Fresno Wedding Photographers, wedding photography, Visalia wedding photographer

Laura & Daniel Got Married In June

2009-07-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Enjoy Some Details From Daniel & Laura's Wedding In June!

Consider This Video, When You Are Hiring Your Wedding Vendors

2009-06-05T21:24:00.000-07:00

The Vendor Client relationship - in real world situations

When you are planning your wedding, , like most people, you want the very best for your wedding. Like most things in life however, quality comes at a price. Please watch this video, as it has a good message to all when hiring or using any service. That is, , , respect other people's time, services, efforts, and expertise!

Commercial Shoot At Wonder Valley Ranch In Sanger, California

2009-04-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

We were so delighted to be asked to do a commercial shoot at the Central Valley's most popular wedding venue "Wonder Valley Ranch" in Sanger, CA.

Below is a video with the photos to show you just how gorgeous this venue is for weddings and receptions.

Note: Our good friend Dawn - of The Divine Event did the gorgeous decor and floral design

Enjoy! and Turn up your volumn!

Central Valley Golden Poppies - YAY!

2009-03-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

I recently went to the foothills near where I live (along with my 3 kids and 2 dogs), and we enjoyed the gorgeous scenery that only the creator can take credit for. So, I put this video together for all to enjoy. Btw - places like this would make for great engagement photos!

ENJOY! I sure did - Charish www.EmotionWeddingPhotography.com

October Is A "Hot" Month In 2009

2009-02-05T23:07:00.000-08:00

Wow!

I can't believe how many couples are inquiring about available dates in October of 2009.

It appears as if October is going to be the new June wedding fad.

Perhaps since we are in the Central Valley some couples are worried about a heat streak, and don't want their guests to possibly burn and suffer at their garden wedding.

We did do several October weddings in 2008, and from what I remember the weather was unusually warm for that month. In fact, I can remember drinking a lot of water and the groomsmen could hardly wait to remove their tuxedo jackets.

Who knows what to expect in 2009? I don't.

I found this great wedding weather tool that allows you to gain insight as to whether or not your wedding day could get some rain at least. Check it out at, http://www.fresnoweddings.net/wedding_weather.html

Real Wedding, Santina And Tito May 17, 2008

2008-05-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

Santina and Tito got married May 17th, 2008, and we were proud to be
their wedding photographers. Tito is the nicest guy you can ever meet, and
Santina was the model bride. We enjoyed this couple, and their day! Enjoy
this short recap of their wedding and reception.

Why Is Wedding Photography So Costly?

2008-03-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

The other day I was on a well known national bridal forum.
I occasionally read around in such places to find out what brides are talking about. I don't pose as a bride like some wedding professionals do, and thus refer their own business with rave reviews, , , , I just like to read anonymously to see what brides and grooms are thinking.

On these forums, I see a lot of the expected subject matters such as: I'm so excited!, I'm so stressed, what do you recommend kind of stuff, and that's understandable, however there are some things that continue to boggle me a bit. These things are typically about those things that brides and grooms will prioritize over others when it comes to budgeting for their wedding and reception.

Occasionally I will read questions like, "Can you refer a good, cheap wedding photographer?"
First of all, , I'm sorry, but since when do the words good, and cheap go together and equal something positive?

Does one go looking for a new luxury car and ask to see the cheap ones?

Or does an athlete go shopping for the good, cheap shoes?

POOR USE OF BUDGET:
A couple may feel the need to have an ice sculpture at their wedding reception that may cost several hundred, or a few thousand dollars. That's a great idea if the couple's budget will allow for it, without sacrificing something else that is more important to the overall day and memories. For example, that same couple will in turn hire a wedding photographer who has little or no experience simply for the fact that he or she only charges perhaps $500.00 for the day. I'm not exaggerating, this stuff happens. I find it difficult to understand why so much value would be placed on an ice sculpture (although awe inspiring) that will melt away never to be regained in just a few hours, , could take such precedence in budgeting over wedding photographs that are to be the only lasting record of what is meant to be a once in a lifetime event. Can you pass an ice sculpture down to your children, and grand children? Can an ice sculpture play an important role in your family tree history?

To change the subject slightly to make my point further (as a woman), suppose for example I were to make the decision to get a nose job. This would of course be a costly decision, however it would also be a decision that I would have to live with the affects of for the rest of my life. Obviously, I would research my decision for the right cosmetic surgeon very well, and base my final decision on several criteria.

In searching for a surgeon, my priorities would be in the following order: education, experience, examples of previous work, and last but not least likability. Whoa!, notice I didn't mention price? To be honest with you, the only time price would be an issue for me is if the price was questionably low. If the Doctor's prices were significantly lower than that of other Doctors in his/her area, a red flag would be raised in my mind. Why so much cheaper? What's wrong with this Doctor? Is this pricing an expression of a lack of experience and expertise? Would choosing this Doctor be a huge, irreversible mistake?

LET'S BE REALISTIC:
Pricing within reason, according the the current, local market. When it comes to pricing, , , experienced photographers have to factor in their own time and expenses within reason of course and according to the current and local rates.

Things photographers have to consider when establishing their pricing are:
office and studio rent (office utilities), equipment costs, and maintenance, photo printing costs, album costs, travel, insurance, Hotel stays, travel meals, and per hour charges. With that said, there is a fine line between true market value, and perceived value.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Imaging for a moment that you have a job that pays you an excellent hourly rate. You've worked for years on getting at where you are, and you deserve every bit of the money you make with long hours of devotion, and honest work.
This job not only make you happy, but it also supports your spouse and children.
Now imagine if you will, one day your boss approaches you and says, , , , ,"You know I've been thinking, , , I have a relative who can do what you do for half the price. I think I'm going to have him take over your position."
Well one can only imagine the wide range of emotions, and colorful language this might bring about. First of all, you would feel as if your expertise and the value of the quality of work you can produce has just been devalued to the floor.

The above scenario is similar to what is happening to the value of true, and experienced wedding photography services when an engaged couple places such a low value on this service that they are willing and ready to hire an inexperienced person to shoot their wedding photographs, or even worse re-locate a portion of their wedding photography budget to be used for something else that is quite literally trivial.

YOUR BUDGET IS IMPORTANT:
Yes, your budget is important, and that's why you shouldn't make hasty decisions about anything, including wedding photography. I do however encourage couples to think deeply about their lives together 10, 20, 30 plus years from their wedding day.

Will you want to still be proud of your wedding photographs and wedding album when you've been married for 50 years?

Yosemite Weddings we've photographed

2008-01-27T23:57:00.000-08:00

Through the years we've had the pleasure of working in some of California's most beautiful cities, gardens, and venues. None however have topped the pleasure of working in Yosemite California. Please enjoy these photos taken by us at some weddings in Yosemite National Forest.

(all photos © Emotion Media Services and may not be used without our written permission)

Other photographers not playing by rules

2007-03-05T04:36:00.000-08:00

I have to say that I'm quite irritated at the fact that two other businesses claiming to be experienced wedding photographers in Fresno are displaying pictures of couples that were our clients.

These people must have been at the wedding as a guest, and took snap shots over our shoulders while we were doing our job.

Very unprofessional, and I might ad, misleading to the public and to the brides and grooms that they are trying to sell their services to.

If you want to know who these other two businesses are, please contact me at
emotionweddings@yahoo.com . Please title the email: Attn: Charish

Small ceremony, but larger reception with cake and punch?

2007-02-23T16:08:00.000-08:00

AudioBlog 2 - Click Here To Hear This Audio
This bride asked about having a small family only ceremony, but with a larger cake and punch only reception including guests who will not be invited to the actual ceremony. To hear this audio CLICK HERE.

Parent's financial responsibility for older bride?

2007-02-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

Audio Blog Part 1 - Click Here To Hear This Audio (should open in new window)
This audio blog is regarding something a lot of parents are faced with regarding their child's wedding. In this case a parent asked whether or not there is an age where the bride should no longer expect the parent's financial support for her wedding. Hear Audio

Stay Tuned! Be looking for my new audio, video blogs.

2007-02-22T04:12:00.000-08:00

This should be really fun and interesting for you, as well as for myself. I find myself drawn to other people's video blogs, and so, I've decided that this is the thing I should be doing.

I tend to pay better attention personally to audio information rather than reading, so I thought perhaps others out there like me have the same attention span I do, and perhaps might find some of what I might have to say hopefully interesting and sometimes informative when it comes to weddings, and wedding planning.

2007 Wedding Trends, what to expect?

2006-12-18T23:42:00.000-08:00

2007 weddings are going to be a little different.
By: California Wedding Photographers - http://www.EmotionMediaServices.com/
Here's a list of some things to expect a lot more of at weddings in 2007.

1. Photojournalism:
2007 couples are going to lean more toward this style of footage when it comes to choosing their wedding photographer. Couples today are older, and more educated by the time they decide to get married than a few years back, and they simply want more from their wedding vendors than what couples may have settled for a few years ago. Couples want to feel, taste, and savor their wedding day like never before, and they want their wedding photographs to capture feelings, emotions, and real moments that will allow them to feel something each time they look at their photographed memories year after year. While traditional style wedding photography still and always will have its place and value, we will see more couples desiring less traditional style, and more natural moments captured on camera in 2007 and in years to come.

2. Cinematography style wedding videos
In 2007 couples are learning that professional wedding videos are a must, however couples will be leaning more toward the style that is referred to as cinematography - the photojournalism of video if you will. Here's an excellent example from a company in Southern CA, http://www.epicdreamsproductions.com/media/2005Demo.wmv

3. Wedding hats for the ladies
No kidding, ladies will be wearing stylish lady hats to accent their updos. More brides will wear a white hat, and accent their bridal party ladies with colored hats to accent their dresses - http://www.womensuits.com/occasionhats.html

4. Parasols
Outdoor weddings will never go out of style, but parasols have in the past. Guess what? They're back in 2007 - check this site out http://www.bellaumbrella.com/ and http://vintage.bellaumbrella.com/umbrellaListBridal.aspx

5. Colorful flower combinations:
Brides are going to cross the safety zones of color and will be trying new and daring color combinations. See example below.

6. Chocolate Wedding Cakes
2007 couples realize that they do not have to conform to the norm when it comes to wedding cakes. In 2007, chocolate will not only be "IN", but it will be wild and sinfully delicious in the form of a wedding cake any wedding cake. Whether it's chocolate fondant or traditional frosting, couples are going to experiment with the endless options in the flavor of love, which also happens to be CHOCOLATE!

Expect to see many out of the box weddings in 2007!
Emotion Media Services - Wedding Photographers

The Perfect Diva Bride Pose!

2006-11-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

It was Oct. 14th, 2006, and our wedding was in Fresno, California at the Fig Garden Swim And Racquet Club. The Fig Garden Swim And Racquet Club is a very homy, pleasant place to have both your wedding ceremony and reception. They also offer catering.

It was Jennifer and John's wedding day. I met Jennifer and John for the first time on their special day. My husband Marvin usually does all of the meeting prior to the wedding day. It's always exciting for me to get to meet the couple, and read their personality.

I met John first along with his adorable Pug who was going to be in the wedding. John's personality was warm and friendly, and I immediately knew that he would be easy to work with. I took some shots of John and his little buddy, and then moved indoors to see how Jennifer's hair and makeup was going.

My first handshake with Jennifer was while she had her eyes closed due to having makeup put on her lashes. She seemed to be at ease with the events of the day, and I could tell I would enjoy working with her as well. While Jennifer's hair and makeup was being finished, I took a quick tour of the grounds and facility to look for some ideas for photos. I knew that once I saw Jennifer all dressed and made up, the inspiration would come.

The moment arrived when it was time to see Jennifer in her dress. It was lovely, and very flattering to her already great figure. We started with some close ups, and pictures of little things like the bouquet, and other special mementos to the day, we did some shots of Jennifer in the grassy lawn area, etc., but somehow I was not satisfied with what I had.

We finally decided to move indoors at the Fig Garden Swim And Racquet Club, which is a beautiful historical home with hard wood flooring, and a special warm homy feel. They have a nice fire place and mantle that would be wonderful for smaller family type gatherings in the winter.While my husband was doing some natural window light photographs of Jennifer, I was sitting on the staircase watching. Suddenly, Jennifer struck a pose that I just had to capture, so I asked her to redo it but with different angle. I could see it in my mind, her curvy sillhouette, between the two doors that lead to the ceremony area. It was so exciting (humor me), but I pictured her grand entrance to the ceremony as if she were to say, "here I am, you may all stand now." I guess I've seen too many movies, but I just had to capture this on camera, , , so I did.

Charish Hoover - Emotion Media Services