Blog Articles

With the use of digital cameras there are a few things that come into play when you’re taking your photographs and one of those things is the photograph image format you take your photographs in. For example, with the film cameras you had the option of using color positives, color negatives, black and white positives or black and white negatives.

This was a photograph image format that your photographic data was stored in. The same applies with digital cameras as well, and there is a photograph image format in which you can store your photographic data. It has nothing to do with positives or negatives this time, and everything to do with bits and bytes and how the little micro processor that reads the data from your memory card.

When you take a photograph, the information that the camera sees through the lens is stored on the memory card in a language that the computer understands.

For our purposes there are few different photograph image format that we can choose from, in which to store the details of our photographs, and we need to decide on what it is.

Having now hopefully, successfully navigated past that I can now go on to tell you that of the different types of photograph image format in which you can save your data, there are a few that most photographers use more often than not.

The RAW photograph image format has a great many advantages to be had, and these I have to say quite negate the disadvantages, if there are any. You know for a fact that nowadays memory cards are more and more inexpensive, allowing you to own more than one or two cards. Yes, sometimes RAW photograph image format files can be larger than the JPEG photograph image format, but the advantage of having a lossless file format far outweighs the fact that RAW photograph image format files are larger.

Whereas JPEG photograph image format files compress and therefore are prone to some loss of data, RAW photograph image format files aren’t prone to this loss of data.

But the biggest advantage as far as I’m concerned is the fact with RAW photograph image format files the image data that gets saved is the most basic data of all and when you transfer this to your computer, it makes it easier to work and change things around in your photograph using the photo editing software.

Photoblog

Don’t Underestimate the Value of Your Photographer

Amongst the plethora of wedding professionals that you will need to consider for your most singular day, there are several reasons your photographer is probably the most important and possibly the most difficult vendor to choose. While the caterer, limousine service and reception hall operators are all very important in their own right, your photographer is perhaps the only artist with whom you will spend the entire day; this means a good rapport is an absolute must.

Products provided by other vendors such as the cake, music, tuxedos and food may be absolutely fantastic - but after a few months have passed since your wedding day, when the cake is gone, the music has stopped and the tuxedos were last seen prancing around at the local prom, what will remain to immortalize those majestic moments of your life? The photos from a professional photographer will last a lifetime at the very least.

Which Style Suits You Best?

When it comes to wedding photography there are two major style philosophies that tend to dominate the current market place, Traditional and Photojournalistic.

As the name may imply, the traditional style has been around the longest and until recently was the most common. Essentially the traditional style wedding photographer is one who prefers to place the couple and groups in specific poses for their photos. This style of photography usually requires that a shot list be prepared in advance by the bride and groom so that the photographer can have a step-by-step checklist and be sure to photograph everyone the couple wants. This style calls for a meticulous photographer who excels in portraiture and is very concerned about each detail in an image including things like: head angle and body positioning, hand placement and ring location, lighting ratios, backgrounds, etc. As you might imagine the time requirements for this type of photography are significant and require a commitment from the couple and attendants to accommodate this style.

With the photojournalistic wedding photography the concept is to capture images as they occur, with little or no intervention. This photographer will typically create more images during the course of a wedding in an almost documentary fashion and usually has a great eye for storytelling. Photojournalistic photographers must be skillful at capturing candid, emotional moments and therefore should have great timing and anticipation. Currently this style has become the most popular throughout much of the United States, whereas overseas there are still some places such as France where the traditional style appears to remain in vogue.

There are many photographers that offer some elements of each style in an attempt to provide the ‘best of both worlds’. Often this takes the form of a photojournalistic approach to the ceremony and reception, but with traditionally posed portraits of the bride and groom as well as group shots either before or after the ceremony.

Quite frankly there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ style; either method can deliver very beautiful images. You should review prospective photographer’s portfolios and consider the ones that you have the best feelings about – also, remember that on your wedding day you will need to be prepared to either work with a person who is something of a ‘director’ in the case of the traditional photographer, or more of a ‘reporter’ with the photojournalistic style photographer.

Finding the Right Photographer

There are many things that go into the choice of your photographer - style, professionalism, value and cost are some of the commonly considered attributes. The best way to get started is to do your research by asking friends and family members for recommendations and searching the internet for photographers in your area; also many of the professional photographer associations such as PPA or WPPI have searchable listings of their member photographers.

Most photographers you’ll find have websites where you can view their work and narrow your search down to the ones who have produced images that you find impressive. Once you find several credible photographers that have shown they can produce excellent photos, it’s time to pick up the phone and call them – ask them about their services and just feel them out in general. The initial conversation should give you enough of an impression to determine if a face to face visit is warranted.

When you decide to meet your photographer in person most likely you will have already seen some of their work online and have a pretty good feeling about the artist; while you may discuss many things during the meeting, its main benefit is to determine if you feel comfortable around this person. Do they make you laugh or smile? Does the conversation flow smoothly? There are many things that make for great photographs, not the least of which is a highly skilled artist behind the camera, but not even the most technically proficient photographer can produce truly beautiful photos of people when they are not comfortable and relaxed.

How Much Will it Cost?

Your choice of photographer in a perfect world would have very little to do with the cost of services and everything to do with their professionalism, photographic abilities and penchant for making you feel at ease when in their presence.

In many ways this purchase is similar to that of the engagement ring in that you really ought to get the best that you can afford because you’ll have to live with it for the rest of your life. Can you imagine calling around to your local jewelers and asking what they charge for an engagement ring, hearing them tell you $3000, $8000, etc. until finally you get one that says “I have one here for $350” and you yell “SOLD, hold that ring and I’ll be right down to pick it up!” You might say it’s silly to buy a ring you’ve never seen just because it costs less than the others but of course I’m just trying to show that sometimes it doesn’t pay to buy heirlooms based on the price tag alone.

While not every photographer lists their prices online the fact is these artists charge wildly varying prices, from the guy down the street who can shoot your magical day for $500.00 to the higher end photographers who earn $120,000 per wedding assignment. Keep in mind when making your choice that the old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ does not always apply very well to photographers. Paying more money does not guarantee getting the best photographer and hiring Uncle Larry to shoot your wedding for a six pack and a couple of NASCAR tickets does not necessarily mean your photos will be horrible. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000 for a full day of wedding coverage from a professional.

Before You Sign That Contract

Most of us have heard the horror stories where photographers don’t show up, don’t deliver the photos, get drunk and start hitting on the bride or tragically try their hand at the old ‘watch me yank this table cloth off without affecting any of the dishes’ during the reception. The fact is in most cases these sorts of photographers are the exception, not the rule. If you perform the same due diligence that you should before hiring any vendor - meet with several professionals, view samples of their work, get references from past customers and perhaps check them out with the Better Business Bureau, you should feel completely confident by the time you decide to retain your artist.

With all that in mind, there are many things to be wary of when selecting your photographer. Here are some things about any professional wedding photographer’s service that you should ask before making your final decision:

1. Who will actually photograph your wedding?

Quite often there are studios that have many photographers working for them; also there are outfits that act basically as a referral service, booking couples and then assigning one of their many affiliate photographers. Be sure to make it clear that the whiz-bang images and album samples that you see actually come from the same person who will be shooting your wedding. If that’s not the case then ask to see samples from the actual photographer.

2. What happens in the event of equipment failure?

We’re all familiar with good ol’ Murphy and his laws by now. Any professional photographer should have, at a minimum, duplicates of every vital piece of equipment. This means a second camera body, backup flashes, extra batteries, cables, etc. I know several pros that steadfastly refuse to work at all unless they have a backup to their backup!

3. Will you receive the negatives or high resolution digital files?

Some studios include the negatives or digital images in their packages, some don’t and others include it only at an extra cost. Many photographers depend on income from print sales after the wedding and so are concerned that giving negatives or digital files will cause couples to run out and get their own prints made at the local CVS (I should point out here that printing images without written permission from your photographer is illegal) instead of purchasing them from the photographer.

The concern from a customer perspective is - what happens five years later when you want more prints made and find that your photographer has closed up shop and retired to Bangladesh?

If you end up with your heart set on a photographer who doesn’t offer the negatives, one possible compromise is to ask her to provide them after a period of time such as 90 days. In most cases there are very few print orders after the first 30 days have elapsed since the wedding; therefore at 90 days the photographer should have already gotten any print orders he is likely to receive for your wedding and may feel comfortable at that point releasing (or selling) the images to you.

4. Are there any hidden fees?

Make sure to find out if there are any additional charges such as travel costs, printing or shipping charges, etc that will be tacked onto your bill. It’s a good idea to ask what the photographer charges for ordering prints and enlargements, especially if they refuse to provide you with your negatives.

5. Get it in writing!

You want to be sure to get in writing everything that your package entitles you to. The photography business is rapidly changing from month to month and many photographers update, modify or tweak their packages regularly to respond to industry trends. You don’t want to find out when your day arrives 8 months later that the photographer has changed his packages around and now doesn’t remember that you are supposed to receive three signed 16×20 prints as part of your deal!

Ideally all the terms of the package that you agree to should be included in your contract.

Pictures

When planning your wedding, you’ll no doubt be spending a lot of money on quite a few different things. While everything else as a whole might total more, the cost of a wedding photographer will always seem a little daunting at first. Though, making photography a big part of your budget is more important than you’d think. This is a day for all of your friends and all of your family to remember, not to mention you and your loved one.

Where To Look. One of the best places to look is the internet. Don’t stop with a simple google search for “wedding photographer + city name” as this is extremely vague. Try logging onto photo publishing sites such as flickr.com or smugmug. Most of these photo sites are home to a huge array of professionals looking for work. Do a search for “wedding” near your hometown on one of these sites and I’m sure you’ll be able to find hundreds, if not thousands, of photographers eager to shoot your wedding.

How To Choose. The most important thing you’ll need to take into consideration about a photographer is whether or not you like them and their work. Emailing back and forth, looking at randomly chosen portfolio pictures online is generally never enough. You need to develop a relationship. Call each photographer on the phone and talk. A photographer will feel more connected to your wedding and will be a lot more relaxed, and most of the time will be able to produce better results. If possible, visit the photographer’s studio. If they don’t have one, schedule a meeting at a Starbucks and ask him to bring examples from past weddings - make sure these samples are of one complete wedding and not just highlights from multiple events they’ve covered.

Digital Versus Film. While many photographers still use film (and can produce equally good results), you’re most likely going to want to make sure you’re looking into one who’s using digital. In this day in age, digital has surpassed film for multiple reasons. On top of being much more immediate, the creative freedom digital has lets photographers shoot much more quickly. Being able to check and make sure the image is good gives photographers a second chance if they’ve missed something. And there’s never any worry about whether or not something could go wrong in post processing. If a photographer insists on using film, it’s most likely because he’s never tried digital.

What To Ask. Many professional photographers either have their own studio or work for one. Since building a relationship with your photographer is key to getting great results, the most important thing to ask them is if they’re going to be the actual photographer shooting your wedding or if they’re going to be sending someone else. If the latter is true, see if you may meet with the person shooting. Secondly, make sure that there will only be one photographer. Having multiple photographers means your guests won’t know which lens to look at. One photographer is generally able to turn out anywhere from 500 to 1000 images on their own, so you can image how hard it would be to look through double that amount.

Can I Get Reprints? As soon as a professional photographer snaps a shot, he owns the copyright to that image. Even if you pay a fee to get your high resolution digital files from the wedding, the photographer has a legal right to charge you if you ever want any reprints later on. Usually, if you are paying for the digital negatives, a photographer won’t mind if you get your own reprints, but make sure you talk to them about it first. If you can, get it in writing.

Photography

Almost everyone owns a digital camera these days and can take pleasing photos. It can be tempting for resort and hotel owners to save money by taking photos themselves or hiring a local photographer that doesn’t necessarily specialize in hotel photography. Pleasing photos and professional photos are not the same thing, however.

Hiring a professional resort and hotel photographer can make a huge impact on a business’s bottom line. Oftentimes a brochure or website is the only opportunity a hotel has to make a first impression. Poor photography can turn potential guests away simply because they judge the quality of the resort based on the photos.

There are certain things to take into consideration when hiring a hotel photographer. By reviewing each of these points carefully with potential candidates, you can feel confident that your choice in the end will be the right one!

The Right Equipment for the Job

Striking hotel photographs start with the right equipment. It is imperative that professional resort and hotel photographers have the specialized lighting required to properly light large spaces such as hotel suites, ballrooms, lobbies and restaurants. Without proper lighting, the outside light may be burned out eliminating details both outside and inside.

Having a wide variety of wide-angle lenses is also required for properly photographing hotels and resorts. A wider lens shows the expanse of the room and can make even the smallest of hotel rooms look comfortable and inviting.

Hotel Photography Experience

Obviously, photography experience in general is a must when hiring a resort and hotel photographer. It is important to ask to see samples of work similar to your hotel as well. If the photographer shows an entire portfolio filled with stunning wedding shots, they may not have the experience necessary to photograph resorts and hotels.

An experienced hotel photographer knows how to stage a room based on the clientele. A business hotel might have a newspaper and laptop on the table versus a tennis racket and romantic dinner in a luxury resort. They will also have a keen eye for pinning back the curtains correctly or making sure the bedspreads are folded down.

Hotel Advertising and Marketing Experience

Beyond experience photographing resorts and hotels, it is important for a photographer to have knowledge of advertising and marketing. Hotel photographs are generally used to market and sell rooms. A photographer with experience in this aspect of photography will be able to choose models of the appropriate age to represent the average guest. They will seek out potential settings with the best views and best representations of the hotel. And the fact that these photos will be used to sell is never far from their mind.

Business Practices

In the end, it all comes down to the photos themselves. Different hotel photographers have different policies about how their photographs are purchased, presented and used. The best scenario when choosing a hotel photographer is to find one that provides clients with all of the digital files so that they can use them in different formats (print, web, etc) Some hotel photographers charge royalty fees, so it is best to choose one who offers unlimited use.

As the photographer what happens if the photographs are not acceptable in the end? Most reputable resort and hotel photographers will offer a guarantee and re-shoot if necessary.

Photo Blog

Your next business event is coming up and everything seems to be coming together nicely. You’ve got the catering, the sound system and the guest speaker all lined up. What about your photographer?

Corporate events should always be recorded in photographs. Its a time when you bring members of your staff together, often away from the usual workplace. It might be a celebration luncheon, a pep-talk, a training session, a welcome to new members of the leadership team — whatever. You will find numerous uses for photos from such events, especially if it is successful.

I’ve shot countless corporate and small business events over the years, and I’ve experienced great and not-so-great event planners. If you’re charged with planning your company’s next affair, consider these points when working with a photographer.

1: Don’t plan on briefing the photographer just before the event

Your photographer needs plenty of information to achieve the best results. Often, an event planner will contract me to shoot a corporate event or meeting and suggest we meet “a few minutes before hand to go over everything.” It sounds good in theory, as it saves time for both the planner and the photographer to eliminate an advance meeting. In practice, I’ve found that no matter how well planned, the hours leading up to the start of the event are extremely hectic. The planner always envisions plenty of time to go over things before the occasion starts. Then the caterer gets lost. Or the sound system goes on the frizz. The harried planner waves me off saying something like — “Sorry, cant meet now. just shoot whatever you think looks interesting…”

Trust me. always schedule an advance meeting before hand to go over specifics. Both you and the photographer will be glad you did.

2: Explain to the photographer what kind of photos you need

How do you intend to use photos from this occasion? Print? The web? How soon do you need them returned? Do you need digital (delivered on CD or DVD) or prints? Will the photographer provide you with an online gallery you can download from? These factors will impact the way the photographer shoots the event and what equipment he uses. Get all of this laid out in writing before the event. Don’t skimp on this step.

3: Don’t surprise your photographer

Event planners love to surprise their guests. Nothing wrong with that, but the cameraman should not be kept in the dark. Recently I was shooting a corporate event where the planner arranged to have a small, concealed cannon spew forth hundreds of streamers into the air. Acting quickly, I was able to catch some of the streamers in flight. Had I known what was going to happen before hand, I could have placed myself in position to capture a much stronger image.

4: Provide a safe place to stash camera gear

Expensive camera gear is a prime target for thieves. You want your photographer to be concentrating on getting great images, not worrying about someone walking off with his gear. If possible, have a safe, secure place where extra camera gear can be stored.

5: Arrange parking and unloading areas

Depending on the event, your cameraman might bring along a load of equipment. He or she will need to get all that gear to the event venue. If possible, provide the photo crew with close, accessible parking. If that can’t be managed, then make sure they can unload at a convenient spot and then move their vehicle elsewhere.

6: Always brief security before hand

In the post-9/11 world, security is often very tight at major corporate events. This is as it should be, but you don’t want your event photographer to be caught up in a security snafu. Provide some sort of written credentials and make sure security knows you have hired a photographer for the occasion. If you fail to do this, security might detain or otherwise prevent the photographer from doing his job. You will most likely be emersed in other aspects of the event and won’t be available to straighten everything out until afterwards. So much for photos from the event!

7: Find out if the photographer will be bringing an assistant

Assistants can be a great help to a photographer — running errands, holding up lights, taking notes, running interference or shooting additional images. If your photographer is bringing an assistant you will want to know before hand, so you can provide credentials, brief security and make whatever other arrangements necessary.

8: Inform the photographer about the dress code

There was a time when corporate or business events had a simple dress code: suit and tie for men, business suits for women. The only deviation from this would be a true black tie affair. Today, corporate events are all over the map. Some may still be formal or at least dressy. On the other hand, causal dress has invaded the workplace at many companies, especially for out of the office meetings and the like. You want your photographer’s clothing to match what everyone else is wearing. Some of the best event photos are candids, shot when the subject was unaware they were “on camera.” If your photographer is dressed to blend in with everyone else, they will have a much better chance of catching good candids. If their attire sets them apart, they will be easier to spot…and avoid.

Every event is different, and there may be other aspects you and your photographer need to address. By taking care of the above issues, however, you will have a much better chance of obtaining excellent photographs from the event. 

Pictures

Ever since I started my career as an Israeli fashion and advertising photographer I have been asked this question. Each time I am interviewed about my fashion and advertising photography work, this is the main topic. And I also ask myself sometimes, if my career would have been different if I were a male and not a female photographer.

My answer keeps changing all the time and I still feel that I have not reached a final conclusion yet.

When I started as a professional photographer in the late 80’s, I insisted that there is no difference between a male and a female photographer. Nevertheless, the first time I was interviewed for an exhibition at the Israel Museum, I admitted that there were very few active female photographers in Israel. But at that time there weren’t many freelance or self-employed women in other business areas in general.

I was and still am very determined, so I have always been offered big campaigns and complex productions. I have always felt that I have more physical strength and stamina than my male colleagues. I am really not a giant, but especially in the beginning of my career, it was my will power and strong work ethics that made me work 20 hours non-stop and still be precise in my work. I do not recommend working 20 hours in a row to anyone, but it does happen.

And along the way, my two daughters were born. During the first pregnancy I worked all the way through to the day I gave birth, I actually had to ring up a client and cancel a shoot to go to the hospital instead. During the second pregnancy my belly was already much bigger one month before I was due, and I could hardly breathe, and so I slowed down and let myself rest. After each birth it took me about three weeks to return to work.

I did it because I love my work, it is very important to me to creatively express myself and keep a mental balance, but also because of my personal ambitions. I simply find it difficult to define myself without my work. I was breastfeeding each one of my daughters for nine months using all kinds of tricks, while I was back at my studio full time, available for any kind of project. I am not recommending this formula as the perfect thing for everyone; it was simply my own way.

Back then I started thinking that there is a difference between male and female photographers after all.

As a matter of fact, there are many male and few females photographers. So I started thinking about our differences…

Firstly, we have a different mentality.

Secondly, few women actually feel that they deserve success, few women really fight for their dreams and too many of us still define themselves through managing their homes and families.

Thirdly, there are specific differences that are unique to the field of photography. Female photographers are much more willing to experiment for the sake of art, for their own personal process or just out of curiosity and the sake of trying something new.

But women are less focused on targets; therefore they are often perceived as being less serious. Hence the big projects are often given to a male colleague of the same level. In Israel for example, you will find more feminine presence in magazine work and less in the commercial field, which is much better paid.

This is because women refer to *** in a different way. So in the commercial industry, whose main message is sex, the feminine point of view is less popular with advertising agencies and fashion manufacturers simply because it is more complex and less one-dimensional.

But today, in the year 2008, the point of view of the fashion industry has broadened and many campaigns give diverse messages and not just the “be pretty and show a **** face” message. There is a bigger variety of photographers out there, even though the main message has remained the good old heterosexual way, and for this purpose a male photographer with a male eye will still regularly be preferred over a female one.

Another issue is the technical issue – many girls tend to be techno phobic, some even regard it as some sort of chic. Unfortunately, this makes society regard women as technically incompetent.

I find it obvious that if a female photographer arrives at a shoot, she must be technically minded in one way or the other, since photography is a very technical process in itself and one needs to be familiar with different kind of tools.

But even today when I am working on a big production, being in charge of a lot of people, someone always comes up to my assistant to ask him if he is the photographer…It always amuses me, but it shows what most people really think: After all photography is a business for men.

Finally, networking is really important and most networks are still male driven. This is especially true for Israel where many contacts are from the time in the army… Feminine networks are still very young, but they are growing.

Attached is a link to an interview conducted with GO Magazine about female photographers…

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3535070,00.html

Have a read what I have to say… but don’t be surprised if I change my mind about this issue again.

Photo

In the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, finding a great wedding photographer just seems like a difficult task. After all, you really don’t know what you’re getting half the time and if you hire a proper studio to do the job, you’ll end up paying a small fortune! So, how do you know whether or not a photographer is good at what he or she does?

Here you’ll find tips on how to check out a wedding photographer before you actually sign a contract.

Wedding Photographer Tips

Look at the portfolio. While this may seem like the most obvious method of finding out what a photographer can do, you’d be amazed at how many couples glance at a couple of photos online and make their decision. Ask to see the photographer`s wedding portfolio and look through the whole thing.

Get references. One of the best ways to find out if a wedding photographer does satisfactory work is to check with those he’s shot for. You will want to ask them not only if they were happy with the photos, but also how the photographer was to work with. Some photographers are amazing at their job, but their attitude can cause a lot of extra stress on a day when you really don’t need any more!

Avoid packaged wedding photographers. Some event halls offer special wedding packages that include a photographer. However, you don’t know how good this person is, so it’s not a good idea to just sign up for the photographer-included package. Take the time to do your research and you will be far happier with how your photos turn out.

Ask about the equipment maintenance schedule. Does the photographer send their equipment in for servicing on a regular basis? The last thing you want is for a camera to break down in the middle of your wedding. Anyone who sends their equipment in regularly (once a year is the norm) should have properly working gear. You may also want to ask if they bring in extras, as well, just in case.

Interview the wedding photographer. This is an important part of the process of choosing a photographer for your wedding, since it will give you a good feel for what the photographer is like. It’s usually a good idea to interview at least 3 or 4 different wedding photographers before making a decision. That will let you know just what your options are and allow you to make the best choice.

Hire early. The good wedding photographers are all booked months ahead of time, so be sure to set this up early on. You will also have the relief of getting this stressful task out of the way long before you are down to crunch time with the wedding plans. As soon as the wedding date is set, start looking for a good wedding photographer.

Ask about a contract. If something should go wrong, you will need a contract to back your claims up. A good photographer confident in his skills will be more than happy to sign a contract that specifies how many 8×10s, 5×7s, etc. will be included in the package. Those who know they could be in trouble will generally try to get out of signing a contract, so beware.

To find a really great photographer, you’ll have to do a bit of research, but it is well worth it. After all, this is a once in a lifetime event . . . you want to be sure it’s captured perfectly!

Photography

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer for your Wedding and things to consider.

Here are some tips to help you Choose your Wedding Photographer for your special Day.

1. Ask your friends for a personal referral, most couples are the best sources for choosing.. been there done that sort of thing so, take their advice since experience is a good gauge to judge photographers. Build a short list of wedding photographers and do your research. Take time out and see which photographers styles best suit your taste and budget.

2. Dont Settle for mediocre, go for the best that you can afford. For an added bonus, find out if any of your guests is into photography, you may be pleasantly surprised at their skills to deliver better candid shots since photographer and crew are highly focused on the ceromonies.

3. Visit their Websites, Since this is a digital world now, most photographers should be online.. techonology has been the name of the game and any decent photographer should have the capacity to even setup a basic website… its all in the photos, they should speak for themselves. Try to concentrate on photos and not on the effects of the web design.

4. Talk to propective photographers, call or email them and get a feel of what they are like, check your wedding days and ask him personally what is his specialty, does he prefer the candid approach, photojournalistic approach or a combination of both.. try to get a feel if you can trust your most important day in your life to the photographer.. beware of the wine and dine approach. Personality is so much better than Pesonality.

5. Make an Appointment and take time out to get to know your photographer, He should be more than willing to share his time and show you his past work for you to evaluate and dream how your wedding should be executed and share this with him. Remeber that you are on the same side and that by talking to him, you open possibilities for potential images. Tell him your dos and donts when it comes to your wedding, he should understand and respect your wishes.

6. If in doubt, dont be scared to ASK! you are paying for services and you should know limitations of what you buy, your confidence in the product is a big big plus.

Some questions to clarify before you sign up.

1. What’s your photographers style? photojournalistic, creative, artistic, traditional?

2. Do you shoot in color or black and white? Can you specify if you want a mix of both

3. What kind of input can we have on the direction of the shots? Can we give you a shot list to work from?

4. Will you be the actual wedding photographer taking the photos? or will it be your assistant?

5. Will you be shooting other engaments on the same date? Some photographers do double bookings so be sure!

6. Is there any special equiptment that will be needed? Churches and hotels require some permits before equiptment is brough in.

7. Do you edit your own photos? or do you have a graphic artist? ask for samples.

8. Can we buy the raw files from you or is it included in your package? if so how much would it cost?

9. Personality.. does he get along with both you and your hubby? some photographers style be offensive to some the antics and effect done may rub off the wrong way if you dont get along well with your photographer.

Once you have given your commitment, and taken your time out to know the person.. sit back and relax and let him do what he does best and that is to let him take photos of your wedding. Remember if you impose too many restrictions on the photographer, he may lose the interest and passion that drives his photography. Give him some room to create wonderful images.

Things to AVOID when choosing a photographer.

1. When emailing them or calling a photographer, please be personal and dont do the shotgun approach and email 100+ photographers on one go.. without the decency to even blind cc the other photographers.. this is a big turn off and photographer will instanly know that you are looking for the cheapest without consideration for price.

2. Set appointment that you can keep, keep to your time and show the photographer that you mean business. Being late to a meeting is a sign that you dont really consider punctuality as a valid concern.

3. Trust the photographer in his selection of shots, if you dictate your shots and tell him how to do his work then your photos will not come out as you expect because the tension and frustration will come out in his images.

4. You are hiring a Professional, so treat them like Professionals, dont make them do things, carry bags or do errands on your special day.. let them feel that they are sharing this special day for your and that that is his main concern to show you the event that you dont see on your wedding day. The things that may make a difference, like reaction of the crowd to thing you do as a couple.

5. Please make arrangement for the Photographer to take his lunch or dinner or what refreshments that may arise. He is human and needs to eat.. he gets tired too and he has feelings. If you treat him like household help, he may return the favor to you and the effects may be seen in your photo. He is there to work.. give him the proper respect and treatment.. if you go out of your way for him.. he will surely do the same.

Good Luck and happy hunting!

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Professional Dubai Photographers to promote your hotels and capture moments of corporate and non corporate events

Dubai, the second largest city of the seven United Arab Emirates is known for its history and heritage beauty. Dubai is emerging as one of the best loved tourist destinations of the world. It has both historical and modern tourist spots. It also has amazing beaches and beachside resorts, city hotels and of course the world class-shopping malls. The Dubai photographers play a vital role in promoting tourism through their outstanding work. Dubai has a pool of highly skilled and trained professionals and photography being one, they can provide you with the best quality photography.

Dubai event photographer caters to corporate events, parties, weddings, shows, etc., whereas, Dubai hotel photographers cater to resorts and hotels. This includes both interiors and exteriors of the resort or the hotel. The interiors include photographs of bedrooms, restaurants, cafeteria, bars, pubs, swimming pools, etc.

Dubai photographers have come of age. These photographers are mostly passion driven professionals. Thus the output of their work results in the outstanding pictures. There are a number of agencies in Dubai equipped with professional and experienced Dubai professional photographers that offers outstanding services to hotels, resort, etc and even events both corporate and non corporate events. These photography agencies provide great service which help promote hotels, resort, tourism, etc. And here we will be focusing on how a professional Dubai Hotel Photographer and a professional Dubai Event Photographer service can make a difference right from your family get together parties to corporate events.

Dubai hotel photographers are highly professional photographers and they produce high-level quality services to hotels. They offer effective services through graphic illustration like slide shows to convey the style of a hotel. They are experienced in delivering high quality pictures that can be used in portfolios, brochures, advertisements, etc. their production brings an appealing, warm, lively and comfortable view which will attract potential customers.

A specialized Dubai Event photographer equipped with sophisticated equipments produces great shots capture in events. It covers both indoor and outdoor events. There are a number of packages you can choose from. As every event is unique, these packages will work to individualized and suit your occasion needs. They also offer services where pictures are professionally printed on the day of the event and take it as a memento.

Other than the above-mentioned Dubai professional photographers, the Photojournalism itself is a booming industry. Dubai Photojournalists are skilled professionals and they can produce news worthy photos and cater to many publications. These pictures are generally used in newspapers, magazines, etc. Dubai photojournalist captures events as they occur on the spot, to be published as news. Their services are also use in general public awareness

There are many agencies available online that offers skilled Dubai professional photographers. These professionals produce outstanding work through specialization and experience.

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Wedding is always an special occasion in everyone’s life. The occasion also symbolizes the joys and prosperity of the couples. And it is in the pictures that the memories are kept intact for always after the celebration are once over. Maryland wedding photographers serve the purpose for the occasion, but find right one.

When meeting professional wedding photographers Maryland, ensure to put many questions to them. Know about their experience of the field and if they are a professional or doing the job for fun. Photographic style of wedding pictures matters the most from the aesthetic point of view. See if you agree with the beauty of the pictures that the photographer is showing you out of his or her gallery from the past.

Although price is usually not the main concern on the occasions, still you must ensure hiring of wedding photographers Maryland at lower costs and only a certain part of the wedding budget should go for the purpose. Personal references matter the most in ensuring that the photographer is genuine and has worked on various such occasion in the past. In the absence of references, do not give much thought to having a deal with the photographer.

Always keep in mind that the more you prepare the perfect will be the result. This is true also for celebrating the occasion of life. Wedding demands preparations on all fronts including photography. Professional wedding photographers Maryland ask for the details going into the wedding. Each detail of wedding is going to be photographed. So, apprise l the photographer of a certain ceremony and arrival of guests. A well-informed photographer is in much better position of comfort to click the pictures.  

There are plenty of offers from wedding photographers Maryland to capture you’re wedding in pictures. You can scan their websites for different price tags of photographers.

In the end, it would be a good advise to make sure that the contract with the photographer has spelled out every term and conditions. We can conclude that Maryland wedding photographers are of good help in making your wedding memorable for life.

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