Why wedding albums cost so much

Somebody Please start a high end wedding album company that is as easy to use as Shutterfly. I've ordered a few personal albums from Shutterfly.com . It's so easy. You send the the image just as you created it, and they print it the way you've sent it.
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The wedding industry albums are no where near that easy. You have to leave 1/16th of an inch on the outside of the image, you have to split the image precisely down the center. The image has to have specs of 600x300 dpi, and 300x300 after you finish. That includes the 1/16th of an inch extra. It makes me dizzy. Oh, and I forgot some of these companies are overseas, so they emails you get describing what you need to fix need to be translated. By the team you finally get it right you realize you are making about $3.00 an hour after all of the hours you've put in.
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I have to raise my prices. I'm on a quest to find the professional album that is easy to use. It's my problem until the brides have to start paying more for the albums. Next time I won't complain so much.


www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Behind the name Premier Productions

When I started working in the wedding industry I knew I wanted to be diverse. I wanted to learn as many aspects of the industry as possible, and I really enjoyed taking it all, and making it into a big production. At my peak production level I would Photograph the wedding, do a slide show after dinner, and then become the master of ceremonies, and DJ the wedding. I love working my tail off, and getting the satisfaction of seeing everything come together beautifully.
In recent years I've chosen to focus on Photography only. It has been great, but I've had the feeling I should be doing more. I didn't feel like I was delivering a "Production". My skills as a wedding photographer are as good as anybody in town, but I want to work harder.
An Idea hit me in the middle of the night 2 nights ago. I couldn't sleep. I had to keep getting up, and write my ideas on a note pad as they came to me. I got about 3 hours of sleep that night, and amazingly I wasn't tired at all the next day. I was too jacked up I guess. I will be announcing the changes to my service after the first of the year. Don't worry, I've retired from the DJ business. Let me just say it will be a production again.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Children's Portraits

I am taking a new approach to children's portraits. I've discovered people want a faster, easier process for portraits. I've come up withe the fastest, coolest new way to shoot them. I've chosen the perfect lens's to go into the house, and shoot stunning portraits using available light, capturing the child in his, or her essence. It's so much fun. I shoot the kids in the tube, eating, sleeping, and just being a kid. The best part is there will be fewer tears, and less frustration at portrait time.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Adding Video

I am adding a new videography service this year. I will announce prices, and services after I get a couple of weddings under my belt. I don't see a lot of videographers at the weddings I shoot. I think the reason for that is I don't offer it. I think if I offered it more Brides would have a video. I made this decision after watching my wedding video from 1988 recently. I'm so glad I have it. Many of the people on thevideo are no longer living, and it's really great to see them how they were nearly 20 years ago. My plans are to focus on lot of guest footage, and get all of the events. I want to give away something that is timeless. I think the trendy fades, swipes, and titles will look very dated in 10-15 years. Therefore I intend to keep it very basic in a documentary type style.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Children at a wedding

Don't be afraid to invite a bunch of Kids to your wedding. Kids make it fun. It's so much fun to watch the kids faces during the cake, cutting, and the garter removal. They are often seeing it for the first time. The eyes get huge. Sure...there will be a few parents who don't watch the kids close enough. It all evens out. There will be a bunch of parents who are watching kids who will step in, and help. Have no fear. Invite the kids.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Portraits in the park

This Saturday may be my last chance to do family portraits in the park. The session is $100.00. You get ownership of the master disc to use as you wish. Call me to make an appointment.


Tony
402-680-1032
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Heartland of America vs. Elmwood

We are nearing the end of the busiest season for engagement sessions. I have done a lot at Elmwood park in the last month. A bit of a departure from my usual Heartland of America. Elmwood has better fall foliage, and it is far more manageable on a windy day. The sessions go much faster since the area of the park we use is much smaller. However Heartland has better sunsets, and lake, and a really cool fountain. Fall is the only time of the year that Elmwood can compete with the beauty of Heartland. So unless it is fall be prepared for me to suggest Heartland.



Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Update

I did what I swore I wouldn't do...I let my blog updates get way behind. Well it's time to get caught up. The past month has been a whirlwind for me. I suffered through the passing of my Grandmother, and my only blood related Uncle. I was also lucky enough to go to Italy with my Father as a stand in for my Mother who was dealing with my Grandmother, etc... The trip could not have come at a better time for me emotionally, however my work flow has seriously suffered. I apologize to all Brides waiting to see album designs. I have managed to do a good job of posting full weddings, but I have not been able to get caught up with album design. So bear with me for a couple of weeks, and I will get caught up. I will also begin talking about recent weddings again. I look forward to getting back on track.


Thank you
Tony Petersen
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com
680-1032

Trash the dress

Kind of funny. Trash the dress.



Tony

www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Malena, and Noah

Yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting pictures for the wedding of Marlena, and Noah. Have I mentioned I always think my most recent wedding is my best work. Well.... I just ran through most of the pictures, and I'm so pleased with the way they turned out. I even double happy about that because Marlena, and Noah had a very intimate wedding. I was one of the only vendors they had. If I didn't capture the day nobody was going to. I want to thank them for trusting me. 1316 Jones Street is a very cool place to shoot. Marlena has one of the brightest smiles I have ever seen. I would love to hijack Noahs Ipod for a day to download all of his great music. Once again.. Thank you for having me.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

New prices for 2008

I'm very happy to announce a new pricing structure for 2008. As much as I love the new albums, and the great designs it is becoming very obvious to me that not every bride wants an album. My bookings have dropped drastically. The only thing that has changed are the albums being added to the package. There fore I am going back to the old style package that offers the album as an add on. I think the most important thing every bride wants is the web gallery, and the master discs. The new package will now include a cool little portable 5x5 proof album with the image printed right on the page Brides can just stick in their purse (If it's a decent sized purse) without worrying about pictures falling out all over. I will still be showing my future brides the very cool coffee table style albums, and hoping they will buy them. Now it will be your choice. For those of you that booked me with the "album in" packages you will be happy to know the packages are the same price if you order the album as an extra.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Jen and Chad album pages

I'm finally able to work on album creation. It's such a great feeling when I'm near the end of creating one of these albums. I feel like I've created something that people will be looking at when I'm 6 feet under. I guess it's a legacy. These albums are so cool.

Jen and Chad

The album I will be putting them in.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

The old market wedding convention

Last weekend We went to the Leahy mall on 11th, and Farnam Street to shoot some pictures. It's such a cool setting for pictures. The thing that is killing me lately is every Bride has the same idea. This summer has been crazy down there. We all seem to arrive at the same time, then they all go to the same pub. It's sort of funny to walk in to the upstream, and see 3 brides in the same room. I don't have a solution for the overcrowded park, but I recently went to a place on 11th, and Jones that was pretty cool, and we were the only wedding party there. I don't remember the title. It had "Wine" in it. Nice place.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Laura, and John

Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Laura, and John. Not boring. I didn't expect it would be. I met John a couple of years ago. He was the groomsman wearing the afro wig. I laughed a lot. The groomsman humping the limo door, and the groomsman walking into the reception with the toilet paper hanging out of his pants were memorable. Laura was beautiful all day. What a great smile! Thank you for including me in your day.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Kim, and Mike

Saturday I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Mike, and Kim. We had very typical August weather. Very hot, and windy. I was not the only photographer there. Mikes Dad got some interesting choices of shots of me throughout the day. Very funny. I mean like HA, HA funny. Kim managed to pull of looking fantastic regardless of the temperature. I feel honored to have been chosen.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Ashlee and Pete

Friday I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Ashlee, and Pete. I loved the location. They got married at the Champions Club near 140th, and Maple Street. I wish I owned that building. It's pretty cool. Congratulations to Pete for getting such a fun, and beautiful Bride, and also for doing it before you turned 30 (by a couple of hours).


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Bride and Groom Spot light

Check out this first dance:


Bride and Groom Spotlight




Tony

Mandi and Joe

Friday night I had the pleasure of shooting pictures for the wedding of Mandi, and Joe. This job is so awesome! We got to go out on the field at Memorial stadium, and shoot some fun shots. What a great time. Mandi has the biggest smile. Joe is a Lucky Guy.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug

Mindi and Colby

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Mindi, and Colby. They had one of
the most popular dates in years. Mindi's Dress was so cool. Colby has a million dollar smile. I
didn't hear any "Yahoooos" last night so I am going to assume there were on big winners in the
scratch off games at the tables. Great idea. Thank you for including me in your day.



Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

I look scared.

I have a lot of fun at the weddings shoot. I get right in the party, and dance right along with the guests many times. Last weekend one of the Bridesmaids decided she wanted to try her hand as a wedding photographer. She asked to use my camera. Assuring me she wasn't drunk. Note to all party animals. If you have to keep repeating that you are not drunk......you probably are. let's just say she was feeling little pain. I showed her how to wrap the strap around your arm, and away she went. She got right out in the midlle of the beer soaked floor, and got some pretty decent shots. Most were extreme closeups. I tried not to act worried, but she had about $3700.00 worth of camera, and lens out there. Here is a shot she took with me in the background looking worried.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Amy and Brian Teaser

My album creating software has not arrived yet. Therefore I will only be posting album teasers, until I can get working on the new software. Here is a sample of what I will be creating for Amy, and Brian.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Amy and Brian

Every week I shoot a wedding, and say to myself. "That was the most fun I'll have this summer" Then I say to myself "Those are the best wedding pictures I've ever shot". So if I sound redundant it's because that is how I truly feel. This week I had the pleasure of shooting Amy, and Brian's wedding. It was a great time. I danced more than usual. It was a great party. Kay showed she still has some wiggle in her. What a great union.



Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

I just posted a couple of slide shows for Kelly and Joe, and for Laura and Joe. A lot of Joe's . Fun stuff.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Teasers

This week I discovered I needed to upgrade my software that I design my albums with. I can't make a new design until I receive the disc. Therefore I just made a couple of teasers until I can design a full album for these weddings. Next week will be crazy.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Pete and Ashley Engagement session

People who have their engagement sessions this time of year get the best light of the year. The light at dusk is sooo cool this time of year. It also helps when you get a couple as good looking as Pete, and Ashley. I shot a lot of pictures last night. I can't wait for your wedding. It will be fun!


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Erin and TJ

Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Erin, and TJ. This will probably go down as the most unique wedding of the year for me. I've never shot a wedding at a race track. It was so cool. The couple said I do, and then drove off in TJ's crazy fast car. Somehow Erin managed to keep her dress white all night. Cool Grooms cake! Check back later this week for more images.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Chrysalis and Dan album posted

I've posted the new pages. I received some new album samples today. Unbelievable! The new albums are the most innovative thing in wedding photography now.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Jen and Chad

Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Jen, and Chad. You guys have a LOT of friends. Wow! They all know how to have a good time. Look up "fun wedding" on Wikipidia, and you might see a picture of you two. What I'm trying to say is "it was fun!". I appreciate you asking me to capture your day. Check back in about a week, and a half to see more pics.

Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Amanda and Chad

Friday I had the pleasure of Photographing Amanda, and Chad's wedding. You two were probably the most relaxed couple I've shot this year. Nothing was going to rattle the 2 of you. Guess that's why everything went so smooth. The Kids were great, and there were a lot of kids there. Thank you for having me. It was a great day.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Chrysalis and Dan album

I've been working on the album for a couple of days now. I'm about 1/2 finished. I am heading out to shoot a wedding so I probably won't be finished with it until Monday. Here is a teaser pic. Check back Monday for the entire design.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Kelly and Joe album design

The design is up for Kelly, and Joe's album. It's a great story teller.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Chrysalis and Dan

Saturday I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Chrysalis, and Dan. I really appreciate that I was chosen to shoot this wedding. It was a blast. The groomsmen were funny. The Church, the town, the drive to Manning, and especially the couple were stunning. You guys know how to party. May your bucket runneth over.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Kelly and Joe

Friday evening I had the pleasure of photographing Kelly, and Joe's wedding. Kelly was such a striking beauty. Joe is one of those guys who has never had an enemy. I love shooting at Saint Margaret Mary's. You guys are very popular. You were so busy greeting people you barely had time for a dance. A great night!


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Album Demo

I've recorded a demo for my Cornerstone wedding albums. Check it out.



Tony

www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Amanda and David

Friday evening I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Amanda, and David. Yes Amanda you can stop pinching yourself now. It's real. There is a lot I could say about this wedding. It was great. There were a few "first times" for me. I got to ride in a fire truck with the sirens on. I felt like a kid. The thing I choose to focus on are David's vows. He is much more complicated than he lets us in on. After he pronounced them I think I just stood there with my jaw open. amazing. Amanda looked more beautiful than I have ever seen her. She really enjoyed being a Bride. Thank you for allowing me to record your day.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

I forgot to mention.....

I posted Mindy, and Matt's album design this week. It really tells a story. I'm a lucky guy to be chosen to record so many of life's highlights for so many people.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

I sample the cake

I know it's probably tacky to see the photographer walking around stuffing cake in his mouth at a reception, but I have to admit I do grab a piece of cake after it appears most guests have had a chance to get some. I was at Amanda, and David's wedding last night, and let me say if you I shoot your wedding, and you have a cake from Petitts pastry I will be happy. I've tasted a lot of cakes, and that one shoots up to the top 5 easily. I'll post a few pictures tomorrow night on the blog.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Mindy and Matt

Last night I had the pleasure of Photographing the wedding of Matt, and Mindy. Rain was predicted for the entire day, but God decided to give us a beautiful day. Mindy, and the ladies were beautiful, and classy. Matt, and the guys dressed up like the village people, and did the sprinkler. Very nice! It was a great day. I am honored to have been chosen to photograph your wedding. Thank you.

Tony Petersen


www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Laura and Joe album

I have just completed the album pages for Laura, and Joe. It's a beautiful album. I think the pages really do a great job of showing how much fun we had. Thanks Laura, and Joe for including me in your day.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Laura and Joe

Saturday I had the great pleasure of shooting the wedding of Laura, and Joe. Joe is a lucky guy. Laura has one of the biggest, brightest smiles I've ever photographed. Great weather. Great party. Great couple. Thank you for having me.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Booking calander

These are the dates I am booked as of today:

2007:
May 18
May 19
May 26
June 1
June 8
June 9
June 15
June 16
June 23
June 30
July 7
July 20
August 3
August 4
August 11
August 25
September 15
September 22
October 6
October 20
December 28
December 29
December 31


2008:
May 10
May 31
June7

Kim and Mike engagement pics

We went to Walnut Grove park to get these great pictures. This was a fun session. Mike is never serious, and neither am I so it's a miracle we got all of the shots we did. You can see how relaxed they were. Great looking couple.


www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Introducing the fine art Black and White album

I'm so excited to announce a new album option. I will now create a fine art Black, and white album for each wedding, as well as the my standard Premier album designs. The fine art albums will have one image per page designed to be a piece of art you can display in a prominent place in your home. Each page is designed to look like the prints you would see on the walls of an art gallery. It's like having an art gallery on your table. The best part is you are the subject. It's so cool. I will use colorful leather covers to contrast the Black, and White. The Prices will be the same as the my other albums.


Tony Petersen
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Katie and Drew

Katie, and Drew turned their engagement session into a true Family affair. It was great. a real whirlwind session. Katie, and Drew are crazy about each other in case you haven't noticed.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Payment plans available

I want to make it as easy as possible for young couples to afford my pictures. I think the worst thing a newlywed couple can do is bring a bunch of wedding day debt into a young marriage. .Therefore I am going to put my money where my mouth is, and start offering interest free payment plans. I can set them up for as much money as you would like to finance. I will only set them up for 3 months beyond your wedding date. So if your wedding is 7 months from now I can set you up on a 10 month payment plan. If you are buying a $2000.00 package you would pay $200 a month. Please call or email if you would like to be set up on this plan.

Tony Petersen
402-680-1032
tonypremier@juno.com
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Sarah and Mark album

Sarah, and Marks album pages have been posted. Great looking couple!

I didn't shoot a wedding this weekend. I attended a wedding as a guest for the first time in a few years. I left my camera at home, and danced with my wife, and daughter.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

New service announcement

I am happy to announce I am now going back into the business of shooting senior portraits. I stopped doing them for a few years because I wanted to focus my attention on weddings, and to be honest with you the old "portraits only" style of shooting didn't get me as excited as the story telling ability of wedding photography. I came up with a Eureka moment last week. I am now going to shoot the seniors in the same "Day in a life" style. I'll shoot them with the intention of documenting everything that the senior fills their day with. I plan to include music, hobbies, Friends, school, jobs, cars, pets, parents, grandparents, etc.... in a non portrait style. I will more, or less follow the senior around for a few hours, and describe who the person is. I will also mix in some portraits, but it will be fun, and fresh moving from portraits to journalistic.
The seniors will receive an album that will describe who they are. The wallet sized pictures they hand out will be replaced with a business card with information on the back such as myspace page addresses, blog addresses, email address, etc. It should be fun. I'll be posting pricing, and booking information soon.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Sarah, and Mark

Last Night I had the pleasure of shooting pictures for the Wedding of Sarah, and Mark. Incredible! I can still get emotional at these things. The combination of Sarah's Father as the officiant, Mary's incredible singing, and a weekend of watching Marks Family throw complete support on this marriage was enough for me to get choked up more than once during the ceremony.
"RICK FLAIR" WWwwoooooooooooo!!!! Sorry. For those of you who weren't there you won't get that part. Thank you for having me as your photographer. What an honor.


Tony Petersen
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Announcement

I'll be announcing something regarding expanding my services with in the next 2-4 days.


Tony

Engagement pictures

Spring has officially arrived! I shot the first spring engagement session of the year last night. It was beautiful. Kelly, and Joe are a handsome couple. We had a great time at the Heartland of America Park. We had a pretty decent sunset. They looked great in front of it. As the humidity kicks up, the sunsets get more colorful. Thanks Kelly, and Joe.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Nate and Jen

This Saturday I had the pleasure of shooting wedding pictures for Nate, and Jen. They were so obviously having a great time. Here is a lesson for all Brides. Things started off kind of interesting. The guards at the gate at Offut Air Base wouldn't let me in because they couldn't find my name on the list. The Groom, and his groomsmen spent the next hour trying to get guests in the gate. This type of thing could destroy a Bride. How did Jen handle it? She was smiling, and laughing. Nothing was going to ruin her day. She had a beautiful wedding. When her cousin hugged her, and knocked her veil off she laughed harder than anybody in the church. In the end she was a beautiful Bride with a Beautiful wedding. The pictures tell the story. Look at her smile!


Tony
www.premierProductions.smugmug.com

Wedding album design for Dan, and Heather

Another design is finished. It's so fun reliving the day. I hope you guys didn't freeze in Saint Louis on opening day. I'm sure you had a great time.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Love this picture

As I sit here, and edit Heather, and Dan's wedding pictures I find myself cracking up with laughter. You can't really tell in this picture unless somebody points it out, but the Trellis is going down. Right over the cakes. It was in slow motion. we saw it happening, but there was nothing we could do. No real harm done. Very funny moment. I loaded them out of order, but you get the idea.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Kevin and Kate album design

I've just finished the new album design for Kevin, and Kate. A little behind schedule, but last week was spring break for my kids so I was thrown off schedule a bit. Tomorrow I'll be working on Heathers album.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Limo's gone wild

It seems every year the Limo companies have to come up with some crazy new idea to top the previous year. They went from the standard limo to the "Stretch" limo, then to the "Bus" type limo, then the "Hummer", now the Nascar limo. I can't wait to see how they top each themselves next year.



Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

You've got to loose control

Here is the picture of the Bride that has no fun on their wedding day. They are the Bride that doesn't trust anybody to get stuff done for her on the wedding day. It's the Bride who comes out, and moves the guest book table 6 inches to the right, then re-ties the bow on the 3rd pew, then has a major fit because somebody forgot the fancy lighter she bought for the candles, and now they have to use matches. She sends her brother to her house to get it, and now we have to worry if he will make it back on time. Ladies.....don't do it. Have your meltdowns, and compulsive moments the 2 weeks leading up to the wedding. Then let go on the wedding day. Trust your plans, and enjoy the beautiful moments. It will never happen again.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Heather and Dan

Saturday I had the pleasure of Photographing Heather, and Dan's wedding. Heather had the most uniquely beautiful dress of the year. The Limo was crazy huge. They had a 40 minute drive to the reception so it was a good choice. You guys proved once again that the parties in Nebraska City are as fun as they get.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Kevin, and Kate

Friday Night I had the pleasure of photographing Kevin, and Kate's wedding at Saint Margaret Mary's Church. Kate was such an elegant Bride. It was obvious that Kevin realizes he is a lucky guy. It was fun to be around the Tarsney family again.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

New album design

I just posted a new design from the wedding last weekend. I have a new technique designed to help cut down on the edit requests. I now make 60 pages, and you can choose your favorites to go in the album. They really tell the story in an amazing way. What took me so long to figure this out? I feel the final product I deliver is worth 4 times the standard proof book I was offering in the past.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com