Saturday, June 22, 2013

Spanish Wedding Dresses and Wedding Gowns


Introduction

Since many couples dream of having their weddings in Spain it could help if they had some idea of the ideal Spanish wedding. What better to start than by setting the theme with a quintessential Spanish wedding dress? With it traditional features one can claim to have wed a Spanish bride.

Spanish Wedding Dresses

Spanish traditions on Spanish wedding dresses are very elaborate. Black is the preferred color which is meant to symbolize the bride's character that is just about to be uncovered by the groom. A matching black veil is desirable while one can also opt for one that is mantilla since it could help them frame their face to the admiration of the attendants.

Other colors that are also allowed are white and red so the bride will be fine in any of these. A black shawl draped over one's shoulders may turn out to be a good addition to the bridal gown as long as it complements the gown's color. Several materials of bridal gowns have their origin in Spain and so will make up the Spanish bridal attire. Chiffon, silk, taffeta, organza and tulle are some of the favorite materials from which the gowns are made. The different designs will then be adorned by additional features such as crystals, beadings, diamante and various exquisite embroideries.

Where to get your Spanish wedding dresses

While making the choice of a Spanish bridal gown may be difficult, where to buy one need not be a problem. Major fashion houses particularly those providing wedding attire will always have several collections for your sampling. By consulting your local wedding directory you will find a shop near you from where you can buy a wedding gown. One can also consult their wedding planners more so if they are in unfamiliar location. These will give them an idea of where to get the best bargains. Furthermore attending wedding exhibitions will expose one to a large number of fashion houses with the latest designs in this industry. Finally the internet is one of the most convenient tools to do your search. It will be very convenient if you are looking for detail, want to make comparison in terms of prices, features or colors. One can also find great discounts and buy the dress online without much hassle.

How to order for your Spanish wedding dresses

The fact that there are many should not fool one to not making preparations to choose their gown early. The general rule when ordering a Spanish wedding gown is that one should order at least nine months in advance. The process of buying the dress can take any course but eventually one has two broad options. The first one should involve physically selecting a wedding dress and paying for in the fashion house or department store. This requires that one go the shop physically to make the order after which the dress is made and they may be asked to go and try it on if finally packed. The other option is to carry out the whole transaction on the internet. The choice of what option to use lies with the bride.

An Overview on Chicago Photography


Photography is taken to enhance the scenic beauty of nature. There are so many spots and locations in Chicago which has serene beauty. It is process of creating the art of developing moving pictures. When you make a visit to various spots you cannot take photos with beauty. There are many photographers in the city that covers the serene of the city awesomely. The following are the list of photography who resides in and around Chicago.


  • digital photo processing by wolf camera

  • central camera and co

  • Schroeder photo wedding photographer

  • Finger printing

Let us have a glance on the above photography locations. There are well efficient photographers who take photos as per the locations.

Digital photo processing by wolf camera:

This photography location is situated at many places in Chicago. You can view these photography locations at Clark Street, Washington street, Clyburn ave and at Randolph Street. They provide well trained and efficient services to the customer. The photography used by them was well equipped and brought at famous stores in United States of America. The prices offered by them are $79.99 which was really a mega offer. So when you make a visit to various spots in Chicago have this photography as your guide who can photo you in most beautiful way.

Central camera and co:

This photography provides greater customer services to the people. The products produced by them are cameras, DVD, films, prints, slides, enlargers, videos and VHS. They provide warranty on most of the product with a validity of one year. They are the largest inventory and make labor warranty on most of the products. They provide training for young emerging photographers. They make videos of the locations at greater clearance and the quality of the print is also well and good.

Schroeder photo wedding photographer:

These photographers are especially dedicated to wedding and marriage functions. They make beautiful photo of the beautiful day. They are the award winning photographers and the famous journalist at the fine art of wedding. They make artistic and perfectly unique photography. They are the photographers who are available to take renowned wedding photographs, special events and engagements. They are also available for traveling wedding in Portland and Denver.

Finger printing:

These photographers are helpful to the suspension cases for photographers. There duty and function is to take photo of the finger prints for making evidences. The photographers are well trained and made effectively to create prints.

In Chicago there are various locations like parks, zoos and museums which are usually visited by the tourist. In such a case you can make use of the Chicago photographers to picture you with serene beauty.

Wedding Albums - Self Mount Vs Flush Mount Albums


Wedding albums come in a range of different styles and layouts. The two different styles that are most popular among professional photographers at the moment are Flush Mount Albums and Self Mount Albums.

The main difference between these two styles is that the pages of the flush mount album are made up of large printed photographs, which are then creased in the middle. These creased photographs then go together to make up the pages of the album itself. So the printed photos run flush from edge to edge of the open pages. In self mount albums the pages are made up of card or board and come with adhesive on the pages, so that the photographer can mount their images onto the pages themselves. Much more like a traditional wedding album.

Each style of wedding album has its advantages, which I have listed below.

Self mount albums are cheaper to purchase than flush albums, and until recently they were restricted to just one size image per album. However, it is now possible to have the adhesive laid out in such a way that up to 4 different image sizes can be stuck on any page without leaving any adhesive exposed. There is also no need for design software to be used when designing the layout of images. Ideal for those who are not computer savvy! Self mount albums can also be held in stock, and loaded as and when they are needed, reducing turn-a-round time. Perfect for photographers who have a large foot fall through their studio.

Flush albums are the latest trend in wedding albums with a very modern look and feel. As the open pages are made up of large printed images, the layout of photos that will go into the wedding album must be designed using software to create one collage or design to spread across the open pages. The fact that the layout of images need to be done using design software means that it is possible to get really creative with the images and their layout. Panoramic and group shot also look really great spread across the open pages.

The two different styles of wedding album will be attractive to different photographers, depending on their style of photography, needs and budget. As ultimately a professional photographer must be able to present their images in a way that best suits their style and pleases their clients.

Unusual, Unique and Quirky Wedding Ideas


Quirky Wedding Ideas

In recent years the traditional wedding appears to have been replaced by more quirky affairs. The days of the 'white' wedding seem to be numbered. Couples are now looking to bring their personalities forward and indulge their imaginations a little when it comes to the 'big' day. Remember, your wedding doesn't have to take the form of a Star Trek convention to be deemed quirky or unusual.

Here are some alternative ideas that will hopefully inspire.

What to wear?

You may have had the idea of that traditional white dress in your mind for some time now but why not open yourself to other possibilities and inject some of own unique personality into the proceedings. You could use a favourite era or cultural elements for your inspiration. There was the bride-to-be who picked up her retro 1950's wedding dress from a car-boot sale in France! Maybe you always wanted to be a Bollywood actress or Japanese geisha? How about choosing an unusual colour?

Arriving in style When we think of unusual ways to get to the church in time, we tend to think of the horse drawn carriage and vintage car. However, it seems that every mode of transport conceivable is now available for getting you there on time. What about arriving in an American police car or in Kit from the Knight Rider television series?

You can turn heads and get your wedding guests talking by pulling up in anything from a rickshaw to a JCB, a tractor to a hot air balloon.

Location

Location The 'unusual' wedding no longer implies skipping the country to marry in Las Vegas or on the beach of some tropical island. You now need look no further than your own back door to nab that quirky wedding venue. You can 'tie the knot' in a lighthouse, on top of a Scottish mountain or in the midst of a pine forest. Or you and your beau could maybe marry on the main deck of a 19th century sailing ship, on a train, on a film set in a film studio or even in a museum! With changes to the law in England and Wales, you can get married at night - how's that for unusual!

Reception

Reception venues don't have to be boring either. You could hire out an entire youth hostel and have all your guests stay over! Food is an important part of the day and you can also get creative with your menu. What food holds special memories for you? Whether it's a particular dish or entire cuisine you can incorporate accents to all or part of the menu. Maybe instead of the traditional sit-down three course meal you could opt for Indian, Eastern or Caribbean influenced buffet where people help themselves to as much or as little as they want - it's an informal and fun way of feeding your guests. Whatever you decide to do and however you decide to do it - remember it's your day and your party so put a little of yourself into it and have fun!

A Guide to Capturing Timelessness in Wedding Photography


Every wedding offers the perfect opportunity to capture vivid, timeless imagery. If a wedding photographer knows how to frame a shot, the image produced can have a timeless quality. Years later, when the couple looks through their photos to reminisce, these images can provide the same emotional impact felt during this important day in their lives.

In wedding photography, capturing timelessness can lead to spectacular images instead of formulaic pictures. This article details how traditional images can many times sacrifice emotion and how professional wedding photographers have the talent to capture perfect moments to bring a timeless quality to pictures.

The Lack Of Emotion In Traditional Images

Certain wedding pictures have become tradition through the years, such as the bride walking down the long aisle toward her waiting groom, the kiss after hearing, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," and dashing from the church as loved ones toss birdseed or blow bubbles. The problem with these traditional images is that they've become so commonplace, they lose their emotion. The redundancy of these images that people have seen numerous times with different couples causes a sort of desensitizing effect to the emotion of the moment.

While expert wedding photographers will capture these traditional shots, they can also tell a photojournalistic story by framing perfect moments.

Capturing These Perfect Moments

Pictures with a timeless quality are usually candid. The subjects usually aren't even aware of the shot and they are not posed or stiff. Expert wedding photographers are always prepared for the opportunity to catch those perfect moments with a timeless and emotional quality.

Although each wedding is unique, they have similarities in the reactions and emotions that happen. A good photojournalist has a sense for when these moments will occur, anticipating and preparing to capture these timeless images.

The Timelessness Of Black And White

Black and white pictures have a timeless quality because it is difficult to establish a timeline with the absence of color. Using black and white images in wedding photography instills a sense of honesty and sincerity. Photo experts understanding this can create a story through these images.

Color can often be distracting and misleading in wedding photography. With black and white pictures, wedding photographers can feature the emotions of a moment while providing a classic beauty that provides emotional impact.

Creating Timelessness

Pictures with timelessness will deliver the same emotional impact years after originally taken. The authenticity of the image ignores the passing of the years. Alternatively, images using special effects or the latest in touch up technology often rob them of their emotion.

Wedding photographers who have the skill to frame pictures without the need for special technology or special effects can give them a timeless quality. Candid images are sincere and provide a lasting look at authentic emotions. They are transcendent, allowing them to rise above the styles and trendy fashions of the time taken. Whether in a small town or a large city like Chicago, wedding photographers that can capture timelessness in photojournalistic images can provide you with more than pictures. They can offer you timeless memories and emotions that will last a lifetime.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Unique Wedding Venues - Museums


Planning a wedding? Then you know how hard it is to find a venue for your reception. After awhile all those hotel banquet halls begin to look alike. Why not put your creative thinking cap on and expand your thinking? Why not try something unique? Why not try a museum?

Museum Wedding Venues

Many museums rent out their spaces for weddings and other events. And, if you think having your wedding at a museum would be boring, think again. Consider the attractions your guests would be surrounded by at some of the following museums:

Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois

For a unique wedding venue in Chicago, consider the Museum of Science and Industry, located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. The Museum of Science and Industry has so much to offer that it's hard to know where to begin. You have your choice of numerous unique spaces within the Museum, such as the U-505 Exhibit, where your guests will have the opportunity to dine alongside a 252 ft. submarine. But not any submarine. This submarine was the only German submarine captured during WWII. Seating capacity is 120 guests.

Another space within the Museum is the Rotunda, which is a spectacular hall of marble, featuring a 120-ft. domed ceiling. The seated capacity in the Rotunda is 800 guests.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago also has several themed venues within their space which would make any wedding or reception stand out. These include "The Bronzeville Blues Club" with a theme of Chicago's musical roots. Entering through the Rotunda, guests will enter the "Bronzeville Blues Club" awash in candles and blue lighting; dine on Creole inspired hors d'oeuvres, while enjoying the sounds of an authentic Blues Trio.

Or, perhaps you'd like to try the "Hollywood Canteen" - a recreation of The Hollywood Canteen, which opened its doors in 1942, and quickly became a hot spot for servicemen and Hollywood's biggest names. Your guests will be welcomed into this recreation by a long red carpet, lined with red velvet ropes.

The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

Located in Central Phoenix, the Heard Museum has been a Phoenix institution for more than 75 years. Encompassing more than 130,000 square feet of gallery and education space, the Heard Museum has one of the finest collections of Native American art and cultural exhibits. And, the exhibits aren't the only things worth seeing at the Heard; there's also the interesting architecture and grounds, which include arched walkways, brick patios and lovely courtyards, which serve as picturesque backdrops for your wedding photos.

The Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts

The Higgins Armory Museum is the only museum in the Western Hemisphere devoted to arms and armor, housed in an Art Deco building with a vaulted Medieval Great Hall. Talk about a unique wedding venue! How many people have their wedding amid suits of armor from the Renaissance?

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida

This tropical wedding venue is historic as well as beautiful. You can get married on a bridge overlooking a koi pond, then provide your guests with a private tour of Ernest Hemingway's home. For guests who cannot attend, they can watch the wedding on the Museum's live web cam.

The Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newberry Park, California

For those history buffs who love stagecoaches and the American pioneer period, the Stagecoach Inn Museum is for you. Located off the 101 Freeway halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Stagecoach Inn has a rather long history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is actually a replica of the original Stagecoach Inn built in 1876, as well as spacious grounds which feature replicas of a pioneer home, a Spanish-Mexican adobe and a Chumash dwelling. Live oak trees, flower gardens, wooded areas and rose arbor grace the lawns.

Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia

The Poe Museum is dedicated to, who else, Edgar Allan Poe, the American author of short stories, detective fiction, poetry and science fiction. Imagine the theme wedding one could have by getting married at the Poe Museum! Treat your guests to a wedding and reception in Poe's Enchanted Garden, which can accommodate up to 100 guests. The garden was inspired by one of his poems, "To One in Paradise."

Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

If the two of you are into football, why not consider the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Instead of a bouquet, the bride can toss a football. Well, it's just an idea.

No matter where you live there is bound to be a museum near you that hosts weddings. Museums offer a truly unique venue which your guests will remember years after the wedding. The museums can be historical, fun, or downright odd and you're sure to find one which suits your tastes. Now, if only the Spam Museum would offer weddings.... Oh, well, one can't have everything.

$5000 Wedding Budget - Wedding Planning


$5000 wedding budget.
By setting a $5000 wedding budget, you have already achieved the first important step in the planning process. The challenge now is to make sure you stick to your budget, so that you don't get into strife down the track. You will then have to decide how to divide up your budget to cover each area of your wedding (ceremony, venue, invitations, dress, flowers etc). For example, the wedding ceremony and the reception make up approximately 40% of a typical wedding budget. How you plan to achieve the wedding of your dreams and stay within budget, is one of the biggest challenges that face many couples who don't have any experience with planning a wedding. But there are many ways that this can be achieved, it all takes careful planning and knowing where to shop.

Try to choose a few special elements for your wedding that have some special meaning to you and your partner. Then go out and get quotes on those items to see if they will fit within your budget's guidelines. At this stage, you may need to adjust you budget if you find that the costs are more than you can afford. If this is the case, you could look at alternative choices to cut down on the costs without compromising on quality. As an example, you could look in your community's newsletter or the phonebook for people who work from home and cater in areas such as cake making and decorating, dressmaking, floristry etc. These specialized home services can usually charge a lot less than their retail counterparts who have high overheads to cover. Also look at discount bridal stores in preference to bridal boutiques that offer the full service. You can always have alterations made by a dressmaker if required.

Getting Everything At A Discount
The budget you set will be your guide whenever you shop for the things you need for the wedding. However, just because you have a small budget doesn't necessarily mean that you have to have a small wedding. If you do your research, you will find places where you can get a discount on all the items you need for your wedding, including the venue, dress, flowers, cake, photographer, entertainment etc. The trick is finding out where to look.

Wedding Planner
Planning a wedding can be seen as an overwhelming task as there are so many decisions to make and details to organize and coordinate. Breaking the planning schedule into small categories and working on them one at a time will help you manage the task much more easily.

Barbados - The Ultimate in Intimate Wedding Destinations


Destination weddings are back in style as couples become more adventurous and creative in planning their weddings. A dream wedding set far from home is exciting and fun but the preparations might be a little more challenging. And the first thing that the couple would have to agree on would be the destination.

Barbados is considered to be one of the top wedding destinations for couples wanting an intimate yet exciting setting for their vows. The beaches are immaculate and the people are friendly. It's tough to beat the views the island has to offer.

The hotels in Barbados may be small but they cater to different visitors of various nationalities. Most couples have different preferences but the hotel staff is ready to cater to their every whim.

A small hotel Barbados style wedding is one dream wedding that can be affordable for resourceful couples. Checking the wedding packages before booking is a good way to avoid over-spending. Some packages include everything from the travel expenses, hotel rooms, marriage license, music to the champagne waiting for you in your hotel room. Each hotel offers different packages so a thorough research is recommended. There are also wedding coordinators at the hotel ready to assist couples in their preparations.

There is a variety of wedding settings offered in Barbados. The most preferred is the beach wedding, where the barefoot couple says their vows with the sea as their backdrop. The island offers an assortment of venues, from resorts, restaurants, historical spots and churches. It all depends on the couple's taste and the budget where the ceremony is held but almost all locations in Barbados is a special place to celebrate love.

The flowers in Barbados are as exotic as you can get. Local orchids are available all year round. Their unique blooms add an air of mystique to any wedding.

The food is another bonus in a Barbados wedding. The hotels and restaurants offer Caribbean style cuisine, including a great selection of wines. An exciting destination wedding is not complete without a sampling of the island's local exotic dishes made from the day's catch and the island's bountiful fruit trees.

Bajan cuisine consists of Coucou, a national dish made from green banana, and Flying Fish, commonly found in the Caribbean. The menu is not limited to the local food; the couple may request international cuisine as well.

No wedding is complete without the memories you take home. The local wedding photographers know the island best and can make the bride look more beautiful against the serene backdrop of the island.

Barbados is also one of the honeymoon capitals of the world. Even small hotels in Barbados have beautiful honeymoon suites perfect for newly weds. Now all the couple has to do is to say goodbye to their guests as they start their new life together.

Imagine reciting your vows to the love of your life while the sun sets on the Caribbean, with your closest friends and family gathered around the two of you. Barbados is truly one romantic island for couples celebrating love.

Unique Wedding Photography - Top Ideas For Your Wedding Shoot


Most brides want to have their wedding the one that is talked about for months after the wedding. These women will do almost anything to ensure their wedding is the best one their friends and family have attended. Weddings have, in a way become a silent competition among brides world wide. Can you think of a better way to make sure you come out on top than through unique wedding photography to share online with all of your wedding guests and even those that were unable to attend your wedding day?

Most photographers are going to be able to give you an idea on how to make your unique wedding photography shoot perfect, but you should also have some of your own ideas as to what you want. Do not feel as though you are being pushy or trying to tell the photographer how to do his or her job. Instead, you are actually giving the photographer a better idea of who you are and who you and your spouse are as a couple. This is something that you will want to show in your bridal pictures.

Here are some tips to help you get your creative juices flowing for your wedding photo shoot:

1. Be creative in your needs.

If you are an outdoorsy couple that loves to jog, hike or roller skate consider working these hobbies into your photo shoot. Maybe a picture of both the bride and groom jogging in their wedding attire or putting on their skates. Another great picture would be the two romantically gazing into each others eyes on a trail.

2. Consider using props from your everyday life together.

If horseback riding is your hobby, consider a picture with the bride and a horse while the groom stands in the back getting ready to put the saddle on the horse.

3. Have fun and express your love for each other.

Give the photographer as much information about you and your soon to be spouse so he or she can also get their creative juices flowing. Allow yourself to step out of the norm and make your wedding pictures the talk of your guests for a very long time.

Unique wedding photography is the ideal way to remember your wedding day. Many newly weds want to be proud of their wedding pictures and constantly be brought back to their wedding day excitement. To do this, you need to be able to capture the love of the two as well as who they are as a couple and individuals.

Wedding Photography - Should We Go Online or Offline?


Every girl dreams of her perfect wedding, and the worst thing a photographer could do is to ruin it for her with bad photographs to remember it with. If you are thinking of going into wedding photography, here are 5 tips that could help you create the picture perfect wedding memory for your clients.

Preparation is key
As the famous saying goes "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." So many things can go wrong on D-Day itself, needless to say wedding photography, so make sure you have back up plans for virtually everything - be it wet weather, a corrupted memory card, bad lighting, insufficient batteries. If it helps, try preparing a task list of scenes and objects to take. This list is in no way supposed to be restrictive, take it as the essentials list and let your creativity flow for the rest. As a value-added measure, ask if the client has any must-have photos of their guests, and ask for their seating plans to make sure you would not miss them out.

Set expectations
The last thing you want from a job well done is a crying bride pestering you about the mismatch in expectations, so be sure to communicate what you can and will do beforehand. A good way to do so would be to show them your portfolio, showcasing your work and style, and set up a contract to put down everything agreed in print, including rates, overtime rates and rights to the photographs. To your clients, what they are purchasing is more than just the prints. They have placed their trust in you to capture the memories of possibly the most important day of their life, so be sure to set things straight from the start to avoid disagreements and disappointments.

Choose the right format for the right usage
Every self-respecting photographer ought to know the difference - the pros and cons - of shooting in RAW or JPEG, but ultimately it is up to personal preference of the photographer. Essentially, RAW files are complete lossless files straight from the camera's sensor -- it is exactly what the imaging chip has captured. What it means for the photographer is that he can manipulate the photo with no image degradation, at the maximum possible image quality.

JPEG files, on the other hand, are much smaller files that are usually ready for immediate use. So if you are intending to display some of the shots at the reception, consider taking photos in JPEG so that you can quickly display some of your best shots to show the guests what they have possibly missed in the morning. Moreover, it's good advertising for your wedding photography business if it's done right!

Expect the unexpected
Like life, expect a wedding to be full of surprises. While you should have a checklist of the bare necessities to capture, you should be flexible and adaptable when the situation arises. Do what you have to do, vary your perspectives, crawl if you need to - be creative when it comes to wedding photography. Leave the deleting when you are sifting through the images at the end of the night, you never know what gems you might be missing in the haste of the moment. Best yet, shoot on continuous shooting mode, because you'll never see that picture perfect stolen kiss photo op coming. Attending the rehearsal would be a good opportunity for you to find out and plan your photographic vantage points.

All that glitters is not gold, but silence is
The only thing that should be sparkling during the ceremony should be the rings exchanged. Ideally, there should be no flash photography during the ceremony, from the time the bride walks up the aisle till the end of the ceremony when the couple walks down the aisle together. Random flashes going on and off during the ceremony can affect the atmosphere. Also, the beeps and camera shutter sounds can also prove distracting, so be silent when the situation requires you to.

Wedding photography is widely known to be strenuous and stressful, but don't let these words daunt you if it is truly what you are interested in. Take a deep breath, pick up your camera, and have fun at your first wedding! After all, the only way to go from here is up.

The Process Of Hiring A Wedding Photographer


Although most people have attended a wedding, that doesn't mean that they will know the process when it's their turn to go down the aisle. Below is a step by step guide on the process of hiring a wedding photographer.

Step One: Hiring a photographer.

This can be a daunting task even for someone who follows hundreds of wedding photographers blogs. It is recommended that you hire someone within the state that you are getting married. Most wedding professionals travel all over and even if they do not live in the area you are getting married they have most likely photographed there before. Ask them to Narrow your search down to five wedding photographers that you really like. They can be in several different price brackets at this point. Begin communicating with them-choose three you want to meet with in person. The in person meeting is huge because the photographer will be with you the entire day and you want someone not only competent in wedding photography but someone you know you can get along with and wont mind having around. After your meetings you can then choose your photographer.

Step Two: Choosing a package

Hopefully you spoke with your photographer at the meeting about what kind of coverage they offer, and what kind of coverage you will need. Let them help with this they shouldn't sell you more than you need, but they also should be there to cover all the important moments that will happen on your wedding day. Wedding photographer typical day is 8 hours just like any other professionals work day. That said often 10 hours of coverage is needed in order to begin with the bridal prep and end well into the reception. Your wedding photographer should help you decide if you would like a wedding album (recommended so that your memories are secure in print and digitally) and they should talk you through if they give you the rights to the wedding images or if they keep the digital files etc.

Step Three: Deciding how the wedding day works

There are two models for the photographer on wedding day... the first one is traditional, and the second is with a first look. These models are how we structure the time needed and schedule of the day for photographs.

Traditional: Photographer will come and start with the details at the hotel. Dress, shoes, invitation, rings, bridesmaid dresses, perfume, jewelry, and flowers. After those details have been photographed the wedding photographer will turn their attention to the women and their photojournalistic getting ready photos. This is where the wedding photographer begins to capture moments and build the story of the day. After the bride is in her dress an experienced photographer will often have a first look with the parents-so dad and mom will come in and see their baby girl for the first time in her wedding gown. Meanwhile the second photographer is with the men and taking candid shots of them tying their ties and just hanging out being men before the ceremony. As the bride walks down the aisle at the ceremony the second photographer is taking shots of the grooms expression, and the main photographer is photographing the processional with the bridesmaids and the bride walking down the aisle. After the ceremony the wedding photographer will (with help from the appointed family member) gather up the full family for their portraits. The wedding photographer will begin with the brides side of the family and break it down until the smallest family breakdown (mom and bride, dad and bride, siblings and bride) have been photographed. The wedding photographer will then move onto the grooms family and do the same thing starting with the biggest grouping and breaking it down to the smallest groups. When that is finished it is time to photograph the bridal party. An experienced wedding photographer should be able to get three different posed bridal party shots done in 15 minutes. From there the photographer will photograph just the group of men, and then just the group of women. These two groupings should only take 10-15 minutes and the wedding photographer should know exactly how they want each member of the party or grouping to stand. From there the wedding photographer will take a few portraits of the bride, then the groom, and finally finish up (this whole thing from family to finish should take an hour) with the bride and the groom together. At this point the wedding photographer turns everyone over to the coordinator and the band or DJ. They are in charge of how the reception flows. The wedding photographer will photojournalistic capture the moments from this point on. Even the formalities like the first dances, cake cutting, and bouquet throwing are done in a candid style.

First Look: The Wedding photographer will still meet you at hair and makeup and do the detail shots first. But after the bride is ready the wedding photographer has scheduled the day so that there is an hour and a half of photo time before the ceremony. It begins with a private viewing of the bride from her parents, and then the photographer has chosen an intimate spot with good light for the groom to see his bride for the first time in her dress. The wedding photographer will tell the bride and the groom how to walk to each other before so that they can be in the wings with their long lens getting great emotional moments. After this (generally 15 minutes) the bridal party will be gathered for the bridal party pictures, the women, and the men pictures. This will be about 30 minutes. Finally about 45 minutes before the ceremony the family will be photographed. The bridal party and bride and groom should be finished 30 minutes before the ceremony with all pictures as guests begin to arrive and often the bride doesn't want to be where she can be seen by everyone. After the ceremony the bride and the groom can take a few moments to be husband and wife and the photographer can take pictures with little to no direction. Then the bride and the groom are able to go to cocktail hour with their bridal party and talk to all of their guests. It is recommended that in the traditional line up of a day there is a receiving line so that you meet all of your guests and don't have to do it at dinner time. In the first look scenario you can do that at cocktail hour. Again the reception is photojournalistic and candid based for all events.

Step Four: What happens after the wedding

The wedding photographer hopefully explained how they work already in a meeting or in an email. After the wedding many wedding photographers will edit a photographers favorites set within several days and send you an email as well as post them to their blog/FB sites. If the wedding photographer is very busy make sure to ask what their turn around time for all of the wedding photos are. Often times a month is a reasonable amount of time. Also chat with them about their process for culling down the set of final images. It is very important part of a wedding photographers job to edit through and choose the best photos as we have the ability to process thousands of high-resolution images but it is often overwhelming for you the bride to process through that many which is why it is important that we are presenting only the best one of each of the images we take on the wedding day. That will be more than enough wedding images. Talk to your wedding photographer about how they send you the final set of images is it via web or is it via hard drive.

Step Five: The wedding album

If applicable one of the last formal business interactions (as hopefully you are friends at this point) is the wedding album design. Most wedding photographers will begin by creating a version for you telling your wedding story. Then from there you can make changes, edit it, and perfect it to be your favorite images. The wedding album is to take your readers in 10-40 years through your wedding day, so it is often best if you do not choose the images if you let the photographer choose the images to work from. Then as said you can make changes to the album. Wedding photographers are storytellers and this is where their final vision and style can be really seen. In your initial meeting with wedding photographers you saw their album style and hopefully choose someone whose design elements you liked and whose overall feel of the wedding day story through the albums you related too.

That is a summary of the involvement of the wedding photographer, and the process in which the wedding photographer evaluates your day. Each photographer will look for different things on a wedding day, and each wedding photographer will have a unique style but we all will follow a professional and meticulous formula for getting the wedding photos.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Photography: What You Need to Know


Photography has become the greatest approaches to capture some sort of moment in time. This art work form has long been around since the early 1820s and has only continued to quickly progress. The most common application of taking pictures is usually to capture unique moments.

Areas such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York host a number of the most top level photographers that are rivalling to get photos of the famous people, Entrepreneurs, and professional athletes. While major cities provide the biggest level of competition, they also provide you the most significant results.

Right before we get started, it's critical that you actually understand picture taking.

In essence, a digital camera is designed to record sunlight and various other electromagnetic rays to create high quality photos. The use of various chemicals and light source sensitive material are exactly what enable you to catch images. Photograph devices are also a popular way to document pics.

Precisely why did taking pictures become useful?

The earliest people to become interested in taking photos ended up being artists and scientists. Since the beginning, scientists have used taking photos in order to study and document movements.

This allowed for far more exact testing and analysis, thus resulting in a lot more legitimate studies. It did not take very long for artists to discover the story-telling possibility of taking photographs.

In addition to artisans and scientists, the police, military, and security forces also utilize taking photographs. Inside the current world, the military makes use of taking photographs to seize intel. In case a person didn't know, drones are usually the fundamental vessels for capturing proof through photographs.

Digital photography is an effective way for law enforcement officials to always keep track of proof at any crime scene.

The historical past and Advancement of Photography

Most of us may thank the amazing picture taking we currently have today to quite a few small innovations All natural boundaries use to be the ideal way to capture instances. Thomas Wedgewood was initially the first person to successfully replicate an photograph without a digital camera. His approach involved reproducing paintings on natural leather.

Somewhere around the 1820s, chemical substance photography came in to play and the very first permanent photoetching was initially an image manufactured around 1822. Taking photos has tremendously evolved since that time. Just picture waiting around eight hours for the picture to expose. Taking pictures and duplication only takes seconds with the latest technology. Today's images are of extraordinary quality and clarity.

Methods of Production

Taking photos is used in many unique methods. Nearly all men and women know that the amateur photo taker is the most popular. A lot of beginners view photography as a leisure activity.

After that there is professional photography in which photographers are generally paid off for the pictures they catch. In addition, the majority of people don't realize that picture taking is used in scientific disciplines, forensics, and even as an artform.

Taking pictures has empowered our society to capture remembrances with a press of a button and is one of the best innovations of all time.

Wedding Photography - Traditional Or Trendy?


Wedding photography offers styles to choose from. Professional wedding photographers provide help for the bride and groom which wedding photography style they think would be appropriate for their taste. It is always time consuming and confusing for every bride and groom to decide on and pick a photographer with the precision in visual style, expertise, ethics and professionalism.

Professional wedding photographers employs the latest techniques in photography to keep up with the trend but one style doesn't fit all. The best thing to do is to focus on how you would want the images captured to create a prized possession. Have a detailed discussion and bare what's in your wish list to your photographer and come up with the best photography design appropriate and acceptable to you. These days' photographers boast of and rely on their sophisticated digital cameras to get the best shots. Providing quick and easy reviewing of the photos and probably retakes if need be.

There are two types of wedding photography styles to choose from: traditional and photo journalistic. Most couples need to understand the difference and it will help in decision making as to what style they would want for their wedding mementos.

Traditional Wedding Photography

Traditional wedding photography captures pictures of course, the traditional way with traditional poses. This is when all family members from different generation are present and has to be in the pictures. From the side of the groom's to the bride's family plus the combination of family, friends and the entourage take turns posing with the bride and groom for posterity. Not as pretty as the photo journalistic style but for those who value family from one generation to the next typically go for this style. It is the style that dictates the setting.

Photo Journalistic Wedding Photography

This is a very trendy approach and is ideally chosen by young and hip couples. It is more like taking pictures for a magazine and is like telling a story as it unfolds, a story of how it all began laid out in order. Wedding photojournalism "is characterized by its candid, creative and natural results spanning serious to humorous scenes as your wedding photojournalist documents the moment as it naturally happens." Photographer tries to take candid snapshots and capture best moments as well. This style usually devotes a day before the actual wedding to take photos of activities the bride and groom are into and captures images.

The most important decision in choosing a wedding photographer is to understand and identify what and how you want the images to come out. It would be helpful to allot more time when choosing and not regret on the decisions made. Remember, there is no way to fix the style of your photos once they are taken. It isn't something that you can return and exchange. You and your groom need to make sure their style is in sync with yours. The outcome will be a lifetime keepsake so make sure to go for the best flowers to the food and the gardens. Your wedding pictures will be a lifelong keepsake, so the wedding photography must be top-notch.

Posing Guide For Wedding Photographers: Why You Need It and 6 Tips on Choosing the Right Guide


Asking a wedding photographer to use a posing guide during the course of a wedding is like asking a tennis pro to use a log book during his next competitive game. The guide is really not necessary, as the impact of his photographs is essentially predicated on his skill, intuitive reading of the circumstances, his years of experience, his instinctive inspiration and his holistic sense of what to do and when. After all, any professional wedding photographer will have loads of confidence and an unwavering belief in his ability to take the right shot at the right time, right? Dead wrong!

Even the most specialised, consummate professionals do not take everything for granted in life and have learnt that prudence and diversification remain synonymous with service delivery in all forms. After all when last did you see a commercial pilot not using a checklist before take-off or hear of a medical doctor not keeping himself abreast of the latest technological advances in his field?

If a posing guide can accentuate a wedding photographer's quality of photographs, and in certain instances can achieve a look that is audacious yet original, then using a good posing guide simply makes sense and bears testament to the wedding photographer's commitment to achieving the best possible quality photographs for the wedding couple on their special day.

By not using a posing guide and adopting a stance that is too conservative and too predictable, you run the risk of being indistinguishable from the normal run-of-the-mill, song-and-dance wedding photography brigade that produce photographs that have that 21st century cut-and-paste look. A posing guide simply provides options, and acts as a back-up when imagination is suddenly not that instinctive any longer.

When selecting a posing guide there are certain basic prerequisites that need to be considered:

- Ensure the guide is detailed and comprehensive, yet compact enough for you to carry and use discreetly

- Ensure the guide you use is developed by a specialized, professional wedding photographer or a combination of photographers well-known in the industry and well-versed with appropriate wedding experience

- Ensure the guide can adequately assist you in communicating with the couple. They must be relaxed with you, and clearly understand how you want them to pose.

- The guide must be creative, yet not overly complex

- The guide must show a detailed picture, but must also be supported with adequate written text to assist you in achieving the desired end result

- Keep in mind that the current use of mobile technology is now so prominent that you need to use that to your advantage. Having a wedding guide loaded and available on a smartphone is far more beneficial than using a hard copy set of cards.

Using the right posing guide for wedding photography is simply not a negotiable issue. The modern wedding couple today are simply not interested in past precedent. What was excellent yesterday remains at best, good today. Couples are expecting today's high-end fashion magazine look. Select carefully and ensure you are never without the right pose at the right time.

Your Options for Tiered Wedding Cake Stands


If you have ever attempted to make your own cake, you will know how difficult it is to set it up and we are talking about just a single cake. Now imagine that you have to bake two or three cakes and place them one on top of the other - impossible for most of us. This is where tiered wedding cake stands comes in handy - they are very sought after because of the options that they give when designing wedding cakes. Although professional cake makers do an excellent job in tiering one cake on top of another, these cake stands take the wedding cake setting to another level altogether.

Most cake stands look good all by themselves, the added benefit is that you can use your decorating theme be it flowers or ribbons and arrange them beautifully around the cake stands, thereby enhancing the overall effect. The tiers or levels which are made of round, square or heart shaped plates are usually separated by pillars or stands. Usually there is one large pillar between each tier or three small stands separating each tier. The general rule is that the largest cake is placed at the lowest level and the smallest cake is placed on top. However, in cascading tiered cakes, the placement of cakes is a little different, with the largest cake on top. For a more ornate look, tiered Victorian scroll stands are the perfect piece to set up a grand wedding cake. Traditionally there are three tiers to a wedding cake, but those rules no longer apply and you can go with an 8 tiered cake if that's what makes you happy on your wedding day.

Most of these stands can be rented out from shops and online retailers that deal with wedding cake supplies, but if you have very specific tastes, you might need to purchase your stands. Be sure to check your options online as there are a lot of cake stands that you can look at and decide as to which ones would best suit your needs. Three tiered cake stands are available online for around $30 and if you wish to purchase more elaborate designs they can cost you over $900.

Take your time and look at all the options that you have before you make your decision. Once you know the kind of wedding you want and the kind of food and arrangements you would like, go with the cake stand that will be able to bring out the theme that you have in mind. If you are not able to find the perfect cake stand, do not be disheartened, go with a stand that is more flexible as it will work better with your overall theme.

The Wedding Reception Viennese Hour


A delightful wedding trend is recent years has been the Viennese hour. This event takes place at the reception following dinner and it is essentially a display of every delicious dessert that anyone could ever imagine. This is what you need to know to plan a fabulous Viennese hour for your wedding reception.

Let's face it: everyone remembers a wedding which had really great food. My first encounter with a Viennese hour was at a Winter Wonderland wedding. The bride wore a beautiful beaded gown and dazzling crystal bridal jewelry. Her bouquet and centerpieces dripped with Swarovski crystals to match her bridal jewelry. The band was amazing. But what I really remember about that wedding was the moment after dinner when the doors were opened to an adjoining room to reveal the most spectacular display of desserts I had ever seen in one place: the Viennese hour.

What should you feature at your Viennese hour? Everything! The whole point of it is to give your guests that kid in a candy shop feeling. Everywhere they look, they should discover another of their favorite sweets. The dessert hour should leave your guests a little awestruck, as they look around in wonder, thinking, "Where should I begin?".

The basics of a wedding Viennese hour or dessert bar are cookies, bars like brownies and blondies, cakes, pies, and mini pastries. Regional specialties should certainly be on the menu; think New York cheesecake in Manhattan or beignets in New Orleans. Individual servings of favorite desserts like creme brule and chocolate pudding should also be on the menu. And this is only the beginning!

Chocolate and candies are another part of a Viennese hour. The most impressive way to serve chocolate is a chocolate fountain. Guests find them irresistible, and love the chance to dip fresh fruit, pretzels, and gourmet marshmallows into the flowing chocolate. Another option is to present chocolate dipped fruits like strawberries instead of having the fountain. An array of white, milk, and dark chocolate dipped fruits would be especially nice. Be sure to order the chocolate dipped treats in large quantities, because your guests will go crazy for them!

Once you have the basic elements of your wedding Viennese hour decided, it is time to choose your "wow" factor. Remember that a Viennese hour should be elaborate and indulgent, so this is the time to really pull out all the stops. Any number of specialized stations will work as your "wow" feature. Choose one, or if space allows, include them all to really blow your guests away. An ice cream sundae bar is one idea for the main feature. A custom crepe station with an attendant to make whatever your guests want is an elegant addition. Or go for a nostalgic carnival theme with cotton candy and funnel cake carts.

Finally, plan to have a special beverage area. A coffee bar with an attendant to make cappuccinos and espressos is a must. For a wedding with children on the guest list, cocoa would be a good addition to the menu. It is also nice to have a mini-bar to serve liqueurs and cordials. If there is room in the budget, glasses of Champagne or sparkling wine would be the perfect complement to the chocolate dipped strawberries. With all of the elements in place, you can be certain that your guests will remember your wedding reception Viennese hour for years to come!

DIY Wedding Photography Guide And Tip's To Doing Your Own Wedding Photos


Firstly I'd like to say that I can't stress enough the importance of this information, especially with wedding photography, because you don't get a second chance!

Preparation

The wedding is probably a good few weeks away now, ideally anyone who you want to be taking photos for you would probably benefit from previewing the location, so give them a call and arrange to all go together and check out the location, don't put it off, if you think you know a good spot to use then go there and take some friends along, take the bride, groom, bridesmaids & best man if you can, look around for good backgrounds, where is the sun? work out where the sun will be on the day when you are taking the group shots, now get your cameras out and take some photos!, use the people with you to pose as the bride and groom, and set up a group, try different backgrounds, different angles, different poses, also something to consider is the ground? It may be OK now, but what if it rains the day before, will the ground still be OK for the bride to stand on in her beautiful long white gown? Find a couple of locations, one with hard standing, like a pathway in front of the grass, or even on the edge of the car park, preferably with no lines, though these can be airbrushed out later.

This is the perfect opportunity to get some practice in! once you've done the shots you then have the opportunity to get them down loaded on to your computer, and in to your editing suit to play with and get some editing done before the wedding day, but keep those shots, they could even be used in the album as a before and after comparison...

What ever you decide to use in the background, look out for things that you don't want in the photo. Is there a car park near by? Look out for cars in the back of your shot, If there is a road near by, watch out for traffic running through the back of your shot, you really don't want a big orange Sainsbury's HGV in the wedding album, look out for path ways in the background, are you likely to get people walking by, kids on bikes, or dogs running in to the shot, the things you see in the background can really spoil a good shot. Though best to get it right first time on the camera, with a basic editing program, most things can simply be removed later.