"Trash the Dress" Photographer Series: Richard Esposito

Just as many photographers have different takes on wedding day photography they also have differing views on the concept of "Trash the Dress". See what the concept of Trash the Dress means to Richard and check out some photos below! KM

How do you define the concept of Trash the Dress? What does it mean to you? What does it mean to the bride?
On the wedding day the bride is always so careful not to get her dress dirty. I find most of my clients don't know what to do with their dress after the wedding. They can preserve it, but I don't know many that do. Some of my clients put their dress on ebay or craigslist! But wait! Why not be photographed in the dress some more and have some fun with it? To me it means more "cool" photos that's thinking outside the box. To my clients, it means more "cool" photos that's thinking outside the box. We even do some non trash the dress photos just so they have more photos for their album.

How about the actual "trashing"? Is this getting down and dirty with paint or mud or is it just getting more into the moment, something you wouldn't attempt the day of your wedding?
It's a little of both. I've only had 1 client say to me "let's trash it". And we did with dirt and mud. Most people are opting for a "Mess the Dress" session where they want the cool photos, but still want to preserve the dress.

Why do you do it? Why do you think the bride does it?
I do it to take my mind out of the box. Some of the poses and ideas we come up with can translate to new ideas on the wedding day. Anytime you can take yourself out of the normal way of doing things, it helps fuel the creativity.

How do you approach the session? Do you provide the ideas or does the bride present her own ideas or in other words, what is your vision compared to the bride's vision?
What do you like to achieve during the session?
So far my brides have give me some ideas of what they want, then they ask me what ideas I have. We usually do both. My brides leave the vision up to me. I want to achieve creating an image that doesn't just say "you got your dress dirty." I want it to be a piece of art.

And we have the same questions for Boudoir...


How do you define the concept of Boudoir photos? What does it mean to you? What does it mean to the bride?
Some photographers go for sexy, steamy, or sensuous photos. You have to know where the line is and how far you can go before it's considered too much. I find most brides do them as a gift to their fiancé.

Why do you do it? Why do you think the bride does it?
We don't do them because we feel it doesn't fit our type of client. We don't want a prospective bride to be offended by images on our website, or have the idea that it's what we think about when we photograph them. I feel I have to think that because I am a male shooter. One of my clients asked if I did them and I told her I would be more than happy to, but that they would probably feel more comfortable having a female photographer do the shoot. They agreed and I referred them.

Richard Esposito
Phone: 203.676.3527
Website: www.photographer-re.com
Blog: www.photographer-re.info
Email: re@photographer-re.com
myKPW State and Budget: CT $80k+

Shout out to Atlas PyroVision Productions

If you are looking to add a little something extra to your wedding, we suggest getting in touch with Atlas PyroVision Productions. Fireworks can be a very exciting treat for you and your guests and they will even custom design a fireworks display to the music of your choice! KM

Atlas PyroVision Productions
Phone: 603.532.8324
Website: www.atlaspyro.com
Email: matt@atlaspyro.com
myKPW State and Budget: $80k+ in NH, ME, VT, MA, CT and RI

Atlas PyroVision Productions is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, a new online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Connecticut Wedding Planner - Jubilee Events

My Kate Parker Weddings member Jubilee Events is a wedding planning boutique based out of Connecticut. They specialize in chic weddings and occasions.

Image courtesy of RAW Photo Design

Jubilee Events
Phone: 203.632.5654
Website: www.eventjubilee.com
Blog: http://eventjubilee.com/blog/
myKPW State and Budget: CT $50-80k and $80k+


Number of years in business: 2 years

Preferred wedding locations: New England, specifically Connecticut. I absolutely ADORE a chic Connecticut wedding!

Pricing information: Our pricing varies based on our clients’ needs, but we start just under $2,000.

What makes me stand out in my industry: I came into the industry with a fresh perspective – I’m young, fun, enthusiastic and have a different eye for weddings and the industry as a whole. I truly believe my art background plays a HUGE role in the design of a Jubilee Event!

What's the favorite part of what I do: I absolutely love the design process – it’s my favorite part. From the big picture to the small details, I just love it all! I equally love being a part of my clients personal history. It is such an incredible thing to be so intimately involved in someone’s wedding day.

What do I like to do in my spare time: Spare time? Ha! No really, most of my time is devoted to doing what I love, and that’s my business. When I’m not working I love to hang with my husband, family, and friends. I love a good glass of wine, a book, and some fun reality TV.

What charity am I supporting and why: I’m supporting the American Cancer Society because SO many of my loved ones have beaten or succumb to cancer. It’s such an important charity, in my eyes, and we all have a personal tie to the disease.

Check some images of Candice's favorite events from the 2009 season below:

Photo Credits: Dagney & Michael – Robert and Kathleen Photographers http://www.robertandkathleen.com
Liz & Jayson – Robert and Kathleen Photographers
Marin & Joseph (“MJW”) – Wendy G Photography http://www.wendygphotography.com
Marie Antoinette Style Wedding – Carla Ten Eyck http://www.carlateneyck.com
Fall Inspired Rustic Wedding – Carla Ten Eyck

Jubilee Events is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, a new online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Shout out to Emily's Catering Group

We would like to recognize Emily's Catering Group, an amazing caterer based in Forestville, CT. Check out there website below! KM

Emily's Catering Group
Phone: 860.585.8625
Website: www.emilyscater.com
Email: info@emilyscater.com
myKPW State and Budget: CT $50k-$80k and $80k+

Emily's Catering Group is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, a new online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Introducing New Members to the myKPW Family!

We are so happy to welcome these six new members to the myKPW family!


Parrott Design Studio
Website: www.parrottdesignstudio.com
myKPW State and Budget: RI $25k-$50k

Cookies Direct
Website: www.cookiesdirect.net
myKPW State and Budget: $25k-$50k in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT and NYC/Westchester County

Photo Booth Planet
Website: www.photoboothplanet.com
myKPW State and Budget: MA $25k-$50k, RI $25K-$50K and CT $25k-$50k

Custom Ceramics by Traci
Website: www.customceramicsbytraci.com

myKPW State and Budget: <$25k in CT, ME, NH, MA, RI, VT and NYC/Westchester County

Dutch Bloemen Winkel
Website: new website coming soon, so stay tuned!
myKPW State and Budget: NH <$25k and $25k-$50k

Silver Toad

Website: www.silvertoad.com

myKPW State and Budget: VT $25k-$50k and $50k-$80k

"Trash the Dress" Photographer Series: Candace Jeffery Photography, Part III

The concept of Trash the Dress is exploding onto the scene of wedding photography and there are endless concepts to consider and create for each photo shoot. Equally important to the thoughts and ideas of the photographers, are the thoughts and wishes of the Bride. Below we have summarized the experience of Selena, the bride from part I and II of our "Trash the Dress" Photographer Series with Candace Jeffery Photography. KM

Check out Part I and Part II of Candace's Trash the Dress display, including her thoughts on what Trash the Dress means to her and preparation images of the Trash the Dress Process.

How did you learn about Candace Jeffery?

I was visiting Brides to Be in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and the one item that I walked out of the store with was a postcard listing Candace’s information on it. Intrigued from her reading her postcard, I looked more into Candace’s work on her site and I saw this one picture of a bride in and old factory; it was a Trash the Dress photo and I loved it! Candace’s work is very artsy, and I loved, well all of her work! And she’s also very easy to get along with as she has so many great ideas.

I decided to have Candace not only do my engagement session and wedding, but also Trash the Dress. And I just have to say that I’m someone who’s never liked pictures of myself. Candace made me feel so good about myself especially after looking at the photos she has captured, so it made me more comfortable about doing something like Trash the Dress.

How did you learn about Trash the Dress?

I actually came across it on the Internet and saw photos of other brides doing it – some to the total extreme. And I thought many of the photos were artsy, fun and cool, and I loved the idea of preserving my dress with photos. And for me, my expectation was not to ruin my dress, but perhaps to get a little messy

What was the location for your photos?

We went to Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Connecticut. This was the place where we wanted to get married but it was a little too much for my wedding day, so this was a nice contrast.

How would you describe your Trash the Dress Experience?

It was so much fun! I wanted something that was outside the box and a little different, like a piece of art that I can hang in my home. Like I mentioned before, this was the perfect way to preserve my dress, rather than just having it sit in my closet. And on my wedding day, there were pictures that I wanted to take but I didn’t want to get my dress all dirty. And one of my favorite parts of the day was getting all glammed up again. Getting hair and makeup done makes me feel so pretty!

Selena - Bride

Candace Jeffery Photography
Phone: 860.227.2684
Website: www.candacejefferyphotography.com
Blog: www.candacejeffery.blogspot.com
myKPW State and Budget: CT $25-50k

Candace Jeffery Photography is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, a new online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Shout out to Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Saltwater Farm Vineyard is a beautiful venue set on more than 100 panoramic acres near the historic New England coastal village of Stonington, Connecticut. In Kate Parker's personal opinion, after a recent trip to the vineyard, the venue has a very Santa Barbara meets Connecticut kind of aesthetic, an amazing combination! KM

Check out some images from their website:

Image by Dennis Rano

Image by Joshua Behan

Image by Joshua Behan

Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Phone: 800.818.7258
Website: www.saltwaterfarmvineyard.com
Email: info@saltwaterfarmvineyard.com
myKPW State and Budget: CT $80k+

Saltwater Farm Vineyard is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, a new online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.