Congratulations Kevin

Congratulations to kevin Checksfield, and the Papillion Police Department for winning the body for life challenge. Last summer when I took Kevin, and Molly's Engagement Pictures , I spoke at length with Kevin about his success on the Body for Life Challenge. I was amazed at his self discipline . Congratulations again Kevin. I hope you get a good chunk of the reward money.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Youtube is great!

I think I would be laughing too hard to take pictures of this wedding.



Tony

New album designs are in

I've finally finished the custom design on my first new style album. Thanks Molly, and Kevin for allowing me to have fun with your pictures. These albums are a step up from what I previously offered. I can design one of these albums for any of the weddings I have shot in the last 2 years. Just give me a call, and I will begin working on it.


I'm looking forward to shooting Sarah, and Bobby's
wedding this weekend. Sarah is the 3rd Bride in her family I have had the privilege of shooting for. I expect about 400 people. 3/4 will be family members. Sarah runs a tight ship for Eddies Catering out at the Millard Social Hall by Sapp Brothers on HWY 50. I love shooting there. Kevin, and Molly had their reception there. Have you eaten from the Eddies Catering Buffet line? Forget about it! Great stuff.



Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Shooting engagement pictures in the cold

Yesterday I shot Amanda and David's. Engagement session. We had a great time. We went to the Elmwood park Grotto, then to 9th and Locust to shoot them with a Fire Truck. David is a Carter Lake Firefighter. W e finished with a few shots in the Old Market Passageway. It was very, very cold. David was brave enough (or crazy enough) to wear a short sleeve shirt for a few shots. The great thing about winter portraits is you get to do things others don't do in the summer. I'm real happy with the way they turned out. Thanks to Amanda, and David for being brave enough to try something different.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Bride gone wild

Don't get any ideas ladies. Her hair looked bad but............................. this bad?



Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

It's got to be fun

Once the ceremony, and post ceremony pictures at the alter are over it's time to relax, and have fun. I've had a lot of requests for on location shots, but my only rule is that it must be fun. It doesn't matter if we go to the Leahy Mall , or just shoot a few in the bar I won't go unless the idea is to have fun. I won't be doing any stuffy posses to slow the momentum of the party. In fact I'm confindent that I can increase the fun level. So if you're looking for that perfect spot to do post wedding pictures don't sweat it. They will be fun pictures regardless of where we go.
'


Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Now I know why nobody is commenting

I just discovered I had my comments settings so only members could comment. Not cool. I've changed it so anybody, can comment on any topic, at any time. You can use any language, but I would like this to remain at least PG-13 or better.


Thanks
Comment away
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Flipping of the vail

In recent years I've noticed very few brides walk down the isle with the viel over their face, and have their father flip it up, and give them a kiss. I always thought that was pretty cool. Would you even consider it, and why, or why not.


Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Financing your wedding using credit

In one word.....don't. The last thing a newlywed couple needs is more debt they can't pay. It's true that you only get one wedding day, but you're only a newlywed once also. You've got to sit down, and make a budget. Put your wedding into your budget. Get a part time job. Have your fiance get a part time job. Check out my Gurru . It's an easy concept, but tough to do. I will work with any couple trying to stay out of debt. As long as you are giving me some money ocassionaly I don't mind waiting. Remember that the biggest reason people have marital problems is money. Can you imagine the aurguments you won't have if you're not on the monthly payments treadmill?



Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Outdoor ceremonies

I love shooting outdoor ceremonies. The lighting is always good, and I find that helps me shoot more pictures. A few things to think about while planning your outdoor wedding:

If there is shade available use it. Your guests will arrive 10-15 minutes early, and wait in line after the ceremony to greet you. That means even if you have a short 15 minute ceremony your guests will be in the sun for over 30 minutes. A few things I have seen to beat the heat are umbrellas, and fans. I've seen guests use umbrellas for shade, and I've also seen customized fans with the program printed right on it placed on everybodys seat.

Secondly remember the wind. I remember hearing a statistic that Omaha is actually more windy than the original windy city of Chicago. Instead of a unity candle try pouring colored sand, or pour a red wine, and a white wine as a symbol, and drink the mixture. You can have fun, and be creative with these things.


One last point: Those outdoor isle runners are great at tripping the Bride. I'm sure I'll see a Bride do a face plant some day. I've seen many close calls. I can't recomend isle runners.

I'll be in Des Moines this weekend so no posts from me. Enjoy the snow!


Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Try on all wedding clothes before the wedding day.

Last night I was meeting with future Bride, and Groom Nick, and Kim. Very cute couple. Those of you who have met with me know that a conversation with me can go in any different direction at any time. Some how the topic came up of guys showing up with Tux problems. Nearly all clothing issues can be resolved by trying on the Tuxes at least 24 hours before the wedding. Every year I see a guy running around town trying to get what he needs for his tux on the wedding day. It's sort of amusing to me because I realize the couple will get married that day with, or without the old college buddy on the alter. However, I've never seen a groom who was amused by it. Give the guys a reminder to try on the tuxes the day before the wedding.


Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Wedding day schedules

I woke up this morning, and it was -4 degrees. BRRrrrrrr.

Here is a typical timetable for a 2PM wedding:

I go to the salon early in the morning, and get a few shots of what's going on.

12:00 - guys arrive to pin on flowers.
12:10 - Groom
12:20 - Groom, Groomsmen, Ushers, Ring bearer
12:30 - Groom, his parents, siblings
12:40 - Bridal portraits
1:00 - Bride, her parents, siblings
1:10 - Bridesmaids, Flower girl
2:00 - Ceremony, receiving line, Group shots at the alter
3:30 - Bride, and Groom depart church




If you see each other before the ceremony the schedule will look like this:

11:30 - Guys arrive to pin flowers
11:40 - Groom
11:50 - Groom, Groomsmen, Ushers, Ring Bearer
12:00 - Groom, his Parents, siblings
12:10 - Bridal Portraits
12:30 - Bride, her parents, siblings
12:40 - Bride, Bridesmaids, Flower girls
12:50 - Personal Greeting Bride, and Groom
1:00 - Group shots at the alter
2:00 - Ceremony, receiving line
3:00 - Bride, and groom departure


I hope this helps you see how your day will develop.


Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Send me your posing ideas

This year I hope to be more agressive in finding a new pose for each wedding, and each engagement session. In the past I got my best ideas from the brides. Now I'm asking you to send me your favorites. I'm already doing the ones on my web site so branch out, and send me some images, or links via email at tonypremier@juno.com . Thank you!

I know it's a little early to be thinking about scheduling an engagement session , but once the season starts I'm ussually booked 2 weeks out. Please call at least 2 weeks prior to your shoot date. I can't wait for the season to begin. Engagement sessions are a blast.


Thanks for stopping by
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Changes coming in 2007

Winter has officially irrived. What a cold Saturday. No wedding today. I will be shooting portraits at a Holiday Party this evening. It should be fun.


Last year I was very proud of my wedding day pictures, but I've got to say I have been only moderatly proud of the presentation. I feel like I'm a top Chef, and I'm serving the award winning dishes on paper plates. I think my proof albums are top shelf, and the web site is a great time, however I want to really WOW people. I need to be delivering my pictures in the best coffee table albums I can find. Next year you will not be able to book me without buying an album that I can say matches anything you can get in the country. I certainly feel my photography is at that level, and now the way they are displayed will be as well.

The albums will be 2 page spreads .
Everything will be customized by me including the covers.

What does this mean to you? It means you will have a huge jump in quality. Something you can't wait to show off. Something you can have for the rest of your life. Yes, it will be more expensive. But it's not something you will get rid of in a few years, and forget about it like a car.

It all happens as soon as I find the right album. I am researching, and buying samples today.

I'm very excited in case you haven't noticed.



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

Keeping the guys sober

Now don't get me wrong. I'm all about having a good time. However, most ladies would prefer that the wedding party keeps the partying to a minimum until after the ceremony. The most effective way I have seen this done is to have food for people to eat. There is a lot of down time for the guys. They just don't have as much to worry about. No makeup, jewelry, flowers, etc... issues. What's a young guy to do with an extra 60-90 minutes on a Saturday? The often head out for drinks unless you set them up with a good spread of food. Spending $75.00 on a big Sub sandwich, and soda can help to keep your day a happy one.

Check back often for tips, and comments.

Check out the wedding pictures at www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Thanks
Tony Petersen
Premier Productions Photography
402-680-1032

1-11-07

January is not excactly the most exciting time of year to be a wedding photographer. Therefore you will get mainly thoughts, Ideas, actions, etc... that I go through in the winter to prepare myself for the wedding season.


There will be some very interesting, and exciting changes coming this year. Right now is the most exciting ever to be a wedding photographer. I am able to shoot, and share more pictures, faster than ever before.


Next year you can expect a huge upgrade in how I deliver the pictures to the Bride, and Groom.


Please bookmark my blog, and check back often for post wedding day thoughts, and pictures. Pre wedding day preperation ideas. I'll throw in some tips as they enter my head as well. I hope to make this a good resource for Brides, and grooms.


I will play around with the look of the blog from time to time. It is very primative now. Hopefully it will progress into something pretty cool looking.


As always check out my pictures at www.premierproductions.smugmug.com


Thanks for your time
Tony Petersen