Tag: philly engagement photography

How to Create Ambient Lighting at Your Wedding Reception | Allie Skylar Photography

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bride and groom dance their first dance under twinkling lights at stroudsmoor country inn

Ah, the wedding reception.  The hard part is over and it’s time to relax!  It’s time to dance, catch up with family and friends, and eat.  But chances are, at this time of the night, there will still be important moments that you want your wedding photographer to capture.  First dance, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, cake cutting…. just to name a few.  The natural light is probably gone, and those iPhone photos just won’t cut it anymore.

So how exactly do photographers create those dreamy, natural looking reception photos?  And what can you do to help?

Ambient light, my friends, is all it is!  Photographers set their cameras to absorb (for want of better words) any natural light that is flooding the room.  The aide of one or more flash is most definite, but too much flash and too little ambient light can lend to a very 1980’s vibe.  Most venues have plenty of ambient light, yet some, usually those with outdoor dance floors, might be lacking.  So here are some tips to set the room and get the most dreamy reception photos possible!

tables decorated for a wedding at the ballroom at ellis preserve

  1. Sting lights-  It’s that easy!  And bonus- it’s Christmas time, so lights are everywhere!  Make sure and get white or warm- multi-colored lights will make your photographer cry.
  2. Candles- Not always possible, but candles add a warm glow around the tables and cut the shadows.
  3. DJ uplighting- Talk to your DJ/Band about the available uplighting they might have.  Be wary of those laser lights with multi-colored dots- they can be a nightmare!
  4. Chandeliers- It’s a give-in.  If your reception has them, keep them lit for the special dances!
  5. Lit walls- You know those blankets of twinkling lights?  So so dreamy!  If you are trying to dress up a more rustic space (think brick wall) and can’t install an chandelier, these lights could be the perfect backdrop to your dances!

couple dance in the Ballroom at Radnor Valley Country Club

For those outdoor receptions, I suggest stringing larger bulbed cafe lights across the dance floor and adding TONS of lighting around the dance floor in the form of candles, lanterns, lights, etc.

You can never have too much ambient light.  Keep it soft, keep it neutral, and keep it in line with your vision.  If your DJ and Venue plan to get the dancing going by turning off the lights, make sure and leave just a few twinkling.

bride and groom dance their first dance at Edel Haus Farms in NJ

 

The Farmhouse at Peoples Light Wedding | Jillian and Evan | Malvern Wedding Photography

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As the night came to an end and I drove away from the twinkling cafe lights at People’s Light and theater, I remember thinking to myself, “That was just lovely and perfect.”  Jillian and Evan and their team worked incredibly hard to craft the perfect day, and it went off without a hitch.  Even the weather!  I am so incredibly lucky to worm with couples who are kind and loving and joyful.  Jillian and Evan are what made their day so memorable, and there wasn’t a dry eye to argue.

Jillian, oh sweet Jillian.  When you meet her, you just instantly adore her.  She’s basically everything I am not; graceful, poised, and soft spoken.  I envy some of her many qualities.  And her DRESS.  Let’s add brave, confident, and drop dead gorgeous to the list.  And then there is Evan.  I can’t imagine a groom smiling more on his wedding day.  From start to finish, there was a grin pasted on his face.  You could see just how excited he was to marry his soul mate.

After vows and rings were exchanged, we headed to one of my favorite venues, the Farmhouse at Peoples Light and Theater.  The ivory hues were accented with garlands of eucalyptus and lush, bold flowers.  Moving toasts, wild first dances, and the most insanely amazing dance choreographed to Grease (as in Lightning), and the real celebration began.

I couldn’t be happier or more honored to have been a part of Jillian and Evan’s beautiful day.  It was in a word…. perfect. Continue reading “The Farmhouse at Peoples Light Wedding | Jillian and Evan | Malvern Wedding Photography” →

Bloomsburg’s Barn at Boone’s Dam Wedding | Celia and John | Pennsylvania Wedding Photography

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In the peak of Autumn, Celia and John stood in front of the Barn at Boones Dam along fishing creek, read each others vows, and passed their wedding rings to each guest.  With a romantic, sweeping kiss, they celebrated their love in front of their family, friends, and children.  And never have a seen a happier couple prance down the aisle, husband and wife.

Our morning started out with quiet cuddles, naps, and bottle feedings.  Celia and John’s day was about more than just the two of them- it was about their small family of 4.  Father/daughter and mother/son dances were shared through generations so that Cam and Marlowe could dance with their Mom and Dad, and mid ceremony, the cutest wedding crasher crawled into Celia’s arms, flashing his smile (and pull up) to the guests.  Bridesmaids held gorgeous hand crafted bouquets and the occasional toy car.  I’ve never seen a group of people love on two kids so much, and in turn, love on Celia and John.

The Barn at Boones Dam was cozy and inviting, decorated in lace and elegant warmth.  As guests danced the night away, there was no lack in community.  Celia and John have weaved their love through the town where their love began, and as John’s best man stated, it isn’t odd to be walking with John down Main Street and hear people yell from passing cars, “Hey!  John Gray!”  You get back what you put out, and John and Celia were surrounded by warmth and love.

I have loved watching this family grow over the past year.  I can’t wait to see where the future takes them! Continue reading “Bloomsburg’s Barn at Boone’s Dam Wedding | Celia and John | Pennsylvania Wedding Photography” →

How to Find Self Worth Apart From Your Small Business | Living Outside the Algorithm

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I curate my social media content to only show the best of the best from my life.  You see wedding photos from sprawling fields, sweet families laughing together, and newly engaged couples giggling to the point where their noses wrinkle.  You don’t see the stress of bills, the countless turn downs, the 2am editing sessions.  We are used to seeing the filtered lives of others, and yet we don’t even realize it.  It’s so easy to compare ourselves, our real, true, messy, hidden, selves, to the seemingly perfect lives of others.  And it isn’t healthy.  Sometimes I like to look at my Instagram of Facebook because it looks better than I know my real life is.  Owning a Small Business can be very tough on self worth since what we produce is very personal.  If people aren’t booking, it means we are not worthy.

Social Media is a necessary evil for small business owners as a platform for marketing.  But the line between marketing and self worth has begun to blur.  Likes and Shares become personal— your post only gets 100 likes, and someone else has 1000.  That clearly means your work is terrible.  If your work is terrible, you are terrible.  Do you see how dangerous this can become?

Deep down, we all know that multiple factors impact how many followers/likes/shares you get.  The ever changing Algorithm is possibly the most annoying.  Wherein exposure used to be organic, now what we see had been perfectly curated by computers so we see what technology thins we want to see (I searched for baby clothes ONCE for a friend and now every Facebook ad is about pregnancy, babies, and IVF…..Back off Facebook!).  If someone doesn’t like or comment in the first minute, your post won’t have much success.  On Facebook, 5% of my following seeing my post, yet I get a “free” $10 from Facebook to advertise each day (which I do not accept….because I know it’s a can of worms).

So ask yourself…. If you as a Small Business Owner put so much self worth in what you create, and an Algorithm determines the results (for good or bad), how can we create some distance and still feel fulfilled?  I love what I do and I feel fulfillment in what I create—- and I will not deny that it feels amazing when a post gets a positive response!  If I posted something because it was worthy to me, how can it remain that way despite social media feedback?  Keep reading, because I have some tools for you. Continue reading “How to Find Self Worth Apart From Your Small Business | Living Outside the Algorithm” →

Stroudsmoor Country Inn Wedding | Molly and Sean | Pocono Wedding Photographer

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As the leaves began to change this September, with the changing of the season, Molly and Sean exchanged vows of forever in front of family and friends in one of the most romantic locations in the Poconos.  Twinkling lights and sheer curtains and lush flowers, and roaring fires decorated the Stroudsmoor Country Inn and helped create an atmosphere of secluded love.  After all, we were on top of a mountain!

I first met with Molly nearly 2 years ago.  We chatted about the dreams she had for her wedding, how much she loved Sean, and of course her dogs.  She introduced me to the Steel Stacks in Lehigh Valley where Molly and Sean had their engagement session, and pushed me to challenge myself when she requested video with sound.  There are just some couples who show their emotions on their faces, and Molly and Sean do just that.  Molly was glowing as she walked down the aisle, and Sean was beaming ear to ear.  As they shared their vows, way up in the mountains, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  A whirlwind of family photos and hors d’oeuvres led to some alone time for sunset portraits.  For the first time that day, the sun poked through the clouds, and we strolled through the grounds at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in the fading light.

If you haven’t been to Stroudsmoor Country Inn, it’s basically wilderness and elegance and warmth all wrapped up in one.  Floor to ceiling woos, stone fire places, rolled cigars- it’s the perfect place to celebrate!  From their first dance to their last, the new Mr and Mrs Velekei enjoyed every second of their reception.

I am so happy to have been a part of your day, Molly and Sean!

PS- Click here to see their Wedding Video! Continue reading “Stroudsmoor Country Inn Wedding | Molly and Sean | Pocono Wedding Photographer” →