Two HUGE Specials!

Brides, Don't Miss This Unbelievable Offer ~~ Moms, Get Your One Stop Holiday Shopping Here


Exclusive Limited Bridal Sale
The best opportunities often take quick decision making and are gone in an instant. This is one of those times. Save 25% off your original photography plan now. This means if you spend:

$2000 = Save $500
$3500 = Save $875
$5000 = Save $1250

Is there a catch? you bet. This offer extended only to the first 5 couples who book and wedding must be booked within 48 hours of consultation. New clients only. No other discounts or offers apply and offer absolutely ends November 24, 2009. Events outside of Phoenix Metro area may incur travel fees which are billed at normal prices. If you are ready to hire your wedding photographer, there is no better time than now.

Free Christmas Cards
25 FREE 5x7 folded cards and a super price on your family portrait session, too. Through November 24, 2009, Family Portrait sessions are only $149 (normally $300) and include your first set of Holiday Cards (value $125). Choose from select styles that your friends and family will love and enjoy special pricing on gift items.

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Beauty In Motion

One of the most powerful techniques in photography is to capture motion in a still image. Blurring conveys movement, a feeling of time passing, romance, and in the right circumstances, a certain edginess that can enhance your story. Motion blur is different than an unfocused image. There is a sense of direction in a good motion blur image as opposed to just not having a point of focus. Below are prime examples of motion blur.




A good photographer will have a wide array of techniques like this mastered and available to use at your wedding if the situation fits. Much better to hire someone with a wide array of skills to offer you then simply accepting the basics.

Would you like to talk about your wedding day photography? Call 480.366.4476 or e-mail me at marcia (at) marciaphoto.com to set up a visit today.

Weddings 101 - The Do's and Do Not’s of working successfully with your Wedding Vendors

In the busyness of planning a wedding it is sometimes easy to forget the business of doing it, too. Mrs. Hancock's Wedding Consulting and Planning Services has very graciously provided the following tips for making the best of your relationships with your vendors.



The Do's and Do Not’s of working successfully with your Wedding Vendors


Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Bacon, Wedding Consulting Services

Many of us forget the genuinely appreciated niceties that show our genuine level of caring for others. All successful relationships, love or otherwise begin with kindness and respect. So let’s take this to the next step…

As a Bride and Groom we know you have a lot on your plates. Please realize, your vendors do, as well. All wedding vendors want to do the very best job we can for you; it's what we do and what we do depends on making you happy. If you're not happy, any referrals you may have been willing to send will not come our way and our livelihoods depend on your A+ rating.

Here are a few suggestions that will let your vendors know you respect their time and their expertise. Keeping these in mind will surely go a long way in cementing your relationship and will ensure you come across as kind and considerate, as well:

1). Always keep scheduled appointments, please. Emergencies are just that and one may pop up on either side at any time and we understand! When you schedule an appointment, be diligent about writing it down in your calendar, please. If your spouse-to-be needs to be in your meeting, put it on his calendar, too. A suggestion: send a text to him the morning of reminding him where he needs to be and at what time. As our time is very valuable, it may take us 40 minutes to get to you one-way and then we may need to be on the other side of town after our meeting with you. Or it may be that our calendar is booked steadily for a particular afternoon. When you cancel, are late or reschedule at the last minute it can cause us great professional harm.

2). Please always return phone calls promptly from your vendors (same day if possible). Our policy at Mrs. Hancock’s is from 7am to 12 midnight (unless it’s an emergency!).
Afford us as many contact numbers to reach you as you’d like.

3). When requested to provide information please be thorough and organized. Nothing is worse than making out seating cards and misspelling a guest’s name for example. Take your time with the details.

4). Always be on time for meetings! Punctuality is a sure sign of respect and good will.

5). Graciously accept you vendor’s input and suggestions. You’re always the final decision maker; but vendor’s are trained to think outside the box hopefully saving you time and money. No talented planner or coordinator will ever push their will on you.

6). Please budget for your down payments, due dates and final payments accordingly, always paying on time. Post dated checks handed off to your vendor will allow you ease, without having to mail or drop off a check to ensure it arrives when due.

7). Please respect your budget during planning. We can be miracle workers, but if you continue to add services or time, remember we may have to charge you additional fees.

8). Further, please don’t use the ‘I’ll call you on Tuesday or I’ll bring your deposit next week”. If you’re not interested in working with a vendor, that’s fine; we can take it! Not everyone will be a great fit and that’s what meetings and interviews are for. Please don’t string a possible vendor along.

9). Have a question? Ask, please! No question or issue is too small or too mundane for a professional coordinator. It is our job to inform and educate you.

10). Ask for references; always! A good vendor will be happy to provide you with strong references. Be on the look out for business who cannot provide references.

11). Communicate openly and honestly with your Vendors. Things will always come up or change; but we can’t assist you if we don’t truly understand your needs and/or concerns.

12). At a meeting consider paying for your Vendor’s coffee! Such a seemingly small gesture goes a long way toward letting your new employee/vendor know they’re appreciated.


Using these simple tips will keep your relationships running smoothly with your vendors and you’ll find, treating them with respect and kindness will go a long way to ensuring the planning process is as much fun as it can be!


Mrs. Hancock
President/Founder
Mrs. Hancock’s, Inc.
mrshancocks.com
602.234.1200

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Rack Focus

Racking focus is that cinemagraphic technique where the camera starts with focus say, on a person in the background and that person becomes out of focus while a person in the foreground comes in focus. In wedding photography a similar technique is used often in the romantic portraits to offer additional drama in an image. I love this technique. Well done, it is the mark of a good photographer.



Utilizing different techniques adds variety and drama to your images. It is well worth finding a photographer that shows a bit of everything in their portfolio.

Would you like to talk about your wedding day photography? Call 480.366.4476 or e-mail me at marcia (at) marciaphoto.com to set up a visit today.

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Dynamic Lighting

As portrait artists we strive to schedule our session to take advantage of the prettiest light of the day. Weddings don't allow that kind of luxury, so it is essential that your chosen photographer be able to read light at, well, the speed of light.

As you are interviewing photographers examine their portfolios for a range of variation in the images. Are the photos flat or are the faces softly rounded with dimension to them? Can you see a sparkle in eyes? Does this artist utilize different lighting situations such as edge lighting to create drama in her images?

Lighting is the most important element in good wedding photography. Make sure your chosen photographer can see the light.





Would you like to talk about your wedding day photography? Call 480.366.4476 or e-mail me at marcia (at) marciaphoto.com to set up a visit today.

Ok, spread it around to all your soon to be married friends...It's Freebie Friday! The first couple to comment on my blog wins an engagement session from Marcia The Art of Photography...now here's the fine print:

Engagement Session location is Scottsdale, AZ only.
Engagement Session must be completed by September 22, 2009
Viewing Session must be completed by October 6, 2009

What you get:
Pre-Session Consultation
Engagement Session
Viewing Session to select your images
Personal Website for one month
3 Artist Choice watermarked images to use on FB etc. to share with your family and friends
1 5x7 of your choice.

Book your wedding with us with in one week of viewing and receive a very special bonus.

Make sure when you comment on the Blog that you include your full name, a daytime phone number and valid email address. Remember, if I can't contact you, I have no way of giving you your prize. This contest ends Friday, 9-4-09.

Good Luck, Can't Wait To Work With You!