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I was honored with a First Place Award in the Travel Category of  the Image International Photography Contest.  My winning image was recently published in the popular Canadian publication, Photo Life.


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Jessica and Dan had the most picture perfect lakeside wedding.  It was an intimate event with around 120 guests, warm friends, and family.  The  incredibly regal bride and stylish groom possessed a special penchant for details (check out Dan's wingtips!). 


Thanks to everyone that helped to make the day a great success:

Lead Photographer:  Catherine Hall Studios
Second Photographer:  Melissa Slater
Dress Designer:  Monique Ihuillier
Florist:  Thrans Flower



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[October 13, 2009] shawnreeder said: Totally stunning Catherine! Your work is beautiful.
[October 21, 2009] Stephanie Anderson said: Stunning! You can feel the emotion through your pictures.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe Wedding Photography | Jessica & Dan . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.catherinehall.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/199
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Check out my images in the New Epson Complete Guide to Digital Printing by Rob Sheppard.

Epson is the company at the cutting edge of quality digital photo printing, and their superb equipment makes it possible for everyone to print sparkling photographs at home. With the help of Rob Sheppard, editor of Outdoor Photographer and PCPhoto magazines, amateurs can enter Epson's brave new world with all the latest information.  This latest edition of the Epson guide reflects the increasing sophistication of ink jet printing, with its faster speed and better tonal and color reproduction. It helps today's photographers select a model that has the right features, choose from the new options of quality papers and inks, and succeed in creating excellent prints--and have fun while doing it.  Sheppard passes on valuable knowledge on developing a consistent workflow, sizing and sharpening images properly, making black-and-white and panoramic prints, and much more. To complete the picture: the guide includes gallery sections from well-known photographers who are all Epson spokespeople and users. 
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One of my favorite weddings was featured by Wedding Channel as their "Wedding of The Day".  Please enjoy the feature!  You may also view the wedding slideshow and find out more about their Ranch Style wedding in my previous Real Wedding Feature: Andy & Heather.

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Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Wedding Channel | Wedding Photography | Heather & Andy . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.catherinehall.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/196
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Erin and Dante Salvetti

May 31, 2008 

 

By Jan Ferris Heenan

The wedding proposal was intimate, or so Erin Kennedy thought when Dante Salvetti popped the question on the grounds of Meridian Winery in Paso Robles.  Moments later, the two were surrounded by well-wishing relatives, secretly brought together by Salvetti to celebrate with a catered lunch and sparkling wine.  

Kennedy and Salvetti met in 2006 while training as pharmaceutical sales reps.  She worked in Orange County, he in Sacramento.  The beginnings of a fabulous friendship inspired Salvetti to invite Kennedy to share a weekend in San Francisco.  "An amazing time" turned into weekly visits.  Eventually Kennedy, who grew up in Atascadero, moved to Sacramento.  She and Salvetti, raised in Auburn, were engaged the following year.  

Kennedy describes herself as a low-maintenance bride trained on the bottom line, though she and Salvetti, both 27, secured renowned award-winning photographer Catherine Hall early on.  Salvetti's musician friends from college played at the church ceremony.  The reception took place at Kennedy's parents' health club in Paso Robles, the lobby transformed into a stylish banquet space.  Dancing took center stage.  A choreographer and former San Diego Charger Girl, Kennedy put together a routine for herself and her father, mixing up Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson's "Thriller".  "It was just relaxed and meaningful and really just perfect," Kennedy says of the day.  "I loved everything."

FULL WEDDING SLIDESHOW


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Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: San Luis Obispo Wedding Photography | Erin & Dante | Our Wedding Magazine . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.catherinehall.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/192

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This summer Modern Bride featured Keisha & Troy's 
fabulous wedding in Grand Cayman.  Check out their full wedding and rehearsal dinner and prepare to be inspired!

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Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman Wedding Photography Featured in Modern Bride . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.catherinehall.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/187

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Enjoy this Rangefinder Cookbook which examines how I combine structure with spontaneity while shooting.  WPPI_2009_Show_Guide.pdf

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This week I am very honored to be featured on the Wedding 360 Blog.  Please enjoy my tips on transitioning from one coast to another as a business owner:

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I met Catherine Hall at a networking event awhile back, and I remember liking her immediately. She just has this gracefulness to her that is so admirable, and her calm, easygoing personality makes you feel extremely comfortable when conversing with her. In the few times that we met up to chat, I have learned so much from her already. She is a wealth of knowledge not just in the photography world, but also in the business and marketing world. Since her move from New York to the Bay Area seemed so smooth, I asked if she would share some tips on transitioning from one end of the country to the other as a business owner. Thank you  Catherine!

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Looking back, I think I was a little crazy. Why else would I have naively believed that transitioning my business from New York City to San Francisco would be a piece of cake? Sure, San Francisco had more potential for longevity than New York, and sure, I did miss my family. But my enthusiasm to return to the Bay overshadowed some important points--like the fact that all of my clients were on the East Coast--and I found that my expectations were dramatically different than reality. I hope sharing my transition experience will give those thinking of relocating some food for thought, and everyone else some great business building tips.


1.    Expect the transition to be hard.
One of the biggest mistakes I made was assuming that transitioning would be easy. I thought I could just hop on a plane to San Francisco and have plenty of work upon landing. In reality, I had to start over completely. I spent the first year flying back to New York about once a month to maintain my clientele (and income!) while I became established in the Bay Area. I should have controlled my expectations and been prepared for the transition to be a journey, rather than a quick fix.


2.    Research, research, research!
If you do nothing else, research the industry in your chosen location before you arrive! Find out who can help you get access to the clients you want. Use your connections as much as possible. Do you have an aunt who's a florist? A friend from high school who's now an event planner?   I talked to family friends and scoured the Internet and Here Comes the Guide to find wedding coordinators who would have the type of clients I wanted, whose work I admire, and who would be a good fit to work with. I also researched venues that would attract the type of bride I was looking for, and other photographers at my price point.


3.     Seek out networking opportunities.
After researching, I began contacting as many people as possible. I wrote letters to the wedding and venue coordinators introducing myself and asking for face-to-face meetings. I explained that while I was new to the area, I was not new to the industry, and needed help becoming established in a new area. I also asked for recommendations of other people to speak with and attended networking events hosted by Bay Area Wedding Network (BAWN) and the International Special Events Society (ISES). Before long, I had a list of vendors willing to help me, brides who were eager to work with me, and some great industry friends. It was also a HUGE help (and fun) having friends in the industry that offered me (and still provide) support, advice, and good company in a new area.


4.    Play up your strengths.
Always try to highlight and use your best qualities. Are you a Web 2.0 guru? An expert blogger? Great at social interactions? Better in one-on-one settings? Figure out in what environment you really shine and use that knowledge to your advantage. For example, I'm a social person. I love talking with people and found that attending meetings, lunches, and networking events was a great way for me to strengthen industry relationships and meet new people.


5.    Maintain the integrity of yourself, your products, and your service.
Sometimes when entering a new market, people lose sight of who they are and what they truly want. In their quest to fit in and gain clients, they may compromise the quality of their products or their level of service. However, long-term success depends on the way you treat everyone involved (brides, venue representatives, coordinators, etc.) and the product you deliver. I kept my overhead low (vs. cutting prices and sacrificing quality) so I could continue to deliver the quality that clients had come to expect of Catherine Hall Studios. It wasn't fun keeping overhead low, but it was a sacrifice well worth the struggle.

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Catherine will be one of our speakers at Wedding 360 PRO, together with Gene Higawho was named one of the top 10 photographers in the world!



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[July 28, 2009] Tobin Poppenberg said: Hi Katherine! Thanks for the great post! I just moved from SF down to Santa Barbara, and I wished I would have gotten to read your post before I did. But...alas, I figures these things out myself and have had an amazing transition! I'm having my most abundant year ever actually, and all in a new town, in a new market. I've found it's all about PEOPLE! Getting together with other pros, and marketing mySELF...being authentic and reaching out! Cheers, Tobin
[August 1, 2009] CatherineHall said: I am glad that you enjoyed the article. Thank you for sharing your comments!
[August 18, 2009] allan z. said: HA! nice photo! ;)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Wedding 360 Guest Blogger - Tips on Transitioning Markets . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.catherinehall.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/183
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Everyone knows that Lowepro makes the most innovative, durable, and environmentally conscious camera bags in the industry.  It is no surprise that they have relationships with top photographers such as Chris Rainier, Art Wolfe, John Paul Caponigro, Joyce Tenneson, Mary Ellen Mark and Steve McCurry.  I was very honored to become a part of their team, but even more pleased when selected to be one of their honorary "brochure" photographers.

Lowepro produces an annual brochure that features both their innovative products and a select group of photographers work with bio.  I am so excited to be involved with such an amazing company and part of such an incredible book - you can find me on page 48 - right next to Greg Gorman :)!  You may also check out my online Photography Showcase.


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After being featured in Modern Bride last year, Kate & Kevin's amazing Thunderbird Lodge wedding is now featured on Brides.com.
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[July 17, 2009] Jenifer Balducci said: congrats!
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe Wedding Photography featured in Brides . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.catherinehall.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/162