Growing as a business is kind of like growing as a person. When you first start your business, everything is an experiment. In photography world, that means everything from the type of clients you attract and work with to the type of color treatment you use on your photos. It’s usually not until years  later that you truly discover who you are and what your style is.

I am finally at that place.  :)  :)  :)

What you see now is the final outcome of what has been in the making since April 2011. Whew!

My incredibly talented designer, Ryan at Second Street Creative, was so patient with me. I brought a million and one ideas to the table and yet, somehow, he was able to refine and channel my thoughts. And later, bring my ideas to life!

I wanted something romantic and sophisticated, yet fun and light-hearted. Something that reflected who I am as a photographer and just as importantly, who I am as a person. And I think we achieved just that.

Now, WATCH THIS.

(created by the ever-awesome Adam Hobbs)

This video has been in the works for a YEAR. Yes, you read it correctly… a full 365 days. It was worth the wait, though, because it’s everything I wanted in a documentary piece and more. My hope is that you will watch it and have a better understanding of who I am and why I do what I do.

Overall, I am beyond thrilled and feel like everything couldn’t have come together any more perfectly and seamlessly. I hope you all enjoy the new look of Sarah Rominger Photography, please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear some feedback   :)

An enormous ‘thank you’ goes out to everyone who helped me along the way:

Chris Rominger, Rebecca Coombs, Mandii Green, Kate Monroe, Alisha Silver, Josh Gull, Casey & Josh Schneider, Meghan Decker, Tutti Fruitti Frozen Yogurt of Asheville, Mitchell’s Tuxedos.

Graduating in 2012? Want senior pictures that are fun, vibrant, and unique just like you? Better yet, would you like your senior pictures to be done for FREE? For those of you interested, Sarah Rominger Photography will be giving out a free senior portrait session along with other awesome incentives to each member of the 2011-2012 Senior Rep Team. One Representative will be chosen from each of the high schools in Buncombe County.

As a member of the Senior Rep Team, your role is vital to the success of this year’s marketing campaign. If chosen you will promote Sarah Rominger Photography to your friends, family, and classmates.

Do you have what it takes to be part of the team? Fill out your application here, the deadline is July 4th. Applicants will be contacted regarding their applications by July 6th. The most qualified candidates will be personable, stylish, energetic, hard-working, and LOVE having their photos taken  :)  Your senior pictures do not have to be the same boring photos that 95% of high school seniors have taken year after year. You are unique – your senior portraits should be, too.

I hope to hear from you soon!

…and because blog posts are always better with a photo, here is a photo of the beautiful AllieMarie who will be graduating next week! Congratulations, AllieMarie! <3

UPDATE : Scroll to the bottom of this post.

This post has been a long time in the making.

For several months now, I have felt this urgent notion to pay it forward. I asked myself, “What is something unique and valuable that only I can do for someone else?”

I have such wonderful friends and family and sooo many supporters in both my personal life and my business. My life has been blessed, there’s no doubt about it. I signed up to be a ‘Wish Granter’ for Wish Upon a Wedding, an organization that provides weddings for couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, but sadly there are no chapters in the Asheville area, making it highly unlikely that any opportunity will arise this year. But this has been laid on my heart and now, it’s my turn to give back.

In 2011, I will be giving away free wedding photography to one deserving couple.



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What I am looking for & how to enter:
Submit the following to info@sarahromingerphotography.com:

-the bride and groom’s first and last names and contact information
-the couple’s unique story
-why the couple is truly inspirational and/or
how they have overcome great odds or loss that sets them apart from others
-wedding date
-ceremony location (list details)
-reception location (list details)
-at least one photo of the couple

♥

What I am not looking for:

-a couple who has an expensive wedding and just wants to win something for free

♥

Rules:

-all entries must be submitted on or before April 9, 2011 11:59pm EST
-you may submit you own name or the names of another deserving couple that you know
-the couple must be getting married in 2011 and on a date that I’m not already booked
-wedding must be located within 40 miles of central Asheville or travel rates may apply
-couples who have already booked or previously inquired are not eligible
-the couple must be willing to have their photo/story posted on this blog

♥

I will announce the top three deserving couples and post their photos and stories here on or before April 13, 2011. From there, blog readers will be able to vote for their favorite deserving couple until April 23, 2011 11:59 EST. The winning couple will be announced April 24, 2011.

As I write this addition on April 11th, only two days before the top three deserving couples are due to be announced, I have a heavy heart. A surprisingly and disappointingly low number of submissions were received. Not only that, but every single submission I did receive was for a date I am already unavailable. This is a bit ironic, considering I only book 20-22 weddings per year, but I’m convinced there’s a reason behind everything and maybe I just haven’t found the right couple yet.

I will be dropping all the contest aspects of this giveaway. But please do not hesitate to submit your name or the names of another deserving couple that you know. I’m still completely open to the idea of assisting a truly deserving couple if the right opportunity presented itself.

So, pass along this link. Recommend a deserving friend. Spread the word. I look forward to the opportunity to help out a wonderful couple who has dealt with many hardships but is still a constant inspiration to others.

Last weekend was a busy one for me. And that’s probably the world’s largest understatement. Friday night my wonderful husband and parents assisted me with setting up my booth for the Asheville Wedding Festival on Saturday. It’s hard to tell at this point, since it was such a recent event, how much of a success it was, but I received a tremendous amount of interest so I’m excited about it!

Anyway, the festival was from 10-3 and immediately after it was over my second shooter and I hopped in the car for a five hour drive to Nashville, TN that night (Thank you, Dawn!) Needless to say, Saturday was a looooong day  :) And on Sunday, I had the privilege of shooting the beautiful wedding of Laura and Kirby. It was at Nashville’s historic Scarritt Bennett Center and the ceremony took place in the Wightman Chapel.  Holy wow, do we need venues like this in Asheville! I can’t wait to share the rest of the images, but for now, I am only going to give you a sneak peek of Laura’s bridals (which were captured only a few hours before the ceremony!) Dawn and I ended up arriving safe and sound back in Asheville about 11 pm on Sunday evening  :)

OMG- isn’t she just stunning?!

And here’s a photo of my booth from the Wedding Festival. Thanks again to everyone who came out to support me! <3

Happy Weekend!

xoxox

I’ve found a trend among all of my favorite wedding photographers’ photos. The use of a wide-angle lens.

Yep. That’s my (future) baby. It’s Canon’s 16-35mm f/2.8 L series lens. My plan is to own her by next month! I would buy her sooner, but there’s one minor setback: this lens retails at $1699.00.

Goodbye 2009 tax money!!!! I’m refusing to get down and out about it though – I’m choosing to view it as an investment! This is the nicest and fastest lens on the market out of Canon’s ultra wide lenses and I’m convinced its better to “suck it up” now than buy an upgrade only a year later.

Anyway, I literally just walked in from a photoshoot with Holly and Jeff’s one year old son, Riley. I’m going to get onto editing those photos, so stay tuned! I should have them up in a day or two. And trust me, you’ll wanna see this – he’s just the cutest thing EVER!

xoxo