BIG love to all of you, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com
1 comments so far
For my BUZZ by JB interviews, I send out a few questions for the interviewee to answer, and I think you'll agree that you get a real sense of why Katherine is so successful in the industry, and how thorough she is when working with couples who are willing to trust in her abilities and work WITH her! Here are the questions and Katherine's answers:
JB: What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
KS: Everyone is so different-from the way they meet, fall in love, and interact with each other. I like to become acquainted with and learn about my clients’ personalities, passions, and unique relationships. Then, I take great pride in producing an event for them that represents who they are, what they stand for, and what they like about the world. I love ‘love’ and I love to be in the lives of couples who are experiencing the newness and excitement of finding their special person. I also enjoy creating and developing artistic and colorful elements that reflect each couple’s uniqueness. It makes me happy to see the idea of a beautiful ceremony and the hopes of an amazing party come to life. I receive great fulfillment when my clients tell me that their guests have told them that their wedding day was the most amazing that they have ever seen. I feel proud that my creativity is able to bring so much joy to others.
JB: What is the most important advice or recommendation you have for your future and actual clients, whether it's for day-of planning or for full-event planning?
KS: Wow, how do I narrow this down? I have so many recommendations. Location, location, location!
JB: What are the top three aspects of planning that you feel contribute to making an event successful?
KS: I will try to limit this to my top three, although I feel as though I should/could write a book! LOGIC: Do not create an unrealistic scenario. "Elegance in simplicity." This is not to say that an event cannot be extraordinary, vibrant and lavish. I just mean that you should plan a day that allows you and the guests to relax, enjoy and celebrate with ease. Consider having the ceremony and reception in the same place, perhaps. Look at your plans and make sure that you have sufficient time and a sufficient setting to carry out your dreams. If you are planning an outdoor ceremony (especially in Pittsburgh), make sure that your plan B is a solid plan B and that all is in line to easily and quickly move to plan B when the weather is not cooperating! DETAILS: When you create a timeline, you need to be very specific. The timeline cannot just say "2:00-cut the cake." That is the "what and the when." Now you need the "who, where and how." For example: who will cut the cake? how will they cut it? where will the knife and serving set be located? after they cut it, who will serve it, and upon what will they serve it? where will these plates come from and who will wash them? In other words, its' all about that fabulously detailed timeline. A truly successful event does not just magically happen. It's all aobut the careful, organized and well thought out timeline. A truly successful event is successful because the preparations have been handled appropriately and with logic. The timelines I create for my clients (including all of the behind the scenes happennings) are sometimes 27 pages in length. ATTITUDE: The personalities of those around you make all the differenc in the world! I always tell my clients to hire vendors who treat you well and smile often. Family; well, that's a little trickeir. Seriously, skill and talent are, although vitally important, only half of the story. You want to surround yourself with vendors and friends who will be happy for you and nice to you. You want people who truly want your day to be fantastic and have your best interest at heart to be with you. In regards to family, well...those who will bring you down should really be sitting down somewhere in the back row at the ceremony and far enough away from you at the reception where you won't be affected. While keeping the real meaning of love and union at the forefront, a wedding celebration is definitely an event that should be organized, run, rehearsed and directed with precision and detail. Guests should not be bored: they should have fun! With careful thought and creative style, your wedding day will be talked about and remembered with joy, forever!
JB: Who is your favorite photographer to work with? ..just joking, but I coldn't resist! I'll leave the answer up to your imagination but here's a hint as to what Katherine said...
KS: Why, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, of course!
JB: hahahahahahahahaha!!! ...humor is a beautiful thing! ;-)
As someone who pretty much lives and breathes the wedding industry, I feel that those of us who know quality service providers are obligated to pass that information on to POTENTIAL and actual clients alike. On your wedding day, I want you to be surrounded with vendors who will do a good job for you and take very good care of you before and on your wedding day - a happy couple makes for beautiful images! Then after your wedding, it's up to me to take care of you for the rest of your lives! I like that! Follow the links in my blog entries; they will lead you to some really wonderful wedding vendors!
BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | joanne@joannebartone.com | www.joannebartone.com
1 comments so far
these are such beautiful pictures! they capture katherine perfectly! loving the waist belt! have to get me one of those!
(01.19.09 @ 12:40 PM)
Aunt Jo, circa. 1940, Conneaut, Ohio
I have been blessed to hail from a wonderful Italian family filled with special Aunts, Uncles and cousins on both sides of my family and I am grateful for all of you.
My Aunt Jo is the third loss I've had to deal with from November through December, but I continue to count my blessings. I figure if I count my blessings - many of them coming from those I know and love - I'll be way too busy to think anything other than loving thoughts.
Here's to you Aunt Jo, and to the legacy of love you've left us...not to mention all those good cookie recepies!
BIG love to Aunt Jo, Eddie Jr., Bart, Randy and our extended family - Joanne
3 comments so far
Joanne,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. . . I am very saddened to hear of your loss. . . If you need ANYTHING at all, we are here for you.
(01.05.09 @ 04:19 PM)Joanne,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts through this difficult time. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Jaci
(01.05.09 @ 04:39 PM)Thanks for your thoughtfulness and offers to help Jeremy and Jaci, but I'm the least one to worry about. Loss is never easy; I was just glad I could be with my cousins, dad and aunt when she passed; it was a moving experience and an honor...
So, I've had a few losses: my dear kitty of twenty years, a good friend of mine Shawn and now my Aunt. I'm trying to find peace in the blessings I do have, and so I'll continue to count them.
My heart goes out to my cousins, my father and his remaining sister so I'll kindly request that you direct your thoughts and prayers to them, if you would and then to my friend Shawn's wife and their little girl. They are the people who really need the comfort.
BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer
(01.05.09 @ 04:49 PM)
Details from the ceremony and one of Joy and Steve's tender moments directly afterward...
More beautiful details...the up-lighting of the ballroom was spectacular! Simone helped Joy create this beautiful space through her creative resource gathering, one of which included Andy Schick of ADS Lighting whose lighting set the most perfect and elegantly beautiful mood of the Sheraton Station Square! The limbs in the vases are manzinita branches - simply STUNNING! And a select guest from each table got to take home one of these beautiful hand-created centerpieces - what a thoughtful gift for Joy to offer her guests!
...the cake-toppers - so cute! And the cake-cutters - so cute too!
And a few great sets of images of the beautiful couple!
Presenting the lovely Joy!
The Details:
Coordinator: the fabulous Simone Hudson!
Lighting: Andy Schick of ADS Lighting
Jewelers: Goldstock Jewelers
Caterers: Sheraton Stations Square
Florists: Fred Dietz Florists
DJ: Entertainment Unlimited - DJ Master Gee and Son
Chair Rental: All Occasions
MakeUp: Patty Bell
Hair: Salon Christine
BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer tele: 412.418.8075 | e-mail: joanne@joannebartone.com | www.joannebartone.com
1 comments so far
Thank you for the picture of the cake toppers...they are my grandmothers love birds and she had them sitting on her dining room table for all the years I can remember. She is in a home now and I found them going through her stuff with my mother and I just knew they would be perfect!
You are AMAZING!
Much Love-- joy
(01.03.09 @ 12:14 PM)
there are no words... no words. thank god.
(01.19.09 @ 12:39 PM)