hey hey

“Don’t need no make up, don’t need no mirror. Don’t need no nothing, no nothing, just need you here… I need you in my life… by my side.” The song played as Christine walked down the stairs to see Jon for the first time on their wedding day. And I instantly decided, music should be played during every first look. A song special to them. One that puts them at ease. That they sing to each other.

Las Vegas NV isn’t a normal place for me to shoot. But when Christine messaged me that she was friends with Tess & Nick and started telling me about her, Jon, their friends, their wedding. I was in. This group is loud. And we know how I feel about people who live loud. I freaking love them. And then the invite said to bring a swimsuit for the pool party. Done and done.

I adore these two. They’re so sweet and generous, and always down for a good time. Their intimate backyard wedding at The 2810 Las Vegas Estate was magical. It is best to find lawyers for estate planning if you want to plan and mange your properties like this Las Vegas estate. To choose different locations for your destination weddings, you can also consider looking onto https://webuyhousesinatlanta.com/ site to select the ideal place. The sunlight, to die for. The personalized vows, tear jerkers. And their guests, bomb diggity. The BEST way to start the 2014 wedding season.

Congratulations you two!!! I’m so excited for you both. THANK YOU for having us there and including us in the festivities. And now I also think that every license signing should end with high fives.

And a HUGE thank you to, Meg Courtney, for helping me and shooting this wedding with me. Gosh it was fun to bring one of my best friends to Vegas for the weekend to work AND play. More to come later on our adventures 🙂

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I believe laughter must be hysterical. Commit.

To me laughter is joy being shared with the world. Why hold that back?

I believe in letting it out. No matter how ridiculous.

Laughing is giving happiness a voice. Belt it.

 

Happy Friday!

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In this digital age brides go to the internet to find a photographer. Be it through google or asking their 500 friends on Facebook for recommendations. Even if their best friend had a killer photographer they still want to make sure they’ve looked through everyone and that killer photographer is still the best. They spend hours looking at websites trying to pick the best. And it’s safe to assume they find 3-5 that they love their images. What’s next? They email you. And they ask for your prices. It’s the next logical thing to look at and a safe question for them. Now they can compare the photos of photographers, and what they offer and how much it costs.

But what if you stood out before this and through the inquiry process? You can. Here are my 3 steps to rise above the crowd and stand out in their eyes.

1. Share YOU!

What does your About Me section on your website really say about YOU?  Really. As humans there is this natural pull to connect with people. We’re glued to Instagram and Facebook and hashtagging, why? To connect. And you can guarantee when a bride is reading your About Me she’s looking where you two can connect with one another. They don’t give a rip about how long you’ve been taking photos, where you want to photography school, etc. And the VERY VERY VERY few who do will ask you, I promise you.  And saying how much you love love and love photography they’re thinking “well, damn, I sure hope so cause if you’re photographing my wedding you better enjoy it.”  Yet these points have somehow found their way into 80% or more of photographers About Me’s. I challenge you to share things more specific to you, who you are as a person. For example, brand recognition. Before I became very specific on my About Me I had a statement that said “I have no doubt Burton & Roxy make every thing specifically with me in mind.” I’ve had more than a handful of brides say “OH MY GOSH I love Burton gear. I only ride Burton snowboards!” To which I would reply “ME TOO!” Our simple loyalty to a snowboard company made me stand out in a crowd because we connected. Give brides something to connect to!

2. Personalize your emails!

A bride inquires asking if you have a date available and for your pricing. What’s your response? “Hi Bride!! I do have June 21st available. I’ve attached my pricing for you. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Me.” That’s the basic response given. But, if that bride emailed 2-4 other photographers they probably are responding the same way. Your response is the perfect opportunity to stand out once again! There is nothing wrong with spicing up the emails to show some personality. My brand is built around me, who I am. And I’m a little crazy obnoxious and loud. My responses always start with “CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement” followed by a zillion exclamations points!!!!!!!!!!!!! For some of you that may be ridiculous but for some it might not. Also ask in your contact form for their venue. That way in your reply you can comment on their venue. Show them a wedding you’ve done there. If you’ve never been there, look it up. Writing out the 2 extra sentences to tell them their venue is killer and your favorite part shows them that you care a little more about them than the standard here’s my prices. And you should care about them enough to take the few extra minutes 🙂

3. Follow up!

Planning a wedding is a bit overwhelming. Especially in the beginning, which is most likely when they’re contacting you. A couple days after they inquire take a few minutes to check in on them. They get busy and like getting a message saying you were thinking of them. Sometimes they even have some questions, but are afraid to ask. Just send over a quick email –

Hey Sarah!

Hope you’re having a great week, and that your enjoying planning your wedding. I was just thinking about you and Matt and thought I’d reach out to see how you’re doing. If you have any questions let me know. I’m here for you if you need any help!

Happy Friday!

I have booked so many weddings because I took 4 minutes to let a bride know I was thinking about her. It also opens the door for them to ask any of their lingering questions. Which always turns into great conversation between us.

And there ya have it! 3 ways to stand out to those newly engaged brides. And just the right time to start implementing them as all those gorgeous girls who said YES over the holidays are starting to look for the perfect photographer!

Let’s all start 2014 with a bang! 🙂

 

 

 

Photo by Justine Russo Photography

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He promised to laugh at her jokes even when they weren’t funny. She promised to laugh at his jokes no matter how inappropriate they were. And to comfort him in times of sorrow, when the Seahawks lose.

Big, loud, boisterous laughs filled the day. And there is no better way to spend a day than laughing.

After more than a decade of dating Chris finally proposed to Annie on this very dock. So it was the only place to start their special day.

This place is unbelievable.  Harrison Hot Springs. I was in heaven with lush, green, mossy forests in December. Add in these two. Pretty much perfection.

My favorite weddings are weddings where the bridal party and the bride and groom have known each forever. On average they all knew each other for about the last 20 years. That’s when you get the best stories, and the most fun.  And this group. One of my ALL. TIME. FAVORITES!

They spent the day celebrating. Really celebrating life, love, family and friendship. Seeing almost 200 people gather around these two was something quite special. They really felt like the biggest family ever.

Congrats you two!!!

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When sessions start, couples need a warm up period. Let’s be real, standing in front of a camera is weird. Even I struggle SO badly with it. So I usually plan the first 5 minutes of just getting warmed up. I asked them to just get close to each other and this happened. He pulled her as she giggled and kicked up a leg. And her laughter echoed through the valley. These two are naturals.

They held hands as I led them through the trees out into an opening. Walking into this valley that a few months back was filled with water. And I had this proud moment. As they looked up to the mountains that towered next to us. They’re mouths open in awe. Just taking in everything they could see. And my heart skipped a beat as I witnessed others instantly fall in love with the mountains. They don’t have these in Missouri.  Yes, Megan & Brian came all the way from Missouri to Montana. And I had the great pleasure of not only photographing them, but showing them this great beauty that surrounds us up here.

Although it was well below freezing. Snow above our ankles. Cold water running near by. We didn’t even notice how cold we were until we were done. We ran through snow. Walked across logs. Tripped on rocks (ok I’m the only one that tripped on a rock but sounds better if I just include it in the we dids). Threw snow.  And laughed the ENTIRE time. Anyone, and EVERYONE in the valley could hear us for sure. And we loved it. I’m sure the hunters did not. 😉

Megan + Brennan, please move to Montana ASAP! 🙂 I’d love to see Brennan’s dreams of riding a moose and becoming a pro snowboarder (nevermind the 12 year olds throwing down double corks, age doesn’t matter!) come to life. But mostly so we can be best friends forever!

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I have an incredible group of people in my life that I call my best friends. The days of having just one are OVER! I am so lucky to say that some of my best friends are also photographers. AMAZING photographers. And as spring starts to turn to summer my friends see less and less of me as I travel, photograph weddings, and summer sessions take over. Thank heavens they’re winter people and we sled and snowboard/ski alllllll winter together. Each weekend they head to the lake while I head out of town for the next wedding. I’m not complaining. I LOVE my job. I’m just lucky to have friends who will give me up to help others and then take me back in the fall as the wedding season slows down.

I’m so lucky that some incredible photographers are also in my circle of best friends. Though they may live far away and we don’t do lunch or coffee often. We still do lunch or coffee often. Just over skype as we work together. Each editing, answer emails, doing correspondence and more. We’re like office mates. And although there are only a few times a year we get to get together and be ridiculous they are still some of my best friends.

My summer season has come to an end. Just one wedding left for the year. In December in Canada, WOOP!  I ran off with my best friend Amanda this weekend. She is the best friend who is like a sister. I think she might understand me more than anyone. And I mean anyone. We’re both loud. And although she’s not that spontaneous or risk taking, with me she is. And with her I’m a little more vulnerable. We finally got to run around and play, after months of random lunches and coffee when we could squeeze them in. We got together on a SATURDAY!! It has been so long since I could do that. As we walked along a trail on a cloud-covered evening the sun began to peek through the clouds and the mountains down through the trees onto this log. I made her sit so I could photograph her.

She inspired this post of writing about best friends. Best friends inspire us. They encourage us. They push when we need a push. They hold our hands in a time of need. And life is simply better with them.

Best friends….

• love you when you find it hard to love yourself
• pick you up when you fall, as they’re laughing at you
• act so crazy with you that people think you’re high
• make you laugh louder
• accept your extreme weirdness, and honestly, you accept theirs. maybe even embrace it.
• carry on full conversations with you in weird voices, that you started.
• know your favorite drink by heart. coffee and alcoholic beverage 😉
• tell you first when something exciting happens. even at 3:43am.
• jump without hesitating.
• let you shine during a solo to a P!nk song on your roadtrip.
• photograph your craziness and don’t post it to Facebook.
• let you tuck your feet under their butt on the couch to warm them up.
• and always check in on you.

They’re everything you need at any given moment.

To my friends, and that includes you. Life is so much better with you!

 

 

 

 

 

You didn’t think we’d only take nice beautiful did you? Actually I think this is beautiful. 🙂

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“…you’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So… get on your way!”

It’s launch day!! Oh my gosh I’m so excited. When I first started photography I dreamt of a day that I could hire a designer to build me a custom site and logo. And here we are!

The next adventure begins now. Mountain Weddings for Daring Couples Who Live Loud.

The mountains are home. They call to me. And within them I learned to trust myself. I let myself let go, take chances. I believe whole heartedly that life is all about taking chances no matter how you look at it. And if you can’t take a risk on daring choices and live loud then life is pretty boring. And I don’t think I’m alone.

Today is a day of celebration. Here it is!!! My friend and designer, David Mendoza, killed it on the design of MY BRAND NEW WEBSITE!!!

And to add to the excitement you may have heard, there is a giveaway happening. Not just any giveaway. A GoPro Hero3 Giveaway!!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

– Head over to the brand new website ( www.jacilynm.com ) Check it out. Then through the contact form tell me a short story (doesn’t have to be long, even just a few sentences) about a time where you wish you’d had a GoPro to film it. Or maybe another GoPro from another angle 😉

^^ this is required to be entered, but there are ways for additional entries below^^

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

– Like Jacilyn M on Facebook. THEN you must find one photo you love and Share it to your timeline. It must include a tag to Jacilyn M. So type @Jacilyn M, Photographer make sure to highlight Jacilyn M, Photographer and tell your friends to come like and enter to win a GoPro. Because, if you don’t win you definitely want your friends to win! End the post with #jacilynm so I can track it, otherwise, it won’t count as an entry!

– Like David Mendoza on Facebook. Share his page with your friends! Make sure to end the post with #jacilynm so I can track it, or it won’t count as an entry.

ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL OCT 11th @ 9PM PST!

I hope you love the new site as much as I do! I can’t wait to see all of your entries!!

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All but 8 minutes into our session Tyler picked up some snow and threatened to smash it into Amanda’s face. I almost yelled out to do it!!!  But it was a little too soon to go messin’ up a girls look. If it had been an hour later…..

We wandered this gorgeous property in southwest Montana, sitting in the snow, getting the truck stuck, walking through mud and jumping in mountain creeks. This is the life. This right here is the good stuff. And Amanda and Tyler are up for anything. C’mon look at the way he makes her smile. Every girl deserves that.

I’m sooooo stoked for their wedding next summer. You just wait. There will be lots of surprise. Adventures are guaranteed 😉

 

 

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