June, whew, glad that month is over. Some days it seemed everything was going wrong. Like EVERYTHING. It started when I went into my Dell computer and graciously tried to make more room for it to run faster. More commonly known as deleted things, crucial things, things that may or may not have stopped my computer from working FOR TWO WEEKS, and then it was all down hill from there. And I’m not going to lie, sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when life keeps kicking you down. But I’m here, keeping my head up and trying to move forward. I ended up buying a new fancy machine, and it’s got a picture of a half eaten apple on the front. I feel really lost, but I’m excited to get back into the swing of things. So please pardon the dust if things seem to be running a little haywire around here, cause, THEY ARE!

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the fourth with your families. And if you get a photo booth at your wedding, I may or may not have to jump in.

And for another round of Frequently Asked Questions, helping all wedding guests and Uncle Bobs alike.

Do you pros have any general pet peeves about us amateurs taking shots at weddings?
Generally, no. Guests taking photographs at weddings does not bother us, heck, when we are guests we do the same. Buuuuuut, there is one thing that does bother us on rare occasions, and his name is Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob is a guest at the wedding, a photog novice, usually carrying a pro DSLR camera, who feels the need to document the whole wedding. Uncle Bob follows the couple around everywhere making it difficult for the paid photographer to get a shot without him in it or shoots over our shoulder. I second shot a wedding once where at the ceremony three Uncle Bobs stood at the front of the aisle two feet away from the couple, which was super frustrating. And back when I was just starting out, I had someone ask me if I could pause between shots so they could get their shot, and while I understand they mean no harm, there is not enough time in the schedule to stop in between each shot to make sure they’ve had enough time to capture it. Honestly though, at most weddings it’s not a problem, and if it is, I normally say something.

Can I use the image of me that I got off of your blog/facebook?
Yes, of course! But, we photographers, kindly ask that you do not alter the image in any way, including cropping out the logo. Think of it as cutting off Picasso’s name from a canvas he has painted. We are artists and like our work to be presented to the world just as we created it. If you decide to put images up that you receive in your package without a logo on it, kindly credit the photographer who took the images.

Do we need to feed you at our wedding?
Yes, I’m 5’1 and 100 pounds soaking wet and if I don’t take a break and eat, I might pass out. Which would totally be embarrassing. But please no swimmie fish, I’m allergic.

And other than wedding season, it’s crab season, YUMM. Check back tomorrow for images from Chaela and Scott’s wedding!

They say timing is everything, no? It is. And especially on your wedding day. There are so many things to include, and the biggest mistake I see is when couples don’t allot enough time for photographs. Your wedding photographs are documenting your love on the most important days of your lives, and will forever become heirlooms, and if photographs are important, then they need to be a priority in the schedule.

On a few rare occasions I have been allotted ten minutes for photographs with the bride and groom, and I photographed them to the best of my ability in the very limited time I had. There was no time to absorb the location, seek better lighting, or put the couple at ease while in front of the camera. I had to complete their photos, right then and there. And although the images came out well, imagine what could have been done with more time. I make images, I make photographs, I make art, and it’s quite difficult to accomplish given such a limited time period.

Most of my clients choose to see each other before hand (some of them here, here, and here) to allow for just that, more time for photographs and to enjoy the cocktail hour with their friends and family, and to relax and enjoy those moments alone on their wedding day. The first look is growing in popularity simply because it’s more practical on a limited time schedule. My couples are scheduling the time for photographs, instead of just squeezing it in between the ceremony and reception. I normally work closely with brides on the schedule, and whether or not you decide on doing the first look, I suggest allotting no less than forty-five minutes alone with the bride and groom, twenty-five minutes for bridal party photos, and twenty minutes for family formal photos.

Click here for a Wedding Timeline sample that you can download and change to fit your day.

And here is a little peek from Chaela and Scott’s wedding right before we walked around downtown Annapolis for forty-five minutes.

The date was fast approaching, and with everyday closer my stomach would get more upset. Let’s be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. I somehow convinced my mom and dad to come with me to the venue to help me practice posing, you know, my divorced parents posing like a newly married couple. I couldn’t have been more grateful, and they assured me I would do an amazing job. Apparently they knew, I on the other hand, I was not so sure.

When I woke up the morning of, I can absolutely guarantee that I was more nervous then the bride. What if I screw this whole thing up? What if I can’t pose them? What if I suck? Fortunately I only had one panic attack the whole day when my flash decided to stop working during the reception. I was on the verge of tears right smack in the middle of their reception, it hates me, it’s plotting to ruin my life! Alberta suggested changing the batteries…yep, of course, I knew that, CHANGE THE BATTERIES, of course! She calmed my nerves the rest of the night, and when we got in the car to go home I couldn’t believe I just shot my first wedding. Like, first, ever. There I was, a wedding photographer.

Tomorrow kicks off my first wedding of my third season, and I’m super excited to photograph Courtney and Chris’s wedding at the amazing Main Street Station in downtown Richmond, Virginia. And for a little photo love, here is a shot from that very first wedding of mine.

Me: So, mom, would you mind going online and checking me in for my flight home tomorrow.
Mom: Certainly, but it says here your flight isn’t tomorrow, but the next day.
Me: Can’t be, I get home Wednesday.
Mom: You mean, Thursday.

Apparently she was right. My flight was Thursday. Whoops. But lucky for me, my last night there was definitely one of my favorites times in Vegas. No going out, no dressing up, just walking the strip with Lan and Vu and Lydia, sightseeing. Yes I was a geeky tourist, WITH CAMERA IN HAND. I hope you enjoy my WPPI 2010 Recap video, as it only took me FOUR HOURS to make the measly three minute video.

And ten bonus points who can name five things in this video that make me, me. Go.

WPPI 2010 from Megan Beth on Vimeo.

That’s right, I’m in Vegas. Enjoying the sunshine, sandy desert, and slot machines! If I win big, I might not be coming back. Ok, so maybe the trip might not be all play, I’m here for WPPI which is the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International convention. This is my second year going and I can’t wait to learn a lot and soak everything in. See you when I return!

These images are from last year at WPPI.

And here I am, trying to stay vertical while in the desert when a storm rolled it.

I’m currently out of town, going somewhere super. Check back tomorrow to see where exactly I am. I will not have access to the internet or my email, and will be returning all calls and emails when I return on Friday March 12th.

Any guesses?

This post is for photographers, mostly because when I was starting out, there was no one to answer my questions. I was a big deep dark black hole of a million questions, with no guidance. So I’m hoping that while answering these readers’ questions, people that are in the position I once was in can get some questions answered.

Do you bargain with people? And would you be afraid to turn someone down if they offered you something lower?
Great question! When you are first starting your business and building your client base, yes there very well may be some bargaining going on. Are you worth more, yes, most definitely, but you have to start somewhere and then you can slowly raise your prices. After you have established yourself, your style, and your target clientele, your willingness for the bargaining process decreases. By making your business unique to you, building a brand and a style that is exclusive to you, that sometimes means referring a possible client to someone else if they truly cannot afford you. Only you know your budget, bills, and all the hard work and effort you put into your business. And besides your work is probably worth way more than you are charging in the first place.

I’m looking for clothes that are stylish yet functional for weddings. You always seem to be dressed so cute, what do you wear to weddings?
Gah…me, dressed cute?! Clearly you haven’t seen my hoodie and jeans that I sit in front of the computer for hours upon hours. But, to weddings I try to be as comfortable as possible, and most importantly with wearing flats. I’m not a flats kinda girl, in fact I hate them. So finding a pair that was comfortable, stylish, and that I was actually willing to wear was definitely a challenge. I finally settled on a pair of Tory Burch patent black flats and in the summertime I wear t-strap black patent sandals. And depending on the weather and the venue, I have a black and white sleeveless dress, which is key for the hot and humid Maryland summers, or black dress capris. And for the cooler months I wear black dress pants with a nice shirt and jacket, or a sweater dress with black stockings and boots.

How do you get your bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony for a ‘first sight?’
I would say that about ninety percent of my couples opt to see each other before the ceremony, and in all honesty, all I do is give my opinion for why I love it and why I think it’s important. By suggesting a first look, it is a quiet moment to share in their wedding day before hustle and bustle starts. My couples have commented how they really enjoyed being able to share this moment with just the two of them and being able to share hugs and undoubtedly some tears. It is also a guarantee for some amazing relaxed portraits by themselves on the most important day of their lives. After I give them my personal opinion they decide if it’s for them or not, and most are for it, which I love!

Feel free to leave your comments below, I would love to hear from you! Or if you have a question you’d like to see answered in the next FAQ, email me, Megan Beth at megan@meganbeth.com.

The worst part of my job is having to stand on a dance floor with music pumping, people dancing around me, having a good time and NOT ALLOWED TO DANCE?! Do you realize WHAT KIND OF RESTRAINT THAT TAKES ON MY PART? And that’s with a sucky DJ!

So when my couples hire a BOMB band or DJ, gah, you might as well tie me to the chair with fishing wire. Torture. If you’re looking for a DJ who will make sure the dance floor is full, DJ Roz is modern DJ with a hip-hop edge that you have to check out! Contact him at SteveRoz33@yahoo.com, and make sure you tell him I sent you.

Or if you want an AWESOME band, you have to check out E3 from Richmond, Virginia. They travel all over and certainly know how to keep the party going. They’re a cover band playing 70′s, 80′s, 90′s, Alternative, Funk, Pop, Rock, and top 40. They’re so good at what they do, and offer a little spunk and a spin on all the songs you love.

I can’t even begin to express my appreciation for my couples who completely include me in their day. It’s the wedding invitation in the mail, the ‘have a piece of cake!’, and the sweetest thank you notes I receive from my clients new friends. They open their hearts and lives to me and I feel blessed to be able to share it with them.

It could be the thick envelope, the pretty stamp, or the fancy cursive writing. But I think it’s a combination of it all. Opening it is like Christmas morning, I know it’s going to be good, but how good. They’re a little sneak peek into the big day, and sets the expectations for one fabulous event. It took me a couple minutes to open these, because I didn’t want to ruin the envelope, but when I finally did I was delighted. Can’t wait for these two weddings and sharing the moments that begin the rest of their lives with each other.