Where in the world would we be without the advent of 35mm Photography! Whether digital or film, much of the evolution today we see in Photography likely would not have been possible without one man taking a courageous risk….we are so glad he did! Jump in and take a read on this bit of history from our friends over at Leica!
Your getting married. You want your day captured for posterity. This images are, after all, the very first family heirloom!
So HOW do you go about finding a true professional in the unending sea of photographers out there?
The Professional Photographers of America offer some excellent advice in the video below..
Head on over to the PPA, search for a photographer, fine tune your search and look for the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP). These select photographers pass a rigorous exam, maintain educational credits and continue to learn and master their craft! It is 1 way to start your process for choosing a photographer that is the perfect fit for YOU!
Check out the video below for some true life Photo Fails!
Haley & Alex were destined to be together….from days of working alongside each other at part time jobs at a local grocer, to the elegant woman and young Marine who stood before each other with their vows, theirs has been a road of not only destiny, but of faith.
With a nod to the gorgeous surroundings of the North Georgia Mountains, one can’t help but have some rustic to the theme, but doing so with elegance requires something more, and that is where our friends from The Historic Tate House come in!
If you want rustic but rustic with elegance, well, look no further than here!:
From the start of their day through a beautiful ceremony in the Tate House’s new Enclosed Garden Terrace the beautiful surroundings are Southern Elegance at it’s finest.
1) Plan ahead. We have seen advice about planning for venue, photography and other crucial components of your wedding in as little as six months out! YIKES!
NOTHING could be further from the truth! Plan ahead, way, WAY ahead, as far out as you can stand. Keep in mind no matter what particular vendor your are searching for , there are only so many weekends in the year. Solid vendors book quickly and your ability to get just what you want becomes much more difficult the closer to your date you start the process.
2) Choose and actually list your priorities. There is a reason weddings and the vendors associated with them create such variety…Your personal taste, I repeat YOUR taste is what should reflect your choices, and to some degree everyone’s is different. For some the venue is king, for others it’s the food, for quite a few it is the Photography (we agree with that one , naturally!) and with some it is the entertainment. The point being only you can define and determine what your priorities are, and this will come in handy when you start to deal with the budget, which leads us to…
3) The Wedding Budget. Once you have made the choice about what your priorities are, and going hand-in-hand with starting early in your planning process, you should list who is paying for what. Although we see an increase percentage of couples paying for some, most or even all of their wedding themselves, there still remains times when Mom, Dad or other family are picking up at least some of the cost and determining that early will help you target and define those budgets for each category of your wedding.
4) The above suggestions are assuming you have chosen a theme. I know, it sounds like there is pressure to have a specific Wedding, but it does not mean your wedding theme has to be exactly like someone else. Maybe a barn or vintage wedding is your style, or maybe classic is more to your personality. Whatever your choices is, be unique. Don’t be afraid to alter, change or mix themes if it is what’s in your heart. What you will discover is wedding planning is a true balancing act, and it is also wise to at least consider an actual wedding planner. Many venues will have at least someone to help coordinate on the day of, and that help can come in very handy to ensure a smooth flow to your day.
5) Last, and we give this advice often, relax! Taking the time to enjoy your wedding day, a day like no other! Whether it is a classic wedding, a vintage wedding, a barn wedding , a wedding at a historic site or even a wedding at your family or friends home, once the planning is done and you’ve chosen your vendors, make sure you take the time to prepare to actually enjoy the day. After hundreds of weddings we have found time and time again the weddings that rock are the weddings with brides, grooms, family and friends that have an open heart and an acceptance of small variables. Don’t stress over the small stuff! Remember, it helps to make it YOUR wedding!
Below is Courtesy of The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel & Brandpoint
(BPT) – Some moments are simply too important to trust to a camera phone.
Your wedding will be one of the most memorable times of your life and no one can capture it better than a professional photographer. So how do you find the right one? As you begin the interview process, here are 10 questions to help you determine if you’ve found the best photographer for your wedding.
1. Does the photographer have a gallery of wedding images you can review?
Reviewing sample work allows you to see the photographer’s strengths and weaknesses – don’t fool yourself, every photographer has them. You’ll also be able to get an idea of their style. Are they formal with an eye for the perfect picture or do they love to capture the hidden moments when no one is looking? Look for images that you can see yourself in. Think of three words that describe you and share those with your photographer. Every photographer has a style and reviewing their gallery can help you determine if theirs is right for you.
2. What is the photographer’s working style?
Some photographers are orderly and operate like wedding planners. Others prefer to sit back and let the events of the wedding unfold. It’s important that you find someone who can understand and meet your expectations. Discuss this ahead of time and ask away, so that you understand how well the photographer’s working style matches your own.
3. Is the photographer available for an engagement session?
An engagement session does more than provide you with priceless images together before you get married. It’s also your first opportunity to work with your photographer and develop a relationship that will allow you to be completely at ease on your big day. Use this session to confirm if the photographer is indeed the right person to capture your wedding.
4. Will the photographer create a detailed shot list?
This list will ensure no important photo is missed during the commotion and excitement of the big day. You should be able to create that list together, add to the list leading up to the day and have a copy of that list the day of. Take an honest look at what images really matter and fill your photographer in on situations he or she might need to be aware of in order to prevent awkward moments, and to ensure that he or she can get the shots that matter most.
5. What kind of lighting will be used?
Whether you have an indoor or outdoor wedding, you’ll want to make sure your photographer has professional grade lighting equipment to deliver the images your wedding deserves.
6. Does the photographer have backup equipment?
You’ve prepared contingency plans for every other aspect of your wedding; your photographer should as well. A true professional photographer won’t miss your perfect shot because of a technology issue. He or she will always bring one or two backup cameras, lenses, flashes, additional lighting equipment, extra memory cards, and batteries.
7. Does the photographer have liability insurance?
Accidents happen at weddings and if one of your guests trips over your photographer’s light stand, it’s good to know you both are protected. Your reception venue may even ask the photographer to submit a certificate of liability ahead of time.
8. Will there be one photographer or two?
A second shooter increases the probability that no shot will be missed, especially if you are having a large wedding. If there will be two photographers, ask to meet them both to get a feel for their personalities and how well they might blend in on your big day.
9. What will happen to the images after your wedding?
Will your images be backed up to a hard drive or the cloud once processed? How long will your photographer keep the images afterward? Will they be kept for a couple of years or dumped immediately? If you have any concerns about losing your photos, knowing what the photographer plans to do with your images after your wedding is important.
10. When will you get your photos?
No, you won’t get your pictures the day after; no photographer can deliver that quickly. It’s a good idea, though, to get a general idea of the timeline ahead of time. You might even be able to agree on getting a couple of images ready for social media use very quickly. But obtaining your photos will likely take several weeks. To help with the wait, some photographers will send you a sneak peak with a few images. Just ask ahead of time!
You won’t be able to see everything that happens during your wedding day. The right photographer will capture moments you never knew existed. To learn how you can find the perfect photographer for your wedding, visit ppa.com/weddingphotographer.
© 2015, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.
So what does Christmas and wedding photography have in common? Or, what are they doing in a post together?
Let us explain…
It has been said that art can introduce people to their souls.
It has also been said art should illuminate lives and have the power of emotion to topple anything in it’s path..
It is our goal every year to capture that kind of beauty, that LIFE that is so visible on a wedding day.
It has become our tradition every Christmas to revisit our past year of work with an attitude of enormous gratitude.
From the beaches of Florida to the bourbon trails of Kentucky…from the mountains of north Georgia to the hills of Tennessee, we were blessed by so many to be a part of their lives on a day that truly is like no other…and in many cases, even loved a bit in return for the love we gave.
With this we say thank you. It is the relationships we cherish most….and those are a gift beyond measure in a season where the most important gift of all was bestowed to each of us…we can’t wait for 2015!
If you are considering a rustic wedding, there are 5 keys that can make, or break the success of your event! We are going to outline some of those here …
1) The Venue. When considering a rustic wedding, the venue becomes KEY. The backdrop, the visual, the feel and atmosphere all will come into play and to the forefront on your wedding day. While the look and feel of a place is certainly critical, pay attention to the people there as well. It is important that you have great chemistry with the folks who are handling your wedding . It’s one thing to take your money for a service, it’s another to have someone put their heart and soul into making sure your day not only goes as planned but is a HUGE success! You can find great examples of that combination of rustic wedding venue combined with folks that take awesome care of their clients at a few of these we have listed below:
The folks over at Antique Acres are awesome, you can find them here!
http://www.antiqueacresga.com/
Likewise for the fine folks over at Rocky’s lake Estate. You can meet them here!
http://www.rockyslakeestate.com/
2) The accessories and details. Once you have started to narrow your choices, check out what kind of accessories and details your venue offers. Maybe it is a vintage car or truck, old vintage signs or other accessories that will add to the backdrop and texture of your rustic wedding day.
3) Choosing your vendors always comes into play when planning your wedding, and it is just as important when it is a rustic wedding. View their work. Is it in keeping with the feel and ambiance of the day? Beware vendors that state they can produce a product that they can not show you they have successfully produced in the past. In other words if your asking your caterer to do a good BBQ, but they specialize and are known for their elegant 5 course meals, it may be worth checking into further before any commitment or money has changed hands.
4) Climate and weather are also a huge consideration on a rustic wedding. Consider your location for the time of year, the season, average temperatures, backup plans for bad weather and the comfort of your guest. Keep an eye out for power and make sure your plans work with what the venue can provide. Some venues are built to accommodate power and new technology, some are true working barns and you will need to consider that when evaluating your guest needs and comfort. Everything from power for someone’s health requirement to additional , portable restrooms can come into play and consideration here for a rustic wedding.
5) Attitude and approach. These play an absolute CRITICAL role in any wedding success but even more so with a rustic wedding! The attitude we speak of is both the venues owners and employees , your vendors and your OWN! While managing before hand and planning a successful rustic wedding is an absolute requirement, likewise it is a requirement to relax the day of. Trust your vendors and make sure you stop and take in every moment of the day, breath and “be” and you will enjoy your day, a day like no other, so much more!
1) Go for the meaning. Finding a location that is important to you both can add great meaning to the backdrop of your day. Once you’ve made a decision or at least narrowed the choices, do not hesitate to get vendors such as your photographers involved. Issues such as a setting sun, different hours for that all important “golden Hour” and a workable timeline will go a long way to ensuring you are happy with your location.
2) Plan Early. Starting the planning process as far out as you can and are comfortable with can be extremely helpful with your budget and sanity! There remains a pervasive attitude that destination weddings are always more expensive than a local wedding…in many cases this simply is not true….for example it is common for a destination wedding to have a much more streamlined guest list that reduces cost and narrows the focus to very close family and friends only. While preparing that list may be a challenge, it may also prove to expand your budget dollars in other areas for vendors, guest needs, special services or just plain old pocket money!
3) Working with the background location , you just might encounter a more relaxed and acceptable wardrobe for you and your guest. While it may seem trivial, if your a bride who can’t wait to kick off your shoes, having a ceremony in, for example, barefoot, means a far more relaxed couple, wedding party and guest…relaxed equals fun…fun equals memories that will last a lifetime!
4) Work the logistics. You will want to make sure that not only are you getting the best deal for your money, but that hotels , venues and ceremony sites are not spread too far apart and that ample, affordable transportation is readily available. Also ensure you have repeatedly reviewed the timeline with your vendors, ensuring you are allowing enough time for everything that you want and have planned.
5) Vendors. Between the local vendors available at your destination and what is available to you near your home base, you may have decisions to make. Look closely at the work of the destination vendors, if you have any reservations about getting what you want, do not be afraid to see if the vendors you are comfortable with will travel. You may be surprised at the affordability versus the peace of mind of getting just what you want! Lastly…once you have spent the money, planned your rear end off and are finally at your big day…take a deep breath, relax and trust your preparation, your vendors and enjoy!
Wedding Photography….whether it is wedding photography in Marietta Georgia, or wedding photography in Jasper Georgia, or wedding photography that is a destination…
it’s an industry where hundreds, even thousands are trying to be noticed and break into the business..
So how do you dear reader, make sure you get wedding images that are just what you want?
Thankfully, there IS a roadmap….
If you follow the suggested outline you greatly increase your chances of getting the images you dream of on your wedding day.
1) Use a Filter. Yes, you can find photographers crawling out of the woodwork at your local coffee shop…and Google is great for that general search…but being more refined and using something more particular like the Professional Photographer’s of America gives you a point of starting your search with a far better filter. Once at the PPA’s site consider not only the specialty your wanting to hire your photographer for but search for photographers who are certified. These photographers, designated as CPP’s make your search much more refined…and give you a starting point of dealing with a full professional who continues to invest in their education.
2) Once you’ve narrowed that search view the work. Make sure the work speaks to you emotionally. Finding images you like but that just does not “vibrate with truth” for you personally is not the way to ensure success. Think of it as “good enough” being the enemy of personalized, great wedding photography…YOUR wedding photography…take your time and find work that you LOVE..
3) Once you’ve located photographers to consider…have them show you entire weddings. Yes looking at awesome , individual images of various weddings is fine, but an ENTIRE wedding, from beginning to end, is a great way to have a sound idea how your day would be documented..If they can not or won’t produce a full length show and/or album, it may be best to consider moving on…
4) Have a relationship….yes you likely DO have a relationship somewhere if your considering getting married, but we are talking about having a relationship with your photographer…Make sure you “click” (pardon the pun) will go a long way to making sure not only your images are great, but that you and your guest enjoy the likely chemistry with your photographer….trust us..it DOES matter to the final product.. The key to making sure your images look natural is letting your photographers “in”
5) Once you’ve selected your photographer, you should get a chance to work together before the big day, if possible by having an engagement session. This let’s you get used to each other and some of the guidance your photographer may offer. Last, but far from least, avoid trying to manage things the day of… LET GO….you’ve planned, spent, chosen and prepared….have some faith in your friends, family and vendors for your day to be uniquely and successfully “yours”. Riding the small issues that may arise during any wedding will help you enjoy your day…and isn’t that really one of the main goals?
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