Wedding Photography - 6 Creative Shot Ideas for Your Album

As you plan your wedding photography, remember to think about the specific shots you want in your wedding album. While the typical posed shots are pretty and will guarantee that all important friends and family members are photographed, sprinkling your wedding album with some unique images will ensure you will cherish your photos for years to come. Try these special photo opps for images that will shine through the formal poses, capturing the true emotions of the day.

The Big Day

This is the day you have been carefully planning for months, and a lot of preparation is involved. Have your wedding photographer on hand as you primp and the excitement steadily builds. These behind-the scenes-shots at the salon, your parents' house or dressing room will record the nervous joy and anticipation. This is the day; your wedding photography should capture the poignancy of these special moments. Black and white film works perfectly here.

The Dress

You may only wear it once, but this gorgeous compilation of silk and lace is a work of art. Your wedding photographer should capture the masterpiece in all its glory. The perfect way to reveal its essence is to photograph it in its element. Hanging in a window in the dressing room with the sunlight pouring in, your dress will reveal its natural beauty.

Mom and Dad - Letting Go

Your wedding is an emotional day for your parents. They feel a mixture of pride, joy and sadness. Their little girl/boy is all grown up and entering a new stage in life. Capture these emotions and conflicting feelings during the wedding ceremony and throughout the day. Especially make sure your photographer takes a shot of each of them as they focus on you during the ceremony. Even though you won't be watching them as you exchange "I Dos;" these precious images will capture the full force of their emotions.

Just Married

On this busy day, there may be only a few moments when the two of you can steal away and spend time together. But just after you are pronounced "man and wife," the two of you will just have each other. Married at last! Your wedding photographer should not miss those first few moments as a married couple. Try to give yourself a few minutes alone after the ceremony to relax and reflect the significance of the occasion. You will cherish these photos in your wedding album.

Candid Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Your girlfriends. You have laughed together and cried together and shared the gauntlet of emotions together. The images from your wedding day should reflect that special bond that only the best of girlfriends can share. While the line of bridesmaids is a good shot to have in your album, you should capture some more creative photography shots for your photo album. Make sure some of your shots reveal the vibrant personalities of you and your girls. Have your photographer capture the giggles, the private whispers and the carefree hugs and exclamations, for this is the true essence of your friendships. And don't forget the boys; get some creative shots of the groomsmen too!

Away into The Sunset

Get a parting shot of the two of you walking towards your "ever after." One of my favorite versions of this shot: the two of you photographed from a distance, looking towards the horizon. Your new life starts here; the sky is the limit!

For more photography advice, visit the complete wedding photography planning guide at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.

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Wedding Photography Tips - 4 Things Couples Can Do to Improve Their Getting Ready Photos

Most brides and grooms care deeply about their wedding photography, but just don't know how to make their day photo friendly. Any professional photographer should be able to capture beautiful images of your day in any given situation, but there are some tips that make the job a lot easier on your chosen photographer. There are many things you can do while getting ready on your big day to help your photographer deliver the best images to you. Here are a few tips for making your day extra photographer friendly.

Hire hair and makeup artists. Every girl wants to look her best on the big day. While any photographer will tell you that they've seen enough brides to know that every one really is beautiful on their wedding day, professional hair and makeup artists know how to make you look extra camera ready so you will look your absolute best. Hair and makeup translate differently on camera, and these artists will know how to achieve the best look for you.

On the same note, do try to make sure your hair and makeup artists have plenty of time to finish their work. This time can often be underestimated, so discuss this with your vendors beforehand. When hair and makeup run late, your photography and wedding schedule can get thrown off right from the start.

When its time to get dressed, tell your attendants to be already dressed and ready. This goes for both the guys and the girls. Your photographs will look better with a unified bridal party in them and your bridesmaids and groomsmen will thank you for making sure they have clothes on.

Consider getting ready in a hotel room or house rather than a side room at the venue. More often than not, these rooms are small, cramped and not very visually pleasing. You will feel less stressed if you have more space to move around while getting ready as well.

Alyssa Lang is the owner and photographer at Hybrid Photography in San Diego, providing clients with a unique twist on wedding photography by combing vintage and modern, classic and fun, high energy and thoughtfulness. You can visit her San Diego wedding photographer website and see her work at http://www.hybrid-photography.com

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Wedding Photography - Choose A Photogenic Destination For Your Wedding!

Tampa is a truly amazing place any way you look at it, and it is an amazing place to have a wedding. Why is Tampa a great place to have a wedding? Well, there are many great answers to this question but a look at Tampa wedding photography speaks volumes:

Tampa wedding photography is about nature - Tampa is blessed with truly amazing scenery that people come from all over the world to experience. Those fortunate enough to live here know firsthand what an amazing place Tampa truly is. Of course, amazing scenery is a double-edged sword as it can detract from the subjects of any picture if the photographer is not a true professional. Thankfully, there are tons of true experts in the business of Tampa wedding photography.

It is also all about you - As much as Tampa is a place that is all about nature, it is also all about you. We are natural creatures and part of the natural world even though we change nature to conform to our needs. The emphasis on Tampa wedding photography must be on the subjects, which can be a real challenge given how glorious some of the local scenery is. In fact, it is nearly impossible to find a spot to shoot where the background of Tampa is not absolutely stunning.

You are about your stories - A wedding is a love story at its very heart, and every love story is different. Some start with boy meets girl, others start with girl meets boy, and yet others start with man throws shoe at noisy dog only to discover that the dog's owner happens to be his soul mate. No matter how the story started, getting it on film is difficult. Not only are past moments told in looks, but the present tells stories of the future. Good Tampa wedding photography can bring these stories to the surface and beg questions of those who see the finished product.

Your guests have stories too - Of course, the wedding is not just a love story. Love may be the central theme of any Tampa wedding, but there are other stories too. A jealous bridesmaid, a father letting his daughter become a woman, a best man who spent too long on the beach the day before, and many more. These are all stories, and all of them should be captured for posterity. This is what Tampa wedding photography is all about.

Charles Walter loves photographs and photography. Check out Tampa wedding photographer in Florida and fall in love just like Charles.

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Why Start a New Portrait Photography Business?

Firstly - I'm a parent, and there are certain pictures of the children that take center stage, and that's well done portrait photographs. I can stare at them for ages. My mother had little portrait shots covering every available space on her dining room cabinet of friends, children and pets too. Everybody will buy a good portrait photo if if captures a special memory.

Ollie, a good friend of mine, has always loved taking all types of pictures, the walls of his cottage have beautiful prints of shots Ollie and his wife favor mostly, their children - 4yr old beautiful twin girls. As you can imagine there are quite a few pictures of the girls all around. He has a canny way of 'capturing the natural' in his photography. in-fact on first looking at his photographs I thought they were professional prints!

Anyway, Ollie's hobby took center stage. The twins often had friends over to play, and when the parents came to collect their children they saw all the photography. Like myself they assumed they were professional portrait pictures. So when finding out that Ollie took them they would often ask if he would take portraits photographs of their kids. Soon enough he was taking bookings for portraits, christenings even weddings. He was getting very busy just by word of mouth.

I got a call from Ollie one morning, quite out of the blue. He said that he was considering starting a new portrait photography business; to be completely honest I knew he was good but I wasn't sure he could make a living out of it... Until he explained to me, that even I pay $70 for a single portrait picture of my kids. I thought about it for a second and then smiled to myself as I knew that of course it's possible.

So there you have it starting a new portrait photography business can be done quite easily if you have a good camera and a passion for taking pictures. I for one can't resist buying pictures of the people and the animals I love ... Who can?

If your thinking about starting a new portrait photography business have a look at how my good buddy Ollie got his venture off the ground. He essentially works from home now and says he's earning far more than he ever expected. Starting a new portrait photography business even whilst your working, is a great second income.

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Essential Wedding Photography Shots

Your wedding day is one you will never forget, and your wedding photography should be able to capture all those wonderful moments for posterity. Every wedding is different, and should be approached with a fresh view, working with the bride and groom to put together an essential list of shots, as well as brainstorming ideas on the general style of photography they are after.

Before you've even got to the ceremony you might want to think about pre-wedding photography such as engagement and 'save-the-date' shoots. These can be a great opportunity to get to know your wedding photographer before you choose a wedding package, from wedding day photography services, all the way from pre-ceremony preparations to the moment the bride and groom retire for the night! Find a photographer that is adaptable so they can accommodate whatever your choice of photography may be, whether it's traditional and posed or more candid and relaxed - or even a mix of styles so that you come out with a great variety of photographs.

It's a good idea to have in mind a 'core' list of shots to encompass all the main aspects of the wedding, and any additional ideas can be added around these. Here's a sample list to give you an idea of what to talk over with your wedding photographer:

Wedding Preparations:

The bride and groom getting ready in their separate places with the bridal party. This is lovely to look back on and to see what your partner was getting up to beforehand! Shots can include: hair and make up; that all-important doing up of the wedding dress; the groom putting on his tie/accessories; the bride's something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue items; flowers; bridesmaids and groomsmen; parents of the bride and groom and so on.

Arrival at the Ceremony:

The often nervous waiting of the groom and the arrival of the bride are both very poignant moments in any wedding and your wedding photographer should always aim to capture these. There is sometimes plenty of time to get some great shots of guests arriving too, and of course your beautiful ceremony room with all its decorations. Often candid shots of these moments are best, as we can catch the little whispers between bridesmaids, reassurances of the groom and teary-eyes parents in their most natural states.

Wedding Ceremony:

Shots of the groom and groomsmen waiting at the altar, the bridesmaids, flower girls and of course the bride's entrance - all timeless and integral photos you'll want to have in your album. Your wedding photographer can discreetly continue to document your ceremony, including your vows, exchanging of the rings, any readings, music and all those adoring gazes and that first special kiss as a married couple!

After the Ceremony:

Here's where most traditional shots are taken - either outside the ceremony room or in a special location such as a garden or in front of a beautiful view. Aim to have photographs of the bride and groom (of course!) along with their bridal party, each side of the family, friends and perhaps even a huge group shot with all the guests. There are a million and one different combinations here, so try to agree beforehand what the plan is to make sure things run smoothly and quickly (before your cheeks start hurting from smiling so much!).

Reception:

Receptions provide a great opportunity for relaxed, natural photos - there's so much to see! Speeches, cake cutting, guests enjoying themselves, dancing, drinking, chatting, kisses and cuddles... Ask your photographer to try their best to photograph them all, from all your favourite people to all those little details such as centrepieces, the food, decorations and gifts.

Special Locations:

Many receptions and ceremonies are located in beautiful locations and you'll want to take advantage of this to grab some gorgeous photos with the bride and groom. Here's a great opportunity to get lots of couple shots, making the most of that beautiful dress and smart suit and all the lovey dovey looks that will be going on between the happy couple.

Make sure you are happy and comfortable with your wedding photographer, and take the time to make a plan with them before your wedding day to ensure you get the essential wedding shots you want.

We are passionate about our wedding photography, and look forward to the surprises and emotional rollercoaster of each one we attend. We are a pretty unique all-girl team of wedding photographers in Leicestershire and we believe we offer a truly fresh and personalised service. Contact us to find out more about planning your wedding photography and creating your essential list of wedding photography shots.

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The Famous Black and White Photography You Can Afford Now

Famous black and white photography prints go for a lot of money in the art market. Have you ever wished you knew about an artist's work when it was cheap enough for you to invest in before it started going up and up like a red hot stock tip? Well you can. The black and white photographs of Alfred Cheney Johnston, a contemporary of Edward Steichen and Alfred Stieglitz are gaining steam.

Alfred Cheney Johnston was the famed photographer of the Ziegfeld Follies. During his reign with the Follies, Cheney shot some of the most famous and beautiful people in the world - Lillian Gish, the Barrymores, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the Madonna of the Jazz Age - Louise Brooks known by her fans back then and today as just "Lulu".

Cheney shot thousands of stunning black and white photographs. They're stunning because of his fine art training. ACJ started out as an art student in New York City and was a protege of artist Charles Dana Gibson, who created the "Gibson Girl" modeled after his wife. While Cheney was still in art school the medium of photography was gaining ground as an acceptable art medium. It was Gibson who brought Cheney's attention to photography in the first place and encouraged him to explore it as a new way to express his artistry. Thankfully Cheney listened.

During the Jazz Age, before the big stock market crash which triggered the Great Depression of the 1930's, Alfred Cheney Johnston was in great demand. Not only was he photographing all the stars and many of the chorus girls of the Ziegfeld Follies, he was photographing the denizens of Fifth Avenue in the New York City. It wasn't long before Hollywood came calling wanting to hire Cheney to shoot stills of the stars. At one time Johnston was as famous as many of the people he photographed.

The Great Depression brought ruin all across the United States. With money tight, especially for such luxuries as going to Broadway musicals, Flo Ziegfeld was forced to close the Follies. Alfred Cheney Johnston and his wife retreated to an old Connecticut farm where he lived out his life in total obscurity.
Upon Cheney's death thousands of his photographs were discovered in his studio. An old turkey coop was filled with all his glass negatives. The negatives were carted off to the local dump. The black and white photographs were inherited by a close friend. Eventually the entire collection was sold to a photo dealer.

Thanks to the Internet, especially eBay, those stunning black and white prints started being offered for sale on the auction site. As a result Alfred Cheney Johnston's work is slowly regaining its notoriety from the days of the Roaring 20's.

Ava Land is a black and white photography enthusiast. To learn more about collecting the famous black and white photography of Alfred Cheney Johnston at affordable prices visit this link http://alfredcheneyjohnston.com/Photography.htm.

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Bridal Boudoir Photography - First Timers

B-pics are the newest gift for grooms , hot trend amongst brides-to-be , keepsake for loving couples and entertainment for single girls who just want to strut their stuff in front of  the camera.

What are b-pics? 

B-pics are professional boudoir pictures. Inspired by the 1920's, through the 1960's, young brides are hoping to look like glamour girls of the past. Bettie Page, Marilyn Monroe, Bridget Bardot, are just a few of the more popular icons of the times.Professional boudoir photographers are in high demand as the trend for B-pics rises around the world. B-pics are intended to capture the beauty of the female body , female attitude and sexy energy that is within all women. They are intended to seductive, romantic and sexual in nature. Some B-pics may be classy while others can be much more revealing and naughty.

What's the big deal about B-pics? 

The best thing about boudoir photographs as a gift to your boyfriend, lover or husband is that a girl has the opportunity to have professional hair and makeup, professional lighting, professional photography and editing. It's a chance to look like a super model and give the boudoir photographs to your significant other. Many girls are even taking these B-pics for themselves. With social networks like MySpace and Facebook, girls can post their sexy boudoir pictures online for all of their old friends to envy.

What to expect at a boudoir photo shoot? 

Many boudoir photographers work out of small studios, home studios or will travel to your location. Depending on the boudoir photographer you choose,

1. Cost-the cost for profession b-pics can range from $300-$900 for a session.
2. Hair and Makeup-The session generally includes hair and make up, 3-4 outfit changes, professionally edited photos and a cd or prints of the top 20 pictures from your boudoir photo shoot. don't be shy.
3. Outfits-Once you arrive to the photo shoot, you will need to have your outfits with you. Most boudoir photographers do not provide outfits, simply because it would be too difficult to keep an inventory of various sizes and styles available. The photographer will want to see the outfits and start planning the shoot.
4. How Long it Takes-The shoot can take anywhere from 2 hours to 5 hours depending on how many looks you paid for in your boudoir or bridal boudoir package.after your first hair and make up look is complete you will need to get into your sexy little outfit. Many girls go topless, some go naked. It may seem that many of these girls are professional models, because their b-pics look so professional. This is when you have a good boudoir photographer. The right lighting, the right angles and good editing can make you look like a super model.
5. Poses-If you have the right photographer, you will be guided and instructed about posing for your boudoir photos. There are pinup poses, bedroom poses, outdoor poses, laying down, standing up and cupcake poses. It is always best to browse photo galleries online before your boudoir photo shoot to see the type of poses that you feel are attractive. You should also practice poses in your own time before your photo session begins. this helps you to become comfortable and confident with your different looks.

Where to find a boudoir photographer?

 

Many boudoir photographers are going on tour to take pictures in different states. One famous boudoir photographer by the name of Beth Cocuzzi has tours in San Francisco and Las Vegas Regularly. While her home studio is located in Huntington Beach, ca. , many girls can't afford the flight. Many wedding websites like project wedding, the know and wedding bee have forums where girls discuss their personal photo shoots and share their experiences.

How to book a boudoir shoot?

Always be sure to reserve your day with a boudoir photographer at least 30 days in advance. Especially during wedding season, it is recommended to reserve your boudoir shoot 60-90 days in advance. You should always expect to give a non-refundable deposit to reserve your day. 

Last but not least, bring a friend and have fun. If you are having fun with your boudoir photo shoot, the camera will love you. If your B-pics come out amazing, many girls get them professionally bound into leather photo albums called photo books. this is a great way to keep your pictures safe throughout the years.

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