Yanman Photographers Blog

Want great pictures? Hire a good ... Wedding Planner?

2010-02-17T12:15:00.000-05:00

I don't write very many words on this blog normally, it is a after all a photography blog, and the images are the primary focus here. However, I was asked the other day by an interviewer what I thought was one of the most important things a couple needed to do to get great photographs on their wedding day (Oh and they wouldn't let me just use the answer "hire me").

My immediate response? ...

"Easy, Hire a professional wedding planner!"

Now before I get to all the reasons why, I want to answer the "oh your just kissing up to planners" question. I'm not I promise, this is not about any one individual planner or even just the ones in this area. I do love working with them, and I do love having them recommend our services, but I want them to do so based on our work, on the quality of our images, and the excellent customer service we provide. I think that once you see my reasoning you'll understand why I say that hiring a planner can make your pictures better.

Now there are probably thousands of things that a great planner does before a wedding that I never see, so I preface everything that I am about to say here with this -

"I am only discussing wedding planning and how it relates to the photographer and photography, in my opinion."

I know there is way more to it then what I see at a wedding. My wife and I did hire a professional wedding planner for our wedding a few years ago when we got married so I have seen first hand as a client what one can do. For this blog entry however, I am only focusing on day of wedding coordination.

What is a planners real job for your wedding day?

To keep it running on schedule, running smoothly, coordinating numerous vendors, all the while providing a stress and worry free day for the bride and groom, the wedding party, and even the guests.

Knowing this it is easy to see how how having a planner can make for better pictures, right? The goal of your photographer is to capture the beauty, the romance, the emotions of your special day. If you are worrying about the schedule, dealing with the details, if you are stressed about anything there is a chance of this showing in your pictures. So I'll try to sum up this long post with one easy statement...

Anything that keeps you stress free, and makes you smile on your wedding day helps to make great images, and a great wedding planner can do all that and more.

That's what I think ... what are your thought? Feel free to comment ...

Shannon + Stephen Get Married

2010-01-24T22:39:00.005-05:00

We were recommended to Shannon and Stephen by previous bride and groom Greg and Heather Cadwallader. (They were in their wedding).

It was great working with them and getting to see Greg and Heather again.

Shannon is a lover of photography, and she knows what she likes. She provided us with a lot of great suggestions, while still letting us shoot with our own style.

First a shot where north meets south, and on this day the high was only 35, so it felt more north then south.

The ceremony was at the beautiful Lee Chapel.

My favorite part of the day is when a couple chooses to have a private first look prior to the wedding. It is so touching.

The campus has many great locations to shoot, what a great backdrop. I have to hand it to Shannon for braving the cold, no sleeves what a trooper, the rest of us had jackets.

Here is one of the suggestions ...

And another ...

But this is one that my second shooter and I came up with on our own.

Welcome to 2010

2010-01-01T23:12:00.004-05:00

I thought this picture of my daughter would make a great first day image, it shows such a great sense of wonder for new things.

As we open a new year, I wish you and your family a happy and safe New Year!

We are looking forward to working with all the newly engaged.
Getting Married in 2010 or 2011? Call us now to reserve your date.

At my house we say, Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T19:54:00.003-05:00

Wishing you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

No matter what you celebrate have a save and Happy Holiday.

And remember thank our military. They are volunteers far from home, so that we can celebrate the holidays, and be free to choose our faith.

Nicholas & Tussannee get Married

2009-10-03T16:23:00.001-04:00

On October 3, 2009 Nick and Tussannee got married at the beautiful Hollis Gardens in Lakeland Florida. Their reception was held at the elegant Terrace Hotel.

Here is the bride getting ready for her big day, we started at 7:30AM and the hair and makeup team was already at it, talk about an early day.

Doesn't the Tussanne look amazing ...

You may kiss the bride ...

Again ...

Congratulations to the happy couple.

Julissa + Orlando, Downtown Orlando Wedding

2009-09-19T13:29:00.001-04:00

His name is Orlando, and they got married in Orlando. Can't get any easier to remember then that.

Julissa and Orlando got married right outside next to Lake Eola, it was still a little hot out, but the cloud cover really did help a lot.

Julissa got ready in her hotel room with all of her bridesmaids around for support, here she is having a bit of fun with them ...

I got to do one of the coolest things I've done in a while, I rode over with all the girls in the limo. Don't worry girls I won't tell the guys your secrets.

Orlando was ready and smiling while waiting for his bride, especially when he saw her for the first time.

What a beautiful bride as her dad walked her down the isle.

Family portraits where taken with the city as a backdrop.

We finished the night at the Sorosis Woman's Club, in downtown.

These two don't just think they can dance - They can!

Congratulations to Orlando and Julissa. We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Nikki & Daniel Get Married

2009-09-18T14:42:00.000-04:00

Starting at the Holy Family Catholic Church and continuing at The Ballroom at Church Street, Nikki and Daniel had an incredible wedding day. We feel honored to have been a part of their special day.

Here are just a few of the fantastic images from the wedding and reception.

Barny and Sylvia get married...

2009-09-12T20:39:00.001-04:00

Sylvia is an ex co-worker from my IT days working in the wonderful world of electronic ticketing.

When she called and asked if I would be her photographer at her wedding I jumped at the chance.

Sylvia and I have both come a long way since we met eight years ago, and I wish her and Barny all the best.

It was a little rainy when we got started at the Aloma Methodist Church

The rain went away and the day got almost as pretty as the bride ... well almost.

The reception was held at the Altamonte Springs Clarion...

I could tell you all about the first time Sylvia and I met, but that would be a whole different blog...

Why not just do it yourself ... That is the point

2009-09-07T22:50:00.011-04:00

Ok, so if you have not yet read my previous blog posts or been following along on Facebook - please start with -

Let them eat cake Part 1

Let them eat cake Part 2

Let them eat cake Part 3

Ready, OK lets get to the point,

I know how to bake a cake, but I'm no cake decorator ...

Wow! Shocker right? I'm a photographer, that watches cake shows, and thinks he can make a professional cake?

Well not really, I did want to try my hand at making a cool fondant covered cake, but I knew the results (while edible) wouldn't be pretty. At first I was just doing this for me, and the 30-50 people that will be eating this cake on Tuesday. Then it hit me...

I had all the tools ( I bought everything you could need to make the cake I planned on). I had a kitchen, the time, the ingredients and I had made great tasting cakes in the past. The two things I was lacking was knowledge and skill.

Here are some quotes from my Facebook friends and family -

"...this is a real LABOR day project! doesn't your publix have a bakery? ... i'm just askin.' : )"

"How long does it take to bake a cake?????"

"...again, why are you doing this yourself?"

Too many times in the wedding business we hear of someone taking on a project that is just a little more then they can handle. I'm not saying that you can't do it yourself on some things to save money, just know your limits and when to hire a pro.

So here are the three points that I learned from my DIY project:

1. Know your, and your friends DIY limits.
2. DIY only where you are sure of the outcome, and the time it will take.
3. DO NOT LET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER BAKE YOUR CAKE ...

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Labor Day, and that your desert looked better then mine. :)

Let them eat cake part 3

2009-09-07T18:29:00.002-04:00

So this is the stage where things take a turn for the worse ...

No matter how hard I try, I can't get the fondant smooth around the sides ...

I really had no plan what I was going to do with the colored fondant ...

And at this point it was like "putting lip stick on a Pig ..."

There was just no saving this cake ... I really did try ...

At least my wife and daughter had fun adding the sprinkles to the cake ... Sprinkles make everything better right?

On to the moral of this story ...

Let them eat cake part 2

2009-09-06T21:33:00.001-04:00

Somewhere early on in this project (Like when I discovered I didn't buy enough cake mix), I realized there was more to be learned from making this cake then just how to do it.

So this is why I continued, and posted the entire thing to Facebook.

After I went and got more cake mix, I made layer two shown below. I had forgotten for the second time to grease or flour the pan. Also I didn't add enough oil to the mix for a cake of this size, so ... it stuck to the pan and broke apart.

The base 10 inch layer, turned out ok, but when I cut it flat it broke a bit ...

OK, Ice and add layer two ...

Then sculpt,

It leans more then I wanted but the shape is ok... Maybe?

OK after Icing ...

Then it's roll out the fondant...

Now the fun begins ...

Let them eat cake part 1

2009-09-05T19:59:00.001-04:00

This Labor Day I decided to tackle an "interesting" project. Baking a cake.

Now I know what you are thinking, anyone can bake a cake. This one is a little bit ... different.
If you are one of my Facebook friends, you know what I'm talking about (but not why), but for everyone else here is what went down this weekend (and the why).

This may come as a surprise to most everyone, but I watch a lot of cake decorating shows. Wedding cakes, cake challenges, ace of cakes; you get the point. So this weekend I set out to bake a "pro-like" cake. The plan in my mind was a cake that looked a bit like the mad hatter's hat from Alice in wonderland. Bigger on top smaller on the bottom...etc. etc. It wasn't going to be a hat just have that look.

So after a trip to Michael's to buy cake pans, fondant, spatulas, a rolling pin, and lots of frosting (5 lbs of frosting). I left there $129 lighter. Then to Publix for the first of many trips. Here is a list of the cakes ingredients:

5 Boxes of cake mix
18 Eggs
2 Cups of Oil
7 Cups of Water
7 Lbs. of Icing
5 Lbs. of Fondant
1 Pound of Decorative Fondant
Decorative sprinkles

If you add in the Publix costs, my "Hard Costs" for this little weekend project is $150. Not including the $25 worth of items I need to return.

To be continued ...

Chris & Laura

2009-08-02T19:13:00.000-04:00

Here are a few pictures from Chris and Laura's wedding at the fantastic Highland Manor in Apopka.

Some Getting ready shots ...

Laura looking lovely.

The great cake from Party Flavors

Congratulations Chris & Laura, thank you for letting us capture your day.

Joelle & Chris Get married June 27th 2009

2009-06-27T17:56:00.007-04:00

What a fantastic wedding! Living in Orlando I always love getting over to the coast to take pictures on or near the ocean. We met Joelle and Chris through the fabulous planners at Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist, thank you Sara and Karry for your recommendation and helping to make it a picture perfect day.

The ceremony was held at the very quaint, Melbourne Community Chapel. There is a reason that song talks about "Going to the Chapel..." It makes for great pictures and a very intimate affair.

The reception was held at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, and where else can you get pictures next to a real pirate ship? OK, it was really more like a fishing boat with a pirate flag, still it makes for cool pictures ...

The couple was so happy that day, they did all the work, we just captured the moment -

Cupcakes anyone?

First Dance...

I'd also like to thank my associate photographer Corryn for all her help in capturing the events of the day. We make a good team indeed. Here is one that Corryn got just before we left ...

June 20th Wedding - Kim and Jerome, no wait Jeremy

2009-06-20T12:03:00.003-04:00

Ok the title is an inside joke, and this is an inside wedding.

For those that don't know, Yanman Photographers is a bit of a family business.

My brother Joe shoots weddings with me and even one or two on his own, my wife assisted me at many weddings before our daughter was born, and my sister-in-law Marcy now assists me from time to time. While there are some other non-related "family" members helping out, we still think of everyone as family.

So when my brother asked for some assistance photography an up-coming "friend of the family" wedding, I couldn't say no. Well I could have but it wouldn't have been pretty, since Marcy was in the wedding party, and brother Joe was asking really nicely (hard for him to do trust me ;o)

So here are just a few of my favorites from the day, plus a couple to introduce you to our team members ...

First It's hair and makeup time -

A little something to come the nerves, not mine, or the brides for that matter. Hmm why are the bridesmaids nervous?

Here is Marcy getting ready, my brother had to remind me that she wasn't assisting in taking pictures, she was IN this wedding. Joe took this picture which he was quick to point out to me when Marcy posted it on Facebook ...

Well here is something a bit different, the Photographers have name cards and a place at the guest tables. Normally I wouldn't sit with the guests, but since many of them were part of extended family ...

Here is the happy couple ...

Joe always nails the detail shots ...

This is why people get married at county clubs ...

First Dance ...

And last but not least, a shot of my brother Joe and his wife Molly. Molly thank you for keeping him in-line!

May 30th Wedding -Brynn & Joel

2009-06-13T19:59:00.002-04:00

Brynn & Joel got Married at the beautiful Royal Crest Room in St. Cloud.

I love when couple opt to see each other before the wedding, while this is a obvious break in tradition, it can make for some very powerful pictures.

Here are just a very few of my favorites from the day:

Joel, waiting on his bride -

Such a great place for a picture - and a kiss!

Some Fun During the formals! Mine, no mine ...

Very Chic Table settings.

And they left with sparklers all around! Sparkler shots are always cool...

I'll leave you with a fun one that ended up as my Facebook image for a while -

More from the Mike Colon Workshop ...

2009-06-12T20:40:00.005-04:00

I know that it has been three weeks since I got back from the workshop with Mike Colon, and I promised updates every day yet I only updated on the first day, let me just say this -

The Workshop was Packed full of great information, and took every minute of every day that we were there (this is a good thing, never a boring moment not once...), I wish I could do one a month.

I'm just going to let the images speak for themselves here, but I do want to add this...

Mike Colon thank you from the bottom of my heart, for making this more then just a class. You opened your heart and your home, provided wit and wisdom ... I'm honored to call you friend and mentor ...

Sharpen the saw...

2009-05-19T02:23:00.004-04:00

Today was day one of the Mike Colon 4 day intensive workshop.

All I can say is WOW!

Great weather, great resort, great photographers, great teacher...

Great images!!!

In the seven habits of highly effective people Steven Covey makes it clear that no matter how good you are at something, you must take time to train, to better your tools, to "sharpen the saw".

Clearly this is my week to sharpen my saw.

More images soon...stand by...

Tacos and Earthquakes, oh my.

2009-05-18T00:45:00.002-04:00

Just got to Newport Beach for the Mike Colon 4 day intensive workshop.

As soon as I get in and turn on my phone there is a message from Ray Santana, that we will be meeting up for dinner with Mike and some of the other photographers.

Wow what a great way to start what I know will be a great week, sooo where do we go for dinner...

And then in the parking lot afterwards the ground shakes, was that? Was that just an earthquake?

Yep, 5.0...

Ray this one is for you .... goodtimes!

Nothing to cry about . . .

2009-05-11T20:53:00.002-04:00

I promised myself that once the new blog was up, I would blog more, hopefully getting in the habit of blogging every day.

But time is not my friend, and I find myself very busy with both business and family. I'm not complaining both are a good thing, it is just hard to keep up sometimes.

I added Twitter Updates to the top of the blog, so that should give you more of an idea what we are up to on any given day, and I've got some really big surprises coming real soon ... stay tuned...

For now here is another picture from Elizabeth's swim lessons...Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T18:28:00.001-04:00

This goes out to all the mom's out there, and to my own beautiful wife Angela the best mom I know!

Have a great day!

Coming up for air...

2009-05-09T21:34:00.000-04:00

I know that I have been away from the blog for a long while, and of course excuses are just excuses. Fact of the matter is that we have been waiting since the beginning of the year to change the look of our blog to better match our new logo and our upcoming new web site (stay tuned for that).

So with the help of J. Gibson Designs, I present to you our new blog.

My number one design criteria was for bigger pictures ... so I give our first "super sized" blog picture.

My 15 month old daughter Elizabeth, at her swimming lessons ...

More new blog posts real soon!

Visit us Next Sunday April 5th

2009-03-24T18:15:00.000-04:00

Come visit us at the Your Wedding TV Bridal Show

Sunday April 5th at the Wyndham Orlando Resort.

Be the first to mention this blog post and receive a free gift.

Valentines Day Contest

2009-02-13T20:46:00.001-05:00

So here are the details of our Valentines Day 2009 Engagement Session Contest,

We are giving away not one, but FIVE (5) Engagement Photo Sessions.

These one hour engagement sessions are valued at $150 and the photos can be used for save the dates, for announcements, for your guest book, at your wedding and more.

OK so here are the rules (You knew there had to be some...)

1. You must be engaged ... yes with a ring and everything.
2. You must be getting married in the next 18 months.
3. You must be getting married in Florida
4. You must NOT be under contract to another wedding photographer.
5. You understand that your pictures and essay will be posted on our blog.
6. You must be 18 or older.

Ok so how do you enter...

Send an e-mail with the following information to editor@yanman.com

1. Bride's First and last name
2. Groom's First and last name
3. email address
4. Valid phone number
5. Date you got engaged
6. Wedding date
7. Wedding location
8. A 250 word (or less) essay on why you are the perfect couple, or why your fiance is the most romantic person in the world.

GOOD LUCK!

Contest ends at midnight on Saturday Febuary, 28th. Winners will be based on essay, and will be picked by Yanman staff. Yanman Photography has the final word on winning entries. All prizes may not be awarded if number of valid entries is less then number of prices to be awarded

Come meet us at the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show

2009-02-06T10:41:00.000-05:00

Come visit me at Central Florida's Favorite and Most Popular Bridal Event of 2009!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Noon to 4:00 PM

Orlando World Marriott Center

8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821

This is Central Florida's largest bridal event of the year and they are putting everything bridal under one roof in one afternoon!

Get ideas!

Meet vendors!

Have fun!

Win prizes!

See fashions!

Save money!

Save time!

Visit me at the show to discover how I can help you have the wedding you've always dreamed of! I can't wait to meet you.

For more information about the show or to pre-register for your Buy One, Get One Free Tickets, click here.

I look forward to seeing you at the largest and most popular bridal event of 2009! No matter what stage of planning you're in...there's something there for you!

Buy One, Get One Free Tickets!

Click here to pre-register for your Buy One, Get One Free Tickets! This is an amazing event you won't want to miss. I look forward to meeting you there!

Offer Expires: February 6, 2009