Wedding Wonderland 2102: Bridal Expo

Norwich area Brides & Grooms: Come visit my booth at the Wedding Wonderland Bridal Show & take advantage of great door prizes, discounts and meet local wedding vendors, it will be a lot of fun you won't want to miss!

Details below:

"The 4th Annual Wedding Wonderland Bridal Show will once again be held at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, Rexford Street in Norwich on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26th from 12-3pm.


Brides can visit with over 30 exhibitors and guys can browse the amazing selection of cars in the museum! Free entry into the museum for Bridal Show attendees.

Brides, Pre-Register and receive DOUBLE door prize tickets - Register online @: www.celebration-creations.net"

Look forward to seeing you there!

*FEBRUARY SPECIAL: Be My Valentine!*

*As my Valentines Gift to all of you engaged couples out there, this month I'll be offering TWO SPECIALS:
- $100.00 OFF the Wedding Package of your choice!
- 10% OFF Engagement Sessions!


*BOOK YOUR WEDDING anytime in the MONTH of FEBRUARY & receive $100.00 OFF the PACKAGE of YOUR CHOICE- or- Shoot your ENGAGEMENT SESSION anytime in the month of FEBRUARY& receive 10% OFF! It's a win-win situation!


*To reserve your day or book a session, call Michelle @ 315.839.6056 or email: michelle@msrosephotography.com

Stephanie & Michael: Engaged!

There's something about going beyond the website, blog, and even phone, to see if you really hit it off with a client. Building a strong relationship with a Bride from the beginning is so important, and that's one of the reasons I love attending Bridal Shows so much.

I first met Stephanie at a Bridal Show this fall, and instantly liked her. We have very similar styles and personalities, and from the beginning, I felt like we clicked. I love when this happens because not only does it make my job easier, but it helps my couples relax on their wedding day, because we have a certain comfort working together & respect for one another.

So think about that as you're planning your own day. Talk to your photographer, meet with them for coffee, talk about your likes and dislikes, and really see if you make a good match. Just because you're getting married, and the photographer you like takes beautiful photographs, does not mean you will mesh well together. It is so important to be comfortable with the photographer you choose, because in the end, you will be with them (almost) as much on your wedding day as you will your groom. 

Here are a few images from Stephanie & Michael's Engagement Session! I'm already looking forward to their September Wedding! 

Assisi Family

Photographing a family with small children can be challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun. Children have such different personalities, and often times those personalities tend to shine when a camera is around. 

Take this top image for example, I was still setting up the pose here, but Eli was more than ready for his chance in the lime light!

I met Hannah & Justin a few years back when they started coming to my church. They were just starting their family, and I instantly fell in love with them. Hannah has such an calmness and gentleness about her that you can't help but be drawn in, and Justin is attentive, compassionate, and together, they make a beautiful couple.

*Christmas Mini Sessions!*

Mini-Sessions are one of my favorite things to do around the Holiday Season because it's a great way to get family photos done for Holidays Cards, while on a budget, and keeping within your tight schedule!

Here are a few examples from this Christmas! If you'd ever like a mini-session done for your family, contact me & I'd love to go over ideas with you!

Where I've been...

December & January have flown by, and from this blog, you would think my life was very empty, but that's a very poor representation. As you know, this blogging thing is new for me, and so I must again apologize for not keeping you all up to date.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I spent most of December preparing for our family Christmas Celebration! There was lots of shopping, cookie baking, family Christmas Mini-Sessions, gift wrapping, (eating), and of course, family togetherness. December was busy, but lovely.

Here's a quick look at my family Christmas Party:

Aren't we a fun looking crew? haha!

January was a whole different story.

On New Years Eve morning, we woke up to a house fire, which was not at all the way I had planned to spend New Years Eve. Praise God, the fire was contained and caught in time, and we were only displaced for a week or so while the crews came in and gave everything a good cleaning. The fire chief told us another 15 minutes would have destroyed our home, so I thank God for His perfect timing and protection that day. And every day.

January is also a VERY busy time for WEDDING PLANNING! My favorite time of year! This year, I choose to leave the Mohawk Valley & head down to Oneonta for the beautiful Foothills Bridal Show, and that was a huge success! I love going out into the public and having a chance to meet new brides face to face! It's so much nicer than email, and I really love helping people with the planning process and making everything as easy as possible. We met a lot of great brides & grooms that day, as well as fun vendors, so thanks to all who came out!

And thank you too, to my cousin, Brittany, for all your help at the Expo! I am so grateful for your support!

February promises to be just as busy, so be sure to check back for upcoming events, session previews & news!

Happy Tuesday!

From My Family to Yours!

November 28, 2011

Thanksgiving weekend at my house always means large family gatherings, traditional meals, too much baking, football, relaxation, laughter, (a little holiday stress- because let's be honest, that many people in one house can add a little stress) reminiscing, Charlie Brown, and of course, (now that I have my way)- a Family Photo! :)


Family Photo time is stressful for me, and I have no idea why. I do this all the time for other people, but when it comes to my own family, I have a hard time getting the image I want. It may be because I'm in it, or because I have to set my camera up on a tri-pod and leave the shutter on timer and hope for the best, or it may be because my expectations are too high. I expect everyone to love picture taking time as much as I do...and sometimes, that just isn't the case. So to my family, I apologize, but some day, you will thank me for all the photos I force you to be in. And also, thank you for putting up with me, my outfit arrangements, cold weather outdoor shoots, crying children, and general stress- just so we can get that one image to remember our year, I appreciate your patience! :)


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with friends and family, and had time also to take in all the goodness and blessings around you this year! And as we enter into my favorite season of all, I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, from my family, to yours!

Amber & David: Engaged!

So much about my job requires flexibility and planning. There are so many variables when planning a session: weather, babies, wardrobes, etc. So I always have a back up plan, and am always thinking 2 steps ahead. Which came in handy yesterday, when a session location didn't quite worked out as planned.

The original plan was for me to meet Amber & David in the heart of a nearby village, but upon arrival, we realized there was a festival going on, and we'd need a Plan B. But that was no problem, because Amber & David knew of a quiet little get-away at Hamilton College, so off we went!

Thank goodness that sometimes our plans don't work out, because this "back-up" location was gorgeous! I'm definitely marking this as one of my favorite locations, and will have to go back for future sessions. So thanks for introducing me to your favorite spot, guys! :)

Enjoy your sneak peek! :)

Priscilla

I've known Priscilla for about 5 years now, and every time I see her, I feel more blessed to be her friend. She has a compassionate, giving spirit, and is always smiling. I love spending time with her, and am blessed that after all these years, and with hundreds of miles between us, we can still get together and pick up where we left off.

I met Priscilla at Houghton College, when I first joined Gospel Choir my Senior year. She was our director, and that year I served as Vice President, and spent many late nights singing my heart out with this girl. She tried to make me African, and I tried to keep her on "American time", because she always seemed to be running late. We always had a lot of fun, and my time with gospel choir is one of my favorite memories from college.

Priscilla told me last July about a music project she was working on, and how she was planning to release a CD in her home country of Nigeria. She asked if I'd do the photography for her CD and advertising, and I of course, was thrilled with the idea! Not only am I thrilled to see how God is working in her life, and allowing her this opportunity, but using my images on the CD? um, OK! :) (THRILLED!)

Here are a few images from our afternoon session, the lighting was heaven, the trees were alive with color, and Priscilla, well, she was a dream to photograph.

Enjoy!

Class of 2012!

I love Senior season, and how each student brings a different feel and perspective to their session. I also love how Senior Portraiture has changed over the years, running from the muslin backdrops, black velvet drapes & pearls, and embracing individuality, creativity, and freedom.

Because if a Senior Portrait can't accurately express an individuals personality, what can? Isn't that the point? Isn't it now time for the child to grow up, know who he or she is, and step forward into a new role, and embrace what they love?

Yes, a portrait is intended to freeze time, to remind you of what you were at a certain time, where you've been, but senior portraiture is just as much about celebrating the future, and where you're going.

So to the class of 2012: Thank you for telling me what you love, thank you for teaching me, and for letting me into your world. Most of all, thank you for being you, and for not letting anyone else tell you who to be. Enjoy Senior Year! :)