This will be one of the few posts I will do with no photo (as not to incriminate the brides who have done it), there are few things that will ruin a good photo the way chewing gum does.
I will say right off the bat I am not a gum person and I don't understand the need to constantly chew gum, but in general it doesn't bother me until it shows up in my photos.
When it comes to taking portraits many people stress about a a pimple, or blinking and while blinking can't be corrected it's usually a one off thing, only the worst acne outbreak isn't fixable in Photoshop, but gum on the other hand just makes your face do all sorts of weird things.
Talking is another one one that will ruin a posed photo, but unlike chewing gum it can often become part of a candid photo, making it more realistic.
So unless you're doing a cute bubble blowing photo. Spit the gum out.
(No brides have ever chewed gum during the ceremony. At least that I know of).
Dec 8, 2008
Nov 18, 2008
WANTED; Wedding photog, $500 or Less, Students Welcome Part 1
I don't read a lot of Wedding or Bridal Magazines. Ok, I don't read any, but I do know that there are articles on the topic of "Budget Weddings" & "Fantastic Weddings on a Shoe String Budget" and so on. With the current economic outlook, I'm sure their will be more of these popping up in magazines and web sites like theKnot.com.
In regards to photography though, somewhere the recent myth of the student photographer shooting a wedding took off, but unlike Unicorns, there are actually college students who take good weddings photos. But there is a huge difference from finding some one to shoot your wedding for cheap and finding someone to shoot it cheap and good. If you are one of those people looking for that, read this before making you post on Craig's List.
As a couple, the 3 most important things you will choose for your wedding in order are; The Dress, The location & The photographer. (see my previous blog post The 3 most Imporant Things). Those stories you've heard about someone having a student or a friend shoot their wedding and they got the most amazing pictures back... well they are real, but are few and far between.
If you want a great way to save a few bucks, start by not spending $15 each on a handful of magazines. Now before I get to far off topic, the reason of this post is about my arch enemy... The student photographer.
Well not really, I like student photographers and think any chance they can get for real world experience they should take it. I think a student photographer isn't something that every bride wants, as much as I think that paying a lot for a bad photographer is something every bride wants to avoid.
All to often people look at photography as something they themselves can do and in turn are astounded by the cost of hiring a professional. While most people under stand that taking 1 great photo out of 100 does not make them Ansel Adams, thinking someone who has a little bit of schooling will definitely be better at it than you is a sound thought, but thinking they may someday be the next Ansel Adams isn't exactly on the mark considering only 7% of people with a degree in the arts go on to make it a career.
First; Most people who've had luck with a student usually knew the photographer and were already impressed with their work before hand. If your cousin isn't studying photography at an art school, or you don't have a friend who's roommate freelances for the local paper, chances are you aren't one of the lucky few who can save money while still getting great results.
You should probably then be looking at getting a profession who's work you like and who's price you can afford.
Try getting someone who doesn't require an album to be purchased, or if you want to buy the digital copies of the photos, see if you have an option to buy them after the wedding. Try putting off as much as you can till after the wedding.
While most vendors will want some type of payment (becareful when vendors want full payment up front), deposits that aren't due at signing help in making a budget spread out.
But if you're still hell bent on going this route here are a few suggestions.
See Part 2
WANTED; Wedding photog, $500 or Less, Students Welcome Part 2
So you're still hell bent on going this route here are a few suggestions. (continued from part 1)
1. Know where to find your student photographers. Realize that the world is a big place and photo students aren't as numerous as accountants. Colleges and universities that have photography programs are few and far between, or are concentrated in one area. While the wedding might be 50 miles from a city like San Francisco, or New York, with a lot of photo students. Students don't always have transportation, or at the vary least reliable transportation. Living in Memphis might yield few photo schools, but the small towns of Columbia, Missouri, Missoula, Montana, or Bowling Green, Kentucky are home to some of the countries better photojournalism programs.
2. Also, not all photography students want to shoot weddings. My senior year I turned down $800 from a relative to shoot their friend's wedding (this was in 1997).
3. Have patients. When you use non-traditional avenues for wedding vendors, you have to remember you will no longer be dealing with professionals. Hobbyist/students most likely will not know half of what a full time vendor does on the business side of things. So set time aside for portraits sessions to be longer and don't expect full-on pre & post ceremony consulting. Also, while couples with graphic design knowledge will cry "not fair", third party vendors like album publishers will not sell to clients not already in the industry. This means the hi-end magazine style album you wanted probably won't be available through the student, or amateur photographer.
4. Ask to see a portfolio. Realizing you know nothing about what makes a good non-wedding portfolio, look for photos that capture people. Great photos of trees, lake views and sunset do not translate into great photos of people. Look for somebody with a knack for documenting events like a photojournalist. Believe it our not, great photos from a party or night club on their flickr page, may say more about their talent than that amazing sunset.
Alternative suggestions.
1. Buy somebody a good camera. Find a relative or close friend who is into photography. Take the $400 or $500 (or more) and use it to help them buy a new camera like the Canon Rebel, or Nikon D70 with a kit zoom lens package, or if they have a nice digital already, upgrade with a better off camera flash or fast glass lens. Or if they have good equipment now, pay for an advanced photo class with a pro. I actually know a dentist who has always had more expensive equipment than me, but I still get better pictures. Make sure your wedding is at least 3 or 4 months away so they have time to use and get used to shooting with it. You've just strengthen a bond with someone and found a photographer.
2. (This should be done in conjunction with suggestion #1)
Ask guests to bring their point and shoot digital cameras and up load the photos to a photo sharing web site like flickr or photobucket. Or better yet, ask them if they'd mail you a CD of the images. Two of my favorite wedding photos came from my father and a friend's husband. While they took some good photos the rest of the wedding our hired photographer beat everything else they had hands down. But you can't go wrong with 10 cameras vs. 1. (Do this even if you hire a professional).
3. Do a destination wedding. I know three different people who just took themselves, their best man/maid of honor and went for broke on a beach in Mexico or Hawaii. Most resorts have a photographer who will take a few handful of photos for a hundred or two hundred dollars, but basically by eliminating the pomp and circumstance with your wedding you'll eliminate the need for serious photography. Oh and flowers & dinner for 300 people & a limo & so on and so on. Plus you already on your honeymoon.
4. Move the date back. If all these ideas don't seem like such a good idea now that I've spelled them out, move the date back. There's nothing that can be more catastrophic to a wedding than squeezing it into an unrealistic time frame. While you might find a few deals, weddings are expensive and if you are doing it solo (like my wife & I did) you either need to scale your plans down (150 guests in stead of 400) or save some more money. Unless you need to be married at home plat in Yankee Stadium before it's torn down, the best thing you can do is wait a little longer & save.
1. Know where to find your student photographers. Realize that the world is a big place and photo students aren't as numerous as accountants. Colleges and universities that have photography programs are few and far between, or are concentrated in one area. While the wedding might be 50 miles from a city like San Francisco, or New York, with a lot of photo students. Students don't always have transportation, or at the vary least reliable transportation. Living in Memphis might yield few photo schools, but the small towns of Columbia, Missouri, Missoula, Montana, or Bowling Green, Kentucky are home to some of the countries better photojournalism programs.
2. Also, not all photography students want to shoot weddings. My senior year I turned down $800 from a relative to shoot their friend's wedding (this was in 1997).
3. Have patients. When you use non-traditional avenues for wedding vendors, you have to remember you will no longer be dealing with professionals. Hobbyist/students most likely will not know half of what a full time vendor does on the business side of things. So set time aside for portraits sessions to be longer and don't expect full-on pre & post ceremony consulting. Also, while couples with graphic design knowledge will cry "not fair", third party vendors like album publishers will not sell to clients not already in the industry. This means the hi-end magazine style album you wanted probably won't be available through the student, or amateur photographer.
4. Ask to see a portfolio. Realizing you know nothing about what makes a good non-wedding portfolio, look for photos that capture people. Great photos of trees, lake views and sunset do not translate into great photos of people. Look for somebody with a knack for documenting events like a photojournalist. Believe it our not, great photos from a party or night club on their flickr page, may say more about their talent than that amazing sunset.
Alternative suggestions.
1. Buy somebody a good camera. Find a relative or close friend who is into photography. Take the $400 or $500 (or more) and use it to help them buy a new camera like the Canon Rebel, or Nikon D70 with a kit zoom lens package, or if they have a nice digital already, upgrade with a better off camera flash or fast glass lens. Or if they have good equipment now, pay for an advanced photo class with a pro. I actually know a dentist who has always had more expensive equipment than me, but I still get better pictures. Make sure your wedding is at least 3 or 4 months away so they have time to use and get used to shooting with it. You've just strengthen a bond with someone and found a photographer.
2. (This should be done in conjunction with suggestion #1)
Ask guests to bring their point and shoot digital cameras and up load the photos to a photo sharing web site like flickr or photobucket. Or better yet, ask them if they'd mail you a CD of the images. Two of my favorite wedding photos came from my father and a friend's husband. While they took some good photos the rest of the wedding our hired photographer beat everything else they had hands down. But you can't go wrong with 10 cameras vs. 1. (Do this even if you hire a professional).
3. Do a destination wedding. I know three different people who just took themselves, their best man/maid of honor and went for broke on a beach in Mexico or Hawaii. Most resorts have a photographer who will take a few handful of photos for a hundred or two hundred dollars, but basically by eliminating the pomp and circumstance with your wedding you'll eliminate the need for serious photography. Oh and flowers & dinner for 300 people & a limo & so on and so on. Plus you already on your honeymoon.
4. Move the date back. If all these ideas don't seem like such a good idea now that I've spelled them out, move the date back. There's nothing that can be more catastrophic to a wedding than squeezing it into an unrealistic time frame. While you might find a few deals, weddings are expensive and if you are doing it solo (like my wife & I did) you either need to scale your plans down (150 guests in stead of 400) or save some more money. Unless you need to be married at home plat in Yankee Stadium before it's torn down, the best thing you can do is wait a little longer & save.
Nov 13, 2008
The 3 Most Important Things You Will Choose
Every couple I ever sit down with I tell them about the three most important things you will choose for your wedding in order.
1. The Dress
2. The Location
3. The Photographer
Explanation;
The Dress - Honestly if the bride doesn't fell like the most beautiful/important woman at her own wedding, people will know. It will show up in photos, videos and the bride sets the tone for how the guests behave and in general whether or not everybody is having a good time.
Brides, this does not mean you need a $50,000 D&G one of a kind dress. It just means you need to be happy and comfortable with what you're wearing. If you have somebody with you whose opinion you value, take stock in what they think, but go with your gut whether it's the first, or 20th dress you've tried on.
About half the brides I shot in 2008 got their dresses at David's Bridal (unpaid plug). And I've seen everything from designer dresses to individual one of a kinds ( OnlyJangMi.com shameless plug for my wife's web site), but once the dress goes on and brides see themselves in a mirror, they know why this is number 1.
The Location - I've seen backyard weddings that are beautiful and Luxury Hotel Receptions that are awfully tacky or bland. While renting out Millennium Park in downtown Chicago might not be an option for most of us, intimate or unique locales also set a tone for your wedding.
In a sense your wedding is as much about the day as it is about remembering the day. Is your location something that people will be talking about? Do you feel that it's a perfect setting for your perfect day? Or is it more of a place of convenience?
Finally, will it add to, detract from, or be a non-factor in your wedding photos? Which brings us to the third most important thing.
The Photographer - Yes, I do seem a little biased on this third most important factor, but honestly it's true. Your wedding photos will live on long after you do. Family tree albums, anniversaries. Wedding photos of deceased grandparents have been displayed at many welcome tables at weddings. The only other thing that last as long if not longer than your photos are the rings.
Not everybody you want will be able to attend your wedding, they will however want to see images from that day. You will of course want to see images from that day too, but often some of my couples' favorite photos take place before the ceremony, or in the little moments between. Having the day documented and also having formal group photos to go along with that is the key to why photography is #3 on the list.
If you think of your wedding as just a “Day” event, than food and band selection might be more important to you, but if you realize that a wedding actually will come to symbolize so much more than just one day, you’ll make decisions based your feelings in the future.
1. The Dress
2. The Location
3. The Photographer
Explanation;
The Dress - Honestly if the bride doesn't fell like the most beautiful/important woman at her own wedding, people will know. It will show up in photos, videos and the bride sets the tone for how the guests behave and in general whether or not everybody is having a good time.
Brides, this does not mean you need a $50,000 D&G one of a kind dress. It just means you need to be happy and comfortable with what you're wearing. If you have somebody with you whose opinion you value, take stock in what they think, but go with your gut whether it's the first, or 20th dress you've tried on.
About half the brides I shot in 2008 got their dresses at David's Bridal (unpaid plug). And I've seen everything from designer dresses to individual one of a kinds ( OnlyJangMi.com shameless plug for my wife's web site), but once the dress goes on and brides see themselves in a mirror, they know why this is number 1.
The Location - I've seen backyard weddings that are beautiful and Luxury Hotel Receptions that are awfully tacky or bland. While renting out Millennium Park in downtown Chicago might not be an option for most of us, intimate or unique locales also set a tone for your wedding.
In a sense your wedding is as much about the day as it is about remembering the day. Is your location something that people will be talking about? Do you feel that it's a perfect setting for your perfect day? Or is it more of a place of convenience?
Finally, will it add to, detract from, or be a non-factor in your wedding photos? Which brings us to the third most important thing.
The Photographer - Yes, I do seem a little biased on this third most important factor, but honestly it's true. Your wedding photos will live on long after you do. Family tree albums, anniversaries. Wedding photos of deceased grandparents have been displayed at many welcome tables at weddings. The only other thing that last as long if not longer than your photos are the rings.
Not everybody you want will be able to attend your wedding, they will however want to see images from that day. You will of course want to see images from that day too, but often some of my couples' favorite photos take place before the ceremony, or in the little moments between. Having the day documented and also having formal group photos to go along with that is the key to why photography is #3 on the list.
If you think of your wedding as just a “Day” event, than food and band selection might be more important to you, but if you realize that a wedding actually will come to symbolize so much more than just one day, you’ll make decisions based your feelings in the future.
Oct 20, 2008
Photojournalistic Style?
Chances are if you are reading this, you have at least heard of the term "Photojournalistic Style Wedding Photography", but what is it and why is it so popular.
Back in the day wedding photography consisted of a trip to a photo studio where a formal posed photo would be taken after the wedding. Mainly because cameras were far to large and churches were a lot more strict. When cameras got smaller, formal photos went from the studio to the aisle and eventually the reception. Since most of this work was done by studio photographers, it retained much of the look and feel of studio work. Heavily staged & formal. You can read more about the changes in wedding photography here.
http://www.wedpix.com/articles/001/evolution-of-wedding-photography/
So why did brides start to prefer a "Photojounalistic" look, over a glamorously posed photo studio session?
One big reason as mentioned in the article I linked to above was magazine coverage of royal weddings in England & Marolyn Monroe's wedding by magazines like Life & Look. What's more glamorous than having your wedding covered like a newspaper or magazine story.
Another was back in the 60's & 70's photojournalists started to photograph weddings out side of their newspaper work and it was often done using black & white film only and shot mostly as unposed candid images. They'd go back to their darkrooms and develop and print images up at a much lower cost than color film would allow. Why do you think they call it Photojounalistic Style.
Well the natural look of it took off and some in the Photojournalism industry left and started shooting weddings full time. Some wedding photographers never even worked in the industry, but employee similar techniques. Since Photojournalism isn't really a style, it's a field in photography, you'd truthfully be better off and I actually prefer to call it what it really is, which is "Documentary" style photography.
As I mentioned before "Photojournalistic Wedding Photography" has kind of become a buzz word in the wedding industry, but many outside of the photo world often mistake it for several things. Make sure when you are looking for a photographer who says they shoot "Photojournalistically", that not only do they shoot documentary style, but that you actually know what that means yourself.
First a little bit about what "Documentary" style isn't
1. A wedding shot in all black & white, is not documentary style. Black & White film was a cheap alternative to color film and many of the photojournalists I talked about above, started out shooting just in black & white. This is a film choice not a style. Although there is a different astetic to black & white photography. It is not a style in itself.
2. Different angles, close up & purposefully blurred photos, doesn't make it documentary. All photographers strive to get different looks of a subject, myself included. These are part of a photographer personal style.
3. It has to be candid? No not really. It's very hard to not notice somebody standing 2 feet from you with 3 cameras wrapped around their neck, but it's easy to get use to that person being there and in time forgetting about them. Plus, all good documentaries have head shots or group photos. Looking at the camera isn't a sin in this style, but doing the old "buddies with their arms around each others shoulders" photo isn't what it is about.
So what is documentary style?
Basically it is the idea that what you are taking photos of will eventually have a final output, and ending if you will. Your wedding is essentially a story and capturing moments that happen during it are very important. Detailed images of rings, glasses, hands and so on are elements of that story and when laid out in a book or slide show, these images should flow together like a story without words, or voices.
A photographers personal style is their own, you can see this in their portfolio, as chances are it is a collection of the work they have done that they feel represents what they do best. A sample of how they photograph a wedding from start to finish,is a good indicator of the overall style they shoot in. Are they Documentary? Artistic? Commercial?
And while you may not have the eye that a photographer has to tell the difference, just know if you see a lot of straight on photos of people looking right at the camera, chances are that photographer won't be laying upside down on the dance floor to get the guys diving for the garter. And if you see an image like the one at the top of the page, chances are that photographer isn't going to grant somebodies request for a grip and grin photo.
There's a photo I show in my full wedding presentation. It's of a groom on the ground with his butt in the air looking under a bed. I love the weird look I get from brides, but the next photo is his cat, under the bed, because he was looking for it as friends and family gathered at his home prior to the ceremony. I always say that there's a method to my madness. Make sure you ask about that method and figure out whether it's right for you or not.
Oct 16, 2008
About The Wedding Photog Blog
Hello, my name is Vincent David Johnson and I’m a photographer.
ABOUT ME:
While I do weddings, I do not consider myself a “Wedding Photographer”, nor do I consider my work to fall under the terminology of “Wedding Photography”. At least not outside of the fact that it is indeed photography that I am doing at a wedding, the comparison stops there for me.
First and foremost I am a photographer. To be a little more specific you can say I am a Photojournalist, as I went to college and received a degree in Photojournalism and I currently can be found shooting for several Midwestern papers & magazines. But long before that I was just a kid with a camera who had an eye for capturing moments, more so than working abstract meanings into my images. Which is why I will never refer to myself as an artist (partially because I think it’s pretentious), but I’ve come to grips with others who refer to me as one.
At first I wanted nothing to do with photographing weddings, but after I was involved in my own wedding and weddings of a few friends and family, I was genuinely excited to be around new brides and grooms, as the myth of Bridezillas seems to have been over exaggerated. Of course I’ve seen brides go ballistic at a wedding, but this has almost always been due to vendors who have screwed up big time, or intoxicated family members who have made an ass of themselves.
ABOUT THIS BLOG:
From what I gathered by doing a little blog reading, is that most blogs seem to be about the person who writes them, that persons opinions and in some cases what that person is doing every minute of everyday of their life.
The most popular blogs seemed to be ones that provided either insider/exclusive details about something the blogger is an expert or very knowledgeable about, or its something that the reader finds informative and helpful towards their own life. I’m hoping this turns out to be the latter, as opposed to people reading this hoping to hear about a train wreck wedding situation.
While I won’t guarantee this will be the only time I write about myself, I can say that my main goal is to provide tid-bits for my would-be-brides to read on days leading up to their wedding day.
My friends will tell you that I can talk forever, so I will stop here, but if you’d like to find out more about who I am and what I do visit www.OtherVertical.com, www.VincentDavidJohnson.com & www.LostAmericana.com .
Oct 15, 2008
I learned something today
While not quite as tongue in cheek as Kyle from South Park, at the end of just about every wedding I shoot I usually have at least one thing I’ve learned and written down in my reporter’s notebook.
It can be something as simple as an angle & lighting scheme that worked good, advice to give to couples about bridal party portraits, how to work better with other vendors, or in the worst case, something that can go horribly wrong that could have been avoided.
I can see this blog becoming a must read (or a hardly read if I don’t promote it) for any couple searching for a wedding photographer in Chicago (where I am), or elsewhere in the world. It might also be very informational for upstart wedding photographers. If you are the later, at least show me some love on the comment or link side.
In all likely hood this blog will be written at the start in an order similar to that following where a couple looking for a wedding photographer would start. While reading newer posts most likely won’t place you at a disadvantage, like starting algebra before take math 101, reading from oldest to newest might be an easier read for some.
DISCLAIMER TO ALL OF MY FORMER COUPLES:
If any stories, or references I make sound like your wedding... Well it just might be, but you’d also be surprised that they often sound like a few other weddings I’ve shot as well. Exact names, locations and dates will mostly be left out. Obviously since I’m a photographer I will be displaying images in this blog. I promise that I will not be posting anything I wouldn’t post from my own wedding. If anyone does have issues with images that are posted please contact me.
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