Value of Photography

She-N-He featured on Style Me Pretty - Austin Wedding Photographer by Melanie Grizzel

Last October I got to get a great group of talented and completely lovable vendors together, a few people I don't mind spending 5 am with. We collaborated seamlessly. Austin Wedding Photography

I am madly in love with Hacienda del Lago, which you may already know I cannot stop singing their praises, the location is completely out of control. I shot a bridal portrait out there in September 2009 and feel in love with one particular image, the bride in her long flowey dress walking on the path toward the house at exactly the right time of light. It reminded me of Palm Springs circa 1960. So I started researching the era, decor, fashion, and style. I met with Margaret Bedikian of 3 Apples Events and we together poured over more images from the era, and with that, our concept and visuals really came together and started to take shape. We got together with Kari Shelton of Wow Factor Design Co., brilliant. Armed with our concept and colors Margaret found Wicked Cakes who made our awesome inspired cake and Paige's Bake House who made those completely adorable and  absolutely delicious Petit Fours. The models were a no brainer, a couple we worked with for their wedding in February, who have become a part of our family, Brandi and Lee Barnwell. None of this could be possible with out fantastic styling from Shannon Yarbrough without whom we would have no dresses (Linda Asaf, Blush Bridal, Bella Saison) headpieces and accessories (Tracy Tenpenny, Millistar) or men's where. Rentals from Premier Party Central who supplied us with all of the white for our backdrop. Austin Catering created those bite sized pieces of pure art on a plate and lastly Brizy Tait of Keep Austin Gorgeous knocked it off the charts with her beautiful hair and make-up.

There are several more images from the collection we're planning to post in the next few days. In the mean time. Have a look at Style Me Pretty's post.

6.29.10 The RIGHT photographer by Melanie Grizzel

You'll know it when you feel it.

This weekend, we photographed Hahn and Sam's wedding. They came in from New York, they wanted to come home and marry where they met and fell in love. I spoke with Hahn over the phone before we met, we also did some chatting over instant messenger. We met once, 8 months ago, give or take. She has been in her second year of medical school in New York, so her time is extremely limited. I met her again on Wednesday before the wedding to discuss final details of her traditional Vietnamese ceremony. 
I have a baby, Bishop, he is 1.5 years old. He often accompanies me to meetings, that Wednesday was no exception. I was taking notes while chatting with Hahn and Sam and the baby wanted to be feisty, so Hahn just grabbed him right out of my arms and started playing with him (she has a 5 month old nephew herself.) I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. I want people to be so comfortable with me, and me with them, that they wouldn't think twice about going into my frigidaire and grabbing a snack or a soda. Or grabbing my baby to entertain him. We actually chatted about this exchange at her wedding I told her how much I loved it that she felt comfortable enough with me to do that and Sam told her after our meeting, "dude, you grabbed a white girl's baby." Sam is caucasian, Texas born and raised and Hahn is Vietnamese raised primarily in Australia, these types of comments flowed all day. Apparently in her family, which is extensive, it's perfectly acceptable to grab someone's baby, I felt like family. I was honored. 
We arrived at her ceremony site 45 minutes early to scope it out, and meet all of her family. What an amazing group of people, Steve and I kept saying, "Have you met Hahn's sister? She is the sweetest!" "Have you met Sam's mom? She is out of this world!" Their wedding was broken up into 2 sections of the day, the traditional morning ceremony and the modern evening reception. At the ceremony in the morning, I wept like a baby, I know how important this was to the whole family that their families join in this cultural service and I was truly moved.  The evening went off without a hitch, pictures, cupcakes, dancing, sparklers, amazing. At the end of the evening, Hahn ran through her line of sparklers, like she'd been training for it, her entire life. At the end, by the car,  she grabbed me and hugged me and told me she loved me. And I love her, this is the kind of relationship we should have if that's your thing, if it's not, then I'm probably not the photographer for you. 
Click < here> for another story about finding the RIGHT photographer.
Congratulations to all of you who have found the RIGHT photographer. It's a painstaking process, but it's worth the effort.
She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

6.25.10 Blog Stalkers. by Melanie Grizzel

Yesterday, I met a couple @ the Weddings Unveiled event. Of their couple, the bride, said she had been blog stalking us. Fun. You never know if there is anyone out there taking any notice and sometimes the blog feels silly and narcissistic. Then you meet someone who loves to read your blog. I love it. Sadly we were already booked for her wedding date, but maybe she'll plan her wedding and reception for the same day ;) You know who you are. 

She-N-He has huge news: Amanda, one of our beloved brides, has just become a Bee. She is really excited and we're thrilled for her. She'll be blogging all about her wedding plans and details from now until her wedding in January 2011. She posted recently about her "Priority Number 1: Photography." please have a look.
Thanks for keeping up with us.
All the Best.
---mel
She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design