Late Sunday afternoon the clouds parted and there was light. The sky took on beautiful jewel-like shades of blue. Usually we have so much light out here that skies seem more white than blue. Gorgeous.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Blue skies.
This weekend was cold, wet, and grey. It kept us housebound. Since rain is so uncommon here, people do not know how to adjust their driving for puddles, flooding, and oil mixtures on the surface. Lots of crashes happen on rainy days. I stay off the road.
Late Sunday afternoon the clouds parted and there was light. The sky took on beautiful jewel-like shades of blue. Usually we have so much light out here that skies seem more white than blue. Gorgeous.
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Late Sunday afternoon the clouds parted and there was light. The sky took on beautiful jewel-like shades of blue. Usually we have so much light out here that skies seem more white than blue. Gorgeous.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Future Bride
Yesterday we went over the the LDS Temple. It is well landscaped and decorated with spring flowers. There are a couple of ponds. We took the grandchildren along to let them see things and play around a bit in the gardens.
If no one else is getting married, the Mormons are. Every Saturday couples get married in the Temple and then come outside to have pictures taken with their families. Since I do wedding photography, I like to hang out and observe how different photographers do their work.
Janie got to stay with me while Lorraine took the boys into the Visitor's Center. She climbed up and down the steps that serve as risers for so many pictures of couples and their extended families. We were not dressed like these groups, who were in their Sunday best, and people ignored us. I figured if anyone had said anything, I could just remind them that I was there to take pictures of my "bride". Of course, she is only 18 months, but I reckon I need to practice anyway.
If no one else is getting married, the Mormons are. Every Saturday couples get married in the Temple and then come outside to have pictures taken with their families. Since I do wedding photography, I like to hang out and observe how different photographers do their work.
Janie got to stay with me while Lorraine took the boys into the Visitor's Center. She climbed up and down the steps that serve as risers for so many pictures of couples and their extended families. We were not dressed like these groups, who were in their Sunday best, and people ignored us. I figured if anyone had said anything, I could just remind them that I was there to take pictures of my "bride". Of course, she is only 18 months, but I reckon I need to practice anyway.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wedding Photography...What are you looking for?
You are planning to wed within they year. Already you are looking for an affordable photographer to capture your day. What are you looking for? What do you expect? What will be your role before the camera?
Brides (and sometimes grooms) cover a broad range from laid back mellow to bridezilla self-defeating. What they want or expect from their photographer also has a broad range of potential. Some want a simple documentation of the experience. They stay out of the way, trusting that the photographer will capture the emotions and honesty of the day. Others prefer something more structured and formal, wanting more control over what the photographer produces. Some are actresses on a stage, acting out a childhood fairy tale or fantasy wedding, a complete production event with elements of honesty and innocence sneaking in around the edges. The final group wants the photographer to capture their relationship as a sextravaganza, almost a boudoir shoot with guests. (It is entirely possible that they style that you choose from these ideas will affect the price you pay for the images because of the manipulation and editing that may be required of the photographer.)
I shot a civil wedding on Saturday. The couple did not like the images. They were straightforward documentary. During the experience the couple was stiff and bored. Getting married did not seem to be their idea. I tried to make something meaningful out of the event, and I was pleased with my shots. They got their monies worth, but they did not like them. They realized too late that this was how they looked to the camera...and to their guests. Oops!
Brides and grooms do affect the final photographs. It does not matter which style you prefer, but your choices and expectations can affect the final product you receive or the price you pay. If you come away unhappy,you may need to consider the "role" you played in front of the camera, before you go after the photographer.
Brides (and sometimes grooms) cover a broad range from laid back mellow to bridezilla self-defeating. What they want or expect from their photographer also has a broad range of potential. Some want a simple documentation of the experience. They stay out of the way, trusting that the photographer will capture the emotions and honesty of the day. Others prefer something more structured and formal, wanting more control over what the photographer produces. Some are actresses on a stage, acting out a childhood fairy tale or fantasy wedding, a complete production event with elements of honesty and innocence sneaking in around the edges. The final group wants the photographer to capture their relationship as a sextravaganza, almost a boudoir shoot with guests. (It is entirely possible that they style that you choose from these ideas will affect the price you pay for the images because of the manipulation and editing that may be required of the photographer.)
I shot a civil wedding on Saturday. The couple did not like the images. They were straightforward documentary. During the experience the couple was stiff and bored. Getting married did not seem to be their idea. I tried to make something meaningful out of the event, and I was pleased with my shots. They got their monies worth, but they did not like them. They realized too late that this was how they looked to the camera...and to their guests. Oops!
Brides and grooms do affect the final photographs. It does not matter which style you prefer, but your choices and expectations can affect the final product you receive or the price you pay. If you come away unhappy,you may need to consider the "role" you played in front of the camera, before you go after the photographer.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wedding Registries
Nearly all of our nieces, nephews, and and children are all married off, and it is too soon to deal with the grandchildren. Most of the wedding announcements we receive nowadays come from friends, co-workers, and church members. Many include a small card telling where they have made a list of things they could use.These a are called Bridal Registries or Wedding Registries. The most frequent ones we see includeTarget, WalMart, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. A few brides toss in Nordstrom's, but our neighborhood is a few steps beyond that side of the tracks.
Since everyone expects a gift nowadays and givers often fear the old jokes about receiving five toasters and three blenders, it can be a good thing to know what the couple needs. Not a bad idea.
Well, the wedding process is expensive by the time the caterer, venue, florist, wedding garb, limos, photos, honeymoon, etc. have all been figured in. When all is said and done, what tangibles will remain on the dawn of the next morning? A wedding dress and photos of the event. Of course, there will be the couple's booty which may actually include more than one toaster and more than one blender.
Here is an idea. See if the photographer will set up a registry so that guests can contribute toward your photo package and videos. Shooting the event is pricey. Settling on prints and albums afterwards is pricey, even in a package. Allotting money for this one item knocks more than a few dollars out of the budget. Perhaps, family and guests might just as easily contribute toward this one expense instead of trying to find something on a registry list after all the good stuff has already been taken. Think about it. Nickels and dimes add up.That could leave the couple a little more money in their budget to spend on their honeymoon or apply to their new living circumstances.
Since everyone expects a gift nowadays and givers often fear the old jokes about receiving five toasters and three blenders, it can be a good thing to know what the couple needs. Not a bad idea.
Well, the wedding process is expensive by the time the caterer, venue, florist, wedding garb, limos, photos, honeymoon, etc. have all been figured in. When all is said and done, what tangibles will remain on the dawn of the next morning? A wedding dress and photos of the event. Of course, there will be the couple's booty which may actually include more than one toaster and more than one blender.
Here is an idea. See if the photographer will set up a registry so that guests can contribute toward your photo package and videos. Shooting the event is pricey. Settling on prints and albums afterwards is pricey, even in a package. Allotting money for this one item knocks more than a few dollars out of the budget. Perhaps, family and guests might just as easily contribute toward this one expense instead of trying to find something on a registry list after all the good stuff has already been taken. Think about it. Nickels and dimes add up.That could leave the couple a little more money in their budget to spend on their honeymoon or apply to their new living circumstances.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Shy People
Sometimes, people are naturally shy. Sometimes, they just do not want to be the center of attention when it cannot be avoided.
Lorraine and I were married 33 years ago. I did not like being in the middle of it all, so I probably shut out a lot of memorable moments. No regrets. I smiled once in a while. The pictures people took bring back pleasant memories when we look at them.
A beautiful young couple got married in a civil ceremony on Saturday. Both were shy to the extreme. Expressions ranged from straight faces to abject boredom. Even the officiator had minimal success in generating relaxation or a smile. Laughter was minimal. Out of the 60 plus images that I culled from my photographic duties, only one had the hint of a smile.
I wonder what they will think when the get back the proofs? Will they have pleasant memories when they revisit the pictures as the years go by? Maybe, I should be glad they paid me up front.
Lorraine and I were married 33 years ago. I did not like being in the middle of it all, so I probably shut out a lot of memorable moments. No regrets. I smiled once in a while. The pictures people took bring back pleasant memories when we look at them.
A beautiful young couple got married in a civil ceremony on Saturday. Both were shy to the extreme. Expressions ranged from straight faces to abject boredom. Even the officiator had minimal success in generating relaxation or a smile. Laughter was minimal. Out of the 60 plus images that I culled from my photographic duties, only one had the hint of a smile.
I wonder what they will think when the get back the proofs? Will they have pleasant memories when they revisit the pictures as the years go by? Maybe, I should be glad they paid me up front.
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