Tips For Finding the Right Wedding Photographer

Finding a the right wedding photographer for your big day should be a fun and exciting experience. It will help if you're armed with some insight on photography and common questions to ask. As a professional wedding photographer with over 15 years of experience, I've met with many potential wedding clients. While everyone's taste varies, the goal is always the same, getting the best photographer for you and your budget.

Now that most photographer's portfolio's are available online, a good portion of your work is already done. With a click of the mouse, you can view work from as many photographers as you can stand. A good way to save time in your search is to think about other weddings you've attend and photos you viewed in the past. Did you like the photographer's style? Was it studio, candid, photojournalism or a mixture? Most good professionals have experience in various fields of photography but specialize in a certain style.

Studio photography usually encompasses traditional poses with lights and backdrops. A good portion of these shots are pre-determined and take place in a controlled situation. You'll still get a fair share of candid shots too but the focus here is on portraiture. Does the photographer have good command of the lighting? Look for harsh shadows under the eyes or on the walls or backdrop. Are the posed images stuffy or casual and fun? Taking these tips into account will help you find the right studio photographer. Having a photojournalist cover your wedding day will give your images a more spontaneous feel.

While a photojournalist will have you pose for some of the traditional portraits, the more creative ones will be environmental portraits. The key to a good environmental portrait is the location, lighting and background. When you view a photographers portfolio, pay special attention to the location portraits. Did the photographer choose an interesting location and composition? What's going on in the background? Do the bride and groom stand out? Available light can make a portrait special too so take note of light, shadows and the photographers ability to mix various light sources. Also, look for candid moments and emotions. Do the images look staged or real?

Now that you've decided on the style that's right for you, it's time to meet with the photographer. The most important question should be, who's shooting my wedding? If you viewed a certain portfolio, you'll want that photographer to show up the day of your wedding. Outline what's included in your wedding contract, date, time, cost, and additional services. How much is the deposit and will it hold the date? Does the photographer double book dates? Do you get a copy of the images on CD and the right to print them? What is the refund policy?

You'll undoubtedly have questions of your own and you'll gain some experience if you meet with several of the wedding photographers Chicago has to choose from. Bring your future spouse and don't be afraid to have a family member or friend tag along too. This is a big decision and you want to make the right one.

Should I Have a Slideshow at My Wedding?

A good video montage or "slide show" at your wedding reception is a wonderful way to share memories with your family and friends on this very important day. The video can be both touching and funny and is a great way to bring people together. It can also serve as a way to recognize many of the important people in your life.

There are several important guidelines to follow if you want your montage to be a success. The most important is to keep it brief! I am sure everyone has been to a wedding where the montage has gone on forever and bored everyone to tears. As much as your guests love you they don't want to sit through a half an hour of your baby pictures!

A good video montage should be between 8 and 10 minutes long, any longer and the guests become bored. If you are playing it at the rehearsal dinner it can be longer as everyone there will be close friends and family and will be eager to see more.

The second most important thing is to pick out a good variety of pictures that include a lot of your family and friends and special moments growing up.

If you are going to have a video montage at your wedding here are the steps you need to take:

• The first thing you will need to do is collect between 45 and 90 pictures total. 15 to 30 pictures each of you growing up, your fiance growing up, and you as a couple. Select more pictures of you growing up than of you as a couple. 75 total pictures is a good number (around 10 minutes). If you would like it shorter less is fine, if you cannot narrow it down more is fine too although it is best to keep it under 90 pictures.


• Try to pick out landscape pictures; they work better than portraits on filling up the screen. If it is a portrait though it still will work, it will just have black borders around the picture.


• Pick out funny pictures. Even though some may be embarrassing, the crowd will love it and it is a lot of fun to get everyone laughing.


• Pick out good photos of both of you growing that include lots of family and friends.


• If you only have hard copies of the photos number the pictures in the order you would like them with a post it note stuck to the back. One usually would start with baby pictures then work up to recent pictures, then the same for your fiance and finally the pictures of you together as a couple.


• If you have digital copies even better, just label the file with the number you want it to be in the montage.


• Pick out a song for your section, a song for your fianc矇e's section, and a song for you together. The songs should be something meaningful about growing up, friends, family, etc, songs you love, and or something fun that fits your personalities. The last song for you as a couple should be a romantic song that suits you to get everyone teary eyed.

Now that you have the photos and music together you must decide whether or not to have the montage professionally done or if you want to try and tackle it yourself.

You can use slideshow software like Powerpoint and play the video off of a laptop but the end result will be very basic and plain.

With the variety of software applications available and an investment of time you can produce a quality video yourself. Probably the most user friendly and quickest software to learn, that will produce professional results, is iMovie that comes preinstalled on Macs. Once you have put together your movie you can burn it to a DVD to play at the reception.

Just be aware that producing a photo montage video is very time consuming and you should allow at least 20 hours to complete it after all is said and done. DO NOT wait until the week before the wedding to start! A large part of this time is dedicated to scanning in hard copies of your photos; if you have all digital copies the process is quicker.

If learning how to video edit and make DVD's isn't on your list of things to do for the wedding you are probably better off having a professional create the video. Prices usually range from $200 - $500 dollars depending on the length, amount of photographs and complexity.

If you are showing the video yourself at the reception it is best to have the person who is actually going to be responsible for showing the video test out all of the projection equipment and the computer or DVD at least a week ahead of time. This will insure that they know how to set up all of the equipment properly, the equipment is compatible and that they have all the necessary cables. Having someone fumble with a video projector that they do not know how to operate can really hinder the flow of a reception.

If you are having a professional show the video provide them with a copy of the DVD at least a week in advance so they can test it out on their equipment. This will give them plenty of time if there is something wrong with the DVD.

Make sure you alert your venue to the fact that you will be showing a video. This way they should include enough space for the screen and projector in the floor plan. There is rarely an ideal place to put the screen where everyone will be able to see it perfectly from his or her seat. You should find a spot where the majority of your guests (especially the wedding party) can see the screen without having to move.

You can play the video during the cocktail hour on a loop so guests can watch it at their leisure (this works especially well for longer videos), during dinner service or during dessert service. During dessert is usually best. Before dinner guests are usually hungry and it is harder to get their attention. During dinner you will have to contend with servers walking around and the clanking of silverware. If you play the video during dessert you will have everyone's undivided attention and it creates a nice flow into the rest of the evening's activities.

If done correctly, a video montage can be a pleasant addition to your special day, add to your guest's enjoyment of the evening and bring back wonderful memories for your family and friends.

Photographers' Guide to Wedding Photography - Bad and Poor Venues

As a wedding photographer, my experience has told me that a good venue can make a big difference in capturing amazing images as opposed to only average photographs from a standard or very poor standard venue.

In Liverpool, Merseyside and Manchester, there are a huge variation in standards when it comes to venues. In Liverpool for example, The Palm House, Town Hall, Hope Street Hotel, Racquet Club and Crowne Plaza are venues which offer an amazing variation and opportunities when it comes to making the most out of the wedding photos. Other venues, which I dare not name, can present problems when trying to make the most out of the surroundings.

Manchester offers fantastic surroundings such as the Town Hall or Hilton for example, but when it comes to the 'Lower end' of the wedding reception, then working men's clubs may be visited... Think 'Pheonix nights'... As a photographer aiming at the average price (This covers virtually every eventuality - From castles to caravans), then anything must be expected.

When photographing the 'Good' venues, there is nothing to worry about. However, photographers should take a little time if they hear the words 'Working mens club' or 'Sports club' when asking brides about her wedding.

An important note though... Her wedding is as important as Lady Spoilt's wedding in 'Massive Rich' castle in Chelsea. You are still expected to capture the same images from her wedding as the girl with the silver spoon firmly placed in her mouth.

Should this happen, focus much attention on the church - Photograph inside the church. My experience has taught me that many brides who choose 'Lower end' reception venues often choose churches that look like nuclear power plants from the outside. Inside however, churches always look amazing, so focus on this initially.

Secondly, ask about an alternative venue for the group shots. There is always a park nearby to anywhere and a tree or bush can make a huge difference to the photographs. Suggest that the party 'Stops off' on the way to the reception for photographs. My experience has also taught me that at these weddings, DON'T get the entire wedding party to stop off... Uncle Frank does not want to stand around in a field, he would rather lean against a bar drinking... Send the 'lesser' guests off to the reception and deal with them later... Make the wedding day run smooth, consider EVERYONE!!!

If it raining... And this is the worst situation of all (And Uncle Frank comes in here!!!), photograph the immediate party in the church (That is the Bride, Groom, Ushers, Bridesmaids and parents). Go to the reception, create a space and then focus on the families and all the guests. Get a high vantage point (Stand on a table) and get everyone to look up at you. Crop the image so that the surroundings can't be seen in post production...

Go off after this and find some area where you can make the most of photographs of the bride alone and with the groom... ie by the bar, playing a fruit machine or a game of pool... anything a bit different. Believe me these shots work if done well!!!

The key is that anything can work with a bit of thought. Some venues are amazing, some appalling. Just make the most of what you have. Remember, photography is easy if you are a confident photographer... Stay cool and its easy...!!!

Wedding Photography Tips for Beginners - Properly White Balancing Your Photos Part 2

I've written these two articles to give you some basic and intermediate tips to correctly color balance your photos during a wedding. As I stated in the other article, a wedding has many light sources and these light sources compete to be the main light in your photos. The problem is, if these light sources have very different color temperatures, your images will have an incorrect white balance. Imagine taking a picture where the room is lit by fluorescent overhead lighting, but in the corner of the room there is a set of candles in front of a white wall. These two very different light sources will give you an incorrect white balance. To keep this from happening, you will need to be aware of light sources during a wedding. I discussed this in the first article, as well as how to use your flash without a colored gel in daylight, or where the main light source is daylight. In this article I will give you tips on how to properly gel your flash in different lighting circumstances.

Indoors you will normally be faced with one of three main light sources. These are: daylight, fluorescent, and tungsten. When you enter a room you will need to be able to identify the main source of light, then match it. I talked about daylight in the previous article. If your light source is fluorescent, they you will need to put a fluorescent gel on your flash and set the white balance on your camera to fluorescent lighting. Nowadays there are many different types of fluorescent lighting with different color temperatures. This means you will need to carry a few different fluorescent gels with you. Likewise, you will need a few different CTO gels to match different types of tungsten lighting. These tungsten gels are: full CTO, 1/2 CTO, and 1/4 CTO. As before, put a CTO gel on your flash and set the white balance on your camera to tungsten. With either a fluorescent gel or CTO gel, try different ones out and see what matches best the main light in the room.

If you enter a room and see competing light sources you will need to remedy the situation. In the opening example with the room lit by candles and fluorescent lighting you have two choices: blow out the candles or turn off the overhead lighting. If the candles are not going to be in frame, or they are far enough from where you are shooting such that they are not giving off competing light then you can shoot no problem. Following this principle, if I enter a room and there is tungsten light, I am not going to shoot with my bare flash (which is made to match daylight). I need to identify that the main source is tungsten, and put on a gel to match it.

Lastly, sunrise and sunset is not normal daylight! This means when shooting the wedding couple with the sunset in the background for example, you will need to use a CTO gel on your flash. Which one? As stated above, try different ones, and see which one best suits the light the sun is giving off at this particular time and place. Hope these tips help. Good Luck!

Wedding Dinner Buffet - Advantages and Things to Keep in Mind

Here's the question: is buffet set-up tacky for a wedding reception? Some people think it is, but the reality is that more and more couples opt for a buffet style dinner for their weddings. Why? The advantages are obvious:

• Buffet is cheaper. Buffet style dinner is usually cheaper than a plated sit-down one because it requires less preparation (imagine arranging 200 individual plates vs. a few chafing dishes). Plus, buffet dinner needs significantly less wait staff (1 server for 25-30 guests vs. 1 server for each 10-15 guests for plated or family style dinner).


• Buffet is easier to arrange. You don't need to collect your guests' RSVPs with their choice of dinner Entree.


• Buffet provides more flexibility for your guests. With the buffet set-up, you can offer more items to choose. It also provides a great opportunity to incorporate your ethnic background in the menu by including one or 2 items from your culture.


• Buffet is more casual. If you want more informal and interactive atmosphere for your wedding reception, buffet style might be the right choice for you.

Things to keep in mind:

• With the buffet dinner people tend to have bigger portions, so more food will be required. Any professional caterer should know it and plan accordingly.


• One of the main disadvantages of the buffet style is that your guests might have to wait in line to get their food. Try to position buffet tables so they can be accessible from both sides. For larger parties, consider arranging 2 buffet stations on each side of the banquet room.


• For a buffet dinner you will require approximately 1 server per 25 guests. Usually it's not included in the price of the food, so you need to budget accordingly. Catering company will calculate the total amount of time (travel, set-up, serving, clean-up, etc.).


• Don't assume that whatever you like, other people would enjoy as well. Don't let your personal taste get in the way while planning the menu for your wedding. For example, you wouldn't want to serve a 100% seafood menu. Variety is the key. Make sure you have a few options to choose from, don't forget to offer at least one vegetarian item. Inquire about special dietary requirements and allergies.

Zoom In With a Canon Lens - 70-300mm IS Produces Surprising Results

There have been tons of reviews written as reviews for cameras and lenses. It is refreshing when someone departs from the geeky, techy writing pattern and just gives their opinion in plain English.

I am hoping this report, I'm not going to cal it a review, will make sense to the average camera buff, or someone who is even struggling to figure out which lens is best for their needs.

It's about Canon lens - 70-300mm zoom lens for digital SLR cameras.

To start with the Pros:

The lens has really good optical quality. It compares very nicely to Canon's very highly rated 70-200mm lens lineup, of which there are now 5. Many reviews indicate that the 70-200mm lenses are much better, but just read what the people who have bought the Canon 70-300 say, and you should be surprised at how much they all like it.

When comparing price between these lenses, the 70-300mm is cheaper than all but the 70-200mm f/4 (without IS).

One more comparison with the 70-200mm lenses, it is less bulky and much easier to handle for long periods of time, especially if you compare it to the f/2.8 versions of the 70-200. Those are quite heavy.

On the Con side:

The lens is one that extends when it zooms. Many photographers like zoom lenses that have an interior movement for zoom, meaning the lens never changes size. Also, there is no hood with this one.

Take your time doing your research before you make your decision about buying any lens. One place I recommend you look is the online camera stores like Amazon and B & H Photo. Look for the user reviews for the product you are thinking about. These people do not get paid for their opinions, so there is no reason for them to fabricate their stories.

The Canon lens 70-300mm is great for someone who shoots a wide variety of pictures.

• It works really well for portraits (super at about 150mm).


• Excellent for sports, especially outdoor sports like kids soccer or baseball. Not as good for indoor sports unless the lighting is good.


• Many use it as a nature lens for birds in flight or even pictures at the zoo when you can't get very close to the animals.


• It works for street photography when you want to be the "unnoticed" photographer.

Finally, the Canon 70-300mm is excellent for someone on a budget that does not have the funds to purchase the Canon "L" lenses that pro photographers value so highly. Until you get to the point that your images are making you a comfortable living, consider the Canon lens - 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS. You won't have any buyer's remorse if you do.

Top 10 Wedding Flower Mistakes to Avoid

When deciding on flowers for your wedding what you don't do is just as important as what you do. With all of the intricacies involved, picking your wedding flowers can be helped greatly by hiring a wedding planner.

1) Not Trusting the Florist
Choosing the right florist for your wedding can take some time, but once you do choose your florist you should trust them. Explain your entire vision, all of your ideas, your like and dislikes, then trust in the florist to make that vision come to life.

2) Refusing to Compromise
You might have one perfect flower in mind for your bouquet or centerpieces, but that particular flower might not be available year-round. By being flexible and giving your florist some room to make suggestions, you may end up with a better finished product than you imagined.

3) Ruling Out Expensive Flowers
Ruling out expensive flowers from the on-set of process may hinder the over all look and feel of your arrangements. Give your florist your budget and ask them to work within it. You may find out that you can get a pricier flower than you expected.

4) Using a Single Color
Traditionally many brides match their arrangements to their bridesmaid's dresses, choosing to ignore many other colors to focus on the one main theme. Flowers are the perfect place to add in an accent color to offset your main theme.

5) Choosing Highly Fragrant Flowers
While gardenias, lilac, or hyacinths might be your favorite flowers, adding an extremely fragrant bud to your centerpieces can be a bad idea. Highly scented flowers can aggravate allergies, cause headaches, and even make food less appealing. If your heart is set on a fragrant flower it is best to isolate these to your bouquet so that guests with allergies won't be affected.

6) Not Caring for the Flowers
Every flower has different needs, and a different lifespan after being arranged. Improper care of your flowers prior to the ceremony can be a recipe for disaster. Talk to your florist about the care your flowers will need after you receive them to avoid any potential issues.

7) Doing Too Much Yourself
Doing your arrangements yourself can seem like a good idea initially, however it often becomes more trouble than it's worth. Many brides try to undertake the massive project of doing all of the wedding flowers themselves, which can end up being even more expensive in the end than having a professional taking care of everything.

8) Ordering the Flowers Too Late
Waiting until the last minute to order your wedding flowers can add unnecessary complication to the process. It's nearly impossible to get flowers within a few weeks, most florists will suggest a minimum of six weeks between the time the order is placed and the wedding date.

9) Choosing an Over-sized Bouquet
While large bouquets can be beautiful and impressive, they may be lacking in practicality. When considering an over-sized bouquet, keep in mind the weight and how long you will be carrying it. Large bouquets can also off-set the overall look of your dress as well. Thinking about size, comfort, and aesthetics of the overall look should be your main concerns when deciding on your bouquet.

10) Forgetting to Budget for Flowers
Your flower budget should be part of the plan from the beginning. Not factoring the flowers into the overall budget can be a huge set-back to the ceremony. Flowers can make up a substantial part of your overall budget, meaning that not taking them into consideration can significantly increase the cost of your wedding.