Monday, January 7, 2013

Monogamy Monday- It's Back! PHOTOGRAPHY


photo of me shot by ozvisuals for a published bridal shoot in 2010


I have been very blessed to be able to work with some extremely talented photographers while living and working in LA,
which makes choosing a photographer for a wedding even more difficult.

Finding someone to photograph your wedding is probably one of the most important decisions a bride and groom will make.

The wedding itself is just one day;
you wear that dress once,
those flowers will wilt,
you have to return the rentals,
the band and DJ leave,
you eat the food,
all over the course of roughly 24 hours.

However,
the wedding photos...
the wedding photos last forever.

Photographs are moments held captive in time,
and you want someone who will not miss a beat.

I met Oz in 2009 at a bridal photo-shoot.
Then I worked with him two more times after that.

We became fast friends,
and then I met his wife, 
(my chief bridesmaid)
and her and I have been glued to the hip,
even with an ocean between us
ever since.

Oz is a wedding photographer genius.
He knows how to capture the right moments,
with the right light,
and make everyone look amazing in the process.

It was a no brainer that he would shoot our wedding in Northern Ireland.


He recently shot our engagement photos
(coming soon..)
and from the little that he let me see,
I am already in love.

I think there are two important aspects to finding the right photographer,
1. The quality of their photos. duh.
and
2. Their personalities

I love working with Oz.
He is kind, fun, outgoing, and can make anyone feel comfortable.

I mean,
he and my brother took Stephen to Vegas for goodness sakes.
He is that level of awesome.

He is not just a photographer to me,
he is a dear friend,
and I firmly believe whoever you hire should be someone you could be friends with...
someone you would want to hang out with.
You will get the best photos with the combination of their talent and character.


If you are planning a wedding in the US
or anywhere, really...
but specifically Southern California,
he is my top recommendation for you.
Unless you try to book him on my date,
then you can't have him.

Thoughts on wedding photography?
Did you like who you hired,
or are you currently searching for the right one?
What type of qualities are on your list of musts for someone shooting your wedding?






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41 comments:

  1. I love that you said you should hire someone you could be friends with, because it takes that comfort level to a whole new level. I talked to a handful of photographers when I was looking for someone and I never felt that jive with any of them. Then I met my photographer—the one we ended up hiring—and we just clicked! I'm glad I didn't settle for anyone else. Can't wait to see your engagement photos!!

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  2. Hello stunner!
    So happy you found someone you love! That is what I splurged on too. I don't regret it- our photographer was able to capture all those inbetween moments that made the day so memorable for me.
    Can't wait to see your engagement photos!!

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  3. So agree! It's so important to know and "like" your photographer... we had a great time with ours!

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    1. you spend the whole day with them! I mean, they are there when you are changing for goodness sakes..haha. You need to feel comfortable with them!

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  4. So happy that you have the perfect one for you! We ended up sprlurging on a photographer, but sadly, it wasn't up to snuff. One of those "I want a do-over" things...but at least now I know...for my daughters. :) Can't wait to see the engagements!

    The Mrs. and The Momma

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  5. First of all that photo is just stunning, wowza! Beauty! For our wedding we spent the most on a photographer and our honeymoon as those 2 things were very important to us. Yes, everything else was important too but the photos will last forvere and that honeymoon is just needed and fun! We loved our photographer and our pictures and were so happy we spent the money we did on them. Can't wait to see your engagement photos!

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  6. Wow, that photo is GORGEOUS! Congrats on already knowing the perfect photographer--that had to take some of the stress out of the wedding planning!

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  7. I think that photography is one of the most important splurges on the big day. I met our photographer through blogging (hehe). Not only is she a great photograper, but she's become a friend as well :)

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  8. Gorgeous photo of you! Oh my goodness! I can't wait to see the REAL deal!!
    When I got married in 2002, we got the best we could afford. He was slightly more contemporary and not so many "posed" pictures...which was hard to find in the South back in 2002. At the time, I loved our pictures. Of course, photography and the art of it has come a long way in the last ten years, so I'd definitely go for a different vibe all together. If I could do it all over again, I'd elope with my husband and hire these people to do our photos: http://oneandonlyparisphotography.com/blog/
    Check out their site...holy moses! Can you imagine Paris as your backdrop?
    I agree...photography should be your biggest priority in terms of spending. Everything else comes and goes (and of course you want a fabulous dress...but, you can find that for almost any budget these days. It only has to last one day).

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    1. Thank you love!! I just said this in an e mail to another commenter..but i love that its considered normal now to have these couples sessions with photographers. Because you are right, photography does change so much through the years, and its great to be able to update every so often :)

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  9. I am currently on the hunt for a photographer. They are honestly my biggest priority for these wedding shenanigans. So thank you ... so much for recommending him. I'm seriously going to have to check him out!

    Can't wait to see your engagement photos. :]

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  10. Wow that photo is gorgeous! Can't wait to see the engagement photos!

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  11. we actually are now super close friends with our photographers! and im so happy we finally hired them- it was like PULLING TEETH to get my family on board with them (they were expensive) but i persuaded them eventually with the promise of gorgeous photos.. and it worked! now my whole family is thankful i was a little pill about hiring them (:

    justin actually just helped our photographers redesign their backyard! bahaha yay for photographers turned friends!

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  12. This post brought tears... thank you. We love you so much & are honored to be be with you and Stephen on the big day. I have butterflies already!!!

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    1. aw love you Als!! Oz told me you were a rockstar at our engagement shoot ;) DIEING. t-6months. and t-7months until we freaking make burke williams happen.

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  14. I LOVED my wedding photogs. An amazing couple from Portland that are as artistic as it comes! My fireman isn't much of a poser, so I went for the photogs that would just capture out day without making us pose... to much. It was great & the photos were such a reflection of our day (simple, fun, with a vintage twist). They're called Blur Window Photography. Anyway, hope you're having a great 2013!

    ... and a little side note: I'm having a GIVEAWAY on my blog today, check it out!

    xx, Vanessa
    http://fashiongalfireman.blogspot.com/

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  15. ***Correction!

    The photographers are Blue Window Photography! (not, Blur) oops!

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  16. That photo of you is stunning! So glad you found a photographer you love. You're right, it's probably one of the more important decision concerning the day.

    Can't wait to see your engagement shoot!

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  17. YUP you made the right choice in choosing Oz. He's amazing!

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  18. 1. beautiful!

    2. I hate my wedding photos. I spent so much money on them and they were horrible. Fast forward eight years later, and I have the most talented photographer friends. Like, legit high fashion ones. WAHHH!!!

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  20. Thank you for the share - and great that you found someone so awesome to shoot your Wedding.

    Did you research any photographers "this side" of the pond? Honestly, I think a lot of photographers in the UK aren't in the same league as many from the US. Or I just haven't found them? I have also often thought it was perhaps "the light" (i.e. grey and dull) here in the UK.

    When the time comes for me I might fly a photographer in from the USA.... Definitely one of the best things you can spend your money on when it comes to your Wedding. #noexpensespared

    Looking forward to seeing the engagement pictures!

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  21. I have just started my Wedding Planning process so this post was definitley needed for me - Thanks for the advice, It will for sure come in handy when the time comes for me to book a photographer!!

    -Ashlee Michelle

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  22. Obviously I'm a bit biased since it's my job, but I absolutely agree that choosing your photographer is one of the most important aspects of your wedding day. The photos are the ONE thing that will truly capture and preserve all aspects of the day - the people, the emotions, the details, everything. And a good photographer will not just document the day but do it in a way that is creative, artistic, beautiful, and reflective of the couple. Sounds like you've found the perfect person to do just that for you and Stephen.

    Also, I LOVE when clients become friends. It's a sign that you were truly meant to be in each others' lives. :)

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  23. i am not madly keen on my wedding photos, but then i hate any photo of myself so i am probably not the best judge ;)

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous photograph. That should be blown up and put in your dressing room!

    Love from South Africa

    http://arumlilea.blogspot.com

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  26. you got me all excited thinking this post was going to be your engagements! lol tricky you
    But yes I agree 100%
    I had some friends who didn't spend the money for their pictures, and it shows and it makes me cringe that they decided on not splurging in that area lol but yes, I love who I chose, and i still look at my photos once a week :-)
    p.s. you look so pretty!

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  27. Photography is something that stays forever. I'm looking at photos from 1910 and am amazed. And wedding photos are those that people in 100 years will look at too...so it is important, and just crucial. You found a perfect photographer.

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  28. Your photo is stunning! I really loved my photographer (About Love Photography - Arizona). I agree it is soooo important. You spend so much time with them around that you have to bond with them too.

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  29. Lovely shot! The photographer is definitely one of the most important things about a wedding! Can't wait to see what he did for y'alls engagement photos!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.HeyLoveBlog.com

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  30. i knew which photographers i wanted to hire for our wedding waaaaay before we even talked engagement ;) and i totally agree about personality being super important. we picked vendors, our photogs included, that we felt like we would be friends...i mean, you are spending like 8 hours with them! can't wait to see your engagement pics!

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  32. too bad youre so unattractive. thank god i'm in your wedding.

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  33. Oz is awesome! And I loveeeed Ali! :) They really are the sweetest and SO fun! I can't wait to see the engagements! I know they will be amazing! Love you!!!

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  34. I LOVED my photog Sol Tamargo. I was so worried about finding a photographer in Mexico for my destination wedding, but she was amazing. Now that I'm divorced I pretend I was a bridal model once too! Ok, not really, but it was the closest I could have ever looked like a model.

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  35. Too true. I think it's awesome that you have a friend as your photographer because he's going to know you both and how to capture your day best. You're so lucky to have such a talented photographer friend!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I read and try to respond to every one! I will either respond in the comment section or directly through e mail :)

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