Summer Solstice Wedding

Why The Summer Solstice Is The Perfect Day For Love

The longest day of the year may also be the hottest day of the year — for love.

The summer solstice is here and if ancient tradition proves right, today could be the best day of the year for romance. The summer solstice, derived from Latin words sol ("sun") and sister ("to stand still"), is the longest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere when daylight lasts over 15 hours.

This astronomical event usually takes place around June 21 and has long been associated with love, sexuality and fertility. One reason is because people wanted to ensure that their children would be born in the springtime, when they would have a better shot at staying healthy. "Spiritually, the summer solstice is a time when Cancer, the nurturing feminine energy, is entering the world and the season of harvest begins. Therefore, it’s a great time for love and sexuality."

Throughout our civilization, the summer solstice has been celebrated as a major holiday by cultures around the globe. The Chinese honored Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light, and the Druids believed it was a marriage of masculine and feminine dieties, or the wedding of heaven and Earth. Ancient Pagans celebrated the solstice with bonfires where pairs of lovers would jump through the flames for good luck. They called the midsummer moon the "Honey Moon," using honey in wedding ceremonies in June. They also wore gardlands of herbs and flowers to ward away evil spirits because they believe it was a magical time.

The summer solstice is especially significant in Sweden where it is called Midsummer, and a tree was set up and decorated in each town for the villagers to dance around. "There is a sweet Swedish proverb that says midsummer's night isn’t long but it sets many cradles rocking," says Henes. Shakespeare's famous play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was about the solstice and Midsummer Festivals still take place in Europe to mark the occasion.  

"It was considered lucky to mate at the summer solstice," "In Egypt, there was a special ceremony at the temples that were dedicated to the goddess Vesta and her vestal Virgins, where the fires would be extinguished and rekindled. There was a saying that you shouldn't mate until the ashes from Vesta's fire are washed down the Nile. That would signal to folks that it was time."

Rockin' Senior Session

When it comes to planning for sessions, seniors are some of my favorite people to work with. Don’t get me wrong, I love families, children, engaged couples and wedding ceremonies.. but seniors are close to the top of my list.

Why, you may ask? It’s simple: seniors are excited to model, seniors are some of my best marketing tools, and seniors know what they want. They also have a great sense of style, which translates well in their photographs.

When a high school senior books a session with me, I do several things right from the start to help them know I am excited about working with them. I also do my best to get to know them so I can tailor their shoot to fit them perfectly. I find that if you do these things, your session will not only run smoothly, but you will have a client who LOVES to refer you to their friends.

In post processing senior photos, always remember that you are photographing for their parents as much as you are your senior client. I keep “fad” type editing out of the equation because I know ten years from now their parents will want a solid (not overly processed) image on their wall.

Instead of using “fad” editing techniques, I always let the style speak through the locations I choose. You can easily do this by choosing old brick buildings, abandoned farm houses, fields of cotton etc. The seniors love this, and their parents will appreciate the timelessness of the photographs they receive.

It is not hard to rock a session with your seniors, it just takes some extra things to go above and beyond so they know you appreciate them and want to know them. All of those extra things will make your client feel special, and will translate into those coveted word of mouth referrals for you and your growing business!

Being One Is Just So Fun!!

While one year olds are usually a riot, they can also be serious, silly, laughing, crying, and playing. They have a myriad of emotions and they wear them on their proverbial sleeve. I don’t spend the whole session trying to get them to sit still (or stand still) and smile at the camera. I always try to get at least some smiling, looking, sitting still pictures, but during the session I also let them be the drama queens (or kings) that they are.
I spend most of a one year old session looking through my viewfinder. They are usually very busy (whether they are walking or crawling) and don’t look up at the camera very often, so when they do look up you have to be ready to capture whatever expression they are going to give you. Usually if they are in their element, they are happier, sillier, and more like themselves then if you were forcing them to sit still.

Sometimes the one year olds just don’t plain do not want to look up. They like to do whatever their little mind has in it. During these times I photograph all their little baby cuteness. This could be their little toes, to their chubby arms. If they aren’t being cooperative with their face, at least you can capture their sweet profiles. As a mom of three little ones (three, two, and three months), I realize how quickly they lose that tummy roll, and chubby hands and love pictures like that.

Sometimes when you do want the attention of the tiny tot, it’s very useful to have some funny sounds on hand. You may feel silly squawking like a crow in front of the adult clients, but it really does work for babies to draw attention. However, they get very used to the same noise over and over so make sure you have an arsenal of silly sounds.
This is an old tip that is tried and true. I almost always am on my belly or back or leaning over to capture the little ones. I’m tall (5’10 to be exact) and if I would shoot from my vantage point, I would lose a certain sweetness in the photo. We all see toddlers from a tall angle, so when you get down on the ground, it makes it more visually interesting. It catches the world from their short perspective.

This magic moment in time!

Earlier this month my sister and her husband visited family in Minnesota from their home in Texas. This was my first time seeing her "bump" other than Skype! I had the privilege of photographing her, her husband and my future nephew! I am so happy they will have these photo to reflect on for years to come, as will their son. She is 33 weeks in these photos and getting anxious to meet their little one. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do. I feel they capture the joy and wonder that awaits them, life's sweetest gift!

I like this unique angle, and seeing her cute painted toe nails. 

So Sweet!

I LOVE their facial expressions here! 

The colors here are wonderful, as are their natural smiles. 

Headshot tips for business photos

headshot tips for business photos

My goal is to take a photograph that makes you look your best.

General Tips

• Tell me your expectations and intentions. Let me know what kind of look you want
• Tell me how and where the photo will be used (so I can be sure it's appropriate)
• Drink lots of water and be well rested (so your eyes will not have dark cirlces)
• Your skin might not look it's best after drug/alcohol use. Try to abstain from these before your shoot
• Arrive on time. 
• Please call if you are running late or arrive early

What to wear - Everyone:

• Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you look great
• Make sure your jacket and shirt fit you well. A poor fitting jacket or shirt will be obvious in the photos (especially around the neck)
• Don't overdress
• Turtlenecks are almost always a bad idea (since they crowd the face)
• Clothes should be neatly pressed and should look new or like new
• Avoid busy patterns and large lines/stripes
• Blue/green/turquoise shirts/blouses or accents can help emphasize blue/green/hazel eyes

What to wear - Men:

• The standard business look is a suit jacket, dress shirt and tie
• A casual business look is often a jacket and open dress shirt, shirt and tie (no jacket), or dress shirt on it's own
• Polo shirts are a good look for some businesses. Be sure the shirt is in good condition and fits well
• For a no-jacket casual look, bring colored shirts - ideally darker than your skin tone
• A white dress shirt by itself is a bad idea - unless you plan to wear it underneath something (jacket or sweater)
• Bring a few different jackets, shirt colors and ties so we have choices for the photo
  

What to wear - Women:

• Avoid big prints and busy patterns
• Different necklines will change the apparent shape of your face. Bring a variety different shirts/blouses to see what works best
• For a no-jacket casual look, bring various colored blouses - ideally darker than your skin tone
• Be stylish and fashionable, but remember the picture is about your face and not your clothes

Remember: Select and wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Select something that makes you look and feel good.

Jewelry:

• Keep jewelry extremely simple - small is better
• Avoid jewelry that would distract from your face or that looks dated
• The picture is about your face, not your jewelry
• Be prepared to remove facial piercings or multiple ear piercings

What to bring:

• Your previous headshots (so I can improve)
• Sample headshots to help communicate the look you want
• Favorite Music (iPod/MP3 player, phone, thumb-drive)
• Various changes of clothing (see above)
• A good attitude
• Lip balm
• Hair brush/comb
• Makeup and hair products you prefer (especially if you have allergies)

Hair and Makeup Tips:

• Make-up should be clean and natural
• Wear a heavy layer of translucent powder - your face will appear flawless in photos. Shine disappears, pores seem smaller, skin looks even, and blush is smoother
• Line lips before applying matte lipstick, then reline. Don't overdo it. Dip a cotton bud in powder and run along lip line to prevent color from bleeding
• Avoid shimmers or products with lots of sparkle or shine
• Avoid frosts or overly-bright colors
• Don't get a new hair cut just before the shoot (you may want to let it grow-in a bit or get used to styling a new cut)
• Do not try/use any new product on your hair, face or body the day before or few days before your shoot. In case you have a bad reaction to the product

Please arrive with:

• Hair styled and makeup already applied (if not using makeup artist)

15 tips from Tysdal Photography for a successful wedding day

I was chatting with one of my brides recently and she asked me, “What are the keys to having a successful wedding day?”. To which I replied, “Well, I do have some tricks up my sleeve, and the experience photographing weddings to back it up…”  

So, I decided to write up some tips from my industry experience, here is what I came up with–hope it’s helpful ;)

1. Determine What’s Important: There are so many traditions and timelines and faux pas that at some point, the wedding industry decided we all have to accommodate and include when planning our nuptial celebration..From cake cutting to first dances to garters and bouquets to party favors.. lets be real– none of these things are really detrimental to the real purpose of the day (for you and your babe to get married!) but they can certainly add an element of fun, but only if they mean something to you. To make this process more focused and meaningful, I tell my friends and clients to list the three things that are important to them on their wedding day. Dancing? Photography? The perfect venue? The amount of guests attending? The dress? Whatever it may be, don’t feel bad about it! It’s your day and you and your fiancé get to choose what is a priority :) Let those things get the majority of the wedding budget, time and effort, and if there’s room for the other stuff, great! But focus on the stuff you’re excited about first, and then see what else you feel like fitting in :)

2.  First Look: If I were to give one piece of advice to a couple it would be to STRONGLY consider doing a First Look.

What’s a First Look? It’s when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony, have a few moments alone, and get portraits done before-hand. There are several ways to do this, but a lot of the time, the groom will go away from the craziness and get set up in a certain location and the bride will then come to him and either tap on his shoulder or say his name for him to turn around, or they’ll close their eyes and face each other and do the big reveal together..you get the idea..Why do I recommend this? Because weddings go by SO fast, I feel like it’s the one time the couple can slow down and be alone together (photographers should be very photojournalistic during this time, and let the couple have their moment before insisting on any poses or anything like that). It’s such a special moment—I’ve seen couples pray together, say their vows or affirm each other, exchange gifts.. It’s awesome! Doing a First Look really frees you up and allows you to relax during cocktail hour or mingle with your guests. If you’re having a lot of friends and family coming in from out of state, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider. Most importantly, you want to feel like your married. You don’t want a photographer or a coordinator rushing you along in order to keep you on time. You want your day to be enjoyable and smooth and for that, getting as much done before hand is ALWAYS helpful. Most importantly, this private moment alone really sets the tone for the rest of the day, calms nerves, and gives the couple a chance to connect before the moment they are standing at the altar together. I totally get the tradition of waiting until the bride walks down the aisle..but if you’re prone to stress or anxiety especially, the First Look can be a calming and tone-setting alternative..

But I will say, you should have the wedding you’ve always envisioned and no photographer, coordinator, officiant or family member should pressure you into doing anything you don’t want. If a First Look isn’t something that interests you and your fiance, hakuna matata!

3. Hire Vendors That You Like: If you’ve been in a bridal party, you know that a bride and groom spend a majority of their wedding with their vendors. Like choosing the friends you want by your side on your wedding day, you want to choose vendors whose company you enjoy, who you trust, and who will help your day be more fun and less stressful, rather than the other way around.

4. Personalize your wedding: The beautiful thing about the wedding industry evolving is that weddings are becoming so unique and a chance for the couples to express their personal style. Think about what is special and meaningful to you and your fiancé as a couple. I had a couple who had their first date at Chipotle, so they thought it would only be fitting to have their wedding meal catered by Chipotle. One of my couples met while working at a library— they read Shakespeare during their ceremony, had books incorporated in their centerpieces and the guests found what table they were sitting by looking for their library card. Make your wedding memorable by staying authentic to who you two are as a couple :)

5. Think about the Small Things-Help your photographer out by trying your best to be mindful of the setting of your photos. A good photographer and videographer can make any space look beautiful, but help them out by removing as many obstacles as possible. Here are three really easy ways to do that:

1) When getting ready, have your bridesmaids put all their stuff in a condensed corner of the room—I call it a “crap corner” ;) This way there aren’t neon bras and Mcdonalds wrappers in the background of your beautiful photos.

2) Bring a non-plastic hanger for your dress shot.

3) When you and your bridesmaids walk down the aisle, keep the bouquet around your belly button. I know it can be nerve-wracking to have all eyes on you, but don’t block your pretty faces with your bouquet :)

6. Coordinator: A lot of venues come with on-site coordinators. Make sure you know their role and what they are doing day of. Ensure that the coordinator has met your photographer, videographer, DJ, and caterer on the day of so that everyone is on the same page regarding the timeline and who is responsible for what. If you don’t have an on-site coordinator, consider hiring a day-of coordinator to take care of all the details and to help things go smoothly. The last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day is working ;)

7. Save That Moola: If you’re planning a wedding, you know that things add up. It’s easy to hit that budget-ceiling earlier than you had planned. Like I mentioned in the first point, figure out what’s important to you both as a couple and if you have to, cut what is costly or unnecessary. For example, perhaps you save money by having a friend DJ the wedding rather than hiring someone, by not getting a limo, and by doing a digital save-the-date announcement. If you’re on a super tight budget, consider a weekday wedding or an off-season wedding, find a venue that will allow you to bring your own caterer, do your flowers yourself and visit wedding dress sample sales.

8. Keep The Moment Sacred: As a photographer, one of the things that breaks my heart is when I am shooting the bride during her triumphant walk down the aisle with her Dad, and I see a dozen bright screens of cell phones and an iPad or two leaning into the aisle to snap that personal photo for Instagram. These screens will not only be an ugly distraction in the peripheral of the photo and will make the photo look dated in the coming years, but most importantly, it takes away from the special moment of the bride walking towards her groom. If this is something that would bother you, ask the officiant to make an announcement right before the ceremony about the use of iPhones during the procession and recession (also mentioning that the bride and groom had hired a wedding photographer for a reason, and for them to just relax, enjoy, and take the experience in with their eyes, not their iPhones)

9. Delegate Tasks: I don’t know who you are, but I guarantee you are loved by many people! A lot of brides have trouble delegating tasks, either because they have a very specific vision and trust she will execute it best, or because they don’t want to trouble  friends and family. But people that love you want to help! Think about the close people in your life and their specific strengths and ask if they will take that task off your hands. Likewise, don’t expect every bridesmaid or family member to be as helpful as the next. Different people have different strengths! One friend may be able to single-handedly coordinate the entire event, while another may be better suited to do the penmanship on the invites, while another yet may be in charge of keeping you fed all day..whatever it is, embrace the strengths of the people closest to you, and let them be helpful in the ways that they can.

10. Don’t Forget To Eat And Drink: When we’re stressed and/or busy, we forget to eat. Am I right ladies?? Make sure your bridesmaids are bringing you water and checking in on you to make sure you are at least snacking all day, or else it’ll catch up to you. If you’re worried about missing out on special moments or not getting the chance to see everyone, keep in mind, that you’ll be fed first, and that when you’re done eating, the guests will still be sitting at their table and you and your husband can visit each table and greet all of your guests. Don’t rush! Enjoy your meal! You certainly paid enough for it :)

11. Hair & Makeup Trial: You want to look like the best version of yourself on your wedding day! It breaks my heart when my brides don’t feel drop dead gorgeous and confident. Make sure to schedule a consultation with your hair and makeup artist before your wedding and work out the kinks to make sure you look exactly how you want. Keep in mind that even if the makeup feels cakey and more dramatic than the way you usually wear it, it will photograph well.

12. Have An Emergency Kit: Make sure a bridesmaid or your coordinator has a safety kit in case you need something. Some good things for the kit to contain are stain removal (‘Tide To-Go’ pens are awesome), tampons, small scissors, mini sewing kit, hairspray, safety pins, bobby pins, energy bars, gum, q-tips, band aids, deodorant, makeup remover and Advil..to name a few.

13. Share the timeline: Send your timeline to your photographer, videographer, coordinator, bridal party and immediate family. Make sure your friends and family know when to be ready for photos and the ceremony.

14. Avoid Stress/Get Things Done In Advance: Booking “big” stuff such a coordinator and photographer right away will help you feel productive. What stresses us out is the little things—the details. We’re bound to have hiccups during the engagement process, but keeping up and working as a team with your fiancé will help the sanity ;)

15. What’s Really Important: Here’s the deal, weddings are one day…marriage is what’s forever. Can I get an Amen?? It’s not about the process of “getting married”, it’s about the fact that at the end of the day you will “be married”, and that’s what is really beautiful. Our weddings should be a reflection of our individual styles and an expression of how we feel about our partner, friends and family. Soak up the day and take a lot of mental snapshots- it goes by quickly. But if you make it truly “you”, and you put in the leg work so that on your wedding day, you know that the details will take care of themselves, it will be the most special, magical and glorious day of your life!