Recent Posts

• Picking a Photographer for an Event

  

  The problem with events (weddings, birthday parties, etc) is that you spend so much time and money planning them out and trying to make everything perfect, then before you know it, the whole thing is over. After the mess is cleaned up, all that is left is the memories and the pictures.

  A good photographer is essential to any event that you want to remember. Photos bring memories of the events alive. However, when I look back at the photos of important occasions in my life, I often wish I had more pictures, perhaps from other angles, with other expressions, or with individuals who did not pose in that picture.

  When you are picking a photographer for an event, there are many things to consider. First and foremost is perhaps availability and reliability. No matter how good the pictures that the person takes, if he or she is not able to make it to your event, they do you no good.

  Assuming the photographer is available for your event, take a look at their portfolio and discuss pricing. It is important to understand what you are purchasing. Will the photographer be taking photos during the entire event or just coming for a portion of the event. Will the photographs be posed, candid, or a combination? How many photographs will the photographer take and of those how many will you get to keep? Who will own the rights to the images? Will you be allowed to make copies or the images yourself or will you have to purchase additional prints from the photographer? Would you prefer to get a disc of photos that you can print yourself or an album of printed pictures? If you do not have a lot of time, the album may be more convenient, but if you want to give copies of the images to everyone involved in the event, digital copies will probably be preferable.

  Most photographers are flexible with their options but the fee will depend in part on what product they are delivering to you. Purchasing rights to an image will probably be more expensive then just getting a print of the individual image.

  On the event day, the photographer will be busy taking pictures. Make sure if there is anything or anyone in particular that you want photos taken of, the photographer knows. If there is any assistance you can provide, such as gathering people for photos, be sure to do so. If you are happy with the photographer and the images they take of your event, refer them to friends who are having events and remember them next time you are holding an event of your own.

  As long as they are not distracting, it is never a bad idea to have a few extra cameras around an event, even if you hire a professional photographer. You never know what images an amateur may come up with that you may really like. You may also want to hire or recruit someone to videotape part or all of the event.

  Photographs last much longer than any event, so make sure that you get plenty of good ones!

• Party Power

  

  The large empty field seemed like the perfect venue for a party. There was plenty of space for tables, chairs, a dance floor, and even a stage. Parking wasn’t going to be a problem either. Everything seemed good to go, until in a conversation with the DJ, he asked what power was available for his equipment. Suddenly everything needed electricity including the sound equipment, the lights, the video projector, and the food prep equipment,… and there was no power source anywhere near that big field.

  If you’ve ever planned an event in an area without electricity, you know how challenging it can be to find alternatives that don’t require an external power source. Luckily, there is an easier solution that will allow you to use all your electric equipment pretty much anywhere. Rent a generator. Clowns unlimited rents a portable Honda generator and a large 25,000 watt electric generator .

  What can you use a generator for? Pretty much anything that needs power. For events needing just a little power, the Honda Generator is just the thing. For large festivals and events, that 25,000 watt generator can power a lot of equipment.

• Host an Easter Party

  

  Its nearly Easter and a lot of kids are starting to get excited about seeing the Easter Bunny, coloring eggs, and searching for their Easter baskets. If you are organizing an Easter party for your church, family, or friends, here are some pointers to help you get started.

  The Easter Bunny makes a wonderful guest of honor for Easter parties. Kids love getting their picture taken with the big furry guy. Another fun option is to get a Petting Zoo with real live rabbits for the kids to pet.

  Consider what activities you want to have at your Easter party. An Easter egg hunt is practically a requirement. You can have kids (and adults) paint and hide the eggs as part of the party if the event is going to be a long one or you can have the eggs ready to hide or hidden when the guests arrive. If spoilage is likely to be an issue, use plastic eggs instead and fill them with toys and treats. Make sure the eggs are hidden in places where searchers are not likely to step on them, especially if you are using real eggs, and hide them with the age of the searchers in mind. If the egg hunt is for little kids, you might want to make all of the eggs in plain site. If you have many different age groups, you might want to separate the groups either by area or by time slots so the little kids have a chance to find their eggs.

  Decide whether party participants should bring their own Easter baskets or whether you will provide them. Even if people are expected to bring their own, it is a good idea to have a few baskets just in case anyone forgets. You don’t want the kids to suffer. Check the dollar store, the party store, or the craft store for Easter baskets, candy, toys, plates, cups, tablecloths, and decorations.

  Pick a place to hold your party. You can have an Easter party at a church, at a restaurant, at a park, or pretty much anywhere else that you hold events. Just make sure the location you pick has sufficient facilities for an Easter egg hunt and any other activities you are planning. If you are holding your party outdoors, have a plan in case of rainy weather. If the venue does not have shelters, rent a tent just in case so everyone can stay dry and comfortable.

  If you are holding your party at a restaurant, the food is probably taken care of. Otherwise you will need to make arrangements for any food you are serving. Are you planning to hire a caterer, fix the food yourself, or have a potluck? Make sure you know what food equipment will be available to you at the venue so you can plan accordingly. Brunch is typical for Easter celebrations, though you can certainly have a party any time of the day. For some reason serving breakfast type foods just seems right on the holiday. This probably partially because many people who celebrate Easter attend church in the morning and go to their Easter parties immediately following the service.

  The most important part of any party is to have fun. Easter is a wonderful holiday with lots of fun family activities for kids and adults to enjoy.