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The Preferred List: A Wedding Vendor Podcast
The Preferred List is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the wedding industry, featuring honest conversations with the pros behind the scenes. From planners to photographers to DJs and florists, we dive into the real stories, lessons, and moments that make weddings unforgettable — and what it really takes to earn a spot on the list.
The Preferred List: A Wedding Vendor Podcast
Episode 14 Comfort And Craft: Lewisburg Studio by Melo Foto
A single beam of light in a dusty barn changed everything. That’s the moment Melanie realized wedding photography wasn’t just a skill set—it was a calling to protect fleeting minutes, calm anxious rooms, and translate love into images that last. We invited her to share that journey from darkroom patience to dance-floor intuition, and the conversation goes deep on what couples and creatives actually need to thrive.
We explore how military goodbyes and new motherhood sharpened her eye for meaning, why comfort is a strategy, and how a people-first approach turns timelines into breathing room. Melanie breaks down the studio’s workflow—two-photographer coverage, flexible “up to” hours, and why first looks can unlock cocktail hour without sacrificing portraits. She’s candid about boundaries too: photographers aren’t planners, yet on days without coordination they often hold the glue. Hear how she juggles bustling dresses, wrangling family, and keeping the couple present while still protecting image quality.
For couples, you’ll get clear steps to cut through overwhelm: choose vendors you genuinely like, meet face to face to avoid scams, lean on preferred vendor lists for chemistry, and build a realistic timeline with buffers. For creatives, there’s grounded advice on scaling a team, delegating, staying organized across calendars and cloud backups, and using delivery platforms like Pixieset to elevate client experience beyond a basic file link. We also talk vendor collaboration with videographers and DJs so coverage stays in sync and the final story feels cohesive.
If you care about honest images, low-stress wedding days, and vendor teams that actually work well together, this conversation will meet you where you are. Listen, take what helps, and share it with a friend planning their day. Subscribe for more real talk with the people behind unforgettable weddings, and leave a quick review to tell us what topic you want next.
https://www.instagram.com/lewisburgstudio/
https://melofoto.mypixieset.com/
Welcome to The Preferred List, a podcast about the people behind the best wedding days. I'm James, a wedding filmmaker. I've spent years in the industry working alongside incredible vendors, and this show is all about real conversations with the ones who make it happen. Whether you're a vendor or a couple, you'll get honest insight, good stories, and maybe a little inspiration along the way. Let's meet today's wedding vendor. Hey Melanie, how's it going?
SPEAKER_00:Good, how are you, James? So exciting. That was a great little blurb. Good introduction. Thank you.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. I do have to read it because I don't have it memorized, but it's so fun. Um, this really is real conversations with pros in the industry. And I'm so excited to pick your brain on all things photography. You run Lewis Burke Studio by Mellow Photo. Um we gotta we have to have that in there Mellow Photo for legal reasons. No, I'm just kidding. But I'm so excited because you do a lot more than just wedding photography. So we'll get into all those things in just a minute. But before we do, we're here at Birchwood Venue. And Birchwood Venue is where rustic charm meets modern convenience to create the perfect wedding weekend. That's how I said weekend. So fun. Nestled in Milton, Pennsylvania. Uh Birchwood Venue gives couples three full days to decorate, celebrate, and soak in every moment without feeling rushed. From the Hydrangeal Line ceremony space to the beautifully restored barn, Birchwood is designed to make your day as stress-free and memorable as possible. And I don't know if you guys haven't met Holly. Holly's great.
SPEAKER_00:She's fantastic.
SPEAKER_02:And it's just a such a cool spot. And I remember when we came here for the first time, I was like, where are we going? What is Milton PA? And you just roll up into this amazing little pocket of beautiful space. It's so fun. And I'm just glad that we could be here. I love the idea of getting vendors in at local spots, and we're here. But Melanie, thanks for being on.
SPEAKER_00:So this is gonna be fun. I've never done anything like this. So when you reach out, it's like, oh my gosh, I have an opportunity to like meet more people and like talk about things that we geek out about. Like it's not like the gear and the stuff, it's the stories and the experience.
SPEAKER_02:I do love the gear.
SPEAKER_00:I see.
SPEAKER_02:Um, yeah, it is so fun. I I feel like uh on a wedding day, it's like we sit down for dinner and it's like, hey, yeah, how's it going? Been working on it. Yeah. Um, but so you run Lewisburg Studio by Mellow Photo. Um, and I'm just excited to hear all the different things. And it sounds like from what we were just talking before I hit record, before we started, there's more even to it than just wedding photo. Yeah. Um, but you were kind of explaining a little bit of like the Lewisburg Studio mellow photo thing. Give me the breakdown on how all of this started for you. Like what was the beginning like?
SPEAKER_00:So basically, when I was in college, I figured, okay, I really love art and I started painting. And then, you know, I was like, okay, that's all fun and games, but how could I really, you know, make something out of this? And I really couldn't. So I picked up a camera and I was like, okay, this is fun, you know, with your gen eds and things that you have to um kind of incorporate to have a more well-rounded art degree. Um, so I started with film and it was black and white photography. And there's something about that room. Like, I don't know, it might have just been the chemicals, honestly.
SPEAKER_02:But I just sitting there and sorry, it's I just picture you like high as a kite from the chemicals, like, wow, this photo is amazing. It's cool now. So good.
SPEAKER_00:I got a D in it.
SPEAKER_02:Wait, there's nothing there.
SPEAKER_00:My whole imagination made it. Um, but yeah, it was you know, the quietness and the, you know, the capturing of things and you know, having that as a later situation. Like you have to really have the patience to wait. So these wedding couples, when they're like, oh my gosh, when I'm giving my photos, my cool, you should have seen how long it took me to get one picture out of this camera years ago. So I think that really hit the spot of like, okay, I can I can do something with this. And so uh my husband was in the military. I met him in college as well. He was in the dark room too, every now and then, be like, Where are you? I was like, okay. Um, but when we went in there, you know, it was a lot of families and a lot of people that, you know, had a lot of moments where you they weren't home. And uh I picked up my camera and I was like, let's do a family shoot before he leaves or before she leaves. And it was really great having those little, you know, bits of you know, time to have when your spouse is, you know, doing something that you don't know what they're doing, because my husband couldn't tell me for the most part. So um after that, you know, another transitional period of what are we gonna do after we leave the military and where are we gonna move? What are we gonna do? So uh again, I picked up a camera after, you know, that wedding situation. One of those families was like, Hey, my daughter's getting married. Like, would you do something like that? I was like, I don't know. That's a whole different monster than like four kids running around, you know, it's like 150 people. You need to be, you know, have their attention and get all the cute things situated. So I was like, all right, I'll try it. And honestly, like I was in a barn and it was like dingy, and she was wearing this beautiful dress and she was putting her earring on, and this light just hit her just the right way. And I was like, this is what I'm supposed to be doing for the rest of my life. Like being here with these families and seeing the beauty of every moment just like depicted in detail. And I I was blown away by that little barn and that little dress, and you know, this family that just asked me to do them a favor. So yeah, I I got in trouble after that. And I was like, okay, how do I keep going? How do I get this? Yeah, how do I get that feeling back of like being part of their day? So that that was pretty much how I started. And you know, with the support of my husband and my family, like, yeah, why not? Like it beats waking up in a nine to five and you know, doing a different kind of grind that wasn't mine, you know. So that was for sure.
SPEAKER_02:And nothing wrong with nine to fives if you're there and you're like trying to break into like the wedding space. Yeah, you gotta start somewhere. It's so fun though that you have like such a specific, like you told me such a specific moment of like light hitting. Yeah, you're like, ah, this is this is the spot.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it hit me hard. Is that like the dust in the light, you know, the dingy barn is really drinking? Yeah, you gotta have the ding to get that cute like situation there. That's so fun.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. And so you have um that was that was mellow photo originally.
SPEAKER_00:And it was just me. Like, you know, as we all have to start somewhere, right? Like in my living room, where I was like, okay, this is hard. How do I find these people? How do they find me? You know, so I was putting a lot of money in advertising and not getting it back. And sometimes I did get it back and it was great, but you know, I I had this opportunity by someone else referring me to Lewisburg Studio, which is, you know, 40-year-old photography studio in the main street of Lewisburg. And I'm like, okay, like let me just call him. Let me just see what you know he's about and see if this is something that's, you know, meant for me.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:And I'm very big on that. I think a lot of timing and things like that. Well, especially, you know, like with videography, like you gotta have that timing right. You gotta have that camera in the right spot to get that moment. So I think that, you know, in my life, I think that's where I found, okay, this is that situation of okay, you're just gotta be brave and just try it and see what you can do with this. And I went in there and there was like a team. And I was like, okay, how how do I go from me to other people?
SPEAKER_02:And so you got the team when you picked up that space.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, we have our director, Sam, who honestly became one of my best friends, and she's uh it's in a different place in her life, and like we're different age range, and it's just so funny how like we just like clicked. Like, I joke with her, I was like, I fell in love with you at first sight, and it was so fun because like we started the wedding thing again because the studio kind of stopped for a little bit. Um, but this we do a little bit of everything like sports photography for schools and um family sessions, headshots, pets. Oh my gosh. And here too, like in Milton BA, everyone has a horse, so it's like, okay, like come on over. Yeah, um, but weddings is honestly my favorite uh like thing to do because it's it's just so much more, you know. And you can like I said before, you can be part of people's day, a family's day. Like they'll remember you, they may not remember your name, but they'll remember what you did for them that day.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, for sure. And I I'd have to imagine maybe you can like kind of flesh this out a little bit more. You were mentioning like the before your husband would leave for a deployment, I'm assuming. Yeah, yeah. Um, you'd have this like, I need to capture these memories in this moment specifically before things change.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, definitely.
SPEAKER_02:How has that shifted the way that you kind of entered into the wedding? Because you did that before you did your first wedding. Did that like impact even that first wedding? And has it kind of shifted over time?
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah. I think more so now, like with changes in like that. Was like, oh my gosh, like 12 years ago. Ew. We're fine. Yeah. Um, yeah, it was I think more so now because well, I have a newborn at home, so everything's just different. Like another transitional period where you have to balance everything. And I think, you know, now as a mother, I have the capacity to like do more. Like I see him changing every day, and I'm like, whoa, okay, I need to grab where's my camera at? I mean, it's always within reached uh, but for for these moments of like, I think about it, I'm like, I get to have a first dance with my son.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Oh my God, stop.
SPEAKER_00:It's so weird. But you know, it's you can really relate with these people now. Yeah. Because you're having those moments of like not a what if, but like when. So when you're in that moment, you're just your beats. I'm emotional. I'm emotional.
SPEAKER_02:No, it's like so different. Like I noticed the change. I think we might have done like two or three weddings before I got married. And then, like, once I was married, I was like, Whoa, this feels totally different. Right. And then you have kids. If you're a wedding vendor and you're listening, you're probably like, yep. You have kids and you're like, oh gosh, like I'm seeing all these like daddy-daughter dances, like, I'm gonna do that, hopefully, one day. Yeah. And it's just like, man, I'm getting goosewamps. But I'm getting goosewamps, just thinking about it. Um, but the the way that you capture things day of uh did all of those experiences before, like, how did that change or influence the way that you're capturing images day of?
SPEAKER_00:I would say that's a hard question because every everyone's so different, right? Like every wedding is so different from the other. Like you have this plan in your head, like, okay, I'm gonna do it this way, and you know, this is my routine. And it just honestly goes out the window. But thinking about it way back then, I I don't know. I think more like the preparation now and having people back me up, like having a second shooter constantly that I can, you know, kind of vibe off of and give ideas with, things like that, or if I can't achieve something and they can, you know, think that that's helpful. Uh, but I honestly think like back then I would just try to cater as much to my bride and my couple as I possibly could. Like all these venues are so different. Like you've got industrial, you've got barn house, you've got Timeless Classic and Philly, like marble ceilings and things like that, that you kind of have to adapt that situation every time. So I think for me it's every yeah, everyone is different. I I don't think that I've ever done anything really or any done a wedding the same. Like some of the photos may be a little bit similar because they'll ask for, like, oh, can I have this? You know, and things trend and can I have that? And I'm like, sure, Pinterest. Um, we love Pinterest. Um, but yeah, I just think that you just try your best to be there for that couple as best as you can and give them what they need. And then that kind of relates or shows in the photos afterwards.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Um there is I mean, wedding days are like I I really truly believe there's like not two wedding days that are the same. Yeah, there's similarities, obviously. Some style stuff, some some stuff like that, or maybe it's at the same venue, it could have like a similar vibe, but like couples are the ones that are making it unique, definitely just based off of like who they are. I'm curious, like at the beginning stages of your business, um were there like hurdles that you had to jump over to like say, like, yeah, I'm gonna do it. I know you had you mentioned like family, your husband were like, Yeah, go for it, go for it. But like, what were you thinking?
SPEAKER_00:When you actually go for it and jump off that cliff of like possibility. Well, I mean, with everything new, right? There's there's growing pains, and with a business, and I'm sure you know this, like, there's a lot of admin stuff that you don't realize, and you know, customer emails, and then it's not just weddings, it's all the other things. So we have to find that balance of like, okay, you need to be able to do all of the school stuff, and you've got to do the you know, business headshots, and you've got companies calling you, and I'm like, I have a wedding I need to finish. I'm like, I don't have enough time. Um, but you know, that I think the the growing pain was the hardest hurdle of being able to balance everything. And yeah, you've got everyone in your corner, and I do have a team, but that team has to have me answer all those questions. Like Sam is, you know, I would say like the she's she's I pay her to tell me what to do. That's that's the best. She's the best. Um, but between her and you know, my sister, and then Alex is our another shooter, she's one of my best friends, and then Mandy's our uh retoucher. So we've got a team of people that are really good at what they do. Um, so being able to utilize everyone and me not have to do any everything anymore, I think that's probably one of the most difficult things that I had to deal with was like letting go.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Um, and again, now with a baby, I'm like, I really have to give everyone and delegate and be more in the not the background, because we have a wedding this weekend, so I'll be there. But having you know the grace of being like go, yeah, like you guys got it.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I have so many questions. Uh how did you know? Like, so you had Melo Photo, that's where you started. Uh at that point, were you doing all types of photography?
SPEAKER_00:It was just families and weddings, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Just families and weddings, okay. How did you know from that? Because maybe there's a vendor who's listening who's like at that point where their business is growing. Yeah, and maybe they're good. Yeah, maybe they have an opportunity like you did to move into more of like a studio kind of a thing. Yeah. Maybe uh adding on associates, maybe adding on more team members. Yeah. How did you know that that was like the right move at that point? Was it like purely numbers, purely business? Was it just like a heart thing, or like, no, I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be going next?
SPEAKER_00:Well, I mean, those moments, it's like you want to do more, right? And like in your brain, it's one thing, and then in your heart, it's another. But then you see these people and they rely on you. Like every two weeks, you need to be able to, you know, like it's it's it's hard. So um, having that artist mindset and that business mindset and bringing them together, it it takes some time for sure. So if there's someone out there who really is like, oh my gosh, like I'm sweating, it's okay. Grab a towel, you'll be all right. Like stretch later, you'll be okay. Cause it's worth it. It is because if you add on those people, it's less on you physically and like time management-wise, they'll be able to help you. Yeah. But it then you have another stressor of like, oh gosh, I'm responsible for these people.
SPEAKER_02:What's your what's your best advice for balancing the like artist side of us like creatives, and then like the business side?
SPEAKER_00:Go outside for a little bit, meditate a little bit, like look at some trees because you're in front of that screen, like with both of those things. Like, you've got to look at your, you know, whether it's honey books or pixie set, like you've got all these things where it's got all the numbers and all the math, and then you've got your art where it's all these colors and all of these like little things that you have to fix and move, and it's just so minute details that make such a big difference that you need to go outside and breathe. Yeah, you you have to, like it's for yourself.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Also, Honey Book, if you want to sponsor, you know, that'd be cool. Yeah, go ahead.
SPEAKER_00:Uh he deserves that.
SPEAKER_02:I didn't say it. Um, no, I totally agree. Like, there's a lot of time I spent at a computer, whether you're doing the creative or the business, or researching, even like I'm sure when you started all this stuff, you're like, what uh what can I do?
SPEAKER_00:Like, let me get some inspo on this. How can I differentiate myself from others?
SPEAKER_02:Like, it's sure. So fun to see like businesses and hear the story behind like where everything started. Because, like, very much I can tell, like grassroots, like you weren't just a studio right off the jump. There was a lot that you did with Mel Photo before it was Louisburg Studio by Merrill Photo. Um, it's so it's so fun to see that transition. Are you the only one that's doing the wedding photography? Do you have other photographers like in your studio that are shooting the weddings and stuff?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, so we have my sister Valerie, who is fantastic. She's my baby sister. So it's really fun to work with her. It's funny, she like told me something like, Oh, I love how we dance together. And like I knew what she meant. Like, if she's on one side of the room, like we just kind of like we just know because we've always been together. And then so um, I have her doing that, and then she does priority-wise the makeup when we do hair and makeup together. So I'll do the hair and then she'll do the makeup. Um, little backstory on that. Our mom's a cosmetologist, so she was always into like you know, this stuff. So she had her own salon and like she was my inspo. Like she was like, you know, boss lady, like in the basement, getting all these women to come in and get their hair done, like the waxing, all this stuff. So she, you know, she's always been an inspiration to us and told us, why not? Why can't you do it? Like, go for it. Um, so dad was like, All right, let me see. What do you think you can do? Like, you know, we have this college degree that you got, like you can actually use it for something. Like, who would have thought? Right. So, you know, with the support of them and me and my sister were like, Okay, let's let's try and do this together a little bit more. And then we added on Alex, who's fantastic, and she's you know, a really talented photographer. And I've she always has been. So now she's like, Okay, I want to do more weddings. Like, let's go. Um, so then we dance together a little bit, and then um Mandy does shoot a little bit too, but she likes to be behind the scenes, like she likes to sit there and Photoshop like all the fun stuff. Yeah. Um, so we just you know let her do that and you know, create like that's her main priority there. But it's basically me, Val, and Alex on the dance floor all the time, you know, getting those couples the memories that they so wholeheartedly deserve.
SPEAKER_02:So do you have sort of like like a if you could run me through like a typical wedding day, or are the couples kind of all generally doing like a 10-hour package with you guys? Like how does your wedding day usually look?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, so it depends. Um, our mid-level package, which we we like to name things after flowers. Um, so our our lily package is the one that's really like the one because you get two photographers. Um up to 10 hours, we say that because you know the reception is there for them. You know, we I don't have to sit there and take a thousand photos of people like red faced and just like dancing on tables. I mean, go for it, right? But it that's not gonna go in the album. That's gonna go on socials, and you have plenty of those. So uh we say up to with those numbers, and we just kind of like, hey guys, we're gonna take off. Um, but during the day, it depends on if there's hair and makeup, because that's gonna be like a 7 30, 8 30 showtime for. Me and my sister.
SPEAKER_02:Gotcha.
SPEAKER_00:So we'll do that. And usually let's say a ceremony's at three, we'll be, you know, going for it that whole time until it depends on if they're doing a first look, a first touch, or you know, with dad or with you know the fiance, soon-to-be husband. Um I should have said groom. What am I? There's so many words for you guys. Wife, uh dudes. Yeah, the guys. Um, but I mean, you know, those things are great too. When you have another person there, they can, you know, take care of the guys and go have fun outside and you know, do the cool photos that are really cute for them too. Cause it's not just about the girls, you know, the guys need their moment, you know, just like one or two. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:We've got a little couple more for the girls, but you know just a little bit.
SPEAKER_00:But yeah, detail shots, you know, after that. And then the show really starts with a ceremony and everyone's kind of gets a little bit, you know, more tense and nervous. So me and my sister are basically there in the morning to just keep everyone level, like keep them chill. And yeah, it's like a slumber party, you know, but just prettier. Like that's what I like to say. Like, I know a lot of like female photographers go, Oh, we're besties, like during the day. And that's when you really get to know the bride, like when the get ready stuff is out when they're in their jammies, you know? Yeah. Um, with the glitter bride. So, you know, we have all day to get to know them and really feel what the wedding is gonna look like later. So then we get to meet the groom and it starts, and you know, you get the beautiful ceremony, and then all the fun stuff after. Uh, we usually try to do the photos during cocktail hour, but it's been really cool, like when people do their first look, which is something I really love. Um, because then they get to be alone, like they get to have themselves and they don't get like the drama and like the clucking of everybody wanting to, you know, be part of their day.
SPEAKER_02:Just like picturing chickens around.
SPEAKER_00:They are, they really are, especially here in Milton P.
SPEAKER_02:We do love your families, but like they can be chickens, I guess.
SPEAKER_00:A little bit. A little, I mean the chicken dance on the nanosphore that we don't do anymore, I guess. But yeah, it's just you know, it's it's a moment for them and it's really nice. Cause then we can just bring the rest of those chickens in the family later and have them do all of the family stuff so they can actually go and wondering if couples are listening.
SPEAKER_02:They're like, You're calling my family chickens?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, they're chickens. Like, you are you really from Central PA right now? Like, yeah, and that's where we are. Like, sorry, like there's cows like down the street right now.
SPEAKER_02:The approach that you have, I feel like it's really like people from what I'm getting. Yeah. Uh, just from like what you're explaining, it sounds like really people first.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_02:Um, is there like a feeling that you want people to have? Yeah. Like at the end of the day, they're like, like, I'm so glad we we hired Ludisburg Studio by Miller Photo. Like, is there like a feeling that you want them to have in all of this?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I want them to be comfortable. Like, I I joke about the family and the clugging of chickens, but like I have a big family and they're so important for the day. Like, you're having this party for them, right? Like, you're speaking from experience.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah. Like you have 250 people there, like, and you've got that one uncle that doesn't like photos. Like, he needs to be comfortable with me, like during those family photos. And and the groom, like a lot of guys don't like getting their pictures done. Like, I got I got it. Like, it's it's a lot. You're in your tucks and it's hot. You want to go party.
SPEAKER_02:I feel like even just like couples in general, they don't spend a lot of time in front of the camera. And then it's like you're in front of the camera all day. And it can be a lot. I think it can be a lot.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it can be tiring for sure.
SPEAKER_02:But from what you're saying, is like you're just you're hoping that couples are feeling comfortable, confident in front of the camera, able to like stay present.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. And I try to like this is like my little motto. I say to them, like, I want you to feel like you forgot I have a camera in my hand. Because we basically do this, but you can't see my face most of the time when it's happening.
SPEAKER_02:So I'm like, okay, you're like hiding behind a screen.
SPEAKER_00:I'm like, I'm here, but I'm not. Like, hey, could you get a little closer? Yeah. Can you like kiss her? She's your wife now. Like things like that where it's, you know, you just gotta be like fun. Like, I just want them to be comfortable and I want them to have a good time. Because it it does. It gets tiring and you're they're not used to it, like you said. So we forget that. And like because we see so many couples that it's just like I don't, I don't feel like it's just a job for us. I don't say me because we do have the girls with us, but they feel the same way I do. Like they're a person, I'm a person. I can feel what they need for me for the most part, because we've spent so much time together already in the morning. So, you know, I just want everyone to be happy on their wedding day and have that fun that they've spent so long trying to get. Like they've been playing for forever, some people like two, three years. I'm like, wow, you you must really love them to have this happen for you. So it's yeah, I think that it's I'd say comfort and fun.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I love that. So you brought up planning. There's a lot that goes into planning. Um, kind of speaking to couples a little bit, like they're inundated with just I mean, so many decisions that they have to make. I mean, it could be in one category, it could be just across the board. Uh what's your best advice for couples that are like deep in the planning stages, they're feeling overwhelmed, maybe they're feeling like a little burnt out, but they're still really excited to get married to their best friend. Yeah. What what do you like? What should they be doing? What should they be looking out for?
SPEAKER_00:I think probably, well, I feel probably, because this is how I make my decisions. I don't know about everybody else because a lot of people, you know, make decisions here. I make decisions here. You've got to like your vendors. Like you I honestly, like, I have so many brides that I'm like, can we be best friends? Like, yeah, we can be best friends. Like it doesn't just stop today. Like with film and photography, you you can be part of their family, like throughout the years, like when they have babies, when they graduate, and then they have like those kids get married again. Like, it could be a forever relationship if you really want it to be. So when you like your vendors, they will make it so much easier for you. Like, you can really lean on them because we know what we're doing, like we do it all the time. Every weekend is it's for you. Like, I'm giving up my weekend for you and your love. How dare you! I know. Saturday is what is that? I haven't had a Saturday off in forever, but yeah, just you know, lean into your vendors and ask them the questions that you don't know because we do it all the time, and we have to remember that this is not an everyday thing for them. Like they have to go to work, they have to deal with their families, they have to plan sweating, and it's we're here for you. Like, you're not not just because you're paying us, but mainly because no, but it's you know, we're we're people too. So we're here with the questions and use that email that we sent you and you know, go back and forth so that we can give you as much ease as possible because you want to enjoy.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, for sure. Well, I and I totally agree, especially in our category of vendor, yeah, because we spend all day with you. If you're not vibing from the from the jump, like you should probably be like going somewhere else. That's fine. Like, I'm not the videographer everyone, you're not the photographer everyone. Yep. Um but there's this like barrier I'm I'm noticing, and it's like, how do you know that they're the right vendor before you've seen them work or before you've experienced them at all? Do you have like advice for couples that are like ah, but like how do I know? Yeah, I I I agree, I totally agree. Gotta find people that you're vibing with. Like, how do you know?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I would say meet them face to face because you know how many, like, and especially now with like AI, like things can get pretty scammy. Like, I love it's it could be really useful, yeah, but I don't know how many emails we've gotten that were not real. Oh, yeah, like yeah, and like some of these, um, I'm not gonna mention any, but like some of these places that you pay a lot of money to you know siphon out all these brides. And we got a lot of them, so we just stopped using it. And honestly, having a brick and mortar studio in the middle of a really cute town has been really helpful. It'll be like, just come on down, 419 Market Street in Lewisburg. Like we're right here. Go get coffee 100% and then go, you know, to this cute little town and vibe with the community. And it meeting them in person makes a big difference. Like, we we do free consultations, like you don't have to book with us, but come sit down with us for a little bit and we can at least help you. Like, we've got this vendor wall with business cards of local businesses that we love working with. Like, our preferred vendors are our besties. Like, if if I can work with you and we can have a really great day, that's even better for me and the ride in the room. Like it's just it's helpful for sure. And we're not like tripping over each other and like, oh my god, like you know, like we don't need any exactly. We don't need we don't need the drama. Like you can have enough, no pass, hard paths, but it's it's gonna be better for the couples too.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I just I'm like, man, I wish there was like a just clean cut, cut and dry, like, yo, these are the good people, which I guess is like what you're saying, it's like a preferred vendor list, or if you do vibe maybe with you, you're not gonna put people that you're not vibing with on that list of people that you're gonna recommend.
SPEAKER_00:Right.
SPEAKER_02:So maybe if you found one that you trust and you like in any category, be like, hey, who do you love working with? Yeah, because it's literally what I've done with this podcast. When I've reached out to vendors, I'm like, hey, vendor, what venues do you love shooting at or working at? And that's how we've kind of made the connection here with a couple venues to film the podcast at.
SPEAKER_00:It's perfect, it's a really great idea. Instead of like you in like a space that you're comfortable in, like you traveling to all these places to like really like let people see, and that way they know, like, oh, this is like a really beautiful space.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah, for sure. It's so fun. Uh, but couples just have like so many decisions to make. I'm curious, like, just in that general planning process, you have advice for couples that are like feeling overwhelmed or feeling like I don't know what to do next.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Hug your spouse. It's gonna be okay. Yeah. And I I'm probably gonna say the same thing like go outside and breathe. Like it's gonna be fun because it just feels like so much at once. Cause like, okay, you you can plan a party, you can plan an event, but planning a wedding is a whole other monster. Like it's it's so many little details, but I would honestly recommend, and it's gonna cost you a little bit more, get yourself a wedding planner. Yeah, it's so nice. Like they will reach out to everyone for you. Then on the day of, like here at Birchwood, they just like started the day of situation. So nice. Yeah, like you've got someone, you don't have to yell at your bridesmaid to go tell them to do something, like your relationships will be intact if you hire for someone. Like, I don't know how many bridesmaids are like, oh no, like we we're not even friends anymore because like we she had to be my maid of honor for my wedding. I'm like, that's hard, it's straining on relationships to like tell someone to do things.
SPEAKER_02:I'm curious. Uh, I've seen some stuff recently coming up on social media, and I don't know when this will be out versus when I saw this recently. Um, but uh photographers kind of putting their foot down a little bit, saying, like, hey, we're not planners, we're not day of coordinators. Um, just curious, like your take on it. I didn't prep you for any of this, but like it's fine.
SPEAKER_00:We go with a fly, it's how we work, it's good, it's gonna work.
SPEAKER_02:What's your take on like uh that idea of like, hey, photographers are not data coordinators?
SPEAKER_00:And I understand that. I personally don't mind it because then I have not that I'm a control freak, but then I have control of what the outcome is. Like, do you know how many times I've been like, can you go get blah blah blah? It doesn't happen. Most people are, you know, libations are going and it's happening. So I I feel better being able to give them that little extra bit of being okay. Like, I've bustled dresses, I've fixed all these things just because I know that I need to get that photo later. And it's gonna be okay as long as I have like hands on it. But I wholeheartedly like am like would recommend a wedding day planner because your photographer is not there, like a lot of people can't wear a lot of hats, yeah, and they shouldn't have to because you're paying them for that service of being your photographer. So if you're gonna ask them to do other things, be prepared to get a little bit of a an invoice there.
SPEAKER_02:I mean, you might because I feel like you guys, you guys being photographers, you've sort of been like thrusted into this, like you sort of do a little bit of coordination stuff beforehand with like the timeline stuff, which I know you want your timeline because it helps you get what you need to get. Yeah. Um, but you're also like coordinating a bunch of stuff if there's not a day of coordinator. Yep. And it's just interesting hearing the take on that. I think someone the the person that posted it was a little bit more like I will not against it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Um, but it's just funny because in my mind, I'm like either way, if if you are or you aren't, like we still just want to be there for the couple and just make the day run smoothly. Yeah, but I understand, like you know, it might be a little easier to focus on the photos. Yes. If you're not also worried about like where's Aunt June? Right, why is she not here? Yeah, you know, that kind of thing. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Um 100%. And I think a lot of people have had experiences like that, and that's why, you know, they feel so no to it. But at the end of the day, like you said, we're here for the couples, and whatever we can do to make it easier on them is gonna make it easier for us because you're we're gonna see it later. Yeah, like we're gonna see when you're mad at Aunt June because you couldn't find her. Yeah, because yeah. So it's I think it the the better we can finesse those situations and moments, the better off we are. And I I think that's the second reason why I do it. First reason couple, second reason is my peace of mind. Like, we're gonna be okay.
SPEAKER_02:Aunt June's gonna get a lot of flack, she's probably not as bad as we're making her out to be.
SPEAKER_00:She just had a little bit too much wine, yeah. A little too much, is okay.
SPEAKER_02:Um, I'm curious. Like, so couples working with their photographer, maybe more specifically when they work with you or someone from your team, how can they get the most out of that experience with you? Maybe it's day of, maybe it's in that planning process with you guys, but like what's something they can do or not do to just like really make your job like easy?
SPEAKER_00:Give me the timeline and write down like who because we have like, I don't know about like how appropriate we have a drunk uncle list of like who we should watch out for. And that's what we call it, because you know, there's always someone, like whether it's you know, someone who's gonna try to take attention away from you or you know, cause drama or you it just put a pin on anything that isn't going smoothly for their wedding day. That way we can kind of look out for them. And again, that kind of goes into the whole like coordinator situation, but I'm in bestie mode at that point. Like, I'm like, I'm gonna make sure you're okay.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:So you just let me know who that is. But the timeline is so important for us to just be able to prepare ahead of time. And granted, it's gonna get messed up. Like the timeline will get fudged, like it will, like it things happen. Like someone's gonna be late. Like, there was this one, oh my gosh, it's it was like it was so bad at the moment because I had to like take the heat at the moment. But there was a bridesmaid who brought the wrong dress to the ceremony and she was in state college, and it was like a local venue here in Mifflinburg. So I had to pretend, I had to like really like lag. Like I 30 minutes, I had to stall so that her boyfriend can bring the dress over. And the bride had no idea. Like, I was just going at a glacial pace. Yeah. And then later I talked to her mom. And I was like, just so you know, like it wasn't me. And I had to throw her under the bus because like that's my reputation at the end of the day. I don't know her. And why did you bring the wrong dress? But anyway, it is. Um, I took the heat for it at the moment. But again, it's one of those things where, like, if I can do something to make it easier on somebody else on the day of, it'll be fine because that timeline is what I need. And I have gotten everyone at that place that they need to be when they needed to be there, regardless of before situations. Like, even in Philly a couple months ago in May, it was gorgeous. Like, there's a ferry, there's traffic, there's people in your way. Like, we there's a timeline, and she wanted it done at a certain time. And I looked at her, I held her hands in that little trolley and I was like, girl, we're gonna be fine. Like, I will figure out how we can slim the photos down. Like, I will work as quick as possible to get what you need, as well as get you to the venue on time. And we did like, duh, like we're professionals, you know what I mean? Like, we've seen it all. We're gonna take care of you.
SPEAKER_02:Like, yeah, for sure. And that's why I mean, you'd you'd want to find the right people for those moments that are bound to happen that don't go as placed.
SPEAKER_00:Right. And they will, they'll happen.
SPEAKER_02:Um, we obviously work with a lot of vendors throughout the day. Um, maybe some more closely than others. I'm curious to know though, like when you're working with a vendor, what's that vendor partnership look like for you? How does it go well? Yeah. What makes it kind of not go so well?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Like day of, it's it has to go well. Like I will do what I have to do to make sure like we vibe together. But the videographer is the person that we honestly need to be in sync with throughout the day. Like, I I usually meet them on the day of and it's fine, but we need to make sure, like, hey, are you gonna go see the guys? Like, let me make sure I send one of my girls over there. Like, we it total calms all day long because it it's it has to be cohesive for the most part. Like, they're obviously not gonna be the same. But the easier that relationship is, the easier it's gonna be for them to have later with the albums and with you know the clips. And they're like, oh my gosh, look how great they live together and things like that. Um, but you know, the DJ too, like we need to have a relationship with them. Like, what are you doing during the ceremony? Are you they getting mic'd up? Like, where are they? Like, and that's what I mean. Like, when you say, Oh, we're not gonna be wedding planners, okay, but we have to talk to everybody on the day off because we need to be in the know.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:For you know, our jobs.
SPEAKER_02:If not, then like your job's gonna suffer. Your final product might suffer.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and I'm not doing that, so I will I will talk to who I have to talk to to get there.
SPEAKER_02:Get rid of that. No, I love it. Uh obviously, there was a point where uh, you know, the business was so new, and I'm sure you've learned like a ton of stuff from that point to now. And I'm sure, as I say, I'm sure six times there's people listening, watching, maybe they're early on in their like vendor journey, maybe they're new to the industry. Uh, what are some things that you wish you knew like when you started out that you know now or that are like, oh my gosh, if I would have just done X, Y, and Z, my life would have been so much easier.
SPEAKER_00:That's like a loaded question because I could go off on like so many moments, like as a tangent to be like, well, I did this and I did that. Um I would say get yourself organized. Because if you don't, I I think it's gonna be more overwhelming. Cause that way, if you're a little bit more organized, like whether it's a calendar, like a virtual one or a paper one, I'm a paper girl. Like I have like it's like this big and it's got my tabs September, October. And it's it's good, I'm a visual person. So like I need to see it. And it's great that my phone can tell me what to do, but I'm just like, I don't trust it. There's been so many times I didn't hit like save. I'm like, oh gosh, that's not good on my phone. Um, but make sure you're organized um with that and with your material, like whether it's you know, photos and files, and you have all your files like alphabetized and you have them in. I have like three different cloud drives that I'm just like crazy about to make sure that everything is saved. Um, or if you're like, you know, a caterer and you need all your stuff to put together, because I'm sure other people are watching that are not. It's not just photography for this, like it's a vendor, right? Um, so you know, I think that that just goes a long way and have a lot of trust in the people that you're hiring or you know are helping you, like whether it's technology or actual people that you know can make mistakes and you can make mistakes too. Like every you can fix everything. Like just give yourself a little bit of grace because it's it's it's hard. Like, you know, you're your own boss and you've got to have your own little like I think. There's these memes and things like that. There's like, oh, if you see me talking to myself, I'm having a staff meeting. Yeah, I'm having a staff meeting, like in my like mental stage right now, like hiding in a corner, hyperventilating, trying to make sure my wedding season is going okay. But you just see so many things, like it can be overwhelming. Like you see all these trends and you see people doing things and you see people putting content on. And it's like, am I not doing enough? And that's the question I ask myself all the time. But I you just need to stay true to yourself because that's what people are, you know, looking at there, that's what they're paying you for. Like I see the whole, oh my gosh, like the blurry photos. I'm sorry. That's the one thing that I'm just if there's not a car going by, it shouldn't be blurry. Like, I some of them are good. Like if there's a flower girl and there's blur and it's really pretty and it's really artsy, it's great. But if they're like there's a couple standing, I'm sorry, standing in a field like this and it's blurry. Why? They're not going anywhere. The earth is not turning that quickly.
SPEAKER_02:Maybe for that photographer, it is.
SPEAKER_00:It's we're spiraling. Yeah. Um, and it's not not a knock on anyone else, but I feel like a lot of things on socials, like you see it and you wanna, you wanna, you know, copy it. You wanna try it. You wanna, your couple's gonna ask you to try it, go for it. That's great. But I think there needs to be integrity there, and you need to stick to what you love and what makes you you. And I might be boring, but I'm down for like a classic portrait, like a beautiful like couch and him and her in a beautiful space, whether it's outside or in a beautiful room, like capture that space, a portrait, you know. So for I don't know, it's just I see I go off on these things. This is how my mind works out. Got my tabs open and they're just always open.
SPEAKER_02:Um that's how my computer is, by the way.
SPEAKER_00:Yay!
SPEAKER_02:Your computer is like, oh my gosh, you don't want to see my desktop. My desktop is a mess.
SPEAKER_00:That means that you're a creative though, you know, like that's how you you see things. Like nothing is linear for me. It's just it goes into like a little, you know, the spider website, yeah. And they're like this the little vent, not Venn diagrams, whatever they're called. Like when you're brainstorming, I'm just constantly brainstorming like throughout my day. That's just what it looks like.
SPEAKER_02:So you just have staff meeting all day.
SPEAKER_00:All day. There's there's like a lot of matcha tea in there, so it's fine. We'll get through that little staff meeting, and everyone gets to have their own conversation in my brain. But that's how we get through it. That's how we get because you there's so many things you have to remember and you have to do. Yeah, like not just you, because again, we have a team, so there's other people that you know relying on you keeping it all together. Oh, yeah, my phone's all uh always like and it's not my friends. I love them, but it's not them. Like it's work calling me or clients going, Hey, I need a I have a question or I need something from you. And so I'm always available for them. But oh, that's another thing. Always be available, you know. Uh be organized and always be available for the people that are there. Cause I'm sure you're with your second shooter and you're like, Where are you, Pat?
SPEAKER_02:Like, uh yo, Pat just got called out.
SPEAKER_00:Hi, Pat. I'm sure you're always there. So this is great because I just found out about you and I hear you're great. So he loves it.
SPEAKER_02:He's gonna love the shout out.
SPEAKER_00:Uh so yeah, like you've got to be on your like you've got to be there for your team. So it's like, okay, always be available and be more organized. And as a creative, that's difficult. Our desktops are crazy, and so are our files and our memory cards.
SPEAKER_02:What are some of those like tools or or strategies that you use to like kind of help keep yourself organized, but also just like in general keep your business running smoothly.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I would say my agenda and my director, like I honestly, when I say I pay someone to tell me what to do, it's so helpful. Cause I that's just not my that's not my strong suit is you know, having a list. Like my husband has these little like squares and he like checks them off and he's so funny with it, but like he gets it done. Yeah, and I'll get it done, but it's gonna get done like this, not like this. Yeah, it's more of like a okay, what do I feel I need to get done first? Um but it's you know, having that written down on my calendar is definitely helpful. Um, and then using my I use Pixie Set. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to like say what I use.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, sure. Pixie Set also sponsor the podcast.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, them too. Like, hey guys, come and help us.
SPEAKER_02:I use Pixie Set a couple times a year.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly. You help us, we help you. Um, but yeah, having that as like uh a way to have everything written down or seen, like my galleries, that's how I send it through. And it's just so easy to use. And honestly, I think user-friendly things for us and user-friendly things for our couples is so game changer, like 100%.
SPEAKER_02:Could you explain like for a photographer who's like what's Pixie Size? Or maybe they don't have uh a delivery system. Yeah, like what's the pros of having a delivery system just generally, but then like specifically, what do you love about Pixie Size?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, uh, what I love honestly, it's the the usage, it's just so pretty too. Like everything is so organized. Like, I have so many albums and galleries, and it's just I I have this little thing of like I get so excited to pick my cover photo for my gallery because that's the first thing they see. And so Pixie said makes it so easy. Like you can change the font, you can put it on the left side, and it just looks so pretty. Like, and then they see it on their phone or they see it on their email, and they're like, My gallery is here, and that's where like music starts playing in their head of like, oh my gosh, it's ready, like my gallery. I've been waiting for like 30 to 60 days to get it done and to see all my photos. Um, so for me, like seeing all those smiling faces of like, you know, my weddings and all my things that are there. Um, for me, that's that's one of my favorite things to, you know, the the visual aspect of it, it's just clean and simple and you know, easy to use for sure.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, and I will say on the video side, I use something called vidflow. I mean, it's just it's the same kind of concept, and I think these delivery systems, although they do cost a little bit of money to have, just like everything else costs money, but the uh the side of the couple experiencing receiving that is so much more elevated than being like, here's a Dropbox, Dropbox link, or like here's a Google Drive link. And then they're like, you can't really like click through the photos really well, and then honestly, these links we can send them out to the couple, and the couple can be like, yo, family, here's all of the things. Like, there's not any weirdness of like, how do I share this with everyone who like wants to see and be a part of like everything that we're doing?
SPEAKER_00:The shareability. I don't know if that's a word, but hey, like that way you can get it in it looks just as pretty as it did for sure, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:For somebody else or for the couple, and then also they can interact with it better, they can download the stuff easy, they can like just watch it for us. It's like there's a play all button. Yeah, so like grandma who has nothing to do with like anything technology, she can hit the link, yeah, and then she can hit play all and she'll be able to see all the stuff.
SPEAKER_00:And it's done, and she doesn't have to worry or fuss or be like, Did I delete something?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, that's how the grandmas talk.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, 100% with their teeth or without their teeth. I know, I love them. They're my favorite, especially when they're like the ones dancing on the table at the end of the night. I'm like, all right, grandma's.
SPEAKER_02:Like, don't fall, but also like I want to get this clip.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, Mima. Like, yeah, 100%. Mee maw. Are you okay though?
SPEAKER_02:Um so uh this conversation been has been so great. Um I agree.
SPEAKER_00:I've had so much fun with you.
SPEAKER_02:This is nice. It's so fun to hear the experiences that you've had in your business, like the growth from just like that like grassroots thing to now like the full studio and like hearing all about everything that's going on in the studio. Uh, where can people find and follow along with all the things you're doing?
SPEAKER_00:Uh so at Lewisberg Studio on Instagram and on Facebook. Um, our website, we use Pixieset, so it's uh mellowphoto-pixieset.com. It's weird. We'll we'll have it on there. I'll I have it in my Instagram.
SPEAKER_02:It's all gonna be linked down below so they can just click on it and amazing all the things.
SPEAKER_00:See shareability. I mean, it's so easy for everybody. Um, but yeah, that's that's pretty much where we're at. Um, and then we're like brick and mortar. So if you I mean, by appointment only, so like call us or email first, right? You did tell people just to show up.
SPEAKER_02:I know, I did. It's true.
SPEAKER_00:I mean, if you show up on a Monday, we're not gonna.
SPEAKER_02:I'm gonna grab coffee and then come over. Exactly. Just sit down and just bring another coffee, a matcha.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, must, a must matcha for sure. Um, but yeah, we're on 419 Marketing Street in Lewisburg, PA. Um, close to Bucknell. The college is right there, but it's a really sweet town, and there's plenty to do, you know, a bunch of shopping in Sealens Grove too. But it's just they don't have a lot of towns like this. Yeah. Like it's it's it's special and it's like nine minutes away from Milton. So right here next to the venue, plenty of hotels and things to stay at and Airbnbs. Uh, but yeah, it's it's been it's been really fun. We're we're really just trying to do a little bit more of, you know, all the things we do well, and you know, just adding on to our services. Like Sam is ordained, so if you need someone to marry you, she can literally do that for you. Um, as well as the hair and makeup aspect of the services that we provide, you know, albums, canvases, posters, like we we do it all. Like you just ask and we'll figure out a way to do that.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, we did talk a lot about the like wedding photo specifically.
SPEAKER_00:It's our favorite.
SPEAKER_02:But there's like hair and makeup. You guys do a lot of other photography too. So if you're in that Lewisburg sort of area or even headshot kind of close by. Yeah, we're down. Definitely reach out.
SPEAKER_00:And we we travel, you know, destination weddings would be so much fun. Um, and it's it's hard to get people to, you know, do those things. But you know, we'll we'll travel and we just like to make it convenient. Like we do our mobile setup for people who want to do headshots and are like, oh, I have a really beautiful spot. Like for here, even like at Virtual Wood Venue, like it's just a beautiful space, like to you know, be here. Like this is their um their Airbnb, and it's just so pretty. Yeah, like they died. Look at this, like like this looks so official.
SPEAKER_02:And this is I did move just about everything, but you did great. It's a perfect little podcast setup. Yeah, it is. It's like the little living room.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah, you did. You moved the couch. Yeah, but this is nice. I like these little chairs.
SPEAKER_02:It's so fun. Melanie, conversation has been so good. I hope everyone who's listening or watching, I hope you guys have gotten a ton of helpful tips and tricks and all the fun story part of everything that you have going on in your business. And uh, that's all for this episode, and we'll catch you next time on the preferred list.