How much thought did you give your DJ?

Picture this (hey, that's funny, right?), you have the perfect gown, the perfect reception site.  All your friends and family look fantastic in their finery.  Your flowers are incredible, the ceremony goes off without a hitch.  Your photographer is like one of the family.  The cake is gorgeous and the food is out of this world.

Then you are about to hit the dance floor.  But...... where's the music?  Suddenly there is a tap on your shoulder and some guy you've never seen before tells you he needs to run to WalMart for batteries.  You look at him like the moron that he is and say, "Who are you and why should I care?"  He responds with, "I'm your DJ and I need some batteries so I can get this party started!  I'll be right back."

Wow, there's a nightmare just about to erupt!

I've actually witnessed this, more than once I might add.

I've seen people spend a fortune on everything, flowers, reception site, dress, jewelry, etc., only to skimp and pay $200 for their DJ, the life blood of the party!  Did they think the DJ wasn't important?  Didn't they realize how the DJ can make or BREAK your party?

Thankfully, there are Professional Organizations that can help filter the good from the bad.  Professional DJ's invest in their education and their equipment.  They have the permits, insurance and knowledge to get the job done with style and panache.  DJ's come in all styles too, maybe you want a guy in a chicken suit, or maybe a monkey suit (aka tuxedo?).  You can get that, but you will also get reliability and responsible, dedicated DJ services.

While I have many friends in the DJ business, I can't reccomend one or any here directly, that wouldn't be fair, but......  If you look just to the right of this post, well you know, right over there?

OK, here in Tampa we have a local chapter for the American Disc Jockey Association, or ADJA for short.  Their website is:  http://www.adja.org/  Here you will find lots of info and helpful searches for qualified DJ services in any area of the country.

Don't trust your party to some kid with an ipod, get a real Professional!

-B

Wedding Photography, how to tell the good, from the bad....

I'm not going to tell you there is some big voodoo secret here.  If that's what you were expecting, well, you can stop reading right here.

Still here?  Good.

The first rule in hiring a photographer is look around, check out some web sites.  I know, everyone puts their best images on their website.  That's right, EVERYONE does this, therefore it gives you a relatively level playing field.  Think about it, if you don't like what's on their web site, what they consider their best, what are the chances you'll lilke anything else they show you?

Next, and this is a biggie:  If you are looking at photographers and you like them all and there is a great discrepancy in price, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!  If you can't tell why one is pricier than the next, save your money and put it into something that is important to you.  I don't mean that to sound insulting, it's just that some people appreciate the difference and some don't.

Then, just when you think you've chosen your photographer.  Meet with them, talk to them, ask them questions.  Try to get a feel for their personality.  It's no fun to spend a day with someone you can't stand, nevemind spend your wedding day with them!

Some things to ask:

How long have you been a photographer?

How many weddings have you photographed?

Do you like shooting weddings? (watch their face when you ask this one, you'll be surprised)

How many people come to photograph?

Will YOU be there to photograph?

Then the professional type questions:

What do you to to continue your education in photography?

What Organizations do you belong to?

Have you ever earned any recognition for your photography?

Though the answers are nice to have, what you're really looking for is reactions and personality.  Let's say they just started in photography, have done a couple of friends weddings, don't think they need to further their education, and didn't even know there are photography Organizations?  Would you want to give them good money to photograph your wedding?  I'd be tentative even if the work was outstanding.

Then the exact opposite:  20 years shooting weddings, over 2000 photographed, they LOVE shooting weddings, they belong to every acronym Photography Organization you can think of, constantly take classes and attend seminars, and have a stack of awards and ribbons for their work.  Besides that, they are enthusiastic and passionate about phography and weddings.  Hmmmm, tough choice.

Bottom line:

There's more to great wedding photography than, um, great wedding photography.  The photographer should be friendly and personable and easy to communicate with.  They should care enough about their profession to educate themselves at every opportunity.

Having a flashy website is nice, but sometimes it isn't a reflection of the photographer, it's more their web designer.  Get to know your photographer, ask questions, if you're not comfortable, there are many more out there.

-B

Thursday Wedding?

Really?  A Wedding on a Thursday?

Believe it.

Dale and Karla had a beautiful ceremony on the beaches of the Clearwater Hilton.  Joanie and Nick always do a great job!  We had some hot sun and everybody got a little sweaty, but I think there's some great photos too!  Here's their sneak peek!