Pottinger Photography
At Say Cheese, we are NOT photographers. In fact, I would sooner mistake "aperture" on a camera with a term I learned in anatomy class. Photography is an art and while there are many "photographers" out there, Brenda Pottinger has always struck me as a qualified, astute professional at her craft. She knows what she is doing, is thorough about her process, and as you'll learn, she is adept at looking for and capturing the "we did it" kind of moments on your big day. Below is a Q&A with Brenda so you can get to know her as you shop your photography options.
*What is your background? *
What if you could stop time and hold it in your hand? I heard that I could
have super powers when I was a kid and so I knew photography was for me! I
started taking photos very young with an old girl scout camera. My father
taught me the rules of photography and composition and we used to go out on
the weekends on a photo adventure. From old cemeteries to Civil War
reenactments to dawn at the Downs (at Churchill Downs) we always had fun
practicing photography. In high school I took two newspaper classes and
learned how to develop photos in the darkroom. In college I fell in love
with art graphic design and decided to take my minor in photography and
upgrade it to a major in art. I also majored in Mass Communications.
throughout my life, photography has always been there. Even with graphic
design I would use my own photographs to create ad pieces and designs.
*When did you first realize you wanted to work with weddings?*
After photographing a few smaller weddings I was hooked. I loved that
wedding photography now was an art form. We could create something that our
brides would pass on and share with the friends and family and be proud to
hang on their walls.
*How long have you been in business? Where are you located?*
We have photographed weddings for more than 10 years! After focusing on
growing our business and building our client base I went full time about 8
years ago. We are located in the Northern Kentucky area and we travel all
over the country for weddings.
*Why did you start your business?*
We started our business because we love photography. Wedding photography is
a creative art form that means so much to so many people. I love when at
the end of the night the bride gives us a hug and says they couldn't have
done it without us or that we are their favorite vendor. We try to make our
job look easy but there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. From
preparing a custom photo timeline to helping out on the day of the wedding
in any way that we can. We have been known to help bustle dresses, move
dinner tables to get the dancing going, find spoons and uncover dishes when
caterers leave early and to do everything we can to make our couples have a
wonderful wedding day. We love that our couples have invited us to capture
their celebration! And the best compliment is that they recommend us to
their friends and family. And when the time comes, we love photographing
their newborns and first family photos!
*What is your favorite part of a wedding? *
I have two favorite parts! One is when the music is playing and doors open
and the bride walks in. Even after more than 100 weddings I still get
choked up! It is an emotional moment and you can just feel the excitement
in the air. Another favorite is right after the ceremony. I love it when
the couple recesses down the aisle and has a minute to themselves It often
results in the second married kiss. It is such a beautiful moment because
they know nobody is watching and they are officially married. They have the
- we did this- smile!
*Where do you go for inspiration?*
My favorite place to look for inspiration is in fashion magazines (Vanity
Fair, Vogue etc.) and art museums. I love finding classic compositions that
work well in contemporary settings.
*What are your favorite upcoming trends?*
I love that brides are thinking about unique locations for their
celebrations. They aren't afraid to try a new location and make it their
own! New locations and surroundings are inspiring. I love going to a new
place and scouting for the best photo locations. If it is a location that I
am not familiar with I often get to the location early to make a game plan
so we can move quickly during the day.
*Do you have any new favorite products?*
Our new bamboo prints are a great way to display beautiful photographs on
a renewable source. It looks amazing on outdoor photographs because the
grain of the bamboo shows through in the lighter areas of the photograph.
*Anything else you want to share with us?*
We are excited for our 2015 weddings and we can't wait to capture
the moments of their story!
Cincinnati Reds and Make a Wish Foundation team up...
Make a Wish Foundation
Last night I had the repeat privilege of being a part of the annual local chapter fundraiser for Make a Wish Foundation. Their mission statement is simple: to "grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength & joy". Make a Wish does just that and the impacts are authentic and stirring.
Last night I saw the honorary wish kid Brock a.k.a "B-Rock" receive his own Louisville Slugger bat contract. LS will manufacture a custom bat, engraved with his Brock's signature (which he signed in front of a huge crowd last night) just like his big league counterparts. No, seriously, bat contracts are reserved for major league ball players, so Brock is in good company! Being a huge Red's fan, Brock received his wish last August to spend time on the field with the likes of Votto, Cueto, and his favorite player Brandon Phillips, who left a surprise message on the video screen in front of the whole Music Hall audience. Simply awesome! Our local chapter does fantastic, meaningful work that touches the lives of other children in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana as well. To learn more, visit oki.wish.org. Special thanks also to Funky's Catering for providing excellent food and service to the over 300 people in attendance. Well done (as always)!
Glow on your wedding day with this skin care!
One of my favorite aspects of participating in a bridal show includes the prospect of meeting new vendors and networking with them. Recently, I spent time with Amy Brewer and Elizabeth Duffy at last Sunday's "A Bridal Affair" show at the Carriage House in Mason (beautiful new venue by the way!) They are two local consultants for Rodan+Fields, creators of the wildly successful ProActiv line of skin care that fights acne.
During some down time, we proceeded to talk about properly caring for our skin, or my lack thereof. Being a guy, I don't pay much attention to my skin other than using moisturizer when it's dry and applying sun block. Being fair skinned, let's just say the sun and I don't get along real well. I need SPF "mud" in the summer. This is when Amy displayed a before and after picture on her phone, showing how this product line can really transform red, blotchy skin into a glowing testimony of true effectiveness - literally. With my male defenses down (and hopefully no one looking), I decided to take several samples home after Amy allowed me to try a Retinol and Vitamin C cream that felt awesome on my dry and ruddy Irish hands, totally unlike the Aveeno I use at home.
I got to play around with some other nifty tools, including a "Macro dermabrasion Exfoliator" which which cleans 5 million dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. That's where the glow comes in. If you have every noticed how "smooth" your teeth feel after a professional cleaning, you can expect similar feeling with your skin after using this tool. The other tool I found fascinating is called the "AMP Md". To quote Amy, "This is a genius tool that rolls across the skin leaving microscopic needle holes in the skin causing the creation of collagen to form and fill in where the roller has been…thus filling in the fine lines of aging"
Basically, all products for Rodan+Fields fit into one of four categories:
1. Soothe regimen - addresses concerns for those with sensitive skin. Great for people who battle rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin irritations
2. Unblemish regimen - treats adult acne
3. Reverse regimen - works to reverse the damage caused by the sun…dulling, brown spots, discoloration of the skin
4. Redefine regimen - fights fine lines and wrinkles to make skin firmer and younger looking
Brides, it goes without saying that you want to look stunning on your wedding day. If I was impressed with this product line enough to write a blog entry about it, then take it from a "dude" and check it out.
You can contact Amy at 937.469.0178 or visit her web site: abrewer1.myrandf.com
Photo booth rental cost - Have you thought of it this way?
The cost of renting a Say Cheese Photo Booth: Think of it this way...
The picture above describes why you WANT a photo booth. People will have fun, laugh, and create one of a kind memories. One problem, right? Price. "How much does it cost?" That's the first question we get asked and it's a natural one. Unless you go with our "drop off" option, Say Cheese will NOT be your cheapest photo booth; just your best choice in terms of quality and service.
With photo booths, you will get what you pay for. So with that in mind, let's do a little math: If your photo booth were to cost, say $795 and you have 150 guests at your wedding, the cost per person is only $5.30!
What you're getting here is a 2 for 1: Entertainment AND a great party favor at an economical price that guests won't simply eat or throw away. Our magnets allow wedding guests to take their pictures home and put them on the fridge, where they will stay for years to come!
Did you know you we offer convenient, Interest free financing through Bill me Later? Click here to learn more!
New Wedding Reception Venue in Oxford, OH
Timeless Charm Weddings and Events
If you are the kind of bride seeking a non-traditional venue on the north side of town, you definitely want to check out "Timeless Charm Weddings and Events". Set in Oxford, OH on 80 + acres, this new establishment is worth looking into!
Many a bride wants to provide a novel experience for her wedding guests and this truly fits the bill. Hosting your reception at Timeless Charm allows you to turn a 4 hour party into a weekend excursion. This place has zip lines, a huge fire pit, outdoor pool, an outdoor movie screen, and even tepees (yes, tepees!) to sleep in if you so desire. And for those brides who are creative and really want to make an impression, just imagine you and hubby zip lining down to the reception area to make your "entrance". Who needs a grand staircase when you have gravity and metal cords? As a guy, I would be all over this if I was getting married!
Other amenities include paintball (great for bachelor parties) a new state of the art lodge, bridal suites, and of course... the beauty of nature.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Tyler Darland with Timeless Charm Weddings and Events, our neighboring vendor at last week's Cincinnati Bridal Showcase and was immediately impressed by what they offer. It won't take long for Tyler and her staff to establish a name for themselves. You can schedule a facility tour and sample menu items by contacting her at 513.507.7668 or emailing: Tyler@timelesscharmweddings.com.
Happy Planning in 2014!
Vinoklet Winery
July 2006. The sun was setting on a summer evening. I distinctly remember being greeted by the sound of rushing water as I walked through a gorgeous vine enclosed trellis full of flowers and fragrance on my way to a friend's rehearsal dinner. "Patrick, meet Vinoklet". Prior to arriving, I had never heard of Vinoklet. No preconceived notions or expectations were in place, which made the first impression all the better. I fondly remember grilling my own steak atop a giant grill, sampling different wines (I didn't even know wine could be made in Ohio) and walking around the lake while talking with friends. It was a unique experience I carry with me to this day. Vinoklet truly made for a memorable night!
Regardless of the season, Vinoklet's ambiance will wow your senses without a even a drop of wine tasted. Imagine taking in a panoramic view of the vineyard set atop rolling hills from a beautiful gazebo or capping off dinner with great conversation around a huge bonfire. And if you like to drink local wine and grill your own food (you can order off the menu as well), the proverbial cherry will have been placed on top and you will walk home happy.
Vinoklet is located in Colerain Township, but you just might feel like you are somewhere else. To schedule a facility tour and learn more, contact Tracy at 513.385.9309 or visit vinokletwines.com