HAPPY LEAP DAY!

Leap Day ~ an extra day in your life to do with as you please...

Think of all the great things in your life and of the times together with your family and friends. Give that girlfriend a call you haven't talked to in ages, visit your grandparents because they won't be around forever... Get involved in your child's school because they really are only little for such a short time!

From our home to yours... Have a Happy Day everyone!

Here is a quick snap of the 'Lilly-zilla' as we LOVINGLY refer to our youngest... she's a hoot.

Our new website!!!!

Sorry about the delays in updates... I've been working on a new website for studio 60.
I'm really looking forward to everyone seeing it!


I've added a link - to the left - although the site isn't finished yet and there are always quirks and things to fix... check back often, we should be online soon!

*Just a note to all of you who have galleries online with the old site...
You will still be able to purchase things from that site and also view photos there,
BUT - all new customer accounts will be posted to the new website*

www.studio60photographicart.com

THE DAY: MEMORIES

Now you're probably saying... "Amanda! I thought this website was about photography!" Well ~ it is, I'm just trying to provide some all around thoughts about the different aspects of planning a wedding, and even though there are videographers out there also, I'm not going to touch base on that either... To me it's like watching the movie after you've read the book... With the book, you can use your imagination! Watching the movie might make you regret having an open bar... But I digress...
There are so many decisions to make. AND depending on who may or may not be dishing out the cash to fund such an elaborate party, you are going to have multiple ideas thrown your direction about EVERYTHING!
Somewhere along the line (and maybe or maybe not towards the last of the bigger items to decide on), you realize, "OH! We need a photographer!"
This decision could be almost as emotional as when you find your perfect dress! This person doesn't just go to your wedding and start taking pictures... This person should FEEL your emotion and capture it well. You want to feel like a movie star and you want that moment captured when your man sees you for the first time in your dress... and you want EMOTION! Of course you want technically perfect pictures also, but if your smile ran out 32 poses ago... No amount of tweaking is going to solve that! So often I have to tell the brides seeking consultation about photography, is that it really isn't as painful as some might think! This is a glorious day and should be captured that way!

Being comfortable with your photographer is ESSENTIAL in the success of your wedding day portraits! You should schedule consultations and meetings with your photographer about as much as you schedule them with your caterer! Really! Not only will this reassure you, but you'll have time to go over how the day will progress and what your expectations are... Hiring a photographer and just hoping they show up is a recipe for disaster!

Check in on MONDAY FEB 28th for more on THE DAY part II

TIPS & TRICKS: THE CAKE

Let's face it. I could go on about buying a dress, or how to keep your bridesmaids from hating you because you picked some putrid shade of yellow to dress them in... Or I could try to tell you where to get great deals and service on those bridal gowns and veils with miles of tulle and jewel encrusted this and thats... But I'm not because even the most simple person can have a way different view of what's wonderful and then again not so much to the next person... Hurray! for personal tastes ~ and everyone is different...

SO - off we go with the cake. Simple huh? Well, here are some things to think about. Size, shape, flavor, fondant or not, cutting, serving, fillings, flowers and fandangles.... Whoa - back up... What in the world is fondant? Like I was saying.. Lot's of decisions. Get in touch with Paulette from Country Catering & Cakes... She's had 30 years of cake baking expertise and will give you the low down on anything you need to know about this very important wedding day tradition... THAT IS.. If you even decide to go with a cake... What with the cupcake rage or cheesecake or no cake at all.... It's up to you...

But! For the rest of you, the cake is the centerpiece of the wedding - besides the bride of course... The cake is literally, the icing on the day. After the ceremony is over and the people are all fed and on their way to a lively evening of sorts, the cake is served. MANY a wedding have I been to where the cake has been cut by an inexperienced hand (you say, how hard is it to cut a cake??) well... let's just say the slices were paper thin and there were definitely NOT two fork fulls to even enjoy. Thus leaving the bitter resentment of "I'm sure they paid enough for that damn cake, and this is all I'm getting??"

Please be aware when you are looking at cakes that someone should know how to cut it! Above is a picture of a cake that serves 150 people. Now, it doesn't look like it does it?? But take note, this cake, if cut properly into 2x2x4 inch slices, will most definitely serve that many people.

So you're saying - you're crazy. Yep, I admit it... But when the day comes to a close and people have already forgotten about the bouquets at the alter, or how your programs had the same scroll that was stitched on your dress and about that perfect shade of champagne that your shoes were dyed or the fact that your cash bar ran out before you even stepped foot in your reception hall!!! People are going to remember that piece of cake.. WHICH, if it were good... will have them saying for years to come... "Man, that was a beautiful wedding..."

TIPS & TRICKS: BUDGET!

Yes ~ It's a scary word and sometimes it doesn't get a second thought, but knowing where to draw the line is CRUCIAL if you're going to have any wedded bliss at all.

Know up front what you are able to spend based on how many guests you are planning on inviting. Having a sit down, 5 course meal for 30 guests in an elegant establishment MAY cost you the same as having a buffet style meal in the local dance hall for 300!! This is the hard part of the decision making. If you can't whittle your guest list to 30 because your bridal party and their significant others, not to mention your parents and grandparents would most certainly add up to more than that... Expect to have a LARGE food budget. After all - You are providing a party in YOUR honor for all of your friends and family to enjoy. This could even be about 1/2 of your budget! Plan accordingly.

Most wedding venues provide their own food, although there are exceptions which allow any caterer of choice... Be aware of everything down to who decorates the tables - to - who provides the salt & pepper - to - who cleans this up - to - "I paid for this food, now what?"

For a DETAILED LIST of do's and don'ts concerning anything edible: Contact Paulette at Country Catering & Cakes ~ she can walk you through every step of the process. 218-346-2552

NEXT ~ WEDDING CAKE DILEMMA.......

TIPS & TRICKS PART I I- RECENTLY ENGAGED

4) Reserve Your Church or Wedding Hall and Wedding Reception Hall.

It is very important that you and your fiancé reserve the church or wedding hall and reception center of your choice early! It is not uncommon for couples to reserve their favorite site one to two years in advance. Too often, couples find themselves scrambling the find a wedding reception hall even six months before their wedding because all the the area halls have already been reserved. This can be stressful for several reasons.

First, many couples end up settling for a wedding or reception hall that is not exactly what they wanted or is too large or too small.

Second, it's about supply and demand. The closer your wedding day, the more you are likely to pay for your wedding hall rental. I cannot stress enough how important it is to reserve you wedding hall early!

When choosing a wedding or wedding reception hall, talk to friends and family who have recently been married. Also ask any wedding hall you are considering to supply you with references of couples who have contracted their services. Family, friends and referrals will be happy to share their experience with the wedding and reception hall owners. Ask them about deposits, cleanup, services provided, privacy, cleanliness and how cooperative the hall owners were before, during and after the wedding and wedding reception.

5) Consider Contracting a Professional Wedding Planner

If your budget allows, considering contracting a professional wedding planner. Most brides and grooms are getting married for the first time and "don't have a clue" where to start. Professional wedding planners plan and coordinate weddings for a living. They have been through this hundreds of times (if they are veteran planners) and will help you plan every single detail of your wedding from pre-wedding details to sending Thank You cards once you return from your honeymoon.

When choosing a professional wedding planner, ask them to provide references. Ask couples who have used a particular planner's services questions like "Were you happy with the planners overall performance in helping you plan your wedding?", "Was the planner courteous and accommodating in help you plan your wedding?", "Did you encounter any problems with your wedding planning?", "how were any difficulties or issues resolved?".

Intend on planning and coordinating your own wedding? Then I strongly recommend that you purchase a good Wedding Planner/Scrapbook to walk you step-by-step through the wedding planning process. Many excellent wedding planner books can be found at your local wedding boutique or online.

6) Choose a Wedding Theme

Let's be honest, the wedding day is the Bride's Day! From the time they are pre-teenagers, girls dream of their perfect man and their perfect wedding day. While men are becoming more involved in the wedding planning process, the majority of the decisions and details will be considered and implemented by the bride and maid of honor.

Your wedding theme will include wedding colors, favors, attire, catering, music wedding accessories and even locations. Again, family and close friends will be a valuable resource in helping you decide on your wedding theme. Through this entire process remember one thing, this is your wedding! Don't make a final decision unless it is absolutely what you want.

Many books, boutiques and online wedding resources offer hundreds of ideas for your wedding theme. Set down with your fiancé, family and best friends and talk about your wedding day ideas desires.

I truly hope this gives you some direction in where to start in planning your special day!

TIPS & TRICKS: RECENTLY ENGAGED

The most obvious of things to do after getting engaged seem small indeed.. if not even automatic, when these could essentially be the budget makers and breakers of the entire wedding budget.

1) Setting your wedding date!

This is the most important step because just about everything else you do will be affected by your wedding date. Most couples choose their wedding date based upon local seasons with spring and summer being the most popular. Spring symbolizes new beginnings while summer offers the most favorable weather in most parts of the country.

Couples may also set their wedding date based upon the location of their honeymoon. Weather, seasonally priced packages, vacation and work schedules all may affect the date you choose for your wedding day.

You may want to contact family and close friends when setting your wedding date to get an idea of their upcoming schedules, especially when it comes to wedding attendants including the maid of honor and best man.

2) Determine How Many Guests You Intend to Invite to Your Wedding and Wedding Reception.

This second "To Do" will also affect many decisions you will make in the months preceding your wedding day including a church or wedding hall, reception hall, catering, favors, wedding attendants, etc.

Not only do you need to determine how many guests you plan to invite, you also need to decide how many wedding attendants (family and friends) will be included in your wedding and wedding reception. The average wedding attendant party consists of one to 10 attendants. This list should include the maid of honor, bridesmaids, flower girl, best man, groomsmen and ring bearer.

Couples may choose to have close family and friends attend their wedding and invite a broader list of guests to their wedding reception.

3) Let Everyone Know About Your Engagement!

Once you have a tentative list of guests, you will want to let them know about your upcoming wedding date as soon as possible so they can keep their calendar open. A very popular and creative way of letting everyone on your guest list know about your engagement and upcoming wedding is Save the Date cards or magnets. Studio 60 photographic art can help you with determining a date when to send these out, and also when to schedule an engagement portrait session which is included in all wedding packages. Call early enough so we can determine a timeline from which to work with for sending these out to family and friends!

WEDDING CHECKLISTS & TIPS

For all of you getting married out there... studio 60 photographic art has joined forces with Country Catering & Cakes (who also happens to be my mother...) to compile a list of items that every bride should either be doing, or at least know about. Included topics range from food and wine at your reception to duties that a personal attendant SHOULD be doing!

Stay tuned for these tips, as I will be publishing them daily starting February 18th.

Even the most casual of weddings needs a little organization... We hope you will enjoy some advice.. If you ever have any questions or need referrals and recommendations, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A CURRENT CLIENT! Please call Amanda @218-346-5420 - or - Paulette @ 218-346-2552

Have a great day!

OPEN HOUSE INFO

TROPICS TANNING of PERHAM will be having their Open House on
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008 from 9am - 6pm so be sure to stop in and visit! studio 60 photographic art will be on display there also! Discounts for portrait sittings will be given away that day. There are a host of great things that day! Cupcakes from Country Catering & Cakes, current tanning clients TAN FOR FREE that day! Discounts on new purchases.
Tiffany redid the shop and it looks GREAT curtesy of Refreshing Designs.

So come in and check everything out! It should be a great day!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Here's wishing everyone a Happily Romantic Day today... To all those who need a little more romance in their lives.... Why not surprise your loved ones with a gift of a special portrait by studio 60? Mom and the kids, wives - how about a romantic gift for your hubby? We can be as discreet as you want... But think of what he would say if you surprised him with timeless portrait of yourself.
studio 60 - on location to serve you better - capturing your moments...

CANVAS... A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR HOME!

studio 60 photographic art is pleased to offer you our new line of canvas prints.
Your portrait will be printed on museum-quality canvas and hand stretched onto a custom-built, 1.5” thick wooden frame. The image will be gallery-wrapped, continuing around the sides of the frame for a beautiful print, ready to hang on your wall. No additional custom framing is needed.
Your print is made with the highest quality, archival inks that will never fade or discolor. Each print is sprayed with a UV coating for added protection and a gloss-type finish.
In addition to our standard sizes, we can produce any size you desire. Please ask us about custom sizes and shapes, whether it be a square or rectangle shape. Our canvas prints are perfect for filling any large wall space in your home. We guarantee the print to be very sharp even at the largest size you can imagine...


Some great things about CANVAS:

• No extra frame is needed – saves money and time, ready to hang on the wall
• The frameless look is very clean and modern looking
• All prints are sprayed with a UV coating so they will not fade
• All prints are stretched by hand
• Any size, any shape. From 8x8 to 40x80 (yes, 40 INCHES by 80 INCHES!) WOW!
• Images will be very sharp even at larger sizes


ALSO ~ DIGITAL PAINTING SERVICES available...
One of the hottest trends in photography is digital painting.
Customize your canvas with a one of a kind digital painting from your image.



ALL Canvas orders are special to us and we want to be able to outfit you with something that us truly unique to you... Whether it be a fun portrait grouping for your kids' room, or something truly great to mount over your fireplace.. How about a modern day headboard for your bedroom? The options are endless and studio 60 is ready to help you with any questions you may have. Since there are so many different options, including painting services, multiple canvases for a single print, and of course SIZE! I would like to talk to you in person to find your wants ~ every order is a custom order... Nothing run of the mill here!

I look forward to talking with you and can't wait to help you design your canvas!

FERGUS FALLS BRIDAL SHOW!

Just a reminder to all those Brides out there!! The Fergus Falls Bridal Show is coming up on February 24th and studio 60 photographic art will be giving away: 1 - 20% off Gift Certificate; 1 - 10% off Gift Certificate and a Custom Photo Frame as door prizes... the gift certificates could save you up to $500 if you win!!!

Make sure you register at the booth, we'll be drawing for these prizes before the 3:00 Elegance Style Show.

CUSTOM JEWELRY!

IT'S HERE!!!!!

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you all the new line of custom photo jewelry from studio 60! I, myself, have a bracelet with 5 charms and it is great... I've received so many compliments on it! I think it'll be a great addition to our product line!

studio 60 customers will receive a jewelry credit based on a percentage of sales ~ that means you could earn FREE jewelry!

Outside orders are VERY WELCOME ALSO!! Photos are acceptable, however digital files are preferred... All with your photographers permission of course!!

Call Amanda for a jewel-er-ific consultation ~ what a great way to brag about your kids, grandkids, pets and any thing else you like... There are even options to make an heirloom bracelet featuring old buttons, pieces of fabric or whatever else your imagination can dream up!

Call 218-346-5420 and let's chat!