As the sun sets on one adventure, it rises on another.

 Naomi Doddington Couture Photography has stopped accepting new clients as of December 1st, 2009.  Thank you for the many condolences and questions.  I will try to explain in a short post what led to this decision. 

Yes, economics has had a hand in the decision.  For over a year now, I have been asking God for guidance as to what to do to get us back to profitability.  In the middle of November, I received a very clear message that it was indeed time to move on.  I’m not crazy, it’s not that I heard a voice out loud or anything…it was more a matter of hearing it in my soul.  I have been working on becoming certified to teach theatre, planning to continue the business at the same time.  What it came down to is that I needed to focus my energies on theatre, and let the business go.

Not that I am going to quit making photographs.  It gives me such great pleasure to capture visually the places and moments that evoke something in me.  I will continue to do art photography…and I’ll certainly keep people aware of where that goes, where you can see my work, etc.

Though this is a bittersweet moment, I want to thank all of you, and all of my clients who believed in my talent and my vision for wedding photography.  I love you all!

-Naomi

Sweet Peas dedicates itself to providing their clients with the absolute best nannies and babysitters.  All of their employees are pre-screened and guaranteed to be professionals with experience with children…oh, and a lot of fun!

I first met Becky several years ago when Sweet Peas was still a new business.  Her drive and passion to go beyond “good enough” in all facets of her business instantly drew my respect and confidence.  Sweet Peas has grown and grown ever since then.  Clients in the local area use their nannies to care for their children as a second pair of hands.  Sweet Peas Nannies are in high demand!  Locals also know that they can get the best babysitters through Sweet Peas.  Even on short notice, they can accomodate just about any request.

Visitors to Charleston!  If you are planning a trip to the Holy City, why not get a Sweet Peas babysitter to watch your kids for one, or more, nights so that you can have a romantic evening in this romantic city? 

Brides planning weddings in Charleston have come up with a great way of having friends and family with children feel more than welcome to their event.  These girls-in-the-know hire one or more Sweet Peas babysitters and they watch the kids in a separate room.  Mom and Dad can enjoy time celebrating with the Bride and Groom, knowing that their kids are being well taken care of and having just as much fun!

Garnering a recommendation from Naomi Doddington Couture Photography is not a simple thing.  I only recommend vendors with whom I have worked, who are of the highest caliber and who hold themselves to exacting standards.  Sweet Peas is a Naomi Doddington Couture Photography endorsed business!

Sweet Peas Nanny Agency

843-513-3062

info@sweetpeasnannies.com

www.sweetpeasnannies.com

If you are going to be photographed, be it for a wedding, a portrait, or at an event, wear makeup!  Men, a little loose powder over areas that have a tendency to get shiny can do wonders for you.  If you have a fear of seeming too feminine by wearing makeup, go with some loose talcum or baby powder.  Remember, your professional photographer can re-touch your images, but there is only so much re-touching that can be done before the skin looks…well, strange and made-up!

There are some women who simply never wear makeup.  This is, of course, a personal choice.  While the reflection in the mirror may be perfectly pleasing to you, the image revealed by the camera may not.  The flash of the camera can expose shine, accentuate discoloration of the skin, and deepen the look of dark circles under the eyes.  By utilizing makeup, the subject can hide these flaws, and accentuate their best features for posterity.

Even women who are used to wearing makeup may not be content with the results of their “everyday” look in photographs.  Many women use a little concealer, mascara and blush for their street makeup.  This often looks great in face-to-face communication, but does not translate well in photographs.  Shine is a big problem with this type of makeup, there is nothing to absorb excess oil on the skin, and this reflects sunlight and/or the light from a flash unit.  Mascara alone does not provide much definition to the eyes.  This is particularly important for those with lighter lashes to keep in mind.  From any sort of distance, the lashes (even with mascara) will blend into the features of the face, almost as if there was no mascara applied at all.  With the way that light hits the face; the cheekbones are one of the farthest protruding elements.  In order to get enough light in the eyes, it is necessary to put a little too much light on the cheeks.  When wearing street makeup, the small amount of blusher applied is drained away by this extra light and leaves the subject looking like they have no makeup on at all.

Oftentimes, even women who recognize the need for specialized makeup for photography just miss the mark.  Applying foundation all over the face is a terrific way of evening out the skin tone.  Without setting it with powder, there is not only nothing to absorb natural oils, but there is the addition of moisturizers or oils within the makeup that can lead to excess shine.  Applying eyeliner and mascara can really help to define the shape of the eyes, crucial for full-length or distance shots.  The effect is limited if no eye shadow is used and if the eyebrows are left without any attention. 

In a fully photo-ready face, the makeup looks natural but really enhances the natural beauty and emphasizes the best features on the subject’s face.  Foundation applied in a color slightly darker than the skin tone helps to keep the skin from getting “washed out” with the light.  Setting the foundation with powder is crucial for making the foundation last longer and also reduces or eliminates the shine on the skin.  Loose powder is best as pressed powder can contain extra oils…leading to shine!  Filling in the eyebrows with an eyeliner that is slightly lighter than the hair will help the eyebrows to “read” in the photographs, will keep them looking clean and in perfect place, and can be used correctively to fill in any areas where the brows are thin.  Various complementary shades of eye shadow contour the eye lid, with white shadow used on the inside corners of the eyes to bring brightness to the eye.  Eyeliner is used to not just delineate the eye, but smudged into the lash line to give the lashes the appearance of extra fullness.  Mascara accentuates the lashes, with care used to avoid the “clumpy” look by using one well applied coat, rather than many coats.  Finally, lip gloss and blush (applied to the apples of the cheeks) complete the look.  Blush should be applied about 30% stronger than “normal”.  As the flash bounces off the face, the blush will be drained away…leaving a photograph where the proper amount of color appears on the cheeks.

Certainly, there are times where a subject goes overboard.  Keeping the makeup clean, classic and natural produces images of enduring beauty.  Children, in particular, photograph best with little to no makeup.  It can be a fun experience for them to be “made-up” with gloss and some blush just like the adults, but more than that can be very off-putting.  Practice with the makeup techniques that best accentuate each person’s face is important.  Checking the overall look with some test shots will help the subject to see how the end result will translate in photographs.  Glitter may seem a great idea in concept, but it often looks like sweat on the skin and dandruff in the hair.  With makeup that is simple in design and perfect in execution, you are sure to love your photos!

John and Holly held their ceremony and reception at Magnolia Plantation in the Summerville area.  Out-of-town guests came from all over to celebrate the happy day.  Though it was only April, the temperature was Charleston summer all the way, hot and humid.  The ceremony was held outdoors overlooking the Ashley River.   Around sunset, I wandered with the bride and groom over into the garden to shoot some more intimate shots.  The lighting was so perfect, giving us that lovely, even light, kissed with the warmth that only sunset light can give. 

Hailing from Ohio (where it is not terribly warm, nor are there any sand beaches) came our wonderful couple, LaToya and Sean.  LaToya is originally from South Carolina, all of her family traveled from the upstate to be on Isle of Palms for the event.   Months of planning, and more than a few prayers, could not convince the heavens to give the couple the beautiful day for their outdoor ceremony they had hoped South Carolina would give them.  It rained like only summer in the South East can bring, hard and fast.  Being that it is the responsibility of the photographer to get great pictures of every event, a good photographer always has a plan B and C and D in their back pocket.  I covered the ceremony and reception the day of the actual wedding, shooting the family pictures in front of a large picture where we could still see the beach in the background and I also came out to the beach the next day (the last the couple would be in town) in order to get the beach pictures LaToya had envisioned for her big day.  It was a lovely day at the beach, I asked the couple to say something meaningful to each other (to get back into that wedding frame of mind) and then they spread some of their unity sand out on the beach, we did some great shots of the two of them together on the beach  and, as if any more proof were needed, we carved their names in the sand.

Anyone unfamiliar with the Charleston area may be unaware of a wedding venue jewel we have here in Charleston.  Every local bride knows that the Alhambra Hall in Mt. Pleasant is one of the most popular, and hardest to get into, locations in town.  Kelly and Danny were lucky enough to have their Friday evening wedding and reception at Alhambra Hall.  The ceremony was held outside on the lawn at sunset and the reception was held upstairs in the hall and on the veranda.  Doug Farmer was the officiant.  He did a wonderful job of performing the ceremony just as directed by the bride and groom, short and sweet!  Emphasis on sweet!  Frampton Flowers did an awe-inspiring job with the flowers, not just the bouquet for the bride and bridesmaids, but the most astoundingly beautiful explosion of flowers on the arch where the bride and groom said their vows.  Jay Maxwell’s Music by Request had one of their stupendous DJ’s at the event.  He had the most impressive system I have ever seen.  To provide music for the ceremony, he set up a speaker…not just any speaker.  This speaker was wireless and self contained.  It has a built-in player…the whole unit is so compact and unobtrusive, an absolute must for outdoor events in my book!  After the ceremony, the couple and I went out to the marsh area and were able to capture the incredible Charleston sunset as a backdrop for our beautiful couple. 

We travel often for our work, it is simply part of the job.  This May found us in Savannah, Georgia.  Our sister city has a charm all its own.  We traveled there early in order to enjoy the area, and scout locations to take Andy and Kelly for their outdoor shoot.  Their ceremony and reception took place at the Inn at Ellis Square.  This venue is located just steps from the City Market and has a beautiful ballroom.  Across the street are a series of antiques stores which we visited on Friday.  I personally recommend Jere’s Antiques which has an astounding collection of reasonably priced antique and vintage furniture.  As we were exiting one of the stores, I glanced over and saw this area underneath the stores.  In an instant, I saw this image in my mind’s eye.  Kelly and Andy were great to work with and they could see what I had seen when I asked them to descend a set of very steep stairs in order to translate my inspiration into an actualized image.  It didn’t hurt that they were a very handsome couple!

Things will slow down a bit for us now.  We’re gearing up for the big bridal show coming up in July.  It’s a Thursday Evening show, a new concept to be sure.  We’re taking our booth up another notch and I’m very excited.  More on that as things develop!

www.doddingtonphoto.com

naomi@doddingtonphoto.com

http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

http://www.iop.net/

http://www.townofmountpleasant.com/index.cfm?section=9&page=4

http://www.framptonsflowers.com/

http://www.jaymaxwell.com/

http://www.charlestonweddingofficiant.com

http://www.jeresantiques.com/

http://www.innatellissquare.com/

Bethany and Ben are a couple who are getting married April 17th.  Previously, I worked with this couple shooting their engagement portrait.  Having dealt with a tornado touchdown just West of where we were shooting…we hoped this shoot would go much more smoothly.

In Charleston, where the market is so saturated with photographers, you have to keep developing new ideas, keep growing as an artist.  I used this shoot as a chance to explore a new direction for my portraiture.  After shooting a more standard, traditional bridal portrait, Bethany and I worked together to create images that were more fashion oriented. 

This collaborative effort required Bethany to work with her body in new and different ways and to trust me that there was a vision we were moving towards.  I am extremely thrilled with the results.  Bethany as a model was relaxed and in the moment, following direction flawlessly and willing to put up with uncomfortable poses to get that shot.  I still feel the need to explore this direction further…and I am excited where this takes me.  I intend to continue to develop this shoot as I work to innovate and be on the forefront of wedding photography in Charleston!

On Friday, March 27, 2009, the Center for Women and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2009 Women in Business Conference.  The event was held at the Francis Marion Hotel in Downtown Charleston.  There were various activities throughout the day.  Vendors from all different facets of business presented their products and services for attendees, we participated in a “speed networking” exercise, there were five different break-out presentations by various business leaders, a Belk’s sponsored fashion show, and an inspiring keynote speech during lunch. 

This event was so well planned and so informative.  I truly believe that I made more connections on that one day than I had all last year!  It is so generous of those who have more business experience to be willing to share that knowledge with those of us coming up behind them.  I was honored to be asked to photograph the event and I look forward to next year’s event!

www.doddingtonphoto.com

www.c4women.org

www.charlestonchamber.net

Smiling Eli

This Saturday, March 14th, Naomi Doddington Couture Photography will be participating in the Babies ‘R’ Us New Parent Information Event from 10 am to 1 pm at their store in North Charleston!

We have been asked, as one of only two photographers, to set up a booth to show off our photography and give new parents advice on photographing their babies.  We expect that this event will be a lot of fun and a great way for parents-to-be to learn more from all of the vendors who will be around.  If you or someone you know is interested in coming by, the event is free and open to the public!

A kiss for baby brother

www.doddingtonphoto.com

www.babiesrus.com

I had been able to see the book on Suzette’s laptop several months ago…but nothing can match seeing it in person and holding it in your hands.  The text is very informative and will give a bride a good sense of what really goes into planning a wedding.  There are bits of wisdom, honest facts, and opinions gleaned through years of working in weddings.  There are blank forms for the bride to fill in her own information as she plans her wedding and a pocket at the very back of the book for contracts and other important forms.   As she plans, she can keep her details organized by utilizing this planner. 

All of the vendors in this book are hand-selected for top caliber talent.  I have to say, I am honored to be in the company of all of these great vendors.  The images throughout the book are beautiful, creative, and really add to the experience of this planner.  The caterers, florists, cake, stationary vendors, etc.  are all people with whom I have worked or have heard others com plementing their work.  This book truly represents the best of the best of the Charleston wedding market.

I hope any bride who is planning a wedding in Charleston…or wants ideas for how we Charlestonians do things, needs to get this book.  It is available locally at Borders and online at: www.bridesadvisorcharleston.com

www.doddingtonphoto.com

www.bridesadvisorcharleston.com

www.charlestonharborresort.com

www.okflorist.net

Opera Singer/Teacher

Have you ever noticed that there are times when you can get bored out of your mind because there is nothing to do, and then time when you can’t catch your breath because the opposite is true?  It’s been way too long since I last posted, but I am remedying that right now.

The holiday season is always my favorite time of year.  I put up my tree ridiculously early this year (well before Thanksgiving) and it only just came down yesterday!  Now there is a reason the tree goes up so early…I host an annual Thanksgiving brunch/parade viewing party at my house.  This year, my sister Noemi (an Opera singer and teacher based in Tampa, FL) came to visit over that holiday.  We always take advantage of our time together to update her headshot (the photograph that is printed in your playbill).  This year, we went to the beach with the express purpose of doing a “happy” headshot for when she plays the young ingenue roles. 

Opera Singer/Teacher

She is really great to work with.  She brings an energy and a unique spirit to the photography session that I truly can feed upon.  We spent almost two hours shooting and I hardly realized how much time had passed.  Look for her in The Merry Widow(Grisette) with the St. Petersburg Opera and later this Spring in Ybor City Cinderella (Cinderella) with the Spanish Lyric Theatre.

Another incredible opportunity that came my way was the Seacoast Christmas Eve service.  Although not a pageant per se, the “Family Life” service did have a unique reading and dramatization of the Christmas Story. 

Choirs of Angels

It was so well done, that I watched it twice!  The children sang beautifully and the story was very moving when seen in such a realistic format.  Although the auditorium was very dark, and I did not want to use flash for fear of distracting those in attendance, the Seacoast team did an excellent job of using theatrical lights and colored gels to lend the whole set the appropriate mood and atmosphere. 

Away in a Manger

It also helped me to have enough light to focus and photograph by.  It is a little more difficult to work in a low light situation, but since we don’t use flash during wedding ceremonies, I have plenty of practice.

Once again, we were able to participate in the A Wonderful Wedding Bridal Show.  This is an occasion where we get to show off our work and meet with a lot of brides who are searching for just the

A Bride/Model at the end of the runway.

right people to work with.  This year, Kathy Baxley (the owner and producer of A Wonderful Wedding Magazine and Bridal Show), asked Naomi DoddingtonCouture Photography to photograph the bridal fashion show.  It was a great opportunity to generate some images for future shows, as well as giving us a chance to get some great shots for the models.  Since all of the models (excepting the children) are brides-to-be or have only recently married, it was a lot of fun to work with them and feel the excitement that they brought to the event.

These two are not acting...they really did get married just a few short months ago!