professional

Hiring Professional Wedding Vendors - DJs - Gillette, Wyoming

DJ Hallard Jackson entertains wedding guests in Gillette, Wyoming. MaineAct Entertaiment. Video Provided by PhoenixPhotos Photography LLC. We do not own any rights to the music played in these videos.

So, you’re thinking about hiring a professional DJ for your wedding. Are you on the fence about if you REALLY need one? I hear time and time again that couples are wanting to save money in their budget by scraping a DJ and plugging in an iPhone, or iPad to play a pre-set playlist. If your trying to decide, let me help you! On average, our studio spends 57.6% of our weekends each year covering wedding events all throughout Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington...We have worked with vendors near and far...and recommend many great professionals. When it comes to hiring a DJ,  the answer is simple; yes you do need one. Professional DJs are much more than someone who presses play. Here, we disucss 7 of the top advantages of hiring a professional DJ for your big day.

Less Stress – 

This is probably the biggest advantage of hiring a professional vendor in general.  If you have considered just plugging in your iPhone to a speaker and selecting a playlist, it will require your attention when it should be elsewhere. Your wedding is a very special day and you shouldn’t have to worry about running through a playlist, a phone dying or not picking songs that your guests will enjoy. It is the DJ's job to make sure that you can sit back and enjoy your wedding and your guests are entertained the whole night. 

Equipment Experience – 

A professional DJ will know how to troubleshoot and fix a problem before it arises. This will keep the flow going for your event. This also means they will come fully prepared with cord, batteries, lights – everything that you, or they might need.

Interaction with guests –

A DJ does more than play music; they will be interacting with your guests. They will also be the ones to announce the bridal party, offer up toasts and can even hold contests. Professionals also know how to “read a room.” This means they will be able to tell how the mood of the event is, when to play high energy music, take song requests or when to slow things down. They keep your evening moving at a steady pace, so that you (or your bridal party) don't have to worry about timing, and how everything is progressing with your evening.

Personal Consultation –

Before your wedding, you should have a one on one sit down with your DJ. Here you will go over all of the specific requests for your event which will give you a completely personalized experience. 

Visual Experience – 

A good set will not only include amazing music, but visual entertainment such as lights, LEDs, fog machines, bubble machines, etc. This will add a whole new level of fun for all guests - especially during your first dance!

Non-stop entertainment –

Hiring a live band may seem like a good idea at first, but bands require breaks – DJs do not. Even when they need to step away, music will keep playing. The momentum will keep going all night. 

Extensive collection of music –

Using your phone or hiring a live band is always an option, but DJs have an abundance of different songs of all genres. The options are limitless when it comes to your specific taste. Everything from classic hits to the latest releases. Everyone will have something they can enjoy! 

Lastly, we obviously have worked with quite the variety of professionals. We would like to take a moment to recognize some of our favorite vendors here in Gillette, WY. These professionals specialize in entertainment. They are reputable, and 100% backed by our studio for expertise, and 100% customer satisfaction. You cannot, and will not go wrong if you book one of these 3 businesses! 

 

PhoenixPhotos Preferred Wedding Vendor List
Category: DJs

MaineAct Entertainment
Hallard Jackson III     307-660-4285     DJMatrix510@gmail.com

Just Press Play
Jennifer Ivory    307-704-0663.    jennifer.ivory.jfb@gmail.com

Industry DJ & Mobile Music
Matt Verhelst    406-670-1633    maxvegas3@hotmail.com

 

Permission To Be Beautiful

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As a photographer, I often get women apologizing for being awkward, or their smile, or their bad makeup, or hair day. As I sit here and edit these galleries, I can't help but think -don't apologize, you're beauty is captivating. Now, obviously I too have bad hair days, or even times after a big lunch I feel like I'm carrying a food baby, I get it! I'm not saying we cannot be insecure, because there is some humility in truly being insecure. But ladies, you're beautiful. Trust me to capture that.

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Your hair blows in the wind, rock it. Nothing is more stunning then a natural breeze to settle the hair away from your face. It's stunning, it's natural, it's real, it's beautiful. Leave it!

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I’m aware that it really can be this hard to step outside of our bubble, feel power and own who we are as women. Ladies, it's my personal goal as an artist to reassure you - you look beautiful. I want to empower women to feel comfortable in their skin. Even if there is something your uncomfortable with, there are ways around not focusing on that particular point. As a photographer, we use lighting, creative posing, and a variety of techniques and tools to assure, everything is fine, you look fabulous.

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As an artist, I feel it's time to give a reminder... We understand the importance of taking ownership of our work we are here to do, and I will. One of the things that most excites me is when I see a client actually trusting and feeling beautiful, there is a natural sense of ease that comes over her during her session. 

My clients should feel fierce, and empowered. 
Remember you are YOU
so feel more like you. Act more like you - with me. 

WE ARE WOMEN.

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WE ALL need to be united in this. We all need to help each other out, and remind each other that even though it may be a fat pants day, or makeup free day... it doesn't take away from your beauty. Own it. Represent it. Let me show the world that it doesn't matter what molds they try to say is picture perfect. Let's prove, you are picture perfect. (Even in your fat pants.) Lets be honest, there was a day I wouldn't be caught DEAD in my yoga pants at the store... then as I got older, I realized, like truly realized, it doesn't matter what I wear... I am a beautiful person, inside and out. If I feel this way, it will radiate, and no one will care what paint splattered tee I'm wearing.

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I learned to stand up and shine.
I learned to speak my truth with pride.
I learned that it was never about what I was wearing, it was how I was carrying myself.

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This being said, I want my clients to feel this way. Lose control!​ Stand up and shine during your artistic session. Take pride in your beauty. Carry yourself with the understanding that no matter what you do, you are captivating.

​I want you to underand, I'm giving you permission to say to yourself, "I am beautiful."

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It may not be often you have an occasion when you have an excuse to dress up and get dolled up, utilize your scheduled sessions with our studio to dig out that special occasion dress. Buy something new. Have your hair done, paint your nails. Do whatever you have to do to get to an accepting point that you are allowed to feel beautiful. At the end of this post, we will post links to local businesses we recommend to look, and feel beautiful!

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I want you to stand out.
I want your experience to be different.
I want you to feel beautiful.

From your photographer, your creative stylist, your currator of art:

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You look beautiful.
Stunning.
Gorgeous.

 Repeat. After. Me.

I AM BEAUTIFUL.

 

 

 

Recommended beauty vendors: 

Hair: Jade  - Gypsy Soul Salon 

https://www.facebook.com/SalonGypsySoul/

Nails: Lizzie - Gypsy Soul Salon

https://www.facebook.com/SalonGypsySoul/

Wardrobe/Styling: Kaylee - Tin Wagon Boutique

https://www.facebook.com/tinwagonboutique/

Makeup: Lezly - Bonita Beauty Makeup  

https://www.facebook.com/Bonitabeautymakeup-319604264917418/

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: @Phoenixphotoswyoming

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Senior Savings Saturday

SENIOR SAVINGS SATURDAY


Contact us this Saturday, May 27th between 11AM - 6:30 PM and receive 30% off your Senior portrait package. This is the biggest discount we will ever offer for the Senior class of 2018. Must pay a $50 deposit to book. Only applicable to a new booking! Call/text/email/message us between sale hours! (307) 660-6335.

Phoenixphotos15@gmail.com

Www.phoenixphotoswyoming.com

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Executive/Business Packages

We are excited to announce our new business package options. Needing to spruce up your headshot? Looking to buy a billboard ad spot, or new brand marketing options? Then look no further!  

Contact us today to schedule your individual or team portraits with our studio today!

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Couples Mini Sessions

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​Me and You Couples Mini Sessions will be on April 1st, 2017. We will open up the 29th once the 1st is full.

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  • 20 minute sessions, $50.00 plus tax.
  • 5 digital images, digital download & print release.

Prints and products may be purchased in addition. To secure your spot, $20 will be due within 24 hours. I cannot hold your spot with out a deposit. The remaining balance of $30 will due at your session. We accept cash, check, card and PayPal. Our sessions are extremely limited. Please do not reserve a time slot unless you are prepared to pay the deposit.

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Timeslots are as follows:

10 AM

10:30 AM

11 AM

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11:30 AM

12 PM

12:30 PM

1 PM - BOOKED

1:30 PM

2 PM

2:30 PM

please plan to arrive 5 minutes prior to your scheduled time so that we may begin in a timely manner.

More information can be found at the following link.​

https://www.facebook.com/events/218318671905828/?ti=icl

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contact us to book your session!!! ​

307-660-6335

phoenixphotos15@gmail.com​

www.facebook.com/PhoenixPhotos​

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Stay This Little

A follow up on some of our sessions last week! Two cake smashes, a 6 month session, 5 year old, and a maternity session!  

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Maternity Session Tips

This post on maternity tips for our clients will help you prepare for your session!

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Even though pregnancies are anything but easy, considering bed rest, ultra sounds, the works, when we think about each growing soul, I get a little lump in my throat and my heart soars a bit. The entire birthing process is nothing short of amazing which is why the maternal bond develops long before baby arrives. Photographing your baby bump is a special way to capture that pregnancy glow so that you can have something to reflect how you looked and felt being pregnant with the most precious gift!

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NE Wyoming based photographer Deanna Phoenix knows a thing or two about capturing the joy of pregnancy. She has an eye for unique settings and uses light and creative posing to showcase the essence of her subjects. Deanna also specializes in child and family photography, to continue working with her clients as their families grow! Here is Deanna's favorite tips for a successful maternity photo shoot.

1. GOAL: Capture this special time in your life in a natural, fresh, comfortable and fun way. Family members are welcome to join in your session as well.

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2. TIMING: I recommend scheduling your baby bump shoot sometime around 32-35 weeks – perfect timing to show off your belly before you won’t feel like showing it off anymore.

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3. OUTFITS: Color & comfort is key. Pattern is also a good way to add an element of pop to a photo. I often tell families to pick 3-4 colors that tie everyone together and the same goes for a baby bump shoot – An example: navy, turquoise, yellow and lime green. Sometimes we even incorporate the colors of the nursery as a starting point. I also recommend wearing something more on the form-fitting side – a dress, a long skirt with a fitted tank, statement necklace, and a bright cardigan. We want to see the bump but also be comfortable doing it. Comfort translates through the camera, it's imperative you are not uncomfortable with your selected wardrobe. Although we love to feature bare skinned photos, it is never required if you are not interested! If you need help styling, we recommend a couple local boutiques that would be happy to assist in your wardrobe for your session.

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4. LOCATION: I prefer to capture your beauty with natural light. Typically our sessions would be scheduled either early in the day or closer to sunset to capture the best light possible. Being a full service studio, we do offer our indoor sessions as well. Styling and scheduling is the same for indoor sessions.

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Step Into My Office

We finally have everything unpacked and organized from the show this past weekend! We are in love with our new desk, and chair for the studio office! Check out the beautiful model Maryann Lugan whose stunning on our studio walls!   We have enjoyed all our clients, models and friends over the last few years! It's now fun to display some of those memories in our studio to share with others! 

 

Welcome to my office!  

 

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We are  #wyomingproud. We are #Wyomingstrong.