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Tuesday, August 20, 2024
By Amber Henry
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Hey everyone, I’m Amber, a wedding photographer who’s seen it all when it comes to groomsmen's behavior on the big day. I’ve had the pleasure of capturing countless weddings, and let me tell you, the role of groomsmen is more crucial than you might think.
 
As a groomsman, you’re not just there to stand by your friend—you’re there to help make the entire day run smoothly and create an unforgettable experience for the Groom, our Groom.
 
Here’s how you can step up and make a real difference.

1. Be On Time, Every Time

Punctuality is key. The wedding day is a tightly coordinated schedule of events, and being on time is crucial. Whether it’s for pre-wedding photos, the ceremony, or the reception, being punctual ensures that everything goes off without a hitch and helps keep the day stress-free for our Groom

2. Support the Groom Emotionally

Weddings can be overwhelming, and our Groom might need a little emotional support. Be there to offer encouragement, share a joke, or simply listen if he needs to talk. Your support can help keep him calm and focused on the joy of the day.

3. Assist with Logistics

A lot is happening behind the scenes, from coordinating transportation to helping with attire. Take the initiative to assist with these logistics. Whether it’s making sure everyone has their boutonnieres on correctly or helping to gather the groomsmen for photos, your proactive attitude can make a big difference.

4. Respect the Photographer’s Schedule

As a photographer, I work with a tight timeline to capture all the important moments. Help me by following directions and staying organized. When the photographer calls for group shots or specific poses, being cooperative and timely ensures we get the best shots and keeps the day on track. (and please for all things holy, empty out your pockets!)

5. Keep the Atmosphere Fun and Light

A wedding should be a joyous occasion. Contribute to the positive energy by keeping the atmosphere light and fun. Share laughs, engage in friendly banter, and create a relaxed vibe that helps our Groom enjoy his day to the fullest.

6. Be Prepared for Any Situation

Things don’t always go according to plan. Be prepared to adapt and help handle any hiccups that come up. Whether it’s helping to calm nerves or managing unexpected changes if something goes missing, your flexibility and readiness to step in can make a huge difference.

 

7. Respect the Venue and Vendors

Be mindful of the venue’s rules and respect the vendors’ work. This includes being considerate about where you place personal items, following guidelines for where you can and can’t go, and showing appreciation for everyone working behind the scenes. It's a fun day for you, but a long work day for us!

8. Make Sure Our Groom Stays Hydrated and Fed

It’s easy for our Groom to get caught up in the whirlwind of the day and forget to eat or drink. Keep an eye out and make sure he stays hydrated and nourished. This small act of care can keep him feeling great throughout the day.

 

9. Help with Attire and Grooming

Ensure that our Groom’s attire is in top shape, from fixing any last-minute wrinkles to adjusting ties and cuff-links. A well-groomed Groom is a happy Groom, and your attention to these details will help him look his best! Also, the same goes for you - make sure to try on that entire suit BEFORE the wedding day. A too-snug vest will not be something you want to wear for 12 hours!

10. Celebrate Wholeheartedly

When it’s time to celebrate, be enthusiastic and supportive. Dance, cheer, and join in the festivities. Your genuine excitement and joy will enhance the celebration and contribute to an unforgettable experience for our Groom and everyone involved. As you can see in these photos, we keep it sharp but we love to have a good time!
 

By stepping up and embracing these roles, you’re not just helping our Groom—you’re contributing to a day that will be remembered fondly for years to come. Your support and camaraderie can make a world of difference, ensuring that our Groom’s wedding is as smooth, joyful, and memorable as possible.

Let’s make it a day he—and everyone else—will never forget.

 

~Amber Henry Photography

 
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
By Amber Henry
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Hey fabulous friends! 🌟

 

If you’ve been lucky enough to snag the role of a bridesmaid, you’re about to play a crucial part in making the bride’s big day unforgettable—especially in the photo department! As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all, and trust me, a little bridesmaid magic can go a long way in ensuring those wedding photos turn out absolutely stunning.

 

Here are my top ten tips for you to rock your bridesmaid duties and help make the bride’s day picture-perfect:

 

 1. Stick to the Timeline: The wedding day schedule is meticulously crafted for a reason. Be punctual and help keep the bridal party on track. This ensures we capture every special moment without feeling rushed or missing any key shots.

 

 2. Keep the Bridal Party in Line: Be the unofficial coordinator of the bridal party. A little friendly nudging to keep everyone organized and ready for their turn in the spotlight can make a huge difference in how smoothly the day unfolds. This is especially helpful when a tipsy groomsman is cat-calling the couple during their romantic photos - a friendly nudge in his gut to tell him to “shushhhh” will be very appreciated by the bride!

 

 3. Maintain a Tidy Getting Ready Room: A clutter-free space makes a world of difference in photos. Before the makeup artist and photographer arrive, make sure the getting-ready room is clean and organized. This helps keep the focus on the bride and her beautiful moments, not on the mess around her.

 
 
4. Help with Dresses and Accessories: Be ready to assist the bride and other bridesmaids with their dresses, veils, and accessories. Your help ensures that everything is perfectly in place, which translates to flawless photos.
 
5. Be Mindful of the Photographer: Give the photographer space and be aware of their positioning. Avoid walking into the frame or blocking their shot. If they’re setting up a particular shot, follow their directions to make sure you’re enhancing the moment, not hindering it.
 
6. Stay Calm and Supportive: Weddings can be a whirlwind. Your calm demeanor and supportive presence will help keep the bride relaxed and radiant, which is key to capturing her natural beauty and joy. If you see her become overwhelmed, grab her a non-alcoholic drink, a tissue, a fan,..anything to help her relax and remember that she is in her day and it’s going to be perfect no matter what.

7. Communicate and Coordinate: If there are any changes or unexpected issues, communicate them to the photographer and the rest of the bridal party promptly. Quick adjustments can help us capture the best moments without any stress.

8. Assist with Touch-Ups: Be ready to help with last-minute touch-ups on makeup, hair, or attire. A quick fix can keep the bride looking flawless for those important photo ops.

 

 
9. Offer to be the Runner: At certain points in the day, something will need to be found. A missing purse, a family member for formal photos, a wayward envelope. Being the person to volunteer as tribute will reduce the stress of everyone and keep the photographer shooting instead of spending their time searching for missing items or people.
 
10. Celebrate and Have Fun: Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the day! Your genuine happiness and enthusiasm will shine through in the photos and add to the overall joy of the occasion. Your photographer wants to capture real happiness and the love of her clients and their party.

Being a bridesmaid is an honor, and with these tips, you’ll not only support the bride but also ensure that her wedding photos are as stunning as her big day. Let’s make this wedding unforgettable in every way possible! 💖📸

 

Feel free to share this with your fellow bridesmaids or tag someone who’s about to step into this amazing role. Here’s to a fabulous wedding day! 🥂✨

 

~Amber Henry Photography

 
Tuesday, February 06, 2024
By Jen Smith / Adobe
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Capture Your Confidence: The Benefits of Professional Portrait Photography

There’s nothing quite like having professional photographs taken of yourself. Professional portrait photography can seize a moment in time and immortalize it, while also helping boost your self-confidence. Here are a few reasons why you should go with an experienced professional, courtesy of this article hosted by Amber Henry Photography.

A Portrait Session Can Boost Your Confidence

Having your portrait professionally taken is an empowering experience. It helps to show off your best features and highlights all the unique aspects that make you who you are. Having these moments captured in photos can help give you the confidence to face any challenge that comes your way and remind yourself how attractive and capable you are.

Overcome Insecurities

Having professional portraits taken is also beneficial if you have insecurities about your appearance or body image. A professional photographer knows how to pose subjects in flattering ways to make them look their best, using techniques such as strategic lighting and angles to highlight positive features while minimizing any flaws or issues one might have with their appearance. This kind of expertise helps immensely when it comes to overcoming those pesky insecurities we all face sometimes.

Feel More Comfortable in Front of The Camera

Another great aspect of professional portrait photography is that it allows for guidance on posing, expressions, and more from the photographer, who has experience working with many different people every day and can provide helpful tips on how to look your best for each shot. This will help even the most camera-shy feel more at ease when it comes time for the photos to be taken.

You'll Have Lots Of Options After The Shoot

After your professional portrait session, the choice is yours on how to showcase your images. Explore various creative avenues such as custom holiday cards, photo calendars, booklets, collages, and even Instagram stories. These options allow you to express your unique personality and qualities. Furthermore, platforms like Adobe Express offer a plethora of free tools to help highlight your favorite photographs in an engaging way.


  • Enjoy your photos all year long with a photo calendar: With the Adobe Express photo calendar maker, you can easily create a personalized calendar featuring your favorite shots from your professional portrait session. The tool is user-friendly, allowing you to customize the design, layout, and style of your calendar to make it unique and tailored to you.

  • A collage for all your faves: The Adobe Express photo collage maker is a great way to showcase your professional portrait session in a unique and creative way. With its easy-to-use interface, customizable templates, and a variety of editing tools, you can create a stunning collage that captures the essence of your session.

  • Make personalized cards: Using the Adobe Express custom card maker, you can create personalized cards to share your professional portrait session with your family or friends. With its library of template choices, you can easily design a beautiful card featuring your favorite photos that will leave a lasting impression.

  • Share your snaps with the world via Instagram: The Adobe Express Instagram post maker is a great tool for sharing your favorite photos from your professional portrait session on Instagram. Simply upload your favorite pics, then design away!


Professional portrait photography offers so many amazing benefits for anyone looking for an outlet to express themselves through stunning images that truly capture who they are. Working with a pro can help you overcome insecurities about being in front of the camera. Plus, there’s nothing better than having beautiful memories preserved in timeless photos that you can cherish forever.


Ready to get in touch with a professional about your portrait needs? Contact Amber Henry Photography today.

 
Friday, October 22, 2021
By Amber Henry
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Deep into the darkest woods you finally found her, in a home buried in thick willows far away from society. You sought her out because you need something. An enchantment. A person to be held accountable or perhaps a love unrequited finally realized. A favor.
 
She greets you with a cat-like grin, her long black fingers dipped in gold dust and her face smeared with earth and sulfur. You tell her of your plight begging for help, and she slowly yet swiftly sets to the task of creating her charms. The space all around you smells of damp soil and decay, yet there is a spicy sweet aroma you can’t quite place. You feel intoxicated by it.
 
She hums softly deep in her throat, lighting more candles and incense. She chants. She invites you to explain your sorrows to her without really saying a word. Her smile becomes more sinister and her teeth flash. Are they pointed? No, no that was a trick of the candlelight. Her eyes, so hypnotic. Inviting you in. Two blue eyes, blink, four eyes...she screams!
 
The book of shadows before her is pulled out, and with a flick of her long fingers, she demands silence. Nothing makes a sound, even the wind outside seems to obey her commands. She chants in rhythm and her lips blow slowly over the pages and… flames appear. Hot and wild, licking into the air and then gone as fast as they came.
Did it work?
 
She doesn’t seem pleased. She looks deeper into your eyes, so deep. She’s vexed. Uneasy. Something is wrong. She reaches up and slowly removes her crown, woven of thread, thorns, and stones, cutting tiny holes into her fingertips. You don’t know what happened but you know she is pissed. The crown comes off… and the hat goes on…
 
The elemental Witch - Ashley Hartwick
Makeup design - Abriana Hernandez
Camera and lenses - Canon EOS R6, 70-200mm, 24-105mm
Lighting - Westcott , GODOX
Modifiers - MagMod , Manfrotto,
Other Gear used - Spider Camera Holster, Atmosphere Aerosol, Westcott Ice Light,
 
Monday, September 20, 2021
By Amber Henry
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We spent a hoppin' good time with Samantha at her 1950's inspired retro story-session.  We spent the morning at the fun-loving Comet Classic Diner and Creamery in Birch Run, Michigan where they graciously let us create Sam's story before opening. As you can see, this place is legit! From the retro-neon and signs to the delicious burgers and malts, this is one place I can't wait to visit again!

Story Time-

 Miss Samantha is the resident Earth-Angel, a real dolly of a young lady. She was all set to meet up with her dream-boat at the Comet Diner. She waited for him while dancing to the latest records and got a real kick out of the nifty spot. She killed time by ordering her favorite Strawberry malt, and a cool glass of Coca-cola. I mean, she was real gone over this Daddy-O.

Sadly, time ticked and he never showed. It was a fake-out, ain't that a bite? She was frosted, I mean really she was so blue. But like any classy girl next door, she decided to call it quits and go meet up with her girls instead and see a flick at the drive-in. After all, she was chrome-plated and ready to go have fun! (and he probably had cooties anyway).

 

Camera Gear- Canon EOSR6, 70-200mm and 24-105mm lenses

Magmod Modifiers

Godox and Westcott/ Ice Light lighting

Manfrotto Light Stands

SpiderPro Hybrid duel camera system