The winners of the Bluebird Photography Wedding Package Giveaway have been announced! It was a close one and it was so hard to decided the top 4 but it's been done!

1st place and winner of the free wedding package is Jenna and Aaron!
2nd place and winner of a 50% discount on any package is Laci and Andrew!
3rd place with 30% off any package is Amanda and Trevor!
4th place with 30% off any package is Carli and her fiance!

Thank you everyone who entered and all those who supported them by voting! This was so much fun and we look forward to our next giveaway in December. 

I've been asked a lot why newly engaged couples should hire a professional wedding photographer. There is always someone there who is willing to take the shots during your big day so why make the investment? I've got to thinking and here are my reasons:

1. A professional photographer knows the shots to take.  There a certain shots that just make the moment shine and with years of experience a professional photog knows exactly when and how to take them.

2. A professional photographer knows posing.  After many sessions, practice, and even being taught themselves professional photographers know how to make you comfortable in this uncomfortable situation.  The dress is heavy, it may be hot or too cold, and yet your shots will still come out great! Taking the photos should be fun and the poses should be comfortable.

3. One word:light. Light can be the greatest challenge to a photographer. It will make or break your lasting wedding photographs and a professional has the training and experience to make light work for you. I have photographed in the darkest halls and the brightest Las Vegas days and every time I've had to judge my shots carefully.

4. My favourite skill is the special moments. A professional photographer needs to know how to anticipate those tender moments and capture them on film.  I not only take traditional wedding pose photos but I also take the spur of the moment cute shots. A professional knows where they need to be to take that amazing shot, you know, the one of you and your new spouse laughing with the little niece getting cake all over.  It's the spontaneous moments that you remember and it's those moments you want on film.

5. And finally #5: editing. Professional photographers have training in not only taking the shot but what to do when the day is done. The wedding was great, memorable, and finally over...now the work begins.  A professional spends hours creating the images making them exactly how you dreamed they would be.  Not only must a professional edit the images but they must make sure those images are safe and not going to escape into the digital black hole. 

Being a wedding photographer is the best job in the world! I get to enjoy that special day with you and eat cake...magical! I figured these top 5 reasons would answer some questions so have at it, while planning your wedding don;t forget the photographer!

Dancer's Pose Session

On Saturday Betty and I went into the Uinta mountains to Mirror Lake nestled in a valley between mountains and trees. It could not have been more perfect outside! It was calm and a little cool. Since Betty is representing Utah in the yoga community she needed a photo to show technique and Utah. The lake was perfect because the lake was still partially frozen and what's more Utah than winter half here when summer should be the dominating season! Above is a link to the photos on facebook but I will include a page for them in the blog as well. 

Yesterday was a very productive day. I talked to two parties about doing their family photos and booked a Saturday session for a Yogi.  We're going to Mirror Lake to do a shoot at sunset, should be magical! I love shooting with water in the background it is so calming not only for the clients but also for me.  My website hit a record 451 hits and I am booking more weddings!!

On Saturday I met with a lovely lady named Milena and her daughter at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.  It was such a nice day! The sun was perfect and the day was exciting! Her daughter Anilee was a delight as we started the session. We began with some flower shots to get comfortable and moved into the water falls.  When Anilee was getting tired of sitting nicely we had her play in the water and I loved snapping those photos! She was so cute as she dipped her feet in the ponds and laughed. I got out some chalk and had mother and daughter play together. Children are always fun to photograph with their big smiles and enjoyment of the environment in a park. Here are some photos from our shoot in the park:

My favourite part of photographing weddings and engagements is when I am taking photographs of the bride or groom alone.  When it is only one or the other in a spot I love watching their faces as their better half is in the background.  My husband makes me laugh more than any one on this planet and it is the hardest thing for me to keep serious if he is behind the photographer because he does nothing but try to make me laugh.  I LOVE WATCHING THIS IN OTHERS! It is so cute! Even if the person behind the camera isn't trying to make their better half laugh, just the knowledge of the silliness of the situation can make anyone bust up.  I enjoy using this technique to break the ice.  When you first meet a photographer it can be a little strange. This person you never met is taking photographs of your most important moments; it can be scary, odd, or a bit nerve racking.  Let your best friend keep your mind at ease and let yourself laugh! The joy in your eyes is magical and this is my favourite part.

Today I have good news, yesterday we had more hits on our site than we have ever gotten! Thanks to all of you we are getting out there! Our contest is starting out strong but there is still time to enter! The Milena and Sergio engagement session had to be rescheduled for Saturday so we'll get those photos going!!!