The Print-Photographys Grand Finale

Hi all,

Despite todays obsession with digital imagery, the print usually stands as the finality of a photographic job. All of the meeting, negotiating, contracting, shooting, uploading, and editing culminates into these final prints. The final photographic print, if done well, is like an epic cliffhanger ending to a movie or book!

I emphasize the importance of the print to many of my clients. To hold, touch, hang, and examine a well balanced, properly color corrected photo print is a far more superior visual experience than just viewing the same digital image on a tablet, phone, or computer screen any day. Once the client decides on the images they'd like to order is when I feel the true magic begins. There are times it can take hours to get the correct print I feel is deserved to hang on their walls or frame. It is all worthwhile in the end though to see their reactions when handing over these final prints!

All of my wedding contracts (and really any job I shoot) have archivable print options that can include, metallic prints, enlargements (as big as they'd like to go,) canvas wraps, and customizable albums or books. If the print hanging on your wall for the next 40 or 50 years or more is of importance to you, choose a photographer that understands the complexities of printing and won't just hand over a cheap print that is not color corrected or will fade in a few years.

I've added a few sample images of prints I recently gave to a client to this weeks blog. Although, I also have several pretty sweet metallic prints that are being mounted right now that I'll share in the future. 

Thanks for reading and as always comments, questions, and critiques are always welcome!          

Delivering the Goods

Happy Friday everyone,

This weeks blog post discussion is regarding the final image delivery to clientele. To start off this topic, ask yourself (from a customers perspective) have you ever received more or a higher grade of a product or service than you initially paid for? Did this make you more likely to use the product or service again and satisfy your overall experience with the business? 

I'm willing to bet most people enjoy getting MORE of something, as long as the quality of that service or product is not lacking. When I contract out a corporate event, family shoot, or wedding, there's a specific number of final edited high resolution images that's agreed upon. I always over deliver to my clients!

Most of my weddings have their entire day photographically covered from start to stop. Why wouldn't I take the extra time to ensure my clients get to cherish as many of these moments as possible? It may take a few extra hours on my end of cleaning up, color retouching, or implementing other editing techniques but I'd rather take that time to make my customers happy with the final results. There are several clients of mine right now who will be receiving more than they paid for over the next few weeks. I guess the cats out of the bag if they read these blogs, haha!

Find a photographer for your event that will not only produce wonderfully creative images but also go the extra mile to assure you get more than what you paid for. Next week, I'll discuss final prints and present a few preview images from the latest wedding.

Have a great weekend, and as always comments, questions, and critiques are encouraged!   

The Photographer-Managing Situations for Events

Happy weekend all,

Tying into what I discussed about differentiating your business with wedding photography last week, I decided to make this weeks blog about the many other jobs a photographer must do for events. Some people think we show up, take a bunch of "pictures," then go home to upload them and we are done. This couldn't be FURTHER from the truth!

The truth is, there's multiple layers (like many other professions) to wedding and event photography. The one layer I'll discuss this week is crowd control and managing the group that's to be photographed. This could include executives, managers, CEO's, brides/grooms, wedding parties, family members, etc.

For most events, there is going to be a series of standardized group shots that need to be photographed for the client(s.) One of the most difficult situations photographers face at these events is corralling the group together in a non demanding, friendly manner while they are trying to enjoy themselves. The photographer needs to keep the group shots mood light and airy regardless of time constraints or other issues. The idea is to make the group shots go quickly, effectively, creatively, and as entertaining as possible. 

Making the group photo shoots go smoothly and engaging will undoubtedly affect the final results of your images. Upon a thorough evaluation of the final photograph, it will be obvious whether or not the photographer did a good job of keeping everyones interest and attention, or if they (the photographer AND group) were hurried and stressed. Choose a photographer whose attitude, personality, and leadership skills will match the environment for your event, it will make all the difference. There are a few tricks I personally use to manage these situations that make it fun and successful, but I'll keep those under lock and key.

Thanks for reading, as always comments, critiques, questions, and suggestions are encouraged.

          

Old School Photography Last Week-Doing Things Differently

Hello everyone,

Happy Friday to you! So, last week before my clients Nick & Morgan's wedding, I bought an old school Polaroid Impossible Red Stripe camera (probably from the 80's or 90's, not sure when they came out) and a few packs of black & white film to add a little dash of nostalgic touch for the day. I hadn't used a Polaroid in AGES but the goofy little squared instant prints were a hit with both my clients, and their guests. For a few weddings in the past, we used an Instax camera in sort of the same manner, to give guests something physical to look at and hold at the reception. 

The Polaroid was a bit different though, because just about everyone in attendance, young and old, identified with it and the sub par quality prints they produce. This wasn't about the quality of print though, this was about the MOMENT of their day. 

Having the Polaroid present allowed me to switch rapidly from my normal DSLR to making a print right then and there of the scene. No digital images that will never make it to print, no smart phone/tablet/or computer screen viewing necessary, no uploads to social media and then forgotten forever. These were straight physical prints that they can cherish forever along with other wedding day items. Some say "print is dead" and I say bring print back! 

Since last week I've become a little obsessed with the Polaroid and have been snapping a few photos with it of various things, people, and significant moments. I'm not sure how often I'll use it in the future but there's just something about catching that special moment in time, with a print that is there to hold.

Thanks for reading. As always, comments, suggestions, questions, and critiques are encouraged.       

Switching Creative Gears for Today-Nick & Morgan

Hi all, 

After a super long week of photography for Westinghouse, senior portraits, and some personal work, it will be great to switch creative gears for todays awesome couple, Nick & Morgan. An early congrats to these 2 love birds on their upcoming wedding in mere hours at Linden Hall. I'm excited and honored to be a part of this special day and will do my best to make the most creative images I can of your day AND make it fun fun fun in the process. Thanks, and congrats again!