FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN GA and FL….and meet Tara!
UPDATED: We’ve extended the contest to ALL of Georgia and ALL of Florida, so if you are getting married anywhere in those states, enter now! 
Alright folks….we promised you a big announcement last week – and here it is! First off, we’re SO excited to let our (once like a spark) family know that we have officially expanded to South Georgia/North Florida, and we could NOT be more excited about the amazing photographer that we’ve added to our team. But for our big announcement, a drumroll please………..
To celebrate our excitement about our amazing photographer, Tara, we’re giving away a FULL DAY OF FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY to one lucky couple getting married ANYWHERE in Georgia or Florida! AHHHHHH!! Yep, that’s right. You can have KILLER wedding photos like the ones below….at NO cost! To enter, just follow the instructions below – all it involves is sending us some basic information and a picture of you and your main squeeze. We’ll post it on our Facebook page, and you’ll send all your friends and family there to “like” your photo, and the couple with the most likes wins! ALL couples who enter will receive a discount on a wedding photography package, regardless.
More detail on entering is below, but in the meantime here’s some info on our sweet Tara (we can’t say enough how THRILLED we are to have her as part of our family!) Be sure that you also check out some examples of her work below and on our website (www.oncelikeaspark.com).
Tara is our quirky girl with a boatload of talent and spunk to match it. This South Georgia native wows us time and time again with her absolutely drop-dead gorgeous photography – she’s a master at light, portraits, and pulling out just the right amount of emotion from our brides and grooms.Tara’s not only a photographic phenom, but she’s also a musician (she plays music with a friend, and they call themselves From Maps) and a transformer of all-things thrifty. She knows how to take a grandma skirt and whip it up into something you’d see in a boutique.We told you she was quirky, as is evidenced by her wide array of interests that include everything from foxes to teacups to sloths (yep, sloths) to Vanilla Diet Coke. Tara uses her natural artistic talent to truly personalize shoots based on each client. She’s seen too many photographers who use the same poses, templates, and formulas for every bride and groom, and that’s totally not her style. To Tara, her photography is all about conveying WHO you are as a couple, and the result is absolutely stunning photography with a sense of depth and authenticity that can’t be beat.
To enter for free full-day wedding photography coverage from (once like a spark) photography please do the following:
1 – Email your first and last name, your fiances first and last name, your wedding date and location, and why you think (once like a spark) is a perfect fit for your wedding day to ashley@oncelikeaspark.com by Monday, March 19th at 5 pm EST.
2- Send us a photo (no professional photos please) of you and your main squeeze to the same email address (ashley@oncelikeaspark.com). We’ll run it through a little Instagram action, and everyone’s photos will be posted at the same time.
3 – Once we receive your information and a photo, you’ll receive a confirmation email from us with details on how you can let your family and friends know how they can vote for you! The contest will run from Tuesday, March 20th to Sunday, March 25th, and the winner will be announced Monday, March 26th!
4 – If you have ANY questions at all email ashley@oncelikeaspark.com.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
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Natasha + Nathan :: CA Wedding Part 2 :: Choosing Your Venue
If you happened to miss Part 1 of Natasha + Nathan’s gorgeous California wedding , be sure to check that out now and then head back here for more. There’s so much we could say about these two and their wedding day, but when we looked back at the photos, we were quite literally stunned by the breathtakingly gorgeous winery and estate at Murietta’s Well in the San Franciso Bay Area, where N + N had their ceremony and reception. This got us thinking about venues and how integral they are to the entire wedding day experience (obvi). I don’t think anyone would argue the importance of choosing a fab wedding venue, but here are a few of our thoughts on the matter, coming from the photography side of things.
1. Think about your photos when choosing your venue, literally! Natasha and Nathan’s wedding photos are stunning, hands down. While you obviously have to have an amazing photographer to know how to capture them (ahem, like our San Fran photog, Michael), having a venue with an un-ending supply of photo op – worthy backdrops can really push your photos over the edge from just beautiful, to out.of.this.world.amazing. When you’re visiting different venues, think about all the different locals your photographer might be able to use and make sure you’re happy with the possibilities!
2. Don’t forget timing : Natasha and Nathan chose to have their wedding one evening in late June, when they knew the winery would be at its lushest. The rich greens and earthy tones of the vineyard made N + N’s couples shots pure magic. Don’t forget to factor in the time of year, time of day, etc., to get the absolute most out of your venue.
3. Choose a venue that stays true to your personal style : We all know they’re out there, those local venues everyone ooo’s and aahh’s over in wedding mags and during gal pal brunches on Sunday afternoons; but when making your final decision – make sure it’s really the best fit for you and your groom-to-be. Remember that the venue you choose will be the backdrop to every.single.wedding photo, and you want that to reflect beauty (of course!), but most importantly, you want that to reflect the two of you and the overall feel you’re hoping for on your day!
Thank you N + N for letting us be a part of such a beautifully, important day in your lives! We couldn’t be more happy to have gotten to share it with you :)
Venue: Murrietta’s Well; Florist: H&L Flowers; Dress: Mori Lee; Shoes: TopShop; Hair/Makeup: Ma Belle Salon; Wedding Planner: Tami Weis; DJ: Elite Entertainment;
Read MoreFEATURED::Sydney + Chris:: A Paper Proposal
Big thanks to A Paper Proposal for featuring Sydney + Chris’ Southern California wedding today!
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Natasha + Nathan :: CA Wedding Part 1 :: Little Pops Of Color
It’s been an unseasonably warm week in the DC/VA area, and for those of us OLAS-ers who live near enough to enjoy it, let’s just say we have definitely been trying to soak it up. It’s the beginning of March people! This is crazy weather! Crazy awesome weather, we might add. In keeping with the spring-like temperatures we’ve been so lucky to enjoy lately, we’ve decided to talk a little bit about the popular & upcoming new spring trend, pops of color! California couple Natasha and Nathan and their June wedding are the perfect example to demonstrate this fun new trend. Here are a few things to take away from their gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS wedding shot by our unbelievably talented California photographer, Michael.
1. Know when to use them :: Natasha + Nathan decided to have their wedding at a winery, and therefore knew that their surroundings were going to be absolutely stunning. Think about your location, if you’ve already got a really beautiful back drop, consider just using little pops of color to infuse in some fun and personality! If you need to jazz up your surroundings a little more, you may want to have a more bold/obvious approach when it comes to your color scheme.
2. Think about the littlest details :: N + N did such a great job infusing fun little pops of color into all the most unexpected places; from Natasha’s shoes to Nathan’s socks and pocket square, even their Champagne labels! Natasha’s cosmetician even joined in on the fun and wore yellow nail polish (which looks so gorgeous in the photos of N getting her makeup done!). Think about all the little, unexpected places you could add pops of color – it’s really amazing how the littlest details can make all.the.difference in your photos.
3. Go bright! Go bold! :: The really great thing about little pops of color… is that they are little! Don’t be afraid to choose really bold & fun colors like oranges, bright greens, reds & pinks. They’ll just add a little something extra to the decor, without dominating your entire look.
*Keep an eye out for more pops of color coming in Part 2 next week!
Venue: Murrietta’s Well; Florist: H&L Flowers; Dress: Mori Lee; Shoes: TopShop; Hair/Makeup: Ma Belle Salon; Wedding Planner: Tami Weis
Read MoreThe Hart Family::Atlanta::Why Family Photo Sessions Are Important
The precious Hart family has come to us multiple times now for family photos, and this adorable bunch absolutely melts our hearts every time. The Hart’s contacted us to shoot another family portrait session now that baby #3 was on the way, and we can’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy looking at these amazing photos. Here at (once like a spark) photography, we believe in the power of photos….especially family photos. We hear from people time after time after time who wish they had more photos taken of their family over the years, and we can’t emphasize how important we believe that family photography is. The Hart family has got it right, and makes sure to schedule family sessions consistently, and we ABSOLUTELY recommend doing the same. Read why below, and then contact us at info@oncelikeaspark.com to get your session set up!
1 – Time moves quickly, and photography allows you to press pause. – We hear from people a lot who tell us that they always intend to schedule a family session, but that life gets in the way. Putting it off a day becomes a week becomes a year, and suddenly she doesn’t have that snaggle-tooth grin anymore, and his baby curls have grown out. This is the only time in your life that your family will be just the way it is now. As sad as it can be to think about sometimes, he’ll never be three and she’ll never be five again (insert your kids ages here). You can’t recreate these moments later – so NOW is the time to do it.
2- Photography sessions don’t have to be a big ordeal anymore. – Sometimes we hear from clients who get stressed about family photos, or think they need to put a huge amount of preparation into their session. Folks, the days of forced portraiture are over, and we literally want to capture your family just as they are on your favorite days together. Family sessions aren’t stressful, and most of the time just include going to a beautiful place and letting your kids do their thing. A more natural, relaxed session lets us capture the essence of who your family truly is.
3 – You’re providing a gift for your children in the future. – Although your 7 year old may not appreciate these photos now, you can be certain they’ll be some of her prized possessions when she’s an adult. Most of us would give anything to have a record in photos of a tender moment with our mother, a silly playtime with our siblings, or a warm embrace from our father. Scheduling a family session is about more than hanging photos on your wall – you’re providing a beautiful gift to your family in the future.
4 – Photos are about more than paper. – I can’t say it better than this post from a photographer, who had this letter hand-delivered to her doorstop.
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Victoria + Brent :: CA Wedding Part 2 :: Making The Most Out Of Your Couples Shots
Wondering what could possibly make this day better? We’d bargain that some unbelievably stunning couples shots could do the trick! If you’ve seen Victoria + Brent in their CA Wedding Part 1 (and if you haven’t, you should check it out now!), it’s definitely no secret that they are one handsome couple. I mean really, it’s almost unfair how good they look together! They are also such a great example of how to really make the most out of your couple’s portrait time on your wedding day, that we just had to share a few tips we noticed right off the bat from their shoot (and it’s not just about being beautiful to start with)!
1. Timing Is Everything: It’s no secret here at OLAS that we are absolutely OBSESSED with LIGHT. I think it could be pretty easily said that most of our very favorite photos are the ones with that warm, natural, golden hue you can only get from that special light right around sunrise and sunset. Victoria + Brent timed their ceremony perfectly to have the couples portion of their day fall right into this “golden hour” and IT SHOWS. Our National Director Of Client Relations, Britt (more widely and affectionately known as Bride’s Bestie Forever), will make sure to talk you through all of these kinds of details in your planning call!
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Be A Little Playful: Just have fun with it. How often do you get to have your photo taken together (by an amazing, amazing photographer we might add) where ALL the focus is on you two?? Sticking with yesterday’s trend –> Glam.It.Up! Throw petals, strike a pose or two, have fun together! The more you can have fun and just be yourselves, the better!
3. Focus On Eachother: One of the very best things about V + B’s couples shots below, is that they just seem genuinely and totally obsessed with each other.. well, because THEY ARE! Don’t let yourself worry about how you look or if you’re showing your best angle, etc., just relax and focus in on your new husband (OMG YOUR NEW HUSBAND!) and that will make all the difference :)
Victoria + Brent, thank you so much for asking us to be a part of your big day! We loved every second!
Ceremony: Pines Park in Dana Point; Reception: The Celebrations by Turnip Rose, Florist: Green Leaf Designs; Harpist: Tomoko Sato; Dress Designer: Marisa purchased at Panache Beverly Hills; Transportation: Classic Limo; Chairs: Chiavari Chair Rental; Cake: Tasteful Cakes; Entertainment: DJ Tasos
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