Staycation at the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa

Posted on April 19, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

I just had a Staycation (no I didn’t make up this word someone else did) which means a vacation in your hometown. I really wanted to check out Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa and my mom was kind enough to let me use her award points to book this room. This was a super cool hook-up becasue this place was beautiful and I had a really enjoyable and relaxing stay.

One of the main things I love about this place was that the staff was really nice and helpful.You know how you are in some places and you can’t find any help anywhere like there are hiding from you. Well not here they are there when you need them an out for the way when you don’t need them.

Let’s talk about the room becasue its where most people spend their time. What I noticed 1st was the light. This room had GREAT LIGHT. I am such a photography nerd but this place had a wall sized window to let all that natural light in. Also the lamps were furnished with daylight bulbs so in my opinion if I am ever doing prep shots for weddings in the room and I going to be super happy. The Hilton is making it easy on any bride and me to get really good pictures! It also had a number of large mirrors I absolutely love mirrors! For me mirrors just multiply the number of shots that I can get. The decorations are modern and sleek my kind of style. Actually I love all different kinds of style but I really dug what was going on in the room.

Like it says in the name it has a spa! They do hair and make-up as well as other relaxing thing. I believe this would be great if you have your wedding guest/ party to stay. They can be pampered and not have to go to far to get ready for your wedding. Remember you can also relax before the big day, which is important. The day before I got married I was going to stay in my parents house but then family came and things got really stressful. Well my sister decided to take me to a hotel for the night and was a real blessing for me. So even if you live in San Antonio I would think going to the Hilton to get pampered the night before would be AWWesome. Now I do want to caution you about doing facial becasue you my have a reaction and you don’t want to have your face all jacked up on or before your wedding. Just talk to the spa staff and see if it will be OK and if you don’t feel comfortable then don’t do it.

The hotel has a number of rooms to have your reception in. They seem to be able to accommodate small to large receptions. Give them a call at 1-210-509-9800 and ask them for more information like rates and how they handle catering what they require from your vendors. You can also visit the website here

Four Tips to Insure you Love Your Wedding

Posted on April 7, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

1. Keep it in Perspective
2. Plan!
3. Hire Pros
4. Have Fun!

Hemisfair Park great place to take pictures

Posted on April 5, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

Hemisfair park was a true dream to me. There were so many beautiful locations within the park to take pictures. I even believe it came more to life when the sun went down. I am really itching to take another one of my clients back to that spot and get some more picture of the park. This place has a modern, scenic feel, and a vintage feel which makes it very versatile.

The modern touches are all throughout the park. As you walk the Towers of America you can stop by any number of public sculptures. You can also take your picture to another level by making use of the different lights that illuminate the park at night.

Hemisfair Park has a large area dedicated to open grounds and water features. I especially enjoy the water features which are more like water sculptures. The water sculpture near the Tower of Americas is decorated with tropical and native plants. When I was last there I took full advantage of as many of the water features as I could. You can also choose to mellow out your pictures and just use the extensive yard and hills.

If you are having a vintage inspired wedding or just love to express yourself in a vintage way there are historical buildings right at the beginning of the park. Most of the time I visited the park the buildings seemed to be deserted. I pretty sure they are not still it is a great photo op. These building not only have great history but they have great character. You can also go to a number of buildings that are in the area around the park to get the same feel.

Hemisfair Park is located at 200 South Alamo Street San Antonio, TX 78205. You can also contact them at (210) 207-8572. It is open daily from 7am to 11pm so go check out all the wonderful spots to take pictures and enjoy yourself. If you like it talk about it with your photographer and set up a time to take pictures.

5 Tips on Battling Camera Shyness

Posted on April 4, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

Ever since junior high I loved being behind the camera but it took me much longer to enjoy being in front of it. It was becasue I felt I would look bad in pictures and the truth is there are some horrible pictures of me out there. The reason I looked bad in those pictures was not because of my actual looks. I didn’t know how to look good in the picture until I figure out these tips. And since it is important to me that you look good in your picture (which mean you will actually have to be in a picture) let me give you 5 tips to help you battle being camera shy.

1. Remember that whatever is closest to the lens will be the largest. So if you are like me and have a large forehead do go pointing that at the camera lens.

2. Know your face like the back of your hand. So I know my face is not exactly symmetrical and there is a way to get around that. Lets say one eye is a little smaller than the other. Well then put the smaller eye further away from the camera to accentuate your larger eye. If you have a crooked nose then point the slanted side towards the camera to help to straighten out the crook.

3. Show off your figure. Ladies always stand with your hip slightly out and bend the opposite knee. This way you flaunt the curves that God has given you. Even if you have a sightly boyish figure you still have curves.

4. Give them the puppy dog eyes. With most dogs you are looking down right? (I say most becasue I have been face to face with some dogs!) Well there eyes look bigger because that is what is closest to us. So if you are like me and have small eyes use a higher camera angle so you have to look up.

5. Smile. This isn’t the cheese smile but a real smile. Think of something fun or funny so that you are giving a true smile. Expression is very important and you want your emotion to be read in your eyes.

So take these tips and practice them in the mirror that way when ever some whips out one of the many cameras people have you will be ready.

Tranquil Engagements and Bridal portraits in the Japanese Tea Gardens (Sunken Gardens)

Posted on March 31, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

The Japanese Tea Gardens, near Downtown San Antonio, is one of the most unique places in the city. Many people frequent the Gardens to meditate relax and even get beautiful and inspiring portraits taken. It has totally unique structures and lush green gardens, ponds, and a waterfall, which were designed by a Japaneses immigrant and his wife.

One thing I must tell you is that every time i go it is full of those who also love the beauty the Gardens provide. So it may be advantageous to go in the middle of the week or early in the morning. This way you can have the garden mostly to yourself.You may even want to try evening pictures to see how that looks.

It is opened Mon-Sun 8 am to 10 pm. and is located on 3853 N Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78212. I recommend going on a date first to have fun and also see if it the spot for you.

7 tips on How to Enjoy Your Engagement Session

Posted on March 26, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

Getting you picture taken can be very intimidating so I want to give you some tips that I have picked up that may help you get the most out of your session.

Get a photographer who listens and gets you! Very Very important becasue your photographer should know how to engage you so that you forget you are getting your picture taking. If the session has gone well you should be able to leave with a smile on your face
Downtown San Antonio
Where something That you feel is your style. Still, try to avoid short sleeves and 3/4 sleeves. These shirts can cut the arms off strangely. Also don’t be matchy matchy with your honey but do wear colors that are similar in tone.
Think of this as a Date! Woo Hoo Date night! Show your honey a good time so that they can never say, “you never take me anywhere.” Complement each other and enjoy each others company.
Go somewhere you love to go as a couple. This will help you relax since you are in a familiar setting.
Go somewhere you haven’t been. Yeah I am writing the exact opposite of what I just wrote, but when you go somewhere new you can have this new experience together. You should be enjoying this time in your life when you are starting something new.
When you get all dolled up remember who you are. Don’t go trying to make yourself look like a brand new person. You want to be able to recognize yourself in the pictures. This doesn’t mean that if you want to go get your make up done professionally that you shouldn’t. It just mean don’t let you or your hair dresser/makeup artist get carried away.
Lastly trust your photographer but don’t be afraid to say you are uneasy. You are not a model (maybe) so I believe as a photographer I wouldn’t want to know if you are uneasy about a certain situation. If you are unease it will show up in your photos and that doesn’t make a good photograph.

Why Even Pay a Professional Photographer?

Posted on March 24, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

Weddings are expensive. This bit of information isn’t earth shattering but it does put people on guard. No one wants to be scammed and when you start shelling out money by the thousands you really want to know that your money is going to be invested well. That is why D.I.Y is popular and is great for putting your own personal touches on thing. Still, there are somethings you don’t want to scrip on either like your wedding day photography. You need to know who you are getting as a photographer and what kind of photography you will be getting. I know some of you may be say,” yeah yeah you are saying this becasue you are a photographer.” Well I was once a bride to be and I didn’t give much thought to my photographer and I paid for my lack of attention. I now understand the need for a wedding professional that understand their craft, and who their client is . That is why I am passionate about making wedding photography have impact.

What are you paying your wedding photographer for? Are you paying them for photographs and just taking pictures becasue if you are then you can do it yourself or get a cousin to do it. Or are you paying your photographer to make you look good on one of the most important days of your life? If it is the latter then you need someone who understands how light works. Do you know if you give a professional photographer a point and shoot or an iphone they can still make you look good. Why it that? It is not the camera that makes a professional it is what they know and their artistic point of view. They look at how the light hits your face and falls on your body. They know how to make women look curvy and men look strong. They know how to de-emphasize your flaws and accentuate your positives. This is what you want in a photographer.

A professional photographer also should be able to get you. My wedding pictures looked awkward to me because in a lot of the pictures I would never act like that. I am laid back and quietly funny but I was put in posses that took me out of my comfort zone. It is not my job to make you uncomfortable but unfortunately for most people when you point a camera at them the are instantly uncomfortable. My job is to get you to forget the camera so that I can make you look your best. If I am to make you look your best I need to see who you are. I need to study you and listen to you so that I can capture that in the pictures. I have a style but that doesn’t mean I have a set amount of specific posses I will get you in. If you are fun and funk I not going to put you in the same situations as the person who is reserved and quite. Who you are will lead me to what kind of image is produced.

A professional photographer is always growing and learning and looking how to get better. I don’t just work when I get a client I work when I am sitting with my friends and when I watch my son run around the room. I am training my eye to understand people better and how the light works with the human form. I look at other artist work to grow but not to copy. I am always working so that when I click the shutter on my camera it is on purpose. I am don’t want my images to be an accident I want to be intentional about the work I produce. It is about being a better photographer so that whomever I work for I am at my best. I get paid to be my best and that is why I work at it.

So when you look for a photographer look for someone who listens to you. Who cares about you and wants to know about you and what you want. The money you give a photographer is not just for their services but for their knowledge and experience.

McNay Art Museum Inspiring Bridal and Engagment Portrait Location

Posted on March 23, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

The McNay is an inspiring location to take any kind of portraiture. This Museum has a wide range of back drops to take edgy, traditional or romantic pictures. If you have a skilled professional photographer you can be sure to get unforgettable images from the McNay Art Museum

The grounds outside of the McNay Museum are gorgeous lush and has both a old Spanish and also contemporary style. There are shaded walkways and , beautiful arches, Renaissances inspired statues and modern architecture all in one location. There is a fee $20 attached to taking portraits on the grounds outside of the of the McNay. This is something you will need to discuss with your photographer if you choose this location. There is no need to call ahead to the Museum becasue there will be someone driving around to collect the fee. When you take your portraits on the grounds outside of the Museum you will not be able to make use of the restrooms to change so if you are taking bridals you need to come in your dress.

You can also get pictures taken inside of the museum. There are even more options to get a more romantic or Spanish feel to your photographs. Your photographer will need to call ahead to make sure space is available. There are also a limited amount of time you can take pictures in the museum.The interior locations are only available on Mondays from 9AM to 4PM, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4PM to 5PM. Your photographer will need to reserve a one-hour time slot in return for a set fee of $100, payable by cash or check, upon arrival. On Mondays, two or more successive slots may be reserved if required. If you choose to take pictures inside you will also be able to take advantage of the grounds at no additional charge. As well as use the lobby restrooms are available for changing. Photographers must make appointments at least 24 hours in advance by calling 210.805.1725 on Mon-Fri 9AM to 4PM.

I love the McNay as a place to take pictures I believe it is both edgy and romantic. You will have so many places to choose from to get great pictures. I also believe the inside is just as beautiful if not more and they have beautiful rooms that invoke and old world Spanish feel. If you come here to get you pictures taken by a good professional you will not be sorry. The McNay is located 6000 North New Braunfels, San Antonio, Texas 78209 .

Timeless Beauty of Southwest School of Art and Craft a Romantic Location to take Bridal/Engagment Portraits

Posted on March 22, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

taken in downtown San Antonio

The Southwest School of Art is an gorgeous and historically rich place. I used to intern there when I was in college and its as majestic and a peaceful little oasis in the fast moving city. I can still hear the sound of the old wood creaking at my foot steps every time I arrived for work. I believe that the school would be a great back drop to take romantic and memorable bridal or engagement pictures in San Antonio.

The school was designed by, French trained architect, Francis Giraud in the late 1860′s. He drew inspiration from Gothic architecture to create the beautiful buildings on the Ursuline campus. The original intent for the campus was a covenant for nuns and a school for girls. So this location is saturated with the history and beauty that makes it an ideal location of portraits. Since it is in the National registry of historical places the grounds are well kept and artfully re-purposed. It is also situated right on the river walk for and added bit of interest.

the Southwest School of Art is also a wonderful and elegant place to be married. The Coates Chapel was once used for services but is now deconsecrated by the Catholic Church. Still it carries its sacred feel and can be easily used for your wedding services. The Southwest School of Art’s Ursuline Campus can service wedding parties of 50-300 in the chapel. It has has the Covenate River Gardens that can accommodated as many as 500 guest. There are special rates for and instructions that every bride should know and you can get more information if you go to the PDF they provide at http://www.swschool.org/images/uploads/pdf/Facilities2010.pdf or go to http://www.swschool.org/facilities-rental/for-brides-only.

If you want to get married at the Southwest School of Art you need to make sure you book at least a year in advance becasue the space is in demand. If you want to take portraits at the school you , not your photographer, will need to call in advance to make sure the grounds are available. There is no charge to take portraits on the ground so you get all that history for free. So call Sylvia Glatma, the rentals manager, at 210-224-1848 to schedule an appointment or talk to her about your wedding.

8 Questions You Must Ask a Wedding Professional Before Booking Them (Guest post by Stephanie Padovani)

Posted on March 21, 2011 by rekeishadunlap

Hiring the right team is critical to planning your dream wedding…and it can also be quite stressful.

How do you find the right match for you? How do you know who to trust? Where do you go for advice?

First of all, this is not an easy task and it’s totally normal for couples to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or confused.
It’s not like you plan a wedding every day! This is all probably brand new to you, so be patient with yourself.

Here are a few tips to finding the right ones for you…

• Do Your Homework. You’ll get much more out of a meeting or conversation with a wedding professional if you do a little background homework first.

Spend some time on the internet or talking to friends who’ve recently been married. Find out the average prices in your area and what services are available. Get an idea of what you like and don’t like. Wedding websites and chat rooms can be a great resource. This way when you meet with a wedding professional you’ll be able to ask better questions and have an idea of what to look out for.

• Meet With Them. An in person meeting is the best way to interview a potential wedding vendor. It lets you get the full experience of their personality, style and professionalism. If that’s not possible, have a phone conversation.

• Ask Questions. There are no stupid questions! Make sure you get clear, specific answers to your questions. If you aren’t sure what something means, ask them to clarify. Keep asking questions until you completely understand.

If a wedding vendor has a problem with you asking questions, they probably aren’t the one for you. The best wedding professionals are patient, understanding and take the time to help you make the best choices for your wedding.

• Listen. Don’t just hear the words they say, really listen. Watch the vendor’s body language. Are they confident and comfortable with their response? Do they look and sound nervous? Do you get a “funny feeling” about them? Take all the sights, sounds and feelings into account along with their responses; if your gut tells you something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.

• Check References. Portfolios are hand-picked to show off the best work, but they may not represent the “average” wedding performance. Videos are edited for the optimum presentation. But real referrals from satisfied clients are hard to fake.

Call up both client and professional references. Ask questions and use those listening skills. Even if they give a rave review, you’ll often be able to “read between the lines” if there were any issues or problems.

Ask around and search the internet for reviews. Check the Better Business Bureau for any outstanding complaints against the business. Weigh all of this information into your choices.

Here are 8 Must Ask Questions to ask ALL your potential wedding professionals before booking:

1. How many weddings do you do per year? How much experience do you have?

This is an extremely important question. Ideally, your wedding professional should have ample experience specifically with weddings. Not only will they be more skilled in their craft, this also makes them a valuable source of information and ensures that your wedding day goes smoothly.

2. How much do you cost?

Price is often relative, especially when you factor in experience, reputation and expert skill. Generally, the most talented professionals have a higher price tag because they are worth it.

3. How much is the deposit?

4. What specifically is included in that cost?

Because packages often vary, it’s likely that you won’t be able to compare one vendor exactly to the next without doing a little figuring. The lowest cost isn’t necessarily the best deal; some higher quotes include services that you have to pay extra for in other packages. Make sure you take this into account.

5. What happens if I cancel? What happens if you cancel?

Find out if your deposit is refundable under any conditions. Does the wedding professional have a back up plan if something happens to them?

6. Do you use a contract?

If the answer is No, RUN! A contract is designed to protect both you and the wedding professional. Don’t settle for a verbal agreement that won’t hold up in court.

7. Are there any additional fees?

Taxes, service charges and travel fees can add up quickly. Make sure you understand exactly what is included and if there are any other fees you’ll have to pay. This should be clearly defined in your contract.

8. Do you carry liability insurance?

The answer you’re looking for here is Yes. This protects you in case an unfortunate accident should occur on your wedding day. It’s also a sign that this is a reputable business, since most “fly by night” operations don’t invest in insurance.

If chosen wisely, with the right wedding vendors you get expert help and advice…for free!

Category Archives: bridal photography tips