Selecting the right photographer is one of the most important decisions youll make as you plan your wedding or event. Be sure to choose someone who will capture your memories with professionalism, artistry, personality and your style in mind.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you identify photographers, interview candidates and consider your options
•Know the difference between a full-service photographer and a shoot and burn photographer. Full-service photographers shoot your event; edit the hundreds of images captured; design your album layout; and have access to the professional album companies that deliver quality finished albums that last for generations.
•Shoot and burn photographers cost less than full-service photographers because they generally capture the event and hand over the files of hundreds (possibly thousands) of images for you to handle yourself. Shoot and burn photographers will cost a lot less, but you need to think about how you plan to use the images you'll receive. The vendors that support a full-service photographer DO NOT work with brides directly.
•Learn the differences between photojournalistic and traditional styles, candids and formal posed shots and select a photographer who specializes in the style you want or will do a mix of styles. Full-service photographers often offer a mix of styles whereas shoot and burn photographers may only offer candid photojournalistic shots.
•Determine whether the photographer can deliver both black and white photos and color photos. Consider both your personal taste and the type of wedding you are planning when deciding your preferences.
•Do you click? Personality is as important as anything else. The last thing you need on your wedding day is someone you and your guests dont feel comfortable with. If possible, try and meet the person who will photograph your wedding to ensure that you're comfortable working together.
What should I look for in a wedding photographer?
The number one thing to look for in their wedding photographer is personality. The photographer is probably the only vendor who will be with you all day. They will be mingling with your friends and family all day and night. They will be photographing everyone. So, when you are meeting them, you are checking them out for comfort. See how you feel around them.
Can you picture them with your family and friends? Could they be your friend pretty easily? This is a very important component. When they are photographing you, you are apt to feel more comfortable in front of a friend than a photographer.
The second component to finding a wedding photographer is when looking at their work; make sure that you really connect with it. When looking at their albums, try to envision yourself in the pictures. If you can do this, and they seem like they might fit in, you may have found someone special for you. One key here is to understand that we do not all just take photos of people. We all have styles, approaches, and different ways of doing things. Make sure you walk through your wedding day with the photographers you are interviewing and ask them how they might approach different issues throughout the day. A professional should have great answers for you on a wide variety of topics that you bring up.
The last component is price. The photographer you choose should be within your budget, otherwise you might be wasting your time meeting with them. However, some brides underestimate the cost of photography at first, and have to make adjustments once they see what it costs. The bridal magazines seem to perpetuate myths about the cost of photography. However, in the end, price is a component of the decision, but it should not be the main factor. If you find someone who really fits the above, but is $1,000 more than you budgeted, maybe you can cut back on other things. After all, the photography lasts forever.
Make-Up by: Hoang Tran
Album photoshoot. R&B Artist, San Francisco, Ca. Saria is under 1/2 Breed Music
MUA: Jen Holiday Hairstylist: Justina Downs Midori pop artist, and is well on her way to the pop culture stardome.
Make-Up by: Wendy Tran Patrcia has made the prints, tears and awards in her modeling career, and is still continuing.
A T.V. actress in the T.V. Show Trauma. Advertisement model, but to top it all, she is the San Francisco, Bay Area's sweetheart.
Head Masters Antonio Genovia Ryuuzaki+Julio Team Fashion/Editorial Model: Taelin Model: Leiaa MUA: Beela Shaikh Hairstylist: Sui "Mike" Crusset Fashion Designer: CEO/Jen Summers www.muheeka.com
Make up by: Audrey Mendoza Designer: W Design
Q: Do you consider yourself an amateur or a professional photographer?
A: I know the technical stuff (e.g., camera, lighting, etc), but I still would consider myself an amateur. The artistry of taking a photograph comes from the vision or story behind the composition. A good photographer is like a gifted storyteller. Instead of using words, his/her story is told through lighting, wardrobe, makeup, and poses. At times new techniques are discovered by chance when these visions become wildly imaginative and/or experimental. This is why I believe that even the best of the best can learn something from a newbie.
Q: Whose work has influenced you the most when it comes to your own photography?
A: I would have to say David Hill. I was so fascinated with his style and read up on his work when I started my own digital manipulations. Like a detective, I took notes and tried to duplicate his style.
Q: Have you had any formal training in photography or are you self taught?
A: Self taught.
Q: What type of photography do you enjoy the most? Why?
A: I enjoy detail extraction with vivid colors, because I am a secondary colorblind. Oddly enough I do not render in black and white as much as I should. In my opinion, colors and details engage the eyes. I like my viewers to lose themselves in the beauty of details and the wonders of colors in my images which I sometimes wish I could see as clearly.
Q: If you had to choose a single lens to carry around with you at all times, which one would it be? Why?
A: 50mm. I can get as close or as far away as the lens will allow me.
Q: Do you have any tips or recommendations for beginners in photography?
A: Do not copy someone elses work. Let your own style emerge. There is only one rule. Follow your artistic sense and always shoot with passion.
Beauty is fun and challenging genre to work, with. To achive the right look, a photographer has to depend on the make-up artist and or the model if the model knows how to put on a make-up.
The lighting in creating a stunning beauty shot is in my opinion the most valued in photography. One has to have the equipment to create the look, and the know-how during the editing of the photos.
There are many approaches, but one really cannot say that there is an absolute technique in the genre of "Beauty" The final approval still lays upon the client and when the client is happy, a photographer has just created a perfect photograph.
Conceptual photography is a photography genre in which the artists makes a photograph of a concept or idea. Usually the conception of the idea precedes the realization of the photography.
This kind of photography often involves use of computer editing, to achieve the desired effects. Since the mid-1960s, conceptual artists have denied any interest in photography per se. To hear the artists tell it, photography was only useful or interesting to them insofar as it was instrumental in conveying or recording their ideas.
Time and again artists describe the photographs themselves as either brute information or uninflected documentation. For many years curators, critics and historians have corroborated this reductive understanding of the role of photography in Conceptual Art. Sidestepping the aesthetic properties of conceptual photographs is convenient; it simplifies the distinction between Conceptualism and the more material-based practices of Pop Art and Minimalism.
Taking the artists at their word, writers have also been able to divorce conceptual photography from the history of photography more broadly, maintaining a rigid distinction between conceptual and fine art photography of the same moment.
There are many photographers who have experimented, and educated themselves, for many years in an effort to become an artist of unique style and interpretation. And then there are those who have an epiphany and discover what they should be doing creatively with their lives at a moments notice. Some people are blessed with motive and drive to become successful, while some are gifted with raw talent and the need to find direction in an effort to achieve success.
Occasionally you come across a guy like Antonio Genovia who is fortunate to be loaded with raw talent, and possess the ability to easily steer that creativity on a path to success. I dont want to cast an impression that the clouds suddenly parted one day, and the sun shined-down inspiration through a hole in the sky onto Antonio Genovia, but what Antonio has done in two years is really quite -- inspiring.
Anotonio purchased his first camera in December of 2007. It was a Canon Rebel XTi. He admittedly says he bought it as a Christmas gift for his Fiancee, but had devilish intentions of putting it to his own use. Within two months of putting his fiancees gift to use, he landed the cover of a popular Hawaiian travel magazine with a photo he took of a Finch building a nest while visiting the islands. As many of you know, making the cover of a magazine is something millions of photographers, who have even worked with film for tens-of-years have tried to accomplish unsuccessfully.
Other Facts about Antonio Genovia:
-Raised and a Product of San Jose, California
-Graduated in Physical Therapy in the Philippines
-Pursued the holistic field, and graduated as a Massage Therapist
-9 years in the holistic field, serving the Tri-City, Bay Area, until diagnosed, with Carpal Tunnel
-7 years working as a sales supervisor for a manufacturer and distributor of remote controlled helicopters
-Joined Michael Soo on a 10 day shoot in Florida for the 2010 NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders in May 2009
AG|Photography workshop is designed to develop a skills in High Fashion Photography and photography in general. The dream of film-less age in photography finally became a reality in the first course of the workshop the students will learn the basic and concept of artistic lighting through hands-on application and directing the subject.
The Second course of the workshop the students will use the aid of photo manipulation software to edit his or her image to meet the High Fashion Industry look.
The promise and potential of offering a workshop is not bounded by the level of skills, but invites entry to expert level photographers there will be a high degree of interaction not only to the students, but also to the team involve in the production shoot. The students synthesize the learned elements to create a portfolio of work that reflects not only their newly developed skills but also is tangible evidence of the more important appreciation of the Art within the particular medium studied.
Workshop Application
The Fundamentals of camera setup
A) How camera works in relation to ISO, Shutter speed, Aperture.
B) Exposure control by using the cameras meter.
C) F/Stop in relation, with shutter speed.
2 Location Work, Post-Shoot
3 Creative lighting.
A) Understanding the use of natural light
B) Simulated lighting, with a use of Speedlight (Flash) / Strobe 1600W flash
4 Creative Styling
A) Working with models in relation to artistic approach in fashion.
The creation of the image and the communication of the style are of
the paramount importance within the arena of fashion promotion.
B) Orientation of the model according to the light source.
Retouching
1. Selecting Images
A) Managing Galleries in Adobe Bridge
B) Star grading system vs. Color grading
C) Image selection guidelines
*C1. Angles, composition, lighting,
expressions, clothing details, etc
2. Retouch Planning
A) Possible Enhancements and
Safe work
B) Degrees of Retouching
*B) Creating a plan
C) Working with Layers
4. Tools Over View
A) Tools for selections
B) Selections without tools
C) Masks
5. Color Enhancements with
Adjustment Layers
A) Balanced Levels
B) Curves
C) Local Adjustments
6. Skin Retouching
A) Cloning and Healing Blemishes
B) Reducing Blemishes and Facial lines
C) Reduction of Pores
D) Reducing Shadows and Bags under Eyes
1. What equipment do you use?
Camera:
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS 1D Mark III
Lens:
Canon 17-40mm f/4.0
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8
Canon 580ex II (x2)
Pocket Wizad II (x3)
2. How do you light your images?
A: I try to use natural light whenever possible. I find that it is much more attractive and produces gorgeous colors and contrast. However, when natural light isnt enough or I just want to get a little more dramatic, I also use off-camera flash, usually mounted on lightstands angled to a degree to produce a quality image.
3. Do you shoot RAW or JPEG?
A: I shoot entirely in RAW, I determine whether its better for me to edit the RAW images. A raw file is comparable to the latent image contained in an exposed but undeveloped piece of film. It holds exactly what the imaging chip recorded. Nothing more. Nothing less.
4. Have you had any formal training?
A: Self taught, photography and digital manipulations. I also teach a photography workshops.
5. Do you offer traditional wedding photography, wedding photojournalism, or both?
A: My photography has been born within the traditional style and I have lived the photography evolution step by step. I offer traditional, candid, photo reportage styles. The experience says that a 40% of traditional style mixed with 60% of photojournalist style look fantasic in photo album.
6. Do you offer a website and CD of my images? If so, is this included in the packages or this is an extra fee?
A: I offer an online gallery proofing for image approval, website with slide show for share with friend and relatives,
CD is a must to clients.
7. Can our friends and family take pictures?
A: Yes! As a photographer, I believe the more photos the better. Friends and family are welcome to capture photos as long as they respectfully don't crowd around me. When a couple hires me to photograph their wedding, I give them the best photos possible. Doing that is much easier when I don't have others photographers swarming around me.
8. How long after our wedding do we get our photos?
A: I do my best to get them to you in about two weeks. If your wedding is in the summer, or any other part of a busy wedding season, it may take just a little bit longer.
9. Do you have a payment schedule?
No. I require a non-refundable deposit to hold your date ($200).
The remainder is due two weeks before the wedding.
10. Can we give you a check list?
No, but you can give me a wish list. I believe checklist can distract me from creatively capturing your special day. However, I welcome any wish list photos you may .
11. We would like you to be our photographer, what's our next step?
A: I would love to meet you in person. After that you can put down you deposit to reserve your day. Then we can schedule your engagement session anytime there after.
12. I still have a few questions, can we meet?
A: Absolutely! Send me an email or give me a call so we can schedule a time to answer your questions in person!
January 2010 workshop held in San Francisco, California. Conducted by yours truly and Ryuuzaki+Julio.
Beauty retouching is a skill that takes time and patience to get comfortable
Here I am showing a sample techniques in photoshop software.
The most basic in photoshop manipulation is by using a texture image and placing it unto a photograph.
One of my greatest achivements, when I was offered a position as a second photographer/Assistant to one of the photographer that I look up to. Michael Soo took me and James Burkart (Best Videographer in SF. California) To a 10 day photoshoot in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Using different styles in editing an image, as seen in engagement sessions. This teaser is to show my abilities in providing my clients with ample techniques in digital manipulation to date.
