Kicking off a New Wedding Season!

Hello friends!  Barring this last blast of sleet we had today, I'm excited to see spring is here, and spring means weddings.

I still have a couple of openings for the year, but my calendar has filled out nicely, and even if I don't take on any more clients for this season, I'll still be happy.

My June is completely booked - I mean, crowded to the brink of insanity.  That's okay!  But if you're looking for other dates this year, chances are you can get it.

I'm excited to announce that I've decided to streamline things on my pricing page, and make a few adjustments.  What does this mean for you?  Well, if you've already booked a wedding, or even inquired about one, I'm going to honor all my previous estimates (and contracts, obviously).

If you have looked at my site before, you might notice that some of my prices have gone up a bit.  This is for two reasons.  First, I've decided to give the assistant photographers I work with a raise.  They deserve it!! Second, I've decided to upgrade the products that I give my clients to a higher quality.  For years I've worked with a particular bindery for my albums, and have grown very unhappy with their quality and service.  You don't want a cheap album.  It's your wedding album, for goodness sake!  So, we're looking at archival quality, gorgeous, flush-mount albums that can take a beating and still look gorgeous.  This means the prices will go up a bit for the packages with the albums, but I guarantee my new clients will be happier, and therefore so will I.

In the end though, I'm still kind of a tightwad myself, and my pricing reflects that!  *wink wink*

-Gretchen

Wedding Cakes I Have Loved

Exciting News

I'm excited to announce that First Frame Studio is going to be participating in The Olivia Act coming this spring.  We're going to give a deserving family with a financial need a completely free photo shoot and package.  It's in memory of little Olivia Engel who passed away tragically in Newton CT on December 14.  

Now, do you know of someone who deserves a free photo shoot and portrait package?  You can nominate them by dropping us an email.  

More details will follow as we get closer to warm weather!

Step by step; how to pin on a boutonniere.

Lay the flower parallel with the lapel collar.

Starting under the collar, push pin through the lapel.

Pierce the stem near the top.

Turn the lapel back and push the pin back through the lapel.  There will probably be some resistance at this point; it's perfectly normal.

The finished product!  Nice and secure, and nobody gets stabbed.

The First Video from First Frame Studio!

Hello there friends!  I'm so excited to share with you my new idea, based solely on my desire to help you up-and-coming brides and grooms prepare for the big wedding day.

When I told my friends and colleagues that I was going to be shooting an instructional video on how to pin on a boutonniere, I got a lot of varied feedback.

Some thought the idea was "cute", but I heard a lot of:  "Really?"
"People don't know how to pin on a flower?"

It's true.  People don't.  It's one of those skill sets that you think you have until you're actually standing there holding this 4 inch spear, and you panic.  Is it over-through-under?  Under-over-through-under? Under-over-under?  The mind boggles, and if you're like any good bridesmaid or groomsman, you've already had a few refreshing beverages, and this information isn't being processed and retrieved in your brain as quickly as you'd like.

And there's a chick with a camera standing there photographing you as you face this awkward situation.

But now, this situation will never happen to you.  Just watch this silly video, and be prepared.  If you think it's useful or funny or both, please be a super amazing person and share it with your friends.

And remember, above all else, at First Frame Studio, we're looking out for you.

How to Pin on a Boutonniere

Enjoy the Blooper Reel from our PSA

Maggie & Neil

I cannot believe that I forgot to update my blog for Maggie & Neil's wedding.  Ok, I can believe I forgot.  I forget SO much!  But shame on me, because this wedding was GORGEOUS.  And we had so much fun taking it all in and capturing this beautiful couple on their beautiful day.  Here are just a few photos, and if you want to see more, you can visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/firstframestudio

Heather and Justin

I've been friends with Heather for a while now, and when I offered to take pictures for her wedding to Justin, I was so happy she said yes.  These two had a beautiful, simple ceremony, then we went together to the beach in Kennebunk and took some of the most romantic photos I've ever shot as the sun got low in the sky.  I was so excited!

So happy for these two adorable kids.  Wishing you joy and love forever.

Happy Clients = Happy Me

Just got the sweetest note from Priscilla this week and wanted to share.  It is so gratifying to have a client fall in love with your work!


Hi Gretchen,

I just wanted to let you know that I got the discs with the pictures today. I looked at them last night online, and they are amazing, you captured our day perfectly. I cried when I saw a few of the pictures. I can't wait until I get to show them to Eric and the rest of our family. As soon as we get a chance I will sit down with Eric and decide on the pictures we want in our album... Thank you, thank you, thank you!