If you're in the Bay Area and you're looking for a photographer who can capture the sweet, the sentimental, the drama, and the over-the-top fabulous moments of your wedding day, definitely check out EmmyJeanne Photography. I think Offbeat Bride readers will be especially fond of the shots from Phuong and Tommy's wedding, featured above. (Go to EmmyJeanne Photography andcClick "Weddings" and then select Phuong and Tommy from the list browse the photos.)

Emily Merrill, who runs EmmyJeanne, explains that "I love taking pictures of the dress, the tux, the flowers, the rings, the tears, the crazy relative that you want to forget, and the kisses…lots of kisses." She aims for authenticity and capturing the tiny details, and although she's based in San Francisco, Emily welcomes travel assignments. To see more work, head on over to EmmyJeannePhotography.com.

New York wedding photographer Jody Ake takes antique wedding portraits unlike any I've ever seen.

Jody uses an old-school camera process called wet collodion, which involves coating a glass plate with hand-mixed goo and then exposing the plate while it's is still wet. The resulting "ambrotype" is a negative image on glass that's then backed with black velvet. BLACK VELVET, PEOPLE!

Jody explains, "When people come in for their portrait they soon realize that this is not a normal photo shoot. I use a huge studio view camera that's about 100 years old. I have to prepare each glass plate right before I expose it and I have to develop it immediately." Jody's clients receive their one-of-a-kind ambrotypes to keep.

To see more of Jody's antique wedding portraits and get the scoop on a discounts for offbeat brides, keep reading…

Continue reading "Antique wedding photography from Jody Ake" →

I've got this theory about wedding photography and offbeat couples.

See, wedding photographers aren't just doing a service for you. You're also doing a service for them by providing images for use in their portfolios. And, let's be honest, which photos add more to a photographer's body of work: another traditional shot from a traditional wedding or a photo of a couple dressed as astronauts taking flight on their wedding day?

In other words, photos from your offbeat wedding may be of greater business benefit to a photographer … and therefore, photographers may be willing to negotiate a lower price.

I decided to test this theory by asking some of my favorite wedding photographers about their pricing policies and negotiating tips for non-traditional couples. Here's what I learned…

Continue reading "The offbeat advantage negotiating with wedding photographers" →

So, you're having a theme wedding. And you're looking for a wedding photographer who won't scoff, "Wait, you're getting married on a pirate ship?" A wedding photographer who won't ask incredulously, "So, you're dressing up … like astronauts?"

If you want a photographer who screams, "FUCK YEAH, I LOVE YOUR WONDERFULLY WEIRD THEME WEDDING!" then you want Justin Winokur. This LA-based photographer will totally p0wn your theme wedding, and if you don't believe me, just check out some of his photos from a Star Wars wedding…

Continue reading "Star Wars wedding (Justin Winokur will photograph the bejeezus out of your theme wedding!)" →