san antonio wedding photographers Archives

May

Planning for Your Wedding Day (Part I)

What follows is a basic order of events to use when planning for your wedding day. Establishing the aesthetic part of your wedding is definitely the fun part. However, the wedding details can become overwhelming in a hurry. There are so many things to plan for; the coordination of all this detail can quickly take the enjoyment away if you’re not careful. So, I’ve put together this simple check list to refer to and keep yourself as sane as possible. Whether you’re a bride-to-be, parent, Maid of Honor, or attendee, this list will let you know what to expect and how to be better prepared. Please keep in mind, that although this checklist is based on a yearlong plan, it can be adjusted for either longer or shorter planning timelines.

12 Months Out

Select and Book a Venue: Popular venues will be booked up to a year in advance. If you have your heart set on a venue and you wait too long, you may have to compromise your wedding date.
Hire your photographer and videographer: Popular photographers and videographers are also booked up to a year in advance. Hiring your photography and video professionals now will give you ample time to build a rapport with them. They are the only wedding day vendors (besides your planner/coordinator) you will spend the entire day with. Also, many of them have bridal and engagement pieces built into their packages. Hiring this far in advance ensures you have time to take advantage of those.
Engagement Party: Traditionally, the bride’s parents host an engagement party, but it’s totally optional.
Draft a Guest List: With today’s technology, I would like to recommend using Google Drive to keep your lists on. You can share them with other people and even allow them to make revisions and update the list as needed. This way, you avoid the issue of having multiple versions of the same document floating around and lessen the chance that someone may inadvertently be left off from version to version.
Register for Gifts: Disregard this step if you’re planning a destination wedding. Otherwise, it’s better to just go ahead and get this out of the way to make room for other details. Also, preparing your registries early allows guests to send you some of the items as engagement or shower gifts. Your registries can always be revisited.

10 Months Out

Choose an Officiant: Like venues, ceremony officiants book up fast.
Pick Your Bridal Party: The sooner you choose your bridal party, the sooner you’ll have help planning and people to bounce ideas off of. You also want to give the bridal party as much time to plan to attend your big day—especially if it’s a destination wedding.
Retain Vendors: Most importantly, book a photographer. Many, like me, offer all-inclusive packages and you’ll need a photographer for the next item on this list. Deciding on a wedding planner, caterer, DJ or band, and the florist is smart at this time too. If you choose an experienced wedding planner, she can offer a lot of insight about the other vendors. In all cases, choose someone with whom you can get along. Personalities that clash do not make for successful wedding planning.
Plan Engagement Photos: Engagement photos are optional. However, many couples do opt for an engagement session so they can include an professional photo in their save-the-dates, invitations, or newspaper announcement.

8 Months Out

Purchase Your Dress: If you end up ordering a dress, it can take up to eight months to receive—especially if you are doing something customized. Alterations may also be needed, so plan accordingly.
Block Hotel Rooms: If you have a handful of guests coming in from out of town or you’re having a destination wedding, you should book a block of rooms at a local hotel for your guests. Typically hotels will give you a discounted group rate if you meet the minimum room block requirement.
Cake Tastings + Order Cake: If you ask me, this is by far the best part of the entire process—at least the most tasteful.
Begin Hair & Makeup Trials: Once you’ve ordered your dress, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about your beauty look. If you are doing your own hair and makeup, be sure to test out a few styles with some serious staying power. Also, if you are going to get an airbrush tan, I suggest testing out a few different places. Once you find a tan that works for you, book your wedding appointment at least 48-hours before your actual nuptials take place.

6 Months Out

Send Save-the-Dates: If you are doing a destination wedding, it’s a good idea to send these out with as much advance notice as possible—10 months prior to your date should be sufficient. Otherwise, it’s important to give your guests at least 6 months notice so they can save the date on their own calendars and plan accordingly.
Book Honeymoon: This is almost as delightful as the cake tasting. If you’re not quite sure where you want to go, list a few possibilities and begin researching transportation options, accommodations and local attractions. The research should help you make a decision.
Order Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bridesmaids dresses can take up to five months to receive. You also want to allow enough time for alterations.
Purchase Wedding Bands: If you are customizing your wedding bands, it’s best to order them in advance in case there are any issues with their sizing or inscriptions.

4 Months Out

Confirm Vendors: Confirm and book your additional vendors for lighting, cake delivery, sound equipment, furniture and linen rentals, photo booth, etc.
Plan Rehearsal Dinner: Traditionally, the groom’s family hosts the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. Tradition has also dictated that the dinner is reserved for the wedding party and parents only, but this is changing. It is becoming more common to include out-of-town guests, special childhood or college friends, etc., Although, only the actual wedding party attends the ceremony rehearsal.
Select Groomsmen Attire: Most rent, but even if the groomsmen are purchasing, it’s an excellent idea to get this sorted out as soon as possible to avoid any last minute mishaps.
Hair & Makeup Finalization: Finalize your look and make sure you have the appropriate makeup for touch ups on the day of the wedding.

In my next blog, I’ll cover what should happen during the next three months prior to your wedding day. Buckle down because it’s crunch time!

Continue reading this series here.

Please feel free to browse my wedding portfolio or my engagement portfolio.

_______________________________________________________________________________

I started Ata-Girl Photography Co. in 2010 and I am one of the premier San Antonio wedding photographers who is available for local and destination weddings. In addition to wedding photography, I also specialize in high school seniors and family portraits in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling and listening to Elvis!

Apr

Preparing for Your Destination Wedding

San Antonio Destination Wedding Photographer

This past week, I read that any wedding which is at least two hours or 120 miles away from your home and most of your guests have to travel that same distance is considered a destination wedding. Who knew that the second wedding I photographed was a destination wedding? Having discovered that, it got me to thinking. What are some of the details that go into planning a destination wedding?

Get Your Passport First
Before you even settle on the destination, make your you’ve applied for your passport. You won’t be going anywhere without it!
Will the marriage be legal in the U. S.?
Unless you’re willing to repeat the vows in the U. S., make sure that your marriage will be legally recognized in the States. In addition, each country has its own set of laws for a legal marriage including residency requirements, immunizations, marriage applications, witnesses and blood tests. However, since most destination venues want your business, they are usually more than happy to help you navigate through all the unfamiliar requirements.
The Dress, the Rings & the Groom
Do not forget to take these things! Do not ship these things! Pack them and travel with them. It is also a great idea to get a rider on your insurance policy for the rings—especially if you’ll be dipping into the ocean after the ceremony. Most home policies will only cover claims up to $500 for jewelry.
Combining to Actually Save Money
The best part about planning a destination wedding is that most locations are romantic getaways. This is ideal for honeymooning couples who want to stay put after the nuptials are exchanged. Since there’s no need for additional travel, couples who combine the wedding and the honeymoon can save a significant amount of money.
Travel Etiquette
Be sensitive to your guests. On average, each guest will be spending between $750 and $1,100 to attend your destination wedding. Even if the bride and groom are not paying for the trip, there are things they can do to help attending guests as much as possible. Well in advance, provide detailed traveling instructions that include directions from the airport to the hotel. If possible, make arrangements for guests who are arriving at similar times to travel to the hotel together. They can share a cab, shuttle or rental car. Also include a few lodging options of varying prices so that guests who are on different budgets will have a choice. If your budget allows, consider hosting a dinner, cocktail party or group excursion as way to say thank you to the guests who went out of their way to attend your wedding. Most importantly, remember that most couples who have destination weddings do not register for gifts. This is to show their guests, who are already spending major bucks, that their mere presence is a gift in and of itself.
Wedding Planner/Consultant
A destination wedding consultant will be able to take care of the small but important details for your special day. They have the knowledge, experience and list of the vendors to get the job done quicker and easier than the average bride. In addition to identifying those foreign marriage requirements, a professional planner is often aware of the legalities for the ceremony and reception planning (ie. obtaining an event permit). Again, since the venue wants your business, many popular destinations now have event planners on staff and combine the cost of their services into the packaged wedding deal. Using a professional planner will allow you the opportunity to truly enjoy one of the most important days of your life.
The Photographs
The detail shots of your wedding and reception are great, but if you’ve gone through all the trouble to have a destination wedding, ensure that the photographs easily depict where you were… even if you were stateside in Tulsa. Include many pull backs of the landscape, buildings and surrounding environment.
Relax!
Murphy’s Law will always prevail and like any big day, destination weddings often hit snags along the way. These obstacles and barriers can seem to be compounded due to currency exchange issues, language differences or just general unfamiliarity with the location, its residents, and its customs. If problems arise, just relax and take a deep breath. Stand back and take a look at the issue. Utilize your family or bridal party to help you correct the problem or just to put a different perspective on the problem. Most wedding experts recommend that the couple arrive a few days in advance of the big day. This may allow them to correct any last minute snags before they erupt. The bottom line is don’t let any minor hiccups ruin your day! Enjoy your destination wedding day to the fullest extent possible!

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing San Antonio wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget. As a San Antonio wedding photographer, my sole purpose is to treat your San Antonio wedding like a regal event.

In addition to wedding photography, I also specialize in San Antonio senior portraits and senior portraits for high school seniors in my local surrounding areas.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling and listening to Elvis!

This post first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please enjoy this San Antonio senior photography provided by Tammy Blalock and Ata-Girl Photography Co. Ata-Girl Photography Co. also offers superb San Antonio wedding photography in the San Antonio metro and surrounding area and strives to be one of the finest San Antonio wedding photographers.

Apr

Why Are Money Shots Missed?

Earlier this year, an Australian wedding photographer was sued for missing the money shot—the bride and groom’s ceremonial kiss at the end of the wedding. Initially, each party was suing for in excess of $6,000 in damages. In the end, the photographer had to pay the couple $750, and the couple had to pay the photographer $60. So, neither party got what they were asking for.

However, this got me to thinking… why are money shots missed? In order to take the perfect picture, you have to click the shutter button at precisely the exact moment. A quarter-of-a-second too early OR too late, and you’re done… you’ve missed it. Perfect timing is essential. While some obstacles are very complex, here is a list of simple mistakes you can avoid in order to get your money shot.

1. No camera access.

Either you don’t have your camera with you or if you, it’s not easily accessible. If even the slightest possibility exists that you’ll encounter a money shot, have your camera ready to go. If it’s in the trunk or the zipped-up camera bag, chances are you’ll miss the shot.

2. Insufficient memory/power.

Make sure you always have room on your memory card and always make sure your battery is charged. Even better, purchase an extra battery and memory cards.

3. Improper settings.

Even if you shoot in automatic or program mode, you’re still likely to miss the shot. Your camera simply isn’t smart enough to take the best picture in all lighting situations. Once again, I encourage you to learn to shoot in manual mode. You’ll be glad you did. And so will your pictures!

4. Leaving the lens cap on.

As soon as the action begins, take off the lens cap and put it in your pocket. If you’re anything like me and you put the lens cap anywhere else, you won’t be able to find it for 10 or 15 minutes.

5. Chimping.

What is that? Chimping is a term used to describe the action of taking a picture and immediately reviewing your LCD display. This is the BEST way to miss out on what’s going on around you. While it is necessary to check your exposure and histogram periodically, it’s not necessary after each picture.

If you want to make sure you kiss is caught on a memory card… follow these guidelines and make the sure the kiss is more than a peck!

Here are a few of my money shots!

_______________________________________________________________________________

I started Ata-Girl Photography Co. in 2010 and I am a San Antonio based wedding photographer who is available for destination weddings. In addition to wedding photography, I also specialize in high school seniors and family portraits in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling and listening to Elvis!

Apr

A Perfect Family Portrait (Part II)

Last week, I wrote about the first reason I get when someone is considering a portrait session but isn’t quite ready to book. The reason they want to wait is weight loss. Today, I write about the second excuse I receive.

#2 – Money

If you haven’t already read this blog post, do so now. I first read that blog post a few years ago and it resonated deep within me. I found it incredibly sad. The recipient, a Colorado-based photographer, Jeanine Thurston, finds the letter so powerful, she reposts it annually as a tribute to her former client. Our days are numbered… plain and simple.

Most of us have cell phones worth $799 or more. Even if we got the same phone on contract, we still paid at least $299. On average, the phone will last two years. Within weeks of owning it, the technology will already be outdated. The vehicles we drive are worth thousands…. $20,000-$50,000. They’ll last us a few years… five on average, more if we’re lucky! But consider this. How will those phones or gadgets, or the vehicles we drive preserve any memories for our children, or our grandchildren? They won’t!

In the grand scheme of things, the fee for a portrait session or wedding coverage is a small one.

Life is not waiting for us to get “perfect.” When a day of your life has passed, it is gone forever… FOREVER, PEOPLE! We can not have it back, buy it back, wish it back, or trade it back. It’s gone. The bottom line is, it’s your legacy! What will your kids have when you’re gone?

Here are some images of my sweet mother who left us when I was 21. I have now lived longer without her than I was able to live with her. I wish I had more pictures. The pictures listed below are TEN of the 43 images I have of my mother. You’re about to see 25% of my sacred stash of images.

Disclaimer: Despite the striking resemblance, NONE of these pictures are of me.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Mar

A Perfect Family Portrait (Part I)

When people discuss planning a session with me and they are hesitant, it is usually because one of two reasons: either weight loss or money. I’d like to address the first of these excuses for not documenting life.

#1 – Weight Loss

I know, you want family portraits BUT you’re waiting to lose ten pounds before you schedule a family portrait session. How long has that been going on? When is the last time you looked at an image of your grandmother and thought, “Man, I wished Grandma would have lost ten pounds before she took this picture!” That probably hasn’t happened because chances are, your grandma is the sweetest person you’ve ever known and you love her to pieces. The image depicts her exactly the way you remember or envision her and I know that you cherish the image—especially if your grandma is no longer with us.

What if you didn’t have that photograph? What if Grandma kept waiting until she had lost ten pounds before that memory was captured? You wouldn’t have anything to document or memorialize her. And, that is exactly how your children will feel. After we’re gone, we only leave behind memories, heirlooms, and photos. Ensure your children have all of these!

Speaking as a child of a deceased mother who only left behind a handful of images of herself, this stinks. Especially as you get older, your memory starts to fail. Pictures and portraits cement these memories in your mind. They keep a memory intact that may have otherwise faded. You will never regret having a family portrait taken. But someday, you may regret NOT having it taken.

Here are some PERFECT images of my dear, sweet grandmother… a fine lady who we referred to as Memaw. Though they are not perfect, I cherish these photos and I grateful that I have them!

Continue reading this series here.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Mar

Whirlwind Crazy!

I recently confessed to a friend that it feels like my life is in a whirlwind spiral and I’m being sucked to the bottom. I’m a creature of habit and I prefer a nice, steady pace of things. I like things to always be in their designated spaces and I don’t like to defer from a routine schedule too much. If I do defer, I prefer to have it planned.

Lately, that hasn’t been the case. I’ve been dying (no, not literally!) to watch my daughter play softball. She’s been out for a little over a month now with a strained muscle injury in her back. I’m getting very anxious about getting her back on that field. I love to watch her and the team play, and here we are, in her NEXT TO LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL… and she’s on the IR List. Painful! Plus, she finally also committed to giving the quarter another try in track and field… and she’s on the IR List. Each game and meet that passes without her participating in the competition makes me feel that we both have missed out on something. There’s only a certain number of these competitions left for her, and here she is, watching them go by. They’re not waiting on her to recover. What really makes me anxious is that I feel her chances of any athletic scholarship are wasting away each day that she’s on the IR List. Instead, of softball games and track meets, my last few weeks have been filled with X-Rays, MRIs, doctor appointments and co-payments. I am yearning the steady stream of competition and evening road trips.

Then, there’s my daddy! He’s 67-years-young and within the last 60 days, he’s made two trips to the heart specialty hospital to have stints put in. This last time, they also found an abdominal aneurysm. Thankfully, it’s something that the doctors feel needs to only be monitored for now. But, still. I’m scared. When I look into my future, Dad is supposed to be here a minimum of 28 more years. After all, that’s how long we were blessed with his dad’s presence.

Is it too much to ask for everyone to be healthy? The lack of routine, the uncertainty, the unknown, the mere possibility of bleakness makes me nervous. Did I mention I’m a creature of habit and I prefer a nice, steady pace of things. I just need things to happen the way I have them pictured in my head.

Until next time, be positive, be happy, be healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Mar

Portrait Session Survival Bag

A few weeks ago, I told you what was in my camera bag and I promised to tell you about my survival bag.

Being that I love the outdoors and being that I love gadgets, I have a few different types of survival kits. I have a pretty serious survival kit I take on hikes. I have a survival kit that I take to all of my daughter’s select softball tournaments… sometimes the “survival kit” is a cargo trailer I pull behind a truck. There’s also the survival kit I have in my purse: a Leatherman™, a flashlight and some pain relievers and Benadryl™.

Then, there’s my photo survival kit. Something inside me despises being unprepared. (I actually think it’s something I got from my dad.) I like to prepared for whatever life throws at me. It took me several portrait sessions in South Texas before I discovered I needed to make a survival kit for this too.

This bag goes with me to all my photo shoots. It’s almost just as important as taking my camera. Now, let me tell you what’s inside this survival kit.

If these are the most important items in the bag, they are definitely the items that gets the most use. It’s a mirror, comb, hair spray and static guard. I suppose the first three need no explanation, but the static guard comes in handy for clients with extremely straight hair on those days that are charged with a lot of static electricity. There’s no other way to control those hairs that want to stand straight on end.

Thankfully, I’ve never had to use either the safety pins or the sewing kit, but if any of my clients have a wardrobe malfunction, I’m on it.

Runny nose? Dry skin? I got you covered.

There was this one time I got into some poop, Germ X saved my life. Well, not really, but I was thankful for it.

If the comb and mirror are the most popular items, the mosquito spray comes in a very close second. There’s also various other things like band-aids, tape, pain relievers and some feminine hygiene products. I’m sure as time goes on, I’ll add other things that are deemed necessary.

So, there you have it. I am prepared for anything I encounter on a photo shoot in south Texas! Until next time, be positive, be happy, be healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Mar

Sandy Oaks Ranch

In preparation for a wedding I’m shooting in August, I recently visited the venue to get a feel for the layout and to be able to put together a picture of how the big day would go. I wanted to know approximately where the sun would be when the outdoor ceremony began, which way the bride and groom would be facing and if there were any areas that were off limits for shooting. When we arrived, Debbie, one of the owners of Sandy Oaks, met and greeted us like we were old friends.

Sandy Oaks is a treasure nestled away about a mile off of IH35 near Devine, Texas. It’s main attraction is Rose Hall. It’s a 6,000 square foot, climate controlled, event center complete with dressing rooms for both women and men, spacious restrooms, a catering kitchen, a serving area, a bar, a stage, and a dance floor. Rose Hall will accommodate up to 300 guests, and if that’s not enough room, the outside gazebo and deck offer even more space. There are wrap-around porches with 10-foot ceilings and a picturesque stream that flows beneath a wooden foot bridge. Rose Hall is beautiful!

There are two other smaller pavilions available for either smaller events or rehearsal dinners: Live Oak and Bluebonnet Pavilions. Sandy Oaks also offers a set of five cabins that sleep up to 17 people if you’re interested in staying a night or two. And, they’re adding more cabins in the future.

If you’re looking for a classy, destination venue that is located in the heart of South Texas, you have to consider this peaceful, 525-acre ranch abundant with live oak trees.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Mar

Stand By Me

I’d like to introduce you to a little video a friend shared with me last week. (Thanks, Edward!) I’d like this video to set the tone for you this week. It’s such a feel good video and if everything in this world worked like this, we would live in such an amazing place! Enjoy and have an amazing week, people!

Seriously, if you’re not singing this song for the rest of the day, you’re not right.

http://playingforchange.com – From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music,” comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Feb

Housekeeping

As you already know, in January I laid out some detailed goals for Ata-Girl to take place this year! Number nine on the list reads, “Start to sketch a re-branding plan to focus more on wedding photography!” And, in case you’re wondering, I am not following these goals in order!

When Ata-Girl was first formed, my specialty was no doubt sports and action photography. This genre of photography gave me an opportunity to learn many different aspects about photography. It gave me the perfect setting to learn to shoot manual and to learn my camera inside and out. It provided a place to shoot often, to be able to think on my feet, and to learn to anticipate the defining moments!

[pullquote style=”right” quote=”dark”]”Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”
~ Henri Cartier-Bresson.[/pullquote]

A fellow photographer and friend of mine, Philip Thomas, adds, “I wonder what Henri would say now in the digital age. 100,000?” If that’s true, and I happen to agree, sports photography gave me a place to shoot 100,000 images in a matter of a few years.

Because a lot of what I am stems from my athletic background, sports and action photography will forever remain in a special place in my heart and I will never give it up. However, I have decided to move the focus of Ata-Girl from sports to weddings, families and seniors only. Because of that, I will have to say goodbye to my logo (which I LOVE!!) and to my colors of red, white and black. Red is one of my favorite colors and that will be hard! But, purple is my FAVORITE and I’m hoping to incorporate it into the new stuff!

I will be taking the next few weeks and months to re-brand everything! This includes my website (that’s why it looks different), business cards, catalogs, brochures and probably even my social networking channels. I’m going to refer to this transition as housekeeping because there may be days that things get a bit messy or look entirely disorganized—like when you move the couch to clean behind it! During my housekeeping phase, I ask that you please be patient with me. When I’m done, things are going to look great!

Ata-Girl Photography Co. | Old School

_______________________________________________________________________________

« First ‹ Prev 3 4 567 8 9 Next ›Last »

Hi, I’m Tammy.
I'm a San Antonio-based wedding photographer for outdoor-loving couples who value real moments.

I am a San Antonio-based wedding photographer and I am absolutely in love with capturing the kinds of weddings where there are more hugs than handshakes, the dance floor rumbles all night long, and chairs are pretty much rendered useless after dinner. Whiskey bottles are passed around, most of the wedding party has been best-best friends since kindergarten, Grams is likely to lose her shoes and your partner is much more emotional than you are. These kinds of weddings are my jam!

Since 2010, I have excelled in helping each of my couples plan for one of the very best days of their lives! I’d love to share my very personalized wedding experience, my super-human organizational abilities, and my U. S. Army combat skills (when needed) with you too.

I want your wedding day to be as perfect as you do! I am all in with my whole heart!