Wedding Professional Profile. Regina Holder Photographer.

Congrats to Regina Holder Photographer for being our first "Wedding Professional Profile". We will be profiling a local wedding professional as often as possible. So be sure to check in to learn more about local wedding professionals.

Regina Holder is one of the sought after wedding photographers in Upstate SC and Western NC. Upstate SC Brides recently spoke with Regina via email about her wedding photography business.

What made you want to become a wedding photographer?

I have loved photography since I was a little kid and have had my own SLR camera since I was 10. I went to school at UNC-Chapel Hill for Journalism. I found that I didn’t love traditional photojournalism and never even worked for a newspaper. My senior year at Carolina, I did an independent study in fashion photography and shot ad campaigns for several boutiques for free. In June after we graduated, my best friend from middle school got married and I took journalistic style photos while her hired photographer set up a painted blue backdrop in a Sunday school room and shot the wedding medium format (it was the style in the 90s). I fell in love with weddings and shot several for friends part-time before officially launching my business 8 years ago.

What kind of services do you offer?

I am primarily a wedding photographer, but I also do lifestyle children’s portraits and occasional senior portraits.

What kind of products do you offer?

I love the gallery wrap canvas prints from Simply Canvas – the bigger the better, but also a lot of square canvases. My albums are from Leather Craftsmen and Couture Book (very excited about their “green” album option). All of my clients actually still get 4”x6” prints – I think they are so important historically. I also offer the Pictage Bonsai 5”x5” books that I call “Pocket Brag Books”. Everyone loves them, because they can carry them in their purse and show of their photos.

What is something that you know now, that you wish you knew when you were first starting out?

I wish that I had sought out other photographers more and learned from them, instead of just getting by on my own for so long. Seven years ago, I moved back home to the Asheville area and the other photographers wouldn’t even speak to me at the bridal show. When I attended Denis Reggie’s workshop in April 2006, it really helped me find myself and understand my market. Prior to 2006, I hadn’t had any business conversations or help from any other photographers. Until the end of last year, I had never even 2^nd shot a wedding. Now, my closest friends are my “competition” and we all benefit from those relationships and by being friends with other vendors.

What is most fulfilling to you about being a wedding photographer?

I love the emotional response when the couple is seeing their photos for the first time. It’s very fulfilling knowing how those images touch them emotionally and how they will be passed down to their children and grandchildren.

Describe your business in 3 words.

fun, storytelling, relaxed

What do you love most about being a wedding photographer?

The relationships! I actually take the time to get to know the couple and consider them my friends. The difference in caring about them and their families really shows in the images. Because the couple is more relaxed, they “let me in” and aren’t stiff or camera conscious. I’m really low key during the wedding, watching for the special moments and am really conscious of the couple’s relationships with each other, their families and friends. This is my favorite quote ever from a bride: “The best way to describe (Regina) is it's like having a best friend photograph your wedding. She's so sweet and thoughtful and very observant. She got so many great pictures, and I didn't even know she was taking them.” Stephanie 4/22/06

How cool is that!

What are some other things that you want brides to know about you?

I have a new studio in Asheville off I-26 at Biltmore Park. I am super excited to no longer have to meet with couples at the coffee shops, especially with all the espressos and blender noise. It gives me a place to sit and have a relaxed conversation and it showcases my work. I live in a tiny community about 45 minutes west of Asheville called Balsam with my dog, Lennox. She’s an 8 year old Boxer/American Bulldog mix and the sweetest girl! She really wants Lennox Lewis to win Celebrity Apprentice!

Thank you Regina for taking the time to answer these questions for us. If you would like to talk with Regina about your wedding day, or if you would like to request more information. She can be contacted at reginaholder@hotmail.com. Her website is www.reginaholder.com.

5 Reasons To Hire a Professional Wedding Coordinator

In the beginning stages of planning her wedding, most brides ask the question "do I really need a wedding coordinator?"  Our answer is yes, you absolutely should.  The question should really be "why wouldn't I hire a wedding coordinator".  

On average a wedding takes 250 hours of planning time.  It's 2008!  Who possibly has that much time to dedicate to planning a wedding!  This is reason #1 to hire a wedding coordinator.  You really do need a professional to help you sort through vendors, and plan your special day.  Any professional wedding coordinator will have existing relationships with florists, DJs, photographers, videographers etc.  They can help you sort through the madness of choosing wedding professionals.

Did you know that some wedding, and wedding reception sites actually require you to have a wedding coordinator?  They have learned from years of experience that not having one is a recipe for disaster!  This is reason #2.

You've waited your whole life for this day.  You deserve to kick back and relax, and you shouldn't have to worry about sweating the small stuff.  This is reason #3 to hire a coordinator.  A good coordinator will have everything under control. They will will organize the wedding order for you, so you don't have to worry about a friend or relative having to do it, and they will tell you when you need to cut the cake and have the first dance.  That way you are never wondering what you suppose to do, or where you're suppose to be next.  

How creative are you?  How artistic are you?  Do you know how to tie all of those cute little bows that your wanting on all the chairs around the reception table?  This is reason #4 to hire a coordinator.  They know how to do these things.  Even if you do know how to, you're gonna be a little too busy on your wedding day to worry about that.  Hire a coordinator, and let them take care of these kind of details.  

Most brides that hire a professional wedding coordinator, say that they were able to enjoy their wedding day more so, than if they would have tried to do everything themselves.  This is reason #5.  You get married one time.  That's it.  You have one shot to get it right, one shot to enjoy your one time day.  You deserve to leave it in the hands of a professional.

At this point you're probably thinking, "OK, I know I should get a coordinator, but I'm not sure that I can afford one".  Most coordinators offer full wedding coordination, or just day of wedding coordination.  If you decide that you can't budget for the full planning package, at least hire a coordinator to help you, and be there for you on your wedding day.  It truly can mean all the difference in the world of how you remember, and how much you enjoy this once in a lifetime day.  

Coming Soon!

Coming soon is the all new upstatescbrides.com!  Upstate SC Brides will is a new blog dedicated to introducing brides to Upstate SC wedding venders.  

If you know of a wedding vendor that should be listed on this blog, please contact us at upstatescbrides@gmail.com.