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Things to think about for Planning a Spectacular Event

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This is just a disclaimer that information may not pertain to some events like wedding, this is more meant for events like baby showers, birthdays, family reuinions and similar events.

Planning events can sometimes be daunting due to just how much there is to think about. These tips are meant to help ease the process or give you some things to keep in mind while planning.

1)Plan on what you would want to do: This is most likely a given but plan the event with things the person of honor would like to do. If it’s a family reunion or something similar, then gear your activities more to the general audience of people attending.

2) Keeping things simple: Keep in mind that every game and decoration you add an event, you would need to supervize which can be overwhelming when you could be enjoying your event. Keeping things on the simplier side can both elevate your event and reduce the amount of stress on the person planning the event. The same thing goes for decorations. If the venue is cluttered with a lot of decorations, it can get in the way and look messy in photos. Sometimes simple is better.

3) Choosing vendors and venues: When choosing a place to host events or picking vendors to provide a service, there is a few things to think about. The first thing that comes to mind is if they have experience doing events, checking online reviews can help give an insight. The second thing is how well you and your vendor’s personalities mesh because if you don’t go well together the planning process and the event won’t go as smoothly. A way for this to happen is to meet all your venders before hand via in person or on Zoom so you get to know their personalities more. It’s especially important to meet your key venders (ex. event planner, photography, DJ, etc.) before hand so they can be involved in the planning process and you know everything will flow smoothly.

For picking venues it would be best while to find some time to personally visit the location before the event takes place, this way you can have a visual understanding of the space you have to work with. Apart from that, when speaking to either vendors or the person who runs the venues, watch how they speak to you, their tones and choice of words could be a big hint in how they will treat you day of and throughout the whole process.

4) Time: When you plan to have multiple activities you may want to space them out from each other to give some downtime in between. This can help make the event flow smoother and can even help the vendors with how they work. Making a timeline is a fantastic idea to help keep track of things and can be shared with vendors.

Extra Tips

1) Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Quinceaneras:

For the child of honor it’s important to take individaul images & family images before the party. This leaves more time to capture other images and it will be less stressful on everyone.

It’s important to know that some temples don’t allow photography during the ceremony, but you can take family & individual images after. Before the party, take a few more image of the child of honor, so they can enjoy their party the rest of the night.

For quinceraneras, going to a local park before the event gives time for immediate family images as well as images of the child of honor. It’s easier to do this away from the party and crowd so everyone feels more relaxed, as it’s hard to pose in front of a crowd.

2) Reunions and Vow Renewals:

With reunions there is often a lot of people, so having a timeline will help you stay organized so there isn’t a lot of stress on you and your guests. Work with your venders to complete this so on the day of, you can have time catching up with everyone attending. Vow renewals are similar to weddings. If you want a more elegant event, make a dress guide for your guests to follow. Rememember the day of is all about the couple, so plan it to their liking!

3) Surprise Parties and Anniversaries:

Arriving early for surprise parties is important to make sure your ready to go whenever the person of honor arrives. This can also apply to anniversaries if your looking to do it as a surprise. Arriving at least 30 minutes early gives you the opportunity for the element of suprise because suprise parties almost never start on time due to the person you’re suprising coming early or late.

4) Showers/parties (Bridal, baby, engagement):

It’s important to know what the person you’re showering would want for their dream shower. This includes the types of decorations, gifts, games and activities. Finding out what kind of games they would like, or if they want any, is very important since they’re a big part of the party and keep everyone engaged. Before inviting the guests, collaborate with the person you’re throwing the shower for and write a gift restristry so they only get gifts that you will use in the future. This way you won’t get anything they won’t use or need. Keeping this in mind makes for a joyful and eventful party. Here is a link to a blog post about a baby shower that we had recently done https://everchangingphotography.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5728&action=edit

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

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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.

Intimate Weddings, Timelines, & The Details

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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.

Boston Common Sneak Peek

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Picking a proposal location is a very important and personal decision. I always say the best location in one that means something special to the couple. Stephen’s location was special since it was where Laura first said I love you to him. What could be better than that? The timing and day couldn’t have been better, especially in January. It was an hour before sunset (which is great lighting), it just snowed so there was a fresh coat, and because it was cold there were less people to contend with. Here’s a few from their session with a full post coming soon.

La Belle Lights Proposal

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“I love you not only for what you are but for what I am when I am with you.”

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Proposals are one of my favorite types of sessions to capture. It’s such a happy occasion that is filled with so much love, one can’t help but love these sessions.

Proposals isn’t something you can plan quickly. To ensure the session goes smoothly we need to plan it together. Once I am booked, we set up a time to go over the day in details, answer any questions, and make sure we have a game plan. I go over the location, weather, timing, lighting (especially if you are doing a nighttime proposal), props, and more. You’re nervous enough already, so I try to relieve the stress as much as possible, making sure the only thing you have to worry about it is popping the question. Having photographed over 50 proposals, I’ve mastered the art of proposals.

Two days before Christmas, I photographed a proposal at a new light show in NH. La Belle Winery light show offers a unique in the season option for a proposals. This event goes well into the new year ending in late February. There’s still plenty of time to check it out. https://labellewinery.com/lights/

Timing and communication is key with proposals. So I waited for Jonathan to finish dinner and head to the light show. Since it closed at 9pm, he made his way around 8:30pm. Without realizing it, we had the entire place pretty much to ourselves. Once he proposed we were able to have fun exploring the light show and celebrating this special time for them. Below are some of my favorite images from Jonathan’s proposal.