Grande Lattes > Freebies

For about the same price as two Starbucks grande lattes you could make your own guest sign in book. Many new customers are meeting with me comparing me to other photographers, as they should, but lately with the silliest freebies that others offer. I do not include a guest book for a few reason but the two main ones are:

1. You should customize it the way YOU want to as a couple. Some add more than just their engagement photos such as baby/childhood photos and when they first met. Plus you should be the one who picks them out, not anyone else.

2. They are selling you a grandiose idea that is worth about two lattes. If you feel this is your make or break decision in what photographer you decide than you better do more research. Here is a great layout by Shutterfly at different sizes and most have discounts and coupons. Most common is the 7x9. And if you own your engagement photos like you do through me than you can do as you wish with them. http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books/wedding-photo-books?lid=photobooks&lpos=wm_articles
And that's just one company. I found numerous others; here is another: http://inkubook.com/PhotoBook/WeddingPhotoGuestBook  With their video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLD-uZ-eQuA&feature=colike

You're wedding day photography coverage should be determined by the style, quality, creativeness, chemistry, professional services, touch-ups/enhancements, amount of photos you get and if you get to own them on disc at high quality; by who you want there helping you through your day, helping you feel relaxed, who gets those important moments, who can handle all lighting sources and who can make a rainy day into the best day to reflect on. Not by salesmen freebies.

Lastly, which book do you think you'll look at the most? You wedding album or a guest book. I'd guess the wedding album.

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Morgan 6 month photos

SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Darius Rucker - Don't Think I Don't Think About It

CRAVING: Nothing

NEEDED A MOMENT: Burning red ears tonight

BEST MOMENT: Got to see baby smiles today :)

A slideshow for Dustin

In Memory of my nephew Dustin Cornman who passed away on Nov. 6, 2011. We will miss you and always love you. May you rest in peace.
http://youtu.be/5EgcPIsEBfE

Aunt Holly, Uncle Jim & cousin JD.

mudcards custom cake toppers

I know I'm doing a lot of features of Etsy products but I can't help myself as I keep finding more and more cool items! If there is one thing to splurge on let it be Mudcards custom cake toppers by Keren Smith.
I had one wedding that did one similar and it turned out to be the cutest thing ever and their guests ooh'd and awe'd over it all night. It matched them and we did a photo to show it. The entertainment alone is worth it plus it's a keepsake.

FROM THE DERUSSO WEDDING

MUDCARDS CUSTOM CAKE TOPPERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cotton-pickin' Flowers

Speaking of green... check out these fabulous cotton bouquets by AutumnArt on Etsy. I saw these and fell in love. Very VINTAGE I might add. Not only do they last longer they are so freakin' cool. And you just can't beat the prices compared to so many bouquets out there. Can I please get married again? I gotta talk to my husband. ;)

FOR THE BRIDE

 

 FOR THE GROOMSMEN

 BRIDESMAIDS

If hangers could talk...

Are these not the cutest things since sliced bread? O.K. fine, bread isn't even this cute. I especially love, love, love these for photos during the dress and getting ready shots. So much more appealing than your average plastic hanger. And well done I might add.

I think any bridal shop who wants to get ahead of their competition should consider these.

Find a custom made hanger for your wedding day on Etsy at the OriginalBridalHanger or the TellOurStoryToo store. Or there are many others out there they make them on Etsy too. There are even ones that sell a groom one too! Have fun shopping and let me know what you get!

BY THE ORIGINAL BRIDAL HANGER

 

BY TELL OUR STORY TOO

People and Planet Friendly Weddings

We are working on possible discounts on people and planet friendly weddings... the greener you are; the more you'll get back! Not in effect yet but more details coming soon. Please contact us in the meantime if you are interested in a greener wedding.

Previous couples... did you make the People and Planet Friendly Wedding list? Check out the Greenest weddings I've covered so far and the runner ups! http://www.outoftheordinary.biz/planetfriendlywedding.html

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Relaxing
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: "Suddenly" by Billy Ocean
CRAVING: warmth
NEEDED A MOMENT: it's going to snow this week?
BEST MOMENT: a good day

Dear previous neighbors of 20 Michael Rd, Fort Edward, NY

We're sorry for ever burning. I know we had a wood stove at one point and we occasionally made a bon-fire when we were stinkers, but we have learned our lesson now and really hope we can be forgiven. We would like to stop the "what comes around goes around" asap so please accept our sincerest apology.

--The Greene's.

Enhancement of the month October 2011

Based on the previous post about black and white images.
http://www.outoftheordinary.biz/enhancements.html

Professional Grayscale (Black & White)

Many get confused by your average black and white image and think just anyone or any program can do it; when if fact that is not true. I always include in my wedding packages many versions with many photo versions. Some of them include artsy, accent colors, b/w and sepia tone all while going through them and seeing what pops out to me. Not every image transfers to black and white nicely and sometimes images only stand out well in black and white. I once had the comment "You included b/w images that anyone could do." Not so! When changing an image to grayscale there should be changes made in contrast and brightness. The image should pop as a black and white otherwise there is no sense in doing so. Here are a couple examples of before and after and I'll let you but the judge. (See October 2011 enhancement of the month post to see the before/after effect even better!)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Writing a blog!
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson
CRAVING: To rid this headache
NEEDED A MOMENT: paving
BEST MOMENT: the fresh air of the forest

Thank you!

After receiving a very nice comment, thank you John, it made me realize that I guess I did O.K. back then. We've had a rough year or two with our illness from the house and although we got off track I hope to be on a new tract soon. Lots of stuff coming this winter. I am finishing my season up now of weddings and onto projects I've been lagging on. I've been sitting on so many topics that I'm forgetting them before I'm able to write them all down or post. Amazing how the creative brain works. That's all for now; back to processing for me! Ta-Ta! Ps. I am SO changing the archives back to the right side... it's killing me.

Victims of Hurricane Irene

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of Hurricane Irene. Many local families, friends and customers have been effected and have suffered unbelievable damage. We wish them a safe recovery in rebuilding their homes and lives.

For those who have lost everything we offer, when possible, free replacement discs of their photos we have taken. When you are ready please let us know.

~Out of the Ordinary
Holly & Jim Greene~

Color accent - IN or OUT?

Professional photographers across the nation say the color accent [where the photo is b/w while bouquets is in color] trend is over while customers are saying they still love them. I say it depends on how it's done and what is popping out. It has to be artistic and tastefully done. When I highlight different objects it keeps it new. And hey, if the customers want it, I will continue. I say they just can't do it as good as me so they want it gone, ha! What do you think?

Testing photo size

I am revamping the blog so I can post bigger photos! Thanks for your patience.

Announcement for 2011-2012

Out of the Ordinary has opened up coverage of family, senior portraits, children, baptisms, maternity, business, pets, on this day and model sessions for the time being! Our success is growing at such extreme amounts and for that we are thankful. I've always enjoyed capturing couples and individuals throughout their lifetime of changes so we will slowly introduce all occasion photography back in again. Within the next couple months you will see website changes made in regards to this. We've had quite the road traveled and still may not have a studio but I have learned a lot about life.

http://www.outoftheordinary.biz/photography.html

~Sincerely~ Out of the Ordinary

Hibernating Trends: DJ lighting effects

Tah... and you thought you were only there to get the party started...


See more Hibernating Trends at: http://www.outoftheordinary.biz/hibernating_trends.html

Hibernating Trends: Going against all the rules

As a photographer we are taught to be aware of backlight, position subjects towards the light, no sun, use shade and always watch out for what is in the background. Well say goodbye to all of that because now it's time to break the rules. Lately it's been all about the sun shining through the background, using backlight as the advantage and extreme brightness in images. Sometimes even over-exposed. I know it's going to take some getting used to but I think I can manage.

See more Hibernating Trends at: http://www.outoftheordinary.biz/hibernating_trends.html

Photo Enhancement of the Month - July

See this image before and after:
www.outoftheordinary.biz/enhancements.html

Facebook

Sorry I haven't wrote in a while. Much of my latested updates are now through facebook as it is the most popular and most requested. I will however be trying to put some new blogs up soon, like the Greenest weddings I've covered so far!

Talk soon. Be well.
~Holly

Introducing... pop-out photos!

Introducing new "pop-out" photos with color accent by Out of the Ordinary!

Hibernating Trends: Word Up

Wording on photos expresses emotion in a new way. Adding the date or a special saying can make it individual to each couple. It's trendy and timeless!

See more at www.outoftheordinary.biz/hibernating_trends.html