Z MEDIA Blog

Let it pour...

Each year, we try to do a post or two on the importance of good indoor locations for photography.  Why?  This year is a perfect example.  It has rained nearly every Saturday for months.  Some years have better weather than others.  Last year, almost every weekend was beautiful.  Sunny skies, cool temperatures - we were truly blessed.  This year, not so lucky.  Several weddings have even seen massive storms and tornados both in and out of town.  The best plan?  Make sure you book an indoor location.  

This last weekend, we had a wonderful time shooting out of town with an incredible couple.  Did it rain?  Yep.  They had wisely booked a beautiful indoor location.  The shot above was during a time where the rain stopped, and we were able to sneak outside for a bit to get some fun outdoor photos with an umbrella.  It was only for a short period of time.  The rest of the time was spent inside getting cool shots in spite of the weather.  

Also note that not all areas have great indoor locations.  Check with your photographer for suggestions first, but there have been weddings where there just weren't good indoor spots within driving distance (given the time schedule of the day).  If that is the case, then there should be a plan for utilizing the ceremony and reception areas to the best of their ability.  

As photographers, we can't force you to book indoor spots.  We do, however, highly suggest it.  If nothing else, its great for your peace of mind.  On the wedding day, you can smile as the rain comes down knowing that you have a great location for pictures regardless of the weather. 

Cheers - 
---Chris and Julie

Indoor locations -

First - traditional wedding cakes are killing cupcakes in our survey to the right (I must say we've seen a lot of cupcakes lately...).  If you have cupcakes, please vote for them.  We don't want them to feel bad...

Its another busy Z MEDIA weekend.  Julie and I will be photographing Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to working together with our couples and sharing this amazing part of their lives together. 

Just a quick reminder to all brides - indoor locations are a must if at all possible.  As I'm typing this post, its thundering outside my window.  It poured yesterday as well.  Last weekend, the weather was iffy as well.  No sense in stressing over rain during the week leading up to your wedding.  We realize that many indoor locations have fees, but trust us, its worth it.  Also - if its hot outside, you'll be glad you booked an indoor location with air conditioning.  It can be a great place to relax, cool off and use the restroom.  Even if it isn't raining, we will almost always utilize the indoor spots as well. 

Have a great weekend everyone!
---Chris and Julie

Planners, Coordinators, Designer - what does it all mean?

Good Monday Morning!  We wanted to kick off this week with a bit of information about the differences between Wedding Planners, Event Coordinators, Event Designers and Lighting Designers.  These are often gray areas, and we receive questions about the differences on a regular basis.  These are not hard and fast rules, but they'll get you in the ballpark.

• Wedding Planner - a wedding planner is responsible for nearly every aspect of your wedding.  They are your right hand throughout your planning process if you have hired them for full planning.  They assist you in everything from your timeline, budget, vendor selection, wedding etiquette, colors, the overall look and feel of your event - just about everything.  We highly recommend this service to every couple.  It just makes your life easier.  If you only hire them for day of coordination - that is the only service they will provide.  They will help keep everything on track during the course of your wedding day.  If you are not going to hire a planner for full coordingation - consider a planner for day of services.
• Event Coordinators - many times a reception venue or church will have an event coordinator.  They will help you interact with the facility, follow the rules and make the most of your time there.  They do not provide the services that a planner will provide.
• Event Designer - there are some outstanding event designers that can help provide a killer look to your big day.  Their responsibility is to design the look and feel of the wedding and help put it all together.  They may have some of the pieces/parts (table centerpieces, set pieces, candle fixtures, fabrics, lighting - etc.) available for rental and some event designers are also florists who can provide full floral.  Here again - they are not, in most cases, actual wedding planners.  They won't be handling the budget, timeline, etiquette and vendor issues with you.  They are there to make your wedding look fabulous.
• Lighting Designer - here is an area that we are seeing more and more.  Lighting is fast becoming an integral part of the wedding day.  A lighting designer or LD in the concert/touring world has a background in lighting, understands the latest fixtures, knows what is available and where to get it.  They can also lay out a lighting plot that will help you maximize your lighting.

Which of these areas is the most important?  They all are.  Can you do them on your own?  We've seen brides do a fantastic job of putting together every aspect of their own wedding, but there is always a price to pay.  The amount of research, planning and time investment can be staggering.  It can be done, but it is often easier to bring in a professional.  Each has their own unique part to play.  Sometimes the lines are blurred between the different roles.  If you have questions, make sure you ask everyone involved.  Also clarify before you book each service exactly what roles they will be performing.  Then, sit back and be amazed on your wedding day!

---Chris and Julie

Winter Weddings

Good Monday Morning!

Z MEDIA is imaging a large number of winter weddings this year.  Julie and I photographed two ourselves this weekend along with video for Saturday's wedding.  One thing continues to be very evident.  When you don't have access to outdoor locations (it snowed all weekend here in northern Ohio), you must have quality indoor locations and great lighting.  If you don't, it can be nearly impossible to have great photographs.  We're doing everything we can on our end to provide the latest cameras and lighting technology.  We're extremely excited about 2009.  Julie and I have cutting edge equipment on order that is just hitting the market to give us the absolute best low light images available.  All of these advances are great, but we still need great locations and as much light as possible.  We can't do it without you!

If you have a fall/winter wedding this next year, please consider a couple of things.  First - hire a planner/designer if you are able.  We'll work directly with them to help make sure you have the best opportunity for great images.  This may involve lighting rentals or an adjustment of the timing of your day to better suit the daylight hours we do have available.  Secondly, talk with us about having quality indoor photo locations.  The chances of shooting outside just don't exist.  We didn't photograph outdoors at all during the last several weeks.  The weather just didn't allow it.  Book amazing ceremony/reception locations or plan on paying for great photo locations.  The good ones charge.  You should consider this as part of your budget when you are planning the wedding.  Please note that you will need to secure the location.  We often can give you a general idea of what locations charge, but you need to make the final arrangements and sign the contracts/provide payment for the venue.  The venues will only work with the couple directly, and we can not handle the contracts for you for legal reasons.

The image above was from Saturday's wedding.  We worked with an excellent planner who not only helped the couple choose amazing ceremony and reception locations, but also helped them select (with our guidance) an additional photo location.  The weather was horrible, but the photos were amazing and the schedule went off without a hitch.  Also note that indoor photography takes more time.  We often need to set up additional lighting in order to get the images we need.  Work with your planner and with us to help determine an appropriate number of locations and the time necessary for each.  We're here to help, but we can't do it alone!

Have a great day!  We look forward to helping each of you create amazing images!

---Chris and Julie

Receiving Line Poll Wrap-Up

 

Here are the final results for the Receiving Line Poll -

36% of you are having your receiving line at the reception
21% at the church
21% are doing tables at the reception
14% are releasing by rows at the church
7% aren't having a receiving line

Here are some tips from recent weddings and from a number of the planners we've worked with regarding receiving lines -

• First, we have heard time and time again that you need to have some interaction with your guests during the course of the wedding day.  That doesn't mean you have to do a receiving line, but you do have to make your guests feel welcome and give them the opportunity to interact with you.  This is the socially acceptable thing to do.  If you don't, your guests may feel slighted.  They've come to see you and have brought you a gift in many cases.  Making a bit of time for them is important - even if you don't know everyone well.
• This first point must be balanced with the fact that this is your day and it is about the two of you as a couple.  You need time during the course of the day to spend with your spouse.  We've seen too many couples come to the end of the evening and say "wow - its over already and I didn't get to spend time with you".  That's not the position you want to be in.  A wedding day is a group of selections that you make regarding what and who is important to you.  It truly is a balancing act.  Work with your planner or ask us if you have questions.
• Receiving lines always, always, always take longer than you think.  Everyone wants to stop and chat.  There's nothing wrong with this, but you do have limited time on your wedding day.  There are creative ways to keep the line moving and to help stop bottlenecks before they even happen.  Ask your planner or drop us an email if you have specific questions.  We've seen all kinds of different scenarios this year.
• Releasing by rows does not always save time.  It can help, but we've seen this turn into an amazingly long process especially if you have a large number of people attending your ceremony.
• Keep in mind that receiving lines at the reception will most likely cut into your time at your cocktail hour.  This may still be the best choice for your day, but it is something to be aware of.  You may be hungry, thirsty and even a bit tired at that point.  Make sure you have some time for yourselves.
• Receiving lines come in all shapes and sizes.  Definitely check a wedding etiquette book about who should be present and in what order everyone should be.  Your planner will also have good suggestions for these details.

Thanks everyone -
Keep an eye out for our next poll!
---Chris and Julie
Z MEDIA

Lifelong Memories

Happy Monday Morning! 

We're kicking off this week by talking about making your wedding unique.  What makes you different?  What sets your event apart from others?  Seeing weddings every week gives us a different perspective from most people.  We see the same exact ideas, looks and even dresses every week.  Then, every once in a while, something stands out as being completely unique.  These are the things that every couple should strive for.  At the end of the day, your wedding is about the two of you and the experience you will keep with you for a lifetime.  Visually locking those moments in time is our contribution to the day, but every couple has something that makes you different.  Capitalize on it! 

I've talked to a number of people over the last few months about creating memories in your life.  In this fast paced world that we live in, very few people seem to take the time to experience life any more.  We're all running around just trying to get through the day.  Every once in a while, we need to slow down and do something that we'll remember for the rest of our lives.  Your wedding is one of these defining moments.  It should reflect who you are and it should be unique.  These are memories that you will have to share with your children's children.  Make them good ones. 

So much of what we do will soon be gone and will go unremembered.  We want to encourage each of our couples to concentrate on the events and experiences that help define each of us.  Enjoy!  Life only happens once - make the best of it. 

Have a great day!
---Chris

Unique Cakes

Here's an image of a really unique cake we saw a couple of weeks ago.  The bride lived in Hawaii and wanted a sandcastle cake.  The baker did an incredible job of fulfilling her vision.  The texture looked just like sand but tasted great!  Cakes are still as hot as ever.  We've seen some amazing cakes this year utilizing unique designs unique flavor combinations.  If you don't have a great cake company yet, just ask us for advice.    

Ohio weather

For those of you who aren't here in Ohio - the state got hammered yesterday with extremely severe weather.  There were amazingly high winds and torrential downpours of rain.  There were trees down everywhere and at last count still 250,000 people without power.  Thanks hurricane Ike...

Julie and I were shooting a wedding on Sunday not far from the boarder of Ohio and PA up on Lake Erie.  We photographed Saturday (and had horrible weather), stayed Saturday night near our wedding and then drove about an hour further east on Sunday morning.  We had about a 2 hour drive home Sunday night through incredibly bad weather.  We normally drive a Ford Edge with all-wheel drive as our main photography vehicle (www.ford.com).  Thank God we had it last night.  We needed it as the weather was atrocious.  When we arrived home, a huge tree was blocking our main road, and we had no power.  UUGH...  We are very grateful that it cooled off last night so that we could open our windows to let some fresh, cool air in.      

Anyway - this weekend was a great reminder to any bride who wants to go without a good back-up plan for inclement weather.  Don't gamble on your wedding day.  Have a good back-up if your wedding or reception is going to be outside.  If your wedding and reception sites don't offer good photography options (ask us), book an indoor location.  Pay for it.  There should be no discussion or resistance to this.  The couple of hundred dollars it may cost you is an inexpensive price to pay for some peace of mind.  You may be investing thousands of dollars into your photography.  If you want great photos, you need great locations.  Unless you live in an area with sunny weather 300+ days a year (like Los Angeles), do not take a chance on having good weather.  Most of our brides have lucked out this year.  Some have gotten burned.  Trust us.  We can't tell you how many brides have been totally stressed out the week of their wedding because they didn't have indoor location booked.  In some instances, this can't be helped because of your locations or time schedules.  Everyone else needs to plan accordingly.  If you were here in Ohio this weekend, you understand why.

Have a great week everyone.  We're just glad to have our power back on!

Choosing your photo locations

I know we've touched on this subject before, but it is something that is extremely important.  Location is the number one key to good photography.  Having a theme to your day also helps.  There is no sense in running around to 10 different photo locations just to get different images.  It is much better to determine which images are important to you and concentrate on them.  The wedding above was a perfect example.  We had just one key locations to shoot in (that offered both indoor and outdoor possibilities).  Both the bride and groom had a theater and music background, so the choices were obvious.  We had ample time in the location that was selected to create some amazing images both with the couple and their bridal party.  They also pulled elements of this theme into their reception by having a spotlight for their main dances.  It gave everything a very theatrical feel and it worked great.  We encourage each couple to really consider photo locations that fit with their style and personality, and to limit themselves to one or two key locations where we can spend time creating unique images. 

Have a great day everyone!

Cheers!

Mixing weddings and alcohol

Alcohol is often an integral part to many of the weddings we see.  When handled responsibly, everything can run smoothly, but we've also seen some disasters that were driven by too much drinking.  Here are some thoughts -

• Allowing your bridal party to drink too early in the day is a recipe for disaster.  This is probably the single biggest cause of wedding related drama that we've seen.  Set guidelines and stick to them.  At the very least, the bridal party should refrain from drinking until after the ceremony - even if the ceremony is later in the day.  It also really helps the photography if they don't drink until after your photo time.  We've had bridal parties who were drinking that were very easy to work with, and then we've had bridal parties who became impossible after they started drinking.  You know your group.  This is your day, so set your guidelines accordingly.  If your party has already been drinking heavily by the time your reception hits, it can be a real mess.
• Remember that not everyone in your bridal party drinks.  Plan accordingly.  Make sure that there are non-alcoholic beverages available at all times including water.
• Make sure that if you are providing alcohol, you are also providing food.  Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. 
• Make sure that there are provisions for end of the evening guests who should not be driving.  Many couples have shuttle service to nearby hotels where guests are staying.  There are other alternatives as well.  We really like when the reception is at a location that has adequate rooms for many of your guests.  It's much easier to take an elevator up to your room...
• Impress upon your bridal party your desire for them to act responsibly at your wedding.  If you have friends who are known to become rowdy after they drink, you may not want to invite them.  We've seen everything from fights to people becoming physically sick in the middle of a reception - all of which were alcohol related.  Trust us - these aren't the memories you want on your wedding day.    Everyone you invite to your wedding should respect you and respect the importance of this occasion.  If they don't, they really aren't your friends.