Special thanks to those clients who took their time to write such kind reviews.

Also thank you to Nicki, Ryan, and everyone who helped out this year.

1. Get the bride food, water, drinks, help, and whatever else she needs.

2. Nobody cares about how you look, Randi, you’re a bridesmaid.

3. Divert anyone that causes the bride stress. She’s planned enough things for this day and most problems should be handled by someone else at this point. She should focus on having a good time and being with her new husband.

For me, there were two additional rules:

4. Instruct the bride how to pose.

5. Don’t get dirty/sweaty during the first part of the portraiture shoot because you WILL be in photos later. Photos like this.

6. DANCE!!!

I hope you found this tutorial very helpful and hilarious.

I’m here to offer more unsolicited advice whenever you want.

Feel free to add your own advice below….

Maybe it was because Syncopated Pictures also made a wedding cinema of this event (on which I had the pleasure of being a contributing editor). Or maybe it was because Kayt and Harry have become friends with Ryan and I over the last year.

All summer, Kayt and I have been trying to plan a trash the dress session for her and we finally had some time to get together. We met in the Strip District and Kayt was ready to go in her awesome wedding dress and fancy blue shoes.

Harry joined Kayt for a jump into the pool. We had to wait out the rain and lightning, which meant  the shoot was in complete darkness. Good thing I brought two lights!

I don’t think that Kayt’s dress is “trashed” but it certainly wasn’t wedding-day condition. Congratulations again, Kayt and Harry!

Nicki and I loved being a part of their wedding! We are so honored to provide the photos featured in Whirl today.

Here is the featured photo from their wedding at the Great Hall of the Heinz History Center last fall.

And here is the final cover.

So a little different from what I shot, and some distracting elements were removed to make room for the text too. All of the changes were made with my permission, of course.

I’m very excited for Alison and Paul too!  When I asked for Alison’s permission to use the image she said “Should we get and agent?”  To which I replied “What? You don’t already have one?”

You can start a free subscription to the magazine by completing this form.

My husband, Ryan, works with me often, and  sister Nicki is starting to come to more weddings with me too.  Both are excellent photographers AND models when I need to check lighting for a certain shot.  Here, they are standing in where a bridal party is about to gather around.  I don’t know what I like best about this photo–Nicki’s face, Ryan’s face, or Ryan holding Nicki’s purse.

Ryan checking lighting for a cake-cutting ceremony.  The photos turn out better if we actually DO what the wedding participants are going to be doing.  Also note Ryan’s shadow on the wall.

Here is a light stand that I found.

First dance prep.

Same cake cutting ceremony as above, but this time the staff at Nevillewood was nice enough to stand in.  I wonder who this guy is?!?!?  Jason, obviously.

Here’s me earlier this month at Laura and Donnie’s wedding in Hawaii.

You know I’m serious about my work when I’m willing to post this photo of myself online.  Obviously, I’m playing a crying groom as his new bride comes down the aisle.

More cake……

Parent Dance prep

In action at the church.  These cameras have done wonders for my arm muscles.

I spend some time testing my lighting for the family/group shots at the church.  Here, I knew some big groups were coming to the altar, so we had to test a large area. See, the people in the front and the back have to look good.  Lookin’ good.

And those close-ups have to look good too.  I love this girl.

Ryan testing the cake.  You can see my light stand to Ryan’s right and sunlight is streaming in from a window above.

And a bouquet toss from the lovely bride…..

Well, that’s all for today.  I love my life and job and am excited to do it everyday.  I hope you’ve enjoyed these behind-the-scenes photos of me and my crew.  Cheers!

Her tailor is J Cosentino Custom Tailors located in the office suites of the Omni William Penn Hotel, and has been for the last 42 years.  She found him through a google search for a tailor close to her downtown office, and couldn’t imagine going anywhere else after she met him.  She asked me to come with her while she tried on her dress, and politely suggested that I bring a camera with me.

Joe is talented, knowledgeable, charming, and a pleasure to meet.

He hasn’t purchased fabric in years due to his large collection of quality fabrics in the store.

Joe told us stories about making suits for Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960′s including Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell.

Joe is a pattern maker meaning that he MAKES the patterns himself based on a person’s measurements.  In these files were folders of papers full of custom patterns for mens’ suits.

His equipment was amazing. 

There he is.  A super nice guy too.  While Laura was trying on her dress, he told me about his time in the military, his children, and his impressive list of clients. 

I’d trust him with my wedding dress OR any garment, for sure.

With new logo in tow, I made this fantastic brochure to give to my potential clients, and anyone who wants to learn more about my approach to wedding photography.

Other side of brochure….

Some business cards.  I’m upgrading to letterpress cards this spring, but these are looking pretty good until then.

And finally, my new DVDs!!!  Printed by North Coast Interactive, Inc, these are blank silkscreen-printed DVDs that I will use to present clients with their digital files.  Beautiful!!!!!!  And a definite upgrade from CD labels too.

Please visit Julie’s Website to see her delicious offerings and see my photography in action! She caterers all different kind of events too.

Brides, if you need a caterer for your wedding or rehearsal dinner, please call Julie and hire her immediately.  She makes everything with real ingredients, offering lots of variety, and tasty combinations.  YUM YUM!
Now, time to salivate…. Julie was getting the table all ready.  It was crazy to have a totally empty kitchen, then 45 minutes later have food and beautiful things everywhere.

Gruyere and cream cheese layered with sauteed pears and covered with toasted almonds.

The pretty table all set (complete with fresh flowers).  While I made a comment that I thought is was so pretty and easy to photograph.  She said that she does this for everyone

Asian Noodle Salad.  I knew I would like this, but I wasn’t expecting to LOVE it.  SO GOOD.

Ryan’s favorite – Rosemary and spicy mustard roasted pretzels….and beer.

Hot white bean dip served with pumpernickel.  Since I am a vegetarian, Julie omitted the bacon on this recipe so I could enjoy it.  I’m glad she did because it was one of my favorites.

Ryan’s other favorite, Coconut Cake.

The next chapter in randi voss photography is the ShotBox (new blog post coming soon).  Julie and Bob took a moment to hop in right before the party started.

They are so adorable

And so happy together.

If you are having a house party, call Julie too and take time to enjoy your guests.  This was the best party I’ve ever hosted because I felt like to could actually see the people I’ve invited instead of refilling an empty dish or running around cleaning everything.

Please visit her website and look around!

Sara and Nigel’s wedding is featured on Wedding Belles Online.
Here is a link to their feature….
http://weddingbellesonline.com/2009/09/15/real-wedding-sara-nigel/

Brides always ask me for ideas/advice because I attend a lot of weddings.   If I don’t know how to answer their question, I always send them to Wedding Belles Online. There are a lot of great resources on the blog including bridesmaids gift ideas, pretty things, and unique cool ideas. The blog’s author, Nina, has great taste and good insight into wedding planning and finding what is important to you. Read often and enjoy.

http://weddingbellesonline.com/

Randi

Yesterday I had a personal shopper appointment with Kristi at the South Hills Village Mall jcrew store. I had shopped at that store before, and Kristi convinced me that I needed this personal shopper experience(this is a FREE service). She was right! I was kind of freaked out because I’m not the best at shopping and I’m 6′-0″ tall. Thankfully jcrew has tall sizes with 36″ inseams (I know, I’m a giant, right?).

Sounds intimidating, but it is not…..so you go there and you tell her what you like and she picks clothes for you that she thinks you will like AND – the best part – will look good on you. Kristi knew I was coming in and what I was looking for so she took time to pre-order tall things from the catalog and had so many choices for me! When I arrived, she had a hot tea with honey waiting for me and was so patient while I tried everything on.

Obviously, I took my camera because…..

1. I had a photo shoot later that day.
2. I had to make sure I look good in the clothes.
3. The clothes had to handle all of this equipment on my shoulders.

Yes, I’m a cheeseball and I took photos of myself in the dressing room.

Looks good to me. At the end, Kristi asked me what I liked and told me her favorites. She didn’t pressure me to buy anything I didn’t want. There was a promotion for 20% off purchases of $125 or more and tons of stuff was already on sale! If you see me this summer, you will know who dressed me!

So I wanted to give Kristi some love and everyone should call (because she is the best) and make an appointment with her at her store. 412 831 3564. Give her a call and say you saw her on this blog.

Brides, couldn’t you use some new threads for that honeymoon? or for that rehearsal dinner? Take all of your bridesmaids too!

Love, Randi

Katie and James, May 9, 2009

This invite was actually gray and white, so pretty.

Kelly and Drew, June 27, 2009. Blue.

Amy and Jay, June 13, 2009…..next weekend! Black and white with pink.

Sara and Nigel, August 15, 2009. Black and white. They sent their invites already since those birds have a lot of guests coming from Wales!

Kelly and Justin, July 18, 2009. Pink and black and white. This one was like a little package with goodies inside.

And finally the US Postal Service getting in on the action with this new $0.44 stamp. If you can avoid a postage hike between your invites and reply cards, its super cute!

See you all at these fab events!

Today, Jamie and Zach are featured on Wedding Belles Online! So excited for another Hokie wedding (Kelly and Drew) coming up on June 27th in Richmond, Virginia.
http://weddingbellesonline.com/2009/06/04/real-wedding-jamie-zach

Katie and James are featured on Wedding Belles Online. Read this blog often!
Here is a link to their feature….

http://weddingbellesonline.com/2009/05/30/real-wedding-katie-james

Today one of my weddings is featured on Wedding Belles Online!

Its Krissy and Jon from back in October in 2007!

You can see Krissy and Jon’s photos here.
http://weddingbellesonline.com/2009/03/12/real-wedding-krissy-jon