J.Monet

Thank you for your very sweet compliments. It's always nice to hear when someone else likes your work! You can get that little burst of light in between two people's lips by getting them to stand still just long enough to position yourself (and your camera) to catch it. A little bit of subtle fill flash helps illuminate their features so they don't just become silhouetted against the sunset (unless that's the effect you're going for!) If you're talking about getting a nice lens flare for effect, you can get it by pointing your lens at just the right angle in the sun's direction. When that non image forming light comes in and hit's the camera's sensor, lens flare is what you get! Hope I answered that okay. I can ramble on sometimes, without making any real sense at all. LOL Keep up with the photography! It's one of the most interesting and beautiful art forms out there. (Not that I'm biased or anything.)

Good choice! We have a lot of really beautiful beaches here in our area, and the Hilton Beach Resort is going to be gorgeous. I have worked with some really great vendors in the area and know a fantastic make-up artist. She also does hair, but I know that she did make-up on the sets of HSN for many, many years. She specializes in make-up that can withstand the beach heat, sweat, tears, etc., but that also looks especially great on camera. Her name is Donna Camposecco, and I believe her email address is [email protected]. If you want her cell number, PM me and I can give you that as well. For flowers, I know that Redman Steele is fabulous. Cakes ... I've heard really great things about A Better Cheesecake - .:: A Better Cheesecake ::. Best of luck in your planning and CONGRATS!

If it were me, I would ABSOLUTELY report them to the Better Business Bureau. A case will be filed and a BBB agent will stay on top of them until a satisfactory resolution has been reached. Additionally, you can assure that your "actual" review is on file with the BBB, and the jerks won't be able to change it! Shady, shady, shady if you ask me....

Shot a destination wedding for a very sweet couple all the way from Wisconsin yesterday. They had it around sunset at the Doubletree Beach Resort in North Redington Beach. The forecast and satellite imagery was predicting heavy rain from about 6:30pm until almost 9:00pm, and I was so worried for them! I arrived almost an hour earlier than requested, just in case they ended up needing to start the ceremony earlier, but everything panned out so amazingly! The weather stayed clear - for some miraculous reason - and the sunset ceremony was gorgeous! The weather truly was amazing after all was said and done! I'll have to post some of the pictures on my blog and share them with any of the destination brides looking for locations in Florida. I hope any/all of the other August 16th Florida weddings here went well!

You're VERY modest about how beautiful you looked ... I think you, AND your dress, AND your veil were amazing! (All together, not just the dress and the veil.) Great sneak peaks at your photos to come. Looks like Nathaniel did a fantastic job! (Be sure to give yourself more credit for what a beautiful bride you were!)

Morgan Lynn is an UBER-AMAZING Photographer! Your images are going to be absolutely stunning! :) quick correction on my URL, if I may: It's www.jmonetstudios.com (think it was accidentally mistyped as www.jmonetstudiuos ... with an extra "u" in there.) EDITED BY AnnR: I have fixed the URL in the original post. Congrats on getting your photog booked Erica and thanks a bunch for considerately including me in your list! Very sweet of you!

I'm heading to shoot a destination wedding at the Doubletree beach resort today in North Redington Beach. That's here in the Pinellas / West Coast (of Florida) area. They're coming down from Wisconsin to get married on the beach! I'll let you know how it turns out and see if I hear anything about pricing. I try to get to know the resort coordinators and other vendors any time I go to shoot any event ... Can't hurt just to have some extra info on hand. Hope you're able to find a spot that you love soon!

Crystal.. I'm here in Florida, and another gorgeous beach location I'd recommend is the Marriott Beach Resort on Marco Island. It's the preferred vacation destination of the owner of the Marriott Corporation. Absolutely gorgeous! Just an idea I thought I'd share. Also, I am headed to shoot a destination wedding at the Doubletree Beach Resort in North Redington Beach today (which is here is the St.Petersburg / Pinellas region of Florida. I'll let you know how that goes and what it looks like when I get back! I suppose that will only help, though, if haven't settled on a place already! LOL

I was born and raised in New Mexico, and think one of absolute COOLEST destination spots for a wedding would be at White Sands National Monument. There are acres and acres of snow white sand dunes and sharp blue skies. It's absolutely spectacular and breathtaking if you've never seen it in person. As a photographer, I know the creative photographic opportunities would be ENDLESS! They allow weddings with a special use permit. The application can be downloaded online and only takes about five days to process. You may be thinking more along the lines of another country, but this would be incredibly unique and probably even pretty affordable by comparison (bonus!) Had to share the idea! White Sands National Monument - Permits for Special Park Uses (U.S. National Park Service) Here are a few images galleries I spotted online: (Some of them are so-so, but just to give you an idea) White Sands, New Mexico Photo Gallery by Fred Parsons at pbase.com Photo Gallery: Hot Air Balloons Over White Sands New Mexico Pictures - USA stock photos, fine art prints by QTL And this one has a TON: Pictures, stock photography, prints, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, Nature, Scenics, Travel: Images by PHOTOVAULT® Southwest USA, Images, Photos, photographs OH! And another idea, just because I know they're huge there (and they specifically host a festival) ... maybe you could rent a hot air balloon and take your bride up for a post-ceremonial sunset cruise. That would be insanely cool! Okay ... done with my rant now!

The best thing to do, in my humble opinion, is to find a photographer or examples of a photographer's work that you absolutely LOVE. Then, based on what you want achieved, research both local photographers (in/around your destination city) as well as destination pros from around the U.S., etc. Gather up all of your pricing information (photographers will usually email you a general estimate or quote based on your needs). Then, it's also always a good idea to get references. Narrow down your list to a point, then talk to photographers, at least, by phone to feel out their personality to see how well it will mesh with your own and what you're looking for in terms of style and imagery. Very important to have a good vibe with your photographer! Weigh out all your pros and cons, pricing information and additional details. You may find, in the end, that not all destination photographers are out-of-this-world expensive ... even if they aren't based in your destination location area. Hope some of that helps! Best of luck in your search!

As I have been shopping around for my studio/photography insurance policy this week (time to renew), I came across a company that provides this coverage for wedding couples, parents of the couples, etc. It is private event insurance that apparently covers you in the case of an unforeseen circumstances, etc. I didn't read into all the way, or see what all the exact stipulations are, but it caught my attention and I thought it might be a cool things to share. Destination brides / grooms, especially, may encounter more unforeseen events than others. (No ... I am by NO means affiliated with this company in any way shape or form, honestly.) I just thought it was worth sharing the information! I've known couples and had friends that had to postpone or cancel weddings unexpectedly and lost A LOT of money in the process. Anyway... here's the site I found if anyone wants to peek at it: RV Nuccio & Associates | Wedding Insurance

Good idea on using a Florida based photographer to keep the travel costs down. Flights out of most major cities in Florida to Caribbean locations can help keep your costs down. As a side note, Miami has a lot of really great photographers. Some of them are super-duper expensive, and others in the mid range. For any other brides looking into Caribbean destination photographers, I'd also recommend checking out pros in the Orlando, Tampa/St. Pete and Ft. Lauderdale markets to get an even better range of quotes and options. (All have major airports and should be in a comparable range for travel.) Not a push or marketing attempt here! Promise! I just know the Florida market pretty well as I am based here and shoot all over the state. I think good research is definitely worth it for any couple to get the best deal. After all, weddings sure are expensive no matter which way you slice it.

AWESOME Giveaway! Congrats to a VERY lucky couple for winning a package with such an amazing photographer! I'm sure you'll be super-stoked when you see the images from your wedding day! I'm a Noob here, but can't wait to pay my dues and participate in something like this. I think it's an awesome thing to do for destination brides (and grooms) ... especially with all the expense that already goes into planning a wedding! Love your work, by the way, Rafael!

Welcome!! I'm a Newbie here too, but think this is a great board. DR is beautiful ... I have a sister-in-law from there. I'm sure it'll be AMAZING! Best of luck with your planning.

Thank you everyone, for all the wonderful compliments and welcome messages! I'm glad that I found this cool little spot. Spent quite a while today just reading through people's posts and information. Kudos to the mods and whoever came up with the idea for this board!

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

That area is definitely gorgeous weather-wise in November, as long as you can avoid the impending threat of hurricanes! By late November, hurricane season ends though, and the temps are nice and mild out. The spring and summer seasons can definitely get hot! I think the price break, combined with the cooler weather might make for a nice combination! I've always been less of a "hot" weather girl though. Go figure, I end up living and working Florida right? Not a whole lot of cold here, unfortunately. Best of luck to you in the rest of your planning! (Jump on that dress shopping soon if you are looking at November ... that way you have time for alterations if needed. )

Tee... also forgot to mention, if you're still looking for a reception venue in the area, there is a really cool, modern space at the Nova535 Art Gallery in St. Pete. It is a very urban-chic, renovated 1920's loft-style space with exposed brick, hardwood floors and 18 foot ceilings. I know that they also do menu planning and food service, though I have no idea about their pricing. They have that info on their website though, I'm pretty sure. (Some photo galleries there too that show the space.) Overview : Space Rental : NOVA 535 Just an idea, though I'm not sure where you're specifically looking for a reception venue.

I'm based here in the Pinellas area and know of a few great vendors to recommend. Makeup by Donna Camposecco. She worked for many years on the sets of HSN and had specialized experience makeup that will hold up in hot, outdoor conditions AND look great on camera. If you'd like, pm me, and I can send your her info. D.J. Chris Craze - worked with him at a wedding recently and he was a lot of fun, very lively and had great music selection. He also DJ's at the Floyd's Nightclub inside the Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. I think his site is DJ/VJ CHRIS CRAZE TAMPA , FL Florists - I've heard rave reviews and seen amazing work by the Redman Steele Floral Studio. That's about all I can think of right now, though I'm sure there are more I'm missing! Best of luck to you in your planning! I'm sure it will turn out beautifully. I know the Tradewinds has gorgeous beachfront and is a well know resort here.

I've got a beach wedding with some destination clients coming all the way from Wisconsin on the 16th! I REALLY hope the weather will hold up and turn out beautifully! Remember, cloudy & overcast are perfectly okay out on the bright beach! It can actually make for spectacular lighting and cooler temperatures, which is nice. So chin up! It's been raining on most days here, but usually only in short spurts rather than full day torrential downpours. ** Will knock on wood for safe measure! ** :) I hope your day turns out amazing!

I have recently shot some weddings and a couple of engagement sessions at a relatively new private beach resort called Little Harbor in Ruskin, Florida (Just outside of the Tampa area.) It is an absolutely gorgeous little spot, and they have a rooftop, poolside deck & reception area with an outdoor fireplace that was awesome! Not sure what their pricing is like, but I thought I'd share. I think their website is Tampa Florida Real Estate, Sarasota Florida Real Estate, Tampa Bay Real Estate

Hello all! Yes, I'm a "newbie" to the board, but am so glad to have found it! I was reading through a popular photography forum and someone recommended joining. My name is Sam and I am a long-time professional photographer, primarily focused on weddings and big events (as well as portraiture, commercial/advertorial and artistic work.) I was born and raised in a tiny town in Southwest New Mexico, but moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 1998. After being up there for nearly ten years, my husband, baby girl and I relocated to the St.Petersburg area (actually, Seminole, to be precise.) We absolutely LOVE it here! I adore my family, traveling, meeting new people, and definitely the art of capturing beauty from behind the lens of a camera. After many years of working for other firms, magazines, agencies and companies, I decided to strike out on my own as a new woman in business, thus creating my company J.Monet Studios (admittedly, named on behalf of my daughter.) The feeling of empowerment that comes from working for myself - albeit trying at times - gives me something of my own to put my heart and soul into. It allows me to spend more priceless time with my baby Jiana, and overall has been an incredible and rewarding adventure that I thrive to grow, change and succeed at constantly. I LOVE destination weddings, and applaud the brides and grooms-to-be that possess the spontaneous oomph! to carry them off. I find that these are some of the most fun and adventurous couples to capture on camera.... So KUDOS to you all! I shoot weddings all over Florida, Puerto Rico, New Mexico and will be venturing to Italy in May 2009 for a gorgeous destination celebration outside of Venice! I feel very fortunate to work with the amazing clients that I do, and to all of you here ... my art-form and work wouldn't exist without your willingness to share your spectacular events and special moments, so THANK YOU! Sam Tavarez Owner / Photographer J.Monet Studios Photography www.jmonetstudios.com www.samanthatavarez.com