Silva Wedding April 15th, 2017

Ramon & Lupe Silva were Married April 15th, 2017 at Cocopah RV Resort in Yuma, AZ

This beautiful couple deserves to win the lottery after the day they had. But in the end of everything they can sit back, relax and say "we did it, we are married. The past is in the past"

Along with any weddings comes with mishaps and hiccups. But one thing sticks, the Love. The Love this Bride and Groom hold for each other can not be challenged. THEY GOT THIS!

We will ONLY be focusing on the positives in this blog. no Negatives.

The Bride got ready at family member's home, her hair was beautiful which was done by a lady out of Somerton, AZ and her makeup was done by my team member Deseray Guerrero.

Her dress was so beautiful; words could not describe how the light hit it when she stepped into it that afternoon. She was one excited Bride, ready to go. Ready to see her man.

She hired someone who had a vintage car as transportation. Very classy might I add. Completely fitting for this couple and their theme.

The Ceremony was emotional. So many peaceful souls and happy tears surrounded me as I photographed the couple on their way to the kiss that completed the ceremony. As they exited the ceremony area I noticed the Groom pull a paper out of his pocket and read it to the bride while walking. Later during their private preview, I found out it was his vows. I sure hope he held onto that paper as a 'keepsake'.

As we hit the TRAP & the GREEN to take the glamour shots I felt the peace of their love. The couple started posing on their own. Cuddling up next to each other, smiling at each other. And the photos developed naturally. Everything a Wedding Photographer hopes for. Flawless looks and poses.

Their reception was decorated beautifully. Everything was placed perfectly. From lanterns in the ceiling to the center pieces on the tables. And don't get me started on the food. The Food was absolutely AMAZING - Yes, she was nice enough to offer us a plate (some brides don't, but we do not ask that we are fed, after all, we do not pay for a plate - we understand)

We set up a backdrop with the wedding colors. This is for family and friends to take photos with the Bride and Groom or with family and friends at the wedding. The bride receives these at her preview with her entire collection.

This wedding will always remain in my heart because this couple is funny, outgoing and now our friends.

CONGRATULATIONS RAMON & LUPE!!!

Adele L.
emcphotograpystudio@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/emcphotographystudio
www.emcphotographystudio.com

Perez Wedding April 8th, 2017

Leo & Olga Perez were married April 8th, 2017 in Yuma, AZ at Centro Christiano Agua Viva Church


When I first met Olga I felt like she was already my friend and my family. She was/is the warmest and kindest Bride I have ever met. So this blog may be a bit long because it had a lot of 'firsts' for me as a Wedding Photographer.

From the moment the Bride arrived at the church I started to smile and it just never stopped. I will forever place this wedding experience in my memory bank. Let me explain. . .

Picture this, The Groom is already at the church. The Bride arrives so, of course, we have to shut the doors to the main church area to keep the Groom from seeing his bride. COMPLETE 007 style the bride runs down the hallway in her beautiful white gown while we have 1 person covering each small slit windows to the doors of the church JUST IN CASE the curious Groom decides to take a peak. She makes it into the room where she meets with her bridesmaids and her close family and friends ready to finish getting ready.

Her hair is put up and curled to one side with a decorative pen. Her makeup is absolutely flawless of course. And I say "of course" because her hair and makeup were done by my team members:
Hair:  Christina Thomson
Makeup:  Deseray Guerrero

I take several photos of her and her family. I take photos of her maid of honor placing her vale in her hair. and then I thought we were going to start. It was time. But the Bride had other thoughts in mind.

An event that has NEVER happened in my 10+ years of wedding photography.

They Prayed Together... They Prayed Together for everything to go as planned, for happiness, for their family, for their friends and for them. It was beautiful. They didn't see each other, just touched. Making sure they felt each other in each word that was said. And I lost it.  (Neither of them was aware that I held back so many tears when I took this photo, but still had them flowing even when the Groom left)

Now let's not leave out everything out but lets put the most important things in.

The ceremony was beautiful. Champagne Colors with flowers, signs and candles. The smiles in the audience were everywhere along with tears.

They rented a limo which you do not see much of anymore. A lot of people were late to their reception, therefore, what is a Bride and Groom to do but drive around in the limo while waiting for their guests to arrive. And if a Bride and Groom are hungry, Where do they go?

Yup, Burger King. (Another First for me - ALL IN ONE WEDDING) 

All in all these two connect. Their connection is pure in heart and pure in soul, and I am so thankful that I was a part of it.

CONGRATULATIONS LEO & OLGA!!!

Adele L.

emcphotograpystudio@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/emcphotographystudio

www.emcphotographystudio.com

McHone Wedding March 18th, 2017

Josh & Dominique McHone were married March 18th, 2017 in Yuma, AZ at the Civic Center

This was our first wedding at the Yuma Civic Center. We had heard so negative reviews from other photographers. Not enough lighting. Too much lighting. Not enough attention from staff. The staff was too fast with the cutting of the cake.

THESE REVIEWS COULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO WRONG!

If my memory serves me right the only thing that went wrong that day was the weather. It was beautiful weather, nice and chilly up until that very afternoon when it decided to get into the 90s. Which for an outside high afternoon wedding gets a little uncomfortable. Therefore, everyone; including the wedding party was taking their time getting out there to melt. (I don't blame them)

The Ceremony was Beautiful. Exactly the location the Bride wished it to be. The reception was literally within walking distance from the ceremony on a very well lit outside patio with two bar stations. One for food, one for alcohol and a special table for their cake. The staff to my knowledge was very nice and thoughtful and did their best to accommodate the Bride and Groom with their requests.

This wedding was a Party and 1/2. The Bride and Groom made us feel like part of the family.

CONGRATULATIONS JOSH AND DOMINIQUE!!

Adele L.
emcphotograpystudio@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/emcphotographystudio
www.emcphotographystudio.com

Dildine Wedding March 11, 2017

Michael & Staci Dildine were married March 11th, 2017 in Somerton, AZ

This wedding was so close to us. Back in 2014, I had taken a temporary secretary job at a child Behavioral Center; Staci was one of my co-workers. She is such an outgoing and fun person to know, and I knew her wedding wouldn't be any different.

Back in January, she contacted me asking if I was booked March 11th. I still had that date open. Her reply was: "Well you're booked now".

A lot of people believe backyard weddings aren't personal enough or cannot fit enough of their family to have a good time. I beg to differ. We have photographed soo many Beautiful backyard weddings large and small that are so personal it brought tears to our eyes.

The weather was a little windy when the tables were getting set up, we thought it was going to get worse or continue. The Bride and Groom brought luck when their ceremony started to a very still and Perfect moment.

We felt like part of the family at this wedding. I couldn't be happier for this couple. I love them both!

Congratulations Michael & Staci! 

Adele L.
emcphotograpystudio@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/emcphotographystudio
www.emcphotographystudio.com

Equipment isn't everything (Equipment vs Experience)

Every Photographer has their own style. My style is very different from the other Photographers you will see out there today. However!!! Equipment is NOT experience.

I recently was a guest at a wedding (not a photographer - although what kind of photographer would I be if I didn't get a few photos) and I was studying the photographer the Bride and Groom hired. Now I am VERY close to the Bride and Groom to the point that I actually took their engagement photos but did not want to photograph their wedding because I wanted to be a guest.

I am a firm believer all photographers, especially Wedding Photographers can learn things from another photographer. This is why we should study one another and how we work. So there I sit, Studying.

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Now before continuing this is NOT to insult this photographer in any form of way. Like I said in the beginning. Every Photographer has their own style. My style is very different from others. As well as my equipment. If this Photographer does one day end up reading this blog - think of this as CC (Constructional Criticism)
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*continuing* So here I am with 10+ years experience in photography 1/2 of which is in Wedding Photography.  This Photographer has a Canon 5D Mark III! Which in today's market is about a $2,000 camera if you buy it used, body only. It is a camera that has all the bells and whistles. Pretty much does everything for you. You could create flawless photos by just putting the camera on AUTO.

When the Bride and Groom received this as their first dance photo. They were not happy at all.

Now why? Why was the Bride and Groom NOT happy with this Beautiful Photograph?
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.
.
Answer:
1. It's blurry
2. The angle is wrong (even the Bride saw this)
3. The Bride and Groom got 10 of pretty much the exact same shot in the exact same spot. The Photographer did not move, at all.

       and why am I not happy with it?

                   Because there was no Post Production on ANY of the Couples Photos

*Post Production*
"It is a term for all stages of production occurring after shooting" ~ wikipedia

AFTER!!!

Sooo, After this happened the Bride approached me asking me if I had taken any photos during the ceremony & reception.

Now it is my turn to tell you the equipment I use. I use a Rebel T3i. You want to know the market value of this camera: $450 - Seriously! That is what I use. My assistant (second shooter) uses a Rebel T2i , which is even sold at a lower price.

Now why in all of the smurfs would I share this secret with ANY of my potential customers reading this blog???  3 simple, and important reasons:

1) Equipment isn't everything
2) Experience IS Everything
3) I add value to my brand (not business - BRAND)

Now this is my photo. I took this from my seat in the audience. This is the exact same dance from the one above.

I am not going to lie to you readers - I am GREAT at what I do. You can take that how you wish. Being conceded. Boasting about my abilities. You're right. I am. #3. I bring Value to my Brand. I LOVE what i do. This is my LIFE. This is my BRAND. and No one will tell me that Equipment will triumph over experience.

Adele L.
emcphotograpystudio@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/emcphotographystudio
www.emcphotographystudio.com

My Partner in Crime

Happy FRIDAY!!!!! We made it > Wow! Has it been a long week or What?

Today I want to talk about my "Partner in Crime" my "Right-hand man" my "Second Shooter"

Drum Roll Please *****************

JACOB!!!

(Insert Applause here)

Yup, You understand that right. We are a 'couple' photography business. My handsome boyfriend (not husband just yet - secretly working on it) is my second shooter at pretty much every wedding I photograph. 

Now understand this is not how we started out. Oh no, no, no. Let me tell you how it all went down . . . 

*Flashback*

Jack actually owns a Moving Company. He packs people up in moving trucks and moves them to their new homes & unloads them. That is literally his full-time job. This is what he did when I met him and this is still what he does today. So how did he become my second shooter do you ask.

Well, I asked him to be!

                    That's it! 

                                I am really not kidding. I had actually held SEVERAL very unsuccessful interviews with individuals when I moved here to Yuma for a perfect second shooter but I just couldn't find anyone that was the right fit for me. or my brand (you have to click in a special way with your second)

One day it was getting too close to a wedding that required a second and I started to get nervous because I still had not found anyone. I looked at Jacob and asked: "Hey, do you wanna give it a go?" He laughed and said "I am absolutely sure I wouldn't be good at it"

EVERYONE! he is AMAZING at it!!! Not even kidding. His photos blow me away at times. 

(I will post one for you to see)

Having my other half as my second shooter isn't all biscuits and gravy all the time though. It is tough. It is tough to haggle the workload between my job and his and it is tough to cooperate with each other at times with what we both see as beautiful. But the Love is there and we are at Peace. Therefore we manage just fine working together As a Team. He is my rock, My support and is always willing to test my lighting by standing anywhere I ask him to. HAHA!

So when you hire us. Note: The first photo you saw in this blog is Jacob. He will be the one with the beard and more than likely the hat (because heaven forbid he goes anywhere without it)

Have a BLESSED Weekend!

Adele L. 

How to Prepare for your Wedding Photographer

JUNE 1st, 2017 *WOW - Where did May go?*

   Yesterday my daughter graduated from the 8th grade. In California, we have 'graduation', here in Yuma they have 'promotion'. BIG DIFFERENCE! The one thing I noticed is when I asked the school 2 weeks ago "What do I need to do to prepare my daughter for graduation" they gave me a look that I wouldn't be able to replicate even if someone paid me to. It was not confused but more of a 'haven't you ever done this before' kind of look.

     SO there I sit with my VERY large lens and my entire photography bag 'just in case' yesterday (7:30 AM in the MORNING NOT EVENING CEREMONY MIND YOU) to capture every moment of my daughters 1/2 way school year point. When the lady behind me asked: "Are you a Photographer?" My answer is always the same.

     "No, These are all just coffee mugs that I bought on AMAZON" *Trust me, the looks are worth the smart remark* ---- yes, I corrected myself after laughing of course and saying "yes I am a photographer, Hi my name is Adele and I am the Owner of EMC Photography Studio.

      We got to talking about her sister's wedding. How the photographer was sooo rushed by her sister and kept looking at each photo on the camera screen after the photo was taken and the time it took just to take one photo. I had to ask her. Did her photographer prepare the bride on how she runs her business? Her reply was "I am not sure"
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A lot of brides ask us "what do you need from me?" - We would love to give out a list of things that would make our jobs easier but why would we do that and just stress you out even more than you already are.

So here is an explanation of How to Prepare for your EMC Wedding Photographer in one Simple Sentence:

The more time you give us, the better your Photos will be.

That is it. Just allow us time to photograph your BIG day. 

   There have been several opportunities we have missed and regret in the past if we would have just spoken out to the bride to say to her party: "WAIT! SLOW DOWN" or "STOP". 

   Your BIG day is definitely NOT a race. Everyone is waiting on you and you alone. No one is going to get upset with you if you are out with your photographer taking beautiful photos for 30-45 mins after the ceremony. Don't worry, there will be a plate of food waiting for you when you get to your seat. This is "your" day. You are in charge. Just allow us to capture the moments that you want to hang on your wall in a slow and steady pace, not light speed. 

    When you start getting ready we will ask you to 'pause', 'freeze right there', 'place your hand here' and so forth to get that one shot. During the ceremony, we will be everywhere but nowhere. We will be behind your preacher/officiant and in EVERYONE else's photos in the audience. Because, after all, you paid us, not them to capture your moments. 

    HOWEVER! Don't think of me as a horrible business owner. If you choose for us to stay out of everyone's way then we will. Just keep in mind you may NOT get those ring photos or close ups that you see on Pinterest. Those are up close and personal photographs of photographers right up in the bride & grooms faces or at least in the line of site for audience members iPhone photos. 

     After the ceremony, we will follow you and your party to your designated area. Whether it be at the alter where you said your 'I do's' or another location. We need EVERYONE IN YOUR WEDDING PARTY. not just the bride, however,. We however DO NOT need your entire audience. This is one MAJOR issues that does take up more time than necessary. The after ceremony shots are considered 'glamour' shots. These are the shots that you will want to hang on your wall. If you include your brothers, bff & girlfriend in one of your 'glamour' shots that just took up at least 3-5 mins of your time. 

     We do try to cap out glamour time at 45 mins total. If it takes longer than that it is more than likely the result of alternate individuals interrupting the session. If all goes as planned it normally can and will be over within 30 mins time. 

  

     So when it comes down to How to Prepare for your EMC Wedding Photographer? 

Allow us time to make Every Moment Count, because after all. Every Moment Does.

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Needless to say, I took more photographs on my phone than I did with my camera yesterday

. Too many rude people kept standing up, getting out of their seats and literally RUNNING to their child after they received their little sheet of paper stating "yes! you get to go to High School. Congratulations for making it this far", that I wasn't even able to get great shots. I got some after though that were great!

Adele

emcphotographystudio.com