Las Vegas Photographer for Weddings and Event Photography TiffanyG

The Bridal Spectacular is here this week, and since most of my readers are brides, I thought I’d post a “Bridal Show Survival Guide”. The most-heard comment after a bridal show is that it was “overwhelming”… so here’s some ways to help the show become a successful day for you!

1. Have a plan. Make a list of vendors you definitely want to talk to. Do a little research to hopefully narrow your search down a little. Look at the MAP of the Bridal Spectacular and find your preferred vendors. (Our booth is number 223!). There are many very helpful websites to provide online reviews from many of Las Vegas’ vendors, but the two most popular are WeddingWire and TheKnot.

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas

2. Wear comfortable shoes and leave your coat in the car. You will be receiving lots of brochures, etc and you do not want to be burdened lugging your coat.

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas

3. Bring someone with you! Your Mother, Maid/Matron of Honor, or maybe your fiancé will enjoy himself!  They can help you with collecting information and would be happy you included them in the planning process! As for your fiancé? Just tell him that he can win stuff and eat free cake and hors d’oeuvres!

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas

4. Bring address labels. We recommend printing out labels on your home computer with your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date. This will help free up time to talk to vendors instead filling out the same information time and time again.

Las Vegas Wedding Bridal Photography

5. Bring a pen, notebook, and datebook (or, your BlackBerry!). Some vendors offer special pricing if you book with them and leave a deposit with them the day of the show. This is great, but if you choose the WRONG vendor, at ANY price, is it a good deal?  Ask them if you can have a few days to think about it, because pressure to sign RIGHT THERE AND THEN should make you wonder what they are worried about! Is their competition better? Special good ONLY at the show? Time to look for a new vendor! Make an INFORMED decision - don’t rush into anything!

Wedding Photographer in Las Vegas

6. Want to see the most vendors AND the fashion show?  The majority of brides watch the show, so plan on arriving just as the 1st show starts. Visit the vendors DURING the show, this will allow you better chance to actually talk to a vendor and it will be a much quieter atmosphere. Then, stick around for the 2nd show, and this time watch the show!

Las Vegas Wedding Photos

7. Don’t be embarrassed to wear your “Bride” sticker! It can become confusing for vendors to identify everyone that attends, and if they know you are the bride, they will be more apt to spend a little extra time with you!

Bridal Photos Las Vegas Wedding Photographer

8. If you don’t bring labels (see #4), when filling out any contest entries or door prize drawing slips, print clearly!

9. The best place to take notes is on the actual brochure/flyer handed out by each vendor. That way you can connect a face to your notes and it will be easier to remember when you make your follow up calls!

Limousine Bride in Las Vegas

10. Don’t be fooled by huge discounts! This is especially true for Disc Jockey companies! If a company tells you their price is $900 but they are giving a $300 discount, that sounds great… but if they normally charge $600 for an event that’s not really a discount. Do your research and find out the ACTUAL discount (if any) based on their NORMAL rates. ALSO: Watch for ‘add-ons’ that nickel-and-dime you to a higher price. Show special at $495 but an extra $200 for a ceremony sound system, $50 for lights, and a 15% required gratuity and it’s not as good a deal as you thought!

Las Vegas Engagement Photography

11. Enjoy yourself!  Use this time to gather information and enjoy any of the special offers extended to you. You are the Bride; you make the rules when dealing with vendors. It’s YOUR day, not theirs!

12. Most importantly, come to  D. Jay’s Entertainment’s booth (number 223) to discuss your disc jockey, photography, and videography needs. We are having some great specials (true discounts and LOTS of FREE extra service).  I will be there, and we will have several of our disc jockeys and photographers available for you to meet!

Beautiful Future Bride Wedding Photography

Thank you VERY much for reading this entire post! I hope you learned something.

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Tags: blog, brides and grooms, catholic wedding, church photos, church wedding, disc jockey, DJ, dj las vegas, engagement session, Entertainment, green valley ranch, jw marriott, Las Vegas, las vegas disc jockey, las vegas disc jockeys, las vegas disk jockey, las vegas dj, las vegas photographer, las vegas photography, las vegas portrait, las vegas wedding, las vegas wedding photographer, las vegas wedding photography, Mandalay Bay THEHotel, married in las vegas, Nevada, photographer, Photography, photography events, photos in las vegas, Portfolio, portrait photography, reception, reception photography, TiffanyG, vegas disc jockeys, vegas disk jockey mc, vegas wedding, wedding, wedding photographer, wedding photography, wedding photos

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Back in early January, I submitted 2 photos to a photo contest at Sahara Camera Center here in Las Vegas. The theme was “Tis The Season”. It took a while, but I found out a couple days ago that my photo was chosen as the winner! I won a nice (small) camera bag, which will come in handy for those Engagement Sessions where I don’t need to take ALL of my various equipment.

See, not ALL my work is Wedding Photography, although being a Wedding Photographer is my passion!

Here’s the photo that won the contest. It’s my nephew, and was not posed at all (well, the photo in the thought bubble was posed, but not the reaction to the present) - Click photo for larger version!

'Tis The Season Photo

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Tags: engagement session, family photography, family portraits, kid photos, kids photos, Las Vegas, las vegas photographer, las vegas photography, las vegas portrait, las vegas wedding photography, photos in las vegas, portrait photography, wedding photographer

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Jeremy and I spent an hour with Will, Cherry, and their two wonderful children (remember, we don’t post names of kids on our blog) yesterday. They are an awesome family! Their son is just 5 years old and is quite the camera-ham! Their daughter is absolutely beautiful and took a while to warm up, but we got some very good ones of her too!

Will and Cherry are getting married next month and we’re really hoping to earn their wedding-day business… as part of the Bridal Spectacular, we offered them a FREE 1-hour engagement session so we could get to know them better. It seems that we all get along very well so we’ll see!

This blog will be a mix of Engagement photos and Family Portrait/Family Photography. As with a lot of our private sessions, Jeremy and I work together; he is usually the one clicking the shutter and I use my “eye” to find great locations and poses… We had a blast working together for this short (1-hour) shoot:

This photo was only the 4th “click” of the day - and it was hard to choose between the first 4…

Las Vegas Family Portrait Photography

Now, mom and dad… the processing on this one is called “Summer Haze”, and we did our own tweaking to it.

Wedding Photography Engagement Photos Las Vegas

Off to the playground…

Las Vegas Family Portrait Photography

Of course Will and Cherry hopped on, too!

Wedding Photography Engagement Photos Las Vegas

Walking to the next location, Jeremy caught the kids playing around a yellow pole. Amazing how a great “eye” can see an interesting shot, huh?

Las Vegas Family Portrait Photography

Las Vegas Family Portrait Photography

This park (almost) has it all… waterfall, fun playground, a cool brick wall, bridges, etc.  These 3 shots (obviously) are from the brick wall area…

Wedding Photography Engagement Photos Las Vegas

Wedding Photography Engagement Photos Las Vegas

Wedding Photography Engagement Photos Las Vegas

Off to the bridge, and the little guy was clowning around - this one is actually not posed at all… just his reaction after the camera was pointed at him.

Las Vegas Wedding Photography Engagement Photos

Lots of color at the park but we have to get a few black-and-whites in… here’s one of them.

Las Vegas Wedding Photography Engagement Photos

Now it’s time for the love-it-or-hate-it photo. The famous (infamous?) “bobble head” shot. Like it or not, it’s FUN and loose.

Las Vegas Family Portrait Photography

Then we made our way back to the waterfall area for some sunset-type, posed family shots. We looked up and saw an amazing sunset - and got this photo:

Las Vegas Family Portrait Photography

Thanks to all 4 of you for an enjoyable hour! Can’t wait until this Sunday where you’ll see all 175 or so “keepers”!

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Tags: ask her to marry me, engagement session, family photography, family portraits, kid photos, kids photos, las vegas portrait, las vegas wedding, las vegas wedding photographer, las vegas wedding photography, married in las vegas, Photography, photos in las vegas, portrait photography, wedding proposal

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Before I tell you how cool Conney and Hoover are, I have to brag a little bit: I got some new toys!  I’ve never been a “studio” photographer… it’s just not for me. However, lately my wedding photography clients and also some corporate clients have been asking for “portraits”. That would be more formal stuff, with a backdrop, etc. etc. Previously, I’d been using on-camera flash and it was “ok” but not up to my standards. So, recently I was able to purchase two off-camera strobes, umbrellas, soft box, stands, a giant battery, wireless transmitter/receivers, etc.

I have to say, the clarity, lighting and overall look of my “portrait” photos have improved an amazing amount!

That said, let’s talk about Conney and Hoover and their wonderful family. They hired me to attend their pre-wedding event (the day before the wedding). Originally it was planned to possibly do a Strip Tour or some outside shooting, but it evolved into a simple in-suite portrait session with their extended family. For brides and grooms whose familys just don’t have many “formal” photos, this is a great option. You get bridal/wedding photography AND family portraits all in one session!

I made everyone “suffer” though formal shots for a while… here’s some of those. Note: If the images look “fuzzy” to you, you’re probably using FireFox and have your “Zoom” set to larger than normal. Fix this by clicking on the photo! Heck, everyone should click on the image to see the larger image anyway! Plus you get to see my new plug-in that displays the photo in cool Flash-based pop-up thingamagig!

Wedding Photography in Las Vegas

Here’s 4 generations…

Las Vegas Wedding Photography Portraits

Parents:

Las Vegas Wedding Photography Portraits

Got a bunch of formal Bride and Groom shots but wanted to show this one, classic B/W processing…

Wedding Portraits Las Vegas

Hoover:

Wedding Photography Las Vegas

Then, Hoover pulled out his “paparazzi pose” - which started off our more “fun” portion of the night:

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas Portraits

You really didn’t think I could spend ALL the time taking the formals, did you?  Sisters!

Wedding Portraits Las Vegas

Being goofy!

Wedding Portraits Photographer Las Vegas Portraits

Taa DAAA!! (keep ahold of that baby!)

Wedding Photography in Las Vegas

This one took them a little out of the expected area for photos (hence, the leaves in the top-left) but the shot was hilarious so I wanted to show it!

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas Portraits

Had a blast at this event, even though it was just supposed to be a “simple” portrait session. Being Las Vegas, we had to get just a little crazy, and Conney and Hoover were the perfect, FUN couple to do it!

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Tags: family photography, family portraits, Las Vegas, las vegas photography, las vegas wedding photographer, Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay THEHotel, Photography, portrait photography, reception photography, THEHotel las vegas, wedding, wedding photographer

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We met Jeremy and Dee Dee almost a year ago and have been working with them for their wedding since then. What a cool couple! DeeDee is beautiful and Jeremy is quite a looker, too! Wendhy and I shot this event, and we had a blast. Below are a few of our favorites!

Note: I seem to be having some issues with image quality with the newest update of WordPress. The fuzzy images are due to the compression by WordPress, so click on the image to see the larger, clearer image! Plus you get to see my new plug-in that displays the photo in cool Flash-based pop-up thingamagig!

The groomsmen and Jeremy (in the white shoes, of course) relaxing before the ceremony:

Wedding Photography Las Vegas Nevada

Technically this one was taken after DeeDee arrived, but I was in the “groomsmen” groove…

Las Vegas Wedding Bridal Photography

DeeDee’s arrival, taken from a “2nd Photographer” perspective. For those brides that I talk about using a 2nd Photographer, this is what I mean… great pics, but from a completely different perspective!

Wedding Photography Las Vegas Nevada

Both of us were shooting from about the same spot for this one, matter of fact I don’t recall which one of us took this actual shot!

Wedding Photographer in Las Vegas

An old-photo style processing for this one, PLEASE click to see the larger version, the compression by WordPress really made this one blurry in thumbnail view!

Las Vegas Wedding Photography

Close-up of some details; dress and bouquet - using only available light (no flash):

Las Vegas Wedding Bridal Photography

One from the ceremony… FIRST KISS!

Las Vegas Wedding Photography

After the ceremony, we shot around 1000 pictures at the reception, and they came out great… but I’ve posted too many “party” shots lately so I’m sticking with the wedding-related ones this time!

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Tags: capture the moment, church photos, Las Vegas, las vegas photographer, las vegas photography, las vegas wedding photographer, las vegas wedding photography, photographer, Photography, portrait photography, wedding industry, wedding photographer, wedding photography, wedding photos, wedding reception

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Admittedly I don’t do a lot of family portraits or family photography in Las Vegas, but family photos are very similar to wedding photography and engagement sessions. I really enjoy working with kids (as my regular readers know from all the “cute little girl” photos I’ve been posting from my weddings)!

As a sidenote, for any of my family portraits I do not use my subject’s names when I post them in my blog; I do have permission to post the kids photos but we want to be as careful as possible not to have privacy issues. So, I apologize for using “the son” and “the daughter” type language instead of the first names!

Anyway, last week I worked with a great family - the son is friends with our son and they played on the same baseball team. We went out near Red Rock and had a good time with mom, the 2 kids, and 2 dogs!

For anyone NOT from Las Vegas, to answer the question… YES we have trees that change colors and lose their leaves in the fall!

Just the kids together:

The son with his dog…

A very warm, summery process was used on this photo… isn’t she adorable?!!?

Had some fun with what I call the “bobble head” photo. Wide angle lens about 6″ from the subject’s face results in this very interesting perspective… and I must say - this young lady had REFUSED at first to show her teeth when she smiled - she opened right up and was comfortable with us within just a few shots! And, near the end of the session, I was honored when she asked me to call her by her “short” name instead of her “formal” name… especially after her mom explained that only her friends and family are allowed to do that!

We stayed until nearly dark. This photo required a flash AND a reflector to help make the subjects “pop” while still maintaining the AMAZING color of the sky and the clouds.

Jeremy and I really enjoyed this session, thanks guys!

As always, I welcome and encourage your comments on my blog! You don’t even need to sign up! Just click on the comment link below to comment or read the comments.

If this is the last post on the page, look below and click “Previous Entries” to see the rest of my blog OR on the right menu there is an archive of each month’s posts!

Tags: family photography, family portraits, kid photos, kids photos, Las Vegas, las vegas photographer, las vegas portrait, portrait photography, wedding

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