Are You Prepared To Dance On Wedding Day?

This may not be a topic you've given a lot of thought to, but are you ready to dance? For some people this can be a nerve racking moment where you are forced to perform in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of family and friends. As a photographer and a person who recently went through this experience I can tell you that you will definitely feel more comfortable in front of all those people at the reception if you've had a few dance lessons. My wife and I got dance lessons here in Austin at a place called Uptown Dance. I get their weekly newsletter and now they are promoting an event designed especially for couples where you learn all the important dance steps to all the important wedding dances. Their couples class offers just that.

In addition, Uptown Dance frequently offers free classes and has great packages for just about every situation. My wife and I were very happy with the help we got and felt welcomed by their friendly staff. In fact, like most of my blogs, I'm writing about this experience in a purely genuine, altruistic way. I have nothing to gain or lose from sharing about Uptown (other than flexing my wedding knowledge ;~)).


So don't be shy! Go check them out. They are located of US 183 near Burnet Road, just a few blocks east of Sherlock's Pub on the eastbound access road of 183!

Bad Weather But Good Times At Kindred Oaks

This past week I was invited to attend Kindred Oaks Estates monthly open house. If you are unfamiliar with Kindred Oaks Estates then let me tell you about it. Kindred Oaks is an event venue neatly nested in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, north of Austin, east of Leander and west of Georgetown - off of Highway 1431. The venue can accommodate medium sized parties for weddings or other events and has the ability to host both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. Kindred Oaks is known for it’s friendly staff and it’s beautiful view overlooking a small lake.

Once per month (each 2^nd Monday) Kindred Oaks sponsors a “meet & greet” between brides and preferred vendors like photographers, florists, officiants, etc. It gives brides the opportunity to meet face to face with vendors, most of which have worked at Kindred Oaks. It’s also an opportunity to see Kindred Oaks and meet the staff at ZuZu’s Petals, the sister floral provider to Kindred Oaks.

Although the weather went from bad to worse on the night that I visited, we all made the best of things and a number of brides still turned out for the monthly meet and greet. Not only did I meet some nice brides-to-be, but I also got to meet Travis, from “Say Cheese” Photobooth Rental, Wedding Officiant Connie Holmes Larson and Andy Peterson from Studio 563 - all of whom I enjoyed talking with and would book in a heartbeat if I were having a wedding. They’re contact information is below.

At any rate, if you missed all that the Kindred Oaks Open House night has to offer, the next one is scheduled for April 12^th (double check the website). Don’t miss it!

 If you’d like more information on Kindred Oaks, contact Elaine at (512) 260-9690 or visit their website, www.kindredoaks.com

“Say Cheese” Photobooth Rental – www.saycheeseforfun.com

Connie Holmes Larson – Wedding Officiant – www.theweddingofficiant.com

Studio 563 - Andy Peterson – www.studio563.com

Engagement Photography Tips: What Do I Do?

I want to share some great suggestions for portrait and engagement sessions that Philadelphia Photographer Lorraine Daley wrote about in her blog (combined with some of my experiences). If you have an engagement session coming up (or a portrait session) these are some guidelines you’ll want to consider.

R&R. Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before (i.e., no late night partying!). If you are hung-over and tired the day of your shoot then it will show in the photos and you won’t smile and look happy as much.

Patterns & Logos. Clothing patterns usually are not advised, especially loud ones or those that clash with your partners. Also, get rid of the clothing that has big logos. The shirt that has the “Tommy” logo on it may look trendy now, but just wait 5 years and you’ll wish you never wore it.

Colors. Try not to wear identical colors with your partner. If you do, you may be at risk of being mistaken for a Sears Christmas Card.

Casual or Dressy? Casual clothing looks great and is popular, such as jeans. But you can’t go wrong with dressing up either. Just keep in mind that you may be doing a little hiking for the photo session, so avoid heels and uncomfortable/restrictive clothing.

 Styles. Make sure your style matches that of your partners. If one person is dressed up then make sure the other person follows suit and doesn’t dress casually.

Makeup & Hair. Try to stick to the normal hair and makeup routine. You definitely don’t want to come off like you’re doing a Glamour Shots commercial with over done hair and makeup. Also, bring lipstick and lip balm for you and your sweetie.

Accessories. Minimize the accessories and the bag or purse you bring. Remember, you’ll be doing some walking so you don’t want to be dragging around a sack with the kitchen sink in it.

Scheduling. Be sure to schedule your engagement session at least 2-3 weeks prior to wedding day in order to allow editing/processing time on the part of your photographer. You’ll also need time to get the prints completed and find a frame for your beautiful photo.

Locations. Don’t be afraid of trying a new location. I have a list of about 15 popular outdoor locations here in the Austin area that I share with my clients. If you need some ideas just ask! J

Fun. Have fun on during your engagement session! It’s your time to spend with your partner – so just sit back, relax and let the romantic juices flow as I work extra hard behind the camera to make you and your sweetie look great!

 I would like to say a special thanks to Lorraine for providing such great inspiration in her blog on the subject. Don’t forget to visit Lorraine’s blog: http://sweetenlo.blogspot.com and if you are in the Philadelphia area and you’re searching for a photographer be sure to contact her!

Martin Whitton is a wedding photojournalist who makes Austin, Texas his home.

If you’d like to see some of Martin’s engagement session work, visit his website at www.mwwphoto.com. Just click on “Weddings”. 

Kindred Oaks Wedding

I recently photographed this wedding at Kindred Oaks, which is located in the edge of Round Rock. It's a beautiful place out in the countryside, with country charm and an air of sophistication.