Monthly Archives: April 2010
Engaged | Barbara + Jeremiah | Dayton Ohio Wedding Photography
I’ve taken lots of photos at Cox Arboretum in Dayton, but none of my subjects have ever been as lucky as Barbara and Jeremiah. Somehow they chose the perfect day for their engagement session – it was 70 degree weather and everything was in bloom, including the two long rows of pretty Crab Apple trees. Such a beautiful setting for some great spring portraits. Aside from Jeremiah asking for his picture to be taken next to a Peace Lily, a common funeral flower (Jeremiah, I won’t tell your future mother-in-law you said that!), it went really well and we had a great time! Here are a few shots from their session:
Barb and Jeremiah, you two were great and I had fun at the shoot! I’m looking forward to a beautiful September wedding!
First shots with the Nikon D300s | Dayton Ohio Photography
This past Saturday I purchased a new toy: the Nikon D300s. I also bought his friend: the Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8. I struggled through the epic battle of Nikon vs. Canon for several weeks. In the end, the Nikon had everything I was looking for and fit nicely into my budget. With 12.3 megapixels, a continuous shooting speed of up to 7fps, efficient battery life, and killer low-light performance, the D300s is going to make a great wedding camera. It even shoots HD video!
So yesterday, with Jim and Beanie in tow, I took my D300s out for a spin at Charleston Falls Preserve in Tipp City, right at dusk. At first it was a little overwhelming – the dials and controls on a Nikon are pretty different from my previous, and very intuitive, Sony Alpha. But, like a first kiss, there were a few short moments of awkward fumbling and then…fireworks! So far, I LOVE the D300s and I’m looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with it! Here are some of my faves from last night:
He’s not gonna be happy I posted this one, but I love that goofy mug!
“Are we going home yet?”
Tomorrow will be the first engagement session for my D300s… can’t wait!
A Perfect Match | Part IV | Dayton Ohio Wedding Photography
Drumroll please… here’s Tip #4 for finding the right wedding photographer:
(Missed the third one? Find it here.)
Gimme the tech spec.
Unless you are a photographer, it’s hard to know what to ask about the “how’s” of the photography world. A good place to start is to ask about their equipment. A good wedding photographer should have a professional-grade SLR camera, as well as professional back-up equipment. The list of other equipment and materials your photographer might bring will vary based on his or her preference, but you should ask whether they have large equipment that will need to be unloaded or setup, and whether or not they have an assistant that will accompany them (Imagine the photographer’s surprise when her assistant shows up to the reception and is not allowed in because he is not on the guest list!).
Many couples want to know how many photos they will receive from their wedding day, but there is often no good answer to this question. Every wedding is different and each yields a different number of photos. Several factors will determine what that number will actually be including the size of your wedding party, time of day, number of guests, etc. On your big day, try not to worry about how many times you are hearing the click of a shutter, but trust that your photographer will do her best to create a visual journal of your day.
Lastly you may want to know how much post-production your wedding photos will go through. Some photographers will only do basic retouching and color adjustments, and others apply elaborate Photoshop treatments and special effects. Most will fall somewhere in between, and you’ll likely get a good sense of this when you’re examining the photographer’s work. The amount of time the photographer spends in post-production will also determine how long you’ll have to wait to receive your final images, so be sure to ask what a typical delivery timeline looks like.
So there you have it! Hopefully these tips will help ensure that you and your photographer are the perfect match! And if you missed any of the first three topics (portfolio, personality, and pricing), be sure to check them out!
A Perfect Match | Part III | Dayton Ohio Wedding Photography
You’ve probably been holding your breath for Tip #3 for finding that perfect photographer, so here it is:
(Missed the second one? Find it here.)
What’s the damage?
A couple’s budget can help narrow down which photographers they consider for their wedding. But it’s important to look at not just the price tag, but what you get for it. There are two pricing strategies widely used by wedding photographers:
Some photographers bundle their products and services together into one comprehensive wedding package. A couple will pay one lump sum for their wedding day coverage, albums, prints, and any other end products they desire. They often require a post-wedding proofing session to select final prints, and album layouts. In this pricing structure, any additional prints must be ordered through the photographer, and digital negative files must be purchased separately.
Other photographers offer their services à la carte. A photographer will shoot the wedding and then present the couple with the digital negatives (usually on a CD or DVD) accompanied by the printing rights. Couples then own their images and are able to print them where and how they wish. Albums and professional enlargements are usually offered at an additional cost. This type of pricing has a lower up front cost and allows couples to pick and choose the products and services that are right for them.
It’s up to you to decide which pricing will best meet your needs. A bundled package offers the convenience of ordering everything at once, while an à la carte option can give you the flexibility to customize your package and do with your photos what you choose.
Stay tuned for the final tip for finding the right photographer!
