Thursday, September 30, 2010

Bittersweet Season

The end of wedding season is near. Ironically, October, though the last month I have weddings, is also my busiest. Five weddings this year. FIVE. It's crazy, but when you are trying to get your business off the ground and to grow, the way I am, you don't limit yourself.

I've realized that there is a great possibility of getting myself burnt out. At the end of August, I almost reached my breaking point. I was busy, my personal life felt like it was in shambles, and my living situation was uncertain for the future. I ended up taking an almost week long vacation right at the beginning of September, and even though I knew I didn't have time for it, I am glad I didn't have a choice but to go. It was a release that I desperately needed, and it helped me to realize that though we are not always in control of what happens to us, if we put our mind toward a certain goal, control is sometimes an easier thing to have than it seems.

This Friday I will be moving into my first ever apartment by myself. I am equal parts excited and scared. Scared because I've never lived alone before (at least for months on end) and I'm not sure if I'll get lonely or nervous being solely responsible for my everyday life. But I am also excited because I think this is a step in my life that needed to be taken. So whether or not I'm a little nervous or just plain thrilled, I'm so happy it's happening. Not to mention, the apartment has two bedrooms, which means the bigger one is going to be dedicated to Jenna Rose Photography. My very first studio and office! Very exciting.

Back to October. I've honestly surprised myself at how I've so far managed to handle my workload this year. I set a goal to finish by a certain day and I have almost always acheived it. And if, for some reason, I didn't meet a deadline, the next day I was sure to get it done. All the while planning a move, spending time with my boyfriend, and keeping up on my blog :) This month is my biggest month for weddings, but I'm not worried. Although the weather might be tricky to navigate, we've done it before, and we'll do it again.

I'm also sad that this is the last month of the season. While there are always odd jobs in the wintertime, not having my big weddings and things to look forward too just doesn't feel the same. I'm actually quite happy that I feel this way (thus the "bittersweet") because it makes me realize that I love what I do. You shouldn't be a photographer if you don't enjoy it, if you don't get something out of it. And I can't imagine doing wedding photography if you don't find it enjoyable. It's too much work if it isn't fun.

So anyway, I just thought I would let you all know how I am feeling lately. I tell you, the way I was a month ago, it feels like a full turnaround, so it's good to be happy, so I hope you all are feeling the same! Enjoy the fall season, and hopefully I'll see some of you at the weddings! Oh and as a reward to all of you who read my post... here's a pretty picture for you!


^I created this image from one I took over two years ago at a wedding in Rockford. It really is a beautiful shot,
I probably didn't need to do much more to it but I was feeling crafty, thus the dreamy effect.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Jeff & Erin: A Wedding

September 18, 2010

































Today's blog features a lesson in Wedding Photography Planning 101, by one of my latest couples, Jeff and Erin. A couple weekends ago, I met Jeff and Erin for the first time, right on the day of their wedding at Hawk Hallow in Bath, MI. Despite having never met in person before, Erin was a champ at corresponding with me and the success of the day proves it. So there is your Lesson One, always keep in good contact with your photographer!

Lesson Two: Make sure the wedding matches your style. Erin knew what she wanted to do, and the elegance of the day was obvious! She took many elements and made them flow wonderfully together, two of my favorites being her beautiful dress and the awesome pomander balls, made of lace and ribbon that matches the bridesmaid dresses perfectly.

Lesson Three: Leave ample time for photos! The guys arrived early to have their photos done, and we made great use of the extra time. We had more than enough left over for the girls to get ready and to get their photos done outside the adorable little chapel at Hawk Hallow, still with time to spare for relax before the wedding. Not to mention Erin booked a party bus to transport them to...

Lesson Four: Pick an AWESOME spot for group and couple photos. The Capitol Building in downtown Lansing. Though the weather was trying to literally rain on our parade, we got some amazing shots using the artictecture (and the awesome models, Erin and Jeff!), still with time to spare for the whole wedding party go continue crusing around in their party bus and give me and my assistant, Kristin, some time to rest up for the reception.

Lession Five: Cookie bar. It's an Ohio thing apparently, and amazing. My faves were the lemon squares, but the buckeyes were to DIE for! Hope this catches on in Michigan soon! Anyway, congrats to my amazing examples of wedding photography planning know-how, Erin and Jeff, who are on their honeymoon right now in St. Lucia. It was a beautiful wedding and I was SO glad to be a part of it!


^The rain kindly cleared up just about 10 minutes after the guys arrived for photos.







^These guys were awesome. They were funny and up for all sorts of shots. We rewarded them with a golf card ride! 


^Such a cute little place to get married!


^Cool shot of the reception location from the ceremony location, by Kristin!









^It's not here wedding ring, but isn't that thing awesome?!


^Erin is beautiful. That's why I chose so many of her to post!


^In honor of her dad.








^From the cookie bar. Jeff's aunt made them all (I think!) and they were AMAZING!

^This doesn't show the pomander ball too well, but they were so cool. And Erin made most of them herself! Talented!




^Kristin and I brought umbrellas, glad we didn't need them but had fun with them anyway.





^So loving the architecture at the Capitol. 

^In honor of becoming an Ohio resisdent, the boys from the Buckeye State made Erin participate
in this spelling of her new home.



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Capturing moments, creating memories.