Posted on April 26, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Sylvee’s Album

This is a prime example of why I now have a separate album contract that spells out all of the details of an album design. I love this album. The fabulous Beth (of associate photographer fame) designed it for me, and we were both just happy as clams with the outcome. Based on my notes from the album meeting with the Bat Mitzvah and her mom, I expected them to be equally elated.

Tragically, this was not at all what the mom wanted. This was an album that had taken a few years to get off the ground due to the family’s busy travel schedule. I had reposted their images several times (before getting my fabulous new image host that doesn’t have a time limit), and we eventually decided it would be best to get together in person and go through the pictures on my computer to make the album selections. While my notes are chocked full of love for Chrisse & Matt’s album, she felt this style of design was too busy and not focused enough on her daughter. I was very confused. We had created everything my notes said she wanted. But after another meeting where we planned the entire layout together, it was clear that she wanted more of a traditional matted album.

So lesson learned. We now have a fantastic album contract that goes into finite detail about exactly the kind of album you want. That helps us get the album finished and in your hands quicker. It also keeps me from paying a designer for the wrong kind of design and then having to pay for a second design to get it right. That helps keep albums affordable for you.

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Posted on April 14, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Sarah Beth & Richard Album Changes

If anyone is wondering how we go about creating wedding albums, here is the follow up to the changes from the original design. Every album is unique and we aim to make each one perfect on the first try. Of course, we aren’t psychic, so before we send your album to print, you get to take a look and make changes.

Here are the changes. Please let me know if you have any other changes. I don’t have a picture of Paw Paw and Grandma Tommie in my pulled photos, so if you can remember one you like or see one on a cut page, that would be helpful. Thanks! And so you can compare, here’s the original design.

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Posted on April 12, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Sarah Beth & Richard’s album

For those interested in our album creation process. Here is an example of an album we designed. This is round one. After we receive change requests, we create round two which will be revealed in a few days, so come on back for that one!

YAY! It’s your album. Great timing, I know, what with all the baby stuff going on. I can’t wait to meet Mincey. She’s the cutest! You guys have so many important people, we were having trouble getting everyone included. Your wedding comes with a 20-page album, and we were trying to cram everything into those 20 pages. Eventually we just had to start designing and see where we got. We ended up with 36 pages. There are a couple of things we can do about that. If you want all of these pages, I can send you the information about the cost of additional pages. Or you can let me know which pages/pictures to cut. And obviously the logo watermark on each page won’t be there in the final design.

If you want to cut pages or make changes, just write in the comment section under each page.

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Posted on March 31, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Wedding Weekend

For any of you planning a full weekend of events, might I make a suggestion. Hire a professional photographer to capture those memories as well. This can apply beyond weddings. Any time you’re planning a big gathering of your nearest and dearest, a photographer should be in the mix. Here are a few pictures from my brother’s wedding weekend. We photographed the rehearsal dinner Friday and the casual brunch on Sunday as well as the Saturday wedding. These are casual pictures they wouldn’t have except that they hired pro photographers to come along and capture the fun.

 

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Posted on March 24, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Claire’s Awesomely Amazing Baked Brussel Sprouts

2 parts Olive Oil
1 part Balsamic Vinegar
about 1/2 teaspoon of honey
a sprinkle of salt
pepper
brussel sprouts
One of those corning ware cooking pans with a lid

Mix everything but the sprouts together. I usually mix it in the corning ware.

Chop the bottoms off the sprouts and cut them in half or quarters depending on the size. Smaller is better flavor-wise. Be sure to save the outer little leaves because those are tasty, but the big tough leaves are chewy and bitter.

Put the sprouts in the mix of flavor-splosion and mix it all around. Bake it at 350 F for about an hour. You can take the lid off at some point and crisp it up. That’s how Nathan likes it. You might want to mix it around during the cooking process, just to make sure the flavor gets fully coated.

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Posted on March 21, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Jim & Joan’s Album changes

Jim & Joan had a fabulous time at their wedding. We got right on the album design and then life happened. They knew they wanted to make some changes, but they were just to busy to figure out what needed to happen. So we set things aside for a bit to let everything settle down and when it was time to get back on it, we hit the ground running. One nice thing about taking a breather was that they were able to remove a few ex-boyfriends from the group shots. Not that that’s a reason to hold off on your album design, but it has been a concern with several couples over the years.

Here is the original design.

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Posted on March 17, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Nate’s birthday

So Nathan is getting older. We celebrated his birthday in Atlanta this year. Last year we skipped the hullabaloo of a party. We were hurriedly preparing to leave the country. But the year before we had some folks over, played drunken Apples to Apples and partied until we all fell asleep at a somewhat reasonable hour. I know. We’re pretty wild. But we had fun.

 

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Posted on March 14, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

Momentum Dance Lab Gala

Momentum Dance Lab is a terrific modern dance company here in Knoxville. On March 25th, they’re hosting the second annual fundraising gala. We were there last year to capture some of the fun. We’ll be there again, so go buy a ticket, support the local arts and meet us at the Square Room!

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Posted on March 10, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

I’m ready for spring!

It’s been about 2 weeks since I decided that winter just had to quit and packed up all of our sweaters and fuzzy socks. I just couldn’t stand to look at them anymore! About a week ago, I turned off the heat. We still have the space heaters out, but after my 3rd horrible gas bill, I decided it’s time for spring. So in honor of my personal spring that I do hope is spreading to everyone else, here are some photos from a gathering with some friends one lovely April day. And take that, Winter! I’m over you! Now go away until I’m done whining about how hot it is come August.

These friends now live in Michigan, and I know they could use some of this warmth. So, John & Megan, look at how lovely and warm you were here in Knoxville and come give us a visit! We’ll do the grilling this time. 🙂

 

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Posted on March 7, 2011 by rebeccaclaire

It’s Spring Already!!

It’s beautiful outside and the flowers are blooming. Now is the time to book your family portrait sessions! To reward those who plan ahead, I’m offering a coupon for $50 off any regular bookings! This coupon is good through April 1st. This means you must call and book your sitting THIS MONTH!! You can schedule a sitting through the end of June using this coupon, so don’t fret if March is a bit too crazy schedule wise.Coupon for $50 off Any Photography Sitting

$50BlogCoupon

And for those of you with spring weddings who have put off all that stressful planning or summer and fall weddings getting into the full swing of things, you may want to join in on the fun too! This coupon is valid for ANY BOOKING including weddings and can be used for any 2011 wedding all the way to December 31st! But you must book your wedding photography by April 1st!

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