Group of 10 unveiled - NJ wedding photographers » Weddings

Ashley and Robert’s wedding at Dolce in Basking Ridge, NJ

groupof10 — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:27:52 +0000

by Zlatko Batistich

I’m very pleased to show some of my favorite photos from Ashley and Robert’s wedding at Dolce in Basking Ridge, NJ. (See more photos from this Dolce Basking Ridge wedding on my blog.)

Oh, it was jolly! (photobooth goes seasonal)

David M — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:49:01 +0000

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.

What to look for when hiring a wedding photographer?

David M — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:08:05 +0000

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!

I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty.

David M — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:29 +0000

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.

A Wedding at Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, NY

Zlatko — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:36:30 +0000

by Zlatko Batistich

I’m very happy to show some of my favorite photos from Claire and Richard’s wedding photographed at St. Augustine’s Church in Larchmont and Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, NY. Floral design was by Gardenia Organic of Manhattan. (More photos from this wedding and other Shenorock Shore Club weddings on my blog.)

Light me, paint me, shoot me, thrill me!

David M — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:14:58 +0000

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!

favorite venues – Florentine Gardens, NJ

Neil vN — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:59:38 +0000

One of my favourite venues to work at as a wedding photographer in New Jersey, is the prestigious Florentine Gardens. I frequently describe it to brides as a place that is 360′ of pretty. The lush gardens are beautifully maintained and decorated. The venue itself is large and spacious and grand.

And as a case in point, here are some images from a recent wedding that I photographed at the Florentine Gardens ..

… and finally, the stylish main reception room ..

posted by: Neil van Niekerk

Molly and Mike (Wedding at the Ridge at Back Brook, Ringoes, NJ)

Zlatko — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:19:54 +0000

by Zlatko Batistich

I’m very pleased to show a selection of photos from Molly and Mike’s wedding. Molly got ready in Princeton and the ceremony was at Pennington United Methodist Church in Pennington, NJ. The reception was held at The Ridge at Back Brook in Ringoes, New Jersey.

…The Music Matters!

Steve Burns — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:12:57 +0000

A ways back I covered a wedding of one of the leads from “The Phantom of The Opera.” The newly married couple had a small intimate wedding. Their wedding reception was held at the Westbury Manor on Long Island, NY. At the reception places were set for 40 guests, with the music being provided by a 16 piece swing band! The happy wedding couple and that band elevated the wedding day experience of their guests from what would have been nice, to one that was sublime!

Music at weddings, as in life can leave one with many feelings. It is not a visual thing, however it is something that triggers things in the hearer’s mind that evokes emotion or feeling. Well chosen music played at a wedding does exactly the same thing. It helps to support the days emotions.

Music can be loud, sharp, soft, sexy, sweet, sultry, romantic, brassy, sensuous… You name it, and it can say it.

How music is delivered can also add to its impact. As a wedding photographer, I’ve witnessed weddings were music was delivered via an iPod, from a DJ, to music performed real time by a band. All of the mentioned ways of delivery can be done very well, and all of them can have a significant impact on a wedding day.

One of the things that separates really good photography from OK photography, is that the former leaves you with the thought “this is what it felt like to be there,” vs. “this is what it looked like to be there.”

A responsibility of a good wedding photographer is to communicate to the viewer not just what the day looked like, but what the wedding day felt like. You want to be taken back to the feelings of your wedding day when you look at your images.

When photographing a wedding, I’m sure to include something that speaks of the music presented that day, as it plays such a large part in the day. I have to admit that I’ve never photographed an iPod at a wedding reception. However I take great, great delight in photographing a band!

Here are some favorites which when I revisit them, I feel as if they take me back to that day.

Working the crowd at a wedding reception at the Fresh Meadows Country Club.

Sounding brassy at the Fresh Meadows Country Club.

A very hot wedding band vocalist at the Fresh Meadows Country Club .

Letting it loose at a wedding reception at the Ridgewood Country Club.

A sassy bass at the Chart House Restaurant. Enda playing for his wife at their reception, the Molly Pictcher Inn.

My hat is off to those that have come before, those that currently do, and to those that will provide the music which makes our lives so much richer. Our world would not be the same with out you!

Steve Burns

Wedding photos at Wainwright House, Rye, NY

Zlatko — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:40:41 +0000

by Zlatko Batistich

I’m very pleased to show some of my favorite photos from a recent wedding:

I love when the sun peaks out through the clouds during the ceremony!

Photographed at Wainwright House in Rye, New York. To see more photos from this wedding, please click this link and this link.