Hiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests' view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).
One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse' to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.
How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don't have) with the photographer.
Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are "hardcore photojournalists" (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer's work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don't feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to iHiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests' view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).
One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse' to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.
How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don't have) with the photographer.
Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are "hardcore photojournalists" (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer's work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don't feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to interview another photographer.
Couples also either under-budget for their wedding photography, or they try to shop around for the cheapest package, forsaking quality. As with any creative service, with most photographers you normally "get what you pay for." If you see an all-inclusive package with albums under $2000.00, the quality of all the products and services is usually poor. If the package is above $5000.00, you should expect 2 photographers present, at least 8 hours of coverage, and high-end wedding albums (along with some extra items, such as proofs or parent copies). Make sure you compare apples to apples when reviewing various wedding packages, since they can be confusing. In most cases a typical wedding photography budget would be in the $3000.00 - $6000.00 range. Don't treat your wedding photography as an afterthought - photographs are the most enduring and viewed remembrance of your wedding day (more so, even, than a video recording).
Make sure you feel a personal connection with your photographer. Some of the best photos of the day are usually taken "behind the scenes" as the wedding party prepares for the day, when you will be interacting with your family and friends. You should feel comfortable inviting the photographer "backstage." As a wedding photographer, I regularly get invited to see the most intimate parts of the wedding day that are normally not visible to most guests or even family. Your photographer should be calm and assertive and have a positive energy about them. Make sure he or she shows a genuine interest in you and your family. Do not hire a photographer that makes you feel that your wedding day is just another job for them. Your photos would certainly reflect that.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, October 1, 2010
Black & White vs color
No doubt you'll want to capture the rich hues of your centerpieces, vibrant blooms between cake tiers, and the rich red of chocolate-covered strawberries on color film. But when it comes to capturing the unscripted seconds that live in your mind forever -- the anxiety and joy of getting ready or the adoring glance your future husband casts your way -- black-and-white film can be the way to go. In short, both color and black-and-white images are essential to document the planning that went into your day and the moments that define it.
Black-and-White Basics
Plain and simple, black-and-white photography is preferred for documenting emotional moments. The fewer colors your eyes have to process, the cleaner and easier an image is to absorb when viewing. The result? The subject shines through!
Work the advantages of black-and-white and color film: Request both
to satisfy your
artistic and documentary needs.
Black-and-white images help you focus on the features of a subject and bring the mood into focus. Use it to capture important, intimate moments such as the kiss and the first dance. To intensify the purity of such sacred moments, Philippe Cheng, an established New York wedding photographer, recommends that your photographer zoom in to cut out visual clutter and focus on the look in the groom's eyes or the happy tears streaming down the bride's cheeks, for example.
Advantages of Black-and-White Film
Black-and-white film can help mask skin imperfections because shades of gray can't record the blotchy red irritations that inevitably pop up on this stressful day. Put this knowledge to use and ask for black-and-white coverage as you get ready. You'll be able to look back and remember all the great details of the day -- Mom buttoning your dress, a stolen glance in the mirror, the silent sweep of a makeup brush -- without remembering that red bloch on your face! Save the color for the final moment when the gown, the hair, and the makeup are all perfect.
Another advantage of black-and-white images is their duration. Printing black-and-white images on special archival fiber paper is more expensive than printing color but can last hundreds of years. Think of your grandparents' wedding albums -- faces of ancestors still peek out, brimming with the same joy they felt that day. These are "archival prints." Color photos fade and degenerate faster. Film advances are being made, but the fact remains that, on average, color prints will start to fade after about 50 years.
When to Use Color Film
Once the attendants are dressed and assembled and the reception site is unveiled, let those color photos begin! Flowers, food, favors -- all of these elements you discussed endlessly and selected lovingly can only be recorded on color film. It might not seem as artistic, but trust us, you'll want to remember exactly what color your centerpieces were 40 years from now!
Likewise, remember to ask for color during your formal portrait session -- these are the photos for which you'll most likely order multiple prints. Shoot as much as you can outside, too.Color film does not need to be restricted to daylight. It can work very well at night or even indoors to capture a soft, romantic mood. By placing a camera on a tripod, for example, a photographer can use a slower, better color film and no flash to shoot a beautiful, dimly lit room or centerpiece. "Color is at its best when most subtle," affirms Cheng. Ask your photographer to look for these soft, quiet details and record them with care.
Putting Two and Two Together
So, what should you do for your wedding? Work the advantages of black-and-white and color film: Request both to satisfy your artistic and documentary needs. An extra photographer may be required, and overall it may eat up more of the budget, but you'll love the results. From an intimate black-and-white portrait of you and your loved ones to a vibrant, colorful shot of the bridal party, you can have your cake and eat it too!
Black-and-White Basics
Plain and simple, black-and-white photography is preferred for documenting emotional moments. The fewer colors your eyes have to process, the cleaner and easier an image is to absorb when viewing. The result? The subject shines through!
Work the advantages of black-and-white and color film: Request both
to satisfy your
artistic and documentary needs.
Black-and-white images help you focus on the features of a subject and bring the mood into focus. Use it to capture important, intimate moments such as the kiss and the first dance. To intensify the purity of such sacred moments, Philippe Cheng, an established New York wedding photographer, recommends that your photographer zoom in to cut out visual clutter and focus on the look in the groom's eyes or the happy tears streaming down the bride's cheeks, for example.
Advantages of Black-and-White Film
Black-and-white film can help mask skin imperfections because shades of gray can't record the blotchy red irritations that inevitably pop up on this stressful day. Put this knowledge to use and ask for black-and-white coverage as you get ready. You'll be able to look back and remember all the great details of the day -- Mom buttoning your dress, a stolen glance in the mirror, the silent sweep of a makeup brush -- without remembering that red bloch on your face! Save the color for the final moment when the gown, the hair, and the makeup are all perfect.
Another advantage of black-and-white images is their duration. Printing black-and-white images on special archival fiber paper is more expensive than printing color but can last hundreds of years. Think of your grandparents' wedding albums -- faces of ancestors still peek out, brimming with the same joy they felt that day. These are "archival prints." Color photos fade and degenerate faster. Film advances are being made, but the fact remains that, on average, color prints will start to fade after about 50 years.
When to Use Color Film
Once the attendants are dressed and assembled and the reception site is unveiled, let those color photos begin! Flowers, food, favors -- all of these elements you discussed endlessly and selected lovingly can only be recorded on color film. It might not seem as artistic, but trust us, you'll want to remember exactly what color your centerpieces were 40 years from now!
Likewise, remember to ask for color during your formal portrait session -- these are the photos for which you'll most likely order multiple prints. Shoot as much as you can outside, too.Color film does not need to be restricted to daylight. It can work very well at night or even indoors to capture a soft, romantic mood. By placing a camera on a tripod, for example, a photographer can use a slower, better color film and no flash to shoot a beautiful, dimly lit room or centerpiece. "Color is at its best when most subtle," affirms Cheng. Ask your photographer to look for these soft, quiet details and record them with care.
Putting Two and Two Together
So, what should you do for your wedding? Work the advantages of black-and-white and color film: Request both to satisfy your artistic and documentary needs. An extra photographer may be required, and overall it may eat up more of the budget, but you'll love the results. From an intimate black-and-white portrait of you and your loved ones to a vibrant, colorful shot of the bridal party, you can have your cake and eat it too!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Acid-Free Paper for Wedding Pictures
Acid-free paper is paper that has a neutral or basic pH (7 or slightly greater). It can be made from any cellulose fiber as long as the active acid pulp is eliminated during processing. It is also Lignin and sulfur free. Acid-free paper addresses the problem of preserving documents for long periods.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
David Kennedy Photography has been serving the greater Tulsa Ok area for over 25 years. We specialize in wedding photography, senior portraits, family portraits and more. We cover the areas of Tulsa to Owasso OK. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Book now with David Photography and save. Visit our website and take a look at our portfolio. Call and speak with David Kennedy
Tel (918) 749-2100
2010 High School Seniors!!! Call now and we'll send you our new
Price and Product Guide! Includes samples and prices of all our products.
Click on the Link below which will take you to our new web site especially for High School Seniors!!!
www.KennedySeniors.com
Tel (918) 749-2100
2010 High School Seniors!!! Call now and we'll send you our new
Price and Product Guide! Includes samples and prices of all our products.
Click on the Link below which will take you to our new web site especially for High School Seniors!!!
www.KennedySeniors.com
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