Testing some new hardware.

Living in Georgia we do not see as much snow as we’d like. Our local weather man was a bit skeptical about all the snow hoopla as well. It was amazing how one minute it was nice and sunny and the next SNOW. Growing up, I (Jae’) was told that it God getting a haircut . As photographers, we could not resist going out in all of the white stuff. So, we decided to go to one of our favorite locations to shoot “Hollows Lost Woods” (that’s what we named it). The snow was fun, but we hate how it looks after it melts. Here are a few images from our little Photo Stroll. Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Love,
Teddy & Jae’

I am happy to present the final installment in choosing the right photographer for your wedding series, “All wedding photographers are not the same!”

As you go about picking your wedding photographer you may be quick to make a decision on a photographer to capture your special day based on price alone.  Some believe that all wedding photographers are the same, they show up and perform the same job take photographs.  Yes, this is what we have in common but we vary in style which will be in the final product when you receive your photographs.  Let’s take a look at a few photographic wedding styles you may come across when choosing a wedding photographer.

Photojournalistic – Photojournalistic photographers capture moments as they happen at weddings.  Generally you will find that the photographer’s work has a storyline from preparation to the  bride and groom leaving the reception.  What makes their work amazing is the ability to capture candid moments that  the bride and groom are not aware of.  You will rarely find that the photographer gives any direction or perform any formal shots.

Traditional – Traditional photographers focus on the formal.  Many of the images presented are posed and staged by the photographer.  The photographer will make sure the wedding party and family is photographed in group settings.  The main focus of the traditional photographer is portraiture.  You will find that some traditional photographers rely heavily on flash and lighting equipment.

Contemporary – A contemporary photographer style relies mostly on creativity.  Their style is very nontraditional; you will find that the photographer’s portfolio will rarely show formal group shots in a traditional setting.  Wedding shots will show couples nonposed and spontaneous moments.  You will see the photographer capturing moments in various angles throughout the wedding day.  In the final process of photos some contemporary photographers will add their signature style which may include special color or texture processing.

Remember, do not solely base your choice on price.  Style is very import.  The last thing you want is to pay for something that’s not you.  So take into consideration the style of photography you’d love to look back years from now and know that you made the right choice.

I am happy to present the next installment in choosing the right photographer for your wedding series, “Why is professional wedding photography so expensive?”

As you go about looking at wedding photographers and start asking for prices you may feel a little sticker shocked from the cost given by a photographer.  Then questions will cross your mind, “why are wedding photographers so expensive? I mean all they are doing is showing up snapping a couple of photos at the wedding and going back to the office and putting the images on CD/DVD and printing them at a low cost print company.”  Some perceive that all wedding photographers live a rock star status.  We have the cool equipment, work whenever we want, and make the big bucks.  The image can be deceiving.  If you dig a little deeper you will find that only a small percentage of photographers live the luxury life of wedding photography.   Wedding photography is hard work and there are major expenses that go with this industry.  So what factors go into determining the cost of a wedding photographer’s service?

Equipment - Weddings are mission critical events.  And for wedding photographers having equipment function without missing a beat is important.  Providing images that are crisp and clean comes at a cost.

Take for example the cost of camera body that is common in the wedding industry, the Canon 5D Mark II.  The cost of this camera is around $2,400 and professional grade lens to use with the camera can range from $400 to $3,000 easily.  The total price of all the photographers equipment for shooting one wedding can cost from $5,000 up to $20,000.  The next factor of equipment is maintenance.  Cameras get old and lenses have to be serviced to keep them in great shape like cars which cost a lot for repairs and cleaning.  And we have not factored in computer software to process images on computers.

Sure there are wedding photographers who have low cost overhead because they use low grade equipment for weddings, but again weddings are not the time to put trust in equipment is not designed to handle major events.

Business License and Insurance – In order to operate a legal business wedding photographers must have a business license. In order to protect the equipment invested insurance is a must!  Accidents will happen at weddings (dropped lens, flower girl pouring juice on the camera, groom trips over lightstand, etc.). To replace equipment from a single accident is costly and this is why insurance is important.  There are wedding venues that will not allow you to perform service at their location with out a $2 million dollar policy in place.

Advertising and Marketing – In order for you to find a wedding photographer they have to have many avenues of marketing.  These include business cards, brochure, well designed website, ads in magazines, and social media advertising.  We were recently approached to advertise in a magazine and a full page cost over $2000.  Then there are bridal shows and the materials for presenting a bridal shows.

Workshop, Seminars, and Education – The better educated a photographer becomes in the wedding industry the better the photographer can perform efficiently and creatively. Workshops can rival the cost of college tuition but is worth it in the end.  True creative photographers spends weeks or years perfecting their craft and turn around and work late nights chatting on online forums with other professional learning more skills.

Labor – Once the camera stops at the wedding the creative process begins.  Wedding photographers from one wedding along can review over 3000+ images in the post process. Digital photography did not make things cheaper. A general post process for us is as follows:

1. Upload all images from wedding to the computer (1 hr)
2. Back up all images (1.5 hours)
3. Process all images through editing (8 – 9 hrs)
4. Upload gallery for client  and create blog of favorite images (3hrs)
5. Create slideshow from wedding (2 hrs)
6. Create wedding album (3-5 hrs)
7. Make changes to wedding album from Bride and Groom’s request (1 hr)

Do the math.

The process is again repeated for the next wedding.  In between all of this there is answering phone calls and emails from current clients and potential clients. Then meeting with clients and other vendors in the wedding industry.

Cost from other vendors – In order to give the bride and groom a final product, wedding photographers partner with other vendors to give you a beautiful product.  These include wedding albums and mounted large prints.  Wedding albums are very expensive and play a major factor in wedding package cost.  Not to mention the time it takes to design a perfect album.

Finally I have not factored in the cost of a salary in order to make a living from wedding photography and personal expenses (donations to charities, TAXES, studio/office rent, electrical bill, car maintenance and gas during spring/summer season, babysitter for children, a meal some where in this, etc.)  Yes, there are many wedding photographers who charge less than a $1000 for a wedding, but if they were to do the math they will find that they are walking a way from a wedding breaking even, $0 or going into a financial whole.  Which means years from now they will not be in business.  Following your dreams for a few years is great, living dreams for the rest of your life is even better.

I hope that I have enlightened you on cost and hopefully you will have a greater appreciation for the wedding photographer you choose.  We’d love to hear from you from our series by your comments or you can drop us and email we’d love to hear from you.

As the wedding season approaches again we wanted to share with you a blog series about choosing the right photographer for your wedding.  I know it may seem quick and easy to choose a photographer, but there are items that must be taken in consideration before making a costly decision.  Keep in mind that after the wedding is done and you reflect back over that day your wedding photographs will be the primary source you will look at to remind you of that day.  When you look back over your photographs you should feel that you made the right decision on choosing the wedding photographer.

Let’s face it, in great financial times or in a bad economy everyone wants to save money on their wedding day.  As you plan your big day you will be presented with many opinions on saving money with wedding professionals. One common idea people believe that will save them money on wedding photography is hiring someone in the family who has a high grade camera like wedding professionals.

You think of the benefits:

• He or she has been shooting as a hobby
• They have taken photos that look nice
• They are a close relative
• They take a lot of shots which means I will get a lot of photos from the wedding
• They will save you a lot of MONEY!

It all sounds great but there are some important issues you must consider before making your decision.

Experience

A professional wedding photographer has experience in shooting weddings.  There are so many changes that can happen in a wedding day.  Even though people plan wedding days to go well there will be hiccups during the day that will change the course.

A wedding photographer can face the following:

• A planned sunny outdoor wedding can become an indoor wedding because of rain.
• A church officiate may not allow flash photography in a dark sanctuary or designate that the photographer remains in the back of the church.
• Finding a perfect location for photography in tight areas
• Attitudes from other attendees at the wedding
• Tight timelines for portraits
• Last minute photography requests

These are just a few.  Remember, at weddings you cannot stop and rewind to capture missed moments.  Once a moment happens they are gone.  Your photographer must know how to handle these situations efficiently and handle the challenges without skipping a beat.

Emergencies

One of the dreaded things we don’t like to talk about at weddings is the plan of action should something go wrong.  Your wedding photographer must have a plan of action for camera equipment malfunctions and the same is for anyone who serves you on your wedding day.

Always ask your potential wedding photographer do they have backup equipment for your special day.

Creativity

A professional wedding photographer has an “eye” for creativity and is why we consider photography an art.  A typical person picking up a camera will only look at taking a shot from one view.  Professionals have committed themselves to learning various creative ways of capturing weddings that will leave you in awe.  It is one of the factors I wish I looked at when choosing my wedding photographer.  If you are considering someone to shoot your wedding ask for a portfolio of weddings.  Once you are presented with one, sit down and study the photographs.  How does it make you feel when you look at his/hers photographs?  Do you love their creativity?

Passionate

Professional wedding photographers feel that providing you a service is a calling that we are passionate about.  Our primary concern on your wedding day is to make sure that you are happy with the photographs taken.  We have studied how to make you look your best on your wedding day.  When you invest in a wedding photographer you trust, someone who is in love with their craft, and will be committed to providing you service you will love.

Attitude and Work Ethics

Yes, he/she has great photographs, but how is their attitude and work ethics?  There is nothing like having a photographer who has a horrible attitude and acts like a JERK!!   As a professional photographer it is very important that I display a positive attitude and work ethic no matter where I am and what I do in the community.

As I close if you are still considering choosing a family member who is not a professional wedding photographer please ask these questions:

1. Do they have back a backup camera?
2. How do they handle pressure?
3. Do they have experience in shooting weddings?
4. How does it make you feel when you look at his/hers photographs?  Do you love their creativity?
5. Do you have a wedding contract with them?
6. How will they deliver your wedding images to you?
7. Does the person’s attitude reflect what you want to be around all day?
8. How well do they work on projects?

Before we shoot a portrait session, we like to get out and scout various areas. Areas that the general public may not take notice. Last Saturday I decided to get out and check out downtown Macon. The weather was freezing and wind was blowing but it felt good just to be out shooting.