f8 Photo Booth

It goes like this...

Boy likes photo booth... boy does not like traditional photo booth... boy thinks for two years on how to build his own photo booth... and he does!!!!

Cara and I are happy to announce that the f8 photo booth will be available as soon as Mid-July for rental and sales.

We have the most unique and custom filled booth in the states as far as we know and are looking forward to its success.

details:
.automatically displays images to available projector for live sideshows.
.uploads via FTP to galleries like flicker and your very own F8 galleries.
.Has options of printing or non-printing modes.
.did we say how gorgeous it looks with the glowing white acrylic skin!
.Customizable graphics and additions to complete your event look.


Here are a few images from our booths first session at a wedding at Pinehurst.

This booth was a bigger hit than the dance floor and was a smashing success.
Dates are filling faster than we expected so book now before the August show for it's grand debut.


updates to follow.


-team f8

Nikki and Billy~June 14, 2008

Hello All! This weekend was such a busy weekend. Jonathan and I shot 3 weddings this weekend. One of which was in Charlotte and boy are we tired this week! Shooting weddings is such an amazing occupation, but it is (as I am sure anyone can imagine) very emotional and takes a lot out of us. That is why we make sure to balance our lives with taking days off during the middle of the week and leaving work at work each evening when we leave the studio. Jonathan and I do not have computers at home and never will I can assure you. We want to stay fresh, balanced and relaxed so that we can provide a better service to our wonderful clients!

One of the weddings that we shot this weekend was Nikki and Billy Richardson. We featured some of Nikki's bridal portraits on the blog earlier this month. This wedding, held at Wakefield Plantation, was planned by wedding planner Cara Zuehlke of A Southern Soiree. Cara was amazing this weekend. She did such a great job with the overall design of the wedding and the event could not have been more organized. From the food to the flowers to the band, it was a well planned event. I have to say that hiring a capable wedding planner is worth its weight in gold.

I have shared with you some of the pictures of the couple and the beautiful details of the day. Man, do I love this family. The Schwartz's and the Richardson's are the sweetest people. I felt like a part of the family and so appreciated as well. That is a wonderful feeling when you do what we do because we put so much of ourselves into our jobs. I like walking away at the end of the night sad to go because I had so much fun being a part of their special day.

I can't say it enough...we love our clients. Thank you for being so sweet, trusting and supportive of us.

We Love Bridal Portraits!

Hello All! So I have to say that we love bridal portraits! There is just something wonderful about being able to spend as much time that you want on photographing a bride, being able to pick the ultimate best time of day to shoot, and choosing the perfect location that suites the bride's personality.

On June 10th, I had the pleasure of photographing Jessica Caveness who is getting married July 19th in Raleigh. Jess had some big visions as for what she wanted in a portrait. She came to the table with some really fun ideas, so needless to say, I had a blast photographing her. To start, she walked into the studio with the coolest pair of Frye cowboy boots that I have ever seen. As soon as I saw her I said, "you have GOT to let me take some shots with those on!" She was all for it and we had a ball.

This is what I am talking about ladies! Let's think outside of the box when it comes to portraits. We can get the traditional shots too, but this is not your mother's wedding photography. Let's throw in some of your own personal style and make it fun.

Happy Wednesday!
Hugs!
~Team f8

We have a really tough job!!

So we don't normally post 2 blogs in the same day, but there has been WAY too much excitement hitting the f8 Studio in one day for us not to share.

Today we photographed several pairs of sexy legs for the latest "Playmaker's Sports Bar and Restaurant" ad campaign. "Playmaker's" is under new ownership and they are doing a great job making it an incredibly fun place to hang out. Every Friday features a different theme night and they have been hosting a variety of killer live talent as well. We are thoroughly enjoying our new neighbors.

Jonathan and I showed great team work, as usual, and had a blast doing this shoot with the wonderful models that were brought in for us to photograph. Even I can enjoy several GREAT pairs of legs. And from the little smirk on Jonathan's face as he is "metering"(wink. wink.) one of the models legs, you can tell that he was enjoying a closer up view as well.

As usual...we can't say it enough everybody...WE LOVE OUR JOBS! I think that I can speak for us both when I say that we wake up every morning truly looking forward to coming to work everyday.

Thank you so much to all of our clients for making what we do so enjoyable. We couldn't do it if it wasn't for all of you! We love ya!

~Team f8

How cute are they??

Hello Everyone! I wanted to share a few images that I took last week of Carrie and Brandon, who are getting married September 20th of this year. They are one of my multitude of couples that tell me that they take horrible pictures together. As you can see, this is just not the case. Their chemistry was amazing and Carrie just lights up in front of the camera around Brandon. Carrie is as cute as a button. I can't wait to have some fun with her bridal portrait!

Follow this adorable couple's photo progress as they reach the marital finish line.

A big "thanks" to Carrie and Brandon for being so easy to work with!

Hugs!
Cara

And...Action!

Hey Folks,
- I always wanted to say that!

Cara and I work with a lot of clients from out of town and we get asked frequently enough about our sideshows that I figured I would put one on the blog for our watchers out there.

The clients pick the music and we set it up either on an IPOD or ITOUCH to have access to what we call the portable album.

Be sure to ask us about this feature when booking and we would be happy to show you.



(to view better quality click video to download)



-team f8

TTD sessions...de-mystified

De-mystified you ask!

Well maybe not totally but we did receive this e-mail from a bride today taken from The Knot's website
In keeping with our fun nature Cara and I are making a call to past, present and future brides to make the leap...what are you REALLY saving that dress for?

A session of this nature is not for everyone (we think it is) but you do have to ask yourself. Is your daughter or even yet your future daughter in law want to wear a 20 year old gown?

Besides, some Photogs recognize a TTD session as just laying on the ground. We say, Get in the dirt and roll around a bit.. break the boundaries of the "pristine" stigma attached to that dress.

Most of our clients love getting dirty!

We say,
Why not take advantage of your youth and our vision and make a memorable piece of art out of it!
Heck 20 years from now your kids will say... "That's you mommy"!


Below article taken from the Knot.

Few things represent a wedding better than a bride in a white dress. And after all of the salon visits, fittings, and alterations, it's no wonder that many brides opt to preserve their gown after the wedding day. But some brides are taking a decidedly different approach: They're wearing their wedding dress once more in a much less careful manner (no bridesmaids carrying the train here) for a dramatic photo shoot, better known as "trashing the dress" (or TTD). Here's the scoop on this growing wedding trend.

Is the wedding dress ruined?

Not necessarily. Should you decide to give this trend a try, you (and your wedding photographer) will discuss beforehand just how badly you'll trash your gown. The concept is to relax (finally!), let your creativity flow, and enjoy wearing your dress one last time in a fresh, liberating way. Some take a subtle approach for their photo session with a walk through the woods or a swim in a pool or pond, while others go a step further by heading to construction sites, changing greasy car tires, or wading through muddy puddles. Brides who have embraced the trend say that a TTD shoot gives the gown new life in lieu of simply sitting in the closet. Plus, they'll have photos in their wedding album that can look as though they're straight from the pages of Vogue.

Who "trashed the dress" first?

Las Vegas wedding photographer John Michael Cooper is credited with staging the first TTD shoot. After becoming bored with more traditional wedding photo sessions, Cooper began asking brides to pose after their wedding day in unusual (and less pristine) settings. The sentiment among many photographers who offer TTD shoots is the same: Given the unique photos that result, it's a win-win opportunity for brides and photographers alike.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary among photographers and can depend on how many scenes you shoot, how far away the location is, and how many hours you spend shooting. If you know beforehand that this is something you want to do, find out if your wedding photographer offers a TTD shoot as part of a package deal.

Where can I find a photographer?

If your wedding photographer doesn't do TTD shots, there are other options. Some photographers who offer these photo sessions will work with a couple even if they didn't shoot the wedding itself.

How should I trash my dress?

Hit the Internet for inspiration. As the trend spreads, many photographers are posting their photo sessions on their websites with the rest of their portfolios. Others are blogging about the latest ways they've had brides trash their dress, and videographers have joined the fun, uploading footage from TTD shoots onto YouTube.

-- Written by Charli Penn


team f8