Dream Wedding Giveaway 2009 Website Information

http://www.historicjordanspringsdreamweddinggiveaway.com/

Dream Wedding Giveaway Finalists Announced!

From the Historic Jordan Springs Website (www.historicjordansprings.com)

And the Semi-Finalists are:
(In no particular order)

Josh Lumley & Katie Kraemer of Winchester, VA
Ryan Smith & Susan Faber of Stephenson, VA and Homer City, PA
Josh Branham & Teeka Murray of Winchester, VA
Todd Glover & Dena Morgan of WV
John Merrick & Michelle Donegan of Salem, OR and Winchester, VA
Josh West & Jaime Marion of Stephens City, VA
Charlie Cornwell & Holly McKee of Front Royal, VA
William & Audrey Hudgins of Winchester, VA
Chris Knolls & Valerie Dempsey of Hershey, PA and Winchester, VA
Daniel Dealers & Krista Chanter of Richmond, VA

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Thursday, January 29 7:00pm Announcement of Finalists
Sunday, March 15 12:00pm-3:00pm Bridal Show
Sunday, April 19 12:00pm-3:00pm Bridal Show
Thursday, May 21 6:00pm Announcement of Winner
Sunday, October 11 3:00pm Dream Wedding Day
In order to be eligible for the Dream Wedding, couples must be present at the announcement of the 4 finalist couples at the Historic Jordan Springs Estate on Thursday, January 29 at 7:00pm. Couples must also be present for all above listed dates. The semi-finalists need to be dressed and looking their best (something you might wear to a formal wedding), as the four finalist couples will be getting publicity shots taken by Ott Photography, one of the actual photographers who will be shooting the Dream Wedding Day!

Attention BRIDES - Come meet us at THE EDGE SALON

Join us at the Edge Salon on March 2, 2009 from 4-8 p.m. The Edge is located on Edwin Miller Boulevard right next to Pill and Pill. The girls will be doing updos and hairsyles for brides and Ott Photography will be there to showcase our work and network with brides. Join us for some pampering and some fun! Watch the video of the Edge and come on out to see an updo by Cori Campbell. In the meantime, check out one of her updos right on our website. It is of one of our 2008 Brides, Kristen. Kristen and her updo are currently featured as the first picture you see on our website. Thanks, Kristen! You're a sweetie! :)

January 2009 Wedding Slideshow

Watch our Slideshows on You Tube or Friend us on Facebook!

Friend us on Facebook or visit us on You Tube for slideshow samples of our weddings and work!





http://www.youtube.com/OttPhotography

April and Clay's Wedding

I cannot tell you how much Ryan and I enjoyed working with Clay and April. They are the cutest couple and are absolutely perfect for each other. They have such a fun spirit, great family and fabulous friends. Their wedding was both organized and relaxed. We enjoyed photographing and sharing their beautiful day! By the time April & Clay said their vows and we left the church, snow began falling which made the day even more special. Although it was cold, the warmth of the wedding more than made up for it! When we walked into the venue, it was like walking into a Winter Wonderland. The bride's colors were a beautiful teal and white. The decor brought a little of the outside in with tree branches draped in crystals on the dance floor while white square teal vases holding white roses and tulips adorned the tables. Other tables had frosted tree branches, and tables reserved for family which sat in front of the double row head tables contained silver branched crystal trees. It was truly a room fit for our Queen, April and her new husband! When we finally left April and Clay around 10:30 the party was in full swing and we, along with the packed room of guests were having an excellent time. What a great start to a new life together!

Ott Photography Recommends...

There are a lot of good vendors and venues out there that will provide you with the picture perfect wedding. However, we recommend that you consider using Historic Jordan Springs in Winchester, Va. We have found that they are absolutely first class in service and in style. If you want a dream wedding, look no further. The CEO Tony Wallace-Aitken along with Event Planner Colt Nutter comprise a dream team that will make all of your wishes come true. The grounds and mansion are perfectly decorated and well manicured. Team up with Ott Photography for a winning combination! Visit us at www.ottphotography.com and Historic Jordan Springs at www.historicjordansprings.com. Historic Jordan Springs can be contacted via e-mail at ColtNutter@historicjordansprings.com or by phoning 1-877-837-8313.

Join us at the Martinsburg Mall for the February Bridal Fair

Visit us at the Journal's 11th Annual Bridal Fair on February 8, 2009 at the Martinsburg Mall from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. See you there!

Virginia Bride Magazine

Get ready for the Virginia Bride Magazine to be published in late January 2009! Our brides, Melisa and Lisa, along with their grooms and our photographs, will be featured. We are so excited for them and ready for our first magazine debut!

Photography Tips for Brides on Your Wedding Day

On your wedding day, you may have a variety of emotions, nervousness, excitement, anticipation, joy, etc. It is so important that you show these emotions to your photographers and feel comfortable with them. Photographers want you to relax and be yourself. Do not worry about impressing or offending them, just be yourself by saying and doing what you would normally do. Let your personality shine! Portraits are best captured when people are relaxed and being themselves.

Take a risk! This is, for most people, an event of a lifetime. You've hired a professional, so take their advice. If they ask you to pose a certain way or tell you something will or won't look good, consider their input when you make decisions. Let them steer you. Remember, in a photograph, a moment of embarrassment is worth a lifetime of joy! However, don't be afraid to tell them what you would like to see either. They can materialize your vision, and welcome your input.

Don't be afraid to step outside in that dress. Some of the very best pictures come from being photographed in natural light. Also consider your venues. Are they well lit? Good light is so important! Always consider the amount and type of light. If indoors, a daytime wedding in a venue with large windows will produce better results than a cavernous, dark hall. Lower ceilings (if white) will enable the photographer to bounce their flash, creating a more diffused natural-looking light. If your wedding will be outdoors, the best light will be early or late in the day. Less flattering is mid-day, and the absolute worst is a mix of sun and shade. When in doubt, consult your photographer before finalizing your venue and time of day.

Be touchy feely! Give hugs, express joy and cuddle up to your groom! Don't hold back any affection if you are hoping for those romantic photos you've seen in magazines. The photographer will have better photo opportunities and much more to work with! Nuzzle each other's neck, touch noses, touch each other on the arm or waist, look into each other's eyes, and take some private moments to "get away" and sneak in a kiss or gaze into each other's eyes. A good photographer will follow you a few of those times at least and get priceless shots. Be aware of the scenery when you do so. Taking a walk outdoors with your photographer can be the best thing you can do for your wedding photos. Dedicating a little bit of outdoor time, weather permitting, to the photographer after the ceremony will pay big dividends when you see your proofs and choose your photographs.

Have any questions about your big day? Ott Photography does free consultations and is here to help create your picture perfect day!

Our Last Wedding of 2008

We photographed the nicest couple on December 20, 2008. Amber Ray and Donny Lindsey were married without a hitch! They had a beautiful wedding, made all the more special by their remembrances. They had the first pew on Donny's side dedicated to the memory of his parents with a nice photo and flowers and did the same for their baby which they lost in June. I was impressed with their strength and their ability to talk with us about it. They are an amazing couple who have already been through a lot and will definitely have a solid marriage, as they already have shown amazing strength and love for each other through the past year. They have built a solid foundation. We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their big day and photograph such a memorable occasion for them. Amber's mom, Kathy, was fantastic as well. She was so much a part of the wedding behind the scenes and it was absolutely well planned, organized and smooth. Our hats are off to her for all of her hard work. Everyone was fun, ready for Christmas and ready to have a great time at the wedding.
Congratulations and best wishes Donny and Amber!