Visions Unlimited Productions, Inc.

videography and photography for all wedding & event budgets

Anna Maria Island Wedding Vendors Info

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The 3rd Annual Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival was a fantastic opportunity for brides and grooms to meet the folks who help make wedding day visions a reality. It was also a chance for me to chat with some amazing business owners, and learn more about the services they provide bridal parties. Here are a few of the Wedding Festival Vendors who asked to be listed in my blog:

– Amy Welch owns Acqua Aveda Salon Spa and Store, Winners of the People’s Choice Awards year after year for Best Day Spa and Best Hair Salon. Located in historic downtown Holmes Beach Florida, the 2,600-sq-ft salon and spa is the perfect place to experience island renewal. From wedding day to work day and everyday in between let the experienced team at Acqua create services to bring you and the world back into balance. Undeniably the best in hair, nails, skin, makeup and massage. Full service 7 days a week. 5311 Gulf Dr Holmes Beach, Fl 34217 / 941.778.5400

– Silvia’s Flower Corner: specializing in Unique Island Weddings with Fresh and Unusual Flowers.  9801 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria Island, FL 34216 / 941.720.0424

– Nancy Stephens owns Paper Panache: The perfect invitation to fit every budget. 3633 Cortez Rd. W. B-8, Bradenton,Fl  34207 / 941.755.9100

– Michael Taylor owns Storm Warning DJ Services: Professional DJ’s using all Bose sound equipment and Digital music. 3412 Clark Rd., Sarasota, FL /941.544.7331

– Chi Photography is owned by Photographer Paul Nguyen. 727/481.5737

– Patsy & Rodney  St. John own Jewels by Park Lane / 941.727.4093

~Article by Leslie Harris-Senac of Visions Unlimited Video Productions, Inc., with info provided by wedding vendors

Anna Maria Island sunset for bride and groom at Beach House Restaurant
Anna Maria Island sunset for bride and groom at Beach House Restaurant

Wedding Videography – 7 Tips for Bridal party

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  1. Brides and Bridesmaids – Use nice purses and carry bags. You’ll be dressed up & only a beautiful hand bag will do. Plastic grocery bags do not look good in videography or photography; neither do plastic bottles of soda and water. It’s you big day!  Splurge on some nice glasses or plastic champagne cups if you’re having a beach wedding.  Wear waterproof makeup. Sweat and tears cause makeup to run, and raccoon eyes are not a good look on your wedding day!  Carry an adorable clutch to refresh throughout the night. (Some of my favorite video shots are brides applying make up in the mirror; sexy video footage!)
  2. Ask everyone – bridesmaids, groomsmen, bride, groom and everyone who may be on camera, to not chew gum. Gum chewing looks awful on video and your photographer will have a terrible time getting a decent expression on unposed photographs.
  3. The bride & groom will understandably be nervous, but when it comes to saying vows, brides and grooms need to say those marriage vows, to each other, like they mean it. (Some nervous grooms and brides try to rattle the lines as fast as they can, while looking at the minister!)
  4. Grooms – During your first dance, try not to turn you back to the videographer. You don’t need to look at the camera, but we do want to see your face. (Trust me – it’s your best side.) This goes for all bridal party members. It’s just for one day. If you can play it up for the camera a bit, it’s all in good fun. If you’ve naturally got 2 left feet, practice a few dance moves before the wedding day, you’ll be in good form to “bust a move” at least once or twice during the reception party!                                                                                                                                                                           Dancing Bride & Groom in with Tent Lights at Boca Bay Pass      ~Bride & Groom during First Dance at Boca Bay Pass Club in Gasparilla, FL
  5. If your professional videographer is using 1-Lux video cameras, like she should be, then it is alright to have the lights turned down low during dancing at your reception, but even 1-Lux cameras have limits, so be sure to go over this with your videographer.  Generally speaking, if you can read in the light, it will be fine, but if it’s too dark to read, your video won’t have good colors. It’s a good idea to alert your banquet manager to this fact. Chandeliers look best when they are turned on! Accent lighting is very popular, just don’t go overboard. Flooding your whole reception hall with once color can make everyone look strange, and it gets old after a few hours. (Unless it’s Halloween Theme Party, you don’t want to see blue or green people all night.)
  6. Most photographers dress and conduct themselves professionally, but surprisingly about a third of them do not. To protect your wedding video, ask your photographer to not dress in bright colors or cut-off jeans, and not to get in front of the video cameras. You don’t want a loudly-dressed photographer distracting you everytime you watch your wedding video.
  7. Relax and be yourself. You’re beautiful and a professional videographer will capture your true personality with style in a flattering manner.                                                 ~ article written by Leslie Harris-Senac

Questions to Ask Wedding Photographers

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how many years have you been in business at this location?

do you bring spare batteries?

do you bring spare cameras?

are you able to light a large room?

are you certified by the Professional Photographers of America?

what are you doing to keep up with new trends and techniques?

is your equipment up to date?

do you bring an assistant to help you?

are your assistants trained?

will you edit the photographs taken so ALL the pictures will look good?

will you include some modern special effects with the previews?

can any photograph be turned into black and white or sepia?

are you trained in group posing?

can you arrange groups quickly and have them look good?

do you know how to read light and use it effectively?

is professional photography your full-time job?

can I count on your service after the event is over?

are you skilled in retouching and image enhancement?

do you help with the time table of the day?

do you help implement the time table of the day?

can I have the images posted on a website for viewing and ordering?

do you offer different album and display options?

is my finished album custom and one of a kind?

do you record the feeling and emotions of the event?

can you give me references of completed assignments?

can you help me to relax and have fun on my big day?

will any consultations on location or at the studio be free of charge?

Heidemarie at Photographic Images CAN SAY “YES” TO ALL THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. Phone her at : (941) 475-5148

Heidi & Staff

Since 1987, award-winning Heidemarie J. Burke, CPP, and her team.

Heidemarie J. Burke and Leslie Harris-Senac have shot several amazing weddings & reception on

Gasparilla Island at The Boca Grande Club and at

The Boca Bay Pass Club. Heidemarie and Leslie make a great team!

Many of the above questions can be used when shopping for a Wedding Videographer too!

~ Article by Leslie Harris-Senac, with checklist by Heidimarie J. Burke.

Church Wedding Ceremony in Bradenton, Florida
Church Wedding Ceremony in Bradenton, Florida

My Wedding on Siesta Key Beach

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Mark and I will be celebrating 16 years of marriage June 2011. Siesta Key was the perfect location for our wedding ceremony since our favorite place on Earth is Crescent Beach. My dear friend, Vali Ann was my “Best Woman” singing Elvis and quoting from an old family Bible (passed down through generations on my father’s side.) My brother was in charge of transportation, chauffeuring us in a convertible to the reception site at historic Summer House Restaurant. We rode on Midnight Pass Road on the back, with the top down! (Needless to say, I had to redo my hair do after the ride!) Mark’s dad was his best man which was such an honor for us. Chef Paul Mattison was head chef and banquet manager for our lovely Champagne Brunch. Ralph Clemments was our photographer, capturing many beautiful moments. ~Things I would have done differently: hire a professional videographer and spend more on flowers. (Always hire professional a photographer and videographer for your priceless memories. Along with your wedding ring, you will want to pass these precious family heirlooms on to grandkids one day!) Floral arrangements can make everything, including your wedding video and photos, more beautiful.

After living together for years, we were surprised that getting married took our relationship to a new level; a higher plateau. After many ups and downs, I can truly say that our love grows stronger every day Mark and I are married. Here is my advise for newlyweds & married couples of all ages: Have a sense of humor Life is good when you have a sense of humor. Focus on the positive, give sincere complements often, have things you enjoy doing together and separately too, communicate, watch your wedding video together every anniversary, make plans for the future, enjoy the moment, do not try to change your partner. You can only change yourself.

“And in the end, the love you get is equal to the love you give.” ~ “The End” by The Beatles

Post by Leslie Harris-Senac of Visions Unlimited Video Productions, Inc. of Sarasota, FL