Wedding Photo

Most people may not be aware of the importance of having a written contract when it comes to availing themselves of wedding photo services. The contract will ensure that you will be able to get all that you need from the services that you hire. This serves as the professional agreement set between you and the wedding photographer. The contract will also be very helpful so that you can set your expectations with your chosen photographer. It can also free you from any kind of liability when it comes to the services.

The Need for Written Contract in Wedding Photography Services

You need to understand that every wedding photographer should be able to offer you a written contract when it comes to their services. If they do not have such, you definitely have your right to ask for one. You can clear out all the extent and quality of the services that you expect to have from the wedding photographers. You do not need to worry about getting disappointed when it comes to the final results of the photography service because your contract can be your guide. If your photographer is not able to meet what is stated in the contract, you have all the right to complain and definitely get what you truly deserve.

What Should Be The Content of The Written Contract?

You have to make sure that your written contract for the wedding photography services contains all the basic information of both parties that are involved in the said professional agreement. You need to include the name of the bride and her fianc矇 together with all of their contact information. You should also include the complete name and contact information of the wedding photographer.

The details of the wedding including the location, date, time and the reception details should also be included in the contract. An important part of this written agreement would be the complete description of the photography services that you will be getting. You must be able to indicate the length of the photo session, the package included and all other essential details. A good place for the signature and the date should also be allocated in the written contract.

The agreement details must be made clear and straight to the point so that it clearly defines what each of the parties wants. Specific details must be included as well. Payment details are also an essential part of the contract. The total charges should be clearly stated and all the prices must be enumerated for a good transaction between the bride and groom and the photographer. Details about the rights and usage of the photos should also be included properly. A model release should also be discussed in the contract. If the bride and groom allows the photographer to use their photos in his or her portfolio then that should also be written as well.

These are just some of the most important components of the written contract making it a very essential material between the couple and the wedding photographer.

Marriages need numerous pieces of correspondence. Normal stationery items utilized all through the marriage process comprise in save-the-date mailings, thank you notes, the wedding invitation, place cards, ceremony programs and even menus for the function. With several paper pieces involved, strong decisions need to be taken about the kind of stationery to be used. Proper plans should be crafted regarding gorgeous wedding stationery design ideas. This article is going to deal with some key information regarding this topic.

Stationery is an important part of your marriage planning procedure, as the papers you utilize for your invitations and response cards say a lot about your special day. The stationery offers guests an initial glimpse into your marriage and tells them what the formality and theme will be. From patterned, bright papers to straightforward, cream colored card stocks, there are several kinds of stationery you can utilize for your marriage ceremony. Now, let us talk about some effective wedding stationery design ideas in detail.

Patterned Paper
Stationery paper with patterns, images or designs on it will surely add personality and style to you invitations and will craft them more visually appealing than a solid, bright colored paper. A lot of stationers may proffer you a wide range of different patterned papers, or you can craft your own invitations utilizing papers from a scrapbook store.

Strong Card Stock
For a more straightforward, conventional invite, utilize basic, solid colored card stock. Cream or white colored card stock implies an elegant and formal wedding, while vibrant colored card stock implies a laid back and casual wedding. You need to choose all the colors after a thorough consideration.

Fabric Accents
Fabric accents in the structure of cutout accompaniments or ribbons will affix detail to your marriage stationery and can make even solid colored paper look visually intriguing. You can even make use of flowers and polka dots for a laid back and casual wedding.

Vellum
You must have heard a lot about Vellum. Vellum is another great conventional paper type often utilized in marriage stationery, and it offers your invites an elegant and frosted look. You can easily add a thin sheet of vellum to your invitation body to make it more appealing.

Custom Made Stamps
Stamps are simply amazing for marriage stationery, as they can be utilized frequently and make applying images to bulk wedding invites simple. You can opt for a custom made stamp in order to give your invite a personalized and innovative touch.

Photo cards
Keep it straightforward and show off your passion with amazing photo cards in place of conventional stationery items. This idea is apt for less formal types of wedding stationery, such as engagement declaration and save the important dates. You can have photo cards printed with photographs of you and your partner along with the important details of your marriage.

So, these are some of the most creative wedding stationery design ideas in detail. Check out this article at least once for further information. Have fun and enjoy yourself while choosing the right stationery for your special day!

The news that you are photographing your first wedding often leads to emotions ranging from excitement to apprehension, and in some cases, fear. Assuming you have experience with your equipment and have developed the necessary skills to take great photographs, the wedding event has a greater likelihood of being a successful one if you follow some key steps.

This article provides an overview of important steps to follow before, during, and after the event. As with any important job, the keys are preparation, focus, and follow-through.

Before the Wedding
Proper preparation before the event is the best way for a photographer to have a successful outcome. I spent several weeks before my first wedding visiting other photographer's web sites. I read books on wedding photography, and I researched photography blogs and forums. It is amazing how much information is available for little or no charge. These tips and other photographs can inspire you and get you thinking about what you want to accomplish and how you are going to make it happen.

It is important that you have a standard written agreement that is signed by the bride- and groom-to-be and the photographer. There is no excuse for not having this document in place. It should describe the deliverables and the fees associated with the service and products. It should also include a model release so you can use the photos for promotional purposes. It is highly recommended that you contact an attorney and draft a standard agreement that protects you.

At the time of signing the agreement, there are two other opportunities to enhance the process. First, get to know the bride and groom. Spend some time chatting so you will know their story and they will know you. When the wedding day comes, they should feel comfortable with you so their true personalities will shine. If possible include a no cost or low cost engagement shoot so everyone can gain even more of a comfort level. It is a good opportunity to give them some posing tips that they can use on their wedding day.

It is also imperative to know the schedule. When you are meeting with the bride and groom, go over the agenda for the time you are expected to be at the wedding. Get to know their expectations. Let them know when you expect them to devote time to photographs with you in charge. This is a good time to talk about a wedding coordinator. If they will designate a friend or family member that will help the you identify important family members during the wedding day, it can be a tremendous help.

Another important component of preparation is checking your equipment. Check it thoroughly at least four or five days before a shoot. A check prior to my first wedding revealed a faulty auto-focus mechanism on one of my camera bodies, and I had to borrow a second camera for the shoot, but I was ready.

A proper equipment check also requires making sure you have backups of everything. You need two camera bodies and two flash units at a minimum. If you do not have them, you can rent them. On my first senior photo shoot, the wind blew my tripod and camera to the concrete surface. You never know when something will drop or just fail.

Check your batteries and memory card supplies, and bring more than you think you will need. It is not uncommon to take 2,000 to 3,000 images at a wedding. If you are using flash, you will burn through batteries very fast at that rate. For memory cards, it is better to have several smaller cards than just one or two big ones. If a card fails, you minimize your loss by using multiple cards.

Visit the venue(s) prior to the wedding day in order to scope out lighting and shot locations. Do you need to gel your flash for proper white balance? I often find that if I take a few test shots with and without flash, and perform a custom white balance check with my camera, that there are competing colors from the various light sources. For indoor venues, I often have to gel the flash to match the color of the venue's lighting. This will save you much time and aggravation later in the process.

To prepare yourself physically for a tiring day, have a light meal before you go. It is a good idea to bring granola, energy or candy bars or other portable snacks. Bring water too just in case.

If you are prone to headaches, have a pain reliever with your in your pocket or bag.

Part of blending into the event is dressing appropriately. Talk to the bride and groom about their expectations before the event. In all cases, wear comfortable shoes.

The Ceremony
When you arrive, begin by taking outdoor venue shots. Here in southeast Michigan, you never know if the weather will turn on you later, and the same is true in many locations. Get some key building and landscape elements without people, just to have them.

Calibrate your camera's white balance as soon as you walk indoors; do it for all of your cameras. Also, turn camera sounds off; you don't want your camera to make noise during the ceremony.

Bring a fast lens; the faster the better. Indoor lighting at churches and reception halls is notoriously poor and dim. Be prepared with a fast lens (f 2.8 minimum - f1.8 preferred). If you don't have one, rent it.

If you are in a place of worship, have a clear understanding of where you can go and what locations are off-limits. Also, flash is usually not permitted in places of worship, but you can ask.

Consider bringing an assistant. Let them carry equipment, help set up shots, hold off-camera flash, and more. If you are working a 6-8 hour event, be prepared for the physical impact it will have on you. Having an assistant will ease the burden on you and should result in better photographs.

If you have a break from the bride and groom, start shooting the very young and very old early. They can get tired fast, and some may leave early.

If you have a camera bag, lock it down or have your assistant carry it. If you are on your own, consider using a cable lock for your camera bag and hide it out of sight. It serves as a deterrent from theft. You may feel comfortable with the bride and groom, but you never know about their friends and family or the staff at the venue.

Never reformat memory cards at the event. Backup when you can, but do not reformat. Check everything on your computer and complete backups before reformatting.

Take shots of the bride and groom as soon after the ceremony (or before) as possible. After people start drinking and celebrating, it will get harder to assemble people and have them look their best.

Most of the time, the photographer's role should be to blend in and be discreet. Disappear in the background and try to capture people when they are relaxed, happy, emotional, etc.

If the wedding and reception are indoors, make sure to take shots of the bride and groom outside. Try to get away during the reception and get some outside shots - even if it is nighttime.

Be insured. If someone trips over your equipment are you covered?

Take a group shot of everyone. This is a great way to have everyone in attendance in one photo. It makes for a great enlargement and an opportunity for sales to others in attendance at the wedding.

After the Event
After the event is over, I believe it is important to process the images as fast as possible. There is something to be said capturing taking the energy of the day and carrying forward. Posting images quickly to a web site will make everyone happy.

Keep in contact with the bride and groom and schedule a time to meet with them to go over the images and discuss ordering details. It is as important to provide a high level of customer service after the event and before it. If you establish a relationship with the couple, they will think of you for family portraits and portraits of their children in years to come.

Finally, take notes about what went right and what went wrong. This may help you do an even better job next time around.

Honor a parent, a grandparent, sibling, friend or even a pet that has passed on, by incorporating them into your wedding, anniversary, memorial service or special event. By doing this you can create a special feeling of togetherness to the whole family throughout the day.

A special reading of the deceased's favorite Bible verse or inclusion of their favorite poem in your wedding program calling out their name is a great way to weave their memory into your event. Other ways may include: Having someone sing a song with special meaning to your loved one during the ceremony or reception. Have the significance of the song announced or indicate it in a program. You could also include a 3-4 minute slide show of your loved ones life during the song. Keepsakes are another way to remind you of them. Maybe they have given you a piece of jewelry. Wear it or keep it close on the special day.

Other suggestions include: Personalized Photos - pin a personalized photo pendant onto your bouquet so you can walk down the aisle with your loved one.

Something Blue-take a small piece of blue fabric from their favorite tie, shirt or suit, and sew it on the underside of your dress.

Reserve a Seat - leave an empty seat and set a framed photo on the chair with special flowers that include a photo pendant. The following day, the floral arrangements can be placed on their grave, along with a wedding photo. The photo pendant can become a necklace, a new keepsake for future generations.

Donate to their favorite charity by placing a special box at your event in memory of the deceased and let guests make contributions to their favorite charity or cause, or to the foundation that does research on cures for the same illness your loved one had. The box can be decoupaged with favorite photos of them.

A Table All Their Own - set up a special small table at the wedding reception with a flower arrangement and tent card or framed card reading "In memory of loved ones who cannot be with us today" or be specific by including their name. Also display a beautifully framed photo of the bride and/or groom with the deceased person you are honoring.

A Family Tree - set a beautiful branch painted white or silver in a vase filled with pebbles, marbles etc. and hang photo pendants of each family member from the branches.

One last classic yet elegant suggestion is to hold a candle lighting during the ceremony in honor of your loved one's memory and let the candles burn throughout the night to symbolize their presence.

Your event is a time to celebrate, but you still want to remember those who can't be with you. So celebrate their memory while creating new ones.

Baby Photo Books

The first few weeks, months, or years of a child's life hold some of the most precious and cherished of memories but those memories can soon fade. Taking photos of a newborn baby or young child enables us to keep those memories alive longer and by having them printed as a stunning photo book design it also allows us to show the photos off to others or, alternatively, to embarrass our sons and daughters when they get older.

Family Book Albums

The kids aren't the only members of the family that should be immortalised in photos either. Mum and Dad, grandparents, aunties and uncles, and even family friends all form a major part of a family unit and photos of all of these important people can be combined in a single great looking family photo book - you can even have a presentation tin or box personalised with your design in order to store the photo book and keep it looking brand new for many years to come.

Wedding Photobooks

A wedding is a major celebration and one that the bride and groom, as well as their families and friends will want to enjoy for a lifetime. A professional photographer can usually provide a digital copy of the pictures they take on request, or you can create wedding photobooks using the extra pictures that were taken by guests. Choose your favourites and convert them into wedding photo books with up to 80 sides of photo printing and a personalised cover.

Personal Birthday Book

Create book designs as gifts by adding pictures of the recipient. You can create what is essentially a life story in photos by adding older pictures as well as new ones. If some of the photos you want to use are only available in paper print format then you can even scan these and use them in the creation of a birthday photo book.

Photo Journals

A photo journal can be used to tell any story or depict any event through the use of photographs. An anniversary photo book is a superb example and it can combine wedding photos with more recent pictures of the couple. Romantic photo journals can be created using photos of you and your partner during the time you've been together - ideal as Valentines gifts as well as a gift to show your partner how much they mean to you.

Create Book Designs

Create photo book designs online using up to 80 or more of your favourite photos. Photo books come in three different sizes, equivalent to A3, A4, and A5 in size. Covers are customised with your choice of photo and the spine, headband, and ribbon are colour matched. You can even choose whether you want silver or gold metal corner protectors.

As most weddings take place in spring and summer, a wedding parasol has become an indispensable piece of equipment for the bride and her wedding party. Not only is it practical as it keeps her protected from the sun, but it is also a very stylish fashion accessory.

There Are Two Main Styles Of Wedding Parasols

There are two main styles of parasols that are used in wedding parties; these are:

Oriental Parasols

The Oriental parasol is an umbrella that is traditionally made from oil-paper. It originated from China and then spread across Asia, to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia etc.

The simple elegance of the Oriental style parasol has an enduring appeal as it brings a sense of serenity and calm to a wedding.

To use Oriental parasols does not mean that you will necessarily have an Oriental style themed wedding. The simple elegance of the Oriental parasol compliments western style weddings perfectly and can add a touch of the exotic.

Western Parasols

Western parasols have a long history starting with the Egyptians in 3000 BC, where they were seen as a sign of prestige. Western parasols are usually made from lace or chiffon, the most famous of which are the Battenburg Parasols which are made from classic Battenburg lace. Their quality and beauty is without par and they remain a classic without equal.

White lace inevitably adds an air of romance and mystique to a wedding.

Colours

Don't be limited by choosing only white. A striking colour like blue, red or pink can complement the colours of the wedding party perfectly. Parasols can even have patterns on them, just remember to always keep it subtle and tasteful and you will not go wrong.

Uses

Other than just keeping out the sun, parasols may be used in several other ways to brighten up your wedding and add some elegance and flair.

• You can use parasols to decorate your venue by using them as flower holders. Secure them and hang them upside down and fill them with hanging flowers or similar decorations.


• Parasols can also be used to hide unsightly corners, plugs or anything else you want to hide at your venue.


• Parasols can also be used to brighten up your wedding photographs and to add a touch of the exotic to your photo album.


• Another great idea is to use parasols as holders for your confetti.

Conclusion

Wedding parasols will undoubtedly add an exotic flair to your wedding and will ensure that your day is memorable for everyone. They are practical, beautiful, useful and timeless and whether you choose to use the oriental style parasol or the Battenburg parasols, your special day will be unforgettable.

"I do". These are probably the sweetest words that one would ever hear in his or her life, in reference to the marriage vow. To have the person you love tell you that he or she promises to be with you forever, no matter what, is not something you just take for granted. This is probably the reason why many people, particularly girls, often fantasize about their wedding day long before it's actually there. And the day itself surely does not disappoint.

To have your family and your closest relatives celebrate with you on the day that's meant o bind you with the person you would willingly spend the rest of your life with is surely something to speak for. And indeed, one's nuptial event is one of those days where people can't get enough of taking pictures; of the bide and the groom, the bride and the groom with their family, the bride and the groom with their friends, and even just the unguarded moments of the two people who decided to tie their lives together. Thus, after these photos are taken, it is not uncommon for the couple to allot one big album for that day's photos, and to have some special photos displayed. And for those they wish to have displayed, the right wedding picture frame should be selected.

The album is one we would most likely take out from the shelf in those moments that we feel like reminiscing on old times or to refresh our memories with what has transpired in the past. This is a good way to keep photos, but it is not particularly visible. A photo frame, on the other hand, may not be able to hold a lot of pictures, but it is a good way to make your pictures conspicuous in the room that you decide to place it in. it is also a protection for the photo as it is displayed. Without it, you could just imagine how you would put the picture on display. It might be possible to do it with cohesive devices, like the tape. This will most likely tear your picture. Now that we have established the whys and what's of the picture holder, let's go on to how your wedding photo could be displayed nicely.

For the single photo focused on the couple

In some of the homes I have visited over the past, a typical nuptial photo is the one of the bride and groom. This is usually enlarged and placed in the room that will make it immediately conspicuous to those who enter the home: the living room. And from the varied frames that I've see that housed this type of photo, I have made my judgment: the simple picture holder will do. Simple refers to having a plain finish with no visible design. This will ensure you that the photo stands out as it deserves.

For the wedding collage

Because of the great number of pictures that you would probably obtain from your wedding day, there are a lot to choose from to put on display. By making a collage, you are able to put all those photos together. A photo collage consists of a group of pictures that are put or arranged together and presented as one. This usually tells a story, so you would probably find pictures that are associated with each other. A good collage frame is something that will help tell this story. Thus, when you decide to have this type on display, make sure that the design of the frame that hold this is appropriate or associated with the story you want it to tell.

For the nuptial photo you want displayed, it's always good to know what constitutes a good wedding picture frame.

Getting the right photo exposure can be a bit tricky at times. Expose for the highlights and lose the dark areas - expose for the dark areas and blow out the highlights... it's a never ending battle. Today's photo tip answers a question about how to get the best photo exposure for skin tones.

Here is a question I was recently asked... "When taking pictures of black people, do you have to open up the f-stop more?"

Great question!

They were referring to a studio lighting set-up, but the issue remains in any photo lighting situation. And not necessarily just with skin tones.

What if you are shooting a black dog and a white one?

Or, more commonly a bride with a white wedding dress next to a groom in a black tux?

If we expose for the white area, we will get nice detail and properly show all the lace and bead work in a wedding dress. Or the fur in a white dog, or all the subtle skin tones in a white person.

On the flip side - by exposing for the white areas, that means we will inadvertently under expose the black areas.

We will lose all the detail and the black area will become nothing more than a big black blob.

We have problems going the other way too!

If we expose for the black area, we show all the nice detail in the black areas of the photo, but the white parts are totally over exposed and blown out. We lose all detail and the white part is ruined.

Stop reading for a second and think, what would you do? What is the best course of action?

Most of you probably went with - "Expose for a middle of the road area. It's not perfect, but at least you won't totally lose either side."

Good call. In fact, a middle of the road exposure is the concept that all reflectance light meters are based on. BTW - a reflectance meter is what is in your camera.

No matter what your light source is, when light hits a subject, it reflects off. The color and even the types of materials present have a fairly large impact as to HOW MUCH light is reflected.

White areas reflect more than black areas, velvet absorbs more light than satin.

After reflecting off the subject, the light goes into your camera. The meter absorbs all this light, and sets the exposure for a setting that is in the middle.

The middle setting is calculated to be 18% gray which is a whole book of its own. Just know that a middle setting is what your camera's reflectance meter will give you.

Not perfect on either end of the spectrum, but workable.

The other type of light meter is called an "incidence" light meter.

This is the type of meter that is outside the camera and is hand held. That is the one you see photographers hold up to a model's face and fire off the lights.

We most often see it used in a studio setting, but it works with any light source. We just tend to be too lazy to get it out in normal day to day stuff and rely on the meter in our camera.

An incident meter doesn't measure the light reflected off a subject. It measures the amount of light hitting a subject.

This may seem like basically the same thing, but it is radically different.

Reflected light is affected by color and the various reflectance properties in the frame. Incidence metering is measuring the light BEFORE it hits the subject and is not affected by color, etc.

Measuring the actual light hitting a subject means that we are properly exposing for the light as well as the colors in the photo. It will record colors and so on exactly as we see them - under those lighting conditions!

The whites will record as white, the blacks will record as black and everything else in between.

It is a far better way to meter your shots and that's why you see the best photographers buying and using incident meters even when they have a perfectly good reflectance meter in the camera.

To answer the initial question... With a reflectance meter, yes, you have to open it up to get the right exposure for black skin tones. (And close it down for white.) With an incident meter, it doesn't matter what colors are present.

If you want to truly master your camera - and get the photos you see in your most creative visions, you have to take your camera off automatic and start taking control. The first issues you will have are with photo exposure. Learn the various metering methods (in this photo tip) and you are one step closer to winning photo contests!