Wedding Reception Games To Break The Ice

How many wedding receptions have you been to at which you know nobody else or few other people. Often sat with strangers at the table whilst eating which can be awkward as can mixing and getting to know other guests as the evening winds on after the meal. Some people are more natural in such social situations than others so it can help to build in a few ice breakers to get things going and up the atmosphere and get everyone involved.

A nice, straightforward way to do this is to appoint an MC - this might be the bride, the groom, the best man, a bridesmaid perhaps. The MC is then in charge of the game. In advance of the reception the bride and groom compile a list of things and give that to the MC. That list will include things that the bride and groom think that their guests will have on them or can provide on the spot. For example this might include for women nails painted in a certain colour or for men those with a beard or wearing brown shoes.

As the MC calls out one of the things on the list, those who qualify go up to the top table and introduce themselves briefly. This can help people to enter in to the spirit of the evening, help others to learn a little about them which in turn can help to break the ice when they return to sit at their table as all others on that table know who else is on it and get the conversation started.

A simple quiz can also be an excellent ice breaker and get people involved. The quiz might be about the bride and groom (where they met, who proposed to who and where and similar) or of a more fun/general knowledge type nature. Bride and groom prepare the questions in advance and give them to their appointed MC who is then the quiz master. Each table becomes a team writing down their answers as the quiz master asks the questions.

At the end of the questions, the bride and groom give the correct answers with each table team ticking off what they have answered correctly. Have some prizes ready and award one to say the top three scoring tables. Perhaps a bottle of champagne to help the winners celebrate or a box of chocolates. The main result not being who has won or lost but how the guests on each table have got to know each other and bonded a little through acting as a team.

If you have invited young children to your reception, don't forget them either and get them involved. Perhaps whilst the adults are playing their ice breaker games you could plan a similar activity for the kids in a special area of the room just for them with a volunteer quiz master. Split the in to random teams and ask them questions about their favourite cartoon characters and other fun kids stuff and give everyone something for competing so no child feels left out. Help them to have fun as well as the adults.

When planning your wedding reception do give some thought to the best ways you can get all your guests mingling, talking and get in to the happy spirit which your big day is all about. As you can see from this article that need not be complicated and the simple things are often most effective.

Chicago Wedding Planning: Making It Happen

Imagine a cruise on Lake Michigan, taking a tour up the golden mile. Driving down rush street and taking the elevator ride up to the top of the Sears Tower. We're of course talking about the great city of Chicago. Despite the cities gangster past not helped by the recent movie with Catherine Zeta Jones, Chicago has transformed itself to one of the most exciting and beautiful cities. Chicago is also one of our most culturally diverse cities as well. The purpose of this article is to give you some tips on wedding planning in the city of Chicago.

Those planning their weddings in Chicago will have a wealth of opportunity and choice at their fingertips. There are literally hundreds of businesses available to help you sort out the necessities of wedding planning. The yellow pages is packed full of photographers, caterers, restaurants, tailors and plenty more. Chicago, being our third largest city brings resources by the millions to plan the perfect day for any and all budgets.

Chicago is a major travel hub in America. It is served by O'Hare international airport and can be reached from nearly any destination in the world. Chicago provides hundreds of hotels and restaurants as well as ranging from upscale to downright dirt cheap. So relatives attending will have an abundance of choice at hand on where to stay and eat. This will make the chore of Chicago wedding planning much easier.

Those planning their wedding in Chicago may wish to consider having their honeymoon their as well. Chicago has plenty to offer from theaters, museums and endless blues and jazz bars where you can dance the night away. If your wedding is in the summer the shores of Lake Michigan provide an atmosphere that could rival and beach on the French reverie

For those planning their wedding in Chicago, you can't go wrong. This vibrant, windy city provides a perfect backdrop for weddings and honeymoons. The cultural diversity, music, bars and restaurants will guarantee a good time and a fantastic wedding. Escape to the windy city for your big day. You, your friends and family will love it.

Reportage Wedding Photography

When searching for a for a wedding photographer you may have likely come across the term reportage, or photojournalism. It is a real buzz word in the wedding photography community right now, but what does it mean?

Reportage photography is where a photographer will try to photograph their subject without them being aware of them. In wedding photography this creates a very natural and real shot, one that will accurately depict the atmosphere and characters on your special day. The reportage style is often genuine and unobtrusive.

Adopting this style will give your clients a complete record of their day, from start to finish. It is often a favoured choice for the bride and groom as they are not over ordered around by a photographer.

The contemporary approach is to spend time capturing natural images, rather than creating unnatural images and looking for candid pictures to get real wedding photos that happen during their day, leaving them time to enjoy it.

Be dedicated to documenting events as they unfold, with a relaxed and natural approach, unobtrusively capturing the details of the wedding day with sensitivity, intuition and experience; blending in seamlessly with the guests. Of course every wedding wouldn't be complete without the occasional, formal shot. But I often find from talking to my clients that the formal shots are for the benefit of the extended family; it's the natural shots that will carry real meaning for the bride and groom, and for years to come.

When shooting reportage photography, I favor the Canon 24-70mm L Series lens. It is simply an excellent lens! At 70mm you can capture stunning portraits and all the macro details, wind the lens to 24mm and you can achieve a great subtle wide-angle look. The wide angle is superb for capturing large groups of people, building interiors and exteriors. It has a brilliant ability to replicate vivid colors, and work in low lights indoors. Perfect for reportage photography.

Wedding Albums - Traditional Album Or Wedding Photo Book?

The wedding album until recently has been the last bastion of the traditional photo album. Glossy prints carefully preserved on acid free mounts, interleaved with tissue paper pages, again acid-free, are designed to make those precious photos last a lifetime. But there is a new wave of wedding album and wedding photography challenging the traditional old-style look. The wedding photo book, or storybook album, is becoming more and more popular with brides, providing a creative alternative that can be easily personalised to reflect your individual wedding style.

Traditional wedding albums tend to have very simple layouts with not much variety. They are designed to hold a small number of large prints. This format suited the old-style of wedding photography, where there were a set number of formal poses and group shots to include in the album.

Today's style of more informal wedding photography results in so many more shots, both posed bride and groom shots and spontaneous moments captured throughout the day. To fit all of these shots in a traditional wedding album would cost a fortune in printing, but with a printed photo book all your favourite moments can be part of the album. Full page shots can alternate with pages full of fun shots collaged together giving more scope to the creativity of the photographer and allowing the bride and groom's individual style to shine through.

Digital photography makes wedding photo books very versatile. Because you no longer need to have individual prints made of your favourite photos for your wedding album, you can gather all your wedding photos together digitally. If you want you can combine the professional photographs taken by your wedding photographer with the best of those taken by family and friends. If you are planning a wedding on a tight budget, compiling your own wedding album as a photo book can save you money, as long as you are prepared to spend the time required to sort through all the photos and design a layout for it.

Wedding photo books shouldn't be seen as a cheap alternative to the traditional weeding album however. They can be just as elegant as a traditional album, with board covers and tooled gold writing if desired, but have the advantage of a more personalized style. Your wedding album can become a gorgeous glossy coffee table photo book, where you are the stars of the show, a reportage photo story that tells the events of the day in glorious Technicolor, recalling precious moments that you hardly had time to appreciate on the day, but which you can look back upon year after year and enjoy in retrospect.

If you still feel the need for a traditional wedding album, there's no reason you shouldn't have a photo book as well. The wedding album can contain all the more formal shots and the photo book becomes a more informal record of the day.

3 Secrets To Capturing Real Moments and Emotions In Your Wedding Photography

Who wants ordinary snapshots from their wedding, right? Here's 3 secrets to capturing real moments and their underlying emotions -- and they're not what you think! I've been a professional wedding photographer for 30 years and I've invested a lot of time over those years with hundreds of brides and grooms, and their moms and dads, on their wedding days and afterwards.

So I've experienced what it is people, just like you and me, who wish their photography to embody all their tears, smiles and laughter, capture the relationships they have with their loved ones, and document their life's most meaningful moments, really desire to get out of their wedding photography when it's all said and done.

With all this first-hand experience if I were asked today to boil down how to have your wedding photography portray natural emotions and real moments to just its 3 most relevant keys, the most important factors of all, they would have to be these:

Secret #1 - Disconnect from the "Smile For The Camera" Mode Ever since you were a little child, your parents would take your picture telling you to look at the camera, hold still and smile.

That's how they took pictures, and in so doing, they trained you to "mug" for your pictures and "play to the camera". Today, you're all grown up, and you may be out on the town one night with your friends, and someone in your group pulls out their cell phone or camera and aims it at you and your friends, and what do you all do?

You "assume the position"! You all stare at the camera, staying motionless... smiling... waiting for the picture to be taken.

Just as you were trained to do ever since you were a kid.

But those aren't the kinds of images you wish to have to remember your wedding with - unless you're an average bride who's okay with average photos, but we've already established that you're probably not that bride. So you may feel more strongly that the best photos of you have always been those where you're not aware of the camera.

You'd be right about that.

It's because those "candid" photos are capturing you being yourself.

When they're done well, that is, when they catch "definitive moments", they capture your personality, your essence. Were you aware people act differently when they know they're being observed?

Just like you may drive more conservatively than you normally would if you knew there's a police car behind you. This is why television shows like "Big Brother" actually hide their cameras, so they can capture people as they really are, being themselves doing what they do, rather than mugging for - or doing things affected for - the camera. You want to be photographed on your wedding day as the person you are - not be made into someone you're not. And not get a bunch of "smile for the camera" shots. Your guests will take plenty of those.

Unplug yourself from "playing to the camera" on your wedding day and you'll get real moments instead. Because you'll be having real moments of genuine, natural interactions that can be photographed -and those will make for some great memories. And great photos.

Secret #2 - Tell "Stories" With Photos. Not Just "Take Pictures" People become photographers out of a love for taking pictures. And when they get into wedding photography, typically they look around and say, "okay, what pictures should I be taking?" Then they see what other wedding photographers are doing. And they do the same.

(which is why you're seeing many of the same shots from photographer to photographer).

But the result is simply a compilation of random pictures from the wedding.

Emotional impact however, rises when one photograph builds on the next, and so on, compounding the depth and layers of the story being told.

You see, there's a difference between taking pictures - and telling stories with photos. Sequences of story-telling photos also fill in the moments between the bigger moments - and tell us more about what happened, how it happened, who the people were, and how they felt. They shows us Action and Reaction. Cause and Effect. And not having any gaps, the series of story-telling sequences reveal more about the story than if there were only one picture to tell us what happened. Your wedding isn't just one story, it's a compilation of many stories. They're stories within stories: There's the story of you and you new spouse, of course. But there's also the story of your mother and you. The story of you and your father. The story of you leaving the family home forever, the story of starting a new home, of you and your best friends... On your wedding day, what comes together, in one place, at one time, are all these stories of your life. Carry these [1] sequences of [2] story-telling images of [3] these stories and sub-stories over to your wedding album, depicting them therein in a story-telling format - and they trigger fuller, more complete memories of your wedding every time you look through your album - because they form stories. Whereas other wedding albums are mere scrapbook collections of pictures.

Secret #3 - It Takes A Certain Type Of Photographer To Take A Certain Type Of Photo Your photographer's empathy goes a long way to getting the type of heart-touching images you desire from your wedding. The camera doesn't know what photos to take. That task is obviously up to the photographer. Some photographers routinely use "shot lists". Those are ideas for photos they can get throughout the day. Those ideas might be based on what the studio likes to sell (i.e. "clink champagne glasses and smile at camera"). Or they might be based on what the photographer envisions your wedding to be. Their "artificial" moment, not your "genuine" wedding moment.

Being pre-conceived and contrived, all those shots aren't based on what actually happens at your wedding. You want photography that comes out of what actually happens at your wedding.

Otherwise, they're not real moments. And only real moments have real memories - with meaning and feelings - attached to them.

So say you found a photographer who agrees to document your wedding as it unfolds rather than use those pre-conceived shot lists. Terrific! That's a good start.

But now... what makes a photographer take one photo of "this", yet not a photo of "that"?

I've found that the best, most meaningful, height of emotion wedding photographs, are only captured when the photographer's "trigger finger" is directly connected to his or her heart. Something in the photographer's emotional chemistry tells them when a particular moment is significant to document. It's like second nature. It just happens.

They don't even have to think twice about it. Here's an illustration of what I mean:

Assume Photographer #1 is at your wedding. He or she's unmarried, doesn't have children, their biggest joy in life is partying.

Now, understand I'm not making any judgments here... other than how a person's "chemistry" influences what photos they're prone to take.

That photographer is likely to have a particular zeal for party shots. It's just them, it's how they're wired. To them, that's what a wedding's all about.

Now say another photographer has children, maybe lost a parent. They may be more sensitive to child/parent relationships. To them, a wedding's about family dynamics.

Being different people, the two photographers have different outlooks on life, wouldn't that be fair to say? Both photographers are at the same party. At some point while people are dancing, your father comes over to you. He has a tear streaming down his cheek.

He knows the time has come to let go. It's been on his mind and in his heart. His "little girl" is off to start her new life. He's feeling it. He hugs her closely. No words are exchanged. The second photographer spies that and he just knows he needs to document those endearing moments.

The first photographer sees it too but its significance doesn't quite register with him in that magnitude. It's not in his "emotional lexicon" to "get" the significance of it all. He's involved with taking shots of some people dancing. And so he continues to do that.

The moment was lost on him, you see. And because of that, the moment was lost.

Forever. Because it wasn't documented by the photographer. Moral of the story: you could have the most meaningful, sentimental, personal moments happen - but if the photographer doesn't "get" it in his or heart, then he or she won't get it in the camera either - and then you'll never have it to remember your moments by.

A Wedding Photographer's Top Four Tips For Brides

Selecting an expert wedding photographer is important to getting great pictures, but for perfect pictures, Chicago wedding photographers need some help from the bride. Many of the wedding particulars like the venue and accessories seem minor, but they can have a big impact on the quality of the pictures. For the best wedding photography, Chicago experts have these four tips:

1. Shine With Smiles Not Glare

Small objects have a habit of glaring off other objects, frequently ruining great shots. The board underneath the wedding cake is one of the common places glare occurs. Talk to the bakery about this and ask them to cover the foil with flowers or have them use a different medium to cover the board. Contacts and eyewear also reflect light. To prevent this, have your glasses treated with a non-reflective coating. For wedding activities held in a tent, many Chicago wedding photographers recommend covering the reflective steel with streamers and other materials.

2. Don't Let Stains Get In The Way

One of the biggest stresses for brides is stains on their beautiful dresses. Most wedding day stains can be removed with a few simple tricks. Real flowers often stain dresses in one of two ways. The water from the stems often gets onto the bride's dress leaving obvious watermarks behind. To prevent these marks from appearing in wedding photography, Chicago shutterbugs recommend using a matching piece of fabric under the flower stems to absorb the excess water.

Some flowers like lilies contain an abundance of pollen that transfers onto fabric. Many Chicago wedding photographers ask the brides to pull out the center stamens to eliminate it at the source. If you do happen to get pollen on your dress, don't rub it! Instead, use a piece of tape to gently lift if from the delicate surface.

3. Enjoy The Day

Couples frequently make the mistake of creating a rushed, busy schedule that leaves them feeling completely exhausted half way through the day. For stress free wedding photography, professionals say to plan a longer cocktail hour and try to schedule breaks between the day's events. This gives everyone time to sit and relax before the next round starts.

4. Plan Stress-Free Photo Sessions

Many people dread the photo sessions because they seem to wait for hours. To make this part of the day run smoothly, plan your must-have photos so that everyone you need for the pictures is there and that the shots are simple. Remember that the more people in a shot and the more complicated a sitting, the longer the session will take. Wedding photographers also suggest having chairs, drinks, and appetizers ready for everyone while they wait. Most of all, allow extra time for the session.

When it comes to wedding photography in Chicago experts will ensure that your wedding day lasts forever. You will be able to relax and enjoy your day rather than worrying about the little things. Whether you live in Orlando or Chicago, wedding photographers will provide you the best pictures possible with these simple tips.

Freelance Photography - The Tough Job of Photo-Journalism

Photojournalism is a broader term used for candid photography. It can be said that this is the trickiest type of photography. Catching candid art isn't as easy as it may appear to start.

Photographers pursuing photo-journalism are expected to hold a great amount of expertise in dealing with the angles of portraiture. There is a vast choice of scenes that can be clicked to make the candid portrait pop with life! To make it simple, it can be said that the professional photo-journalists are a cut above the other category of photographers, as they know how to present a story in just a single click.

Defined, photo journalism is a single photo that tells an entire story.

The shots clicked by these photographers are the type to be seen in magazines and newspapers. This type of photo-journalism falls under all subjects of photography but the clicked image needs to be worthy to get published in newspapers with the respective story.

Modern day wedding photography often uses a photo journalistic-style of photography. Remember, a photo with a story?

These days there are many photographers being hired as freelancers to conduct this type of freelance photography.

This kind of photography is usually performed by the journalists who work closely with newspaper photographers and receive commission to produce images that get published with the articles. But freelancer's are seen fulfilling this job more diligently and are primed for hire. If you're wanting to be a photo-journalist then hats off to you. This is a well respected form of photography, and as mentioned previously, often one of the trickiest types of photography.

The second type of journalism photography is where an image is used to cover the story without taking the mention of words. Here, often a single image is used or sometimes one uses as many as ten images that get published in magazines or newspapers. The most impressive quality of a photo-journalist is that his ability to respond rapidly whenever there is scene concluded news worthy.

Some photo-journalists get enough shooting assignments from various newspapers or magazines as freelance photographers, others do not. It's a hard field to enter, and not nearly as easy as the traditional family, child or wedding photography. Clearly, this is why many photographers use this method in all their portrait assignments.

Their job is extremely harsh and difficult as they are expected to take pictures both in extreme conditions as well as in challenging situations. Telling a story was never harder, but more rewarding.

There is a lot of information online regarding this type of photography. Chances are there is an online Photography Community that you can join that will teach you everything you want to know about how to tell a story with a single photo.

Wedding Photography Lenses - Canon

I always see the question posed "What lens should I use for wedding photography?" For all intents and purposes, I'm only going to speak to Canon lenses but I'm sure that this information can be transposed for Nikon purposes. I'm also assuming that because you're shooting weddings, you are serious about photography and have (or will) invested money into quality fast glass.

There are really two ways you can approach it when looking at renting or purchasing lenses. Wedding photography is usually shot in low-lit conditions and it is important to have fast glass, that is lens with high apertures. You also want lenses that have excellent optical quality but that is obvious.

For this reason, primes are excellent when shooting weddings if you are able to move free and quickly and "zoom with your feet". In what can be regarded as the "trinity" of primes, the Canon 35mm f1.4 L lens, Canon 85mm f1.2 mkII L lens and Canon 135mm f2.0 L lens is an excellent trio of lenses one can use whether they are shooting wide or zoom.

If you need to be more versatile or are unable to be able to zoom, the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L lens and Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L lens are an excellent combo that is extremely versatile and also relatively fast at f2.8. Obviously it is not as fast as the primes are but you have all ranges from 24 to 200 covered.

I hope that this article has been useful in considering some of the choices given all of Canons lenses out there. I regularly shoot with these 5 lenses (usually either the zoom options or the prime options depending on what conditions I am shooting in).

Unique Engagement Photo Ideas

One way of documenting your love's journey is to have your engagement pictures taken. There are many unique ideas for engagement photo shoot, and here are some that you can use.

First dates. Your first dates play a most special part in your relationship. It is when you've tested waters, decided to give your relationship a try, and most importantly, get to know each other. These moments are exclusive to the two of you. Think of one special moment were you both have a good laugh on your first date and find a symbol that you can remember together. For example, if your first date was on a heavy rainy day, you can make your engagement theme photography using umbrellas and boots and a little splash in the mud.

The sacred place. This place may be an exclusive place for the two of you. No, not the bedroom! It could be that special place that you go together often. It may be a park or a little hill with a special tree where carved your initials together. This will tell a lot about your personalities and special emotions that reflect your love. You can also have a picnic for two; sit on the swing or cuddle under the tree and star gaze under the bright night sky.

Where you got engaged or a trip destination. This is also a cool place to have your engagement photos taken with. You can both relive the special moment when you got surprised and he popped out the question. There's also probably one place where you both wanted to go or have already gone to. If you went to the Himalayas or to an Asian beach paradise, you can contact a photographer to take your picture there again. Not only will it be memorable but the scene and background will be perfect. Consider a photo shoot amidst the yellow field of flowers, cool skyline or a shimmering street light at night. Don't forget to add personal, relaxed feel during the photo shoot so that the photo will turn out perfect.

Hobbies. There are things you both enjoy together. These may be hobbies or recreational activities that are good for your relationship. Having a hobby together will help you grow in your relationship. For an engagement photo shoot idea, consider a sport like basketball or cake baking or playing music together. What's really important is that the hobbies that you portray in your photos are also the hobbies that reflect your personalities.

Anywhere beautiful and unusual is perfect. If you can't think of any place, try choosing somewhere you have both have a soft spot on the place. You can have a photo session with your dog or cat and play around with the theme you've chosen. The beach or the mountain may be a good place to choose from. The nature and the wild are also some great places. Oceanside photo shoot are also fun where you can play with the water and just be yourselves.

Whether you want it whimsical, retro, action-packed, or colorful engagement photo shoot, the most important thing is to find a theme that fits you both as a couple. Candid shots always give nice touches where you can also goof off, make faces, laugh and play with each other. Remember, you are in love, ignore the photographer, and just enjoy the photo shoot!

Photographic Testing - Some Considerations For A New, Aspiring Model

"Testing" in the modeling industry is a term with a few meanings. It can be used to describe a photo session where a model uses pictures obtained by a photographer for their own promotion in their portfolio or composite card. Testing may be recommended by the modeling agency to go to specific photographers that they prefer to work with. In this type of "testing" the model usually pays the "test photographer" for their service. Whether or not the money is paid up front by the model or the modeling agency depends upon a variety of factors. What is the policy of when their new models need testing? This is a question that may only be answered by each individual agency.

The location of the modeling agency, how many models they represent, the types of clients and models that they use, and some other financial policies are all factors in whether the agency will pre-pay for a model's testing. Learn this lesson, now, that only a very, very small amount of modeling agencies are willing to use their own money when paying for a model's testing "up-front". They want to be absolutely confident that the model will work for them, be a strong earner of money/prestige for the agency, and then the agency will deduct the testing fees later from the model's first paycheck. The money for testing is ultimately paid for by the model sooner or later.

Some good news is that there are times when a photographer hires a model for their own testing. Sometimes they may "test" to either experiment with new equipment or photographic techniques. The photographer may even just want to test a new model or experiment with their own artistic freedom without working for a paying client. Depending on the experience and financial situation of the photographer, a model may or may not be compensated with any money, but maybe just prints for their portfolio. This type of testing may be referred to as TFPs (a.k.a. Time for Prints, Testing for Prints) or TFCD (a.k.a. Time for "picture" CD). Many of these opportunities are found on the Internet through social networks for models.

Most likely, though, the model is the one paying the test photographer, so the model must ensure that they are investing their money properly and wisely for their services when they are required to pay. Not all "testing" photographers are reputable, so always ask area modeling agencies which photographers they recommend or if there are ones that you should avoid. Some photographers may be new to working with models, so their rates should be equivalent to their experience. If you are paying a photographer to give you "Commercial" looks and they seem to have only fashion looks in their portfolio is an indicator that you should have them show you examples of their commercial work. You'll be wasting your money if you are in a smaller, commercial area and you only have high fashion or editorial looks in your book. Commercial clients want to see specific types of "looks". It may be very vague when you are going to a go-see, so even with commercial looks you should keep working to build you book with photos of a variety of commercial looks. Testing is exactly that...testing. Testing how you photograph, how you move in front of the photographer, or if you take direction well is part of this "test". It's not about sitting and posing and not being inspiring.

You need to clarify whether it is high fashion or commercial looks or else you are wasting your money. If you want to model with intensions of making money you have to find where your "type" fits the mold. There is an investment of money in a model's career, especially in the early stages, so the investment should be a worthy one where the photographs will qualify by the industry's standards and get the model hired to their appropriate type of work suited for the model in the market area that they will work. It's one thing for a new photographer to need their own experience with working with models to negotiate the terms where maybe the model pays for some of the prints, but paying hundreds of dollars for a service from a photographer who may not necessarily provide the appropriately needed kinds of photography a model really needs in their book is a costly mistake on the model's behalf.

Not all photos are the correct quality and type of print that may be needed for a particular model. For example, a commercial-type model really has "no use" for editorial-style photographs in their portfolio when they are not an editorial fashion model. The photos may impress the model, their friends, and even that photographer, but it won't get them hired commercially at their agency. Not all models are high fashion models. Not all models are catalog models. Models must remember that there are so many people who want to be models and the industry has its' scammers and less scrupulous individuals who just want your money or really are just clueless to what the modeling industry is looking for. They are the type of people who are like salespeople and just say what they think a model wants to hear just so they can get their money or to just meet and be around many young models (even when they know they'll probably never get the kind of work the new model desires (ex. Victoria Secret caliber).

So, testing is very important for a new model that wants to be hired for photographic work, and it's important to test regularly to keep portfolios updated especially with multiple photographers, but guidance or research is necessary if a model isn't as experienced with what they need in their portfolio or on their comp card to be hired. A picture may appear great to the model and their family, but it will perhaps be critiqued more objectively by the modeling industry or potential clients. Granted, many pictures are subject to different opinions even within the modeling industry, but let the professionals be the guide. This is where the modeling agency is the "model's guide" provided that the modeling agency is reputable and not solely affiliated with just one photographer where they both make money on new models (a.k.a. getting kick-backs).

Photographers are artists, but they need to make money, too. That's the business. It's the decision that they choose about how they make their money that can lead to crossing the fine line regarding what is ethically in the best interest of the model. Ideally, the photographer and modeling agency get a large portion of their income from "clients" who use the models and pay them...not money from the models. Unless there is a really great explanation of why a full-time photographer affiliated with a modeling agency has few clients in their portfolio the model should beware. Where are they making their money from? Is their income from fees and photo sessions from models only? (Hope they can help you make money, too.)

Legitimately, there can be a collaboration of people with different artistic skills that may be looking for print work for their own portfolios, too, (ex. Stylists, Designers, Make-up Artists, Hair Professionals, etc.) to show other clients their range of work especially if they are new or have been limited to the types of jobs that they have been getting. For example, a landscape photographer may be looking to make some extra money, so they know that taking on some commercial work or selling some stock photography using models may be the answer. They may not enjoy that commercial side of another specialty as much as other types of photography, but they may need the work and pictures to make additional money. To get more commercial clients they know that they should have a portfolio to show that they are capable of photographing/styling for commercial clients. So, their collections of Fine Art landscape, wedding photography, fashion photography, etc. may not market their range of talent, but they can add new photographic styles to their book. When they are trying to build a specialized book that shows that they can photograph "commercial" work, too, they may hire or use a model just for their own book's usage to market themselves, not to sell any specific product, nor be used for any fashion or story editorial. So, the model's work for this kind of booking is not 100% commercial print because it's not promoting any other product or service except the photographers', designers', stylists', etc. own portfolio (and possibly the model's book, too).

Technically, one could say that if the model is photographed for the purposes of promoting the services of another (even within their own profession) then it IS a form of "commercial print". If the intentions are for the photographer to make money in the future off of a model's participation in testing resulting in prints for their book then it is like a "commercial" booking. Confused? Some unethical photographers may also not see it that way in regards to how they compensate some models versus taking their money for a model's testing, but that is cleared up quickly when the model signs the photographer's photographic release form. That's why a model and agency should know the intended usage of the prints before signing any photographic release.

Most professional photographers are very clear and consistent about the usage of the photographs that are agreed upon as being used simply for their testing purposes where both photographer and model are working together for that sole purpose. It gets more complicated of course when both don't communicate or misunderstand the terms of usage. The photographer assumes that the prints from their shared testing experience with the model will be used for the "model's promotional purposes" only in her portfolio, on a composite card, personal model's website, modeling agency's website or book, etc. The complication arises when the model uses one or more of their photographs in a commercial way that benefits someone else that is not part of the normal model's promotion without the written permission or even knowledge of the photographer.

Photographers know their rights legally, so learn the laws that affect models. Models may pay for the service of being photographed, as well as the finished product of the print to place in their portfolio, or even may get them "free" in exchange for their service with the photographer, but the models do not own the rights to reproduce (make copies) or use in any other way that is not part of their promotion as a model without permission of the photographer. It is considered to be the property of the photographer. Some photographers will supply a letter with their signature that allows them to make copies at a photo shop as needed for distribution, but other photographers want to be the only ones responsible for copies, therefore getting re-paid again. That is part of their business reputation and livelihood, so you'll learn which photographers are the easier ones to work with professionally. Each photographer may have different model releases, so make sure you clearly understand what you can do with your copy of their work. They should be able to tell you what their procedure is regarding your self-promotional tools and making copies, if necessary, of their work. Copyrights of photographers may appear on individual prints to identify their work, so be aware of illegal usage and the making of copies.

Choosing Between the $2000 and $10,000 Wedding Photographer

Very often couples have to consider this question when they are planning their weddings. Should they preserve some money by booking the cheaper photographer? Or should they go for the more expensive photographer?

The answer to this question is not always easy and it is perhaps appropriate to look at the qualities of a good photographer. Firstly there is an artistic element involved, namely the ability to select good photo opportunities or 'too see a good photo' and then secondly comes the technical factors that include things like equipment and the ability of the photographer to use that equipment to its maximum.

Whilst the more expensive photographer may have more expensive equipment he could be lacking in the artistic department and Vice versa. Considering the fact that excellent photos can be taken with just about any good digital S.L.R. camera then the choice should be made on the grounds of ability and experience.

The solution is to have a look at their portfolios. An experienced photographer should be able to show say at least a hundred excellent photos from many different weddings instead of a hundred good photos from only one wedding. Look at the photos and style of the photographer. Are the photos unique or different? If you like it, make a booking. A bad photographer will not get many weddings and will therefore not be able to present you with an excellent portfolio. If you wish you can also follow up references but I would not attach to much value to this as the references are usually selected. You would therefore never get the opportunity to speak to an unhappy customer. The best measure of judging ability will therefore almost always be the photo portfolio.

Hawaii Wedding Guide

Hawaii is one of the world's premiere destination wedding locations for obvious reasons. The tropical paradise is a wonderful place to exchange vows and multitude of settings-from luxurious beachside resorts to quaint chapels and up-country locations-are like no others in the world.

When planning a Hawaii wedding, there are several key considerations. These include location, celebrant, photography and some of the extras that make a Hawaii wedding special.

Hawaii Wedding Locations
Each of the main Hawaiian islands have something special to offer for weddings.

Oahu has some nice wedding locations not far from Waikiki Beach and can be a good choice for those who are seeking a wedding and possible honeymoon in a more urban environment. Hotels and services are generally less expensive in Oahu, so it a common choice for more value-conscious brides and grooms.

Maui is another popular choice for weddings in Hawaii. Home to many luxurious oceanfront resorts, Maui has many splendid locations-both oceanfront and up-country. A wedding on Maui, however, can be very expensive as the accommodations, food and service providers are probably the most expensive in Hawaii.

A Kauai wedding is a good choice for those who are comfortable with a small island feeling. There are many splendid beaches and resorts in Kauai, but note that you will probably have fewer choices than you would on Maui or Oahu.

A Hawaii Island (often called the Big Island) wedding are popular due to the unique beauty and excellent locations while at the same time having many world-class resorts. Most Hawaii weddings are in West Hawaii along the Kohala and Kona coasts. The Big Island also offers a huge variety of land and water activities to make for a great honeymoon location.

Celebrant
Most weddings in Hawaii are just the ceremony, with the official marriage license in the home location of the bride or groom. Check the Hawaii Department of Health for information about getting your marriage license and certificate in Hawaii.

The best way to find a celebrant for a wedding in Hawaii is to look online and make some initial contacts. There are many wedding planners on all the islands if you would prefer a pre-arranged package. Consider having a celebrant, perhaps Native Hawaiian, that can add a special Hawaiian touch to the ceremony. After all, it is a shame to come to Hawaii for a wedding and not have something special from the islands.

Hawaii Wedding Photographers
Don't make the mistake of having a relative or friend be your wedding photographer. A professional Hawaii wedding photography will have the best equipment, eye for detail and experience that will capture the moment you will only have once in your life. A professional wedding photography in Hawaii will, for example, know how and when to get the wedding party organized and staged for those all-important sunset photos. A professional will also know how to capture great sunset photos, which is not an easy task for most novice photographers.

Hawaii Wedding Extras
There are many extras that can make a wedding in Hawaii extra special. One great touch is to buy wedding rings with a Hawaii touch. For example, Koa wood, a gorgeous endemic wood to Hawaii makes for some truly spectacular wedding rings. Another great Koa wood product is handcrafted Koa wood bowls.

Leis are another Hawaiian wedding tradition that should not be overlooked. Men tend to wear maille leaf leis. It's a nice touch to have the wedding party adorned in pikake or ginger leis.

Deciding on Hawaii for a wedding is easy. The huge number of choices can make for a very enjoyable wedding planning process. Hawaii has a lot of weddings, so you can be assured of the highest level of professionalism all around if you seek out experienced professionals.

The Importance of Copyright for Wedding Photographers

It's the 21st century, the age of all things digital, of the Internet, of Blogs, Twitter, and Facebook; things have certainly moved fast over the last ten years or so. And wedding photography is no different; the digital age has changed everything, for both photographers and their clients.

Everyone now wants immediate access, of course (prints are so last season!). As every good bridal magazine, forum or blog will tell you, a must-have on your wedding photography shopping list is the right to own all the images. You want a disc containing every photograph taken on your day, so that you can make copies of them for your family & friends.

And so, reluctantly, the professional photography market has had to change, adapt and finally give in to consumer wishes. And rightly so, as the client should always dictate the market.

However, some of those same magazines, forums and blogs will tell you to ask for the copyright-free images from your wedding photographer. And you know what? Some photographers actually seem to be doing just that!

The problem with this is that copyright gives total and utter ownership - intellectual rights over those images. The photographer who took them has now handed over the copyright to his client - and has lost ALL rights to use those images. This means should the photographer wish to use them on a website gallery or print a canvas for the studio, for example, or even store a disc with them in a draw, the photographer legally cannot! That is, not without the express permission of the new copyright holder (the client), who of course now has the right to refuse (and/or make a charge for usage).

A photographer who gives you copyright gives away his or her rights to use those images in any way, and in fact may be taken to court and sued for breaching those rights. Maybe your photographer gave you copyright? It might be worth a look on their website galleries for your images...

A wedding photographer with good business sense will of course give their client exactly what they are looking for - a disc of images ready to print. But these will be with 'reproduction rights'; that is, the right for the client to make copies for themselves for personal use to share with family and friends. If you want to use these images for social networking purposes for example, accreditation should be given to the photographer (many photographers nowadays will give a second set of images on the disc already web sized with their logo in the corner). However, the photographer maintains ownership of the copyright, and therefore can use the images for their portfolio and website, and thus everyone is happy.

Remember, wedding photographers are completely at your service on your wedding day, on hand to record the most cherished moments of the big occasion, and all they ask in return is that their hard work is acknowledged, and their copyright respected.

Wedding Photography - 6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Photographer

So you're planning your wedding photography and are ready to hire your photographer. Where to begin? Many brides are comfortable with such wedding planning priorities as the reception site and catering selection, but may not be as familiar with the process of hiring the right wedding photographer. Photography is one of the most important aspects of your day. Be sure to ask these important questions before signing on the dotted line:

Who will be taking the pictures?

Make sure that the photographer whose portfolio you review will be the actual person who takes the pictures at your wedding. The person whose name is on the contract should be the same person you met with. Some contracts claim the studio's right to send any staff photographer to your wedding. Do not sign if you do not agree with this policy.

What is the photographer's primary style?

Make sure your photographer knows exactly what you want. Do you want mostly journalistic style or formal poses? Some photographers are better at one or the other, so make sure you know his or her strengths and background to ensure you get the wedding photos you want.

Do you shoot mostly in color or black and white or both?

While some images call for color, other moments are best captured in black and white. Your photographer should have experience with both and be able to customize to meet your needs.

How many rolls do you shoot?

Obviously more rolls of film means more wedding photos to choose from, but remember that more rolls usually cost more money. Make sure you review this with your photographer so that he or she has an idea of your expectations.

Are you familiar with the location?

Your photographer should be familiar with the ceremony and reception site so that he or she can quickly and efficiently capture the best shots.

What are your references?

Call each reference and ask whether or not the person was satisfied with the overall experience and received the desired photos.

A Splendid Wedding Under $1000

During the excitement of the Wedding Planning process we sometimes forget that the most important part of the Wedding is the magical life two people are going to spend together after the Ceremony, and not the Party itself. So in light of that, here are some great ideas to make Marriage the focus of your wedding and accomplish it in the most inexpensive way possible.

Ceremony

Whether or not you are truly religious you can have a wedding ceremony take place at your local church. Most church fees can be waived for members of the congregation who are in need and truly want to be joined in Holy Matrimony. And even if you had to pay for the rental it is minuscule compared to the cost of a Ceremony site at a Reception Venue. Cost 0-350

Reception

Ask around your friends and families and search for the biggest house or yard and see if you can use it to have your reception at. You can have a buffet, set up a sound system and attach an Ipod or CD player. You don't need to even have too many tables. You can rent everything you need for 100 guests for under $300.

Wedding Cake

Make your own wedding cake. Simply buy an extra amount of frosting. Shop online for a cake topper and buy three different size cakes. Use toothpicks to stabilize each tier or pins. Add a piece of Cardboard over the Stabilizers and put the next size cake on. Use the extra frosting to cover the cardboard and getting some icing to detail the base of each layer. Add the Cake topper you found online. Voila instant Wedding Cake. All for under $100 and if you take your time or have an artistic friend it can look great.

Remember that if you have the money and WANT to spend it a Wedding can be as expensive as you want. If you are on a budget or realize the most important part is the actual Marriage then cut the items you don't need and insert some of these ideas, you will have a great wedding day either way.

Five Ideas For Planning Your Dream Amalfi Coast Wedding

Having a wedding in Italy will be an awesome and memorable event for your friends and family, though it can be discouraging and frustrating if not properly planned. It would definitely be a waste of your time and money. Getting the service of a wedding planner to take care of your Italian wedding can ease up all your worries but keep in mind that it will cost a fortune as well. When having a small ceremony, it is best to consider that you plan your own Amalfi Coast wedding.

I have chosen to get married in Positano, Italy and it all happened in 2006. I decided not to hire a planner for my wedding and did the entire task by myself. It was a bit tiring and overwhelming at first but with some research done on how to get married in Italy, I sorted it all out and did it all well with ease. I made the reservations for my guests, accommodations, transportation and all the arrangements for the florist, musicians and the wedding reception. I also did the necessary legal paperwork for the wedding.

These are the tips on how to plan your own Amalfi Coast wedding:

1. Contact the Positano Commune (Town Hall): Verify if the desired date for your wedding is available. If you think that a wedding planner can do this easily for the reason that they speak Italian, you don't have to worry because they can communicate well in English. Don't forget to confirm the rate of the wedding according to the wedding date chosen. For the financially conscious couples, consider having your wedding celebration during weekdays as prices may triple on weekends. Please be guided that you can only contact Positano Commune through email. If possible, save every details of the mails for future perusal in case of any inconsistency in the date, time and cost.

2. Inquire for the necessary papers needed from your local Italian Embassy: Contact your local Italian embassy in your area if there is one. This may depend on the state you are located. Know all the paper works that are needed and set an appointment for your appearance that is required for the Atto Notorio. This should call for two or four witnesses. A wedding planner can't do so much about this task even if you did hire one.

3. Complete your Guest List: You should know the exact number of attending friends and families. You may be able to avail a much lower rate for the hotel reservation and reception by doing this. If you are expecting only a few guests, consider a nice, romantic, candle lit dinner in one of the few fabulous beach front restaurants in Positano. Having a large number of guests, you might choose a formal setting in a stunning location in Positano. Save all the email and information for the reservations you've made for future perusal.

4: Make a Mini-Destination Guide: Your guests are flying overseas to watch you and your significant other exchange vows, but they may also be making plans to use this trip as a vacation either before or after your wedding. It's a great idea to provide a Amalfi Coast destination guide that includes great websites to get airfare deals and hotels in close proximity to your hotel or Amalfi wedding venue. Also include Amalfi Coast restaurants, local sight seeing advice and transportation information. This may sound daunting, but most of this can be found on the internet or you can purchase one online guide and distribute it to all of your guests.

5. Go for Local Businesses: One of the difficult tasks that an Amalfi Coast wedding planner should deal is to set all the arrangements for the photographer, musicians, stylist, florist and finding a good host for the event. Bothered about not having quality service? Don't worry because you can choose from a lot of local businesses in the Amalfi Coast that offer great wedding services. Those small details shouldn't be a problem for you as you can make all the necessary bookings six months ahead. You can verify the arrangements in three months or a month before the wedding date. Also, plan a much earlier flight for you to ensure that paper works are all done and that you can have ample time to set the confirmation personally.

An Amalfi Coast wedding shouldn't be stressful and expensive in order for you to have a perfect and the most beautiful wedding. The important key to make this dream wedding possible is to be patient, well organized and most importantly, planing should be done ahead of time.

Wedding Photo Catalog Printing

Wedding albums are sell-able items for weddings. Couples often spend on the wedding album as they are one of the most valuable items to come from the wedding. Wedding albums today come in a variety of packages, formats and styles. Online printers provide creative, convenient and affordable services to produce customized wedding albums. Below are points to consider when choosing to print a wedding photo album catalog.

Orientation - Orientation is an important factor to consider for the wedding album. Orientation can either be vertical or horizontal. A vertical layout is unique and can be ideal for portrait and still life shots. A vertical orientation can also appear to be more formal. Horizontal layouts are best for landscape shots and photos with dramatic backgrounds. Horizontal album layouts may also fit more photographs. Online printers offer full color front and back printing of photo album catalogs on offset printers. Customers are free to upload their preferred layout and design or have the layout done professionally for a minimal charge.

Number of photos - When having wedding albums personally printed, customers have a choice of how many albums they would like to have printed. A wedding photographer usually surrenders an unedited collection of wedding photos in a DVD format to the couple. The couple can bring this disc to an online printer for an album catalog layout and printing. Customers can choose to print 2x3, 3.5x5, 4x6, 8x10 or 8.5x11 sized photo prints. Online printers also offer canvas printing services using digital printers. Customers can choose to print a photo canvas of a prenuptial or ceremony photo. Photo canvas prints range in standard and custom sizes of 8x10 inches to 55x 100 inches. Customers can choose to have photo canvas prints with a two-inch border all around or no borders.

Cover-Customers can choose from standard catalog cover stocks on an online printer's website. Printers also provide added conveniences such as free sample stock kit deliveries. Cover design can be customized and uploaded onto the website. Online printers offer wire-o binding of photo album catalogs.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Good Wedding Photographer and a Bad One

How do you tell the difference between one wedding photographer and the next? Searching through the sea of wedding photographers can be a big task. When I got married, I was given the task of selecting our wedding photographer, and I looked at websites of many different photographers. Some were more expensive and some were less expensive, but often I couldn't tell the difference between the actual pictures. If I could tell that I liked one photographer's work better, I didn't know why. This left me with very little confidence in selecting a wedding photographer.

I want you to be able to choose a wedding photographer with confidence. So let's answer the basic questions.

Why can't I tell the difference?

The reason that you and I could not tell the difference, is that most of the work that is put online is the best work of the photographer. All of the photos you see on websites are great photographs. If they weren't, they would not make it on the website. If you had a camera and went out to shoot a thousand pictures one day, I am sure you could take at least 1 good picture.

This is exactly what some photographers do. They shoot weddings and come up with 2 or 3 good pictures from the wedding. These are the photographs that are posted on their website. You will never see the other photographs. A poor photographer will only be able to take 1-10 good photographs from your day. A good photographer will be able to shoot 30-70 great photographs from your wedding day. A great photographer may be able to shoot 50-100 great photographs.

Real weddings?

Another trick that photographers use to build up their online portfolio is to use fake wedding shots. Some photographers will hire some models and go to a beautiful location and spend a whole day taking photos. They will put these shots on their website and while the shots are great shots, they aren't from real weddings. The photographer gets the opportunity to spend half an hour perfecting each shot. They may fiddle with the pose. They may take the shot and realize that there's something distracting in the background. They will not have this much time on your wedding day. You will not get any photos that look like these on your wedding day.

Some photographers may even go to a workshop where another professional photographer teaches them on how to take great photos. In these cases, the teacher is the one who actually poses the model and sets up the lighting. Will your photographer actually be able to create those shots themselves?

Ask to see an entire wedding of photos

So don't select a photographer merely by looking at the online portfolio. All photographers should have a great online portfolio. (If they don't, definitely beware.) Meet with the photographer and ask to see photographs from an entire wedding. The photographer should show you 200 or so photographs from an entire wedding and see how many of these photographs you think are great shots. Not all of them will be great. Even the best photographers will have mediocre shots, but if there is a large number that are great shots, you know you have a good photographer.

Know the great photographers

Another way to be able to distinguish the good photographers from the bad ones, is by being familiar with the great photographers. There may be one or two great photographers in your area that charge over $10000 per wedding. You may not be able to afford that, but by looking at their photographs you can realize what good photography really is. Then look for those elements in other photographers. Some of the great wedding photographers are Joe Buissink, Jeff Ascough, Jessica Claire, Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser from The Image is Found, Jesh de Rox and others. Look up those names and peruse their photographs. You will get a sense of what great photography and as a result, you will be able to more easily differentiate the good photographers from the mediocre ones.

Wedding Photographers' Perspective: How To Make Sure You Get Great Wedding Cake Photos

There are things you as a couple can do to end up with better cake cutting photos and to have a better experience. Knowing where to place your cake, how to stand, and what the traditional steps of this wedding ceremony are will help you will feel more comfortable during the cutting event. Follow these tips, from start to finish, to get the most out of your wedding cake photography and experience.

There are several important steps to cutting a wedding cake, and each is a moment that can come and go very quickly.

To get the best photos, it is important for you to take it slow and pause when you are doing each of them. Everyone will want to see what is happening, and your photographer will need to capture each shot.

For the best wedding cake cutting photos, move your wedding cake away from a wall and out of the corner. Ask your venue coordinator or wedding planner to move the cake into the open before you cut it. This will prevent you from having your back to the crowd or to your wedding photographer.

When you and your new spouse cut the cake, face the crowd. Make sure the cake is facing the crowd, as well. The front of the cake should face out so that it can be seen in the photos.

First and foremost: Do not rush this important event and take it slow.

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need:

- Knife or cake cutter
- Cake Lifter
- Two Plates
- Two Forks
- Napkins
- Champagne (optional, but recommended!)

Before you cut into your beautiful and expensive cake, look at the cake, admire the cake, "ooh" and "aah" - enjoy it before it is cut and eaten!

If there is a topper on the cake, pose like the topper (always makes the crowd laugh). This pose also makes a great photo.

When you are ready to cut the cake, place the knife lightly on top of where you plan to cut. Have the other person put their hand on top of yours so that you can cut the cake together. This is a great time to kiss.

Now SLOWLY lower the knife and enjoy the moment. This is a very significant and special time! Smile again when you feel the knife hit the base - You are about to eat your delicious cake. This is the big moment!

Repeat this movement until you can safely separate the slice from the rest of the cake. Place the cake lifter under the slice (only one person needs to do this), lift, and place onto the center of the plate.

If you plan to feed each other or when you take your first bite, when you have at least one plate with cake on it and two forks, turn to face each other. Feed each other one at a time, and feed slowly and gently, and be sure to pause briefly when you put the fork in the other's mouth. Be gentle - No one wants a fork poked into his or her lip or gums.

When the big cake-cutting event is over, touch your champagne glasses together before you drink, look each other in the eyes, and be sure to kiss after the toast.

When you are through, be kind and gently remove any errant cake off each other's face or clothing with a napkin. Be especially gentle if someone is wearing make-up so that it the makeup is not smeared or removed.

Cake Cutting Etiquette

Make sure the first people to receive slices of cake (after the couple) are the grandparents, parents, and any distinguished or honored guests.

Ideally, there would be a staff member to finish cutting the rest of the cake so that everyone can get back to the party. However, if there is no staff to assist with finishing cutting, the maid of honor or matron of honor, or one of the mothers or other close relative of the couple should cut the cake for the rest of the guests. The couple should not have to do this!

You may be nervous and unknowingly hurry through the cake cutting, but if you rush through this ceremonial event, you will be cheating yourself and your guests out of a great experience. Being conscious of and knowing that you need to not hurry will force you to slow down, allow you to enjoy it more, and make for better photos.

All That Glitters With Silver And Gold Wedding Favors

For wedding favors with a touch of luxury you cannot go wrong with choices in silver and gold. The best thing is they do not need to cost the earth and add a nice touch of sparkle to your tables.

You will find a range of different wedding favors in silver and gold at favor stores and choices range from silver or chrome plated items to gold colored almonds and candies. The best thing is that you can easily get away with mixing the two colors together as well to get the best of both worlds! Here are a few ideas for silver and gold favors for your wedding guests:

• Confectionary: sugar coated almonds and chocolates are available in a range of colors, but look particularly good in silver and gold. Put them in pretty tulle wraps or clear plastic boxes to show them off to their full effect.


• Chocolates: look for luxury chocolates wrapped in silver or gold paper/foil and present them on pretty silver colored plastic trays which are available from wedding favors stores. You can also get chocolates which have been dusted with edible gold powder.


• Cakes: mini cakes and cupcakes have and continue to be very popular both as wedding favors and as a substitute for a formal wedding cake. You can decorate them simply with a silver or gold colored chocolate or almond, or have them more elaborately decorated with edible gold leaf, powders and icings. Have them presented in silver or gold cake cases or wrappers.


• Cookies: just as with cakes you can have custom cookies made and decorated with silver and gold colored icings.


• Candies: although it may be harder to find candies in metallic colors, you could substitute with yellow, orange and clear colored candies. Try mixing colored candies in your wedding colors with chocolates sugar coated in silver and gold and present them in clear plastic boxes.


• Chrome Plated Favors: favor stores are full of chrome plated goods such as bud vases, photograph frames, coasters and bottle stoppers to name but a few. Some items may also be available in a gold colorways, however creating goods in gold coloring can be more expensive than creating them in silver which is why silver colored items are more common.


• Packaging: if you want to use a different style of wedding favors then you can still coordinate your packaging in silver or gold. Favor suppliers have a wide range of packaging options such as metallic card boxes, bags, fabric wraps and tins. If you have the budget then why not look for inexpensive silver plated boxes which you could fill with candies to create wedding favors which will become treasured keepsakes.

Creative Ways To Use For Your Engagment Photograpy Sessions

The proposal went off without a hitch and now your planning for your big day. You now have to convince your significant other to have pictures taken for your engagement announcement. Having your picture taken before your wedding doesn't seem like it should be part of your wedding preparation. However, it is as important as choosing your venue or picking out you cake flavor. If you are looking for a unique way of announcing your engagement to your friends and family, then having an engagement shoot is your best bet. Your engagement sessions photos are also great for sending out save the date cards. The process of deciding on where and who you want to take your engagement pictures should be your first steps.

You may or may not want to use your engagement photographer to shoot your actual wedding. However, this is a great way to make that decision. You'll get a chance to see if you have a connection with your photographer. That can be a personality connection or a creative connection. You will also get a chance to see if you like their work and if it fits the style you are looking for. It's one thing to look at their portfolio and make a decision off of that or seeing yourself in their work. There could be a benefit to selecting your photographer to shoot your wedding. Most photographers offer engagement photos as part of their wedding packages. This can often save you money that could be spent on other items for your wedding. It really depends on how certain you are that you want to go with the photographer.

You also may know ahead of time that you won't be using your engagement photographer to shoot your wedding. This would occur if you are having your engagement photos taken in an area that your wedding ceremony won't take place. You may have a place that's special to both of you that you want to have your engagement photos taken. This may be a different state or even country than you plan on getting married in. So, you would be hiring a photographer to just shoot your engagement photos. This is not uncommon and most photographers are willing to shoot you engagement photos for a single session. Ask your photographer to allow a few minutes for warm up shots. This will allow you to get comfortable of having the camera around.

Your location is either going to be a special place the two of you have picked out. This could be the first place you met or some other significant spot that signifies your relationship together. You can always leave your engagement shoot location up to your photographer. They may be more familiar with locations in their area. You can ask for several locations they may recommend and then research each one to see if it fits what you had in mind for your shoot.

You can inquire as to why they picked the specific locations that they have given you. Check to see if your photographer offers you to have multiple locations that you can take your engagement photos at. Check to see how much time you are paying for and what it includes as well. Some photographers may only be charging you for the photo shoot and may not include rights to the photos. You may have to pay separately for rights to the photos or a disk with a release letter to reprint.

Now that you have your photographer and your location it's on to the shoot itself. Now you can decide how creative you really want to be. Don't be too serious or it will show in your photos. You should focus and try to show your love during your shoot. If you stare at the camera you are not going to get great shots. Pretend the camera isn't there and just focus on each other. You may want to research other photographers and look at the engagement shoots for ideas of your own. Using a pose or prop that another couple used won't take away or show a lack of creativity on your part.

You could decide you want to have several shots with specific clothes and then have another set of clothes for other shots. You may need to let your photographer know that you want a wardrobe change though. You may want a romantic beach shot in bathing suits and then a serious formal shot in a field of flowers. Obviously, a wardrobe change would have to occur. You may want to incorporate props like the date of your wedding for your save the date cards.

You might even decide to get out of your comfort zone by having wigs or hats that show your goofy or funny side. It really is up to you how creative you are going to be in your shot. If you let you photographer help you with your posing and props. There's a chance you could be disappointed after you see your shots. It's your engagement session that should incorporate you and not what you r photographer thinks you are.

Picking the timing of when you shoot your engagement photos is very important as well. You shouldn't pick the time of day when the sun is full. You are not going to get great photos if you do because of the harsh lighting and shadows. You want to go out about an hour or so before sunset to take your engagement photos. It's also best to have your engagement photos take months in advance of your wedding. This will give your photographer time to edit the pictures and get them back to you for changes that you may want. You will also have time to pick out which shot or shots you want to add to your save the date cards.

Engagement photos are a way for you to capture a moment of your life together before you are actually married. Hopefully, you will make the most of it and look back on the pictures and relive a moment in time before you were married. Remember to have fun and enjoy your engagement shoot. There will be plenty of time to stress and worry in the coming months getting ready for your wedding day.

The Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Hire Your Wedding Photographer

Many things can go wrong at a wedding, but the most heartbreaking mishap is one that relates to the photography. By avoiding the mistakes detailed below, you can choose the ideal photographer to give you picture-perfect snaps of your special day.

Ignoring the photographer's style and personality

Every photographer has a unique style. It can be a traditional approach, documenting the important ceremonies and the popular poses. Or it can be photo-journalistic style that focuses more on capturing the moments and emotions than the poses. There is also an artistic approach where the photographer uses unusual or irregular camera angles, hand-coloring of images and other off-beat styles. Choose a wedding photographer whose style you like. You should also hire a particular photographer only if you like him/her on a personal level.

Not establishing rapport with the photographer before the wedding

Many people do not realize the importance of the wedding couple and the photographer getting to know each other before the event. You must have a pre-wedding session with your photographer so that you become comfortable with him/her. The photos on the big day will definitely show you in a relaxed frame of mind and add that extra charm to your smile.

Giving more priority to products than the art

What use are bad pictures in a beautiful album? If your budget is limited, do not make the mistake of compromising on the photography and hiring a cheaper photographer just to be able to afford a smart album. You ought to know your priorities. The album can always be replaced with a better one whenever you can afford it, but you cannot recreate the wedding day!

Not hiring an experienced professional

An amateur or inexperienced photographer is not likely to produce the results that an experienced professional will. Even if an expert photographer costs a little more than you had budgeted for, he/she will more than make up for it by delivering photos that you treasure for a lifetime.

Not getting a copy of the wedding photography contract

And lastly, do not forget to get a copy of the contract that you and your photographer should be signing. While you do hope that everything goes along fine and you end up with a collection of truly memorable pictures of your wedding, you must be prepared for things going wrong. You deserve to get good value for your money and if the photographer fails to deliver it, you need to have written proof of having hired and paid for the services.

You should not leave capturing of the most cherished moments of your life to chance! Take a planned approach to hiring your wedding photographer to make sure that you get photos you can look at fondly even after long years have gone by.

Some of The Funniest Indian Wedding Traditions

Indian weddings are not simple ceremonies that include the matrimonial bonding of two people in front of families and friends; it is also an elaborate display of their customs, traditions and beliefs. In fact Indian weddings are the most extravagant kind in the whole world. Rituals and ceremonies start off many days before the commencing of the actual wedding. Families from both sides enthusiastically participate in each of those ceremonies. Some of these ceremonies are actually pretty funny and enjoyable. Let's have a look at some of the very funny ones.

1. Amongst the different provinces of India, Gujrat has perhaps some of the most exaggerated and colourful ceremonies associated with the wedding. One of these is called the Sagai which takes place prior to the wedding ceremony. It is actually the engagement ceremony and in order to gain acceptance the bride has to travel on foot to the groom's house with a container filled with goodies on her head.

2. Another similar tradition that is followed by all grooms-to-be in Gujrat is called Jaan. In this ritual, the groom goes to the bride's home to seek the blessings of her mother. When he arrives he lowers his head and then clutches his nose which is symbolic of his humility and that he understands the bride's parents are making a huge sacrifice. The mother-in-law then gives her blessing and tries to catch his nose.

3. There is another famous Indian wedding tradition which is quite funny. It is called the Saptapadi. In this custom, the groom assists the bride in touching seven betel nuts with her toe of right foot. During this time the couple recite seven vows. After this ritual seven married women who belong to the bride's family slowly pass by the couple and while passing each of these seven women whispers a blessing in the right ear of the bride.

4. Aeki Beki is a really hilarious and fun game that is played by the bride and groom once they reach the house of the groom after wedding. They are provided a liquid mixture of water, milk and sindoor. Coins and rings are then hidden in this mixture and whoever has success finding the ring more times out of seven is said to rule the household in the future.

5. In some Indian weddings, when the groom arrives at the bride's home, he gently places his foot over the bride's to show his support to the bride. His feet are then washed by the bride's mother with milk and water.

Tips for Planning a Cocktail Party Wedding Reception

Couples have been trending away from traditional seated wedding dinners for the last few years. One of the most popular new styles to emerge from this trend is the cocktail party wedding reception. A cocktail reception is typically very glamorous, relatively affordable, and a lot of fun! Check out these tips for planning a cocktail reception that everyone will enjoy.

Because they are non-traditional by nature, it makes sense to choose a unique venue for a cocktail reception. Depending on the size of your guest list, it could be a loft, an art gallery, a wine bar, a museum, or perhaps a tent. While you certainly could host a cocktail reception in a more standard venue like a wedding hall, country club, or ballroom, you would lose some of the special ambiance that gives this type of celebration its hip and chic reputation.

One thing that clearly distinguishes a cocktail reception from a traditional seated wedding dinner is...the lack of traditional seating. You won't find a dozen round tables for ten at a cocktail party. The vibe is much more mingle and sip than sit down for an extended time. That said, it is important that you have adequate seating for all of your guests. Sufficient table space is also crucial. If you have ever tried to hold a drink, balance a plate of appetizers, and eat all at the same time, you know why! A good arrangement is a combination of small tall tables with stools (preferably the kind with backs) and low sofas with side tables and coffee tables. This type of furniture can easily be rented if your site does not have it.

Since the focus at a cocktail reception is not a full meal, the menu will be a bit different. For one thing, you won't have a cocktail hour followed by a traditional reception with dinner, given that the whole party is like an extended cocktail hour. A cocktail reception tends to be shorter in duration, which can help save money for the couple on a budget. The menu should mostly be easy-to-eat finger foods and small bites. Since you will not be serving dinner afterward, plan on a much larger quantity of appetizers than you would for a 45 minute cocktail hour. The closer to a typical meal time your reception will be, the heavier you should go on the hors d'oeuvres.

Passed hors d'oeuvres of all types should be served by waitstaff. You will also want to set up several displays where guests can help themselves, including a cheese display. Think creatively about what your guests might enjoy. You can add a few interesting stations to your cocktail reception to make the food really special. Options include a tapas bar, raw bar, sushi station, and a mashed potato bar. Sometimes couples also have a pasta station; while not exactly an appetizer, pasta is inexpensive and filling for those who will find appetizers alone to be too light. Naturally, you will want to have a full selection of cocktails, wine, and beer for this style of reception. Many couples also incorporate a signature drink, which is both chic and can trim the bar bill a bit too.

Since a cocktail wedding is non-traditional, the bride will likely want to select an interesting dress and unique bridal jewelry. A princess style ballgown would be out of place for this celebration. A cocktail reception is the perfect excuse to choose a chic short wedding gown, worn with a fascinator and unique handmade bridal jewelry. 1950's or '60's retro inspired dresses are also fabulous for the bride. Round out the evening with music provided by a jazz trio for the perfect background to a chic cocktail wedding reception.

Wedding Photography and the Use of Filters

You are a wedding photographer or looking at becoming one in the near future. You have grasped the technical side of photography and how important lighting is when shooting a wedding. Another component of photography is the addition of filters on the body of the camera and the inclusion of them when post editing.

Filters have been around for some time now before the introduction of software such as Photoshop and Lightroom. Filters are designed to blur, sharpen images and can also be used as a blockout for UV rays from the sun.

The addition of filters is used for creating soft blurs, changing colour contrasts, making the photo images look rustic or even the grunge look. Manipulating images to make them look more suttle to the human eye is very appealing.

When shooting wedding photography on location in the direction of Sun you require filters such as UV protector to block and guard against the harmful suns rays. The inclusion of a polarizer is necessary when shooting in direct sunlight. This will allow for a balanced image as opposed to an overexposed photo.

New technology such as Photoshop and Lightroom has made it very accessible for the photographer to manipulate images from the office room. The wide array of filter functions available has made it possible to increase creativity and make wedding photography a brilliant art.

Photography is an art and has been around for generations. The inclusion of filters on the camera and also software applications can create a photograph that is perfect to the human eye.

There are many filters that have been developed for specific purposes such as colour dampening, enhancing richer colours, correction filters, blurring etc. The key to photography is understanding what filter you require for the particular shoot you are on.

A good starting point is to have a UV filter on you at all times when shooting wedding photography. Whether you are a professional or an amateur make sure you know that lighting is crucial and the addition of filters are used of creation, balancing and protection from the suns rays.

Chicago Internet Photo Album

It is amazing what a long way the Internet has come. What started
out as a useful source of information has exploded in ways that weren't
imagined at its conception. People have truly made the Internet
their virtual world, with blogs, websites, and online photo
albums. In today's society with friends and family moving further
away from each other than ever, Internet photo album have proven to be
an excellent way to stay in contact and share the little moments that
are so important in any family's life. Large cities have seen an
increase in this type of photo sharing due to their large number of
migrating families from other regions of the U.S. Chicago is one
of those cities. As a result the use of Internet photo albums in
Chicago is becoming increasingly popular.

Individuals, families, and photography professionals have designed a
variety of different type of Internet photo albums in Chicago.
Some individuals are attracted to a purely personal online photo album
and choose to post pictures that reflect their private lives.
Events like birthdays, holidays, and everyday moments are added to the
pages to share their experiences with friends and family far and
wide. Another useful option that is often displayed by individual
people is Internet photo albums advertising their professional
work. This method of marketing is especially useful in the visual
arts fields. Writers, artists, and graphic designers have all
found this media helpful in promoting their businesses.

Another type of Internet photo albums in Chicago is a family album. Just about any
member of the family can use this photo option as a way to share their
lives online. Many newly married couples like to display their
wedding photos this way for the benefit of friends and family that may
not have been able to attend the festivities. It also cuts down
on the expense of having several duplicates made of the same
photographs. New parents are equally enamored with online photo
albums. Imagine Great-Grandma in New Mexico receiving photos of
the new arrival in Colorado literally moments after birth. The
technology involved in Internet photo albums make this type of speedy
photo sharing possible. As families grow and change Internet
photo albums are a great way to stay in constant touch.

Chicago Internet photo albums are nothing new to photography professionals
in the Windy City. They already know that this is a great way to have their
work seen and draw in more new clients. Regardless of their
specialty, online photo albums are the choice of most professional
photographers to show prospective clients the scope of their ability
and experience. Considering that here in the Information Age,
most people search for services they need online, a high quality online
photo album is just like money in the bank.

Like most functions of the virtual world, Chicago Internet photo
albums are a way to share information. In this case, it is
also a way to share the important moments, promote a business, and stay
in touch.

This article was written by David Sytsma PhD of Beautiful Memories
Photo. Beautiful Memories Photo offers stunning wedding
photography throughout the Chicago area. Beautiful Memories Photo
only uses the latest professional digital photography equipment.

You can browse through our Chicago Wedding Photography
Gallery and check out our archives on the Beautiful
Memories Photo website. Always artistic, personable and
professional photographers you can rely on, and exclusively wedding
photography!

DIY Wedding Entertainment: Create Your Own Wedding Slideshow With Movie Clips

Let's face it, the world of wedding-based entertainment is filled with a ton of options, some might actually say that there are too many. They range from DJs and bands to dance instructors and audio/video specialists. The only thing that seems to be consistent among these many options is their hefty prices.

In the last 5+ years, wedding budgets have begun to drop when it comes to your typical wedding. Income limitations or the current economic environment had made it difficult to realize the dream wedding outside of a reality show script. Because of this fact, brides and grooms have started realizing one important aspect of their special day: creativity. If they can't book their favorite band, load in the perfect DJ or serve the fresh lobster, they have opted to add in certain style elements and personalization that have turned out not only making the event even that much more unique, but also keeping the overall costs well within reason.

One of the most debated aspects of your typical wedding is the dreaded wedding slideshow. Why do I call it dreaded? One word: boring. Nothing stops a party dead cold than the typical couples slideshow. A string of 100+ pictures of the bride and groom dating, traveling or frolicking. That's right I said frolicking. Now there is definitely something to be said of the short string of childhood pictures towards the beginning These pictures usually border on entertaining, but they never end up lasting long enough. The main body of the presentation in one star wipe and one dissolve into another forcing that much needed extra trip to the bar by your average wedding guest. And we wonder why Aunt Sylvia is already two shots to the wind just minutes before the tossing of the bouquet.

The good news is for those out there ready and willing to make just one extra step in producing something quite memorable, there are now options. Thanks to the ease of current technology and some simple digital know-how even the most basic creative type can sit and create a masterpiece that will be talked about for years to come. In fact, some people out there already have some of the digital skills necessary for what needs to happen.

STEP ONE: Figure out your style

Figure out what you think you want. It could be a series of clips from your favorite TV show, a clip from a live concert or footage from your home movies. Take a moment and decipher what successfully describes you and your future spouse.

STEP TWO: Go out and get it

There are currently a ton of software applications out there that can successfully copy anything on the internet. Anything. From that video montage on YouTube to the DVD in your closet. I specifically like ishowuhd, an app that rips any DVD or even YouTube clips right off the playback from your desktop.

STEP THREE: Arrange the story

Create your story. Start with youth clips from kids movies, grab some boy meets girl scenes, then just line up some clips of actual famous weddings from feature length films. Don't worry there a ton of those.

STEP FOUR: Put it together

All you have to do is use the basic software you already have on your computer. It could be wondershare, iMovie or camtasia. It's easier than you think and if you don't have the time just let that nifty nephew make your wedding gift something useful.

If you don't have the time or energy to take anything like this on just tap into some website services that have it already done for you. My favorite: gigflixstudio.com.

Whatever you decide, just know one thing, people like to be entertained and people like to have fun so make it happen with a little creativity and some good old fashioned elbow grease.

How to Build a Successful Portrait Photography Business

Starting a successful photography business from the ground up can be challenging. However, with these tips you can be well on your way to starting a successful portrait photography business!

First thing's first: you will need a camera. I recommend starting out with a digital SLR (dSLR) camera. Yet, there are so many dSLR camera's on the market, how do you choose a great camera? Research. Conduct online research by reading consumer reviews from multiple blogs and websites, search professional photography forums, and ask professional photographers for their advice. You shouldn't choose a camera on a whim and you shouldn't purchase one simply because it's on sale: doing your research will pay in the long run!

Next, learn how to properly use your camera and edit your photos. If you want to run a successful business and produce images prospective clients are willing pay for, you will need to take your camera off of "auto" mode and learn how to control the settings yourself in manual mode. I have found online search engines and photography forums the best places to learn how to use your camera in manual mode. Additionally, many professional photographers write photography tips and FAQ blog posts, so do an online search and visit the blogs and websites of local portrait photographers to get an inside scoop on how to use your camera. Several photographers teach workshops and/or offer mentor sessions, so contact your favorite photographers via email to see if they are willing to provide a mentor session or workshop to assist your learning.

Once you've learned how to use your camera, practice! Gather your family and closest friends and offer free mock-portrait sessions in order to provide you practice on how to use your camera and allow you to become more familiar with shooting in manual mode. Use these images to build your portfolio and gain experience.

Once you're comfortable with using your camera and are happy with the results you have been getting, evaluate. Do you still want to start a business? If so, it's time to start taking legal steps before you officially start a business and begin charging for your work.

Get legal. Search for the requirements to legally run a business in your city and state. You will need a business license, sales tax license, and fulfill all requirements set forth by your city and state. Make sure all of your licenses are approved before starting your business!

Optional: protect yourself and your equipment. As a business owner, it's smart to protect you and your assets. Once your business is legal, protect yourself by purchasing business liability and equipment insurance. This covers you if your client trips and falls during the portrait shoot and lands in the hospital (potential lawsuit!) or if your precious new lens crashes to the ground during a lens change. You wouldn't want to start a business just to go bankrupt, thus, this optional step is highly recommended to be successful!

Decide what to offer how much to charge for your services. This is an important and often overlooked step: don't choose a starting price based on what other photographers are charging or a random price you feel is fair. Carefully calculate the money you've spent starting your business (equipment, software, education, licenses, insurance, business cards, website fees, etc), how much it will cost to maintain your business, evaluate many hours you spend on a session (time spent driving to/from the session, shooting, editing, backing up and posting files, etc), calculate how much of your income you will have to pay to sales and income taxes, and how much excess you will need above all of the factors listed above to pay for the cost of living and still earn profit. Most new photographers start out charging too little; once the joy of starting a new business wears off, many photographers find themselves unable to stay financially afloat and resent owning a photography business, ultimately closing their doors in less than a year. Start off right and remain successful by creating a firm price list for your services that keeps your business profitable and brings yourself value.

Now that your legal ducks are in a row and you know how much to charge, it's time to start getting clients! Build an online presence by starting a website and blog. There are several websites that offer insight on how to purchase your domain and start a website, so turn to your trusty search engine for help. As a photography business, it's important to make your images stand out on the web; photography website and bog templates are available and are a wise investment to be seen as a professional to your prospective clients. Website templates will save you time and money if you are unfamiliar with coding and web development. A great way to extend your online presence is by creating a Facebook business page; however, it's important to have your own domain website in addition to a Facebook page to be understood as a professional.

Of course, you'll need business cards and marketing materials to advertise your business. Conduct a quick online search to find a company to print business cards and flyers for your business. Hand these out to family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone you come into contact with! Give your family and friends an abundance of cards so they can pass them on to their friends as well.

Taking the proper steps to starting a business is key to your success. Owning a photography business can be a very fulfilling venture if it is started correctly, and these steps will allow you to be well on your way to success!