victoria_sprung

<p><img src="http://sprungphoto.com/IMG_1729.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Time Stops<br>

Canon 5D mark ii, f/2.8, 1/4 second, 28mm</p>

<p><img src="http://sprungphoto.com/marcusbellcontestentrybyvictoriasprung_websize.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<strong>The Reveal</strong></p>

<p> </p>

<p>There have been some similar posts recently, but maybe you just missed the keywords.<br>

Here's one:<br>

http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00VqOb</p>

<p>Make sure you are in the Grid mode on the Library Module when editing the capture time in a batch, it won't work in Develop mode.</p>

<p>I've only had 2 Couples request that I not use their photos for my own promotional materials. For one of them, I loved the photos so much that I asked politely if I could use a few, showing the ones I really liked to them as examples. They decided to allow me to use them, since they ended up liking them a lot too. :) So, it never hurts to ask!</p>

<p>I had a Bride be very proactive and tell a guest to let us work without getting into our shots. She knew he'd want to take photos, and she just wanted to make sure that he didn't jump out into the frame when myself and the 2nd Photographer were shooting. Of course, I'm never shocked anymore, people will even jump out into the middle of the aisle during the ceremony. They are definitely not thinking about what the Photographer sees, they are thinking about getting a photo of their loved one walking down the aisle.<br>

If it gets to a point where it goes beyond annoyance, and into an area where a guest is causing you to miss shots, you might want to briefly counsel with the guests who have been shadowing you all day. Explain to them that you want to get the best possible shots for the Bride and Groom, and ask them to help you do that by being unobtrusive with their own Photography.</p>

<p>My eye goes right to the couple, as well. I rather like the effect of all the activity in this instance. Love the hat perched on the wood boards/pallet! I definitely agree about the bald spot, and maybe even de-saturating the bucket itself. If it were my shot, I would probably lose the vignette and do a little less of the HDR effect, but hey, art is subjective!</p>

<p>I learned with film. I think it has instilled a sense of perfectionism in me that would have been harder to adhere to had I learned on digital.<br>

If anything, I think Wedding Photography has opened up to be more artistic, and I think that appeals to more people in general. I think there are just more varied types of people who want to get into Wedding Photography with the advent of digital, so it may just seem like there's an influx of Women specifically.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone!</p>

<p>Does anyone know of anything that can be used as a Photographer's utility belt? For small items like batteries, memory cards, small light modifiers, business cards, etc. Pockets just aren't cutting it anymore :) Was thinking maybe something like makeup artists use, but I'd love to hear what ideas you all have.</p>

<p>At a Wedding a few years ago, I was taking photos of the flower girls playing, and the florist asked me to help her pin boutonnieres on the Groomsmen. She said to everyone in ear shot, "The Photographer usually does this." I was like...."Really? I thought the Photographer usually takes pictures." :) Ok, I didn't say that, but I politely declined, explaining that I was hired to take photos of candid moments, precisely like the one I was in the middle of at the time.<br>

Stranger things have happened!</p>

<p>William,</p>

<p>I'm not 'torn' because I didn't sign them, I'm 'torn' because I have a genuine concern for those who rely on non-professionals to photograph their Wedding, versus a need to be a professional and not offer un-solicited advice.<br>

I'm not sure why they would need to tell a white lie at this point, since the extent of my contact (before a consultation took place) was just a few emails. I guess you do never know, though.<br>

Reflected on what was said a few responses back, it's a very good point that those who decide to have a friend or family member shoot their Wedding probably don't have photography high on their list anyway. Everyone has their 'must haves' for their Weddings, and not all of them include great Photography!</p>

 

<p>Thanks for the responses, everyone!<br>

I am torn between genuinely being concerned for them that they may get subpar photos, and just letting it go and remaining a consummate professional. I think what I have arrived at is wishing them the best, and then offering advice if they choose to ask for it.<br>

It has been helpful to hear all your opinions, and I welcome more.</p>

 

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>Recently I had a Bride inform me, before meeting with me, that they have decided to let a family friend Photograph their Wedding. I would like to know how you all deal with this in your professions. I very much want to respond with why they shouldn't rely on a photographer who doesn't have specific Wedding experience with some of the most important pictures of their lives. However, I wouldn't want to overstep my boundaries as a professional.<br>

Do you ever respond with FAQs, or links to articles on why it's so important to hire a professional Wedding Photographer? If so, will you share those links here?<br>

Or do you politely thank them for their time, and wish them the best?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Victoria</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

Thanks for the comments, everyone.<br>

I took several frames of the Groom in this position, and this is the one I liked best. I wanted a shot of him in the environment, rather than just a portrait with him filling the frame.<br>

I do like the crop that William W made, but I prefer the blown out window personally :)<br>

I do agree that the white on white tux/tie could have been less blown out, but I'm ok with that sacrifice in this particular photo. Of course, I could have burned it in a bit in post processing.<br>

There was sunlight coming through the window, but unfortunately not enough to light up the whole room. I definitely wanted to use the flash (bounced off the wall behind me) to fill in some of the shadows, without losing too much of the mystery.<br>

Of course, had this been a photo shoot and not a busy Wedding, I'm sure there are other ways I would have come up with to shoot this. But, I'm rather pleased with this simple portrait of the Groom.</p>

<p><img src="http://sprungphoto.com/Wedding/blogpics/IMG_6740.jpg" alt="" /><br>

At Vivo in Chicago. March 26th, 2010.</p>

<p>I was disappointed in the fact that a lot of the dual camera straps cannot be comfortably worn by females. Then I tried this, and I love it:</p>

<p>http://www.cameraslingers.net/</p>

<p>blurb.com is affordable, and the results are great! It's more of a no frills approach, but it sounds like that's what your client is looking for.</p>

<p>This might not be tall enough for what you're referring to, but it's great for getting a little height, and getting all the action on the dance floor:<br>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-Fold-Short-Step-Stool/dp/B001GM3VD4">http://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-Fold-Short-Step-Stool/dp/B001GM3VD4</a><br>

It folds up and doesn't take up much room. Fits in my rolling camera bag.</p>

<p>I've been trying to find something similar. I think I'm going to try using gift boxes with CD inserts:</p>

<p>http://usbox.com/Boxes/Ultimate-CD-Box-Insert/1LV</p>

<p>Ah, great idea about putting one on a higher level, I'll probably be able to try that!</p>

<p>Thanks so much, Nadine!<br>

I think I might use the umbrella for the formals only. The venue isn't dimly lit thank goodness, so shooting without flash should work for some of the ceremony. I think I will use fill flash for any closer cropped shots of the subjects, and to help overpower any overhead lighting. With your 2 off camera flashes, where do you place them?</p>

<p>I am shooting a Wedding soon that will be in an indoor 'atrium' style venue. Basically, there are windows all around, and not much to bounce flash off of. I'm thinking I will set up an additional slaved flash with an umbrella. This will be at night, so unfortunately there will be no sunlight filtering through the windows. Should I treat this situation as if I'm shooting outdoors at night?<br>

I would love to hear any tips anyone has, especially if you've shot in a similar situation. Thanks!</p>

<p><img src="http://sprungphoto.com/IMG_5730.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="1050" /></p>

<p>The Bride adjusting her shoes</p>

<p>taken at Maxim's, Chicago</p>

<p>It's unfortunate that you are dealing with someone who is not interested in customer service. A good Photographer with pride in their work would have attempted to recover the data. I have had corrupted memory cards that I have been able to salvage. As long as the files have not been overwritten, it's possible to recover at least some of the files on a damaged card. Even though he shot in RAW, most Photographers will convert to JPEG before providing the files to the client. Does he still have the RAW files?<br>

What does your contract say? You might have a case if it says something like "The Photographer will make every effort to provide services to the best of their ability" or something along those lines.<br>

I completely agree that you should consider doing a 're-shoot', at least for the portraits and posed photos that you may have missed.<br>

I wish you much luck in resolving this.</p>