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Oooookay ladies - I know you've been anxiously awaiting this blog post for some weeks now - so wait no more! We've packed this post full of images from Hope + David's picture perfect day - what I loved so much about this wedding (well, there is a lot) - but perhaps what made it such a joy as a photographer was just how expressive these two are. From their thoughtful gifts, to their vows, to their newlywed interactions with one another to the first embraces with family and friends... just wonderful. Check it out and see if you don't agree - I'm convinced that never having met, you could still 'feel' them through the pictures. |
| Trolley to the ceremony site - waving to guests along the way. |
| Gators all around... actually, if you look closely in the upper right you can see a stripe of Seminole... A nod to our bride, perhaps? |
| Hope/David - I want you guys to stay in touch for when you start having babies, okay? I mean, with genes like these... ;) |
| Loved this little flower girl and her pink fingernails! |
| The little ring bearer couldn't part with his red Elmo or the stick he picked up - so down the aisle they went. |
| It's so evident in this photograph that Hope's mom really loves David... |
| See what I mean about their expressiveness?! I think we have about 100 of these - LOL |
| Hope, you're killing me here... |
| Bridesmaids checking out the bling... |
| Groomsmen flipping out over the ring... |
A few quick shout-outs before we wrap it up here...
To the girls of (the FSU chapter of) Alpha Delta Pi ... thanks for being fans! We've loved being a part of so many of your weddings over the years and look forward to many more! It's always exciting to see your familiar faces each season - stay in touch! - A special thanks to Laura C - you know you started this insanity, right?! A million thank you's for your friendship and support over the years. |
| I've got to take a minute to mention this incredible band that we've had the good fortune of working with several times over the years... KTG Entertainment based in Jacksonville, FL. Always excellent, fun, and professional - we had a chance to chat with these guys at Sasha & Paul's wedding in Tampa earlier this year - such nice, talented people - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. |
And my final shout-out goes to our Newlyweds - thank you for letting us be a part of your beautiful wedding... your ceremony reminded us of why we do this... not just photography - but more - marriage... choosing that one person that really gets you and completes you... I caught myself looking to my own husband during your vows, reminded of how lucky I am to have what I saw between the two of you. Much love to you both!
And because I went and got all sappy there, I'll leave you with a happy:
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two plus two equals fun |
What do you get when you add the two of you with the two of us? FUN! As cheesy as it sounds, and we know it sounds totally corny, the number one comment we receive after a session is "I had so much FUN today!" Well done then. Our engagement sessions combine all of your favorites - your favorite location, your favorite outfits, and your favorite person - what's not to love? We can pretty much guarantee an e-session with us will be among your favorite days of the engagement period. Factor that in along with buckets full of great couple pics and this shoot becomes a must-have for any to-be-wed.
Why do I need an engagement session?
Well, if the above isn't reason enough - consider the following... engagement sessions are scheduled prior to the big day - offering us all the opportunity to work together and do the get-to-know-you stuff out in a real, live shoot. For the nervous nellies out there, stepping in front of the camera can be a daunting task, so this is a nice way to baby step into the wedding day photography. And for the rest of you who just can't get enough of having your picture taken (you know who you are) sessions offer a legitimate way to get the fiance in front of a lens again. The great photos taken at your engagement session will undoubtedly wind up all over the place - on your save the date cards, your wedding website, your ceremony programs, a reception slideshow, your sign-in table, the local newspapers, and even at the rehearsal dinner in the form of a gift to your new mom & dad.
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Location
All of our engagement sessions happen "on location". This means we travel to you...or to somewhere in the middle! We've photographed engagement sessions in Pensacola, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, New Orleans, Atlanta, St. Augustine, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, and even far away places like Washington D.C. and Greece! Whenever we travel for work or otherwise, we try to fit your out-of-town session request into the schedule for an engagement shoot in YOUR hometown. So be sure to let us know where you need us to meet you...you never know when we might just drop by!
As far as places to shoot -- we've done everything from historic southern plantations to college football stadiums to the French Quarter in New Orleans . Popular choices everywhere include parks, gardens, beaches, and more urban downtown areas. Whatever the location is, we always encourage our clients to make it personal whenever possible ... if the location is special to you in someway, so much the better. Every so often we are able to include the site of the proposal in our shoot - making for a sentimental favorite everytime. |
B EZ
As Don Cheadle once told Charles in an online poker game, "b ez". That's really what the engagement session is all about -- finding a way to ease the initial awkwardness of being photographed. While so many of our clients photograph like models, we can only pinpoint one example where our bride had actually had professional modeling experience... so we expect things to start off just a little rocky. But not to worry, we'll get you there. Meg's background in theater and, more importantly, directing has given her a real advantage when it comes to molding you, our eager subjects, into a comfortable state of quiet intimacy. We'll work through the nerves and get to 'the good stuff' right off the bat and by the end, we promise to leave you looking forward to the next time.
It's also worth mentioning that there's more to it than just looking suave for the camera. There is a global sense of relaxation and confidence that stems from the engagement session as well; Families really feel at ease when they see a set of stunning images of the two of you BEFORE the wedding day. When moms & dads have confidence that things are in good hands, EVERYBODY tends to relax & trust the process.
And of course there is a direct benefit when it comes to couple shots on the wedding day -- once you've been through an engagement session with us, you'll have a really good sense of how we operate and we are better equipped to serve you. This simple understanding can be critical when the light is fading from the evening sky, and you guys are chomping at the bit to get to your reception. |
What to wear?
Well, of course we can't really answer that. You should realize by now that we want to encourage you guys to express yourselves in this process. We want you to wear what YOU think you should wear! For some clients, this might mean a dress & heels for the bride or a suit & tie for the groom... for others this means those favorite ripped up jeans and tshirt. Whatever you decide on, it'll work...because it's you.
Some general guidelines -- wear something comfortable. We do a good bit of moving -- sitting, standing, hugging, kissing, to name a few. You'll want to stay flexible - wear something you are comfortable showing from all angles. Sometimes, our couples need two different outfits to get the job done. That's OK too! Pick something you love - or even a few somethings - that you are comfortable and confident wearing, and the rest will fall into place! |
| Oh, and if the pictures in this post don't spell it out for you, we always welcome the dogs :) |
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frequently answered questions |
Are you married?
Yes! Meg & Charles were married during May of 2003 in Tallahassee, FL. We both attended Florida State University, and no, neither of us studied photography. Life has a funny way of finding a path for you.
Would you be willing to travel to cover my wedding?
Yes, absolutely! We love to travel & look forward to the opportunity. We travel extensively for wedding day coverage: Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando, St. Augustine, Hilton Head, Atlanta, Birmingham, Meridian, New Orleans...we've photographed weddings in almost every major city in the southeast. We've also photographed weddings in St. Lucia, the Bahamas, St. Thomas (USVI), Tortola (BVI), and Greece for wedding weekend coverage! Our passports are current & we're ready to go with a moment's notice!
What type of equipment do you use?
We use top of the line Canon digital cameras and accessories. In every wedding, we employ a variety of state of the art Canon professional lenses, both zoom and prime. We also bring professional lights that are used for formals (as needed). We also bring a complete set of backup cameras & lenses to each & every wedding.
Do you shoot in color or black & white?
Both! Technically, everything we shoot is in color. This allows us to offer every option possible for your final print. Our editing process is explained in detail on our Before & After page.
How many images will I receive from my wedding coverage?
This number will vary a bit based on length of coverage, but most of our clients receive somewhere between 700 and 900 images. We don’t have a set number that we try to reach for every wedding. Our focus is on getting the best coverage possible and never “counting” or conserving shots on your wedding day.
How much time should we allot for formals on the wedding day?
We are happy to help develop your wedding day timeline, and can offer advice on how much time will be necessary to schedule for family formals. We strive to move quickly during this time and promise to work in the most efficient manner possible. Often times, we are able to complete many of the must-take formals prior to the beginning of the ceremony, without the bride and groom seeing each other beforehand! Also, while we recognize the importance of these family heirlooms, we encourage our clientele to avoid elaborate shot lists, as we like to focus the unplanned, emotion-filled moments that will occur naturally throughout the day. But the short answer: anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 hours depending on YOUR tastes. Bear in mind that this includes the couples formals as well!
How long after the wedding will I be able to order prints online?
Your image gallery will remain online for three months following the wedding. If you find that you need additional time, gallery hosting extensions are available for a nominal fee. Of course, you do receive your digital files...our clients love being able to make their own prints!
How do we reserve our wedding date?
Contact the studio to set up a phone consultation or a meeting in person. We maintain flexible business hours, often meeting on weekday evenings to accommodate our client’s schedules. Meg Baisden Photography can only hold wedding dates after the receipt of a signed agreement and payment of a $1500 retainer. |
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