This Weekend: Editing photos from Patience and Jack's Wedding

This weekend I will editing all the fantastic images I and my three assistants took during Patience and Jack's wedding earlier this month. Susan Baggett, Heather M. Smith-Matthews and Jamie Cotten and I took more than 3,800 photos! I've definitely got my work cut out for me, but it will be a fun process because I can already tell just by looking at the RAW images that they are amazing! Time to get to work.

Here are some bridal portraits I took of Patience, the lovely bride.

Growing Pains: Shooting my first night wedding

This coming weekend, I will face one of the most challenging lighting situations so far in my photographic journey. I will be shooting a Jessaca and Nathan's winter wedding at night inside a church lit only with white Christmas lights and candles!

To further complicate matters, I and my assistants will not be allowed to shoot the actual wedding since it is against church rules to shoot the sacred ceremony. That means flash is out. However, that could be the silver lining in the cloud. We will be able to shoot several staged shots, including the bride's walk down the aisle and the kiss. I am hoping the officiant will allow us to set up some flashes for those special moments. Attending the wedding rehearsal earlier this week will give us a chance to scope things out.

My 70-200 2.8 offers the fast glass I need, while my Canon 5D's extended ISOs to 3200 and above will be a must if we can't use flash. If we can shoot from the balcony, I will definitely be using a tripod or monopod. That should allow me to drag the shutter and let in whatever ambient light may be available. I think grainy images in black and white could create a sense of romance and intimacy.



To prepare for this event, my blog this week will focus on tricky lighting tips during weddings.

I found this great thread about the exact topic on Photo.net's Lighting Equipment and Techniques Forum. It is filled with wonderful suggestions to tackle this issue. I would welcome and appreciate any other suggestions my readers can give. I also read this forum thread on low light weddings that was very helpful too.

Get the Job Done: First gig as a "second shooter" a success!

Saturday's assignment as a second shooter during a wedding for lead photographer Jim Turley was a lot of fun, and I'm extremely proud of the images I captured. I will be giving Jim a disk with 100 of my best images this morning, several of which I have included in this blog post.



During the shoot, I was responsible for candids and detailed shots, both of which I love shooting. And it was good to let some other photographer take the lead and work with the clients so I could focus all of my efforts on getting great shots. Jim was also helpful in sharing new ways of streamlining my own wedding coverage when I have assistants working for me, including editing all of the images myself (instead of having assistants edit their work separately) for a more consistent look. Jim also requires his clients to pay in advance of their coverage...one portion paid at the booking and the second at least a month before the actual event. I will be adopting those same practices to avoid becoming a debt collector.





I loved shooting for John and Melinda, a mature couple each with two young children from previous marriages. Their laid back attitude without the usual anxiety often associated with wedding days made coverage easy and enjoyable. Their event was nontraditional in that they didn't have bridesmaids or groomsmen, didn't have "the toast" or "the dance," and didn't even cut their cake! But it was filled with love and joy, nonetheless as each parent walked hand in hand down the aisle with their children at their side.



I could definitely appreciate how low key (and quick...maybe less than 10 minutes long!) their actually ceremony was, so they could spend more time celebrating with their family and friends. To that end, it the couple asked that we try to take photos of as many of their guests as possible. So I found a great spot with greenery and a water fountain right in front of the Buell Mansion to shoot guests as they were leaving their cars with the valet. Here's a tip: when photographing guests, just put on a big smile and say "It's for the bride and groom!" and most people instantly relax and are more willing to pose for the happy couple.

This Weekend: Busy, busy, busy

Starting Saturday morning, I will be Jim Turley's second shooter at a wedding held inside an exclusive Cherry Hills Village mansion. I've been looking forward to this adventure so I can learn from an experienced wedding photography and be able to give better direction to assistants I may work with in the future. It will also be nice to "take a breather" and experiment with some of my photographer as a second shooter and watch how Jim handles the pressure of shooting a wedding and direct client contact. Even though I won't be working specifically with the bride and groom, I am still representing Jim's company, Sweetwater Images, and will treat this event with the same respect as if I were the lead shooter.

Sunday afternoon, I will be shooting during a boudoir workshop hosted by the Mile High Photographers . This is the first time I will be attending a session with this organization, and I'm excited about a chance to add some new images to my boudoir portfolioIn between both days, I will be editing photos I took during a model shoot at Graffiti Falls in Manitou Springs hosted by AM/PM Photography, members of my Mile High DPS Social Group. It was an amazing session in a type of location I've never shot at or experienced before. In the above shot, David and Alyssa brave the cold flows of the waterfall, willing to do whatever was necessary to get an amazing shot.

Breaking News: Business is heating up!

Woohoo! Things are starting to cook at Picture Your World Photography! I was shocked when I received an email on Facebook from another woman interested in having me shoot her wedding in June 2010! I thought her message was so cute...she was worried it was unprofessional to try to contact me through Facebook. I think it's WONDERFUL and definite proof that people are using Facebook for more than just socializing. Donna is actually a friend of Jessica, the client I spoke with earlier this week. I haven't even officially shot for Jessica yet and it's clear she has enough faith in my ability to refer me to her friends! If Donna books me to shoot her wedding, Jessica will receive $25 worth of free prints!

Tips of the Trade: How to stay sane during wedding season

While exploring some of the news items on photoclique.com, I came across this great list of "rules" about surviving wedding season from photographer Susan Centineo of Studio C Photography. I love Centineo's candor and transparency. especially her willingness to share how to maintains good relationships with her clients through communication. Here is a sample of one of her letter's to a client to summarize the events of the wedding day as was originally discussed when the wedding was booked, serves as the reminder for any balance due, and assures that the photographers will have their break during the meal. Here is a sample letter:



Dear Lauren and Aaron,

This is Rickilynn Dyer, your Coordinator of Services at STUDIO C Photography. As you know, we are coming up the big day, and I’d like to summarize a few things to assure that on your wedding day there will be smooth sailing. CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING and contact me if there are any discrepancies.

Your photographers will meet you at Morningside Inn at 4 PM, approximately 1 hour prior to the ceremony. We will take pictures of you separately, with your wedding party, family, and friends. We will photograph the ceremony, and continue through approximately 10 PM, or until all key points of the reception are completed. The photographers usually stay through all but the last hour, by which time all key points are covered.
We understand that you are requesting both traditional and candid shots, which is typical of most weddings, and your photographers will capture images in both styles. Your photographers are prepared for both outdoor and indoor shots.
Please ask your officiant to make a short announcement right after the ceremony about immediate family and the wedding party remaining for photos.
Your photographers will take their break while everyone is eating the meal. Please remind your catering/venue director to provide a separate table for the photographers to take their meal, and to check camera gear, etc.
After the wedding, please allow a full twenty-one days, at least, for a proof gallery. The editing process is lengthy and time-consuming, and thus it is often closer to four weeks. Please be patient – you don’t want to rush the editing! This is what makes the difference between great STUDIO C images and awesome STUDIO C images.
Once you have your proofs, take all the time you need to view them and decide on your favorites. Your photographers are available to review them with you in our Studios if you need guidance choosing album photos, or if you would like to see our latest products. According to our records, your balance has been paid in full.
In the meantime … Enjoy your Wedding Day, Honeymoon, and the beautiful life that we are sure you will have together in the years to come.:)

Sincerely,

Rickilynn Dyer
Service Coordinator



The tips that spoke the most to me:
1) THE JOYS OF POST-EDITING – JUST DO IT! – Weddings are really two-day events, the wedding itself, and then the day of editing. No matter how good your images are, there is always a certain amount of cropping and general enhancement that must be done, not to mention the special effects that we always add to at least a handful of images (about 25 – 30) to really ‘wow’ the bride and groom. With 800 – 1000 or more images to wade through, narrow down, and edit, this takes a full four to six hours on a really good day. Rule of thumb: Edit the entire thing before the next wedding. Now, if Wedding A is on Friday evening and Wedding B is Saturday morning, you aren’t going to have time to squeeze in your editing unless you choose to forego getting any sleep, which of course we do not recommend. The key is to schedule a full day on Monday or Tuesday to knock out both weddings, and be thus ready for the next. If you don’t, you’re going to find yourself backed up on three weddings, and this is when we start to sweat, forging a stressful path for ourselves to be sure. Treat it like an appointment: Schedule it, be there, be on time, and leave when the appointment is over, and not before. Too many photographers leave editing for that vague and indeterminate future date, ‘when we have time.’ We never have time – you know this – and before you know it, you’re backed into a corner. Forcing yourself to edit before the next gig with be worth it’s weight in gold – and your sanity – later on.

2) STAY IN TOUCH AFTER THE FACT- OK, you’ve gotten all their images and products to them, signed, sealed, and delivered, and a big check-mark on the file. Now what? Stay in touch, that’s what! Your past clients are rich sources of future referral business, and by maintaining a system of regular contact you will stay fresh in their minds. We start by sending a feedback form in a thank-you card about 2 weeks after the products are delivered. The letter starts like this: “A penny for your thoughts … how about a dollar?” A crisp new one dollar bill is in the envelope, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, as inducements to complete the form. We get about 95% of them back. Next, we send Christmas cards, a one-year anniversary card, and two or three emails over the course of the year sharing a gallery here, a special there. No overkill, just a system of occasional communications. If we receive a referral and the client books, we send our referring clients a gift certificate to a good restaurant, or a general Mall certificate, which they can use in any store there. Always reward referrals, and make each reward better than the last for multiples.

That last one is filled with great ideas to make your wedding clients repeat customers through occasional communications. I definitely need to work on this.

Get the Job Done: My first gig as a second shooter at a wedding!

Jim Turley of SweetWater Images has asked me to be his assistant/second shooter for a wedding later this month at the gorgeous Buell Mansion, a lovely old 3-story brick mansion opposite the Cherry Creek Country Club in exclusive Cherry Hills Village. Exuding Old World class and prestige, the mansion is set on a secluded hilltop and is graced with mountain views and a grove of cottonwoods. It features multiple crossed gables and steeply pitched roofs -- all of which should make for amazing backdrops for this wedding event.

If you remember, I met Jim while taking his photography business management course offered by Illuminate Workshops last year, and he has continued to be an excellent resource for my budding photography business. I can't thank Jim enough for thinking highly enough of my abilities to grant me this opportunity. I know I have served as a lead photographer now for three events, but I have been hoping to be a second shooter so I can gain more experience and flex my creative juices without the same kind of pressure a lead photographer must take on. Jim's photography business specializes in weddings, so it will be great to see and learn from a master while at work. Plus, being a second shooter will help me learn how to give direction to anyone who assists me in future shoots.

The wedding will be held outside, if nature cooperates. My last wedding planned for outside was forced indoors when a spring rain storm hit. I will primarily be shooting, since this is a more casual, three-hour event, which is often the case when the nuptials are the 2nd marriage for both as it is with this couple. There will only be 75 guests and no bridesmaids and groomsmen, so I can focus all of my attention on them. Then the reception will be held inside the mansion proper. Jim hopes the contacts gained from this event may lead to work for future high-end clients, which is a must, at least I believe, if I ever hope to do photography full time.

Jim often uses a video light, so I will get some experience holding that source for him and learning how he uses it. All of the images will be mine to keep for my portfolio. Jim has asked for 100 of my best images without post production, which he will do to maintain a consistent product look. I am looking forward to such a great event and proud to be included.

Get the Job Done: I survived back-to-back weddings!

I'm alive! I apologize for not writing on the blog sooner to let everyone know how my second wedding on Sunday went. For the entire weekend, my assistants and I worked 16 hours covering both of those weddings, and I still can't believe we made it through! To be quite honest, I was exhausted beyond belief and literally slept all day Monday and most of Tuesday. I didn't start to feel like myself again until Wednesday. Weddings must be like childbirth....you forget about all the pain, difficulty and stress related to the birth once you look at the new life you've successfully brought into the world. Starting to edit my photos on Wednesday was like that. Even though I could barely walk because my feet and back were killing me, when I saw the photos from both days, I forgot about everything save for the beauty inherent in expressing and sealing your love in front of family and friends and the trust both couple's had in me to capture their experiences.

The second wedding was nearly two hours late and incessant rains forced the ceremony to be held in a dark auditorium inside the Cable Center rather than outside in the sunlight. That meant all of our planning during the rehearsal held outside in a garden near the Cable Center went right out the window. This is what I mean when I saw that no matter how much you plan ahead, you've got to be able to adapt to changing circumstances without getting rattled. And the only way you can do that is to have the skill sets and the experience to back you up.

Despite all of this unexpected hardship, both the bride and the groom maintained their composure which made it easier for me to redirect my assistants in lieu of the dramatic changes. From that point on, everything else went on as planned. The groom took us to a great location for formal portraits on the DU campus filled with reflective pools, waterfalls, a bridge, lush green grass and trees and wonderful old buildings for great backgrounds. With the rain threatening to fall again, I and my assistants worked quickly and effectively. We were rewarded for our time with a magnificent sunset that I can't wait to see in some of my images! The ride to the wedding and to the formals in the limo was tons of fun too and I got some great images from that. Then, covering the reception inside the Cable Center's great hall was fantastic as well. Dozens of windows let in great light and it was especially fun to take photos during that special hour when the sky is that lovely navy blue right before the night fully descends.

At the end of the day, the bride said something to me that I've never heard before: "Don't even think about leaving the state, because I want you to be my family's photographer from now on!" That's exactly what I had been hoping would happen -- that a successful wedding might lead to me becoming a "photographer for life" for this couple, shooting all of their future engagements, the birth of their children, senior portraits, graduations, etc. etc. And I couldn't have asked for a better "family" to be apart of. The couple's amazing slide show of my engagement photos on a larger than life, multi-screened format was fantastic and by far the best advertisement I could ever ask for. I had several people come up and ask for business cards to book similar sessions. And the bride told me that one of her husband's groomsmen is getting married in Kenya and might be interested in having me shoot that as well....hopefully helping me secure my first destination wedding! Photos will follow!

Get the Job Done: One wedding down, one to go!

If I've learned anything today after covering my second official wedding shoot it's this: No matter how much you prepare, the unexpected will happen and you need to be adaptable, quick on your feet and not easily rattled. I knew last night that I had done all I could do to get ready, and I wasn't in the least bit nervous. I think I can thank my background as a journalist for helping me out with this because my first 8 years as a hard news reporter at the Denver Post really taught me how to dig in, get the job done (and done well) and freak out later on my own time.

The first change happened as soon as I and my assistants Sean and Christine got to the church. The groom and his party were initially scheduled to dress at the church, but turns out the groom decided last minute that he wanted to get dressed at home instead. That was a little jarring, but I think it gave Sean more time to have fun with the guys when they did show up. He described some cool pictures where the guys were shooting craps and a funky shot where they hoisted the groom up to the window as if he were breaking in (or escaping more likely!). Then Sean had time to set up his extensive gear in the choir loft where he was stationed for the duration of the wedding.



Christine and I spent the first hour with the bride and her party, with me focusing on the ladies and Christine taking charge of the detail shots. I've shot with Christine and Sean before and they are both members of my Mile High DPS Social Group, and I knew Christine had an exceptional eye for details, so she happily had fun shooting the shoes, the bouquets and the rings. A quick look around the room revealed a staircase that lead up to a door. When we opened that door, sunshine came streaming through, and I knew that's where I wanted to grab some quick shots of the bride and her dress. The brilliant backlight on her blonde hair really made her appear to glow, and I can't wait to start editing those.

Moving ahead to the wedding, the priest threw in an extra kiss during the middle of the wedding that didn't happen during the rehearsal. Mind you, this was a complicated Catholic ceremony with many intricate pieces contributing to the entire event, including prayers, speeches, readings etc. etc. So I wasn't prepared for a kiss to come in the middle of the nuptials. Thank goodness Sean had me covered, as he was able to capture the moment while shooting from above in the choir loft. After the ceremony, the bride and I both laughed at that moment because she said she wasn't expecting it either! Oh well. They kissed again at the end and that was a great moment to capture.



One of the things I did differently during this ceremony was take full advantage of the high ISO capabilities of my 5D. I've been routinely testing out that feature to see where I start to see noise. I've been able to shoot at 1600 and not see a wink of aberration. So I felt comfortable cranking it up high enough to give me 1/50 to 1/100 of sec hand-held shooting only with available light and the photos are lovely. I used the flash when I wanted to capture some quick moments such as the kiss, but other than that, I am thankful the church was so well light with light streaming in through stained glass windows and an open exit door with a tremendous amount shining in as well.



The groom's family left the church after the wedding, so we weren't able to get them in the formals. I'm not sure how that happened, but the bride and groom were just as surprised as we were. So that was another issue sidestepped. I was pleased when the groom took charge during the formals. He had been thinking about some shots he wanted done, and I was more than happy to oblige him any pose he wanted to try out. But my favorites are definitely when the bridesmaids decided to group around him and smoother him in kisses. The look on his face is priceless.

We ended the four hour shoot taking photos of the couple as they drove away to their reception at Maggiano's. They had planned on having disposables at each table so people could take photos as they wanted there. The groom surprised me again when he tipped me and my assistants. That was a first, and it was most appreciated. I asked if he could give my portion of the tip to my assistants, as they were shooting this event for free. Then he surprised me again by whipping out the final payment for me!



The adrenaline pumping through my veins kept me on top of my game throughout, but as soon as the couple drove away, I felt the adrenaline fade and I was left exhausted, mentally and physically. Let me tell you, it's no easy fete carrying two cameras on you, with two flashes, each with a Gary Fong diffuser and two battery packs for each camera as well. I didn't realize how tired I was until it was all over and I could barely put together a coherent sentence. I went home and slept for four hours. While uploading and saving photos, I looked over them and I'm pleased with the results. Plus, the few shots I saw on Sean's and Christine's camera were gorgeous too. It was a win-win for all of us involved, including our clients.

But thank goodness tomorrow's event doesn't start till 3. It's going to be a late night working about 10 hours into the evening, but I will relish sleeping in!

Tips of the Trade: Husband and wife team share tips for great wedding photographs

Yesterday morning while yelling at -- er, I mean, having a disagreement with -- my Kodak All-in-One printer, I happened upon this amazing set of tips on the Kodak "Tips & Projects Center" webpage.

Isabel Lawrence Photographers are a husband and wife team based in Los Angeles, California. Their work has appeared in publications like People, In Style, Town & Country as well as on WE TV's Platinum Weddings and the Oprah Show. Isabel's photographs have appeared in several galleries and museums including the Ventura Museum of Art and the Latin Art Museum. Her photographs were also featured at Photokina in the Kodak pavilion in 2006. I immediately recognized Lawrence candid style as that achieved from his award winning photojournalism at the Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly. All photos in this post were shot by Isabel Lawrence Photographers. Check out their tips and try to incorporate them into your wedding day coverage. I know I will be!

INTERACTION
To ensure natural, relaxed expressions that illustrate your subject's true feelings, encourage lots of interaction. Just be sure to keep shooting because you are sure to get some priceless moments.



CAMERA SHY
When dealing with a camera shy subject, place her where the light is good and where you have a pleasing background, then have her engage with a friend off camera. The pressure of being photographed is off because she is distracted by the conversation and you will be able to capture a wonderful, fun moment.



SURPRISE HIM
As a photographer interested in expanding my boudoir gallery, I loved this idea! For the more daring bride, suggest setting aside some extra time during the "getting ready" portion of the day for some boudoir shots. Ask her to pickup some special lingerie or envelope her in the bridal veil. Present these photos to the bride privately after the wedding so that she can surprise her groom at a later date. This is a great opportunity to create more sales for your studio. Recommend that such special photos deserve to be displayed in a special album or portfolio box.



EXPERIMENT
Pickup an old Rollieflex or Holga camera at a flea market and load it with TMax 120 film. You'll stretch yourself creatively and deliver something unique and unexpected to your clients. While I won't be doing this, I will enjoy being able to experiment with lighting up the church and reception area with strobes.



INSPIRATION
Find inspiration in obvious places. For instance, with so many couples requesting wedding images that have a photo journalistic quality, take a look at the masters of photojournalism. Photographers like Eugene Smith and Elliott Erwitt were master storytellers whose photographs are relevant to this day. Study their compositions and camera angles. If you submerge yourself in classic, well made images, you will start to see the story telling opportunities in every wedding.



KEEP IT FRESH
Approach each wedding with the mind set that it is your first. It can be easy to fall into a rut when shooting the same type of event every week. It is so important for the photographer to be open to each couple's story and try his best to depict it in a new and fresh way.



EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
I definitely agree with this one, as I believe the groom is often overlooked in the day coverage. I have at least one photographer dedicated to concentrating on him and his family. Give the groom just as much attention as the bride. The groom's dressing room is usually overlooked but rich in photographic opportunity. Make time to check in and take some photos of the groom and his friends getting ready. The guys will appreciate the attention and the bride will love seeing that aspect of the day.



KIDS
When photographing the smaller, younger members of the bridal party, kneel down and look them in the eye. Introduce yourself and explain that you are there to take lots of nice shots of them. Sometimes, in order to break the ice with some of the shyer children, I let them take a photo of me first. If possible try to choose a location that is within the parents' vision but far enough away that Mom won't be trying to coax the typical "photo smile" out of her child.



EVERY LITTLE THING
Focus on the little things during the wedding. The bride and groom have spent a tremendous amount of time picking out the favors, programs and food but because the day is such a blur for them, they are rarely able to take it all in. Take the time to photograph each element as beautifully as you can. Not only will your clients be appreciative but so will the florist and other wedding professionals who are in a position to refer more work to you.



DRAG IT
Using a slow shutter speed (1⁄15th or slower) and a pop of flash can be a dynamic way to show movement and energy. This is especially effective during the reception.



PORTRAITS
A portrait doesn’t always have to have a face in it. Be aware of your subject's body language and look for ways to depict emotion that are not obvious.

Get the Job Done: Wedding Week Roundup

This weekend I will be shooting the long awaited back to back wedding events: Julie and Joe Saturday morning and Harriet and Peter Sunday evening. I can't believe this busy time is finally here.

The buildup was slow with just incremental consultant meetings to make sure I and my clients were on the same page. Last month I shot Julie's bridal fitting portraits. Her twin sister and best friend since grade school were there to share the experience with her.



Last week I shot Harriet and Peter's engagement photo session. Their easy shared laughter and obvious adoration made this one of my best portrait sessions ever I believe.



It was the first time I'd worked with a friend and photographer as my assistant, and I got to experiment with blending ambient and strobe lighting. The results were amazing and fun!



Yesterday, I scouted out the location for Harriet and Peter's wedding, and I will check out Julie and Joe's church on Thursday. And this week I'll be shooting both couple's wedding rehearsals -- one Thursday evening and the other Friday morning.

Whew. I'm tired already. Are you confused yet? Believe me, planning for this has really tested my time management skills. Thank goodness I will be on furlough next week from the day job at The Denver Post so I can rest and concentrate on editing the images. Considering how exhausted I get after nearly every shoot, I may just sleep all day on Monday!

In honor of these great occasions (and my second and third official wedding events to shoot!) I will be blogging all week about weddings and tips for phenomenal coverage. If you have any tried or truisms about this type of photography, please share. While I'm still struggling with whether or not to specialize in one type of genre only, photographers who only shoot weddings really do astonish me because it seems as if it would be difficult to keep from getting into a rut. But I'm learning that each wedding is unique because each couple truly is unique in their relationship with each other and with their friends and family. Wish me luck and success for documenting these timeless rites.

Get Inspired: Adam Welch Photography

Photo credit: Adam Welch

Today I am introducing a new category of my blog I'm calling "Get Inspired." As much as we all love our craft as fellow photographers, I know there are times when motivation wanes, insecurity sets in or life circumstances weigh us down. For some, the culprit is the economic downturn raising doubts and questions about how many of our businesses can survive. For part-timers like me who depend on the salary brought in by a full-time day job, time management is an issue, trying to pay homage to two masters while juggling families and personal commitments. When a friend on a photography forum voiced his concerns about lack of motivation, I could feel his pain and worried about his blog which hadn't been updated about his recent projects or shoots in months.

Some might say the answer is to just get out there and shoot, then shoot some more. But if you've been wallowing for too long, it can be hard to get the juices flowing again. That's when I say seek inspiration from viewing others work. Examining how other photographers "see" their world can help expand your perspective and take your photography to a new level. See an image that moves you? They say "imitation is the best flattery." But don't stop at admiration. There's nothing wrong with trying to duplicate it, and it can be fun figuring out the lighting setups, poses and compositional elements to create that end result and then tweak it with your own personal style. Whenever I'm getting ready for a session I've never shot before, such as my recent bridal fitting shoot, I always check out what other photographers have done to gain inspiration and ideas.

Photo credit: Adam Welch

This week, I'm getting inspired by wedding photojournalist Adam Welch of Adam Welch Photography. Welch, a Colorado native, began his career as a newpaper photographer. As a print journalist myself, I can instantly relate to Welch's "real world training" and his love of candid photography.

Photo credit: Adam Welch

While preparing for my back-to-back wedding sessions I will be shooting later this month, I needed some validation for the type of imagery I capture. Often times when I Google wedding photography online, I come across sites that showcase these glamorous "destination wedding" images that look more like magazine ads pitching dream weddings than something that was actually experienced by a real live couple. The images were breath-taking, no doubt. But It just seemed so far removed from reality to me. But it made me worry: is this the kind of imagery that clients want? Is this how you secure that $5,000 destination wedding client?

Photo credit: Adam Welch

I think the answer is that you have to shoot what you are good at and find clients who appreciate your work. As a reporter, I'm just naturally more drawn to covering the reality of the event as it happens. Of course, you have to have traditional posed shots of the wedding party and formal portraits. But documenting that day should be about capturing all the moments that made your wedding unique. Did the flower girl or ring bearer fall asleep on his/her duty? Did your Dad give the crowd a thumbs up when walking you down the aisle? Did your nephew who wouldn't be caught dead dancing ask you to accompany him to the floor? If that's what happened at your wedding, then that is what needs to be remembered. In order to know this kind of detail about a client, it may mean that you need to spend more time getting to know about them and their family and situation, but that's what I think a good photographer needs to do anyway. You can't get that kind of information by setting up a shoot on the phone.

Photo credit: Adam Welch

Welch's photography confirmed for me that there is a place for my style of candid event coverage. I hope that my photography can reach his natural level of storytelling. Welch will be hosting a four-week workshop series called "Taking Better Candids" in June. I plan to attend.

Photo credit: Adam Welch

Get Out There: Special Boudoir Session Discount

In honor of the 2009 Wedding Season, Picture Your World Photography is offering a special discount to promote it's boudoir photography. Until Oct. 1, book a boudoir session with the studio and get the session time free with a minimum print order of $100!



A boudoir is a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room. The term derives from the French verb bouder, meaning "to pout"[1]. Historically, the boudoir formed part of the secret suite of rooms of a lady used for bathing and dressing. It's the reason why "boudoir photography" usually features women in various stages of undress -- from come-hither lingerie shots and tempting implied nudity to the artistic beauty and sensuous curves of the naked female form.





Today, boudoir photography has become the perfect gift for wives to give to their new husbands on their wedding night. But I believe the experience can also be an empowering one for anyone who needs a self-esteem boost. Having your own makeup artist or hair stylist doting over you before you step into flattering lights with a photographer trained to make you look great is normally an experience that only movie stars, models or royalty get to savor. For those hours YOU are royalty:



"These are the type of shoots that happen once in a lifetime for the ordinary person. It was my chance to feel beautiful and have it be captured in print..Sheba created a peaceful environment that put me at ease. And the photos were amazing!" says Terilynn E., my first boudoir client.



""The pictures look amazing, and I couldn't be happier. You went above and beyond to accommodate my unique situation, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart (I'm sure the Hubby will too)," says Christine T., who surprised her husband serving in the war with a surprise Valentine's Day gift to remind him of loved ones waiting for him at home.

Make the moment yours with Picture Your World Photography. As one of the few female boudoir photographers in the Denver metro area, I will be sure to create a comfortable environment for you to tap into your sensuous side. Take advantage of additional upgrades including a personal session with a makeup artist and/or hair stylist. Then rely on me to accentuate the best qualities inherent in all of our slim, curvy and bodacious forms.

Book your boudoir session now! And don't forget that if you or your spouse are currently serving in the military, ALL of your photo sessions are free and you only pay for photos, as part of my chosen charitable work this year.