I really didn’t have an idea of what I wanted to write about today in this post so it’s going to be a bit random!  I threw it out on twitter for people to suggest a topic and a few take too long to write and dig up pictures!

The Engagement Project suggested that I write about something I complain about most to which I said my disaster zone of a house and dirty dishes.  Seriously, these are the things that drive me NUTS.  You know what’s the worst?  Is trying to break my husband of his bachelorness (hi honey, love you) and piling dirty dishes in the sink.  We have one of those giant deep double sinks in the kitchen, one side to wash in, the other to have the dishes drip dry, he likes to pile them in there.  All. the. time.  It’s my biggest pet peeve and I think he gets yelled at for doing that at least once a week!  On the other side, I leave tons of water glasses or coffee mugs out, so we’re kind of equal!  And I know I work from home so my house should be immaculate, guess what, it’s not!  Though I work from home, it’s not like I can not work and just clean all the time nor do I want to.  I do spurts throughout the day, but that’s what you get for waking up at 5:30am every morning.

She then suggested that I write about some of the cute, romantic stuff I see on shoots or the like.  I said that I usually make fun of myself, trip over my own feet (or fall), or throw my husband under the bus, usually it’s a combination of all three.  Don’t worry, I always sacrifice my body for the safety of my camera.  Someone once said how you’re not a great photographer if your camera body is in perfect condition and I wish I could say that people didn’t bump into it, or I hit it against a wall, etc.  I’m pretty sure that I threw my husband under the bus in the last segment so maybe we’ll talk about how clumsy I am.  See, the problem is that I don’t pick up my feet and wear crocs that are non-slip.  And before you crucify me for wearing crocs because I see it coming, I wear the semi-cute not ugly gardening shoes ones!  They’re the only shoes that I can wear 10+ hours carrying 40lbs+ of equipment, running, jumping, squating, and the like with still being able to walk the next day.   These are the ones I wear:

The next suggestion came from my friend Otto and was to blog about my passion for photography, I told him that post would take a year to make and it was in the works anyway, and I don’t feel like being deep today!  Ha!  We’ll do that next week sometime!

I am stressing out about getting my space ready for the big opening on March 7th from 12-5…I suggest you being there to try my dad’s wonderful chocolate chip cookies (no joke, I had these at my wedding!) and some great giveaways like enlargements, accordian albums, portfolios and who knows what else!

Then Anna suggested that I blog her and her parents dog that I took pictures way back in November of!  And there will be more but I pulled 2 for the occasion!

I love this one of Kuba, he was EXHAUSTED after our photo shoot and I love the drool spots on the concrete.

And can you blame Scooby here for scratching?  I love how he looks so into it and like he just got the right spot.  I love labs!

And since this post is random, I just saw a brown blur run across the frozen tundra that is my backyard.  Love you Belley.

Kara

kara@karaschultz.com

Oh how I love love love accessories!  I love pearls and long necklaces, I also love asymmetrical necklace designs too!  I also love shoes, I’m a shoe-aholic!

Let’s start with the reception.  I love when couples do things that are unique to them!  Like cookies in the shape of their favorite Chicago Blackhawks and table names to follow!  Photo guestbooks filled with their engagement pictures are also high on my list!  A groom’s cake surprise!  Cake stands are also very cool and dramatic!  And anything that shows the personalities of the couple and occasion, for example, Traycie and Jason’s NYE wedding had a themed cake!  What a great idea!  I also love when couples use family photographs of previous weddings, it’s always fun to see!

Special touches are always fun too.  Like having a music themed reception when the husband is a musician!  Putting your names and dates on the bottom of your shoes (I was there also gluing tiny rhinestones on the bottom of my shoes for my “something blue”!), gifts are also fun for each of the couples!  Crazy card boxes that really show your personality and using pinatas (apparently that’s what happens when you leave getting a card box to the groom!) or even an ice cream truck on a hot day!  Visiting your favorite stadium for pictures (or even stopping by your favorite bar!).  Other things that make your wedding day special and personal, like having a brick engraved where you’re getting married, a wine box ceremony, or including your furmonster into the ceremony (this I love and would’ve done!)

I also love funky shoes!  Look at these fabulous ones!  Some shoes even inspired the entire day!  I also love veils with lace, cute flower accessories when the veil comes off that is still there, and birdcage veils are so much fun!

I love when girls have great accessories with their dresses, between sashes and great locations to hang your dress (tip: always keep the room clean where you’re getting ready, it’ll be easier to leave the location since everything will have it’s place and we won’t have to spend time cleaning up!).  Also, I looooooove colored bouqets for the bride.  The color just pops against the white dress and even if it’s just a touch of color with white, that’s really pretty too!

I love when girls wait to get ready when I’m there!  I love that they wait to put on the jewelry until the last minute.  You always get great shots of earrings being put on or a friend, sister or mom helping!

Onto where to get some of these awesome accessories!  I love perusing around White Aisle.  Here’s a few of my personal favorites and the good news is…they’re affordable accessories!!!  (note, images are from white aisle, not me).  I love some crystal and pearl combination’s but that’s my personal style, unfortunately I can’t wear most silver since I’m allergic to nickel, so some of the earrings may not work personally for me but I’d love to wear them!  I love bracelets and dramatic earrings if there’s no necklace.

Etsy is also a wonderful place for handmade items for your wedding day!  So search around!  But if you don’t want to search, the store heknowsmyname is fabulous and affordable too!   (these are their pictures…not mine   And their website is to launch in march at www.heknowsmyname.com)

I just love the flowers in their shop!  AND they do custom orders!

I LOVE these organza flowers!  They’d be lovely for spring, early summer weddings!

Feather fascinators are huge these days and I love those too!  Ah so many great accessories but they all may not work together!  So go ahead and embrace your style and the overall feeling of your wedding!  Don’t be scared to do something a bit different for your ceremony and reception!

Kara

It’s felt like forever since I’ve blogged about Isabelle!  Next week there will be a grand post as she’s turning ONE!  Where did the time go?!

I’m going to write what she’s thinking in quotes, because we talk for her, she stutters because she’s always excited!  It’s a habit that we can’t break.

“hi mom, can you let me sleep and get the camera out of my face?”

“here we go again…can’t I just sleep??”

“yeeeeees??”

she’s a toy destroyer.  This was a toaster.

“seriously mom, can you stop with the pictures now?”

It’s rare that I can actually capture this…when she gets off the couch she slinks off and is lazy.

And I never can get upside down sleeping Belley….unless it’s on my iphone and there’s no sound…and even then I have to be very quiet and careful!

she loves to tug on the sock!

“my sock!”  (p.s. don’t judge the carpet, we moved in and this is what was here…we were waiting until post-puppy to replace it…it will. be. gone.)

I just love how she holds things with her little paws!

I’d like to think she was winking at me but caught her during a blink!

“are we done mom?”

Oh how much I love my little Belley-cakes!

So this post is just for funsies.  Why not get to know me a little better?   So you need to know my painting playlist first of all!  I made it for the day that I spent 7 hours painting!

the best of what’s around – dave matthews band
satellite – dave matthews band
i don’t care – fall out boy
in love with a girl – gavin degraw
who says – john mayer
stronger – kayne west
many the miles – sara bareilles
hey, soul sister – train
half moon bay – train
pieces of me – ashlee simpson
trucker hat – bowling for soup
dialogue (part 1 & 2) – chicago
accidentally in love – counting crows – I somehow convinced David to use this as our recessional song, it was just too perfect not to, and it ended up working out really well!
a little less sixteen candles, a little more touch me – fall out boy
hum hallelujah – fall out boy
thanks for the memories – fall out boy
don’t you know who i think i am – fall out boy
dead on arrival – fall out boy
grand theft autumn/where is your boy tonight – fall out boy – my garter toss song but was so much fun!
saturday – fall out boy
chicago is so 2 years ago – fall out boy
100 years – five for fighting – this was our cake cutting song, not that anyone remembers that, but hey, it was!
over my head – the fray
meaning (acoustic) – gavin degraw – this was my first dance song
the way i am – ingrid michaelson
better together – jack johnson
do you remember – jack johnson
you and i both – jason mraz
the remedy – jason mraz
save room – john legend
each day gets better – john legend
the heart of life – john mayer
gravity – john mayer
waiting on the world to change – john mayer
clarity – john mayer
bigger than my body – john mayer
new deep – john mayer
only heart – john mayer
why georgia – john mayer
3×5 – john mayer
back to you – john mayer
breakaway – kelly clarkson
you found me – kelly clarkson
ordinary – lucky boys confusion
harder to breathe – maroon 5
makes me wonder – maroon 5
float on – modest mouse
unwritten – natasha bedingfield
these words – natasha bedingfield
catalyst – nick west
these days – rascal flatts
on the way down – ryan cabrera
punk rock princess – something corporate
drops of jupiter – train
for me, it’s you – train
flashdance – irene cara – this is my namesake. My parents liked the name Cara but liked it better with a K so it wouldn’t be pronounced like a car and more like care. I don’t get upset like my mom does when someone pronounces it wrong, so no worries! I’m horrid at pronouncing last names.
into the mystic – van morrison

These usually go on shuffle so I get a crazy mix and yes, I know, it’s a bit eclectic to say the least! I do love John Mayer but the husband hates him so I generally listen to either all of those while I’m editing or Train; just something about both of those that is very calming and helps me focus and work.

And since you deserve some eye-candy. Here’s a few inspiration boards I put together when I was re-working my website. Just lots of things I love and colors I love (ok, pink is my favorite but didn’t want to scare you away!). It took me 2 days to put these together, I scoured all over the place like etsy and amy butler fabrics (mmm) and my graphic designer who is my good friend wondered if she already had me pinned. She did: modern girly!

The top flower arrangement is from Kristen of Kio Kreations.   I have the skirt on top from Ann Taylor Loft and some of the doggie collar fabrics are fabulous and from Big Doggy Bling.  Others from random etsy sites and well I love me some good heels even though I can’t wear them while shooting!  And a love for skirts and cardigans!

So that’s a fun post for today!

Kara

p.s. don’t forget about March 7th!

I often get a lot of requests about timelines and how to form them!  I usually end up working with my brides one on one with the troublesome ones or figuring out if we can make it to certain locations but if you have a wedding planner be sure to let me know so we can get in touch about the photo end of the day!   Here’s the number 1 rule when it comes to making timelines, always plan more than you’ll need!  I always start out with the ceremony time and work backwards.

So let’s say your ceremony is at 3pm.  For this timeline we’re going to go with 1 hour long.  End time, 4pm.

Are you doing a receiving line?  Add 30-45 minutes for 200 guests, if your parents are in the line, lean more towards the 45 minute mark.

Also remember that most churches kick you out at some point which is usually 30 minutes after the time your ceremony is supposed to end (not the time it actually ends).  So think about moving your greeting line to cocktail hour or going to visit with your guests at their tables.

So far we have:

3pm – ceremony

4pm – end of ceremony

4:30pm – end of church pictures

now let’s say your cocktail hour starts at 6pm (if you want another location, this is an ideal time frame).

BIG tip: Always add an extra 15 minutes to your travel time and even more if you’re in the city and going to popular destinations, traffic can kill timelines that don’t allow it.

So we have basically 30-1 hour for pictures depending on the location.  I’ve used local parks, places like Cantigny, or the actual venues themselves especially if the reception is at a country club.

I need around 20 minutes for bridal party and 30-45 minutes for the couple.  My style is to focus on the bride and groom for the “formals” part of the day and get the bridal party done quickly!  So an hour is good for me for one location!  *disclaimer – this hour is based on what I do as a photographer, if you’re reading this and you’re not my client, talk to your photographer about what they need *

If you want multiple locations add around 30 minutes for each location as I’ll be splitting that hour up and not doing all the pictures in one location!

Your venue should help you with planning out the timeline for the reception so I won’t go into that.  However, I do love love love when couples walk in and go directly to cut their cake!  Many venues now require this but it’s nice for your guests because the attention is directly on you and you don’t have everyone bum rushing the cake table to get the picture, usually when this happens it’s just me close!  Also, I also love when the speeches follow that too, then dinner can begin with no interruptions (because the waitstaff generally won’t serve if people are speaking).  That’s really all I have to say on reception timing!

Ok, back to the beginning of the timeline.  If your ceremony starts at 3, you need to be hiding and at your venue at 2:30 if you’re traveling to it.  It takes about 10 minutes for the bride to get dressed and I’ll tell you when to get dressed!  But do not, do not, do not, get dressed without me there if you want the dress hanging and getting ready photos.  I don’t have to be around for all of the getting ready photos, I don’t take pictures of makeup being done until you have foundation on and usually there’s not much happening but if something special is happening then by all means have me there!

So a timeline may look like this:

1:45 – get bride dressed (approximate timing depending on whether you have to gather items and load them or if they’re all ready and need to just be loaded)

2:15 – leave for church

2:30 – arrive at church

3 – ceremony

4 – ceremony ends

4:30 – church pictures done

5 – arrive at park near venue

6 – leave for cocktail hour (short drive)

7 – intros start

Whew!  Now this is just an idea on how to form a timeline.  It really depends but it should help you.  If you’re doing a first look, just increase the time beforehand and decrease the time in between the ceremony and reception!  I generally talk with each client about any timeline issues I foresee or if they have questions!  I’m more than happy to sit down and help you out!  So if you’re struggling, shoot me an email!

Here’s another one for a first look:

1:30 – get bride dressed (approximate timing depending on whether you have to gather items and load them or if they’re all ready and need to just be loaded, could also change depending on when )

2:00 – meeting and pictures occur

3:15 – leave for church

3:30 – arrive at church

4 – ceremony

5 – ceremony ends

5:30 – church pictures done

6 – leave for cocktail hour (short drive)

7 – intros start

And if you have one of those large gaps in between:

11:30 – get dressed, 12 – leave for church, 12:30 – arrive at church, 1pm – ceremony, 2pm – ceremony over, 2:30 church pictures done, 3 – arrive at location 1, 4 – arrive at location 2, 5 – leave for cocktail hour, 5:30 – get to venue, take a few pictures and get items to room, 6 – cocktail hour begins, 7 – reception begins

If you have a small amount of time in between the ceremony and reception and are worried about getting pictures in and you don’t want to do a first look, then you may want to think about doing pictures of the boys and girls separately beforehand but I caution you that sometimes this doesn’t work at all.  Someone will always be late, so tell them all to gather 30 minutes before we actually need to start!  That way if anything goes wrong or they’re stuck in traffic, we’ll be fine.  If you have a 2nd photographer in your package, they’ll be sticking with the boys and making sure they’re on time!

It’s always important to communicate any concerns you have with any of your vendors!  We’re all specialists so your hair stylist, your makeup artist, venue and so on will be able to tell you the time length of things.  I would always put some cushion room in the getting ready area because it’s ok to be ahead of schedule, but being late can possibly panic you.  So it’s always better to have your hair and makeup done earlier rather than just on time.

And because I know you want to see this…it’s Isabelle!  She turns one in just a week!!  She’s been all kinds of pathetic as of late!

So I hope that helps you organize and get your mind wrapped around timelines.  Don’t heistate to email me!

Kara

p.s. don’t forget about March 7th! and my studio opening party!

Ok, so I have a love for exclamation points, and I think I actually talk like that too but this requires caps lock and maybe some bold and italics too.

I HAVE MY OWN STUDIO/MEETING SPACE NOW!!!

After several months thinking and searching for just the right location and space, it just fell in my lap then several other things lined up!  I was tired of meeting at places like Starbucks (though I love you BUX, it’s hard to talk, I hated lugging all my stuff around and how many times did we all look and each other and go “hi?”)  So no more meeting at Starbucks!  All meetings, consultations will be held at my new office and if you just want to stop in while I’m there, it’s cool too!

This is going to allow me to do A LOT of things I always wanted to.  We can look at wall designs if you want some large wall prints and you can see what it will look like, I’ll be holding some awesome for you workshops at no charge like how to look fab in pictures and more, small vendor meet and greets, wedding picture release parties for your friends and families, and oh so much more!  Also, this allows me to continue doing boudoir sessions on a more frequent basis because my problem was always coordinating the hotel rooms, no worries now, everything is fabulous and I will continue having them as the location issue I always ran into no longer exists!

So you want to know where right?  I’m located at 227 S Third St (2nd floor near the elevator) in downtown Geneva!  It’s exactly 3 blocks (maybe less) from the train station so if you’re a city dweller you can take the train out instead of driving!  There’s lots of shopping and great restaurants in downtown Geneva, so you don’t just have to come and visit me but you should!  I will be there M-T-TH from 4-8 and other times by appointment, so feel free to stop by any of those hours (starting after the grand opening!) and get a special gift from me!  Now, we’re not completely finished with the space, so if you do come by, we’re working on getting it ready for the Grand Opening!

My grand opening party is March 7 from 12-5pm so stop by, register to win some prizes like an accordian album, a 4×6 holder, 3×3 accordian albums, enlargements and other fun stuff that I come up with!  I’ll have my camera, of course, so I can even take some pictures of you pretty fast   Can you tell how excited I am??

So come by on March 7th and say hi, see my awesome new location, gets some goodies (my dad is baking cookies!), and maybe even Isabelle will make an appearance there!

YAY!!
Kara

One of the biggest debates among my couples is usually whether or not to do a first look.  The first look is not for everyone.  This post is going to talk about the ups and downs of the first looks.  From a photography standpoint, the first look is all ups because often I don’t get the best vantage point during the ceremony when you both first see each other and I’m restricted by the areas at the church.

So here are the pro’s:

• I get the best points as a photographer to actually see what’s going on and capture it without being intrusive.
• We get more time to get pictures done so you get to enjoy cocktail hour (this is especially important if you’re having everything at one place, it gives us time to get pictures done without rushing around)
• If you’re emotional, you get to do that by yourself instead of in front of a crowd
• You’re more relaxed during the ceremony because there’s no worry about timing before the reception.
• It makes sure that family actually gets there on time (we all have that one family member who’s notoriously late!)
• Also gives time for all bridal party members to be present!  I can’t tell you how often one person is running late and then we can’t take pictures and have to push them back or can’t even get to them until after the ceremony cutting into the other time set aside, with a first look, it gives everyone to get together and so that they know all pictures are beforehand.
• You get some time alone on the day of which is pretty rare!
• We can go to several different locations instead of just one in between.

Some con’s:

• You don’t get that traditional feeling of walking down the aisle and first seeing each other.
• If you already have a large gap in between the ceremony and reception, you don’t have to worry about a first look.
• With good planning, you can still get the pictures you want and get to cocktail hour too!

And to really clarify this isn’t a post about how everyone should do a first look!  It’s not for everyone and everyone can decide that for themselves, it’s your decision to make not mine!

In an attempt to not make this post a million pictures because you really have to see an array of pictures from a first look, here’s a favorite from each one of the series I’m going to show you!

First up, Jessie and Mike and they didn’t really have a planned first look by any means but I’m so happy to have caught the first moments they saw each other!

Then there is Shannon and Matt who did a very quick first look!  But still fun nonetheless!  Some couples take more time, some take less, it always depends!  It could have also been that it was around 90 degrees out that day!

Jen and Scott wanted to do a first look because they wanted a few different locations and knew there just wasn’t time in between, we ended up going to Wrigley, Harry Caray’s for a drink and then North Ave Beach before their ceremony!

Because their ceremony and reception were both located at White Pines, Katie and Mark wanted all the photos out of the way since they knew they’d do a receiving line and didn’t want to be rushed!  They were so much fun during their first look and talked about their day before seeing each other.  It was so cute!

Lauren and Brian also had their wedding at the same location at Winnetka Community House as well as a late ceremony, so they knew in order to get any light for photos, they would have to meet beforehand.  This first look was featured on a series by the Weddingistas too!  This photo makes my heart melt.

And finally, Kim and Mike’s first look that was moved to their hotel suite because of the rain!  No worries though, they still had an amazing day and their first look was so much fun!

And because I said that you have to see several series in first look’s to really get an idea if this is what you want to do!  Here’s a slideshow of each of the first looks so you see!

So there’s my take on first looks! I wrote this not to make all my clients do first looks or anything, that’s not the intention! I had a few ask me to talk about it more and there’s nothing better than showing you pictures right?

If you want more information on whether a first look will work in your wedding, just send me an email!

Kara
kara@karaschultz.com

p.s. I’ve been VERY busy on some VERY exciting things that are happening!

And now I bring you a lovely assortment of the majority of my 2010 couples! I only have a few left to get in before their weddings and I’ve been in contact with them about it! (if you haven’t contacted me and talked about it, no sweat, just shoot me an email if you have a time/place you’re thinking of! I’m hoping there’s green and warmth in March!)

I am so excited for my 2010 season, I kicked it off with Nora and Tim‘s wedding and if that was a sign of how this was going to be, then I’m giddy!

There were sessions downtown (me and Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate are very good friends!)

And then I spent a whole lot of time at Cantigny!  You know how much I love Cantigny, it’s a great location for engagement shoots or wedding day pictures if your schedule allows!

And then there were sessions all over the place!

Well that wraps up everything I shot in 2009!  Next week, I’m featuring my advice segments such as constructing a timeline, accessories (loving this), first look information and more!  So if you have any questions in general you would like me to answer just let me know and I’ll be sure to cover it!

Kara

kara@karaschultz.com

p.s. if you’re on facebook, become a fan!  I keep you up to date on certain things happening and occasionally give stuff away!

I was supposed to go and photograph Collin’s entry into the world but he and mother nature had other plans! He was born during the first horrible snowstorm of 2010 and me trying to get up to Milwaukee to photograph it just wasn’t happening! My good friend Amanda told me to stay home and not drive. I was completely bummed as I was really excited to finally get to photograph a birth! Collin ended up having to be delivered via c-section so there wasn’t too much action going on

Amanda and Kevin are so much fun, and their puppy and cat got in on the game too. Amanda has been supportive through my photography adventure and now I have a child to practice on (and she’s in love with that idea!)

My goal was to make Amanda cry, do you think it worked?

I thought I’d give you a little update on my boudoir blowout coming up next month!! March will be here before you know it!!

The dates for the session are March 21 and 22
Saturday times available are:
9am
5pm

Sunday times are:
9am
6:30pm

And because some things have changed since then the full signature session will be dropped to $350! That includes: up to 90 minutes shooting time, full airbrush makeup with lashes done by the wonderful Cynthia Sally, a 20 page 8×10 album and the images on a disc! This is the last time the high resolution images will be included in the price of the session from now on and other packages only the low-resolution will be included! So sign up now if you have weddings in April, May or June!

Also, because I know we’re all on a budget, I have 2 new packages available too!

One is the boudoir mini session! Which includes:
30 minutes shooting time, eyes only for the makeup including lashes, and a 5×7 folio of your 3 favorite images! Only $150!

And lastly one last package:
45 minutes shooting time, full airbrush makeup and a 5×7 folio of your favorite 3 images for $200!

If you would like the shorter time but an upgraded album or anything those are an additional cost that we can talk about!

Let me know if you have any questions are interested and want to book your session today! These spots will start to go fast!

Kara
kara@karaschultz.com