Velvet Owl Photography {Friday's Feature}

Hello All!
I am pleased to feature my personal friend Heidi Haden owner of Velvet Owl Photography. Heidi is an amazing photographer with true talent who took a minute to answer some of our questions!

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?

Well, I've always had an interest in making art. I was really into pottery for a while and once I had my children, I was not able keep up with my messy art ;). Much like how a lot of mom photographers out there started, I really wanted photograph my babies, day in and day out. I am a bit of a perfectionist so I naturally wanted to improve and get better at my art, so I dove in and studied books, online forums, & kept on working to get my style defined.

WHERE IS YOUR STUDIO?

My studio is located in Battleground Wa. Will be having a grand opening soon!!

HOW DO YOU STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF IN THIS BUSINESS?

This is a good question. I have really tried to stick to what "I like". If I like what/how I am shooting and if I am happy, I find my clients will be happy as well. When I was first starting out I would to go to other photogs blogs to get ideas & inspiration, now I challenge myself to be the one to come up with my own perspective and ideas. I find inspiration all around me, in music, colors, angles, just how I view the world. I think it is so important to be bold and define your style, have consistency, and just realizing that you can be who YOU want to be, not how you think people want you to be.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS THAT YOU MUST DO AS A BUSINESS WOMAN EVERY DAY?

1)Focus, I make a list of things to do daily.
2)Try to stick to your list and accomplish your tasks. Staying ahead or on top of things is so important.
3)Try to set aside your emotions. Stay strong. Business is business, and sometimes emotions get in the way, so save them for later.


WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS THAT YOU MUST DO AS A MOM & WIFE EVERY DAY?

1) Play with my kiddos, pay attention to their needs, kiss and hug them every day.
2) Step away from the TV and the computer. Set aside a specific time for editing and try to stick to it!
3) Eat dinner as a family (we try ;) talk to your husband without being in front of your desktop.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE SUCH NATURAL POSES & GENUINE EXPRESSIONS. WHAT DO YOU DO TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS BE SO COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF YOUR CAMERA?

Well thank you! :) I think that just being my goofy, self helps loosen my clients from the get go. Just keeping it real! I try and talk to them throughout the session and we get to know each other~ I want to bring out their true personalities, I will say things to make them laugh...or ask them to do funny things if they are comfortable with it. I absolutely love shooting couples, engagements or bride and groom shots. I LOVE the chemistry that I can get with two people who are truly in love...

TIPS FOR A NOVICE PHOTOGRAPHER OR SOMEONE JUST STARTING IN THIS BUSINESS:

1) Make sure you know your camera. Be comfortable behind it.
2) Set clear boundaries...don't get walked on by family, friends, or clients. This is your business.
3) Take time for yourself
4) Don't be so hard on yourself (even though I'm a perfectionist at times;).
5) Price yourself accordingly otherwise you will crash and burn...fast. Time is money. Time spent away from your family. Also you are creating a lasting piece of art that has great value to someone.

TIPS FOR THE BRIDE:

You are beautiful, it is your big day. It will go by faster than you can imagine & when it's all said and done you will be left with a wonderful spouse and photographs of your amazing day. Hiring the right photographer for you is SO important, you want to be left with beautiful memories to cherish for a lifetime to come. I often have the brides give me a list of photos that they want taken before the big day. By making a list you have one less thing to worry about on the wedding day.

CONTACT INFO:

My website is "www.velvetowlphotography.com"
EMAIL: heidihaden@hotmail.com
Also find me on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/VelvetOwlPhotography

Take a look at these amazing photos:









These photos are truly breathtaking!
Thank you Heidi for sharing these with us!

Comfort Foods For Reception Appetizers

Serving comfort foods will give your reception a warm and cozy feeling that will make your guests feel right at home. We think these appetizers are perfect for an autumn or winter wedding.
Comfort food is a big trend at wedding receptions. Popular ideas include things like little cups of mac-and-cheese, or shot glasses filled with organic tomato soup. Guests expecting formal appetizers are usually delighted to find bite sized portions of their childhood favorites instead. A great way to personalize your wedding is to serve regional foods during the cocktail hour instead of more traditional choices. Again, they can be very informal, down-home types of food. Think mini hot dogs, rueben sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly-you get the picture.

Your wedding should be all about you and your favorite things. Do not worry that choosing an unusual appetizer will detract from the elegance of your big day. Guests have the best time at those affairs that manage to be formal without being stuffy. Just be sure to do it on a silver platter.

Photo Credit:
Mini Mac & Cheese, Martha Stewart Weddings

Bridal Hair Accessories {Friday's Feature}

The word Serephine translates to “fiery one” and there’s no doubt that designer Erin Brooks’ handcrafted bridal hair accessories are for bold brides! Each piece is 100% fashioned by hand and contains a true vintage jewel, so no two pieces are ever exactly alike. Erin repurposes antique brooches, shoe clips, earrings, necklaces, etc., and combines them with gorgeous tulle, French or Russian veiling, premium feathers and other quality fabrics to create heirloom pieces that will surely turn heads on your wedding day.

{Wedding Gown Giveaway Winner}

Hello Novia Readers!
Sunday was an exciting day for us! We had the pleasure of meeting the winner of :::The Wedding Gown Giveaway::: her family and her fiance!

Congratulations to Cathy Cira & Camerino Mendez of Vancouver, Washington! Cathy won a brand new Monique Luo Ivory Wedding Gown valued at $950.00-as pictured on our blog.
The gown fit Cathy like a glove! Perfectly. Does that even happen? It's fate!

When we first discussed the idea of :::The Wedding Gown Giveaway::: we were not prepared for the stories or the response that we would get (as this is the first time we have had such a large giveaway). We are so humbled and truly touched to hear everyone's stories. We would like to say thank you to all that entered!
If we had enough gowns to giveaway to all the brides that entered, we would dress you all!

We would like to share an except of Cathy's entry:


"As I got older I met a guy and got married I was only 19. I only knew him for a few months before we married. Our marriage was not full of any happy memories that I can recall except my two beautiful children. On our wedding day (I can still remember) he left me to go and hang out with his friends. That type of behavior should have been a clue. Our marriage lasted for a while and then we divorced. I have been raising my two children on my own with little support from him since we divorced.


After everything occurred I swore never to put myself in that type of situation again. I didn’t want to meet a guy and be treated the same way again or have my children think a relationship like ours was okay. I wanted to show my children what a good family environment would be without the drama. I knew it would be hard but I decided that I would raise my children on my own and didn’t want a male figure in our life’s.


That changed when about a year ago Nino (who has been a family friend for many years) decided to tell me that he was interested in dating me. I wasn’t to sure about it since I didn’t want it to ruin our friendship (in case it ended up not working out). We started talking and hanging out and grew closer and closer as each day passed. We learned so much about each other our likes, dislikes and just really enjoyed each others company. He has been a dream come true has treated me in a way no other man that I’ve know has. He has respected me, cared for me and my children and is always there for us.

He was working for a company for over 10yrs or so and his company moved to Oregon. So now he is currently unemployed."

We are so blessed to have met this couple and are excited to be apart of their big day!