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So you want to get married...Part 4: Tuxedos!

You absolutely cannot plan your wedding without also considering what your man is going to wear on that day.  What he wears is just as important as what you wear and giving it some thought and consideration will be worth it in the long run.

You can't really go wrong with a man in a nicely cut tuxedo or tailored suit. The tuxedo is always a classic. A good tuxedo is formal wear at its very best. Simple, elegant, and classic. Think 007, Cary Grant, and Sinatra. And military is always super fly!




Do you buy or rent your tuxedo? The best way to decide is to ask yourself whether or not you see yourself attending a lot of Black-Tie events in the future. If you see yourself in this position, buying a tuxedo is probably the best decision. A tuxedo that is purchased can be tailored to your specifications. This makes for a tux that will fit and look a whole lot better. On the other hand, if you don’t see yourself attending anything that requires a tuxedo, renting is your best choice.

(taken from http://www.thegroomguide.com/dress2kill1.html)




Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

-Gray or white tuxedos are strictly wedding attire, whereas black tuxedos can be used for multiple events.

-Please keep the Cummerbunds in your high school prom photos and out of the wedding chapel~! Go with a vest. No Colors. Black or Silver, as they may be easier to coordinate with flower. Pattern or not, it’s your choice. Don’t forget the matching handkerchief.

-Either Bow ties or long ties are appropriate. I love a man in a sharp tie! Its both safe and classic; modern and sleek.

-Collared shirts please (that might go without saying). Even if your wedding is casual, say on the beach...stick with the collared shirt.

-If you go with a real bow tie, make sure you know how to tie it or have some one who knows how to be at your wedding.

-Tails are for conductors and penguins!

Sources: Pinterest.com

eyelets: new blog (to come)

So I am a little bit of a dork and not technical at all.

I decided to add Wordpress as my new Blog...for many reasons.  But when I set it up, I pointed my website address to the wordpress (which isn't up and running yet) so at some point today, is anyone puts in www.eyefullphotography.net what they are going to get is crickets....that's right...nada!

So I called and got it all sorted out but these things have to go in stages and in another 24 hours it should all be placed right. 

Until then, just hang out here on this blog.  Look at a few photos.  Leave me some love (PLEASE! I'm not talking to myself am I?) Well maybe....that's okay too.

And I am hoping that my Saturday afternoon, my web address will be pointing in the right direction and I can start working on the new blog site!  woo hoo!

Photo found on Pinterest.com

So You Decided to Get Married....flowers!

Please don't ask me for a formal name. What you might get back is "Well, its pretty and purple!" The extent of my "flower power" is reminding my children not to pick them. I don't KNOW flowers, but I love to look at them and breathe in their fragrance. I may not be a florist, but I know that choosing your wedding colors will probably be one of the first things you do (outside of announcing to the world that you just got engaged!) And once you pick your colors, you may start to consider flower choices that will compliment and enhance your wedding day palatte.

I am by no means a floral expert. But, there are so many really good florists around, choosing the one (florist) that is right for your wedding, will help to bring your vision to fruition. As a wedding photographer, I would say that there is no wrong way for flowers. Anything goes. You can choose bold colorful flowers, or dainty flowers...it all depends on what you want and your budget.

I love Pinterest and all of these photos came directly from there.  Pinterest is a great place to help you define what you like and what you don't like.



Talk to recently married friends and family and use local resource guides Once you have a few options, call and make appointments to visit your choices. This is your opportunity to make sure the florist is someone you feel comfortable with.



During your appointment, ask lots of questions! This is your time to get to know the florist and determine if they will be able to adequately capture your vision. A few questions you might want to ask are:

1) who will actually create the arrangements?
2) how many other weddings they will be working on around your wedding date?

Also, ask if the wedding florist has done events at your venue before. And, if you are able, take some photos of your venue so they can see what they are working with.



In-season flowers can dramatically cut your flower costs, so before you get your heart set, ask your florist if there is another variety that will give you the same look and feel for what you had in mind. Maybe its the color of the flower that you like, or a certain texture of flower. Be flexible. And any florist worth their weight, should be able to help you figure out what types of flowers work best for your style and budget.



Don't wait too long to do this -- the best florists fill up fast!

If you are looking for something a bit different, brooch bouquets are so popular lately. Did you see that gorgeous one in the first set of photos?  I would love to own one, just to have for my collection of pretty things. You can check etsy for brooch bouquets. I did a quick search and found several pages of vendors who specialize in them.

Also another alternative would be something like this.
Designed by Miss Ruby Sue, photo credit to Innov8 Studio.



This piece is gorgeous! It is made with several different feathers, flowers, and lace.  I had hoped to get a photo of this in color so show you how brilliant Miss Ruby Sue is, but couldn't. So I hope you can use your imagination with this one.  I am certain she would be able to do one in any color of your choice.  I am going to just have one made, to keep and use as a photo prop. I am a bit biased, I love anything Miss Ruby Sue makes.

Be creative! Find your style!

Vendors: Style Me Pretty, Pocketful of Dreams, Green Wedding Shoes, Wedding Gawker, Whole Blossoms, Project Wedding, Wedding Chicks, Sugar Bee Flowers, Bellethemagazine, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Brittany Griffin, Rock My Wedding, Love and Lavender, Tiny White Daisies

eyefull: a girl and a piece of watermelon Phoenix| California| and wherever else my camera takes me!

How much can a child have with just a piece of fruit? Apparently, A LOT!
Check it out.



I had a thought of doing a quickie shoot with a watermelon. Good thing my girl likes watermelon.





NOTE: When you are photographing children and you want to use food, make sure to bring something they will like to eat and shoot fast! Before you know it, what they are eating may be gone.....

eyefull: So you decided to get married...Part 3: Wedding Dresses!

Dresses.
Every girl has worn them.
Some have worn them against their will, but most others have relished the fact that you just feel prettier when you are in a pretty dress.  And twirling is awful fun too!

Weddings.
Every girl has thought about getting married.
Some won't (for many reason), but most will make that walk down the aisle. 
And what dress could make them feel more prettier. More glamorous. More like a princess than a wedding dress?

Months it takes to find the perfect one.  I remember buying up every wedding magazine I could find, tearing out and carefully noting where I would be able to find that dress.  I went to many gown show rooms and tried on so many beautiful dresses...I had a style in mind for what I wanted and that's what I went after.

There are so many dresses, colors, fabrics, textures, styles to choose from.  The prospects are endless for todays bride.  Since brides come in all different shapes, sizes, skin tones, so should dresses.  And they do! Dresses come with different skirt styles (A lines, full) and different bodices (scooped, scallopped, straight, high necklines, low plunges).  There are dresses with lace, dresses that are rouched, dresses with tufts, dresses that are straight....the combinations are endless.



Before you start trying on gowns , you need to confirm a few logistics: What time of year will the wedding take place? Where will the reception be? This will keep you from buying a dress that won't feel right on the day of (high neck with lots of lace for a outside garden wedding, a princess cut skirt for a reception in a small restaurant). But don't wait too long to begin shopping. It takes four to six months to have a dress made and fitted, sometimes longer for one with intricate handwork. If you start shopping eight to twelve months in advance, you won't feel rushed -- or encounter rush charges.




Its important to set a budget. Yes, the "B" word is back. If you do this you won't be likely to have your heart set on something that you can't afford. And just remember, if you go over budget in this area, you may have to cut back in another area.









Most bridal boutiques recquire an appointment. So making and keeping this appointment at the boutiques you want to look at is crucial. It would be helpful to arrive at your appointment with some examples of the kinds of dresses you are interested in. This way, the associate will be able to locate dresses that fit your style more quickly.



Decide on a silhouette. Know which type of gown will flatter your figure the best. Look at photos of each type. You can browse wedding website message boards and member profiles for photos of real women wearing gowns, rather than relying on professional photos of models wearing them. Here is a list of the 4 basic gown silhouettes:

Ball gowns have very full skirts and generally will look beautiful on any body type, theyvgenerally either have crinolines built in or a slip you must wear to support the shape of the gown. Be advised that this extra fabric can be heavy and bulky and will require extra care to wear.

A-lines usually have a fitted bodice with a skirt that flares gently from the waist to form an "A" shape. They generally work for everyone as well, and are a terrific choice for someone who would like to hide lower body flaws, but does not want a ball gown. A-lines are not as full as ball gowns.

Sheaths flatter women with slim, balanced figures. They shouldn't be worn by brides who dislike their figures. This gown will not hide any flaws. If you think your thighs or butt are too big, you'll be miserable in this type of dress. Don't try to pull it off because you found a gown you love in this style. You don't want to risk being uncomfortable or self conscious on your wedding day, or regretting your choice every time you look at wedding photos.

Empire waist gowns have a skirt that falls from just below the breasts. Although usually listed with various waistline types and not always considered a type of silhouette, they are a wonderful choice for a casual, non-formal wedding, or weddings in a tropical climate. They're usually made of light, flowing fabric. They're also excellent for pregnant brides, because they provide extra room in the waist, making them a comfortable choice. They also won't draw as much attention to the belly as a dress with a lower waistline would.





Make sure you are comfortable in the dress you choose. Lift your arms up over your heard, do a little jig...make sure you can move (and breath) in the dress. (Info taken from http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Wedding-Dress)


NOTE: Most stores require a deposit, with the remaining balance due when you pick up the dress!



Oh!  Make sure you take someone with you.

Maybe a few someones (hint: a brides maid or two, mother, grandmother)...someone who knows your style and your taste and will give you an opinion based on that information.  Your sales clerk will also be very helpful, they certainly should not want you walking down the aisle in a dress that is ill formed for your BUT your girlies are the ones who will know right away if you have "found the one."







Vendors: BridePower, Pink Preppy, Ian Stuart, Rock N Roll Bride, Vera Wang, Ivy and Aster, Vintageous, Monique Hullier, Theia Coutre, Judd Waddell, Amy Kuschel, Demetrius, Maggie Sottero,
Wedding Inspiration, Disney Bridal, Eden Bridal, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta, Nicole Miller. 

Next time: Grooms, Bridesmaids/Groomsmen, Flowers and gifts!

eyelets: Meet Damaris Mia of Damaris Mia Photography

What first drew me to Damaris Mia was the clarity and the "realness" of her photos.  Are you following me when I saw "realness"?  Her photos tell a story and draw you in. Each one.  And I have to be honest, I want to photograph like her.  That's what first attracted me.  Second, her name! I have a daughter named Damaris and I just loved that they shared a name. I think the first thing I may have asked Damaris Mia was how she pronounced her name and where she was from that she was named "Damaris." (and on a side note, my BFF growing up has an older sister named Damaris too).  Third, as I was reading blogs and looking at photos. It all stopped. And up popped a new Damaris Mia.  She wrote a letter to herself and shared it with all of us.  In it she explained her reasoning for dropping the pretense and starting over from scratch.  That resonated so loudly with me because it mirrored what I was dealing with (and apparently what others are dealing with) that I knew that Damaris was the real deal.  So here we go! Let's meet her.

1)  Introduce yourself and get the visitors “in” on your work!

Hi :) I am Damaris of Damaris Mia Photography. I live in beautiful Orange County, CA with my husband and furkid named Nala. I’ve always been creative and into the arts but it wasn’t until May 2009 that I actually got into photography. I’ve been exposed to it my entire life because of my dad (who took his camera everywhere) but really didn’t show interest in photography until late 2008. I purchased my very first dSLR camera in May 2009 and have been shooting ever since!

2)  I love your work.  LOVE it…which is why I look at it often.  How did you get started in the photography business, and when?

I got into photography in May 2009. In the beginning, I saw photography as a way to make some quick and easy money. However, the more I learned, the more I realized that it wasn’t so quick and easy. I jumped full force and did whatever I could to get my name out there. But over time, I came to realize that photography is so much more than making money. Many people have this misunderstanding of the photography business. I know I did. I have since taken a step back to think about where I want to go with my photography. I want to take it in a different direction than the direction I’ve been going. I can’t say where that will be just yet. You will have to follow me on my blog to find out :)

Im excited to see what you have in mind. I bet all of your fans are as well.


3)When was the first magic moment that you knew you wanted to be a photographer?

I was drawn to nature photography when I first started out. In May 2009, I took a trip to Hawaii and knew then that this is what I wanted to do. There was something about capturing God’s creation on camera and being able to enjoy it later, long after I left the island. There was this peacefulness of shooting nature that I was really drawn to.

4)When did you make it a full time thing?

I still haven’t made it a full-time thing. Right now, my photography is being taken in a new direction and am not ready to make it a full-time thing. I also work full-time at a different job. But if I’m being honest, I like it this way. And maybe that’s because I love the job I have right now. But photography will always be a passion of mine.

5)And I have to ask, because it’s a question that people are asking themselves anyway, what do you shoot with and what is your favorite lens?

I shoot with a Canon 7D and one of my favorite lenses to shoot with is the 35mm.

Me too! Though I don't have the 35mm...but its on my list...somewhere!

 6)Describe your style.

Fun. Modern. Fresh. Clean. Classic.

I would definitely describe your work in that way.  It is so very attractive.  And I love it.

8)  What is something that you are still learning?

I’m still learning everything! Haha. I can’t say that I fully understand one specific thing. I think there is just so much out there to learn. I thought I fully knew my camera and come to find out until I came across some cool and interesting tips! But really, I’m still learning everything.

I am quite certain that I don't use half of the functions that my camera is capable of.  As of late, I have just been getting outside (or inside...its just so darn hot here) and taking pictures of the same thing, over and over, changing my setting, changing my position, changing the lighting, with the hopes that I can see what this camera is capable of what I can make it do when I know how to use all its functions.

9)What is the one thing that you LOVE LOVE about what you do?

This is hard because there are so many things I love about what I do. But I would probably say documenting and capturing those moments that would only be just a memory if not captured by a photographer. Also, I love creating art.

 11) When you have nothing scheduled, where are we most likely to find you?

Playing soccer, at Disneyland, at home watching Netflix, hanging out with my husband and family, at the beach, hiking, or shooting for fun.

When we lived in CA I had Disneyland passes.  Honestly that is one thing I miss so much.  Arizona just doesn't have anything near like it.  I am trying to come back to Cali and back to my passes!

12)  As a photographer, I look to others, their work, their business model, who they seem to be as a person as viewed through their blogs or FB posts; if I look to you, who are YOU looking to?

When I first started out, I followed Jasmine Star like crazy. Not so much now though. But I do like to check her work from time to time. I love Lara Casey (she’s not a photographer but the editor for Southern Weddings Magazine). I admire Mike Colon (a photographer out here in Newport Beach, CA). I’ve simmered down looking at other photographers because I wanted to develop my own style and not beat myself up for not being at their level.

13)  Coke or Pepsi?

Dr. Pepper. Haha. But if I had to choose between the two, it would be Pepsi.

You know what? I just discovered Cherry Dr. Pepper....its is YUMMY!

14)  Knowing what you know now, what is something you would have done differently when you first started out?

I would have slowed down and focus on my art rather than try to get my name out there. It’s not a popularity contest but I didn’t see it that way when I first started out.

15)  Something that I would like to know is, if ever, at any point in your career, have you thought about quitting, or doubted yourself, or hit a wall and wondered how to get over it? If so, can you give a little background? How did you overcome that hurdle?

I felt like quitting so many times. This all stemmed from being envious of other photographers in my area. I wasn’t envious of their work. I was envious because it seemed like they were always getting clients and I wasn’t. It was a really low point for me because I really beat myself for it. I almost put my camera away in the box. But I overcame that by taking a step back and reevaluating what I wanted out of photography and what I wanted out of life. 

16)  Who are YOU, other than a photographer? 

I am a lover of Christ and a doting wife. I’m a momma to Nala, my furkid. I’m a family person. I love to eat. I’m a tomboy who isn’t afraid of heels. I’m a shoe addict. I’m athletic and competitive. I’m a lover of life.

Yay, I think I found that out early on reading blogs.  I am so amazed at how God has drawn me towards other Christian photographers before I knew they were Christians. People like you and Arden Prucha, Style Image Studios, so many that I have had the privilege of 'interviewing."

17)  I have a huge purse love, do you have any fun or extraordinary talents or obsessions, that you’d like to share with us?

I have a ridiculous obsession with buying high heels. I have heels that I’ve never even worn. It’s bad. And they’re not the easiest shoes to walk in either. I like the 5-inch heels because I’m short (5’3”.. hubby is 6’1”)

18)  What has been your best marketing strategy?

Oh goodness, I don’t think I’m the right person to answer this. For me it’s just been putting myself out there on the internet and word of mouth. I’ve never paid for any type of advertising. It’s worked so far :)

19) What is the one piece of advice you could give that could be invaluable to someone starting out?

I don’t know if I can give just one, haha. First and foremost, I really and truly believe that one should practice, practice, practice. Like, REALLY learn your camera. Learn all the things you can do. And I don’t think you can learn all that just by reading a manual or watching videos online. You NEED to go out and shoot. Go practice what you’ve learned. You will make mistakes and lots of them. But you won’t learn unless you make those mistakes. You won’t grow if you’re idle so always try new things out. It’s a learning and growing process. Also, don’t try to be like someone else. You will most likely end up disappointed. Don’t try to imitate other photographers. Be yourself. 

20) Lastly, what is one word in the English dictionary that describes you?

Scattered? Haha. In a good way though ;)

Where can people find you, like you, and love you just as I do?

blog: http://www.damarismia.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photography.damarismia

Twitter: http://twitter.com/damaris_mia

eye color: Hazel/Green

Blood type: Beats me! That’s bad, huh?

and favorite food: Romanian and Asian food.