The Bridal Portrait
We just wanted to share some of our favorite bridal portraits with a variant of poses and ideas to get that essential shot.
Enjoy!
Wedding Day - Angela & Joshua - Inman, SC
Out of all the 2015 wedding, I would have to say this is by far my most favorite of the year!
Angela & Joshua's wedding took place at a quaint little venue in Inman South Carolina called The Bird House at Mountain-view, owned by a husband and wife. The gardens were breath taking and the orchid across the street made for some gorgeous images.
A & J's fun and loving personalities made the day wonderful, they were up for just about anything. What made the day even more wondrous was their intense faith in God, it was moving. Their families were so supportive helping them set up, put personal touches on everything, and staying late for cleanup while A & J took pictures.
It was also great catching up with Angela's sister who I actually attended high school with.
I know you'll love Angela & Joshua's wedding day photos, enjoy!
- Jarrett
Love Birds - Donna & Terry - Ann Arbor, MI
Donna & Terry got married at the Fox Hills golf club in Plymouth, MI. D & T's day went smoothly, they were so fun and silly. Couples like them make such light hearted images and the days goes by so fast when your having that much fun. So you can only imaging that their engagement session was just as fun!
The session took place in a park locate in Ann Arbor Michigan, and the photos are quite amazing. We hope you love Donna & Terry's engagement session!
Wedding Day - Donna & Terry Portraits - Plymouth, MI
Donna & Terry got married at the Fox Hills golf club in Plymouth, MI. D & T's day went smoothly, they were so fun and silly. Couples like them make such light hearted images and the days goes by so fast when your having that much fun.
(Stay tuned to see their engagement photos)
We hope you love Donna & Terry's wedding day portraits!
-Jarrett
Killer Shots - Tara & Fred - Camp Newaygo
We are just loving this shot photographed by one of alice heart's photographers; Devin. She actually got knee deep in the water to make this shot happen and it was so totally worth it!
We hope you love the shot and look around the website for some other amazing shots just like this!
- Jarrett
Wedding Day - Jenny & Gonzalo - Farmington, MI
Jenny & Gonzalo's wedding day took place at the historical Governor Warren Mansion in Farmington Hills, Michigan. J & G's small wedding at the mansion reminded me of the adorable weddings we photograph out in Charleston, SC giving a breath of fresh air to the images. What was really cute at J & G's wedding was the fact that they took group photos with all their guest during the receiving line so they would 100% see everyone that came to celebrate their special day with them...
We hope you enjoy Jenny & Gonzalo's wedding!
- Jarrett
- Jarrett
Love Birds - Grace & Micah - Detroit, MI
Grace & Micah started their engagement session in the heart of Detroit, MI right by the General Motors building in Hart Plaza. Grace is a hair stylist so you bet she had some crazy awesome blue hair to go with her bright green dress. G & M are so natural together creating a lot of opportunity to capture those candid moments of laughter.
G & M worked their way over to an art installation in Detroit, MI known as the rainbow wall. The photos started off civil until they pulled out some neon chalk dust and got crazy. By the end of the session you couldn't tell them apart from the wall.
Grace & Micah are getting married in Puntacana next summer and we cant wait to share their amazing wedding day images!
Enjoy.
Wedding Day - Jenna & Ryan - Ann Arbor, MI
Jenna & Ryan's special day was in the heart of Ann Arbor, MI at the Michigan League and it was one of our favorite weddings this year. J & R are a very laid back and fun couple, which made the wedding very lighthearted and it was amazing. Jenna's gaze when she looks at Ryan reminds us why we at alice heart photography do what we do. We as wedding photographers get a front row seat to a romance film every weekend, we are glad we are able to share this experience with others through photography.
We hope you enjoy Jenna & Ryan's wedding day!
Notice some people in this wedding from another? Its because J & R are really good friends with a wedding we photographed last year Jaclyn & Bob:
Love Birds - Erin & Cody - Myrtle Beach, SC
Erin & Cody's engagement session took place at The Market Commons in Myrtle Beach, SC on a 95 degree day. E & C were a joy to work with and their session was pretty unique as well. E & C are a an amazingly goofy couple that are really comfortable with each other, allowing them to let loose in front of the camera. This made the session and the temperature feel like a breeze.
We hope you enjoy Erin & Cody's engagement session!
- Jarrett
Get Inspired - Breathtaking displays - Sara & Jay
Sara & Jay put tremendous thought into their glamorous-rustic wedding decor. Everything was so put together, from the matching gold Corvette, to the antlers and deer everywhere; The flowers and leaves that span the rustic farm tables. This display really embodied who S & J are and their wedding was surely a day to remember. Thanks to Lexie from One Enchanted Evening, who spent countless hours making sure everything looked amazing.
We hope you enjoy the display and get inspired to make your own!
Venue - Walden Woods - www.waldenwoods.com
Florist - One Enchanted Evening - www.oneenchantedeve.com
Bakery - Pastry Palace - www.thepastrypalace.com
- Jarrett
Love Birds - Jessica & Jason - Farmington Hills, MI
Jessica and Jason's engagement session was at one of our favorite locations to photograph engagements, Heritage Park located in Farmington Hills, MI. Interestingly enough J & J met one another while Jessica was doing her medical externship. Jason was her supervisor at the time, and she really didn’t like him all that much. It wasn't until Jessica's externship was over that they started talking and now their wedding is only a few months away.
Love will always find a way, sometimes in the least expected of places.
Enjoy Jessica & J's engagment session!
- Jarrett
Wedding Day - Lauryn & Ijeh - Detroit, MI
Lauryn and Ijeh were our first wedding couple of 2015. L & I live in San Francisco California, they came back to Detroit city to get married close to their friends and family. L & I's wedding took place at the Rattle Snake Club, a unique wedding venue in the heart of downtown Detroit. Ijeh is Nigerian, so the wedding kept some of the Nigerian wedding traditions, which was fun and interesting.
The wedding was over all the most lively wedding ive ever been to, everyone was upbeat the entire day.
We hope you enjoy Lauryn & Ijeh's wedding!
- Jarrett
Love Birds - Charlotte & Ryan - Ann Arbor, MI
Charlotte & Ryan are an adorable couple getting married this October and we are super excited to be capturing their memories. C & R's engagement session took place around the U of M campus in Ann Arbor where they attended school and met. These images speak accolades, depicting the immense love and affection these two have for each other. Couples like C & R embody why we at alice heart photography render all of our photographic talent to weddings.
We hope you love Charlotte & Ryan's engagement photos!
Styled Shoot - Groom Portraits
Of all the weddings I've done over the past years of my career, I have realized that there is bundles of time for bridal portraits but not many couples seem to set aside much time to photograph the groom alone. I honestly think people are missing out on what could be done with some extra time set aside.
I decided to go out and do a photo-shoot just to show everyone the results that could be attained from such a shoot. I hope you enjoy Ryan's styled groom portrait photo-shoot.
-Jarrett
Wedding Day - Jaclyn & Bob Portraits - Detroit, MI
Jaclyn & Bob got married in Detroit, MI last year and Their portrait session was like something out magazine. Posing was so natural to them, intense romantics these two. J & B were also just a blast to be around and have such character. Most of their images were taken around the breathtaking Detroit Colony Club and closely surrounding areas.
Hope you enjoy Jaclyn & Bob's amazing portraits!
Your Story - Portraits
Portrait time is honestly the best part of the day. Here is where all the creativity and fun come into play. It gives the bride, groom, and the wedding party a little bit of down time to relax as well...
Kicking of portraits with the wedding party is the way to go. It will save time later to get as many shots of the bride and groom alone as possible.
There should be time given to separate the guys and gals for some group photos also.
Bride and groom couples portraits are the best part of the entire day for a photographer. It gives us time to be as creative as we possibly can be, and tell the story of the couples love for each other through imagery. These images will become treasured memories of our couples, and having these images showcased for the world is the greatest honor we photographers can hope to achieve.
- Jarrett
Our Albums
At alice heart photography, we believe that every couple deserves an album. A keepsake to commemorate their special day. We include these heirloom with every wedding so that you may reminiscence over the moments with friends and family for years to come.
Starting Your Career as a Professional Wedding Photographer
Hello, my name is Jarrett Timmons and I am the owner of alice heart photography. I am working on a book that talks about the ins and outs of wedding photography as well as the struggles, sacrifices, and trials that come with the territory of becoming a professional wedding photographer. There will be tips, tricks and insight that will teach anyone who is willing to learn about the business side of things and what it takes to become a successful wedding photographer. Hope you enjoy the rough draft of this chapter!
-Jarrett
Starting Your Career as a Professional Wedding Photographer
When I started alice heart photography, I had some great and helpful friends in the industry who give me hints and tips on what to do to get off the ground. They taught me that in order to have a successful start there are a few things you must know. It will cost you money to make money, work as hard as you can in the beginning, and it will take a good 3 years to see enough profit to make a living. Although those tips are both true and terrifying, I think there is a bit more to it than that. Here are some of the first steps that you’ll need to know on your journey to becoming a professional wedding photographer.
Portfolio - Assuming you’ve shot some events before you decided to become serious in your dreams to being a professional photographer. You will need to build a body of work before clients will trust you to capture their memories. This is typically one of the hardest things to kick off your career.
Business Cards – You will need something to give potential clients that want your information at a moments notice. Your cards should direct them to a portfolio, website, phone number, and e-mail address. Cards are the first impression your clients get, other than yourself, so take time making sure they look breath taking.
Website – Whether you've handed someone your business card or they come across your website organically, you’ll need to have something that shows clients you exist. They will more than likely want to look at some of your work before contacting you to make sure it is worth their time.
A few builders I like (each with their own pro's and cons)
Square space
Wix
Word press
Reviews or References – If you don’t have rave reviews from previous clients, it will be that much more difficult to get a new client to book with you.
Work Phone Number – Having a number that isn’t your personal line will help you to tell the difference between a client calling and a personal call allowing you to answer the phone professionally. (Google voice is free and works great.)
Professional E-Mail Address – When is the last time you took someone serious when their email address was mrmonkeyman@gmail.com but their profession had nothing to do with monkeys?
Albums – I cant stress enough how important first impressions are. Being able to physically hold your work will impact the client greatly and there are tons of affordable album companies out there.
Contracts – The client has decided that you are a perfect match for them and that you are right on par with their budget. You will need something to solidify the agreement, making sure everything runs smoothly and both parties know what they are providing. Getting a lawyer to draft up an iron clad contract is the best way to go, but if you look, there are some samples online.
Insurance – Not only will you want equipment insurance, but you will also want liability insurance for emotional and physical damages. Its pretty affordable through PPA.
Photography Insider - Location Doesn't Matter
Location for your photos doesn't matter...
Well... location matters, just not as much as you might think. Images are about composition, lighting, and most of all... The moments captured in the blink of an eye.
I have clients always asking me if I've photographed at a particular venue and I always tell them, its not necessary. In fact, ill get better images from the spur of the moment findings at new venue...
Photographers are artist, we have a creative vision. When something new presents itself and its beautiful, imagination runs wild!
Background really, in a manner of speaking, doesn't matter...
-Jarrett
This is literary a back room with random things they venue tossed in the room.
Both image was taken in an open field of grass as the light from the sun was fading late in the day.
On the left was a brick wall that was painted white and on the right the grooms back was against the wall of a bank building.
Top Left: ring on brides purse
Bottom Left: Shoes in the window
Top Right: shoes on the veil
Bottom Right: coffee table
On the left a silhouette on a random bridge (could be done anywhere) on the right, the background is a cloudy sky on a rainy day.
On the left was an old bridge on the right was the hotel room the bride got ready in.
This was their college library.
Another field.
Random shop with graffiti in the back.
Tall grassy area on a slightly rainy day
Chopped up wheat field.
Corn Field.
Hay Barn.
The sky.
On the left was under a shady tree on the right was in the doorway of a house.
In the corner of a room.
Your Story - Ceremony
The most important day of the wedding is upon us. The time where a man and a woman say their vows, rejoicing to their closest friends and family that they commit themselves to one another forever. Each ceremony is not like the one before it, they are all unique in their own way but have similar traditions to capture.
This particular ceremony below was jam packed with intense emotions. It's going to make for a wonderful album filled with memories that will bring the couple back to that day each and every time they look at it.
Its just so heart warming to see the bride and groom crying tears of joy the moment they see each other as she walks down the isle.
Check out this ceremony in Shelby, MI at a boat house villa called Bay Pointe Inn. It provided a unique location to photograph. Family pictures are part of the "ceremony section" as well, so we wanted to show off some of those.
We are here to capture the story of your special day and how the entire day unfolded. Photographing images of guests is just as important as the ceremony itself.
Traditional church ceremonies are becoming less common for summer weddings, although they are just as beautiful. Check out this gorgeous masterpiece of a church in Chicago.
