I'm honored!

Thanks to the brides of Weddingwire.com whose comments/reviews made me one of the 2009 Bride's Choice award winners. I know it's cliché to say this but who cares, I am in an industry often driven by wonderful cliché... This means so much because it's purely based on feedback from real brides. Here what Weddingwire had to say:

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Robert McClory Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Robert McClory Photography is one of the very best photographers.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

So again, thanks to all who had nice things to say about me. Without you, my bridal evangelists, I would be nowhere!

Stephanie+Brian E-Shoot

All things considered

I have heard all too often in the past few months that this photographer or that one over there was offering such a great package it could not be passed up. When all things are equal, money is likely to be the deciding factor, as it should be. The thing is that in wedding photography, rarely are all things equal, even if it's as simple as personality differences between photographers, or as meaningful as shooting style. For argument's sake, if you consider that the money is equal, then all of a sudden the other things are maybe not so equal any more. So my advice today is make sure, especially in this economy, that you choose your favorite photographer for all the right reasons and that you assume that price may not be as much a stumbling block as you'd think. Speaking for myself only, there has not been many brides for whom I was their #1 choice that I didn't book, either because I fit nicely into their budget as-is, or because I was able to work out something special for them that allowed them to get what they wanted for a price that worked.

Please, if you like what you see on my site, enjoy what you read on the blog, in an email I send, or hear on the phone, and are moved to add me to your list of possible wedding photographer candidates, don't let your decision rest solely on an emailed price list. And by all means don't assume that what you want is impossible. Asking will never hurt, and most of the time ends up in at least three happy people; you & your fiance because you got the photographer you wanted within budget and me for getting the opportunity to work with a couple willing to risk asking a question to get what they want.

Have a great day!

Opportunity for Stardom?

Hey! I just got a call from Jennifer with MTV Networks asking for help in casting for one of their reality series. They're looking for "about to be" or just married couples for a reality show they have. Here is the info she gave me. If you think you fit the bill, drop me a line at robert@weddingsbyrobert.com and I will pass along your info or put you in touch with Jennifer.

From MTV:

Are you and your fiancé about to begin life as a married couple? Going from engagement to the altar is an exciting journey full of challenges that test the strength of your relationship. From the bouquet toss on, MTV wants to follow your story as you and your fiance head out on the road to married life.

Do you consider yourself the next Nick & Jessica? Maybe you have a "less than traditional" romance. Have you planned a fairytale wedding to your sweetheart? Perhaps you are a traditional couple who've waited to have sex until their wedding night. Will you be moving in together for the first time after the honeymoon? Maybe you're nervous about the new challenges that come with being a newlywed. What are you looking forward to and what surprises await?

Popular 2009 date now available!!!

I have probably recieved more requests for November 21st, 2009 than any other date this year. I had booked the date but the couple ended up cancelling so it's up for grabs. If you think you might want this prime '09 date, let me know and we'll get started down the path towards booking.