Gretchen B Photography is looking for models who will graduate in 2011 to represent our studio to 2011 high school seniors. We are looking for individual models in a contemporary or classic style of photography. (If selected Gretchen will contact you about what is needed to bring for clothing/props) A model release must be signed at the time of the session by the model or the model’s parent (if under the age of 18). Participants will receive a complimentary photo session (retail value $125) and 25% off any images purchased within 7 days of photo session. Thank you for helping us with this project…you will be notified within 3 business days if you are selected. Please note: not all applicants will be selected.

Here are the details..just fill out the form..and hit submit.
Benefits…
#1) A Free 45 minute test modeling session taken before November 30, 2010. Bring 1-2 fun, funky and fashionable outfits.
#2) 25% off any images purchased within 7 days.
#3) Represent Gretchen B Photography to your friends for additional discounts and freebies
#4) Website, Blog, Brochures & Facebook – are some of the places in which you may appear!

You don’t have to be a perfect model size or look like a model to get IN. We base our decision on personality and eagerness to be in the program. We are looking for models who truly appreciate the Gretchen B Photography quality and can see the difference in our work.

Remember, only a limited number of Gretchen B Photography Models are accepted.

Link to our website..Gretchen B Photography
Link to our Facebook.. Gretchen B Photography Teens and High School Seniors

Shannon and I met at Heather and Chris’ wedding that we photographed last October. Today, I was happy to photograph her daughter who is almost three. Isn’t she absolutely adorable? She had several changes of outfits and was happy to play in front of the camera. Watch for more images and a slideshow soon.

Couldn’t resist adding Aubrey’s slideshow from her session! What an adorable little girl!

Daniel and Shannon are so much fun! We laughed all afternoon at Aldridge Gardens. These two are perfect for each other! Check out their slideshow, and you’ll see what I mean. Congratulations, Daniel and Shannon! We are honored to be part of your wedding events!

Check out this blog post on Alabama Weddings Magazine! Tracy said this better than I could have (that’s why I’m a photographer and not a writer!)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010
What is a Certified Professional Photographer?

A policeman has a badge–

Doctors and lawyers–certificates on the wall.

Professionals have ways of touting their credentials without saying a word.

But what about photographers? Anyone can pick up a camera and declare him or herself one. How do you know when they’re bonafide, and to be trusted?

There are ways to find out before ever seeing a single photograph: one being to conduct a thorough interview with your potential photographer before signing anything. (Be sure and grab our Photographer’s Checklist from our Member’s page to be your guide!) Another way is to ask your photographer whether he or she has acquired any certifications.

So, what is a Certified Professional Photographer?

A Certified Professional Photographer (or CPP) is a designation that is granted by the Photographic Certification Commission, the world’s leading certification agency of imaging professionals. Each photographer who proudly shows the Certified logo has earned his or her Certification after meeting rigorous requirements measuring her artistic and technical competence. The requirements include a comprehensive written exam and a submission of images that is reviewed and approved by a panel of judges.

Gretchen Birdwell, of Gretchen B Photography, is one of Alabama Wedding’s own, and newest holder of the Certified Professional Photographer designation, as of September 2010. She is one of only three Certified Professional Photographers in the Birmingham area. With this designation, you may be assured that her studio will produce the best possible images for your wedding, bridal portrait session, and your engagement session. (And your maternity, newborn, and other milestones too. After all: first comes love, then comes marriage….well, you know the drill.)

Take a moment to check out some of the images that were included in Gretchen’s submission. And congratulations to Gretchen!

I posted a blip on facebook about this subject but wanted to go into a bit more depth on my blog. The news seems to bring more bad news about the economy every day. This is the reason many brides are looking at doing lots of things for themselves and/or using family and friends to take the place of professionals. Yes, we are expensive, but you are worth it!

Engagement Session

A wedding is not the time to engage the services of non-professionals! There are no do-overs. Ask about business license; liability insurance; back-up equipment; back-up professionals in case of emergency; check references; look at their work; do they want to help you have the best day of your life or just collect a few extra dollars for a day’s work? Professionals are licensed and pay sales tax. (Sales tax that goes back into the community to fund the services and amenities that make our area great!) Professionals depend on word of mouth advertising! If you want your wedding day to be truly stress free, hire professionals and give them the freedom to do their jobs, and you will have a most wonderful wedding experience–not just the day but all the days leading up to and, in the case of the videographer and the photographer, the days after.

Bridal

Ever wonder what would happen if your uncle who has a wonderful camera volunteered to photograph your wedding as a gift? He’s never shot a wedding before, but, hey, what’s the big deal–he can see right on the back of the camera what he’s shooting! Does the uncle know the flow of the wedding; respect the timetable of the church; know how to pose your family for their formals; catch all the details and expressions that you as the bride will miss without the photos; not drink during the reception but keep working until the last good-bye? What happens when you are disappointed in uncle’s photos? Part of the family will blame him; the rest will blame the bride and her family for “putting uncle in a situation he couldn’t handle; afterall, he’s not a professional!” And so it goes.

Wedding

Dollars spent on your wedding mount up, and mount up quickly. Decide in advance what is truly important to you, and put your dollars where your heart lies. A wedding day comes and goes so very quickly–it’s a blur to the bride and the groom. There’s a lot of excitement after the wedding as you review your photos and re-live your wedding day. Don’t let that excitement turn into disappointment and anger by accepting less than the services of wedding professionals.

We are so fortunate in the Birmingham market to have so many passionate and talented professionals in every area. Please take advantage of our expertise and our passion for providing you the best experience of your life.

It’s never too late for love! Joe and Kay met at the nursing home where they both work–Joe is a chef and prepares meals at Bluff Park Methodist Church as well as the nursing home. Kay’s friends set her up with Joe for a date, and the rest is history! They were married at Bluff Park on a Monday during the day–they wanted a very small wedding. Turns out the staff at the nursing home and some family members of residents would not hear of that so quite a number of them came to witness their marriage! Joe’s grown children and his grandson also attended. It was a very sweet wedding ceremony, and we are happy they chose us to be part of their most special day. Kay is without a doubt one of the most fun brides I’ve ever photographed. We wish Kay and Joe every happiness! Enjoy the slideshow of the wedding highlights.

Kay’s ring is from Bromberg’s and Dorothy McDaniel did a beautiful job with the flowers.

(Hint for best viewing in highest quality: click play then pause while show loads; click play and then click full screen icon.)

Jim and Casey were married on August 28 in a small church, attended by many friends and family members. The reception hall was absolutely packed! Jim has three sons who obviously adore Casey. It was a very sweet and tender ceremony followed by good food and delicious cake (cakes by Jan O’Donnell). Enjoy the slideshow of their wedding highlights. Congratulations to Jim and Casey! We wish you every happiness and appreciate being chosen to capture your special day. (For best results watching in full screen, click play, then pause to let it load, hit play and then click on full screen.)

I love photographing children (especially the babies of my brides, but that’s another story!)…capturing the true nature of a child takes a bit of patience and a little foresight. When you are watching your child at play, get down on his level and get close. Getting close gets rid of distracting backgrounds because after all you want a photo of your child not the fence or the tree or…

The best time of day for photography is before breakfast and at dinner time–I know, I know, that’s why it’s a challenge to get good photos of kids. They’re hungry when the natural light is best! Find open shade–under a tree with a large high canopy or next to a building where there is plenty of shade. I personally love backlit photos, but until you are comfortable with your flash, I advise open shade.

Watch what your child is doing and in your mind anticipate his next move. Children are creatures of habit–they’ll keep doing the same things over and over again; that is, until they get bored after about 2 minutes and go on to the next thing! Your job is to watch his movements and expressions and anticipate when the expression you want is going to happen. When you see it coming, take the picture! If you actually see the expression and then click, you’ve missed it. Practice makes perfect. Keep shooting.

I almost forgot–do not ask your child to smile for you! I’ll bet some of your favorite snapshots of your child shows him in a thoughtful mood. If you must have a smile, do something goofy to make your child laugh which may give you a more natural smile (or his mouth will be wide open and his eyes closed…but, that’s a cute shot, too!).

Here are a couple of images from a recent photography session with two brothers. These are such cute boys! We had a great time by the Buck Creek in Helena. In the first photo, you’ll notice the bright sun in the background, but the boys are in the shade. In the second photo, I used the trees to make a nice dark background in open shade.

Please let me know if you have found these tips helpful. I plan to post more so keep checking in!

Shade with lots of sun in the background

Open shade with a little backlight