Many of our brides ask us, “exactly what is a proof box?”

A proof box is…well, a box to put your proofs in…..  

But, I’ve decided that our proof boxes deserve a little more credit than that! They are beautiful..and uniquely yours.  Many of our brides are “scrappers” and love the fact that they can have their proofs to scrap with, but don’t have to bother with a proof album.

We also use these in the studio for family pictures, baby pictures, etc.

So if your looking for a unique box that will hold your treasured memories, then this box is for you! (and as a bonus, I always order the box a little bigger than then I need it to be….so that you can put in some of  your  own fav images as well!!

Just sending a quick shout out to the  couples who came to see us with Dk Productions at the Foxwoods Bridal Expo yesterday!

If you are looking for the best fun, unique wedding entertainment and photography; please come to one of the shows listed below and stop by to see us! There will be Entertainment and Photography specialists on hand to answer any questions you may have.

We would be happy to speak with you and show you why we are quickly becoming one of CT’s most recommended and requested DJ Entertainment&Photography companies.

If you are interested in attending a show and would like to be our VIP Guest, please contact us @ 860-951-2533. Tickets are limited.  Come on out….we’d love to meet you!

• Jan 31st: Bridal Showcase – The Riverhouse in Haddam CT
• Feb 14th: Bridal Show – XL Center in Hartford CT
• Feb 20th: Open House – Tower Ridge in Simsbury CT
• March 28th: Perfect Wedding Guide – Woodwinds in Branford CT

The best unique Wedding Photography and Entertainment in Connecticut!

The Best In Wedding Photography&Entertainment!

Lyrical Lens Photography has been looking for a way to provide you with more than just artistic, creative, unique imagery of  your one of a kind day. We wanted to be able to help our clients with the biggest decisions that come with the planning of their wedding. To us, the first big decision is the photography….we got that covered. Unique, creative, with an artistic flare. (Not sure about that? Check out our new slide show!)

But, what is the next big decision to be made for a fantastic, unique event? The entertainment! We wanted to find a company that, shared the same goals as we do. To give the couple everything they dreamed of on their day. We wanted to find a company with a great personality, and is considerate enough to know where the bride is BEFORE they announce the  cake-cutting!  We wanted to find a company that was more than just  music. As far as we’re concerned, anyone can go into a room;  hook up some speakers, and play a list of songs. We wanted a company could keep the dance floor alive. Which, of course makes our job a lot easier! (If no one is on the dance floor, it is a lot harder to give you great reception images!)

DK Productions Entertainment, fits our criteria perfectly! They know how to make your event truly yours. So now you get the same unique, artistic imagery that Lyrical Lens has come to be known for,  plus now you can have great entertainment-all at the same time! Same consultation  time, same final planning time, anything we can do to help make planning your day a little less stressful! Contact us for special package information today!

PS-find us after you’ve already booked your entertainment? That’s okay! We are still taking on our own new clients as well! Contact us for info today!

AND Stay tuned for our bridal show schedule….because we’d love to meet you!

♥Connie

Jamie and Matt rank up there with our most fabulous couples!! Spending the day with them was more of a pleasure than a job!! The friendship and chemistry between them are what many couples hope for… Jamie was beautiful (of course), and just relaxed and enjoying her day! (which, is our favorite kind of bride!!) Matt always had a smile on his face, and could tell he was amazingly in love with Jamie. This kind of couple, combined with such a beautiful day…it’s every photographer’s dream! Thank-you for giving us the honor to spend such an amazing day with you both!!♥

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We had a great day with Jamie and Justin…..even though it rained!  (We always feel for our couples when the weather dampens their plans!)  We made it through…and the wedding and reception were wonderful. They were a happy and fun couple….(our favorite kind!) Here’s a tiny taste of the day….after our couple views all their images, then I will post more!!

Amarante's Sea Cliff, New Haven, CT

Here is part two to our last blog post:

Make sure your asking the right questions!

12. Will they mark your proofs with a watermark, or copyright?

A good photographer will know what your proofs mean to you.  If a photographer is proud of their work, there should be a copyright on the back of the image-but not a copyright or watermark on the front. To us-that’s just wrong (and slightly cheesey…) And I think that it points out a amateur photographer from a professional.

13. Do the digital negatives come in the package or can you purchase them?

This is a touchy spot for many photographers, including ourselves. We understand both sides of the topic. On one side-the couple wants the negatives so they will know that they have all the images from their day-and they want to be able to make prints themselves and not pay the outrageous prices of some photographers. Yes, we understand that.  One on the photographers side-our work is our art. If we give you a disk of  your images from your day we are giving up the integrity of our work. We are saying that it’s okay for you to go to around-the-corner-mart and print our gorgeous images with a lovely green tint that wasn’t there before. Then you turn around and show those around-the-corner-mart prints to your friends who are getting married-or looking for a studio-and they say-’wow-those are great!’ (Meanwhile they are thinking-’wow-that looks awful-remind me to never use that photographer!!’) So it’s great to get a photographer who gives out their disks  for a next to nothing price-but are they taking pride in their work? Or is your wedding just another notch in their camera bag?

With us, we do offer a package that includes the disk, we know you brides want it! We also offer the disk ala carte.

15. What time will they arrive, and when will they leave?

This answer varies as well. If you want bridal-prep captured we usually arrive 1 hour early. If not, then we get to the church (or venue) at LEAST 1/2  hour before the bride arrives.  During this time we capture the guests coming in, the groomsmen hanging out and doing boutonnieres, and then the  bride arriving. We do not leave until we know that everything you want is captured.

16. Is there an overtime fee?

We do not squabble over a few  minutes to an hour…(especially if everything ran late).  But, if you ask us to stay past our allotted time or if we cannot finish up whatever hasn’t been captured in a reasonable amount of time-the we do ask our hourly rate be paid.

17. What will the photographer(s) wear?

We’ve seen many photographers wear many different things. Most of them is not good. We dress in dark colors, usually dress pants and an appropriate blouse. We make sure that we look well groomed-are dressed appropriate and are comfortable-knowing that there will be a lot of walking-squatting, and possibly chair standing!

18. Is my wedding album included in the fee? Are parents’ albums included?

That depends on the package you choose-but whatever the package-albums can be purchased ala carte as well-and sometimes at a discount.

19. How many photos are included in an album, and what layout will they use? (Will it look like every other brides?)

The photos included in the album obviously vary by the size of the album. We will meet with the client again at this point if they need help deciding what album they want or what images they want to go in them. I usually ask the client to pick a handful of images that they definitely want in the album. (This is always difficult-they say that they can never decide on just a few!) The album is then designed by me-we don’t out-source our album design.  This insures that your album will be unique. The client has final say over what photos are used-and if they like the layout.  I always tell our clients that “I’m not easily offended-so tell me if you don’t like something-and I will change it!!” Our brides, grooms-and studio clients have loved our wedding album design as much as I have enjoyed making them!

20. Can they show you a complete wedding they’ve shot?

If they can’t: RUN, I say-RUN!! No, seriously, if  they can’t show you a whole wedding,  that probably means that they don’t want you to see one. We can show you an exact duplicate of a brides proof magazine. (actually we can show you more than one…)

I hope that this list (although not all inclusive…) helps a little for your search of a reputable photographer. I also hope this shows how we set ourselves apart from everyone else. Do you  have a question that isn’t covered here? Click below to go to our contact page and ask us yourself!!

http://www.lyricallensphotography.com/contact/

Till next time,

Connie♥

Everyone knows that planning a wedding is a huge job.  It’s extremely stressful. So,with this list of questions we hope to lighten the load-at least a little bit. =] Knowing the right questions to ask can really make a difference…and make your decision a lot easier.  Here are a few to remember:

1. What is their style — traditional, photojournalist, glamour, etc..

We work off of each others strengths. So when we shoot you get a combination of all types of photography. We also enjoy being artistic in what we do.  Many of our brides choose us of because we are not your “stand still and smile” type of photographer.

2. Do they shoot in mostly color, black and white, or both?

We shoot mostly in color-but in the end your proofs are a nice mixture of both. (As some photos just lend themselves to black and white.)

3. Do they shoot digitalvor with film?

We shoot digital. It makes it easier to give our brides what they want. We also enjoy keeping up with the changing times. We attend seminars though-out year and are always learning more about what we do. We don’t want to be the photographers who think they know-it-all and stop learning. Then they are stuck in that one rut. That’s just not who we are.

4. How many images do they shoot at a average wedding (or at a wedding your size?)

April and I are snap-happy. We love what we do-and because of that our brides make out.  We’ve shot anywhere from 600 at a small wedding to 2000 at a larger one. The number of images we shoot vary greatly depending on your particular event. If the DJ is great and rockin’ the joint, and people are up dancing,  having a good time-you will have more images.  If not then you may have less.

5. Do they work with assistants? Or students? Will they be shooting too? When will you meet them?

We do not work with assistants or students. We think that yes-students need to learn, but not at your wedding. It’s a one time event-not a learning experience for your photographer.  If you can’t meet them-how will you know you even like them? (And if you find out you don’t like them to close to your date-will you be able to choose someone else?)

6. Can I give the photographer a list of shots that I want?

Your photographer should know the “traditional” list of photos like the back of their hands. If they don’t then they aren’t for you! Every photographer should ask for a special list of photos that are out of the ordinary-so nothing gets missed.

7. Am I meeting with the person who will be taking photos at my wedding? If not, can I meet with the photographer assigned to my wedding?

With Lyrical Lens Photography we pride ourselves on owning our own business-and when you meet with us-you meet with US, and not some sales person. You see OUR work, and not a collaboration of a bunch of photographers. How will you know you will get the photographer whose work you like best? (And can you see an ENTIRE wedding from that one photographer?) With us, you meet us, and see our work. What you see is what you get-it’s that easy. (As it should be…)

8. How long has the photographer been shooting weddings?

April and I have been shooting together (as owners of Lyrical Lens Photography) for about 4 years now.  Before that we worked on our own, shooting weddings, and portraits. We both have been shooting actively since we were in our early teens. (We’ve know each other since we were six!!)

9. How many weddings do they shoot a day?

If a photographer has to rush out of your wedding to be to another one on time (or risk them being late-if your the 2nd wedding…). Then they are not the photographer for you. We only book one wedding a day-we just don’t think it’s fair to have to leave before we are absolutely sure that everything has been taken. No matter what the time.

10. What type of equipment are they using?  How will they light everything?

Ask the exact camera system. Saying they use quality Nikon (or Canon) equipment just isn’t good enough anymore.  You do not want your photographer to show up to your wedding using the same camera (or equivalent) as one of your guests.  Now, it’s not all about the equipment. But the equipment sure helps. (especially for making sure nothing goes wrong with their equipment.) Professional cameras made for professionals are work-horses. They are made to be beat on…and if your photographer is proud of their equipment they will tell you. (Then you can go home and look up the price!) We use Nikon D-3’s. With Nikon speedlights-and Nikon lenses.

11. How long will it take to get your proofs? What sort of proof  options do they offer? What do they do with the rest of the images that are not included in your proofs?

This question varies for us. Usually somewhere between 4-6 weeks. It really depends on the size of the wedding, and the number of images taken. We cut very few images. So we edit most everything we take. (Some are perfect and don’t need editing…) We also don’t batch edit (where you let your computer do all your post processing for you) We’ve tried this approach and we just think that editing them one at a time is better. (Batching makes the same correction to all the images-but all the images have different lighting-even if they were taken right after one another.) And if your package includes 400 images what happens to the rest? Most photographers just ditch them-and they keep this is mind while shooting. (They may not shoot a image-or a series of images because they are concerned with the 400 you get in your package. We don’t consider what comes in your package until the end-after all your processing is done. Then we choose the best 400-(now don’t forget this is the best 400 made up of two professionals-so you are getting the best of both of us-not one of us-or one of them and a student). Then we do something special with the rest of your images. We don’t advertise it-so if your interested you have to contact us! (Our past brides have loved this-so we think you will too!)

http://www.lyricallensphotography.com/contact/

That’s all for today…I have still another 9 questions-so check back in a few days!!

Till next time,

♥Connie

Here’s some shots from receptions where the DJ’s rocked it out:

reception with lights

last dance

reception toast

Well, wedding season is officially here!! I hope all you brides and grooms are having a great time planning your weddings!! April and I have been meeting with alot of anxious brides and grooms! We really love getting to know our wedding couples-and one way we do this is with engagement sittings!! Many times we offer engagement sittings as gifts from us. We love to spend the afternoon with a couple, getting to know who they are, what they like, and how much they enjoy being photographed. This also gives the couple time to get to know us, and how we work. Normally by the end of the session, we’re hanging out like old friends!   It’s a great way to get to know your photographer….if your interested, let us know!! We would love to get to know you!  We broght this slideshow over from the other blog….we love it, and want to make sure everyone gets to see it!!

Cindy and Bob from connie kessel on Vimeo.

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We are super excited to  announce our new and improved blog and website! It’s a all in-one-blog site!    We will be posting lots of cool and exciting stuff here! News to keep you in the know about what’s going on here at Lyrical Lens, and what’s going on here with April and I.  We want you to be able to get to know us….We so enjoy our time with our brides, and our studio clients-they really do become our friends.

We will also be posting new work-and showcasing some older stuff that was on our last blog.  So enjoy this image moved over from our last blog-and we will post more soon!!

Penny and Brian at sunset.