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

I'm gonna take a moment here.....

There has been a lot happening around here lately and I haven't been a properly behaved blogger.  I'm gonna take a moment here and give an update on what's been going on.

First, some Big News!

Every year at the Florida Photographer's Convention there's a HUGE competition among individual photographers, one of the toughest in the country.  There's also a guild vs guild competition called the Interguild Competition.  Each of the 12 sections or guilds in Florida chooses 4 prints from their membership's entries and they are like a team entry for that guild.  It's a tough competition!

Well, I am totally honored to announce that Derica and Myself will BOTH be representing BOTH guilds that we belong to!  We each had a print chosen by Bay Professional Photographers Association and Tampa Area Professional Photographer's Association. 

Just a little more bragging about this:  Last year I was chosen for both guilds as well, I heard that was a very unusual situation and doesn't happen very often......  This year I have it on good authority that this many NEVER have happened before, where a COUPLE was chosen for TWO different guilds!  It truly is an honor and I really hope to not let either guild down.

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OK, on to other happenings.......

So, we do weddings, right?  You might think that's all we do.  Well....... that wouldn't be completely accurate.

We will be introducing some new divisions of Brian C Idocks Photographics very soon.  Here's a taste:

Division #1

The Wedding Studio at Brian C Idocks Photogaphics

Weddings, of course. My way:  Hot, romantic, sexy and fun!

Division #2

Intimates

Boudoir and Pin Up Style Photography.  Think Alberto Vargas for the modern age:  fun and sexy with a timeless character.  This is a passion of Derica's and she brings tons of artistry to the table here.  Just check out this sample image:

How cool is that?

By the way, we are going to offer specials and other incentives to kick this off!

Division #3

Studio D

High School Seniors, Derica Style.  Hip (did I really use that word?), funky, fun and cool.

Division #4

The B Gallery

This division has two parts.  The first part is Custom one of a kind Paintings.  These can be ordered from any of the other divisions or a session can be created for the images.  Here's an example:

This is NOT just some effect or Photoshop trick.  They really are painted into the computer using as close as possible to brush-on-canvas oil painting.  The possibilities are endless!  Paintings are Brian's passion and this division creates one of a kind uniqe art pieces.

Second part:  Brian (me) has a tough time with the whole look-here-and-smile style of family portraits.  He (I) want something more timeless than that.  Don't get me wrong, we do plenty of family photos.  I just have been looking for years for a way to incorporate my intimate, emotional, old world theme into them.  Well, I've found it.  Here's a couple of samples:

Now that's family portraiture I can get into!

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One other BIG Announcement!

There's this organization in Florida called FLORIDA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS, or FPP for short.  One of the best in the country.  This group is dedicated to furthering the profession of photography through education.  My career has never been the same since I joined.  I have had the incredible opportunity to rub elbows with and learn from some of the finest photographers in the business today.

FPP does 4 events per year:

Spring Seminar- A one day intensive workshop on a particular topic or topics.

Florida School-  One of the top week long programs in the country, we get to learn from the best of the best.

Convention- The big one, where we see one of the best Trade Shows and the year's awards are given out.

Fall Seminar- A one day intensive workshop on a particular topic or topics.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Glad you asked........

I am sooooo honored that this year I have been asked to teach the Fall Seminar along with my good friend Sandra Pearce McAuley.  I am going to photograph a bride and groom and demonstrate my use of posing and lighting then make those images into works of art using Digital tools within the computer.  I'm a little nervous, truth be told, but I can't wait to teach!

Sorry for the loooooooooong post, but hey, we had a lot going on!

-B