100 Layer Cake

Jeremy and Erin Hohengarten are the adorable & talented husband and wife team behind Still Music Photography. They’re based out of Santa Cruz, California so you know they’re down to earth, good people. They’re also super helpful photographers with some great and not so great experiences that were rad enough to share some major tips you can take with you when working with your photographer(s). They’ll take it from here…

Tip #1: If you’re down, your photographer is down!

If you have some wild ideas or feel like taking a spur of the moment mid-wedding day adventure, do it (we’ll help)! Need a break or some private moments with just the two of you? We can be the ones to steal you away for some make-out time (muah!). We once had a couple go out on a lake in a paddle boat with us just to take a breather and some great photos. We’ve taken dips in the Pacific Ocean with our clients, and we’ll continue to be down with you.

But, if you’re not down, let your photographer know – they might think their creative idea would be fun, and you might think it’d be stressful. You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings by saying ‘no thanks.’

Tip #2: Make a timeline!

They’re a huge help in providing the necessary foundation to moving your day along as seamlessly as possible. Plus, it’s good for everyone to see how your day will play out on paper. We’ve had a lot of experience with disorganized and stressful weddings, and also have a lot of experience with well-planned and easy-flowing wedding days, so we’ll work with you to plan it all out.

Tip #3: Ask your photographer how you look!

In a way, you’re paying your photographer to make you feel amazing, yes? So if the stress of your day is making you feel anything less, and you need some encouragement, ask your photographer. Just watch us, we know how to pile on the praise!! It’s your day to feel like supermodel. Strike all those poses you’ve been practicing in front of your mirror, we’ll snap it!

One of our favorite wedding of theirs (a super DIY country wedding) is about to come up on the blog later today, so make sure to check back. In the meantime, head over to Still Music’s site and snoop around a bit!

It’s so fun to peer inside the space of some of our favorite photographers. Seeing their work featured on the blog shows us their style and technique, but being inside their studio and seeing where they work and what inspires them is a whole other glimpse into the life of a photographer. We had the opportunity to do just that with Christa and Ivy‘s adorable studio tour. It’s bright, cheery and airy – a true reflection of their work. Jump in with us!

Any groovy office space is sure to have a few furry friends hanging around… like Christa’s chick, Goldie (seen above). Unfortunately she can’t lay eggs, but is super cute to have around.

It’s exciting to have their combined talents in the wedding world. Ivy’s background is actually in wedding photography and Christa’s bringing her experience from her successful career in commercial photography. Check out more of their bio here. Below, they share what inspires their photography and the vibe they were going for when decorating their studio space.

Our style has a modern, editorial focus, with an emphasis placed on natural light. We love the creative freedom and spontaneous nature that goes into shooting weddings. Capturing those moments that really exemplify the celebratory nature of the day, while also serving as a testament to the singular importance of the occasion.

We strived to keep the space as open and as collaborative as possible, and not stray too far into an office vibe. Our children like to “work” in there with us, so we wanted them to feel welcome and be inspired to look at books or draw. Basically, we wanted it to be calm while fun at the same time. Patterns, textures, and photography surround and inspire the space, and in general, we feel like our studio is a place both of us can come to drink a glass of wine and be creative or do paperwork!

Thanks for the tour ladies! Check out more of their work on Christa and Ivy.