Photo Etiquette Cards Offer Style And Grace To Unplugged Weddings

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Aug. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Photoquette, LLC launched its online store recently, offering its specialty, Photo Etiquette Cards. Conceptualized by local photographer, DianaLewkowicz, the custom designed cards offer a solution to brides and event planners who want their guests to refrain from taking pictures at their events.

Cell phone cameras, iPads, and one-click digital cameras have made nearly everyone you meet a photographer. Unfortunately, the availability of these cameras and social media have made many well-meaning guests become part of a paparazzi that inadvertently make it very difficult, if not impossible for your professional photographer to capture those special moments. Many-a-bride has had her heart broken after having hired a professional photographer to capture her special day, only to have the photographs ruined by the use of cameras by her guests.

Whether multiple flashes cause a picture to become blown out, red or green focus dots are on the subject, or arms holding cell phones and iPads become props, photographs are ruined and those special first moments can never be recaptured. More frustrating to many couples is seeing photographs of their special day on social media sites before they receive the professional pictures from the photographer; thus the “unplugged” wedding movement, where brides announce their weddings as “unplugged” as a means to ask guests not to use their cell phones or iPads.

“Wedding clients and most event planners spend thousands of dollars to hire a photographer to shoot at their event,” stated Lewkowicz, founder of Photoquette. “It’s frustrating when a photographer is competing with the guests and their cell phones, and what a waste of money the investment becomes for the couple.”

Brides have printed requests and even asked the officiate to remind the guests not to use their cell phones or take pictures during the ceremony. Despite these requests, today’s guests have left their manners behind and thrown etiquette out the window. They stand, raise both arms, and even stand in the aisle to try to get their own shot of the bride and the ceremony.

After hearing complaints from fellow photographers and the concerns of brides-to-be, Lewkowicz idea of Photo Etiquette Cards came to light. Research shows that guests respond better to boldly written requests versus oral requests or those written in small text within a program.

“Photo Etiquette Cards are a sophisticated solution to the ever-growing issue of sabotage photographers,” Lewkowicz continued. “These cards offer a graceful manner in which to ask guests to put their cameras away, live in the moment and enjoy the special occasion.”

Photo Etiquette Cards currently come in six exclusive and elegant designs and are pre-printed on an 18pt matte paper, pre-cut into 5-inch-diameter rounds. From toile-vine and Guipure-lace-printed edges, to subtle Chevron stripes or a simple rose, there is a design that will easily match wedding décor or event theme. Each card comes with a pre-printed message, penned to fit a wedding or any occasion.

Officiates, event planners, publicists and professional photographers are already raving about Photo Etiquette Cards. Robin Castle, owner of a management and marketing firm in Atlanta, GA, has started using the cards at events she manages. “Nothing is more frustrating than having a section for the media and your hired photographer, only to have your pictures ruined by attendees of your event holding their cell phones and big iPads up photographing and video-taping your event,” claimed Castle. “By using the cards, my time was freed up to actually manage my clients and the event without having to beg people to put their cell phones away. They are the perfect size and don’t blow a hole in my budgets.”

Lewkowicz says it was important to offer a product that would provide an economical, yet stylish written nudge to remind guests to enjoy the event.

“Aside from diminishing the investment the couple has made in their wedding photography, guests negatively impact the emotional experience for themselves and other attendees by creating a barrier with their cameras,” Lewkowicz added. “Couples should be able to see the emotion on the faces of their guests during the ceremony, and enjoy professionally finished photographs that show their guests and all of their firsts – walk, kiss, and dance – without self-imposed props of arms holding cell phone cameras or iPads.”

From traditional to modern and chic to vintage-inspired designs, Photo Etiquette Cards are available via the website www.photoetiquettecards.com in packs of 100 for $50. Customized cards are available upon request with an additional charge.

For more information on Photoquette, LLC or Photo Etiquette Cards, you may call 703..532.3686 or visit the website at www. Photoetiquettecards.com. For media inquiries, please contact Robin Castle at 310.413.7895.