Washington D.C. Wedding: Save 20%
Travel alert! We’re heading back to the District and are looking to shoot a wedding in the Washington D.C. area for April 30th & May 1st. Book these special travel dates and save 20% on your photo package! This special promo was also listed on 100 Layer Cake’s Promo Board! Feel free to get in touch with Melanie for details: info@fianderfoto.com.
Bridal Expo at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel in Bermuda
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!
I’ll be at the Orchid Spa Bridal Expo today at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda! If you’re looking for a wedding photographer to capture your whole wedding day, be sure to stop by my “Fiander Foto” booth! If you book your 2016 wedding by the end of today, you’ll receive a free one-hour engagement shoot or a 10% discount on any "Wedding Day" Photo Package, which includes ten hours of coverage! There will also be a raffle for a free engagement session; come on down!
Valentine's Day Promo
In case you missed the e-mail promotion that was sent out, you can check it out right here! Book your Bermuda Wedding (or Washington D.C. Wedding) by Valentine's Day and receive a one hour free Engagement Session!
Photography Show: "Salt Stories: 10 Years Later" - Photo Essays By Melanie Fiander
Seasons Greetings to All! I'll be having a solo photography show titled, "Salt Stories: 10 Years Later" at Bermuda Society of Arts in Hamilton, Bermuda. I'll be showing 44 photographs in total. The collection of images makes up three photo essays, each one with a story to tell. However, there is a common element among all three; salt. Both in the literal and figurative senses salt is present in each photo essay. Opening night is on Friday, December 11th at 5:00 pm! We hope to see you there! The show will stay up through January 6, 2016.
BERMUDA SOCIETY OF ARTS
Friday, December 11, 2015
Opening at 5:00pm
Show - Bermuda Society of Arts | "Salt Stories: 10 Years Later"
I’m very happy to announce that I will be having my first solo photography show at The Bermuda Society of Arts in Hamilton, Bermuda! Salt Stories: 10 Years Later will opening on Friday, December 11th at 5:00pm and runs through January 6th, 2015. The show will feature 44 digital photographs that were shot between 2011 and 2015. This collection of images makes up three photo essays, each one with a story to tell. However, there is a common element among all three; salt. Both in the literal and figurative senses, salt is present in the photographs. It is seen in the ocean water, in the hands of a loved one, and in the sweat on a dance floor at a wedding. In attempts to capture honest moments in time, I found myself photographing what I call “salt moments”; a term I often used while attending The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine ten years ago. A photograph that allows the viewer to gaze into an action, space, or the mind of a subject, and feel empathy is a “salt moment.”
The first photo essay titled Aunt Mary was shot at my great aunt’s house in Brooklyn, New York, in October of this year. The underlying story is about my Aunt Mary, age 91 and the matriarch of our family, who is suffering from Dementia. Despite her illness, during my visit I viewed our conversations and interactions with each other to be slower, but still intact as it once was a year ago – five years ago – ten years ago. I’ve included photographs that show objects from her home and her surrounding spaces to give the viewer a sense of location, time, culture, and lifestyle. The sequence starts out with light and bright images and moves toward darker ones; a metaphor for her days. Aunt Mary’s mornings are sunny and clear, yet as the day moves on, she becomes cloudy and confused.
The second photo essay titled Like Father, Like Son is comprised of photographs I took of my husband, James West, and father-in-law, Blake West. These two men have worked together on and off as deep-sea fishermen for several decades in Bermuda. Their ability to work together both on the water and on land makes them a unique and well-respected father/son fishing duo. While making a living off of the ocean, they maintain a conservative approach towards fishing. In attempts to understand the minds of their fish, Blake and James move as the fish do. Father and Son are up well before the morning light to assess the weather and seek out blue water. My photographs offer a “behind the scenes” look at Blake’s and James’ day-to-day life.
My final set of images showcases my preferred stylistic approach to photographing weddings. Through the lens of my camera, I approach my subject with a documentary and photojournalistic eye. Whether I’m photographing a bride getting ready or during a speech, I aim to capture honest moments. The photographs in this series were shot at several different weddings and showcase how one’s big day is captured throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Ten years after attending The Salt Institute, my definition of a “true photo essay” has changed, although I still see traces of “salt moments” within my work. Once you are trained to capture a subject with a documentary approach, it’s not only the style of shooting that sticks with you year after year. It’s also the need to share a story as it occurred and to allow your viewer into that world.
To read more about my past photographic work, click "here".
The "Holiday Hustle Sale" is ON!
The Holiday Hustle Sale is back and bigger than ever! This year's deals are available for purchase now and run all the way through December 28, 2015! If you'd like to have some photos taken or buy a gift certificate for someone you know, be sure to schedule the shoot before March 30th, 2016 because the offers expire after this date. Act fast to reserve your date; limited space available!
To access an online gallery for the Archival Photos & Canvas Print sale, click "here". To access the Fiander Foto store for the Photo Package & Gift Certificate sale, click "here". Happy shopping!
To officially reserve a time, e-mail me {Melanie}: info@fianderfoto.com. A paid invoice and signed contract are required to book. All payments are final, non-refundable, and expire on March 30th, 2016. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts.
Wedding: Kaitlyn & James - Washington DC
Happy Anniversary to Kaitlyn & James! I had the pleasure of photographing their wedding in the fall of 2012! What made their wedding unique was that these two were - and still are - in the U.S. Army. With the help of their siblings and friends, they had planned their wedding while they were both deployed in Afghanistan! Given that they were overseas, Kaitlyn and James had never seen their chosen venue, taste-tested their menu, or met their vendors. Although, none of that mattered to these two; they were too excited to get married and their wedding day went off without a hitch! The morning of the wedding was very relaxed for the bride and groom: coffee (with a touch of Baileys added to it), hair, make-up, and an old fashion shave for James and his groomsmen, a quick "insignia polish", and finally, stepping into the white gown for the First Look.
Happy Anniversary to Kaitlyn & James! I had the pleasure of photographing their wedding in the fall of 2012! What made their wedding unique was that these two were - and still are - in the U.S. Army. With the help of their siblings and friends, they had planned their wedding while they were both deployed in Afghanistan! Given that they were overseas, Kaitlyn and James had never seen their chosen venue, taste-tested their menu, or met their vendors. Although, none of that mattered to these two; they were too excited to get married and their wedding day went off without a hitch! The morning of the wedding was very relaxed for the bride and groom: coffee (with a touch of Baileys added to it), hair, make-up, and an old fashion shave for James and his groomsmen, a quick "insignia polish", and finally, stepping into the white gown for the First Look.
Kaitlyn and James both come from military families. Both of Kaitlyn's parents were in the Army along with James' father, who served in the Vietnam War. It was very important for Kaitlyn and James to squeeze in a Bridal Portrait Shoot after their First Look photos at a few of the Monuments in Washington D.C.! Before the ceremony at Saint Joseph's in Old Town, Alexandria, we popped over to the Jefferson Memorial and Roosevelt Island.
The wedding ceremony took place at the historic Saint Joseph's Church in Old Town, Alexandria. After Kaitlyn and James said their "I Dos", we took a few family portraits at the alter. As the couple exited the building, James' groomsmen formed a Saber Arch for the two to pass under. What military wedding would be complete without requesting a kiss from the bride and groom before crossing through the arch?
After the ceremony, Chariots for Hire picked up the bridal party and a few relatives for a quick spin in a party bus around town! From there, the reception kicked off at the Hilton, right off King Street! The bridal party was announced; each pair danced into the room. A brilliant cake cutting and smashing followed. Guests of all ages enjoyed their photo booth and danced the night away!
Since these two have gotten married, they've had a beautiful little boy and are expecting their second child shortly. Kaitlyn & James are still serving in the Army, are stationed in Germany, and have both earned the rank of "Major". I think it's fair to say that these two are a great fit together! Happy Anniversary and cheers to many more!
Love Bugs: Chris & Katie - Anniversary
Just before Christmas of last year, my husband, Jim, and I drove down 95 South to Richmond, Virginia and linked up with our dear friends, Chris and Katie. These two love bugs had recently moved from Arlington to Richmond, and we wanted to check out their new city. It had been years since I was last in Richmond, although this was Jim's first RVA experience. Aside from attending a Carbon Leaf concert at The National that weekend, our schedule was wide open to explore the area, which is exactly what we did! At this time, Chris and Katie were renting a gorgeous apartment in The Fan; the historic and artistic hub of Richmond some might say. We walked through their neighborhood - passed the hipsters in the park, inched our way towards the downtown area, squeezed in a walk along the James River, and even caught a glimpse of the boat parade. Fast forward to the present day: these two have purchased a house and are coming up on another wedding anniversary! Cheers to many more happy years together as they continue to explore Richmond and everything that lies ahead!
Just before Christmas of last year, my husband, Jim, and I drove down 95 South to Richmond, Virginia and linked up with our dear friends, Chris and Katie. These two love bugs had recently moved from Arlington to Richmond, and we wanted to check out their new city. It had been years since I was last in Richmond, although this was Jim's first RVA experience. Aside from attending a Carbon Leaf concert at The National that weekend, our schedule was wide open to explore the area, which is exactly what we did! At this time, Chris and Katie were renting a gorgeous apartment in The Fan; the historic and artistic hub of Richmond some might say. We walked through their neighborhood - passed the hipsters in the park, inched our way towards the downtown area, squeezed in a walk along the James River, and even caught a glimpse of the boat parade. Fast forward to the present day: these two have purchased a house and are coming up on another wedding anniversary! Cheers to many more happy years together as they continue to explore Richmond and everything that lies ahead!
Engagement: Laurielle & Andre
A photographer could not have asked for better weather or lighting on the day Laurielle, and Andre had their engagement photos taken! These two lovebirds won a free engagement shoot from me the Orchid Spa Bridal Expo, which was held at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda last February. This post is "extra special" today because the island is currently (as I type) sitting through Hurricane Joaquin! As you can see by his uniform, Andre is currently enrolled in the Bermuda Regiment. After a hurricane, the soldiers in the Regiment go out into the community to help clean up after a storm passes.
A photographer could not have asked for better weather or lighting on the day Laurielle, and Andre had their engagement photos taken! These two lovebirds won a free engagement shoot from me the Orchid Spa Bridal Expo, which was held at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda last February. This post is "extra special" today because the island is currently (as I type) sitting through Hurricane Joaquim! As you can see by his uniform, Andre is currently enrolled in the Bermuda Regiment. After a hurricane, the soldiers in the Regiment go out into the community to help clean up after a storm passes.
The clean up can be extensive; from removing fallen trees, to helping move debris from damaged roofs and houses to making an urgent rescue of someone in trouble. Some of the soldiers in Bermuda volunteer to serve, although most of the male soldiers have been drafted. At the age of 18, Bermudian men are eligible for the draft and typically serve three years. Andre, on the other hand, plans to make a career out of the military, so he's not going anywhere soon! A big "shout out" to all of our soldiers - male and female - in the Bermuda Regiment. Thank you in advance for the clean-up work that you will do tomorrow after Joaquim moves on. Stay safe everyone! ...and a special congrats to the soon-to-be newlyweds; who plan to get married shortly after Christmas!
Feature - Grey Likes Weddings | "Fiander Foto"
Happy Friday everyone! Today I'm snding a very special "thank you" to Alexa at Gray Likes Weddings for getting in touch with me the other week! What started out as a normal day - coffee + computer + work - turned into the beginning of what could be a fun collaboration! As a long time fan of Grey Likes Weddings, I'm stoked to promote Fiander Foto on this elegant blog! As noted in my new "Grey" bio below, Fiander Foto is currently "serving Bermuda, Washington D.C., and Destinations Worldwide"! Woo! Stay tuned to see some of my work featured in future posts on Grey Likes Weddings. Please feel free to check out my entire profile below or by clicking "here". The newest member of the "Grey Collective" - signing out! Until next time...
