You being here tells me you have seen my infocard and have an interest in knowing what makes great photography!
This blog is titled "Weddings Are Forever" because it takes a serious range of greatness in anyone that calls himself a "Professional Wedding Photographer" to create stunning, timeless, and jawdropping portraits at weddings! In my very humble opinion... if a "Photographer can create perfect portraits during weddings, he/she can create them anywhere! Weddings are fast, unpredictable and have potential for some of the most beautiful portraits of a persons' lifetime.
The following is what you came for. I have listed the "7 Deadly Sins" that are guaranteed to ruin any type of photography you could hope to be interested in! Watch for these sins with any photographer you meet:
1.) Not having a written and signed 100% Moneyback Guarantee that they are willing to steak they're reputation on!
- Photography is an artform and a discipline equally! An investment in wedding photography should not be an episode of "Fear Factor!" No bride to be should write a check with a shaky hand! You should be entitled to a full refund of your money if some freak accident occurs that costs you from having the joy you are due when your wedding is over and its time to revel in the memories of your portrait album! If your photographer is not willing to give you a written gurantee with his or her signature on it look for one who will! Do you want to end up on a morning court t.v. show battling over a refund? Do it right the first time, find a photographer that is willing to give his all to create the finest work possible!
2.) Not having a Design Consultation before actually carrying out your session!
- Having a design consultation is a very-very critical step in assuring any photographer and subject are"on the same page" - as far as what you are looking for in your images is concerned. This time is spent talking with your photographer about your fears (photographic), expectations, photographer experiences, clothing and style selections. This session also includes the most critical component: facial analysis! Only a very small percentage of "Professional Photograpers" understand this very powerful technique for finding and getting the most out of each and every pose (especially at a hectic wedding!).
- Run from the photogrpher that only sees you the day of the wedding! He has no idea of you, how you are, what you want, how you think, how to please you, or what ticks you off!! I always did better at test where I've put in good study time!
6.) Not being TRAINED in the art of posing!
- Lets destroy the myith right now! Photojournalism is hot right now, but, its not a replacement for beautifull classical portrait photography that has lasted generations upon generations! Its a great style of photography that is best used to keep the images fresh and not all contrived in an album! Beautiful faces need to be seen! Eyes need to sparkle! Although phojournalism is great and I even use it - it can become an addiction! If you dont see any posed portraits... stay away from this photographer! Chances are... he/she'll offer millions of happy meals but no filet mignons! In other words, they will take millions of bad shots, thousands of okay shots and 1 great shot! Photojournalis is best during the action-packed areas of the wedding not the entire wedding be completely candid! This means they have not learned how to pose!
- If your photographer cannot setup a group for a portrait then think of what you will miss out on when all your guest are gone! You miss out on them even being there if it is not a worthy portrait!
- Barely any photographer is just born with the skill to pose! Sorry any photographer and I can fight about this! Posing is part skill and part instinct. Photographers are the more creative type of person and posing is a "left brained" art. There are rules to follow and rules to break! You have to KNOW just when the rule applies and doesn't! If your photographer has not been trained in the art of posing... run! Your album will be nothing but candids! It'll be cheaper to buy 10 digital cameras give to guest tell them to not erase a single picture and just give them the memory cards when its over and hope for the best!
4.) Not being TRIANED in the art of lighting!
- Very simple. If it looks right, shoot it! If it comes out too dark is because you didnt know what you were doing! Thats about the way lighting works for the untrained person! Did you know that there are more than 5 ways that light can be manipulated to yeild unacceptable, acceptable, or stellar results on a camera alone? Better yet... does the photographer you have just hired know this? Listen it takes some real learning to understand the fundamentals of light! Its not rocket science but its not for toddlers either! Try this litmus test. Ask a photographer if he would mind photographing you outdoors at 12:00p.m. on a sunny beach with sand and no equipment but the camera and a tripod - "...to keep everything simple". Tell him, "No equipment whatsoever!" If you get no objections or concerns or hassles... RUN! He understands absolutely nothing about light! It takes training to know that the conditions I just explained are the worst possible ever to photograph under! Finding a trained photographer these days is a very difficult thing, but when you find one... keep him its rare!
Do you remember the portraits of the 50's and 60's? Of course not! The photographers of the 60's probably dont even remember the 60's themselves! One thing about them (old world photographers) that is remarkable, is that they plastered many-a-patron with beautiful wall portraits! Appreciation for the art of photography was at an all time high! Having a real wall portrait is now so rare that when you do see a sofa sized: family portrait, engagement portrait, or wedding portrait people nearly explode! The reality, true photography is not in a wallet, nor on a 1 Hour Photo! By far the most important thing about you portrait is your FACE SIZE! Have you ever seen a great portrait that was a "big" 8x10 and realized that you could only see it when you were either dusting it off or right up on it? Having a framed wall portrait in your home become a status symbol nowadays! The home printer cant to do it professionally, the wall mart 4x6 won't do it, the kodak picture kiosks' 8 x 10 can't, even the kinkos 11 x 14 doesn't have the "right stuff"! Thats the huge seperation between "play pictures" and professional photography. Professional Portrait Photographers of "the old world" had the magic to make such things a reality. What if everytime you ordered a professional portrait package you received a stunning wall portrait? Take my professional advice...look for this most rare of qualities in your wedding photographer (its harder to find than the Leprachaun at the end of the rainbow giving away gold! ).
6.)Not giving you a choice of location or scenery or charging an additional fees for a different locations!
- How on earth does one be a photographer and not love it? Its an art! Its a pure joy to be able to go out and create beautiful portraits that are admired for years and years! Why would a photographer limit his/her potential for great images as well as yours chance! Lazt photographers stay in one location and settle for whatever they get! If you could have as many changes in clothing, makeup, and/or scenery during an engagement session how much more enjoyable your session be?
GET RID OF THAT LAZY PHOTOGRAPHER NOW! It is the lack of will to attempt to be creative that will destroy the mood and productivity of your any type of photography you could ever want! This is the type of photographer that looks for more ways not to do than ways to do! There is a thin line to beware of, do not confuse a cautious photographer with a lazy one. Remember, if your photographer feels uncomfortable, it will show in bad performance! Make sure that during a design consultation that all things that would be willing to be attemped are discussed thoroughly so that there can be no confusion! If you find a photographer willing to let you change as much as you want, go to any location you want and alter your makeup all you want keep him! Thats a winner!
- January 3rd, your family portrait is taken. June 3rd you have a death in the family. The obituary is almost done. You cant find a single portrait suitable. You remember the family portrait session January 3rd you had before he "went home". You contact the studio with all your hopes riding on the fact that you know they have that beautiful portrait. "I'm sorry we only archive your images for 30 days sir. Then we delete/trash them. I'm sorry." Your heartbroke! This may have been a fictional scenario but I know you can imagine it actually has happened in real life! Life happens, for 1/60th of a second you should be captured forever! Not for a 30 day "better-buy-it-or-loose" it clause! Avoid studios and photographers that force you to buy in a limited timespan or you will loose the beautiful portraits that took a lifetime to get to to create!
1.) Griffin Design and Photography has each and every quality you have read about! 1) You are never under any obligation whatsoever! You have a 100% MoneyBack Guarantee for a full refund of all your money if you are unsatisfied for any reason! No excuses! This is written and signed by me with my reputation on it, and, your risk off of it!
2) I will absolutely positively not photograph anyone who or whatsoever without having a design consultation! I never passed any test in my life where I didnt study for the exam first! I wont start gambling with you or my reputation!3) I have been formally trained in the art of posing by Charles J. Lewis, leading photographer of the idwestern United States! This is the #1 difference between the casual photographer and the professional photographer!
4.) I have been trained in lighting basics by Charles J. Lewis, studied the work of Bambi Cantrell - Smith world class leading wedding photojournalist, and Walter Jordan Los Angeles Based Physics Professor resposible for photgraphing over 47 sporting events a year!
5) I believe that what is missing in todays home and what seperates me from every photographer in many areas is the fact that everyone that works with me deserves and recieves a Wall Portrait at no additional charge! I want the joy of photography from the 50's and 60's to return!
6) Griffin Design and Phogotraphy firmly believes that your portraits should be one of the most meaningful things you own! Families have kept portraits for generations, the ones statistically they are more likely to not want to loose if given a choice are the portraits taken at a location that has the most sentimental value in them! Not just the typical studio portrait. G.D. & P. offers a choice of location at no addional expense! Luxury location, no hassles, home no hassles, at work (with permission of course) no hassles! Wherever you have your heart most is where I would like to create your portraits! Not where its simply convienient!
7) Your portraits are archived permanently on cd, dvd, and/or whatever the "next" technological breakthru will be so that for years even your children will be able to trace your bloodline and purchase portraits of they're grandparents (that'll be you) and be amazed at how beautiful you are! This is at no additional charge!For more information contact me at: 323 . 351 . 3142
I know, I know "...But its the digital age" you can email me by clicking this link ---> email me <--- or even look at the bottom of this blog to simply give me feedback on the comments area!Either way you attempt to contact me you wont be under any pressure whatsoever! If you want to know more about how to get the most beautiful portraits possible or whats right or wrong with your current photographer or are even looking for a photographer, give me an email or call and I will be more than happy to help you find what you are looking for at no charge! Have a nice day and thanks again for stopping by!
