Stefan Petranek, PL (Photography Legend)

Recently, I was emailed by a bride who wanted to know more about my photographer, Stefan. Then I realized that I hadn't done a full post on him yet, which is NOT ACCEPTABLE, so let me start with how I answered her specific questions:

The wedding party working it out at the rehearsal dinner.

Were you completely satisfied with the quality of his work?
Yes we were. And continue to be. We have everything he took (about 1200 for our wedding), and I can't think of one that doesn't completely capture something about the day. Even the multiples that he took of things all seemed to get a different look at the same thing.

My sister in law Shelley tries to get the sash just right. It stayed for about an hour and then kind of fell. I could have cared less.
Btw, I hadn't yet filled in my eyebrows.

Is there anything you wish he did differently?

Not one thing. And Stefan had A LOT to do. He even came to our rehearsal in the park and captured our walk through and small details beautifully.

Shelley and I were just handed our gorgeous flowers.

Did he arrive on time?

He was actually got there early to take a look around (the wedding and reception were both at Bristol Harbour in Canandaigua and he had never been there). He got there earlier than we had discussed, and not only figured out where to get the best shots, but also ended up taking some great photos of my florist setting everything up.

One of our ushers and his last minute box to hand out the CD case programs. Yeah, I've got big feet.

Did he photograph all the formal group shots that you requested, and capture all the moments you found most important?

Originally, James and I didn't want many formal pictures, but we did up requesting way more than we planned on. All of them were taken. Stefan had our list of shots with him and was very organized in making sure that all of them got taken.

The ladies head down to get some shots.

My mom, looking absolutely fabulous.

What did you like best about him as a photographer?

Escort cards all lined up and ready to go.

There were quite a few things that made Stefan an excellent vendor:

1. He was patient. Not just with James and me, but also our families (especially my awesome, large family). I have an uncle who is a professional photographer and Stefan made sure that he or other friends/family members who wanted to get a specific photograph themselves, could, before he himself took one. My father also followed him around at dusk asking him to take various pictures of the sky (it was beautiful). He handled everything beautifully, and everyone really liked him. He was great during the formal photos, where everyone in our big wedding party was goofing off and talking. He got them quiet and smiling, but no one felt scolded or slighted.
2. He was invisible. Seriously. Unless I was actively looking for him, it was like he had disappeared into the woodwork. And when I was looking for him, he was right there.
3. His prices.
4. That he was ours the whole day and we didn't have a strict limit on our time with him.
5. He was extremely flexible.
6. Stefan gave us the rights to all of the images. He is able to use them for personal use, but we can make as many copies of anything that we want, and can do that right from home, or burn a CD for relatives, etc. This was something we were not willing to compromise on, and with Stefan, we didn't have to-- he does it automatically. I didn't want to pay for someone to take our pictures and then have to pay again every time I wanted a copy for someone.

I like to think everyone had fun. Bristol Harbour was gorgeous.

How was his turn around time for proofs and/or albums?

I think about three weeks? I'm not quite sure. Then I met with him and we went through the proofs together, and he pointed out his favorites.

One of my Bridesmen, Aubrey.

I feel like we got extremely lucky with Stefan. He is the total package, and you won't go wrong with him. Visit his website to see outstanding artwork and wedding information.

fireworks light up the sky towards the end of the evening.

all images ©2007 the fabulous Stefan Petranek. Please do not use them without contacting me first.
Sorry... no close-ups of Dr. J because he likes it that way. :)

A little public policy...

See also this post.

Dear angry, anonymous poster,

1. You are free to disagree with me. I welcome it, so please do so. If I loved something but you didn't, people should know. If I didn't have a good experience but you did, same thing. Any opinion that is expressed here, is, after all simply an opinion, and based solely on experience. I do not know everything and don't pretend to.

2. I don't want to be a bitch on my own blog, so don't be a bitch to me. This means: don't personally attack others or me. It boils down to being able to having respect for other people and yourself.

3. If you don't like the blog, or find it upsetting, perhaps you shouldn't read it. I'm sorry you found other's opinions distressing, but let me assure you that no one set out to personally upset you.

4. I'm sorry, but I did have to remove your post. Here is what I got: You liked Peggy's. That's great!-- I'm glad you had a good experience there. I didn't understand the portion of the post that talked about the bride whose finance was about to be deployed, but I was interested in hearing about it. Feel free to re-comment about it at any time bearing in mind number 2. above, because I'm sure that other people would like to know about it!

p.s. The first sentence of your post contained a name, but I don't know that person. Maybe that was your name? I'm just unsure of what you meant by that.

WIN a wedding!

Now, I know you all like a good party, so I thought I'd let you know about one coming up that can enable you to win stuff, including a free wedding, AND can benefit charity!

Who: The Nuptial Network of Greater Rochester & some local celebrities, including the mayor. I heard that Mrs. New York will be there. I bet she has good tiara ideas.

What: A Celebrity Bartending and Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit the Center for Disability Rights. Free at the door.

When: March 28, 2008 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Where: Shadow Lake Country Club
1850 Five Mile Line Road
Penfield, NY

Why: Well, for a couple of reasons... at the event they will be videotaping auditions from couples to win a wedding worth $25,000. That's alotta cash. You have to have a video audition to be eligible, and the drawing will be held later this year.

Besides the opportunity to save yourself some cash, though it's free to get in, there is also a silent auction, as well as raffles and give-aways that are wedding related. The grand prize for the raffle is a cruise to the Bahamas, and there is a video package from SE Video up for grabs too.

AND it's for a good cause. The Center for Disability Rights is a non-profit community-based advocacy and service organization for people with all types of different disabilities.

I want it. And I want to EAT it, too.

Mmmm. Cake. Mmmmmmmmmm.

Let's be honest here... who does not agree that the cake tasting is one of the very VERY best wedding-planning activity? Well... at least when it's a good cake tasting.
Is there such a thing as bad tastings? Yes, and I can say that with authority. Taste is a matter of, well, taste. What I like, you may not, and vice versa. There is a world of wedding cakes and sweets that I had never dreamed about. Take my advice and go to many tastings, not for the food so much as to get good ideas about

• what sorts of cakes appeal to you
• fillings & frostings
  
• inspiration
• pricing

Here is what we discovered we liked:

• cakes with a denser batter
• contrary to what I thought I would like (buttercream, baby!), I was all about the thick chocolate ganache from Premier Pastry.
• designs on the simple side, with something natural to them.
• that we could get something DELICIOUS and not break the bank (whew)!

And this is we ended up with:

One word: YUM.

images © Stefan Petranek 2007

I've missed you!

So, yes. I've neglected you, brides.

I needed a break after a year of planning, so I took one. But I'm back now, and let me assure you, I have missed you, lovers.



image copyright Stefan Petranek 2007.

Click on this.

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Please pass it along to people you know.

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Drink Up!

We never considered anything but an open bar.

We asked Sara countless times how many bartenders we would have, negotiated Bass on tap, and made sure they could make mojitos, with fresh mint. We had a little sign for the mojitos, but nothing fancy. I was a little surprised at how many people started ordering them,

What can I say? My people drink, his people drink, and the mojitos were absolutely delicious (I like a little extra mint in mine)!


image by Stephanie Martinez.