I just wanted to make sure all our amazing clients know that we will be “out” on vacation from Tuesday August 3rd until Tuesday August 10th! We are taking a much needed family vacation…to the happiest place on earth! Disney World, here we come!! Please know we will happily return all emails and phone calls when we return! Not to mention, as soon as we get back, we hit the floor running with every single weekend filled with weddings, multiple shoots, and consults!! 2011 is filling up fast! I’m sure we will get plenty of photography in while we are gone, shooting the many wonders at the Disney and Universal theme parks, and our resort!
Have a wonderful week!!
Bob&Treva
Blog Posts: News
ON VACATION!! (just sayin’) :)
Brides: Some expert skincare & makeup advice for your wedding day!
Special thanks to Sarah Logan of the Aesthetic Science Institute as our expert guest, she has plenty of awesome tips regarding the beauty regimen of a bride and her gals leading up to the wedding day, as well as the day of! To all our amazing brides, and those considering Treva Tribit Photography, enjoy!
Plan for a Flawless Face in Wedding Photos
Wedding pictures hold some of the happiest memories of a lifetime, so be sure you consider all the angles when preparing to be photographed on the big day.
In the weeks and months leading up to the wedding…
Plan your procedures ahead- it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of tastings, fittings and appointments and forget to schedule facial treatments until the last minute. Don’t be tempted to get microdermabrasion or chemical peels within at least a month of the event, depending on the exact type of laser or peel. Laser resurfacing “heals within days and normal color returns within a few weeks- if that long” according to Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago Rhinoplasty). Even a simple facial shouldn’t be considered in the last few days leading up. Call well ahead of time and discuss this with the technician.
Practice good skin health- stay hydrated and eat healthfully leading up to the event. Don’t try new skincare products, or anything that may irritate your skin. Anticipate your skin’s history, and treat it accordingly depending on changes your skin may experience in the climate or weather that’s expected at the venue.
For the big day…
Start with a good base- be sure that your foundation is the right color and formulation for your skin. You may feel like you should use a heavy cream or stick foundation since you’re being photographed, but heavier formulas will look caked on and are more likely leave a line of demarcation around the neck and hairline that’s tougher to blend away. Just stick with the liquid or powder that works for you, and be sure it’s properly matched to your color. No one wants to look washed out, but it can also age you a bit if your base is too dark for you. Color correcting concealers, like green or yellow for redness, and peach or yellow for undereye circles are a much better choice than simply layering on more makeup. Remember that redness will be easily picked up in photographs so take care to balance that out, and stay away from more pink based foundations.
Avoid the shiny look- glitter will reflect too much on camera, and shouldn’t be worn to a nice event like a wedding anyway. Radiance-enhancing or shimmery foundations make faces look too slick and shiny for photos, so if you must, only keep the sheen on cheekbones and the cupid’s bow for highlighting purposes. Always finish the t-zone with powder, which is especially important to balance any highlighting applied. If you know you’re more oily, pop pressed powder in your bag so that you stay shine free.
The eyes have it- keep in mind that darker eyeshadows and heavy liner make eyes look smaller. A matte or pearl shadow formula will be universally flattering and especially in warm, earthy tones. To keep eyes looking big and bright, highlight the inner corners and brow bone with an off-white, light pink or pale gold shadow or crayon. The older you are, the more important it is to stay fast to the no shimmer rule, as it tends to bring attention to fine lines. Black eyeliner can also look too harsh for older women (same goes for liquid liner) and fair blondes are more suited for eyeliner and mascara in the brown tones. Don’t forget to make sure brows are properly framing the face- everyone looks better and younger with defined brows. Fill the arches with powder or if using a pencil, blend with a brush. Brow color and size are important considerations here, so don’t forget to use a light hand and blend.
Consider your venue and lighting- do take the time to stop and think about if the event/ photos will be taking place indoors or out, and at what time of day. Indoor photos will be taken with flash, so it’s important to use powder to combat shine and to also be sure foundation is matched well. If outdoors, soften makeup a bit as it can easily look too heavy or harsh. Also adjust your makeup look for more formal locations, and later times in the evening. When considering these factors, you will want to use more color and definition over simply adding more makeup.
Keeping these ideas in mind, remember its always most important to look like yourself and feel comfortable on your wedding day. These techniques will help ensure you look flawless both in person and in photographs for years to come.
Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of ASI (skin care schools, NY). It offers specialized coursework in cosmetic laser training, as well as microdermabrasion training.
Married: Laura & Jamie-Dallas Arboretum (Part 2 of 4 sneak peek!)
More images (part 2 of 4) of Laura & Jamie’s beautiful wedding we photographed at the Dallas Arboretum!
Cup ‘O Coffee Q&A (for photographers)
So, oftentimes I am asked by photographers starting out in the business to shadow on shoots or weddings that I am working. I will go ahead and say upfront that I don’t allow shadows at weddings, mainly because a wedding is much more intensive and focused than a session and so I know that I’m going to be unavailable for any kind of guidance or teaching. But, a session is more relaxed, more fun, and usually clients love having another energetic, excited photographer along!
Can I also say, that, I am not a huge fan of five different photographers posting the exact same images? I understand the need for practicing shooting, setups, leading on shots, editing..but in my humble opinion, it is only confusing to potential clients when they are searching around for photographers and find the exact same setups, outfits, model and images (even with a different spin) on blogs. I actually had a client ask if there were chains disguising themselves as individual photographers out there–they had seen the same bridal on three different blogs!!! I don’t know about anybody else, but I certainly don’t want to be thought of as a chain-style photographer! (No offense JCPenney, Picture People, and Olan Mills) 
So, regarding the flow of a shoot/session, if you can’t shadow along on a seasoned pro, here are some tips/pointers on a typical session (at least for me):
Make sure you choose a time and location that works regarding light and theme. You don’t want to fight lighting if you could have pushed it back an hour. Check your location at the time your shoot is scheduled the day before, just to makes sure it works. As an example, we booked a family shoot for a disk golf course, with gorgeous wildflowers…checked it the day before, and arrived at the shoot to find it had been mowed down!! Always have a plan B!
1. When you both arrive, ask the client about themselves, first and foremost. Its easy really, people want to warm up to you, and this will only make your images better, the rapport easier, and build a real, trusting relationship with your client. There are times I’ve been hired on the spot, on the phone, and the engagement shoot or bridal shoot is our first real time spent together. So, ask about their engagement, how he asked, how they met, where they will live, how the planning is going…be genuinely interested. These are REAL people going through an amazing, beautiful experience in their lives and YOU are an essential part of that for them! You clients truly look to you for their most treasured memory..wow, what a gift!
2. Communicate, and do it WELL! Go over your plans for that location. The type of lighting you want to capture. Great example of this, is if you are using some off camera lighting, you should prepare them that some shots will take some setup time. If you are going to be traipsing around the location looking for some beautiful shadows with open light, explain so they understand when you are weaving in and out of terrain for no apparent reason. Explain your vision, your posing ideas, the reflector that acts like a sail in the wind…there are times I just say that I have no idea what will inspire me, so let’s search and get inspired together! If you give your clients an up front expectation, they won’t feel lose during the shoot, and you won’t feel awkward.
3. Joke, laugh, ENJOY! We are so incredibly blessed to be able to mix work with the creative. Show your clients you LOVE what you are doing! I had a client this past weekend ask me if all my shoots were this fun! Often clients will say that they can tell how much I love doing this. I know I get a wild-eyed, overly excited attitude when I’m shooting, but this is my PASSION (maybe I should communicate I’m truly not insane) haha! If your clients aren’t seeing how much you love photographing them, something isn’t working!
4. Ask if they need a drink, something to eat, anything! Its easy to get so involved and entrenched in the creative side of a shoot, in getting certain shots and the inspiration that just takes over, you can forget those creature comforts for your clients! Grab some Starbucks if one is close, even if its a bottle of water.
5. Make sure you encourage them throughout the shoot. When someone isn’t a pro model, they are completely unsure that the pose, the look, the smile, whether they should smile at all, is what you are wanting. If you continually and consistently affirm and encourage, they will totally let loose and have fun!
6. Read their cues, for when enough is enough. Nobody wants the never ending photo session. For Reals. If you notice sleepy babies, tired brides, grooms who have had enough smiling…wrap it up. I don’t put time constrains on my shoots for this very reason. Some people don’t want more than 30 minutes. Some love going for two hours. Watch your clients closely for those cues.
7. Handle all money discussion prior to the shoot. Its just awkward and uncomfortable when you are trying to get clients to open up in a real way for your camera to have a financial obligation or expectation looming over everyone’s heads. Whatever money needs to change hands, work that out before the shoot, or after when the images are ready.
8. Be courteous to other photographers and respect the boundaries of personal property. If other photographers are on site with you, take turns. Show a kind spirit, and reach out to make sure everyone feels the space has been fairly used. Your clients are watching how you treat your colleagues, and how you speak to and about them. You colleagues are watching for drama, and believe me, nobody likes a drama queen photographer. Don’t stomp on property that you don’t have permission to stomp on. If you make a mistake, that’s one thing. But, if it belongs to another studio, the city, or a business that you must receive permission from, ask…or leave it be! There are plenty of places to shoot! Some great locations for photo shoots in DFW? Adriatica in Mckinney, The Cotton Mill in Mckinney, Uptown in Dallas, Downtown Grapevine, Aloft Hotel in Frisco, Myers Park in Mckinney, of course, the Arboretum in Dallas, Shops at Legacy in Plano, Waters Creek in Allen, Mainstreet Frisco, and really any street in Dallas has insane potential. Also, more great locations for photography shoots? Any place you find an interesting building, a field of wildflowers (that isn’t private property), any area full of trees, railroad tracks…the list goes on and on!
9. Tell them how long it will take to get their proofs, let them know that you KNOW you got amazing shots. And then when you get home? Thank them for the time they carved out to make photographs important. Chances are there are a million things they could have been doing, and a million ways to spend their hard earned cash…they chose you, and that time with you. Again, what a gift!
10. Do what you say you will.
If you have questions, please comment below and I’ll answer them the best that I can!!
And since all posts deserve a fabulous picture, here’s one of a laughing bride. Something I said was goofy enough to make her laugh. Oh, how I love to make a bride laugh!
Treva
April 27, 2010 - 12:47 am - Im so glad that there is still ppl like you that are willing to pass down what you have learned. I feel blessed that I found you not very many ppl will share this type of information. I wish you alot of blessing for taking the time to do this and teach other ppl. Do you have a workflow that you follow? How do you set your prices? What software do you use to edit your images? Im so looking forward to the monthly class.
April 28, 2010 - 11:50 am
- Awww, thank you Yuliana--I'm so looking forward to meeting you next Tuesday!!
Workflow: I'll need to write a separate post on this!! Its quite a process, but short version: 1. shoot 2. upload cards to computer (lightroom) 3. backup on hard drive 4. edit in Photoshop 5. Take it back to lightroom 6. upload some to blog and blog it 7. upload entire shoot or wedding to my website's client proofing section 8. Burn to disk, laser name and print rights into CD, package it for client 9. Ship if necessary
That is separate, of course, to workflow for potential clients regarding consults!
I use Lightroom and Photoshop for editing
Selecting pricing is another post as well! It depends on your experience level, but I'm going to write a post on that very soon. I personally started out doing a few free shoots and weddings, and slowly inched my way up from there until my pricing was where it needed to be. I am all about simplicity when it comes to pricing/packages/etc.
May 10, 2010 - 4:18 pm
- Im Glad that I finally met you :) You are a great photographer. I hope to learn as much as a can from you. People sometimes don't understand how much you do work to get a beautiful image done. Thanks again for sharing this info. I appriciated everything you are teaching at the photogo workshop and finding time to
answer questions here. I think the hardest part for me is selecting prices. Yes I agree with you some shoots you have to give them for free and learn as much as you can. I have not shoot a wedding alone yet. I've gonna as a 2nd shooter. I know its a BIG responsibility but it so fun to shoot a wedding. I will see you soon. The images of baby C are ready and cant wait to show them to the mommy. There is one image that I love and can't wait til you see it. Take care!!!
Married: Erika & Rick (The Ceremony sneak peek)
Yesterday, you saw them preparing to see each other at The Grand Hotel…today, you will see the beautiful ceremony we photographed at The First Baptist Church of Mckinney. Wedding photography has the potential to pull you right back into the moment, and I hope that these wedding photos do just that for Rick & Erika! Enjoy…more tomorrow, with Part 1 of the reception!
Bob&Treva
by Treva
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