Vermont Photographer

Newport Wedding

2011-07-26T13:59:00.001-07:00

This recent wedding was unique in a lot of ways. First the families: the bride's family spoke French and the groom's family spoke Spanish. Then the bride and groom who are both in the service. Being ex-army myself, I have a soft spot for soldiers. It is so hard to balance being in the military and being in a family and my hat is off to the people who can make it work.

The ceremony took place at St. Mary's overlooking Lake Memphramagog.

I'm not usually a fan of white flowers...but I loved all the different shades of white in this bouquet. It looked very elegant against the white dress.

Then, we went over to the East Side...Deena always does such a great job with weddings and the East Side has is such a great setting for photos.

I could tell there was going to be a caking going on from Sarah's sly grin...and Juan got it right in the kisser.

I predict a "happily ever after" ending to this story. For more, go to Dona Davis.com

Wedding at the Alerin

2011-07-05T04:40:00.001-07:00

I talk to people all the time who say "We are the funnest people. We are so fun and laid back,our wedding will just be a blast" Rarely is the actual wedding as low key as they predict...and it isn't their fault...lots of people are scared to death or so nervous they can hardly function. This last wedding at the Alerin was a big exception. It was one of those weddings that keep me going. It was one of those wedding that I can't wait to get home and edit the pictures and see them blown up big on my monitor. Fun was the name of the game!

The entire day was amazing after weeks of rain we had this one perfect, golden, breezy day. Close friends and family happily surrounded the couple and their adorable kids. My favorite venue, my favorite caterer (Sweet Basils) and even my neighbors were all on the team to make this wedding memorable and wonderful.

Here comes the bride...

And the groom can't take his eyes off of her...

The family makes their way down to the Alerin.

Have you ever seen so much air...and in a suit!?

The cake was cut with a sword that had been passed down through the groom's family and used to cut the cakes at every wedding going back generations.

There were serious and romantic moments...

And some not so serious moments!

And then there were sparks between them! For more images from this wedding visit donadavis.com

Basin Harbor Club Vergennes Wedding

2011-05-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

If I had to use one word to describe this bride and this wedding I would use the word "elegant"! Ivory dress, pearl jewelry and white flowers -- every shade of white from the tiny porcelain like flowers in her hair to the deep cream of the roses she carried were represented. She looked stunning! I couldn't help but compare her to Vermeer's "Girl with Pearl Earring" classic beauty.

I love this dress' train. It is in such great proportion to the dress.

The groom looked happy enough to burst. He pretty much smiled constantly (I take that as a very good sign).
Basin Harbour has great spots to shoot inside...which was wonderful since it rained all day! A large covered veranda runs all the way around the building, offering sheltering views of the lake and grounds. Inside there are staircases, a grand piano, fireplaces and many quiet nooks.

The swing is wonderful...I love seeing two people so crazy about each other.

We did spend some time being silly!

And took advantage of the beautiful player grand in the parlor.

Here is the wedding party on the Veranda. Love the colored Adirondack chairs...how very Vermont!

The Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes is a classic beauty as well with it's large veranda overlooking the harbor and stately trees. Boasting 125 years of existence...well, they know how to put on a party!
And then they danced!

And DANCED! The floor was over-flowing while the band, The Phil Abair Band, jammed! What a great band. Every member has a great voice so it's like having James Taylor, Smokey Robinson and Linda Ronstadt rolled into one rockin package. The jazzy dinner music and dance tunes made the party.

Be sure to visit donadavis.com for more images.

Getting Good Photos... what YOU can do.

2011-03-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

Getting great wedding photos is sometimes completely accidental. I mean, most bride's and groom's don't really get to practice and most people don't really know what they can do to make sure their photos are great. In fact, I'm often surprised by the fact that many people think great photos they see are candids...just caught at some moment when everything was perfect. Those beautiful candids are mostly a combination of the photographer's know-how and directions given to the bride and groom. They are the most important photos you will have from your wedding--the ones you hang on the wall. They aren't accidental and here's what you can do:

First of all, make sure your dress is comfortable!!! I can't stress that one thing enough. If you are in pain it will show on your face. Make sure you can walk, sit down and move in your dress. So many wedding gowns are so restrictive that the bride can barely breathe. This insures that all your pictures will look the same. You will stand there like a pillar and we will change the people standing near you. No romantic seated embraces or twirling happy faced shots for the bride who is just getting through the day barely able to breathe. Don't just try on the dress at the dress shop and stand in front of a mirror...sit down, dance around, throw your hands in the air ...and if you pop out of the top or it feels like a straight-jacket, look for another dress! You will be so much happier and have so much more fun.

Do not tan right before your wedding!! Tanning can make you look like an oompah loompah on film and if the groom is ruddy and the bride is golden there is no adjustment that will help. If you must tan, do it a week or more before the wedding. Try a seaweed wrap or massage instead of tanning if you need to relax.

Men, don't get your haircut right before you get married. It's the one thing that can almost be counted on: the groom will get his hair cut the day of or before the wedding. A haircut needs a week to look it's best. Some short cuts actually make it look like your balding so no haircut less than a week before. Women, try out your hair and makeup before the wedding. Some hairstyles you see in a book may be disastrous on you! The only way to know is to try it out. Some truly lovely brides get hair styles that just don't go with their faces or bodies so get your hair done well before the wedding and try it out...twice if you don't like the first one. If you need to travel for your wedding, have your hair done at home until you love it and have someone take a picture of your hair for the stylist at the wedding location.

Makeup...those mineral makeups work very well for photos. They are light and natural looking and reflect a smooth surface back to the camera. For most people light lids and dark crease works the best for eye makeup. Don't let anyone do a dark lids on you--the corpse bride is the only person that works for. It makes the eyes look sunken -- most lighting will tend to do that anyway (deep shadows under the brow) and dark eyelid makeup will make it worse. On the other hand a fairly dramatic eyeliner will make your eye-lashes look lush.

Glasses...will sometimes reflect light and hide the eyes. Some people are uncomfortable seeing themselves without glasses but remember that these images are the kind that last...and probably will be cherished by your children and their children so take a couple without the glasses so people can really see your face. On the other hand, if you wear contacts, bring glasses to wear if your eyes get tired from wearing the contacts. Comfort is really important for having fun and looking your best so if you are not comfortable without your glasses, it will be fine, just wear them (and have fun)!

Finally, my personal favorite, take time...just a little more time with your photographer while everyone else is having a good time. Steal away for 20 minutes and allow yourselves to have pictures done while you are relaxed and having fun. I promise it will be worth it.

New Website and URL

2011-03-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

I've just completed my new web site with a great deal of work from my husband, Val (who is a fantastic Web Designer). I also have a new URL : www.photographerinvermont.com as well as the old one donadavis.com. I hope it will make it easier for people to find me and also to find the information they need once they get there.

There are a couple of things about the new site that may not be self-explanatory. If your mouse rests on the large slide show that plays for the opening of each section (weddings, portraits and commercial) the show will pause until the mouse is removed. So, if you want to look at a particular image longer, you may.

I think it's a much easier to navigate site with the pull down menus . If any part of the site doesn't work on your particular browser I would appreciate your letting me know so I can fix it. If you want to return to the opening page with the wedding slide show you can click on my signature at the top of the page.

I've been finding typos as I check the site over and if you find any I would appreciate a "heads up".

I hope you will enjoy the new look and that you will let me know what you think.

Inn at Mountain View Farm, East Burke

2011-03-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

I was just going over my new portfolio order and marveling at all the pictures I have from certain venues. I was stunned at how many of my favorite wedding images are taken at the Inn at Mt. View Farm in East Burke.

Yes, it's in the neighborhood, so to speak but so are many other places I shoot regularly. The thing that makes Mt. View so special is that everywhere you look is a beautiful backdrop...from the room where the bride gets ready to the stately wrap-around porch, the many gardens, fields and barns. Even the swing out front is great for a photo-op.

This is a wedding that included the bride, groom, his best friend, her best friend and officiant and me. I could shoot freely without being in any of the guests way. Here they are going up the "aisle"

It doesn't get more ideal than this. One of my favorite shots EVER was from the garden area next to the big barn. It's another one of Mountain Views idyllic settings. We shot the formal hedges as an album end shot.

and serendipity happens most often in this kind of setting. The Inn has an animal rescue barn and one of their guests became a curious wedding guest.

Chris Willy catered most of the weddings I shot at the Inn at Mountain View Farm...that was before he opened his new sensational restaurant in East Burke (Willy's). If you can get him to cater your affair I suggest you do it while you can because, with food like Chris makes, he won't be available much.

New Album Proof

2011-02-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

My new coffee table style album has a proofing method a little different from what I usually do...I love it. Your book is presented through an interface that makes it seem like you are turning the pages on an actual book. Go here to see what I mean:

http://www.adoramapix.com/donaphoto/book/steffanie-and-brandon

The other thing I really like about this book is that the cover is printed and each page goes all the way across without interruption...you won't find that in ANY book at this price. It also allows me to offer discounted copies in different sizes. Once the design work has been done, your family can benefit with copies or you can order a brag book for your purse and keep your big book home safe.

Things I don't like about this book...it's more delicate than any of my other books. My leather bound books have a tougher cover and don't get this book wet, the pages will stick together as I found out when I took it out into a torrential rain storm (it was in a zippered bag and a few drops fell and caused two sets of pages to stick and tear). That might happen with my basic book but the magnetic fold in the better book would stop water short.

The Graphis Studio book and traditional albums still do the best job at protecting your pictures but this book is fantastic for the price and just as good as books that cost four times as much.

Rain, Rain Go Away....or not.

2011-01-11T05:14:00.000-08:00

This is a classic Vermont wedding problem. We have all this natural beauty and it naturally gives rise to thoughts of fall foliage weddings or spring gardens. Here is Jenn, moments before her wedding at the beautiful Alerin Barn looking out onto a torrential downpour! I know that rain is supposed to be good luck at a wedding but what do you do with all your careful plans?

There is actually a lot you can do. Sometimes the clouds lift and you are left with a wonderland of dew dropped flowers and spectacular skies and sometimes it just rains...all day.
That's when good planning pays off. Choose a venue with porches (like the one above) to get great pictures outside without getting all wet.

Umbrellas make it work too...I love umbrella shots. The Round Barn in Waitsfield has them at the ready for just such instances and they make for wonderfully fun and romantic pictures.

Of course, we don't even have to go outside for great pictures. Above is natural light from a window in Grace Church, St. Johnsbury. It can make pictures very dramatic--in fact there wasn't rain at this wedding but the bride wanted shots done inside the church.

This family came all the way from Florida for their Vermont wedding at Jay Peak...it's a good thing I pack studio lights to every wedding because it poured all day and there was almost no chance to get pictures outside. So never let rain dampen your spirits. The pictures will still be great, it will still be a blast (with all your friends, how can you miss) and fate owes you one...maybe you can use it on your honeymoon.

Burlington Bride

2010-12-01T03:47:00.000-08:00

This wedding was up in Burlington. The new Catholic ceremony that I'm seeing more and more really makes pictures hard as the Bride and Groom spend the entire ceremony with their backs to everyone. But, a wedding is not about the pictures and there was plenty of time to get great pictures afterwards in different locations.

That's why it is sometimes vitally important to get pictures done before the ceremony. Not only did we get bridal photos but also pictures with the family and bride's maids.

One thing to think about, as this bride did, was that confession is on Saturday evening starting at 4pm (before Saturday mass) so you have to get out of there pretty quickly after a late afternoon wedding (which this one was).

The pews were full by the time we went back inside which meant no lights could be set up and no picture with the priest who was already hearing confession. Off we went in search of greener photographic pastures...not hard in Vermont.

East Side, Newport Wedding

2010-11-30T13:10:00.001-08:00

I'm always thrilled when a wedding is at a place that I know will do a fantastic job. Dee Ann at the East Side in Newport Vermont runs such a place. It's always the people you can count on rather than the location and Dee Ann knows how to run a party.

Lake Memphremagog is a spectacular backdrop for any wedding and this particular wedding was taking full advantage of the location with a boat ride for the bridal party to the docks at the East Side...how's that for parking?

After dinner and drinks the B&G slipped away for their photos. The grounds at the East Side gave us a lot of options, as you can see.

The dancing never stopped

Romantic Tourterelle

2010-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Tourterelle is the French word for turtle dove, that most romantic of creatures, symbol of love. The Tourterelle is an equally romantic wedding venue designed and conceived to add a touch of romantic magic to your special event. Conveniently located less than thirty miles South of Burlington in New Haven Vermont.

Tourterelle is nestled among farm fields and surrounded by mountain views it scores high on all points for a wedding location being convenient for guests, gorgeous for photos, romantic, and run by the owners--which means every detail is attended to with pride.

Abby and Justin were getting ready in the main house of the Inn, upstairs from the lovely dining room. The inn is an old manor house that has been modernized for comfort while all the details lovingly preserved that convey an elegant sense of tradition and history.

The wedding took place by the pond (with fountain). We had perfect weather and what a treat to be outdoors on such a lovely day among the gardens and grounds. We felt like we had been transported back in time. The family and their friends couldn't have been lovelier...as was the staff at the Inn. Christine made sure every detail was perfect...from the iced tea laid out for thirsty guests to last bit of dancing that night.

Abby had Flutist Lisa Carlson to play for the ceremony. Lisa was a wonderfully elegant addition to the ceremony...making everything perfect.

Abby couldn't stop smiling...always a good sign.

Then it was off to take pictures all over the grounds! My favorite part!

Then...It was time to go party!

Tourterelle's food is all local organic fare made delectable by chef Bill. There's even a kitchen garden out back -- no wonder it tastes so fresh!

And then...they lived happily ever after.

Grace Church, St. Johnsbury, VT Wedding Photos,

2010-07-30T03:37:00.000-07:00

Mary & Robert

Vermont has such lovely old churches. So much so, that it would be hard to pick just one as a favorite. Grace would make it on the short list. One thing about Grace is that it has places for the bride and groom to get ready that are beautiful places to shoot.

Here Mary and her rainbow of daughters and now step-daughters got ready for the big day. They were a pleasure to shoot. Like a bouquet of flowers with Mary right in the center: a white rose.

(click on the image to see bigger version)

Grace also has a choir loft that is just above and behind the altar. It's perfect for shooting without being in the way. Don't they look happy together?

We took pictures in the garden and in front of Grace first. Everyone who was at the wedding got into one big group shot.
After Grace, we went over to the Elks Lodge in Saint Johnsbury. This is not your typical Elks Lodge. It is a graceful, old mansion with marbled pillars and deeply carved molding. It is every bit as beautiful as some B&B's. While you won't have an Inn Keeper to rely on to get the details right, they do have a kitchen staff that does a great job with banquets.

This cake topper is spun glass...very unique!

Alerin Barn, St. Johnsbury Photos

2010-07-25T09:47:00.001-07:00

Once again, I found myself at the Alerin Barn...one of my favorite venues. As a photographer I appreciate the attention to detail at the Alerin. Everywhere you point the camera is beautiful.

Today I was lucky to have an equally beautiful bride to shoot, Jenn. Talk about grace under pressure.

I like to take pictures of the bride at the window of the bridal suite--it's a classic shot with natural light. We pulled up the blind...and...viola...rain. It's raining buckets outside. You can see by Jenn's face that she was taking it all in stride.

We went out onto the big front porch to take more pictures under cover but still with a view of the garden. It was raining like it would never quit but Jenn was certain it would blow over.

After pictures, we went back in for a champaign toast.

When we went back out the rain was gone and there were blues skies and puffy clouds as far as could be seen. It turned into a perfect day!

My husband, Val Davis, played his guitar up on the hill as the guests gathered on the log benches. I must say it sounded wonderful and though I am partial you should check out his playing on line at valdavis.com and judge for yourself.

Jenn and Rich were both a pleasure to shoot...it is obvious how much they love each other and how excited they were to be married. It was really a story-book wedding.

The ceremony was gorgeous...it was hard for me to pick images to show.

One thing I love about the Alerin in St. Johnsbury is that it is so well thought out. I hear a lot of people who say they had to leave their guests to take formal pictures. Jenn was worried about this. She and Rich wanted to enjoy the cocktail hour with their guests and not miss out on the party that they had worked so hard to plan.

No worries! The Alerin's best views are right near the cocktail area so we just asked guests to come and join us as they were needed.

This was a great group of people. After dinner the dance floor was always full. I love people who know how to have a good time.

So here is another wedding to add to my favorites. I'm so glad I got to be part of Jenn and Rich's special day.

Green wedding Vermont photos

2010-06-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

What better place to have a green wedding than the green mountain state...Vermont. It's practically a no-brainer. Vermont is the only Northeastern state able to comply with the current "Clean Air Act". Vermont is the home of "Cow Power" which takes methane from dairy barns and converts it into electricity and Vermonters are crazy about their wilderness and work hard to preserve their clear streams and wildlife habitat. Since green is so much a part of how Vermonters choose to live and work, you will find that creating your green, eco-friendly wedding is a lot easier here than in most of the world.

First you will want a dress...how about a custom, eco-friendly hemp creation? Tara Lynn studios in Sutton Vermont is where you want to go. These dresses are very earth friendly and one of a kind creations just as comfortable in art galleries as they are on runways. Tara Lynn studio is even solar powered so you really can't get much greener.

What about shoes? How about shoes made from recycled material and certified vegan? Lenny's Shoe and Apparel in Barre, Simon the Tanner in Island Pond and Johnson Farm and Home in Johnson, Vermont carries them... Simple Shoes have sandals that will match your dress and your ethics perfectly. My daughter got a pair of these just before heading to Germany for the year. If you know anything about Europe, that meant daily walking and lots of it. She was amazed that the shoes lasted the entire year being worn almost every day and walking constantly.

Next, consider a caterer whose vegetarian creations are so good that no one will even notice that there isn't the usual meat centric offerings normally featured at weddings. Sweet Basil Cafe in Lyndonville, Vermont will create a wedding feast you will be proud to serve. It's just good food, exquisitely presented and seasoned to perfection with many of the ingredients coming straight out of their garden...organically grown of course.

A fair trade, blood diamond free ring is a little harder to find. Perrywinkle's, in Burlington (227 Main Street) advertise that they are blood free diamond retailers. For a band I would recommend Vermont artist Jim Sardonis. He created my husband's and my wedding bands and we couldn't be happier. Jim is the creator of the whale's tails along hwy 89 just south of Burlington and his work is found in private and public collections across the country. We are fortunate to have such a great artist in our midst and he is supremely easy to work with and very down-to-earth. He will create the green wedding ring you desire for the asking.

What about arriving in style burning hay instead of gas? Horse drawn carriages are a little fancier than a bicycle built for two and a whole lot more romantic. Hayden Tanner, of West Burke can pick you up in style with his carriage and his organically fed Belgian horses. All of Hayden and Elizabeth Tanner's livestock is organic and humanely raised. If you are lucky, you might even be able to get some of their maple syrup--which is harvested with the same horses that would pull your carriage or sleigh, if your wedding falls during Vermont's beautiful winter.

Decorations and wedding favors are your chance to get really creative. These pumpkins and gourds make wonderful, whimsical center pieces that celebrate abundance. Maple syrup favors are always great and since Vermont is the nation's top producer of maple products you will find them everywhere. What about some of Vermont's wicked Good Wild Apple Butter or Pumpkin Butter from Sweet Basil Cafe in Lyndonville? Harvested from local wild apples and organically grown pumpkins it is a taste of Vermont that you and your guests will love.

Finally, what about your photographer? Make sure you are taking advantage of the digital age with digital proofing option...way more eco friendly than printed proofs. In addition to using less paper and chemical for printing, Dona Davis Photography is proud to announce that green wedding albums are now available! Made entirely from recycled and green materials but giving you the same archival and high quality you want in a wedding album. You will not feel that you have been cutting back with these albums from GP Albums. Green is the new black!

So go green at your wedding in the green mountain state. You won't have to scrimp on style or taste.

Edson Hill Manor, Stowe Vermont Photographer

2010-06-18T11:04:00.001-07:00

Edson Hill Manor is a great location in Stowe...a little off the beaten path but quite wonderful once you find it. It has an old manor house and cottages on the grounds to accommodate plenty of guests. The grounds are grand, in the truest sense of the word--well groomed and capacious. I love the walk down to the ceremony site on the huge lawn. Great for pictures of the bride coming down and lots of time for people to get a good look. (It is down a large outdoor staircase...high heels and long trains beware!)

We took pictures all over the place...everything being very convenient to get to. We started right there on the lawn and made our way to the pond. Took some pictures in the gardens and then found these aderondak chairs--how Vermont!

Wildflower Inn, Lyndonville, VT Photographer

2010-06-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

It was a rainy and windy day when this wedding took place at the Wildflower Inn on Darling Hill Road in Lyndonville, Vermont. The bride was insistent that we have the ceremony up on the hill as planned...we were all a little sceptical...but as it turned out, she was right. The rain held off for the entire ceremony and even allowed for some formals on the terrace afterwards. What a great day.

If you don't know the Wildflower, you should check it out. Perched on one of the most picturesque roads in the Northeast Kingdom with views of Whilloughby Gap in the back and the imposing view of Burke Mountain from the ceremony site, it is truly an inspiring place to be.

This day was very windy but the ceremony was lovely...everyone had to hold down their skirts for most of the ceremony but when it came time for the "I do's" it was as if the very air held it's breath and we were in total calm for the rest of the ceremony. Magical things are always happening at weddings.

The wind made photographing the kiss a little difficult...it kept blowing the bride's veil across her face so the matron of honor was having to hang on to it (as you can see from the picture above). It kind of ruined what would have been a fabulous picture so I photo-shopped it right out. Be sure to click on the picture below so you can see the larger version. Look ma, no hand!

Round Barn Waitsfield, Vermont Photographer

2010-06-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday wedding had a lot of strikes against it from the start. The bride and groom were moving from Beirut to Texas. The Groom's parents live in Canada, so they decided to have the wedding at the The Round Barn in Waitsfield, Vermont. I never got to meet any of the bridal party or family until an hour or so before the wedding. They only wanted to have me for four hours (which is always challenging) and finally...it rained!

It just shows you that "weddings happen" regardless of what you do or what goes wrong and this wedding turned out to be lovely. The day was hot but the bride was excited and composed...ready for anything (always good).

Her brother walked her "down the aisle"...here meaning across the field and the rain held off just enough to make it through the entire ceremony with nothing more than sprinkles.

Someone brought black umbrellas out after the ceremony. Of course this caused the rain to go away and leave us with a dramatic sky. Funny how it always seems to work that way.

Alerin Barn, St. Johnsbury, Wedding Photographer

2010-06-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was spectacular...after some worrying news from the weather man. It was one of those times that I don't know what to mention first! The adorable three year old flower girl...how nice everyone was...the bride and groom...the venue...the music...everything was so great that I want to mention it all.

The Alerin Barn is one of my favourite places to shoot. The Tomlinson's, who built, conceived, run and own the barn really know how to take all the pressure off of everyone involved in the wedding...weddings just magically happen at the Alerin...thanks to Christy's seamless organisational skills and attention to detail.

Every time I go back there is something new and exciting at the Alerin Barn. The new gardens and topiary are lovely touches and the huge covered porch around the house has been made into a cozy place for pictures and cocktails. There is even a romantic "shepherd's camp" to steal away to if the bride and groom want a romantic moment alone.

This wedding, however, had a musical talent...phenomenon, really, in the form of a violinist who has recently come back to the area: Patrick Ross(www.profiddler.com).

He played gorgeous classical violin up on the hill for the guest as they assembled for the ceremony, played the bride down the aisle and back, and I was thinking "classical violinist" and wondering what orchestra he played with. Then, as we headed down the hill he broke into a rousing Celtic fiddle to start the celebration.

If that wasn't enough, Patrick was also the DJ and in what is probably the most memorable musical moment of any reception, while the bride was dancing with one of the guests to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and right in the middle of the big fiddle solo, the music went low and Patrick ran down the stairs and played and danced for the screaming, laughing, delight of everyone watching.

He truly is an act to remember...you can reach Patrick at worldfiddler@hotmail.com . You will be impressed, amazed and delighted with his talent!

Be sure to check out more weddings from all over Vermont and New England at DonaDavis.com

Catamount Country Club, Williston Vermont Wedding Photography

2010-06-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Catamount Country Club in Williston, Vermont has created quite the venue for wedding day festivities. The garden is a great spot for weddings with the guests looking down and backwards from what the "normal wedding setting" usually is. The bride and groom are close to the covered porch so every word and every expression can be seen by the guests.

The dining room is wonderful, with a vaulted ceiling and balcony overlooking the dance floor (how convenient for me:). There is a lot of potential for light streaming in through the windows that look out on to the green with views of Camel's Hump in the background. Very Vermont.

We stole away to the gardens for photos. There is a lovely bridge and benches for great intimate photos of the bride and groom and it's far enough away from all the action that you really feel totally private.

Then, there's the driving range! What can I say. People in evening wear look fabulous while golfing!

You really owe it to yourself to check out Catamount if you are planning a wedding. The garden and grounds are ideal for fun, the staff is professional and really caters to weddings. Visit them at: http://www.catamountcountryclub.com/

and visit me at www.donadavis.com and see more picture from Vermont and New England.

Beat Back Blah Photos

2010-05-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

I get pretty tired of the "kid against the tree" photo that you see year after year and page after page in every senior yearbook. Portraits should be a little bit exciting and different. They shouldn't trigger the yawn response. So I was thrilled to meet Bekki and learn that she wanted an urban look to her images. She met me at the skate park in St. Johnsbury to start our session. The skate park has large murals that look like very artistic and socially aware graffiti with an unkempt look that gives the shots an edge. When you put a beautiful young lady in this setting it is like finding a flower growing up through the crack in the sidewalk--stunning. That dandelion on your lawn with it's hundred cousins doesn't even register but in the crack of the sidewalk it suddenly becomes note-worthy and beautiful.

Our next stop was in the rail yard where the sun was streaming in emphasising Bekki's blonde hair and blue eyes. The tracks guide your eyes straight to Bekki and she is the last thing you expect to see there. For more of this photo shoot check out the whole gallery here:

So, don't be afraid to get creative with your portrait and step away from the ordinary. It pays with truly unique and surprisingly beautiful images. One more example before I go is my three sons, all dressed for my oldest's wedding shot at one of those horrid motels on the steps. Setting certainly isn't everything!

Safegaurd you memories

2010-05-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

The other day my neighbor, a bride from three years ago, showed up at my door. Her father had died and she wanted images for the funeral which I was very happy to provide. She also had moved and her disc had been damaged and her wedding pictures lost. This is the third request for a new disc this month. Life has a way of causing loss and destruction over the years. It's a good thing she had her pictures professionally shot because they will be in my archive for as long as I'm around--hopefully a good long time!

Whenever there is a disaster, like a flood or a house fire, and the newsman shows up to interview the victims they always say the same thing...that the insurance will rebuild their home and replace their furniture but a lifetime of memories is gone for good. That won't happen if you use a reliable photographer. Having a backup somewhere else is the best insurance for your memories that you can have.

Make sure that your professional photographer has your back...ask about your backup. I have met people who shoot weddings who just get done at the end of the night and hand the couple a disc. First of all, any editing that would improve the photos falls to you now...most people don't have the costly professional editing software to do this properly (without damaging the photos). You pay a lot for professional photography and you shouldn't have to spend the hours editing (often 24-40 hours) your own shots. Second, you probably can't count on a backup.

Discs begin to degrade after about three to five years. Your photos should be on your hard-drive and your disc and the disc should be checked every year at least once. Hard drives fail without warning and take your images with them so make sure you have both. Finally have a backup somewhere else. A family member's house can be good but remember to check the disc every year. Your professional photographer will keep your images in two places as well to insure they aren't lost.

Another good idea is to have portraits done each year...especially of children. Portraits are not costly and you would have a photo-record of your child's growth that would be safegaurded against disaster. It may seem like a good deal to go to Walmart or to use the school photograph to commemorate those precious memories but they do not have your back--or your backup. I'd like to be watching the news sometime and hear someone say to the reporter "I did lose a lot but fortunately I have a backup for my most precious memories"...now that would be a happy ending.

Getting the most from your disc part III

2010-04-30T08:50:00.001-07:00

So we have your images the way you want them and it's time to make prints...are all printers created equal? The short answer is a big fat "NO". A lot of printers produce very poor prints. Some aren't even really photos--they are from an inkjet printer. You might as well print them at home.

Others are well worth the cost. Most premium printers do a very fine job and can be trusted to help get the look you really want but the real surprise is that there are a lot of discount printing houses who do just as good a job. They have the same equipment as the premium printer and if your prints need no adjustment, they are probably your best bet.

To go ahead and name names, among those I use and recommend are: Walmart, Adoramapix, Snapfish, and York. They all do great work and have a fast turn around. If you have problems with a print not looking right, these companies won't be able to help you, however. The technician's just run the file through without adjusting anything and may not even know how to adjust your prints.

Professional printers don't work with the general public (normally), so go back to your photographer with a request that he or she run your file through their pro lab. The pro lab will correct color problems and the photographer can usually handle any other adjustments needed. It's well worth the expense to have prints that look fabulous.

Getting the most from your disc part II

2010-04-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

I was going to talk more about filters. There are so many great ones that it makes it hard to choose. The top one here is called "old" and it allows photos to be aged digitally. The color is sepia and their are subtle water spots along the edge. I love this dress with this filter...very classic. Below is one called "water". It looks like the bride and groom are standing beside a lake with their reflections in the water. You can click on these to get a better look.

This one is the ever-popular black and white with color accents. I've added a second effect on the second picture "crayon edges" in a vignette...look carefully at the flowers and leaves above the couple. The next image I've added a "crayon edge" vignette...look carefully at the flowers and leaves around the couple:

And the ever-popular black and white with color accent filter:

So you can see, the possibilities are pretty wide. You can take a fairly simple portrait and make it into something very special for display. When you receive your disc you will find these filters applied to some of the images.

Getting the most from your image disc

2010-04-07T03:59:00.000-07:00

The wedding is over and your pictures are up. This is when the fun begins! Going over all the images will remind you of this special day...all the laughs and tears, all the details. The wedding tends to be a wonderful blur to the bride and groom and these images will anchor the event forever and allow you to share it with friends and family for years to come. There is only one little detail...you need to pick your edits or pick your album pictures (if I'm creating an album for you). I have already sent a high resolution disc to you with my edits so you can go ahead and make prints but you want to make sure you have what you want and that you get the best possible prints. First of all, take a moment with your disc and the image I sent with it. Find the image (it should be first) on the disc and put it up on your monitor. Take the printed image and hold it up next to the image on your monitor and see if there is any difference in color or brightness. Adjust your monitor until they match. This will ensure that the image you see is the image you will get back from the printer.

Then think about what you want from me. Will you be making 8x10 inch prints? This size cuts a full two inches off of the unedited picture on the long side so you don't want to cut off someone's head. I can usually edit a picture so it works as an 8x10 by recreating more background. You may want cropping done for a closer in picture and you will lose quality if you crop the images I gave you. Then there are special effects like vignettes (such as this one at the top). Vignettes look especially good framed. This one also has the black and white with color detail effect.

Don't do black and white conversions on the machine at the store. Even though you can do this, it won't be as good. I adjust brightness and contrast whenever I convert a file to black and white and the machine will only take the color out, leaving a dull image as your print.

You may also want to zoom in a little. To make sure you get the best crop the resolution needs to be tweaked--you don't just want to cut the image down--especially if it is a larger print. Let me know if you want to crop in closer and I can make sure you get the best quality image possible.

Check back next week when I talk about all the other options you have for editing and give examples of what those look like-- stay tuned!

Why is Photography Sooooo Expensive???

2010-01-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

Wow, I get this question a lot. Even when I don't get the question it hangs there unspoken for most of my professional life. It seems so high. I remember when I started working and thought "Wow, I can shoot a wedding for $1000 and it'll be great! I will get to do what I love and get paid a decent wage!" When I got involved in actually doing it things changed.

For one thing, the eight hour day plus two meetings that wedding photography takes is just the tip of a much larger ice berg. I completely failed to understand how much time I would be spending on each wedding. The average time the photographer's polled on FredMiranda.com spent on each wedding turned out to be forty hours. That's the average from 400 or so photographers polled. I spent some time doing the math and found that I was averaging a little more than that amount of time myself.

At that point, that $1000 isn't looking so great especially when considering the intensity of the work and the expense of the equipment. Add into that all the expenses associated with owning a business and all the hours spent with advertising, web site, maintenance, insurance and you are suddenly looking at a unprofitable venture.

Every year my work gets better, my equipment gets more expensive to stay abreast of advances in the technology and increase the kind and quality of the pictures I'm able to take. I show up at every wedding wth about $6,000.00 worth of equipment to make sure that, no matter what, I can get the job done.

A DJ makes at least $100 per hour at a wedding and gives nothing lasting. A band cost's about $3,000.00. Catering averages about $6,000.00. $3,000.00 for a dress that will be worn once. Heck, those cameras, the disposable ones that you leave on the table cost about $1,000.00 for 100 and I would be willing to bet, produce only a few worthwhile images. The one thing that you will have to treasure out of this whole deal is your memories. And the only tangible thing is your photos.

So when you start to figure out your budget and start looking at photographers, or thinking of asking a friend to do it as a wedding gift, just remember what you are paying for. At the very least you are paying for a week of work from someone, expertise, expensive and delicate equipment, experience and skill. It helps to understand why Photography is so expensive. When the other vendors have gone home, their work is done while your photographer is just getting started on his or her work. Photography is well worth the price when you consider all that you get for your dollar and the lasting nature of it. The most common comment I get from bride's is that the wedding was a blur and how glad they are to be able to re-live it through the photos and albums.

New Album

2009-12-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas came early with the arrival of my new album. I was holding my breath waiting to see if it would be all it promised to be. I was thrilled when it arrived and turned out to be as wonderful as I had hoped.

The printing is fantastic. The album has a hard cover that is fully printed on the spine and front. Each page is printed uninterrupted across the entire width of the book...in this case 24 inches across so you can have really striking layouts with huge images on them--think of it, an 8x10 doesn't even take up the whole page! This is wonderful for those big group and wedding party shots.

It costs the same as my standard album but with some very key improvements. The differences include that it has 50 pages instead of 30 pages and each page is 12x12 instead of 10x10 which means you can get many more photos in each album. Who doesn't want more pictures! That will surely help people having a hard time choosing. It is slimmer because the pages are thinner--not card stock but thick photo pages that are printed on both sides. That will make storage easier. It will fit on a bookshelf like an expensive coffee table book and the spine is printed so you will always be able to find it. Parent albums and companion books can be printed from the same design, taking the time out and lowering the cost to you while giving you a much better book.

I'm so happy to be able to offer this kind of quality, one of a kind, album and hope you will make time to see it in person soon.

2009

2009-11-19T11:57:00.001-08:00

2009 has been such a fun year. I was shooting the groom when the bride set this image up herself...it's my favourite of the whole wedding. We rode in a stretch hummer to their reception in Littleton and all the guys had cammo ties and vests.

This wedding took place during a hurricane. The entire ceremony was amazing with lots of wind until the "I do's" and then complete calm. Lovely couple and a lovely day. That was my first reception at the Wildflower and I must say they do a great job. You can find a link to the Wildflower on Darling Hill in Lyndonville on my wedding links page.

I had some rainy weddings but my lights really saved the day on those. This wedding was at Jay and we were looking forward to those spectacular views from the top of the mountain. Rain moved all our plans inside the ski lodge but these people would not let the rain dampen their spirits and the images came out great!

Shopping cart coming

2009-11-19T11:34:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I've been working on my website and re-doing and tweaking here and there. We have a programmer who is writing a module to allow print purchasing on line from the galleries. There will be cards and mugs and such things there as well so stay tuned.

I'm excited to have my own e-commerce solution. For one thing it lowers the price you have to pay for your prints...I was paying 15% on credit card transactions...which means you were paying it too. I've already lowered the prices on my rate's page.

Paypal on the other hand, only charges 3% and gives you the most secure way to pay on the internet. I've had transaction disputes and had my entire payment refunded to me by paypal. You don't have to have a paypal account either--they will process your credit card.

New Album on the way

2009-11-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for an album that offers quality and affordability for my clients. My custom leather album is a little pricey for many and lesser books just don't cut it in the print department. Dime store albums destroy your pictures over time and those Kodak press books are printed on horrible paper with a printer...not photo process. I found a new book printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive paper (photo-process) that has a hard bound printed cover. It looks like the answer to my prayers! Ive ordered one today and expect to see it in about a week. I'm crossing all my fingers and toes and hope it's as good as the hype! You can expect it to go right onto my offerings if it does and will save my clients about $100 and give them the quality I demand.