Photo boothin! These photos say it all. We had so much fun capturing the crazies at our photo booth for Brandie and Frank’s wedding! Your guests can have this much fun too. You know you want to see your Aunt Mary in a feather via/sombrero combo! Call us. We can make that happen. 1f642

Aloha!
We landed on Oahu last night. We are already having a great time. Found little black crabs on the beach, cruised North Shore, found the shrimp truck, incredibly delicious, pulled a major detour to go to Leonard’s Malasadas. I had the Haupia coconut filled one and it made me even happier than I was which I didn’t think was possible!

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This is one of the most amazing, romantic proposals I have heard of. Frank really rolled out the red carpet for Brandie! I love their amazing story. This really shows how he is willing to go the extra mile for his true love!
How he proposed:
We met in May 2009 at a nightclub. He proposed to me on February 19th of this year. I was hanging out with a friend at a local coffee shop, and a man I had never met before came in and began hitting on me! He was using the corniest pick up lines I’d ever heard and I couldn’t hold back the laughter. I politely tried to get rid of him but he was persistent! After some time my friend who was with me said “Brandie, you need to be rescued!” At that moment, Frank came in wearing chest armor and a knight’s helmet. He got rid of the guy, and then got down on one knee! He told me how much I meant to me and asked for my hand, and I said yes!

These two photos of this gorgeous couple are straight out of camera. I can’t wait to see much more beautiful they can be once edited!

Our Story: We met in Whistler, Canada while we were both vacationing with friends at “College Weekend”. That Saturday night we both ended up at a Bar called Moe Joe’s. We both spotted each other from across the room, we met in the middle of the dance floor and danced for over an hour with barely any words. We felt an instant connection. After we danced Tom offered to buy me a drink and the chemistry and conversation kept going, we stayed up all night just talking, laughing and getting to know each other. Two days back to back of no sleep and a firework connection we both knew that we had found our match.

The Proposal: In September just after 8 months of knowing each other Tom popped the question. We had discussed our future on several occasions but it still took me but surprise. Unfortunately only 2 years ago Tom’s father passed away of a terrible illness, during this time he became unable to walk. Where Tom proposed was the last place he can remember his dad being able to walk. It’s a look out spot in Seattle by Alki beach. On a Wednesday evening in September Tom took me to Seattle he said for a bonfire on the beach with some of our friends for a beach bonfire, instead he took me to a lookout point and began to explain the story of his father. Next thing I know he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

We both feel so blessed to of found one another and look forward to all that our future brings together.

This is the perfect example of how yes, we work very hard at weddings, always aware of everything happening around us, keeping close watch of the schedule, running to capture a moment but oh my gosh, it does not feel like work and that’s what makes our job so amazing.
Ann and Cody’s bridal party and family were cracking us up all day long. This is Brandon taking their “formal” photos at the beginning of the day. From that moment on we laughed constantly. There was that part during the vows and the first dance where we got a little misty eyed but that’s to be expected when the bride and groom is as sweet as Ann and Cody.

This is our 8-step list on how we keep our wedding photography clients happy.
I know, it’s long. Thank goodness for Jolie, my superstar assistant, when it comes to helping me conquering this list!
I know the last thing you want to do after shooting a wedding is work more. So, on the day after, soak your feet, walk the dog, enjoy the sunshine and rest. On the next day remember how much fun the wedding was and that you want more and start this list.

wedding flowers, french, blue, hydrangeas, wedding photos, reception, details, growing

1. Make slideshow or Post day of slideshow to blog with open still photo and our logo on the last page.
1a. Post to their FB, “Thank you and here is the link to your Online Gallery where we will post your wedding photos once they’re ready. Be sure to share this with friends and family.”
2. Send email to client saying, “You’re photos are ready, now choose x # of photos for album design”.
3. Burn a proofing DVD to mail to client.
4. Create album design (with our logo/contact info on last page).
5. Do album layout w/ client (might need to meet to choose cover, paper, cover photo etc.)
6. Order album. Order one for our expo and or the venue? Order something unexpected for the client.
7. Wrap album in beautiful packaging. Hand deliver or mail to client.

Give them a big hug and have a feeling of loss knowing that you’re wedding time with them is done but remind yourself that you’ll see them again when their friend books you for their wedding and smile.

We all had the greatest day. It started off with big hugs and a hello then right to photos in the classic lobby of our hotel, the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel. From there we went to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge then hiked up a steep hill super fast (I think my legs are shorter than everyone I was with!) It was worth it because the view of the bay was amazing from up there and the wind added that extra drama that makes me wish we had a veil nearby to add to the dramatic look. From there it’s all a blur! We went everywhere and saw everything in San Francisco. We loved all of the colors (more than in Seattle), old and glamorous architecture, and how vast the city is. I can see why Emily and Matt enjoy living there so much. There’s so much there to see and do!
Matt and Emily generously bought us lunch and we all clinked our glasses in celebration of a great day…or was it to their engagement? All I know is that we were all very happy and that’s something to celebrate. So here’s to a fabulous couple who are perfect together and know how to live life to the fullest.
Cheers!

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Brandon at Cheekwood Manor

We flew to Nashville, Tennessee for Ann and Cody’s amazing wedding (post coming soon).  While there we visited Cheekwood Manor to see the art exhibit “Light” by Bruce Munro.  We, of course, brought our camera with us and moved at a snail pace because every corner we turned had another amazing piece of art or incredible architecture representing the old south that inspired us to capture it.  Good thing we are both photographers because traveling with a photographer is not fast paced. You will always hear, “Ooh, stop the car!” Followed by things like, “That oak tree in the field of rolling hills is breathtaking!”  At some point you have to travel with your eyes closed (as long as you are the passenger that is) because it’s all too tempting and you really do just have to get to your destination eventually.

I love this photo of Brandon.  I’m so glad we share the love of art and photography.

Ann and Cody Wedding day of Slideshow from Hildebrand Productions on Vimeo.

We landed safely on our flight from Seattle to Nashville. After a good night’s rest we headed to Lebannon to meet with Ann and Cody and do their engagement session at his folk’s house. We had the warmest welcome from Ann and Cody. It was good to see Ann again and Cody is so nice and very polite, must be a mix of southern hospitality and military. It was odd to hear Ann say, “nice to meet you” to Brandon. I feel like her and I have become close from knowing each other for a year now. They have a beautiful home on 5 acres which feels like a million to us coming from a city where wide open land is becoming scarce. We saw frogs, a walking stick, beautiful colorful flowers that I didn’t recognize from home and lots of green everywhere you look. After I was over being stunned by all the beautiful new things I was seeing we started their engagement session which I’ll post once Brandon is done editing them.
Afterwards we previewed a farm down the street for their wedding day photos.
We could go crazy with photos here! It’s incredible to see so many horses and cows and the pond with rolling hillsides, old barns and big trees. These are photos we took with our iphones. I cannot wait to take their wedding day photos here! They’re going to be crazy amazing!!
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Yay! We are so excited. We are flying from Seattle to Nashville, Tennessee to photograph Ann and Cody’s wedding and we are definitely prepared for take-off! We have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. I have heard so much about Ann’s plans for her wedding and how since it’s a backyard garden wedding she went with green as her main color and leaves and vines to accent her cake, shoes, dress and ring…it’s going to be so beautiful! I can’t wait to see the real thing!
I’ve always wanted to visit Tennessee. I hope the heat doesn’t melt me into a hot mess…literally. Going to have to seek out the nearest sweet tea to ward off the heat…lots and lots of sweet tea!

Dawn and Brandon flying to Nashville, Tennessee

Special thanks to: Pastor John [email protected]; Tracy Contera, Lord Hill Farms, [email protected], Florist: Brittany Flowers Patty Holder 425-827-1414, Cake Artist: Tallant House Judy Tallant [email protected] 425-737-1533, Makeup Artist: Kathy Evans from Kathy Evans Beauty Studio 425-822-0600, Hair Stylist: Toni Lawrence from Mane Street Salon 425-844-3083, R. Dubré Hayes aka DJ DUBREEZY| DUBREEZY ENTERTAINMENT 206-595-4948 | [email protected] | www.dubreezyentertainment.com

Thanks to: Purple Café and Columbia Winery for letting us take photos in your beautiful establishments.

In November of 2012, on Veteran’s Day weekend, Jeff surprised Caitlin with a trip to Orcas Island. When they got to the hotel, Jeff told her to close her eyes and she heard a pop of champagne and immediately started to sweat profusely. She bets Jeff did too! When she opened her eyes she had a glass of champagne and one hand and saw Jeff kneeling next to her other asking for her to marry him. Jeff is going to kill Caitlin for saying this, but he actually shed a couple tears, which set off Caitlin’s because she’s a big fat cry baby. Between sobs she said “YES!!!!!!!!!!” She went to call her parents. Her dad, Tom, answered and the conversation went like this:

“Hi Daddy!! Guess what!?”
“Sh*t, your mom isn’t home”
“Okay…”
“Call back in an hour”

Obviously, Caitlin’s dad already knew what had happened because Jeff was the proper man and asked her parents’ blessing earlier that week. Gayle, Caitlin’s mom, had gone grocery shopping when Caitlin had called with her big news. Eventually, Caitlin was able to get a hold of both her parents at home and shared the joyous news! Everyone is ecstatic because Jeff is a great guy and her parents, and brother, know that he will take care of her FOREVER.