Chicago Wedding Photography

Who wants ordinary snapshots from their wedding, right? Here's 3 secrets to capturing real moments and their underlying emotions -- and they're not what you think! I've been a professional wedding photographer for 30 years and I've invested a lot of time over those years with hundreds of brides and grooms, and their moms and dads, on their wedding days and afterwards.So I've experienced what it is people, just like you and me, who wish their photography to embody all their tears, smiles and laughter, capture the relationships they have with their loved ones, and document their life's most meaningful moments, really desire to get out of their wedding photography when it's all said and done.With all this first-hand experience if I were asked today to boil down how to have your wedding photography portray natural emotions and real moments to just its 3 most relevant keys, the most important factors of all, they would have to be these:Secret #1 - Disconnect from the "Smile For The Camera" Mode Ever since you were a little child, your parents would take your picture telling you to look at the camera, hold still and smile.That's how they took pictures, and in so doing, they trained you to "mug" for your pictures and "play to the camera". Today, you're all grown up, and you may be out on the town one night with your friends, and someone in your group pulls out their cell phone or camera and aims it at you and your friends, and what do you all do?You "assume the position"! You all stare at the camera, staying motionless... smiling... waiting for the picture to be taken.Just as you were trained to do ever since you were a kid.But those aren't the kinds of images you wish to have to remember your wedding with - unless you're an average bride who's okay with average photos, but we've already established that you're probably not that bride. So you may feel more strongly that the best photos of you have always been those where you're not aware of the camera.You'd be right about that.

Selecting an expert wedding photographer is important to getting great pictures, but for perfect pictures, Chicago wedding photographers need some help from the bride. Many of the wedding particulars like the venue and accessories seem minor, but they can have a big impact on the quality of the pictures. For the best wedding photography, Chicago experts have these four tips:1. Shine With Smiles Not GlareSmall objects have a habit of glaring off other objects, frequently ruining great shots. The board underneath the wedding cake is one of the common places glare occurs. Talk to the bakery about this and ask them to cover the foil with flowers or have them use a different medium to cover the board. Contacts and eyewear also reflect light. To prevent this, have your glasses treated with a non-reflective coating. For wedding activities held in a tent, many Chicago wedding photographers recommend covering the reflective steel with streamers and other materials.2. Don't Let Stains Get In The WayOne of the biggest stresses for brides is stains on their beautiful dresses. Most wedding day stains can be removed with a few simple tricks. Real flowers often stain dresses in one of two ways. The water from the stems often gets onto the bride's dress leaving obvious watermarks behind. To prevent these marks from appearing in wedding photography, Chicago shutterbugs recommend using a matching piece of fabric under the flower stems to absorb the excess water.Some flowers like lilies contain an abundance of pollen that transfers onto fabric. Many Chicago wedding photographers ask the brides to pull out the center stamens to eliminate it at the source. If you do happen to get pollen on your dress, don't rub it! Instead, use a piece of tape to gently lift if from the delicate surface.3. Enjoy The DayCouples frequently make the mistake of creating a rushed, busy schedule that leaves them feeling completely exhausted half way through the day. For stress free wedding photography, professionals say to plan a longer cocktail hour and try to schedule breaks between the day's events. This gives everyone time to sit and relax before the next round starts.4. Plan Stress-Free Photo Sessions

Photojournalism is a broader term used for candid photography. It can be said that this is the trickiest type of photography. Catching candid art isn't as easy as it may appear to start.Photographers pursuing photo-journalism are expected to hold a great amount of expertise in dealing with the angles of portraiture. There is a vast choice of scenes that can be clicked to make the candid portrait pop with life! To make it simple, it can be said that the professional photo-journalists are a cut above the other category of photographers, as they know how to present a story in just a single click.Defined, photo journalism is a single photo that tells an entire story.The shots clicked by these photographers are the type to be seen in magazines and newspapers. This type of photo-journalism falls under all subjects of photography but the clicked image needs to be worthy to get published in newspapers with the respective story.Modern day wedding photography often uses a photo journalistic-style of photography. Remember, a photo with a story?These days there are many photographers being hired as freelancers to conduct this type of freelance photography.This kind of photography is usually performed by the journalists who work closely with newspaper photographers and receive commission to produce images that get published with the articles. But freelancer's are seen fulfilling this job more diligently and are primed for hire. If you're wanting to be a photo-journalist then hats off to you. This is a well respected form of photography, and as mentioned previously, often one of the trickiest types of photography.The second type of journalism photography is where an image is used to cover the story without taking the mention of words. Here, often a single image is used or sometimes one uses as many as ten images that get published in magazines or newspapers. The most impressive quality of a photo-journalist is that his ability to respond rapidly whenever there is scene concluded news worthy.Some photo-journalists get enough shooting assignments from various newspapers or magazines as freelance photographers, others do not. It's a hard field to enter, and not nearly as easy as the traditional family, child or wedding photography. Clearly, this is why many photographers use this method in all their portrait assignments.

I always see the question posed "What lens should I use for wedding photography?" For all intents and purposes, I'm only going to speak to Canon lenses but I'm sure that this information can be transposed for Nikon purposes. I'm also assuming that because you're shooting weddings, you are serious about photography and have (or will) invested money into quality fast glass.There are really two ways you can approach it when looking at renting or purchasing lenses. Wedding photography is usually shot in low-lit conditions and it is important to have fast glass, that is lens with high apertures. You also want lenses that have excellent optical quality but that is obvious.For this reason, primes are excellent when shooting weddings if you are able to move free and quickly and "zoom with your feet". In what can be regarded as the "trinity" of primes, the Canon 35mm f1.4 L lens, Canon 85mm f1.2 mkII L lens and Canon 135mm f2.0 L lens is an excellent trio of lenses one can use whether they are shooting wide or zoom.If you need to be more versatile or are unable to be able to zoom, the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L lens and Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L lens are an excellent combo that is extremely versatile and also relatively fast at f2.8. Obviously it is not as fast as the primes are but you have all ranges from 24 to 200 covered.I hope that this article has been useful in considering some of the choices given all of Canons lenses out there. I regularly shoot with these 5 lenses (usually either the zoom options or the prime options depending on what conditions I am shooting in).

One way of documenting your love's journey is to have your engagement pictures taken. There are many unique ideas for engagement photo shoot, and here are some that you can use.First dates. Your first dates play a most special part in your relationship. It is when you've tested waters, decided to give your relationship a try, and most importantly, get to know each other. These moments are exclusive to the two of you. Think of one special moment were you both have a good laugh on your first date and find a symbol that you can remember together. For example, if your first date was on a heavy rainy day, you can make your engagement theme photography using umbrellas and boots and a little splash in the mud.The sacred place. This place may be an exclusive place for the two of you. No, not the bedroom! It could be that special place that you go together often. It may be a park or a little hill with a special tree where carved your initials together. This will tell a lot about your personalities and special emotions that reflect your love. You can also have a picnic for two; sit on the swing or cuddle under the tree and star gaze under the bright night sky.Where you got engaged or a trip destination. This is also a cool place to have your engagement photos taken with. You can both relive the special moment when you got surprised and he popped out the question. There's also probably one place where you both wanted to go or have already gone to. If you went to the Himalayas or to an Asian beach paradise, you can contact a photographer to take your picture there again. Not only will it be memorable but the scene and background will be perfect. Consider a photo shoot amidst the yellow field of flowers, cool skyline or a shimmering street light at night. Don't forget to add personal, relaxed feel during the photo shoot so that the photo will turn out perfect.Hobbies. There are things you both enjoy together. These may be hobbies or recreational activities that are good for your relationship. Having a hobby together will help you grow in your relationship. For an engagement photo shoot idea, consider a sport like basketball or cake baking or playing music together. What's really important is that the hobbies that you portray in your photos are also the hobbies that reflect your personalities.Anywhere beautiful and unusual is perfect. If you can't think of any place, try choosing somewhere you have both have a soft spot on the place. You can have a photo session with your dog or cat and play around with the theme you've chosen. The beach or the mountain may be a good place to choose from. The nature and the wild are also some great places. Oceanside photo shoot are also fun where you can play with the water and just be yourselves.Whether you want it whimsical, retro, action-packed, or colorful engagement photo shoot, the most important thing is to find a theme that fits you both as a couple. Candid shots always give nice touches where you can also goof off, make faces, laugh and play with each other. Remember, you are in love, ignore the photographer, and just enjoy the photo shoot!

"Testing" in the modeling industry is a term with a few meanings. It can be used to describe a photo session where a model uses pictures obtained by a photographer for their own promotion in their portfolio or composite card. Testing may be recommended by the modeling agency to go to specific photographers that they prefer to work with. In this type of "testing" the model usually pays the "test photographer" for their service. Whether or not the money is paid up front by the model or the modeling agency depends upon a variety of factors. What is the policy of when their new models need testing? This is a question that may only be answered by each individual agency.The location of the modeling agency, how many models they represent, the types of clients and models that they use, and some other financial policies are all factors in whether the agency will pre-pay for a model's testing. Learn this lesson, now, that only a very, very small amount of modeling agencies are willing to use their own money when paying for a model's testing "up-front". They want to be absolutely confident that the model will work for them, be a strong earner of money/prestige for the agency, and then the agency will deduct the testing fees later from the model's first paycheck. The money for testing is ultimately paid for by the model sooner or later.Some good news is that there are times when a photographer hires a model for their own testing. Sometimes they may "test" to either experiment with new equipment or photographic techniques. The photographer may even just want to test a new model or experiment with their own artistic freedom without working for a paying client. Depending on the experience and financial situation of the photographer, a model may or may not be compensated with any money, but maybe just prints for their portfolio. This type of testing may be referred to as TFPs (a.k.a. Time for Prints, Testing for Prints) or TFCD (a.k.a. Time for "picture" CD). Many of these opportunities are found on the Internet through social networks for models.Most likely, though, the model is the one paying the test photographer, so the model must ensure that they are investing their money properly and wisely for their services when they are required to pay. Not all "testing" photographers are reputable, so always ask area modeling agencies which photographers they recommend or if there are ones that you should avoid. Some photographers may be new to working with models, so their rates should be equivalent to their experience. If you are paying a photographer to give you "Commercial" looks and they seem to have only fashion looks in their portfolio is an indicator that you should have them show you examples of their commercial work. You'll be wasting your money if you are in a smaller, commercial area and you only have high fashion or editorial looks in your book. Commercial clients want to see specific types of "looks". It may be very vague when you are going to a go-see, so even with commercial looks you should keep working to build you book with photos of a variety of commercial looks. Testing is exactly that...testing. Testing how you photograph, how you move in front of the photographer, or if you take direction well is part of this "test". It's not about sitting and posing and not being inspiring.You need to clarify whether it is high fashion or commercial looks or else you are wasting your money. If you want to model with intensions of making money you have to find where your "type" fits the mold. There is an investment of money in a model's career, especially in the early stages, so the investment should be a worthy one where the photographs will qualify by the industry's standards and get the model hired to their appropriate type of work suited for the model in the market area that they will work. It's one thing for a new photographer to need their own experience with working with models to negotiate the terms where maybe the model pays for some of the prints, but paying hundreds of dollars for a service from a photographer who may not necessarily provide the appropriately needed kinds of photography a model really needs in their book is a costly mistake on the model's behalf.Not all photos are the correct quality and type of print that may be needed for a particular model. For example, a commercial-type model really has "no use" for editorial-style photographs in their portfolio when they are not an editorial fashion model. The photos may impress the model, their friends, and even that photographer, but it won't get them hired commercially at their agency. Not all models are high fashion models. Not all models are catalog models. Models must remember that there are so many people who want to be models and the industry has its' scammers and less scrupulous individuals who just want your money or really are just clueless to what the modeling industry is looking for. They are the type of people who are like salespeople and just say what they think a model wants to hear just so they can get their money or to just meet and be around many young models (even when they know they'll probably never get the kind of work the new model desires (ex. Victoria Secret caliber).So, testing is very important for a new model that wants to be hired for photographic work, and it's important to test regularly to keep portfolios updated especially with multiple photographers, but guidance or research is necessary if a model isn't as experienced with what they need in their portfolio or on their comp card to be hired. A picture may appear great to the model and their family, but it will perhaps be critiqued more objectively by the modeling industry or potential clients. Granted, many pictures are subject to different opinions even within the modeling industry, but let the professionals be the guide. This is where the modeling agency is the "model's guide" provided that the modeling agency is reputable and not solely affiliated with just one photographer where they both make money on new models (a.k.a. getting kick-backs).Photographers are artists, but they need to make money, too. That's the business. It's the decision that they choose about how they make their money that can lead to crossing the fine line regarding what is ethically in the best interest of the model. Ideally, the photographer and modeling agency get a large portion of their income from "clients" who use the models and pay them...not money from the models. Unless there is a really great explanation of why a full-time photographer affiliated with a modeling agency has few clients in their portfolio the model should beware. Where are they making their money from? Is their income from fees and photo sessions from models only? (Hope they can help you make money, too.)Legitimately, there can be a collaboration of people with different artistic skills that may be looking for print work for their own portfolios, too, (ex. Stylists, Designers, Make-up Artists, Hair Professionals, etc.) to show other clients their range of work especially if they are new or have been limited to the types of jobs that they have been getting. For example, a landscape photographer may be looking to make some extra money, so they know that taking on some commercial work or selling some stock photography using models may be the answer. They may not enjoy that commercial side of another specialty as much as other types of photography, but they may need the work and pictures to make additional money. To get more commercial clients they know that they should have a portfolio to show that they are capable of photographing/styling for commercial clients. So, their collections of Fine Art landscape, wedding photography, fashion photography, etc. may not market their range of talent, but they can add new photographic styles to their book. When they are trying to build a specialized book that shows that they can photograph "commercial" work, too, they may hire or use a model just for their own book's usage to market themselves, not to sell any specific product, nor be used for any fashion or story editorial. So, the model's work for this kind of booking is not 100% commercial print because it's not promoting any other product or service except the photographers', designers', stylists', etc. own portfolio (and possibly the model's book, too).

Very often couples have to consider this question when they are planning their weddings. Should they preserve some money by booking the cheaper photographer? Or should they go for the more expensive photographer?The answer to this question is not always easy and it is perhaps appropriate to look at the qualities of a good photographer. Firstly there is an artistic element involved, namely the ability to select good photo opportunities or 'too see a good photo' and then secondly comes the technical factors that include things like equipment and the ability of the photographer to use that equipment to its maximum.Whilst the more expensive photographer may have more expensive equipment he could be lacking in the artistic department and Vice versa. Considering the fact that excellent photos can be taken with just about any good digital S.L.R. camera then the choice should be made on the grounds of ability and experience.The solution is to have a look at their portfolios. An experienced photographer should be able to show say at least a hundred excellent photos from many different weddings instead of a hundred good photos from only one wedding. Look at the photos and style of the photographer. Are the photos unique or different? If you like it, make a booking. A bad photographer will not get many weddings and will therefore not be able to present you with an excellent portfolio. If you wish you can also follow up references but I would not attach to much value to this as the references are usually selected. You would therefore never get the opportunity to speak to an unhappy customer. The best measure of judging ability will therefore almost always be the photo portfolio.

Hawaii is one of the world's premiere destination wedding locations for obvious reasons. The tropical paradise is a wonderful place to exchange vows and multitude of settings-from luxurious beachside resorts to quaint chapels and up-country locations-are like no others in the world.When planning a Hawaii wedding, there are several key considerations. These include location, celebrant, photography and some of the extras that make a Hawaii wedding special.Hawaii Wedding Locations
Each of the main Hawaiian islands have something special to offer for weddings.Oahu has some nice wedding locations not far from Waikiki Beach and can be a good choice for those who are seeking a wedding and possible honeymoon in a more urban environment. Hotels and services are generally less expensive in Oahu, so it a common choice for more value-conscious brides and grooms.Maui is another popular choice for weddings in Hawaii. Home to many luxurious oceanfront resorts, Maui has many splendid locations-both oceanfront and up-country. A wedding on Maui, however, can be very expensive as the accommodations, food and service providers are probably the most expensive in Hawaii.A Kauai wedding is a good choice for those who are comfortable with a small island feeling. There are many splendid beaches and resorts in Kauai, but note that you will probably have fewer choices than you would on Maui or Oahu.A Hawaii Island (often called the Big Island) wedding are popular due to the unique beauty and excellent locations while at the same time having many world-class resorts. Most Hawaii weddings are in West Hawaii along the Kohala and Kona coasts. The Big Island also offers a huge variety of land and water activities to make for a great honeymoon location.

It's the 21st century, the age of all things digital, of the Internet, of Blogs, Twitter, and Facebook; things have certainly moved fast over the last ten years or so. And wedding photography is no different; the digital age has changed everything, for both photographers and their clients.Everyone now wants immediate access, of course (prints are so last season!). As every good bridal magazine, forum or blog will tell you, a must-have on your wedding photography shopping list is the right to own all the images. You want a disc containing every photograph taken on your day, so that you can make copies of them for your family & friends.And so, reluctantly, the professional photography market has had to change, adapt and finally give in to consumer wishes. And rightly so, as the client should always dictate the market.However, some of those same magazines, forums and blogs will tell you to ask for the copyright-free images from your wedding photographer. And you know what? Some photographers actually seem to be doing just that!The problem with this is that copyright gives total and utter ownership - intellectual rights over those images. The photographer who took them has now handed over the copyright to his client - and has lost ALL rights to use those images. This means should the photographer wish to use them on a website gallery or print a canvas for the studio, for example, or even store a disc with them in a draw, the photographer legally cannot! That is, not without the express permission of the new copyright holder (the client), who of course now has the right to refuse (and/or make a charge for usage).A photographer who gives you copyright gives away his or her rights to use those images in any way, and in fact may be taken to court and sued for breaching those rights. Maybe your photographer gave you copyright? It might be worth a look on their website galleries for your images...A wedding photographer with good business sense will of course give their client exactly what they are looking for - a disc of images ready to print. But these will be with 'reproduction rights'; that is, the right for the client to make copies for themselves for personal use to share with family and friends. If you want to use these images for social networking purposes for example, accreditation should be given to the photographer (many photographers nowadays will give a second set of images on the disc already web sized with their logo in the corner). However, the photographer maintains ownership of the copyright, and therefore can use the images for their portfolio and website, and thus everyone is happy.Remember, wedding photographers are completely at your service on your wedding day, on hand to record the most cherished moments of the big occasion, and all they ask in return is that their hard work is acknowledged, and their copyright respected.

So you're planning your wedding photography and are ready to hire your photographer. Where to begin? Many brides are comfortable with such wedding planning priorities as the reception site and catering selection, but may not be as familiar with the process of hiring the right wedding photographer. Photography is one of the most important aspects of your day. Be sure to ask these important questions before signing on the dotted line:Who will be taking the pictures?Make sure that the photographer whose portfolio you review will be the actual person who takes the pictures at your wedding. The person whose name is on the contract should be the same person you met with. Some contracts claim the studio's right to send any staff photographer to your wedding. Do not sign if you do not agree with this policy.What is the photographer's primary style?Make sure your photographer knows exactly what you want. Do you want mostly journalistic style or formal poses? Some photographers are better at one or the other, so make sure you know his or her strengths and background to ensure you get the wedding photos you want.Do you shoot mostly in color or black and white or both?While some images call for color, other moments are best captured in black and white. Your photographer should have experience with both and be able to customize to meet your needs.How many rolls do you shoot?Obviously more rolls of film means more wedding photos to choose from, but remember that more rolls usually cost more money. Make sure you review this with your photographer so that he or she has an idea of your expectations.

During the excitement of the Wedding Planning process we sometimes forget that the most important part of the Wedding is the magical life two people are going to spend together after the Ceremony, and not the Party itself. So in light of that, here are some great ideas to make Marriage the focus of your wedding and accomplish it in the most inexpensive way possible.CeremonyWhether or not you are truly religious you can have a wedding ceremony take place at your local church. Most church fees can be waived for members of the congregation who are in need and truly want to be joined in Holy Matrimony. And even if you had to pay for the rental it is minuscule compared to the cost of a Ceremony site at a Reception Venue. Cost 0-350ReceptionAsk around your friends and families and search for the biggest house or yard and see if you can use it to have your reception at. You can have a buffet, set up a sound system and attach an Ipod or CD player. You don't need to even have too many tables. You can rent everything you need for 100 guests for under $300.Wedding CakeMake your own wedding cake. Simply buy an extra amount of frosting. Shop online for a cake topper and buy three different size cakes. Use toothpicks to stabilize each tier or pins. Add a piece of Cardboard over the Stabilizers and put the next size cake on. Use the extra frosting to cover the cardboard and getting some icing to detail the base of each layer. Add the Cake topper you found online. Voila instant Wedding Cake. All for under $100 and if you take your time or have an artistic friend it can look great.Remember that if you have the money and WANT to spend it a Wedding can be as expensive as you want. If you are on a budget or realize the most important part is the actual Marriage then cut the items you don't need and insert some of these ideas, you will have a great wedding day either way.

Having a wedding in Italy will be an awesome and memorable event for your friends and family, though it can be discouraging and frustrating if not properly planned. It would definitely be a waste of your time and money. Getting the service of a wedding planner to take care of your Italian wedding can ease up all your worries but keep in mind that it will cost a fortune as well. When having a small ceremony, it is best to consider that you plan your own Amalfi Coast wedding.I have chosen to get married in Positano, Italy and it all happened in 2006. I decided not to hire a planner for my wedding and did the entire task by myself. It was a bit tiring and overwhelming at first but with some research done on how to get married in Italy, I sorted it all out and did it all well with ease. I made the reservations for my guests, accommodations, transportation and all the arrangements for the florist, musicians and the wedding reception. I also did the necessary legal paperwork for the wedding.These are the tips on how to plan your own Amalfi Coast wedding:1. Contact the Positano Commune (Town Hall): Verify if the desired date for your wedding is available. If you think that a wedding planner can do this easily for the reason that they speak Italian, you don't have to worry because they can communicate well in English. Don't forget to confirm the rate of the wedding according to the wedding date chosen. For the financially conscious couples, consider having your wedding celebration during weekdays as prices may triple on weekends. Please be guided that you can only contact Positano Commune through email. If possible, save every details of the mails for future perusal in case of any inconsistency in the date, time and cost.2. Inquire for the necessary papers needed from your local Italian Embassy: Contact your local Italian embassy in your area if there is one. This may depend on the state you are located. Know all the paper works that are needed and set an appointment for your appearance that is required for the Atto Notorio. This should call for two or four witnesses. A wedding planner can't do so much about this task even if you did hire one.3. Complete your Guest List: You should know the exact number of attending friends and families. You may be able to avail a much lower rate for the hotel reservation and reception by doing this. If you are expecting only a few guests, consider a nice, romantic, candle lit dinner in one of the few fabulous beach front restaurants in Positano. Having a large number of guests, you might choose a formal setting in a stunning location in Positano. Save all the email and information for the reservations you've made for future perusal.4: Make a Mini-Destination Guide: Your guests are flying overseas to watch you and your significant other exchange vows, but they may also be making plans to use this trip as a vacation either before or after your wedding. It's a great idea to provide a Amalfi Coast destination guide that includes great websites to get airfare deals and hotels in close proximity to your hotel or Amalfi wedding venue. Also include Amalfi Coast restaurants, local sight seeing advice and transportation information. This may sound daunting, but most of this can be found on the internet or you can purchase one online guide and distribute it to all of your guests.5. Go for Local Businesses: One of the difficult tasks that an Amalfi Coast wedding planner should deal is to set all the arrangements for the photographer, musicians, stylist, florist and finding a good host for the event. Bothered about not having quality service? Don't worry because you can choose from a lot of local businesses in the Amalfi Coast that offer great wedding services. Those small details shouldn't be a problem for you as you can make all the necessary bookings six months ahead. You can verify the arrangements in three months or a month before the wedding date. Also, plan a much earlier flight for you to ensure that paper works are all done and that you can have ample time to set the confirmation personally.An Amalfi Coast wedding shouldn't be stressful and expensive in order for you to have a perfect and the most beautiful wedding. The important key to make this dream wedding possible is to be patient, well organized and most importantly, planing should be done ahead of time.