Listen…I know there’s a TON of Kendra on our site, but we just can’t help it. She’s amazing to work with and after her 3 senior portrait sessions this year and a prom session you’ll be seeing shortly, this Pulaski County High School senior will be moving on to college. Kendra’s been a dream to work with every single time and we couldn’t be more proud to have documented her life.

Here are a few of my favorites from this mini session.

It seems like every year we say the same thing, but it’s true, there’s something special about smaller intimate weddings.  Don’t get me wrong, I’d be more than happy shooting in the Waldorf but the truth is that you don’t need all the glitz and glam to have a gorgeous day. Give me two people who are madly in love and the rest simply falls into place.

Micaela is someone I met through the many times I’ve worked with The Doolin House. She’s a very sweet and creative girl who has become a top notch cake maker (even making me an Apple logo cake for my birthday last year).  Something that caught my attention through her wedding day was how much she actually created for her own wedding. Two things that really stood out were their cake and her bouquet, both of which she crafted herself…both of which were stunning I might add!

Below you’ll find a slideshow and a few of my favorite images from Micaela & Evan’s wedding day. Enjoy!

Every year I look forward to our “regulars” that do Christmas Cards. I look even more forward to when those regulars are our friends. And even more so, I look forward to working with any family that is fun and creative.

Enter the Sobieck Family!

Last year’s shoot was one of my favorites, but I think this year topped it.I’m sure by now a lot of people have seen their card, but here are a few more of my favorites!!!

For those that don’t know them, Chuck & Allison are Chef’s…hence the overall concept we shot with their children.

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I just realized that when I switched over the websites, the original blog for this was lost. Boooooo!

Megan & Brian are a beautiful couple that I was lucky enough to be asked to capture the wonderful memories of their wedding.  I also wound up putting together a last minute engagement session and we had a blast!!!

Engagement sessions are always fun because you work out a lot of the “nerves” during that hour/hour and a half.

Check out a few of my favorites from the day!

It’s important to set goals, it gives us something to strive to achieve. Most people tend to think that only the highest of goals should be focused on but I disagree. Even the smallest goal deserves focus and attention.

Below is a list of photographic goals for 2012.

1. Shoot an engagement session inside of Baxter’s Coffee. The atmostphere is amazing, texture everywhere you turn, and overall just a cool concept.
2. Establish some sort of program to help local musicians receive quality photographs for their press kits. Music has been a passion of mine even longer than photography. In 2012 it’s ridiculous for small town musicians with bit time aspirations to settle for sub par images to accompany their work. I have an idea for a limited offering every year for local musicians.
3. Get more of my work framed and put into businesses. This is as much a selfish want as it is good business. Sure, having large prints up in a business is good for marketing, but I would also love to visit places and see my work on dislplay.
4. I want to shoot a destination wedding this year. I don’t necessarily mean Jamaica, but I’ll take it. The truth is a lot of people like to hire someone locally when they get married abroad or away from their area. More times than not, they don’t make the best choices.
5. In 2012 I need to set aside more time for personal work. I love weddings, portraiture, and everything I shoot. However, in order to keep my skills sharp I need to spend some time working on things that I’m not being paid for.

Of course I have more goals, but we’ll start there for the time being.

Set your goals wisely and strive to acheive them. Good luck and I wish all of you the a very productive, successful, and happy 2012.

I realize that over time I should learn my lesson. In some ways I have but in others I keep returning like an abused spouse that is convinced the abuser has changed.

New Wave Communications is the same cable company that decided to run a new line to my house OVER my sidewalk, leave it for a week, and only come properly run the cable after a barrage of phone calls. New Wave Communications is the same cable company who told me for 3 days that their service had nothing to do with our home alarm going off every 20 minutes for nearly 48 hours. After which they admitted they found a flaw in their system and it was causing continual drops in service. They assumed it did not effect our phone system because people had not been making complaints about it.

(Our alarm system is set to go off at the loss of phone lines immediately.)

New Wave Communications is the same cable company that for years operated with Moxi boxes that were no longer in production and could not keep operational boxes in homes. If yours went bad, good luck receiving a replacement. The priority was to put whatever boxes they had into new homes.

Even though we were subscribed to EVERY feature and channel they had, for over a year and a half we were promised we were on a waiting list for an additional Moxi DVR. However, after several calls trying to inquire on a time line I was informed that there was not a waiting list and no record of our multiple request for a box.

I understand the thinking. Why give my family a box that would only increase our monthly bill another $5-$10, especially when our monthly bill was over $200 anyway. They could take that same box and put it in a home that would generate an additional $100 plus a month. I don’t agree, I just understand the logic.  Of course, this is the same company pushing for the adoption of high definition content but only placing DVR’s in homes with a capacity of 10 hours of HD recording.

New Wave Communications is the same company that when finally replacing a damaged HD DVR in my home not only hooked it up through coax to a 65″ HD tv, but did not wait to make sure the signal came through properly.

To be honest, I could go on and on with even more…without addressing the issues that my parents have had, which are as numerous and in some cases even more ignorant.

So why give them money?

Well, we actually made the switch from cable to DirecTV this summer. We left the our internet and phones with New Wave Communications, but had grown tired of the lack of HD content, the lack of ability to record HD programming, and the overall experience. I will absolutely say that from a user experience and customer service experience that it was one of the smartest moves we’ve made.

Home telephone service just isn’t a major concern. I don’t know if the service is good or bad, but it’s fairly priced. The ONLY reason we have the telephone service is for our alarm system to tie in (along with multiple cellular backups). We almost always use cell phones for communications, which is the way the majority of the world goes.

The reasoning for staying with their cable internet is for the speed, because i can assure you it is not for the cost.  We truly get the 10mbps download at our house, unlike most who top out at around 7mbps. 3mbps was the best we could expect with DSL the last time I checked, but admittedly that was over a year ago and now warrants more research. New Wave Communications has also recently launched their 30mbps and 70mbps services, which is where this latest drama has begun.

Ever since the launch their WarpWave service I have wanted to upgrade. The time it takes in uploading the sheer number of image files from a wedding woud be greatly benefited. However, due to my work schedule and New Wave’s availability it’s been several months of trying. This is as much my fault as it is theirs.  Any time I do take vacation time or have scheduled sick time, I try and schedule but the time’s don’t match.

On the morning of the 24th I called in to pay our bill and while on the phone I inquired about scheduling the WarpWave upgrade for the following week since I would be home. The gentleman I spoke with said that my modem needed upgraded (which is something I knew already) but he would schedule the upgrade for the 31st between 3-5. During the conversation we were cutoff and our internet was lost.

Upon calling again I spoke with another person would apologized, confirmed the upgrade appointment, and proceeded to “fix” my internet.

We were once again cut off. This was when I realized that the cutoff’s were due to both our internet AND phone modem’s receiving hardware resets and called back on my cell phone.

This time I spoke to a tech who put me on hold for a considerable amount of time while he tracked down the problem. I am not complaining in the least about the waiting on hold. He needed information to fix the problem and in the end, he fixed it.  Turns out or service was upgraded on a modem that couldn’t use it and in turn gave us no internet.

What he ALSO did was to confirm our upgrade for the 31st from 3-5.

Now I’m finally getting to the issue I’m actually upset about.

The reason I approved the appointment on the 31st was because I knew it would be some time before I could be available on their schedule. Did we have extravagant New Year’s Eve plans? Not at the moment. We had already decided not to go to Chicago. However, upon scheduling  we were basically forced into a basic evening at home with the kids.

Fast forward a week to New Year’s Eve and I’m sitting on the couch waiting…and waiting…and waiting.

At 4:50 I decide to call and I’m informed that not only were they not coming but the work order was put in incorrectly and no one had actually been scheduled to come.

I was upset to say the least. I apologized the the customer service rep and began venting. I’ve worked tech support on the phone before and I knew it wasn’t her fault, but someone was going to hear me out. She said that she would call and try to get someone out to my home that night.

I then proceeded to call the “president’s promise” help line. Which is generally the only way to get things done with this company. I also took the the Twitterverse, where most customer service issues are discussed at this point.

An hour and a half later I received a call from “Brandon” who apologized profusely. He asked when I would be home next week and said he would come after regular hours to ensure that this was made up for. He apologized again and said the work order had been input incorrectly and did not schedule a truck to “roll” on the upgrade.

At this point I’m unhappy, but that’s not why I’m so upset.

This morning I receive a tweet from the @newwaveinsider account.

We left a voicemail on ur home phone on Thurs stating that we would not be able to come out on 12/31 bc our office would be closed.

This is the moment I become livid about this situation.

1. You didn’t decide on Thursday to close the Somerset office on New Year’s Eve. You didn’t. If the office was going to be closed, WHY would you schedule the appointment in the 1st place?

2. I have not received the voicemail. I will admit that I may have missed it. Someone could have accidentally deleted it. Many things could have happened. However, in no way is asking someone to sacrifice their night (let alone New Year’s Eve), canceling and leaving a message with NO confirmation they received it acceptable business.

3. Why in the world does EVERYONE seem to have a different story? Was it because the office was closed? Was it because the work order was put in incorrectly? What was it?

4. Is THIS how you handle customer service?

I make mistakes, that’s why I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I eat food that didn’t come as ordered, I let the agitated person at Wal-Mart go 1st because I know how hard the clerk has it, I try to not put the blame on the poor person who took my angry call when it’s not their fault in particular,etc.

I am that way because I understand. However, the most important customer is a current customer. That is not to say that a new customer isn’t important, but your existing customers are the people who have already given you money. They are the ones that will spread the word about your services. It’s a businesses goal to keep them happy.

I have made poor scheduling choices. I’ve scheduled shoots during some of the biggest sporting events of the year. If you are unaware I am a HUGE sports fan. My wife even allowed our wedding to be scheduled around the Colts bye week. I’ve accidentally scheduled photo shoots for times I had no intentions too. Upon realizing it at a later date, what did I do? I went and shot. I didn’t blow them off, I didn’t show up in a bad mood…what I did was deliver what I had promised.

While I’ve rarely cancelled or moved shoots, that too has happened. I have left voice mails with clients, emails, and text messages to that point. However, I don’t consider that official until I have a response from my client. I want to know that they understand that it’s happened, the reason, and we’ve set a new time for both of us. Generally that rescheduled time is less convenient too me, but my clients are priority.

Finally, when I make a big mistake I fall all over myself making it right. Early on we had a miscommunication with a couple. My wife had responded with an older pricing guide to an engaged couple and I was under the impression that they were under our current structure. This wasn’t realized until after the shoot, edit, and presentation. After a bit of discussion I figured out the issue and corrected it. On top of that I sent them a photo book. Why? Because even if the experience wasn’t perfect, I wanted them to see how important it was for me to make them happy. I lost A LOT of money on that shoot, but customers are THE reason we are in business and their satisfaction was a priority.

To me New Wave Communications failed in every aspect of customer service. They didn’t provide what they promised, they failed to communicate (communication is 2 way), and didn’t even bother to offer adjustments to help. I would’ve thought something to the effect of a discounted rate, 70 service for 30 price, etc…but nothing.

In the end, I will absolutely be looking into DSL service while crossing my fingers that my Wednesday service appointment with New Wave is for real.

However, I intend for my dissatisfaction to be heard. That should be obvious from this blog.

The cable service contracts in this area are awarded by the county government. It is my understanding that the contract renewal is coming up in the next year. I also know for a fact that here in Pulaski County that the only person in that small meeting that actually has New Wave Communications providing them services is the Deputy Judge Executive…or as I like to call her, Mom.

It’s HARD to keep secrets!

A couple weeks ago I got to have a top secret shoot with Charlie in Baxter’s on a Sunday when the store was closed. It’s like being let loose in Disney World AFTER they close the park. I’ve had to sit on these photographs ever since and today is the day that they’re allowed to break loose on the interwebs.

I’ve always wanted to shoot there (especially an engagement session) because there is so much texture and life in everything…of course, it doesn’t hurt that it feels a bit like a second home. :)

Here are just a few of my favorites.

I guess you could call this shoot with Brooklyn a before and after.

The last time I saw Brooklyn she wasn’t quite ready to meet everyone, but now she’s ready for the world.

Here’s a few of my favorites.

I found myself killing time at Wal-Mart…at 10pm…on a weekday…

Why?

Because my potential client had miscalculated the time it took to get to Somerset. She was anxious to meet and from the email traffic I wanted to make it happen.

I’m glad my gut instincts paid off.

Megan & Brian are a tremendously sweet couple. The one draw back was that Brian was a member of the dark side. He didn’t think the photography was that big of a deal or that it was even that complicated. The good news is, Meg felt differently and Brian always wants his bride to be happy. (And of course, Brian’s since been converted to a believer.)

Fast forward to our engagement session and I knew this was meant to be.  I was talking about us working together, but I guess that’s when I knew they were meant to be as well. :)

We had a blast walking around downtown getting to know each other, seeing how well our personalities meshed. That’s the fun of an engagement session…the getting to know you phase.

Then came time for the wedding.

I’m a big believer in a “stress free” wedding day, but this was pushing it. Bridesmaids were having car trouble hours from the wedding location, hair not curling the way it did at the testing, and the biggie…days before the wedding, the restaraunt that was to host the reception closed for business and didn’t inform anyone.

Yeah, you read that right.

However, this couple has some of the most amazing family and friends I have ever seen. They put together a reception on their own, with photobooth, in the basement of the church.

In the end, the saying holds true. At the end of the day, you’ll be married an nothing else matters.

The good news is that everything else was perfect.

That’s not even getting into doing their portraits in freezing weather on the water in Corbin. Every second was worth it.

Below you’ll find several of my favorites from a gorgeous day with an amazing couple.

Thank you Meg and Brian for letting us share this fabulous time with you. We enjoyed every moment from our initial meeting until now…and we look forward to many more in the future.
Sincerely,
Wes, Chrissa, & everyone with Wes Brown Photography

Something we have always fielded a tremendous amount of client interest for is our custom slideshows. This holiday season we are happy to introduce a new special for any of our previous clients, as well as anyone who would like to add a photoshoot before year’s end.

This Christmas we will be offering 8 custom Christmas slideshows.  Any previous photoshoot is eligible to have their photo gallery converted into a digital Christmas card that they may send out as they wish.

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Web Based Digital Christmas Card

A web based slideshow can be created for $50.  This slideshow may be shared via email, Facebook, or anywhere else a link may be distributed. For our clients with websites or blogs, we will even provide you with the code to embed the slideshow yourself.[/box]

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DVD Digital Christmas Card

A DVD based slideshow will be created with a custom label for $50.  You may add a web based slideshow for an additional $25.  For those wanting to distribute these DVD Digital Christmas Cards to relatives, we will offer bulk orders of 10 dvd’s for $100.[/box]

We are also offering a complimentary Web Based Digital Christmas Card to anyone who books a photoshoot that takes place between 11/15/11 and 12/23/11.

Below you will find 8 examples of our custom Digital Christmas Cards.

A Wonderland Of Snow

Cosmic Tidings

Wrapping Scraps

Spirit Of December

Pop-Up Pandemonium

Pandora’s Gift Box

Over Hot Cocoa

Starry Night