Q & A with Photographer Valentina Glidden

Saying a Photographer is only as good as their camera, is like saying a baker is only as good as their oven. Valentina Glidden is a talented portrait and wedding photographer located in Southern California, who photographed the wedding of one of our own bride's, Krista Moline, and her husband Derek Jacobsen. The wedding, as you can see, from the photos below, was beautiful. But it takes a skilled photographer to capture those memories as beautiful as they were in the moment to last forever.  I asked Valentina a few questions about her experience in wedding photography including how to get compelling shots, advice for the camera shy, and her experience of the Moline and Jacobsen wedding...

Check out her blog: http://blog.valentinaglidden.com/ 

Me: What made you want to become a photographer?

Valentina: I grew up in a photography world. Both of my parents are photographers but I never really thought about becoming one myself. One day I started playing with my husband’s camera and asked a friend if she would model for me. I honestly didn’t think I was going to love it as much as I did but since that day photography has been my passion.  

Me: What is your favorite thing about shooting weddings?

Valentina: My favorite thing about weddings is the smiles and tears. Happy tears, of course! I absolutely love being able to capture the emotion on the bride, the groom and their family and friends. I love that I get to capture a celebration of love and the union between 2 people who absolutely love each other.

Me: What moments or shots do you look for? Or what are the most compelling shots for you?
 

Valentina: I love being able to capture emotion. I think crying photos are my favorite! I also love ceremony photos. They tend to be my favorite photos from a wedding. I remember from my own wedding being on cloud 9 as I said “I do” to my husband, and it makes me so excited knowing that in that moment, that couple is feeling that much excitement and joy. It shows in their faces and I get to capture it so they can treasure that forever!

Me: What are three words that describe your work?

Valentina: Classic, elegant and romantic

Me: Describe your experience shooting the Moline and Jacobsen wedding.

Valentina: Krista and Derek’s wedding was beautiful! The details, the location, the dress, the bride and the groom. Everything was spectacular! My absolutely favorite part was their vows. They wrote them themselves and they had me tearing up behind my camera. Their reception was also a blast!  

Me: What advice do you have to those who are nervous to have their photo taken or do a "photo shoot"? Do you often have customers who feel this way?

Valentina: I think it’s normal to be nervous before photo shoots. I get nervous whenever I step in front of the camera. I think my biggest advice is for the couple to trust the photographer. My best work comes out when couples trust me and trust my work. The great thing about couples is you have your significant other by your side and I think that helps the nerves. I definitely have had clients be nervous! I always tell them we’re there to have fun and I plan to capture their love in the process.  

(Krista wore a beautiful gown by Jim Hjelm style 8063 from Mary Me Bridal)

(All photos in this post are by Valentina Glidden Photography)

Chriselle Lim Official Wedding Photos (Part One)

             Check out part one of the official wedding photos from Chriselle Lim's wedding! Her bridesmaids dresses, if you're just tuning in now, are from us, Mary Me Bridal, by the designer Lela Rose! They look beautiful and stunning on Chriselle's bridesmaids. Go check it out!

Photo by Jana Williams

When is creative freedom, a creative cage?

            Many brides today are opting for the creative mix and match route when it comes to their bridesmaids. They tell them to "pick any design you like as long as it's blank fabric in blank color by blank designer".  OR They give their maids even more freedom with  "get any dress you like as long as it's in blank color!".  But while this may work for some bridal parties who enjoy spending time being creative or having control over what they are wearing, many bridesmaids arrive to our store stumped. They scan through the endless dresses thinking, 

"Someone just tell me what to wear already!!!"

Here's the thing, sometimes taking the creative route can end up looking really nice and it can make your best maids very happy. But not every group of bridesmaids are the same. As a bride, get a feel for your group of girls.

Are they very opinionated? Easy to make decisions? Know what they want? Naturally drawn to creativity? Individualistic? Then you can probably opt for a more creative freedom route.

Are they "go with the flow" types? Do they want "whatever you want"? Is it hard for them to make decisions? Are they more group-oriented? Do they like cohesion? Then you probably want to take a less creative freedom route, with more boundaries.

          Even narrowing the choices to three dresses, that have to be in blank fabric in blank color by blank designer makes it easier on the latter group.  If you are a creative bride yourself, you can even decide the individual style/color of every one of your bridesmaids for them. Gage what kind of group your bridesmaids are, and go from there. Just remember to keep your bridesmaids comfort and happiness in mind. 

(we do not own any of these photos)

Youtube Star Chriselle Lim's Wedding Finale

Over the summer we were honored and delighted to work with Youtube Star Chriselle Lim, in finding the perfect bridesmaids dress for her bridal party. The girls seem to be very dear to her, and so, she wanted them to be happy in their dresses as well as compliment the overall theme of the wedding. A soft romantic vintage look. She and her bridesmaid Sara Sohn had a great time trying on different dresses in  part 1 & part 2 of the Youtube videos dedicated to their search for the perfect bridesmaids dress at Mary Me.  However, they kept the dress they chose a secret until the actual wedding finale. Here it is! Watch to find out which dress they chose...

Joshua Tree Bohemian Wedding Photo Shoot

Hope Stanley, one of our consultants, styled this beautiful bohemian wedding photo shoot featured in the very well-known wedding blog "Style Me Pretty". Check it out here.

Here are a few of the beautiful photos...

August Trunk Show Line Up

Calling all brides who have yet to find their wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses, take out your planners and jot down these dates! We have some amazing trunk shows coming up this August 2012...

Alvina Valenta

August 9-11 2012

Tara Keely

August 23-25 2012

NOIR by Lazaro (bridesmaids)

August 30- September 1 2012

All these designers will be showing their newest Fall 2012 Collections. Order during trunk shows and receive 10% off! Also get one free special change or free rush cut! Call and make your appointment today to try on these beautiful gowns 714-744-1655

DOWN THE AISLE WITH CHRISELLE LIM PART 2

Youtube Star Chriselle Lim and her bridesmaid Sara Sohn continue their search for the perfect bridesmaid dress at Mary Me Bridal. Mary Me Bridal has the biggest bridesmaids department on the West Coast so it's no surprise Chriselle and Sara had a hard time finding the best of the best for them!  Make sure to check out our bridesmaids section, we assure every maid will find something they love. 

CHECK OUT PART 2 HERE: http://youtu.be/zUVch48vKK4

DOWN THE AISLE WITH CHRISELLE LIM

   At Mary Me Bridal, we were fortunate enough to have Youtube Star Chriselle Lim come in with the goal of finding the perfect bridesmaids dress(es) for her gal friends.  Chriselle and her good friend Sara Sohn were sweet and full of laughs. They went through many different dresses until they found one that worked for them.  Although you won't see it yet in this video, as it is in two parts, be sure to follow Chriselle's videos to find out which one she chose...

Check out part 1 of the video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IbMYzUj214&feature=colike#

                                                             

  One of Chriselle's obstacles was similar to what many brides are encountering today; one of her bridesmaids is pregnant. Sara, to be precise. So of course she wanted a dress that flattered her Mommy-to-be maid as well as her other bridesmaids. When looking for that dress your best bet is to:

A) Stick to chiffon. As one may know, fabric lays on the body in different ways. Chiffon falls beautifully around a baby bump.  Satin and taffeta often don't compliment a baby bump, and can result in your friend feeling frumpy. Silk may sometimes work depending on the bridesmaid. Delving more into chiffon, however, crinkle chiffon can be a little difficult. The designers who offer crinkle chiffon have different interpretations of what that is. Sometimes it's very light and airy, which is nice when the air isn't too dry as it can become clingy or static-y, but, sometimes it's a bit heavier and falls similar to regular chiffon.

B) Find dresses with Empire or Natural Waistline. Empire waistline is ideal, however, a natural waistline with a gathering can be brought upward (an alteration we provide right at Mary Me!).

C) Choose different dresses with a cohesive tie. This is an option that is growing in popularity these days. As long as you stick with one designer and one type of fabric you can let your bridesmaids choose the style that works best for them! You also want to stick with either one color, or one color combo. You can keep it even more cohesive and choose a select few styles from which your bridesmaids can choose which they like best. We suggest sticking with the same length. Different lengths can throw your pictures off and that sense of cohesiveness off.

  

Whatever you decide, always remember to keep your bridesmaids feeling comfortable and pretty. Here's a few well known ladies with the right idea!

(we do not own any of these photos)

Wedding Blog Features

Our wonderful consultant Hope Stanley's experience in wedding styling makes her a talented asset to the Mary Me team. Her photo shoot collaborations, using Mary Me Bridal gowns, have been featured in many wedding blogs, and recently in the blogs "Wedding Chicks" and "Classic Bride". You can check them out at http://www.weddingchicks.com/2012/06/26/elegant-backyard-wedding/ and http://classicbride.blogspot.com/2012/06/whimsically-urban-whitewashed.html. See more of Hope Stanley's work on her facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hope-Stanley-Bridal-Stylist/303881145141.

Photoshoot Collaboration

Check out this photoshoot collaboration with Mary Me Bridal, Flawless Weddings and Events, and Melissa Love Photography featured on Ceremony Blog.  All the photos were taken at Two Forty South in Brea, one of Orange County's premier restaurant and wine bar. http://www.ceremonyblog.com/2012/05/02/styled-shoot-a-bride-a-groom-and-a-bit-o-bubbly/

Upcoming Event: Bridal Show at St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort

This Sunday, July 1st 2012,  Mary Me Bridal will be joining Premier Bridal Shows and Flawless Weddings and Events at the beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa.  We will be showing never before seen wedding designs in our bridal fashion show at this event! You don't want to miss this exclusive showing at this gorgeous location!

Featured Gown on Le Magnifique Wedding Blog

        Mary Me Bridal collaborated with Valentina Glidden Photography, providing the gown and accessories for this beautiful shoot featured on Le Magnifique, a wedding inspiration blog. Click on this link to check it out! http://www.lemagnifiqueblog.com/2012/06/romantic-bridal-shoot-by-valentina.html#

                (The gown pictured above is by KittyChen, available, of course, at Mary Me Bridal)

Eve of Milady and Amalia Carrara at our Summer Sale Event!

         If you're looking for that princess-style ball gown, that "wow" dress, that showstopping number, opt for  Eve of Milady and Amalia Carrara, designed by Eve Muscio.  Her extravagant designs showcase intricate and decadent embellishments as well as stunning ball gown skirts, that truly embody the spirit of couture. Her designs have won her multiple awards and have graced many beautiful brides. During our Summer Sale at Mary Me Bridal, starting June 15th 2012, many of these beautiful gowns will be on sale for unbelievable prices you won't be able to find anywhere else.  You do not want to miss out on this event.

                       (pictured above is Eve Muscio, designer of Eve of Milady and Amalia Carrara)