Wedding Photo

Adding a photo to a favor is one of the best ways to commemorate your wedding day and to give your guests a great way to remember that big day and how important is was to you. There are quite a few creative ways to do this and it can also be matched to the décor and style of wedding you are throwing.

If you were putting together a beach themed or ocean front wedding, you may fancy the Adirondack place card holders that may have a wedding photo added after the wedding is over. There is also the option of a beach memoirs photo album, which may be for a more "formal" wedding. And for the more casual affair, there are flip flop place card holders and photo frames, which are a fantastic idea for the "barefoot wedding" couple who shun tradition for the more unconventional wedding.

Photo albums can also be matched to the décor, theme or season of your wedding. For a beautiful fall wedding, there is the fall memoirs photo album featuring great fall foliage colored leaves. For a formal wedding there is the fabric rose brocade design and for a more casual affair, you could opt for the pressed leaf designs. For a spring time or garden affair, maybe the Calla lily memoirs photo album might suit the occasion. You could also go for magnet photo frames with Roses or Calla Lillys.

There is also metal framed photo album and place card holder. Other metal photo frames available include a magnificent wedding coach frame, a pewter swirl place card frame that can later be used to hold a wedding picture. An elegant touch is the silver place card with rhinestones that could also be used for a wedding picture.

Photo albums and picture frames make a great favor since they are not only a great accent for the table even practical in the case of place card holders, but they will later serve as a visual reminder of what a wonderful occasion your wedding was and will help hold cherished memories for you and your guests.

Surrounded with the myriad of ceremonies and traditions which mark an Indian Wedding ceremony, the task of a Wedding photographer becomes far more demanding and unpredictable. The variety with customs and events from one marriage ceremony to another creates a need to get familiar with the procedures of the wedding ceremony, so that you won't miss out on the key activities.

Exactly how distinct is an Indian Wedding ceremony? Well, very different if it's not a Church ceremony. The Hindu wedding ceremony can last a few days or perhaps compacted into a several hours.

Here are a number of tips to take into account when intending to photograph an Indian ceremony.

If at all possible meet the couple.

This may seem silly, however in many instances at Indian weddings you might find yourself getting together with the happy couple for the very first time on the same day as the wedding. A brief meeting proceeding the event can help established the objectives, plan the pictures with the couple and get them comfortable with being photographed by you. This certainly will make your job easier on the day of the ceremony and you'll be certain not to overlook that extremely important moment the couple want captured!

Posed Shots verses Candid Shots

It can be really hard to find private time with the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony for photos therefore you would need to obtain the majority of your shots as the event happens. Through the years I've discovered that when prepared properly you can get a window of about 30 minutes together with the couple to take your planned shots. Be sure to make good usage of it! Make certain to schedule the posed pictures prior to the wedding ceremony. Following the bustle of the Indian marriage ceremony, the happy couple won't be tremendously amused to pose for photographs.

Designate a Photography Coordinator

Sometime before the ceremony, ask the couple to appoint a member of family to assist you. Even in a modest Indian wedding, you can find yourself with countless close family members clinging to stay in proximity of the couple, consequently making a framing catastrophe. You certainly would want the photo coordinator introducing you to close members of the family who should be included in the photographs as well as assist in getting you to the couple at the time of the wedding ceremony. A coordinator is incredibly handy in managing the crowd while you will be occupied taking pictures.

Know the Wedding Process

As stated previously, each Indian wedding is different in its own way. Talk with the couple as well as the family far ahead of time and understand the ceremony, the activities, as well as their significance. With Indian wedding ceremonies, the professional photographer is expected to seize specific moments from the event. If caught uninformed, you could possibly wind up missing the important moments.

A Partner Photographer

Oftentimes the bride and groom in Indian marriages have their own activities before they appear at the wedding location. Occasionally, these functions will overlap and the wedding photographer certainly cannot be in two places at one time. This is when a partner, or second photographer, can assist. Otherwise you could potentially lose out on quality photos or you'll be exhausted running from place to place trying to capture it all yourself.

Who to include in the Family Photo?

Surprisingly, you should be mindful with family photos at Indian weddings. Everybody among the hundreds which make it to the ceremony may consider themselves close to the bride and groom and might anticipate a picture together with the couple. Plan far in advance with the bride and groom on family group photos and make utilization of a relative to assist you here. Otherwise, you can find yourself shooting gigabytes of pictures. In addition, it might be better to advise a standard photographer form ordinary group photos, whilst you stay exclusive for the wedding's special moments.

Plan your Lights

While surveying the venue, check the lights that will be used to provide light for the stage. In many instances Indian weddings have extremely warm incandescent lighting highlighting the stage and may throw a wrench in your lighting plans. Also, be sure to carry enough portable lights. Studio lighting is a logistical nightmare with big crowds. It is much easier to photograph with just a few lights on a trigger.

Don't be afraid to take the shot!

Indian weddings are similar to a huge circus; consequently don't be reluctant to change position to get the right shot. Be considerate but firm with the invitees who block your view using a million mobile phone cameras held high in the air. Indian wedding ceremonies are incredibly vibrant and it is good to bathe your frame with colors.

Pictures are great for capturing memories. Now day's photos are an integral part of our lives with an astonishing increasing number of photos taken each year down mainly to the big rise in digital cameras which are coming down in price and getting better in spec all the time. At the end of 2011 it was estimated 2.5 billion people had a digital camera and let's not forget many phones have an integrated camera. It's estimated on average people will take 150 photos per year that's a massive 375 billion photos taken.

People like to take pictures of people and we love to see photos of celebrities. This is why the paparazzi are so relentless in their quest for photos of the most well liked celebs. We like to read up on what our favourite stars are doing but the price tag some photos fetch prove we love seeing pictures of them.

The market for celebrity photos is worth millions of dollars, and many celebs are cashing in selling. Some big stars are giving the paparazzi the slip by tipping off their favourite photographer or arranging for their own photos of births and marriages going to highest bidders. This gives the celebs total control and final say on the photos, there are also plenty of celebs who donate their earnings to charity like Jolie-Pitt a pair who regularly appear the most expensive celeb photos.

So what makes a photo worth millions?

The big magazines are willing to pay top dollar for photos which the general public are interested in. Having the latest photos 'never been seen before' is going to help boost readership in a fiercely competitive market. There has to be something surprising, newsworthy or an emotional component involved for a photo to start a bidding war between the magazines.

One photo which definitely had the emotional element was a photo which fetched $400,000 of Anna Nicole Smith with her son taken hours before he died. It was emotive and newsworthy as it is connected to such a terrible tragedy.

We love the latest on celeb's love lives. A photo of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was sold for $500,000 in 2005 which depicted the two on an African beach. Although no affection was being shown between the two, the photos were seen to be validation of a rumoured romance between the Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-stars, after Pitt who had at the time of the snaps had recently split from his then wife Jennifer Aniston.

One the most expensive celeb photos ever sold was the Jolie-Pitt photo of biological daughter baby Shiloh Nouvel. People magazine reportedly spent $4.1m on this photo. This doesn't include the $3.5 million Hello! magazine UK also paid. The two donated the proceeds to African children charities.

We all love a wedding and so do OK! magazine who spent a massive $3m back in 2005 on Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher's Wedding Photos. OK! also bought the pictures from the lavish wedding of Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria and NBA all-star Tony Parker. The wedding photos of the big day in Paris sold for a reported $2 million.

For as long as these stars are in the spotlight we will want to see images of their most intimate moments.

Talking of weddings, you can picture in mind a very special day for couples in love. You may be imagining a day when your fairy tale dream comes true. You think of it as an event where couples are the main actor and actress. In making this dream a reality, lots of preparation needs to be done. In attending into the details for the big day, make sure that pre-wedding photography is a part of it.

Pre-nuptial photo shoot is mostly a part of the wedding photographers' package. This can be done at a venue of the couples' choice, either indoor or outdoor. Here are some reasons why a pre-wedding photo shoot is a need.

• Knowing your wedding photographer well. This gives the couple a chance to know more about the wedding photographer. It will make the couple and the photographer more comfortable with each other as you spend more time together on the wedding day.

• Exchange ideas. You can tell the photographer what you like and dislike. This way, the photographer will know what to do and when to take action on your "big day".

• Experience how your photographer works. Through this, you get to know how your photographer works. If you like it, you made the good choice. If you don't, you still have enough time to look for a better photographer.

• Get photos of natural looking couple. This is your chance of taking pictures where you will look naturally beautiful and not as bride and groom. Do it in a more relaxed and informal setting than the wedding venue.

• Can be used for wedding invitations. You can choose a picture from your pre-wedding photos that you can use for your invitations. Not only that, use it also on other wedding details where you can use your photos especially for a slide show at the reception.

Doing pre-wedding shoots are fun. Set it on a weekday as wedding photographers are busy on weekends. You can do it anywhere you want, much better if you can have it at your planned venue. This will also help you get to look at the details of the wedding venue. Last but not the least; never forget to sign a contract between you and the wedding photographer. Read carefully before signing to avoid misunderstanding and future problem with your photographer. Don't hesitate to ask questions on terms that are not clear to you.

Most avid scrapbookers love to scrap wedding photographs. This is a chance to get all romantic and over the top, as well as experiment with all the most elegant scrap booking materials. Here are some wedding scrapbook layout ideas for you.

Good materials to use when doing a wedding layout are things like lace, thick dry embossed card stock, ribbon, jewelery, flowers and other elegant motifs.

Try getting hold of a formally posed wedding photograph to use as your focal point. It can even be in black and white if you want the vintage effect. It was popular way back for the couple to have formal posed pictures, but these days the photographs are posed for in a more relaxed manner, and family and guests are often included in the photographs.

Take note of any background elements and colors that you can focus on in your chosen photo. If it is a black and white photo with a pillar in the background, you could try making a pillar to put on your layout somewhere; you could even make a pillar for your journaling to go on. With a color photograph, use embellishments and card stock that tone in nicely.

I found a great wedding photograph of my parents. I made it larger and it became the focal point of my scrap booking layout. I put my titles down the side and mounted the photograph on some lovely leafy card stock. I found some pretty lace, which I put across the bottom of the layout, and of course added a lovely lacy material flower to finish it off.

Even though my parents looked so happy in their wedding photo's, they unfortunately like so many couples got divorced twenty years later. However, if you have old wedding photographs where the couple is still together, it might be a good idea to make a lovely wedding layout and then on the next page put some photographs of the couple as they look now.

A great scrap booking idea and solution is to try making a flap underneath the focal photograph. Underneath that flap you can put photographs of the couple enjoying moments together over the years or even some journaling. Another good idea is to get a posed family photograph with all the children and grandchildren that the marriage produced and put it under the flap. In this way the layout would tell the reader some of the history behind the marriage.

This kind of thing would make a wonderful anniversary present for the couple in question. It would make a wonderful gift that could be cherished for ever.

So you took a lot of pictures and a lot of your friends are saying that you are good at it. However, you're tired of just receiving a lot of praise because what you really wanted is to make money out of your talent. You then keep on thinking on how to start a photography business.

Well I'm glad you think that way my friend. Unless you're really have a high paying job that gives you a lot of extra time, making photography for just a hobby is not practical at all. Think of how expensive the camera is and its equipment. Companies are also upgrading brand new models every now and then so you need also to catch up or else you'll be left behind. Therefore, you really need to know how to start a photography business for you to have some resources for buying your gears and sooner, it might be your bread and butter.

Here are things that you need to know on how to start a photography business:

1. Choose an area that generates money in your situation

There are various areas in photography and it's really up to you to choose where you can fit yourself in. However, since you wanted to know how to start a photography business, you must also place yourself in an area that gives you income. You might love taking abstract pictures but you might not be able to generate money from it. Well, I'm not saying that there's no money in abstract photography. What I'm saying is that choose an area in photography that you not only like but will also be a good source of income in your situation for a long run.

One good example here is wedding photography. I have friends who are really good in capturing artistic shots. They post those photos in Facebook and they receive a lot of good comments. However, with that kind of photography, it's only good for sharing in social networks but does not give them any dime from it. Because of that, they do wedding photography. Every now and then, many couples are getting married so they always have bookings for a shoot. This area in photography might not be their first option in this field. But since they wanted photography for business, they still do it.

2. Starting from a sideline first

At first, you might not have a lot of resources and you really don't know how to start a photography business. If you have a job now that is not related to photography, it's not yet a good idea to just drop that job immediately and do photography full-time. That might be possible if you really got lucky but I tell you what, it's very risky for now. Building up a business is not an overnight matter. Therefore I suggest taking it slow and making it a sideline for now. How about offering a photo shoot to your friends and colleagues first. You can start by offering them a big discount. This will save them some money from hiring a professional photographer. It will also give you an opportunity to learn and earn income bit by bit. Almost every successful businessmen started from being small. How to start a photography business is not different.

4. Use the power of the internet

Create your blog or even a website and upload your photo samples there. Create a fan page also in Facebook and even Twitter. Almost everybody now is using the internet so who knows, you might be discovered! It's also good to join photography forums online. You can ask questions to your fellow photographers about skills in photography and even how to run the business. Many professionals are always willing to give some help and even tell you how to start a photography business.

5. Make a goal to do photography business full-time

If photography is what you really like to do in life, you must dream to make it your full-time job. But before that happens, you really need to invest in skills and equipment in photography. It is also good to work as an assistant of a professional photographers at first. By that you can learn how your boss do the business and make your own soon. If there's an opportunity, join a photo shoot and see how they do it. One day, you'll be able to stand in your own feet and do your own business.

These are some of the ways on how to start a photography business. Try them and be a success photographer some day!

The happy couple has survived marriage for fifty years, and you want to honor their commitment, but you don't have a clue of how to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary. The only thing you know for sure about the 50th Anniversary is that it is called the "Golden Wedding Anniversary."

The first order of business is to select a date. When throwing a 50th Anniversary party, the obvious choice would be the day the couple got married. However, they probably already have their own plans for that special day.

With this in mind, the next best date is the nearest weekend. Avoid holiday weekends as well as those with popular civic events scheduled. Send out invitations approximately four to six weeks in advance.

Since you will probably have a budget and cannot invite the entire world, prioritize your guest list as follows:

• 1-Family


• 2-Friends


• 3-Coworkers


• 4-Colleagues from groups/organizations

It is important to consider who the couple would want to invite, not whom you want. Request that close family members and friends help compile the guest list.

Remember that planned activities, such as these, get a party moving:

• Songs from the decade in which the couple was married can be playing in the background.


• In the invitation, ask people to bring a written memory of the couple and place in a scrapbook or photo album as a gift.


• Collect pictures of the couple showing how they have changed throughout the years and display the photos on a table.


• Give to all guests by putting at their place settings a cool 50th Anniversary gift; a Deed to all 50 States of the USA.

Party decorations along with party favors at a 50th wedding anniversary set the tone and create a party atmosphere. Try these:

• Traditional elements begin with ivory table cloths.


• Place an opened dark colored cloth or lace handkerchief in the center of the table. Sprinkle gold metallic confetti on cloths.


• Make easy centerpieces using ivory colored candles placed on golden plates. Around the base of the candle, tie gold colored tulle and tiny violets.


• Place golden and silver streamers with the same color balloons in bunches arranged throughout the room.

As a unique party favor, place several Photos on Chocolate in a couple gold candy dishes and set on cloths.

Displaying the following wedding memorabilia serves both as decorations and conversation starters:

• wedding photos and/or album


• wedding dress, fabric, or veil, if available


• items used on original wedding day


• sheet music of old songs/hymns played at wedding

Try to obtain a nice recent photograph of the couple to display as well.

By now you are getting the hang of how to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary. However, a party is not a party without food.

• A caterer will allow you time to mingle among guests and tend to the honored couple.


• A less expensive route would be for you to prepare the food, possibly using the menu from their wedding day.

By implementing these suggestions and adding a few ideas of your own, your guests will see that you certainly know how to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary!

Monochrome wedding invitations are very popular at the moment. As a wedding stationer I have noticed an increase in orders and sample requests for black and white wedding invitations. Most commonly requested is wedding invites that feature a modern take on damask patterns. Damask patterns can look very striking in black and white due to the contrast. Another popular choice is a simple black invitation with white ribbon and clear diamant矇 detail.

But knowing whether to keep things simple by having just a monochrome design or whether to add another colour to compliment needs a bit of thought.

Black and White

Monochrome invitations look very striking on their own without a 3rd colour. If you are wanting a sophisticated feel to your wedding theme this a good choice to go for. Some couples worry that having a black and white wedding theme can be too dark. However, with the right balance a bright but elegant feel can be created. If you would like a lighter feel to your wedding invitations use white as the base colour with a black pattern over the top. To add a highlight to the design choose a wedding invite with a silver foil caption. Diamant矇s look fantastic on black and white cards. They add a touch of sparkle but keep with the monochrome feel.

Fun Monochrome Invitations

Just because you are choosing black and white wedding stationery does not mean the designs do not have to be fun. Spots and stripes make good modern and fun wedding invitations.

Monochrome photo wedding cards can also be used with good effect. Choose a photo of you having fun and laughing. This will create a more relaxed feel to your stationery.

Black and White plus Another Colour

Although a monochrome colour scheme can look fantastic not everyone likes such a simple colour scheme. However, as you might have already heard black goes with everything. You could combine the black and white with a zesty lime green or bright orange for a modern summer wedding. For a bit of passion combine it with royal purple or deep red. For a soft, more romantic feel compliment black and white with pastel shades such as baby blue or baby pink.

Monochrome or Not?

The best thing to do is think about the sort of feel you want for your wedding day. Every couple is different so you need to decide for yourselves. You might find it useful to order samples and compile a mood board. Once you have a few samples compare them side by side and with your other wedding elements such as dress and flowers.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 2 million people get married each year in this country. People often want to know how much the average wedding costs, or how much someone will spend on their dress or having their hair done. But one thing that plays a major role, and is often overlooked, is your smile. If you look in the mirror and are not completely satisfied with the smile you see there, it's not too late to do something about it. As a matter of fact, the sooner you start addressing that issue, the better!

Create Lasting Memories

When it comes to planning your wedding, you have undoubtedly invested a lot of time in deciding what you will wear, how you will fix your hair, and every other detail. Keep in mind that all of those preparations, while important, will come and go in one fleeting yet magical night. What will remain, for the rest of your life and beyond, are those wedding photos!

Wedding photos are almost more important than the wedding ceremony itself. That's because you will keep and share them, and they will capture that special moment forever. They will even capture moments that you might otherwise forget about, over the years. But one look at the photos and you will immediately be transported back to that special night.

The last thing you want to see, when you look at your wedding photos, is a smile that you are less than thrilled about. Many brides-to-be spend their time on everything else and forget about their smile. Yet think about every wedding picture of someone else's that you have ever looked at. Your eyes immediately go to their smile! In that same way, your smile is what people now and in future generations look to for clues about how happy you were on that day. So give them something great to look at!

Making Changes

Now you know how important your smile is, and how essential it is to have a smile in your wedding pictures that you will never regret. The good news is that you still have time to take action and correct whatever you don't love about your smile. Whether you dislike a particular tooth, the color of your teeth, or all of your teeth, there are things you can do to help give you a perfect smile in time for your special day.

Nearly everyone can get a perfect smile if they want to. Do you have crooked, missing or dull teeth? No problem! Depending on what you need done, here are some options to help you obtain an amazing smile for your wedding day:

Invisible Braces. Many adults are turning to clear trays to obtain the straight teeth that they have always wanted. They go on your teeth and can successfully address tooth crowding, overlapping, spacing and other issues. If you have crooked teeth, you can actually have them straightened before your wedding, so that you'll have a perfect smile in your pictures. The great thing about invisible braces is that they are essentially invisible. The invisible tray looks just like a tooth-whitening tray. The tray is custom-made to fit your mouth, and you wear it for 20 to 22 hours per day. That way, unlike traditional metal braces, you get time off, each day. Nobody will know that you are in the process of straightening your teeth, and you will be able to go about your normal eating and cleaning routine. Plus, leaving the old wires behind, you will find that invisible braces are a more comfortable option for straightening your teeth.

Incognito. Another option for straightening your teeth is Incognito. These are hidden braces that provide quick results. They attach to the backs of your teeth, rather than the fronts. So again, nobody sees that you are in the process of straightening your teeth. An specialist applies the custom-fitted braces to the back of each tooth. Then the braces do the work of straightening your teeth while you go about your business. Many people like this option because there is minimal discomfort and, since they are invisible, you can continue wearing them wherever you are and nobody will notice. Also, with invisible-brace options, even if the treatment is not finished before your wedding, nobody will notice the braces, and you will still reap the benefit of having much straighter teeth. The Incognito system uses robotic technology to bend the wires into the exact shape for the desired results.

Clear braces. In addition to the invisible-brace options listed above, there is another option: clear braces that can be put on your teeth, made of plastic or ceramic. They work much the same way as traditional braces, but they are much less noticeable, making them more appealing to adults who may have needed braces as a child but couldn't afford them. Clear braces are a good option for those who don't mind others seeing that they are undergoing treatment to have their teeth straightened, but don't want to advertise it with the traditional metal-brace option. Clear braces can give you straighter teeth in less than six months, if you are one of the many adults who had braces as a child but didn't wear their retainer.

Gum issues and grinding issues. If you have an issue with overgrown gums, a specialist can use a laser to take care of the problem. With such a quick method available for addressing gum problems, you can get yours taken care of before tying the knot. If you are a tooth grinder while sleeping, you may want to see a specialist to get that taken care of now, before you drive your spouse into sleeping on the couch just to get away from the noise each night.

Teeth whitening. At the very least, it is a must that every bride get her teeth whitened before the big day (and try talking the groom into doing the same). Teeth whitening today, especially when done by a specialist, can have a dramatic effect on your appearance and confidence, and can create a more beautiful smile that you even knew you had in you. You will be pleasantly surprised by the results that you see, after you have your teeth professionally whitened!

Planning Smiles

If there is one thing you really want to do on your wedding day, it is smile! Having a smile that you feel good about will make you feel confident and happy, and you won't hold back. Forget trying to cover up your mouth when you laugh, or shy away from showing some teeth. You have plenty of time, before the wedding, to take care of the problems that are keeping you from having the amazing smile that you want.

Many of the solutions listed above will also do a lot more for you than just giving you a beautiful smile, by the way. When someone feels they have a nice smile, they are more confident and outgoing. A nice smile enhances your overall health, makes you more attractive, puts you in a better mood, and will probably make you more sociable (which, again, is not a bad thing, considering all those wedding invitations you are going to send out). Plus, a nice smile will keep you looking younger for years to come.

When you work with a specialist, there is no reason you can't obtain a spectacular smile on your wedding day. Whether it is taking years off the color of your teeth by opting for a professional whitening, or finally getting crooked teeth fixed, you will be glad you did. When you look back at those wedding photos in years to come - as you, your kids and future generations will - you want to know that, on your wedding day, you put your best smile forward. A perfect wedding day smile is within your reach. You just need to make it happen!

Most brides want to have their wedding the one that is talked about for months after the wedding. These women will do almost anything to ensure their wedding is the best one their friends and family have attended. Weddings have, in a way become a silent competition among brides world wide. Can you think of a better way to make sure you come out on top than through unique wedding photography to share online with all of your wedding guests and even those that were unable to attend your wedding day?

Most photographers are going to be able to give you an idea on how to make your unique wedding photography shoot perfect, but you should also have some of your own ideas as to what you want. Do not feel as though you are being pushy or trying to tell the photographer how to do his or her job. Instead, you are actually giving the photographer a better idea of who you are and who you and your spouse are as a couple. This is something that you will want to show in your bridal pictures.

Here are some tips to help you get your creative juices flowing for your wedding photo shoot:

1. Be creative in your needs.

If you are an outdoorsy couple that loves to jog, hike or roller skate consider working these hobbies into your photo shoot. Maybe a picture of both the bride and groom jogging in their wedding attire or putting on their skates. Another great picture would be the two romantically gazing into each others eyes on a trail.

2. Consider using props from your everyday life together.

If horseback riding is your hobby, consider a picture with the bride and a horse while the groom stands in the back getting ready to put the saddle on the horse.

3. Have fun and express your love for each other.

Give the photographer as much information about you and your soon to be spouse so he or she can also get their creative juices flowing. Allow yourself to step out of the norm and make your wedding pictures the talk of your guests for a very long time.

Unique wedding photography is the ideal way to remember your wedding day. Many newly weds want to be proud of their wedding pictures and constantly be brought back to their wedding day excitement. To do this, you need to be able to capture the love of the two as well as who they are as a couple and individuals.

If you want to take great wedding photographs with your digital camera then there are few things that you need to consider. Below we will look at producing great wedding photographs when using a digital camera.

The first element in order to take great wedding photographs is to prepare. If you are being asked to take some photographs at a wedding then start preparing at least 2 months before the big day arrives. Spend time getting to know the bride and groom so you understand what they want and what they need. Some great questions to ask them are as follows:-

1. How many photographers will be there as well as you?

2. What kind of photographs are they looking for you to take for them on their big day? Do they want formal or more casual and candid shots of both themselves and their guests?

3. How many guests are actually attending the wedding and how many are guests of the bride and guests of the groom? Also how many are family members and how many of the guests are just friends of theirs?

4. Where would they like the photographs you take to be shot? Do they want you at the church or the reception or at both locations?

By asking these questions you will be able to gain a better understanding of the bride and grooms requirements for their wedding photographs and in turn you will be able to produce betters shots of the big day. Unfortunately there are many happy couples who have had their big day ruined because the photographer who took their wedding photographs didn't take time to find out what they wanted and needed and just did as he pleased.

The next step is organizing your equipment. This is probably the most critical step of all as you don't want to turn up at such a major event only to find that you haven't got something or that you run out of memory sticks. Below is a list of equipment you will need for any wedding photography shoot.

1. Your digital camera. But if you can afford to bring a back up camera with you just in case.

2. Lenses and Filters. It is important that you include these in your camera case just in case you want to use them.

3. Tripod. Another essential piece of wedding photography equipment as this can be extremely useful when taking indoor shots in poor lighting conditions.

4. Memory Cards. Another essential piece of wedding photography equipment as you don't want to find yourself unable to take any more photographs because you have no memory left on your cards. Remember taking wedding photographs can mean you will end up taking hundreds for the happy couple then to use only a few of them.

When you get married, you'll doubtless hire a professional photographer to chronicle the day and create a wedding photo book which you can look back on for years to come. The resulting volume will doubtless be lavishly and luxuriously produced, and will feature high quality images of the day's biggest moments - things like the happy couple cutting the cake or taking their first dance together, the bride throwing the bouquet for some lucky guest to catch and the group portraits of various members of the family gathered together. The only drawback to a wedding album of this kind, in fact, is that it actually is extremely easy to predict what images will be featured, rendering all the different albums of all the different wedding more than a little same and homogenous.

The truth, however, is that every couple is different, and every wedding is an individual reflection of these differences, a day upon which the personality of the happy couple is magnified and expressed on a grand scale. The fact that you can make photo books online means that it is now possible to break out of this straightjacket and produce an alternative album, perhaps to go alongside the official volume, which will truly capture the people you are in visual terms.

All of which brings us round to the search for effective Valentine's Day gift ideas, and the fact that a book of this kind, which transports your other half back to the day you swore to stay together, and does so in the most romantic way possible, makes the perfect gift for the person you care about the most.

If you pay a visit to a digital photo developing site, you'll find lots of different Valentine gift ideas, all of them allowing you to use your own images in the creation of a beautifully produced object or item. The one thing they all share is that, despite having a 'hand-made' ethos, they are put together using the very best materials and state of the art techniques, making them more than a match for the equivalent items on sale in the shops. The digital photo books you can create, for example, will be printed on high quality paper, thick and glossy, and bound and covered to a luxurious standard.

To create a touching and heartfelt gift for Valentine's Day, you could collect together all of the images captured on the day of your wedding. The chances are that almost everyone who came brought their own digital camera along, and can thus contribute images of their own. Even if you've been married long enough to per-date the digital era, older, more traditional photographic prints can be scanned into your computer and saved as digital files, thus making them perfect for the purpose. By looking through the images you gather together, you'll be able to select those which capture the smaller, more intimate moments of the day - shots of the bride and groom enjoying a private giggle, for example, or of a rotund uncle going back to the buffet for one last plate full. Printed between two covers, these images will bring the day back in all its glory and emotion, and will provide the perfect romantic reminder of why you chose to unite as a couple. Actually creating your book has been boiled down to a few simple steps.

Once you've uploaded the images to the website of your choice, you'll be able to work with software which reduces the design process to a series of quick and simple choices. The size, shape and length of your book, as well as the make-up of the covers, is in your hands and designing the layout of individual pages is a simple drag and drop procedure.

Whether you're planning a 50th wedding anniversary party, a 25th, or a celebration for any other milestone year, you'll have to make decisions about anniversary invitations.  One of the most popular choices, in recent years, has been the photo anniversary invitation.  After all, what better way is there to represent the married couple than with pictures from their lives together?  Here are the top ten do's and don'ts for selecting the perfect photo anniversary invitations for you.

1.  DO give yourself plenty of time to browse.  The photo anniversary invitations of your dreams may be on the first page of Google when you search online.  But then again, you may have to dig a little deeper until you find it on page five or even ten of your search engine results.  Ideally, you should mail your invitations around six weeks before your anniversary party.  You have to allow a few weeks for your selected company to produce a proof, the finished invitations and mail them to you.  So, it would be a good idea to start looking three or even four months before the party, if possible.

2. DO consider photo anniversary invitations that feature multiple photos.  Of course, everyone on your guest list will love to see an old wedding photo.  Add a current photo for a then and now approach.   Many companies offer designs that include two or more photos.  You might also want to consider using an in between family photo, when the kids were young.

3. DO go with photo anniversary invitations that reflect your personality.  Times have changed.  You are no longer compelled to select boring, formal invitations, even if you're planning a fancy party.  Photo anniversary invitations can be so much more than a card with a couple of pictures.  Go with bold colors.  Or for a romantic look, select a design that has gold wedding bands, entwined hearts, a rose or a keepsake locket.  A filmstrip design is contemporary and can showcase multiple photos. Or look for a anniversary invitation that reflects your interests (tennis, animals, movies, beach, etc.) or your party theme (Hawaiian luau, for example).

4. DO check the other invitation categories on a company's website.  This is especially true if you are looking for something a little unusual.  You might find just the right tropical or beach scene invitations on the wedding save the date page.  The white roses or calla lilies could be there, too.  Or if you're thinking of a retro theme for your celebration, the perfect invitation might show up on the birthday invitation page.   If you find what you're looking for, email the company to see if they can adapt it for your anniversary.

5. DON'T order from a company that doesn't email you a free proof.  You want to make sure everything is spelled correctly and the photos look the way you imagined they would within your selected design.  Check your proof thoroughly for any mistakes, and then have a friend double-check it for you.

6. DON'T send an old wedding photo to a company through the mail.  Instead, scan it yourself or have someone scan it for you.  An old wedding photo is a priceless heirloom, so don't take any chance it could get lost or damaged in the mail.

7. DO select a wedding photo that is in good condition, if possible.  If the best photo you have is in less than perfect condition, find out if the company you have selected does minor restoration of photos.  If the photo is discolored, faded or needs small repairs, can the company handle this?  Ask if they charge extra for this service, and if so, how much.

8. DON'T go wild when you select a font.  Of course, it's true that nice fonts add to the style of your invitations. And with so many choices available from online companies, it's easy to be captivated by a fancy font.  But before you order your invitations with that font, make sure it's easy to read.  It's important that your guests can clearly decipher the details of your invite.

9. DON'T spend a lot of money.  If you select fancy engraved invitations from a brick and mortar store, it could be very pricey.  Shop around for quality and price online, and you'll most likely save on photo invitations.  Plus, you don't need to go with large invitations.  Photo anniversary invitations make a bold impression, even if you select a smaller (and cheaper) size.

10. DO look into coordinating your anniversary favors with your invitations.  Many companies will offer photo favors that match or compliment the invitations you are ordering.  It adds a touch of class to continue with the same design.  You can find photo anniversary favors that range from photo bookmarks or magnets to the more unique gourmet chocolate bars wrapped with your chosen design or pocket spiral notebook favors.

Photo wedding anniversary invitations get noticed, can stir nostalgic feelings in the recipient, and set the mood for reminiscing at the anniversary party.  Follow these guidelines and you're sure to find just the right photo anniversary invitations that make a heartfelt impact on all your guests.

As a significant symbolization of engaged couples' entering upon a new phase during whole life and loyalty oath for love, wedding commonly acts as a vital ceremony for both the newlywed and all the relatives. Generally speaking, marriage ceremony invitations which can not only transfer all the valid information to the recipients but also set off the distinctive personalities of brides and grooms perfectly are utterly the first view your guests will have for your nuptial ceremony. Thus wedding is not just a simple moment of bring two souls together, but a memorable time for expressing distinctive hobby. All the brides and grooms always do their utmost to building tangible and sweet memories for such special day. Stunning wedding dresses, irredeemably wrinkled skin, fancy wedding cakes and unique marriage invitations should be seriously taken into consideration when thinking up inimitable plans for wedding. A creative nuptial idea is to a perfect marriage ceremony what ingenious wedding invitation to distinctive nuptial themes. Variety is commonly the very spice of life. Every refined thing throughout the world comes with the adoption of original approach. Since bridal invitations ordinarily set the main tone for your wedding, you should put insight on innovate design.

First impression is utterly of vital importance. Once throwing a quick glimpse of your invitations cards, recipients can not only grasp valid information as much as possible but also have access to realizing your ceremony theme and sharing your felicity at the time. As an extremely fantastic reflection of your special characteristics, a great variety of unique invitation cards can derive from your inspiration.

If you are fascinated by retro-inspired styles, vintage wedding invitations filled with satisfied retro elements, such as charming rose, exquisite white stone and glory peacock should be your wisest choice. Love is loyal and noble. Such type turns out to be highly graceful and refined. Rose is universally known as a favorable symbolization of love, luxury and elegance. You can choose black which not only shine with dignity but also serve as a foil to the crucial information as the grounding color and adopt exquisite rose as the main pattern. Moreover, a love poem may add much interest to cards to a great extent.

People always feel regret that it is hardly for you to freeze any memorable and joyful moment. Photos do great favor to freeze each memorable and wonderful moment or treasure the vital memories. Just stick the distinctive photo of brides and grooms on your cards will certain impress recipients profoundly. On account of customize service; you can achieve various visual effects.

Start your impressive marriage ceremony with unique wedding invitations. Provided that brides and grooms have great skill in handwork, you can make them buy yourselves through selecting the most desirable paper pattern and the most creative theme. Nevertheless, in view of the limited time and the substantial quantity, you can work with a reliable supplier which is specialized in providing diversified custom wedding invitations to meet your distinctive demands. Thus you can have access to various cheap wedding invitations, such as simple invitations, photo wedding invitations and vintage wedding invitations. All you need to do is to elaborate your design idea and your expected impression explicitly.

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Every experienced photographer will tell you that creating a good portrait requires using an attractive background. For many years, professional studio photographers have used expensive muslin backdrops. The expense alone limited creativity, because unless the photographer was extremely active and successful, investment in a substantial amount of back ground choices may not be financially feasible. After all, some very good unique, custom-made muslin backgrounds may cost up to $1,000. However, there is an alternative available for portrait photographers seeking creativity and change.

Use Of Digital Backgrounds For Portrait Photography

Digital backgrounds used for portrait photography are typically created in computer software programs like Photoshop. This software is by many different graphic designers to create stunning images, logos, calendars, or even a magazine layout. Creating digital Photoshop background effects may have been a bit of a challenge for a novice in the past, but now through employing digital background tutorials, users are well on the way toward creating their very own signature digital portrait backgrounds more quickly and easily than was once possible. Although digital backgrounds are available at many different websites online, most accomplished photographers seeking to make a name for themselves always wish to develop unique backgrounds that are associated with their studio or photography style.

Don't Settle For Cheap

A quick look online will reveal hundreds of sources for attaining either a CD of digital photographic backgrounds or the ability to download individual choices or complete sets. You might even find some of these offerings online reached really cheap. There may be a reason behind this because these digital files could be extremely cheap as well. If you intend to try out what is commercially available, make sure you can check to see the image and also find out what resolution was used to save it. Sometimes, these online sources will provide you with a free sample making an effort to entice you to purchase other backgrounds that are available.

Part Of A Professional Arsenal Of Photographic Tools

For any serious photographer, especially for artists seeking to make a living shooting portraits, the ability to understand and use Photoshop background effects is a welcome alternative to purchasing several expensive backdrops. Unlike real-world material backdrops, digital ones are not subject to the physical elements, never get dirty, and surely cannot be damaged. Plus, once a photographer learns through digital background tutorials how to create his or her own, they actually cost a mere fraction of what a real-world, high-quality muslin background would cost.

Creativity Is Your Only Limitation

Individuals that take the time to learn how to create Photoshop background effects can employ all their creative juices for specific things. Imagine what types of background you could create if you specialize in baby photography, pet photography or possibly doing high school senior portraits. Use of digital backgrounds can help enhance a wedding photographer's skills arsenal. Templates can be created and presented to potential clients showing them the extent of creativity employed when putting together a wedding photography package. Think of all those extremely busy backgrounds that can't be avoided when doing location photography. Even pose shots on location can be made more interesting employing digital backgrounds. Only your imagination can limit the type of backgrounds you can create once you master the technique employing digital background tutorials.

Your first anniversary has passed and now you're looking forward to your 2nd. But, what are you going to buy your spouse for that 2nd wedding anniversary gift? You may not yet have a handle on all of your spouse's likes and dislikes. You could just come right out and ask your husband or wife what to get. Asking never hurts, but make sure you don't tell them exactly what your final choice will be.

Consider a New Television

Does your spouse spend a lot of time watching sports on television? Or, maybe you and your spouse enjoy a movie together every Friday night? If this is the case, you may consider getting a bigger and better television for your spouse as a wedding anniversary gift. Together, you and your spouse could enjoy watching television on a big screen T.V. If you already have a nice television you could purchase an elegant television stand with built-in bookcases or other add-ons.

How About a Photograph Sketch?

Does your husband or wife have a favorite photograph of the family? If so, you could consider taking it to an artist and have the photo sketched out in pencil. Imagine your spouse's face as she opens up a big envelope to see her favorite photograph rendered as pure art. She'll wonder where you had it done and will probably want to have more photographs made this way. If you are good at sketching, you could consider doing the sketches yourself. Your spouse will truly see this as a gift straight from your heart that will be cherished forever.

Photo Albums Make Good Anniversary Gifts

If you still can't find anything that your husband or wife would like for that 2nd wedding anniversary gift, you may want to look into purchasing a personalized photo album. Personalized means you can have whatever you want engraved on the photo album. You could put your wedding pictures in the album or you could turn it into a photo album for your upcoming years together. However you choose to create it, you can't go wrong because it will stay in your family for decades.

How About a New Game Console?

Does your husband or wife enjoy gaming? Maybe the two of you would enjoy gaming together. If so, consider purchasing a new gaming console as your 2nd wedding anniversary gift. Already have all the gaming consoles you need? Consider purchasing him or her a collection of the games they've been drooling over. As long as you know the type of games your spouse enjoys this purchase will be easy. Just familiarize yourself with the types of games he or she is into by looking through the stack of games they already own. If your spouse is a true gamer, you can't go wrong with this gift.

How About a Swing?

Does your house have a large front or back porch that seems empty? Have you ever thought your spouse might love to have a nice comfortable swing? What a great way to relax and communicate with each other. You could spend many evenings on the swing as you watch the night stars and cuddle. You'll both remember this 2nd anniversary, as this is one gift that just keeps on giving.

Have a Happy Anniversary

Planning a wedding anniversary can be stressful. You might be fearful of purchasing the wrong anniversary gift. After all, you don't want to let your spouse down. But, chances are you are doing all that worrying for nothing. When it comes to purchasing a 2nd anniversary gift, don't stress over it. You can count on your husband or wife cherishing whatever gift you decide to buy them. Hopefully, this article has given you some great new gift ideas.

"Anniversary: A time to celebrate the beauty, gift, and the blessing of enduring love."

The traditional gift for the first anniversary is paper, and what could make a better anniversary gift than a love photo book? Capture those wonderful memories of your year together in pictures and put them together in a beautiful digital photo album. Your partner will not only love such a thoughtful gift, but will also appreciate the time and effort that you have taken to prepare it.

It's been a year you have been in a relationship and you want to take it to the next level. What better time to propose to her than on your first year anniversary? If you find it difficult to express your feelings with words, then do it with pictures. In your love photo books put in pictures of both of you together and end it with the question you want to pop.

If you are married, then a professional picture album is a great way to renew those vows you made to your partner. Put in pictures of your wedding in the book and photographs of the wonderful times you had together after you tied the knot. Take your partner back to those memorable times you had together before and after the wedding with this fabulous anniversary gift.

It is very easy to create and design online picture albums. There are plenty of online professional photo printing service providers that can help you prepare your digital photo book. All you have to do is create an account on their website and upload your photographs. You can also download pictures from online photo sharing sites. Most online photo stores have pre designed templates that you can choose from depending on the theme of your online album. Choose the theme based on your relationship - utterly romantic, hot and sensual, or a fairy tale relationship.

Don't go overboard while picking photos for your online album. Choose ones that remind you of the best times together at home or with family and friends. Sort and organize the pictures instead of putting all the selected pictures in a haphazard manner. You can also add in comments about the occasion when the picture was taken below each photograph to make it more interesting.

Be it your first or your fiftieth anniversary; make the occasion special with a memorable gift. Turn back the clock and walk down the joyous memory lane with personalized photo books.

A fantastic idea that is becoming ever more popular is the wedding photo booth - a special area for guests to have photos taken as mementos of the day and to add to the bride and groom's album. You can either create one yourself, work in conjunction with your photographer or even hire an entire photobooth for the day.

To make your own, all you need is a secluded area - get creative - we've even seen one inside a camper van! If you can set aside a small room or corner for this purpose then great - if not, then setting up an area or marquee outside will do just fine too. Use a plain background if possible, and make sure it is well lit and there's no danger of the camera being knocked over.

You can have a designated photographer, or set up a tripod and a camera with a remote or cable release so your subjects can take photos of themselves without having to set a timer. Provide props like empty picture frames, hats, wedding paraphernalia or blackboards or giant speech bubbles so guests can write notes to add to their pictures. Outside is best for lighting, but if you're shooting inside then just ensure the light is good and the camera settings are adjusted for the conditions.

Photo booths seem to capture those real moments at weddings - away from the formal posing and usually after a couple of drinks! Many couples treasure these photos as much as their professional ones because they truly show the joy and personality of their guests. Don't forget to sneak in there too - it's not just for guests!

The options for silly and wonderful photos are endless. Play dress up, act out your favourite poses, or simply show off your gorgeous wedding dress - you only get to wear it for one day after all! Your guests will love getting together to celebrate your day in photographic style.

Photo booths can be rented all over the UK and range in price, depending on their facilities. Some also allow video messaging and live streaming to an external monitor which can be placed in the reception room. Expect to pay upwards of 瞿500 for a professional booth, however. If you rent an automated machine you will have the option of having photos printed there and then, or put onto disc for you to take home and distribute (or use as blackmail) as you wish.

In recent years, hiring a photo booth for wedding receptions to capture the most amazing shots has become a trend and you can also rent and get your guests to have fun while posing for the camera.

Planning the most memorable day of your life takes a toll on you as you put in many efforts to make your wedding reception fun and entertaining for your guests. From the decoration and the food to the band, everything is planned with perfection. But if you think of the weddings you have attended, you would notice not all the guests get to pose for the camera. The newly weds are so busy attending people that they don't get the time to pose with every guest. Plus, it's impossible to keep track of whose picture has been captured or whose isn't.

Only when you go through the pictures after weeks, you notice how many of your guests aren't in a single photo. To have all your guests appear in your wedding photo album, you should place a photo booth in the reception hall. If you are thinking that would make the reception look like a shopping mall, then you have got it all wrong. They are the latest rage in the weddings, corporate parties, birthdays and other events where couples and groups flock to these booths to get their pictures taken.

These not only entertain guests but give you great shots for your wedding album and keepsake for your guests. These are easily available on rent and theirs prices vary from one rental service to another and are charged on the basis of hours or day/night, type of photo booths, additional props and others. Some of them rentals provide props for free whereas others charge money for each piece. Since it's a wedding reception, make sure the photo booth is decorated to match the wedding theme.

When you rent a photo booth, it usually comes with an attendant who assists people in operating the system and makes sure it works fine. In case your photo booth doesn't have an attendant, print the instructions and place them in the booth for your guests. Available in two different types, classic arcade and open booths, these booths offer a great time to your guests. Classic boxed-in booths are a little cozy and fit in 2-4 people at a time whereas open booths can accommodate up to 10 guests.

If there are space concerns, you should definitely get the enclosed arcade style booths. Since lighting plays the key role in photography, you have to ensure that it's appropriate. With arcade booths, there isn't any problem regarding additional lights as these are enclosed but is the main concern when you are using open booths.

Make your photo booth even more fun. Get props like funny hats, funky glasses, wigs, masks, fake mustaches, etc. See how your guests pose in front of the camera with these props. You can even have the photo booth frame customized to suit the wedding theme. Add the photo booth pictures to your wedding photo album or compile them into a scrapbook. Several booths can now save the pictures which are later copied to a disc. The new age photo booths come with video recording option as well. Guests can say a few words in honor of the happy couple after having some snaps shot.

If you are being charged per hour for the booth, the best time to set it up is during the drinks. At this time guests can be kept busy with the photo booth while you have your couple pictures taken by a professional photographer.

Unique handmade wedding invitations ideas are almost limitless if you stop and use your creative side. The number one thing that will make yours truly unique is you and your future spouse. By placing something about you in the invitations, you will immediately differentiate them from any others your guests have received before.

An easy way to achieve this is by adding one, or even a few of your favorite pictures to your handmade wedding invitations. These can be just about anything. It can be a picture you took from a vacation you took together, one that you took while out with friends and a special moment was captured, you can use one of your engagement photos if you had these taken, or you can even make a small collage of many of these pictures.

The key is to choose pictures that stand out to you while you are reviewing them, something that captured the essence of you two as a couple and radiates out of the picture itself. By choosing a picture that stands out to you and brings back fond memories, you will give your guests a window in to your life together through the use of your unique handmade wedding invitations.

To run with this idea you just need to take a few simple steps. The first is reviewing your pictures and choosing what you will use. Once you've chosen your picture, or pictures if you've decided to make a small collage, you need the stationary that you will add them to. For this you can either go to your local stationary store, or you can search through the many options available for photo invitations online. Either way, just make sure you get stationary that is specific to adding pictures.

If you are deciding to make your invitations at home, you will be using your home computer for the text part. Just search through the options available right on your computer for text fonts and styles to make it look nice. There are a lot of options available for this on your computer so this should be easy by testing a few versions on scratch paper.

Now you just need to put it all together. For this step you can either visit your local craft store and get the supplies you will need to complete your project, or you can use one of the many do it yourself kits available online. These kits come with all the supplies you need to complete your unique handmade wedding invitations, including the stationary. Make sure you download a template typically available with the kit to make printing easy and you will see great results with your finished invites, especially when you add your unique pictures to them.