Newport & Destination Wedding Photographer- M Benedicte Verley

On this last Friday in June, I am thrilled to feature a special photographer out of Rhode Island, M Benedicte Verley. When I came across Benedicte's work, I thought...SIMPLY timeless.

Benedicte shoots largely destination weddings, so to find this type of caliber in the Rhode Island area was truly a joy for me. Enjoy getting to know Benedicte and the SECRETS behind the lovely and talented M Benedicte Verley Photography!

One of my secrets of capturing the best images from a wedding day (or any shoot for that matter) is to be totally present. To not rush or be thinking of what I need to get to later on, but to savor every part of each moment as it passes into another moment. To tune into the bride as she feels nervous or offer a hand when it's needed to tie a bow tie. Even as I prepare each wedding with an itinerary list of " all the names of family and friends, time lines of the day, who is camera shy, etc" I never work on another wedding until I am totally finished shooting the previous one. It allows me to stay tuned into the feeling and energy of each celebration.

Another secret is that I only take couples that I really resonate with. It makes my job much more fun when I have a wonderful connection with my clients, which then results in beautiful, intimate images. I also have a wonderful, talented crew of associates that shoot and work with me, we are like one large family.

Many of my favorite images are those in between moments where you see someones true personality shining through, or a silent emotion happening between two people, or a detail that makes the wedding unique.

When I was working as a fashion photographer in Europe, I sometimes laughed with a colleague about "wedding photographers" and said that I would NEVER shoot a wedding ... because I had never seen wedding images that I actually admired. Then a dear friend asked me to shoot her wedding and after much hesitation, I finally agreed under the sole condition that I would be allowed to shoot in a more creative and soulful way, as I approached my fashion work. It was love at first shoot ...

I love what I do and I feel blessed to be such an important part of my clients wedding day.

A Newport Wedding Planner: Raina Dawn Events "Inspired."

A wedding planner tip about ordering invitations online. I love this fabulous website called Minted.com. (for you techies...no it is not mint.com which is a cool money management website to check out if you haven't heard of it). Minted.com has the exclusive for some of the most STYLISH and beautiful wedding invitations out there! This is the only website you can order these luxury invitations from. This exclusive includes 18 of the best stationery brands including Wiley Valentine, Oblation Papers & Press, CECI New York and more.

They have more than just wedding invitations, but save the date cards, thank you cards, bridal shower cards, etc. The have letterpress, engraved, offset and digital printing methods to choose from. You can choose from 100% recycled, FSC-certified card stock that is made from 100% post-consumer waste...so check them out and enjoy browsing and ordering the high end, gorgeous invitations right online.

Other gorgeous brands they carry are Mr. Boddington, Dauphine Press and some of my favs are designers who have won Minted contests and get to sell you their one-of-a-kind designed cards!!

A little SECRET...they will even help you with the calligraphy as well!

Oh and don't forget to follow their blog to see what they are up to...they have some cool contests and giveaways!!

Newport & Destination Wedding Photographer- Jasmine Photography

I am really excited about the featured photographer today...Jasmine Photography, based out of Portland, Oregon.

The reason I am so excited is this is the first glimpse into why I truly started "Friday PHOTOGRAPHY." My love for photography and what I miss most about photo editing... is finding photographers from around the country that are talented and passionate shooters. I get a rush of energy, actually giddy when I find amazing talent from other parts of the country...now I get to share that with you!

Alexis Achten, of Jasmine Photography, I came across some time ago and recently reached out to her to let her know how much I enjoyed her work, website and blog.

I asked Alexis if she would share with us what her "SECRET" is...

Secret #1: When I started getting serious about photography in college, I never thought for a moment that I'd be taken photos of people. For some reason at that time in my life it didn't seem like art to me. Now I don't know what I'd do without having wonderful clients to be my inspiration!

Secret #2: Some days you just don't feel like going into work. You might be tired, have a cold or are just having a bad day. Whenever I feel that way and then get to the event I'm shooting, it all disappears! I feel energized and excited to capture the moments. I guess photography is fuel for my soul!

Secret #3: To people who know me this isn't much of a secret but to those who don't I love bringing the element of fashion inspired images to your wedding day. Let me go and I'll run with it! No matter what I want my couples to have fun getting their picture taken and if I can capture their real laugh or smile, I've done my job.

Thanks Alexis for sharing with us your SECRETS and keep us up to date on the beautiful weddings you are shooting and any important SECRETS you wants to share with us in the future!

A Newport Wedding Planner: Raina Dawn Events "Inspired."

For the shoe obsessed bride on a budget...check out these shoes for only $44.99 by bridal designer Lela Rose. Unforgettable Moments has exclusive styles designed by Lela for Payless with certain styles available in 64 custom colors.

Today brides aren't only wearing traditional white or ivory shoes, but they are having fun with color! With these prices you can have pair just for fun & pop of color...

Some advice from the designer, Lela Rose.