Starting today, we will be featuring a person, vendor, etc. that we think you should know. We are going to happily start with a personal interview with one of our own- Hannah Cotier!

What do you do at Erik Patton Photography?

I’m the marketing and photo coordinator- handling clients, consultations, general marketing and advertising, etc.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a very small woodsy town in Connecticut, called East Hampton. I didn’t realize how beautiful it is until I went back recently.

What do you like to do for fun?

My friends mean a lot to me and I take a lot of trips with them. I love traveling and so do they!

What are you passionate about?

I really love the arts. I grew up very interested in film especially as well as other mediums, but found my love in photography (why I love working in the business!). I’m also passionate about the people in my life.

Who is your favorite photographer?

Besides Erik Patton? My style is candid so I admire decisive moment photographers like Henri Cartier-Brasson. However I’m learning more about commercial and studio styles and am in awe at the talented people I hope to learn from.

Are you a dog person or cat person?

I am a huge animal lover overall, but I am a dog person at the core (don’t tell my cat, Dexter).

What are you most terrified of?

Losing loved ones. And spiders!

Single? Dating? Married?

Dating. I live with my boyfriend Chris.

What do you and Chris do together?
We love to cook together, bike, watch movies, and try new things. We are pretty low key but are also adventurous and enjoy trying new things.

What makes you feel sexy?

When I feel confident, I feel sexy, whether at work or in a little lacy two-piece.

What’s your favorite sexy shop?

I really like vintage fashion so enjoy checking out vintage shops for classic pieces. I have discovered a couple local shops including Forty Winks in Harvard Square and French Dressing in Beacon Hill. Their styles are classic and gorgeous.

What is your favorite boudoir era?

I love everything 60s. Think Mad Men and I’m sold.

What would you wear to a boudoir shoot?
I would go with a classic black lacy outfit, maybe with a garter belt and stockings or a robe. That or a pin up outfit.

While engulfing ourselves with the ins and outs of weddings, we have come across this trend: DIY. More and more people are saving money and having fun crafting the elements to their big day themselves. These ceremonies are not only cost efficient and beautiful, but unique, creative, and personal.

For these reasons, we are  instilling “DIY Friday” to the blog! Every Friday, we will go nuts for DIY and post information, tips, wedding features, and more each week. Don’t think you can do it? We’ll show you things we promise you can do, and you will love! Don’t have the time? DIY always at least provides great ideas. Get excited…and get crafty!

For today, we leave you with Emily and Scott’s inspired wedding, filled with DIY projects!

http://www.diywedding.org/summer-weddings/emily-and-scott

There are an enormous amount of anxiety provoking details that go into planning a wedding. You may feel like your head is spinning out of control, but one thing to do to keep body part intact is to be as prepared as possible.

These occasions are important and you want to look your best… so plan a make-up consultation. It could be nervewracking and you may worry about wasting your time, but here are some tips to finding your glamour look.

1. Check out some make-up looks books or pictures of colors and themes that  you like. Bring them in and explain what you like and don’t like about them.

2. Take a full page color picture of your gown or outfit and bring it with you. It’s important in order to put together an entire look.

3. Abide by the buddy system- bring someone you TRUST along with you that will be honest and knows you well… and will hound your stylist if need be so you don’t have to.

4. Bring your own makeup along with you so the artist knows what you like, he/she could even give you tip on how to use what you already have, never a bad thing.

5. My last piece of advice- book our wonderful makeup artist, Michelle Poor! She is gifted and has done an amazing job for our boudoir and other shoots.

Hannah is originally from rural Connecticut and migrated to Boston for school. She loves the city and finds inspiration both in her past and present location.

She lives with her boyfriend Chris, their cat, Dexter, and dog, Alfie (who is actually their roommate’s pet but whom she has become extremely attached to).

She loves to cook with Chris, always discover new things and travel when possible, bike around the city, and enjoy a yoga class here and there (which she is also trying to get Chris to part-take in, if not only for the entertainment). She loves the people in her life and is forever grateful for them (they’re pretty great).

Many other passions have always been found in the arts- she treasures many mediums but photography is her love.

She can’t wait to dive in and get started!

A common question that arises with boudoir photography is: do I have to get naked? The misconception is that you do, but the truth is you don’t. You can be as nude or covered as you’d like- whatever makes you feel comfortable and sexy. These shoots are a way to document your beauty for yourself or someone special in whatever way you see fit…and you are beautiful.

When it comes to boudoir, the options are vast. It is not a Playboy shoot unless you want it to be. Dropping your clothing is a decision you make, but a lot of gorgeous boudoir shoots feature women in items ranging from extravagant lingerie to their boyfriend’s button down shirt. You are ultimately in control.

And no matter what you wear or what size and shape you are, it is the photographer’s goal and job to accentuate what you love about yourself. Even if you have physical insecurities (everyone does), they will disappear in a photograph. There is no reason not to celebrate your beauty, you may even have fun!

Hello everyone!

My name is Hannah Cotier, I have just been warmly welcomed to the Erik Patton Photography team as the new photo and marketing coordinator!

I recently graduated from Emerson College with a degree in marketing communication and photography. There, I worked on various campaigns and projects and took a range of classes to gain a skill set in both fields.

During these years, my favorite career experience was an internship in the photography department at NBC Universal in Los Angeles—here I realized I could combine marketing and photography into one title, essentially getting to take part in my passion for my job (what’t better than that?). Now, I am fortunate enough to get to do the same once again at Erik Patton Photography.

I will be assisting Erik with our social media platforms and will get you frequent updates, information, and on goings every week. Keep an eye out for some new promotions, partnerships, events, and more for both wedding and boudoir coming soon! I will also be accompanying Erik on set and am greatly looking forward to being present for the production of some beautiful work.

Erik has a great team, wonderful clients, and some exciting things coming up for you so stay tuned!

It gives you a chance to get to know me

Engagement sessions allow you to spend a couple of hours getting to know me and getting comfortable in front of the camera. Photography is a very personal experience for most people, so it helps if you’re comfortable with the person behind the camera. With lots of time to chat, you’re free to be yourself and not worry about doing the right thing.

I want to get to know you!

More often than not, most powerful photographs made by portrait photographers are those where the photographer has an emotional connection to his or her subject. By getting to know you during the session, I can get a feel for your personality and the kinds of photos you would like for your wedding.

No pressure

The great thing about an engagement session is that there’s no pressure. You get to relax and just be yourselves while enjoying spending time together. Unlike formal wedding pictures, there’s no need to make sure everybody’s smiling and posed properly.

Engagement sessions are very fluid and intended to capture candid moments. There’s plenty of time to try a different angle or shot without feeling like the moment is happening only once. If you blink or make a funny face, there’s plenty of time to do it again.

Practice for the big day

Once you get to your wedding day, having me take pictures of you will seem like no big deal. Hopefully by then, you’ll be an old pro at working with me and know exactly what to expect. You’ll have seen the final images from our session and have a good idea of what the pictures will be like.

You’ll know how I direct you and be able to recall certain looks and poses from the engagement session if I ask you to do something similar.

The pictures have lots of uses before the wedding day

You’ll be able to use the images from the shoot for all kinds of things before the wedding. A lot of couples like to use order a book that they then use for the guestbook at the wedding. Other couples will have prints made as thank you gifts for friends and family. I’ve also seen where couples use the images for their wedding websites, save the date cards and even the wedding invitations!

In the image above, Amanda willingly sat on the ground for me for her bridal portrait. I bring a white sheet with me to help prevent the dress from getting dirty. Being willing to try something a bit out of your comfort zone can really create some unique images.

Both of these two pictures were little more than quick snapshots. For the image on the left of Rachna, we had been shooting outside of the reception location in and around this little white gazebo with her freshly minted husband Rohan. I wanted to show the beautiful henna artistry she had done on her left hand while also showing the detail in the dress. A slight tilt of the head and voila!

Julia’s shot was also a quick grab shot. I had her squat down so that she was putting all of her weight on the front of her feet. It does require a bit of balance, but is great for minimizing distracting backgrounds and showing off the bouquet.

These two images were both taken indoors. Madeline’s shot on the left was done with simple window light. I asked her to simply look out the window. Bridal portraits don’t require looking at the camera or even smiling!

For the image on the right, we took a few minutes to try some different poses. I particularly like this one because I think it’s kind of statuesque and fits with the architectural details of the stone fireplace and window.

These last two were also taken outdoors. For the image on the left, I simply had her stand in front of a pretty stone wall, turn just a bit and hold her flowers at about her waist. Brides be sure you hold the flowers lower to show off the dress.

And for the shot of Jill I had her do the exact same pose I had Julia doing by squatting down into the balls of her feet. The only difference here is that I had her turn the other direction.

Bridals can also be done as their own individual shoot. In fact, it used to be that the bridal photo session was done in the studio and was quite a big production. These seem to have gone by the wayside a bit as more couples now prefer to do environmental engagement sessions. A recent twist on the bridal session is the so-called “trash the dress” session where the bride and groom have some fun with the dress after the wedding, rather than before.

Regardless of how or when you have your bridal portrait done, I think it’s important to spend at least a couple of minutes on it. You’ve worked hard to find the perfect dress and look amazing on your wedding day, so be sure to get the best photo from it that you can.

–Erik

1. Schedule it well before your wedding day

    
   Ideally you’ll want to plan your couples portrait session to be a few months before your wedding day. This gives you plenty of time to use the pictures for other things like save the date cards, guestbooks, or ordering parent albums.

2. Pick a location that’s special to you

    
   Engagement sessions can be done just about anywhere, so pick somewhere that’s meaningful to you. I’ve had clients do them in vineyards, urban neighborhoods and college campuses. They can also incorporate some of your favorite activities. For example, if you’re both avid skiers, then you might want to do something around your favorite ski mountain.

3. Be prepared to be flexible with inclement weather

    
   I’ve been rained out of more than one engagement shoot, so it’s always a good idea to have a rain date in mind just in case mother nature isn’t cooperative on the day of your shoot. If you don’t want to reschedule and it’s raining, think about an indoor or covered location that might work to wait out a passing shower.

4. Wear something comfortable

    
   Make sure that you’re wearing clothing that will keep you comfortable during the shoot. You never know in the Boston springtime what you’re going to get. An extra layer or two on a cool day can go a long way to keeping you nice and warm. And if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, be sure to have sturdy shoes.

5. Think about how you’ll look together

    
   Virtually all of your pictures from the shoot will of both of you, so it’s important to think about how your outfits will coordinate together. Generally speaking solid neutral colors without patterns or stripes work best.

Engagement sessions are one of my favorite things to photograph. Following some of these basic guidelines will help to make sure to get the best out of your shoot.

I wanted to share with you guys some work that I’ve been doing at the New England School of Photography (NESOP) for the last six months or so.

A couple of years ago I decided to take a workshop at NESOP to work on my portrait skills. I was doing OK with my people pictures, but I hadn’t had any formal training in how to do it the “right” way. During my time in the class, I learned a ton about lighting, posing and how to build a rapport with the people in front of my camera. It was a great experience that I highly recommend to any one interested in modern portraiture.

My instructor for the class was Kate Joyce, pictured right. She very patiently answered all of my questions, of which there were probably too many, while also making me think about how to improve my own work. Once the course was finished, I kept in touch with her so I could continue bugging her about my work. She’s an awesome wedding photographer, so check out her site.

Fast forward to about nine months ago. I get a note from her asking if I would be interested in being her teaching assistant. I had spent a lot of time in the portrait studios and used to do some teaching in a previous life, so I jumped at the opportunity.

So most every Tuesday evening for the last six months I’ve been helping Kate at NESOP with the modern portraiture workshop. I enjoy answering questions from students and it’s always great to learn new things from them. I also get to sit in on the lectures which helps to reinforce those things that slipped through when I was a student in the class. Assisting duties included answering the phone, hauling gear up and down the stairs and occasionally acting as a model. All around good stuff.

I’m sad to say that our second run of the workshop is coming to an end next week, but it will free me up some to work on a secret project I’m planning on launching this fall.

The building itself dates from 1854 and is built in the Greek revival style. It served as the old meeting house for the town of Topsfield for a number of years before eventually being replaced by a new city hall building. In 1996 Kristi and Frank Martino purchased the building and renovated it from top to bottom while retaining all the beauty and character of the original building. The upstairs of the building is a grand ballroom with huge 18 foot windows, a full stage, and a balcony with two staircases on each side. Downstairs are two large fireplaces, a bridal suite, and a main room.

The Martinos pride themselves on having the premier wedding venue for the North Shore. In addition to the beautiful main building, they also have a full kitchen with staff that includes a five star chef. At Tracy’s winter wedding, the details included a signature martini, custom uplighting, and a full bar downstairs in the main room. It was very elegant without being pretentious or stuffy.

Thanks to everybody at The Commons for their hospitality while working with me on my photo shoot. If you’re looking for an elegant venue on the North Shore for your wedding, I would definitely stop by for a visit.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Camillla’s Bridal on my recent shoot of bridal gowns. The owner there, Nivia Airoso, was kind enough to let me borrow several of the dresses from her store for our shoot. She is absolutely fantastic to work with, so I wanted to share a little about her and Camilla’s with you.

Nivia started working at Camilla’s eight years ago as a sales associate after finishing her degree in fashion design in Boston. About three years ago, she took over the business after buying out the previous owner. With all that experience, she’s a real pro at knowing how to make a woman look and feel terrific on her wedding day. The salon is a family run operation, with her mom Maria also helping out. The staff also includes long time employee Sue and their seamstress Violette.

Nivia tells me a woman “just knows” when she’s found the right dress and it’s her goal to make her clients feel beautiful on their wedding day. While wedding gowns are certainly not inexpensive, Nivia feels that it’s not necessary to spend thousands of dollars to find the right one. She encourages her clients to try several dresses to get a feel for what they like.

The salon stocks approximately 100 dresses from twelve popular labels that include Maggie Sottero, Mikaella, and Essence. Camilla’s also carries a complete line of bridesmaids and mother’s dresses. Custom orders are available.

If you’re interested in learning more about the store, please visit them in downtown Arlington or on the web at http://www.camillasbridal.com/.

But just what is boudoir photography anyway?

The boudoir genre is characterized by elegant intimate portraits in a woman’s dressing area or bedroom. It’s definitely sexy, but it’s not trashy. Some women give the photos to her partner as a gift while others do it for the experience of feeling beautiful. It’s especially popular with brides-to-be wishing to give her new husband an extra special gift on her wedding day.

But these aren’t just any regular portraits. They’re all about making you feel sexy and having a good time. So all boudoir sessions include pampering prior to the shoot by a professional hair and makeup artist. Your session will feel more like a fashion shoot than a stuffy portrait.

To kickstart things, I’m running a promotion of 50% off the regular session fee for every referral now through 1 April. It’s my way of saying thank-you to clients who help to build this new part of my business. Refer just two friends and your session is free!

Curious? Send me a note and I’ll be happy to give you the details of how it all works. Below are two sneak peeks from two recent sessions, one with Shannon and another with Amanda.

My coverage area includes the entire Cape all the way to Provincetown. So if you’re spending the weekend at a small B and B like the Stone Lion Inn in Wellfleet or getting married at a luxurious resort like the Chatham Bars Inn, you are within my coverage area. Disclosure: I’m biased because I think these both are beautiful!

In addition to weddings, the Cape is also a great location for doing family portraits or “rock the dress” day after sessions with you and your new hubby. Weekend getaways on the Cape are great times for doing on location portrait sessions because of the wide array of settings the Cape has to offer. So if you’re planning event on the Cape, I’d love to book a session with you!

–Erik

She writes:

I am so thankful for you to include this in your blog, as it is something very important to me not just because I work here, but because it is a way that I will be honoring my grandmother at our wedding, who passed away from leukemia 3 years ago. I feel like it will be a wonderful way to remember her and also a little sad because she will be so missed during this time.

Part of the promotional efforts of the ACS that Jill is working on are wedding favors for reception tables. By having them at her own wedding, she’s showing her commitment to fighting cancer in a very personal way. Here is the official description of the favors from the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society offers couples a unique opportunity to make a lasting impression on their wedding or shower guests: unique, custom printed charitable favors that express meaningful messages in lieu of traditional wedding favors. Messages are often in memory of a loved one, and allow the couple the chance to celebrate their happiness by giving back to an organization that is deeply committed to helping cancer patients stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. By choosing charitable donations as their favors, couples are making a statement to their close family and friends that shows their commitment, not only to each other, but to a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

I’m looking forward to her wedding in October and am happy to support both her and the American Cancer Society.

Some of the new features for this design include the slide out boxes on the left side, plus integrated slideshows. Also check out the collapsible “ABOUT ME” link.

Also look for some changes coming soon to the portfolio site.

Once you find some one whose pictures you like, what should you ask them other than “how much?” How can you determine if they’re a good fit for you?  Here are 25 things that you should ask your photographer before you hire him or her.

The answers to these questions will help you get a better feel for your prospective photographer and help remove any confusion.

1. Are you available on my date?
2. Do you book more than one wedding a day?
3. How many weddings a year do you book?
4. How many weddings have you covered?
5. What are the payment terms?
6. What sort of training do you have as a professiona photographer?
7. Do you use backup equipment?
8. How do you protect my images in case of disaster?
9. How would you characterize your style of photography?
10. When can I expect proofs/prints/album?
11. Do you shoot digital?
12. If you do black and whites, do you also deliver color?
13. Are you the person actually taking the pictures?
14. Can we give you a list of shots we would like?
15. Do you use any assistants or second photographers?
16. Do you sell the digital images?
17. Can I make my own prints?
18. Do you mind if other people take photos too?
19. Do you belong to any professional organizations?
20. If the day goes long, can you stay late? Is there a charge?
21. Do you have liability insurance?
22. How much input do I get into the design of an album?
23. What is your coverage area?
24. Can you provide me with some references?
25. What kind of equipment do you use?

As a side note, I’m going to be photographing Jenna’s sister Jill’s wedding next October! Here are some images from their engagement session a few months ago.