How to Tell a Seasoned Photographer from a Noob

This is one close to our hearts. Photography has been such a journey and one that I have grown and learned from. With over 10 years of experience, I'll make the claim - I am a seasoned photographer. We're also big supporters of new photographers honing their craft! It takes time and practice to find your strengths.

We feel it's important that you have the tools to make the differentiation between someone who has been in the industry for awhile and someone who is new. Here are three questions that will help with that task:

1. "Are all of the shots on your website yours?"

You may be thinking, "What a silly question, why would a photographer put photos up that they didn't take?" My response - I don't know but people do it. Especially if a photographer is new and doesn't have a large portfolio yet, they may use stock photography to show the style they're inspired by. It's an easy question with an easy answer that can provide a lot of value.

2. "Please send me a link to three full weddings you've photographed."

This is another important request to get a sense of what to expect from a photographer. You can see if the photographer is more portrait-focused or likes to capture candid shots. Which is important to you? With new photographers, they may not have three collections to share, if any at all, which is okay! Ask them to share any examples of their work they have.

3. "Do you have any references?"

All photographers should have references, period. If a potential photographer doesn't have any past clients or professional contacts who are willing to vouch for them, you shouldn't be either. Treat it as a job interview. So, when you reach out to references, ask specific questions such as:

- "How did the photographer interact with your guests?"

- "How many photos were delivered in your wedding collection?"

- "What is one thing you wish the photographer did/delivered that wasn't?"

Have a photography experience you'd like to share with us? Post a comment below or shoot us an email to she@she-n-he.com.

Ask M: Advice for DIY Bridal Makeup

Randi B. from Facebook had a great question a couple of weeks back, "What's your advice for brides doing their own makeup, so they don't look like a disaster in photos- especially as the reception goes on."

This is such a great question because A. The way your makeup looks in the mirror is not necessarily the way it will look in photos, B. Not everyone has the budget for a professional makeup artist and C. Everyone wants to look great on their wedding day!

Below are five solid DIY Bridal Makeup tips for looking great in-person and on-camera.

1. HD isn't your friend when it comes to makeup in photos! Any sort of HD, anti-aging or SPF will give your face a white glow on camera. You don't want to look like a ghost on one of the most important days of your life!

2. Use a brighter lipstick than normal. If you usually go with more neutral tones, don't be afraid of color. Use your everyday neutral as a base and then add a pop of coral on top. It makes a huge difference on camera and gives you a bright, fresh look!

3. Extend your face makeup down your neck and even to your shoulders. You want to be sure your face blends with the rest of your body and there isn't a noticeable makeup line. You can also achieve this by blending your foundation into your neck really well with a blender ball.

4. Practice makes perfect! Do a couple of makeup trials before the big day. This will allow you to practice different techniques and get an game plan together for your wedding day. Also, take photos! This will help you to see how your makeup will be reflected on camera. Pro tip: Makeup artist Joanna Schlip suggests taking photos under different kinds of lighting (fluorescent, natural, candlelit, etc.).

5. Once your makeup is finished and you're ready to go, be sure you spritz your face with makeup setting spray a.k.a. hairspray for your face. This helps to set your makeup and holds everything in place for hours, which definitely comes in handy when you're cutting a rug at the reception!

Two great DIY Makeup resources:

Glamour Guide to DIY Wedding Makeup & Our Makeup Expert, Erica Gray

Have any other Makeup tips for the ladies? Share them in the comments below!

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! 

Budgeting for Wedding Photography

Alright, let's get real, weddings aren't cheap. Whether you're having a small, intimate celebration or planning a big shebang, costs add up. We're not experts on everything wedding, but we are experts in wedding photography, so here's a realistic breakdown of how much of your wedding budget should be allocated for photography and why.

The Numbers: 10-12% of your budget should be dedicated to photography, JUST photography. This does NOT include videography costs. This means that if you're working with a $25,000 budget, you should be prepared to spend at least $2,500 minimum on photography.

The Facts:

- You're not just paying for the day-of shooting. You're paying for the photographers time for editing, processing, creating albums, packaging, etc. There's also pre-wedding preparation that has to happen.

- This might be a hard pill to swallow for some, but your cousin Gerry who bought a really nice DSLR camera on Black Friday is not a proper substitute for a professional photographer. When it comes to your Wedding Day, you'll want a photographer with experience. To make sure you don't end up like this couple, reference our Top 5 Questions to Ask A Potential Wedding Photographer.

- Most photographers have packages that combine multiple products/services such as a select number of prints or a complimentary album. They may also have a package that includes an Engagement shoot or Bridal Portraits. Packages are the photographers way of giving you the most bang for your buck. Pro tip: A lot of photographers are flexible and their packages can be customized. Always use the information a photographer has provided you as a starting point for a conversation, not the end.

Keep in Mind: Your photos are how you will remember your Wedding for the rest of your beautiful life together. Photographers catch the big and small moments that made your day so special. So, in our humblest opinion, photography is one expense that shouldn't be spared.

Have any photography budgeting tips? Share them in the comments below!

Ask M: How to Handle Complicated Family Photos

"My family is...complicated. How do we handle family photos when relations are less than perfect?"

This is a GREAT question and a necessary one. We are totally aware that every family has different needs, especially when it comes to relationships. Are your parents divorced? Remarried? Are they friendly? Or would they rather not have any photos together? These are things your photographer needs to know in advance! Below are three steps to help prepare for those complicated family photos on the Big Day.

1. Be candid with your photographer, there's no judgement! It's important that we're aware of all situations that could arise so we can prepare. If we need to keep certain individuals out of pictures with each other, we will do just that. Should we call upon family units separately? You've got it.

2. Be explicit in your group shot list. Don't list "parents," especially when there are step-parents in the picture. Use specific names, i.e. Mom (Lisa) & Joe. Make notes if there are family members who shouldn't be in a photo together, i.e. "Aunt Caroline and Aunt Lucy should never be in the same photo."

3. Relax! At the end of the day, this is YOUR wedding, YOUR big day. Everyone will be on their best behavior - even Uncle Larry. ;)

Have a story to share? Or a question you'd like answered? Leave a comment below or shoot an email to she@she-n-he.com.

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! 

Group-ie Love: How to Get the Best Wedding Group Shots

After your wedding ceremony, everyone is so excited and all they want are a few minutes to shower the bride and groom with love. As I'm sure you've learned, you have limited time to get all of the group shots you need in between events. It takes a skilled people person to be able to rally the troops and get everyone organized while keeping everyone happy and smiling at the same time - I'm that girl. ;) Group shots are a tedious and we aim to make them fun, creative, quick and painless - below is the She-N-He method to the madness:

1. 30 days before your wedding we send out a questionnaire asking about timeline, must have photos and most important - your formal group shot list. We'll offer a comprehensive list of shot examples that couples have asked for in the past. We ask that our couples review the list and tailor it to their specific needs. You'll want to take your time with this. Ask your parents and other family members. Think about this list when you have time to give it some attention. Your wedding day is going to be fast and thrilling, you don't want to be racking your brain about who should have a group shot and forget anything.

2. Once we have your list we'll go over it with you. This insures that we don't have any redundancies and gives the bride and groom a chance to make any edits or additions necessary. You don't want to be like Hillary Swank when she won her first Oscar for Boys Don't Cry and forgot to thank her husband... that was a colossal mistake, she heard about it for months. Moral of the story - triple check and write it down.

3. Then, we organize. We make sure that grandparents are finished first so they can sit down and enjoy AC (or heat). If Aunt Becky needs to be at the reception venue, she'll be next. We make sure to prioritize each shot in a way that makes the most sense for your group.

Fun Fact:

While I'm shooting group shots, I notoriously forget names (what? there's a lot of y'all!). I make up light-hearted nicknames for everyone, which usually get a giggle or two, and we move forward. If at the end of the session guests are calling each other by their given nicknames - success!

Have any tricks of the trade to getting a great group shot? Share them in the comments below!

Ask M: To shot list or not to shot list, that is the question!

To shot list or not to shot list, that is the question! And it's one that's answer is strictly opinion and preference. So, here it goes... I don't like shot lists.

It's so easy to get lost in "Pinterest-worthy" shots that you've been collecting on your wedding board since the day you got engaged (if not before - you know who you are ;) ). You've meticulously mapped out a shot list 100 shots deep that you're certain your photographer will be grateful for.

Eh. Wrong.

With a list that long, your photographer misses out on beautiful, candid moments because they're too busy looking at a piece of paper making sure they have all the shots you're requesting - that's no fun. This is YOUR real life wedding. You want to remember Aunt Sue gettin' down on the dance floor and Cousin Dan singing Frank Sinatra to your Memaw. These memories are priceless and definitely not ones you've found scrolling through Pinterest.

Now, I know there are some pictures you just HAVE to have. I send a questionnaire to all of my brides so I can get a feel for what's important to them. I ask for 10 shots they can't live without. Yes, 10. The rest is left to me to be creative and identify the moments you won't want to forget. This is where all that "trust" and "liking your photographer" stuff I write about comes in. It's so important that you believe your photographer knows what they're doing so that you can enjoy the best day of your life.

Just a few of our fav candids:

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! 

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer for You

Okay, okay, we know there's no such thing as perfection but when you're planning a wedding you want to get as close as possible! Finding the (almost) perfect wedding photographer isn't an easy task but so worth it in the end. Below are three tips to help determine whether or not your candidate should even be in the running.

1. Consistency is Key

This isn't the first time I've said it and it won't be the last - review your potential photographer's website and confirm that all the images being showcased are theirs. Some photographers may use stock imagery, you want to know if they do. Once you've confirmed that the images are originals, look for consistency in style. Where no two couples are alike, the style should be clear. You're unique and you want your photographer to capture your individuality in the beautiful ways that they've done for others.

2. Get to Know Them

I can not stress how important it is that you mesh with your wedding photographer. You'll be spending A LOT of time together with pre-wedding shoots, not to mention your entire wedding day. I've had great relationships with most of my clients but some weren't a fit and we determined that early on. That's okay! Wouldn't you rather make that call when you have time to find another, better fitting option?

Not sure how to figure out if you and your potential photographer are a good fit? You can find five of my favorite questions to ask when making your decision in this Ask M post.

3. Get Open & Honest

Find out everything that your wedding photographer is going to bring to the table. What does your package include? Will they be providing any prints? Do you own the rights to your photos? These are all necessary evils that need to be discussed in the beginning. There is no room nor time for misunderstanding, you don't want to be disappointed after everything is said and done. If there is something you need that isn't being listed in the package or mentioned in receivables - ask! Many photographers are flexible and want to be sure you're going to be completely satisfied in the end.

Have any other advice? Post in the comments below! Have a question? Ask it! Odds are someone else is wondering the same thing.

Ask M: What are the top five questions to ask a potential wedding photographer?

First, I want to introduce you to our newest series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you've been dying to ask? We're an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! Now on with the show...

We stressed how important your photographer is in our last blog post with a few tips on planning. Now the next step, insuring that the photographer you pick is the best fit for you! Check out five questions to ask when interviewing a photographer:

How long have you been a wedding photographer?

Just like with any other profession, experience matters. There are a lot of unknowns at people’s weddings and being able to navigate appropriately through each situation is important. An experienced wedding photographer has been there, done that and knows how to handle it. They’re also able to provide the bride and groom guidance on photography decisions as well as vendor info and more.

Are all of the photos on your site yours?

This is always a tricky one. While most photographers use their work on their website, there’s always the possibility that the images they’re using are stock, stolen or just the work of a second shooter. You want to be sure whatever photos are winning you over are the same level of work the photographer will deliver after your big day.

Will you be THE photographer on my wedding day?

You might be thinking, “Well duh!” but that’s not always the case. There are some photography businesses who have a star photographer, or the owner of the company, but send alternate photographers out to different gigs. There’s nothing wrong with this and if the photographer is willing to send someone out in his/her place, they must be of a certain caliber, but it’s important that you know this information ahead of time so you’re not caught off-guard the day of your wedding.

Can you send me a link to 3 full wedding collections?

So important! You have a vision for your special day and you want to be sure that the photographer you choose is able to capture the entire experience, not just bits and pieces.Every couples wedding is different and while you can expect to see the best of the very best on a photographers website or blog, it's important to view the rest of their work to make sure the consistency is there and that what you see will truly be, what you get.

Do you have any references?

We're not saying you need to call up past clients and play this out like a job interview BUT it is important that a photographer has people who will vouch for them. Usually this question is taken care of by testimonials on the photographer’s website or portfolio but if it's not, this isn't a crazy request to make. It'll give you the chance to ask the real questions.

Have a question we didn't include that you think is important to ask? Leave us a comment below!

The Ideal Wedding Photography Timeline

 

A photography timeline is fluid, but the priority of the photographer is not. Finding a photographer should be one of the first things on the wedding planning “To Do” list. Why? Well, a few reasons:

• Is there a photographer you REALLY want to work with? Chances are, so does someone else. Photographer schedules fill up fast! You want to be sure to secure your date ASAP so you don’t miss out.
• Are you being realistic with your photography budget? You’ll find out pretty quickly the ball park you should be playing in. Each photographer’s pricing and packages are different, but you’ll get a sense of how much of your wedding budget you should allocate towards photography.
• Do you want the whole kit and caboodle - Engagement photos, Bridal portraits, Budoir session and Wedding coverage? Try to use the same photographer for it all. Working together before the wedding, if only on engagement photos, allows for the photographer to get to know you and your significant other. Building a relationship and being comfortable with your photographer is key because, well, you want to like the person who will be capturing one of the most important days of your life, right?
• Do you plan to use an engagement photo for your Save the Dates or a Bridal portrait to adorn the guest sign-in? Be sure to schedule those shoots accordingly! It takes time to edit and process photos. Check with your photographer to see how long their production time is so you can plan ahead.

Have any tips, tricks or experiences about a photography timeline you'd like to share? Post in the comments below!

She-N-He Top 3: Austin Wedding Venues

As photographers, a good venue makes us giddy! It sets the scene for a great event which, in turn, means great photos. We’ve been around a ton of weddings, so naturally we have favorites. Check out our top three favorite Austin wedding venues.

Barr Mansion

This space is so intriguing. It’s the first certified organic special-events facility - yes, the venue itself is organic. The floor-to-ceiling windows invite gorgeous natural light to flow in, allowing for beautiful photos. The natural elements throughout the venue highlight the thought and care that was put into creating such a space. Plus, it’s close to town which is always a positive for guests. And as pure as the venue, so is the staff. They’re a great set of people and lovely to work with.

Stonehouse Villa

This venue was destined for beauty, considering it was created by interior designers. The Villa is smack dab in the center of a plush green landscape right outside of Austin, in Driftwood, which allows for fantastic Hill Country views. The natural limestone house has so many intricacies which makes for a great back splash. Not only is the venue beautiful, so are those working within the space. Photographers are flies on the wall in many situations and the staff is always professional and caring in their duties.

Hummingbird House

Minimal decorating is needed at the Hummingbird House since the natural botanical setting has flowers and luscious greenery everywhere, Year round, they always have something blooming - Gorg! This is such a fun place to photograph because there are details waiting around every corner, its truly something out of a fairytale. I also can’t rave enough about the staff. They are SO gracious and accommodating to their couples.

There’s an obvious common thread in all of our picks (besides beauty) - a great staff. The staff is such an important component to consider when deciding on a venue. They will be providing support to you and your vendors throughout one of the most important days of your life. Be sure you mesh with the space as well as the people working in it.

Have a favorite venue we should check out? Leave us a comment below!

Ask The Expert: Make-up and Hair Stylist Erica Gray brings us her top picks for Bridal Style in 2016.

Make-up and Hair Stylist Erica Gray brings us her top picks for Bridal Style in 2016.

For spring 2016 bridal hair, think volume, texture and accessories! Inspired by runway looks from designers like Rodarte, Miu Miu, Monique Lhuillier, and Reem Acra, I created three looks on our model, Morgan, an Austin bride to be. The makeup for these three looks was kept the same except for the lip color.

For spring weddings, clients should look fresh and glowing. Loose pigment eyeshadows in shimmering gold, bronze and copper emphasized Morgan’s deep blue eyes (the gold pigment was also lightly swept along her lower lashline.)

Eyeliner was skipped altogether, and I chose a volumizing mascara, since her lashes are naturally long. I used a deep shade of bronzer to contour her beautiful bone structure under her cheekbones and along the sides of her forehead, temples and chin. A soft pop of peach blush on her cheeks was used to brighten her face and balance the contouring.

Look 1: The textured, low boho

Boho looks will continue to be popular this spring, but runways this season traded in braids for a different take on bohemian. Models wore their hair parted in the middle, and hair was either left down or pulled back low on the neck (fastened behind their ears or pulled into a low ponytail.) The key to this look is texture (and a lot of it!). Designers such as Rodarte and Miu Miu showed hair that was loosely crimped, which is a little too edgy for bridal hair. Instead, I focused on creating a lot of “roughed up,” textured volume with hair spray and light backcombing. Matte metallic accessories often accompanied these looks, so when I fastened the front part of Morgan’s hair tightly behind her ears, I did it with oversized matte gold bobby pins (found at Target from Goody for only $3.99!). This hairstyle is perfect for brides who like the boho look but want to keep their hair modern, sophisticated, and sexy

Look 2: The accessory factor Brides have been ditching the veil for years, but this season, hair accessories, especially headbands, were everywhere. For Morgan’s second look, her hair was kept parted in the middle but, but I added a lot of volume on the crown of her head for a vintage, 1950s vibe. I pulled the rest of her hair into a low, centered ponytail full of loose curls. A delicate, wrap­style silk headband was placed an inch behind her hairline to frame her pretty face. Metal headbands or cut flowers would also look beautiful used with this style. This look is dreamy and romantic. This hairstyle is also great for brides who want to show off their long hair while keeping it out of their face.

Look 3: Sleek volume Inspired by the simple elegance of Monique Lhullier’s bridal collection, the third look used volume in a completely different way. Morgan’s hair was parted to the side and brushed sleek with a little pomade to eliminate any frizz. I added a lot of volume to a low side ponytail in order to create a bun worthy of even the fanciest of wedding dresses. I finished the hairstyle with a light mist of shine spray to accentuate the sleekness of the updo. This look is perfect for both a classic and a modern bride, but it would look best worn at a more formal wedding. This updo was finished in ten minutes, so it would be a great style for a bride who wants to change looks between the ceremony and the reception.

Q&A From

Angela S: I want my bridesmaids to be happy, but I would also like their hair and makeup to look cohesive. What should I do?

EG: I am a big fan of giving the bridesmaids a few options of hairstyles to choose from. That way, the girls can choose something that makes them feel pretty but also gives you some control over it. In terms of makeup, if you have one artist in charge of makeup, the look will naturally be pretty cohesive, but there will naturally also be some variation from girl to girl.

Sarah W: I think I want false lashes, but I don’t want my lashes to look really fake. What do you recommend?

EG: Talk to your makeup artist about using individual lashes or demi lashes. You can enhance your lashes as subtly as you’d like!

Morgan P: How do I know what jewelry and accessories go with my dress?

EG: This is a little beyond the scope of hair and makeup, butusually, makeup artists and hair stylists have a good eye for these things. A good place to look for inspiration is on your wedding dress designer’s website or catalog. Another great place is Pinterest. There are so many pictures catalogued on Pinterest now that you might find pictures of the way your gown was styled by other brides. A general rule of thumb for accessories is to determine the focal point of your dress and don’t use any accessories that compete with that detail.

If you have any question about hair, make-up or accessorizing, please leave them in the comments and we'll get you some answers.

Erica Gray has been a makeup artist and hairstylist for 15 years. She started her career in NYC, where she worked backstage at Fashion Week for designers such as Marc Jacobs and Mara Hoffman. Her work has been featured in W, Maxim and Lucky Magazines, and her clients have included Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. Erica also offers wardrobe styling and personal shopping. Her work can be seen on her website­ ericagray.com on Instagram at @ericagraybeauty and on Facebook at /ericagraybeauty.

Austin original, husband and wife wedding photography team based in Central Tx. We specialize in documentary style wedding photography for couples who seek a unique, colorful and timeless look for their wedding photos. With experience in Advertising and Editorial Photography and Design we bring a unique perspective to Wedding Photography, Bridal Photography, Engagement Photography, and Boudoir Photography as well as Custom Wedding Invitation Design. If you’re looking for the bold, fearless and the Best Wedding Photographer in Austin Tx, you found the right team! Available for destination wedding photography worldwide.

Ruth-N-Wes Testimonial - Austin Wedding Photographer

[vimeo id="21471960"] Ruth-N-Wes stopped by the She-N-He office to share their experience working with us and to spread the love.  Many thanks to JR Digital Video for recording and putting together this video for us! And Thank you Ruth and Wes for selflessly coming by and sharing your experience with our cameras.

We photographed Ruth and Wes' very intimate wedding last year February. It was small but bursting at the seems with love. They took their vows after nearly ten years together at Umlauf Scuplture Garden and held their reception at the ever-delicious Vespaio on South Congress.

They were a delight to work with and we were honored to be a part of their wonderful day.

She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

Live Studio Photobooth - Austin Wedding Photographer

Photo booths are popular, fun and a great tool when it comes to photographing all of your guests in a relaxed environment. You're guests get to choose when they're ready to be photographed and ham it up as much as they want! You can  add props or furniture to equation the bounds are limitless.

In the case of Amanda and Corey's photobooth at Vintage Villas, they added yellow and grey props to bring home the color and theme of their wedding. They added yellow pictures frames, mustaches, and umbrellas. They also chose a white paper background so that anything more elaborate would not compete with their design aesthetic.

Duchman Family Winery (formerly Mandola Estates Winery) with Carly and Chad's photobooth in July 2010.

They did not choose a backdrop so we provided a piece of material that had to be steamed forever before the booth opened during reception, and a great deal of retouching got rid of the rest of those wrinkles, that backdrop was promptly burned ;)

A booth also help gets photographs of people who might not make it to the dance floor or any other action in the night, it's a great way to not miss people at your wedding.

We will be photographing a booth coming in a couple weeks at Barr Mansion. The couple would like to have photographs of every single guest and family. So they are handing out business card sized prompts for their guests to find "the photobooth" Which will be marked but it's not a traditional booth. Our photographer for that portrait session is super excited about the prospect. I'll admit, I'm a little jealous...

This booth was constructed for Rackspace Austin for there company party during the tech week of SXSW. Their party was held at Kung Fu Saloon in Austin. You can see in the images that there are Space Invader characters bricked into the wall where we planned to stage the booth, using the space as out backdrop. So we chose to have props. I am not much of a builder so I tasked the super talented Jennifer Ng to do the props for the booth. She knocked it out of the park with all of her props with gaming references.

This booth was constructed for Leap's benefit party at Seaholm Power Plant. I thought a backdrop would be terrible in such an amazing place so we lit the wall of the building as close a we could get to it. and it looks outstanding.

This booth was also for Leap , this time at Speakeasy downtown Austin. This booth was wonderful because the best place for us was a dark corner with a circle booth and a bank of windows with a street lights shining through. I used an extra long exposure to pick up the architecture of those lights. The guests were decked out in the flapper best and the night was a raging success. What a great time we all had!

She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

La Patisserie - Austin Wedding Photography

Sunday morning I was out photographing Lauren and Matt. We got started at UT campus at dawn on the Sunday the end of SXSW, it was quiet and beautiful. Then we popped by the "Greetings from Austin" postcard wall.  We finished up our session and we were lured by the frantic waiving hands and battle cry "Happy National Macaron Day!" La Patisserie was celebrating in style with 5 new flavors, I can't remember them all but the toasted almond was our all time favorite. I was getting Macarons confused with Macaroons.

French Macarons are a delightful little cookie sandwich cookie made from egg whites, almond powder and food coloring, and they're filled with buttercream or jam. They're tasty and they have spectacular texture.

They can be made into any color to match any wedding color combo. You can use them as favors or they can stack them into a pyramid to make a cake like structure.

Be the first of your friends to show off this new trendy, tasty confection at your wedding.

Enjoy.

www.lpaustin.com

La Patisserie - 512.912.0033

602 West Annie Street  Austin, Tx

This months featured flavor is going to be Toasted Almond. You can thank me later.

She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

Christy -N- Greg Engaged! - Austin Engagement Photography

Christy and Greg.

We met while I was shooting a photo booth during a Leap benefit at Seaholm Power Plant. There were a line of attendees and Greg wanted to negotiate his wedding on the spot. But I told him he would just HAVE to come in and chat with me outside of that situation and my candor if what drew them to me. I met Christy again the same week at a wedding event I sent them to, and after that we were golden. So here we are folks, their wedding is tomorrow, on a piece of property her landlord owns, in South Austin. I can hardly wait to see how it's all going to come out, and hopefully a special quick trip for Greg to the fire station after their event. We'll see.

I spoke with Greg yesterday about plans and tomorrow and then about their engagement pictures and it was clear I won over a skeptic. He says the pictures I thought I would like were great but the pictures I wasn't so sure about or that made me feel stupid while we were shooting it look better. Trust is the #2 reason to do an engagement session. If you have the budget and you're waffling. Do it. It's remarkable how much piece of mind it can bring when you already have worked with your photographer.

She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

Group Shots - Austin Wedding Photographer

I think you'd be surprised if you knew how many people come to my office and tell me, "I don't want group shot. My mom wants group shots but, it's not important to me." For that reason I don't show them a lot, when I make a sample book I often leave them out because there are more desirable shots. When I was married I handed our photographer a list of a million shots and he had to gently inform me that there would not be enough time to accomplish all of that. While these are not necessarily the shots we hang on our walls, they are images we cherish just like the rest of our collection. My husbands grandmother is no longer with us, but she was in those group shots. My mom doesn't dance or do any socializing so the only shots of her from our wedding were in the group shots. I know they take some time to do, and it's always the most tedious part of your wedding, but you'll be happy you did. Because we don't post them and show them off that much I thought I would put together a blog post with group shots so you can see our approach to wedding group shots and see that these aren't your momma's group shots, they're all your own.

Thanks for looking.

'50's Palm Springs inspired wedding day shoot II - Austin Wedding Photographer

50's Palm Springs inspired weddings day shoot featured in Style Me Pretty

yellow, milk glass, vintage dress, lace, classic wedding.

I am madly in love with Hacienda del Lago, which you may already know I cannot stop singing their praises, the location is completely out of control. I shot a bridal portrait out there in September 2009 and feel in love with one particular image, the bride in her long flowey dress walking on the path toward the house at exactly the right time of light. It reminded me of Palm Springs circa 1960. So I started researching the era, decor, fashion, and style. I met with Margaret Bedikian of 3 Apples Events and we together poured over more images from the era, and with that, our concept and visuals really came together and started to take shape. We got together with Kari Shelton of Wow Factor Design Co., brilliant. Armed with our concept and colors Margaret found Wicked Cakes who made our awesome inspired cake and Paige's Bake House who made those completely adorable and  absolutely delicious Petit Fours. The models were a no brainer, a couple we worked with for their wedding in February, who have become a part of our family, Brandi and Lee Barnwell. None of this could be possible with out fantastic styling from Shannon Yarbrough without whom we would have no dresses (Linda Asaf, Blush Bridal, Bella Saison) headpieces and accessories (Tracy Tenpenny, Millistar) or men's where. Rentals from Premier Party Central who supplied us with all of the white for our backdrop. Austin Catering created those bite sized pieces of pure art on a plate and lastly Brizy Tait of Keep Austin Gorgeous knocked it off the charts with her beautiful hair and make-up.

'50's Palm Springs inspired wedding day shoot - Austin Wedding Photographer

50's Palm Springs inspired weddings day shoot featured in Style Me Pretty

yellow, milk glass, vintage dress, lace, classic wedding.

place cards - custom designed by He of She-N-He

I am madly in love with Hacienda del Lago, which you may already know I cannot stop singing their praises, the location is completely out of control. I shot a bridal portrait out there in September 2009 and feel in love with one particular image, the bride in her long flowey dress walking on the path toward the house at exactly the right time of light. It reminded me of Palm Springs circa 1960. So I started researching the era, decor, fashion, and style. I met with Margaret Bedikian of 3 Apples Events and we together poured over more images from the era, and with that, our concept and visuals really came together and started to take shape. We got together with Kari Shelton of Wow Factor Design Co., brilliant. Armed with our concept and colors Margaret found Wicked Cakes who made our awesome inspired cake and Paige's Bake House who made those completely adorable and  absolutely delicious Petit Fours. The models were a no brainer, a couple we worked with for their wedding in February, who have become a part of our family, Brandi and Lee Barnwell. None of this could be possible with out fantastic styling from Shannon Yarbrough without whom we would have no dresses (Linda Asaf, Blush Bridal, Bella Saison) headpieces and accessories (Tracy Tenpenny, Millistar) or men's where. Rentals from Premier Party Central who supplied us with all of the white for our backdrop. Austin Catering created those bite sized pieces of pure art on a plate and lastly Brizy Tait of Keep Austin Gorgeous knocked it off the charts with her beautiful hair and make-up.

She-N-He featured on Style Me Pretty - Austin Wedding Photographer

Last October I got to get a great group of talented and completely lovable vendors together, a few people I don't mind spending 5 am with. We collaborated seamlessly.

I am madly in love with Hacienda del Lago, which you may already know I cannot stop singing their praises, the location is completely out of control. I shot a bridal portrait out there in September 2009 and feel in love with one particular image, the bride in her long flowey dress walking on the path toward the house at exactly the right time of light. It reminded me of Palm Springs circa 1960. So I started researching the era, decor, fashion, and style. I met with Margaret Bedikian of 3 Apples Events and we together poured over more images from the era, and with that, our concept and visuals really came together and started to take shape. We got together with Kari Shelton of Wow Factor Design Co., brilliant. Armed with our concept and colors Margaret found Wicked Cakes who made our awesome inspired cake and Paige's Bake House who made those completely adorable and  absolutely delicious Petit Fours. The models were a no brainer, a couple we worked with for their wedding in February, who have become a part of our family, Brandi and Lee Barnwell. None of this could be possible with out fantastic styling from Shannon Yarbrough without whom we would have no dresses (Linda Asaf, Blush Bridal, Bella Saison) headpieces and accessories (Tracy Tenpenny, Millistar) or men's where. Rentals from Premier Party Central who supplied us with all of the white for our backdrop. Austin Catering created those bite sized pieces of pure art on a plate and lastly Brizy Tait of Keep Austin Gorgeous knocked it off the charts with her beautiful hair and make-up.

There are several more images from the collection we're planning to post in the next few days. In the mean time. Have a look at Style Me Pretty's post.

Wedding Wire Brides Choice for 2011 - Austin Wedding Photography and Design

Austin, Tx – January 25, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce She-N-He Photography and Design has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Photography! Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

She-N-He Photography and Design stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud She-N-He Photography and Design for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that She-N-He is among the very best Wedding Photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at WeddingWire.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.