Vegas Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions

Before you start making plans for your wedding photography, it's important that you have a general idea of how everything goes. Check out the most common concerns regarding Vegas wedding photography below to get more information:

How can I find a good photographer in Vegas?
You can look for your wedding photographer by searching the Internet, checking out ads at Craigslist.org, browsing the yellow pages, seeking referrals from people you know, and visiting different studios in Las Vegas. Remember to hire someone who's professional, qualified, affordable and easy to work with.

How much does wedding photography cost in Vegas?
The costs usually start at $400 and can go up to $4,000. The price will depend on the photographer you hire, photography package you avail of, time you got booked, date & season that your wedding falls on, and other relevant factors.

What are some ways in which I can lessen the costs?
Practical ways to save on your wedding photography would be to:

• Hire a professional photographer but only for the ceremony, and have your friends and family cover the reception instead.
• If you know someone who takes up photography as a hobby or has taken classes before, ask for their help so you won't have to pay much for their services.
• You could also consider getting an amateur photographer to really save on the costs.
• Purchase a photography package that's really affordable and within your budget. Avoid availing of unnecessary items and pay only for what you need.

What are the best city attractions to use as locations for my pre-wedding photoshoot?
The most recommended places are as follows:

• Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
• Bellagio Fountains
• Eiffel Tower Replica at Paris Las Vegas
• Gondola Rides at the Venetian
• Las Vegas Strip
• Neon Sign Graveyard
• Stratosphere Tower
• Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

Some locations outside the city are also very ideal for your pre-wedding photoshoots. The best outdoor attractions are Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Mount Charleston, Red Rock Canyon and the Spring Mountain Ranch.

When can I get the final prints?
It depends whether you chose film or digital photography for your pictures. Digital photos may only take a week or two, but filmed ones may take longer-from a couple of weeks to months. It also depends on how many clients your photographer has the same time as you. This is why it's very important to book early so you'll be prioritized. Make sure you clearly discuss the arrangement with your photographer so you'll know exactly how long to wait for your final wedding photos.

How can I help make the pictures turn out great?
Here are some tips to help your wedding photography turn out as planned:

Let Your Photographer Know What You Want
The only way to assure you'll love the final results is for you to discuss every detail with your photographer. Make sure he or she truly understands what you need; you should share your ideas, state your preferences, and give clear instructions so that nothing will be missed.

Get Enough Rest
Be sure you have a nice, long sleep before the wedding and the engagement sessions as well so you'll look stunning in your wedding photos.

Have the Perfect Camera Appearance
The wrong type of hairstyle and amount of makeup are often the most common mistakes that lead to terrible wedding photos. Be sure you've hired the right makeup artist and hairstylist that know how to make you look good on camera.

Cooperate
Lastly, you must work together with your photographer if you want your photos to be amazing. You should always follow your photographer's instructions so he or she can produce incredible wedding pictures. Remember, the success of your Vegas wedding photography relies on both you and your photographer; even if you've hired the best photographer in town, you can't put all the responsibility on him or her because you also have to do your part. You need to work well together in order to achieve the best results.

10 X 10 - The Most Important Wedding Photography Shots to Take on the Day and 10 Great Tips

10 Shots you need to get at the Wedding

1. Bride arriving with father (or person elected to give the bride away)

2. Bride, father & bridesmaids before the ceremony

3. Bride and father walking up the isle

4. Bride and Groom together for first time

5. Bride & Groom the kiss

6. Bride & Groom signing the register

7. Bride & Groom walking down the isle

8. Bride & Groom posing full length

9. Bride & Groom with parents

10. Bride & Groom cutting the cake

10 Great tips to help

1. Camera & Back-up. Be sure your camera is working!, really, have you checked it lately! and be sure you have or have access to a backup one if need be.

2. Batteries. Are they charged up? Have you got 2 or 3 sets of spare? You might just need them, OK, you may not but imagine your just getting to the first dance and the batteries go!

3. Memory cards / Films. Get plenty, it's all very cheep and if your not hiring a professional you'll be saving £100's anyway! As with batteries, you wouldn't want to get the camera out for the first dance and find. . . . . . . . .

4. Camera Settings. Do you know what they do? Take just 5 minutes, with your coffee in the morning maybe to just read through them, you'll probably get through it in just a week, and the things you'll learn will probably not just surprise you but help you in all your photography from weddings to snapshots of the Dog!, believe me, it's better than filling your head with all the rubbish in the news each day. !

5. Location Use the best locations you have, if that means driving 10 minutes to the park, then do it!, the photos will be around for generations to come to spend 10 minutes going to a good spot don't settle for a rubbish location if you can easily get to a better one.

6. Weather be prepared, this is one you have no control over!, and if you do please give me a call I've got a great idea. . . . . Seriously though, if it does rain, as it can in the uk at any moment, don't let this drown the good spirits, use it to your advantage! having just 2 umbrellas in the car will enable you to do 3 things : 1. Give one to the bride and Groom to keep them out of the rain, or have the Best man or Chief bridesmaid or both maybe even with one each hold them whilst they are in the rain! 2. Hold one your self, this will keep you out of the rain and your camera dry. 3. You'll get some great shots of the Bride and Groom in the rain.

7. People Obvious yes. but as it's all about people, capture lots of people shots. Especially unaware ones, go for something different than just asking them to say cheese!

8. Smile although you'll not want all big cheesy smiles on all the shots, one of the best ways to get people to smile is to simply smile your self! one way that can get the smiles out is to ask them not to smile while you are smiling.

9. Back up your work these days back up is cheep and essential. As soon as you can backup your shots

10. Enjoy the Day!, its a wedding, your there to enjoy the wedding too, not just get the photos, unless your just there to get the photos, though even then, enjoy your self, you'll relax more and it will show in your photos.

Canvas Print Ideas For Your Wedding Photography Studio

Promoting your photography studio can be very effective with the help of canvas prints. These printed materials contain full-color graphics that can attract more prospective clients. Stretched or rolled canvas prints are cost-efficient tools that you can use to give a boost to your wedding photography studio. Here are a few canvas print ideas that you can consider to promote your wedding photo services:

1. Promote Your Services: You can create canvas prints to promote the services that you offer at your wedding photography studio. Your services can include makeup and hair styling services before photo shoot, artistic backdrop services, and equipment and lighting services.

2. Promote Your Photography: Utilize stunning photos of your previous clients to showcase your skills in photography. Presenting the photos in a stretched canvas can help you build a more professional image. You can choose between gallery wrap and museum wrap, the methods of stretching your prints around the sides of a stretcher bar.

3. Decorate Your Photo Studio: Use it as decorative materials for your wedding photo studio. Rolled canvas prints in sizes like 40" x 60" and 55" x 100" can serve as your backdrops. You can also utilize creative photos of wedding couples, gowns, tuxedos, wedding cakes, flowers, wedding venues, and wedding gift favors in creating the design for your prints.

4. Extend Gratitude to Clients: Rolled canvas prints can be a good gift to your valuable clients. Print the clients' photo on a canvas material with a size of 8" x 10". Look for a local printing company to help you create high-quality printed outputs. The printed materials can be a good expression of gratitude and appreciation to specific clients.

With these ideas, you can effectively promote your wedding photography services. Canvas prints are visual tools that can catch the eyes of your audience, and attract prospective clients to visit your studio.

Photographers Wanting Fast Promotional USB Sticks Should Consider USB 3.0

Over the last year or so we've seen a significant increase in demand for printed USB memory sticks from professional photographers who are finally abandoning CD and DVD drives in favour of USB sticks.

The USB sticks are typically printed with the photographers business details and some form of image or logo that represents what they do. It's also not unusual for the USB sticks to be supplied in some form of presentation or gift box.

The "packaged" solution looks significantly more professional that a CD or DVD and conveys a more contemporary and stylish image. As a "product" it's also something that is easier to sell and generate some additional revenue from.

Obviously most professional photographers (wedding photographers, portrait photographers, commercial photographers etc.) are using the USB sticks to copy their clients portfolio onto and then although some are using them as part of a sales and marketing campaign to bring life to their work, The pre-loaded images are often supplemented with links to their web site, "special offers" and details of any forthcoming events or shows that they might be taking part in.

When photographers do make the move from CD/DVD to USB Stick one of the things that can take them by surprise is how much slower it is to transfer their photos onto the USB sticks. The primary reason for this is that the typical read/write speed of promotional USB stick is only around 4-8MB per second. This is fine if the sticks are being used by a company as a promotional "giveaway" but if you're a photographer and you've got hundreds of large, high resolution images to copy onto the sticks it could take you a while!

There are a couple of solutions to this:

1. Specify faster read/write speeds to your supplier - you can get (for a cost) faster USB 2.0 memory sticks but even the "faster" sticks are still going to take a while to load several gigabytes of data onto.

2. Buy SuperSpeed USB 3.0 memory sticks - they'll cost more but here's why they are worth considering:

USB 3.0 has a theoretical data transfer speed of 4.8 gigabytes per second making them ideal for handling large file formats like videos, music and digital photos. USB 3.0 delivers a 10 fold increase in data transfer speed over USB 2.0

Although support for USB 3.0 has been sluggish you don't have to dump your existing PC or Mac to benefit from the performance improvements but you will have to install a new PCI card to upgrade it to USB 3.0 - this is normally pretty easy to do and the cards will be relatively cheap.

If you're customer does not have USB 3.0 on their PC or Mac the sticks will still work they'll just work at reasonably fast USB 2.0 speeds.

In the short term the only drawback of using USB 3.0 memory sticks is cost. For the next year or so expect to pay a premium for USB 3.0 sticks.

The real value of USB 3.0 is the reduction in time it will take professional photographers to load up their branded USB sticks with their client portfolios but these time savings have to be set against the higher costs of buying USB 3.0 drives.

Responsibilities of a Wedding Photographer

Photographers play an important role in preserving memories of the wonderful events in our life. They take amazing shots of us with our family and friends. Keeping these photos makes us smile just by looking at them especially when we're down. Aside from birthday, baptismal and family reunion, wedding is one of the most awaited and significant events in our life. In this chapter of our life, we will tie the knot with person we love and whom we want to share our life with. For this reason, it is important that we have pictures of our wedding from the wedding preparations to the wedding ceremony and reception.

Not all photographers specialize in wedding photography. So, we have to make sure that we get a professional wedding photographer to take pictures of our wedding. It is also not enough that they know how to take picture but then wedding photographers have different responsibilities that they should be able to perform in order to satisfy their customers and gain fulfillment in being a photographer.

Below are the basic responsibilities of wedding photographers. If you plan to be a photographer someday then you should know ahead of time what your responsibilities will be and for soon-to-be wed couples you should know what the photographer's responsibilities are so you can check if the photographer you hired is doing his job.

1.) Keep equipments in good condition
2.) Know how to use different equipments
3.) Provide correct pricing for photo packages
4.) Setup lights, provide or prepare props needed for each photo shoot.
5.) Know natural and romantic poses for wedding couples and family to execute to make the picture more breathtaking and fantastic.
6.) Choose great background for the shoot
7.) Know where the right and perfect angle is.
8.) Handle customers well. Thus, Good PR is important
9.) Manage processing and editing of photos
10.) Provide proofs and keep photo negatives.
11.) Provide customers with options for editing pictures like enlarging of photos or adding borders/styles.

Getting a wedding photographer that can perform all the above-mentioned duties can surely make your wedding memorable, fun and blessed.

Ideas For A Vintage Themed Wedding, One Of This Year's Hottest Trends

Out with the old, and in with the... old? That's what celebrities Annie Lennox, Anne Hathaway, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, and Matthew McConoughy seemed to think at least. Celebrities and their wedding planners have their fingers on the pulse of trends in fashion, and weddings are no exception!

No wonder vintage themed weddings debuted as such a hit last year. This chic remake of the 1920's era is all about style and grace. From the decor to the attire, an antique look is the perfect choice for your wedding day.

Colors and Decor

The most popular and traditional-looking vintage wedding tones have been rose pinks and champagne beiges. It almost brings to mind the sepia-tones of an old photograph.

Damask, chandelier silhouettes, and love birds are great choices for prints and design to add some dimension.

Dress

Wedding gown designers are realizing the popularity of this trend in vintage styles and have created some stunning options for you. Lace is one of the main ingredients. Overlays of gently hanging delicate lace over satin are truly feminine and sweet.

Some designers are offering a variety of shades in champagne and rose tones. Or you can accent with a belt or sash of these antique tones to add a little splash of color.

This is also a great opportunity to wear gloves. Wrist length, elbow, or full length gloves can be the perfect touch depending on the style of your dress.

Hair

Long hair is swept up or back in a relaxed or loose style. Soft waves or hanging pieces can add texture. Chignons at the base of the neck are a great idea for the sophisticated look. For shorter hair, cropped bobs and bangs are the most authentic to the era.

Headpieces and Veils

Your choice of veil or headpiece can really set-off your entire look. From head bands with feathers and large decorative or jeweled pieces, to beaded caps, there are many ways to be sure to look the part of a vintage bride. These options are great for shorter hair.

For the traditional veil, long and sweeping yet soft looks are more true to the time period of the 1920's. Choose something that lays closer to the head without much height or layers that stand out too full.

For the groom and groomsmen, don't forget the choices in hats that help to pull their look into the overall theme as well. You can go old-time gangster style with white bands, or simple fedoras. For formal weddings, top hats and tails like something you'd see on the Titanic are a great choice.

Jewelry

Vintage wedding jewelry can actually be one of the most important details of the ensemble. What's even better is that you will want to wear it again because it's currently in style and can go with so many other outfits!

There are a lot to choose from but the most popular designs seen are usually pearls and larger pieces of off-center rhinestones. Because of the simplicity of the rest of the attire, you can get by with a more elaborate jewelry set. This can be a focal point to complement your dress and headpiece.

Shoes

You have to love an occasion to wear cute strappy shoes, or thick lower heals like traditional "pumps" with large bows, buckles, or jewels. Or how about wearing the still-stylish lace up "granny boots" for kicks under your vintage gown? You may have some trouble making up your mind with this one because there are TONS of cute shoe options to choose.

Accessories

Vintage lace style wedding accessories help you bring decor and function together. Guest books and pen sets, ring bearer pillows, even your garter can be found with this style.

Flowers

Flowers play an important role in the vintage wedding. Real wedding bouquets in the 1920's were HUGE! They were sometimes longer than the hemlines! But what a gorgeous tradition, and one you should consider keeping for a truly authentic and beautiful vintage wedding.

Be sure to include lots of roses, hydrangeas, and lilacs to match the heirloom tones of the style.

Favors and Gifts

Make sure to have plenty of vintage style favors to thank your guests for sharing your day.

And for your guys and dolls who stood up with you while you said your "I Do's", don't forget to present them with a great gift. For the groomsmen, pocket watches have been a traditional favorite and go with the overall theme. For the bridesmaids, maybe consider that dazzling vintage necklace set for the special day.

Photographer

You'll want to preserve the charm of the day with excellent photography. Make sure your photographer knows your theme ahead of time. They may have some creative ideas to help you record the moments. Vintage wedding photos look especially elegant in black and white so be sure to have some printed in a true old-fashioned way!

Getaway Car

Some couples have even gone so far as to rent vintage vehicles from the 20's or 30's to magically transport them as husband and wife. Imagine the great photo opportunities around this set of wheels!

After almost an entire century, we're still drawn to these styles. They're timeless and classy. Weddings are the perfect opportunity to bring them back for a day! With these essentials, you can be the best "ragtime bride" that's ever walked down the aisle!

A Bride's Guide to Tipping Wedding Vendors

When planning your wedding, you may wonder how much of your budget to put aside for gratuities and tips. You may not be sure who gets tipped or how much is customary to tip. Be sure to read all contracts that you sign with your vendors to make sure that you are aware if tipping is optional (at your discretion) or contractual. Some vendor contracts will automatically add a certain percentage to your bill to cover the customary standard gratuity.

Here is a breakdown of who you should tip and how much you should tip. Note these are only standard guidelines, you may choose to add more for exceptional service. You should prepare envelopes with the proper amounts already in them, addressed to the proper vendors.

Rehearsal Dinner - 20 percent of the total bill, many restaurants will add this onto the bill on larger parties.

Hairstylist / Make Up Artist / Nail Technician - It is customary to tip 15 to 20 percent of the total cost and should be paid once services are completed.

Musicians for the Ceremony - Standard tipping is $20 to $25 dollars per musician and is expected at the end of the ceremony. The father of the bride or the best man presents the envelope to the musicians.

Officiant for the Ceremony - Customary of $100 and up, or make a donation to the church or synagogue in which you are getting married. This contribution can be in addition to or in lieu of a tip. If tipping, have the father of the bride or the best man hand the envelope to the officiant right after the rehearsal or the ceremony.

Delivery Truck Drivers / Reception Set Up - This could include the cake delivery and set up, the floral set up, decoration set up, tent set up, etc... if the set up staff who is setting up is not a part of the reception staff. It is customary to tip $5 to $25 dollars per person depending on the difficulty of the set up. The person accepting the delivery should hand out the tips. If you will not be there during delivery or set up, you should tip either before or after, to the appropriate vendor.

Reception Staff - normally is eighteen to twenty percent of the final reception bill. This amount of tipping may seem like a lot to pay, but remember this is divided among all the staff who worked your event. It is usually paid when the balance of your reception bill is paid and is normally included in your contract. You may choose to give added gratuity for exceptional service on the day of your event after the reception.

Reception Musicians or DJs - Customary to tip 5 to 20 percent of the total cost. The father of the bride or the best man presents the envelope to the musicians at the end of the ceremony. You would tip a band 5 percent per musician (20 percent total for 5 musicians) and a DJ up to 20 percent of the total cost.

Reception Hall Maitre d' - $40 or more for each of these staff members, depending on the amount of guests and total reception bill. The father of the bride or the best man presents the envelope to the Maitre d'.

Reception Bartenders - In addition to the amount specified in the contract, 10% of the total bar bill should be tipped to the bartenders. Have the cash in envelopes in advance and have maitre d' pass along the tip.

Powder Room / Coat Check / Parking Attendants - Should receive .50 cents to $1 per guest attending. Have the cash in envelopes in advance and have maitre d' pass along the tip.

Transportation - It is customary to tip 20% of the total cost. Many limousine companies can offer you to pay in advance or to tip on the day the service is completed. Have the best man in charge of turning over the cash tip you prepared in advance.

Finally, the following vendors do not typically receive gratuities but you may certainly add them to the list if their service is outstanding: photographer, videographer, caterer, baker, jeweler, wedding consultant, seamstress, and florist.

Elope - 12 Good Reasons Why Eloping May Be the Way To Have The Wedding of Your Dreams

Eloping, a hot trend at the moment for very good reasons - 12 of them in fact, is an affordable alternative to a big wedding and a great way to have a wedding that truly is all about you. Eloping can save you money but being easy on the wallet is not the only benefit.. By eloping you can side-step awkward family issues, enjoy a very personal wedding, and free up a lot of time to concentrate on each other, rather than the multiple decisions that go with a large, formal wedding.

Not surprisingly, because eloping reduces your wedding spend way below the average cost of a wedding, the wedding industry isn't keen on elopements. As a result bridal magazines routinely advise against eloping on the grounds that you will regret it.

Eloping no longer means running away together because parents don't approve, because the bride is pregnant, or because a cad of a man was influencing an heiress to marry him without parental consent to get his hands on her fortune.

Eloping in the 21st century is a rational choice being made by increasing numbers of couples, and not just for financial reasons. With the availability of civil celebrants in Australia you are not retricted to marrying in a rushed and legalistic ceremony in a dreary government office.

So here are 12 good reasons to elope:

You'd rather spend time together: A big white wedding can consume the equivalent of a full work week, every week, for a year or more in the multiple chores of advance planning. Eloping means you get to spend that time together, to focus on your relationship.

An intimate atmosphere is important to you: When it is just you and a very few friends (as few as the two required legal witnesses) your ceremony is a much more intimate experience than it would be if you were entertaining a large number of guests.

You have different priorities for your money: If you'd rather celebrate by staying at the best hotel, eating in the best restaurants, whether at home or for a destination wedding, or you want invest in your future, your home, or other major expenditure eloping can give you a wonderful but affordable wedding.

Doing something unusual appeals to you: Elopement increases your choices for where you have the ceremony, what you wear, the style and feel of your ceremony, how you celebrate afterwards, even what you eat. If fish and chips on the beach is your style, there's no-one to suggest it is not a good idea. And, if a gourmet meal is more your style, celebrating with a minimum of guests makes that option affordable.

You want to take back control: Eloping is not just a good way to control the guest list,. Because you don't have to deal with family members and friends' insistence that you do things their way, or that you must do things the traditional way, choosing to elope allows you have to have the wedding you want without compromising on any part of it.

Spontaneity appeals to you: Conventional weddings are usually scripted down to the last second. An elopement ceremony can be much more free-flowing, and anything that doesn't go to plan won't be a big deal because there will be no-one else's expectations to meet.

You can't face the stress of a big wedding: Large, formal, weddings can be very stressful, and not just for the day but for months and months before hand. There are multiple decisions to make, conflicting family demands and opinions to navigate through, and a budget that invariably blows out. Eloping removes those stresses and allows you to focus on your relationship.

You want your wedding to be fun: When you elope you can use your secret language, refer to your in-jokes, and ham it up if you wish - all without any fear of anyone tutting loudly.

You want to get married as soon as possible: An imminent change of employment or circumstance might mean that you need to get married as soon as possible, or you just might not see the point of waiting any longer than you have to.

You want to marry in secret: If you've been living together for years and everyone thinks you are married, or for some other reason you don't want a big fanfare, an elopement is the answer. Australian law doesn't require public notice be given, and as long as you have two witnesses you can be as quiet about it as you like.

You want to avoid sticky situations: Where there are religious or cultural differences between your families, where they just don't like each other, or where you have moved away from your own families' traditions, elopement sidesteps conflict and ensures that your day isn't marred by them.

This isn't your first marriage: Couples often want to avoid repetition of any part of a previous wedding. Eloping means you can create totally fresh memories without any echo of the past.

Wedding Photography - The Most Effective Approach to Capture Your Special Moments

Your wedding could be the most special and memorable day of your life. As a result, you make every single effort to make it beautiful and unforgettable. When your wedding is finalized, from that really moment you start planning your wedding. Besides the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations, you may also be thinking concerning the best way to capture those lovely moments. The greatest challenge is usually to decide on from the varied and specialized wedding photography services obtainable in the marketplace. Deciding on the top wedding photography service that suits your taste and budget is really a matter of appropriate planning and study.

Photography Style

There are a number of photography styles that you can pick from. In the event you prefer a modern day and unconventional style, you are able to opt for contemporary photography. If conventional style attracts you, then you are able to go for conventional photography. A blend of both classic and contemporary can also make for a distinctive style. Another widely accepted style in wedding photography is lifestyle portrait photography. Fashion photography is a style which is gaining reputation inside the wedding circuit.

Producing a Selection

A church wedding photography may have a formal and standard flavor whereas a beach wedding will naturally break away from the classic appear. According to your style and the venue you pick to host your wedding, a wedding photographer can program your photo shoot in advance. The photographer may also go to the venue beforehand to decide on the most effective lighting and camera angle alternatives.

Preparing Your Photography Session

You are able to strategy out a pre-wedding photo shoot just before the actual wedding ceremony. The booking can be completed on an hourly basis or for the whole day. You must talk about your budget along with other critical aspects of your wedding shoot just before finalizing the photographers. Some photographers offer excellent selection of albums with their photography package, which consist of amazing album covers in leather, silk, suede, and so on. They come in varied colours and prices, all crafted by talented artists. These albums might be customized as per your taste and preference. The cost of wedding photography packages vary from photographer to photographer according to their expertise, encounter and reputation.

Expert Photographers

Numerous skilled photographers are available in UK. Many Norfolk wedding photographers offer their services all across UK. To make your wedding photography a pleasurable encounter, they offer you specialized and customized services to suit your needs. You can browse by means of their Internet web site or check their portfolio to understand their photography style.

Expert wedding photographers display their special method and aesthetic style to bring alive each and every moment at the wedding. Some blend journalistic and classic style while other people prefer contemporary photography employing reportage style images. Some function by way of mobile studios which can be created available as per your convenience. It is possible to e-mail them or call them and fix an appropriate date to discuss your specifications.

Passion for Wedding Photography

For some photographers, wedding photography is actually a passion. It's their way of life. They continue to entice their customers with an artistic and modern touch in their photographs. They infuse plenty of passion into their photography to capture the true emotion and excitement of your special day. Be it a candid image of your beloved and you, or be it a loved ones photo or an image with pals, all shots are captured to make your wedding a memorable 1.

Wedding Photography - The Benefits of a First Look

When I discuss the timeline for wedding day with a bride, I always ask if she is interested in doing a First Look. Some brides know what a First Look is, others ask for an explanation. A First Look is when the bride and groom opt to see each other before the ceremony and just spend some time alone...the two of them.

First Looks are a wonderful opportunity for the bride and groom to actually experience seeing each other for the first time. When you wait to see each other until the ceremony, you can't really be in the moment. You make it to the end of the aisle and the service starts immediately. But with a First Look, the moment is totally your own. You have the ability to react to the emotions, reach out, hug, kiss...whatever you're feeling. It's a very intimate pause in your day to revel in the fact that you are shortly going to be husband and wife.

As a bride, I remember how special and perfect that moment in our day was. I remember the way my husband looked at me, the tears that creeped up in his eyes, and the big smile that spread across his face. It was the only time we had all day for the two of us. The pictures from our First Look also happened to be the best pictures of us on our wedding day. They were filled with true genuine emotions.

Some brides still feel hesitant to let go of the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. As someone who had a first look I truly didn't feel it lessened how special walking down aisle to my husband was. It was so nice to have already experienced that emotional rush and be able to take in seeing all our guests and having my dad give me away.

The other benefit of a First Look is that it helps with the timeline for your wedding day significantly. If you and your husband-to-be decide to see each other before the ceremony, it provides you with an excellent opportunity to also do your family and bridal party pictures. Taking your formal photos before the ceremony allows you to move straight from your ceremony into your reception without an hour or two between for photo taking.

When asked for my opinion on First Looks, I encourage my couples to really consider doing one and explain why I feel so strongly about it. In the end though, it really is up to the couple to decide what they want to do. After all, this one day is all about you. So you should do whatever is going to make you happy and feel more relaxed on that day.

Secrets to a Successful Wedding Photography Website

To a professional wedding photographer or photography enthusiast, building a portfolio is an important milestone. Not only will it give them the chance to organize, store and showcase their best works, it also allows them to share their work with their colleagues, prospective clients and friends and family. This explains the demand for photography websites. In offering virtually free services in creating a gallery or portfolio for a photographer's work, they mix the elements of art, media and business in answering to the technical challenges of storing and sharing stock photos. Hence, a wedding photography website can practically mix the beauty and business aspects of creating and sharing wedding photographs.

Wedding photography business has come a long way. In catering to the ever changing needs of its clients, wedding photography websites have become an essential part of its existence. Not only does it enable visitors to gain access to the photographer's sample work, it also provides come valuable information about the wedding photography business. On aspect of running a business is building networks. Wedding photography websites make it easy for novice and professional photographers to do that.

Since the photography industry has become very competitive, there has been a need to more effectively execute an effective marketing plan. A wedding photography website presents a perfect strategy of reaching out to the clients as well as prospective clients. Photographers benefit from its listings make their work accessible to their clients. Aside from this, there are more considerations on how to make a successful wedding photography website.

First, it has to have a catchy name. Since the business name doubles as the domain name, a website can easily be popular by giving it the right name. In most cases, the website name makes or breaks the existence of a website.

Most successful websites have simple interface. This makes them easy to navigate by its audiences. It makes good and clear images easily accessible. They also have unique content. When we say content, we refer to both the articles and photographs that are posted in the website. The website content is basically makes the website popular to the audience and easy to promote as it is what makes the website relevant and included in search engine listings.

Also, successful wedding photography websites usually offer some extra features like free photo editing or digital framing. You can do a number of things to a photograph these days. Offering these possibilities to your audience allows you teach them more ways to play and display their precious photographs.

Perhaps the most important factor that makes any successful wedding photography website is the work itself. That will distinguish its individuality among the dozens of website photography website today. Talk is cheap. In most cases, websites gain traffic and audience because of the featured eye-catching initial photograph in the menu layout. Hence, your ability to produce and showcase outstanding wedding photographs is what matters most.

Hopefully this article has given you an insight on just about how you can start making your own wedding photography website. With tools like WordPress, you can easily start your own photography business in the World Wide Web. Following the mentioned pointers should enable you to visualize and create a website that matches the passion and style of your work.

What's the Best Time of Day For Your Outdoor Wedding?

OK, you've picked the date. And you've decided you want it to be outdoors. Now you need to set the schedule for your big day. And while you may not realize it yet, the time of day for the various events has a huge impact on the quality of your wedding photographs.

The word "photograph" literally translates as "light painting" or "painting with light". The angle of the sun, the color of the light, and type of shade available all combine to make your wedding photographer's job a dream job or a nightmare.

Even a wedding with an indoor ceremony and reception will often have photos done outdoors, either family portraits, casual bride/groom portraits after the ceremony, or some bridal party shots before. So a bit of careful thought in planning your schedule, so that those events take place during the best time of day, will pay big dividends.

The absolute worst time you could possibly have outdoor wedding photographs is when the sun is directly or almost directly overhead, i.e. about 10am to 2pm. The light is very harsh and bluish. The eye sockets become deeply shaded, giving the "raccoon eyes" effect. Nose shadows are sharply defined and dark. Overall, a very hard, unpleasant look. While it's possible for wedding photographers use a flash to lighten the shadows, this contributes to the hard-edged look that just runs counter to the romantic mood of the day.

Running a close second for bad wedding photography light are the hours surrounding the midday zone. The exact time and length varies depending on the time of the year and whether your area observes Daylight Savings Time. If at all possible avoid any outdoor wedding photography more than three hours before sunset. While the sun's angle lessens the shadow problems, the sunlight is still very intense and causes harsh highlights on the skin even if the photographer uses special lens filters to counteract it.

The best time for any type of outdoor photography has long been called the "Golden Hour". Traditionally, the golden hour is defined as the last hour before sunset or the first hour after sunrise. A more technical definition is when the sun is 6° above the horizon to when it's 6° below. The name comes from the yellowish color of the sunlight that's been filtered through more of the Earth's atmosphere because of the angle of the sun. But it's also "golden" because that slice of time has a completely different quality of light that makes beautiful photos. It has none of the harshness and deep shadows of ordinary daylight photography. During the golden hour, the sunlight has been heavily filtered, so it's also far less intense than other times of day and you also get light scattering off the other parts of the sky, filling in shadows. It gives a soft, romantic look that perfect for wedding photography. I've found that even in the downtown Jacksonville area, with all the office buildings and other urban backdrop, the light of the golden hour makes everything prettier!

For me, I find that my "golden hour" is actually a two-hour zone that lasts from 2½ hours before sunset until about 30 minutes before sunset. Keep in mind that I'm talking about official "sunset" which is often after the sun had gone down behind the trees and buildings. You can check various web sites to get the official sunset times on your wedding day.

To get this in line, let's look at a fairly typical outdoor Jacksonville wedding day. Sunset is 7:30, so my golden zone is 5-7. Assuming the wedding and reception are in the same place, I'd like to see the wedding ceremony start at 5:30 so the guest arrivals are at the beginning of the zone. By the time the ceremony starts, we're well into the best light of the day. Assuming a typical wedding ceremony of 20 minutes, we'll have 30 minutes to shoot family formals and 30 minutes to get some nice shots of the bride and groom in the late afternoon sunlight. Then fire up the reception at 7!

The wedding photography, especially the wedding album, are the best and often the only tangible memories of your wedding day. With a little careful planning, you can craft a schedule that gives you the best chance for those soft, romantic wedding photographs you've always dreamed of.

Wedding Photography - Creative Shot Ideas For Your Album

The first thing you may need is a very creative photographer. Check out the photographer's portfolio to see if the photographer is indeed creative.

Then once you've found your photographer, look around the Net to see what you think are creative wedding photographs. Granted, ocean shots are very creative, but you may not be having your wedding in Maui. On the other hand, you may admire shots that contain distant mountains, but if you live in South Florida, that's just not going to happen.

Most creative shots are creative because they properly use the venue of your wedding. For example if you are getting married in a huge gothic cathedral in Europe, then many of your creative shots will include the rounded stained glass windows that serve as fantastic backgrounds for any photographer.

Outline shots taken against the sun, or even the moon require not only a good eye but also a knowledgeable photographer to get the settings correct. Special shots that take in a huge amount of background but yet have the bride and groom centralized in the shot are often taken with a different kind of lens, such as a fisheye lens.

Anytime you find a very creative shot, save it on your computer and then you will have many such shots to discuss with the potential photographer. Some very creative shots merely just happen. For instance shots of the bride and groom dancing in the dark may simply have required a bit of photographic artistry on the photographer's side.

Allowing a bouquet of flowers in the foreground with the bride and groom in the distance is sometimes very creative. Another may have the bride and groom feeding pigeons, or swans together.

The couple jumping joyfully with their feet bent under them is highly creative with the bride's veil floating upward to show their joy. The ubiquitous hands with rings picture can be made more creative by taking such a picture against the bride's garter. Or perhaps with both their hands positioned against a bible with the bride's bouquet off center, would be more creative in your eyes.

The bride bent backwards in her new husband's arms as they embrace is always very nice and extremely creative. It carries the mood of the wedding through the picture and into the viewer's hearts.

Many wish to see a picture of the groom's hand against the bride's butt as long as it does not offend any mores. A picture of the bride and groom being reflected upon still waters is exceedingly creative.

Some other creative shots may involve the bride and groom playing peek-a-boo around a large pillar or column and giggling at each other lovingly. Arms and hands that are wrapped around each other always make for creative pictures of the couple. Before your wedding practice a few in front of a large mirror so that your pictures will appear spontaneous and very loving.

You may also desire for the photographer to be located above you for a very creative perspective. A church balcony should offer that chance. Placing the bride two feet higher than the husband and wrapping her arms around his is often a great way to show off that new ring too. You and your photographer just need to look for photo opportunities that are creative.

Wedding Photographers: Film Vs Digital

The film versus digital debate has been at the forefront of professional photography over the last decade or so. As digital technology has seen numerous advances, many photographers have slowly moved to exclusively shooting digital. These same photographers once shot film, now to most of them film is all but dead. Traditionally wedding photographers worked exclusively with film, with most of them shooting a mix of 35 mm and medium format, using both color and black and white emulsions. Whilst this is a combination that has served wedding photographers well for decades, it is perhaps not the most viable option in today's world, for both financial reasons and in terms of workflow, time and quality.

With the introduction of digital camera technology the industry has seen huge changes. These days the cost of film and processing can be prohibitively expensive. Availability is generally limited to a small number of remaining professional labs and prices for film are steadily increasing as the demand lessens and production drops accordingly. Recent years have seen the closure of many film manufacturers and those that do still exist have ceased producing all the emulsions they once did. It is however, not only for financial reasons that one may consider film to be the lesser option for photographing a wedding.

As digital technology has advanced the image quality continues to progressively improve. Initially digital camera technology could not match the quality of film, and to some extent this judgment on digital cameras has stuck in people's minds, and they continue to assume film will be better quality. There is however more to this story. If we were to consider large format film it is true that this can still outshine the quality of digital - the reality is however that such a format is not suitable for many applications, wedding photography included. Thus we must compare apples with apples to make a fair comparison.

The majority of wedding photographers shooting film will be shooting 35 mm with a mix of medium format. The current top end digital cameras produce images of higher quality than 35 mm film capability, and can be said to rival medium format. Now, if we look at a common situation encountered at a wedding, low light, we can take this debate further. In order to take photographs in low light settings one needs to use a high ISO. Essentially this is a measure of the film/digital sensors sensitivity to light. High ISO film is traditionally extremely grainy - think of the old photojournalistic photos shot on high speed black and white film. This is of course a look that many people like, however some clients may find it undesirable. Unfortunately it is unavoidable if we wish to use film and shoot in low light conditions without a flash.

On the other side of the coin, the current professional digital cameras have come ahead leaps and bounds in their low light capabilities. Early models produced extreme image noise at high ISO's. This noise is considered an ugly, unwanted trait, unlike film grain which can be pleasing. The current breed of digital cameras addressed this and as such are able to capture relatively noise free images even at high ISO's. What does this mean? It means even given low light situations a photographer shooting with a professional DSLR will be able to produce pleasing results without resorting to unflattering flash.

One last key factor when considering film vs digital for your wedding photography is the potential for images to be lost due to error or mechanical failure. It is certainly possible that a digital camera's flash card will fail, however I personally find having to hand film to a lab to process holds a higher potential risk. It means putting your precious images into the hands of someone who may potentially make a mistake with processing. Essentially it is just one more step in the process where your wedding photographs may be ruined. Add to this the fact that your wedding photographer will be shooting blind, uncertain of if the images they are taking are working or if their camera is experiencing a technical failure then I think it has to be said that digital is the safer option.

Film is a magical material, it has a great "look" and can produce outstanding results. However given the negatives (excuse the pun), when it comes to wedding photography I know I would rather have my wedding shot on digital.

Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Wedding Videographer

When you plan your wedding, you'll rely on the help of a lot of different professionals to help you meet your goals for the big day. You need to do more than have a well-orchestrated event, though. Of course you will want a beautiful day that will consist of a lot of precious memories. When choosing among your options for wedding venues, accessories and professional services in, wedding videography is an area that is definitely worth investing in. Yes, you'll probably get an offer or two from a hobbyist who is great with a camera but it really is worthwhile to hire a true professional. A professional videographer is well worth the investment. You only have one opportunity to get this right; choose the right professional to help make sure it happens.

Benefit from Experience

An experienced wedding videographer will have more than a nice camera on their arm. They will possess years of expertise and the knowledge required to get the best vantage points possible. The right angles, the right approach, and the right editing skills will make a dramatic difference in the quality of the wedding video. Consider looking at sample wedding videos online to see an illustration of the quality you can expect when hiring a pro. Talk to a few companies, too, to gauge their level of knowledge, professionalism, and courtesy.

Benefit from Top Notch Equipment

Professional wedding videographers also have the right equipment to produce a great video. The equipment that is used to take, edit, and produce your finished wedding video makes a big difference in the quality of the video you will receive. You want memories that will last a lifetime and the right equipment is a necessity for this to be a reality.

Benefit: Plenty of Options

Hiring a professional wedding videographer will not result in a choppy version of your day. Your videographer will talk to you, at length, about your options, and your vision for the finished product. He or she will show you ideas and examples that you had not even thought of. When you have a family member or a friend handle the video creation for you, you won't have nearly as many options as you will have with a professional. And besides, a guest isn't going to be 100% focused on taking the best video possible because the guest will also be busy enjoying the festivities. When you hire a wedding videography company, the videographer is at your wedding to videotape it. His task will be to focus solely on producing the best video possible and he will be doing this with your desires and wishes in mind. Your videographer won't miss important moments and will have the skills necessary to pick up the correct lighting, angles, and sound.

The quality of your finished wedding video is important. You want a clear, audible, and bright video that will look and sound great. You want the video to take you back to the moment when you were tied together by the bonds of matrimony forever! The right videographer will do his best to be unobtrusive and to capture the most important memories of the day.

It's fine to let your neighbour, uncle, or some other well-meaning guest take a video, too. But seriously consider having a professional wedding video company handle the task of making sure you can get the most important moments of the day recorded and you won't regret it.

Wedding Photography Restrictions And Limitations At The Church

Have you ever been to a church wedding and been taken aback by how visible and inappropriate the wedding photographer is - such as being in very close proximity to the bride and groom and taking pictures indiscriminately as if the end of the world is coming and he's trying to get in as many shots as possible?

Alas, this kind of scenario has been repeated so often that many churches now have strict rules and limitations for wedding photography. Why has this happened? Because amateur photographers have proliferated in the wedding photography business and their lack of experience and awareness has ruined things for the rest of us professionals.

Limitations include: (1) no flash photography at all - which can be debilitating in a dark church; (2) photography only during the entrance, ring exchange and exit; (3) photography only from the back of the church or, worse, the balcony (arguably the worst case scenario, especially if it's combined with no flash photography).

This is quite a serious matter because obviously the church pictures are important - and can be quite beautiful. There are many wonderful Priests out there who realize that we all have a job to do and that when we work together as partners it's a win-win situation: The ceremony maintains its sanctity and the photographer gets the shots. But then other Ministers have been tainted with their experiences with amateur photographers so, understandably, many of them paint us all with the same brush.

I always make sure to speak with the Officiant before the ceremony so I understand the rules. Regardless of how I feel about them, this is his/her domain and I always respect that. There's no choice really. Once, in my early days, I was told off by a Priest, mid-ceremony - not a pleasant experience for anyone - and that happened while I thought I was being cognizant of his rules. Yikes.

My personal approach is to be as stealthy as possible. Afterwards, I often hear from my couples that they didn't even notice me in the church until the registry signing. In my opinion, that is the ideal. At the end of the day, most Officiants just want the wedding photographer to have some common sense - do what we need to do, without stepping on their toes. In this case, as in other areas, common sense comes with experience - it's not actually that 'common'.

My advice to the Bride and Groom. Make sure you take the wedding photography into account when selecting your place of worship. Ask your Priest or Minister about any limitations. If the pictures of the ceremony are important to you, don't assume anything because you may be shocked on the wedding day to find out there are significant restrictions that may hamstring your photographer's ability to effectively capture your ceremony.

Digital Photography, The Art of Capturing Timeless Images

There are those individuals throughout history that seem to possess something that most of us lack. The innate ability to be in the right place at the right time. Somehow they know that what they are doing is important, not only to themselves, but also to millions upon millions of people in future generations.

Mathew Brady was just such an individual. During the Civil War, he made it his quest to photograph as many battles of the Civil War and war events as he possibly could. Could he have known his images would last so long and touch so many lives in such a profound way? When you look at a Brady image today, what do you feel? What thoughts and emotions do the images evoke? For each of us, these emotions are different. That's the beauty and wonder of photography.

Modern digital cameras are so sophisticated that taking excellent photographs is reasonably easy. However, the true beauty of the images is possible only because of the artistry of the photographer using the camera. The abilities and insights of the photographer are what make the images timelessly memorable. The camera is only the tool that makes accomplishing the task possible.

Images created by the real masters of the device can evoke a wide range of emotions in each of us depending on our viewpoint of the scene and our connection to that point in history. Some photographs inspire us while others can cause severe emotional distress. Some pictures remind us of things we would rather forget. All these emotions are possible because of the photographer's ability to record that particular moment in time.

Taking truly memorable photographs requires a lot of both luck and skill. To capture timeless images, you must give some thought to what you want the image to say to those that view it. Think of it this way. If someone were viewing your photograph 100 years from now, what would the image say? Does the picture tell a story or is it just a randomly shot image with no meaning.

Will you ever take a photograph that will be viewed 100 years from now? It's possible! But there's one way to guarantee that you will never take that really memorable picture. No being prepared when the opportunity arises. So here are some tips to better increase your odds.

Always Have Your Camera with You

I was driving home from work one evening and there had just been a huge thunderstorm. Large clouds were hovering to the west, but the sun managed to peek out for just a few minutes. As I approached a clearing in the trees, across this huge field to the east was the most gorgeous double, completely arched rainbow I had ever witnessed. The sky was a royal deep blue and the grass of the field was a shimmering emerald green. And guess what? I didn't have my camera with me and I missed the shot of a lifetime.

Know Your Equipment Intimately

I was hired to photograph a wedding several years ago. The cameras I was using at the time were Olympus OM-10 film cameras. I had several of the same model cameras in my case, each with a different lens, so I didn't have to stop and change the lens for different shot lengths. As the scenes changed, I switched cameras to make sure I didn't miss a special moment during the event.

When I got the prints back from the processors, the pictures from one particular camera were all blurred. After several days of testing, I finally realized the glide rail on the film door had fallen out of the camera, thus preventing the film from being held tightly against the shutter frame. What was the morale of the story? I didn't see what should have been an easily recognizable flaw with my equipment because I wasn't familiar enough with the camera.

Know Your Subject Matter

If you routinely photograph children, you should know they are very unpredictable. You can be prepared for their antics if you know and understand their behavior. Nature photography requires that you know the normal habits and traits of the animal or bird you intend to photograph.

Photographing the elderly sometimes requires as much patience as photographing children, and the results can be just as rewarding, if you understand the traits and characteristics of the individuals.

Recognize Opportunities

Was Mathew Brady just lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time, and just happened to have a camera with him? I don't believe that to be the case at all. I believe he knew what he wanted his images to say to the masses, both current and future. He made it his business to be in the right place when the action was going on. I believe he knew that what lay before him was historic and he was compelled to capture it for posterity.

Document the Event

Sometimes photographs are not enough to tell the whole story. Very old antique family pictures with no written records inspire us to wonder who these people were, how they lived, what they felt, and what was important to them. Pictures are all that is left of them. When all the people who knew and loved them are no longer living, even their memories are gone. That makes the image all the more important in the lives of those who possess it.

These types of photographs need to have a written record of the event kept with the photographs at all times. The old adage "A picture is worth a thousand words", won't hold true for photographs that are so content focused that the image explains nothing at all. Look at the image and decide if the picture does indeed tell the entire story. If not, document the event in writing and keep the documentation with the image.

One excellent way of doing this is through online digital photo processing labs. You can assemble a collection of photographs into a hard cover book complete with the entire story behind each image. The cost is very reasonable for a single copy of the book, so this option makes an attractive way to document multiple photographs in a single binding.

Be Prepared

Keep extra batteries and keep them all fully charged. Keep your lenses clean and functioning properly. Keep extra lenses with the camera at all times. If you do specialty types of photography that requires you to change settings on your camera, set those functions back to normal before you turn the camera off each and every time.

I regularly photograph artwork using a tripod and the timer function on my digital camera. If I forget to turn off the timer function when I'm finished with a session, the next photograph I take is going to take 10 seconds for the shutter to actuate. Always set the camera back to your normal shooting mode after specialty photographic sessions.

So the next time you point your camera at something or someone, think about what impact the picture you are about to take may have. You never know what the picture could mean.

Best Cities for Single Women That Has Loads and Loads of Available Single Men

If you're a single woman looking to find that special man in your life, you may want to consider moving to one of the cities listed below if you are having a hard time finding Mr. Right. Today's women are extra busy going to school, working full-time, and trying to find the right balance of time with their children. Trying to find time to meet someone special can be hard if not impossible if you find that there are to many women in your city competing with you. Now there is a simple way to strategically alter and reverse this once negative factor in your favor. To overcome this problem all you need to do is to simply move to a city that is loaded with single available men.

Men Marry Younger When Competing for Women

To get to the women earlier, many men will marry younger in cities that have a shortage of available women to marry. Men will also marry earlier so they can snatch up a woman before she is taken and proposed to. Men seem to also work harder at work and are better off financially and strive to build their social status up more since they feel they have to prove themselves to this larger pool of women. Women on the other hand can be more relaxed and will not have to work as hard as men in trying to get the attention of available suitors.

Try A New University or Collage

If you find that moving to a distant city is out of the question, then you may want to consider attending a university or college that has an abundance of single young men. Some universities have two or even three times as many men as there is women. Finding a college or university in your area may be the answer to finding that perfect someone. Attending a university with an abundance of male students will put you at a great advantage and you'll also receive greater attention from men since the available women will be limited in your area. In a university like this, the sad fact is that some men simply will not be able to find a suitable dating partner to grow close to. The demographics simply are not in their favor and they will just have to wait until after graduation to locate a suitable partner.

Long Distance Relationships

If you're a man or woman and find yourself at a disadvantage from the low number of men or women available in your area, then you may want to consider going online and attempt a long distance relationship with an online dating service. Many are free and you will have thousands of men and women to pick from. The problem with long distance relationships is the fact that some may not work because of the distance issue. On the other side, there are millions of successful online relationships that do work and that do eventually lead to marriage. This is simply an option to consider if you find your pool of men or women in scarce supply.

Military Bases

You may be in luck if there is a military base in your city or town. The military is mainly a large group of men so with this in mind military bases will also be loaded with available single men. In the movie An Officer and a Gentleman, a simple factory girl works and eventually wins over the man she loves and latter becomes the wife of this man who is an aviator. Women in her town also had problems finding men, so she went to the base where she turned the odds in her favor. A woman needs to simply think outside of the box and can do simple respectable things to get noticed. After all, half the fun is in the chase!

Stay Away From Night Clubs

A word of caution goes out to all the ladies reading this. Please stay as far away from nightclubs as you can. You will get nothing but trouble and headaches from behind the doors of nightclubs. Many women go missing after visiting nightclubs every year so don't become one of them. Instead look in your house of worship, local University or club instead. The best idea would be to find a nice gentleman that has the same interest and values as you. Your relationship will grow and become rock solid if you can do this and find someone with values, morals, and one who truly loves and enjoys family. Place God all the front of your relationship as well. Doing this binds the relationship with ever lasting love and power. Of all the things a couple can do, nothing is more important than your love for one another through Christ. If you can do this, you will become one of the happiest people in the world!

List of Top Cities That Have Loads and Loads of Men

These are the cities that are raining men. If you can land a residency in one of these exciting cities, you have half your work already done for you. Just remember, before you move, take a trip to the city, scout things out a little, and check on the crime rate and general condition of the area you are looking at. If you can find a good home or apartment, a good job, and an area you can call home, then you may find yourself in the middle of paradise. Your whole life can change overnight so hold on to your hat and get ready for the time of your life!

Listed below are the top 14 cities ranked in order for single women. All have been ranked in part by women to men ratio with population, job availability, unemployment rate, and cost of living.

1.) Birmingham, AL
2.) Memphis, TN
3.) New Orleans
4.) Richmond, VA
5.) New York City
6.) Philadelphia
7.) Washington D.C.
8.) Chicago
9.) Boston
10.) Phoenix
11.) Minneapolis
12.) Pittsburgh
13.) Dallas
14.) Austin

This is a composite of information from Super Singles data, (A national company about singles and the single life that has been owned by the author for over 20 years)

Hot Trends in Wedding Photography

Like any other aspect of a wedding, the photography follows trends and fresh ideas. The stiff group portraits that were the standard in wedding photography for generations have become the exception rather than the norm. For inspiration for your own wedding, check out these hot trends in wedding photography.

Informal candids are definitely the most popular variety of wedding photos. They are intended less to be a visual record of who was at the wedding, and more as a fluid overview of some of the high points of the day. They should capture the mood and spirit of the wedding by giving the viewer glimpses into the little moments that make the day special. The bride might want her photographer to be there when she is getting into her bridal gown and wedding jewelry to get a snapshot of her dress going over her head or her sister struggling to pin on her veil. A good candid photographer will have an eye for the other memorable parts of a wedding, from capturing a meaningful glance exchanged by the bride and groom to the look of pure joy on the face of a flower girl on the dance floor. Your guest book will tell you who was at the wedding; the candid photos should show what they did and capture the festive spirit of the event.

Wedding photography taken in unusual places is one of the hottest rising trends in weddings. Many of these pictures are taken as engagement photos before the wedding, but they are nothing like the posed studio shots your parents had taken when they announced their betrothal. Urban backgrounds are particularly popular, ranging from black and white photos set against a towering city skyline to gritty scenes in front of graffitied brick walls. For couples who do not live in a city, popular backgrounds include seasides, natural locations, and even places like carnivals and zoos. These settings are also gaining popularity for day-of-wedding photography; the contrast between the wild setting and the bride in her exquisite bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry makes for an interesting juxtaposition which gives the pictures an edgy quality.

Another trend in wedding photography is to make pictures a part of the event itself, rather than just something to look over weeks later. The rise in digital photography has made this possible. For instance, you might have the photographer use the photos he took during the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour to project as a slideshow onto a wall during the reception. Digital photo booths are finding popularity instead of traditional wedding favors. The guests can go into the booth and have their pictures taken as an instant keepsake of the day. Some of the photo booths will even have a monitor on the outside which will show all of the pictures taken during the reception as a slideshow for everyone to enjoy. An added bonus is that the newlyweds can get a copy of all of their guests's pictures burned on a disc for them to have as a souvenir.

There are several other up and coming ideas in wedding photography, including using images of the bride and groom on save-the-date cards, favor boxes, and even the wedding cake. Many couples are eschewing the traditional heavy wedding album and choosing to have customized photo books created online instead. With all of the amazing technology at our fingertips, wedding photography is a field that is only going to continue evolving in new and fascinating directions.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Photographer For Your Wedding Day

You hear it all the time, family giving couples soon to be married on a budget advice on how to lower the cost of the wedding. If you are a bride, and you have asked a family member to photograph your big day, then read this!

1) Experience A professional photographer will have the experience from other weddings in the past. They will know how the day will flow and will be able to anticipate what is going to happen. This will ensure that they capture those special moments before they even happen!

2) Time Management if your budget allows for a wedding planner or director than it is a great idea to hire one, if not, your professional photographer can be a great asset when it comes to managing the day and keeping it in order. A professional photographer will work closely with your dj to ensure the events of the day run smooth.

3) Knowing How to Use Professional Equipment Digital cameras have come a long way. They have been designed for the novice so that on any automatic setting you can capture a great quality image. Of course now a days, brides always make the mistake of letting uncle Joe who has a $2,000 digital camera take the images of the day, only to realize that a great camera does not make a great photographer! A professional will know how to handle, weather conditions, depth of field and focus, and when to change lens. Uncle Joe might only have one lens, where as your professional will have 3 or more to give you a variety that can't be achieved with a point and shoot or single lens DSLR.

4) Blending We have all seen it a million times, the photographer that is in the way and drawing much attention to themselves. Many couples choose to hire a videographer along with a photographer and time and time again, you see that photographer walking in front of the camera. A professional is aware of their surroundings and knows when and where to be, that is out of the way!

5) Editing Professional Photographers spend thousands of dollars on top editing software that make your images that much better. They are perfectly color balanced and corrected, softened, and retouched. If the wind is blowing during your vows and a piece of hair falls on your face, a professional can make it disappear in the editing process. Or what about your flower girl who fell off her bike the day before the wedding and has a black eye and a busted nose, well your photographer can fix that too. Just another reason why Uncle Joe should not be photographing the most expensive and important day of your life!

6) Licensed and Insured A professional photographer will be licensed and carry not only insurance on their camera, but liability insurance as well. Let's use Uncle Joe as an example again. What if the tripod he is using falls over onto a toddler breaking his/her arm. Who is going to pay the medical bills? Uncle Joe? No! The liability will fall on the bride and groom. Not a pretty wedding present is it?

7) Online viewing and ordering Although most couples think about prints for themselves and family, they rarely think about the other guests that may want to order images from the wedding. In my experience you always have that one couple that hasn't had their picture taken by a professional in years, or a group of college buddies who have not all been together in a decade. How do you get pictures to these guests who may be scattered across the USA. It is a very large and time-consuming task for the newlyweds to copy images (which is illegal unless your purchased the rights to do so) for all of their guests that may want some. A professional photographer will have a website that will allow your event to be displayed with the option for anyone to purchase any images they want.

8) Image Protection Most professional photographers have the software to retrieve lost images die to memory card or camera failure. If not, I mentioned it earlier in this article; a professional photographer will have insurance. This insurance will cover what you paid your photographer for in the event the images are damaged or loss due to camera and equipment malfunction or third party error. Although you may not be able to sue your photographer for millions of dollars, you will be able to get all the money you paid and a bit more back. There is no family member or friend that can promise you this. If Uncle Joe looses your images you just don't have anything!

9) Reprints and copies Because we never know when life is going to deal us a bad hand like fire, theft, natural disaster or divorce, it is always good to have a professional photographer you has your images backed up. You never know when you may need a reprint or copy from your wedding and if you are the only one that has those images and something happens to destroy them, you are out of luck at ever seeing them again.

10) Peace of Mind Planning for your wedding day can be very stressful. The last thing you need to worry about is your wedding photography. If you hire a professional than you can rest assured that he/she has everything under control and you can spend your time enjoying your day! For more helpful tips about hiring a professional photographer visit myrtlebeachphotographybydmarie.blogspot.com.

Creative Lighting Techniques

If you're an old school photographer like me, you probably still use many of the techniques learned on your way up the professional photography ladder. Digital cameras and computer software definitely have some great advantages over 35 mm SLRs when it comes to special effects. Now days though, many photographers simply load up their images with these special effect filters to make ordinary photos look interesting. You can, however, still create great images using basic tools such as a tripod, strobe and shutter release cable.

If I'm photographing a client and can only take pictures in the evening or low light situations, I'll always be ready to get creative portraits. First, I'll find a nice location and good composition consisting of low or ambient light. Moving object such as cars or people can add to these photos and create a nice blur in the background so keep that in mind when setting up your shot. Once you've decided on a good location, put your camera on the tripod and connect your shutter cable. You should use a TTL or sync cord so the strobe is off camera and won't give your subject that dreaded red eye. The important ingredient here is a slow shutter speed so set your ISO and aperture to balance with your shutter. Under exposing your subject is necessary because you will be lighting them so be sure to bracket. Also, if your camera has a rear sync shutter, turn that on too. This will allow the flash to fire at the end of the shutter's exposure and moving objects will appear to move in their true direction.

Let's say we are using a street corner as the backdrop for our portrait. Pose the subjects and tell them to stand still, very still. Wait for some cars to pass by in the background and then pop the shutter. Light from the cars will give you some nice streaks through the frame's background and your off camera strobe will light up your subjects, free of red eye. Shutter speeds between 1/10 and 1 full second can give you some great effects and ambient light. Slower shutter speeds may create ghost images through your subject. This technique comes in handy when I'm creating a portrait or working as a wedding photographer in Chicago and want to shoot at night.

Choose the Best Lens for Wedding Photography!

If you are a professional photographer or an avid hobbyist with a new SLR, you have probably found yourself at a wedding - either to take the official pictures, or as a guest. No matter the reason, you want to take the best wedding pictures possible and capture all the great moments that are likely to go unnoticed, or relegated to fading memories in conversations.

Canon has a bunch of lenses on the market specifically for shooting weddings. From classic portraits, to low lighting scenes, to settings where everyone is in motion, Canon lenses cover a wide range of scenarios, while giving you complete control.

Let's take a look at a few of the great Canon lenses out there right now.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Canon isn't messing around with the EF 70-200mm lens. From Canon's L-series (the L is for luxury), this lightweight and portable lens sports a rugged design, despite its weight. The Canon EF 70-200mm Lens is a culmination of years of design, set to work with today's digital and high megapixel cameras. This lens is sharp and quick to focus, even at a distance - and the Canon EF 70-200mm keeps your subject matter sharp and in high-detailed focus no matter what the conditions.

The Canon Zoom Wide Angle Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L

This is a very versatile Canon lens because it is weather sealed, and can fit both full-frame and crop sensor cameras. As part of the Canon L-Series, the Canon Zoom Wide Angle Telephoto Lens can give you sharp detail and focus on you subject matter from 1.5-feet on out to incredibly long distances. The quick and smooth focusing makes this the perfect lens for wedding portraits - both indoor and outdoor. That means that with this lens, you will be able to get those perfect outdoor shots no matter the weather, or across the reception hall for those heart-touching moments on the dance floor.

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

If there were an ideal wide-angle lens for weddings, the Canon EF 14mm would be the one. This Canon lens gives you extremely sharp images while minimizing distortion - both in image output and color. This is perhaps the easiest wide-angle lens to use, and Canon has once again made the housing extremely durable, while giving you the highest quality output. You will now be able to take in the entire room and wedding party with the wide angle shots that the Canon EF 14mm allows.

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens

For indoor and outdoor wedding portraits, the Canon EF 50mm is perfect. This lightweight lens is prime for those who want those expert wedding shots with little margin for error. This is purely a professional lens, and is designed with the experienced photographer in mind, though the output of this Canon lens is nothing short of brilliant.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens

This Canon Lens is both weather and dust sealed, with a rugged design. But don't let the extreme durability fool you. The Canon EF 24-70mm Zoom Lens has a minimum focus distance of 1.3-feet, and can bring ultra-long distance shots into crystal clear focus. The autofocus and manual on this Canon Lens are superb, and considered the best out there for zoom wedding shots by both professionals and hobbyists alike. With a rugged and compact design, plus an incredible performance, nothing beats the Canon EF 24-70mm Zoom for getting perfect wedding photos at a distance.

The Canon EF 85mm for 1.2L II USM Lens

This Canon lens is a prime lens for wedding photographers. It's a bit on the heavy side, but features both AF and MF, giving you complete control over your subject matter. It is important to note that this lens is electronically controlled, so the focus will only work when it is attached to your camera. The Canon EF 85mm is outstanding and bringing your subject matter into high-detail focus, while also giving you control over background blur, so your shots will stand out even more.

As you can see, Canon has a variety of lenses for getting the ideal wedding photos, and this is just a handful. There are about 15 Canon Lenses that make the list of Top Wedding Lenses Available Today. Canon has taken their decades of expertise and combined that with the desires of both professional and hobbyist photographers to make the perfect lenses. Not only that, but Canon realizes that with wedding and portrait photography on the rise, lenses should not only be designed perfectly, but they should be affordable on top of it.

With Canon, you are getting the best lenses. And by looking around, you can often find these high-end Canon lenses for up to 40% off the list prices you find in brick & mortar or specialty shops. Just visit the links below to see what the experts say in their reviews of Canon Lenses.

How to Organize a Beach Wedding

If you are planning to schedule your wedding on a summer, then it would be best if you will have a beach wedding. Summer season is hot, thus, why don't you make it cool? By going to a beach, you can make the season cool and memorable. However, if you would have to beach wedding, what are the things that you should consider when planning it? Here are some tips that you should consider when planning a beach wedding.

Choose your beach wedding destination. There is no need to go very far when you have a beach near you, however, if you don't have a beach within your area, then you would not have a choice but to travel. You may also opt to go abroad if you would like to have your wedding on another place.

Decide on the decorations that you will use. If the beach that you have chosen has white sand, consider getting colorful decorations so that they will become obvious. You may use red petals of roses as decorations on the aisle. And of course, you can make the venue more comfortable by using canopies to shield your guests from the extreme heat of the sun.

The attires are not the same as those that are used in a traditional wedding. Since you are planning to have a beach wedding, you should then remember that the attires will be different. Say for instance, the bride will no longer wear a very long dress. Rather, she can wear a simple knee-length dress. On the other hand, the groom can just wear shorts instead of wearing slacks. Such attires can help make the theme cooler.

Prepare for accidents. We don't like accidents to happen, but at times, they are unavoidable. Because of that, you should be prepared to deal with them most especially that you will go to a place that is somewhat far from hospitals. You have to take with you first aid kits and make sure that one of your guests or friends works in a medical field.

Prepare for souvenirs. Apart from pictures, your guests can also remember the event through the souvenirs that you will give them. There are lots of choices when it comes to beach wedding souvenirs. You can make use of hats or flip flops having different colors.

There are lots of things that can be done in order to make your wedding memorable. Try having it on a beach and for sure, you can enjoy your day!

Some Helpful Hints About Several Of The Best Banquet Halls In Chicago

There is a long list of banquet halls in Chicago which you can choose from for your extra-special wedding day. If you have a considerable amount of budget for your wedding, it is highly recommended to reserve a banquet hall for your wedding reception.

Since these halls are big and can accommodate a large number of people, you don't have to worry about an overcrowded wedding reception. The tables are appropriately spaced from one another to facilitate a pleasant ambiance for your wedding. Banquet halls in Chicago vary according to style, theme, and service. There are halls which appeal to lovers of French and Old-English architecture. These halls have a regal theme through their arched doors, French windows, plush carpeting, and grand chandelier lighting. The Patrick Haley Mansion showcases a function hall with such Renaissance qualities.

One of the most elegant function halls in Chicago is the N9NE Steakhouse. Its modern approach in style and design appeals to the young couple's needs for a more metropolitan and contemporary wedding. This steakhouse's hall boasts to hold up to 800 wedding guests and offers not only A-class steaks but also a menu full of international cuisine. The Chicago N9NE is a favorite among the young and elite of Chicago.

The best and probably the most expensive banquet hall in Chicago can be found at The Drake. This hotel is one of the premier landmarks in Chicago and has helped shape its culture and history. It houses the most sought after function hall in the Midwest. The Gold Coast Ballroom is one of the biggest and most lavish banquet halls in the city and has been the venue for some of the grandest and extravagant weddings in Chicago. The interiors are breath-taking and the first class service organized for weddings are consistently applauded by some of the country's toughest hospitality management critics. If you want to go all out for your wedding, the Gold Coast Ballroom banquet hall is the perfect venue for your wedding reception.

There are still a lot of banquet halls in Chicago which offer great venue and services according to your wedding budget. Just make sure to reserve them one year ahead of time and make an ocular inspection of the halls which appeal to your taste. Make sure their venue and services match your expectations in creating a truly memorable wedding experience.

Choosing Photo Booth Picture Frames As Wedding Favors

Photo booths are the hot new trend at wedding receptions across the county and it's easy to see why; they provide the guests with hours of entertainment and great souvenirs of the day. Guests leave with lots of fun photos they took with their friends and family that they will cherish forever. A great way to incorporate a photo booth into your wedding is to provide picture frames to your guests as your wedding favor. This way your guests will be able to proudly display their photo strip from your wedding at their home or office.

The frames along with a printed insert can serve as name cardholders to let guests know which table they are seated at or left at their place setting with an insert containing a reminder to use the photo booth and special thank you note to them for attending your wedding.

When selecting a frame for your picture strips you will want to consider three factors: size, price and quality.

Check with your photo booth rental company to determine exactly what size photo strips they offer. The most common sizes are 2"x6", 2"x7", 2 翹"x8" and 4"x6", however, there are a lot of other size photo strips out there. Ideally you would like your frame to be about 翹" taller than the photo strip to allow the photo strip to slide in and out easily.

On average a frame for a photo booth picture will cost around a dollar per frame, sometimes higher for the larger frame sizes. Since the prices are all very close the real questions is quality.

What material is the frame made from? Acrylic is the most common and offers good quality at an affordable price. The 1.5mm acrylic tends to be a little flimsy while the 2mm offers a much sturdier frame so always look for the thicker acrylic. Another thing to look for is how the edges appear. Depending on the manufacturing process used some edges are rough while others are smooth and rounded. The rounded edges of course indicate a much higher quality. The final thing to consider is if the frames come individually wrapped to avoid scratching during shipping or in transit to your wedding venue.

You might spend a few more cents per frame for the better frames but the higher quality is evident and seeing how this your gift to your guests and something they will be displaying at their home well it is worth it.

Valuable Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Wedding Photographer

One of the most important decisions for couples who are interested in preserving the memorable moments of their wedding day is to hire a professional wedding photographer.

But it is quite typical for the bride and groom to prioritize about all other things except who will be their official wedding photographer. Everything else comes first, the dress and tux, the bouquet, the reception. It is at their bottom of the list who will be in charged of the photography.

Most couples believe that they can just choose any photographer to record the ceremony and have their pictures done. A big mistake is when the groom and bride ask a member of their family or a friend to be their wedding photographer. It may work at times but it may not be a wise decision. There are many reasons why couples should think about acquiring expert wedding photography providers. Factors such as professionalism, their ability to provide different photography solutions and experience are simply some important reasons for considering hiring the services of a professional wedding practitioner.

One of the many benefits of hiring a professional is professionalism. Needless to say, professionalism do come at a price. The cost of wedding is on the rise and have become very expensive. In some cases, couples decide to reduce costs by keeping away from using professional services like for their wedding photography. The bride and the groom would like to believe that their friends and family members can take care of the photography on their wedding day at the hope of saving money from hiring someone who is a professional wedding services provider. Even if this appears to be an affordable solution, the result may not always be what is expected. Hiring a professional wedding photographer means top quality service. They come prepared to take photos all throughout your wedding. It is usually hard to expect the same level of professionalism from your friends and family. Your family and friends have a lot of personal connection to the wedding for them to efficiently take the photographs they are supposed to do. A highly qualified wedding photographer is focused on the job which results in better pictures done in a professional manner.

An additional advantage associated with hiring a professional is track record which can be verifiable and proven. Most if not all wedding photographers have their works preserved and well documented which shows their capability of providing excellent photography services for different types of occasions. Numerous photographers now have their portfolio or proof of work online aside from the traditional physical albums showing their best photos. This permits the wedding couple to have a better understanding of how capable a wedding photographer is. Moreover, several wedding photographers can even show memberships in their local photography clubs which offers a way to even further verify the wedding photographer's qualifications. Past clients can also be a source of verifiable testimonials. These testimonials can help wedding couples make an informed decision about which wedding photographer can best preserve the memories of their wedding day.

Finally, professional wedding service providers can offer couples various photography solutions in preserving the memories from their wedding. Wedding couples can select from a wide variety of wedding packages. From traditional photo albums to the more advanced digital platforms such as photos on CD or DVD, slide shows and wedding photo galleries that can be viewed online. An excellent way to show your wedding pictures to your friends and family.

Obtaining high quality wedding photography services from a professional wedding photographer should be on the top of the list of wedding couples who are thinking of preserving all those memorable moments of their wedding. These benefits include professional service, experience and ability to create different wedding packages that will suit a wedding couple's own preferences.

Do You Really Know Who Your Customers Are?

I have a question for you - Do you really know who your bridal customers are? I mean REALLY know?

There are brides out there looking for you, couples who need your services, they just don't know it yet. To help them find you, you need to market directly to them. In other words, you need to TARGET market.

Target marketing is more than just know that you're looking for brides. That's too generic and could mean just about anything. There are tens of thousands of brides out there, but not all of them are potential customers for you and your services. No one can be all things to everybody. So why would you market yourself as if you were the solution to every bride's problem?

That's why it's critical to really know who your target market is. Because in order for your marketing to resonate, you absolutely must understand who you are writing it for. Your bride knows what she wants and what she's searching for. You need to know that too in order to ensure that you are communicating to her in a way she can relate to. Otherwise, she'll never buy from you!

It's easier than you think to identify your target market. To really understand your bride, you first need to identify her demographics. In other words, take note of the basic information such as:

• Age;


• Education; high school, college, post grad, doctorate;


• Income: low, medium, high;


• Ethnic and/or religious background;


• Housing - own or rent; and


• Do they have children.

Once you know the basics, you need to also understand their "psychographics" or the things that really make them tick. Consider things like:

• Lifestyle: Are your brides conservative, exciting, trendy, or economical?


• Opinion: Are they easily swayed or are they opinionated?


• Activities and interests: What do they like to do in their spare time? Do they like sports, fitness, shopping, eating out, travel, books?


• Attitudes and beliefs: Are they environmentalist? Are they religious or spiritual? What are their attitudes towards spending money?

Take the time to record all of the details for each of your past clients. You probably already have most of the information in your files. And if this information isn't something that you normally record, just write down everything you remember. Trust me, it won't take long for you to see patterns to emerge and the picture of your bride to become crystal clear.

What a First Time Wedding Photographer Needs to Know

The news that you are photographing your first wedding often leads to emotions ranging from excitement to apprehension, and in some cases, fear. Assuming you have experience with your equipment and have developed the necessary skills to take great photographs, the wedding event has a greater likelihood of being a successful one if you follow some key steps.

This article provides an overview of important steps to follow before, during, and after the event. As with any important job, the keys are preparation, focus, and follow-through.

Before the Wedding
Proper preparation before the event is the best way for a photographer to have a successful outcome. I spent several weeks before my first wedding visiting other photographer's web sites. I read books on wedding photography, and I researched photography blogs and forums. It is amazing how much information is available for little or no charge. These tips and other photographs can inspire you and get you thinking about what you want to accomplish and how you are going to make it happen.

It is important that you have a standard written agreement that is signed by the bride- and groom-to-be and the photographer. There is no excuse for not having this document in place. It should describe the deliverables and the fees associated with the service and products. It should also include a model release so you can use the photos for promotional purposes. It is highly recommended that you contact an attorney and draft a standard agreement that protects you.

At the time of signing the agreement, there are two other opportunities to enhance the process. First, get to know the bride and groom. Spend some time chatting so you will know their story and they will know you. When the wedding day comes, they should feel comfortable with you so their true personalities will shine. If possible include a no cost or low cost engagement shoot so everyone can gain even more of a comfort level. It is a good opportunity to give them some posing tips that they can use on their wedding day.

It is also imperative to know the schedule. When you are meeting with the bride and groom, go over the agenda for the time you are expected to be at the wedding. Get to know their expectations. Let them know when you expect them to devote time to photographs with you in charge. This is a good time to talk about a wedding coordinator. If they will designate a friend or family member that will help the you identify important family members during the wedding day, it can be a tremendous help.

Another important component of preparation is checking your equipment. Check it thoroughly at least four or five days before a shoot. A check prior to my first wedding revealed a faulty auto-focus mechanism on one of my camera bodies, and I had to borrow a second camera for the shoot, but I was ready.

A proper equipment check also requires making sure you have backups of everything. You need two camera bodies and two flash units at a minimum. If you do not have them, you can rent them. On my first senior photo shoot, the wind blew my tripod and camera to the concrete surface. You never know when something will drop or just fail.

Check your batteries and memory card supplies, and bring more than you think you will need. It is not uncommon to take 2,000 to 3,000 images at a wedding. If you are using flash, you will burn through batteries very fast at that rate. For memory cards, it is better to have several smaller cards than just one or two big ones. If a card fails, you minimize your loss by using multiple cards.

Visit the venue(s) prior to the wedding day in order to scope out lighting and shot locations. Do you need to gel your flash for proper white balance? I often find that if I take a few test shots with and without flash, and perform a custom white balance check with my camera, that there are competing colors from the various light sources. For indoor venues, I often have to gel the flash to match the color of the venue's lighting. This will save you much time and aggravation later in the process.

To prepare yourself physically for a tiring day, have a light meal before you go. It is a good idea to bring granola, energy or candy bars or other portable snacks. Bring water too just in case.

If you are prone to headaches, have a pain reliever with your in your pocket or bag.

Part of blending into the event is dressing appropriately. Talk to the bride and groom about their expectations before the event. In all cases, wear comfortable shoes.

The Ceremony
When you arrive, begin by taking outdoor venue shots. Here in southeast Michigan, you never know if the weather will turn on you later, and the same is true in many locations. Get some key building and landscape elements without people, just to have them.

Calibrate your camera's white balance as soon as you walk indoors; do it for all of your cameras. Also, turn camera sounds off; you don't want your camera to make noise during the ceremony.

Bring a fast lens; the faster the better. Indoor lighting at churches and reception halls is notoriously poor and dim. Be prepared with a fast lens (f 2.8 minimum - f1.8 preferred). If you don't have one, rent it.

If you are in a place of worship, have a clear understanding of where you can go and what locations are off-limits. Also, flash is usually not permitted in places of worship, but you can ask.

Consider bringing an assistant. Let them carry equipment, help set up shots, hold off-camera flash, and more. If you are working a 6-8 hour event, be prepared for the physical impact it will have on you. Having an assistant will ease the burden on you and should result in better photographs.

If you have a break from the bride and groom, start shooting the very young and very old early. They can get tired fast, and some may leave early.

If you have a camera bag, lock it down or have your assistant carry it. If you are on your own, consider using a cable lock for your camera bag and hide it out of sight. It serves as a deterrent from theft. You may feel comfortable with the bride and groom, but you never know about their friends and family or the staff at the venue.

Never reformat memory cards at the event. Backup when you can, but do not reformat. Check everything on your computer and complete backups before reformatting.

Take shots of the bride and groom as soon after the ceremony (or before) as possible. After people start drinking and celebrating, it will get harder to assemble people and have them look their best.

Most of the time, the photographer's role should be to blend in and be discreet. Disappear in the background and try to capture people when they are relaxed, happy, emotional, etc.

If the wedding and reception are indoors, make sure to take shots of the bride and groom outside. Try to get away during the reception and get some outside shots - even if it is nighttime.

Be insured. If someone trips over your equipment are you covered?

Take a group shot of everyone. This is a great way to have everyone in attendance in one photo. It makes for a great enlargement and an opportunity for sales to others in attendance at the wedding.

After the Event
After the event is over, I believe it is important to process the images as fast as possible. There is something to be said capturing taking the energy of the day and carrying forward. Posting images quickly to a web site will make everyone happy.

Keep in contact with the bride and groom and schedule a time to meet with them to go over the images and discuss ordering details. It is as important to provide a high level of customer service after the event and before it. If you establish a relationship with the couple, they will think of you for family portraits and portraits of their children in years to come.

Finally, take notes about what went right and what went wrong. This may help you do an even better job next time around.