First Styled Shoot & My Takeaway

Styled Shoot: a photographed shoot that is themed to look a certain way.

Yesterday I finished up my first styled shoot. I was excited and nervous,but ready to conquer the day. It was really fun to work with my other vendors! I worked with Jess with Jessica Wonders Events, Lisa with Forget Me Not Floral Events, Theresa for hair, Chris with Knights Chamber, Michelle with Bridal Accents Couture, Angela with Angela Karla Bridal, and our two Models Behtsee and Steven.

This is definitely a type of project I would do again. I worked with a power- house planner which made it easy to focus on what I had to do which naturally is my favorite part ;) (aka photography). A takeaway from this project for me and for others looking to do a styled shoot with other vendors, is give generously. This could pertain of your time, picking things up, helping clean up, being on time, or giving ideas. Everyone is working to collaborate to make an idea blossom into life and it is amazing to see it all panned out in really life.

Overall a really cool experience.  And I am excited to share photos; when they are ready I will be sharing here!! 

Steps for Successful Family Formals

Family Formals are one of the many joys of your wedding day. Through weddings I have shot, I wanted to share ways that I have found to be a good recipe for successful family formals.

Prepare your family. Make sure everyone has access to the schedule and the time in which family photos will take place.

Bring your shot list. Having a list of groups with names for your photographer will make all the difference. It allows us to move everything along without leaving anyone out. Try giving it to a second shooter or a personal attendant who can call out all the names.

Leaving Family Formals for Immediate Family. Family is family, but you don't want to be waiting on your cousin that was twice removed that you only see at Christmas to finish the photos. Keep your your list to immediate family (grandparents, parents, siblings, etc.) and you will be looking at a quick time with family photos. The quicker the family formals are completed the more satisfied your family will leave. If other family members feel left out tell them to plan on fun shots at the reception.

These are a few things from my experience that I hope you will be able to help your day go smoothly!

MW Photography | Choosing My Name

As the trend seems to be among photographers in my industry , I choose to use the initials to my name to represent me in my photography business. M is for my first name which is Molly. W is for my maiden name, Waits. When I got married one of the hardest things for me to let go was my last name. It's hard for me to explain fully, but in short, Waits was the name I had built so much on- success, relationships, personality. I changed my name for my husband, because it was a symbol of starting a new life as one united. It was a gift to him.  I will always be a Waits girl and I feel I can pay a small tribute by it being my business name.

Molly & Pepper