Wedding: Debbie & John

Last weekend I had the distinct pleasure of shooting a wedding with Jen O'Sullivan at The Disneyland Hotel. The couple: Debbie & John. As soon as I got there the magic in the air was obvious. The day was calm and sunny. Perfect weather for the occasion. Every one at the hotel was very courteous and helpful. I knew that this day was going to be a great one for a Disney Wedding.

Here are some details of that wonderful day. Enjoy.
-Santiago Valencia




While John was getting ready he told me how he and Debbie met. Turns out that John was interviewing for a job and Debbie's father was the one who interviewed him. After getting the job he met Debbie and things just ran there fateful course from there.


Decked out Disney Style...




Debbie you look absolutely beautiful!



The men of the Disney Executive Board Room...


The look of love. Debbie and John's first look...




Some final touches that we must not forget. ;) ...







And the moment is here...



Seriously, some of the prettiest bride's maids ever...


And some of the rowdiest groom's men ever!...

Debbie & John
November 8, 2009

Business: Connecting with your Clients

I can't think of another type of photography where it is essential for the photographer to connect with the clients on a personal level more than wedding photography. They have to not just like you but trust you with something so special that probably is a once in a lifetime event: Their wedding day.



One of the biggest parts of the process where you are selling yourself is during a consult. This is where the client, usually the bride and her mother or nowadays the bride and the groom, come over to your studio and see your work face to face. Checking out your photography and products is something they definitely do but more than anything they are checking you out. The main thing is to see if they relate to you and to see if you get them. A wedding day photography job is very intimate and sensitive. They aren't just going to give it to just anybody with an impressive camera. They are going to give it to someone who they connect with. Someone that they trust to capture their unique wedding and all it's glory.

So when I have my clients come over I normally go through a simple yet powerful checklist. At the same time I'm writing down important information about the wedding day's details. Here's a quick primer to how I go about making that connection:


-Make sure your place is spotless. A warm and comfortable place is important to putting them at ease. If you can do it, your place is always better than meeting at Starbucks or something.

-I usually have some jazz playing in the background. Something to set the mood and make it a friendly environment but not to loud so that they don't hear what you have to say.

-I have some refreshments ready for them like some fruit and iced tea. -Dress the part. Look your professional and fabulous self.

-Don't have any other distractions like other people there unless they are part of the consult. -I normally give them a few minutes to view my books and albums. This gets them comfortable. I leave the room for a couple minutes then come back and start the consult.

-Ask about them and how they met. Knowing more about them will make it easier for you to connect and them to you. Remember it's about them not so much about your photography or you. It's about them and their needs.

-Get basic details about their wedding day and location and time. Also knowing how many guest they expect will give you a good idea on how to plan the day.

-Don't forget to get the essential info like name, phone number, email, any special events that they have planned for the day, etc,...


The rest is up to how you want to organize the consult. Maybe you have a video presentation or talk about how the day would be timed. It's best to have things ready without losing a beat. They will be able to tell if you've done this before. If you rehearse with family or friends this will help get you more comfortable for when the real thing happens.

Being organized about the whole consult is key. If you don't have your stuff together here then of course they are going to worry about you having it together on the wedding day. They will just thank you for your time and then move on to another photographer. You want to leave them wanting more. You want them to imagine themselves in your photography.

Lastly, be your great self. Show off you great personality to them and don't forget to bring that with you when you shoot. Being enthusiastic about their big day will go a long way. I'm always excited to have clients over. It's like having friends over for dinner. I try and treat them like royalty because to me and my business that's exactly what they are.

-Santiago Valencia

Jasmine Star: New Zealand Contest

Hey folks,
So I just learned of a fantastic opportunity. Jasmine Star is holding a contest for a free seat to one of her amazing workshops in New Zealand this coming January! The only rub is that you would have to a get your own airfare but I still think it would be a fabulous chance to travel, take fresh photography and learn from the so ever talented and beautiful Jasmine Star.

So go to her blog to learn the details at: http://www.jasminestarblog.com/

And then to her workshop site at: http://jasminestarworkshop.com/

...for more information.

Hey Jasmine!...What do you think of the many colors of Santiago!? Groovy, huh!? Right on.

;)
-Santiago Valencia

Travel: Seattle Drive

One of my first wedding photography jobs I ever got hired for was to take place in Seattle, WA. The couple booked me here in L.A. but the wedding was to take place there. I was very excited to shoot a wedding outside of L.A. Hell, anytime I can get out of L.A. I jump at. Traveling is in the blood.

So I thought that driving there would be a very cool thing to do. At the time my family said that I should just fly but where would the adventure be in that!? So three days before the wedding I packed up my car with all my gear and clothing and headed north.

The plan was to hit San Fransisco on the first day. Portland on the second. And then Seattle on the morning of the wedding. Along the way I saw some great sites like Mount Shasta and Rouge River. I would occasionally pull over and take some shots. The whole experience was so 1960's you know? A road trip with Simon & Garfunkel in the background....Groovy!

Enjoy and be inspired. Get out there!!
-Santiago Valencia









Final Destination: Seattle, WA

World Series: Passau, Germany

Here we go. Another image added to my World Series photography line. This time we go over to Germany.

A couple of Christmas' ago I took a river boat cruise along the Danube River that hit amazing towns like Passau and Regensburg. This image is of the Passau Castle across from the town of Passau. I can't even explain how great the experience was. It was like stepping back to a time when people actually dealt with one another. Not through emails and cells but up front and personal. Walking to the baker to get your daily bread, then to the silversmith to get your pots and pans and then to the farmer for some fresh eggs. Wow.

Taking a river boat cruise was so intimate that when you passed the towns you could almost touch walls, homes and clock towers that have been there longer than the U.S. has existed! Hope you like it and hopefully one day you'll visit Passau yourself. Totally worth it.

-Santiago Valencia