Hello, soon to be bride or groom!

When You’re Getting Married in a Church …

January 16, 2012

… if it’s important to you that the wedding ceremony be well photographed, be sure to ask ahead of time what the church’s policies about wedding photography are.

Virtually all churches impose some restrictions and that’s cool. I’m never gonna be up in your face on the altar with a wide angle while you’re reciting your vows. I don’t want to be seen during your wedding ceremony and I want to do anything and everything I can to ensure that the focus stays on you! So in many instances, I’ll be able to do my job well without ever bumping up against a church’s rules (most of which are usually pretty common sense respect and decorum; both for the religious traditions as well as the bride and groom, the officiant and guests.)

There are some churches however, in which photography is practically disallowed – I’ve shot where I was instructed to stay at the back, and only within the very back, of the church. Since I, and I suspect virtually all wedding photographers, don’t own or carry something like the 400mm f/2.8G around, it’s difficult to capture much of anything in an intimate or personal way. I’ve also worked weddings where I was told to remain in the same seat throughout the entire mass. Ugh!

As to the question of whether or not Jesus likes good wedding photography, I’ll defer to you or your spiritual leaders to decide. Again, most churches are pretty cool with photographers who are, in turn, respectful of the ceremony and those in attendance. A minority may impose rules that are difficult or impossible for a photographer to work within. If intimate ceremonial photography is important to you (as it is to me), then it’s best to ask about this up front and be aware of any limitations that may be placed.

To First Look, or not to First Look?

June 20, 2011

If you’re planning a wedding, you might have thought about whether or not you and your fiance will see each other before your walk down the aisle. You may have envisioned this moment and how it will feel and what it will look like for years now … or it may be an afterthought!

I am a huuuge fan of the first look and I recommend it* … with the following footnote. I understand completely that many couples prefer to save that special moment for the ceremony and should you choose to do that, no problem! I will absolutely accommodate your decision either way. But I’d like to offer you a few reasons that, in my experience, make a compelling case for seeing each other beforehand:

A first look is time before the ceremony is time together – uninterrupted. I can’t emphasize this enough: while a wedding day is such a wonderful occasion in part because you get to spend it with the family and friends you love most, it is also a day in which you will probably very little time to yourselves. Even five to fifteen minutes will feel awesome.

A first look is an amazing opportunity to take both candid, unscripted photos and wonderful, relaxed portraits together. Schedule and then take your time together – as much as you’d like to. There is no “right answer” here – only what sounds best to you – but often I will hang back and use a telephoto to capture the spontaneous emotions unobtrusively, and then we can take portraits if you’d like. And there’s actually a good reason to opt for portraits now, as opposed to after the ceremony. Why, you ask?

Think about what will happen after you’ve said “I do” and walked your recessional together for the first time. You may choose to greet your guests in a receiving line, or it may be time for the family “formal” photos. What doesn’t usually happen during this time – or throughout the past few hours previous – is food. So when the three of us finally get to shoot your portraits together, you are hungry. And tired. And ready to get to the reception and have some dinner and get off your feet! This has happened more than a few times in the past with my clients and while we will always make the most of the time we have together, you’re more likely to be at very best if you’re more focused on the moment … and less on getting to dinner.

Thanks for reading! And please do drop me a line so we can talk about how we might shoot your first look!

A Great Idea : Guest Signin Albums!

May 12, 2010

We’ve all been to weddings where there was a guestbook in front of the church or reception to be signed by loved ones who join the happy couple for their most special day together. Trouble is, how much fun is it for the happy couple to go back weeks or months later and read line after line of signatures?

“Ah, Uncle Frank was there … that’s his handwriting and his name. … I like Uncle Frank.”

But hey! For the more personal touch, you might consider a large, white matte frame for your guests to sign. Something about wide, open white spaces can bring out the sentimental genius in all of us. An opportunity to write a personal, heartfelt message … or wax eloquent on just how lucky the groom is to be marrying a woman way out of his league. (I am such a man, by the way.)

For an even greater personal touch, how about an album? Yes, an album that can be signed! If I’m photographing your wedding, we’ve already shot an engagement session together: a chance to get a lot of fun photos in a variety of laid back settings, pictures that show off your personalities, what makes you click and the love you two share. Which is what makes guest sign in albums – which are just what they sound like – a really cool way of showing off these pictures! Here is what Angie and Ryan just had at their wedding:

My wife and I enjoy looking at our engagement pictures to this day. I have several in my office, we have given them to friends and family and they remain some of the best photos we have of the two of us. And albums are the perfect way to tell your story through your pictures. I love designing them!

If you’re interested in a guest signin album, please give me a call or drop me an email to chat about it! I’d love to show you a sample and talk with you about the possibilities!

Finding the Photographer That’s Right For You

December 4, 2009

For some time now, I’ve wanted to begin publishing a handful of personal tips for brides and grooms who are shopping for a wedding photographer. Having been there myself when my wife and I married a few years ago, I know that it can be a challenging and stressful decision. I often say that a bride and groom’s choice in photographer is perhaps one of the most important vendor choices they can make.

In that spirit, my goal is to share what I have learned along the way and this, though a longer read , is the first of what I hope will be many such pieces to come. I sincerely hope you’ll find it helpful

First, what exactly is a “professional” photographer?

The difference might be much less than you think. Simply put, a professional is simply someone who is paid for their work. That’s it, and that is really all there is to it.

I have met “professionals” who lug around $60k in gear yet couldn’t shoot an inspiring image if they had a year to capture it (much less a quarter second, as is often the case at weddings.) Conversely I have met “amateurs” with a Rebel and a kit lens who shoot amazing work. (Expensive cameras and accessories are tools, a means with which to take inspiring pictures, nothing more.)

What clicks for you

Second is that photography is a highly subjective experience. In terms of style, what clicks for one viewer may not click with another. I loved our wedding photographer, who shot almost entirely documentary. Others prefer a focus on hours of carefully planned, creative portrait session and hey, there is no right or wrong when it comes to this stuff. It’s what you and your honey like.

This is why I always enthusiastically advocate that a couple find the photographer that is right for you. Yes, I am in the business of selling my services to you. But being a photographer and having been married myself, I know how important this decision is, and I want you to choose the photographer who best provides what you’re looking for … even if you might end up deciding that isn’t me.

Separate the marketing from the reality

Remember that photographers, and wedding professionals in general, will spend a great deal of time and money marketing themselves. I don’t want to be cynical, but my “insider’s perspective” would be to suggest you take many of these promises with a grain of salt.

It isn’t uncommon that I’ll visit the website of a photographer who touts him or herself as a “photojournalist” … and I’m treated to page after page of posed portraits. (?) I often chuckle to myself when I read promises of a “master photographer” … as if there is an influential organizing or governmental body who awards these auspicious titles (there isn’t.)

It can be difficult to separate the marketing from the reality, but a thorough look over a photog’s portfolio is a start. Does his or her work “click” with you? Inspire you? If not, does it matter how many weddings they’ve shot or awards they’ve won?

So what do “professionals” do well?

Now that I’ve talked about some of the potential “gotchas,” does it pay to hire a professional? My answer is that yes, it probably does – if you find the right professional.

The advantages to hiring a professional who specializes in weddings are numerous, but in a nutshell, they are the professional’s ability, through experience, to:

anticipate the flow of a wedding,
expect the unexpected, and
work in a wide variety of challenging shooting conditions.

And of course, once the pictures are taken, to:

process and deliver the photos and any products (albums, prints, etc.) in a reliable and timely fashion.

Artists are stereotypically not the most organized or timely folk and in my experience there is some truth to this. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon to hear of a photographer who is weeks or even months late delivering the products to an irate bride and groom. Personally, it is hugely important to me that I deliver on time and as promised, but research a potential photog to the extent that you can, make sure that he or she is reliable in this fashion.

No Matter What …

Your photographer should treat you and your wedding day as importantly as they would treat their own. This is reflected not only in his or her commitment to professionalism (punctuality, appropriate attire, courteous and timely interaction, etc.) but in a strong desire to “tell your story.” Your wedding day is uniquely your own and your photographer should be able to cheerfully meet your reasonable wishes.

Be sure that you feel comfortable not only with a photographer’s work, but his or her personality as well.

Making a decision

Finally, remember that photography is widely varied and that skill in one arena doesn’t necessarily translate to skill in another. Speaking personally, I do pretty well when it comes to a wedding or family portraits, but I can’t shoot sports for jack. There are photographers who can wear many hats well, but don’t assume.

Ask questions. Shop the decision around as much as you need to. Talk to friends who have been married to find out what their experience was. You may meet one photographer and know that he or she is the one for you. You may interview twenty. But I do believe it is perhaps the single most important vendor decision you and your fiancé can make.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, I’d love to meet with you, both to get to know you a little better and to find out more about what you’re looking for. And no matter what, I sincerely wish you and your fiancé all the best as you plan this exciting chapter in your lives together!

Chris

** If this was helpful to you (or even if you hated it) please feel free to leave a comment or question below! **