I love photography and i am very privileged to do it for a living. That being the case I thought I would share my views with other photographers. I do hope you all find this blog useful and if you wish to contact me or have your own views published please send me an email.
For the bride and groom samples of my work can be seen by clicking here tips for your wedding day can be found here
Note: I should ask you to forgive any spelling mistakes in advance.
(Sadly on the 03-06-2008 most of the blogs content was lost due to technical issues but for all our regular readers we are working at updating this page as quickly as possible thank you for your patience).
MILK AND HONEY
WHAT IS REPORTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY?
I get many brides and grooms calling and asking for photographs that are not posed. What they mean is they do not want too many traditional images in there wedding album. Traditional images are great and require real skill but Images such as the groom jumping in the air kicking his heels together or the groom and best man shaking hands are a thing of the eighties and nineties, again not a bad thing but the poses can be considered dated.
Often what they want is a style of photography commonly known or referred to as, "natural", "reportage", "photojournalism" and "candid".
On a wedding day I see myself as a mixture of all those styles though reportage is considered more of a buzz word within our industry at this time.
In my opinion and fundamentally speaking the afore mentioned styles of wedding photography all share the same basic principal and that is -
to capture the moment without (to much if any) interference. A wedding photographer working to these styles in the purest sense of the words would not offer any intrusion what so ever.
Easier said than done but when executed correctly these styles of wedding photography are completely breathtaking.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS REVENGE
When organizing a group shot in a public place it is not uncommon for at least one person to be uncooperative. Even more so if he or she has had one scoop too many. The groom had something else in mind but I thought I would just shoot this chap.
RESOURCES
Here are some good books for wedding and portrait photographers to consider.
The best of wedding photojournalism. click here
Group portrait photography. click here
The complete guide to professional wedding photography. click here
The master guide to wedding photography. click here
As wedding photographers we are truly honoured to be in a position of trust and responsibility. It’s important to keep an open mind because there is always something new to learn about our clients, our jobs and our craft. The above books then should be considered as prudent investments for wedding and portrait photographers in the UK. Keep your passion and keep it fresh. Best of luck to you.
Many wedding photographers choose NIKON and CANON for cameras and lenses. Visit the CANON MUSEUM to learn how the legendary f2.8 70 200mm lens is created from refined sand to finished product.
FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY
There comes a time in every artist’s career when enough is enough. You simply have to value your art if you don't, who will? Albeit a little vulgar this chap pretty much spells it out. It's so funny! You really need to click here to see what I am talking about.
I had a call recently to cover a wedding in ROME. As you can imagine I was beside myself with excitement, all i could think about was the architecture, weather, church building and land marks. I could envision a beautiful wedding album filled with stunning images so much that it was tangible. Caron my wife (who is 7 months pregnant) insisted on coming and said i should do it for travel costs only (At which point i knew she had lost her mind). A week later I received a call from the bride informing me that a photographer in ROME had been hired for £300, "it was a rushed meeting but i think he will be ok and it works out allot cheaper" Hmmm and hmmm. Sometimes I wish I could work out a magic solution to meet all my clients’ requirements but alas. This article is to be continued...
WEDDING IN ROMA PART II
Although shooting a destination wedding seems attractive there is allot of research to be done before you can give your client a quote. Here are some points for wedding photographers to consider when working abroad.
Will potential illness be an issue?
I there any paper work required such as visa’s or work permits?
Do you have adequate photographic equipment?
Should you book a photographic assistant or take yours with you?
Will you need to pay local tax rate on your photographic equipment when entering or leaving the country?
TOM TOM (The feedback i have received has not been great so i suggest avoiding the cheap and cheerful SATNAV)
MAPQUEST UK
PDF CONVERTER
CANON PRO NETWORK
TODAY
Thanks to Video chap John for being a good sport and Mriesha Tina for assisting me at short notice.
Helpful tips for photography assistants.
A good assistant is worth their weight in gold and if you want to gain experience by working alongside a photographer here are some tips that will help.
In no particular order.
- Always be on time, excuses for being late will fall on death ears but to stand a remote chance of being re employed if you think traffic is going to make you late, let the photographer know way in advance. You may win sympathy points.
- Don’t become over familiar with the photographers client. Many photographers are competing for the same business the last thing a photographer needs is to feel his or her assistant can’t be trusted.
- Don’t be over confident it can manifest as arrogance and can get on photographers nerves.
- Don’t bother sending your CV in if your work is better than the photographers you are hoping to work with.
- Familiarise yourself with the photographers equipment and anticipate his or her needs. Work quickly that means mean being nearby if the photographer calls for a second body or lens.
- Don’t lose any of the equipment, I ask my assistant to carry the most valuable items with her at all times.
- Sadly there are some arrogant and obnoxious photographers out there but there are also some really nice photographers that may offer you some time alongside them in the studio so don’t be put off in your search for work experience. Be encouraged, a good photographic assistant is worth there weight in gold.
- Don’t say you can do something if you can’t for example if you don’t know how to use Capture one or Photoshop don’t say you can its pointless.
Finally.
I was recently looking for an assistant to help me on a couple of last minute jobs. I found an ad on a website that shall go un-named and called the number listed.
After ringing for a while I was put through to the answering machine and the message was “Obviously I can’t take your call so call me back later on” Very bad manners in my opinion making that individual a risky choice, I envisioned this chap turning up at my wedding wearing tracksuit bottoms tucked in to his socks. Needless to say I never called him back. What’s the moral of this story? First impressions last.
I am by no means perfect but as a person and through my business I try to make a difference in the lives of others and make a positive contribution towards society. Due to this conviction my path sometimes crosses with like minded individuals. Individuals like Kirsty and her parents.
I met Kirsty and her parents whilst on assignment for the HILTON HOTEL FOUNDATION and I’m still trying to figure out what I think of the whole thing.
One thing is for sure, (dad has a sweet tooth). This young lady and her parents are not only an inspiration for us all but a fine example of what it means to be joyful in the face of adversity.
