Weddingbee PRO

ed note: This post was originally written in November 2006, but it’s still so relevant and helpful that we’re posting it here.

At first I was only going to post this on photography forums, but I realize there are quite a few photographers who read my blog but may not visit those same forums. I also know that quite a few of my friends and clients have blogs and/or small businesses, and are looking for ways to attract new readers, or to keep current readers interested. So, in the interest of making all blogs a little more addicting… (as if I don't spend enough time reading them and writing them!!), I thought I would share some ideas with the hope that others will feel free to add to this list and to share their thoughts as well!

Why blog?
- To improve your search engine ratings (if your blog contains searchable text; also known as SEO)
- To keep your customers (and competition) updated on your latest news and work
- To give your customers a way to personally connect to you and/or your business
- To convey your philosophy/personality/style
- To announce new products or specials
- To make your clients/friends/family feel famous and to show your appreciation to them (aka being a lovecat)
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At some point we all face hard times or setbacks, but what makes us better, stronger people is how we learn from those challenges and use them as ways to improve ourselves. I know I've had my fair share of set-backs to overcome, and I'm sure I'll have more, but it's people like this who inspire me to keep pushing forward…

Thanks to Jill of Strut Photography for posting this on her blog.

This engagement session almost didn't happen! When we planned to shoot Holly & Sam's engagement session, it was originally supposed to take place at a cider mill, with beautiful fall colors. However, a huge storm with chilling high winds rolled in that day and changed our plans. I was watching the doppler radar via Internet all day long and determined that we should find a location that would allow us to utilize natural light, while still being covered from the elements. My choice: Belle Isle, with its beautiful conservatory and covered porch around the casino building. I started getting tons of ideas about all of these great shots we could do that would incorporate raindrops, the conservatory settings, etc. However, plans had to change yet again when I arrived early to find that the conservatory was under renovation that day. Talk about bad luck!! Despite all of this, the show HAD to go on because I wasn't going to be back in Michigan for a while!! Read more…

Could these two be any hotter?!! Yowsas!
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Tracy & Jeff are two of the sweetest people I've met and they absolutely glow when they're together!!! Their wedding had vintage inspired details of lace and ribbons, but with an updated color palette of deep purples, bold pinks, and soft champagne. I've always loved looking at inspiration boards pieced together by designers, so I thought I'd create one to show off all the wedding details in one place!
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I have to admit that I get a little jealous whenever I photograph an engagement session for a couple whose wedding I won't get to photograph! It's like I get a little crush on the people while I photograph them and I then I wish that I could be their only photographer! I know it's my own fault because I can't be everywhere at once… sadly. Sarah & Ed are one of those couples that I won't get to see walk down the aisle, but I'm so glad that we got to do an engagement session together!
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How cute are these two?!?! I have no idea how I end up with so many beautiful people for clients! What's really awesome is that their beauty is so much deeper than what you can see in a photograph- and I love that.
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Katie & Matt are the picture perfect, storybook couple. They've known each other since first grade and have spent their lives growing up together. All of their experiences over the years have led to them developing a deep friendship and authenticity with each other that takes many years to develop for a lot of couples. Even though they're “all grown up now”, they have a love that is playful and silly, while also being thoughtful and deep. There were so many little things that made their day special, I had a really hard time deciding which ones to share here!!
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Fun, spunky, and ridiculously in love are the ways I would describe Wendy & Jason together!! They were up for ANYTHING- so we had a TON of fun!! To top it off, they were just so happy together that it was hard not to get a great picture of them! They chose the lovely campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, IN where they've shared lots of college sweetheart memories together!!
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Even though Caroline & Dave will be married in Chicago - they have fond memories of Champaign, IL where Dave went to college. Since it was close to me at the time (and much less traffic), they decided to revisit Dave's college town for their engagement photos. I wish I knew the name of the park where we started out because there were a lot of interesting little parts to it that made some beautiful backgrounds, and I'd love to go back if I'm ever in the area again!
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