Visual Narrative

Bloom Magazine 2009 Wedding Guide

2009-02-23T20:38:00.002-05:00

Here's a link to the 2009 Bloom Magazine Wedding Guide. Visual Narrative photographed the "green" wedding feature.

Recent Photo Stream

2009-02-23T20:34:00.001-05:00

Cake Contest --- Part Deux

2009-02-23T20:23:00.002-05:00

iversen_0612, originally uploaded by Visual_Narrative.

It's well known to our clients that Bobby and I have a contest to see who can shoot the most original, most creative, most beautiful cake shot.

This is Leah and Peter's cake. Who won? :)

Looking to the Future

2009-02-23T20:20:00.001-05:00

iversen_0572, originally uploaded by Visual_Narrative.

Visual Narrative was recently featured in Bloom Magazine's yearly Bridal Guide as the photographer of record for the wedding of Leah Sinn and Peter Iversen.

Leah and Peter opted for a "green" wedding---selecting locally made and or grown products. It was a wonderful day, and we're so pleased to have delivered their memories.

Wedding Vendor Resources for Indiana Brides and Grooms

2007-10-23T22:14:00.002-04:00

Here's a small list of local resources.

Wedding Planning :: What is the value of a wedding planner? In a word, they are priceless. If you've ever been behind the scenes of a wedding, especially a large, elaborate wedding, you know how stressful the details can be. A professional planner can save you time, money and provide you with an experienced landscape.

Bloomington, Indiana Area Wedding Planners

Social Butterfly, couture event design by Pat Bailey

Cathy Teeters Beautiful Weddings

Floral :: Color brings life to everything, and this holds true for floral. A good floral designer will provide expert assistance to create beautiful arrangements, bouquets, and centerpieces.

Bloomington, Indiana Area Florists

Artful Blooms

Peppertree Floral

Venue :: The venue(s) for your wedding and reception is/are very important to your day, not only to you, but to your guests as well. Consider the location, lighting, mood, and staff availability.

Bloomington, Indiana Area Venues

The Fields

Bloomington Convention Center

Fountain Square Ballroom

Eagle Pointe

The Most Elegant Wedding Cake

2007-10-21T23:15:00.000-04:00

"The most dangerous food is wedding cake.” ---Thurber

This weekend's wedding cake was the cake to beat all wedding cakes. It was stunning. Amazing. Beautiful. Never before have I had a bride double-check with me to make sure I had a picture of the cake. Understandably, Reba was sure to ask, and I, understandably, replied "about a hundred."

Here are two captures of the beautiful (and delicious) cake.

AWARENESS: Wedding Photographer Required

2007-10-16T22:01:00.000-04:00

I've had the opportunity to photograph many brides and grooms in the central Indiana region this summer. I've been to Indianapolis and Carmel, and I'm headed to Greensburg next weekend. Working with the summer landscape of Indiana weddings can be beautiful. All of the ceremonies have been stunning events, and I'm honored to have been the photographer of record. All of this leads me to the topic of awareness---that is, having knowledge; conscious; cognizant: informed; alert; knowledgeable; sophisticated.

Being a wedding photographer is all of these things. Let me explain:

Having Knowledge
Yeah, that goes without saying. I know my camera and gear inside and out. But there's more to it, and it's called emotional intelligence. Every really good wedding photographer has it and uses it relentlessly.

Informed
I've mentioned it before, and it's important to restate; wedding photographers need to go into the day uber-prepared with all the details. A good wedding photographer should be able to recite the details of the day on-demand, including the first names of all the key players. (Do you really want your wedding photographer yelling, "Hey you, father-of-the-bride. I need to get your picture!" Methinks not.)

Alert
You should rarely find your photographer without a camera to his/her face. Your wedding photographer should be prepared to capture the shot that happens in a split second...the un-re-createable kind.

Sophisticated
Some wedding photographers have it, and some wedding photographers don't. Glance through a portfolio, and you'll instantly tell who has the gift and passion. A sophisticated eye is a must for your memories, and please don't settle for anything less. Your memories mean too much to give away to a wedding photographer who doesn't love the craft, and who doesn't sincerely beam when the final product is delivered to you.

Until next time...
Erica

Tools of the Trade

2007-10-08T20:16:00.000-04:00

I admit it. I read bridal magazines. I'm a sucker for Martha's wedding planning guides. I feverishly scour the newsstand for the lastest edition of Brides. Perhaps it's the romantic in me, or maybe it's just market research. At any rate, I spend quite a bit of spare time looking at the latest trends for weddings and all that accompanies those glorious days.

Here's the best of what I've recently discovered:

46 Yummy Colors of Dress :: www. alfred angelo.com

Graphic Expressions Favors :: Utility Home
(Can you imagine the colorful matchboxes in a large glass hurricane on display? Too cute.)

Absolutely THE most elegant invitations ever :: Encore Studios

Flipping Over Fondant :: Cakeline

Work of Edible Art :: Sincredible

More to come...

Deanna and Ben -- What a Wonderful Pair

2007-08-09T19:57:00.000-04:00

Saturday Bobby and I captured Ben and Deanna's wedding. It was a heartful day complete with the blessings that one receives on such a momentous occassion. Congratulations to them both!

Congratulations, Fultons!

2007-06-25T22:32:00.001-04:00

Observations: Part One

2007-06-23T21:13:00.000-04:00

So Many Pictures, So Little Time

At last weekend’s wedding, we started shooting at 9 AM and didn’t stop until 6 PM. It was fabulous, and the extra capture time will show in the final array of images. To some, having pictures taken isn’t a huge priority on the list of things to do on the big day. But, for those who plan to cherish lots of images in the lifetime to come, it’s important to allow adequate time for pictures, posed or unposed.

Here are a few ideas for maximizing photo time without ignoring guests and without packing everything into a few hours.

--- Consider a bridal session before or after
Either before the wedding day or after the honeymoon consider a bridal portrait session to capture the meaningful details of a stunning bride and a handsome groom. Bridal portrait sessions aren’t common, but make a lot of sense for those who want a low-stress, controlled environment for the images that will likely make an appearance over the family mantle.

--- Schedule picture blocks
One key to garnering a variety of images is to shoot well before guests arrive or well after guests leave the venue. This strategy is an important key to avoiding the self-imposed stress of attending to guests needs and to make sure there’s ample time to share with your new spouse, and the bridal party.

--- Take more pictures in more locations
One great thing about Visual Narrative is that we love to travel to various locations with the bridal party to get great images. The key to making this meaningful is to pick one, two or even three locations in advance and schedule time during the day to have some fun. Whether the shoot occurs on campus, the art museum, or on the city skyline, these images are once-in-a-lifetime captures.

First Wedding of the Season

2007-06-13T23:26:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, I had a blast shooting Carly and Jon's outdoor wedding. It was a beautiful time to celebrate a beautiful couple. Congratulations!

The Little Things I Love...

2007-04-04T21:33:00.000-04:00

I love children, my own and others'. They are, by far, the greatest gift we are given in this life. They are ours to nurture, mold, and grow into the next generation. I photograph a lot of young families, and it never ceases to amaze me how dedicated we are to our children--and how it all comes so naturally, as if the children had been there our entire lives. I suppose, in theory at least, they have been--all a part of the Master's beautiful plan.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph one of my favorite little ones...Calder. He's a special little boy in a very special family that I'm honored to have as friends.

Wedding Photography: 7 Important Considerations

2007-02-24T15:08:00.000-05:00

1. Emotionally connect with the person who will capture you through the lens.

Of all the vendors you will work with during the months leading up to your wedding day, you’ll spend the most time working through specific details with your photographer. And, on the day, it’s your photographer who will interact with you, your bridal party, and your guests.

If your wedding day memories are important to you, then you can see why it is so important to work with a photographer who genuinely cares about you and the work that he or she is doing for you. After all, ten, twenty, thirty years from now, it will be your album and your prints that wind their way through time to bring you back into the emotion and detail of your wedding day.

∞ Trust your instincts. If you “connect” with your photographer, you are well on your way to getting genuine documentation of the moment when you walk down the aisle, when you kiss for the first time, when you dance for the first time as husband and wife and much, much more.

2. A second-shooter adds a whole new dimension.

With your busy life, you know it is impossible to be in two places at once. Similarly, with only one photographer, it is impossible to capture all of the moments through one pair of eyes.

∞ If you want to capture both sides of the bridal party in full detail, and have different angles and perspectives, consider the additional coverage a second shooter brings. You’ll have lots of stories to tell each other and the photos will help you recount them.

3. Be knowledgeable about photography styles.

It is important to understand that each photographer has a shooting style. Some photographers only like to shoot with a candid, photojournalistic style and others only like to shoot posed and very controlled. Some photographers are comfortable with both.

∞ Know which style you enjoy and ask your prospective photographer which he or she prefers. If your preferences jive, great! If not, be sure to clarify what you really want and work together to agree on specific details.

4. Ensure the photographer is clear about what images you expect.

There are many notable moments during a wedding day. Spend some time thinking about your day.

∞ Make a list of key moments that you want your photographer to capture. Is it something you want him or her to stage or is it something that will happen naturally? When you communicate exactly what you want, a caring photographer will make every possible effort to get exactly that.

5. Be familiar with the type of post-processing technology that your photographer employs.

With the wonders of digital photography, there are countless types of image manipulations that can occur while post-processing your wedding day images through the magic of Photoshop®. Your images can be in Color, Black and White or Sepia…even Black and White with selective Color. Skin can be airbrushed, blemishes can be erased, eyes and teeth whitened.

∞ Talk with your prospective photographer. Ask him or her about post-processing techniques. Communicate how you would like your images to be processed.

6. Arrange a pre-wedding consultation to finalize details.

Meet with your wedding photographer a few weeks before the event. Discuss all the details of the day and the shots you would like. Talk about how you would like the photographer to work.

∞ Do you want him or her behind the scenes? Do you want him or her to direct activity? Be clear about your expectations and everything will work as planned. Invite your photographer to the rehearsal for a dry run.

7. Avoid the temptation to select your photographer based on price alone.

Some photographers work from a package price, some work a la carte. Understand the differences of both and know that price comparisons aren’t often apples to apples.

∞ Ask if there are additional costs or hourly rates. Know what final print prices will be and what is included? Is post-processing included? Is an online ordering environment provided? Clearly understand what you will get for your investment and make an informed decision.

Bloomington Bridal Show

2007-02-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

BRIDES---some smart ladies
Today we had a blast meeting 2007 and 2008 brides at the annual Bloomington Bridal Show at the Convention Center. I was impressed by the number of brides who had done their research prior to the show...they all seemed to know exactly what they wanted. Most said said words like "elegance," and "start-to-finish documentation." I look forward to speaking more with all the brides that stopped by the Visual Narrative booth to talk with Bobby and I.

VENDORS---knockout presentations
One other item to note about today: In every industry there are always one or two standout vendors. But, today, most everyone put their best foot forward to connect with all the brides. I was really impressed with what nearly every vendor had to offer. I feel fortunate to work among this talented, well-respected group of people.

When did you fall in love with me. . .

2006-10-16T22:36:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's hard to define when the moment happened...you know, the one when you just knew. Was it the first sight? When he caught you gazing in the distance? Perhaps it happened when you suddenly realized that looking into his soul sent chills through your existance.

So then, you get the boy and if you're really lucky, you get his family, too. And sometimes, they seamlessly merge into your life and what was once his becomes yours. His parents, his brother, his sister, his grandparents, his aunts, his uncles, his cousins---integrate themselves into your heart never to be torn away, even during the cloudy times.

Weddings are the start of all of this and I had the opportunity to witness the merge yet again. This one was extra special because the bride was my dear sister-in-law, Jill and her groom was Joel. They have been together for a while now and on Saturday, they were married. It was a wonderful celebration filled with the love of two families that God put together...He knew they'd fit perfectly.

View Images

Looking Forward to Wonderful Tomorrows

2006-09-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, I had the pleasure to assist my dear friend and amazing photographer Bobby Samuel (www.kairoswedding.com) at a very special wedding in Terre Haute. It was a beautiful ceremony that merged two lives into one. Before, during and after the wedding, Bobby, Tim (Bobby's partner) and I captured little moments here and there to document the entire day. Needless to say, we all had a tremendous amount of fun!

A message to Kari and David: We wish you a life together that is full of sweet memories and wonderful tomorrows. God blessed you richly when He gave you one another.

Two Lives...Something Special

2006-08-21T23:51:00.000-04:00

There's something really special about documenting moments of in-love people. The playful nature of their banter, the sweet kisses they deliver...there is a dynamic energy present that represents lives merging to form the one that God intended in His perfect plan.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to capture two of the most devoted-to-you people I know...Kristin and Eric. It was fun to be a small part of their happiness, even if only for a few hours. Many thanks to you both for letting me photographic the early moments of your new life together. You are both very special people and I wish you all the happiness life can bring.

Having Fun At Life

2006-07-18T22:02:00.000-04:00

Since I last posted, I've undertaken three wonderful assignments. All of them had one common element...fun! From the delightful child to the two expecting moms-to-be, a sense of humor prevailed during the shoots and the final outcome of each shows just how much fun we all had. Thanks to all of you who allowed me to document these very special times. I wish you many more to come.

Finding Inspiration

2006-06-26T20:38:00.000-04:00

As a society, we are constantly stimulated by the things around us---the television, the Internet, careers, cell phones, hectic schedules. Sometimes it is hard to navigate through the clutter to find what is really important. Be it a warm ray of sunshine, the soft petal of spring's new flower or a gentle kiss from a loved one, it is the endearing qualities of simple things that are truly worth remembering.

Good photography is about discovering the endearing qualities of life. The simplicities are the things you want to remember when you are at the other end of life. They are the memories you want to leave behind for others when you're no longer around to tell the story. This is truly insprired photography.

Narrating the Stories

2006-06-26T00:28:00.000-04:00

Since I became a mother five years ago, I realize that every moment we are given on Earth is special. To some, perhaps, this statement may seem trite, but it is a cornerstone in which I have decided to view life. Every moment is new and different only to be supassed by yet another.

One evening a few days ago, my five-year old son fell asleep on his side on our floor. As I went to gather him in my arms, I stopped to notice that his profile was exactly as it was when he was only five weeks old---the curve of his round nose, the pucker in his little lips. Not only can I remember his small profile in my mind's eye but that image was also captured by a photograph, never to be forgotten.

With this in mind, I have started a new journey with Visual Narrative. It is my hope that I can share my love of capturing special moments coupled with my passion for photography with all of those who trust me to help narrate their lives.

Visual Narrative