Sara and Matt had gotten married spur-of-the-moment on a road trip.  They had decided that they were going to get married wherever they were at 8am and ended up getting married at a martini bar in Illinois.  I really wanted to include some road trip themed elements into the shoot, along with lovely vintage details because Sara really loves anything vintage, so I decided to give the shoot a 1940s vibe.

I rummaged up some vintage travel cases and found a vintage road map that I thought would tie in nicely with the road trip theme.  I remembered that I had seen an old gas pump in Kemah that would be a perfect prop to include in the shoot, so Prashant took photos of Matt and Sara all googly-eyed and lovey-dovey around the old-fashioned gas pump.

Sara had also told me that she and Matt liked looking at old homes, and right across the street from the gas pump was a lovely old, stately home that was the perfect backdrop for a late 1940s homemaker wife and her doting husband.

Prashant was great with directing Matt and Sara – you don’t often realize how hard it can be to do a simple pose for a photograph. Often photographers will just say “act natural!”, but with a camera in your face, it’s hard to do that!  Prashant gave clear, direct suggestions on poses that he thought would work well for the shot, and he was right every time.

Then Prashant took us to Galveston where he’d found some beautiful old weathered buildings with lots of character and texture.  Rich, gorgeous backgrounds that really made for some lovely photos and gave everything a soft, romantic feel.  I had asked Matt (who is in a band called Silent Canvas) to bring along his guitar because when he proposed to Sara, he had played it for her, surprising her at a restaurant when she was out with girlfriends.

Thank you, Prashant, for your beautiful images, and Sara and Matt for being such great subjects!

Along with Prashant, our lovely intern Ciara and my husband Brian came along to help out.  We were armed with vintage train cases, an old map, a vintage radio and a few hats.  I had talked to Sara a few weeks ago with my idea for doing a 1940’s style shoot and asked her if she had a pencil skirt and if Matt had suspenders – luckily for us, Sara adores pencil skirts and doesn’t Matt look cute in suspenders?

Prashant and I each chose a location to shoot.  The location I chose was Kemah, TX, and Prashant’s location was Galveston, TX.  I will explain more about the details and themes behind the shoot when I post up Prashant’s gorgeous photos soon.

It was a fun afternoon (despite an attack of mosquito monsters!), and I can’t wait to show you Prashant’s gorgeous pictures and explain to you more about the shoot.  Details to come!

We’re teaming up with MFL Photography to give you a personalized photo shoot styled just for you.  That’s right Precious Nuptials & Destinations will style your photo shoot backdrop and the talented Prashant of MFL Photography will document!  Three finalist will be featured here on our blog for our readers to decide on a winner.  With less than two weeks to go (deadline: midnight on August 31st), hurry here for all the details.

Precious Nuptials & Destinations is teaming up with MFL Photography to bring to you a fantastic giveaway – a photo shoot captured by MFL Photography and styled by us!  We are excited to be working together with Prashant, the owner and head photographer, who is full of creativity, fresh ideas, and passion for the wedding industry.

CONTEST DETAILS:

This contest is open to any couple who will be available in the Houston area on the afternoon/early evening of Sunday, September 26, 2010.  You can be engaged or married, as this shoot will be either an engagement shoot or an anniversary shoot.  The prize will be a one-hour photo shoot captured by MFL Photography and styled by Precious Nuptials & Destinations, along with 20 digital images and two 8×10 prints.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. We want to hear your story!  Email me at dionne@preciousnuptials.com in 250 words or less either how you two met or how he proposed.  Make sure that in the Subject Line of your email you put “Photoshoot Giveaway”  and then both your names (eg. Photoshoot Giveaway: Alexandra & Jason) or your entry might not be included.

2. Please also include a brief sentence or two about your personal style and tastes so that we can start thinking about how we’ll style your photo shoot if you win (eg. “we both like bright colors, the beach and picnics, and quirky movies”).

3. Also make sure to attach a photo of the two of you together.

4. “Like” Precious Nuptials & Destinations and MFL Photography on Facebook.

CONTEST DEADLINE:

The submission period ends Tuesday, August 31st 2010 at 12 midnight.  Any emails received after then will not be entered into the contest.  Then from there we will review each story received and pick our three favorites, and then post them here on the blog and Facebook for the world to see on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010.  At this point, the contest is in the hands of blogland.  Readers will have one week to vote for their favorite story by “liking” the couple of their choice’s post on Facebook, or by emailing me at dionne@preciousnuptials.com with the couples’ name as the Subject Heading (i will repost how to vote when we get to that stage).  The winner will be emailed and announced here on the blog no later than Friday, September 17th, 2010.

Good luck!

Understanding that each couple’s needs and desires will differ, so will the vendor selection process.  At Precious Nuptials & Destinations, we believe that images captured should be somewhere at the top of your priority list.  After all, once your day is done, other than memories, this will be your only source of reflection.

What options are available when selecting a destination wedding photographer?

Fly in your own destination wedding photographer ::

We have access to many fabulous local and/or area wedding photographers.  Many of these photographers are destination wedding photographers.  This simply means that they are available to travel to your wedding location.  Hiring a domestic destination wedding photographer allows you the greatest flexibility in finding a photographer unique to your style.  Once you have hired your perfect match, have your photographer arrive the day prior to the start of events and depart a day or two after.  This will allow time to document and capture additional gathering images such as a group welcome party, rehearsal dinner, day after brunch, and possible post wedding images.   We give this option three stars for obvious reasons.  This will be the most costly option.  However, you’ll come away with a larger number of images (possibly digital copies depending on your agreement).  You’ll also have time to become relaxed and get to know the person behind the lenses documenting your journey.

Hire a photographer local to your destination ::

If you’re allowing for planning trip(s), this can be an option to consider.  Resorts, hotels, and local wedding vendors will be a good resource to obtaining a good referral list of destination local photographer options.  Depending on the depth of work performed, you may not receive your final product until after you’ve returned home.  This will mean that much of your communications will be done from a distance.  However, if you are planning an extended honeymoon, extended area stay, or booked a photographer that does not offer extensive edits, chances are your order will be ready to take home as you depart.  We give this option two stars.

Use of the resort provided photographer ::

Resorts offer their photography as part of their wedding packages or as an upgrade option.  With this option you’ll receive X amount of images from your wedding day.  Rather small in number and usually only in printed form, we give this option one star.  Resorts usually train thier staff of photographers through their select training program (i.e. Kodak Event Photography).  This option may be better suited for a couple only elopement.  This is not a bad option.  It’s simply not the best option available.

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]