I’ve got some posts coming up, so I hope you’ll continue to follow us!

I love love love this bride from Graddy Photography. It’s slightly sexy and very feminine. Having the veil at the crown of the head is not as common as it used to be, but when placed right, the veil adds height to the look and is ultra flattering.

Also, check out the beautiful bling she added to her hair, pinning it back on one side. It’s a great touch, especially when most brides remove their veil during the reception. Voila! You can show off your hair piece or barrette.

As for the makeup, I love the bride’s smokey eye and sculpted brow look. It looks like she has a strong and thin eyeliner application and a dark chocolate color contouring the eyelid at the corner and the crease.

By far, my favorite part about the makeup is the lip. Since the eyes are bold and sexy, the lip is sweet and subdued. A light pink on the lips looks great. Make sure to line the lips and opt for a matte pink color here, to really leave the focus on the eyes, but still make the lips prominent.

A recent post by The Beauty Counter confirmed the advice that I usually give to people, to get more radiant skin. Adding retinoids by way of a moisturizer, serum or even a cleanser can r

eally help with skin cell rejuvenation. The reason I know that retinoids work, is because I have experience. I was a long time acne sufferer. In fact, the reason I became so fascinated with makeup is because I was forever trying to conceal blemishes. All the experimentation helped me learn about makeup and concealing techniques to really erase any acne evidence. Also, along the way I was put on Retin A – a strong retinoid based acne medication. The treatment worked (after a rough period of dry peeling skin) My face was clear, smooth and blemish free. It was pretty miraculous how retinoids affected my skin. Not only was my acne gone, but my skin was even and bright. It was amazing!

Many “over the counter” products have retinoids in them. I highly recommend incorporating them into your skincare routine, especially if you’re getting married. you’ll want your skin to look flawless. And while makeup can do wonders, there’s no replacement for healthy glowing skin.

Here are some products that have a retinoid ingredient in them:

DERMAdoctor products: Poetry in Lotion — these have high concentrations of retinol for rapid results

This is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner 2009 — Roc Retinol Correxion

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Photography Credit: Joshua Caine Photography

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Callie is energetic, in the perfect way. She helps you feel excited but not overwhelmed. I am used to being behind the camera in my job, so I was nervous about portraits. I instantly felt at ease with her. She’s got a great sense of humor which is key for me – I love sarcasm and light heartedness.

In the last few months I have followed Callie’s blog and seen all the great things coming her way, and I’m so happy to show off one of my favorite photographers!

Take a look at her work and read the interview, Callie talks about her favorite wedding moments and her upcoming wedding!!

The Interview

Name: Callie Chappell

Company: Callie V Photography

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

How long have you been in the business?

I shot my first wedding about 4 years ago, but I would hardly say I was in the business back then! I was an energetic college student, passionate about weddings and photography. Callie V Photography as a business was born less than 2 years ago! It has been a whirlwind, and I am seriously humbled by how far it’s come! 2010 will be my second official wedding season, I am PUMPED to get it started!!

What three words describe your wedding photography style?

FUN! I love color and playful posing for portraits! Fresh. I am constantly trying to come up with new ideas and am always pushing myself creatively. Candid. I definitely have a photojournalistic approach, particularly during the ceremony and reception. When I go through photos after a long day, the candid, unplanned images are always my favorite. To me, the shot of your bridesmaid trying to hide her tears, or the shot of the bride laughing during a toast is what it’s all about!

Describe how you got into the wedding photography business?

I have ALWAYS loved photography (really, I had a camera as a little girl, I used to get in trouble for going through too much film). Fast-forward 20 years and I accidentally fell into my DREAM JOB! I had done a number of weddings for friends and family, and was looking for something fun to do on the side to feed my creative side… so, I started asking around and building a client-base. I will never forget the first “real wedding” that I did. It as magical, thrilling, and SO MUCH FUN. Towards the end of one of the best days of my life I remember standing in the back of the room during the reception and literally thinking to myself “why didn’t I think of this a long time ago?!?!” Within a few months I had quit my full-time job in Insurance sales (I know, right?!) and now I’m living the dream. I wake up every single day grateful to be doing what I love, I have the best job in the world!

What is your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph? Why?

SUCH a hard question!! Can I pick two?! First, I looooove images of the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready. The anticipation shows in every shot. Everyone is smiling, crying, laughing, looking beautiful and waiting for the big moment. Next, I have to say that I am a sucker for the ceremony. That is, after-all, what the wedding is all about. Weddings to me are about the tradition. Nothing beats watching my clients go through such a sacred tradition. At this point I’ve probably become pretty close the bride and groom, and I could snap photos of them standing up there smiling at each-other all day long! (There’s a slight chance I cry during most ceremonies… what can I say, I love weddings!!)

What advice can you give to brides, on how to look their best in photographs?

Don’t worry about how to pose, or getting every detail right, that’s what your photographer is there for!! Take it all in, relax, and let your photographer worry about everything else. Also, I can’t tell you how much it helps to feel a connection with your photographer. If you’re comfortable with the person who is going to be your personal paparazzi for the next 9+ hours you’ll look relaxed, and you’ll be able to smile naturally.

Do you have any wedding day trends that you’re loving?

Oh man, I love all things wedding style! I feel lucky that buying wedding magazines and browsing wedding blogs is part of my daily work routine! I would have to say that my current favorite wedding trend is a sassy and chic short wedding dress!! I think they’re so stunning, and so unique! I’m also loving the studio-style photo booth trend! Guests LOVE it, I jumped right on board and offer a really fun photo booth to all my clients!

There’s a major movement towards boudoir shoots lately. What do you like about boudoir and do you recommend it?

YES YES YES! I absolutely recommend boudoir!! I have clients come in to do boudoir sessions that are single, married, and engaged! I really think it’s something all women should do. I love watching my clients come in all nervous, then see how empowered they feel by the end of a session. Even better, it is amazing to see their reactions when they look at their photos!

You’re getting married this year. Tell us a bit about your plans and what the photography will be like for the day?

I am getting married in 5 months! I can’t believe it! My fiancé David and I are going for fun and casual (with style, obviously!). The ceremony and reception are both at Camrose Hill Farm in Stillwater, I seriously feel like this venue was made for us! It’s so chic, so eclectic, and so country (I’m a softy for all things rustic). Think bright colors, gingham flower-girl dresses, mason jars and candlelight! We hired Ben Berndt Photography, and I fully intend to take my own advice on my wedding day and let him handle everything! We trust him completely! (though I can’t promise I wont take a few shots of my own ). I envision the photos capturing the scene in detail and we will clearly be doing some fun and crazy shots with the entire bridal party!

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The Interview

Location:

Based out of Richardton, North Dakota and serving Western North Dakota

How long you’ve been in business:

8 months

What are three words to describe your wedding photography style?

Relaxed, Elegant, and Fun

Describe how you got into the wedding photography business?

When I started my photography business I originally wanted to give parents great portraits of their children. I was hesitant to take that step towards wedding photography because it is such an important day that is intwined with memories you can’t replace or redo. I had a friend contact me to attend a coworkers wedding reception and take some photos. Since they had already been married in California and had their “real” day photographed, I felt a little bit of pressure lift and I agreed to do it. I had so much fun and I loved seeing the outcome of their day that I knew I wanted to do more. I put up a few fliers throughout the area and thankfully I had a very brave Bride ask me to do her wedding. She liked the work that I did with kids and landscapes and wanted to see what I could do with her wedding. That wedding led to another Bride asking me to do her wedding a few months later and since I knew this was something I wanted to plunge into a little more, I began to get booths in Bridal Shows. I am still new in the Wedding Photography Business, but thanks to great friends and mentors, this summer is packed with my own weddings along with assisting in a few for Jesse Knutson Photography. Without the courage of others, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

What is your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph. Why?

The meeting. Whether the Bride and Groom decide to meet prior to their ceremony in order to get more time for photos, or they meet for the first time that day while she walks down the isle. There is something about the look the two of them give each other and capturing that look that melts my heart. It reminds me every time that there is good in this world and that hope and love can endure all things… even the stresses of wedding planning.

What advice can you give to brides, on how to look their best in photographs.

Water, for weeks and weeks a head of time, keep yourself hydrated. Drink more water than you think you need. The more hydrated you are, the more your skin radiates beauty, the healthy you feel, you become less stressed because your complexion is flawless and your energy for the day will spike. Also to relax. If your not comfortable being yourself in front of your photographer, your portraits will look stiff and the emotional aspect of the day won’t come through in the way that you would like.

Do you have any wedding day trends that you’re loving?

Retro and Rebel. I love these two. It doesn’t matter if they are combined or on their own, I just LOVE IT! I love the old fashioned look that has the flair of today’s style. The birdcage veil, the pin striped suits, romance and love flourishing with style, I get excited just thinking about it. Then if you have the ambition to take a step out of the box and change up tradition, make something yours and express it in a unique way that no body has ever thought of. I love it when you can mix originality with classical.

There’s a major movement toward boudoir shoots lately. What do you like about boudoir, and do you recommend it?

Women, especially soon-to-be wives are always thinking of ways that they can show their man how much they appreciate them, care for them, want them in their lives for all eternity. We can’t send flowers or buy them diamonds, because lets face it, not all men are in touch with their feminine side. Boudoir gives us the great opportunity to give our men something we know that they want…. a little piece of us. It’s intimate and sexy and can emit emotions that you wouldn’t normally be able to express in every day life. I love this trend and am amazed at the tasteful images that have come out of so many sessions. It doesn’t have to be raunchy and you don’t have to be a size two. That’s what I love best about these sessions, it allows the photographer to show women that they are beautiful no matter their flaws. Freckles, thick thighs, fuller mid sections. Your husband or soon-to-be husband loves you for who you are inside and out, and this is a great way for us to show them, from every angle and light, the beauty that is seen through their man’s eye.

You were married a few years ago, tell us a bit about YOUR wedding day.

The wedding day in itself was a page torn out of the world’s unluckiest weddings. Nothing seemed to go right, but I loved the fact that Tyler and I tried to make it us in every way. I learned the hard way that your day is about you and that you need to not try to please everyone. This is a day to express you and your grooms personalities, passions and love for each other… not to follow in what your family and friends think you should do.

The groomsmen entered the ceremony location (outside) on Motorcycles, since Tyler was in love with Harley’s. In high school Tyler and his friends used to give each other “Mafia” names so we had them wear pin-striped suits with black hats… some refused because it would mess up their hair, but most were more than willing. The officiant was one of Tyler’s best friends who became ordained online, and even though we never actually said “I DO” to each other, it was nice to have someone that was close to us invoke this sacrament upon us. It was a relaxed event, with guests arriving in jeans and a t-shirt. We don’t like to dress up a great deal, so why make our guests? For dinner, I had to bring a little bit of southern style to the reception so we had BBQ Beef Brisket and sweet tea. It was a ceremony that reflected who we are… since we were young when we got married it was a very low budget wedding, but I learned on that day that you can have fun, be a beautiful bride that gets swept off her feet by her groom…. and get it all accomplished for under 10 grand.

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Double headbands are a hair trend that’s grown in the last few years. It’s a very modern way to add flair to your wedding updo. The double headband helps to add volume at the front and the crown of your head for an extra feminine feel.

Take a look at these double headbands from Etsy Sellers, and get an affordable custom wedding headband.

Etsy Seller Gem Drops Jewelry

Etsy Seller Feathers and Frills

Etsy Seller Sugar Lotus Designs