2013 Senior Rep Program

Brittany Ressler Photographers is ready for 2013 Seniors! It’s that time of year, BRP is looking for FUN seniors interested in becoming senior representatives. I am looking for juniors who will be seniors in 2013 to help promote my business to their friends. I will choose one female and one male student from each local high school.

• Want to get your Senior Photo session almost free?

• Want to have some great images for Facebook?

• Want to get free prints, photo albums, and a wall poster?

Then our Senior Rep Program may be for you.

Brittany Ressler Photographers is now seeking high school senior representatives for the class of 2013! If you are currently a high school junior or know a high school junior who might like to be a senior rep, here’s what you need to know.

If accepted, you will be representing Brittany Ressler Photographers and telling your friends about our Senior Sessions throughout your senior year. Be sure to let your Junior friends know also, so they will have a chance to apply for the 2014 program! For every friend you refer us to, you will receive special discounts on your print orders.

In order to be a senior rep, you must:
• Have great style, lots of personality and enjoy being in front of the camera.
• Be a current high school junior graduating in 2013.
• Live in and attend school in Michiana.
• Be available to have one session completed before September 1st, 2012.
• Agree to tell your friends and classmates about Brittany Ressler Photographers and share your senior portraits with them.
• Have your parents or legal guardians sign a model release form.
• Agree to represent ONLY Brittany Ressler Photographers and use these images as your senior pictures.

As part of our senior rep program you will receive the following:
• Free photo session(s) with unlimited clothing changes. Photos may be completed in one session or several sessions at BRP’s discretion. Several locations may be used.
• The opportunity to earn print credit for every person they refer to BRP for senior portraits. (And their friends get perks, too!)
• 50 personalized referral cards to give to friends and classmates with your name, your portraits, and our business information to hand out to friends
• Several of our favorite photos as low-resolution files to share on social networking sites like Facebook or Blogs (with our logo on them).
• A digital slideshow on your Facebook and Blog Pages
• Discounts on your print orders (discounts apply to orders purchased before expiration of gallery).
• A $100 gift card will be awarded to the representative with the highest number of photo business cards turned in by December 31, 2012.

Referral Discounts
1-3 Referrals – 10% off print order and $15.00 print credit per referral
4-6 Referrals –10% off print order and $20.00 print credit per referral
7-9 Referrals –10% off print order and $30.00 print credit per referral
10-12 Referrals – 25% off print order and $40.00 print credit per referral
13+ Referrals – 35% off print order and $50.00 print credit per referral

When your referrals book a paid session and bring in your Rep Card you will receive the above mentioned discounts according to the amount of referrals you bring to us. These referrals can include anyone who books the following sessions: Senior, Newborn, Family Portraits, Portraits, Weddings, etc.

You will receive your Rep Cards by September 15, 2012.

Any referral cards will be accepted for credit until June 1, 2013.


The classmate(s) must present a referral card in order to be eligible. All referred classmates will receive 10% of their session with a valid referral card PLUS 16 FREE wallets. Your participation in the program will not only introduce you to a new way for cutting edge, personalized photography, but also a way to earn incentives toward your session for senior portraits at little or no cost.

Terms and conditions are listed below for all Senior Portrait Representatives. The first photo session must be completed by September 1st of the Senior Year and all additional sessions need to be scheduled by December 1st, 2012. Parents or legal guardians of the Senior Rep must sign a model release, allowing us to use your images for advertising purposes. A valid Senior Portrait Rep Referral Card must be presented by a referred student in order to receive any credits toward prints. Credits will only be issued when a referred senior’s session is complete and all fees are paid in a timely manner by the referred senior. The program is first come, first serve, so act fast if you are interested.

Interested students should submit all information by Thursday, March 1, 2012. Reps will be chosen in late March by BRP.  Reps will be contacted if chosen and also announced on the Blog and on Facebook. No more than two reps will be chosen from each school.

TO APPLY FOR OUR SENIOR REP PROGRAM CLICK HERE

Having problems viewing the application? Email us at info@brittany-ressler.com and we can email you an application!

How much time is needed for your wedding photos?

There are multiple variables that play a part in the timing of your wedding photos.  There are some key questions to think about when determining the amount of time you'll need for your wedding coverage.

-Are you seeing the groom before the ceremony (aka First Look)?
-Are you doing bride / groom photos before the ceremony?
-Will the bridal party photos be done before the ceremony?
-Are you going to do family formals before the ceremony?

Once you've answered these questions you'll be able to start a basic timeline.  This will make scheduling hair and make-up appointments a little easier.

Let's start working on your timeline (get your pencil ready).
Start with your ceremony start / end time.
-For a traditional Christian ceremony allot 30 minutes (if it ends up being shorter than that you'll be AHEAD of schedule which is a great way to start!).
-For a full mass allot 1.5 hours.
-If you aren't planning to have a full mass allot 45 minutes.

As a rule of thumb, if you think your ceremony will only last 20 minutes you had better add another 20 minutes.

First Look:
I always recommend that the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony.  This not only allows us to get ALL of the photos done before the ceremony, but it also helps calm nerves.  This guarantees you will have plenty of time to party and you won't leave your guests waiting forever.

Please know that if you would prefer not to do the first look that is OK.  This is YOUR wedding and we will help make your wishes reality.

Getting Ready:
We recommend having no more than 1.5 hours of getting ready shots.  The only person we would want to shoot from beginning to end is the bride and some brides prefer that we don't do that much.  If you don't like how you look without your hair done or make-up on then you are not going to like those types of photos on your wedding day.

Bride / Bridesmaids:
I prefer to have 45 minutes for these photos, just to be safe.  However, I can usually get them done in less than 30 minutes.  Please note, it will take much less time to photograph 3 bridesmaids as opposed to 7.

Groom / Groomsmen:
Same as above

Bride & Groom:
If you are planning to see each other before the ceremony plan on the first look taking about 15 minutes.  We will give you a few minutes alone after to spend with one another.

After the first look we would move in to the bride and groom shots.  I could take FOREVER doing these shots!  I like a minimum of 30 minutes and an hour would be ideal.

Family Formals:
The family formals include immediate family only.  If you want photos with other family members we can try to squeeze those in at the reception.  A great idea would be to have the DJ announce these photos...then you don't have to look around for uncle Joe and aunt Susie.

So who is included in this category?
-Bride, Groom
-Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Siblings
-Your children
-Spouses of your siblings and their children
-Step-Parents, Step-Siblings, and Step-Grandparents

These photos normally take 15-20 minutes, but we would like to have 30 minutes just to be safe.

So you don't want to see each other before the ceremony?
If you do not want to see each other before the ceremony and we only have an hour for photos afterwards the timeline would look like this:
-Getting ready: 30 minutes
-Bride & Groom: 20 minutes
-Family Formals: 30 minutes
-Bridal Party: 10 minutes

I would suggest that all of the individual bride / bridesmaids and groom / groomsmen shots be done before the ceremony.

Other things to consider:
-Are you release your guests from the ceremony / having a receiving line?

This takes A LOT of time so be sure to plan accordingly.  In reality, you should plan on at least 45 minutes for this.  Especially because there will be family members that you haven't seen in a long time and they will be chatty.

A traditional church wedding (with ceremony and reception at the same location) will normally need at least 6 hours.  If you are having a cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing, then I would recommend at least 8 hours.

Now Catholic weddings are in a league of their own.  You will most definitely need up to 10 hours of coverage.  The ceremony is much longer and the reception tends to be, as well.  Often times the ceremony and reception are at different venues, so you have to schedule for travel time.

Sample Timeline:
Below is what a typical wedding that starts at 2:30 would look like...

10:30  -  Getting Ready
11:15  -  First Look
11:30  -  Bride & Groom
12:15  -  Full Bridal Party
12:30  -  Bride & Bridesmaids
01:00  -  Groom & Groomsmen
01:30  -  Family Formals
02:00  -  Photography Prep Time
02:30  -  Ceremony Start
03:00  -  Ceremony End
Leave for reception venue
03:30  -  Cocktail Hour
04:30  -  Bridal Party Announced
  -Toasts
  -Cake Cutting
  -Prayer
  -Dinner
  -Bouquet / Garter Tosses
  -First Dances
  -Dancing! Yay!
06:30  -  Photographers Leave

If you are planning to have a full dinner, dancing, bouquet / garter tosses, etc - 2 hours is plenty of time to capture each of those.  It's good to keep things moving, otherwise, guests will start to get bored.

Remember...this is only a guide.  We will work with your specific schedule as your BIG day approaches.

Can't wait to work with you! :)  Be sure to contact us with any questions you may have!

New Package Options!

So there comes a time in which everything needs freshening up!  With that said, it's time to rework our packages and I want YOUR help.

What would you like us to include in the packages??  Be honest!!  We want to make things work best for our AMAZING clients!

You're great!!
Brittany

Week 2 ~ Project 52

This past week has been SO busy.  I have realized that, right now, I am much too busy to do the Project 365.  Instead, I will just be doing Project 52...just one photo per week.  I have been working on this with a group of photographers from Northern Indiana.  Hope you will enjoy these as much the previous photos! :)

This weeks theme was a self portrait.  Enjoy! :)

Meet Brittany

So I am completely addicted to facebook...yeah, I know, who isn't these days!?  Anywho...I noticed a blog post in my feed from Sarah at Sarah-Beth Photography.  She posted an amazing get to know me type post and it inspired me to do the same!  She showed that there is no shame in putting it all out there!  And I want to thank her for that! :)

(Check out her post here: http://sarah-bethphotography.com/blog/?p=2035)

So here goes nothing...

1.) I am 25 going on 26 in June.  Geesh...I feel much older than that sometimes!

2.) I have 3 tattoos; one on my wrist (see pic below) and two on my back.

3.) I have 4 CRAZY pets; 3 dogs (Oreo, Zoie and Bella) and one cat.  The cat's name is more interesting.  I think today her name is Sophie, but that is subject to change without notice! Lol.  Usually, we just call her 'Psycho Kitty!'  And why you may ask...Well, she's CRAZY!!

4.)  I always thought that when I 'grew' up that I was going to be a doctor.  Well that didn't happen! (I'll explain why later.)  Currently I have three jobs...

-I am a photographer (which I LOVE!!!).  I love the freedom that being a photographer gives me.  I love interacting with my clients.  I love going to weddings and capturing those sweet moments between a bride and her future husband.  I love snuggling squishy babies (*swoon*).  I love when I am given the opportunity to photograph a couples' engagement session, wedding, maternity, and newborn images.  It is such an honor to be able to do those things!

-I am a thirty-one consultant.  I love this company because they are Christian based and are all for empowering women.  More importantly, they encourage women to follow their dreams.

-I am an Oncology Information Specialist at the IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care.  My job  at the cancer center is a rewarding one.  I act as the 'face' of the cancer center.  Whether it's a patient being referred for a brand new cancer diagnosis or they are scared and trying to figure out what is next, I am the one that helps them get to where they need to be.  It's such an awesome feeling being able to guide those patients to the most appropriate care.  I love being that listening ear and helping them understand that they are not alone...that I am here to help and will do anything that I can for them.

5.) I attended IU South Bend for biological sciences (with chemistry minor).  I still haven't finished and I'm not sure if I will ever finish that degree.  For those of you that already know me, you know that I am such a nerd! Haha!  I seriously have a chemistry textbook in my desk!  While I think being a doctor would be such an amazing and rewarding profession, my family comes first.  Unfortunately, med school isn't in the cards right now and I am really ok with that.  I feel emotionally satisfied with my job(s) now and quite frankly, I LOVE my photography!  I don't want to give that up.

6.)  I married the love of my life on August 13, 2005 at the age of 19.  It was the best decision I've ever made!  He is my best friend, confidant, lover, partner in crime, and the best second shooter EVER!!!  We were high school sweethearts but we attended two separate high schools (I went to Goshen and Robb went to Northridge).  We actually both started working at Old Country Buffet on the same day and the rest was history! Lol.

I love you, Robert Lee!

7.)  Ok...Now for the hard part. :(

As I said above, I am not a college graduate.  And I am really ok with that.  I was in school and doing quite well until 2006.  In 2006 my world was turned completely upside down!  

On the morning of August 18, 2006 I was getting ready for work...it was a normal, sunny August morning.  It felt just like every other morning.  I was headed out the door when I got the call that stopped me in my tracks.  My mom had been murdered.  It was devastating.  I remember falling to the ground, unable to breathe, unable to comprehend what was being said.  She was my best friend and I, to this day, miss her dearly.  Her death left a hole in my heart that I'm not sure will ever heal.  

I will say this though, I am SO proud of her!  She fought until the very end and because of her my little brother is alive today (he is 8 years old)!  She was able to rescue him and now I can honor her memory by raising him.  I invite you to listen to the audio clip below if you want to know more.  I can't relive that at the moment, but I want to share it with you.  I want to put it all out there for everyone to see...good or bad.  What happened is a part of me and has helped shape me into who I am today.  I couldn't have asked for a better mother.

I love you, mom!

6.) Not to dwell on the sad things, but my dad also passed away.  He died in 2001 when I was 15.  He committed suicide.  Sorry to be so blunt!  Oh man...There's no easy way to say these things, so I guess I just have to say it!  We actually had an awful relationship and that's what I regret so much.  Home life was rather rough when he was alive.


So now that I have depressed everyone reading this, I will leave you with this last thought.  My reason for sharing these horrific events is to show each and every one of you that the things that happen.  They DON'T have to define you.  Yes they change who you are, but you should learn from them.  You never know when your life will end or how much time your loved ones have.  Tell them that you love them EVERY SINGLE DAY!  A kind gesture can go SO far.  You never know when a simple smile could make a difference.

I also want to encourage you to follow your dreams.  Nothing is impossible.  And I know how cheesy that sounds, but it's true.

Thank you SO much for reading this!  I wish my life was all rainbows and butterflies, but really...is anyone's??  We all have tragedies that changes us, for better or worse.


Love always!! :)
Britt

Day 7 ~ Project 365

Day 7...this is such a beautiful shot!  I am obsessed with all things scientific and this just amazes me!

Day 6 ~ Project 365

First Fridays!!

This month downtown Goshen had the fire and ice festival.  I love going with my husband and Kipsangi.  It felt strange going down there tonight to see the ice sculptures since I didn't need a winter coat!  Trust me, I am not complaining!  I dislike cold weather!

Day 5 ~ Project 365

So typical!

This is my 8 year old brother, Kipsangi.  My husband and I have been raising him since he was 3.  One of the days I will explain more, but for now I will just say that my mom passed away unexpectedly and we have had this little guy ever since!  He makes me crazy some days, but I love this kid so very much! :)

Day 4 ~ Project 365

Meet my handsome dog, Oreo.

Day 3 ~ Project 365

Buckeyes...mmm, yummy! :)

Day 2 ~ Project 365

I have lived in Indiana my entire life.  With that said, one would think that I would be used to snow...but I am not.  I hate being cold!  I can appreciate its beauty though.  I love how pretty everything looks just after it snows.  The world seems much simpler, much more innocent and that I can appreciate.

I will leave you this chilly, January day with a pop of color.

Project 365 ( well, uh...366)

I want to continue to grow as a photographer.  Because of that, I am taking the project 365 challenge in 2012.  Each day I will post a photo.  I hope you'll give feedback along the way.

Love always!!
Brittany

Day 1

Happy New Year!!!

Here is to a great year! :)

I cannot wait to show all of you what I have in store for Brittany Ressler Photographers!  This is going to be an AMAZING year.