Mary Dougherty Photography l New York Wedding Photographer » custom wedding + portrait photography

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May 03 2012

to look or not to look?

walk down the aisle to look or not to look?

The schedule of a wedding day is one of the hardest things to determine. The events, transitions and times you will and won’t be with your guests effects how everyone experiences and remembers the day. Now on my 83rd wedding (I made that number up, but I think I’m close) I’ve seen things done a myriad of ways and come away with a new perspective and insight on the topic of seeing each other before the wedding. Currently around half of the couples I work with choose to do a first look and the number is growing. Many couples are choosing to have weddings that focus on their guests – eliminating long waits between the ceremony and reception, and choosing to enjoy the party they have worked so hard planning. Often times this means they are doing a first look and taking pictures before the ceremony, but that is not always the case.

I didn’t see Matt before I we were married, but I didn’t really know what a first look was or understand the benefits. After photographing first looks and seeing what they do for people I have a completely different perspective on them now. I completely understand the desire to keep the tradition of not seeing each other… however, I truly think they add to a wedding day. I like to explain to couples the benefits of choosing to include one so unlike me they can make an educated decision about what to do.

Of course, photographers in particular have been talking about this for a few years now, and I don’t to think you need to feel pressured to abandon tradition just for the sake of everyone else doing it. I think you need to make the decision that is right for you, and so tomorrow I’ll be posting a few different real wedding timelines – some with first looks and some without – and share a few tips on how to have a great wedding day schedule – with and without a first look.

Until then, take a look at some of the benefits of doing a first look, the ways in which they affect the wedding day and reasons why people have chosen to include one.

first look 1 to look or not to look?

This part I love. While the walk down the aisle is in front of all of your guests, a first look is a private moment. I’m on the outside shooting in as you see each other for the first time, marvel and the arrival of the wedding day and the beauty of the one you love.

first look 2 to look or not to look?

The nerves melted away after Megan and Brian saw each other. For those people who aren’t sure how they will react there is nothing as reassuring as seeing your soon to be husband or wife and taking time to relax, enjoy the moments together before you will be in the spotlight.

first look 3 to look or not to look?

Leslie and Mike had an early evening wedding, but in November that meant the light would be gone after the ceremony. Being able to shoot in the perfect light (I highly recommend this) allowed them to get the pictures they wanted.

first look 4 to look or not to look?

First looks happen right after you have tied the last lace, buttoned up all of the buttons, and your hair and makeup is a fresh as possible. Taking pictures when you look your best helps you… look your best.

first look 5 to look or not to look?

Traveling to a location before the ceremony eliminates the extra time afterwards while your guests are waiting. You are able to choose the best location for your photos rather than the one that is most convenient.

first look 6 to look or not to look?

Of course, there is more time to enjoy with guests that have traveled near and far when you take your pictures beforehand. You can only be a part of your wedding day once.

I hope that was helpful, and look for tomorrow’s post on real wedding timelines – with and without first looks for more ideas on how to plan your day.

 

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May 3, 2012 - 4:09 pm

Lauren - Thank you so much for posting your thoughts on this as it is something we’ve been debating!

May 9, 2012 - 9:17 am

Mary Dougherty - you’re welcome – I’m so glad it’s been helpful and I think it’s nice to have all sides explained before deciding :)

May 02 2012

peonies

peonies1 peonies

the are one of my favorite flowers, so soft and lovely. These peonies were growing in our front yard when we lived in Virginia and I took the picture a few years ago. I needed a change of pace on my desktop and thought you might too. View the larger size here and use this image for your own backdrop (personal use only please) and enjoy!

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May 2, 2012 - 5:30 pm

Kathleen Miller - peonies are the choice for my daughter’s wedding… next year. We have them growing in our yard as well…and love the sweet scent they give off….which compliments their beauty.

May 01 2012

summer in New York

summer in NY 764x1024 summer in New York

Remember when summer signaled a change of pace, a break from the regular work in the year and a chance to relax? It’s a hard transition when that is over. I still don’t have the most traditional schedule but summer is the busiest time of year for me as a photographer. I still try to enjoy as much of summer as possible, and here in New York it’s gorgeous season. Not too hot you can’t enjoy the outdoors, not too dry so that nothing grows, but just right.

As thankful as I am to travel for some fabulous weddings I’m equally excited to be in the area and enjoy the greenery, swimming holes, and fresh produce that abounds. I pulled some snapshots from last year to show you what I’m talking about. It reminds me that I need to make sure I set aside time for some of these activities and enjoy the season while it lasts. Who’s with me?

summer in NY2 766x1024 summer in New York

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Apr 30 2012

Three Chickens, Maybe Four

feathers Three Chickens, Maybe Four

I grew up in the suburbs surrounding Detroit. We had a small garden and my mom cooked dinner every evening, but the thought of having animals or living even near a farm never crossed my mind. It wasn’t until I went to school in a rural area and started to care more about where my food came from that the idea of having chickens started to not only make sense, it sounded like fun. I had my first fresh egg – and like most food that you eat fresh, it tasted so much better than the substitute I was used to buying in the stores. Matt and I had a large backyard, some extra time and money to invest in chickens, and so last year our baby chicks arrived in the mail. We had four different kinds of birds, and watched them grow within a few months from babies to egg laying hens. The first egg laid felt like a small miracle, and soon we were collecting 3-4 each day. While we are far from farmers, I have come a long way from my urban/suburban childhood.

The chickens are not like pets in the way that our dogs are… and yet I can’t help but feel some attachment to them. That only added to my feelings of terror when I discovered a yard strewn with feathers on Saturday night. Ramona, our cuckoo maran who lays the most beautiful chocolate brown eggs, was viciously attacked while in the yard and was laying helplessly nearby. I spent the next hour playing veterinarian and with the help of some great local friends borrowed the necessary supplies to give her the best chance to live, and she’s currently trying to recover. As I mentioned, we aren’t farmers, as I know they routinely lose chickens and predators are a part of life. However I was not prepared for tragedy and with only a small flock of four even losing one would be a big loss.

Later that night I talked to two different people. One was watching a house across the street become engulfed in flames as the fire department worked to put it out, the other was sitting in the ER with her husband waiting to see what was causing the complications in his leg since ACL surgery. If I hadn’t already started to put things in perspective I did after talking with them. While our chicken attack is nothing in the scheme of things, it was a rude awakening, a reminder that we don’t have control over our situations and circumstances, and that life can be fragile.

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Apr 27 2012

my parents

my first car0001 my parents

I recently came across this old image of my parents. It’s a celebratory photo with their first car in their driveway in Honolulu. My parents met in Hawaii (don’t parent’s and grandparents have the best stories about meeting?) my dad was in the Navy and my mom moved there after college. They ended up settling down in Michigan – my dad’s home state – but this is before the settling, the family, and is at the start of their lives together.  I look back at images like this, and wondering what they must have been thinking and dreaming. I love how this picture captures them at a time when they were on the brink of it all.

However, the first thing I noticed when I saw this picture was how much it looks like the instagrams of today. A little out of focus, toned and antique. They captured all of that in their app, and it’s amazing how well they replicated presets to resemble images of the past. It gives current pictures a “timeless” quality that authentic or not, we resonate with. So here’s to images past and present, and remembering them the way we want to… but at least remembering.

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