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!

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!

Mission: Finding THE Venue Part I

For me, finding different reception venues was painless. It was finding THE reception venue that felt like a long and drawn out process. It actually wasn't that bad. We were engage March 1. We booked a venue May 10.

It took me a couple of weeks to weed out which places were potentials. I had emailed and submitted RFPs up the wazoo that I was knee deep in choices. This is probably the quickest road to frustration. I had some choices between hotels and golf courses. Then I had to take into consideration our guest list. What started at about 100 guests, quickly ballooned into 170+ after our parents chimed in with their guest lists. Actually, creating a guest list helped eliminate some of the reception sites right off the bat.

It was like magic. As soon as I had provided my phone number over the Internet to perfect strangers at different locations as well as my email, I had people contacting me. In general, I'm a shy person and prefer email to phone interaction. I started avoiding phone calls if I didn't recognize the number altogether. Basically I told the event managers my general specs: an estimated guest count and it was to be a Saturday evening reception. Luckily, at the time that I was speaking to potential vendors, I did not have date nailed down. At the time I didn't think it was so lucky, but I think now it worked out to my advantage. Event managers couldn't rope me in because I didn't have a set date in mind. It frustrated me because I didn't want to just say, "well maybe this date" but it also gave me an out.

At the same time, receptions sites hit me with their minimums. Followed by a big gulp on my part, I was able to pare down more reception sites based on their fees. One location asked for a $12,000 site fee! No joke. And for me, where $12,000 is about half my budget, that location was definitely no dice. That didn't include catering or alcohol. Simply the space and tables and chairs. By my standards, I'd rather invest in something else.

Finally, I had to decide which places I wanted to visit and tour. I wasn't even sure of all the questions I should be asking, but luckily there are a ton of resources on the Web from the Knot to WeddingBee to bride blogs that it wasn't too hard to come up with some basic questions. After discussions with my fiance and parents, we narrowed it down to about five locations...

To be continued...