Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by Kate McCarthy, a makeup artist in Denver, Colorado. For more information about Kate, visit her website at www.katemccarthy.com.  Photo courtesy of Kate McCarthy.

Wedding season is my favorite time of the year, and this spring I encourage brides to step outside the box. You can bring the runway look to the aisle in a few easy ways. First things first, there is one makeup line that I cannot live with out: Glominerals. This line is not only good for your skin, it also provides brides with 12-hour staying power for the big day. Here’s a few tips for how to use it for your wedding day makeup:

For the face: Try Glo Pressed base, then pair it with the hydration mist for a flawless finish. The pressed base offers full coverage with out that ‘powdery’ look, plus it offers SPF 18, vitamins A, E and C and Green Tea Extract, your skin will be glowing all day and night. The Hydration mist will aid in setting the makeup and giving you that dewy finish that is the perfect foundation for the rest of your wedding look.

For the eyes: look at colors like Lilac, Water Lily and Eggplant. Don’t be afraid to add pops of color on your eyes. Apply Eggplant in your crease, Lilac on your lid (lash line to crease) and Water Lily in the inner corner of your eye. Top it off with Diamond shadow on the brow bone to highlight your features. You must not forget your mascara! I LOVE Cover Girl Lash Blast Water Proof mascara in Black. This stays on through tears of joy and won’t budge until you remove it! Use a waterproof liner like Glo cream liner in Ebony to line your inner rim (waterline) for an added punch of definition. » Continue reading “Guest Blogger Week: Kate McCarthy, Makeup Artist”

Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by Danielle Odil, an experienced wedding planner in Colorado. For more information about Danielle and Something Classic Events, visit their website at www.somethingclassicevents.com.  Photo courtesy of Danielle Odil.

So you are planning your wedding…congratulations! This is such a fun and exciting time! Wait, you aren’t having any fun? Why not? Has the stress of making decisions overwhelmed you? Are you having a hard time going through all 2,987,435,234 vendor websites to find the ones that suite you best? Are you at a loss when things should happen and where you should place your ceremony arrangements? Are you overwhelmed at the thought of your wedding day and making it all come together? Are you worried about the timing on your wedding day? Are you worried about who will setup your wedding? And clean it up?

Don’t worry, a lot of brides feel the way you do. Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful and overwhelming, after all this will be one of the best days of your life. Even if you aren’t having an extremely detailed wedding or 500 guests, having a wedding planner can ease your stress. Planners are there to execute your wedding and make it happen. » Continue reading “Guest Blogger Week: Danielle Odil of Something Classic Events”

It’s wedding planning season!

To help the newly engaged who could use a little advice about wedding planning, I’ve reached out to some Colorado wedding experts for assistance.  Next week I’ll be featuring articles written by five guest bloggers.

Check out the first article by Danielle Odil of Something Classic Events on Monday!

Hiring the wrong portrait photographer is a bummer.  It’s certainly not as disastrous as hiring the wrong wedding photographer, but when your expectations are not met, it can still be upsetting.

I approach portrait photography a bit differently than many photographers, and I know it’s not a perfect fit for everyone.  For this reason, it’s important to me that I’m well-matched with those who inquire about my services.  To be sure we’re on the same page, I’ve created a list of questions to discuss before scheduling a portrait shoot.  There are no right or wrong answers – these questions are simply designed to get the discussion started.

1. Who will be a part of the session?
2. Where do you envision the shoot taking place?
3. What are you planning to wear?  Formal or casual?
4. What do you expect from me during the shoot?
5. What is the goal of the shoot – is there a particular reason you are scheduling it now?
6. What type of end product do you want from your session (prints, digital files, etc)?
7. Have you visited my website?

This last question is huge.  So many people contact me about portrait work from a word-of-mouth referral without looking at anything that I’ve produced.  It’s critical that you see what type of work I create before we go any further with scheduling a session.  It we aren’t on the same page, you’ll know right away.  If we are, you’ll have a greater trust in what I’ll create for you.  » Continue reading “The Pre-Portrait Conversation”

The tradition of bride and groom not seeing one another before the ceremony is, honestly, a bit outdated.  While I fully respect the decision to wait until the ceremony, and will never go against someone’s wishes for their wedding, I happen to think the benefits of a First Look heavily outweigh the more traditional alternative.

So what is a First Look?  It is a moment on your wedding day, before the ceremony, in which you and your fiancee privately see one another (with a photographer nearby to capture any emotional reactions, of course.)  I usually direct couples to a private and beautiful place, have the groom turn his back, and allow the bride to sneak up behind him.  I stay far away with a long lens, capturing reactions and expressions.  After you’ve had about 5 minutes to chat and connect, we move on to taking portraits.

Why would you choose do this?  Usually, the First Look is intended to maximize the time you’ll have for photography.  If your schedule has you going straight from ceremony to reception, it’s nice to do your photos earlier in the day so that you don’t have to miss any part of the party.  It’s also helpful for evening ceremonies, as taking photos earlier in the day will make better use of the natural light.

Another bonus is that you’ll both be calmer for the ceremony.  Those pre-ceremony nerves will be soothed by seeing your fiancee before the big moment.  You’ll also have a moment with your soon-to-be-spouse to chat with one another about what the day has been like and how you’re feeling.  If you see eachother for the first time at the top of the aisle, there won’t be much time for chitchat :)

Worried that when you walk down the aisle it won’t be special?  Don’t be.  In my experience the First Look » Continue reading “The Logic Behind the First Look”