Posts Tagged ‘Photography’

How to Get Great Pictures with Less Stress - and More Fun

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

The best way for you as a bride to help your photographer on the wedding day is to let everything go, experience and relish all the moments and express all your emotions. Now if you become stressed that is the emotion that will be captured. A little preparation, planning, and communicating will help for you to not only have the best wedding images possible, but to enjoy yourself so that you can cut loose and have a great time.

Communicate all your thoughts to your Photographer before the wedding day; do not feel as though he is some artistic prima donna who is unapproachable. It is better to have more information and not use it than to miss something that would have been helpful. If you see a certain style of images that you love in a magazine or elsewhere or perhaps just thought up, let the Photographer know in advance. Keep in mind to plan pictures that reflect who you are; if you are both stand up comedians, then keep the side by side formals to a minimum and think of something more creative. Another idea that can be fun is to plan a special picture for your thank you notes. Maybe hold up posters you made that say “thank you,” or just blow a kiss into the camera, whatever you creatively come up with. My only advice is to make sure you can accomplish the shot quickly.

Brides, help your grooming impaired fiancé. You know those unwanted hairs you put up with because you love him, well it is time to tell him to get ride of them for the wedding pictures. Also, it is common to take close-up shots of the hands so the time is right for the groom to have his first manicure.

When speaking with your caterer insist that the Photographers are served in the same room and at the same time as yourself. Caterers often try to treat Photographers as a second-class citizen, feeding them what is leftover at the very end of the meal and in a back room. If the Photographer is not to miss any moments he needs to be in sync with you. I have foregone many meals, for the caterer would feed me when the dancing started and/or then insisted I eat far away were I could not see or hear.

The Photographer may or may not be familiar with your location, so when you are meeting with the caterer scope the place out and see were you think would be a nice background for portraits. Ask the caterer for suggestions; from experience they will have a better feel for how the site will look on the weeding day. While planning where to do the formals I always suggest to couples to keep the travel time to the shortest possible, it always adds up to be more than you estimate and you do not want to be spending your wedding day driving around in traffic. Besides, the pictures are about you, not the landscape. I always show couples that in most of my formal shots you really see very little background, it is analogous to traveling to the Grand Canyon then only seeing a few rocks behind the group in the pictures. Keep in mind that the backgrounds are part of your canvas that is telling your story. It is nice to have something elegant or pretty behind you, but also think about how to express where your wedding occurred and the environment you established. If you are having a very stylish New York City wedding, pick a location that expresses that emotion and shows off New York City in some form. I have seen too many portraits or group pictures where the background is a banquet hall. Think of it like this, if someone were to look at your pictures ten years from now – would they know when and were the wedding was? Also, if you plan on doing portraits outside, have a rain plan already worked out; you do not want to think about how to change everything on the wedding day.

It is always difficult to decide when to take the formal portraits. Many couples shy away from taking the images before the wedding because of the old tradition of not letting the Groom see the Bride before the ceremony. There is more to this concept then just tradition. Stress is one of the many emotions being felt at a wedding, and the final hours before the wedding can be the most stressful. Keeping the Bride and Groom apart can prevent any last minute misunderstandings. Also, everyone would have to be ready that much earlier, which can add additional stress. If one family member does not arrive on time, a whole set of family portraits cannot be taken. On a less practical aspect many Brides would rather hangout with their friends, helping to stay in emotional check and have some fun, before they have to walk down the aisle.

All these concerns aside, there is no more logical time to photograph the formal images than before the ceremony. Everyone is freshly dressed – no shine on the face, no wilted curls or flowers, and your dress is spotless. You will not miss a moment of your wedding (having to leave to have pictures done) and you will have sufficient time to get all the portraits you want. I have shot many weddings were portraits were either rushed or just never taken, for the Bride was unwilling or truly did not have any time to leave the reception. A nice approach to pre-ceremony pictures is instead of just meeting somewhere, arrange for a quiet pre-wedding rendezvous. This way you still experience that “moment” of seeing each other, and I am able to capture that decisive moment as he sees her and her him. Plan a private five to ten minutes after you meet that includes no Photographer, it is nice to collect your thoughts together before the hectic pace of a wedding. Now we have time to capture images of the Bride and Groom without any distractions from family and guests.

Each wedding and every family is unique; you will know what will work best at your wedding. However, think beyond superstition, it is not bad luck to see each other before the wedding. Pre-ceremony formals are one of the ways to get the most out of your photographic experience.

If you hired an experienced wedding Photographer, they will know to get the basic wedding imagery like the cake and first dance etc… so there will be no need to list every picture you want from the wedding. If you hired someone with little or no wedding experience or an amateur, a complete list may be appropriate. However, even if it seems obvious to you it is a good idea, for many reasons, to create a shot list of all the formal images. For one, it is not something you want to be thinking about at the moment. Having a list on paper helps the formal shots run smoother and faster which in turn helps them look their best. It also assures that you do not miss a portrait of someone important to you, and it gives you a written list of all the people you should contact.

Most people fall into two camps, ones who love to have their picture taken and the rest of us. When doing formals I have found that most guests think that they are posing for myself – as if I personally want the portraits. Therefore, they can be very uncooperative, not looking in the camera, hiding behind others, wandering off, refusing direction etc. This can all be very frustrating for everybody, and that will show in the quality of the portraits; also it considerably extends the time it takes to get the shots done. When I mention to people that it is the Bride and Groom who have requested the portraits of them, it can change people’s attitudes dramatically.

If you communicate before the wedding, with each person that you and your groom would like in your wedding portraits, it can really help to get everybody motivated to create some memorable family portraits; all within the shortest amount of time and least amount of stress. Let them know how important this is to you, and how you cannot wait to see the images of all the family together. Express to them to be timely, patient and not wander off until excused. While in a group picture focus their attention on the Photographer and do not be distracted by what is going on around them, you are the model – look into the camera. Explain that this will help to make the process take the least amount of time and enable everyone to return to the cocktail hour as soon as possible. If Aunt Pat is always late, you may want to tell her to be ready 15 minutes earlier than everyone else.

This brings us to the thought process in creating your list. It is of extreme help if the list is written in the order that we wish to take the pictures. First, item of thought - are there any elderly or frail individuals, put all the pictures with them in the beginning so they can finish early and proceed to the cocktail hour. Next, place the largest groups and work down from there in a logical sequence so people do not have to get up and down numerous times and when finished can leave to enjoy the cocktail hour. This will take some time to figure everything out if you have a large family, and a divorce or two, can complicate things tremendously. I will help by providing some typical scenarios.  Use this as a guide to help determine which pictures you desire, remember there is no “norm” it is whatever you want, but be realistic (it is not only about you). Family and friends make a huge effort to attend, and often they would like to get certain pictures also. I have photographed more than one wedding where the parents have ordered a larger album then the couple. And remember you do not want your relatives bringing up that “missed” portrait at your wedding for the rest of your life.

Bride’s extended family with Bride and/or Groom
Now decide if you want to break the extended family down to smaller parts, say all the cousins
Bride’s immediate family with Bride and/or Groom
Bride with siblings, group/individual
Bride with Grandparents
Bride with Parents, group/individual

Repeat this procedure with the Groom’s side, then after the Groom’s Parents bring in the Bride’s Parents and you can have a portrait of both sets of Parents. Now most family and guests should be back at the cocktail hour, and it is time to motivate the Bridal party. Get some creative and fun shots with them, both groups and individuals and then everyone is back at your cocktail hour having a great time and talking about your talented Photographer. Now that you are alone with your new Husband you can relax, regroup a little and then take some formal and fun shots together. I like to move to a different location when possible so that your portraits look different then the family portraits.

Now if you have any other important people in your life, Godparents, college or high school friends, go to them directly, greet other people only briefly along the way, you want all the formal pictures behind you before going to the reception. You should make a separate list for these shots. If you do not do these group shots right away they sometimes tend to never get done; people leave or you just never get a chance. Also, later on it is time to let loose, celebrate and enjoy the party - setting up a group shot can distract from having fun.

Now you have organized your thoughts, created a list, composed a short thoughtful note but there is one last item to make the system work. One or two liaisons that can connect a face to the names for the Photographer. The liaisons can really help to get everybody together. It is best to have someone who is not shy and has a strong voice; your sister perhaps who can be annoying for these same reasons would be perfect. When cousin Chloe is no were to be found there will be someone to go find her. While the Photographer is composing one group the liaison can be actively gathering the next. When Grandma has to go to the bathroom, the liaison will help her and know were she is, they really can make a big difference. Remember great pictures are a team effort, extra communication, a little planning and cooperation from your family and guests will assure you of getting the most out of each image.

Back to you now, it really is your day so when taking pictures if the Photographer is asking you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, or is cheesy in your vocabulary then stand your ground and politely say no. If you are not enjoying yourself it will show in the pictures and this is all about getting great pictures!

Robert London been a commercial Photographer since graduating from RIT in 1987. I began to expand into weddings in 1999, for before that time I felt that the film and equipment were too inhibiting to capture a wedding on film as I would see it. With the new technologies, I started to develop my own techniques utilizing the then recent small grain films and 35mm auto focus cameras enabling me to capture the wedding as a story – the way it was- not lighting the whole room with artificial lighting and not asking the couple to stop and pose. My wedding business expanded fairly quickly considering I had no contacts in the business, and I was featured on Daily Candy in 2003, and FOX TV special in 2004. I like to call it the art of lighting to enhance the image, versus what needed to be done in the old days and what most Photographers continue to do; which is illuminate the whole scene, achieving a technically good if not perfect image yet with no emotion or connection with what the mood of the day was! This process continues with the recent advent of advances in digital imaging enabling me to achieve what I once could only imagine in my mind.

First Look

Monday, July 6th, 2009

for the bride’s out there who are in the process of planning their special day, i wanted to share a little bit of advice!

consider planning for a “first look”!

“what is a first look”, you ask?

a “first look” is a brief portrait session before the ceremony on your wedding day.

now, i know what you’re going to say “but, it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding!!”

to that, i will respond with a brief history lesson! back in the day (hundreds of years ago!), marriage was more of a business transaction than the uniting of two lovers. (and the bride was the legal tender) fathers would, in essence, sell their daughters in an attempt to gain land, or favor with another father of the groom-to-be. so, as added insurance that the groom-to-be wouldn’t flee from the alter, the bride was kept hidden from him…just in case he didn’t like what he saw. this insurance policy turned into tradition, and then superstition.

well, times they have changed! people marry for love!

the benefits of a “first look”…

more time
with the bride and groom portraits out of the way, you can go directly to your cocktail hour or reception immediately after the ceremony!

less stress
by seeing each other before the ceremony, you’ll feel calmer, and more relaxed. which will reduce any stress or anxiety you may have 110%!

better light
if you’re planning an evening wedding, by the time the ceremony is over the available natural light may be limited, or worse, non existent! and natural light is by FAR the MOST flattering!

so, i know what you’re thinking “wow! this sounds awesome! but, how does it work?”

well, i’m glad you asked! the goal is to keep all the built up excitement and suspense by getting ready in separate locations. then, before the ceremony, when you are both dressed and looking FAB-U-LOUS, you’ll meet and get your FIRST LOOK! my job will then be to capture those smiles, tears, giggles, hugs, and kisses! (things you wouldn’t necessarily be able to do if your first look was at the alter in front of everyone.) once we’re done with the first look, and relaxed bride/groom portraits, we’ll get the bridal party and family/group shots out of the way, and you’re off to the alter! then onto your reception to PAR-TAY!

your wedding day should be spent with your new spouse, friends, and family! and that’s why i recommend a first look!

happy planning!

hi! my name is marcia tumminaro, and i’m a wedding photographer. i photograph the real, emotional, and sometimes hilarious moments of gorgeous couples on one of the most important days of their life. i also photograph engagements, portraits, families, and whatever else peaks my creative interests.

if you’re interested in hearing more from me, please visit my blog:
marciatumminaro.blogspot.com

you can also check out my website for galleries, bio, and pricing info: marciatumminaro.com

Shooting For The Book

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

The wedding season hits in June and we at PhotoHand expect a rise in custom photo books design orders. Most of our clients have been in the wedding photography business for a while but there are a lot of talented young beginners who have been asking us to give them some tips on how to be prepared so that they are in the right place at the right moment and shoot enough material for a lively photo story. We looked at the weddings albums that we have created so far and came up with this cheat sheet. A bride can also use this list when giving directions to her photographer.

A wedding is a celebration of a tradition and traditions by their nature adhere to certain scripts. Below are the points general to any wedding but if the wedding is to include some ethnic traditions or special family customs, that photographer must be notified of all such details beforehand so that he or she is able to capture every key moment.

Behind the Scene

The dress on a hanger
Close-ups of any remarkable details on the dress
Accessories: flowers, shoes, jewelry, the rings
The bride getting ready (makeup, hair, jewelry, dress,shoes)
Family and bridesmaids assisting the bride
Others getting ready
Portrait of the bride
The groom getting ready (adjusting the ties tie or cuff links)
Portrait of the groom

Waiting for the Ceremony

The wide-angle view of the location
The groom waiting for the bride
The groom, the best man and the officiator
The ring bearer and flower girl
General view of the seated guests
Arrival of the bride

The Ceremony

The best man and maid of honor coming down the aisle
Each groomsman and bridesmaid coming down the aisle
The bride coming down the aisle
Wide-angle view of the ceremony
The vow and ring exchange
Signing of the marriage license
The kiss The bride and groom coming down the aisle
Any special musician, singer, speaker, etc.

Formal Photos Hands with the wedding bands
Formal group photos
Romantic bride and groom photos

The Reception

Details: centerpieces, the cake, decor
The wedding party entering the reception
Toasts
Cutting of the cake
The first dance
Dances with parents
Bouquet toss
Garter removal
Guests at each table
Dancing guests

Final Scene

The newlyweds waiving or walking away
Departing Limo

That’s it! Have a great shoot!

A spread from a wedding book designed and photo retouched by PhotoHand prosfessionals.

PhotoHand.com will retouch your wedding photos at the starting fee of $3.50/photo for complete cosmetic retouching. Also, on offer there are custom-designed save-the-date cards and wedding invitations and wedding photo books from your photo material. With professional photo editing and photography retouching, skillful cropping and art effects, your book becomes an outstanding memorable piece.

Photojournalistic vs. Traditional Photography

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

Who else would like to know the difference between photojournalistic and traditional style wedding photography?

There is a much confusion surrounding the different styles of wedding photography that professionals are shooting today. Most couples want the style and glamour that they see in magazines. They often don’t know exactly what that style is called and how a skilled photographer can make them look as good as the bride and groom in the latest trend-setting celebrity wedding. Other couples are looking for a more traditional style of wedding photography.

These are the two most common types of wedding photography; traditional and photojournalistic. While similar equipment is used in both, there are significant differences in technique and approach.

Traditional photographers concentrate most of their efforts on posed portraits, and rarely capture candid moments. The quality of traditional photography is usually judged by sharpness, lighting, correct skin tones, and the use of the background. Most traditional photos are instantly recognizable, as many poses are standard for all weddings.

The more glamorous, or modern style of photography is called Photojournalistic. It is also called documentary photography. While similarities exist between traditional and photojournalistic approaches, the main expectations of each style are very different. Traditional style is portrait oriented. Photojournalism is candid oriented. The photojournalist’s goal is to take pictures while people are not aware they are being photographed. By blending with the crowd, a photojournalist is able to capture the action as it unfolds - the true emotions, the real expressions, the happiness and joy. Instead of the traditional formal portraits and posed photos, this approach produces a more intimate, artistic take on a wedding. Photos will reflect a fleeting, unposed moment that conveys the emotions of the day.

Photojournalism means to capture the real, true thing. Visual perception of an experienced photojournalist will add a unique charm to your pictures and you will end with up emotional and artistic photos capturing the very essence of your wedding day. The Album will resemble a storybook, rather than just be a series of posed portraits.

If you are a bride that loves wedding photojournalism, it is still a good idea to choose a photographer who recognizes the value of certain aspects of traditional photography and will work aspects of that style into their wide variety of shots. The photographer will gently coax a situation, and with a little guidance and interaction with their subject, get the shot that has the look and feel of a candid, photojournalistic shot, but the compositional beauty of a traditional one. A few familiar wedding poses, mixed in with the glamorous photojournalism, can also satisfy the desire for traditional portrait style poses that many people grew up with without taking away from the overall photojournalist style.

Renee Leveille, the principal owner of Wedded Bliss Photography, is a lifetime resident of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. She is a graduate of the prestigious Western Academy of Photography and has combined her rigorous photographic training with a unique artistic flair. She has spent years traveling the world looking for that “perfect shot” and it shows in her world class portfolio. Renee’s academic background also includes a B.Ed. from Trinity Western University and she has taught photography internationally.

Her work has been hailed as, “the perfect blend of craftsmanship and artistry”. A quote that Renee is happy to live with, as her goal with Wedded Bliss Photography is to transform every precious memory into an actual work of art.

Wedding Photography Tips

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Bride and Grooms are always looking for uniqueness in their event planning but often become dissapointed either during or after their wedding day due to exaggerated claims and /or promices.

My advice to the future couple would be to seek professionals who do their own work. Most would agree that there is  more effort and care- in- service provided by the owner of the business than someone who is just hired-out. Also, too many photographers think that they are in “control” of their “subjects” which can only inflate their egos thereby alienating the family and freinds invited to share this day. Rapore and respect should be the first quality of the photogapher(s) at your wedding. Excellent images at a fair price make for a solid foundation in establishing a friendship and a referral.

Authored By True Image Photography. For 20 plus years, wedding photography has been the main focus of my studio. My sincere belief in my skills and effort is that I create a pictoral legacy that will impact family and friends forever. What a great way to go through life!!

How to Choose a Photographer

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Talent is the single most important characteristic of a Photographer.

Choose a photographer who’s capable of creating amazing images that reflect the special people you are. Don’t be fooled by merchandise you don’t need or special “deals”; hire the best. Although some cameras are superior, it is the artist not the equipment that makes exceptional work. All photographers take pictures but a professional artist has the eye and expertise to capture more than just the scene and can produce good work regardless of the conditions. Composition, light and mood are used masterfully to create exceptional photography.

Authored by Laurie Schneider from Laurie Schneider Photography

Laurie has specialized in fine art portraiture, art and weddings for over 17 years. Her current project is a series of figurative dreamscapes; photographic fairytales. Laurie’s passion for the beauty of the natural world and all of its sentient beings is evident in her work. Laurie contributes 5% of her income to animal rescue programs. Her studio also offers portrait, commercial, art and animal photography. See more of her work at http://lschneider.com OR http://lauriesblog.lschneider.com

Wedding Photography - Color or Black and White?

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Every photographer has his own style of shooting to capture memorable images, but what makes these images truly great? While the content of the image itself plays a large role, whether an image is presented in color or black and white can also have a significant impact on the photograph.

If you were to look at an image captured in color, then look at that same image as black and white, chances are that it would speak differently to you, with an entirely different message. In fact, the whole mood of an image can be changed by the decision of how to show it. Images full of emotion might be better presented in black and white, whether its a tearful bride receiving that last kiss from dad as they walk down the aisle or the excitement of being announced as husband and wife for the first time. Without color, the background elements and environmental distractions are eliminated and the emotion of the scene becomes clearer.

A photograph of a couple walking on the beach, or frolicking in a field of sunflowers would probably present better in color, as the color is very much part of the story. In these situations, color helps to narrate the event by offering a sense of place and conjuring up a feeling of what it would be like to be there. It is likely that the portrait of a flower girl in her new dress would have more appeal to family when it is presented in color because there is an emotional attachment or characteristic such as the youthfulness of the little girl, and its a representation of how beautiful she looked that day. However, the image of the same little girl in the arms of her daddy, exhausted from dancing and the excitement of the day, may better tell the story in black and white.

Typically, the overall the choice of black and white vs. color is subjective and based on the content of the image and the story it tells. Often, opting to use color may be the best way to convey subjects and scene better, but if the image lacks impact in color, you might find a stronger message in black and white. The choice can be tough, but if you look closely, one version will clearly present itself as the best representation to you.

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Authored by Mark Gardner from Mark Gardner Photography

Mark Gardner is the owner and principal photographer at Mark Gardner Photography based in Maryland serving the entire mid atlantic region as well as Metropolitan areas worldwide.

Hiring Quality Wedding Vendors at Affordable Prices

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

The economy has left so many brides and grooms scrambling with wonder how they can afford to plan the wedding of their dreams without sacrificing quality. One way would be to hire a professional who provides more than one service. Usually, you will receive at least 10% off your selected services along with working on your wedding day. Also, the convenience of meeting at one location for multiple services helps save valuable planning time.

Another tactic would be request a payment plan so it’s more affordable. Ask if you can make monthly payments so it’s more like a car payment. Finally, with vendors like photographers and videographers ask if they would be willing to work out a bridal registry. Have your guests put money towards the photographer of your dreams.

Authored by Lisa Palmieri of LMP Photography and design.

Lisa Palmieri, Owner/Operator of LMP Photography and design. We provide many serivces within the wedding industry. We started in photography and videography. Then added graphic design, invitations with our most recent addition of entertainment/DJ. Our vision is to provide you with the highest quality of professional services at convenience and affordable prices

Finding a Photographer that Fits your Style

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Selecting a wedding photographer is possibly one of the most impactful decisions you can make during your wedding planning. Your wedding photos should last a lifetime and be a direct reflection of your special day. A good wedding photographer will capture the essence of your wedding and convey that emotion through the images. Here are five simple tips to follow when searching for your perfect wedding photographer.

* The Internet is Your Buddy
Most brides (and the occasional groom) know that the internet is a very valuable tool when researching vendors and looking for wedding inspiration. Directory sites like momentville.com are great for searching through a ton of resources all in the same place. This saves you time and puts great vendors right in front of you. Once you have developed a short list of photographers whose work you love based on your initial impression then you can really dig into each site individually. Many successful photographers operate blogs. Checking out a photographers blog is a great way to learn a little more about them, find some more recent work, and even peak into their personality. These days if a photographer doesn’t have a website my suggestion would be to skip them. If they aren’t using the web they are most likely extremely outdated or not serious about their profession.

* Your Cousin/Sister/Aunt/Friend
You might be tempted to skip the expensive professional wedding photographer and use your best friend who has a great camera. Please don’t make this mistake. Wedding photography requires experience to do it right. There are a hundred things that go on during a wedding that you must capture, correctly, the first time. A professional knows where to be, what to look for, and how to capture an image unobtrusively. Professional photography gear is also critical for shooting wedding. Many times off camera lighting or specialty lenses are needed that most hobbiest just don’t have.

* Chemistry
It really is all about chemistry. Make sure you take the time to interview the photographer you are considering. This is a very common and acceptable practice and if the photographer is not happy to meet with you before hand, move on. Your wedding day should be fun and relaxing, if your photographer doesn’t “click” with you it will only create stress. After booking your photographer you should feel confident that they are reliable, trustworthy, and can deliver the photos you expect.

* Product Overload
Your first encounter with a photographer might seem a little overwhelming. There are literally hundreds of available products and services for you to choose from. My advice is to select a photographer based primarily on their skills and images. Product can usually be added at any time after the wedding. Don’t choose a less talented photography simply because they offer a free print or promotional product.

* Background Check
A few questions you might want to ask your prospective photographer are:

  1. Are you a full time photographer or part-time?
  2. May we see a completed wedding (all images.)
  3. May we have a few references to contact?
  4. Are you insured and is your business registered?

These questions will give you a better idea about your photographers background and wether or not they are legitimate. If the photographer acts offended or defensive it may be a sign that they are hiding something.

Just remember, go with your instinct and the selection process should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Happy hunting!

Authored by Phil Thornton from Nashville Wedding Photographer.

Phil Thornton is a Nashville Wedding Photographer who owns and operates Phindy Studios with his wife Mindy Thornton.

Should Digital Photography Cost Less than Film? (Guest Post)

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

Unfortunately, this is a common misconception.

While digital capture eliminates the need for film and developing, the difference is negated when you now add the time it takes for the photographer to process all of the images. When using film, you purchased film, photographed, sent it to the lab for developing and printing where the lab took care of color correcting and analyzing. Now, the photographer is responsible for all of the work that the lab used to do. This added workload is tremendous. It results in more man hours needed to process any given wedding (about 40 hours for an average wedding) or event, as well as the extra expense of hiring people to do so.

In addition, the equipment needed to efficiently produce digital photography is of considerable expense. Not only are the cameras and associated equipment to perform digital capture much more expensive than their film counterparts, but there is a considerable amount of ancillary equipment necessary.

Computers are an important part of the digital photography scenario. With files from professional digital cameras being anywhere from 25 megabytes on up, powerful computers are needed to manipulate these files. With the average wedding consisting of 600 images, this comes to a whopping 15 gigabytes of digital images. Plus, these have to be backed up several times to ensure the security of your wedding photos.

Oh, and files this size won’t fit on CD’s… they will only fit on DVD’s and physical hard drives. Add in high capacity Flash Cards (4gigbyte
capacity or more) and the devices to read them, plus having a powerful laptop computer to take to the event for backup, etc. This translates to more expense for computers with the proper disc burners and processing power in the 3+Gigahertz range with RAM minimum of 1 gigabyte or more. Software to process these images is also pricey Not to mention the necessity for high speed internet to upload files of this size to online viewing and posting sites as well as to the photo labs for prints.

In reality, digital photography should probably cost triple what it does.

Authored by Ryan & Becky Kercher.

Ryan & Becky Kercher are owners of Black Forest Photography in Colorado Springs Colorado. They are an award winning photography studio that has been in business for ten years. You can read more about them and view more of their work at www.blackforestphoto.com