love his work, it was so hard to just choose a few photos!

Mission: Finding a Photographer Part I

Photography has always been something I've loved. I think it's in my blood because my parents love photography too. Who else can say that their parents have at least 65 albums documenting their life and us kids growing up. Plus, I was the first born grandchild on both sides, so naturally there were even more photos taken. I was even voted "Most Photogenic" in my 8th grade class. I've never been shy in front of the camera.

I knew that for my wedding, I definitely wanted it documented. I wanted to be able to look back at an album or digital album and show my kids and grandkids our memories. Photography was definitely an area I was willing to spend more of my budget.

So how did I start? With so many awesome photographers out there, it was all about narrowing them down by style. I knew that I definitely wanted a more photojournalistic style. Someone who would be able to capture candids, but wouldn't be opposed to posed shots as well. I wasn't all about the traditional portraits. I wanted someone who could have some fun and would be able to work with what we wanted. In addition, I needed to find someone with a reasonable package.

I immediately asked a friend for her recommendations since she had her wedding in July 2007. I love the photos that her photographer, Junshien, captured. I quickly contacted him to find out what his rates were. For weddings, depending on the package you choose, he will shoot with the awesome Scott Robert. He also has excellent style and picks up on the little nuances that make the difference. As an up and coming photographer in the Bay Area and associate to Scott Robert, he's great and his prices are competitive for the San Francisco Bay Area. He's booking quickly!

E-Session:




Wedding:




Visit his website: www.junshien.com

Part II coming!

Foto Friday: Marisa Holmes Photography

I discovered Marisa Holmes work when "Miss Jasmine" (now Mrs. Jasmine) started blogging on WeddingBee. I was very excited to discover another awesome SoCal photographer. Even though I am not based in Southern California, I do have a bunch of friends who hail from there. Marisa has the ability to capture the life and vibrancy of a couple as well as all the details of the big day. Her composition and lighting are on point, and you can't help but want to see more images! It's truly as if her images come to life, pulling you into the experience of the photo. Fantastic work!

Check out her work below, first of Mrs. Jasmine:

Check out more of Marisa's work here!

[all photos by Marisa Holmes]

Foto Friday: Jasmine Star Photography

One of my new favorite photographers is Jasmine Star. She is based out of Orange County and with a little over two years of running her own business is a rising STAR in the photography world. (Yes, pun intended.) I was so touched reading her old blog entries about her entry into the business, her struggles, fears, doubts, and ultimate support and success. Look at her now! She has a fantastic new website chock full of awesomeness! Her new blog reads like a fashion magazine, without losing her great personality that she puts into every post. I feel like I know her through her well crafted writing and candid honesty. I even emailed her about her advice to her start in the business, and she was nice enough to answer my email -- she didn't have to! Thanks Jasmine!

Here's some eye candy from her latest wedding.

All photos by the talented Jasmine Star.

Foto Friday: Daisy Productions

One of the first photography blogs that I ever stumbled upon was Daisy Productions, headed by Amy Herfurth in Texas. This was my first introduction to reading a blog and I was just awestruck by her images and raw emotion she is able to capture. That was about 18 months ago, long before I even became a bride to be. She was also the first photographer I ventured to email about her business and how she started. It's always been a dream of mine to start my own business (that's in the works). At first I didn't expect a reply, but I was touched that she took the time to reply to my little email. Thanks Amy!



I love her face!


In true Southern Tradition, bridal portraits. Check the boots!




Love this :)


Thank you Amy for your wonderful photography!

(All images from www.daisyproductions.net)

Foto Friday: Sarah K Chen Photography

I love the images that Sarah K. Chen has captured. So many lovely details, such wonderful light, and sweet moments during a wedding day. So inspiring! She's based out of Orange County and a baby is on the way. She's also known as Mrs.Pootiekins on the Knot photographed by the awesome Jose Villa.

Loveliness:

Sweet moment.


Cool silhouette.


Miss-soon-to-be-Mrs. Penguin! (Weddingbee)


Like the ring shot.


Great contrast.

Thanks Sarah for the inspiration! Be sure to check out her blog!

All photos by the ever-so-talented Sarah K. Chen!

Foto Friday: Travis Hoehne Photography

Even before I was engaged, I've been blogstalking photographers. I love photography, especially portrait and wedding photography. It's all about catching the moment, a visual expression of love, and emotion. I'm in awe of photographers who are able to capture this. It's not easy and not anyone can do it. Since I have so much love for the photographers out there (check my photog blogroll), I'm beginning a new feature: Foto Fridays.

So now that you know who we've snapped up as our photographer, I figured that I would feature some of the work that moved me to hire him!

Travis Hoehne is based out of Riverside, and has been awesome to work with. You can check out his blog here, and his website is almost complete.

Love the light!


Definitely want something like this for ours :)


And this too. I KNOW the groomsmen (and groom!) would be down!


Love the silhouette.


I like the use of the arches.


The light is shining down on them!


Colors of this shindig are so vibrant!


This series is great!


Action!


I really like this one too. So cool!

Travis, if I haven't said it enough, you're awesome!! Next July here we come!