11/18/11: Wedding Photography Tip of the Day (Reducing Distractions in the Background)

"REDUCING DISTRACTIONS IN THE BACKGROUND"

When searching for a professional wedding photographer, couples should look for a photographer that is good at reducing distractions in the background of their images. No one likes seeing candlesticks, flowers, or DJ lights growing out of people's heads in every photo. 

In order to reduce the distractions in the background, your photographer will have to both adjust on the move by bending down, climbing up, changing an angle, or waiting just a moment to align the person in the photo so the offending object is hidden behind the subject. Your pro photographer may also quickly adjust the scene by moving a few things around (such as moving candlesticks slightly closer or farther apart) in order to hide them behind you during certain photos.

Whether it's getting ready, ceremony, or reception photos, your pro photographer should always be on the move and simplifying the backgrounds in each photo so the subjects shine. This means you should look for a photographer that talks to you about constantly moving around the scene to find the best angle. When asking for a photographer recommendation from a friend or former bride, ask them if the photographer moved around a lot, bent down or climbed up slightly (on a step stool, chair, etc.), or got in place and waited a few seconds before taking each photo. This is a GOOD THING. It means that the photographer is looking for the very best shot in each circumstance and is willing to move himself/herself instead of just taking whatever shot presents itself (even if you have a flower growing out of your head). 

Yes, it's absolutely exhausting to photograph weddings in this way. But the results are worth it! Go out and find that energetic pro photographer with an artistic eye for simplifying distractions in the backgrounds, the technical skills to use the correct settings ahead of time to be ready for the photo, and the patience to not grab the first shot that presents itself and move on. You'll be glad you did!

If you would like to discuss your wedding needs with Bella Vita Studios, a privately owned photography studio in Fort Wayne (each wedding is personally photographed by the owner, Kris), you can give them a call at 260-440-3889 or 260-438-7246.  You can also email them at bellavitastudios@gmail.com.

11/17/11: Wedding Photography Tip of the Day (Get it all: emotion, interaction, candids, artsy)

Great wedding photography captures emotions and interactions between the bride and groom as well as the other involved parties throughout the day. The trend over the past ten to twenty years (definitely the last five or so!) has been toward more candid and photojournalist style wedding coverage. 

When looking for a great wedding photographer for your own special wedding day, look for a professional photographer that can not only show you a series of portraits that display emotions but also show the subjects in the portraits interacting with each other in playful, tender, or even sexy ways. A great mix of these candid moments in addition to those show stopper artsy portraits during your wedding day will make for a better mix when all is said and done with your wedding photography. 

To achieve this mix of styles during the wedding day, the professional photographer should have training and experience with family, fashion, and commercial photography. All of these experiences come together in wedding photography as it is the single most difficult specialty within the professional photography field. Not only must the professional wedding photographer have training and experience in these fields, but he or she must be able to "switch gears" so to speak (at a moments notice) while still maintaining a friendly demeanor with the subjects in the photographs and directing the schedule and posing at the same time! 

It's a lot to do at once and it requires split second timing, absolute mastering of the technical skills required, and nerves of steel. It's no wonder many beginner photographers who think wedding is a quick way to make a fast buck get tired and overwhelmed with the requirements of the job and end up quitting after a year or two or even less! It's not a job for the faint of heart, but when done well, it's so rewarding for both the professional photographer and the clients that receive images that they will treasure forever and even pass down to generations after them as family heirlooms. 

At Bella Vita Studios, each wedding we photograph is personally photographed by Kris (owner and lead photographer) in conjunction with a variety of support staff (assistant, second shooter, etc.). Kris has training in family and children's portraits, fashion photography, commercial photography, and more. She has been a professional photographer for nearly twelve years and has taught numerous photography workshops and software classes to other professional photographers all over the world. Kris also designs software products for professional photographers.

While we are based in the midwest in Fort Wayne, Indiana (we have family here and the cost of living is great!), we do travel for weddings on a national and international level. To inquire about our services, give us a call at 260-440-3889 or 260-438-7246. You may also email us at bellavitastudios@gmail.com.

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