12/31/10

DSmithImages: 2010 Weddings Part 2

Greetings Everyone,

If you saw my post yesterday, you saw how I was looking back at the weddings I did in 2010 as we are now on the eve of 2011. Today's post brings the rest of 2010's weddings and a look at what to expect for 2011 and beyond. Let's get started!

Even though it felt as if it was the hottest day in June that particular Saturday, I had a blast photographing the wedding of Valerie and Josh. They were very easygoing, and we had already had a great time when they had their engagement photos done. The wedding was held at a church in Josh's home in Carrollton, Alabama, and we were also able to get photos done at Josh's family home right across the street.

One thing that I really enjoy about doing weddings is the opportunity it gives me to travel. I enjoy jumping in the car and going somewhere different, especially those areas out of my comfort zone. Meagan and J.R., one of the first couples that actually signed on with DSmithImages, allowed me to do so as their wedding was held in beautiful Piedmont, Alabama. The reception was held at Meagan's family home, and this photo is one of the last ones we took. I really like how it shows the great big world around them, and how they are now tackling it together.

I really liked this one. I really did. Abbi is one of my sister's best friends, and I was so glad she let me photograph her wedding. I must say, however, Abbi and Chad had already been married in Ireland a month before this. They decided to hold the reception when they got back so they could have the traditional party with friends and family. It was in a fantastic venue in Birmingham, the Loft at Flower Stems, and it allowed for some great shots. With the wedding being in Ireland, they used a green color scheme, which was music to my ears as green is the primary color of DSmithImages. I got the idea for this photo when I saw two little chalkboards set up in front of the iced tea coolers. Needless to say, I've used this photo and a couple others from their wedding for my promotional pieces. It was just a fantastic evening all around.

I mentioned how I enjoy traveling for weddings, and this one is another great example. I've known Inge since college, and when I saw he was engaged, I offered my services. Him and his bride, Nicole, got married at Inge's family home in Magnolia Springs, Alabama, which is just east of Foley. It was an old southern home located right on the river, and it made a great setting to have an evening autumn wedding. Everyone had a blast that night, and I again would like to thank Inge's family for the hospitality shown to me.


So that's 2010 in a nutshell. The year for me had its good times and bad times, like all years before, and I assume all years to come. 2011 looks to be a great year as the wedding calendar is filling up already. The year will definitely see two trips to the great state of Louisiana, and there's potential for other excursions out of Alabama. I would like to thank you all for being supporters and friends of DSmithImages. Without you, I wouldn't be able to grow this business that I really have tried to put everything into. I'll leave you with this to ponder:

May 2011 be better than 2010 but set the stage for an even better 2012!

-David
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
dsmithimages@gmail.com
2314 Starlight Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723

12/30/10

DSmithImages: 2010 Weddings Part 1

Greetings Everyone,

2010 is entering it's swan song, and as a result, I wanted to look back at the weddings I've been blessed to be able to photograph and share with you some memories and thoughts from each one. I've been able to be a part of 8 weddings so far, and I'll end 2010 and bring in 2011 with #9.
The post will be broken up in two parts. Look for part 2 a little bit later:


I couldn't have asked for a better couple to work with on my first official wedding than Coretta and Perry. Since it was my first wedding out of the gate, I was definitely nervous and knew anything that could go wrong would go wrong. It also happened right after a pretty stressful time for me. Luckily, things went incredibly smoothly. The wedding was held at the Harbert Center in Birmingham on a Friday evening. After the wedding, as the couple was going to a waiting area before making their entrance at the reception, I saw the ring bearer and flower girl, who is Coretta's granddaugther, mirroring Coretta and Perry. I knew I couldn't pass up a great moment like this.


One of the first things I learned when I jumped into doing photography is to make friends with other photographers. You never know when it will pay off. I learned this first hand when a photographer I didn't even know had called me and asked if I could fill in for her due to a medical issue. Luckily, Bethany and Matt were happy with what I offered them, and they brought me on to photograph their special day. Both were a blast to work with as they had a great sense of humor about things. Matt, a serviceman, was the victim of the rest of his groomsmen, nearly all servicemen as well. They had a blast "decorating" the get-away car.

Eryn and Rob's wedding taught me a valuable lesson when it comes to weddings: Not to sweat the things you really can't control. The couple had their wedding at The True Vine, a Christian retreat center and vineyard located just outside of Eutaw, Alabama. Both had spent extensive time at the place, and it was very special to both of them. The grounds that day were gorgeous as it was a lovely, lush spring day with the wedding planned to take place just in front of a pond on the property. Well, Mother Nature decided to play with us that day and started a rain shower right as the ceremony began. I'll never forget the minister saying, "Yeah, we're just going to cut right to the chase". He said a prayer, they said vows, and that was that. They didn't let the rain damper their day, though. As I said, don't sweat those things you really can't control.

Francessa and Todd were a fun couple to work with as well as they had a traditional church wedding at Holy Spirit in Tuscaloosa while having the reception at the Hotel Capstone. Being a traditional church wedding caused a few new things I had to deal with as I had to respect the church's wishes about not using flash photography during the service. It allowed me to try different things and get out of my comfort zone as well. One of the things I always do is try to be the first person the new couple sees when they finish walking the aisle so I can get that reaction shot. Francessa and Todd didn't disappoint with their reaction at the end of the aisle.

That's it for part 1. Be on the look out for part 2 soon!

David Smith
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
dsmithimages@gmail.com
2314 Starlight Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723

12/28/10

Welcome to Engagement Season! DSmithImages Wants to be Your Wedding Photography Provider!

Greetings Everyone!

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season, and you know, it's not even done as we all are getting ready to celebrate the coming of 2011! 2010 has been a good year for DSmithImages, and I'll be celebrating the New Year by photographing a wedding on New Years Eve! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Since the holiday season is winding down, though, it means are entering a new season: Engagement Season! All across the country, couples have or are getting engaged, and they are about to set out on planning all the details of their big day.

If you have gotten engaged or know someone who has gotten engaged, I encourage you to check out http://www.dsmithimages.com! If the wedding is in Alabama or California or somewhere in between, I'd love to be able to capture the special moments of that day for you!

I'd also like to take a moment to talk about something that myself and a lot of my other fellow photographers have noticed and dealt with when it comes to selecting a photography provider.

-Please make sure whoever you hire, whether it's me or one of the other great providers in the area, is a competent and able professional. I understand a way to save money is to hire a friend and have them photograph the wedding for you. The friend might be very talented and capable of doing so, and if that's the case, more power to you.

If they aren't, however, you are in for a harrowing experience. Photographing a wedding is not just simply taking pictures. It involves a lot of work before, during, and after the wedding. I ask that you consider some of the following if you are thinking about using a friend to photograph the wedding:

-Do they have proper equipment? Lenses? Flashes? An extra camera body in case something goes wrong?

-Do they know how to photograph various venues? Low-light settings? High-light settings? Etc.?

-Are they quick on their toes? Will they be able to capture every little element of a wedding? Do they know when and where to be at every moment of the day?

-Do they know how to properly process the images after the event? What program do they use? Have you seen samples of their editing work?

-Do they have a contingency plan in case something goes wrong? Do they operate with the mentality 'If something can go wrong, it will so you better be prepared?"

-Finally, and most importantly, do they do this full time? Is it just a hobby for them? If so, will they give you top notch customer service, act with a sense of urgency, and get your photos back to you as soon as possible?

I'm not knocking anyone trying to save money, but unless you're hiring someone to do video of the wedding, your photos are the only record of the event. It's something you must seriously think about if you want a quality product.

Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone who might benefit from it. Do know that DSmithImages is dedicated to giving each client the wedding photos THEY want. It is something I pride myself on along with great customer service and a speedy return rate.

Please remember to visit http://www.dsmithimages.com and send me an email if you'd like more information! I'd love to include you or a friend in my slate of weddings for 2011!

Take care and have a great day!

-David
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
dsmithimages@gmail.com
2314 Starlight Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723

12/13/10

DSmithImages: Don't Let the 20% Discount on ALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Pass You By!

Greetings Everyone!

We only have about two and a half weeks lefts in 2010, but that doesn't meant you can't take advantage of a great offer from DSmithImages...

I want to remind you all again:

If you book a wedding with DSmithImages before the turn of the New Year, 2011, and pay the required 25% deposit, you will receive a GUARANTEED 20% discount on any wedding photography package you select. I feel like closing 2010 out in style while bringing in 2011 the right way, and I think this is a great way to do it. Do note that if a travel fee is charged (And all fees are waived if the wedding is in the state of Alabama or within driving distance of Tuscaloosa, Alabama), it is applied into the discount as well!

In addition to the 20% discount, you get great customer service as well. Take a look at these recommendations:

“The day of the wedding David was perfect- he was able to get great candid shots while still not getting in the way of the day's events. I would recommend him to anyone."

-Bethany Styron, Married: May 1st, 2010



He got every shot I asked for and included everyone at the wedding in the candids from the reception. David was wonderful to work with and provided a great product at a great price. "

-Valerie Trull, Married: June 12th, 2010



Thanks to David, I have beautiful pictures that captured all of the love, excitement, and happiness that I was able to experience that night and I will cherish them forever."

-Abigail Hubbard, Married: July 9th, 2010



For more information about my new wedding packages and options, you can go directly to http://www.dsmithimages.com/site/info/wedding-investment/

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at dsmithimages@gmail.com or give me a call at 1-205-586-9723!

Thanks a bunch for supporting DSmithImages and hope you all enjoy this holiday season!

-David
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
2314 Starlight Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723

12/11/10

SantaCon 2010 & Egans Christmas Party: 12/10/10

Greetings Everyone!

On Friday, December 10th, Tuscaloosa saw two holiday season traditions continue. The annual SantaCon pub crawl was held along with the Christmas party at Egans. For those who don't know, SantaCon is a gathering of people dressed up as Santa Claus (or other holiday related characters), and they go to spread holiday cheer amongst the local bars and establishments in town. The last stop of the evening was Egans where the annual Christmas party was being held, and DJ Bin Rockin was providing the dance music for the party.

DSmithImages was on hand for both events, and I would like to share the photos with you. If you are tagged out in a photo, please do not crop out the watermark in the corner. All photos are property of DSmithImages.

For the full gallery, you can visit http://www.dsmithimages.com and look under the "Events" gallery or go directly to this link:

Enjoy!

-David
DSmithImages
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
dsmithimages@gmail.com
2314 Starlight Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723



12/8/10

Dickens Downtown: 12/7/10

Greetings Everyone,

On Tuesday, December 7th, the annual Dickens Downtown Christmas celebration was held in and around historic downtown Northport, Alabama. The event is put on by the local merchants and artists, and it features a Victorian Christmas setting. Various singers and musicians entertained the crowds, while an artificial snow machine was a big hit with the children. DSmithImages was on hand to get some photos of the event, and I'd like to share them with you! You can visit the full gallery by going to the following link:


Enjoy!

David Smith
DSmithImages
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
2314 Starlight Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723



12/7/10

DSmithImages: Special End of the Year Wedding Discount

Greetings Everyone!

With Christmas and the New Year approaching, I have decided to run a special end of the year wedding photography discount here at DSmithImages...

If you book a wedding with DSmithImages before the turn of the New Year, 2011, you will receive a GUARANTEED 20% discount on any wedding photography package you select.
I feel like closing 2010 out in style while bringing in 2011 the right way, and I think this is a great way to do it. Take advantage of it now! Don't let this discount pass you by or any friends who might be planning a wedding.

For more information about my new wedding packages and options, you can go directly to http://www.dsmithimages.com/site/info/wedding-investment/

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at dsmithimages@gmail.com or give me a call at 1-205-586-9723!

Thanks a bunch for supporting DSmithImages and hope you all enjoy this holiday season!

-David
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
2314 Starlight Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723

12/2/10

DSmithImages: Holiday Portrait Session Schedule

Greetings Everyone,

With the Holiday season rapidly approaching, I don't want any of you to be caught off guard and not have portraits done in time to share with your friends and family. As a result, I will be offering a slate of portrait sessions in the coming weeks for whoever would like to participate. I will be rotating in between the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas.

To book a session, respond to this event via the wall, email me at dsmithimages@gmail.com, or call me at 205-586-9723. Don't hesitate and get left out! The sessions can be used for family photos or even for a group of friends wanting to do cheesy holiday photos. The choice is up to you!

Possible locations in Tuscaloosa could include (but are not limited to): The University of Alabama, the Arboretum, Capitol Park, The Park at Manderson Landing, or your home.

Possible locations in Birmingham could include (But are not limited to): The Botanical Gardens, Ross Bridge, Railroad Park, Sloss Furnaces, or your home.

Here are the packages I am offering:

"Express":
-1 location
-1 outfit
-No limit on participats
-45 minute shooting time
-Proof DVD (Low Resolution) to keep
-Online proofing gallery for friends and family
-$25 print credit (Can be substituted for 20 custom holiday cards)
-Total price: $100
-With 10% Discount: ONLY $90!

"Standard"
-Up to 2 locations
-Up to 2 wardrobe changes
-No Time Limit
-Online Proofing Gallery
-Proof DVD
-$75 Print Credit (Can be substituted for 50 custom holiday cards)
-Total Price: $200
-With 10% Discount: ONLY $180

"Premium"
-Everything in the "Standard" package but also includes a HIGH RESOLUTION DVD WITH PRINT RIGHTS
-Total Price: $250
-With 10% Discount: ONLY $225

Saturday, December 4th: (Birmingham)
9:00 A.M. - Open
10:00 A.M. - Open
11:00 A.M. - Open
12:00 P.M. - Open
1:00 P.M. - Open
2:00 P.M. - Open
3:00 P.M. - Open

Sunday, December 5th: (Tuscaloosa)
9:00 A.M. - Open
10:00 A.M. - Open
11:00 A.M. - Open
12:00 P.M. - Open
1:00 P.M. - Open
2:00 P.M. - Open
3:00 P.M. - Open

Saturday, December 11th: (Birmingham)
9:00 A.M. - Open
10:00 A.M. - Open
11:00 A.M. - Open
12:00 P.M. - Open
1:00 P.M. - Open
2:00 P.M. - Open
3:00 P.M. - Open

Sunday, December 12th: (Tuscaloosa)
9:00 A.M. - BOOKED
10:00 A.M. - Open
11:00 A.M. - Open
12:00 P.M. - Open
1:00 P.M. - Open
2:00 P.M. - Open
3:00 P.M. - Open


-David
DSmithImages
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
http://www.dsmithimages.com/
dsmithimages@gmail.com
2314 Starlight Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723

12/1/10

DSmithImages: New Wedding Packages and Options

Greetings Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I have updated a lot of my wedding packages with some great new options, including more prints! With my ongoing 10% discount on ALL packages, these are some can't miss offers.

The lowest package now starts at just under $600, and all packages but "Express" provide at least an engagement or bridal session with a high resolution DVD (including print rights) for the wedding!

Visit http://www.dsmithimages.com/site/info/wedding-investment/ today to get more information about making a investment to have DSmithImages be YOUR wedding photography provider!

David Smith
DSmithImages
"Modern Photography for Modern Times"
http://www.dsmithimages.com
dsmithimages@gmail.com
2314 Starlight Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-586-9723