Monday, February 21, 2011
Wedding and Portrait Photography
Both of these photography styles attempts to highlight the best of human life. As a Wedding Photographer, my goal is to capture all the important moments in the biggest day in another person's life. From the first kiss as a married couple, to the wedding cake itself, it's important to record the day as accurately as possible. Many wedding photographers also do portrait photography of the wedding party and the guest at the wedding. Portrait photography is a type of photography that focuses on a person or a group of people. It attempts to capture someone in the best light possible. The style tries to capture a person at a single moment.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Two Types of Photojournalism Photography
Did you every pick up a newspaper or a magazine where a single image is used to tell a story. This is known as photojournalism. Photojournalism can fall under all subjects of photography but the image needs to be news worthy to end up being published.
There are two types of photojournalism.
The first type is where an image is used to illustrate a story. Many feature journalists work closely with photographers and commission them to produce images that will be published with their articles. There is no limit to how many images can be used. This is usually the photo editors decision.
The second is where an image is used to tell a story without any words. One single image may be used or as many as ten images are often used in magazines. If you can write - do so; it will be an advantage when you submit some images.
One of the most important qualities of a photojournalist is his ability to react quickly when he comes along a scene that may be news worthy.
Other than the obvious, here is a list of items which may be news worthy.
Impact pictures.
Pictures of the Environment
People.
New buildings.
If you are serious about photojournalism build a collection of images from your area. Many of these pictures will not be immediately news worthy but may be down the road. Take pictures of all the factories and buildings in the area. Some day a factory may close and you may not be able to get to the scene. Also have plenty of pictures of local businessmen and politicians.
Some photojournalists are lucky enough to get assignments from newspapers or magazines, most have to follow or find the news to make a living.
The world of digital photography has made the work of the photojournalist a lot easier. Being able to view, scan and e-mail images to a publisher instantly is a massive advantage.
The work of a photojournalist can be extremely harsh - taking pictures in all kinds of extreme conditions and in very dangerous situations. Many photojournalists die each year in war zones and at different natural disasters around the world.
We live in a world, where today's news is forgotten tomorrow and the need to get the images quickly to the publisher is so important. If you have images that are news worthy don't delay sending them to a news agency or publisher. They won't stay in the news very long.
There are two types of photojournalism.
The first type is where an image is used to illustrate a story. Many feature journalists work closely with photographers and commission them to produce images that will be published with their articles. There is no limit to how many images can be used. This is usually the photo editors decision.
The second is where an image is used to tell a story without any words. One single image may be used or as many as ten images are often used in magazines. If you can write - do so; it will be an advantage when you submit some images.
One of the most important qualities of a photojournalist is his ability to react quickly when he comes along a scene that may be news worthy.
Other than the obvious, here is a list of items which may be news worthy.
Impact pictures.
Pictures of the Environment
People.
New buildings.
If you are serious about photojournalism build a collection of images from your area. Many of these pictures will not be immediately news worthy but may be down the road. Take pictures of all the factories and buildings in the area. Some day a factory may close and you may not be able to get to the scene. Also have plenty of pictures of local businessmen and politicians.
Some photojournalists are lucky enough to get assignments from newspapers or magazines, most have to follow or find the news to make a living.
The world of digital photography has made the work of the photojournalist a lot easier. Being able to view, scan and e-mail images to a publisher instantly is a massive advantage.
The work of a photojournalist can be extremely harsh - taking pictures in all kinds of extreme conditions and in very dangerous situations. Many photojournalists die each year in war zones and at different natural disasters around the world.
We live in a world, where today's news is forgotten tomorrow and the need to get the images quickly to the publisher is so important. If you have images that are news worthy don't delay sending them to a news agency or publisher. They won't stay in the news very long.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Photojournalistic Photos
When you think of wedding pictures, do you think of artificial poses and forced smiles? How about staid, unremarkable poses in front of trees and trellises and all of the “traditional” locations so common to most wedding photographs?
If so, maybe it’s time to consider creative alternatives to ordinary wedding photography. After all, if a wedding is supposed to be as unique as the couple committing their lives to one another, then why should their wedding photos be any different?
Photojournalistic photos are way to keep the memories of that special day new again, year after year. But how do you create a set of photographs which is as unique as you are? That’s easy! By collaborating with your photographer to explore new and imaginative ideas to help you create lively, unique images that are yours and yours alone! In many cases, the traditional taking of wedding photographs can be a long and somewhat tedious part of an already tiring and regimented day. Why not energize your photo session, instead of settling for the same old tired poses? For example, instead of having everyone standing stiffly with a hedge in the background, try having the bride and groom waiting together at a bus stop. Or perhaps the bride and groom can be “caught” playing hide-and-seek at a playground, evoking the fun-loving nature of their strong and happy union.
Creative images like these inspire the memories that last a lifetime. More importantly, they virtually guarantee a smile from friends and family in all the years to come. And of course you can't go wrong by going for a destination wedding. Looking to stretch your creativity? Here are a few more examples. Try posing in front of an old, graffiti-covered brick wall. You may be surprised by what you discover! The elegant couple and the gritty urban background become a wonderfully original dichotomy that invites discussion long after the wedding is over. Want a few more ideas? Why not have the bride wading ankle-deep in a shallow pond, splashing water playfully at her groom? How about having the groom wheel the bride to their car on a shipping dolly, “supporting” her on the road to a bright and happy future?
See how easy it is? Your wedding photographer can help you come up with more great ideas just like these. After all, don’t you owe it to yourself to make your wedding photographs as unique and memorable as you are? You only get married only once, and your wedding pictures should be as exciting and unique as the people who appear in them! So if you’re looking for that special photograph which sets your special day apart from the rest, then a photojournalistic wedding style could be the answer!
If so, maybe it’s time to consider creative alternatives to ordinary wedding photography. After all, if a wedding is supposed to be as unique as the couple committing their lives to one another, then why should their wedding photos be any different?
Photojournalistic photos are way to keep the memories of that special day new again, year after year. But how do you create a set of photographs which is as unique as you are? That’s easy! By collaborating with your photographer to explore new and imaginative ideas to help you create lively, unique images that are yours and yours alone! In many cases, the traditional taking of wedding photographs can be a long and somewhat tedious part of an already tiring and regimented day. Why not energize your photo session, instead of settling for the same old tired poses? For example, instead of having everyone standing stiffly with a hedge in the background, try having the bride and groom waiting together at a bus stop. Or perhaps the bride and groom can be “caught” playing hide-and-seek at a playground, evoking the fun-loving nature of their strong and happy union.
Creative images like these inspire the memories that last a lifetime. More importantly, they virtually guarantee a smile from friends and family in all the years to come. And of course you can't go wrong by going for a destination wedding. Looking to stretch your creativity? Here are a few more examples. Try posing in front of an old, graffiti-covered brick wall. You may be surprised by what you discover! The elegant couple and the gritty urban background become a wonderfully original dichotomy that invites discussion long after the wedding is over. Want a few more ideas? Why not have the bride wading ankle-deep in a shallow pond, splashing water playfully at her groom? How about having the groom wheel the bride to their car on a shipping dolly, “supporting” her on the road to a bright and happy future?
See how easy it is? Your wedding photographer can help you come up with more great ideas just like these. After all, don’t you owe it to yourself to make your wedding photographs as unique and memorable as you are? You only get married only once, and your wedding pictures should be as exciting and unique as the people who appear in them! So if you’re looking for that special photograph which sets your special day apart from the rest, then a photojournalistic wedding style could be the answer!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Trash The Dress
TRASH THE DRESS
A bride in a beautiful white wedding dress stands by a large hole several hundred yards into the jungles of Mexico. Followed by her immaculately clothed groom, she descends a ladder into the darkness, eventually entering the waist-high water on the floor of a Cenote cave. Flying bats veer crazily by her face, causing her to shriek, as she and her groom make their way toward a sort of island in the middle of a cavern, her dress dragging in the water. As they reach their goal, they step into a beam of light from the cave roof, and then strobes pop as photographers begin snapping pictures while the bats continue to swoop around them.
The result: Stunning, otherworldly photos unlike any of the shots produced at their wedding two days earlier; photos that express the couple’s personalities through a setting that may have been inconceivable in the past. And yet it works; the bride and groom’s love and dedication starkly highlighted and amplified in a mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime scene. The wedding dress may have gotten a little…um, trashed, but it was well worth it. After all, these moments will last forever through the photos.
Brides and grooms want awesome imagery from their wedding, period. They want the unscripted moments captured, but they also want a photographer that can get very creative during a portrait session. That’s why couples everywhere are donning their wedding finery and not only descending into caves, but plunging into breakers, walking through abandoned amusement parks, wandering through cornfields, wading into forest streams and chasing other wild pursuits in an increasingly popular ritual and edgy extension of wedding photojournalism called Trash the Dress (TTD).
More couples these days are favoring the un-styled, un-planned moments of the wedding rather than the prescribed agenda of highly organized groups of people staring at the camera. As a married couple who often work together on TTD sessions, they have no shortage of enthusiastic newlyweds anxious to experience this ritual, with the number of interested people growing by the week.
REJECTING TRADITION: EMBRACING THE NEW AND UNUSUAL
So why all the interest in this unorthodox form of portraiture? Some photographers have become known for edgy, over-the-top Trash The Dress images. I prefer to shoot in a way that showcases the love surrounding the couple, yet I most definitely see the growing TTD trend as anti-traditional, a rejection of what has come before.
My brides are not only seeking out photos that are creative, artistic or fun, they have this stigma that is attached to their parents’ wedding photos – the setting up of the shots, the perfect dress and so forth. They dream about how horrible it would be for that to happen to them. So anything that jumps away from that makes life way happier for these brides. They’re trying to escape that traditional world of the wedding photographer making sure your dress is perfectly clean or spaced out uniformly over the ground.”
The growing trend in destination weddings is another factor that plays largely in the rising popularity of TTD. “Everyone just looks around and says ‘wow’ when they see the beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and exotic ruins, brides started realizing ‘hey, this is liberation.’ Everyone has a sense of adventure. So here comes an opportunity to book a session, climbing around on pyramids or swimming in a cave, and it’s available.”
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE AS PHOTOJOURNALISM
Great environmental portraits are no more a fad or a trend than any great wedding photojournalism. TTD is photojournalistic in that through this form of expression brides and grooms are saying something about who they really are. Yet because this form of portraiture is so different, the media will often misinterpret and belittle the TTD approach, as if the only purpose was to destroy the wedding dress as some sort of narcissistic gag. I’ve seen some really bad TV interviews where they were treating this as a joke, they make it look cheesy and artless.
In fact, this rising form of expression is following a well-trod path of both wedding and news photojournalism – putting the subject in a location that adds context and meaning to who they are. It’s brides being themselves, expressing how crazy or free or how removed they are from their parents’ photographs.
TTD sessions usually happen one or two days after the wedding, providing the luxury of an open schedule for capturing great imagery. Then you’re running against the clock. There’s not much time to shoot the bride, and after the ceremony you have to cover the reception, with not much opportunity in-between to think about going to another amazing place. With TTD you have all of the time and freedom to do all kinds of different stuff. It’s just a happy moment for the bride and groom and free rein for me to do whatever I want.
GETTING CREATIVE: THE MANY LEVELS OF TTD
Yet some brides may not want to totally trash their dress in water or mud, and there are in fact an unlimited number of ways to “step outside the box” with this kind of portraiture. Maybe the bride is only up for walking through fields, along railroad tracks or through abandoned buildings, all of which can work just as well. The risk to the dress is still there, of course, but real damage can be avoided.
It’s really difficult to define the levels, what is really considered ‘trash the dress’? How about sitting on horseback? It that actually trash the dress? Yes it is, because a bride would not ordinarily ever get on a horse. If they have something unique – something they’ve seen or have been inspired to do, I’ll do it.
Location, obviously, can really affect what kind of TTD session is possible, but any locale, from cities to cornfields, offer creative possibilities. If you’re in a city you could go in a fountain, or perhaps shoot on a train track. So, you can go very dark or really artistic. In any case, the message being created, using creative light, should be about the love between the bride and groom, and that this dress is that it’s not going to be worn again.
GOING TOO FAR?
There are really no limits to creativity when a photographer is working with clients that are willing to sacrifice the dress for the sake of making a killer image, but should there be?
There are the personal safety issues that go hand-in-hand with dropping into a dank cave, wading in a river, climbing tall trees or swimming with wild animals in an ocean that could be hundreds of feet deep. You put a bride in a wedding dress in the middle of the ocean, 100 feet deep, and who knows what might happen, so safety could be one of the limits, but there are no rules. For me, I don’t want there to be any limits or boundaries, because that’s the ultimate expression for this kind of session.
In my particular case the limit would be doing something that is not flattering to the bride, stay close to the meaning of ‘we are just married and we are starting a new life together.’ It depends on what my clients like to some extent, but they are choosing me because they are seeing in my portfolio what they want to have.
A bride in a beautiful white wedding dress stands by a large hole several hundred yards into the jungles of Mexico. Followed by her immaculately clothed groom, she descends a ladder into the darkness, eventually entering the waist-high water on the floor of a Cenote cave. Flying bats veer crazily by her face, causing her to shriek, as she and her groom make their way toward a sort of island in the middle of a cavern, her dress dragging in the water. As they reach their goal, they step into a beam of light from the cave roof, and then strobes pop as photographers begin snapping pictures while the bats continue to swoop around them.
The result: Stunning, otherworldly photos unlike any of the shots produced at their wedding two days earlier; photos that express the couple’s personalities through a setting that may have been inconceivable in the past. And yet it works; the bride and groom’s love and dedication starkly highlighted and amplified in a mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime scene. The wedding dress may have gotten a little…um, trashed, but it was well worth it. After all, these moments will last forever through the photos.
Brides and grooms want awesome imagery from their wedding, period. They want the unscripted moments captured, but they also want a photographer that can get very creative during a portrait session. That’s why couples everywhere are donning their wedding finery and not only descending into caves, but plunging into breakers, walking through abandoned amusement parks, wandering through cornfields, wading into forest streams and chasing other wild pursuits in an increasingly popular ritual and edgy extension of wedding photojournalism called Trash the Dress (TTD).
More couples these days are favoring the un-styled, un-planned moments of the wedding rather than the prescribed agenda of highly organized groups of people staring at the camera. As a married couple who often work together on TTD sessions, they have no shortage of enthusiastic newlyweds anxious to experience this ritual, with the number of interested people growing by the week.
REJECTING TRADITION: EMBRACING THE NEW AND UNUSUAL
So why all the interest in this unorthodox form of portraiture? Some photographers have become known for edgy, over-the-top Trash The Dress images. I prefer to shoot in a way that showcases the love surrounding the couple, yet I most definitely see the growing TTD trend as anti-traditional, a rejection of what has come before.
My brides are not only seeking out photos that are creative, artistic or fun, they have this stigma that is attached to their parents’ wedding photos – the setting up of the shots, the perfect dress and so forth. They dream about how horrible it would be for that to happen to them. So anything that jumps away from that makes life way happier for these brides. They’re trying to escape that traditional world of the wedding photographer making sure your dress is perfectly clean or spaced out uniformly over the ground.”
The growing trend in destination weddings is another factor that plays largely in the rising popularity of TTD. “Everyone just looks around and says ‘wow’ when they see the beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and exotic ruins, brides started realizing ‘hey, this is liberation.’ Everyone has a sense of adventure. So here comes an opportunity to book a session, climbing around on pyramids or swimming in a cave, and it’s available.”
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE AS PHOTOJOURNALISM
Great environmental portraits are no more a fad or a trend than any great wedding photojournalism. TTD is photojournalistic in that through this form of expression brides and grooms are saying something about who they really are. Yet because this form of portraiture is so different, the media will often misinterpret and belittle the TTD approach, as if the only purpose was to destroy the wedding dress as some sort of narcissistic gag. I’ve seen some really bad TV interviews where they were treating this as a joke, they make it look cheesy and artless.
In fact, this rising form of expression is following a well-trod path of both wedding and news photojournalism – putting the subject in a location that adds context and meaning to who they are. It’s brides being themselves, expressing how crazy or free or how removed they are from their parents’ photographs.
TTD sessions usually happen one or two days after the wedding, providing the luxury of an open schedule for capturing great imagery. Then you’re running against the clock. There’s not much time to shoot the bride, and after the ceremony you have to cover the reception, with not much opportunity in-between to think about going to another amazing place. With TTD you have all of the time and freedom to do all kinds of different stuff. It’s just a happy moment for the bride and groom and free rein for me to do whatever I want.
GETTING CREATIVE: THE MANY LEVELS OF TTD
Yet some brides may not want to totally trash their dress in water or mud, and there are in fact an unlimited number of ways to “step outside the box” with this kind of portraiture. Maybe the bride is only up for walking through fields, along railroad tracks or through abandoned buildings, all of which can work just as well. The risk to the dress is still there, of course, but real damage can be avoided.
It’s really difficult to define the levels, what is really considered ‘trash the dress’? How about sitting on horseback? It that actually trash the dress? Yes it is, because a bride would not ordinarily ever get on a horse. If they have something unique – something they’ve seen or have been inspired to do, I’ll do it.
Location, obviously, can really affect what kind of TTD session is possible, but any locale, from cities to cornfields, offer creative possibilities. If you’re in a city you could go in a fountain, or perhaps shoot on a train track. So, you can go very dark or really artistic. In any case, the message being created, using creative light, should be about the love between the bride and groom, and that this dress is that it’s not going to be worn again.
GOING TOO FAR?
There are really no limits to creativity when a photographer is working with clients that are willing to sacrifice the dress for the sake of making a killer image, but should there be?
There are the personal safety issues that go hand-in-hand with dropping into a dank cave, wading in a river, climbing tall trees or swimming with wild animals in an ocean that could be hundreds of feet deep. You put a bride in a wedding dress in the middle of the ocean, 100 feet deep, and who knows what might happen, so safety could be one of the limits, but there are no rules. For me, I don’t want there to be any limits or boundaries, because that’s the ultimate expression for this kind of session.
In my particular case the limit would be doing something that is not flattering to the bride, stay close to the meaning of ‘we are just married and we are starting a new life together.’ It depends on what my clients like to some extent, but they are choosing me because they are seeing in my portfolio what they want to have.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Best Wedding Fashion
Every year there are distinctive trends in wedding fashion and beauty, especially for gowns, custom bridal jewelry, and wedding hairstyles. This year, there are some fantastic trends which any bride can easily adapt to her wedding. Take a look at the best wedding fashion trends of 2011.
Simple But Elegant Wedding Gowns.
After many seasons of asymmetry, ruching, ruffles, and outrageously bold embellishments, there is a small trend afoot back towards more simple bridal gowns. These new gowns are symmetrical, made from beautiful silk, and feature perhaps one signature detail like a bow at the waist. It is like a breath of fresh air to step back from gowns which have been increasingly busier in their cuts, silhouettes, and details in recent seasons. While the simple gowns are still outnumbered by the busy ones, they are a lovely new direction. Choose a pared down gown and have fun putting your personal stamp on it with your choice of veil and custom bridal jewelry.
The Return of Sequins. If you are not ready to embrace the simple but elegant trend, you might love the gowns which feature tons of sequins. Sequins have been out of style for so long that they actually feel new and exciting. Designers are using them to create all-over shimmer on head to toe sequined gowns, and also as accents on skirts or bodices. This is a trend that looks to have legs well into 2011 and beyond, judging by the popularity of sequined evening gowns on the celebrities on the red carpet recently.
Polished Wedding Hairstyles.
There was a definitive shift away from beachy bridal hair late in 2010, and that trend will continue for 2011. The more polished hairstyles are a better match for the ladylike 1950s inspired bridal gowns, as well as for the new simple but elegant dresses. Try a low bun or chignon with an interesting twist to capture this bridal beauty trend perfectly. If your wedding gown is more dramatic or cutting edge, position the bun to one side and adorn it with a spray of white feathers. Brides who prefer classic elegance should opt for a symmetrical hairstyle, adorned with a jeweled headband, hairpins, or even a tiny tiara (yep, tiaras are also coming back!).
Custom Bridal Jewelry.
For several years, if you wanted to break up an all-white wedding gown, a colored sash was the answer. As sweet as they were, the look was officially declared "done" in 2010. Now brides who want to add a pop of color to their ensembles are turning to custom bridal jewelry to show their personality. A scattering of blue crystals in a set of crystal wedding jewelry is a great way to get your something blue, or choose the feminine grace of a set of pink pearls. In bridesmaid jewelry, by the way, custom colored sets are as popular as ever. A new approach is to select jewelry which is a shade or two deeper than the color of the bridesmaid dresses.
Ribbon Edge Veils.
The ribbon edge veil will be a big trend for 2011 brides. The sweet classic design did not coordinate so well with the sexy asymmetrical trumpet gowns of the last few seasons, but the return of simple elegance has heralded a new popularity for the ribbon edge veil. It is the ideal embellishment for a veil paired with a 1950s style gown or one with classic lines. Choose a wide ribbon for more "pop" or a narrow ribbon just to define the edge of the veil. When wearing a blusher with a ribbon edge veil, the blusher should not have a border, as it makes a line across the front of the bride in pictures. With so many delightful new trends, 2011 is looking like a great year for wedding fashion!
Simple But Elegant Wedding Gowns.
After many seasons of asymmetry, ruching, ruffles, and outrageously bold embellishments, there is a small trend afoot back towards more simple bridal gowns. These new gowns are symmetrical, made from beautiful silk, and feature perhaps one signature detail like a bow at the waist. It is like a breath of fresh air to step back from gowns which have been increasingly busier in their cuts, silhouettes, and details in recent seasons. While the simple gowns are still outnumbered by the busy ones, they are a lovely new direction. Choose a pared down gown and have fun putting your personal stamp on it with your choice of veil and custom bridal jewelry.
The Return of Sequins. If you are not ready to embrace the simple but elegant trend, you might love the gowns which feature tons of sequins. Sequins have been out of style for so long that they actually feel new and exciting. Designers are using them to create all-over shimmer on head to toe sequined gowns, and also as accents on skirts or bodices. This is a trend that looks to have legs well into 2011 and beyond, judging by the popularity of sequined evening gowns on the celebrities on the red carpet recently.
Polished Wedding Hairstyles.
There was a definitive shift away from beachy bridal hair late in 2010, and that trend will continue for 2011. The more polished hairstyles are a better match for the ladylike 1950s inspired bridal gowns, as well as for the new simple but elegant dresses. Try a low bun or chignon with an interesting twist to capture this bridal beauty trend perfectly. If your wedding gown is more dramatic or cutting edge, position the bun to one side and adorn it with a spray of white feathers. Brides who prefer classic elegance should opt for a symmetrical hairstyle, adorned with a jeweled headband, hairpins, or even a tiny tiara (yep, tiaras are also coming back!).
Custom Bridal Jewelry.
For several years, if you wanted to break up an all-white wedding gown, a colored sash was the answer. As sweet as they were, the look was officially declared "done" in 2010. Now brides who want to add a pop of color to their ensembles are turning to custom bridal jewelry to show their personality. A scattering of blue crystals in a set of crystal wedding jewelry is a great way to get your something blue, or choose the feminine grace of a set of pink pearls. In bridesmaid jewelry, by the way, custom colored sets are as popular as ever. A new approach is to select jewelry which is a shade or two deeper than the color of the bridesmaid dresses.
Ribbon Edge Veils.
The ribbon edge veil will be a big trend for 2011 brides. The sweet classic design did not coordinate so well with the sexy asymmetrical trumpet gowns of the last few seasons, but the return of simple elegance has heralded a new popularity for the ribbon edge veil. It is the ideal embellishment for a veil paired with a 1950s style gown or one with classic lines. Choose a wide ribbon for more "pop" or a narrow ribbon just to define the edge of the veil. When wearing a blusher with a ribbon edge veil, the blusher should not have a border, as it makes a line across the front of the bride in pictures. With so many delightful new trends, 2011 is looking like a great year for wedding fashion!
Friday, February 11, 2011
"Must have" Photographs, To Pose or Not to Pose?
Must you have them? You hear about "must have" shots in magazines and online regularly. Wedding planners, venue coordinators, wedding writers, you know, pretty much everywhere. What are they?
Well they are either those special events in weddings (the first kiss, the first dance, cake cutting), 'photo-walks' (essentially posed portraits directed by the photographer) or locations at the venue used over and over for posed photographs. Let's talk about each.
Must-Have Special Events
Many photographers now offer a 'photojournalistic' approach as part of what they do. This essentially is the photograhpic documentation of your day, moment by moment. It stands to reason that if there are important (and real) events happening, your photographer will want to capture them. Take them! While its unlikely the photographer would miss getting a picture of your first dance, it's probably best for you to let them know what's going to be happening and when it's likely. The shot below, evocative and unposed, is truly one of those 'must have' ones .
Must-Have Photo-Walks
The 'photo-walk' type posed shots are becoming less popular these days, for several reasons. One, they are fairly non-spontaneous and unrepresentative of your personal day. In the days of exclusively film photograhy (read expensive), they served to reliably produce acceptable pictures. Of course, they were essentially the same picture, couple after couple. With modern digital cameras, there's no reason not to avoid these same old standard shots and let your day happen.
Must-Have Venue Locations
Most venues have their "must have" locations for posed pictures. Sometimes it's these locations that have attracted couples to the venue. While they can be acceptable locations, even very nice - this also means that you will join many, many others who have had that same pictures taken. Not very special. On the other hand, the quality of light can make a huge difference in any picture and that can change day to day and hour to hour (not to mention weather changes). l recommend being flexible about where pictures are taken and concentrating on enjoying your day. If you've chosen well, your photographer will see the light for you. By the way, remember that posed pictures, like group shots, take up a fair amount of time. That's time you'll want to spend with friends and family. Besides, some of my best shots happen in the strangest places.
You are unique, your wedding will be unique and you never can tell, I will be able to capture that uniqueness, posed or not. So don't stress about "must have" photos.
Well they are either those special events in weddings (the first kiss, the first dance, cake cutting), 'photo-walks' (essentially posed portraits directed by the photographer) or locations at the venue used over and over for posed photographs. Let's talk about each.
Must-Have Special Events
Many photographers now offer a 'photojournalistic' approach as part of what they do. This essentially is the photograhpic documentation of your day, moment by moment. It stands to reason that if there are important (and real) events happening, your photographer will want to capture them. Take them! While its unlikely the photographer would miss getting a picture of your first dance, it's probably best for you to let them know what's going to be happening and when it's likely. The shot below, evocative and unposed, is truly one of those 'must have' ones .
Must-Have Photo-Walks
The 'photo-walk' type posed shots are becoming less popular these days, for several reasons. One, they are fairly non-spontaneous and unrepresentative of your personal day. In the days of exclusively film photograhy (read expensive), they served to reliably produce acceptable pictures. Of course, they were essentially the same picture, couple after couple. With modern digital cameras, there's no reason not to avoid these same old standard shots and let your day happen.
Must-Have Venue Locations
Most venues have their "must have" locations for posed pictures. Sometimes it's these locations that have attracted couples to the venue. While they can be acceptable locations, even very nice - this also means that you will join many, many others who have had that same pictures taken. Not very special. On the other hand, the quality of light can make a huge difference in any picture and that can change day to day and hour to hour (not to mention weather changes). l recommend being flexible about where pictures are taken and concentrating on enjoying your day. If you've chosen well, your photographer will see the light for you. By the way, remember that posed pictures, like group shots, take up a fair amount of time. That's time you'll want to spend with friends and family. Besides, some of my best shots happen in the strangest places.
You are unique, your wedding will be unique and you never can tell, I will be able to capture that uniqueness, posed or not. So don't stress about "must have" photos.
Monday, February 7, 2011
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