The change is official

Today I posted my new prices. Now my albums can reflect the quality of my photography. Those of you who booked me prior to today are locked in at the old prices. Those of you that booked at the old prices can also get one of these great albums. I'll design one for every wedding I shoot this year. Even if you don't buy a coffee table album I will get really great at designing them.


Thank you
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Reception order of events

I have been to well over 500 wedding receptions, and I can tell you people will leave if you don't keep activities moving. Now that doesn't mean you need to be in a panic trying to keep the events flowing. You simply need to put the events in the proper order. Here is my recomended order of events:

1. Bride, and groom start the Buffet line. If you eat first you can go around, and visit the tables while the guests are eating.
2. Cut the cake. People can always eat cake while your other events are unfolding.
3. Toasts
4. Bouquet toss. A lot of people do this after the spotlight dances. However I think it should be done early. If you do it too late you run the risk of having only 3 single ladies respond to the toss. I also think it's a great way to get people to begin to participate on the dance floor. You should always do the the bouquet before the garter. Guys get stage fright easier than the ladies.
5. Garter toss
6. Bride, and Groom spotlight dance followed by remaining spotlight dances.
7. If you are doing a dollar dance do it early, before people leave.

Most importantly you should do things the way your DJ is most comfortable.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Spring Engagement pictures

The recent warm weather has me thinking about Springtime engagement pictures. I can't wait to get out in the park, and start shooting pictures. We can start shooting as soon as the grass starts to green up a little. I usually start shooting in mid April. Our biggest worry in the spring is the wind. I have to reschedule a few sessions every year due to wind. So if you schedule a Springtime engagement session please be aware I will reschedule if the wind is howling.


Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Just a glimpse

Here is sample of the type of children's photography I am doing now. I call it "A day in a life". This particular sample is of me, and my son Nick. He has Cerebral Palsey so I have to do pretty much everything for him. These are all self portraits if I am in them. As I said this is a brief sample. The coverage I am giving is much more complete than this because I am behind the camera, not in front of it. The point is you can now see how I am telling a story, and really capturing your family like a documentary. It's a great time.


Thank you
Tony
www.Premierproductions.smugmug.com

Black and White is timeless

Recently I looked at my Parents wedding album. They were married in 1962. All Black, and white. The pictures are so beautiful. I wish I could have thanked their photographer. He did a great job. Contrast that to my Sister in Laws wedding pictures from the Mid 1970s. They seem so dated. They almost have a clown like feel to them because of the ridiculous looking clothes people where wearing. Is it because the clothes in the 70s were just that much worse? Maybe. But probably not. I think it is because Black, and white is timeless. You're not distracted by a color that is long out of fashion, or flowers that don't match dresses, etc..... You are drawn more toward the eyes, smiles, hands, figures. They are far more emotional. A black, and white image can say things a color image, or even a video can not. An album full of black, and white pictures on your coffee table will never go out of style.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Efficiency

I don't mean to pat my back, but..........After over 5 years of shooting digital weddings I have finally figured out how to nail the exposures, and color nearly 98% of the time. I just shot Cari, and Ryans wedding Saturday, and I am loading the pictures as we speak. Now I have more time to create fun collages, and give the Couples more for their money.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Cari and Ryan 2-17-07

The sub zero temps finally broke just in time for Cari, and Ryan's big day. Everything went perfect. Cari kept saying she was expecting one thing to go wrong. I'm still waiting. It was a beautiful wedding. I rarely see people having that much fun while saying their vows. Congratulations Cari, and Ryan! Thank you for allowing me to capture your day.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Childrens photography

I have stopped doing childrens photography...... until now. Shooting for albums has changed my whole perspective about how to deliver the best pictures I can make. I could never get too excited about portraits shot with studio backdrops, and studio lighting. Consequently I was never really very good at it. The thing that lights my fire is the story telling type portraits in a natural environment. Therefore I am introducing "A day in a life" children's photography. I'm so stoked about it. I will come over to your house, and spend a few hours with you in your natural environment. I will shoot your child brushing his/her teeth, a close up of their little hands doing a button, or tying shoes. Meal time, time with the pet, play time with Mom, and Dad, A visit to, or from Grandparents. I will really focus on the details. The things that will make your heart skip a beat 10-20 years from now. I will tell a story. It all goes into a beautiful story telling album. You will get an online slide show, and you will receive the master disc when the album is delivered. I love kids. I love to shoot kids. I can't wait to begin doing this again.

Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

I love the trolley

I am not going to speak of other forms of post wedding transportation in the blog. I am just going to tell you that I like what I've seen from the local Trolley company.

When people get off the trolley they are always in a good mood. I think the key to that is that the Trolley is like a rolling party. There is plenty of room inside for coolers. On hot days the windows are removed, and it's an open air ride.

It's fun for me to take pictures of people having fun. The Trolley makes my job easier.


Tony

www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Traditional works

There is a reason things become a tradition. It's because it works. My favorite weddings are still the most traditional. I sometimes have more fun shooting a non traditional wedding because it's something different, and I get to challenge my skills a little more. However I think the traditional Church wedding is the most beautiful, and majestic. The reason I see so many Brides doing the same type of things every week is because they work so well.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Hiring based on price only

I get a lot of phone calls that begin with "how much $ ?" This I understand. You have a budget, you want to see if the price will make you faint, etc.... However, I don't understand if you hire somebody on price only. I worked for a company once who only bought equipment, and supplies based on who was the low bidder. The trickle down effect was incredible. The quality of the product that came out of that low bidder mentality was just as poor as the equipment. When you call around town, only looking for the cheapest DJ, Photographer, Caterer, Hall, etc.... the quality of the service, or product will reflect that. I recommend you do some research. Ask for referrals. Get the best bang for your buck.

Musicmatch "On Demand"

I need to put a plug in for my music listening service. I use the Musicmatch "on demand" service. If I had this when I was 16 I would never have left my computer. For about $50.00 a year I can listen to anything I want in their catalogue. The Catalogue is so impressive. It has some glaring omissions but I think they have something to do with copyright issues. I spend at least 1 hour a day on it. Not bad for $50.00.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Average cost of a wedding

According to www.costofwedding.com the average wedding in Omaha is $27,140. That means the price has gone up over $10,000 in the past 3-4 years. Wow! Where are you ladies spending the extra money? It's got to be the wedding ring, because I have not seen any big changes in the types of services the Brides have been using over the past few years. I have a 7 year old daughter. At this rate her wedding will cost $200,000. I had better start saving my Nickels.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

I've been robbed

Today has been a drag. Somebody got my debit card info, and cleaned me out. I hope to get most of it back. We'll see. It's a shock to see zeros in your account when you're not expecting it. My Credit union has been very helpful. I'm thankful.

I hope to have a bunch of new album pages up this week.


Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Sarah and Bobby 2-3-07

I feel so fortunate to have been asked to photograph Sarah, and Bobby's wedding last night. Sarah is the 3rd Sister in her family I have shot a wedding for. The weddings are incredible. Every one. Not only are they fun, but they are extremely spiritual. Sarah shared what I consider to be a wedding day miracle with me. I have been thinking, and praying about it all day. Amazing!
As for the party:.... Sarah's Brothers set up a live webcam in their house, and had a few of the masked groomsmen remove all of the furniture, and replace it with thrift shop specials. All seen during the toast projected on the wall behind them. It played out beautifully. Check back Wednesday for the custom album design.


Thanks again to Sarah, and Bobby
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com

Changes are near

I am getting very close to releasing the new changes in how I deliver my pictures. I'm very excited. I've been happy with what I have been delivering the past few years. I always shopped price first, and quality 2nd. Now I'm reversing the order. I can't wait to show the albums, and software.



Thanks
Tony
www.premierproductions.smugmug.com