Dallas Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Dallas Wedding Photography » Dallas destination wedding photographer Jessica D’Onofrio creates timeless, romantic, vintage, high fashion, contemporary wedding photography to brides in Dallas, Austin, Houston.

I know, I know… shame on me. Two months of 2012 over, and I’m just now putting together my resolutions.

2011 was such an amazing year for the growth of my business. Growth is a funny thing… it provides immense opportunities but also immense challenges. Some are more difficult than others to get a grasp on, but I suppose the end goal is always personal growth for yourself and your brand.

Despite my granny tendencies and resistance to change, as I’ve gotten older I’ve challenged myself to better embrace technology and a world that is ever evolving. I literally refused to relinquish the cell phone I bought in 2004 until early 2011. No joke. Sure, sometimes it randomly shut itself off when it decided it was tired of hearing my voice. And yes, the screen was still only two colors. But I, my friends, was born with the soul of a 79 year old man.

Then came 2010. “Woah, you mean.. there is software… that will allow me to build my own website?! And not on Altavista?! STRANNNNGE” (and the fact that I remember Altavista, tells you just how dated my appreciation for technology was.) The fact of the matter is technology makes our lives easier, YOUR lives easier.

I’m still a bit ashamed to say it, but the day I bought my first iPhone was like meeting your first boyfriend. Full of awe and wonderment. Who knew technology could be so easy? Packaged in such a lovely fashion? Make my work look even lovelier?!

In 2011, I updated the design of my websites. As a photographer, so much time is invested in creating a beautiful product, why would we not want to display it in a beautiful way? The goal of the site was increased functionality and accessibility for my brides. A better foundation for being able to supply information. I updated the galleries and photocarts we use… something far more streamlined, far prettier, and with a multitude of functions to expand your ability to connect your images to your social media outlets. My contracts and invoices became completely web based, so you could access your information anywhere. Store it, reach it, and archive it. It makes your experience simpler, more time effective, and it puts everyone on the same page with the same information.

So what is new for 2012?

1) Smart phone compatability : In a continued effort to create an easily accessible environment for you, my blog, site, galleries, and photocarts have already undergone (or are in the process of undergoing) updates to make them completely smart phone compatible. This means more ways to access your information and images, and more ways to share them.

2) The creation of client sites : The average couple that commissions me will typically shoot a bridal session, engagement session, rehearsal dinner, and wedding. This equates to several links for several galleries. And sure, our galleries can be easily sent out by email, posted to facebook, and tweeted, but I wanted to find a solution that created a more concise sharing experience for you without compromising style. So I spent some time contemplating the best way to do this. The solution? Starting this year, each new client that books with me will receive their own “mini site” much like those offered by TheKnot. Packaged in a cleanly styled layout, it will showcase the specifics of your wedding day to share with your family and friends (date, countdown, location, festivities.) In addition, it will contain helpful links and faqs to better assist you when preparing for our sessions or the big day. When each of your galleries go live, rather than having to send each gallery out separately to your family and friends, they will all appear on your own personalized mini wedding site. And ultimately, after your final wedding gallery posts, you will also be able to download every single one of your images directly from your mini site. The goal is to create one location, one resource, that you can rely to access anything and everything related to your wedding photography. It consolidates all of your resources into one simplified, well varnished package! I am so excited to roll these out for you, I truly believe brides will love it, both for the ability to share with family and friends, and for the convenient resource.

3) We’re going green! : Truth be told, being respectful and appreciative of the world we live in has always been a point of interest and concern for me. I’ve long struggled with the paper packaging and overabundance of “fluff” that goes into physical packaging. I admit, I love a beautiful well designed product label. I am astounded with the creativity and level of complexity some come up with to create that perfect branding. But, I’ve spoken to many clients who readily admit that they pull that DVD out of the box… and as pretty as the wrapping and ribbons and tissue paper look… the majority of it ends up in the trash. So, as a photographer, why do so many of us invest so much in this? Because we know clients love to unwrap something beautiful. Understandable and completely relatable. But, is it responsible? And in the end, shouldn’t the loveliness of the final product and images themselves be enough to stand on its own without distracting fluff? My goal in 2012 is to eliminate as much unnecessary fluff packaging as possible. The ease of online accessibility of images and products will not only make this a more convenient, enjoyable, and attractive process for you, but as an added bonus, will allow me to streamline all the extraneous waste created by unnecessary over-packaging. Another plus? Though clients often don’t realize it, all of that packaging is expensive… labels, stickers, raffia, ribbon, boxes, containers, stuffing… the cost adds up. And the majority of us are forced to build that cost into our pricing. Less packaging means less cost for us, which translates to less cost for you. So, in the end, the pursuit of “greener sensibilities” decreases cost, decreases waste, increases the ease of technology, and increases the ease of sharing with friends. Everyone wins! Any and all promotional materials that are still needed (including business cards) are made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, chlorine and acid free vegetable based dyes, in wind powered facilities.

4) I’m on Pinterest! : Okay, okay… so this one isn’t a big one. But, Pinterest is quickly becoming one of the most versatile social media tools on the internet. It’s an invaluable resource, ESPECIALLY for brides. Such a simple idea, and so many ways to utilize it. For you, it provides endless options to corral, declutter, and organize your inspiration for everything wedding related, from color palettes to table decor. For me, it allows me to create visual representations of ideas, suggestions, and inspiration for portraits. Locations ideas. Prop ideas. Wardrobe suggestions. Hair/makeup suggestions. Brides email me all the time inquiring as to what to wear, bring, or do in preparation for the big day or for portraits. Everyone works better with a visual. So, instead of giving you a written list, why not link you to a pinboard that can really get the ball rolling? These are also pinboards we will eventually build into your faq pages on your “mini sites.” Pretty cool, huh? You can follow me on Pinterest at : http://www.pinterest.com/donofriojessica

5) The elimination of DVDs : In line with our desire to create a product for our clients that is not only “greener,” but also more efficient, readily available, technologically competitive, attractive, more cost effective, and ultimately reaches you far quicker… we are seeking to eliminate the need of DVDs in 2012. This does not mean you’ll no longer receive ALL of your final edits in full resolution. What this means is that you will receive them quicker (by up to two weeks) and more conveniently. Rather than having to wait two weeks after your galleries post for a DVD to be processed, labeled, packaged, picked up, and delivered… you will instead be able to access and download every single image within days of your gallery post… all via your own mini site! These are the same full resolution, unwatermarked images you’ve loved on your DVDs, only available to you weeks quicker.

6) Online album proofing : Like many of our online offerings, this will eventually be available via your “mini site.” You will have full functionality to not only be able to view your album and approve it before it is sent to print, but you will be able to add individual comments to specific images and pages. You’ll be able to scroll through your album page by page, select specific images, and ask for any alterations you desire. All before you go to print! No guess work. You’ll love your album before it even hits the pages of the printer.

In the coming days, I will be breaking down and sharing examples of each of these big changes, one by one. But for now, I leave you with my most heartfelt thanks for your continued kindness and belief in my ability to capture your most precious moments with heart. You have made my 2011 a journey full of rewarding challenges, and 2012 is already set to become what promises to be a year full of artistic growth and newfound rewards.

No post is complete without an image, so here is one that represents the birth of a new year and new and exciting possibilities!!