Dazzling Wedding in the Mountains

Anne’s wedding was at the beautiful Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H. If you haven’t been, it’s definitely a place to put on your bucket list. From breath taking views in every direction, grand architecture, plethora of shops, a restaurant, and fun activities such as, horse drawn carriage rides and golfing. This makes this venue the ideal spot for any event or session.

You can pick either the balcony on the first floor or the rooftop for ceremonies. Anne’s ceremony and cocktail hour was on the balcony, since it was a smaller wedding, with about 20 people in attendance. After the ceremony, we were able to utilize the rooftop for group and couple images, which came out beautifully. Even though it was windy we were able to capture stunning images with the beautiful mountains in the background.

As I’m looking over the gallery, one thing that I noticed and loved most about her wedding, was that everyone was genuinely happy to be there which is evident in all our images. It was a relaxed and joyful celebration that everyone rejoiced in. Since it was a small wedding there was a lot of time to enjoy the scenery and take images at their own pace. Truly a classic and elegant wedding.

Looking for wedding tips, here’s a few blog posts:
https://everchangingphotography.com/key-ways-we-capture-genuine-emotion/
https://everchangingphotography.com/intimate-wedding-the-delamar/

Key Ways We Capture Genuine Emotion

Whether its your wedding day, portrait session, or milestone event, we strive to capture emotive images that tells the story. To accomplish this we have to make sure our clients are happy and comfortable to be able to capture their pure and natural emotions. Over the years we’ve gathered a lot of experienced and came up with a few ways we achieve this goal.

  1. We get to know our clients– We aren’t just a shoot and burn business. We are a professional full time photography company, so it’s important to us that we get to know who we are working with and that they get to know us. It’s a partnership. Some of the ways we accomplish this is through phone calls, meeting, in person sessions, questionairres, just to name a few. The more we interact with each other, the easier it is to relax and capture emotive images.
  2. Sometimes it’s good to be a wall flower– If someone doesn’t feel comfortabe you can’t capture their true and raw emotions. We approach our clients and their guests in a very gentle way. We act like wall flowers. We move around each event in a delicate way, never forcing someone to take a picture or make them feel uncomfortable. This way everyone can enjoy the event and we can capture their genuine smiles and laughs.
  3. We encourage you to enjoy yourselves and have fun– We use our humor to make our clients laugh and feel relaxed. This may seem like a given, though this extends much farther than you may think. Being able to make small talk with each other can relax the clients and help them feel comfortable during the session, which is very helpful with the comfortability of our clients.
  4. Directing the couple in a gentle way– This helps us pose our clients in a way that feels natural and comfortable for them. Posing makes or breaks an image. So while it is important for our clients to pose in a natural way, sometimes we may need to push them slightly out of their comfort zones, but in an inviting and comforting way. We try to ease our clients into posing by complimenting them or saying something comforting.
  5. We are prepared to capture spontaneous moments– Anything can happen during a session so we are ready to capture everything, which is the biggest reason why we usually have two photographers at our jobs. We encourage spontaneous moments by having the couple or the group look at each other and talk amongst themselves, which generally makes everyone laugh and smile.
  6. Use natural light to enhance the warmth and seritonin– It is said to be true that daylight and natural light releases more seritonin into our brain. So we try to incorporate as much natural lighting into our sessions as we can to help our clients feel happy and more secure. Fresh air and warmth is always fulfilling and makes our clients feel content.

An Elegant Winter Wedding At the Exeter Inn

Melanie & Steve got married in February winter wedding, the day after a big storms. It made for a great backdrop at their beautiful venue. I’m halfway through their gallery but couldn’t wait to share some images.

Here’s a sneak Peek of their day with another post soon to follow.

Top 7 Photos With Your Bridesmaids That You Absolutely Need to Take

There are plenty of photos you have probably considered taking on your wedding day. From getting ready, the ceremony to pictures with your family and of course with the groom but what about the ladies that are helping you and have helped throughout the entire wedding planning process? While you know you’ll have some time to take group shots of the entire bridal party you’ll want to make sure you have these photos with your bridesmaids as you get ready on your big day.

1. Showcase The Back of Your Wedding Dress

The back of a wedding dress is hidden with beautiful details you’ll want to capture. You can pose with all of the bridesmaids to show off their dresses as well or have some great close ups of the bridesmaids helping button, zipper or lace up the back of your dress.

2. First Look With Your Bridesmaids

You have heard about the first look for the bride and groom but what about when the bridal party sees the bride for the first time? The bride’s first reveal to her bridal party can result in some emotional and memorable photo opportunities.

3. Having Fun

As you are getting ready everyone’s nerves are a little on edge because everyone wants to look their best. There will be moments when you just need to let loose to relax a little and having a little dance party, jumping on the bed or just being silly are moments that can make for great photo opportunities.

4. Matching Robes or Shirts

Most brides will have getting ready attire for their bridesmaids and you’ll want to capture everyone in their cute and thoughtful pre-wedding wear.

5. Bouquets and Bridesmaids Dresses

Bouquets won’t last a lifetime but the pictures you have of them will. The bridesmaids and bride bouquet photos are ones that you will definitely want to have. There are many ways you can showcase the bouquets as well as the bridesmaid’s dresses. From lining everyone up and holding their bouquets out to the camera or hiding their faces to forming a circle around the bride; this is another shot that you can get creative with

6. The Shoe Shot

You can’t forget about the shoes and what about those pedicures? You’ll want to get a group shot that showcases everyone’s shoes.

7. Celebrating Shot

You’re getting married! There is bound to be a bottle or two of champagne being opened in the bride’s honor. Take a minute to pause as you toast away your single life with your bridesmaids for a picture-perfect shot.

Wedding Photography Style Explained

When it comes to choosing your wedding photographer before you even begin searching you will want to know just how you want your wedding to be photographed. Each photographer will specialize in a specific style so knowing what style you prefer can make finding a photographer a little easier. Most wedding photography will fall into one of these 5 styles.

  • Classic

When you choose a classic photography style the results are images that stand the test of time. These are the traditional black and white images, carefully posed and meticulously planned out. Most often the photographer specializes in capturing ordinary moments in a beautiful and elegant way. This style tends to be a bit more formal but can always be given a modern twist.

  • Artistic

If you want something that is more personal for you then an artistic style may be your ideal choice. Artistic images will capture unique, special moments and tend to utilize a lot more of the space around the couple instead of just capturing the couple full frame and up close. If you are open and willing to having a bit of fun with your photographer, you will be amazed by the results.

  • Lifestyle

Lifestyle is a type of photojournalism photography with a bit of a twist. Most images will appear to be candid, and most often they are. This style is a mix of candid, natural shots and images with some direction and staging provided to get the perfect shot.

  • Dramatic

While all styles will use different types of lighting, dramatic images make it a key component. This style will showcase a variety of different lighting techniques that the photographer has mastered to create truly breathtaking portraits.

  • Documentary

If you are not into the traditional posing or styling of shots, then a documentary wedding photographer is probably one you will want to consider. The documentary style focuses on candid and spontaneous images that truly capture the entire essence of you wedding day.

5 Things You Should Trust Your Wedding Photographer With

Trust is the key ingredient to any relationship and this is true for the relationship you have with your wedding photographer. There’s a reason you chose them to capture the most important day of your life. While you may have a vision of how you want some of your images to turn out, for the most part, you are going to have to put a lot of trust in your photographer. Trusting your photographer a little more in these main areas will not only result in better images for you to remember your big day by but will also relieve you of some stress as well.

            1. Choosing the Location of the Shot

You wedding photographer will have taken the time to familiarize themselves with your reception location or areas around your ceremony site to find the best places to photograph. They’ll know where gets the best light and where the best scenery is.

            2. Time of Day to Shoot

Lighting is key to creating beautiful images and using the natural light of the sun will produce the best lighting setting but that doesn’t mean any time of the day will give you the same results. Your photographer will know what time of day will be best to take those gorgeous outdoor shots that won’t leave harsh shadows on your face or when to sneak outside to take some night inspired shots.

            3. Poses

Trust your photographer to know what pose is the most flattering for you. They can see how the light is illuminating you and what is in the background. While some photographers will take into consideration your picture ideas, you shouldn’t be offended if they shoot down your ideas. Most times you’ll be working with limited time and light and you don’t want to waste much of either on your big day.

            4. Editing Your Photos

Trust your photographer’s creative eye during the editing process. They will know which images will look best in black and white, color, cropped and which ones to add special effects to, if any. Part of the editing process is a part of their style and this is one of the reasons you hired them. Trust them to use their skills to make each image stunning.

          5. Handling Printing Your Photos

Your photographer knows where to get prints made and probably has a long-term relationship with a reputable printing company. The worst thing you can do is have a stunning image, order a large print and find the colors are off, the image is blurred or it simply looks dull. Knowing where to get your prints made, what size they should be done in and which ones will look best in your albums, wall art or thank you cards is part of the package you get when you hired a professional photographer. Trust them and listen to what they think will look best for what you want.

Erica & Lydia’s Wedding

Erica & Lydia are a laidback & sincere couple, who genuinely care about each other and everyone around them. They work within the Boston area to help education, advocate, and support people within their community.

They reached out to me a few days before their wedding in need of a photographer since the one they had planned to used backed out last minute. I was excited that not only was this a Boston wedding but I was available on their day to work with them. Usually I have months to a year in which I help my clients plan and prepare for their special day. Since we only had a few days, I made sure to get as much information as possible to help capture their day as true to them as I could.

Like most wedding days, when I arrived things were running a little behind. No problem, I used the time to capture getting ready images, detail shots, and some canids. If I have time I also photograph the location & what makes it unique. For Erica & Lydia, once they were ready we walked the location together picking a few spots that they really liked. Through our prior conversations, I knew Lydia is a car person, so we had to make sure we captured an image or two with her car before we headed to their wedding venue.

Their venue Club Cafe was a unique venue that I hope I can photograph again. There was a nightclub, banquet restaurant, a few bars, & a stage for their performers. It was closed to the public so we were able to take images throughout the venue. Even though it was in the middle of winter my glowing brides had no problems baring the frigid weather for their beautiful images.

Wedding Vendors:
Getting ready venue: Cambridge House Inn @ Porter Square
Wedding Venue & Catering: Club Cafe
Flowers: My Bloommate

Intimate Weddings, Timelines, & The Details

For all my weddings, before your event, we discuss your timeline and what you would like to capture. Each wedding is unique to each client, so not one is photographed exactly the same. This is especially important for small weddings, since usually I’m only there for a few hours. Those hours go by faster than you may think. Having a timeline and going over image expectations and what you would like for your gallery is invaluable. For some clients, the details aren’t as important as the people there celebrating with them. Or they prefer more candid images than posed. With limited time, we work together making sure we are on the same page, so I can capture your event as it unfolds naturally and with the style you are looking for.

A few weeks before Christmas, I photographed Linda & George’s wedding at The Delamar in Connecticut. It’s a beautiful luxury hotel that’s a great venue option for small weddings. When we talked about the wedding, Linda pointed out how important it was to have images of her children and George’s children. They also liked more candid with some posed of her family. They weren’t looking for the typical getting ready, bridal party, lay flat details shot etc. Knowing this ahead of time, I was able to capture images true to what they were looking for.

Planning a Photo Booth? – Here are Some Tips

If you’re one of Sarah’s returning clients we may have met before – Hi Again! If you’re one of Sarah’s new clients thinking about booking a booth for your event – Nice to meet you! And if you’ve wandered into this blog from Google or Instagram, having never booked with Ever Changing before – Hello to you too! I hope we get to meet soon. I’ve been working with Sarah for a few years now. Sometimes as her second photographer, sometimes as her substitute, her website designer, content marketer, but originally as her Photo Booth Attendant.

I’ve run enough Photo Booths to know that it’s more than an accessory for your wedding or daughter’s Sweet 16. It’s an experience. That’s the key word. An experience.

Guests are doing more than taking pictures to fill time. It’s not about taking a photo of your best side. It’s about wearing goofy glasses and posing like Charlie’s Angels with your girlfriends. No strings. No complications.

For an experience that’s so spontaneous by nature, it’s almost ironic how much careful preparation needs to be involved to have a successful booth. Preparations that you, as the event planner, will have to decide when picking your venue, layout, and vendor. If you’re thinking about getting a Photo Booth for your next event, here are a few things to consider based on my experience:

Location, Location, Location

You know the phrase, “location, location, location” for a reason. It matters. When deciding where to put your booth, the location can make the experience. If you decide to put it in the same room as the party, all of your guests will see it. They’ll also see other guests using it and will be encouraged to use it themselves. Usually that means high intensity traffic.

Booths not set up within eyeline of the entire party are more likely to promote privacy and comfort. Guests are encouraged to enjoy it at their own pace. They’ll still have a blast at the booth, but in a more controlled environment. Booths can be a great way to encourage guests to explore the venue and find places for quiet conversation away from the party. Just make sure your DJ gives it a shout out or two.

If you want your booth to have that high-energy party vibe, its good to have it in the main space. Boa feathers may get everywhere (we’ll clean it up) and your cousin may start photobombing every other group, but your guests will feel that energy. If you want a booth that allows for a more private and orderly experience, putting it in a separate room, garage, or distance away from the main event may midgait traffic. At no cost to the fun-factor of course.

Whichever is best for your event is up to you – just make sure there’s an electrical outlet near by!

Siri, What’s The Weather Today?

We love outdoor events. We love the natural light, the open feeling, and welcoming the mood it sets. Keeping an eye out for storm clouds is no trade secret. But there’s a more egregious threat to your outdoor event you might not even be thinking about. The silent party-killer: Wind.

If you’re going to have an event outside, consult with your Photo Booth vendor on how their setup holds up in windy conditions. If their booth is a trailer space – great! But if it’s an open air booth, the wind could take down the backdrop, scatter the props, and make it difficult for your guests to pose. Always have an indoor location planned as a backup.

But How Much Space Do I Need?

Make sure to consult your vendor on the dimensions of their booth. Ever Changing’s most popular booth is an open air. This means no walls: just a camera, a backdrop, and you in between. The best pictures are taken in an 8 x 10 ft space. We also offer enclosed booths at several sizes. Then factor in any tables or additional surface space. Your vendor will probably require a prop table at least. They may bring there own, or the venue may provide one, as long as the space details are communicated.

Discuss the dimensions with your vendor to help get an accurate idea of the venue’s final layout. The more accurate the details, the better prepared your vendor will be. And don’t forget about the overhead space. Height matters!

Communication is Key

In the end, the most important part of preparation is communicating with your vendor. Sarah and I want to give you the perfect booth. We want the backdrop to be just what you imagined, the props to match your theme, and fabulous printouts. If you want sunflower props at your grandmother 90th birthday party, we want that too! But those can be hard to find or have shipped a few days before the event.

Sometimes its not possible to make changes the day before. We want to get you that custom backdrop, but our backdrop vendor has a lead time. You don’t have to know you want your grandmother’s 90th birthday party to have rolling fields as a backdrop and sunflower props – but letting your vendor know as soon as you do will help them accommodate you.

Photo Booths are more than opening an old drawer to find a picture of everyone dressed in boas and hats, jumping in mid air. Photo Booths are the memory of how half the family failed to get the timing right, and then laughing at the resulting picture. Persevering the emotion in the time families and friends spend together is what Photo Booths are about. The little details go a long way to making that possible.

The Mill on the River Reception

One of the best things about my business is that I get to travel and explore different areas & venues. Sometimes, I’m in the middle of nowhere & sometimes I am in the middle of a city. Where ever I am, I get to see some of the best venues in New England.

In April, I photographed a venue in Connecticut that I have never been to, The Mill on the River Restaurant. This beautiful venue has a lot to offer your event, even in April when the weather is unpredictable.

My clients (Ahmed & Mina) hired me for some portraits – as well as their reception, no ceremony. When I arrived, I had a mission to pick the best spot for portraits.

I arrived early, which gave me plenty of time to look around, and pick out some great spots for the outdoor images. The venue had a covered bridge, gazebo, bushes in bloom, and a river to utilize. Then I noticed across the street a pop of pink and I had my inspiration. In the over flow parking, are some beautiful trees that would make any image spectacular. That is where we photograph Ahmed & Mina’s couple portraits. I utilized that as a special spot for their images, just the two of them.

The Big Reception

Their reception was so much fun, especially since almost everyone was dancing. Seeing so many people dancing and enjoying – I couldn’t help get caught up by the mood too. In these hard times, seeing the kind of cheer was just the energy I’ve been needing. To share in the cheer, here’s a glimpse of their danced filled reception.

Each reception that I photograph is unique to my clients. Ahmed & Mina’s unique moment came from her husband and family giving her jewelry & each taking a turn putting them on her. Her smile was more sparkling than the jewelry and that was an essence I wanted to make sure I captured. Of course, her family had a little something for Ahmed too.

Vendors:
Venue: The Mill on River Restaurant
Dj & Lighting: Dj MO ATF website: www.djmoatf.com Instagram: djmoatf