Photobooths have been getting more and more popular at weddings, and for good reasons. Guests are having tons of fun taking their own pictures and brides have resolved the question of wedding favors! Therefore wedding photographers are trying to get more creative satisfying the demand. Some are offering setups where guests are indeed “pressing a button” to take the photo (a remote shutter release), some are cooperating with a traditional, real photo booth company that actually delivers the very box to the wedding venue. Some prefer to have a second/third photographer take care of this service. Personally, I think the element of human interaction adds to the final content and look of the photos. Some guests will of course go bananas without any encouragement but some will need a little ‘push’ to let their personality really show. Here’s an extract of our (myself and David Lim) holiday themed photo booth shoot at Cara and Matt’s wedding on December 12, 2009. Technical info for photographers: one AB400 Ac powered strobe light was used, shot into a 60” silver umbrella set (as you probably can clearly see) to photographer’s right. We purposefully did not use any fill-in light.

With the busy engagement season upon us and brides starting their search for that one and only, THE photographer I get asked sometimes during consultations: “what questions should I really be asking?”. The demand for bridal guides and advices from pros seems to be higher the closer we get to Holiday season. I don’t just  mean the list of questions provided by your favorite bridal magazine. These are – unfortunately – rarely helpful. Let’s be honest – most of them are frustrating to the photographers (not because we can’t give answers but because they are…artificial to say the least) and not really helpful to the brides. So I will try to take a more common sense, simpler approach here coming from my own experience and feedback from my clients. What should a bride be paying attention to when hiring a wedding photographer? First and most of all:

1. The quality of work

There’s never a second chance to make the first impression. Correct but not quite in our profession. The website can be polished to maximum with photos edited to perfection, presenting a selection of the best shots from the past few years and… that’s great! Hail to the kings of editing but what will matter at the end of the day is how does the coverage of YOUR wedding turn out so yes – you have the right and you SHOULD ask to see an entire gallery from a recent wedding. With most photographers nowadays it will be online so ask your photographer to e-mail the link to you or write it down. Spend some time at home to go over the gallery. How well did the photographer manage to cover different parts of the day? How consistent is the coverage? Is there enough emotional moments? Is there a good variety of images (details, close-ups, wide angle shots showing an entire scene). Are the reception shots well lit? Is the light pleasing (soft, directional, modelling) or do the photos look similar to what comes out from your own point & shoot camera when photographing in a dark room? Are vertical photos free of harsh side shadows behind the subject? Are the photos focused where they need to be or are too many of them blurry and unclear? Are skin tones from indoor shots, ceremony and reception looking the same as on the photos taken outdoors? Be critical, all of these questions will indicate your photographers technical proficiency as well as editing skills. It’s one of the most important days of your life that’s about to be documented so do not get diluted by the shot of a cute flower girl that is easy to get – look for some signature, unique and compelling photos that you haven’t seen anywhere else.  Raise the bar high!. Don’t just settle for something that looks average or inconsistent!

2. Photographer’s personality

Just as important as the quality of work. Wedding photography is about the relationships. You are about to hire someone that will be around you during the entire day so do not kid yourself – if you don’t “click” during the consultation – let it go. You absolutely HAVE TO feel comfortable around your wedding photographer (even about the way they dress). Unless they are a hard core photojournalist there will be a few moments during your wedding day when you will be posed, they will give you direction. Being in front of the lens can be intimidating, especially when a lot of friends and family are watching. Friendly and organic relationship is the key here! Pay attention to your photographer’s personality and behavior. If there is anything annoying about it – take it into consideration when making your final decision!

3. Photographer’s experience

How long have they been in the business? Are there testimonials from previous brides available? How many weddings can you see on their blog? How many do they say they photographed? All of these questions can mean a lot to you… or not. You have to be the judge here. Some brides will consider this one of the most important factors and will only hire a photographer that has been around for longer than Rolling Stones and some will appreciate fresh approach and young spirit more than twenty years worth of portfolio. Experience can be good if it doesn’t overshadow photographer’s readinessto progress and change when necessary.  Seasoned photographer can be great as long as they remain open to new ideas and use their experience wisely. Sometimes the lack of experience means clear and uncontaminated mind – when accompanied by great talent it creates a great recipe for the new star of wedding photography. Whether you discovered one – unfortunately has to be your own judgement but maybe this analysis will at least let you realize what you are looking for!

4. The style

Is what you are looking at bringing a smile to your face? Is the content of the photos what you would like to be seeing captured at your wedding? Before you judge the photographer’s style answer some questions for yourself, like: am I looking for someone contemporary and edgy or do I prefer safe and traditional? Do I like photos that are dynamic, unposed and show real moments or is am I leaning towards those carefully posed where the subjects are always camera aware? Pay attention to what the photographer says about their style on the website, in blog posts and in their own words during the consultation. Make no mistake – it’s close to impossible for a photographer to change their style just for your wedding. What you see on their blog and their portfolio is how they prefer to work. If it’s not ‘up your alley’ – don not schedule the consultation. Artwork is very subjective and that is totally all right. What some people will love others will hate. To some brides technical excellence and simple approach to wedding photography will be number one priority. To some artistic vision and wicked ideas will be more appealing. The important thing is to know what you prefer as a bride and as a person. Look for that before you even contact a photographer.

5. The presentation

How is the work packaged? Is it just a bunch of prints thrown on the table, a slideshow projected on a big screen or are they in beautiful albums? If they are in albums how are the albums looking? Are they similar to those your parents received for their wedding (I’m sorry but there is no compromise here – that is a definite RED FLAG! Steer away if the albums look like they were done 20 years ago!). I totally understand that no one updates their sample album inventory every season but the reasonable approach is to present at least one fresh and contemporary looking album with work no older than 2-4 years back. Finally when talking about their photographs, style and work is the photographer also genuinely interested in your wedding? Are they asking YOU questions or just going through their typical sales pitch? It is important for both sides to feel like they are communicating well so make sure there is a good balance between asking questions and answering them for your photographer. If they really care about working with you – they will be curious about details of your wedding arrangements. You should be able to tell whether they are treating your event with genuine interest or does it look like it’s going to be just another job for them…

6. The price

Finally we come to one of the most important factors. Money and how much of can you/are you willing to spend. Of course budget is important and we, wedding photographers do understand and respect it. Weddings are expensive and there’s nothing wrong with trying to save a few hundred dollars where possible. While there are definitely areas where cost can be lowered I will strongly discourage every bride to try and cut corners when it comes to photography. Your friend’s friend with the newest DSLR is NOT the answer. Uncle Timmy will also not deliver the quality and level of work that a true pro who puts their entire heart and skill in what they do can. Going with someone who is offering to shoot your wedding for free ‘to build their portfolio’ – nope, not recommended either. They will have plenty of opportunities if they start working as a second shooter with a more established photographer. Just the same as you wouldn’t like to have a surgeon perform his first surgery on you – don’t put your weddings into hands of a complete novice. The difference is usually clearly visible when it is too late to change your mind. Just as there is a client for every photographer’s price level – there is a GOOD photographer for every budget. If the photographer you really love and want to hire is a bit more expensive than what you’d be willing to pay think about why it is so. Are they really popular? Is there a lot of weddings on their blog? If so this is probably a good sign. What are other brides saying? Are their testimonials convincing and real?

7. The contract.

It’s a good idea to read the contract. No, I mean it – you really should READ the contract. Most photographer’s contracts are no longer than three pages. Make sure you are comfortable with all the clauses and the payment schedule. If you have questions – do not hesitate to ask them BEFORE placing your signature at the bottom. You are entering the legal agreement that binds both sides into certain responsibilities.

8. Technical details

While in general equipment is less important than the knowledge and skill that determine it’s use, the latest digital cameras do offer considerably more creative freedom and dramatic increase in quality compared to a few year old models. Do ask your photographer how current is their equipment. Backup should be out of question. Every serious photographer will have backup equipment as well as business insurance. Those are basics and you should ask about them. If second photographer is mentioned in the contract/package that you are booking – who are they? Are they really a second professional photographer that is fully capable of delivering comparable quality of coverage or is it a student/apprentice?

If you are a bride and just got engaged = congratulations! I hope the above suggestions will help you making an educated choice for your wedding photography and therefore make the challenging task of wedding planning a bit easier! If you are a photographer – maybe this article will give you some ideas and help you prepare for consultations with your clients during this booking season. I will be happy to answer any questions or take suggestions. Please e-mail me or connect with me on Twitter and Facebook. Happy bookings!

The engagement season is slowly gaining it’s momentum. Right after Thanksgiving is usually when wedding photographers start getting flooded with inquiries for their services… because the Seasonal Sweetness is in the air, families get together and many guys pick that time of the year to take that precious ring out and get down on their knee. That means brides will soon start planning! Maybe they already know what the centerpieces and bridesmaids dresses will look like but for those who are (or soon will be) looking for inspiration for their gorgeous 2010 wedding, here’s a collection of shoe shots from the depths of my archives. All photos taken during the seasons of 2008 and 2009. Enjoy! I hope you find this post worth tweeting about

The quote used for the title of this post is by Imelda Macros.

Wedding photographers face lighting challenges almost at every event they go to. If it’s not the harsh sunlight in the middle of the day then it’s heavy overhead tungsten lighting during ceremony mixed with different color temperature daylight coming through the windows…or it can be a dark reception room with black walls and ceilings. We may be experts of our craft and we may have mastered all possible on and off-camera flash techniques but when there really is nothing to bounce the flash off, no room to work with an assistant and no way to possibly set up off camera lights… we have to experiment and take chances. Go wild, open your shutter for a looong time…and I mean LONG! 6 seconds? Crazy? Maybe…and maybe you’ll never know what you are going to get…but chances are you’ll create something unusual that actually looks good. Oh, and the fun you’ll have shooting – it’s almost like the time you first picked up your camera! Wooohooo!

Well… not really! At least not anymore. I am so sorry if this is going to sound harsh to anyone but if you are one of those people who say “I don’t get Twitter” then… you may as well say “I don’t get internet”. We live in the world where technology changes fast, new things come around before you even know it. Twitter is one of them. Twitter is just the next step in our evolution, in the way we communicate. It’s not just another clone of facebook or social media application that will be fogotten in a few months. Here’s why:

1. WHAT’S GOT YOUR ATTENTION?

Yes, it did start with status updates. Then, at some point the leading ‘Twitter question’ transformed into something a lot more meaningful. Instead of informing the world about what you are having for lunch Twitter users started posting a lot more valuable content. Tweets about how the excessive amount of mayo is spilling beyond your sandwich – indeed, have no value. Tweets about new design resources online, wordpress blog tutorials, exciting photography, current events around the world – just the opposite, they are amazing eye openers and very often carry more value than any other social media connection you make out there.

2. IT’S LIVE!

Yes, you can use google and find information about pretty much ANYTHING online. There is however one important difference between searching Twitter and searching web content. Twitter is a live stream of information. Whatever you search for online had to be composed by someone, posted and indexed to come up in web searches. Nowadays it is faster than before yet Twitter is even faster than that – it’s instant, immediate without any delay. I have recently almost completely switched to searching Twitter over Google for information online. It’s amazing what and how fast you can find out as soon as you realize how powerful of a tool Twitter can really be.

3. CONNECTIONS

What seems to be another misconception about Twitter among those who are not using it is that what you ‘tweet’ about is only visible to those who follow you. This is only partially true. Add a ‘#’ tag right before the word that desribes the topic you are talking about and it will be visible to anyone who searches for that particular topic (any other word in your tweets is of course searchable too). The list of currently trending topics is always visible on your Twitter home page. You can join any conversation you want at any time. For example the trending topics at the time of writing this article are: #Sept11 #Facebook Lite #Jay-Z #God Bless America #TGIF #CoastGuard #Michael Jordan. Click one of them on your Twitter home page and you will see what people are saying about the given topic AT THE MOMENT. Reply to any of the users who’s tweet you find interesting. You just made your first connection. This is how I found out that you can buy the new Canon 7D at Circuit City for 15% less than anywhere else. It’s how I increased my knowledge about using word press blog from zero to confident within one afternoon. It’s how I connected with some amazing photographers out there, found new friends in other areas of life but most of all…

4. BOOKED MY FIRST WEDDING via TWITTER!

Have you heard yet that it pays off to use twitter for your business? You keep hearing that a lot of companies are on Twitter and are ‘using Twitter for business’ but you also keep wondering whether they have any measurable gains from wasting so much time on this new social media phenomenon. Well… it did pay off for me and my story is only a drop in the ocean. There’s of course plenty more significant stories out there but for us – wedding photographers this is what’s important right now. We spend a lot of our time breaking our heads about how to reach this ideal client that we are looking for, how to get noticed and put our wonderful work in front of the eyes of those who need to see it. Yet, there is a wonderful new tool out there that is based on the same principle any successful business uses – relationships between people! If you haven’t managed to appreciate it yet – it might just be worth exploring!

Some of us, members of G10 are active on Twitter. Follow us! David, Neil, Josh, Zlatko.

All of us in Group of 10 are wedding photographers with some considerable experience. While I cannot compare my own to George Weir’s or my flash photography knowledge to Neil van Niekerk’s – we all bring something to the table when it comes to wedding photography. Each and every one of us has photographed enough weddings to be well familiar with the “do’s and don’ts” of the industry, the wedding etiquette, the cultural differences and traditions of different weddings, the proper equipment we need to get the job done, the lighting challenges we may encounter while photographing brides in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and actually all over the rest of the World. We studied our craft for years, developed our technique, shaped our styles, gave our hearts to what we do. Yes, all of us. Therefore, it’s no surprise that we are constantly trying to bring it to our client’s attention how important it is to hire someone who is not only a good salesman but actually a true photographer (with all the absolutely necessary skills and experience) for their wedding.

Most of this blog is about the art of our images. We love sharing our work with all of you and will continue to do so. We hardly ever reference other photographers and – correct me if I am wrong – never repost articles from other blogs. Today however, I would like to reference an article that in my humble opinion is an excellent testimony to WHY… please read: “PHOTOGRAPHY” by Cody Ellerd.

“Wedding Photojournalist – what does that really mean?” asked one of my clients during a recent consultation “I see that on many wedding photographers’ websites but not on yours, why?”. I answered “because I am not a PURE photojournalist. My style has a few different elements in it, I wouldn’t be very accurate if I said I am strictly a wedding photojournalist”. “Well…” said the bride “I don’t really care what it’s called, I love your photos but when browsing other photographers I noticed that I am drawn very much to all the websites that said the photographer IS a wedding photojournalist, so…what does it mean?”. It means that you are not altering anything at all during a wedding shoot. It means that you are trying to be as invisible as you possibly can while shooting so that no one really pays attention to you (because you want your subjects to be camera unaware). It means that creating your photographs involves anticipating the moment, knowing your equipment and its limitations inside out, relying on your instincts to be at the right spot at the right time. It means keeping your eyes and ears open and your reflexes fast. It means capturing things as they happen, freezing real moments in time, without re-enactment, repetition and second chances. If you fail for any reason – the moment is gone. There will be a hundred more, true – but the one you lost is probably not coming back. It’s hard work when you take into consideration everything that you have to pay attention to at any given second (let’s see how many I can come up with, somewhat in order of importance: am I shooting in good light (if not what light modifiers should/can I be using right now to make it better), do I have the right lens for the shot, are my settings correct (ISO/aperture/shutter speed), should I turn around and change my position, maybe the scene will look better from a different angle, am I in the correct focusing mode, is there enough space left on the card to fire off a fast sequence and another one right after that, am I in somebody’s way, the batteries are still good right? haven’t changed them in a while…

…so…yes, the satisfaction is huge when you get it right! It’s a feeling uncomparable to anything else. When you know you got THE shot you are the king of the hill, the master of the universe, the winner of the race, the monkey with the biggest banana in the cage!

“Could you show me a few that you think are your best photojournalistic shots ever?” asked the bride again. “Here’s a few I really like…” I replied.

We have touched the subject of engagement sessions a few times on this blog. As wedding photographers we often encourage our couples to work with us before their wedding and get together for a few hours of fun photography. We happen to live in a very random and rich in dramatically different lications area. When it comes to one of the basic question of “where to shoot?” – we are always happy to consult and advise. Urban, beach, woods, rural, day or night, big city or countryside – you can find it all in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Yes, you can surely just go to a nearby park and shoot a few traditional poses with a long lens and beatifully blurred background…but hasn’t this been done millions of times over decades? Whenever you get to work with an unusual couple like Jenn and Tim, a door of opportunities opens. It was them who came up with all the locations for their engagement session, including the supermarket (yes, we got chased out of one by security guards but it dodn’t stop us from finishing the shoot at another one just down the road!). All of the below, very different imho images were captured during a few hours I spent with Jennifer and Tim a few weeks ago:

The “party mood” continues on our blog! Tonight – dancers! These girls were amazing. The choreography was mastered to perfection and the whole performance breathtaking. All the photos were taken during last Saturday’s wedding that I had a chance to photograph with Monika Broz in Philadelphia:

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE !!! It’s today that all the happy couples do special, crazy things for love, isn’t it ? In the spirit of this amorous holiday we want to bring something exclusive to our clients !