Here is an awesome destination engagement session that we did in Florida with Bethany and Andy.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Guest Blogger - Rob Provencher
I recently e-mailed Rob and asked him if I could borrow one of his all time favorite posts. With all that has gone on in the past two years, I just felt like it was a great take on the wedding industry as a whole. I learn something every time I tune into one of Rob's online webinars, classes or blog posts. There are individuals in this industry that I go to in hopes of developing my business into a respected vendor within the wedding world... Rob is one of the absolute greatest. If you want to check out more, feel free to check out his work and some of his insight HERE.
Talent is over-rated.....
Some photographers have the erroneous belief that talent, photographic talent,
is an innate, programmed in their DNA, born-with skill set. A 'gift', so to speak.
Truth is, greatness, talent, creative works, and just about all success's are
learned behaviours. It doesn't come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed
over decades.
Whether you believe in what I'm saying or not matters not. The good news is,
you can grow your skills (talents) through perseverance, hard work and practice.
If you're upset, threatened by what I'm saying and totally disagree, let's duke
it out. I wanna hear what you gotta say, 'cuz I'm coming in all guns a blazing in
total defence f what I'm saying here.
If anyone tries to discourage you and lead you into believing you must be born
with 'the gift', don't for a second listen to any of that utter nonsense.
Photography is a learned skill set. Just like playing music. You get better
with time and practice.
Unfortunately, many believe, because of the magical qualities inherent in
photography, and the intrinsic 'glamorousness' in being called a
photographer, that photography is a sublime, mysterious, noble, rare and sacred gift from the
gods.
Bullshit.
This creates a load of confusion. To know better gives you an advantage. Let me
explain. I see many photogs and aspiring photogs showing up at events to listen to their
fave photog speak. This is all fine and dandy, but if you have the wrong mindset,
you won't be maximizing the return on time and money invested when attending
photographic workshops and seminars. Instead, you'll be mesmerized and in awe.
The bigger the name, you more the awe level. The big name marquis, celeb speaker will leave you with a sense of
amazement, maybe a tad more. Instead of grabbing and cultivating as many legit strategies and principles
that you can borrow and roll into your own photography and photography business, you'll
swim into the egotistically driven experience. We tend to do this as humans and
photographers, in my opinion, are extra vulnerable. Sitting at the foot of the guru seems to be enough.
So, the alternative is, go for knowledge. Take notes. Grab ideas and make them
your own. Grab inspirations that evolve in your in your mind, and when you get
back to your studio, practice. Yes, practice. Too many just think about this,
or worse yet, wait until their next paid gig to practice whatever ideas and inspirations
visit upon them.
And then they flop. Why? Lack of practice.
I used to, and still do, harp on this over and over when speaking to large
groups of photographers. We're no different, not better than any other creative
discipline.
When a symphony musician has to learn a piece, they don't show up at rehearsal
never having practiced any thing. They must study and practice until their
fingers bleed. Or pay hell with maestro. With musicians, it's obvious. You don't know the piece, it sounds like crap.
In photography, many people/clients/photogs lack judgement or discernment and
believe what they see is a great photograph. Until they see something better, and
get educated. Therein lies the opportunity to show your clients something better
and educate them on quality.
Many photographers, unfortunately, are prey to their own weakness's and egos.
And the bs shoveled by others. They think they have enough because the got some
gear, and a great logo. Herein lies the opportunity for you to know this, and
rise above the cacophony and noise of traveling with the ego circus.
yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
Talent is over-rated.....
Some photographers have the erroneous belief that talent, photographic talent,
is an innate, programmed in their DNA, born-with skill set. A 'gift', so to speak.
Truth is, greatness, talent, creative works, and just about all success's are
learned behaviours. It doesn't come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed
over decades.
Whether you believe in what I'm saying or not matters not. The good news is,
you can grow your skills (talents) through perseverance, hard work and practice.
If you're upset, threatened by what I'm saying and totally disagree, let's duke
it out. I wanna hear what you gotta say, 'cuz I'm coming in all guns a blazing in
total defence f what I'm saying here.
If anyone tries to discourage you and lead you into believing you must be born
with 'the gift', don't for a second listen to any of that utter nonsense.
Photography is a learned skill set. Just like playing music. You get better
with time and practice.
Unfortunately, many believe, because of the magical qualities inherent in
photography, and the intrinsic 'glamorousness' in being called a
photographer, that photography is a sublime, mysterious, noble, rare and sacred gift from the
gods.
Bullshit.
This creates a load of confusion. To know better gives you an advantage. Let me
explain. I see many photogs and aspiring photogs showing up at events to listen to their
fave photog speak. This is all fine and dandy, but if you have the wrong mindset,
you won't be maximizing the return on time and money invested when attending
photographic workshops and seminars. Instead, you'll be mesmerized and in awe.
The bigger the name, you more the awe level. The big name marquis, celeb speaker will leave you with a sense of
amazement, maybe a tad more. Instead of grabbing and cultivating as many legit strategies and principles
that you can borrow and roll into your own photography and photography business, you'll
swim into the egotistically driven experience. We tend to do this as humans and
photographers, in my opinion, are extra vulnerable. Sitting at the foot of the guru seems to be enough.
So, the alternative is, go for knowledge. Take notes. Grab ideas and make them
your own. Grab inspirations that evolve in your in your mind, and when you get
back to your studio, practice. Yes, practice. Too many just think about this,
or worse yet, wait until their next paid gig to practice whatever ideas and inspirations
visit upon them.
And then they flop. Why? Lack of practice.
I used to, and still do, harp on this over and over when speaking to large
groups of photographers. We're no different, not better than any other creative
discipline.
When a symphony musician has to learn a piece, they don't show up at rehearsal
never having practiced any thing. They must study and practice until their
fingers bleed. Or pay hell with maestro. With musicians, it's obvious. You don't know the piece, it sounds like crap.
In photography, many people/clients/photogs lack judgement or discernment and
believe what they see is a great photograph. Until they see something better, and
get educated. Therein lies the opportunity to show your clients something better
and educate them on quality.
Many photographers, unfortunately, are prey to their own weakness's and egos.
And the bs shoveled by others. They think they have enough because the got some
gear, and a great logo. Herein lies the opportunity for you to know this, and
rise above the cacophony and noise of traveling with the ego circus.
yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tracy and Jon - Day Of Presentation
This is a sample of the "Day of" presentation we can do for weddings. Thanks to Tracy and Jon for letting us show this presentation of their wedding day.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Guest Blogger - Jennifer Wilmes
Since my time management skills have become non-existent these days I am going to invite a former bride to "guest blog" on our site. Jennifer Wilmes is an independent consultant for Thirty One Gifts (which they named in honor of me turning 31 this year).
Jennifer and her wonderful husband Kenny got married on December 8th of 2007. (Seen here in there 12/8/07 mugshot as photographed by Mirage Photo)
Give Jennifer a call and see how she can help you with the difficult task of gift giving for your wedding or host a party and get free stuff. Who doesn't like free stuff? Be sure to wish Jennifer a happy early birthday (as long as you call her before October 1st).
and now, on to the guest blogger...
Recently Engaged? Need gift ideas for your BRIDESMAIDS, Mom/Mother in Law or Flower Girl? Are you a Mom wanting a personalized gift for your daughter, the “Bride to be”?
I have the PERFECT solution for you. At Thirty-One Gifts we offer totes, purses and accessories and most of these items can be personalized for just $6. We offer a variety of prints and if you choose to personalize them, you can choose the color thread and the font style you prefer. We always have a monthly special for customers and hostesses. I offer home or catalog parties, we could even have a Girls Night Out at a restaurant or a bridal shower. My hostesses can earn 10-20% of the show sales in FREE product, up to 5 half priced items, FREE shipping with a party of $500 or more, and a FREE gift from ME. I also offer bridal registries! For more details or to view a catalog go to www.mythirtyone.com/JenniferWilmes or email me at 31Gifts.JenWilmes@gmail.com.
Jennifer Wilmes
Independent Thirty-One Consultant
314-280-4799
Jennifer and her wonderful husband Kenny got married on December 8th of 2007. (Seen here in there 12/8/07 mugshot as photographed by Mirage Photo)
Give Jennifer a call and see how she can help you with the difficult task of gift giving for your wedding or host a party and get free stuff. Who doesn't like free stuff? Be sure to wish Jennifer a happy early birthday (as long as you call her before October 1st).
and now, on to the guest blogger...
Recently Engaged? Need gift ideas for your BRIDESMAIDS, Mom/Mother in Law or Flower Girl? Are you a Mom wanting a personalized gift for your daughter, the “Bride to be”?
I have the PERFECT solution for you. At Thirty-One Gifts we offer totes, purses and accessories and most of these items can be personalized for just $6. We offer a variety of prints and if you choose to personalize them, you can choose the color thread and the font style you prefer. We always have a monthly special for customers and hostesses. I offer home or catalog parties, we could even have a Girls Night Out at a restaurant or a bridal shower. My hostesses can earn 10-20% of the show sales in FREE product, up to 5 half priced items, FREE shipping with a party of $500 or more, and a FREE gift from ME. I also offer bridal registries! For more details or to view a catalog go to www.mythirtyone.com/JenniferWilmes or email me at 31Gifts.JenWilmes@gmail.com.
Jennifer Wilmes
Independent Thirty-One Consultant
314-280-4799
Thursday, March 24, 2011
We are classin' this place up a bit...
It is with great pride and distinct pleasure that I present this months guest blogger. Absolutely one of the best Professional Makeup Artists in the greater Saint Louis area... oh hell, I'll say it, then entire Midwest. She has worked with the likes of VH1 "Behind The Music", Money Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Pfizer... by my account, she has the sex drugs and rock n roll scene covered in these parts. Why should would want to go slumming in a crazy photographer's blogsite is beyond me. PLEASE keep your eyes pealed for her this summer as she will be working yet another VH1 behind the scenes look at "NELLY" airing in 2011 (can I get a whoop whoop)... Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you D'Shannon (layin down the hotness) Llewellyn!!! Thank you so much for taking this time to share with our brides (and families) about your tips to winning on your big day... Nobody says Charlie Sheen is going to be the only winner left in the end. Except him.
Mirage and Makeup
By
www. dMakeupArtist.com
So you’ve chosen a phenomenal photographer. You have locked in the date, and can’t wait for the first step…engagement photos. Imagine you and your sweety just like the first time you fell in love holding hands, laughing, kissing. These are just the first of many images that you will share with generations of your future family. Yes, the cake will be devoured, the music will end, and the flowers, food and decorations will all be gone. Nothing left but the moments captured forever on film.
So what can you do to look your absolute best for photos….possibly the biggest and most important investment in your wedding day? Wow! The pressure! Dress check. Jewelry check. Shoes check. Let’s not forget that your face is the most important feature of this day, and it will be captured for all time. Here is the priority checklist for the star of the show, the princess of the day, the beautiful Bride!
1. Choose a makeup artist that will rock your world and leave you staring in the mirror. Someone who will add as much to your day personally as artistically.
2. Consider a more natural look for your engagement photos and a more formal look for the wedding. But both days make sure to be true to you!
3. Do consider false eyelashes. They add a lot to your look and don’t have to be at all obvious. For the natural beauty a few individual lashes strategically placed keeps you looking bright eyed all day.
4. Don’t over tan! Yes a slight glow is an asset to your overall appearance, but you will regret the dreaded Oompa Loompa look for certain.
5. Consider having your artist stay for the day if you are in peak season. Weather, emotions, emergencies, etc. can occur and having a beauty pro on hand all day can be a life saver.
6. Get plenty of sleep and visit your sauna as often as possible. The top two things you can do for AMAZING skin. Don’t have access to a sauna…do a bath with ONLY salt in the water. Keep the room and water hot enough to cause your forehead to sweat and keep it up for at least 20 minutes. Try this a few times a week for glowing skin and countless benefits.
7. Find an independent beauty pro to give you a skin analysis and personalized regimen. Get a daily routine down as early as possible.
8. Use Crest Strips or get professional teeth whitening. That smile is your number one accessory.
9. Exfoliate and moisturize all over… don’t forget your hands. Moisturizing at night works with your body’s natural repair process.
10. Don’t stress out. Glowing skin and bright eyes are the result of limiting stress and getting enough rest.
11. Do not wax your eyebrows the day before your wedding. This will cause a problem for makeup to adhere evenly and leave you with an uneven appearance. Do this at minimum a few days before the event or more if you can.
Bonus Tip: Consider having your makeup artist discretely conceal blemishes or dark circles on your dashing groom. After all, why look your absolute best and leave your groom looking anything less than perfect. Share these tips with him to get the absolute max out of your investment in Mirage Photo!
By
www. dMakeupArtist.com
So you’ve chosen a phenomenal photographer. You have locked in the date, and can’t wait for the first step…engagement photos. Imagine you and your sweety just like the first time you fell in love holding hands, laughing, kissing. These are just the first of many images that you will share with generations of your future family. Yes, the cake will be devoured, the music will end, and the flowers, food and decorations will all be gone. Nothing left but the moments captured forever on film.
So what can you do to look your absolute best for photos….possibly the biggest and most important investment in your wedding day? Wow! The pressure! Dress check. Jewelry check. Shoes check. Let’s not forget that your face is the most important feature of this day, and it will be captured for all time. Here is the priority checklist for the star of the show, the princess of the day, the beautiful Bride!
1. Choose a makeup artist that will rock your world and leave you staring in the mirror. Someone who will add as much to your day personally as artistically.
2. Consider a more natural look for your engagement photos and a more formal look for the wedding. But both days make sure to be true to you!
3. Do consider false eyelashes. They add a lot to your look and don’t have to be at all obvious. For the natural beauty a few individual lashes strategically placed keeps you looking bright eyed all day.
4. Don’t over tan! Yes a slight glow is an asset to your overall appearance, but you will regret the dreaded Oompa Loompa look for certain.
5. Consider having your artist stay for the day if you are in peak season. Weather, emotions, emergencies, etc. can occur and having a beauty pro on hand all day can be a life saver.
6. Get plenty of sleep and visit your sauna as often as possible. The top two things you can do for AMAZING skin. Don’t have access to a sauna…do a bath with ONLY salt in the water. Keep the room and water hot enough to cause your forehead to sweat and keep it up for at least 20 minutes. Try this a few times a week for glowing skin and countless benefits.
7. Find an independent beauty pro to give you a skin analysis and personalized regimen. Get a daily routine down as early as possible.
8. Use Crest Strips or get professional teeth whitening. That smile is your number one accessory.
9. Exfoliate and moisturize all over… don’t forget your hands. Moisturizing at night works with your body’s natural repair process.
10. Don’t stress out. Glowing skin and bright eyes are the result of limiting stress and getting enough rest.
11. Do not wax your eyebrows the day before your wedding. This will cause a problem for makeup to adhere evenly and leave you with an uneven appearance. Do this at minimum a few days before the event or more if you can.
Bonus Tip: Consider having your makeup artist discretely conceal blemishes or dark circles on your dashing groom. After all, why look your absolute best and leave your groom looking anything less than perfect. Share these tips with him to get the absolute max out of your investment in Mirage Photo!
**Thank you D' Shannon. I could not agree with you more. In fact, I will take it one step further, by NOT having D' Shannon working with you, you are greatly increasing the odds of not looking like the dream you have envisioned since being a child (minus the blue eye shadow, of course). You owe it to your self to complete the package. Just as I don't feel comfortable telling a potential client that Uncle Joe might get some great shots during your wedding day, I cannot, in good faith, tell a bride, Aunt Bessie is going to do a great job on your makeup and I am sure she will make that big GIANT ZIT look wonderful. When I know it will turn out looking like a crusty version of the leaning tower of Pisa.
The state of hotness that D'Shannon can get you into is literally priceless. You want to be confident on your wedding day and know in your mind.... "oh yeah, I'm hot." Call D at 314-537-5813. You can see more of her portfolio at http://www.dmakeupartist.com/.
A Special, special thank you to D' Shannon for going out of her way to help us out. I personally jump at the chance to work with her whenever the situation come up, regardless of the client, I know if they are with D then their good enough for me.
D'Shannon Rae Llewellyn, Professional Commercial Makeup Artist
See D's work on VH1: Behind the Music: Nelly airing 2011!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Coming soon... To a photography blog near you.
We are going to be rolling out our new monthly newsletter in the very near future which will help everyone keep up on where and when we are going to be shooting, running specials, and traveling for some kick butt senior sessions. In the meantime, we are going to start running some guest bloggers on our Mirage Photo Blog Site. Cool insights, fantastic tips, and wonderful ideas to help make your wedding day the best experience it can possibly be. We are so excited about where we are going as a company and we think you should hear from the most awesome professionals in the industry. We have several lined up already but feel free to shoot me your ideas and we can get your people hooked up with our people and we will all be better for it. Send your ideas to shawn@mirage-photo.com.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
2011 - WeddingWire Announcement
St. Louis, MO – January 25, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce that Mirage Photo has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Photographers!
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Mirage Photo stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Mirage Photo for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”
We are happy to announce that Mirage Photo is among the very best Wedding Photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.
For more information, please visit our website at www.mirage-photo.com.
For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit WeddingWire.com.
WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Mirage Photo stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Mirage Photo for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”
We are happy to announce that Mirage Photo is among the very best Wedding Photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.
For more information, please visit our website at www.mirage-photo.com.
For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit WeddingWire.com.
WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).
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