Saturday, July 13, 2013

Creative Photo Book Ideas


Collecting and preserving photographs has been a favourite pastime with most people, young and old. Sometimes they get stuck with so many photos from various occasions and varying times in the past, they wonder how to put them all together coherently.

The most common and popular photo book themes include-

Baby Album - You could start your album with photos from various trimesters in your pregnancy and record your emotions. You could include ultrasounds and photos of the nursery too.

Family Holiday- Holiday pictures are best arranged chronologically, i.e. day-by-day. You could also theme them place- by-place, or you could simply put up your favourite pictures from your holidays and record what you liked most about them.

Graduation Day- You could make portrait portfolios of your friends and ask them to write something for you to give it the feel of a personalised slam book.

Wedding Album- A wedding is the most special and important day in a person's life. A picture tells a thousand words and your wedding album could tell your whole love story. You could start with the 'Proposal' and go on to add your engagement photos, bridal shower photos, wedding photos and honeymoon photos.

But here some not so common ideas that could also be fun and entertaining:

1. Pets and Animals- Pets are part of family too and deserve an album unto them. Your pet album could include the day you brought your pet home and how you decided on a name for him/her. You could also make a portfolio of your pet.

2. Sports and Hobbies- Sports never fails to thrill and exhilarate its fanatics. You could start with a 'Training Journal' and go on to add photos of your teams, your uniforms, your coaches and your favourite cheers.

3. Photo Cook Book- A way to a man's heart is his stomach, or so they say. So why not make an album to record that special dish you made for your loved one for the first time! You could also make an album of the first time your child was in the kitchen helping you or making something for you.

4. Family History Book- What better way to preserve your family heritage than a collection of photos creating your own family tree! You could go back as far as you would like and sometimes be amazed at how many people love you and care about you.

5. Road Trips- While on bikes, cars or hitchhiking on a truck, you will see many billboards, signboards and signals. Click them to create your own 'Highway' album.

These are just a few examples. Think wild and you could come up with more of your own!

How Do Filipinos Celebrate Weddings?


How do Filipinos celebrate weddings may sound strange to foreigners, but if they do get a chance to witness a traditional Filipino wedding, they will certainly love the experience. Weddings in the Philippines are never a one-day event. The wedding preparation takes months. And then comes the wedding day itself which in most cases begins from sun-up to sundown.

Filipino weddings are typically solemnized in the church, officiated by a Catholic priest or a pastor, depending on the religion of the couple. Garden weddings have become quite popular these days, too, but usually they are allowed only when it is not going to be a Catholic wedding.. If it is, the couple must have been married in civil rites first for them to obtain permission to get married in a garden or non-church setting.

Catholic wedding ceremonies, regardless of where thuey are celebrated, usually takes more than an hour to finish. The bride arrives in a bridal car, a carriage, or mode of transportation for that matter just minutes before the wedding. Then the church bells ring, signaling the start of the ceremony. The wedding ceremony begins with the processional of the wedding entourage composed of the groom, the parents of the groom, the principal sponsors (some have as many as 20 pairs of principal sponsors!) who will stand as witnesses, secondary sponsors who will light the candles, and put on the veil and cord, the maid or matron of honor, the best man, the bride's maids and junior bride's maids, the coin bearer, the ring bearer, the bible bearer, the flower girls, and finally the bride who may or may not be accompanied by her parents. Sometimes, the processional alone can take 20 minutes already!

The mass proper then begins; incorporated therein are the wedding rituals such as the exchange of vows, the exchange of rings, and the giving of the arrhae. A photo shoot after the mass is customary. This can take another 30 minutes to one hour. If you want this portion to be organized, better get the services of a professional photographer who has vast experience taking wedding photographs.

After the wedding, the guests proceed to the reception. It can be in a hotel or in the bride's residence. Hotel wedding receptions can be very expensive, but they can be less stressful for the couple and their families as they no longer need to stress themselves out any more than they already have. Wedding receptions held in the house are more comfortable and fun, though. All the neighbors get to be invited which make the affair very memorable. They are also less expensive, but can be more tiring.

During the wedding reception, the usual rituals, such as the slicing of the cake, the throwing and catching of bouquet and garter, and the releasing of doves, are observed, with some variations. There is an abundance of food, lots of table-hopping, greeting friends and guests, picture-taking, dancing, singing, and tears of joy.

So how do Filipinos celebrate weddings? Well, Filipino weddings are joyously celebrated, that's for sure!

Wedding Photographers Are Profiting From This Knowledge in 2012


Wedding Photographers, who are still selling wedding albums for a profit, know that the choice of photo book they sell, determines whether their album selling is successful, so it is critical that they choose the right album that will aid, and not frustrate, their success. If the wrong book is chosen, the result is either no sales at all, or sales at such a low price, that there is no financial reward and therefore no point in selling the album in the first place.

The first step in making the right photo book choice is to understand your competition. The competition you must know about to help you make the right album choice first time, are not fellow wedding photographers, but are the big department stores and shopping centres. This is because the Australian chain store giants have made a serious push into the wedding album market, and have been successful in capturing coffee table book sales. The retail moguls machine print albums fast, on mass, at the lowest prices, and they promote and inform wedding couples of their books, in store, online, and in print, radio and television media. Wedding Photographers who are still selling photo books for a profit, know this, which is why when it comes to choosing the right album to sell, they immediately eliminate Coffee Table Books. In fact, based on this knowledge, they immediately eliminate all books that can be machine printed, because chain stores have this market sown up, and a photography business cannot compete against a chain store giant, and there is no point trying.

In knowing your big and powerful competition, you now know the type of books you can never successfully sell for a profit, and knowing the books not to sell, brings you half the way to knowing the right book to sell and profit from. You now know that the book you need to sell, must be a wedding album the chain stores cannot quickly machine bind and sell as cheap as chips.

So, what type or types of albums are off limits to the chain stores?

Before answering this key question, it is essential that you understanding some important features of the wedding industry, in particular, the album market, and how and where different albums fit in the wedding market place. An example from the food industry may help you see the album market and the consumers' perspective, more simply and clearly. This knowledge will help you avoid the disappointment of wasting your resources on bad album choices that will return you no profit.

Most of us have chosen Fast Food at a Take-Away, and most of us have eaten in a comfortable sit down restaurant. Let's look more closely and compare the two choices and experiences.

Fast Food is quick, cheap, and made to a price, while the restaurant is an experience you remember because of the food, the people with you, and the service. The restaurant costs more, but you get so much more. The Fast Food is fast, but the restaurant meal is worth the wait. The Take-Away meal is so quick and efficient, it looks and tastes like it was made in a factory by a robot, The restaurant meal you chose from a menu, and it is prepared as a one-off by a Chef who most likely personally selected and purchased the ingredients at the markets early that morning. More thought and care went into your restaurant meal, which is the reason why it looks, smells and tastes delicious, and why it costs more and is worth more. Fast Food has its purpose, and is great for the kids or if you are in a rush, but for a special occasion, for a romantic one-on-one precious time to remember together, you will choose your fine restaurant every time.

When successful Wedding Photographers choose the right photo book to sell, their considerations are similar to choosing between a Take-Away meal and a meal at a restaurant. If they choose a Coffee Table Book, it is like choosing the Take Away Fast Food. Yes, it is cheap and quick and has pictures in it, and it will do for the kids birthday, but it pales when compared side-by-side with a beautiful wedding album that satisfies the expectations of wedding couples and also lives up to what is expected of a family heirloom for future generations.

Besides the Coffee Table Book being unsuitable to play a role as a true wedding album, it never was a profitable book, as you cannot add a reasonable profit, because its low price was always a factor in couples choosing the Coffee Table Book, so there was never real profit to be gained by Wedding Photographers selling it. Now of course, there is no point in selling them, because shopping centres can retail them to couples for $50 to $200.

So now, let's discuss the album choice that can profit you, which has to be an album that shopping centres cannot make by fast machine binding.

The type of photo book that is still profiting Wedding Photographers is known as the Compression Page Album, and it can only be hand bound, so you are not competing on price against the books printed by the retail giants. Compression Page Albums still provide photographers a profit niche protected from the big retailers. These albums are in a class of their own, looking nothing like machine bound books, and instead they have a charming elegance and style, a little like the comparison between the bustle of a drive-through at your local take-away, and the romantic ambiance that sets the scene for intimate and private sharing between a man and a woman.

From first glance, you know you've discovered a book that is completely different to the common crowd of photo books. A book set apart from the rest, not just because of the look, but also because of the quality that runs deep. Similar to the restaurant Chef who chose the ingredients for your delicious meal which wasn't simply eaten but instead savoured and remembered as exquisite, so the expert hand binders chose the glues, papers, cardboards, vinyl colours and textures, carefully creating the permanent library bound strong spine to last, so the Compression Page Album looks gorgeous for many long years.

In case you have never heard of Compression Page Albums, let me define this class of photo book.

Firstly, they are named due their compression page, which begins life as thick cardboard, before being compressed under many tons of pressure for a 12-hour duration. This pressure achieves a strong stiff and long lasting page. Before the compressed pages are ready to be used by the binder, they are hand trimmed and sanded until the page edges are smooth and flat. The smooth and flat edges make it possible to colour the page edge. The pages edge make an important contribution to the overall look and style of these albums, which is not possible in other types of photo book.

Of course, couples who are looking for a special wedding album and are prepared to pay accordingly, desire additional photo book features too. Features that attract couples to pay more for a photo book include, understated elegance, hand bound professional quality, compression pages, flush mount, stiff pages, lay flat spreads, no cut photo centre, professional photo paper, finger touch photo protection, richer colours and blacker blacks in image quality, long lasting album durability, and long 5-year replacement guarantee on binding strength. A photo book that looks rare, distinctive, and unique is also more likely to be perceived by couples as being worth a higher price.

Because of the proliferation of common machine bound photo books sold cheaply today, the Compression Page Album shines all the brighter, giving the discriminating wedding photographer a golden opportunity to capitalise and still earn good profits in 2012.

The stiff page makes the best showcase for a wedding photographer's work, while also being synonymous with luxury and superior quality. In fact, these photo books are the strongest form of binding and the longest lasting type of albums.

Wedding photographers also get far more word-of-mouth referral from compression page photo books, because just like the ease of remembering a delicious dish, comfortable decor, and charming service for far longer than queuing for your Take-Away, so it is that these albums make a lasting positive impression. Be sure to include your logo and web address in your closing design page, because friends of the brides will not forget this album, and your business will experience more growth.

Smart photographers know that the cheap albums now sold in their millions through big retailers, are not an enemy to profits, but are actually a friend and the biggest profit opportunity for many years, because most photographers today are either giving up and leaving the industry, or are capitulating to shoot and burns and making no profit from album sales. Compression page albums give photographers a greater opportunity to profit.

To profit from this absence of photographers selling wedding albums, you will have to work harder and smarter, because more than ever before, Brides have to see your albums to see the difference in your albums compared to common machine bound albums. This means you will show your compression page albums on your home page so that Brides know the instant they arrive on your website, that you sell unique albums. You will make your first impression as a photographer, by photographing your photo books to show off their class, style, and elegance. The smart profiting photographer today, prompts a huge 'WOW' response in the first second the Bride enters their website and sees their album product. After all, everyone who makes a profit out of photography has to sell a product, and the photographers' product is their photo book. A wedding photographer is in commerce, so don't waste your website, get commercial. Product comes first and makes the first impression. If you sell cars you show cars on your website, and the same applies to those who sell houses, flowers, coffee, or anything. Second, be proud of your prices. Have two or three albums featured on your home page showing album features and prices. Have images on your website that show your albums both inside and out, along with your album prices.

Your photography should take second place to your photo books. Show a few of your best shots from a few of your best weddings. Don't overdo your number of photographs. The best 'WOWs' are achieved from the first few images. Remember that you are only whetting the Brides appetite for your photography, so don't turn a tempting taste tease into an all-you-can-eat pig-out, or it will cost you big time. You want the Bride's experience on your website, to be a small and delicious taste of what is to come in your Photographic Studio.

Be sure to include some 'WOW' page designs, but again, not many. Remember, your website is an important savouring exercise, designed to elicit phone calls or emails requesting appointments in your Studio.

In your Studio, have two or three amazing Compression Page Albums. Never have more albums than that and never have any other type of album in your studio if you want to make profit from photo book sales. Display a few 'WOW' wall prints, but not many or you will dilute their impact.

Display your very best 'WOW' album in a premiere position on the far wall of your studio, placing it on a distinctive album stand under a light that attracts all eyes to it.

At the Studio appointment, first seat your couple, go through the formalities and the courtesies, and have bubbly already poured in two unusually attractive glasses. Have soft lighting, gentle music playing quietly in the background, and seat the couple on a comfortable lounge. Your two other 'WOW' albums should be on a coffee table in front of the couple.

After your introductions and indicating their drinks, let them know your will leave them for a few minutes to give them a little time to relax and settle, and invite them to watch some of your work. Set the display of your work in motion on a big screen. All the while the couple will have the feature album on the stand catching their attention and developing their interest. The five-minute view of your work should progress at a relaxing pace and needs to include some romantic wedding photography, some photo book spread designs, and finish with some product shots of your albums in the hands of couples. On the coffee table, also have swatches showing samples of available album cover choices.

That initial five minutes for the couple to be alone, is important because it allows them to relax and settle after their drive to find you, and as they make themselves comfortable, they are making themselves feel at home, and feeling at home, helps them connect to your work, connect to your albums, and connect to you.

When you return to the couple, ask them about themselves and what they are hoping for their wedding day. Take a friendly interest in their choice of gown, shoes, hair, makeup, etc. It is important to chat and share with them like a friend about location and date. It is also very important to compliment the bride and bride's mother about personal things that will look beautiful in your photographs. The bride and bride's mother must know that you feel that they are photogenic and the photographs you will take will look beautiful.

Ask them if they saw anything on your website that they liked, and ask them if they have had time to see your photo books, and invite them to walk over to view your feature album. It is important to have your feature album positioned so they walk over to it and stand as they view it. Always have all your albums closed so your couples are the ones who open them to view them.

At this point, tell them you will leave them again for a few minutes to view your wedding books privately. Give them five minutes alone, return with some finger food, and refill their glasses without being invited (if they decline, offer juice or water). While they enjoy your finger food, talk about your albums, describing the available choices, album features, print and binding qualities, describing to them what a Compression Page Album is, and informing them of the many benefits it means to them.

Remember to emphasise the benefits in everything you do and sell. Display on your website a standard 10% discount if they book a photography and album package, and the 10% discount should be presented showing 10% off the photography and 10% off the album so it sweetens the package. In your Studio, reward couples with a 20% discount if they book and deposit immediately before they leave, and again the 20% discount should be presented showing 20% off the photography and 20% off the album, so it sweetens the package.

Present the 20% discount offer at the end of the Studio appointment, and excuse yourself for five minutes, letting them know you want them to have the privacy to discuss their decision together. On your return, simply ask the couple what decision they have reached.

Never make the mistake of talking technically or going into detailed descriptions of your camera and lens equipment. Simply let the couple know that all your cameras and lenses are professional quality and produce impressive quality photographs, and you have enough back-up equipment on the day so equipment failure will not be a concern on their big day.

If you exhibit at wedding fairs, make your display look similar to your studio. Remember that less is definitely more. Always show only what will deliver an instant knockout 'WOW,' but don't overdo it, or you will reduce the impact you're wanting to generate.

Promote and exhibit your albums everywhere you can, and always work in a manner that delivers a service experience that exceeds couples' expectations.

Don't pressure sell or up sell. Great albums sell themselves. It is more about setting the scene as described above. Once you have everything in place, then it all hinges on you. Be friendly. Be helpful. Be nice. Don't waffle. Have a simple step-by-step process as described above.

You can expect to pay $500~$1,000 (AUD) wholesale for a compression page photo book from a supplier, and depending on how well you execute the advice in this article, will determine to what degree you profit, because retail prices set by Australian wedding photographers range from about $2,000~$5,000.

You can profit in 2012, just like other wedding photographers, but it does not happen by chance.

I hope this wedding album selling advice will help you to increase your profits from your wedding photography in 2012.

Wedding Photography on DVD


More wedding photographers today are providing full resolution and custom retouched JPEGs on DVD with full copyright release. But is getting your precious wedding images on DVDs such a great idea?

Some people, including a few professional photographers, believe DVDs may only hold data for up to 8 to 10 years at best. This is probably pretty accurate for most standard consumer grade DVDs. However, for archiving important files, gold archival DVDs are available which may keep precious photographs and other files archived over 100 years. You may find suppliers of gold archival DVDs by simply searching with this phrase in all the popular search engines. As of time of this writing, gold archival DVDs cost around $2.50 each. It is also good to know that there are blu-ray discs for high definition wedding videos which may expect to hold the video for over 200 years as well. To those photographers who are not so sure whether Gold Archival DVDs will keep wedding photos for so many decades, I remind them, gold is inert and does not oxidize. At minimum, it is reasonable to expect and believe 24 karat gold enveloped in a scratch resistant coating must be more archival than the conventional photo paper and chemical process which puts a wedding image on top of a sheet of paper! Yet, there are some photographers who want brides to believe the chemical process of putting an image on top of a sheet of conventional photo paper is more archival than 24 karat gold and which has been enveloped in a scratch resistant coating!

Brides who retain a professional wedding photographer who will provide her wedding images on DVDs might want to make sure the photographer uses gold archival DVDs. Some pro photographers, including myself, will provide on gold archival DVDs at a slightly higher cost. Brides who prefer not to pay the higher cost for gold archival DVDs know they will just be using the standard DVDs as a medium through which to acquire their wedding images for archiving on electronic storage media in its various forms. The DVD is simply a temporary portable means of sharing those images with others to copy and print.

DVD technology is therefore not a problem. But the concept of providing professional wedding photography with full resolution, custom retouched and full copyright released JPEGs on DVDs is the basis of a non-traditional business model for the wedding photographer. How does this new and growing "DVD wedding photographer" business model compare to the traditional "album package wedding photographer" model?

First thing you will notice which distinguishes these two photographers is the DVD wedding photographer does not contractually obligate the customer to a wedding album at time of signing the wedding contract. The DVD photographer prefers to allow the customer to first view their wedding photographs. Once the client has viewed her photographs, selected her favorite horizontal, vertical and various sizes, it can be more easily determined the wedding album the bride will actually need which best fits her particular needs and taste. Album package photographers on the other hand must obligate the bride to some pre-designed album package before the bride has seen any photography at all. While this makes business sense and must be required by the album package photographer, it is purely in the self-interest of the photographer and shows no concern for the best interest of the bride.

The second most distinguishing difference is that from the DVD wedding photographer the bride simply receives the valuable DVD of full resolution, custom retouched and full copyright released images. This benefit is not even on the table with album package photographers. And what a list of practical benefits the wedding DVD provides to the bride!

1. Cropping, retouching, photo tilting, blowing-up and other creative photo manipulation and control as she desires for her photographs and album(s).

2. If her photographer retires, moves out of state, passes away, goes out of business, suffers a business catastrophe or whatever, the bride has her wedding images! She has them!

3. If the bride's wedding album gets lost, damaged or stolen, she can always easily have another new album created since she has her wedding DVD.

4. She does not have to pay the photographer a middle man fee to have prints made. She may send her photos from her DVD to her favorite online or local photo lab for printing at direct lab prices. Of course, we all know that album package photographers sure can have a middle man fee tacked on print and album prices!

5. Most, though not all, album package photographers require the bride and groom to place their album order within 30 to 60 days after the wedding date. This can often be an inconvenience for the new couple just starting and who have arrangements to make to get their new life together organized. Some photographers will rush the bride and groom through this process and that really isn't the best way to make sure the bride receives a wedding album she is going to love. The DVD photographer does not require the purchase of a wedding album. If the bride wants to order one from her DVD photographer, she may do so at her convenience, on her schedule when she is ready. She may order an album if she chooses from any one of the dozens of online album services. It is her decision to do what she believes is best.

6. Depending on the wedding contract, with the DVD wedding photographer, the bride does not have to pay for an album which she may lose if she has to cancel her original wedding date. The only nonrefundable fee to the DVD wedding photographer is the booking retainer for the date. Any and all other money paid on the contract to a DVD photographer is refundable in the event the wedding date is canceled or rescheduled.

There are other differences inherent between DVD wedding photographers and album package wedding photographers but those differences vary in how both types of photographers choose to treat those issues in both their policies and contracts. That is beyond the scope of this article for me to address.

The reluctance of so many album package photographers today to accept the DVD photographer business model reminds me of the same reluctance to switch to digital photography from film. So many album package photographers were film photographers originally. It took many of them years before making the switch to the digital camera. Now that most of them have switched to digital photography, they still have this age-long industry mentality of placing their profits largely on the photographic prints and albums they sell. In this case, they want to keep the "digital negatives" and full copyright ownership and charge an arm and a leg for photographs and albums. But this old pricing philosophy does not take into account the inherent differences between digital photography and film photography as the benefits of each relates to the consumer and even to the professional photographer.

There are a lot of reasons why album package photographers still hold to the old business model. I'm not sure but I think it is mostly due to photo labs and album companies which are constantly providing programs and incentives to keep photographers thinking in terms of placing their profit on photographs and albums. Otherwise, there would be a dramatic decrease in business for photo labs and professional album companies. So photo labs and album companies have a lot of reasons to keep photographers thinking in terms of placing large profits on prints and albums.

But when it comes to digital photography, there are a growing number of photographers who feel that we can provide better and more efficient services and products to our customers through a different business approach. Instead of pricing photographic prints and albums at high enough prices to collect our necessary profits, we instead price our wedding photography skills and full resolution and custom retouched JPEGs at prices to collect our necessary profits. Unlike film negatives which were useful only for printing photos from, our JPEGs are immediately viewable and enjoyable "as is" right out of our cameras. Since wedding photography customers may use JPEGs in a wide variety of ways to include digital magazine style wedding albums and very sophisticated slide shows set to music, our "digital negatives" are in fact a more marketable or desirable photographic product than what photographs and wedding albums use to be. With all of today's digital devices including large 50" plus plasma monitors, being able to view one's wedding day images as a sophisticated slide show set to music IS very often more enjoyable to modern brides than flipping through photos in a small book.

When it comes to pricing our photo quality images, there are a few basic approaches. First, the larger the JPEG, the greater the price per JPEG. Secondly, some photographers sell their photo quality JPEGs in quantity discounts. The more photo quality JPEGs a bride purchases, the lower the price per JPEG. Also some photographers do not provide a full copyright release and they definitely will not transfer copyright ownership under any circumstances. But some do and at a hefty profit and then only after a certain minimum number of JPEGs have also been purchased. The idea behind this pricing approach: We as professional digital photographers are selling our actual work; we are selling what the vast majority of electronic media savvy customers really want to have - the digital negatives. Finally, we are still getting paid and handsomely for doing this!

Now, IF and when the customer wants to buy photographs and albums, she may do so anytime after her wedding day. She may still order photos and albums from her photographer or from any of the many labs and album companies online. The choice is hers.

This article is not by any means intended to persuade album package photographers to switch to the DVD wedding photographer business model. (I don't want the extra competition). I've simply hoped to explain why many of us have adopted this approach. I know this approach to operating a digital wedding photography business is NOT for everyone. Especially those photographers who feel they may lose money on the additional sales of photographs and albums if they give up full resolution images and copyright. That is a very good point in theory. And sometimes it is a practical fact. I've operated my business both ways over the years. For me, I personally feel the advantages to my customers and for my reputation far outweighs the loss of some extra income. Instead, I prefer to make more money serving more customers than trying to get larger sells from a single customer.

In conclusion, there are many benefits to both the digital photographer and to the bride when the photographer simply offers the full resolution and copyright released wedding images on DVDs to the bride.

Photographers' Guide to Wedding Photography - Ghosting


As an experienced wedding photographer in Liverpool and Manchester, I have found ghosting to be a major problem that arises on a regular basis. It is caused when light is reflected from either inside the lens barrel or elements.

When photographing a wedding, it can often occur as strong light sources such as huge windows (Often seen in fantastic Tudor style buildings used for weddings), are a favourite haunt for photographers wanting to make the most out of the surroundings. Liverpool, Merseyside and Manchester are littered with venues like this and are regular haunts for me on a daily and weekly basis.

It is often the case that as soon as the camera is pointed towards the subject (Let say the bride - sitting on a medieval seat right in front of the window), the risk of 'Ghosting' will be dramatically increased.

Doing little or nothing about this could potentially destroy what would be a fantastic photograph. However, some simple techniques can solve the problem...

Firstly, good lenses 'Claim' to reduce the risk of ghosting, although I have yet to find one that completely stops this. Secondly, using a good UV filter will also help, but again, these can only 'Help reduce' the risk and it is often the case that shooting directly towards will still result in slight ghosting. Using packages like photo shop can also help, as spending time darkening the problem area will help reduce the negative effect ghosting gives.

The best and simplest way I have found is to step sideways away from the window and angle the camera till no ghosting can be seen. Take a photograph, check it, move further sideways, take another and so on until no ghosting occurs.

Many of the images I take are on angles anyway and so if I move away from 'Straight on' towards the window, lets say left, angle the camera to add a funky look to the image and then press the shutter, ghosting is minimized and a cool looking photograph is captured.

When photographing weddings, one of the most important elements is that you do not keep the bride waiting. Photographers who are standing around for too long attempting to get the perfect shot will only cause concern for the bride and cause negative feeling towards you. I find as a photographer that its best to play it safe. That is why funky angles are common place in many of the photographs I take. Should you as a photographer REALLY want the straight on image in front of the window, then either get the lens, filter and spend time editing or simply use the angled option, thus helping reduce the time in post production.

An after thought... Ghosting can be a desirable effect... Shoot a few straight on and they may just work. Remember photographers are (Meant to be) artists, there is no right or wrong way. It is not maths... This is just a guide...

Wedding Photographer Prices - How to Capture Memories on a Tight Budget


Wedding photographer prices can really be a sock to the gut if you're not careful. Poor planning and snap decisions can lead to wedding photographer prices of thousands of dollars instead of just hundreds of dollars. Be honest, can your wedding budget really take another hit like that? If not, then take a few moments and learn how you can save big money on wedding photos.

They'll Work With You

If the wedding photography service wants your business (and they do), they'll help to set a price that you can afford as well as one they are comfortable with. If they refuse to negotiate in any way, well, then they just aren't worth the trouble and you should look elsewhere.

Talk about your budget and tell the service EXACTLY what you need and what you can afford to spend. Don't let them bully you into a slightly more expensive package, especially if there isn't room in the budget. Stick with what you need and pass on all those extra features & perks.

Many of these wedding photo services are quite like used car salesman... "For a little extra, you can get this feature/perk as well as this feature and this one!"

Don't be sucked in by those ploys like this, as each "extra feature" translates to an "extra cost".

Wedding Photographer Prices & Cheap Package Deals

Basic Package: This is the smallest, simplest, and cheapest wedding photo package of all. It will come with a couple hours of photo coverage (1-4) by a single photographer and you'll likely be given a set number of prints and/or printable images on a CD. Generally, this type of wedding photo package will cost only a few hundred dollars.

Basic + (Plus) Package: This is the basic package with just a little more oomph. You'll get additional hours of coverage, more prints, hard cover album(s), special album(s), and more. This sort of wedding photography package will likely run you $500 or more.

With the numerous wedding expenses you're already dealing with, it would be incredibly stupid NOT to look for ways of getting lower wedding photographer prices.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Hot Wedding Trends in Atlanta for the Summer


Still riding on the train of that Alexander McQueen lace dress worn by Katherine Middleton during the Royal Wedding, Atlanta is buzzing with the hottest wedding trends for the summer. And as the weather heats up, this popular city becomes an ideal wedding destination as the hub of the South. Trending on the wedding front this summer, is all about brides getting back to basics and thinking just slightly out-of-the-box to create something that makes their guests feel more at home than in a stuffy ceremony.

The Frills

Concerning the cake and flowers, the frills are no longer necessary. Cakes have gone from giant cupcake displays and candy bars back to the simple tiered wedding cake with white butter cream frosting. In Atlanta, Perfect Wedding Cakes creates flawless one-of-a-kind cakes that are pieces of art but they don't steal the show. The secret to making it special is to compliment the couple's style with the topper, something significant to the two getting married, or use an old family heirloom, signifying another addition to the family tree. Flowers need a special touch as well, no more classic roses or lilies. The latest trend is fresh cut flowers that could have come out of your southern garden that morning, grouped together in a container that matches the theme like vintage vases or small unique planters.

The Theme

It's the theme that drives a customizable wedding and the photos can carry it on. Don't settle for the boring line up when the wedding theme is anything but. Props and exciting back drops can compliment all the attention to detail involved. And as far as photos during the wedding, the photo booth is a trend that's here to stay. WOW Photo Booths in Atlanta create the old fashion photo strip with an inset message specific to the bride and groom. But the rented booths can be pricy, set up a booth of your own by creating a back drop with fabric or wood, decorate it to match the wedding and set up a camera. Or invite guests to cozy up on a chair and take a picture of themselves. Your photographer will catch them when they're not looking but why not give them a chance to smile just for you?

The Food and Venue

The awkward all-you-can-eat buffet is also on the way out. Classy, seated dinners encourage guests to connect over the dinner table as each delicious course is served. Classic southern faire is the most inviting, guests will feel right at home with the dishes they would have at a dinner party in someone's home. The venue is no longer the focus of the event as the special theme, good food and personal touches create the experience. Backyard relaxed weddings are catching on as well as the ever classic hotel reception that can be customized to fit each whim of the couple.

The Planning

Hotels are beginning to pick up on the customizable wedding themes and are offering options that make planning each detail that much easier in a bundle. And of course, hotel's are the best and least stressful way to house out-of-town guests, offering room block discounts for wedding attendees. A wedding planner that can cover it all is in high-demand, brides today aren't looking to spend their busy days calling florists and cutting checks, they leave that to the professionals. Some hotels provide a preferred vendors list so the couple-to-be has access to every phone number any planner would, making it easier on everyone.?

Every bride may dream of a royal wedding but southern brides this summer are making their special day "royally" theirs. By taking classic wedding elements and adding small, personal touches, it creates an experience their guests will remember forever.

Wedding Photo Thank You Cards - Essential Elements to Coordinate With Common Themes


When couples plan on their wedding invitations, many of them fail to insert additional wedding stationery such as the wedding photo thank you cards, RSVP cards, table cards, and many more. Amongst all the wedding stationery that thank you cards, acceptance cards, save the date cards etc play a very important role and can be matched with the theme of the wedding.

Such cards can be purchased along with the main wedding invitation or can be designed to make it more attractive to the guests. Many of the online stores offer you a variety of options when it comes to customizing or personalizing your wedding stationery. You can choose from wedding photo thank you magnets, calendars and many other forms. Depending on your creativity skills, you can even add different accessories or borders to your wedding invitations.

One of the most important element apart from the photo wedding thank you cards is the save the date cards. These cards act as a reminder to the guests to make the necessary arrangements to attend the wedding. Save the date cards can also be personalized with photos or you can even purchase them in the form of magnets or calendars.

Next come the acceptance cards. These cards can be purchased and sent along with the main invitations. The main advantage of acceptance cards is that they give you the exact head count of the guests who will be able to make it to your wedding. Acceptance cards can be chosen according to the theme of the wedding and can be decorated accordingly.

It will be very ungrateful on your part if you do not show your appreciation to the guests for attending your wedding. This is where wedding photo thank you cards come into the picture. These thank you cards can consist of simple photos of you and your spouse posing with signs saying "Thank You" or you can have them match with the theme of your wedding.

Matching your photo wedding thank you cards with wonderful themes brings a sense of nostalgia in the guests and they will never be able to forget your wedding day. For instance if your wedding theme was love birds, you can personalize your thank you cards with love birds sitting on a branch and add cute wordings to it.

Now, if you love to think out of the box then you can even send wedding photo thank you magnets to the guests. Couples these days are flooded with a lot of choices when it comes to selecting magnets. If you look closely you can choose from different colors, patterns, schemes and even themes. Magnets can be stuck on refrigerators, on shelves and make wonderful keepsakes for the guests.

Your wedding photo thank you cards need to be sent 2 -3 weeks after your wedding or after you receive your wedding gifts. You can even go in for adding cute accessories to the thank you cards such as ribbons, beads or artificial flowers to make them for appealing to the guests.

Creating The Perfect Wedding Scrapbook


Your wedding is one of life's most cherished events, and that means that saving that memory is one of the most important tasks that anyone can undertake. For some, this can make it almost a nerve racking experience.

That is until now...

Here are some tips that will make it a simple and memorable experience:

First, plan ahead! Don't wait until the event is over and you find you are missing things that could have really made the pages stand out in time. If you take the time to plan the outline of your book in advance, all the critical parts will be easy to list and check off as you collect them.

There are several decisions that when made in advance will save you time, money and worry.

For example, you'll need to decide whether this album will cover your entire wedding - from engagement through the honeymoon - or, will you focus on just the wedding day itself? Unless you are going to create your wedding scrapbook in digital form and have it made into a Realbook hardbound scrapbook, I would recommend planning on 3 or 4 separate smaller books. A hand scrapped wedding scrapbook, especially with lots of dimensional pages can be thicker and larger than will fit into any conventional binder or scrapbook cover.

By breaking your wedding scrapbook up into sections of time or events, it makes for a much more manageable scrapbook project. For instance, you might want to choose a 6x6 or 8x8 album project for the engagement, bridal shower (bachelorette/bachelor party), and other smaller events with fewer photos. Then you can create the 8.5x11 or even 12x12 for the main wedding event with all its photographs and mementos that come with it.

Digital highlight scrapbooks also make great gifts for the parents and in-laws... especially if you have them done as a real hardbound book complete with custom covers and dedication.

Now that you have the big picture all planned out, get it on paper. Get a small notebook or planner for each book and a container for the photos and mementos. Then just run through each of the events in your mind or with the bride if you are doing it for someone else. Jot down notes on special pictures you want taken. Also, don't forget to start listing out the embellishments from the events that you will want to collect to add inside the scrapbook.

Save things like a copy of the invitation, samples of the napkins or other colored papers used to decorate with. Don't forget the shower/party invitations and even the bill from the caterer; anything that might remind you of a special memory 20 years down the road. Some of the flowers from the church pressed and preserved are a definite must have.

Other things to consider are airline (honeymoon) ticket stubs, place cards and even gift lists or guest lists. Fabric patches from dresses are another thought.

Just let your mind wander and write down anything that comes to mind. You can always discard things... it's hard to come up with them after things are cleaned up and thrown out.

I find that color schemes generally take care of themselves with the wedding colors and party schemes used in the actual events. It's also the easiest thing to change based on how the actual event turns out. If you have done your pre-planning for the photos and embellishments that add meaning, you'll find the page colors will easily come together.

Remember that elegance and simplicity tend to go hand in hand. The wedding scrapbooks that stand the test of time are the ones that evoke emotions and memories on every page.

The more detailed your plan is and the more embellishments you collect from the events, the less money you're also likely to spend at the scrapbook store when it comes time to finish the project.

As each event completes, now it's time to go through your photos and memorabilia from those events.

For me, Scrapbooking, especially digital or computer Scrapbooking, is about telling the stories of our lives, so I love to work with the photographs that really tell a story. Sometimes the "Best" photos aren't what are best for the scrapbook.

While professional photographs are great and a necessary part of your wedding scrapbook, it's generally the candid shots and the unplanned moments caught on film that contain the most telling stories.

The flower girl hiding behind the brides dress or the ring bearer with a face full of cake are just a couple of examples that I've seen. Mom crying as she helps get her daughter ready to give away is another photo that couldn't have been planned. Photo's like these, even if slightly out of focus or poorly famed absolutely make the scrapbook wedding album worth having.

So, when choosing your photo images to include in the wedding scrapbook, choose the photographs for the stories they tell and the memories that they capture. Don't discard an important image just because it's not the greatest photo ever taken. Use the images that bring the biggest smiles when remembering this cherished event. And, don't forget to use your journaling to tell the whole story. While an image tells a thousand words... if it's not the whole story, the real memory is lost in time.

It is also a good idea to work with duplicates (copies) of your priceless wedding photos. You may find that you will want to use these photos again in the future, and you're certain to feel a lot more creative if you know that the originals, even the snap shots, are safely tucked away.

As for the memorabilia and embellishments...

Some would say to go easy on memorabilia and embellishments so that the images stand out and get most of the attention. They may also say that it can detract from the real story. I'm in total agreement and total disagreement all at the same time.

Too much of anything is distracting and takes up space better occupied by the photographs and journaling. On the other hand, much of this great stuff really is a major part of the story and just can't be left out and tucked away in a box somewhere.

The invitation and honeymoon ticket stubs for instance. It's all about how you got there and where it all took place. Small scraps of material from the wedding and bridesmaid dresses and flowers from the church are all about how it looked and felt. Ribbons from gifts and scraps of the gift wrap itself are all about who you shared it with and how they felt. So, while too much is not a good thing... if it has a part of the story to tell, then it absolutely needs to be a part of the wedding scrapbook.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Trust your inner eyes and heart to take the reins and then just let the story unfold as you go.

A few more notes on the journaling...

If you're going to really tell the story for future generations to come, then don't just concentrate on the 5 w's (who, what, where, when, and why) - but, focus more on the 5 senses. What do you and others remember seeing, hearing, thinking, feeling, tasting? If you were the bride, how did you feel as you were standing at the altar? What did you feel as you and your new husband exchanged bites of cake? What was the weather like? What did your father say to you just before he walked you down the isle?

A great tip I was given was to ask the wedding party to contribute their thoughts via e-mail or short notes. Ask them for specific memories..."the most memorable part of the wedding day was..." Don't hesitate to coach your guests and members of your bridal party to close their eyes and to use their five senses to jot down what they remember.

Remember, your goal is to not only collect the memories, but the emotions that made them so memorable.

Tips on Assembling the Scrapbook

Start the album with a dedication page. This is especially great if you are creating the wedding scrapbook for the new couple as your gift to them. Tell why you created the album and a few details of who you are and why this wedding was such an important day in your life.

If you are the bride and groom, then this really is your personal love story. Set the scene by letting the reader know who you are and why we should continue to read on.

Now it's just a matter of starting at the beginning and letting the story unfold as it really happened. Keep each page to a single part of the story. Don't mix the setting up with the ceremony or the party after. As you lay out each page, step back and ask yourself if the whole story or memory of each image is told correctly on the page. Does it make you smile, remember and most of all feel the way you did when it first happened? If it does... then you know your page is complete and your memories preserved in time.

Your wedding scrapbook, whether digital or hand scrapped, whether placed in a commercial binder or made into a Realbook hardbound book, will be one of the most treasured scrapbook albums in your home. Don't forget to enjoy the process of creating it!

Wedding Photo Retouching for Wedding Photographers


Not having an outstanding wedding photography portfolio could be the make or break for any photographer. Business is hard in today's economic climate and every job counts, losing one job mid wedding season, could easily put a wedding photographer out of business. It is imperative therefore for the wedding photographer to have a first class portfolio.

To ensure that you have a first class wedding portfolio there are two things you can do. The first is by taking good photos. It goes without saying that every photographer will try their best to take the best possible photos for their clients, it is in their interests to do so and it's their job. The second is to ensure that these pictures go one better than the other wedding photographers out there. How? The answer is to have the images retouched by a wedding retoucher.

Wedding photo retouching is not new but few use the service as many prefer to do retouch their photos themselves. The problem with this is the wedding photographer must devote much of his time to learning the techniques, when he needs to be concentrating on finding new business. In the unlikely event that finding new business is not needed the wedding retouching should be left to a professional who has developed their skills over time. The photo retoucher can structure the work to produce the shots that 'wow' the clients and gain their business and trust.

The wedding photo retoucher can improve your photos by removing fly away hair or stray confetti. People can be removed from the foreground or back ground. New compositions can be made from two or more photos to form new photos. This can save the embarrassment to the photographer should he forget to take an important group photo, two or more photos can be merged to make a wedding group with all the right people standing together.

Further techniques used to improve wedding photos are smoothing creases in clothes and removing unwanted shadows. For the close up portraits of the bride and groom a magazine make over or studio style background could be added. With your imagination and communication with the wedding photo retoucher, anything is possible.

If you want to stay ahead of the wedding photographers out there then make the smart move to a wedding photo retoucher and get your photos to the very best standard they can be. Impress your clients with outstanding photos with that glitzy magazine look, contemporary feel or classy candid. Ensure you 'wow' potential customers into choosing you above the rest.

It may be the best decision you make to get your wedding photos retouched by a wedding photo retoucher.

Wedding Cameras Can Be Great for Guests to Use


Gaining in popularity recently is getting wedding cameras for guests to use at the reception. Place one or two on each table.

It is fun for them and helps them to get to know people they are just meeting as they have something in common they can do together.

Disposable cameras can be a lot of fun and often the only picture you get of your guests is the photos taken at the table or around the reception area.

These cameras allow you to capture a variety of candid's of everyone at the reception.

It gives you more time with your photographer to get the more formal photos that every couple wants to document their day of days.

Include instructions as to what you would like your guests to do by putting a small placard next to the camera on their table.

It could say "Snap a few pictures and pass it along, then leave it on the table to help us keep our memories."

You will probably be surprised at the neat and creative photos you get along with shots of family and friends.

You might want to give each table a different photo assignment such as kissing, funny, "artsy", or if you are lettering your tables have the guests take pictures of things starting with that letter.

Be sure to make clear the camera should be passed around to each person at the table.

For that gap in time, after the wedding and until the reception actually starts when formal photographs are being taken, can be filled with a photo scavenger hunt.

Place a camera on the table with a list of items they must find and take a picture of.

Some ideas for them to photograph might be:

Candles
Black dress shoes
Floral arrangements
Wedding Cake
Signing the guest book
Food
A baby
Band or DJ
Guests as they arrive at the reception
Any other ideas might you have

Write several different lists and assign the guest book attendant to pass them out. With a number of lists you won't get as many duplicates.

Another idea is to give several people a camera before the wedding and ask them to take candid pictures as guests arrive for the ceremony and as they are leaving right after the ceremony.

Don't forget to send a thank you note later thanking them for their efforts.

Your wedding cameras can be disposable cameras. They even offer them in different colors if you want to match them to your theme colors.

Some of the newer disposable cameras even have a zoom lens for nicer pictures.

You can usually find them at discount or drug stores and, of course, you can find them
offered by many places on the internet.

Actually you are not limited to disposable cameras as there are rental services that offer digital cameras.

You can see how great it will be to have the wedding cameras available for all those candid pictures from your wedding day and what fun it will be for your guests as it makes them feel even more a part of your very special day.

Outstanding Wedding Photo Ops


The photos from your wedding will be some of your most cherished mementos. Think beyond the standard posed shots, and explore some special and unique settings that will really make your photographs stunning. These are some ideas on outstanding wedding photo ops that are not to be missed.

What is special and unique about the place that you have chosen for your wedding? There may be a stand-out detail at the reception venue, an unbelievable view at your ceremony site, or perhaps there is something that is iconic about the city or town. Don't be afraid to venture off-site to have photos taken. They may end being some of the most special ones in your entire wedding album.

When you are looking for the best backdrops for your photos, ask yourself what you love most about your location. For instance, if you are getting married in San Francisco, you really must have some photos taken riding a cable car. By the same token, no wedding in Paris would be complete without a few shots under the Eiffel Tower. They might not be original, but they will be fantastic pictures, all the same.

Often couples will share special memories about one or two places in their hometown. Maybe there is a wonderful classic wooden carousel in a park near your home. Imagine how lovely the newlyweds would look riding the horses in their fine attire and bridal jewelry? Perhaps there is an outdoor ice skating rink where the two of you have shared many a laugh; it could be a perfect site to take memorable wedding photos.

Other outstanding photos can be taken at a place that has sentimental meaning to the bride and groom. If your fiancé proposed to you in Central Park, then you surely will want to have some wedding pictures taken there in your bridal gown, veil, and pearl jewelry. If no place makes you happier than the porch swing at your parents' home, then ask your photographer to take pictures of you snuggled into the swing with your new spouse. The idea of having photos taken in all of your wedding finery at your favorite everyday sorts of locations will result in fresh and interesting images.

Most venues have some terrific features that can be highlighted as well. Let's say that you are having your reception at a graceful antebellum mansion; you can't go wrong with wedding photos taken by the porch columns. Perhaps there is an old stone wall that you can sit on. To make the photos more dynamic, your photographer can try taking them from unusual angles or unique vantage points. Many of these types of images will be especially captivating in black and white.

Don't overlook the natural beauty of your wedding site when you are looking for great pictures. Is there an ancient oak tree in a field or a babbling brook? These would make excellent photo opportunities. Sometimes the photos can be taken through the veil of nature for an interesting effect. The newlyweds can stand behind a field of wildflowers, for instance, or even in the fog or mist, for one-of-a-kind shots. It helps to have a photographer with a creative eye.

Your wedding photos are so special; you deserve to have a collection that is beautiful and that really captures the spirit of your wedding. By thinking beyond the standard shots, you will be able to create a true visual record of your wedding day that reveals the character of the newlyweds. These are the types of images that you will enjoy revisiting for a lifetime.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Stepmother Wedding Etiquette - Proper Wedding Etiquette For Stepmothers


Dealing with stepmothers can be a difficult situation. A lot depends on how the stepmother and biological mother get along. If the two mothers get along than the wedding can be planned however the couple wants. However, this is a rare thing. If there is some problem, the guidelines that follow can assist the stepmother in following correct etiquette for the wedding of her stepchild.

Begin by thinking about what the stepmother should wear. Usually, the stepmother should dress in the same way as other guests. The bride may want to include her stepmother in the preparations so it is proper wedding etiquette for her stepmother to wear similar styles and colors as the other mothers. However, it would not be proper for her to dress in a manner that will overshadow the bride or the biological mother.

The next question is, according to proper etiquette, where should the stepmother sit? The bride chooses this but usually the stepmother is seated behind the birth parents, about the third row back. Of course it will be awkward to have divorced or separated spouses sit on the same row but the wedding is not about who is the current wife of her father but rather a family oriented event. Stepmothers do not need to feel badly about their placement in the wedding because wedding etiquette has the birth mother sitting without her current husband if she has remarried.

There may be an etiquette problem when it comes to family photos. The majority of photographers will arrange different shots for the birth parents and stepparents. You will not usually see stepparents and birth parents in the same photo. If this does happen however, the mothers should be put on opposite ends of the picture. It is not strange for a stepmother to not be seen in any official wedding photos so do not take this personally if this occurs. It falls in the range of proper wedding etiquette for stepmothers.

During the reception, etiquette again requires that the stepmother take a back seat unless she and her husband are the hosts of the reception. If the birth mother hosted the wedding and the father hosts the reception, it is proper for the step mother to take a place in the receiving line if the mother is not present. However, if the birth mother is throwing the reception as well, it is best that the stepmother not attend. Remember that all of these little points are only a guideline so they can be changed and adjusted as long as it is best suited for the bride.

Lastly, what about the family dance? What does wedding etiquette say about this? Proper etiquette has the stepmother bowing out gracefully and allows the bride to share this day with her biological parents. The bride's father would dance with her and the groom's birth mother would dance with him. Sometimes if a family dance is provided, stepparents can dance with their own mates.

These stepmother etiquette hints will hopefully allow the stepmother to deal with wedding plans without making mistakes that could hurt or embarrass their stepchild.

Must Have Wedding Photo Shot List For Canvas Prints


Capture all important moments on your wedding day. This once in a lifetime even. If you don't want to end up being disappointed because of missing significant photos you should have shot, make a shot list of the pictures you want to come out of your cameras. Photograph of wedding events look good on canvas print. After all photos were taken, have a smart choice where to print the best shot you have captured. It can be printed online or it can be printed through local print shops. Displaying wedding pictures printed on canvas print will make you keep the best moment of your life captured for good. Here are shot list of photos you have to get during your wedding day.

Canvas Prints Photo Shot List for Your Wedding

o Preparation shots of bride and groom. Take pictures of the bride and groom prior to the wedding ceremony. These are the last moments of them being single before they take a vow for marriage. You can also include in the preparation shots the dress of the bride, all her accessories for the wedding.

o Bride/groom with parents. The family portrait of the groom/bride and his parents shows the last family portrait of their family before he becomes legally another member of a new family.

o Groom waiting at the altar. Capture the groom's reaction and anticipation as he waits for her bride at the altar. The anticipation on the groom's face makes the shot look lively and excited.

o Bride walking down the aisle. A breathtaking photo of the bride walking down the aisle for portrait on canvas print.It shows the woman before she becomes a lifetime after to his man.

o Bride and groom kiss. The sweetest part of the wedding where the wedding mass ceremony is sealed by the bride and groom by kissing. Wedding photos will not be complete without this traditional shot.

Wedding is an important highlight in every person's life who wants to settle down with someone for the rest of his/her life. It is good to make this moment live forever through canvas photo print. You pictures must be printed on high quality materials like this to make your display catchy and head turner. To ensure high quality materials, go check online and look for a reputable company who makes canvas prints a piece of cake.

Feed Your Wedding Vendors - Especially the Photographer


More than a few brides have scoffed at the notion that photographers require dinner. I mean, come on. You're paying someone a small fortune to press a button for a few hours, and now he demands a dinner break on your tab. You're ready to tell the guy off.

I feel for you. I wouldn't want to pay an extra $80 to $120 for a fully plated dinner after writing someone a large check.

Does the photographer deserve the meal? It depends.

No one working fewer than four hours should require his client to foot a meal break. But you shouldn't deny anyone food who works six hours or longer. A reasonable photographer won't disappear for a long time to enjoy his meal. He's on the clock.

Think about it from the photographer's view. He's dragging around fifty pounds of equipment, probably covered in sweat, while maintaining a big smile and professional demeanor. He manages the subtleties of your family member's relationships and fulfills every one of your requests. Plus, he only has one chance to get every photograph right. That's some pressure. If he's starving, then he may just not be on his game.

Nearly every site and caterer, fortunately, offers the vendor meal option. It will save you money and satisfy the photographer. The meal should run $8 to $30, depending on your vendor.

I honestly enjoy opening the vendor box and breaking out the club sandwich, fresh fruit and cookie. It's always chocolate chip.

I typically eat nearby the reception area at the same time the guests are enjoying their dinner. It's the only time at a reception when nothing else is scheduled to happen. I tell the DJ or band leader where I'll be. I check in on the room while I'm eating, and if the clients decide to stand up and visit tables, then I get up, too, and follow them around. Dinner can wait, and cold sandwiches don't get colder.

Do you have to pay for the meal? Most photographers require a meal as part of their compensation. So, if your favorite photographer also requires food, then you'll need to request a vendor meal for him.

You could negotiate. I had one client who didn't want to pay for a meal. I told them that was fine, but I'd have to go their hotel's bar to order a sandwich. I couldn't go for nine hours without eating. They didn't want me straying too far, so they decided it would be best to order me vendor meal and have it served with dinner.

It was a good decision. The bride's father stood up during dinner to make an impromptu, tear-jerking speech. I was sitting outside the ballroom and heard him start. I dropped my food and went in right away to capture the entire event. The client later told me that the extra $15 was worth every penny to have those photographs. I humbly agreed.

As a side note, be prepared if you hire a band. They take breaks every 45 minutes and require guest meals for every member.

You can see wedding photographs taken by a photographer with a full belly at http://richdutchman.com/#/party/

Copyright Rich Dutchman 2010 Article may be reprinted in its entirety with proper crediting to the author.

The Wedding Photo Book


Personalized Photo Books

Personalized photo books can be created using any digital photos and other digital picture files including scanned images and downloaded pictures. The cover can be customized with the addition of a single photo, which is then added to both the front and back cover. A second picture can be provided in order to have this printed on the back in place of the original picture. Every side of every page can also be customized with one or more photos and depending on the size of photo book chosen this means between 30 and 80 sides of photo printing on high quality materials.

Turning A Book Into A Wedding Photo Book

The book has many uses but is especially good looking and personal when used as a wedding personalized book. Whether you're arranging it for your own use or are looking for a unique and very personal wedding gift for the happy couple, a wedding book is the ideal choice. It combines customization with a traditional wedding item and it can be kept and enjoyed for many years to come.

Giving A Wedding Book As A Gift

A wedding book can be given as a gift to the bride and groom to celebrate their big day. Ordinarily, this might mean giving them the gift after the big day but you can instead pay for the wedding book and receive a gift certificate which can be presented along with the rest of the wedding party's gifts on the wedding day. Once the day is over and the couple have chosen their favorite photos they can then choose the photos to print in their own wedding book.

Creating Your Own Wedding Photo Book

Alternatively, you may be looking for a high quality and great looking wedding book for your own use. Use pictures taken by a professional photographer and combine these with more candid shots taken by guests in order to create a beautiful photo journal of your big day. There's no need to mount the pictures yourself either this way, making it more convenient and better looking than a album.

Wedding Photo Guest Books

A guest book is another type of book that can be customized. Choose a picture and have it printed on the cover of a guest book and then choose the column headers to include on all of the pages. A photo guest book will usually hold around 200 entries although this can be extended by having extra pages added to the standard photo guest book size, ensuring that all of your guests are able to leave a message of congratulations for you and your partner.

Wedding Mint Tins - Top 7 Tips For Selecting The Right Candy Tins For Your Wedding Favors


One of the hottest trends for wedding favors in recent years is personalized mint tins. If you're considering these for your reception, you'll have to make some decisions. Here are the top seven tips to help you find the right candy containers for your special day.

1. Select a size. Even before you begin to browse for your favors, you should have some idea of how big you would like them to be. Basically, the hinged mint tins come in two sizes. The small are about 1.75 inches by 2.25 inches and are called palm size. You may like these little containers because they're easy to slip in your pocket. The larger version is approximately 2.5 inches by 3.75 inches and is sometimes referred to as Altoid size. They hold extra candy and can look more impressive. Some wedding favor businesses carry only one size and others offer both.

2. Go beyond a quick search. Your dream wedding favors may not be on the first page of your search engine results. Don't give up. It's worth the effort to dig a little deeper to find the gems. When you discover a website that has personalized mint tins that appeal to you, look around the pages. Check out other categories on their site. Read their frequently asked questions. Then, bookmark it and keep searching. Once you have several candidates, you can compare them until you find just the right one.

3. Consider using your photo on your wedding mint tins. After all, this is going to be a keepsake, long after the candy is gone. Using a picture of the two of you is the ultimate form of personalization.

4. Don't pass by a not quite right design, without asking if it can be changed. If you love the design, but you wish it could be in your wedding colors, ask if the company can alter the color scheme. If you really like the calla lily mint tins but would rather have gerber daisies, see if they can do it. If you had your heart set on including your photo, but they don't show that option, it might still be possible. Many favor businesses have artists and graphic designers that can adapt the design A quick email or phone call and you could find out you can get it your way.

5. Read the fine print. Before you order these wedding favors, make sure that they will arrive completely finished, with the label adhered to the top of the lid. A number of companies state that some assembly is required. You might not think that it's that big a deal to stick the label on the tin cover. But be warned. The label is almost the same size as the top of the mint tin and it's difficult to get it on straight. If it was easy, they would do it for you. Other businesses have machines that do the job, so you have nothing left to do when you get them.

6. Choose your filling. They're commonly called mint tins. But did you know that these personalized containers don't have to be filled with mints? You can surprise your guests with a more interesting treat. Some companies offer a choice of peppermints, sweet tarts, red hots, bubble gum or Jordan almonds.

But why limit yourself to those possibilities when you can find unfilled favor tins and fill them yourself with your favorite candy? You can add Hershey's kisses, M&Ms in your wedding colors, salt water taffy for a beach wedding, dark chocolate Dove miniatures, jelly beans, candy corn, gourmet chocolates or anything else you can imagine.

7. Don't wait too long to order. If you delay until every last one of your RSVPs come back, you might miss out on the perfect wedding favors. Anything personalized can take time. You'll want to see a proof and perhaps make changes. Custom items will then go to production and finally, be shipped. You are better off if you over-estimate how many you will need and end up with a few extra, than if you find out it's too late to get them in time..

There's a reason that wedding mint tins have become such popular favors for the big day. Guests love the combination of personalized keepsake containers with sweet treats, Just follow these simple tips and you'll be giving them a memento they will treasure.

Factors To Consider Before Having Your Engagement Photos Taken


If you are planning an engagement photo session, this article will hopefully provide some tips and pointers to consider as you plan.

What style photos do you want?

Studio or outdoor? Formal or casual? Posed or photojournalistic? Try to think of your personalities and how you would like to share your news with your family and friends (and perhaps a photo that can be included with your wedding invitations) - and think of what style of photography would best match that. Discuss your thoughts with your fiancé/fiancée.

Types of photos

Search the web for engagement photos and perhaps print out a few to take with you to your engagement session. There are thousands of sample photos online; having four or five that you like will give the photographer some extra ideas to try out. You should also talk to your married friends and see what they did for their engagement photos.

Professional or amateur?

You are likely to get better results if you hire a professional. They know what they are doing and can work with you to get great photos.

However, if budget is a concern, instead of having no photos taken, try to find a friend that will take your photos. Especially a friend that has some photography skill. If you are using a friend for the pictures, do not do an indoor photo session! Try to have an outdoor photo session in the evening as the sun is setting - but without any direct sun shining on you. Go to a park or other beautiful location. And then have fun! If you need to, go out and take some test photos to see what the location and lighting looks like and then go back the next day for the actual photo session.

Wedding Photographer?

Many wedding photographers include an engagement session in their wedding photography packages. It is a wonderful way for you to "test out" a photographer and see how well you interact with them, and how well they are able to put you at ease during a photo session. If you are having engagement photos taken in the same area where the wedding will be, and you are hiring a professional photographer for your wedding, I strongly recommend you consider using the same photographer for your engagement photo session.

Don't be Nervous!

The key to a successful engagement photo session, and what many professionals are skilled at, is helping you relax in front of the camera. Don't get bogged down with the details of the photo session and how you are appearing (it's hard not to be vain during such an important session - I know!). Instead, focus on your fiancé/fiancée and your love for them. Relax and enjoy being with them. If the photographer has posing tips, have fun while trying them out.

If a friend is taking your photos I believe you have a better chance of success by going out and having a fun, relaxed, photo session than going for a serious, posed session. Even IF you had to go back out for another photo session because the first batch didn't turn out well - oh, well. Consider it another special outing with the one you love.

What to Wear

The wedding vows have not been exchanged yet, but you have, in essence, already pledged your life and love to your fiancé/fiancée. I would strongly recommend that you coordinate your clothing. Whether it is tan and whites, or perhaps denim - whatever the colors, work at coordinating. Casual or formal? Again, make sure you coordinate.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Ten Tips For an Affordable Wedding


I have been researching how people with a small budget making their wedding affordable and think these 10 little tips can be useful for people who have small budget.

Ten Tips for an affordable wedding:

1. Marry on a not popular time. When you marry on a monday it is a lot cheaper then marrying on a Friday or Saturday.

2. The season that you marry in. Did you know the most people marry in the summer or the winter? An autumn wedding or a winter wedding is a lot cheaper then a summer wedding and they can be so beautiful! Think back to the wedding of Miranda and Steve in Sex and the City in the gorgeous autumn garden. Another thought is a winter wedding in a big Forrest, snow on the threes, a beautiful sight. Often you can get great discounts on wedding cars, wedding locations, etc. in these seasons.

3.Buy an affordable wedding gown and beautify it yourself. The diva under the wedding dresses is of course the top, but they are very expensive. The average wedding dress costs around the one thousand pounds. Our tip: buy a cheap, simple wedding dress and give it a stunning look by wearing the perfect shoes, jewelry, haircut and make-up. Do you really have a low budget then you can always look for a fabulous gala dress or evening dress.

4.Save money on bridal flowers and bouquets. A bridal bouquet costs around 70 and 150 pounds! One beautiful flower in your hands is just as pretty. The bridal bouquet is a typical traditional thing. Nowadays a lot of people get rid of the bridal bouquet and use the money for the decoration of the wedding location.

5. The thank you gifts for your guest do not have to be very expensive. If you are a little bit of a creative person you can think of something that is fun and costs little money. The key is to make a personal gift. It can be a handwritten note with a own baked cookie, it is personal. Burn some cd's with your favorite songs and create the cd-inlay. Use your talent or use the talent of friends and you will see it doesn't have to cost a lot.

6. The wedding cake is one of the eye catchers on a wedding. The average cost of a wedding cake is around the 250 pounds. Wedding Cake makers never define how much it is for the whole cake but usually they define the costs per person. An average wedding cake costs 7 pounds a piece. The wedding cake maker usually haves a minimum take of 30 persons per wedding cake. Thirty persons, seven pounds a piece is 210 pounds. A fun way to make it a lot cheaper is to have a table full of cupcakes. An cute decorated cupcake, f.e. with someone names one it, costs 2 a 3 pounds a piece. Three pounds, thirty persons makes a total of 90 pounds, a good way to save money.

7. Save on the wedding rings. Buying a wedding ring is hopefully a one time business. Saving on a nice wedding ring is probably the last thing you want to save on. Nowadays there are a lot websites that offer wedding rings cheaper then most real stores ca. The websites do not have pay rent for their shop or something like that and you will see that back in the price of the wedding rings they offer online. You can save up to 20 % by buying your wedding ring online.

8. A wedding photographer is also a cut that most people don't want to make. It keeps the memory of your beautiful wedding alive. If you are really on a low budget this is a nice tip: buy a dozen Polaroid camera's in a budget store or online. You can let your wedding guests make photo's of your wedding. you will get a very personal photo collection of your wedding.

9. Save on wedding invitations. You or one of your talented friends can make beautiful wedding invitations in Adobe Photo shop or another design software. Do it yourself!

10. Do not invite everybody. If you don't invite every person you know. Not the mailman, the butcher, the friend of a friend of a friend, you can keep the wedding small, personal and private. A private wedding with only friends and family that mean a lot to you makes it very special. When you f.e. have 10 guests instead of 200 a wedding on Hawaii suddenly looks achievable.

I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck with your wedding planning.

Wedding Album Design - Simplistic Or Elegant?


Compiling the wedding album in a way that is absolutely perfect is not an easy task. Weddings are one of the most important events in a person's life, and a photo album depicting that ceremony is very important. Photographs give a unique look into the day's festivities and of the wedding ceremony itself.

There are just some details that are hard to remember years after the fact. Though your wedding might be the most important day of your life, that does not change the fact that sometimes things just get forgotten. Small details can slowly disappear from your mind in you'll entirely forget about them. A wedding album ensures that you will remember every single bit in detail of your wedding.

If you are having a professional photographer take photographs at your wedding, then chances are album that they will be including is included in the price. Many of them also have separate pricing for more elaborate albums. It is entirely up to you, and there are many options for you to choose from.

If you are compiling photographs that friend or family members to during the ceremony, then you are going to have to seek out a wedding album on your own. This is not difficult, as several stores do have several different kinds for sale. It's best to get one in a style that you know will last a long time. What are the most common and popular types are those made of leather, which will last you for years after laying ceremony is coming on. However, these are also more expensive.

Many of albums that you find you can also get specially engraved to remember the day as well. This can make album even more special the wrong run and remind you the special memories every time you look at the cover. These styles can be even more expensive than those made of leather, but they are more than worth it if you want to be able back time and time again.

Many times when you buy photo albums for weddings, though also come with picture frames. These are usually sold in sets that match, otherwise they will likely be more expensive. You have several wedding photos that you like to show off, then getting a set includes the album as well as photo frames is probably a good idea.

The wedding album is an important detail of your wedding because it is one of the most crucial bits to remembering very every single detail. Every moment that could otherwise be lost to time will be with you forever and a set of photographs. Keep your memories close with a high quality album and you will not regret it down the line.

How to Preserve Your Wedding Photo Negatives


Though we are in the age of digital photography, some couple still go for film based wedding pictures. It looks classic and elegant. Film based photos produce negatives out of which the photos are printed onto paper. These negatives are given to the couple so they can print more copies of the pictures if they want to. Negatives are very sensitive pieces of materials and need be handled carefully.

In this article, we take a look at how to preserve negatives so if you are contemplating a film-based wedding photography or are old couples faced with the need to protect your negatives, you would know what to do.

Negatives are sensitive to extreme climates. You should therefore keep them in sealed boxes and label them so you don't accidentally place objects on them. You should lay them flat in the box and not stack them up. You should pace a desiccant into the box so moist does not gather there.

Keep the negatives away from moldy environments. Dew should not settle on them either. These could cause the negatives to discolor and eventually get destroyed. The negatives should be stored in a cool and dry place. The temperature shouldn't be too high or too low. Air should flow freely in the room too.

Hold negatives by the edge. Do not touch them with smeared hands or oily hands. When placing them on surfaces, be sure there is no grease or oil or some other chemical that can soil it. Negatives also get scratched easily. Do not place near sharp or gritty surfaces.

Lastly, do not bend your pictures. A bent negative will produce a line if printed. Ensure that they stand straight or lie flat all the time. If you have a soiled negative or dusty one, do not clean with chemical. Gently wide off clean with a soft duster.

Learning To Make Coffee Table Photo Books


If you happen to be a wedding photographer there will likely come an occasion when a client will ask you to create a coffee table book for them. When that time arrives you want to be able to do it straightaway. You don't want to have to do a load of research and try to figure it out on your own. This is a look at how to make coffee table books so you are ready for that eventuality.

One thing to do is actually discuss with your client what size they want the book to be. They may want one that's the size of an A5 page or perhaps they might desire a bigger book. You also need to discuss the amount of pages that they would like you to put into the book. This will give you a basis for quoting them to create the coffee table photo book that they would like as well as provide you with a concept of just how much work is going to be involved and how many pictures you are going to have to edit.

Once you have figured out how many pages and just how big those pages are going to be you will have to actually take the pictures that you need to fill the book with. Make sure that you capture all of the essential moments within the marriage ceremony and ensure that you capture them a lot of times. You want to be able to pick and choose your photos and the more photos you have the much better since that gives you more options. It is important that you pay attention to the settings on your camera as you want to have to do as little editing of the photos as you possibly can.

Once you have got all the photos for the coffee table photo books that you are going to make it's time to go through them and find the very best of the lot. It is not just about the quality of the shot it's about the actual expressions on the subjects faces and also the layout of the image and all the other content related things too. A lower quality image might be better since it captures true emotion on the faces of those in the image.

Once that's done and the photos are all edited to bring out the very best in them it is time to do the actual layout. The typical thing would be to place the pictures in chronological order. You do not have to do that though. Be sure that you get them all laid out in a manner that compliments the subjects and also makes sense.

The last thing to do is to get approval from the wedding couple and to get it printed. Make sure that the printer you utilize is reliable and will also be able to do what you would like. It is also essential that you make any changes the couple want before you send it off to be printed. Seems easy, however wait until you give it a try.

The Process Of Hiring A Wedding Photographer


Although most people have attended a wedding, that doesn't mean that they will know the process when it's their turn to go down the aisle. Below is a step by step guide on the process of hiring a wedding photographer.

Step One: Hiring a photographer.

This can be a daunting task even for someone who follows hundreds of wedding photographers blogs. It is recommended that you hire someone within the state that you are getting married. Most wedding professionals travel all over and even if they do not live in the area you are getting married they have most likely photographed there before. Ask them to Narrow your search down to five wedding photographers that you really like. They can be in several different price brackets at this point. Begin communicating with them-choose three you want to meet with in person. The in person meeting is huge because the photographer will be with you the entire day and you want someone not only competent in wedding photography but someone you know you can get along with and wont mind having around. After your meetings you can then choose your photographer.

Step Two: Choosing a package

Hopefully you spoke with your photographer at the meeting about what kind of coverage they offer, and what kind of coverage you will need. Let them help with this they shouldn't sell you more than you need, but they also should be there to cover all the important moments that will happen on your wedding day. Wedding photographer typical day is 8 hours just like any other professionals work day. That said often 10 hours of coverage is needed in order to begin with the bridal prep and end well into the reception. Your wedding photographer should help you decide if you would like a wedding album (recommended so that your memories are secure in print and digitally) and they should talk you through if they give you the rights to the wedding images or if they keep the digital files etc.

Step Three: Deciding how the wedding day works

There are two models for the photographer on wedding day... the first one is traditional, and the second is with a first look. These models are how we structure the time needed and schedule of the day for photographs.

Traditional: Photographer will come and start with the details at the hotel. Dress, shoes, invitation, rings, bridesmaid dresses, perfume, jewelry, and flowers. After those details have been photographed the wedding photographer will turn their attention to the women and their photojournalistic getting ready photos. This is where the wedding photographer begins to capture moments and build the story of the day. After the bride is in her dress an experienced photographer will often have a first look with the parents-so dad and mom will come in and see their baby girl for the first time in her wedding gown. Meanwhile the second photographer is with the men and taking candid shots of them tying their ties and just hanging out being men before the ceremony. As the bride walks down the aisle at the ceremony the second photographer is taking shots of the grooms expression, and the main photographer is photographing the processional with the bridesmaids and the bride walking down the aisle. After the ceremony the wedding photographer will (with help from the appointed family member) gather up the full family for their portraits. The wedding photographer will begin with the brides side of the family and break it down until the smallest family breakdown (mom and bride, dad and bride, siblings and bride) have been photographed. The wedding photographer will then move onto the grooms family and do the same thing starting with the biggest grouping and breaking it down to the smallest groups. When that is finished it is time to photograph the bridal party. An experienced wedding photographer should be able to get three different posed bridal party shots done in 15 minutes. From there the photographer will photograph just the group of men, and then just the group of women. These two groupings should only take 10-15 minutes and the wedding photographer should know exactly how they want each member of the party or grouping to stand. From there the wedding photographer will take a few portraits of the bride, then the groom, and finally finish up (this whole thing from family to finish should take an hour) with the bride and the groom together. At this point the wedding photographer turns everyone over to the coordinator and the band or DJ. They are in charge of how the reception flows. The wedding photographer will photojournalistic capture the moments from this point on. Even the formalities like the first dances, cake cutting, and bouquet throwing are done in a candid style.

First Look: The Wedding photographer will still meet you at hair and makeup and do the detail shots first. But after the bride is ready the wedding photographer has scheduled the day so that there is an hour and a half of photo time before the ceremony. It begins with a private viewing of the bride from her parents, and then the photographer has chosen an intimate spot with good light for the groom to see his bride for the first time in her dress. The wedding photographer will tell the bride and the groom how to walk to each other before so that they can be in the wings with their long lens getting great emotional moments. After this (generally 15 minutes) the bridal party will be gathered for the bridal party pictures, the women, and the men pictures. This will be about 30 minutes. Finally about 45 minutes before the ceremony the family will be photographed. The bridal party and bride and groom should be finished 30 minutes before the ceremony with all pictures as guests begin to arrive and often the bride doesn't want to be where she can be seen by everyone. After the ceremony the bride and the groom can take a few moments to be husband and wife and the photographer can take pictures with little to no direction. Then the bride and the groom are able to go to cocktail hour with their bridal party and talk to all of their guests. It is recommended that in the traditional line up of a day there is a receiving line so that you meet all of your guests and don't have to do it at dinner time. In the first look scenario you can do that at cocktail hour. Again the reception is photojournalistic and candid based for all events.

Step Four: What happens after the wedding

The wedding photographer hopefully explained how they work already in a meeting or in an email. After the wedding many wedding photographers will edit a photographers favorites set within several days and send you an email as well as post them to their blog/FB sites. If the wedding photographer is very busy make sure to ask what their turn around time for all of the wedding photos are. Often times a month is a reasonable amount of time. Also chat with them about their process for culling down the set of final images. It is very important part of a wedding photographers job to edit through and choose the best photos as we have the ability to process thousands of high-resolution images but it is often overwhelming for you the bride to process through that many which is why it is important that we are presenting only the best one of each of the images we take on the wedding day. That will be more than enough wedding images. Talk to your wedding photographer about how they send you the final set of images is it via web or is it via hard drive.

Step Five: The wedding album

If applicable one of the last formal business interactions (as hopefully you are friends at this point) is the wedding album design. Most wedding photographers will begin by creating a version for you telling your wedding story. Then from there you can make changes, edit it, and perfect it to be your favorite images. The wedding album is to take your readers in 10-40 years through your wedding day, so it is often best if you do not choose the images if you let the photographer choose the images to work from. Then as said you can make changes to the album. Wedding photographers are storytellers and this is where their final vision and style can be really seen. In your initial meeting with wedding photographers you saw their album style and hopefully choose someone whose design elements you liked and whose overall feel of the wedding day story through the albums you related too.

That is a summary of the involvement of the wedding photographer, and the process in which the wedding photographer evaluates your day. Each photographer will look for different things on a wedding day, and each wedding photographer will have a unique style but we all will follow a professional and meticulous formula for getting the wedding photos.