Attlee Weddings and Portraits Blog

Seasonal Engagement Portraits Add Charm

2012-01-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

When planning your engagement portrait session think seasonal for exterior photographs. Its a great way to add romance and personality to your portraits! This fall our clients Emily and Mike took advantage of the golden light of autumn in their favorite park in Great Falls,Virginia. The couple enjoy walks and hikes here so it was an excellent, meaningful location for them. What added to the success of their session was the thought they put into wardrobe. They wore colors that harmonized with the backgrounds and they wore long sleeves. Long sleeves are so important--they help keep the viewer's eye on the faces in a portrait. Later, when we custom designed their Save the Date magnets, Emily and Mike's careful session planning and color harmony all came together to make a great result. Take a tip from Emily and Mike when you plan your engagement portrait session!

Tracey Attlee of Attlee Weddings and Portraits is an award-winning professional DC, MD, VA, NJ and NY wedding and portrait photographer with previous White House service. Whether your choice is good, arty or classic wedding photographs Tracey Attlee is available to brides from Virginia to New York. Her work is seen in bridal magazines and art galleries throughout the mid-Atlantic.

Tip for the Bride on Makeup

2012-01-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

What makeup photographs best on brides? In Attlee Weddings and Portraits 20 years behind the camera it is makeup that looks natural and is professionally applied. Even if you're not a lover of makeup, you'll want extra sparkle in your eyes and a finished look on your face and lips on your wedding day. The best way to get this is to go to a professional who will analyze your skin tones, hair and eye colors and select good quality, long lasting makeup that will enhance you in photographs and in the eyes of your groom and guests.

When Attlee Weddings and Portraits photographed New York City bride Stephanie Garbarino this fall, Rachel Weissman was her choice of New York makeup artists.

Ms. Weissman said she applies classic art principles of the color wheel when considering what colors will make eyes pop. "I looked closely at the color of Stephanie's eyes and skin tone and paid close attention to what she wanted. I brought her vision to life by choosing colors that complimented her as an individual."

Ms. Weissman says she needs about an hour on the wedding day to work her magic and comes prepared with all types of brushes and many different palettes for neutral looks, daytime looks and dramatic looks. "Some clients need hydration while other clients need oil control," says Ms. Weissman. "I have gorgeous pigments that add an extra bit of "wow" to a look, even a very natural look."

New York City bride Stephanie Garbarino Treanor by makeup artist Rachel Weissman

New York makeup artist Rachel Weissman can be reached at 917-280-1277 and online at www.facebook.com/beautifulfacesbyrachel

Tracey Attlee of Attlee Weddings and Portraits is an award-winning professional DC, MD, VA, NJ and NY wedding and portrait photographer with previous White House service. Whether your choice is good, arty or classic wedding photographs Tracey Attlee has pleased brides from Virginia to New York for over 20 years.

Tip for the Bride: Introduce your Vendor Team

2011-10-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

When our recent New York City bride Stephanie Garbarino decided she wanted her vows on the Linden Terrace in Fort Tryon Park, New York, Attlee Weddings and Portraits visited the site in advance to plan the photography. We found a charming spot for Stephanie's portrait but the problem was, with all the rain this past summer, it was a bit overgrown and home to some very large spider webs. When we shared our vision with Fiori Bella Designs, the florist, they gallantly came to the rescue and immediately went in with broom and clippers to neaten up the area. The result is this lovely portrait of Stephanie. Our tip to brides and grooms: make sure, as Stephanie did, to introduce your vendor team in advance. When everyone works together you'll get the most beautiful memories!

Tracey Attlee is a professional DC and NYC wedding photographer with offices in Alexandria, VA and Spring Lake, NJ. Fiori Bella Designs is in Freehold, NJ at 732-845-0008.

Attlee Offers Outdoor Portrait Special in Alexandria, VA

2011-10-24T17:25:00.000-07:00

Former White House photographer Tracey Attlee is offering Mini Portrait Sessions outdoors this fall in Ben Brenman Park, Alexandria, VA. The 15 minute sessions are $75 and include four wallet images and one 8x10. This special offer will continue until Thanksgiving and is great for holiday gifts. Attlee's popular digital pastel portraits all start from her original photographs. "A Mini Portrait Session is a great way for clients to get that starting photograph that I can later use as inspiration for a digital pastel portrait." she says.

Tracey Attlee is a professional NY wedding photographer with offices in Alexandria, VA and Spring Lake, NJ. Attlee Weddings and Portraits handles VA family, high school senior and business pictures, location baby, pet and DC business photos in addition to weddding and engagement work.

Underwood Typewriter Still Life Wins Attlee Honorable Mention

2011-10-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

A still life photograph of an Underwood typewriter just won Tracey Attlee of Attlee Weddings and Portraits, Alexandria, VA, an Honorable Mention in this month's show at the Art League in Alexandria, VA. "Journalists and novelists lived by this tool," she says. "I thought of my father and my colleagues at the National Press Club and named the piece "Dream Maker."

Attlee Weddings and Portraits handles VA family and business pictures and location baby and DC business photos in addition to wedding and engagement work. Tracey Attlee is a professional NY wedding photographer with offices in Alexandria, VA and Spring Lake, NJ. Currently Tracey Attlee is offering a special on Mini Portrait Sessions of 15 minutes in Ben Brenman Park, Alexandria, VA for $75, including four wallet images and one 8x10. This special offer will continue until Thanksgiving.

Mini Portrait Sessions for Families, Seniors, Business and Pets in Alexandria, VA

2011-10-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

Announcing: Mini Portrait Sessions with former White House photographer Tracey Attlee in Alexandria, VA at Ben Brenman Park. Perfect for family, high school senior, business, child and pet portraits in a natural setting. Fifteen minute session is $75 and includes four wallets and one 8x10. Appointments daily between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. now through Thanksgiving. Call 703-751-1778 to schedule. Makes a wonderful holiday gift! We accept Visa, MasterCard and AMEX.

Color Harmony Rocks Senior Portraits

2011-08-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

What fun we had with Jessica Ehret who chose the Jersey shore as the setting for her senior portrait. Jessica selected a wardrobe of blues and whites for her location portrait on the beach. Her colors harmonized well with the sky, sand and surf, and her fabulous blue eyes.

The colors you choose for an environmental portrait are so important. They help direct the portrait viewer's eye to your face. Select just two main colors so as not to confuse the viewer's eye. Play off smaller touches of an accent color. Jessica did this with yellow.

Tap into the power of color and you'll have a senior portrait that will please for generations.

Attlee Weddings and Portraits owner Tracey Attlee is a location senior portrait photographer in VA, DC, MD and NJ. She specializes in photographing portraits and weddings from VA to NY on a full time basis.

Attlee Interviews with CBS News Business Network

2011-06-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Nell Minow of Bnet, the CBS Interactive Business Network, has just released a compelling article "How to Avoid Humiliatingly Awkward Business Portraits." She asked a series of questions about our business portraiture approach and developed her article from our responses. Thanks for your interesting article, Nell! Read it in full here: http://www.bnet.com/blog/corporate-governance/how-to-avoid-humiliatingly-awkward-business-portraits/774?tag=content;drawer-container

Tracey Attlee is known for her DC corporate photographs on location. An Alexandria, Virginia commercial photographer who has photographed DC, VA and MD executive portraits for over 20 years, Tracey Attlee is a former White House photographer. With a second office in Spring Lake, NJ, Tracey Attlee also photographs weddings from Virginia to New York on a full time basis. Please visit http://www.traceyattlee.com/ for further wedding information.

Behind Military Honors Ceremonies at Arlington

2011-04-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Marines in winter at a full Honors ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery - Photo by Tracey Attlee

Anyone who professionally photographs full military Honors ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery will tell you it is among the hardest two hours of work a photographer can ever have, physically and emotionally. In fair weather, Arlington is a lovely nature preserve with impeccably tended gardens and grounds. But when icy winds howl as rain, hail or snow rage down from the skies Arlington becomes quite another place. For the photographer, it becomes a fight just to work. The first problem becomes keeping your electronic cameras dry. You've got to hold a golf umbrella over your digital cameras while you shoot so they don't short out. Try that in gusting winds when its raining sideways.

Meanwhile, the military escorts, teams and firing parties have their own demons while making a beautiful, lasting tribute of each Honors ceremony. Once Navy personnel arrive in their gleaming whites they must stay on the grounds all day long. Yes, they have a bus, but that is their only refuge. No going back to the barracks to get dry or thaw out. Just stay on the bus and shiver until the next ceremony. And those sharp looking Marines? They have a bus too. And that is where they stay all day long in between ceremonies. Standing up! They even eat their lunch standing up. Yes, Marines are ordered to stand up all day long so their dress slacks and tops do not wrinkle. That's how they stay so sharp looking. Freezing temperatures during the ceremony? Ear muffs might be nice but you'll never see them on a Marine. Impressed with the gleaming tack and shining coats of the horses in the Army Caissons? Army Caisson personnel arise every morning at 4:30 a.m. in order to groom the teams of horses then shine, polish and prepare tack, boots, hooves and uniforms for a day of Honors ceremonies.

This note is to say Thank You to all military personnel who make each Honors ceremony special, beautiful and unforgettable for grieving families. Your sacrifice and efforts are noticed and appreciated!

Tracey Attlee is a professional No. Virginia corporate, wedding and portrait photographer. Tracey Attlee is also a photographer of full Honors ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and Columbia Gardens, Arlington, VA. Tracey Attlee is recommended by Murphy Funeral Home, Arlington, VA, Columbia Gardens, Arlington, VA and Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA.

Coordinate Business Wardrobe for Photos

2011-03-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

So often when we photograph groups for business or family the question is "What should we wear?" Tracey Attlee of Attlee Photography suggests wearing combinations of up to three colors but no more.

Color harmony in group portraits matters! It attracts the viewer's eye and keeping it moving through the image. If one person has stripes and one person has plaid and someone else is covered in polka dots what is created is "visual confusion". The viewer's eye is confused and distracted by too many patterns and colors. In that situation the faces of the people in the composition become secondary and the whole point of the group shot is lost.

For business, the best way to solve this issue is to bring a few wardrobe choices for the photographer to see. Gentlemen, this includes bringing several neckties to select from. Ladies, bring an extra suit and blouse or two.

Congratulations to the executives at TRINITY Group Construction for doing all the above and looking sharp for their recent executive group shot. TRINITY was founded in 2002 and has become one of the top commercial construction companies in the DC region.

Tracey Attlee is a former White House photographer. As a DC business photographer Tracey Attlee specializes in DC, MD and VA executive portraits on location.

Try Executive Portraits on Location

2011-02-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

Attlee Photography salutes TRINITY Group Construction in Herndon, VA who recently commissioned us for environmental portraits on location. They opted for portraits in and around their corporate headquarters rather than on a backdrop.

Susan Caudle, the dynamic new marketing director at TRINITY Group Construction, helped us plan and shoot with clear requests and great ideas.

Successful environmental portraits require creativity, skill in balancing light sources and good planning. Our solution was to scout the interior in advance, plan several locations for portraits and then build shooting stations at each of three locations. That way we had the lights ready and waiting at each stop and could photograph and return the busy executives back to their offices quickly.

Attlee Photography's tip to companies thinking of environmental portraits: have the photographer in for a consultation before the shoot. That way they will be visually prepared for your space and know exactly what equipment to bring on the shoot day. And, they can help settle wardrobe questions so your executives will know what to wear.

Tracey Attlee is a former White House photographer whose commercial work as a VA, DC and MD corporate photographer includes executive portraits and high level events. If you need a DC, MD or VA commercial photographer Attlee Photography is located in Alexandria, VA at 703-751-1778. Her social photography as a DC, VA, MD, NY and Jersey wedding photographer is also highly regarded throughout the region.

Make Time for Creativity in Bridal Photos

2011-02-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

Photographers are used to thinking quickly on their feet but if you give them a little time to use their creativity you'll be amazed with the backgrounds, light and compositions they see. Why not leave a few minutes in the schedule just for creative shots?

While waiting for her ceremony to begin and again before departing for her reception, our recent Washington DC bride Melissa Kuba did just this. "Take whatever shots you want, " she said, giving Todd and me the green light to use our cameras with imagination. We came up with this lovely bridal portrait of Melissa and the beautiful image of the wind in her veil as her new husband kissed her on the steps of St. Matthew's Cathedral. All because Melissa gave us a little extra time to work.

Wedding days speed by. Every moment of them is precious. Empower your photographers with time to think and create. Oh how they'll surprise you with what they see if you'll just give them the chance.

Attlee Weddings and Portraits has offices in Spring Lake, New Jersey for brides needing a local NY or Jersey wedding photographer. We're also in Alexandria, Virginia for brides needing a good wedding photographer in VA, MD, DC, PA and DE! Please call us at 703-751-1778 to let us know your wedding details and wishes. We'll be happy to create beautiful memories just for you.

Attlee Wins International Award, Again

2011-02-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

Attlee Weddings and Portraits, owned by Tracey Attlee, Alexandria, VA and Spring Lake, N.J., has just been chosen to receive the Bride's Choice Awards 2011. The award recognizes the top 5 percent of wedding photographers throughout the U.S. and Canada determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 newlyweds. The award is presented by a network of leading wedding planning sites including Martha Stewart Weddings, Weddingbee, Project Wedding and Wedding Wire. Attlee Weddings and Portraits offers services from Washington, D.C. to New York and is on the web at http://www.traceyattlee.com/. For corporate portraits and head shots services please visit http://www.attleephotography.com/

Props Add Fun to Engagement Sessions

2011-01-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

Engagement portrait sessions are an opportunity to have fun together. Choose a setting such as your favorite park, beach, garden, DC monument, waterfront or urban setting. Walk the dogs, lounge in a field of flowers, tell jokes and whisper sweet nothings to each other. You'll forget the camera is there and your faces will have great natural expression.

Jen Vassil and Craig Knouse brought a picnic basket, flowers, popcorn, toasting glasses, something bubbly, even funny hats and glasses to their recent engagement portrait session in Washington, D.C. With a few simple props they created an imaginative expression of how they enjoy life together. So, here's a tip from Attlee Weddings and Portraits: bring a few props to your engagement session and have fun being yourselves!

Take Time for Your Portrait on your Wedding Day

2011-01-13T08:04:00.000-08:00

Although many brides plan their wedding day activities a full year in advance, the actual wedding day just flies by. Here's a tip: getting ready may take longer than you think so don't forget to build in extra time for your own bridal portrait! All that effort you've put into selecting your gown, veil, hairstyle, accessories and makeup needs to be translated into a graceful, unforgettable portrait. Make time for it on the wedding day and you'll have a beautiful memory for your family and yourself to enjoy for years.

Our lovely bride Lori Rulapaugh did one thorough job of planning her wedding day memories, right down to a computerized checklist of the groups and individuals she wanted photographed at her Alexandria, Virginia wedding. It made her day a pleasure to photograph because she planned her time carefully. Now she has memories for a lifetime, including this portrait of herself which will be in the program for the Mrs. Virginia America Pageant, February 5! Lori has been selected Mrs. Greater Alexandria, Virginia, and now goes on to vie for the title of Mrs. Virginia. Attlee Weddings and Portraits wishes her every success!

Washingtonian Magazine Names Tracey Attlee to Best DC Wedding Photographers List 2011

2010-11-12T04:33:00.000-08:00

It's official! Washingtonian magazine confirms Attlee Weddings and Portraits is voted onto their list of Best DC Wedding Photographers again in 2011.

The results were tallied from a sweeping survey conducted by the magazine of local brides and grooms, top DC wedding industry vendors and the magazine staff.

Anna Spiegel of Washingtonian called us yesterday with the news and to check facts for the writeup she will produce about us in the January issue of Washingtonian's new magazine Bride and Groom. "I'm on your web site now," she said. "It's beautiful."

Attlee Weddings and Portraits is based in Alexandria, VA and has a second office on the Jersey shore in Spring Lake. To see our recent weddings, portraits and corporate photography please visit http://www.traceyattlee.com/

Tip for Bridal Couples: Take Time to Play!

2010-09-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

How you look in your wedding photographs will be with you and your family through the ages. So why not build a photo schedule with some great opportunities to look your best? One strategy is to make sure you have planned a little time together just to play. Work with your photographer to decide where and when. Time it so you'll be together without any other obligations.

We love spending ten minutes with the bride and groom at a special location we've selected in advance. We encourage them to laugh and look into each other's eyes. Then we go to work with our cameras to show how they relate to each other. Its always special and the pictures sing with personality and romance.

My tip this time is give yourselves a break to be together and let your photographers make the best of it for you. You'll enjoy the memories for years to come!

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office on the Jersey shore in Spring Lake. She has professionally photographed weddings for over 20 years throughout VA, DC, MD, DE, NJ and NY.

Ladies: How to Stand for a Portrait

2010-08-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

This tip is for brides, bridesmaids, mothers, in fact any woman in a dress or suit who is standing for a portrait. The prettiest way to stand is to place your feet in a T shape with one foot in front of the other. Point your front foot at the lens; place your back foot perpendicular to the front foot.

The very first time I ever photographed Hillary Clinton when First Lady she immediately placed her feet in a T stance without any suggestion from me. I was quite impressed because most women do not know what to do with their legs and feet in a portrait. She knows how to stand for the camera and now you will too.

Standing with your feet in a T will give you a long, lean line for the camera whether you are wearing a full length gown or a short dress. Line is so important in a portrait and it starts with how you present yourself to the lens. Try standing in front of your mirror to see how nice you'll look standing this way. Most women who are not used to facing a camera stand with their feet apart as if readying to catch a football or hop on a motorcycle. When you are dressed up and wearing elegant shoes, the T stance will add style to your legs and feet and set off your dress. Try it!

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office in Spring Lake, NJ, making her a popular wedding photographer throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Florist's Secret to Pinning the Boutonniere

2010-04-01T05:56:00.000-07:00

Kevin Canfield, owner of K Aubrey Flowers in Alexandria, VA, has the best method of pinning on a gentleman's boutonniere we know at Attlee Weddings and Portraits. Not only does it secure the boutonniere very firmly but it hides the sharp end of the pin. Kevin's tips are as follows:

Center the boutonniere on the gentleman's left lapel so both are parallel. Hold boutonniere with left hand and pin with right hand. (1)

Gather fabric of lapel and push pin through lapel and through stem of boutonniere. Go through two layers of fabric, the lapel and the jacket front. That is Kevin's secret for pinning the boutonniere securely. Illustration shows pin on the underside of the jacket front. (2)

Weave the pin from the inside of the jacket out to the lapel. For safety, tuck the tip of the pin into the fabric of the lapel. Notice in the illustration, only the pearl end of the pin is visible from the front. (3) "This gives a sophisticated, finished look," Kevin says, "And, with the pin tip hidden, you won't hurt someone when you hug them."

K Aubrey Flowers, 1401 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Tel: 800-308-9808
Local Tel: 703-548-9808 Web Site: http://www.kaubreyflowers.com/
E mail: kaubreyflowers@verizon.net

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office in Spring Lake, NJ. She is a top wedding photographer in DC, NJ and NY.

Tracey Attlee Wins Brides Choice Award 2010

2010-01-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

WeddingWire and partner Martha Stewart Weddings have just selected Attlee Weddings and Portraits to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for photography. The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognize and celebrate excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Attlee Weddings and Portraits is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada!

Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. “We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Attlee Weddings and Portraits has placed among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating Attlee Weddings and Portraits for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

Tip for the Beach Bride

2009-09-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Todd and I photograph lots of New Jersey beach weddings. Its easy being a Spring Lake wedding photographer because I grew up there and know the area well.

Here is a word about how to look your best in MD, VA and NJ beach wedding photographs: Time the photographs for optimum light. Sand is a fabulous background for wedding gowns and veils but the problem is it reflects sunlight very harshly. The brighter the sun, the harsher the glare off the sand. Glare makes people squint and squinting cannot be hidden. You just can't force yourself to look natural when sun is glaring off the sand into your eyes. The muscles in your face contract into a frown and your eyes start watering.

Relax your eyes and face in your bridal portraits and group shots by timing the beach photography for early evening. The light will be kinder, much more romantic, and you'll have more of the beach to yourself since the crowds will have left.

It is said that when viewing a portrait, the viewer looks first at the eyes of the subject. To make a great first impression in your beach wedding bridal portraits, take advantage of evening light. You'll love the results! For more information on New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland beach weddings please visit our website www.TraceyAttlee.com

Tip for Brides: Coping with Rain

2009-06-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

The pitter-patter of falling raindrops may be a comfort when drifting off to sleep, but when the rains come tumbling down on your wedding day here's how to cope:

It all goes back to advance planning. Well before the wedding day you'll need to establish where and when to have couple, family and wedding party group shots taken in the event of rain. Does your reception venue have an extra room you could use for photography before the cocktail hour begins? Find out. How long can you stay in the synagogue or church after the ceremony? Find out. Then, you and your wedding photographer can come up with a rainy day plan.

In addition, make sure to purchase a set of golf umbrellas. Their large spread is just what you want to keep your gown dry. What color to choose? A solid. Purchase them all in the same solid color. This will keep the viewer's eye on the faces in the pictures. That's what you want. Umbrellas with patterns compete for attention. So do umbrellas in a variety of colors. The simplest approach is to select one basic solid color umbrella that best matches the wedding attire of the bridal party.

By planning in advance and stocking up on golf umbrellas you'll keep a smile on your face no matter what the weather on your wedding day. And, you'll have a ready supply of golf umbrellas to give as wedding party gifts! Please visit our website www.TraceyAttlee.com for further information and to discuss your upcoming wedding!

Tip for Brides: Pin that Veil!

2009-04-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

The bridal veil is one of the loveliest things about a bride's ensemble. It adds an air of mystery, of spirituality, of holiness.

Wind and light in a bridal veil can make pictures very special. We love to photograph weddings on windy days because the veil makes beautiful shapes when caught in a puff of wind. So my tip to you is: don't be afraid of wind; be prepared for it.

Ask your hairdresser to pin in your headpiece securely and to set in your veil for you.

It is a brave soul who thinks she'll just plop on her veil a few minutes before going down the aisle. Usually everyone forgets or never learned how exactly to place the veil and which way the comb faces. So, it usually goes on crooked or too low or too high the first time. Then a new problem starts. Every time the bridesmaids pull the comb out and reposition the veil the bride's hairdo suffers. Misshapen tufts of hair are hard to hide. And if the hairdresser isn't there with professional tools to correct them it will get out of control quickly. We've had delayed weddings because the bride's hairdo got so out of shape she refused to go down the aisle until it was corrected.

Skip all the heartache! Have a professional set in your veil at the salon. Then you can smile and have fun in your veil no matter what the weather. Please contact us at http://www.traceyattlee.com/for further information and to discuss your wedding plans.

Tip for Brides: Get Close

2009-03-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Lenses distort spatial relationships. The wide angle lens distorts the distance between people in group shots. It makes them look farther away from each other than they really are. So, when group shots are taken, expect to stand closer than normal to the person next to you. It may feel like you are crowding but it will look good in the pictures. Take a look at our website www.TraceyAttlee.com for other samples of how good we make people look in our wedding photographs!

Tip for Brides: Permits or Jail

2009-03-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Permits are a way of photographic life in DC. Even for a few quick shots down by the monuments with a professional photographer, you must have a permit in hand. Without one you and your photographer will be promptly arrested.

The National Park Service issues permits for photography at the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall. To obtain a Filming Permit for any of those locations please call: Ms. Robbin Owen, 202-619-7225. Or visit the National Park Service on 1100 Ohio Drive, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20242.

The Park Service has a variety of permits to select from, depending on where you would like your DC wedding photos. And there is a fee for each permit depending on which one you select, how many are in your wedding party entourage and how many photographers are in the crew. You'll have to fill out an application and wait a period of time for your application to be reviewed and the permit granted. Allow plenty of time for this as they do get busy in the spring and fall.

To schedule a photography session or see more samples of Attlee Weddings and Portraits please visit our web site www.TraceyAttlee.com

Tip for Brides: Hold It Down

2009-03-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Where's the right place to hold your bridal bouquet when you walk down the aisle? Below your waist. That way you won't cover up pretty dress detail or the slimming curves of your body. How to know the bouquet is in proper position? Use your hip bones as a measuring guide. Your bouquet is at the right level if your wrists are below your hip bones. For other tips on looking good in your wedding photos please contact Attlee Weddings and Portraits. We have over 20 years experience in making brides and their families look great from New York through the Jersey shore to Washington DC!

Tip for Brides: Look Like You

2009-03-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Makeup on the wedding day is a good thing, provided the groom will recognize you! Whether you're doing it yourself or having a professional apply it for you, the key is make your wedding day makeup subtle. Also, pratice beforehand to avoid surprises on your wedding day.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, make sure an expert has helped you select colors that match your flesh tones and your gown tones. Then practice the bridal makeup application several times at home. Have a friend take a picture so you can see how it looks. Avoid overemphasized individual features. Do add brightness to the eyes with liner and mascara. Finish your face with powder. As for lipstick, deep red or brown lipsticks photograph several shades darker--not recommended unless your wedding is on Halloween! Go for fresh, natural shades of lipstick.

If you have a pro apply it for you, by all means have a trial application sometime before your wedding and have someone take a few pictures and notes. That way you can repeat or tweak as needed on the wedding day without wasting time.

For further information on how to look your best on your wedding day please contact Attlee Weddings and Portraits. You'll be glad you did!

Tip for Brides: Is it Advertising or Truth? Find out!

2009-03-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

When Washingtonian magazine selected Attlee Weddings and Portraits this January as Best Wedding Photographers in the DC region for the third straight year we were delighted. Know why? This title is earned, not paid. The magazine collected votes from our peers, colleagues and yes, competitors, then made selections based on vote counts.

So many brides see photographers names in "featured listings" and don't realize the listing has more to do with fee paid than talent. The "featured listings" are too often nothing more than a collection of names of photographers who paid very steep fees to be there. What may look like a recommendation is really a title that is bought, not earned.

Thank you Washingtonian for making your contest fair. Your award is based on votes and talent. That's why we're so proud to open Bride & Groom and see our names!

Technorati Profile

2009-03-09T14:23:00.001-07:00

Technorati Profile

Tip for Brides: Speed Dial

2009-02-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

This tip comes from over 20 years of experience in wedding photography: Make sure you have the cell phone number of every wedding vendor you have hired. Put their numbers on your speed dial.

Imagine this scenario: The bride is finally ready to go to the church. But, where is the limo? Mom and Dad already left for the church. So did the wedding party. Mom lined up the limo company; what's their name again? Waste time searching frantically for the number only to find no one's there, just a recording. Really starting to freak out now. Got to get a ride from someone in the neighborhood. The photographer's car is full of equipment, no room there. Start calling the neighbors. No one's home! They've all gone to for the ceremony! Only house with lights on is that weird guy way up the street who's not invited. Sheepish call made complete with having to explain the situation several times before he finally gets it. He says his car needs service that he hasn't gotten around to yet but he'll try. He pulls up in a rattly, teeny little car that hasn't seen a wash in months. Bride has a very grand cathedral train so we loop it around her. She shoves aside candy wrappers and sticky soda cans to squeeze in the back seat. Off she sputters and bangs to the church in the neighbor's lurching car, that fabulous gown wrinkling more deeply with every mile. Meanwhile at the church the guests are starting to whisper and the organist is playing song after song after song to fill in the silence while they wait.

This is a real DC wedding horror story. Bad karma spirals on the wedding day. So, do keep your cell phone in your bride's purse. Be able to reach your entire team of wedding vendors instantly on your wedding day!

For more information on how to make your wedding day a thing of joy please contact Attlee Weddings and Portraits. We have the experience to back up our award-winning work!