Spotted: FMN Design

Laura Reoch of Forget Me Not Design has a super unique business: making custom wedding albums. With a double emphasis major in graphic design and photography, Laura tells us she is thrilled that she’s found a way to incorporate both studies in her line of work.

So what does she enjoy the most about her work? “What I love about working with my clients, is that I get to put together photographs from one of the happiest days of their lives. I have the honor to sort through their images and I get to pick and choose my favorites to tell their unique story from their day.” Taking a graphic or logo from invitations and using it is something she loves to do and it seems to set her books apart from her competitors and cookie-cutter templates.

So what can you expect if you work with Laura on creating the album of your wedding dreams? With photography as her background, the quality of the printed work is important to her as well as the binding and overall quality of the book. “I said before starting this business that I only wanted to do it if what I provided my clients was quality. I wanted to hand over a book that was exquisite inside and out. Not only am I confident in the storytelling of my design but the books themselves are simply gorgeous.”

Contact Laura at:

Laura Reoch
Forget Me Not Design

Web: http://www.fmndesign.com/

Vendor Spotlight: Todd Parsons, Photographer

Todd Parsons tells us about getting his head start to becoming a photographer: “When I was a kid, my family moved around a lot. To make friends, I learned quickly to get a handle on any situation, read people and make them feel relaxed and comfortable. I've studied how to allow people to be themselves my whole life. It was the perfect apprenticeship on the way to becoming a photographer."

When we asked him ‘why weddings?’ he tells us, “I remember when the lightening bolt struck. I was at a friend's wedding, the ‘I want to do this’ moment. The energy, the family, the love. Weddings bring out so many emotions and they are a fascinating experience. I have been behind the camera many times with a tear streaking down; I can't help but sometimes getting wrapped up in it all.”

Todd tells us he looks at work from other photographers whom he respects and admires for inspiration. He loves the outdoors and is equally fascinated with urban landscape. He also stresses that constant education is critical explaining, “Technology is changing so fast, and photographers have to stay ahead of the curve. I attend several workshops a year, sometimes wedding related, but most of the time not. Yet I find applying knowledge learned from photographing landscapes or action sports leads to wonderful wedding images.”

Why Todd? “My clients can expect 100% satisfaction, professionalism and a good-natured human being. Style is important but so is a personal connection with each other. I let my brides know that, ‘Hey, I've got it covered. Of all the things you're going to worry about, photography isn't one of them.’ Grooms? Just buy them a beer and they're good.”
To view more of Todd’s beautiful work, visit:
http://www.toddparsons.net/

Vendor Spotlight: Zoe Lonergan, Wedding Photographer

Bay Area wedding photographer Zoe Lonergan’s got quite a handle on shooting weddings since she’s been photographing them for about seven years now, both in the Bay Area and Australia. Zoe tells us, “It's an amazing occasion to witness. Everyone is happy and I feel it's an honor to be invited to document such a loving celebration. And of course, everything looks beautiful.”

So what inspires Zoe’s beautiful images? She tells us, “I love holga photography and polaroids. Sometimes I experiment with these at a wedding. I also work as a book designer and I love typography. I'm also inspired by the creative personal touches that make each wedding different.”

Why do we love Zoe? She’s easy to work with, incredibly warm and friendly, and has that perfectly relaxed but professional attitude on the job. Her images are no doubt creative, yet she photographs in a simple, effective, photojournalistic style. Priding herself on allowing herself to capture moments as they happen versus asking the couple to pose, her work will create a story for your wedding day as it unfolds…naturally.

To view her beautiful work, visit: www.zoelonergan.com/photo.html

Vendor Spotlight: Gene Kosoy, Wedding Photographer

Gene Kosoy got his start with the camera at an early age, but it wasn’t until after graduating college that he became serious about his hobby and making it into a part-time venture. Three years later, he decided to pursue photography full time, shooting weddings, events, commercial, portrait and music photography. His work has been published in 7x7, the San Francisco Chronicle, Rolling Stone magazine and dozens of other publications.


Gene tells us he loves shooting weddings for many reasons. “My favorite part is the beginning of the day, when I get the chance to spend time with the bride and groom individually, capturing those moments they each can't witness. The hours before the ceremony are filled with excitement, anticipation and joy. It’s my job to capture those special moments in a non-intrusive manner.”

With a love for destination weddings, Gene recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to write a magazine article about them. His recap of the trip can be found on his blog at: http://www.genekosoy.com/weddings-in-the-dominican-republic/.

He considers himself very lucky: he wakes up every morning to do something he truly enjoys. Of his work he says, “When taking photos of the couple I emphasize that they not concentrate on the camera, but on each other instead. The resulting images come out candid and genuine. My passion for my work comes through in my images, and I strive to get images that tell the couple’s love story.”


To view his beautiful work, visit:
http://www.gkweddings.com/

Vendor Spotlight: Andrew Weeks, Photographer

Photographer Andrew Weeks began, like many young photographers, as a photographer’s assistant, carrying sand bags and cleaning lenses. One day the photographer let him shoot a few snaps of a wedding and that was it: Andrew fell in love with the art form. After that, he worked for several wedding and editorial photographers who gave him the perfect foundation and support that he needed to launch a great career flying solo. And he hasn’t looked back!

Andrew believes he has the best job in the world, telling us, “I get to capture these amazing moments in people’s lives, and know that on their 50th wedding anniversary my photos will bring them back to how they felt on their wedding day. It is an amazing feeling, knowing that my art can do that for someone.” Swoon.

Among his creative inspirations, Andrew has a soft spot for painters: especially Matisse, Seurat, and Rembrandt. Andrew not only shoots about 25 weddings a year, but he also shoots editorial for magazines, children’s portraiture, and exhibits his travel photography in art galleries. A favorite recent assignment has been shooting fashion spreads for Our Wedding magazine.

In an area filled to the brim with wedding photographers, Andrew stands out because he shoots exclusively digital photography. But, since he was trained on film, his images have a unique look-and-feel to them. Fresh, modern, and classic are all words that come to mind when describing his work. Now go see for yourself why we think Andrew is truly worth looking in to for your big day. View his work at:

http://www.andrewweeksphotographyweddings.com/
http://www.weeksphotography.com/blog

Vendor Spotlight: Thor Swift, Photographer

“Photography opened up a whole new world to me.” Thor Swift has been drawn to images all his life, spending his younger years pouring over copies of National Geographic, fascinated by the images of other cultures and people. By the time he graduated, he photographed everything from international business leaders to people on the fringes of society. He also worked in Eastern Europe, witnessing some wonderful people and events. He used a few of these images to create a story that was syndicated by the Associated Press.

So what does Thor like about shooting weddings: “They’re a celebration of life: it is just that simple. I am able to be a part of one of the most important celebrations of the human spirit,” and continuing, “Every wedding is an opportunity for complete creative freedom on my part. The couples we work with understand that to best document their celebration, it is best to allow their personality to blossom with out interference. My ultimate goal is to reflect the complete person and not impose my personality on a photograph.”

And what keeps Thor’s creativity fresh? “My 10-year-old twins. They get me up in the morning. And it is the joy that each day brings with the possibility of meeting some new people, learning their stories, and hopefully making some photographs.” He could list the photographers, writers, artists who are his inspirations but one truly stands out: his grandfather, Loren Hansen. A cattle rancher in Idaho; he loved the land and animals he worked with. He was a man of few words, but he truly loved what he did.

And so does Thor : “I love what I do and I think it shows in every aspect of my work. My style of photography is very emphatic; I’m able to get a sense of who someone is and communicate this to others. If a photographer does not truly love all people, I think they will not be a true success.”

This is a photographer worth talking to. View his beautiful work at
http://www.thorswiftstudio.com/

Vendor Spotlight: Dorothy Hatchel, Photographer

View her work and musings at:

http://www.dorothyhatchel.com/
http://www.dorothyhatchel.com/blog/

We at Bridebound are proud to say that we have been photographed by Dorothy. And we can tell you, she is professional and almost magical: you barely know she’s there. But she just seemed to be able capture the evening perfectly.

Dorothy’s background is truly unique. She worked in special effects for film and, impressively, at Industrial Light & Magic studio. Inspired by her own wedding, she decided to pursue her passion for wedding photography. Her photography is truly refined. She loves using natural light and her distinct perspective is evident. And her rates begin at $3000, which in the Bay Area is pretty fabulous considering what you get: perfection!

Vendor Spotlight: Allyson Wiley, Photographer

Allyson Whiley, Photographer
http://allysonwiley.com/

Every photographer has their beginnings; Allyson did her graduate work in commercial photography and worked with some fantastic Bay Area clients like George Lucas and Sunset Magazine. So, why weddings? I asked her. “The emotion,” she began, “When I started shooting weddings I was amazed by the creativity you could use to document the day. I'm drawn to human connection and I love showing that in my photographs.”

Another reason she enjoys shooting weddings is because every couple has a story. “By getting to know my clients beforehand and making them feel truly comfortable with the process, I can capture their unique relationship. Maybe they hate posed pictures, maybe they love traveling, food or sports: all of these can be captured. And you give them a great gift; a true representation of their relationship.”

Though weddings take up a majority of Allyson’s time, volunteer assignments are just as close to her heart. Each year she chooses an organization that needs visual representation. Her most memorable project was traveling to Zimbabwe and photographing children in orphanages, a feat that is almost impossible for even photojournalists. Her images were used in a presentation made to the UN to raise awareness for the AIDS pandemic: one of her biggest honors to date.

So what makes Allyson truly stand out in the Bay Area wedding vendor world? Besides from being the type of photographer she’d want to hire on her wedding day, Allyson feels she relates to her clients: she’s a young woman obsessed with fashion, wedding trends, and pop culture (reality tv!). And while she’s worked with many couples over the years, she never ceases to tire of hearing every little detail about her clients’ wedding. It’s really about the agenda for Allyson: capturing the emotion on film.