Photography is an art, it’s not a commodity or a consumption good.  With so many people out there claiming to be professional photographers, it can be difficult to decipher the difference between the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Which one is the right one for you?  We’ll tell you one thing, it’s not the cheapest wedding photographer.  You wouldn’t expect to find an Oscar de la Renta wedding gown on the sale rack at Filene’s, so don’t expect art full gorgeous wedding images for basement bargain prices.

That being said, it is not only important to find a photographer with a style you like and price that fits your budget, but also one who will listen to your vision and deliver what you want and need. The best way to do this is to ask the right questions and look at their work with a critical eye. Find out who this person is, and see them as an artist, not a check in the wedding to-do list box.

What else do you photograph besides weddings?

Swat Valley Refugee who cares for orphaned children, Shot for “The Orphaned Project”

Art is a byproduct of life. If they are interesting as a person and have a passion for the world around them, they will want to photograph other subjects besides weddings.

If they only shoot weddings this could be a red flag that you are hiring a business, not an artist, so your wedding photos will look like the end result of a business deal, not a collection of works of art.  Don Mirra Photography has shot humanitarian work for over a decade, in addition to commercial work for major companies. We approach each wedding as its own unique and special event.

If a photographer says they are photojournalist style, ask them if they have shot for the local newspaper or national news. There are lots and lots of photographers making the claim to be photojournalist style, but it’s not the same to go to a 50,000 person protest or photograph the struggles of single moms and get it in on time to the editor’s desk or on the news wire. Don Mirra Photography has shot for many different news agencies world wide.

Do you enjoy art?

Simply put, how can you make art unless you enjoy art? Don Mirra comes from a family of artits and designers. Its in his blood.

Do you have examples of other work you have done?

Look at their work and see if they have a special vision.  Do they capture those details you spend so much time choosing, such as the place settings, the perfect shoes, or the earrings that were your grandmother’s? To do this a photographer needs special lenses and special lighting, something only a true professional will use.

Left: Table setting in San Marcos California. Right: rings shot at a destination wedding in Cost Rica.

Do you use different cameras for different effects?

Shot with a modified Plastic camera using film

If a photographer uses the same camera and same lens, as too many photographers do, your images will look just like the wedding they shot before yours, and the one before that, and the one before that.  It’s a bit like buying “Target art” because it matches the color scheme of your living room.

Don Mirra Wedding Photography creates wedding images using four different kinds of cameras, with a varity of lens, and we also shoot film.  Our goal is to create special looks and feels at special times.  Just as different brushes and mediums are used to create different strokes and effects in a painting, different cameras and lens are used to create different feels and finished effects of a photo.

Comfort is the key

Can you walk in your shoes? Will they still be comfortable after 8 hours?  If not, walk away.

Choose shoes you love

Comfort and style can go together! Unlike your wedding dress, if you pick the right shoes they can be worn again for future occasions.  Plus, it gives you an excuse to spend the money on those perfect Louboutin pumps or Jimmy Choo Sandals you’ve been dreaming about!

Give yourself a healthy shoe budget

Flashy shoes for your hen do, heels for the big day, ballerina flats for partying at the reception, sandals for the exotic honeymoon – now is the one time in your life when you can really splash out, Carrie Bradshaw style! Take advantage!

Don’t leave them until last!

Brides often focus purely on the wedding dress and leave the shoes until the last minute. Aim to choose your shoes around the same time as your dress – you’ll need to bring them to fittings to determine the length of your gown.

Pick the right heel height

Go with a more glamorous version of what you would normally wear. If you’re not used to walking 5″ stilettos, don’t buy them!

Work with your dress

Use material swatches to compare colors. If going for traditional bridal shoes, a pristine white wedding dress will work best with a pale pearl color, and an off-white gown goes best with pearl or ivory-colored shoes.

Treat your feet!

Remember to schedule a pedicure before your big day. Slip your lovely feet into your gorgeous wedding shoes with soft skin, neat cuticles and glossy painted toenails.  Trust us, it makes a difference!

Choose shoes compatible with your surroundings

Wedges and flats are best for receptions in the country to save yourself from muddy heels. Flat sandals are best for beach weddings and certain older venues that may have less-than perfectly smooth walkways which are common in destination wedding locations.  We all love a good high heel, but nobody wants a bloody / muddy bride (unless you’re having a Zombie themed wedding)!

You are elated, and so excited to begin planning your dream wedding! But that joy soon turns into panic when you realize just how many little details need to be considered and carefully planned out. Don’t get steam-rolled by your wedding, follow these simple pointers to avoid major mistakes!

 1. Not having a clear budget.

That  Vera Wang dress is perfect for you! But will it mean you have to skimp on floral arrangements or a wedding cake? Before you start booking venues and professional services, and making wedding day purchases, plan out your budget, and decide which items are most important to you, and which are not. It’s a great idea to have a separate wedding checking account, so you can keep track of exactly how much you’ve spent.

 2. Waiting too long to make a decision. (Don’t procrastinate!)

You can’t decide which wedding venue is the best one for you and your wedding style, so you drag your feet. Before you know it, the big day is almost here, and the only venue still available is Aunt Edna’s backyard. If Aunt Edna lives in Nantucket, that might not be a bad thing, but otherwise, make your big choices sooner rather than later. You should also book your wedding photographer and decide on your wedding colors and wedding dress early on in the planning process.

 3. Asking a friend to: Do the flowers, photograph the wedding, plan the biggest day of your life, etc.

Would you have your accountant sister-in-law make your wedding dress? Not likely. So why would you ask your BFF from high school to photograph your wedding? If you have a family member or friend shoot your wedding they wont get to enjoy your wedding as a guest. How can they be in your family photos if they are taking them? Plus, if you are not happy with their services, it could cost a friendship. There a vast difference between shooting professionally and shooting as a hobbyist. Don’t put the pressure on a friend or family member who will more-than-likely do a poor job, despite their good intentions. Hire a professional wedding photographer. Same goes for your DJ, caterer, florist, etc … In short, hire professionals, and let your friends enjoy your wedding.

 4. Doing everything yourself.

There are a lot of wedding professionals out there that can take a load of stress off your back. Hire a wedding coordinator if it’s in the budget. However, If you absolutely can’t afford a wedding planner, delegate tasks to your nearest and dearest. People love you, and they will love to help you. Give them single tasks like making sure the reception room is ready, that the florist puts the flowers in the right place, that everyone is clear on the order of wedding ceremony. Including your friends and family in your wedding planning with not only make them feel special, it will also take a lot off of your own plate!

 5. Trying to micro-manage on the wedding day.

Don’t Lose perspective on what your big day is all about. Over and over Don Mirra Wedding Photography see wonderful brides get so caught up in wedding planning and day-of details that they forget what it’s all about: Celebrating your love for your partner with your close friends and family. Don’t let stress ruin your beautiful wedding! Make sure you take time along the way to nurture your friends, family, and fiancé, and on the day-of remember to relax and enjoy your special day!

The best way to avoid these mistakes, and others, is to make room in your budget for a wedding planner. They know all the ins and outs of the wedding world, and can help you avoid costly mistakes in creating your dream wedding. A wedding planner will help you stay on budget, make sure all the details are worked out in time for your big day, help coordinate professional wedding vendors that fit your style and theme, and free up plenty of time for you to spend with your loved ones! They can help you spend your money most effectively, so you don’t end up blowing the bank on costly floral arrangements, or spending too much on small ticket items that can be worked around. Really, you can’t afford not to hire a wedding planner. We recommend Grace Ormond Wedding Style Magazine to help locate a top quality wedding planner in your area.

This fantastic tutorial by Michelle Phan is one of destination wedding photographer Don Mirra’s personal favorites for simple makeup application. Michelle makes it quick, straight forward, and easy to do. This makeup style looks great in wedding photos and your day to day look, without looking over done, and will allow you to spend your time relaxing and having a fantastic time on your honeymoon.  Michelle also uses minimal products, which is perfect for compact travel in a world of smaller and smaller carry-on allowances, and airlines charging per bag for checked bags!

The video is posted in HD, so you’ll get great detail. Enjoy her lessons for help with a stress-free, pretty look while you are on the go starting your dream life with your new husband! Who knows, maybe it will even stream-line your daily routine once you settle in back home.

The first step in choosing the right undergarments for your big day is to be sure that you will be comfortable wearing them all day.  If you are not comfortable, it will show in your wedding images, both on your face and in your body language.  Your lingerie should make you feel sexy, but save the experimentation for your wedding night; keep the daytime lingerie comfortable and functional.

It is also important to make sure the lingerie you choose works with your wedding dress.  Try everything on prior to your big day.  There is nothing worse than getting ready and realizing the undergarments you chose don’t work with your dress!  Save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress by shopping early, and making sure everything fits.

There are many options for both night and day wear.  We mentioned  personal favorite, Agent Provocateur, in  Don Mirra Wedding Photography’s last blog post, but there are many, many choices if they don’t suit your fancy (or your fanny).

Here are a few more of our personal favorites, but we want to know what you like. So send us a comments with your favorites!

The Bridal Hotspot in the UK offers many varies and styles, no matter what your budget.

Nordstrom offers a full line of bridal lingerie, including garter belts, nylons, shapers, and sleepwear, and has a flexible return policy.

Your under garment choices give you the chance to show your man how you want your new life together to be, so why not start off with some sizzle?  You can be bold, flirtatious, sexy, sweet, or downright naughty.  It’s up to you!

Imagine: you are both worn out from a long, emotional day, maybe ready to just call it a night … but then! You strip down to reveal your beautiful body clad in sexy lingerie, and his eyes light up like a little boy at Christmas!  He will love that you took the extra step to gift wrap your body for him, and you will be the star of the night (and next morning, maybe?).

There are a lot of different option when it comes to Bridal lingerie, with prices varying depending on your budget.  Don Mirra fine art wedding photographers personal favorite for under things is Agent Provocateur.

Alina line You can check the “something blue” off your list with the Snowberry line in Ice.  Crafted with sheer French lace, and soft silk lining, you can’t go wrong!  If you desire something a little hotter (and by hotter we mean in colour, of course!), the Alina line offers sheer mesh and French lace in red or black, for a fun, seductive, and playful look.

Whatever your tastes may be, you will be glad you spent the money to make your first night together as man and wife a memorable one.  Of course we can only suggest you wear to add the sex to sexy.  The rest is up to you.

Hats often cost under $200 for a custom headpiece designed to match your wedding dress.  It will give you that extra edge that shows the world you are powerful and beautiful, and maybe even a little bit bold. The small details make all the difference in looking astonishingly beautiful on your wedding day, and also make a big difference in the look of your wedding pictures.

The world was a better place when women wore hats, and there are some really beautiful styles to choose from that will accent your wedding dress perfectly!  Whether you desire a simple, elegant headpiece, or an extravagant showpiece, there is a hat out there for you.  And they are so much fun to create wedding photos while wearing!

Stand out from the rest by adoring your head with a hat.

Nothing completes your look or adds a flare of classic style like a lovely pair of gloves.  While sublet, gloves are highly significant detail that can add a lot of character to the look of your wedding photography, and also make you feel like the classy, gorgeous woman that you are!

However, Don Mirra destination wedding photography has noticed a lack of information about wedding gloves in the industry.  Searching many wedding vendor sites for “accessories” has left us gloveless. Many fabulous designers include gloves in their runway, but don’t list them available for sale on their websites.  Retail chains have them for sale, but almost seem a last minute purchase item.  Most of the gloves that can be found are cheap and terrible.  With American fashion having gone a bit by the wayside, we are worried that these glamorous little guys are not getting the attention they deserve.  Are wedding gloves a thing of the past?  Don Mirra Weddings hope not!

What is the solution to this wedding accessory dilemma?  Buy vintage!!  There are a plethora of wedding gloves for sale on eBay, and we know that your girlfriends will love spending the day antiquing looking for that perfect pair of gloves!!  Vintage fashion is timeless and beautiful, and will make you stand out on your big day!  Think Grace Kelly, think Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, think Mad Men … (?).

Here are some examples we found on eBay of beautiful vintage wedding gloves:

See if they are still available

 

 

See if they are still available

 

 

See if they are still available

 

Not sure what bag to carry for your wedding purse?  It’s an important detail that often gets overlooked.  On your special day, you will need somewhere to keep your lipstick, tissues, cell phone (not that you should be texting on your wedding day!), and any other small items necessary to help you though your wedding activities (maybe even a small snack in case guests at the reception are too chatty to allow you to eat)! With all of the little details to manage for planning your wedding day, let Don Mirra Weddings make this decision easier for you. Consider a wristlet from Coach.  Instead of spending your hard-earned money on something you will use once, then add to that box or bag of treasured items collecting dust hidden away in the depths of your closet like a dirty secret (Let’s face it ladies, we all have one), why not use your valuable dollars on an item that you will use and love for years to come (much like your new husband, for the love part, of course)?  With all of the styles and colors Coach offers you are sure to find one that matches your wedding theme, and there are many options for simple white or off-white clutches as well.  The Waverly Hearts style adds some love to your attire, the Madison Embossed Croc is great for those seeking a white bag, and the Hamptons Weekend Straw Floral is perfect for a casual Spring wedding! Those are just a few of the options.

Coach wristlets come in Small, Medium, and Large sizes, and prices start at only $48.  With traditional wedding bags at “discount” chain retailers costing an average of $30 or more, it’s really not a stretch in the budget, and it adds of whole lot of pop and sizzle to your look on your big day!  Don Mirra Weddings believe that your wedding photography should tell a story, and we love shooting designer pieces that tell the world you have great style.

What girl doesn’t deserve a coach bag?  Be the belle of your wedding ball, and show off your good, sensible taste and style by holding the very best of handbags between your delicate fingers.  Tell your guests how much you value yourself by holding a Coach wristlet as your wedding purse.  Maybe you can convince your hubby-to-be to buy it for you.  If he’s a good man, he will.

View all Coach wristlets here:    http://tinyurl.com/cv9muw2

We primarily operate out of San Diego, CA; however, we provide professional wedding photography services throughout California and world wide. We love to shoot destination wedding photography as well! We love to shoot, period.

Weather you dream of a destination wedding, beach wedding, traditional wedding, or otherwise, we are here to be behind the camera on your special day. Our dream is to make your dreams come true.

We believe that professional wedding photography should always be included in your wedding budget, and can even offer wedding planning tips to make your wedding photography dreams come true. We know that you will share in our excitement in being back in the magical and creative world of wedding photography!!