I’ll admit it…I’m not the type of person to run from a camera. My nickname was “Colgate” in High School because in every picture I’m full smile, chin down, all teeth. The only pictures I really can’t stand are posed photos - the Proms, Senior Pictures, Graduations. I can almost hear the voice in my head saying, “Come on, take one more with your Father” when I revisit those memories.
Thankfully, Jon’s hatred of posed photos is just one of many reasons why we ended up together. After we became engaged, we were quick to listen to the bridal magazines and figure out where we wanted to spend our wedding budget. We came up with #1- venue and #2- photographer.
I visited almost every website for photographers in South Florida. Knowing little to nothing about how to choose the best one, I was very, very happy when our family Chiropractor recommended Frank Donnino. I actually cried the first time I visited his website. (I’m not joking…and I’m not the type of girl to admit to crying!) The brides looked stunning and the pictures were full of feeling, as he made hotel ballrooms seem like palaces and the event look like an unforgettable occasion. I was sold!
We met Frank at Starbucks, which is a plus for obvious reasons, and immediately he brought out his iPad to show us some of his amazing work. Frank asked if we had any questions and while Jon popped up with some technical stuff, I instead quizzed Frank on which side of my face was my good side. He picked the right side, score another point for Frank! We also talked about what kind of photos we wanted - nothing posed, stuffy or traditional. With my little knowledge of wedding photography, Frank understood what we wanted. He assured us that we would have the regulation wedding formals but also an inside look at the true events and feelings that made our day wonderful.
After we came to the conclusion that Frank was ‘our man,’ we scheduled the engagement shoot. Since we live in Florida, we had to do the shoot on the beach. It was so much fun! We took pictures for hours and it seemed like only minutes after the shoot wrapped that the photos were in my inbox. Amazing pictures that we used for our wedding favors, our save the dates and the guestbook.
I didn’t really think of Frank until my wedding day (sorry, buddy). Not that he wasn’t an important aspect of my wedding, I just had about a million other details on my plate that come with planning a wedding. Bottom line: I didn’t need to worry about Frank! As the day crept closer, I realized that Frank was the only person I felt comfortable ceding some of my control. I completely trusted him. I knew he would be on time, be personable and take amazing pictures. And he outdid himself that day!
On the day of the wedding, Frank captured everything! He has a sixth sense on the right level of interaction - when I wanted him to get a shot, he was always within earshot, but he also captured my guests special moments as well. And thankfully, as emotions arose, as they usually do on the big day, he took pictures that showcased our beautiful day and the love shared between Jon and myself and nothing more. The proof was almost instantaneously as he set up an iPad photo slideshow during my reception. You know the pictures are good when there’s free food and yet, there’s a crowd around an iPad!
We really can’t find the words to explain how blessed we feel that Frank was a part of our Wedding Day. He will now be a part of our family forever. In part, because my entire extended family fell in love with his effervescent personality and his complete devotion to his craft. When you get married, you make thousands of decisions for details that you don’t see until the event is in full force. Make one of those decisions to hire Frank. That way, when you look back on it all, you’ll see a true depiction of the moments and feelings from that day. Which will be, the moments and feelings that will last for a lifetime!
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