It was snowing.  And not pretty soft snow…that kind of snow that falls sideways and slaps you in the face.  I was being extra fashionable so I had on flats with no socks or tights.  Genius move on my part.  I ran inside the Aon center as quickly as possible to head to the Starbucks where we had planned on meeting.  As soon I walked up I saw the gate pulled over the windows and realized…crap…they were closed.  So I immediately looked up Kyle’s phone number to call her and work out a plan B.  I noticed it was a 317 number which is Indianapolis (where I’m from).  We met up and walked through the underground maze to another Starbucks…of course talking about our matching area codes.  Come to find out…not only do we share the 317…but we went to the same high school!!!  We started talking about people we both knew…reminiscing about the good (or not so good, lol) ‘ol days.  And from that moment on, I no longer felt like I was meeting with a potential bride…but just grabbing coffee with an old friend.

 

Kyle had told me about Bryan when we met…but meeting him and seeing them together for the first time just made sense.  They fit perfectly together in every sense of the word.  One picking up where the other stopped.  Every smile and nuzzle and glance in the other’s direction just proved what I already knew to be true.  These two were made for each other.  Kyle and Bryan…I had such a blast with you guys and I seriously can’t wait for your wedding!!!  Between Pike High School…our mutual love of 24 (Jack Bauer forever!)…and how much I love photographing you guys…I feel so lucky to call you friends!

 

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When I think back to last year’s Turning Tides Retreat…butterflies immediately take over my stomach and shivers run down my spine.  When we came up with this crazy idea…we had no clue what to expect.  What the good…the bad…and the really good would be.  Who we would meet.  Who’s lives we would change and even more-so…who would change ours?  It was something we believed in with all our hearts and trusted that if we gave it everything we had…it would be something really special.  And that was exactly what it was.

 

So when we sat down to talk about doing it again…there were a lot of emotions.  Worry that we couldn’t top how magical that week ended up being.  Excitement about getting the chance to do it all over again.  Nervousness that no one would sign up.  But most importantly was passion.  The passion that all three of us have for this little part of the world we created.  And just like the first time…I know that passion is going to make the 2nd Annual Turning Tides retreat something special.

 

We’ve got some pretty exciting changes coming this year and I get giddy thinking about everything this year will be.  We’ve made some tweaks and today we are officially re-opening registration for the 2nd Annual Turning Tides Retreat.  There are so many new and exciting things in store for next year.  New relationships to be made.  New dreams we can all work together to help come true.  I have no doubt that it is going to be better than ever.  To keep the intimate nature of this retreat we are limiting the space to 9 seats.  And right now we are offering an early bird discount for $150 off your seat.  Click here to reserve your spot and get them before they are gone!!!

 

Here are all the details:

2nd Annual Turning Tides Retreat

August 18th-21st, 2014

A lakehouse just for us at Lake Magician

Sister’s Lake Michigan

www.turningtidesretreat.com

 

 

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To help give you an idea of what this retreat is really all about…here are a few things last year’s attendees had to say:

 

Libby McGowan wrote:

“I’ve kept a lot of my trip to Turning Tides quiet. To me it was something very special almost sacred. I met amazing women, opened myself up more than I ever thought I would and came away a goal setter with a richer life for having experienced these four days. If you’re looking for something more than just a “workshop” full of shutter speeds and what gear you MUST have and wanting something more…something deeper…something soulful to turn your tides. This is it… Could not recommend it more! Lauren, Jessica and Christy are three amazing women who want to build you up, see you achieve and prosper. Amazing Experience.”

 

Nicole Lender wrote:

“Being a military wife, my “home” is constantly moving from place to place. Not only does my home move, but my photography business moves with it. Before Turning Tides, I was at a standstill with my business, and to be completely honest – I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to continue pursuing it. I didn’t have the motivation and I didn’t have the financial or marketing skills necessary to keep my business moving forward. Most importantly, I didn’t have confidence in myself.

Turning Tides completely changed my outlook – not only on my business but on life in general. A little advice for future attendees: bring tissues because you will cry your little hearts out. You will find out what it means to be vulnerable and open to letting go of the fears that consume you and keep you from being your best, authentic self with your business and your personal life.

The more honest I was, the more people connected with me. Open your heart! Do not let fear define who you are. It has been nearly five months since I attended TTR and I have been overwhelmed with the number of clients (and strangers, too!) who have taken the time to personally message me and tell me how much they appreciate my openness and authenticity. If I had never been given the opportunity to go to Turning Tides, those messages would have never came. My work/blog would not have become the open book that it is in letting my emotions out on the table – in writing and in photos.

This retreat is not just for photographers. It is for creatives, it is for the incredibly huge fears in the back of your mind, it is for people who want to get absolutely honest with themselves. Turning Tides Retreat doesn’t just end when you pack up your bags and leave the beautiful house by the lake. It will change your life and you will have a support system to lean on for years to come.”

 

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We can’t wait to meet you!!!!!!!!!

 

I never realized how incredibly hard it is to write about a post about your best friend.  Not because I don’t have anything to say…but because I have so many things to say I don’t even know where to start.  I can’t remember the exact day I met Sara.  But I know it was most likely at Cans over a delicious beverage.  From the second I met her she was infectious.  Her smile…her laugh…the way she really listened when most people would be waiting for their turn to talk.  She was kind and thoughtful and even when I barely knew her…I knew she would be one of those friends that would be there until the end.  There was just something about her that I knew I needed more of in my life.  Over many girls nights and brunches and lots of crazy nights out…Sara went from being that friend of a friend that I liked hanging out with…to a best friend that I am so lucky to have.

 

I think every girl deserves to find her prince charming.  Someone to love them with everything they have and be there to hold their hand…no matter what.  But if there is someone who deserves it the most…it’s Sara.  From the first time she told me about Brandon, I saw this sparkle in her eye that I’d never seen before.  This smile that said more than a thousand words ever could.  I watched as she fell more and more in love with him and I knew this was it.  But what made me the happiest wasn’t what I saw happening in Sara…it was Brandon.  The way he looked at her.  The way he stood by her side from 300 miles away and never once let her doubt that he was the one for her.  He so effortlessly became the love of her life…and a place that she could always call home.  He loves her with everything he has and I know without a shred of doubt…that he is 100% her prince charming.

 

Sara and Brandon…I hope you know how much I love you both!  I am so grateful that I not only get to stand by your sides on what I know will be the best day of your lives…but I get to be the one that will bring all those memories to life.  I’m still really sorry I accidentally took the wrong highway on the way to your house…but have no fear I will leave 5 days early for your wedding!!  I honestly couldn’t be happier for you guys and am so so so lucky to have you both in my life.  Here’s to the Moody’s!

 

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  • Jeanne - May 8, 2014 - 8:53 am

    Pictures are off the charts! They make a beautiful couple.
    I can’t stop crying….my baby is all grown up.
    MommaMoodyReplyCancel

    • laurenwakefield - May 8, 2014 - 9:10 am

      The most beautiful couple!!! And the wedding is going to be even more perfect!!! Can’t wait to see you again soon!ReplyCancel

  • Maureen Quinn - May 8, 2014 - 9:34 am

    So beautiful! I don’t usually get weepy, but WOW !!!ReplyCancel

    • laurenwakefield - May 8, 2014 - 12:43 pm

      Aw yay! So glad you like them!!!ReplyCancel

  • David Moody - May 8, 2014 - 11:55 am

    Great pictures. Lauren, I don’t which would be more lucrative, writing or photography, but you definitely have a talent for both. From the father of the groom, thank you very much.ReplyCancel

    • laurenwakefield - May 8, 2014 - 12:43 pm

      Aw thanks!!! It’s easy to photograph (and write about) people like Sara and Brandon! See you in a few weeks!ReplyCancel

The morning started just like every wedding morning starts.  I slept in longer than I would normally allow myself.  Since I was in Indianapolis, I came downstairs where my mom had made a giant breakfast.  Which is a must on wedding days.  I drank coffee and looked over all the details for the day…and eventually I made my way back upstairs to get ready.  Everything was pretty normal and I could tell it was going to be an epic start to wedding season.  But something hit me as I was driving to the hotel where Laura and Thomas were getting married.  And it was something that I’ve never felt before.  It was this overwhelming feeling of excitement…like I knew exactly how Laura must be feeling.  That day was her wedding day.  The one day that she has been planning and planning for was finally here.  The one day that was completely hers.  And the bride in me all the sudden knew exactly how she felt.

 

And I wasn’t wrong.  It was an epic start to wedding season.  The weather was beyond perfect.  Like mother nature gave winter a time out and brought out the big guns for Laura and Thomas.  Every single piece of their day was perfectly placed and it was one for the books.  Laura looked so beautiful and you could see in Thomas’ eyes that she was all he could see.  His beautiful wife that he is so incredibly lucky to spend the rest of his life wife.  And all I could think about was how lucky I am to know Thomas and Laura.  They are two of the most sincere, authentic and kind people I have ever met.  And I am beyond honored that they chose me to be there on such a perfect day.

 

Laura and Thomas…your wedding was honestly one-of-a-kind.  No detail was overlooked and it was such a perfect day.  You guys are two of my favorite people and I cannot thank you enough for trusting me with your big day.  I know you guys are going to have a lifetime of happiness and I’m so grateful I got to be there when it all started.  Congratulations!!!  I hope your honeymoon was fantastic!!!!

 

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A huge thanks to Sidne Hirsch for making the trip to Indy with me and being my awesome second shooter!  I couldn’t have done it without her!!

 

And a big thanks to all the other vendors that made this day happen:

Venue: Mustard Seed Gardens  |  Makeup:  Ashley Thomas  |  Hair: Chateau Bijou  |  Florist: McNamara 

Caterer: Palomino  |  DJ: Event One DJs  |  Cake: Classic Cakes  |  Dress: Lazaro from from Marie Gabriel Couture  |  Guitarist: Austin Johnson

  • Christy Tyler - April 21, 2014 - 9:03 am

    This is absolutely perfect Lauren! I’m obsessed with those portraits & that golden sunset! So sweet & so joyful!ReplyCancel

Large bridal parties can be incredibly tricky.  Photo timelines are tight on a wedding day anyways and then you throw in posing 15 plus people and it definitely adds another layer of stress.  When I first stated shooting weddings I dreaded the bridal party shots…because I had no idea what to do.  I had no idea how to get people to look the way I wanted them to look and I most definitely didn’t know how to handle larger groups.  But along the way I picked up a few tips that really helped me take control of those situations and actually come to enjoy it.  When a bride and groom pick their wedding party…no matter how many people it is…they pick those people because they are the most important people in the world to them.  So it is up to us…as the people they chose to document the most important day of their lives…to be able to photograph all those people beautifully.  No matter how many people that may be…

 

Here are a few tips that have helped me stay in control and produce an end product I am proud of.

 

1. Find an open space and/or use a wide lens

When I know there is going to be a large bridal party…I always look for the most wide open space possible.  I love shooting with my 50mm…so if possible I find a place that is big enough for me to pose the bridal party and also back up far enough.  Now I realize open areas aren’t always available (ie: if you are shooting in a city or indoors where space is very limited) so in that case I shoot with a wider lens.  I still back up as far as possible to prevent distortion…but sometimes that isn’t far enough for the 50mm.  It’s important to be prepared for whatever situation you may be presented with.

 

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2. Give direction

It’s so easy when there are a lot of people to just tell everyone to stand the same way and look at the camera and smile.  But that’s the safe shot.  I always ask my brides ahead of time how many people are in her bridal party so I know how much time to allot for bridal party photos.  A 6 person bridal party is going to take far less time than a 30 person bridal party.  But when I know that ahead of time I can make time for it.  And when I have time…I can take the extra few minutes to give direction and pose each person.

 

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3. Create contrast, depth

You may be thinking…“Great! You said give direction but what does that mean?!?!”  When I’m posing a bridal party I always think about two things…contrast and depth.  By contrast I mean up and down and by depth I mean in and out.  For instance…if the bride is holding her bouquet at her waist, I will have the bridesmaid next to her hold her bouquet down at her side.  Up and down…which is contrast.  Another example of contrast is sitting vs. standing.  I always look for ways to have some of the bridal party sitting or leaning on something to create contrast in height.  If one groomsmen has his shoulders square to me…I will have the bridesmaid turn towards that groomsmen so she is facing profile to the camera.  The groomsmen may be standing back a little bit while the bridesmaid is slightly in front of him.  In and out…which is depth.  This may sound confusing but below are a few examples to help you understand.  Pay attention to the direction of their bodies and what their arms are doing.  Where are the groomsmen’s hand?  Where are the bouquets?  What foot is their weight on?  It’s little details like this that make such a huge difference and are so easy to direct.

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4. Zoom in

The full length bridal party shot is so important.  But so are the little in-between moments.  This is more of a job for your second shooter but as the primary shooter it is still your responsibility.  While you are busy setting up the large group shot (which takes a little bit of time with a lot of people) have your second shooter grabbing candids and close-ups.  Shots of bridesmaids laughing and bouquets.  Because as important as that wide shot is…more times than not it’s those little moments that the bride will fall in love with.  And as silly as it sounds…always always get the “girlfriend” shot.  That close-up shot of the girls with all their arms around each other with the biggest smiles on their faces.  Ultimately…that photo will mean more to a bride than anything else.

 

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I hope this was helpful and made at least a little bit of sense.  If you have any questions at all don’t hesitate to email me!  I’m always happy to help!

 

  • tami paige - March 6, 2014 - 11:58 am

    Great post, Laureny!! 🙂 And your pictures are beautiful as always!ReplyCancel