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Networking with Venues and other Businesses

— 03/19/2018 by Monika Wertman —

Networking with Venues and other Businesses

Once or twice a year I get in contact with JB Bridals in Chambersburg, PA, Bella Salon and Spa here in Hagerstown and a venue to create images that benefit us all.  I reach out to models I have worked with before and love and add a few fresh faces into the mix.  Sometimes these shoots are designed around something I really want to play with and have not had a chance to do, and other times they are designed around one of our business partner’s needs as was the case this year.

wedding dress  wedding dress back

We have been allowed into the Miller house for a few bridal sessions, family photos and engagement sessions and have developed a great relationship with this local non-profit historical home that houses the historical society of Washington County. The governing board decided to begin promoting the house as a wedding venue and we helped out, not only by providing images from past “real” sessions but also from this styled shoot, specifically designed to highlight some areas of the house we had not worked in before.

getting into the dress

I really enjoy the days during which I just get to play, everything connected to a styled shoot is fun.  I love working with JB Bridals and picking out gowns and tuxes for the event.  Jackie always pulls the most gorgeous gowns according to what my plans are and the models have a blast trying them on.

this train

Bella Salon always sends me the best stylists and make up artists and they perform their magic turning my models into brides and brides maids as was the case this time.  We work together for trade, and everyone benefits from the session.  I love the pace I get to set on those days, there is no rush to get to the next stage of the day and I get to meticulously plan each shot.

great hair

As a photographer it is important to continuously push myself, and to take time to explore ideas and different ways to utilize a setting, light, and mood.  During a wedding I am stuck with whatever the chosen venue has to offer and I am tied to the wedding day timeline.  I know how to work within the confines of all that, but it is nice to be able to control each moment, which is one of the reasons I arrange for at least one styled shoot a year.

This year I am planning a second one and it will be fabulous 🙂

Within this post I am showing you a few of my favorites of the day and since we were working at a historical venue, several of them are in either muted tones or black and white.  The gowns had gorgeous trains which I showed off in several of the shots.  Enjoy 🙂