http://stephaniefayblog.com/ Stephanie Fay Photography Blog en-us http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=198 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=198 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:29:00 GMT
I took a step back, took a breather, and started re-evaluating where I want to grow to. For those of you that do not know what Showit is or have never tried it, I strongly encourage you to give it a try. I love Showit because it gives you the freedom to design the website YOURSELF and you can change it as OFTEN as you want! How awesome is that?! Well, I sat on my couch a few weeks ago and looked around at my decorations. I noticed that naturally, I'm drawn towards a certain type of "feel". Pottery Barn meets vintage. I drew out my ideas, brought together my brand, and did my best to bring together a website. It's DEFINITELY still in the "works," but for now, I'm satisfied. Having designed it myself, I'm proud!

I hope to encourage anyone who is looking for new inspiration to dig down deep into YOU and find your style.

Im NOT a designer... so try not to judge me too much :) I just pulled together what I love!

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=197 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=197 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:10:00 GMT
The wedding day was quite and perfect. It seemed to fit Carrie and Scott's personalities and we couldn't have been happier to spend the afternoon with not only amazing clients, but extremely generous families. A special thanks to Carrie and Scott for your beautiful hearts and we cannot wait to watch what the Lord has in store for you! To see a slideshow of the rest of the day, click here.

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=196 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=196 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:04:00 GMT
It's SO easy to fall into exhaustion in this industry and I seem to be swimming in it. I'm not entirely sure how to write this post because I don't want to offend anyone but I felt I should write what I have learned thus far as a wedding photographer in this exhausting industry. This is just MY opinion and I ONLY am writing this based on my perspective and how I feel.

I feel as though I am swimming in exhaustion because I have allowed myself to just simply get tired. I'm tired of pushing myself to the extreme to be something I just may not be. Why do I feel guilty for not blogging? Why do I continually feel like I'm not good enough? It's SO easy for an artist to feel these ways because it's a constant battle to refine your business and we seem to pour all of ourselves into our work. We need to learn to change these ways that we feel. One way, is to STOP comparing yourself to others in this industry. It will kill your creativity and all of your heart in your business. I take photos based on how I see it and how can that be wrong? If you are happy with what you see and your client is happy with what they see, shouldn't that be all that matters? It seems in this industry that it's NOT all that matters. It seems as though it's a popularity contest. Don't let it be.

I asked myself these questions and realized that all that matters is what I think about myself and what my clients think about me. If my client is happy with their photographs then I am dancing in my shoes because that was my soul purpose on their wedding day.

I have purposely avoided reading other photographers blogs because I feel it takes away from my own creativity. I want my blog, my photographs, and my work to be MINE not someone else's ideas. Sure, I still look at blogs in this industry, I just don't "study" them. I I feel like it's easy to fall into someone elses groove of doing things rather then your own. We all seem to admire someone else and how they run their business but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to work for you. I feel that you will have a successful business if your business is around YOU. If you photograph like YOU and not someone else, then your going to attract the clients that want YOU and not someone else.
What I mean is, don't strive to be something you're not. It saddens me when I see my peers in this industry striving to be the BEST of the BEST instead of just focusing on themselves and what their clients like. I personally feel that if you care about YOU and your CLIENT, your business can only grow.
My goal is to be the best photographer I can be for myself and my clients. I don't NEED to be a well known photographer in this industry to feel good about my business. I just want to be me.

If you need to take a breather, take it! Breathe in your own creativity and breathe out what others think about you.

This is Oliver. One of my many beautiful nephews.

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=194 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=194 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:36:00 GMT
Being have been a bride myself, I searched these blogs in hope for inspiration and I left feeling overwhelmed with millions of awesome ideas to show my florist! So much fun! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Elizabeth Anne Designs featured one of our favorite weddings : Kristi + Aaron . Check out the feature here.

Wedding chicks featured our Killruddery engagement shoot : Check out the feature here.

Style me pretty also featured our Arizona Indie mock shoot. Check out the feature here

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=193 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=193 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT engagement session. This couple is AMAZING in front of the camera. Do I need to say more!? We walked around downtown and chatted about the plans of the wedding day and what to expect as the day was soon approaching. Well, it FINALLY came and the day was perfect.

Last weekend, Zack and Katie finally tied the knot in beautiful Ventura at The Serra Cross Park. Katie was praying for sunshine but God blew in some fluffy white clouds to cool down the weather. Right as Katie was about to walk down the isle, the sun popped out and it was almost as if God was giving his blessing to this Zack and Katie. It was perfect.

We headed down to the beach for the bridal portraits. The beach, the weather, and of course Zack and Katie couldn't have been more stunning. Stephen and I felt honored to have been apart of this wedding ceremony and are excited to see what God will do in both Zack and Katie's lives in the future.

Zack and Katie, thank you for allowing us to be apart of your beautiful ceremony and marriage! To see a slideshow of the wedding day, please click HERE.

Katie, you are beautiful.

I love this photo of them as they are walking down the isle after being announced husband and wife! They are both simply glowing!

I just loved this little area with the sweet brown fence. It couldn't have been more perfect!

I felt it was perfect to end the post on this photo. :) A happy cheers!

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=192 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=192 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:00:00 GMT
After reading through each story numerous times, I just kept coming back to just one. Lauren and Brandon. Something about their story stuck closer to my heart than the others and I just knew I need to be a part of this wedding and their special story. Although I cannot share their story until their actual wedding next September, trust me when I say their story is beautiful and well deserving.

Congratulations Lauren and Brandon! I cannot wait to be a part of your wedding next fall in beautiful San Antonio. To every couple that entered this contest but was not chosen, THANK YOU for being a part of this contest and I truly wish I could have chosen all of you.

This is Lauren and Brandon. They sent in three photos of themselves and I just HAD to share this one. I just love it.

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=191 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=191 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:20:00 GMT
I cannot say enough good things about Melanie and John and both their families. Stephen and I felt so welcomed and loved that it didn't even quite feel like we were working a job. We felt like we were a part of their ceremony and we were friends partaking in the celebration. The ceremony and reception were held at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.

Melanie and John, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your friendship and marriage. I can't wait to photograph you both next year again! To see a slideshow of the wedding day, please click HERE.

I definitely started tearing up as I watched Melanie and John's first glance. I love this photo because Melanie simply was breathless as she saw John.

I love these two shots Stephen took.

We headed over to the The Padre Hotel for some wedding portraits before the ceremony.

John, you are HANDSOME!

On the way back to the venue, we stopped on a side road to take a few outside photos.

The ceremony was TOO sweet! I loved watching them both tear up as they looked at each other.

The cake was amazing. I loved the cake topper. Perfect for the both of them!

Melanie, you are seriously the most beautiful girl inside and out.

I love this shot of Melanie as she listens to her maid of honor and best friend give her speech.

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=190 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=190 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:46:00 GMT HERE to ensure that your submission will be considered.

I have been overwhelmed by the amazing stories I have read thus far and I cannot WAIT to announce the winner on August 5th!! Please check back on August 5th to see the winner! Remember, JUST by entering the contest you will still be granted 10 percent off any package I offer for your wedding. Even if you do not win, you'll still receive a little something helpful for your wedding budget :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Here is a sneak peek from yesterday's wedding. :) Happy Sunday!

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=189 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=189 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:15:00 GMT
We jumped on the subway from out hotel and met Brad and Kelly at their FAB home in the gorgeous East side of New York. The quaint neighborhood they live in has a sweet little park across the street that made for a perfect setting for Brad and Kelly's engagement session. We had planned on shooting at Central Park and their apartment, but plans changed when we realized we had plenty to photograph just within Brad and Kelly's neighborhood including the stunning rooftop just a few floors above their apartment.

We started our session inside their lovely home with their SWEET dog Sophie. I am seriously in LOVE with Sophie. You'll understand why as you scroll down to the photos. We then walked outside and while getting a bit more comfortable in front of the camera, Brad and Kelly told us how they met and became engaged. I seriously LOVE their story...

To sum up the story of how they met, I'll just say, Brad was Kelly's dentist. Eventually, they went on a date and were smitten ever since. These two are seriously perfect together! One thing I adore about Brad and Kelly is how NICE they are. I have been so overwhelmed with their kindness and generosity. Stephen and I cannot WAIT for their wedding this fall. We felt so honored to sit on Brad and Kelly's rooftop and sip champagne while we simply got to know each other a little bit better. To see a slideshow of the engagement session, click HERE.

UMM.... SOPHIE, YOU ARE THE CUTEST DOG EVER! (besides my own margo of course :)

I love the charm of this neighborhood!

It just seemed appropriate to celebrate Brad and Kelly's engagement with some DIVINE champagne on their very own rooftop overlooking the city.

The light was amazing.

Brad picked out the ring ALL by himself for Kelly. NICE JOB BRAD!

LOVE this photo :)

]]> http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=188 http://stephaniefayblog.com/index.cfm?postID=188 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 08:48:00 GMT
For now, enjoy this sweet picture :)

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