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!

• St. Patrick’s Day Party Planning

  

  There is only one holiday listed on most calendar’s in March, St Patrick’s Day. Whether or not you are Irish, for those wanting to hold a party, it’s a pretty good holiday to celebrate. After all, what better excuse do you need to drink Irish ales and munch on corned beef and potatoes?

  Kell’s Irish at 112 SW Second in Portland has an Irish festival March 15-18 to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

  Thinking about holding your own St Patrick’s Day Party in Portland? Having the event at an Irish restaurant can make it simple. Kell’s has banquet facilities for events with up to 250 people, but since St. Patrick’s Day is such a busy time for an Irish restaurant, there is a good chance that their facilities will not be available near the holiday or if they are you will have to reserve them far in advance.

  Odds are you will have to pick another venue and decorate it to suit the holiday. Local dollar, party, and craft stores sell a wide variety of decorations, paper plates, napkins, cups, tables cloths, and more with a St Patrick’s Day theme. If your event is outdoors, be sure you have appropriate shelter or rent a tent. Portland can get pretty wet this time of year!

  Book an Irish band or pick out some prerecorded Irish tunes for a DJ to play at your party. Be sure to book your entertainment early as this time of year, anything Irish is in heavy demand. Having an Irish dance? Consider getting a dance floor.

  Food and drink are important parts of any party and St Patrick’s Day is no exception. If you are having your party catered, book your caterer far in advance to make sure you get your first choice.

  Check the space requirements in regards to serving liquor if you intend to serve Irish alcohol. Coloring your beer green? Stock up on the green food coloring. A bar ran out of green food coloring and started using mint in their beer instead to keep the St Patrick’s Day theme. A lot of patrons stopped drinking and left rather than drink the minty ale.

• Host Your Own Game Show

  

  Do you watch game shows on television and shout the answers out to the television? Do you ever wish you were the contestant instead of whoever the show picked for the week?

  Why not host your own game show? Game shows make great entertainment for parties and events or set one up as a fund raiser or stand alone function.

  So what games can you play? A variety of games are available. Like Family Feud? Try the family friendly “Fabulous Feud”. Are you a fan of Wheel of Fortune? Give “Spin to Win” a spin. Tune in regularly to Jeopardy? Try your luck at “the Challenge”. Like to watch “Who Wants to be Millionaire”? Check out “Take the Deal”.

  Want more games? How about “Who Wants to be a Game Show Maniac”, “Bingo”, “World Series of Pop Culture” , “the Singing B” , “One vs 25”, “the Prize is Right” or “Rack Yer Brain”?

  Don’t see the game you want to play or have an idea for a unique game? Clowns Unlimited can help you make your idea into a reality, whatever game show you want to play.