Meet Kandi Cook of KR Creations and Events-.  Kandi is a wedding and event planner with over 15 years of expereince in the event industry.  She has a background in business, with a former career as a bank executive.  Her eye for style and attention to detail is exactly what brides are looking for in an event planner.  Kandi’s company also coordinates rentals and invitations.

I highly recommend that all of my couples hire a planner to help with their wedding day. She can create a package that would have her helping for the entire process or just for the day of your wedding. These packages will have her coordinating all of your day of activities so that you can enjoy your day and have to burden your friends or family with making sure the flowers are delivered and the cake is ready to be cut for your guests.

If you are in the market for an event planner call Kandi to see if she’s the right fit for you and tell her that I sent you!

I know this is true because I was the DIY Bride for my first wedding in 1998.  We cooked our own food, printed our own bulletins and decorated the church gym ourselves for the reception. By the time my wedding day came I couldn’t enjoy the day because I was exhausted.   So when Ron and I were married last May I knew I was not going to do all of that work again.  We made sure our venue offered us a wedding planner.  She was great and I was able to fully enjoy every moment of our day. She even saw that we had a care package of food and cake for our Honeymoon night.

I recently had lunch with Renee Bennett with Black Tie Weddings and Events.  Based out of Georgetown, Renee’ and her daughter Noelle work together to plan beautiful weddings in the Austin area.  I asked Renee to give me some reasons why couples should hire a wedding planner.  She, of course, had great insight to share with you.

1. Wedding planners have a large network of vendors that they use.  Essentially she becomes a match maker to find you the best vendor for your wedding.  Wedding Planners will know the style of the vendors who can provide the service you are looking for.  They will provide you a few to choose from versus the alternative of you searching the internet, making phone calls and visiting multiple providers which is like shooting in the dark.

2. When you have a wedding planner you have delegated the foot work to someone else.  Your ideas come to life while you focus on enjoying your wedding day.

3. Even if you decide to plan the wedding without a planner you should consider getting a planner for your day-of needs.  Renee pointed out that she makes sure the vendors arrive (and handles the situation if they are late), sees to all of the details and helps keep things running on time. She will see that all of your personalized touches are presented seamlessly on your day.  And I know for a fact she is armed with an emergency kit full of everything from sewing notions to band-aids.

4.  A wedding planner is an insurance policy.  She is the person you know will have the knowledge, ideas and connections to make your wedding dreams a reality.  Your planner might remind you of things that you wouldn’t think about. She can “fix” problems on your big day and you will never even know about it.  A planner can defuse a simple problem quickly before it becomes a major headache.  Something as simple as icing the beer and wine or as major as a lost vendor can be easily fixed by a pro who is well versed in the process of weddings.

5. Wedding planners might have supplies you can borrow or a source for rental versus purchase.  For example, candy bars are a popular way to give your guests some goodies to take home.  Large glass vessels are expensive and can add up quickly.  Often planners have access to these items and you can use them.  I know that I used mirrors for the table that my planner provided.  I would have no use for 20 square mirrors had I purchased them for our wedding day.  These small savings add up quickly as you plan your wedding.
6. Renee is a great lady to work with!

As a photographer I have to say that it is much easier to shoot a wedding that has a planner involved.  At my wedding last Saturday the bride wanted to take pictures before the ceremony in an area that some early guests were congregating.  I told the planner we wanted the room cleared and went back to shooting the bride getting ready.  The planner came and got us when the room was cleared and she stood guard at the door while we did the photos.  I could fill this blog with other examples of how wedding planners have helped me do my job but I won’t bore you!

Way back in Y2K I was a Creative Memories Consultant.  I schlepped boxes full of papers, adhesives and albums to people’s home preaching the importance of preserving your family’s story in scrapbooks.  I loved what I did and I think that I’m a photographer today because of my passion about scrapbooking my family’s story.

But let’s think about wedding photography, shall we?

All of my wedding packages come with the edited images on DVD.  This is what the market demands.  Pretty much every photographer in town offers the images with their services.  But once your wedding is over, you are home from your honeymoon and regular life starts to take over, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT DISK?

I ask, but as a newlywed myself, I already know the answer:

First, you will post the photos on Facebook.  Then you will email a few to your aunts and uncles.  You will turn your favorite into your wallpaper on your desktop.  Your mom will bug  you about printing her an 8×10 for the living room and you might even get to the point where you order a few copies of your favorites.  But when your first anniversary rolls around what are you and your husband going to look at?  Will you still even have the same computer a year from now?  If you are like me you will quickly realize that the disk of your images is piled under the cable bill on your desk and no photos are hanging on your wall.

My Platinum Wedding Package is the way to go if your budget allows. Not only do you receive an Engagement session, a Bridal session and 10 hours of wedding day coverage but you receive a flush mount album of your wedding images.  Or if you like you can upgrade any package to include an album!  My albums are flush mount heirloom quality albums that will showcase your favorite wedding images.  These albums will be something you WILL want to show off.  It will be something that you can open at any time and relive your day with.  A cold DVD can’t do that for you!

I also offer the highest quality professional prints you buy.  I can offer you finishes that consumer labs just don’t offer–Metallic paper, True black and white paper, Linen finish, and mounted enlargements.  I can offer you gallery wrap enlargements and shipment anywhere in the U.S.   I encourage my couples to add some cushion to their photography budget for albums and prints.  It will be the best money you spend on your wedding—I promise!

I would love to show you my sample albums and prints.  Please don’t let your wedding memories sit on your hard drive.

So what’s a photographer to do?  Well…first of all you 2nd shoot for others.  I’ve done that.  Four times.  Then you shoot friends weddings as a gift to them.  Done that also.  Two times.  Now you advertise.  And wait. Which is hard.

Some days I’m not very patient.  I confess.  During this time I peek over at Craigslist to see if there are any brides who might need coverage.  The unrealistic expectations some people have shock me.

Here are some examples:

“I am traveling to San Antonio to get married to my boyfriend attending the BMT at Lackland Airforce base on the 29th. I thought that I would like to have a talented wedding photographer to take pictures of us getting married and also have some after shots around the courthouse. It will be no longer then 1 hour and we would like to have a CD of all the images. We are looking for something very affordable since we are a young couple who are expecting a baby.”

“I am getting married next July and I am looking for a fun wedding photographer. I want someone who can coordinate people well and can talk louder than my family. I don’t want my wedding to be one of those weddings that just drags along so I would like a photographer that can help keep things moving…. I don’t expect you to coordinate the wedding but just kind of encourage people to get group shots, etc. No food in the mouth pictures.”

This one is CLASSIC Craigslist…

“SERIOUS ENQUIRES ONLY CANDID DETAILED PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDED

The job is a project job. photograph wedding party during rehearsal dinner wednesday, pre-weddig event friday and wedding saturday.  Budget: $100 – $250 Camera Preferred: Nikon but canon can apply too

we already have a photographer but need a details oriented photographer with good camera on ground as backup to tell the story our way.creative photographer pls apply formal shots, wedding party and ceremony, candids reception fotos is what we are looking for. We are willing to share rights. Please include links to your website or albums of previous shoots.  Hours include: 2hrs on wednesday, 4hrs or less on friday and Saturday 12 – 12 or 12 – 5 or 6 to 12 Hourly Rate: $10/hr”

“Want to expand your portfolio or gain some experience? Here’s an opportunity. Small (read: budget) New Year’s Eve 2010 Wedding  Need a creative photographer willing to shoot ceremony and reception photos for 3 hours 8-11pm (tentative). Need formal shots of wedding party and ceremony as well as candids of the reception. We want all negatives and a CD and are willing to share rights. Offering $250 Please include links to your website or albums of previous shoots.”

“We are looking for a photographer for our November 6th wedding. The wedding will be in Galveston Tx at 10 oclock in the morning. We would like someone to take pictures befor, during, and after – aprox. 2 hours total. We would like to provide a memory card so we can develope the pictures ourself. Please email me with prices and availability to meet so we can see your work. ”

“I need a CHEAP photographer to do some photos for a christmas present for my fiance who is deployed in Afghan, as well as a photographer for our wedding when he gets back and some engagement photos when he gets back. This would be ideal for a student wanting to get some experience, I will pay you, but we are budgeted and I can not afford to pay 3,000. We are having a very layed back, simple, backyard wedding. We don’t feel we need to spend 3,000 on a wedding for pictures. This would be a great opportunity for a new photographer to gain some photos for your portfolio since it will give you basic photos, engagement photos and wedding photos! I will pay you, I just can not pay you a lot. Please email me photos of some of your work! It will be a total of 3 shoots. Nov, April and May 14th.”

“Need a photographer for a wedding on Nov. 20th, 2010 Hours 2pm-7pm The wedding is very budgeted so please bear with us and be reasonable looking to pay nomore than 200.00″

“We need a photographer for our wedding on Nov 6th. We need you from10am-4ish.  Budget is $200 MUST BE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER WITH AN EXTENDED PORTFOLIO AND REFERENCES. Email if interested.”

“Looking for a wedding photographer for our wedding. Please send a examples of your work and pricing/package info.  Our budget only allows for $500 for the day. Open to any arrangements that would make this possible. We already have engagement photos and as long as you’re willing, our friend who is a full-time graphic designer would be willing to edit our photos. Just looking for any way to get the quality we’re looking for at a price we can afford.”

And this is why I am NOT a Craigslist Photographer

1. I am in business, which means I have cost associated with doing business: insurance, taxes, equipment, continuing education, office supplies, postage, professional association dues, marketing and advertising. Those costs are built into my fees. $10 per hour will not cover my expenses. Any photographer shooting a wedding for a low price is not in business—they are someone with a camera charging for photos.
2. That being said, this is my job.  Photographing your wedding, while highly enjoyable, is a job.  You are hiring me for my skills.  Offering to allow me to shoot your wedding to increase my portfolio is very generous but it won’t pay the light bill.
3. I edit my own photos.  I go through EACH AND EVERY photo to cull the bad images (there are always some of those: eyes closed, straps hanging out, even something like a bird flying overhead).  I put an artist touch on the images—as simple as color balance to more artist finishes like black and white, sepia or tonal adjustment. That means that you won’t get my memory card at the end of the night so your graphic designer friend can edit them for you.
4. I’m a great photographer, not a wedding planner.  I am more than willing to do tasks that you might not think about: pinning flowers and bustling your gown –Heck, I’ll even help get your divorced Mom and Dad to smile in your pictures…but I’m not Dr. Phil.  I can’t fix your big family problems.  Hiring a Wedding Planner for your day is WELL worth the money.
5. “Quality [you] expect” comes with a price.  You know it’s not reasonable to walk into a BMW dealership and purchase a brand new 550i for the same price as a Hyundai Accent.  Why would you expect to ask a professional to do a job for less than the JC Penny photographer is paid? Quality comes with a price.
6. My clients are people I like having a relationship with.  I want both of our experiences to be great.  I would love to photograph your wedding, your newborn, your family, your high school senior and your children’s wedding…I’m in this business for the long haul—not until I get bored and quit.

So if you are looking for a wedding photographer who will do your photos for $500 I’m sorry, I’m not the photographer for you.

The lens on the left is my 1st 50 mm lens.  It weighs in at a measly 5.5 ounces.  It’s lightweight and was my first prime lens–and only cost $100.  I love it–I called it “Beauty” because I would get beautiful images.  However, I knew it wasn’t a perfect lens; it was slow to focus and had its limits.  The lens on the right is my NEW 50mm lens.  It weighs in at a whopping 1 pound 5.9 ounces!  It’s a beast.  It is one of the best lenses you can own for shooting weddings and portraits. (And I take the 5th on the price!!) I call this lens “The Beast” because it is a monster.

There is a purpose behind this post (Although my friend Gerald will think it’s just to show off my cool lens).  Serious pro photographers invest in their business.  I have invested money not only into education but into my equipment.  I only shoot with the highest quality Canon lenses I can buy.  These lenses are crafted to take sharp, clear images in any lighting situation.  These are lenses that “Uncle Bob” wouldn’t be able to buy with his camera at Best Buy.  My gear is the best so that I can create the best possible image for you.  Quality comes at a price and I pay that price to have the best for my business and my clients.   The quality of the gear should be something you consider when hiring a photographer.

I hope that I can show you how great you look through my new lens soon!

Okay, what do I have to do?

Earning rewards are easy.  All you have to do is tell your friends about Robinwood Photography.  With each new client you send me you will earn cash or can opt to receive a print credit for your own photos.  With each Portrait session (Family, Senior, Newborn) you will receive $20 CASH or a $30 print credit.  Refer a Bride or Groom who books their wedding with me* and you will receive $100 CASH or $150 print credit!   Remember—I have to know that this new client is a referral—have them tell me and then you can send me a note to tell me as well.

I appreciate the support of my friends, family and clients.  I hope to reward many of you in the coming year!

*Couple must purchase a Emerald Package or higher. If they purchase a smaller package the reward will be the same as a Portrait Session.

Offer good for referrals for 2010-2011.

view from the deck on the house out towards the “lake”.

But confusion rose in our family after they purchased the property.  The family farm had not yet sold and they had another country home.  To say that we were going to “the country” could mean two things–the farm in Tomball or the property in Waller.  I’m not sure who first started it, but the property in Waller became known as “Robinwood”.  Now, it was pretty easy to figure out why it was called Robinwood–the address was #5 Robinwood Lane, in the Robinwood Estates Development.  We would call our grandparents and ask “Are you going out to Robinwood this weekend?”  An answer of “yes” normally had us begging to come along, making the trip in the back of my grandfather’s pick up truck. (note: it was the 80′s–long before seat belt laws and the bed was covered with the “dog house” as Poppie called it.)

My brother and I spent every available moment at Robinwood with my grandparents.  It was an amazing playground of fun.  Tractor rides, BB guns, fishing poles, woods to explore–we’d go from sun up to sun down.  We worked hard too.  We helped in the garden, clear brush, clean the house, canned veggies, smoked sausage–but it was all fun!  After a long day of working we would head down to the “Lake” (really just a stock tank) with some catfish food and cane poles.  It was good living folks!

I’m in the snazzy hat, my brother, Kyle is sitting on our grandmother’s lap.

Last February we lost my Grandfather.  He was 81 and had battled Emphysema for decades.  I know how truly blessed I am to have had 34 years with my grandfather…and my children have such sweet memories with him as well.  He taught me most of what I know (my grandmother taught me the rest.)  But one of the greatest things he taught me was to have a true love for life–enjoy what you are doing, be good at it and share your gift with others.  And that is how Robinwood Photography was born.  What better way to memorialize my grandfather and the wonderful childhood memories I have than to name my company after the place where those memories were made!  Robinwood is the place where I first learned to take pictures and where I learned the way light traveled throughout the day.  I feel that my business should be a joy and a way to share joy with others.  Naming it Robinwood Photography just felt right.

Poppie in the garden, spacing tomato plants