Sample Wedding Announcements

Top Styles of Wedding Invitations

2011-01-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

There are so many styles of wedding invitations available that it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. The invitation will be a keepsake. One day your children will enjoy looking at, so you want it to accurately express you and your fiancé's personality and style.

Knowing the top styles of wedding invitations and how they are used can help you to make your choice. Wedding invitations are available in classic, contemporary, religious and seasonal designs among others. The decision between these styles comes down to personal preference and how each design will go with the theme of your wedding. If, for example, you are getting married in the church you grew up in, wearing your grandmother's wedding gown, you may not want to go with a contemporary invitation. Likewise, an autumn wedding, outside, under a canopy of changing leaves probably calls for a seasonal invitation.

Choosing the paper

The most popular types of paper for invitations may surprise you. For a more casual look consider cotton or linen paper. Each of these papers have their own unique look and feel, If you are unfamiliar with the different types of paper, consider visiting your local bridal shop to look at and touch each type of paper before you make up your mind. For a green, eco-friendly wedding, great looking wedding invitations can be made from recycled paper, not sacrificing any elegance or class.

If your wedding is formal, linen paper is still a good choice. Other types of paper that work well in a formal wedding are parchment, vellum, textured paper and paper with a deckle-edge. Of course, if your wedding is extremely formal, or, if you just have a taste for something different, there are many varieties of handmade and hand-painted paper available that are beautiful and unique.

Choosing the ink

Again, the color of ink that you choose for your invitations is often dictated by the formality of the wedding. The popular choices for casual weddings are black and gray, or one of your wedding colors. For more formal occasions, choosing one of your wedding colors is acceptable, or you may wish to choose a metallic ink, such as copper, gold or silver. The look of a metallic ink, backed by black ink is another popular and attractive choice.

Choosing the font

If you plan to put together do-it-yourself wedding invitations, most kits have several fonts to choose from. While traditional printing methods limit the number of fonts, current technology offers many options for personalizing wedding invitations. Some popular font styles are Antique Roman, Finehand and Rookscript, but the choices here really are endless.

Popular additions

Your invitation choice will affect many parts of your wedding. All of the paper material that will be used at your wedding can be ordered to match your invitations. The list of items that will be included with your invitation adds up quickly. In the envelope with your invitation, you will include a response card and envelope. The envelope is traditionally printed with the bride's address, and includes a stamp, to make responding as simple as possible. You may also want to include a reception card in the invitation envelope. This card will give the details to the reception, and use the same card stock, font and colors as the invitation. If you have guests arriving from out of town, you may also choose to enclose a direction card, providing directions to the ceremony location, and an accommodation card. This is a card for those who will need overnight lodging. It includes information about local choices in hotels, or, if you have secured a special rate at a specific hotel, information on how they should make their reservations.

There are other cards that you will use at your wedding. While these are not included in the invitation, they can also be made to coordinate. A save the date card is a card that goes out early, before the invitation, telling others that an invitation is forthcoming. They are especially useful if you are getting married at a busy time of the year. Thank you cards are an important part of the wedding, and they, too, can be ordered to coordinate with your invitations.

Cards that many people choose to use at their reception include table cards, place cards, escort cards and menu cards. All of these are not necessary, but they add a nice touch. Table cards are used to identify each table and go nicely with escort cards. Escort cards are displayed at the entrance to the reception. Each person finds their escort card, which tells them where they will be seated. The table cards make identifying that location easier. Place cards identify where each person will sit, and menu cards, as the name implies, let your guests know what is on the menu.

Arianna Jordan is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and other family events. Ms. Jordan specializes in writing about specific aspects of a weeding such as the wedding invitations.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How To Plan Your Wedding On A Positive Note

2011-01-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

The complete How-To Wedding Planning guide and workbook. Over 100 key steps and 17 sets of interviews provided with more than 300 questions to ask possible vendors. And an added bonus -"25 Positive Ways to Have a Simple Yet Elegant Wedding"

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Insider Secrets for Planning a Fun Wedding Getaway On Any Budget

2010-12-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

Could It Really Be This Easy And Affordable To Plan A Three-Day Wedding Celebration In An Exotic Destination So Wild And Fun That Your Friends And Family Will Fly In To "Vacation" With You And Return Home With Memories You'll Talk About Forever?

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Save the Date Wedding Invite Refrigerator Magnets

2010-12-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

These great 'Save the Date' refrigerator magnets are all you will need for letting your friends know when that special day is! These are hand written (pen included) so they feel much more personal than a printed form one. Each magnet measures 4.5x6 inches and include envelopes.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Video Secrets:A Professionals Guide for Doing-It-Yourself

2010-12-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

Earn an easy 50% Commisions on this comprehensive do-it-yourself Wedding Video production guide (with audio version Upsell) for couples planning a wedding on a budget. Great bonuses included!

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Yes You Can Create Beautiful Wedding Invitations on a Limited Budget

2010-12-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Planning a wedding can be hard - and expensive. These days it is not unusual for weddings to cost thousands - or even tens of thousands - of dollars, and even seemingly small expenses can easily get out of control. Keeping one eye on the ceremony and one eye on the budget can be quite difficult, and it is important for anyone planning a wedding to set - and stick to - a realistic budget.

Fortunately there are some ways budget conscious brides and grooms can save money without skimping on their dream wedding. Some elements of the wedding, like the wedding invitations, lend themselves well to cost cutting. With a little bit of planning and some creativity you can find wedding invitations that fit your needs and your budget.

Simply shopping around can save you a great deal of money on the wedding invitations you need. These days wedding invitations are available in a variety of different stores, including such diverse venues as department stores and office supply warehouses. By shopping around and doing some smart comparison shopping brides and grooms can get some stunningly beautiful wedding invitations at a bargain price.

When shopping around for the perfect wedding invitations it is important to not overlook the power of the internet. There are many online sources of wedding invitations, and they can often offer prices that are very competitive with their brick and mortar counterparts. Shopping for wedding invitations online can save time as well as money, and many harried wedding planners find it very convenient to order their favorite wedding invitations with just the click of a mouse.

For those who want to save even more money do it yourself wedding invitations may be the answer. There are many wonderful do it yourself wedding invitations on the market, ranging from the simplest wedding invitations to the most elaborate. If you have a creative spirit and a flair of style you may want to try your hand at making your own wedding invitations. Not only will you save money but chances are you will have lots of fun as well.

One of the great things about making your own wedding invitations is the fact that you are free to add your own creative touches to those invitations. For instance, you could add some pressed and dried flowers in your wedding colors to your invitations as a preview of the beautifully decorated church and reception hall. Or you could add some special photographs of you and your spouse to be. You could even create a photo CD or special slideshow for your guests. These special touches can take even the most ordinary wedding invitations and transform them into precious keepsakes your guests will cherish long after the wedding is over.

And best of all these special wedding invitations can be created with even the most limited budget. No matter how casual or formal your wedding celebration may be, the right wedding invitations can make a big difference. So let your style and your creativity show through by choosing the perfect wedding invitations for your big day.

This article was written by Bonnie Conrad for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, baptism invitations, party invitations, and much more.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette Spelled Out

2010-12-27T11:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding invitation etiquette can be hard to learn, especially if you're doing your wedding invitations for the first time without help. Here are some easy, spelled out rules for creating and sending your invitations to make the process easier.

General Invitation Etiquette

If your invitations are whimsical and unusual, the recipients may expect something out of the ordinary. If the invitations are formal, recipients will expect a formal affair. Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before your wedding. The etiquette you use when sending your wedding invitations can also set the tone for your celebration, so it's important to follow a few special pointers for proper invitation etiquette. This will help to keep the peace among your family and friends so that you can enjoy your day without worrying about anyone being left out or offended.

Enclosures Etiquette

The response card is traditionally used for gathering totals for the caterer and getting a general number of guests attending. Save the date cards are not used as a substitute for the wedding invitation and typically mentions that an invitation will follow. Other pieces often included in the ensemble are the reception card or folder, map or direction card, and accommodation information. The recipient is asked to mail back the response card roughly two weeks before the wedding or by the date indicated.

Envelopes Etiquette

When addressing the inner invitation envelope, address it to the individuals you are inviting, ie. John and Mary Smith. Seal n' send wedding invitations many times don't come with envelopes. You fold and address them. If you ordered a seal n' send that doesn't have envelopes, you can usually order envelopes separately from the invitation company. Invitation envelopes can come in several shapes, sizes and colors.

Destination Invitation Etiquette

Stylized fonts can be used to convey the atmosphere you want to have at your wedding - relaxed, formal, or laid back. If you're designing your own invitations, you have a wide range of latitude for choosing colors, styles, fonts, and envelope inserts that will beach your beach theme. If you'd like to have beach wedding invitations or photo wedding invitations, have them designed or create them on your own. This is a great way to make your wedding stand out from the other weddings your guests have been invited to so they are sure to remember your special day.

Homemade Invitation Etiquette

If you are very specific, and you do it in a kind way, people will be more likely to enjoy spending your wedding day with you. It's understandable that you want to cut down on wedding costs, but don't create any bad feelings by not being specific in your invitations. Whether you make your own invitations or have them printed by a professional printer, they should be high in quality and you should proofread them for printing so that embarrassing mistakes can be eliminated. If you have printed the invitations on your home computer, you can print the envelopes by using special calligraphic fonts.

Saving Money Without Losing Etiquette

Whether you use traditional invitation designs or come up with something whimsical of your own, you can save money by finding your wedding invitations online. In the past, wedding invitations had to be printed by a printer who charged a premium for engraving and other services. With the competition of wedding invitation businesses thriving, inexpensive wedding invitations are more easily found online. Invitations can be very costly for many couples unless they are aware where to look.

With these a snap rules, your wedding invitation experience should be easy and your invites should be mailed out without worry.

Great Las Vegas weddings have amazing invitations from VegasWedlock.com. Or try unique wedding invitations from AmericanWedlock.com.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Etiquette Secrets Revealed

2010-12-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

Learn how to plan, manage and adapt etiquette to your wedding that give you a memorable wedding event for your life... Here's part of the topics you will learn inside: * How to properly determine who's doing what. * Discover how to handle invitations and announcements. * Learn the several key elements to remember for the wedding shower. * A step by step guideline of what normal wedding showers include. * Learn all the different things you should include in the invitations. * Discover what else goes in the wedding invitations. and much more...

Price: $8.97

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cathy's Concepts Invitation Kit, Green Floral

2010-12-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

"Create a custom look with these vintage inspired invitations. Invitations are made of 80 lb acid free card stock in a soft ivory color and accented with subtle details of sage green floral prints, borders, and design motifs. Invitation set includes: 50 invitations with center floral motif, 50 invitation envelopes with floral print lining, 50 response cards with sage green double border trim, and 50 response card envelopes with sage green lining, wording examples, and printing test sheets. Green vellum invitation sleeves with floral design are sold separately below and make a stunning addition to this look. Matching programs available. Search for style number PR03. Invitations measure 5.25"" x 8.5"" and response cards measure 5.5"" x 4.25"". As an added feature, you can visit uprint.com for easy to follow instructions for printing and template designs." (SLEEVES SOLD SEPERATE)

Price: $34.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Unique Wedding Invitations and Wedding Stationery For Your Big Day

2010-12-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding invitations can be considered as the starting point of the wedding celebration. Whether formal or unique wedding invitations, the invitation that you send should give your visitors a glimpse of what will happen and how they should prepare for the celebration. You don't want you visitors to come in formal attire at a bikers wedding because you sent out a wedding invitation in a format that is very formal.

Proper wedding invitation wording should be followed as much as possible. Even for the unique wedding invitation wording you should carefully choose the words that you write to give the correct invitation. Complete names should be there if you are inviting a couple, and if they have kids, write down the names of the children as well. A Christian wedding invitation wording most of the time will include all that will be part of the wedding, and you will know what part you will have to play in this wedding in advance because of the invitation. Unlike the wedding shower invitation wording that could be informal since it will be between friends, the wedding program and invitation wording should be the first face of your wedding plans.

This type of wording doesn't spare even the 50th wedding anniversary invitation wording. Since you are formally inviting them to a great celebration, it's just proper to inform them all that they need to prepare for the celebration. The anniversary wedding reception invitation wording should also tell the visitor who they bring and how many.

If you are having trouble with this, you can just go online and look for free wedding invitation wording. Wedding websites will give you samples for a proper card invitation. A good example would be in a garden wedding or the destination wedding invitation wording. A wedding invitation wording example could be your perfect guide to have that great invitation, but remember the wedding invitation wording sample is only a sample, and you still need to be creative.

Other invitation sample unique wedding wording is also available that would inspire you to create some nice words to invoke emotions and let your visitors feel what you would like to happen, and the celebration will go smoothly just as you have anticipated. A wedding planner could also help you keep the etiquette of proper wording while being creative at the same time. A unique wedding invitation wording could also be your best bet for a perfect wedding invitation.

Get more tips and ideas for creating unique wedding invitations for your Big Day. If struggling to find the perfect words for your wedding speech or toast make sure to visit http://www.FreeWeddingToasts.net.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How to Photograph a Wedding

2010-12-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding photography techniques for photographers. Photographing a wedding, find out the secrets of a professional. Includes events and groups. Also 70% for affiliates

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How to Plan an Incredible Wedding on a Budget

2010-12-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

Looking to have an elegant wedding and still have money left over to start of your married life? Want to impress your friends without breaking the bank? Then this workbook filled with ideas to help you save money on a beautiful wedding is for you!

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Quick Wedding Weight Loss

2010-12-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

Pays Full Commission and with this hot seller you will be getting a lot of commission. Quick Wedding Weight Loss is the only program on the market that actually works and helps Brides look the best they can on their Big Day!

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

posh peacock invite - wedding cake

2010-12-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

This Posh peacock invitation cards with pretty "Wedding Cake" printed on it, is a very elite and more personalized way to send invitations for parties and get togethers. You can also use these cards for making any special announcements. These cards are printed on premium 110 lb flat cards in a crisp, classic white paper (either 4.25" x 5.5" or 4.5" x 6.25" cards depending on text). Envelopes are color coordinated to the imagery on cards. White envelope liners are also available at additional cost. Card orientation will depend on the number of lines of text provided (maximum = 10 lines). To see examples of invite and announcement, you can go through other Posh peacock Invites and Announcements. Make your selections and we will follow up to obtain your text and also provide a free digital proof prior to production. Features:

Printed on premium 110 lb flat cards in a crisp, classic white (either 4.25" x 5.5" or 4.5" x 6.25" cards depending on text)
Envelopes are color coordinated to the imagery
White envelope liners are available for an additional 50 cents per piece
Return address printed envelopes are available for additional $1.00 per piece (printed in black, on back flap)
Free digital proof provided prior to production Shipped directly from the designer Gift wrap available.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Loved the Wedding! Invite Me to the Marriage: God Speaks on Marriage and Love

2010-12-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

"WE shall certainly be very happy together!" said Louise to her aunt on the evening before her marriage, and her cheeks glowed with a deeper red, and her eyes shone with delight. When a bride says _we_, it may easily be guessed whom of all persons in the world she means thereby.

"I do not doubt it, dear Louise," replied her aunt. "See only that you _continue_ happy together."

"Oh, who can doubt that we shall continue so! I know myself. I have faults, indeed, but my love for him will correct them. And so long as we love each other, we cannot be unhappy. Our love will never grow old."

"Alas!" sighed her aunt, "thou dost speak like a maiden of nineteen, on the day before her marriage, in the intoxication of wishes fulfilled, of fair hopes and happy omens. Dear child, remember this--_even the heart in time grows cold._ Days will come when the magic of the senses shall fade. And when this enchantment has fled, then it first becomes evident whether we are truly worthy of love. When custom has made familiar the charms that are most attractive, when youthful freshness has died away, and with the brightness of domestic life, more and more shadows have mingled, then, Louise, and not till then, can the wife say of the husband, 'He is worthy of love;' then, first, the husband say of the wife, 'She blooms in imperishable beauty.' But, truly, on the day before marriage, such assertions sound laughable to me."

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Invitation Kit White/Black Pocket 25ct

2010-12-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

This stationery wedding kit contains matching Black & White Pocket invitations, notecards, and envelopes! You get 25 wedding sets with this stationery wedding kit! Invitations measure 5.5" x 7.75". Note cards measure 4.875" x 3.375". Invitations and Note Cards are made from a 127lb cover stock. Wedding Kit includes: 25 Invitations 25 Pockets 25 Pocket Envelopes 100 adhesives to attach invitation to pocket 25 clear seals to seal pocket for sending 25 2-up reception/response cards 25 Response Envelopes

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Silver Hearts Wedding Kit

2010-12-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Simplicity and elegance provide an attractive package for your wedding invitations. A 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" ivory single card has plenty of room for your customized message and is inserted into a beautiful translucent floral invitation jacket and tied with an ivory ribbon. A matching card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") is included to be customized as your response card, reception card or thank you note. Both the 80 lb. heavy card stock invitation and the card come with coordinating envelopes.

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Write your own wedding story

2010-12-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

We offer 60% commission for this quality product! I'm a professional, UK journalist - check out my work at www.gillianrowe.co.uk. Couples planning to create their own wedding album can personalize it with their unique story with our easy-to-follow guide.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Hortense B. Hewitt Wedding Accessories, Item 71404, Beach Umbrella Bridal Shower Invitations, Pack Candle of 25

2010-12-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

Fill-in-the-blank, bridal shower invitations feature a beach umbrella design. Measures 4 5/8 in. x 6 1/4 in. Package of 25 cards and envelopes.

Price: $11.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Classic Borders Wedding Invitation and Response Card Kit - Pearl/White

2010-12-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

Price: $24.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cheap Wedding Invitations - Do-It-Yourself

2010-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

Looking for cheap wedding invitations? One of the easiest, most enjoyable, most personal and yet often overlooked sources of cheap wedding invitations is to make them yourself.

There's never been a better time to make your own wedding invitations. A little creativity, a little time, and you can create a wedding invitation that your friends and family will cherish for years to come. Depending on what you include and how much you do yourself, it's even possible to create your invitations for as little as fifteen to thirty cents a piece.

Before you get started, though, keep in mind that you'll want your invitations to reflect the theme of your wedding. For example, a very formal wedding should include invitations which are equally as formal. This generally translates to engraved black, silver, or gold text against a cream or white paper. No graphics. The text is confined to the right, inside fold of the invitation. Blotter tissue is often used for an added touch of elegance.

For a more casual wedding, invitations should be casual, a little more creative and personal. Graphics are fine in this instance. Calligraphy is often used in place of formal typesetting. Personal touches, such as paper flowers or poems or photographs can be included. If you're wedding is a theme wedding, say perhaps a Victorian theme, then your invitations might include a sheet of lace or elaborate calligraphy or a photograph from the era.

This really is your opportunity to be creative. Cheap wedding invitations do not need to appear cheap, nor do they need to restrict the vision you have for your wedding.

Okay, let's begin with how you can create a formal wedding invitation, doing it yourself and saving dramatically over the cost of sending the job out to a professional printing company. First, you have to decide what you want included. There's the invitation, of course. It's sent in an envelope, which traditionally encloses a second envelope to protect the invitation, though this is no longer considered a necessity. There's the RSVP card, which generally includes its own return envelope. There's a reception card if the reception will be at a different location than the wedding ceremony. And finally, there's a card with directions detailing how to get to the wedding.

Of course, not all of these options are necessary for each and every formal or traditional wedding. You'll have to decide which ones are right for your particular needs and which ones you can comfortably live without.

Now, in creating cheap wedding invitations for a formal wedding, you don't want to be too artsy-craftsy, and you don't want to find yourself facing a huge printing bill. Fortunately, there's an alternative that can give your invitations a very elegant, appropriate appearance while costing very little ... wedding invitation kits.

These come in a wide variety of choices, from beautiful printable invitation sheets ($3.95 for 50) to blank, rich and luxurious card stock ($8.00 for 50). You can find everything from complete seal and send invitations to cotton handmade papers. All you do is complete the design on your computer and run the invitations through your home printer or take them to Kinkos.

These kits can easily be found online simply by doing a search for "wedding invitation kit." You can also find them locally, often at your office supply store or at general retail stores such as Target. To spruce them up even more, pick up tissue paper sheets from your local arts and crafts store, cut up the sheets and include them as blotter paper in your invitations. You may even be able to have them embossed through a service such as Kinkos, though this will add significantly to the overall cost.

For the less formal wedding invitation ... just about anything goes. For instance, a handcrafted card on heavy, cream-colored paper with a sheet of tissue paper is more than sufficient. If you'd like to make it even more personal and unique, you might add a photograph, or have a friend who is skilled at calligraphy write out each card individually. Paper flowers can be a nice touch. Poems, too. Or your own artful design.

Your local craft store should have a variety of wax seals, embossed seals, fine vellum papers, multi-colored ribbons, and other items you can use to make each invitation even more unique and personal. The key is that you're investing your time in place of the often out-of-reach expense of ordered wedding invitations. The end result, however, can be invitations that are truly yours, that friends and family will cherish for years to come.

Cheap wedding invitations don't have to be poorly made, embarrassing representations. In fact, more so than ever before, with a little creativity and smart shopping you can save a small fortune and still have the wedding invitations of your dreams.

Have you considered giving a Chocolate Candy Gift Basket? Discover all your chocolate options at: Chocolate Euphoria.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cathy's Concepts Brown and Ivory Vintage Invitations Kit

2010-12-12T11:14:00.000-08:00

Bring in the warmth of an English countryside with these beautifully crafted Brown & Ivory Vintage Invitation Kits. Uniquely packaged and fashioned in an attractive floral, brown and cream vine design, there's no mistaking the striking appearance these invites create... giving your guests one more reason to "ooh and aww" your big day. And isn't that what it's all about?

Perfect for the do-it-yourself bride, our printable invitations are easy and fun. With only a few simple steps, you can print these invitations on your home computer or at your local printer for only a few cents.

Invitation Kit Includes:

* 30 invitations
* 30 invitation jackets
* 30 invitation envelopes
* 30 invitation seals
* 30 response cards
* 30 response card envelopes
* Test Printing Sheets, Instructions & Template Information

Details:
Size: Invitations measure 5 by 7 inches. Invitation jackets and envelopes measure 5 1/4 by 7 1/4 inches.
Materials: 210 GSM Cardstock

Price: $39.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

TV Guide November 5-11, 2007 Ugly Betty Invites You to The Wedding of the Year America Ferrera, Vannessa Williams,Michael Urie,House,CMAs Preview,POwer Couples

2010-12-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The Printable Wedding Planning Checklist

2010-12-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

The Wedding Planning Checklist was created to help eliminate some of the confusion and fear that something will be missed during your once-in-a-lifetime special day. We understand that you want your wedding day to be perfect. **updated Affiliate Info

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Silver Hearts Set of 100 Thank-You Cards

2010-12-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Invitation and Note Card Kit. Package includes 50 invitations, 50 foil lined invitation envelopes, 50 note cards, 50 note card envelopes and 50 Pearl Rose seals. Size: invitations/5.5" x 7.75" and Note Cards/4.875" x 3.375". Stock: 65 lb text.

Price: $19.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Choosing a Wedding Invitation- The Phenomenon in Hong Kong

2010-12-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

Every couple will try their best to find a unique wedding invitation. This is also the case in Hong Kong. However, couples in Hong Kong often face a dilemma that on one hand they would like to choose some western or modern wedding invitation but on the other hand their parents would like them to have a more traditional design, which is red and gold in color. This may sometimes result in disagreements between the couples and the parents.

Most couples in Hong Kong have a perception that a traditional wedding invitation is something old fashion, choosing such wedding invitations will ruin their perfect wedding. There is no doubt that most "traditional" wedding invitations provided by the printing company (a printing company, not a design firm) looks very old fashion. They are usually red in color with gold color hot stamping contents. They are considered old fashion mainly because all these invitations look very similar.

The only alternative for these "traditional" wedding invitations are what they call "western" style design. There designs are normally white in color, which is totally perfect in the western world. In Chinese culture, however, white color has a meaning of death. People wear white color clothes when their relatives pass away. Without any surprise, the parents will not like this "western designs" and they will ask the couples to go for a traditional red color design.

One may think that these different perceptions between the couple and the parents should not be a problem if they communicate well. Theoretically this proposition should be correct. However, this is usually not the case in reality. The choice of wedding invitation can result in disagreement between the couple and the parents.

A real case is that there was a couple who loved the white color "western" style wedding invitation design. They ordered and had the invitations done without even informing their parents. After everything was finished, their parents were furious when they saw the white color wedding invitation.

The couple was really in a dilemma since they had never thought that their parents would not like the white color wedding invitation. They tried their best to persuade their parents but eventually they surrendered and made the wedding invitation once again.

In fact many couples admit that they are not really fond of the white color "western" style wedding invitation very much. The reason behind the decision of choosing the white color invitation is that they do not like the traditional red color design. It is probably because these wedding cards look very similar and it seems that there is no choice for a couple even if they would like to go for a red color design.

This is mainly because these red color cards are not properly designed and they are only provided by printing companies, which are not obsessed to produce high quality wedding invitation designs. Professional designers should be able to help to produce more refined red color wedding invitations.

For example, a wedding invitation can be designed such that it is basically red in color, which is treated as a folder containing all the cards, and the cards (invitation card, RSVP etc.) are gold in color. This idea of folder is very common in UK or US. They can be easily seen from wedding invitation providers' websites. However, they are very rare in Hong Kong. With this "East meets West" treatment, a couple can get a unique and beautiful wedding invitation and it can at the same time fulfill the requirement of red color by the parents.

From this example we understand that the wedding invitation providers should start change the way of doing business. In the past a printing company was just focusing on printing something that other companies printed. With the higher expectation of the couples, these companies should work with professional designers to create more unique wedding invitations.

These wedding invitations should be on one hand creative and unique and on the other hand in line with Chinese culture and traditions. In fact some wedding invitation providers in Hong Kong have already started to explore this possibility. With these designs, the requirements of both the couple and the parents will be fulfilled. The wedding invitation designs from Hong Kong may also become a choice of couples in other places around the world, since these designs combine the cultures and traditions from both East and West.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. He designs unique Wedding Invitations in different styles. Besides, he runs A Wedding Blog to share wedding tips. You can also find lists of wedding vendors from his Wedding Directory Websites.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cathy's Concepts Pearl Border Invitation Kit, Ivory

2010-12-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

IN02 Features: -Invitation kit includes 50 invitations, 50 matching invitation envelopes, 50 response cards, 50 response card envelopes, test printing sheets, instructions and template information. -Invitation kit. -Wedding collection. -Ivory color with ivory pearl satin trim. -Material: Cardstock. -Invitation has a 0.5'' border. -With only a few simple steps these invitations can be printed on home computer or at any local printer. Specifications: -Invitation card dimensions: 5.5'' W x 8.5'' D. -Response card dimensions: 4.25'' W x 5.5'' D.

Price: $34.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Love's First Dance Personalized Wedding Invitations

2010-12-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

It?s never a surprise when a bride wants the perfect wedding with the perfect wedding invitations and the perfect wedding ensemble. Who could blame her? It?s a big and special day, and it deserves to be classy and elegant, but totally affordable. 123Print offers cheap wedding invitations and wedding shower invitations all for an affordable price. Customize wedding invitations by 123Print by choosing your wedding colors for the wedding invites, customizing the text, or adding an image that matches you and your significant other?s personality and style. 123Print brings high-quality, full-color, professional printing with artist-created designs you can customize right to your computer. As a leader in internet-based printing; 123Print is pleased to make ordering custom wedding invitations as easy and affordable as possible and stands behind its products with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How to Plan Your Fabulous Wedding?

2010-12-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

A Simple, Step-By-Step Guide To Throwing The Most Unforgettable Wedding - And Learn How You Can Avoid All The Unnecessary Hassle In The Making Of Your Wedding!

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

What You Need To Know About Wedding Invitations

2010-12-04T11:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding invitations speak volumes about the soon-to-be-wed couple and their families. The invitations also offer a preview of the nuptials and give away the general tone of the wedding. At this point, couples should make a good impression already and these tips can go a long way.

Wedding Invitations with Character

Bridal couples want to make a positive buzz with their wedding invitations. Like the search for the perfect wedding everything, invitations have to be chosen for their visual appeal, creativity, quality, and uniqueness. The choice will depend on the couple's lifestyle and budget. But the bride makes the major moves when it comes to the conceptualization of the invitations.

If you want the prettiest but functional invitations, take note of the following:

* Decide the budget for the invitations.

* Agree on the number of invitations to be printed or hand-made.

* Decide if you're getting a combination of wedding and reception invitation or separates.

* Decide the theme of the wedding and subsequently, the invitations to match.

* Consider personal family situations for the proper wordings in the invitations (e.g. divorced parents, single or solo parents, and widows or widowers).

Traditional and Non-Traditional Wedding Invitations

For traditional, informal weddings, and destination weddings, the invitation bears the stamp of the occasion's theme. Invitations can be costly or affordable and ordered from a catalogue or custom-made.

For a lavish wedding with some 250 guests, the invitations should be the grander sort, but for small weddings where only family members and close friends are invited to the wedding and reception, couples can opt to make their own invitations.

Couples can even send their invitations through the Internet, which the recipient can print and acknowledge through the World Wide Web. But a starry-eyed bride would like to have a keepsake for everything about the wedding, and invitations and wedding stationeries are not exempted.

This sentimentality is understandable because the invitations bear the important wedding information such as names of the couple to be wed, date and venue of the marriage, and the person/s hosting the wedding.

The wedding invitations could be designed according to the following:

* Traditional design of formal script and centered lay-out.

* Horizontal lay-out with the couple's photo.

* Use of color for emphasis as in color reversals (e.g. blue paper and golden scripts).

* The modern look of bright colors and angled text or contrasting colors.

* Framed invitations.

* Single raised paneled cards.

* Invitations with pressed flowers for effect.

* Scrolled invitations.

* Invitations with wax and seal.

You also have to decide on the kind of paper for the invitations to contribute to the excitement and expectation of the wedding ceremony and celebrations.

Considerations before Ordering Invitations

Couples considering ordering their invitations should have a final list of people to be invited. They would incur more expense for additional invitations. Other precautions when ordering invitations include:

* All names should be properly checked before printing.

* Titles of individuals should be accurate.

* Appropriate wordings.

Appropriate wordings should be selected carefully for different cases - one set or two sets of parents hosting the wedding, the couple spending for the wedding, or one set of parents funding the wedding but would like to include the other set of parents in the invitations. Also, to be carefully worded are titles for divorced and remarried parents.

Wedding invitations should stand out to match stunning wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Visit BestForBrides.com for your bridal finery and wedding needs.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Free Samples Of Wedding Invitations

2010-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding invitation explicitly sets the tone of the nuptial ceremony. Make your marriage an exotic grand affair in every possible way starting from wedding invitation. Wedding invitation should captivate the attention of the guests. It must convey an impression of the pomp and grandeur of the gala event.

Thousands of invitation companies have started mushrooming in order to meet the demands of millions of couples tying their knot each year. A sneak peck at the wedding invitation will give the guests a brief idea about the type of attire they should wear and what gifts they should bring. It allows the guests to get a schedule and directions they may require for the events of the day like venue, time and additional events.

It is advised to come up with the sample of wedding invitation before placing the final order. If you have a sample of wedding invitation you will have the option of choosing the formal and the informal design and the appropriate words which will narrate the unique event.

You must consider certain things in your wedding invitation sample before placing the order:

Referrals:

Friends and family members who have been recently married will be the best source of information about your wedding related quarries. Feel free to ask them who did the invitation and check their sample of wedding invitation. You must know about the charge per piece. Quality of service provided by the invitation maker is yet another factor you must consider. Were they satisfied with the ultimate results is also an important question.

Research:

Gather information about the wedding invitation sample via internet. Surprisingly, you will find a number of websites that will provide comprehensive information about the samples. You will get details like descriptions of materials and prices of the sample wedding invitation. The best way is to jot down the online details of materials and then find out the actual sample from the store. This will make your task much easier. It is also advisable to study the style types of the wedding invitation sample in order to choose the perfect one. These invitation styles may be personalized, embossed and thermographed.

Customization:

Just find out the necessary information like whether that particular invitation company will allow customization. We all have a tendency to look for invitation that will reflect our unique wedding ceremony and not a mere common invitation. Just have a talk with them about how far they will allow you to customize. Another important question is to find out if the invitation company will allow you to select your materials and words that will appropriately match your invitation. You can also clarify whether they will offer special invitation requests like calligraphy or special cuts on the invitation text.

Etiquette:

There are few companies that will render you the opportunity to come up with your own innovative designs and invitation words. However, listen to their advices about the wording samples of wedding invitation. The invitation company will have more idea about accurate phrasing of the invitation. Often different wordings are used by the company when one set of parents are divorced.

Homemade:

You can also opt for a self-made invitation. It requires a lot of research on wedding invitation sample wordings and materials in order to prepare your own self-made invitation.

Mailing:

Proofreading is necessary before mailing invitations. Just check and cross-check the wording of the wedding invitation and also persuade a friend to have a look at the invitation. It is essential that your guests must receive the invitation on time. Just mail them at least four to six weeks before the occasion. If you need to mail overseas you must mail at least eight weeks before the event.

Your wedding invitation does not have to be gorgeous to delight the guests. It must have a professional touch to alleviate the style and theme to shape the wedding invitation of your dreams.

Kevin Lampard is the founder of Wedding Galore. To get more information on Free Samples of Wedding Invitations please visit http://www.weddinggalore.co.uk

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Which Font Should You Use For Your Wedding Invitations?

2010-12-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

It is your wedding day, and you want everything to be perfect, but do not overlook the items you need in the months leading up to your wedding. In particular, choosing the best wedding invitation can be the backbone to a great wedding planning experience. Most companies allow you to personalize the wedding invitations according to your specific preferences. When that is the case, choosing a font can be extremely overwhelming. Here is how to pick the right font for your wedding invitations:

Choose a font that makes sense for your wedding's theme. If your wedding has a clear theme, having a font that falls in line with that theme is a good idea. For example, if your theme is a tropical or island wedding, you may want to choose a font that resembles the waves or ocean. If your wedding does not have such a clear-cut theme, you can still pick a font that works with the mood. For example, if your wedding is classic and elegant, use a classic, elegant script font, while if your wedding is modern, and use a modern, clean font.

Ask about pricing. Sometimes, certain general fonts are included in the overall pricing, while special fonts cost more. So, before you design the wedding invitation of your dreams, look at the costs. For couples on a budget, sticking to one of the more general fonts might be the best bet.

Look at a mock-up if possible. Sometimes the prettiest fonts do not work well for your specific invitation because of the spacing. For example, if you italicize a font, it might move one of the words to the next line, pushing all of your words and throwing off the design. In addition, a size in one font might not be the same size as another font, even if they are the same number. If possible, look at a version of the invitation with your preferred font to ensure that the spacing and sizing work with your design.

Consider multiple fonts. Again, pricing matters, but sometimes the best font choice is to use multiple fonts. Remember that your names should be the main attraction, but make sure that the date, time, and place are all easy to read. Using multiple fonts is sometimes more expensive, but that depends on where you order your wedding invitations.

Search the Internet for font ideas. If you are designing your own wedding invitations, you often do not have to be inhibited by the fonts that are already on your computer. There are thousands of websites that offer free fonts that you can download, and thousands more that sell fonts for extremely low prices.

Have a font designed for you and your significant other. This option is undoubtedly the most expensive, but there are graphic designers that can design a font specifically for you and your finance. Graphic designers are expensive, but if you purchase a font, you will own it. This allows you to use the font for anything you like. You can meet with a graphic designer, talk about fonts you like and do not like, and come up with a perfect font for you.

Start looking early. Try not wait until the last minute to start looking for your wedding invitations. It can take a few weeks or even months to have your wedding invitations shipped to you. You have to send them out with enough time for your guests to make plans and reply - and if you have a destination wedding that requires extensive invitations, you have to send them out even sooner. If you wait until the last minute to order, you may only have stock font options.

If you are having a hard time deciding what looks best, consider sticking to the stock font that comes with the wedding invitation you have chosen. Do not automatically assume that your wedding invitation looks cheap or generic after choosing these options. In actuality, highly paid designers are usually the people responsible for the wedding invitation fonts and designs that are available. You can rest assured that they have made beautiful design choices. So, instead of putting the pressure on yourself to choose an amazing wedding invitation font, consider simply using what the original designer recommended. As an added bonus, going with that option may typically be the least expensive choice!

Your wedding invitations are important to your wedding because they provide valuable information to your guests. These invitations should reflect the couple; therefore, you should carefully consider the font that is chosen. For some people, wedding invitations are last-minute afterthoughts. However, when you choose your wedding invitation, you set the tone for your entire wedding. If you make a great font choice, the stage should be set for a great wedding day.

Cynthia Andrews is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and family events, often focusing on a specific aspect of the event such as wedding invitations.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How To Choose Your Wedding Invitations With Ease

2010-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Your wedding invitations are the first thing your guest will see with regards to your special day. Choosing them will be a very important part of the marriage process. Choose with style and great care. Ask yourself?, what do you want your guests impression to be of your big day? What do you want to express to them with regards to it? Express yourself and your fiancee through your invitations.

First off you need to make your guest list. This will be to determine how many invitations should be ordered. You would be wise to order an additional 25 - 50 invitations over the amount of guests you have listed on your guest list. You should count every couple and single guest, parents, clergy and also their guests. All children over 16 should also receive an invitation. Give yourself plenty of time as well as the designer you have chosen. Your invitations should be ordered well in advance give or take four to six months. This will ensure less stress for you in the long run.

The invitation should be chosen carefully and thoughtfully, as it will give the perspective guests a brief preview of what to expect of the wedding. Selecting the right materials to use whether it's the paper, style, wording or font all add to the important process of planning the perfect wedding.

Secondly your theme and colours of the wedding should be incorporated into the final design, whether you decide on a more traditional approach or a more unique and contemporary design it should compliment your own personal tastes. Many more brides today are choosing to go with the more unique invitations as a way of self expression. Once upon a time pure white and cream were traditionally used, now there is no limit on the colours and designs being included on wedding invitations. Flowers and bells are extremely common yet always the favorite for couples who wish for their wedding invitations to be as elaborate as possible. Now brides have a choice of more color styles, font styles and paper options. Choose with care. Is your wedding going to be timelessly traditional and formal, or contemporary and unique? Whatever your style make it your expression of your wedding day.

Thirdly. Choose your font style, text style and color. Old English and Roman Capitals are were once favored for effectiveness and clarity, now it is almost limitless as to your options. There are hundreds of font styles to choose from. Make sure it matches your invitation theme. For instance, you wouldn't want an informal outdoors wedding invitation to depict French Script or say, Wedding Text script. Make sure the two work well together. Ink color should also match the basic design or the border color as well. Wedding invitations should generally consist of 10 - 14 lines. If they exceed this then the font chosen should be less elaborate but if there is not much wording then fill the invitation with a different font style. Make it a full bodied font. There are even more numerous types of embellishments one can add to their invitations as well. Many brides opt for ribbons, pictures of the bride and groom, crystals and many more. Express yourselves through your invitations.

Fourth, choosing your wedding invitation wording. Do you want to add both sets of parents to the wording? Would you like it to have a poem added before the invite wording? Something else to consider is this. If you have children are you planning on them being in the wedding? If so you might would like to add their names to the invitation as well. More wedding invitation experts should be able to provide you with this type of wording. I have seen more and more invites (as well as designed them myself) by incorporating the children's name into them. Especially if you and your groom plan on having the children light the unity candles, do sand ceremonies and such.

Fifth, ask your wedding invitations vendor for references. Why you ask? No one is perfect!! This will provide you with a better peace of mind that you are choosing the right person for the job. Brides love to talk about their weddings, so ask them how the printer done. Did they provide your invitations timely as was stated to them? Were there any grammar errors? Were they pleasant to deal with? Did they provide them with several options to choose from? Does your invitations person provide you with a picture of your invitation to check for errors? Do they mail you one for this to be checked? Which would you prefer? If it is a reputable invitations expert they should be happy to provide you with references and any information you should request. They should also provide this to you in a timely manner.

Lastly, try to order your invitation sets well in advance. Most invitation designers would prefer about 4 - 6 months of time. If at all possible allow them this. Your invitations should be mailed out to your guests about 4 - 6 weeks prior to your wedding day. This allows time for your guests to make any arrangements needed to attend your wedding. If you are inviting guests from out of town or out of state, it might be a good idea to mail their invites out about 8 weeks in advance.

Enjoy your time choosing the perfect wedding invitations ensemble. Your invitations person should make this as stress free for you as possible. Remember to express yourself and your day through your invitations. And always remember that if you allow yourself plenty of time for choosing the perfect invite, that you have also managed to make this part of your wedding planning process less stressful and more enjoyable for yourself as well as your future husband.

Wishing each bride to be a wonderful and happy shopping experience.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The 5 Step Wedding Speech Course

2010-11-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

A completely unique way of writing wedding speeches. Nothing else like it on CB. High value for your clients with video and audio versions in production right now.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How to Address Your Wedding Invitation Envelopes

2010-11-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

Too often, couples excitedly rush home after picking up their unique wedding invitations to send them out to their friends and family only to realize they do not know how to address the wedding invitation envelopes properly! It is very important to address the envelopes according to wedding invitation etiquette as some wedding guests may take offense if they are not address properly. There are many different situations that will affect how you address each guest.

Double Envelopes for the wedding Invitations

Traditionally, wedding invitations are enclosed in two envelopes. The wedding invitation card is placed into an "inner" envelope, and this envelope is placed in an "outer" envelope. The double envelopes protect the invitations and When the wedding invitation goes through the mail, the outer envelope may become dirty and possibly damaged. The inner envelope remains undamaged so that your guests will receive their invitations in a clean envelope. On the outer envelope, you would print the names full names and titles of the invitees and the address the package is going to and on the inner envelope, you would only list the names of the guests. Usually guests would use a letter opener and cut open the outer envelope and discard it while keeping the clean inner envelope with their names on it with the invitation inside. Parent's names are listed first then list the children's first names on the next line of the outer envelope from oldest to youngest. If you do not want children at your wedding, omit their names from the inner and outer envelope. If there is an individual with an occupational title their name should always be listed first, regardless of sex. When inviting unmarried couples, address the invite to the person you know best, regardless of sex.

Single Envelopes the Wedding Invitations

In the interest of saving paper and money, many brides and grooms send out their wedding invitations in one envelope only. This is a viable

option because most modern wedding invitations are designed to be folded or made out of thicker cardstocks and heavier materials, so the wedding invitation card is protected. It has also become a readily accepted practice then it was in the past. When addressing the wedding invitation envelope, you would print names of the guests and the addresses right on the one envelope.

Who gets a Wedding Invitation?

If you are inviting a family with teenagers over 16 years of age, they are required to receive their own separate invitation even if they live

with their parents. Your officiant, parents and bridal party require a wedding invitation as well - this is not the place to save money!

Method of print

The correct way to address your wedding invitation envelopes according to traditional etiquette is to hand write each address yourself. This task, although time consuming, shows your guests that you have taken the time and effort to personally invite them. A lot of brides choose to hire a calligrapher to address their envelopes as it is highly regarded, adds an element of beauty to the wedding invitations and will often save brides some time. However, this option can by costly. It is a good idea to inquire with your wedding invitation company if they are able to print the guest addresses directly on the envelope using a calligraphic font instead. Another option that is least accepted way to address your envelopes, according to traditional etiquette, is to print clear labels and stick them to the envelope. This has become a popular method as it is cost efficient and convenient.

How to Address the Envelopes

Here is a list of examples to follow when addressing each envelope.

Married Couple:

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Brown

Married Couple - Wife is a Doctor:

Dr. Rebecca Shapiro and Mr. Bradley Joseph

Married Couple - Husband is a Doctor:

Outer: Dr. Philip and Mrs. McGraw

Married Couple - 2 Doctors with the same last name:

The Doctors Brown or Drs. Bill and Mary Brown

Single Friend and unknown guest:

Mr. Jack DiCaprio and Guest

Parents and all children:

Mr. and Mrs. Willard Smith

Trey, Jaden and Willow

Adult Brother and Sister living at the same address

Mr. Wayne Cummings and Miss Rose Cummings

Unmarried couple that live together - Put names on separate lines

Miss Helen White

Mr. Charles Poker

Single Woman

Miss Betty Lars

Divorced or Widowed Woman with Children

Mrs. or MS. Linda Chang

John and May

Priest

Father John O'Malley

Rabbi

Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Zuckerman

Elected Officials (Governor, Mayor, Judge, etc...)

Senator Hillary Clinton and Mr. William Clinton

For more information please visit http://www.stephita.com

Author: Stephanie Wong
owner and chief designer for Stephita Wedding Invitations and Stationery.
http://www.stephita.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Invites Magazine and DVD (Make your own wedding stationary, Volume 1 2010)

2010-11-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Is a Beach Wedding Invitation Different From Normal?

2010-11-27T11:14:00.000-08:00

A beach wedding is certainly full of fun. In a beach wedding, it will be a lot less formal. Both of the couple and also the guests may walk on the beach with their bare foot. The sea and the blue sky certainly form an extremely beautiful picture. The sound of waves from the sea is the most perfect wedding music. The guests can also dress causally. They do not need to put a tie or formal dress on. This is why beach weddings become more and more popular.

As a beach wedding should be less formal than other form of weddings, one may ask if the wedding invitation should also be less formal, or somehow causal. In fact there is no definite answer about this question. Even if a beach wedding is planned, a formal invitation can also be chosen. However, it may render more fun if a more informal invitation is chosen.

One simple idea of a less formal invitation for a beach wedding is to put some seashell patterns on the wedding card. Embossing will certainly a perfect choice. What is good about embossing is that the guests can "feel" the seashell patterns by their hand. Alternatively, you can print images of seashells on the card.

If you would like to have even more fun and meaning for your beach wedding invitation. You can put real seashell into the wedding invitation. The easiest way is to put a seashell in each envelope. You can also treat the invitation as a sculpture such that the invitation itself is a seashell made from plaster.

The idea of a plaster seashell as a wedding invitation should be very interesting. However, such a sculpture will render difficulties in sending the invitation. You will need to prepare for a higher mailing cost.

If you find this idea of seashell sculpture is too difficult for you to handle, you may try an easier idea. You can put a little bit of sand into the wedding invitation. The most convenient way is to stick a layer of sand on the invitation card such that every guest will know there will be a beach wedding without reading the details of the wedding.

Besides sticking a layer of sand on the wedding card, a very tiny bottle of sand may also work. You can treat the bottle of sand as a entry ticket and the guests have to bring the bottles in order to attend the wedding ceremony and reception. What is good about this idea tiny bottles is that you can get a three dimensional wedding invitation and at the same time it is not too difficult to send them out.

A third idea, and it may be the easiest way to make the wedding invitation, is to draw a cartoon of the beach you are going to have the wedding reception. A beach wedding is meant to be funny and joyful and it is totally alright to have a wedding invitation with funny cartoons on it. If you are good at drawing, you can even draw the cartoon yourself. This will make the wedding card even more meaningful.

Apart from the invitation, the same cartoon drawing can be printed as tickets for the "permission" for the guests to walk on the beach with their bare foot. This can make more fun out both of the wedding invitation and the wedding reception.

If you do not want the invitation to be a cartoon wedding card, you can try to take a photo of the beach you are going to have the wedding reception. Then you can print the photo onto the wedding invitation. A black and white photo will be extremely perfect for the invitation. This black and white photo delivers a sense of romance to guests.

You can also work as the models in the photo. It can be a photo depicting the idea that you two are walking on the beach. It can be also something like a snapshot, depicting a happy moment of both of you on the beach.

Indeed there are a lot more beach wedding idea online. You can just let your imagination fly and you can get the most creative idea, if not the craziest, for you beach wedding invitation.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Ministers Guide To Wedding Ceremonies

2010-11-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

Design Elegant Wedding Ceremonies and Select from Many Beautiful Traditional and Contemporary Vows and Special Readings. Also Learn a Proven System for Conducting Rehearsals. Article: How to Conduct a Rehearsal in 30 Minutes or Less.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How to Plan a Wedding: The Ultimate Wedding Planner

2010-11-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

Saving You A Ton Of Money! I will eliminate your headaches & show you how to plan a wedding, providing a step-by-step system that painlessly and effectively counts down to your Dream Wedding Day filling in all the details just one little piece at a time.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cheap Wedding Invitations - How to Save Money on Printing

2010-11-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here's the dilemma with cheap wedding invitations ... a wedding invitation not only offers your guests a first impression of what to expect from your wedding, it provides your guests with a fond keepsake. So how can you avoid paying a fortune for your wedding invitations and still portray the elegance and personal touch you want for your wedding?

That's what we're going to address in this article.

Only a couple of years ago, the average wedding invitation order was for 150 invitations. The resulting bill, not including tax and shipping, was approximately $450 or around $3.00 per invitation. Now, if you're set on cheap wedding invitations, the total cost can obviously be controlled by reducing the number of invitations you send. However, this only extends so far before the printing expense per invitation begins to rise (the fewer you print, the more it costs per invitation).

So, begin by thinking in terms of how many people you want to attend your wedding. Not only will you save on invitations, but you'll save on catering, alcohol, hall rental, and more with a smaller group.

I know, I know ... I can hear the objections from here.

I'm not saying you have to trim the size of your guest list. I'm simply saying that it's something you might want to consider.

So let's get back to your wedding invitations (regardless of the size of your guest list) ...

As with all the various elements of your wedding, the invitations should reflect the theme. If you're planning an informal wedding ceremony and reception, your invitations should be informal. If you're planning an elegant wedding, your invitations should be elegant. Colors are also a consideration. Ecru is the most traditional wedding color, if you have other colors in mind for your theme, you might look for an invitation with colored accents or ink.

In any case, even under the constraints of a budget, cheap wedding invitations can still be an option. The more elegant and stylish, however, the more your ingenuity and creativity will need to come into play.

Generally, the cheapest wedding invitations you can order through a printer will be non-fold, single cards with text and no graphics or decorations (monograms, gold leafing, etc.). However, you'll also need to decide if you're going to include an RSVP card, a reception card, directions, etc. You'll need to determine the wording to be included in the invitation, plus the typestyle, paper stock, and envelopes.

These are just some of the decisions that can impact your budget.

Here are some tips that can help you keep the cost of ordering wedding invitations down:

- Engraving is an expensive option. You can achieve that same "raised print" effect by using thermography instead. Plus, it's much cheaper.

- Use a single envelope. There was a time when a wedding invitation arrived inside an envelope, which was inside a second, protective envelope. Two envelopes really aren't necessary. Save yourself the added expense.

- Eliminate the blotter tissue. These were originally for the purpose of preventing ink smears. However, wet ink is no longer an issue, and therefore the tissues are no longer necessary.

- Avoid using colored ink.

- Use return address labels on the back of the mailing envelope. This will save you the expense of having your return address printed directly on the envelope.

- Use a simple postcard in place of the traditional RSVP card. It will not only reduce your printing expenses, it will reduce your postage expenses as well.

- Finally, take the time and effort to track down an online wholesaler or a discounter for your wedding invitations. This can potentially save you as much as 35%.

A beautiful, elegant wedding invitation doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, cheap wedding invitations can often capture the same magic and artistry as the more expensive invitations. You simply have to know what you want and be willing to take the time to make wise, cost-cutting decisions whenever possible.

Have you considered giving a Chocolate Candy Gift Basket? Discover all your chocolate options at: Chocolate Euphoria.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

50% Comm on Diy Wedding Cupcakes Video

2010-11-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

Instant step by step video show you how to create your own wedding cupcakes. No more expensive wedding cupcakes. This video is packed with more than 53 minutes of practical demonstrations.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Your Perfect Wedding

2010-11-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

Awesome wedding product that effortlessly sells to brides. Fantastic conversions - Just check out the sales page. All the resources you need here: http://planyourperfectweddingday.com/affiliates.ht ml

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Invitation Tips

2010-11-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that having a wedding and getting married is a very important decision. Every step has to be planned properly in order for the wedding to go and smooth and effortlessly as possible. Many people are often overtaken by the amount of decisions that have to be made and how each decision impacts on other aspects of the wedding. When most people think about marriage or having a wedding, some of the things that come to mind right away are the wedding location and the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses.

It is often easy to over look the smaller but still very important aspects of having a wedding or getting married if it is your first time. A lot of soon to be wed couples might choose to hire a wedding consultant or wedding planner to help them along the way. There are many excellent wedding planners and consultants available especially in Toronto. Canada is general is a very diverse country but Toronto being one of the most multicultural cities in the world is home to wedding planners and consultants from almost any background. For those brave couples that choose to plan their wedding by themselves, it is very important to not over look anything because it can cost you much more later on trying to get those things remedied in time.

A small but very important part of many weddings are the wedding invitations. After all, how will your guests know that there is going to be a wedding up? They will need to plan for it and take the necessary steps to be at the wedding. Wedding invitations not only serve as an announcement though, wedding invitations also help you to plan your wedding location, seating arrangements, transportation, accommodation and a lot of other aspects once you know how many of your guests will be able to attend the wedding.

Once you decide when you will start sending out wedding invitations, a lot of other decisions need to be made and other options explored. Wedding invitations can be extremely professional and beautiful looking works. There are so many customization options available, from the type of paper you choose for your wedding invitations along with the stock and thickness, the colours, the texture, whether is it glossy or not. Some non-traditional options such as a matte finish or smoked glass look can also help set your wedding invitations apart and make your guests feel like they are apart of a very special event.

The colour of your wedding invitation and even the patterns, borders or crests can all work together to tie into your big wedding day nicely. A wedding invitation can be a precursor to what the theme of the wedding will be like and what colours may be used. Wedding invitations can look very professional whether you choose to just have beautiful scripted text or whether you also want to include a photo of the soon to be wed couple.

A wedding invitation does not only have to be a wedding invitation with the proper type of planning and thought that should go into it.

Make all aspects or your wedding come together beautifully, from the location, the banners, the wedding dress colour, the bridesmaid colours, the table decorations and of course the wedding invitations.

Wedding Invitations in Toronto
Wedding Invitation Design and PrintingToronto we specialize in individually tailored Wedding Photography, Videos and DVD's, offering an experienced, highly professional and affordable service. for more info visit: http://www.videobabylon.ca/wedding-invitation.html

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Photo Tips For Wedding Guests

2010-11-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

How can you let your guests get great shots at the wedding while helping your wedding photojournalist get his or hers as well? Fortunately, the two goals are not mutually exclusive. A few WPJA members weigh in with professional tips and techniques that your wedding guests can use to kick their personal photos up a few notches, while ensuring that their efforts will not detract from the ?official? photos produced by the hired photographer.

Do you know how to turn off the flash on your personal camera, or change its settings to best suit the lighting at a given moment? What about your guests? Encourage them to get to know their cameras if you know they?ll want to play shutterbug at the wedding.

?I often turn my flash off; it kills most pictures,? says wedding photographer Porter Gifford, who is based in Massachusetts. ?And just taking a minute or two to learn your camera can result in some great, unusual shots.?

For an outdoor wedding, however, flash is the way to go. In the light of day, your camera will turn its flash off. Become familiar with the settings and turn it on. This can help decrease shadows that are visible only once the picture is developed. At nighttime, the flash is of course necessary to garner the best results.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania-based WPJA photographer Scott Lewis agrees that knowing your camera is the best solution to all ?flash-worthy? situations. ?Depending on the time of day, flash may help your picture or hurt your picture. If you?re trying to capture the light of a late summer afternoon, for example, or take photos of people out on a dance floor, your goals may be very different.? In the former situation, flash might ruin the natural light; in the latter, a lack of flash could give you a dark, blurry shot. ?Knowing your goals in the shot and knowing your camera makes a huge difference.?

We?re speaking aesthetically, of course! Yet it can?t hurt to compliment them, as wedding guests who feel confident in front of the camera make better subjects. While their self-assuredness isn?t something you can control, you can control where you place them. It?s best to capture your subjects in a soft light. There?s a reason you notice how lovely your partner looks from across the table at a dimly lit restaurant. While you may think it has to do with the martinis you?ve been drinking (and to a degree, it may), it has more to do with the lighting. Though you don?t want the light to be too low, a nice soft glow is ideal. Try to stay out of direct sunlight. Sunset is the perfect time to capture people at their best.

Photo by Scott Lewis

Consider the mood created by the lighting and location in the award-winning photo taken by Lewis of a couple posing for a guest?s camera in front of a twilit ocean.

?It was a really beautiful setting along the beach with a lot of candles, and I was waiting as the light went down to capture the contrast between candlelight and twilight,? Lewis remembers. ?I?d been photographing more of a setting photo, the table and the sky, and saw the couple getting their picture taken out of the corner of my eye. The light on their faces is the red-eye reduction light from the person?s camera and gives a nice warm contrast to the blue. It was a great shot!?

There are some moments at a wedding everyone wants to remember, but even as an amateur photographer, you don?t want to jostle someone and ruin their shot for the sake of your own! While you may want to capture those picture-perfect moments as badly as the professional photographer, he?s the one the B&G have hired. Try to be conscientious of him. Know where he is standing and how your flash may affect his work. If you are flashing away at the same subject as the professional photographer, the light from your camera may throw his off. If you find yourself shoulder to shoulder with him, simply ask if you?re in the way. A little courtesy can go a long way.

Although hiring a wedding photojournalist means expecting a very different style from typical formal wedding photography, the posed family photos are still an important part of the day for some. So as a guest, this is the time to step back and allow the professional the room he or she needs.

When it comes to the formal shots, ?I?ve promised the bride and groom that I will get those done as quickly as possible, so they can get to do what they want to do,? says Lewis. ?If guests say ?let me get in there and get a picture after you,? it drags out the time.? Guests should recognize and respect the fact that couples typically want to stay on schedule, and should adjust their photo-taking agenda accordingly.

?The problem I notice most of the time is that people are not close enough to what they?re trying to photograph,? Scott Lewis notes. ?Seventy percent of most people?s wedding photography-related issues stem from that problem. You?re standing way far away, take a shot, and then you find all this stuff in the picture you didn?t want.?

?Most good photos depend on a little bit of luck,? says Porter Gifford. ?The pleasure of photography is you couldn?t plan on everything; you just have to be there and be in the moment.? Plenty of surprises happen during a couple?s big day. Just keep your eyes open, try to anticipate what may happen next, and you?re bound to capture some of them!

A lot happens during the course of the wedding day. There are countless moments to capture a ?story.? Look for them. Place yourself in the mind of the storyteller, watching events as they unfold. Find those opportunities in which the guests of honor and their guests interact in interesting and exciting ways. For instance, a great photo may be of the B&G leading their guests in a particular dance or the ring bearer who?s lost his direction down the aisle. Be prepared to capture those moments that stand out.

?One of the first assignments you get in Photography 101 is to shoot without looking,? Gifford notes, ?because you?ll get nice surprises that way, an image framed in an unusual way. And with a digital camera, that kind of experiment doesn?t cost you anything.?

Of course, at a wedding you might want to keep your eye on the events of the day. In that case, Gifford has a less drastic suggestion.

Photo by Porter Gifford

?Change the level of the camera! Bend down, hold it up above you or off to the side. Change the vantage point and see what that does for your picture.? Gifford took his own advice in his award-winning photo featured in a recent WPJA contest. ?As you can see, this was during the Horah at that wedding, an event I?ve photographed many, many times at this point. This time I said ?I?m going to do this differently.? I usually stand in the middle of the ring of people but I decided to go outside of it and shoot with a longer lens. I wanted to get away and get some more perspective, have more people in the shot.?

The result? A happy bride in a sea of jubilant arms, with a wedding guest?s camera punctuating the scene in a burst of light.

Often, guests will get caught up in the moment and forget that the purpose of the wedding is not for them to capture the perfect shot. ?People get aggressive and excited, want to photograph their friend or cousin,? says Lewis. ?Look around the room, especially during the ceremony. If you feel like you want to step out into the action and take a picture make sure you?re not getting in the photographer?s way. It?s something you can check out with some easy, non-verbal communication.?

?Often wedding photos taken by guests end up as one straight shot after another of the bride and groom and other folks present,? says Gifford. ?I?d suggest it would be more fun to experiment, try a different tactic than another photo of smiling faces?that?s what I do as part of my job all the time.?

Lewis also believes that experimentation is key. ?As a guest, taking pictures at a wedding should be about experimenting and enjoying yourself in equal measure. If the picture makes you happy, it?s a good picture!?

—by Heather Bowlan and Lauren Ragland for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Taking The Photographer For A Ride

2010-11-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

While you may have picked out a beautiful, rustic church, a serene outdoor setting and a posh reception hall as ideal backdrops to your wedding photographs, the shots don't stop there. Remember: The wedding photojournalist's mission is to document the entire day.

And one of the often overlooked, and maybe under-appreciated settings for photos during your wedding day occurs while the bride, groom and other members of the wedding party are in a car, limo, party bus or other form of transportation.

These photo-ops on wheels give the wedding party a chance to get away from the hullabaloo of the festivities, if only for the ride between shooting locations. Such isolation often offers poignant and reflective scenes to capture.

Cars may also provide a panoply of striking lines to frame the pictures, as well as interesting mirrors and the mix of indoor and outdoor lighting that all lend to artistic and creative shots. Plus, whether you're riding on a horse-drawn carriage, a trolley, a stretch limo, or a Rolls Royce--for likely one of the few times in your life--you might as well get some lasting mementos.

Once the ride pulls away, the wedding couple can become more at ease, making it a great time to capture some moments when the two let their guard down, says Della Chen, a WPJA award winner.

?The bride and groom are kind of in their own little cocoon because they're in their car and in their own little world for a minute,? says Chen.

The Washington, USA-based photographer found a particularly personal moment while riding in the back seat of a car with the newlywed couple up front. The groom had borrowed his father's convertible to take his new bride to a beach on Whidbey Island for a quick photo shoot during the wedding day. While en route, Chen noticed the groom was well aware of his new status.

?He was constantly playing with his ring and it was obvious he was very aware of it being on the finger,? Chen says. ?And I just knew it was going to be a great shot.?

And it?s not just the bride and groom that get to have that isolated time in the car. Often, the bride rides to the ceremony with her father; one of the few final moments the two will have together before she marries.

Means of wedding-day transportation also are a good place to capture members of the wedding party together as they?re toasting, interacting and partying on the way to their destination, shutting out the larger wedding from the world inside the vehicle.

?This is one of those few moments when they are alone together or with the closest people,? says Florent Vidal, a WPJA member from Australia. ?They can let their guards down and all unexpected emotions can come up.?

Car interiors have a bevy of hard lines from seats, dashboard, windows and the actual car body that can be used to frame the shots during photos, making for great pictures. The fun in the car doesn?t stop there, as reflections from rear-view mirrors, gleans of headlights at night, and views of the open road are just some of the other features a photographer can take advantage of when shooting in a car.

Photo by Della Chen

Chen's photo of the groom fiddling with his wedding ring took advantage of the rear-view mirror and the open road, as the photo shows just the reflection of the groom?s eyes staring down at his ring. Meanwhile, the winding, empty road before them lends the photo an added surreal quality. Chen was able to take that hands-off photo because she was in the back seat; however, getting someone?s reflection in the rear-view mirror can be a bit more challenging given that the reflection is not always lined up from the photographer?s position.

There are certainly plenty of ways for the photographer to experiment while in the car.

While some might see the ride as merely a way to get people from point A to B during weddings, they are usually part of two significant moments of the wedding day, where emotions are only heightened because they occur in an isolated space. Those include the bride on the way to the ceremony, and the couple alone in the vehicle afterwards, in their first private moments away from everyone.

?I honestly believe that after all the preparation for the past months, this is the moment where reality sets in for the bride,? Vidal says. ?She is on her way to marry the man she loves.?

Photo by Florent Vidal

Vidal caught that moment while riding in the car with the bride and her two sisters, and the three all burst into tears. ?They were so emotive, excited and stressed about the big event,? he recalls. ?Suddenly, they all started crying at the same time. I think that being inside a car, helped them a lot to forget about me and just be themselves.?

After the ceremony is also a popular time for the bride and groom to skip off with their wedding photographer to a scenic location. That can also be a good time to catch the bride and groom experiencing new emotions as they digest their new status.

As the documentarian for the day, wedding photojournalists like to spend as much time as possible with the bride and groom. Riding with them allows key time with the main figures of the day, instead of driving between venues separately, wasting valuable time that could be used to keep taking pictures.

?I try to be with the bride and groom as much as I can, including them getting ready and while they're going in between locations,? says Chen. ?As a documentary photographer, I'm trying to tell the story and I want to be where they are.?

That means it is worthwhile for you to help get your photographer?s car to the next venue if he or she is shooting alone. Photographers' cars serve as their mobile headquarters--most everything they will need for the wedding is in there, including back-up gear--thus, they may not be comfortable with being away from their cars for large periods of time. Consider asking a family friend (not someone from the bridal party) to get the car to the reception site while your photographer rides with you.

As stated above, the ride can provide additional time to experiment with creative techniques in the vehicle.

—by Paul Ziobro for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Reception Dancing

2010-11-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

It?s the single most terrifying thing a parent can hear: ?Mommy mommy! Heeeelp! ?Daddy?s doing the Macarena!!?

That?s right, couch potatoes?it?s wedding time. Time to slip on those comfy dance shoes and slip off those itchy inhibitions. Jane Goodall might think she broke new ground in mammalian research, but she never crashed a wedding reception in the third quarter of an open bar. So a Tanzanian chimp can sign ?I love you?? Big whoop. If you want to see the best that humanity has to offer, look no further than a Minwaxed parquet floor and a thumping remix of Kool & the Gang?s ?Celebration.?

Ever since early man learned to beat a stick on a rock, some guy has embarrassed his family by dancing to it. The primordial urge to shake your booty can be traced back thousands of years, when cave dwellers learned to ward off strangers by loudly grunting and jumping around like maniacs. Luckily, not much has changed.

Few theorems apply universally across our species. One of them is this: If you can dance, you know it. If you can?t, you definitely don?t.

The after-vows hoedown is often a hotbed of rhythm-based research and enlightenment. Even though the behavioral microscope is flipped up that night, someone is still taking lab notes. In the petri dish of wedding receptions, you have to ask yourself one question: ?Am I going to be a productive ribosome in this glorious mass cell fission, or a sloshy paramecium who accidentally self-replicates and spills mitochondria all over his host??

The good and bad news is that a nuptial bash is the only secure place for your Tony Manero fetish. A wedding reception is a unique occurrence, in that it allows people to freely express themselves, while providing a safety net for their sweaty gyrating ego. Guests feel a natural camaraderie with each other. Family and friends would rather celebrate your dance form than scorn it?at least until you?re out of earshot. But don?t be fooled: Whip out your Sexyback version of the Ukranian Hopak dance at your local nightclub, and you?ll see how quickly you?re rewarded with eternally-mandated abstinence.

So if you like to swing those hips and are tired of running up against public indecency laws, attend a wedding. Chances are, you?ll be in very good company. And for once you may not even be the one everyone whispers about.

See that guy in the corner downing a pitcher of mai tais while covertly checking the tensile strength on his cummerbund? He?s a Dance Nazi. In two minutes, he?s going to be doing a scissors-split over the bride?s head while ripping a serious Michael Flatley through a circle of mildly frightened gawkers. These dudes live by the knowledge that they could rule the world if only our social strata was ordained by who can ?bring it? on the dance floor.

?There is often a guy with incredible athleticism, who waits for a Michael Jackson [song] before breaking out the worm, or a head spin, or maybe the splits,? offers Colorado WPJA member Adam Welch. ?I've seen Russian dancing, flips?all sorts of moves you know take a lot of practice. Then, of course, they always act like they just thought of it.?

Photo by Adam Welch

Welch knows all about nurturing your inner-Baryshnikov, as evidenced by his award-winning photo. He remembers how this one guest pulled a girl into the center of the dance floor, and ?then mimicked like he was recording her with an old time movie camera.?

On the other end of the shuck-and-jive spectrum is the Party Martyr. The last time his feet were moved by music was when he accidentally tripped over a jukebox. He reluctantly shuffles with his partner for a few songs before slinking back to the warm safety of anonymity. He doesn?t want to scuff up his loafers, because he?s returning them for a full refund tomorrow.

Weddings are also a great place to witness the coronation of the Dancing Queen. ?There's always at least one bridesmaid in every bridal party that fits this description,? says WPJA photographer Bill Wang of New York. ?She?s been looking forward to getting her groove on since she was told that her friend was getting married.? Hey, you?re only going to wear that dress once; you might as well make it whimper.

This is only a small sampling of the many species you?ll encounter on the big night. To assist you in properly recording the various classes of wedding reception dancers, please refer to the handy sidebar included with this article.

All right, you have a grab bag of dance styles, a great DJ and a toasty false sense of security. Sounds like a recipe for a perfect storm, right? Almost. It?s just missing one tiny ingredient?

?Alcohol. That?s all it is,? says California WPJA photographer Matt Kim.

Just how important is the divine elixir? ?Very,? affirms Welch. ?Even the most uninhibited dancers can?t get into their groove unless the dance floor is packed. Which requires all those inhibited people to at least be out there, and that requires alcohol.? Proving the old axiom that you can catch more flies with Goldschlager than you can with vinegar.

Photo by Matt Kim

But be forewarned: mixing booze with boogie can get messy. Pound too many tall boys before hitting the floor, and you?ll be bumping shoes like an Idaho senator in an airport men?s room.

Kim recalled one reception where the father of the groom got pickled. He started dancing with another female guest while trying to flip up her dress for the camera. ?He kept pointing at me to take a picture,? Kim cringed. It wasn?t even a question for the veteran wedding photojournalist: ?I?m not gonna take that picture.? Too bad. It would have made a nice shot for the judge to staple to the guy?s restraining order.

Photo by Jennifer Bebb

Capturing these ethereal creatures of the dance in their natural habitat is a tough job, even for a professional. Witness the winning photo from wedding photographer Jennifer Bebb, of British Columbia, who caught her bride in the middle of the hunt. As Bebb related, ?Suddenly the girls started busting out the ?tiger? move. They were growling and everything. It was just priceless!? Pity the hapless guest who unwisely broke out the ?antelope? move.

?I try to scan the floor constantly, and I can pick them out pretty quickly,? confides Kim, explaining how he captures moments like his award-winning shot. The girl in the photo appears to be having fun, but Kim admits that she seemed a little worried about her arm being pulled out. That would have made for an awkward bouquet toss.

Photo by Bill Wang

At a reception that Wang was covering, an arm was the last thing he worried about his subject pulling out. As Wang recalls from his winning photo, ?He started his turn by grabbing himself and hopping into the center of the (dance) circle; I fell to the floor and created this image.? Without the environs of a wedding celebration, that same move usually nets you an overnight stay in the pokey.

As you?ll find out, reception dancers are a fun and varied lot. And no matter what happens, those few hours of closing your eyes and letting loose will create some of the most indelible moments of the wedding. And quickly reveal which parts of the family tree got Dutch Elm disease.

And if you?re not a friend of the liquid courage, but still suffer from a touch of dance anxiety, don?t knock the idea of getting professional dance lessons. Just think what they could have done for Britney Spears.

In parting, if you?re planning to break one off on the dance floor, take stock of your motives. Have fun, but don?t feel pressured to impress anybody. No one wants to be the page of the wedding album titled: ?Who knew you could even reach that part of the body?? Remember, folks, the Electric Slide is for professionals and inebriates only. For Pete?s sake, think of the kids.

A FIELD GUIDE TO COMMON INDIGENOUS SPECIES ON WEDDING RECEPTION DANCE FLOORS

The Mummy: The Mummy lingers on the outer cusp of the action, slightly bending her knees to the music with arms plastered to her side. Some researchers have claimed a faint head-bob, but reports are uncorroborated. Distinguishing Characteristic: Handbag over the arm.Rhythm-less Blues: This one is easy to spot. Just look for the downhill-skier position and the front teeth biting the bottom lip. The only thing that scares him more than percussion is a sense of shame. Distinguishing Characteristic: Pained expression on dance partner?s face.Jump Chump: You usually find these when the action on the floor really heats up. They know no other move besides jumping straight up and down, like a child waiting to meet Santa. While the rest of the guests are working their groove, he?s trying to draw a bead on a gazelle. Distinguishing Characteristic: Adult beverage glued to palm.Dope & Glory: These couples took every dance lesson offered at their Adult Continuing Education class, and are ready to prove to the world why they belong on ?Dancing With the Stars.? They mostly just want to show up the bride and groom. Give them their moment; it?s all they have. Distinguishing Characteristic: Monogrammed hankies.Bacheloretta: The only thing missing from her dance routine is a stripper pole. She?s available, and she?s going to let every warm carbon form within a 100-mile radius know it. Often bumps-and-grinds the caterers. Distinguishing Characteristic: Tattoo on lower back that says, ?If you can read this, you owe me dinner.?Peanuts Vendor: They learned one dance move and repeat it, ad nauseum, for every single song, regardless of theme, speed or rhythm. They take their cue from those dancing kids in the ?A Charlie Brown Christmas? special. Distinguishing Characteristic: Spilled Shirley Temple stains on shirt.M.C. Hammered: This guy is why they invented video cameras. He?s lost all use of oratory and tactile skills, but by golly, he?s going to bust himself a titanic move on the dance floor and take out anyone in his path. Often seen being chastised by the Mummy. Distinguishing Characteristic: Dilated pupils; walking a straight line as you pass him on the highway.

—by Jeff Corriveau for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Creating Timeless Images

2010-11-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Weddings provide timeless memories, and everyone would agree that the best wedding photojournalism should do the same. After all, it?s only fitting that one of the most important days in someone?s life should be preserved for eternity with imagery that will always be emotionally and visually resonant to its viewers.

But what makes a truly timeless image, and what sets it apart from the clich? shots that we?ve all seen over an over again? A few of the WPJA?s members weigh in on their quests for timeless wedding photography.

There are certain standard wedding images that have been captured again and again throughout the decades. We all know what they are: the bride and her bridesmaids preparing for the ceremony, the father kissing the bride, the walk down the aisle, the married couple?s first kiss and many others. These images are iconic in that they?re instantly recognizable and steeped in tradition.

But many of these pictures are also clich?s. They?ve been done and redone almost to the point of yawning boredom. They have been seen so many times, in one slight variation or another, that they flirt with meaninglessness, having lost so much emotional ?oomph? as we?ve all become desensitized to the same imagery over time.

The quality of true timelessness, photographs that look as though they could have been created yesterday or 50 years ago, occupies another level altogether. Such images require anticipation, patience, recognition and photojournalistic skill on the part of the wedding photographer.

New York City, NY, USA-based WPJA member Jacek Wiesnowski believes that the difference between ?clich? and ?timeless? is wrapped up in how you capture the moment, whether in the action, the expression of the faces or the gestures of the hands.

?In wedding photography, what?s important is not just capturing the iconic image, but how you capture it,? he says. ?You need to capture emotion at the same time?not just the scene but also emotion in the face. This is what is going to make the image not only iconic, but also elegant.?

In addition to an emotional resonance that will stand the test of time, a sense of timelessness can be captured through the skilful use of black & white imagery, clothing and hairstyles, and even depth of field.

Photo by Jacek Wiesnowski

Wiesnowski?s contest winner successfully captured dynamic, timeless emotion, and was enhanced further by the classic, 1920s-style look chosen by the bride and groom. Like most timeless images, it looks as though it could have been captured decades ago, or yesterday.

?Black and white images are more difficult to place in a timeline,? Wiesnowski says, ?but is it just that they are ?timeless,? or is it also that they don't lie? In the digital age, color can be very misleading. A black and white image just tells the truth. Color can be used, or abused, to over-emphasize elements of the picture. With monochrome scene, it's more about the moment (and people captured in it), rather then the beauty of the scenery, real or enhanced. I think that it's the honesty of a black and white photograph that makes it timeless.?

Full depth of field also can play a part. An image shot wide open, especially with a very fast lens, is often perceived by the public as "modern? or ?artistic," even when the real reason for the shallow depth of field was the lack of sufficient lighting. ?Wedding photography is especially demanding when it comes to low-light coverage,? Wiesnowski notes. ?Modern technology allows us to capture scenes that would have been overlooked, or simply ignored in the past, due to technical limitations of older equipment. The use of fast lenses that were never available before, dictates the current look and feel of wedding pictures, taking it further and further away from a classic image.?

Our experts agree that a large part of capturing timeless moments and emotion has to do with knowing when to anticipate those moments?a highly practiced photojournalistic skill.

South Dakota, USA-based WPJA member Shalista Anderson states ?Every wedding is different and every one is also the same. The same turn of events tend to happen, but you have to be in the right place and know what to look for in order to be able to catch those moments.?

Anderson believes that finding timelessness is all about being prepared, being experienced enough to be prepared, knowing where to be and knowing your couples.

Photo by Shalista Anderson

Her contest-winning photo is a study in timeless Americana. ?This wedding was in a tiny town with about 600 people, about 50 miles from the next town, and the couple?s getaway car was their uncle?s convertible,? she explains. ?These hometown kids were just taking a cruise down main street and flipping a u-turn at the end, and I had my camera out the roof of the car, praying that I was getting something. I was driving with one hand, shooting with the other, and it came out.?

She says the image has always been one of her favorites because it sums up the whole wedding in one picture. ?They?re a fun-loving couple, in a small town, sitting on the back of a convertible, carefree about everything, and that?s how the entire wedding was. That picture could have been taken 20 years ago, or 20 years from now, and the same feeling is going to come out of it.?

Catherine Hall, a wedding photographer who works out of New York and San Francisco, CA, USA, notes that it also has to do with investing in your client and seeing them as human beings?really caring about them so that you can capture something that is personal and real. ?I?m really interested in getting to know my clients, understanding what?s important to them, and through the closeness they have with me they become comfortable and let me into their lives. That?s when you start to get stuff that?s going to matter 50 years from now,? she says.

Photo by Catherine Hall

Hall?s contest winner of two girls playing outside of the church was what she calls ?a real moment? captured on the fly. She feels that the timelessness of the image is in its innocence. ?I think people will feel that in ten years when they look at this,? she says. ?There?s an innocence and elegance that, no matter when you look at it, it?s always going to be there. The captured moment is always going to push that emotion.?

When all is said and done, timelessness in wedding photojournalism often can be reduced to simplifying an image down to a classic emotional moment that by its very nature transcends the passage of time. ?As a photographer you have to recognize those moments, little slices of life, where everything at once is happening for an incredible emotional impact,? says Hall.

To her, a timeless image is when you?re truly capturing the moment in a traditional way, making sure that you?re getting what?s there in the first place. ?With all of the image manipulation tools today, people are getting very trigger-happy in terms of overworking their images and overdoing things for special effects. I would hate to see a bride?s wedding captured and made to look ?fantastic? now with all of these new effects, but then 10 years down the road when the novelty of the effects fades, there?s not much left there.?

Photo by Clinton James

The truly timeless images, those that transcend clich?, are inevitably captured rather than staged, with the wedding photojournalist staying true to the action. The best image you can capture is going to happen by itself; you just have to be ready for it, and the authenticity of the moment will make it timeless.

?It?s an image that you can look at today and be moved by it, and one that you can look at in 20 years and it will have the same effect on you, regardless of styles changes and current trends,? Anderson states. ?The emotional impact is going to be the same when their grandkids look at their albums.?

—by Michael Roney for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The Ideal Wedding Photojournalist

2010-11-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

How do you find the ideal person to document your wedding?

Just as there is a skill to taking memorable pictures, there is also a know-how to choosing the person you want to take them. How you conduct your search for a wedding photojournalist can make a big difference in ensuring that you?re more than pleased with your photographic experience on the big day, as well as with the moments and memories captured in pictures.

For tips on how to best conduct your search, we?ve spoken to three of the WPJA?s past Photographers of the Year (POY). These acclaimed pros are all at the top of their game and obviously know their stuff. They?ve provided us with their advice on getting a sense of style and shooting philosophy, what questions to ask, logistical considerations, how to judge who is a solid wedding photojournalist and more.

Wedding photojournalism has become quite the buzz phrase in many circles within the wedding industry, and a great many photographers these days call themselves wedding photojournalists though neither their portfolios, nor their talent attest to such status.

Portrait of Gary Allen

For that reason, a good place to start in your selection of a bonafide wedding photojournalist is at the WPJA?s Web site. Its members are screened and pre-qualified in that they are accepted by the organization as accomplished wedding photojournalists. In fact, only a fraction of those who apply to the WPJA are granted membership.

You can then narrow the field even further by focusing in on those who work primarily in your state or region. Then you may wish to proceed by looking at the various service icons and starting prices next to the photographer?s names. And be sure to consider the added recognition that is automatically attached to the photographers? awards, signified by the gold and blue medallions on the WPJA Web site. These don?t come easy. The best of the best have been selected oftentimes by Pulitzer-prize winning photographers, as well as other award-winning photojournalists and newspaper/magazine picture editors.

The WPJA also provides an online calendar for each individual member--many WPJA photographers utilize the calendar to help couples find out their availability for specific dates.

Once you?ve taken these first steps you?re on your way! But there is still much more to consider in your selection process.

The ultimate factor in finding your ideal wedding photojournalist is in the portfolio of your candidates. Through their images you must determine if that particular photographer can produce the type of images that will capture the emotions and other rich memories of the day in a way that will resonate deeply with you for years to come. You?ll need to get a sense of the photographer?s shooting style. Take as much time necessary to peruse their portfolios?a relatively easy task these days, thanks to the Internet.

?Clients nowadays are pretty well educated, and the Internet is a tremendous tool,? states Wilmington, NC, USA-based Gary Allen, who was named the WPJA?s POY in 2004. ?If nothing else, it?s a great way to look at 20 photographers? work and narrow it down to two or three.?

Portrait of Eric Francis

Viewing just a few photos isn?t enough. Our panel of POYs recommend that you look at the pictures from at least one entire wedding, if not several. ?Anybody who has been a wedding photographer for ten years can throw together a good 50 pictures that are all good,? advises Omaha, NB, USA-based 2003 POY Eric Francis. ?With a whole wedding, you can get a very good idea of their style.?

?Brides and grooms should in general try to assess the photographer?s imagination; someone who strives to be different rather than shooting the same kinds of pictures all of the time,? suggests wedding photographer Huy Nguyen, who works out of Texas, USA. ?They should look for humor and feeling in the work. Rather than just looking at the pictures for the content, assess them in the light of how the photographer approached the scene, and whether he or she can do a lot of things well. You also want to make sure your [wedding] photojournalist is a versatile photographer with a lot of skills.?

For example, the cake cutting is a routine event that could easily result in a clich? image. ?I challenge myself to find a kind of cake-cutting photo that?s not similar to other photographers',? Nguyen states. ?So I always keep an eye on what happens to the cake after the couple walks away from it. Sometimes, cool images happen where people aren't looking.?

Despite its usefulness in viewing photos, and in providing biographical and approach philosophy information about the photographer, a Web site is not the be-all and end-all of wedding photojournalist research. In fact, certain sites can be terribly misleading these days, with some photographers even cutting and pasting from other people?s pages. ?Everybody is an ?award-winning photojournalist,?? says Allen, ?but I would have to say that if you?re not an award-winning photographer and you?ve been in the business a few years, then you need to get out of the business. When I worked at newspapers you would have had to have been a rookie or brain dead not to win an award during the year.?

For some, it may also be beneficial to meet a photographer in person or at least have a phone discussion in order to find out more about his or her personality. The conversation can range from a deeper discussion of your photographer?s professional background, to his or her favorite photographs, sources of inspiration, to the specifics of how he or she approaches the wedding day on a logistical level. Is your photographer planning to show up 15 minutes before the ceremony or two-and-a half hours before? Talk to them about your wedding details and any specific expectations you may have regarding your pictures. Share with your photographer what style and approach you prefer, but more importantly listen to him/her to find out how well your wedding day vision matches their mode of operation.

Portrait of Huy Nguyen

Nguyen recommends choosing a photographer whose working style closely matches your own preferences and personality, rather than hiring a ?jack of all trades? who is willing to change his or her normal approach just to please. ?If the bride and groom have a great sense of humor, and they think that the wedding is going to be funny and fun and raucous and loud and vibrant, then they need to hire a photographer who is like that,? he states. ?That will bring better results than just hiring someone who will say ?I can do anything? or ?we?ll make it work.??

You also should be looking for somebody with whom you can spend the day and be comfortable. And that comfort level works both ways. ?I get better pictures that way,? says Francis. ?When everybody is more comfortable, they?re going to open up to you more and not be so self-conscious about it.?

Most importantly, you want to choose someone who doesn?t just view your wedding day assignment as simply another business transaction. Finding a photographer who really loves what they do and is very passionate about their work is key. ?That is the type of person who is going to go the extra mile,? Allen says. ?The one who will still be shooting pictures even when you?re having dinner.?

Referrals and references are valuable. Talk to friends. The references of sisters, brothers or other brides are some of the best intelligence you can use when focusing in on a wedding photojournalist. You may also check out feedback about the photographer through past client testimonials, which can often be found on the photographer?s web site.

A news background can help, but isn?t mandatory, according to Allen, who has shot both news and sports for several wire services and newspapers in his distinguished career. ?When you?re used to covering Presidential inaugurations, a hurricane hitting the coast, or a Final Four, you don?t have any control over what?s going on,? he notes. ?You have to think on your feet and hope you have the right lens on and?that everything is going to go your way.?

Yet news or sports experience is not a pre-requisite for excellence, as demonstrated by the numerous WPJA award winners who came into the business from other careers. Talent in capturing spontaneous moments can be innate, and achieved through individual personality and skill.

?Situations will happen, and you won?t have control over them, so you want somebody who can go in there and won?t be afraid, and just roll with it,? Nguyen notes. ?You need someone who can make the pictures regardless of the conditions.?

?If a person has been doing professional photography for 15 or 20 years, it?s a good bet that they know how to handle any situation, and when problems come along, they become a problem solver,? Allen advises. ?And ultimately, one of the most important tools a photographer has is his brain, because a photographer who thinks is going to get great pictures.?

—by Michael Roney for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Winter Wedding Invitations - Many Styles to Choose From

2010-11-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

Many brides choose winter dates when planning their big day for a variety of reasons. For instance, if they have a favorite winter holiday, it is not uncommon to plan a big event to coincide with that. If families live a distance apart from where the wedding is going to be held, holiday weddings can be a way to bring the family together at times when they would normally be travelling to be together anyway. For other brides, winter is a favorite time of year, between the brisk chill in the air and the beauty of snow drifts. For whatever reason you have chosen to have a winter wedding, you can find many different styles of winter wedding invitations to choose from.

When planning the theme for your wedding day, you may find that the sights and sounds of winter are the most obvious choice. In order to coordinate your invitations with your winter wedding theme, you may need to find the perfect stationery that represents winter. Fortunately, there are many different styles to choose between for this large decision.

One of the easiest ways to represent the winter season in your wedding invitations is through the color of cardstock that you use. Although many wedding invitations are traditionally white or off-white, it is perfectly acceptable to use nearly any color of card stock for your stationery. A light blue could represent the brisk blue skies associated with winter. Reds and greens can help show the proximity of your wedding date to Christmas. Deep reds, oranges and greens are colors typically associated with a wedding around the holiday of Thanksgiving. Carefully consider the overall theme of your wedding to find the right colors to use.

Another way to represent the winter season in your wedding invitations is by having watermarks added to your stationery. Think about the images that best remind you of the winter season. You can add them as a subtle design to nearly any stationery, even combining the colors of winter with a watermarked image. Watermark images can be a very subtle way to remind your guests of the winter theme for your wedding. An example of wedding stationery utilizing a winter theme may have snowflakes along with a light blue color around the invitation.

If you prefer more overt images, you can select pre-designed wedding invitations that have been printed with wintry scenes. From falling snow to intricate snow flakes to leaves and traditional images associated with winter holidays, you can find pre-designed wedding invitations that suit any desire. Many wedding invitation designers have developed entire lines of winter-related stationery, so that you can use a consistent theme with your wedding invitations, envelopes, reply cards and other related paper products.

If you cannot find a pre-designed wedding invitation that perfectly suits your needs, you can work to design your own. Many stationery businesses have templates that you can use in order to pick the type of paper, colors, images and fonts to create the perfect invitations for your big event. These templates include many different options for each choice that you have to make; this allows you to create nearly any design that you have in mind.

If you are creative, another option you can choose is to create your own wedding invitation. When you start from scratch on your own, you can literally design every single aspect of your winter wedding invitations. One idea if you create your own wedding invitations are to use pre-designed paper or paper that already has a pattern, and the rest of the invitation can be created on your own. Another idea is to use special add-ons instead of having flat paper invitations. Special add-ons allow you to emphasize the unique nature of your invitations. For instance, you can have a vellum sheet over the actual invitation, giving a glazed look and held in place by a winter-designed ribbon.

You have so many different options to consider when you are choosing your winter wedding invitations. You simply need to evaluate your own design needs and how unique you want your invitations to be and you will find the perfect solution. For no-fuss, no-muss weddings, pre-designed invitations can be your best bet. If you are crafty, consider designing your own invitations. In between, there are so many ideas you can consider for working with a stationery business to put together the right invitations for your big event.

There are many options available when planning for a winter wedding. Several colors to consider are green, white, red or orange. These colors help emphasize the winter holidays while providing a gentle design. An invitation design can be purchased at any stationery store or you can design your own invitations. Whichever option you choose, these winter styles can help you find the right design for your wedding.

Suzanne Bradley is a writer and blogger who discusses topics such as event planning and coordination. Ms. Bradley also writes about specific topics such as wedding gifts and custom wedding invitations.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Other Cameras At The Wedding

2010-11-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

On your wedding day you?ll probably feel like a celebrity with all the attention, adoration and fine clothes. You may expect fawning and flattery, but are you prepared for multiple cameras following your every move? More than any other event, weddings bring out the paparazzi in people. So when you walk down the aisle or cut the cake, be prepared to face a bank of cameras.

Thanks to the digital revolution, many cameras now are lighter, smaller, relatively inexpensive, and they?re showing up everywhere, especially at weddings. ?For a number of guests, the way to experience a wedding is to take their digital cameras,? says Robert Mirani, a Lexington, MA, USA-based WPJA photographer. ?Instant feedback is part of their experience.?

?I embrace guests with cameras,? says Matt Kim, a WPJA member in Oakland, CA, USA, ?and incorporate them as part of the story of the wedding day. These guests are happy to be part of the wedding and want to remember it.?

Both Mirani and Kim say they typically see as many as 20 cameras at a wedding. In fact, Kim says at most weddings digital cameras have usurped disposable cameras.

Some brides even pack their own cameras in their purses, according to Britta Trygstad, a West Fargo, ND, USA, WPJA photographer. ?They hand it to their friends so they?ll take snapshots of them,? she says. ?Their friends usually yell at them for having cameras, but some people feel they have to document everything.?

With all the shutterbugs snapping pictures at the bride and groom, how does the hired professional photographer get a lens in edgewise? For the most part, wedding photojournalists say they work around the amateurs and are sanguine about them. ?[People with cameras] are in my way because they love the couple,? says Kim. ?It?s all good.?

Mirani adds that he sometimes works with the camera-bearing guests to make sure he and they don?t trip over one another. ?It doesn?t bother me,? he states. ?I just try to incorporate it in my coverage.?

Photo by Britta Trygstad

?People are going to take photos and I don?t mind,? says Trygstad. ?Many times a relative will stand in the middle of the aisle and I always shoot that. I think it?s hilarious to see someone shooting away during the ceremony. At a wedding I recently photographed, a four-year-old stood up on a stool during the ceremony and took pictures, with a flash! It was a very small wedding?only about 20 people?and everyone was amused.?

All three photographers say that people taking pictures of people often make for funny, wonderful images. ?For me, it?s what?s happening during the day so it?s part of the story,? Trygstad maintains. During a recent wedding at a resort near Otter Tail, MN, she took an awarding-winning photo of a little girl angling for a shot of the cake cutting. ?She was so excited that she was taking pictures all day long,? Trygstad remembers. ?So when she popped into the photo it seemed natural to take a picture of her taking a photo.? That image won second place in a recent WPJA competition in the Cake Cutting category.

Photo by Matt Kim

At a wedding, Matt Kim spotted a grandfather trying to photograph his wife holding their grandbaby during the reception, which was held in a Sausalito, CA, USA restaurant. ?He was working hard to find a good angle so he could get the San Francisco skyline in the background.? Bemused by the scene, Kim captured the moment in a WPJA award-winning photo. After all, weddings offer a myriad of moments, too many for the wedding photographer to capture alone. Therefore, guests with cameras, who are on a mission of their own to record the things most important to them, should be encouraged.

Photo by Robert Mirani

Sometimes amateur photographers birddog good photo ops for the professionals, who keep an eye peeled for picture-taking activity. During the reception of a Chelmsford, MA wedding Robert Mirani photographed, the groom took the mic in a karaoke moment to sing to his bride. ?He was very animated and really singing it from the bottom of his heart,? says Mirani. ?His passion was such that people wanted to almost form a circle around him. That?s when guests and bridesmaids started taking pictures. I wanted not only to capture him singing to his bride, but also to capture the feeling that everyone else was enjoying it too.?

There are times, however, when an amateur?s timing is bad. Mirani gives one example. ?I was photographing from behind a bride and groom walking to their reception with everyone in the distance watching them. It was a nice moment. Then someone ran up and asked them to stop so he could take their picture. It wasn?t actually disrespectful towards the bride and groom, nor was it a violation of their space, but it did break the mood. Guests mean well, but they don?t always have a sense of what?s good for the pace and mood of a wedding.?

Should bridal couples try to control all the picture taking? ?Even if a couple really wanted to control other photographers at their wedding, I don't think they could fully do so,? says Kim. ?I would discourage them from even trying because it would introduce a sour note to the day. I think guests with cameras are here to stay and will probably grow in numbers.?

However, it is important for the couple to understand the dynamics surrounding a free-for-all when it comes to photography on wedding day. Kim adds, ?I tell my clients my approach is documentary, so if Uncle Joe jumps in front of me during the first kiss, they?ll receive a nice photo of the back of his head!?

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Color, Meaning And Moments: Photographing Ethnic Weddings

2010-11-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

Ethnic weddings, in addition to providing a change of pace from the more typical ceremonies that wedding photojournalists know well, also offer a rich visual palette and deep cultural rituals that can offer range to your portfolio.

In an ethnic wedding, you?ll probably have brightly colored, exotic garb, including capes, crowns and other visually appealing items to work with in crafting unique shots that couldn?t be replicated at more typical events. There?s also the host of rituals, venues and dances that come with each culture?s wedding celebration? all sure to provide opportunities for capturing sacred, meaningful moments.

There?s obviously some homework to do before jumping into an ethnic wedding headfirst. If you're new to covering a certain culture's ceremony, be sure to do some research on your own or take some extra time talking to the bride and groom, just so the ethnic wedding doesn?t seem so foreign?literally and figuratively.

Step into any traditional, American wedding, and most anyone will likely be able to figure out what's going on and what's coming up next. That's not entirely so for some ethnic weddings, some which have traditions completely unrelated to other cultures. With Indian weddings, says wedding photographer Seshu Badrinath, each of the 28 states of India has their own customs and rituals, so if you've seen one, you likely haven't seen them all.

How do you sort through all the options? Simple: Ask. "It comes down to having a dialogue with my clients," says the Connecticut-based Badrinath, who grew up in India.

For example, it would be useful to know that at a Macedonian wedding service, a platno (piece of cloth), usually bought by the nunka (maid of honor), is draped over the shoulders of the young couple in a symbolic gesture of binding them together, and that before the ceremony, the nunko (best man) shaves the groom because he traditionally is thought to be too nervous to do the job himself.

Knowing generally what to expect in an ethnic wedding, building an educated understanding of the depth of history and symbolism behind the traditions, will help you capture moments that are not only exotically colorful, but infused with poignant meaning to your clients.

After doing some research on your own, ask your clients about their traditions and rituals to confirm your own understanding. How long have certain traditions been around? Why do they do them? What do they mean? Are some more important than others? Does the family place more importance on one over the others? What is the most important ritual to photograph at their wedding?

Ohio, USA-based wedding photographer Michael Barber found that talking to a bride and groom about their Macedonian wedding beforehand helped him better cover the rituals, including a close up, intimate shot of a portion of the ceremony. They told him that at one point it would be acceptable for him to get right behind the officiant?provided that he take off his shoes, since he would be stepping into a holy area.

Photo by Michael Barber

Even so, the proposition made him nervous, and he only ventured into position after an uncle went there himself. The result was a stunning, dreamlike shot that shows hints of smiles forming with the bride and groom.

"That particular shot was taken at a vantage point that I would've never gotten at any traditional ceremony," Barber says.

Some traditions may have certain lines that can't be crossed. However, the WPJA members interviewed said they found such restrictions more dependent on the specific officiant and not on any culture in particular.

And, maybe most importantly, if you think you may have to take your shoes off, wear nice socks. Without holes.

While a traditional American wedding will see a black-clad groom marrying a bride dressed in white, some ethnic weddings bust out colorful traditional clothing, as well as highly photogenic rituals employing a wide array of materials. As the documenter of the day, it largely comes down to the wedding photojournalists to commemorate those moments in ways that not only visually delight, but also ring true to the client.

WPJA member David Crane has shot his fair share of ethnic weddings in culturally diverse Southern California, USA, including Hindu, Japanese and Korean celebrations. Each brings its own palate of colors and visual traditions to the day.

For example, prior to a Japanese wedding couples often have a tea ceremony, a traditional ritual influenced by Zen Buddhism in which powdered green tea is served to a small group of honored guests wearing traditional garb. Koreans, meanwhile, come to a point during the ceremony called the peh beck, where the bride offers her new in-laws gifts of dried dates and jujubes, symbols of children. At the ceremony's conclusion, everyone tosses the dates and chestnuts at the bride while she tries to catch them in her skirt.

Photo by David Crane

Hindu weddings have heapings of colors from beginning to end. When the couple first enters the ceremony, they're showered with flower petals, making for a wonderful photograph. The bride, meanwhile, is traditionally dressed in bright red, symbolizing happiness, while the groom has a scarlet robe and scarf.

One part of the ceremony, called the Saubhagya Chinya, involves the groom placing sindoor (holy red powder) on the bride?s forehead to welcome her into his life as his partner. He also gives her a mangalsutra (a necklace of black beads) as a symbol of his love, integrity and devotion towards her. That can be followed by the Anna-Prashana, where the bride and groom feed one another sweetmeats as a symbolic promise of fidelity.

"There are a lot of different things going on in a Hindu wedding," Crane says.

During one such ceremony, Crane got a close-up shot of the bride's hands decorated in henna tattoos, bracelets, rings and deep red sleeves, as she poured rice into her father's hands to signify wealth, health, happiness and prosperity. The lavish detail plus the vibrant colors and composition all made for a stunning photo.

And while traditional Jewish weddings, given that they start after sundown, may not provide the ideal lighting situations for WPJA members, there are certainly plenty of assorted items that can be worked into interesting shots.

The signing of the ketubah, or wedding contract, offers a chance to get the bride and groom into a more isolated situation with a couple of witnesses, incorporating the signing and reactions into a photo. There's also the shot of the couple smashing a crystal glass with their feet, symbolizing the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, or irreversibility of the union, since you can?t put shattered glass back together again.

Photo by Bill McCullough

And there's the huppah, a gauze-like tent covering the bride and groom that is a symbol of the home they will share. During one Jewish wedding documented by Bill McCullough, a Texas, USA-based WPJA member, the sky was dark and a large light hovered over the huppah, creating what McCullough judged to be a perfect scene and lighting conditions. ?This was a gift since the rabbi didn't allow any flash during the ceremony,? McCullough notes.

With the bride's father standing alongside the canopy holding his daughter's flowers, McCullough captured both the father's pensive face and the couple going through their vows.

?I'm always trying to see things differently, it doesn't matter what type of wedding it is,? he says.

While its critical to understand what traditions are important and generally what to expect in an ethnic wedding, you still have to be prepared for the unexpected. As with any wedding coverage, you?ll want to approach ethnic weddings on your toes. As usual, you can?t overestimate the value of anticipating and shooting in the moment.

?You can't go into a wedding thinking, ?I want this shot, this shot and this shot,?? McCullough says. ?I need a completely clear mind to photograph, I want the split seconds to direct me.?

In fact, not knowing exactly what will come is part of the excitement that brings people to wedding photojournalism, and can ultimately yield the original and unique shots that the practice strives to create.

?You're always on your feet and as a [wedding] photojournalist,? Badrinath says, ?you have to always look for those moments you haven't seen before.?

Because regardless of color, clothing, exotic material, language and cultural tradition, the moment is universal.

—by Paul Ziobro for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Everyone Is A Photojournalist

2010-11-12T11:14:00.000-08:00

Buyer beware: Trendy labels may be misleading, and a wedding photographer who claims to have been a ?photojournalist? may not always be who you expect.

These days untold numbers of wedding photographers state in their bios that they have a background in photojournalism. Yet many do not really have any actual professional experience as photojournalists. Some have maybe published just one or two photos, or work occasionally as a freelancer for a newspaper or magazine, while others fudge their own work history and interpretation of the term in order to bolster their own image.

So what, in fact, does this label mean, and can you trust it? Does it even make a difference? When you see this claim, even on the sites of WPJA members, you should definitely ask some questions to determine whether your candidate really has the background and ability to fulfill your expectations.

The terms ?photojournalism? and ?wedding photojournalism? are used quite liberally on thousands of web sites to imply that a photographer has the skills to capture unscripted moments, tell the story of the day, and richly document events as they unfold. Many wedding photographers like to say they are photojournalists, have been photojournalists, or come from a photojournalistic background when this is not the case at all.

This practice became more prevalent in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when photographers who did not have the word ?photojournalism? as a part of their marketing, had the potential of losing business. Now this term has become a more popular buzzword than ever, which certainly means you cannot take every claim of ?photojournalism? at face value.

?Wedding photojournalism and photojournalism are two different things,? explains Virginia-based wedding photographer Greg Gibson, who has won two Pulitzer Prizes for his images covering the 1992 Presidential campaign and the 1998 Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. ?A lot of wedding photographers take the word ?photojournalism? to mean storytelling, where photojournalism is really about news gathering and being the public?s witness, more so than just being a documentary photographer.? It is important to understand, that just because someone is a ?wedding photojournalist? does not qualify him or her as a ?photojournalist?.

There are many fine wedding photojournalists who have never worked at a newspaper, and it is clear from their portfolios, awards and legions of satisfied customers that they do an excellent job at covering weddings. Others do have a news photography background, which adds another layer of skills to their arsenal, since they have been paid to work every day, making quality images, sometimes up to six or seven days a week. Under those conditions, ?There?s a much higher expectation to get the job done consistently and at a high level,? Gibson notes. ?If you miss the moment and the person sitting next to you gets it, then their picture is going to be the one that gets all of the play and the attention, and your boss is going to be asking you why you didn?t get it.?

Identifying that bona fide, field-tested photojournalist is often a matter of looking beyond the biography and asking some precise, informed questions.

“It’s amazing to me how many wedding photographers try to capitalize on the ‘photojournalist’ label even though they may have extremely limited publication experience, no news reporting experience, and don’t even practice a photojournalistic approach to their wedding coverage,” states the WPJA’s founder, David Roberts. “Everyone is claiming to have a photojournalism background these days and few are willing to back it up with solid, detailed info in their bio/about page, and perhaps a collection of true photojournalism images that extend beyond photographing pee wee sports and the homeless sleeping in parks.”

For those photographers who make unsubstantiated statements of having a background in photojournalism, Roberts illustrates the possible misuse of the term ?photojournalist?. ?When my son was only ten years old, a local newspaper published a full page of his color sports images,? Roberts notes. ?A fine accomplishment, and I?m a proud dad, of course, but neither I nor anyone else would classify my son as a photojournalist. And yet in my book, having his images published under deadline by the media puts him light years ahead of many wedding photographers now claiming they are photojournalists.?

You should also take into consideration the level at which your candidates worked. The better photographers generally move up the food chain. Usually the larger publications acquire the more credible photographers. Those who have worked at big daily newspapers are going to have more experience than those working at the weeklies.

?People who have worked on a national or high state level where they are competing with photographers from other publications certainly get a different kind of experience,? Gibson notes. ?Their job security, pay and promotion are dependent on them performing at a high level very consistently.?

Some wedding photographers attempt to support their ?photojournalist? credentials by fudging their experience in unethical ways.

Gibson notes that even since he?s been retired from journalism, he has taken pictures and sent them to his local paper, so it?s easy to get a picture in print. The frequency with which people are contributing to publications or getting assignments is a much more important qualifier than whether they have ever been published.

?When photojournalism became a buzz word, there were so many photographers whose bios said they had been published in The New York Times or Time Magazine, where the reality is that maybe they had one picture published in their career," he says. "So the bride and groom should ask ?How often did you get assignments from that publication???

And in some cases, there actually was no assignment whatsoever! Roberts points out that many times couples will submit their engagement portrait to newspapers as a wedding announcement, only to have their photographer then claim that he or she has shot for that publication.

?Some even include the names of publications to which they have paid money to run a photographer advertisement,? he notes. ?That takes a lot of nerve because obviously, that?s not photojournalism?it?s paying to get published!?

Of course, having that news background is not a prerequisite for every couple that is looking for their perfect wedding photographer. Ultimately, a photographer?s body of work is usually the final qualifier. But even then, looks can be deceiving unless you do some inquiry.

Regardless of the criteria most significant to you, the important thing is to not be misled by trendy claims. You have every right to expect that someone who claims to be a photojournalist really is one?a staffer at a newspaper or wire service who has been tested under fire. Do the research, ask some probing questions and you?ll truly get what you expect.

—by Michael Roney for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Destination Wedding Vacations

2010-11-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Matt Adcock & Sol Tamargo

Photo by Susan Stripling

The story of professional photographers often starts with their fascination with what the camera can do and then with what they can do with the camera. This fascination turns into love. The photographers who are gifted with an artistic vision turn their hobby into a career. For the talented and committed few, it becomes the ideal marriage between doing what they love and making a living. It's a career lifestyle envied by office workers who feel trapped in their cubicles and artists who are struggling to make ends meet. Usually, it stops there, with the photographer living the dream of doing what he/she loves to do.

For the wedding photographer, there is another side to this dream. It is called destination wedding photography. White sand dunes, soaring mountains, fresh clean air, and soft, golden sun is that other side, coloring the dream in vibrant new shades. Traveling to exotic locales, setting their eyes upon new sights, and jumpstarting their creativity are some of the glorious advantages wedding photographers have over most other devotees to the camera. It is the opportunity to enjoy paid vacations, travel the world, build a portfolio of colorful locations, and inspire your imagination. Few other professions exist in which vacation and work come together so harmoniously.

Destination wedding photography is a niche that does not require the photographer to have specialized training. Yet it does require a sense of adventure and a willingness to jump into every new situation with aplomb. This should come naturally to most photographers, as a spirit of exploration goes hand-in-hand with the camera. An amazing tool, the camera acts as a guide through which the world is viewed and brought into perspective. It leads photographers from one subject to the next, as they seek to capture the ideal picture, in which the lighting, composition, and subject could not be improved upon. It is in this spirit of exploration that wedding photographers turn their sights on destination weddings.

There may be no better time to embark on destination weddings than right now. Couples are waiting longer to get married. Many are opting for something different than the traditional, local wedding ceremony and reception. Some want to limit the number of guests. Others like the idea of combining their honeymoon and their weddings together. And many simply want a breathtaking backdrop, such as a remote beach, a North European villa, or a mountain-top resort for their ceremonious event. Destination weddings have definitely gone from a delight that was exclusively enjoyed by the non-traditional bride and groom to the mainstream. Subsequently, and not surprisingly, the need has arisen for destination wedding photographers to accompany the wedding parties to these fabulous locations. This brings up the question: So, why aren't you photographing destination weddings?

Photo by Matt Adcock

Matt Adcock, Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) member and WPJA award winner, works full-time with his fianc?e, Sol Tamargo, also a WPJA member, as a destination wedding photographer. Together, they travel to weddings on the islands bordering South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and throughout the coast of Florida, as well as the Appalachian Mountains, the Bahamas, Riviera Maya, and Cancun. Matt and Sol's clients are those who want the very best from their wedding photographs. Because their destination wedding packages are priced at a premium rate, with the clients paying for travel expenses, Matt and Sol photograph fewer events. This allows for a less frenzied schedule, not to mention what effect multiple paid vacations throughout the year has upon stress levels. Matt's enthusiasm for what he does can only be summed up in his own words, "I love life. I love my career. I love my clients, and I LOVE MY FIANCÉE!"

Not everyone has the wherewithal to work as a full-time destination wedding photographer, but taking on a few destination weddings can be beneficial professionally and personally. A handful of location pictures in your portfolio greatly adds to your cache. Photos of stunning places can dazzle and impress, not only a potential client, looking through your work for the first time, but also, anyone. As you know, your portfolio should show the diversity of your work, and that should extend beyond color, black-and-whites, lighting, and style.

Traveling to a new location can improve your portfolio in another way, as well. Photographing someplace you've never been before is one of the surest ways to jumpstart your creativity. Seeing and experiencing a new location for the first time is a sure means of becoming inspired. It refreshes your perspective, adding an element of newness and excitement to your craft, which also extends to your work when you return home. Destination wedding photography allows you to step outside of your comfortable environment to see the world, and weddings, in a new light.

Photo by China Jorrin

Another benefit of destination wedding photography is that the clients who choose this option are likely to be more adventurous than your typical bride and groom. It is the nature of the event. Many have never been to the location before they arrive with dress and tux in hand. Most of the arrangements have been done over the telephone and the Internet. Because the pictures online may not be 100% accurate representations of the resort, this sort of wedding planning takes not only a thirst for adventure but also an easygoing attitude. These are two things that make photographing the event infinitely smoother for the photographer.

Oftentimes, a destination wedding is accompanied by a more festive mood than the traditional local affair. The location may be new to not only the photographer but the guests as well, creating a sense of adventure and vacation-inspired hedonism by everyone present.

Julie Gelfand, award winner, enjoys socializing with the family and the guests on her destination wedding assignments. She exclaims, "We are usually welcomed enthusiastically and treated royally." Her recent assignments have spanned three days, in which she photographs the guests arriving a day before the wedding and leaving the day after. So much time to capture the pictures adds to an altogether more lax experience. Since Gelfand stays in the same lodging as everyone else, she says, "We get to know the guests and family members, and leave feeling a closer bond with them than at a typical local wedding."

Photo by Julie Gelfand

Traveling to a foreign locale, finding inspiration in wonderful new sights, strengthening your portfolio, receiving rest and relaxation-it all sounds a little dreamlike. Yet, for destination wedding photographers, it is their living, breathing, working lives. The proof is in their photographs of colorful, exotic settings that are the backdrops of the entire wedding experience.

To look at the work of destination wedding photographers across the world and in your area, visit the WPJA homepage, and click on the drop-down menu labeled, "Planning a Destination Wedding?" or select a state/country under "Need a Wedding Photographer?" and click on the drop-down menu labeled, "Traveling Photographers."

— by Lauren Ragland for The Wedding Photojournalist Association

Destination Weddings: The Photographers Perspective (21%)
The Photography Factor In Planning Destination Weddings (21%)
Wedding Photographer Tax and Bookkeeping Tips (21%)
Hurricane Dean: Evacuation Wedding (21%)
Wedding Day Portraits With Just The Bride, Groom And The Photographer (11%)
Shooting Non-Wedding Assignments (11%)
Featured Photographer: Stacey Kane (11%)
Hiring A Creative Professional for Your Wedding (11%)
Budget Your Wedding Memories (11%)
Top Ten Photo Tips For Wedding Guests (11%)

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Invitations Primer - Wording Samples, Etiquette, Trends and Costs

2010-11-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding invitations are the focal point of your wedding stationery, providing the first glimpse into the style and formality of the wedding. While save-the-dates can be flirty and fun, your invitations will be a true reflection of your event. Plan your wedding invitations with care with my complete wedding invitation planning guide.

The Anatomy of a Wedding Invitation

Wedding Invitations can include a number of enclosures, depending on the nature of your wedding and your stationery budget. (obviously more enclosures means higher costs)

o Outer envelope: Holds all enclosures, formally addressed to the recipient.

o Inner envelope: Holds all contents of the formal, third-person invitation for protection during shipping.

o Reception card: Specifies where and when the reception will be held - usually included only if the ceremony and reception take place at different locations.

o Response card: On which your guests indicate acceptance or regrets. In self-addressed stamped envelope. Make sure to include an RSVP deadline.

o Map/Directional: Optional insertion to help guests navigate and arrange for accommodations

Cost & Budget Considerations

Before you go shopping, become familiar with the invitation printing process and lingo; this will help you determine your needs in advance and avoid unnecessary costs. Price is determined per invitation, so if your guest list is huge - be prepared to designate a significant portion of your budget to wedding invitations. Costs can range anywhere from $1-$50 each. Bulky papers, colored inks and unique graphics all increase the cost. Custom designs can also be pricey. Printing options also affect the cost.

Invitation Printing Options:

o Engraving - most formal and most expensive - results in raised print that is pressed through the back

o Thermography - less expensive than engraving - results in raised print that does not press through the back

o Lithography - less expensive than either engraving or theromography - results in print that is neither raised nor pressed through

o Laser printing - the least expensive option. - produced on a laser printer and results in print similar to that of lithography.

When factoring total costs, don't forget to consider postage as part of your budget, including stamps for the response card envelopes. Looking for ways to save? Keep your design simple, sticking to one color. Use lighter weight papers and include less inserts. Use response postcards instead of cards with envelopes.

Trends

As with all other aspects of your wedding, your invitations give you an opportunity to reflect a particular color, theme, and/or season of your wedding. During the spring, include pressed flowers or a flower blossom motif featuring the colors of your wedding. Hot right now is Asian-inspired floral motifs or anything 3D that adds texture. For the fall, incorporate warm, colorful leaves. For a summer wedding, feature seashells and starfish with brilliant ocean-blues or sunset-orange/reds. And for the winter, incorporate snowflakes on a simple white invitation.

Other popular suggestions range from unique color combinations and patterns, to ribbons or other clever themed items such as bindings. Many couples are going back to the traditional, formal look and featuring both sets of initials as monograms on the cover, but what's even hotter is a creative logo or historic family seal. Whatever you decide, make your invitations innovative and unique to your personal style and wedding.

Tips, Rules & Etiquette

o When to send them - send wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the big day. (if you think your guests will need more advanced notice, send save-the-date cards as well) Try to order invitations 3-4 months in advance to ensure they go out on time.

o How many to order - Order about 25% more than the number of guests you're inviting - you're bound to make mistakes or make last minute additions.

o Consider hiring a calligrapher for an added touch of elegance. (this is the first impression of your wedding!) Make sure to factor in the additional timing to ensure your invitations go out on time. Many rules apply to wording and addressing invitations. Here are some of the basics to ensure yours are "faux pas-free":

Invitation Wording Etiquette

o Dates and times should be spelled out (half after four o'clock in the evening, not 4:30pm, and the twenty-second of April, not April 22)

o Mr. and Mrs. are abbreviated and Jr. may be, but the title Doctor should be spelled out

o No punctuation is used, except after abbreviations and between the city and state.

o An invitation to just the wedding ceremony does not include an R.S.V.P

o "Hosting" the wedding can mean anything from a set of parents helping to plan the event, inviting the guests, or covering the costs:

If there is one set of hosts, list their names at the beginning.

If both sets are hosting, list on separate lines with bride's parents first.

If one set is hosting but you want to include the other set as well, note their names under their son/daughter's name.

If you are hosting your own wedding, begin with the request line and state parent's relationship under your name.

If you and both sets of parents are hosting, list your names first followed by "together with their parents" before the request line.

Addressing Etiquette

o No abbreviations, except for Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Jr. States must also be spelled out.

o If one of your single guests is bringing a date that you know personally, send that person a separate invitation instead of including "& Guest" on the inner envelope.

o If you are unable to obtain the name of a single friend's guest - indicate on the inner envelope that they may bring a guest - NOT on the outer envelope. (this looks awkward)

o Unmarried couples who live together should receive one invitation, where their names are listed in alphabetical order and on their own lines.

o Invited guests who are living together as roommates, not couples, should each receive their own invitation.

o List the names of children under the age of 18 who still live at home on the inner envelope instead of "& Family" which can be very ambiguous and easily misinterpreted. Children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation, regardless of their living situation.

o The traditional, married couple recipient should follow this format:

Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Parker

2211 First Street, Apartment 3

San Diego, California 92109

Wedding Invitation Wording Samples

Gone are the days when wedding etiquette mandated that the bride's parents, and the bride's parent's only, hosted the wedding. Today anyone can foot the bill, and with modern familial arrangements often anything but nuclear, there is no straightforward rule for wording invitations. We've sorted through the confusion to bring you wording samples for the most common arrangements:

Simple, Traditional Format

[proper names of those hosting] (official hosts line) request the honour of your presence (request line) at the marriage of their [relationship of the bride to the host] [bride's first and middle names] to [groom's full name], the [day of the week] of [day and month of wedding] at [hour] o'clock in the [time of day] at [name of wedding venue] in [city, state] Reception to follow

Divorced Parents

[proper name of host] requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of [his/her] [relationship of the bride to the host]

Or, if parent is remarried and hosting with new spouse:

[proper names of those hosting] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of [his/her] [relationship of the bride to the host]

Or, if divorced parents are mutually hosting:

[proper name of mother] and [proper name of father] request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their [relationship of the bride to the host]

When the bride's one living parent is hosting The invitation is issued only in the name of the living parent:

Mr. [Mrs.] Jonathan Stephen Smith and Timothy Wright requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of his [her] daughter Elizabeth Ann

When the Bride and Groom host

The honor of your presence is requested it the marriage of Miss Ashley Johnson to Mr. Paul Wilkins

Miss Ashley Johnson and Mr. Paul Wilkins request the honor of your presence at their marriage

Alternative "Request Line" Options

o "pleasure of your company"

o "honor of your presence" (used instead of the formal "honor" when ceremony does not take place in a house of worship)

o "share and celebrate in their joy" another creative idea that reflects the theme and tone of your wedding.

More ways to save on wedding invitations can be found at this guide to budget-friendly stationery.

Looking for more ideas? You can search hundreds of wedding invitations in this interactive invitation and stationery photo gallery.

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.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Dragging The Camera Shutter

2010-11-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Dragging the shutter is a basic photographic technique that is often put to highly creative use by the best wedding photojournalists. Whether depicting the bride mid-whir during a dance, or documenting a child bounding down the aisle at the church, dragging the shutter helps produce images that contain a sense of motion and bring an added dose of festivity to what, for some, already feels like a whirlwind day.

When photographers ?drag? the shutter by slowing down its speed, they effectively lengthen the exposure in order to create a motion effect. Optionally, a burst of flash can then freeze the primary subject in the foreground.

By keeping the shutter open that fraction of a second longer during a flash photograph, the camera is able to pick up more ambient light from the background, producing a warmer photo with more distant detail. Otherwise, in poorly lit rooms in which wedding events are often held, such as reception and catering halls, you can end up with photos of people who look like they?re in a pitch-black cave.

The overall result is a more dynamic photo, with more storytelling possibilities. ?Dragging the shutter definitely conveys the movement and dancing going on at weddings,? says award-winning photographer Justin Ide. ?Otherwise, you blast them with the flash and they?re completely frozen in time,? resulting in a more static image.

Face it: There?s a reason they call it a ?wedding party? and that?s because, once the music starts, most attendees?from grandmas and grandpas down to the flower girls?take it as a cue to get down.

With all the spinning, shaking and gyrating that comes with the dancing, WPJA members often drag the shutter to show the movement of the partiers. Used with a flash, this produces a sort of controlled blurring of the background, while keeping a sharp focus on the primary subject.

Ide, a Boston-based photographer, oftentimes uses this technique during the dancing sequence of weddings, especially during traditional circular dances like the Jewish or Greek horas. ?I think it adds to the festive nature of what?s happening,? he says. ?I do it primarily during dancing, because it adds to the emotion and to the fact that a lot is going on.?

Photo by Justin Ide

During the circle dance, when everyone?s moving from left to right in concentric circles, Ide usually rotates with the subject he?s trying to shoot, panning his camera by moving it laterally across the overall scene, to increase the background blur and to sharpen the subject. For his WPJA award-winning image, he moved from left-to-right while the bride was moving right-to-left. That allowed him to freeze her with the flash, leaving the partygoers along the side reduced to a blur.

Ide points out that the key to taking these photos is using the rear-curtain sync feature on the camera, whereby the flash goes off at the end of the exposure, rather than at the beginning of it. That allows the camera to record the motion and then freezing it at the end with a pop of the flash.

Conversely, with the front-curtain sync, where the flash goes off first and then the camera picks up motion, the motion can distort the moment you are trying to freeze.

Dragging the shutter can allow you to use the blur to your advantage, creating the effect of the subject crossing your path. This helps capture a sense of movement, an effect commonly seen in professional photographs of auto racing. Otherwise, shooting a photo at an adequate speed to stop the action produces an image that lacks that same dynamic atmosphere.

Of course, the greater focal length of a long lens increases the likelihood of noticeable camera shake and motion blur at slower shutter speeds, which sometimes may be creatively desirable. Generally speaking, a 50mm lens should be used with a shutter speed no slower than 1/50th sec for a sharp image. Going slower than that will probably yield that motion blur, whether desired or not. A 24mm lens has the same effect at about 1/25th second; a 100mm lens at 1/100th sec. George Weir, a wedding photographer based in Lancaster, PA, generally tries to get the shutter speed down to 1/15 of a second or slower with his 24mm wide lens, or down to at least 1/60 of a second with a longer lens, to create maximum blur.

During a typical wedding day, Weir finds it useful to drag the shutter to add motion at the bride?s home when she's walking to and fro, getting ready for the big day, and while members of the wedding party come down the aisle.

Photo by George Weir

Weir?s award-wining photo from a recent WPJA contest was captured at St. John the Baptist Church in New York, as he hunched down below the front pew, staying out of the way during the ceremony. When the bride and groom were about to exchange their vows, the ring bearer began his approach. Weir panned the camera as the ring bearer was walking, capturing an image that blurred the guests, while catching the little boy?s intent focus on his job at hand. ?It?s a total grab shot,? Weir notes. ?I think and shoot it. It?s instinctive to drag the camera across.?

In post-production, Weir made sure to leave the motion-filled backdrop alone in order to preserve the atmosphere of the picture and add to the story contained in the shot. ?If you crop the picture and just get a vertical shot, you get no sense of place,? he says.

Panning the camera across the scene with a slow shutter speed also turns any light source, be it candles or light bulbs, into streaks of light, which can create some cool effects. Twisting the camera in a circle during a long exposure produces circular streaks of light. Another trick to try is zooming in or out while the shutter is open, which can create some funky effects but can be difficult to nail down as planned.

Dragging the shutter at an especially slow speed of one second or more can produce some dramatic images that can really capture the ambiance of the room. Using a tripod, such photos record the furniture, decorations and other static objects while blurring the motion of the scene together.

Jennifer Sanford, a Portland, OR-based wedding photographer, usually tries to capture the overall mood of the reception by getting an image of the entire room, preferably from overhead. By opening up the shutter and mounting the camera on a tripod, she can get some psychedelic blurs worked into the photos, especially when the lighting inside is poor, as it usually is.

?It really makes a difference between my photos and the photos a guest might take,? she says.

Photo by Jennifer Sanford

When the guests started dancing at one wedding she documented, a photo from the balcony captured a circular blur with the bride and groom in the middle. By borrowing some direct light from a videographer who was documenting the wedding, it gave her enough light on the newlywed couple.

?I was on the balcony and originally planned setting off my flash very subtly to freeze some of the subjects, when I saw some of his light,? Sanford says of her award winning shot.

Dragging the shutter is certainly a much-used staple for ensuring that enough ambient light can enter the pictures. ?I practically always drag the shutter at the reception since it brings more detail into the background,? says Sanford.

But beyond that, this technique has the potential for overuse, adding blurs and lines that can give guests a bit of motion sickness if there aren?t enough photos to slow down the day. Dragging the shutter to add a more artistic touch should be used in modest measures, providing a nice contrast to the action photos that capture a freeze frame of, say, dancers in midair or a quick kiss between the bride and groom.

Also, despite all your practice and skill, taking photos using a technique with so many moving parts can inevitably lead to some throwaways because results will vary. So, are you willing to gamble on a moment the couple expects to see? It may be a good idea and a safe bet to pass on dragging the shutter for some of the wedding?s most poignant moments.

?Keep it simple,? Weir advises, ?and don?t overdo it.? And always remember: The skill of true wedding photojournalists is measured by what techniques they employ in-camera.

—by Paul Ziobro for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Receiving Thanks

2010-11-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

The handwritten note that wedding photographer Richard Esposito received from his client was obviously heartfelt: ?Our wedding photos are truly amazing. Not only did you capture our day, but you captured all the emotions. Every photo brings us back to that exact moment, letting us relive our day again.?

It?s clear from sentiments like these that wedding photojournalism is more than just pictures, or even telling a story. At the heart of what WPJA members do is touching the heart?capturing those moments that will forever resonate deeply with the wedding couple, their family and their friends. WPJA professionals are spurred on by the heartfelt thanks they consistently receive from their clients after the big day, in the form of emails, phone calls and tears. These responses, a confirmation of the deep meaning in what wedding photojournalists do, make it all worthwhile.

A glance at any accomplished wedding photojournalist?s collection of testimonial notes shows that their clients? sentiments tend to go far beyond a perfunctory, polite acknowledgement of a professional service well performed. They typically rave about ??so many beautiful moments?,? ??pictures that will forever be lasting memories?,? ??great working chemistry?,? ??your ability to see things few others can?,? and how ??you captured our personalities?,? or ??captured the pure beauty of the day and touched us?.? Clearly, personality and moments are major themes of thanks, as they should be for an experienced wedding photojournalist.

Richard Esposito

As the note to Esposito illustrates, most of these expressions of gratitude stem from the client?s experience of seeing the pictures and remembering the day?maybe even experiencing aspects of it for the first time.

There?s a universal reason for this: During the myriad of festivities, the couple of honor are in the proverbial eye of the hurricane?so much so that they often can?t really appreciate all that is going on around them.

?When the couple goes back and looks at the photos they kind of relive the experience,? says WPJA photographer Michelle Frankfurter, who is based outside of Washington D.C. ?Most of them talk about how the day just went in a blur, and before they knew it, it was all over. They realize what they experienced but didn?t really see. It really brings all of that back to them.?

?The bride and groom eat the cake, smell the flowers, listen to the music, and ride in the limo, but they don?t see the images,? notes New York?s Malgorzata Woszczyna, who for 16 years has covered weddings with her husband and fellow WPJA member, Jack. ?Afterward, when they see the pictures, they realize ?this was the wedding,? and that we captured the things they missed on their wedding day. This is the time they say thank you.?

Esposito says that many times couples or members of their wedding party don?t really know that he?s there around them getting the pictures, covering everything that happened?at least not until they get their proofs. ?A lot of times I sneak up on the action that?s happening and they don?t know that at the time. They?ll typically say they didn?t really notice that I was there, but that I still got everything that they wanted and more.?

Thank you notes such as these result not only from your innate skill as a visual storyteller, but also often stem from some kind of personal connection with the clients. People who feel that they know you better are more likely to write these notes. Says Esposito, ?I?ll do one wedding [for a couple] and then I?ll do their friends? wedding, and then one of their bridesmaids? weddings. After a few of these you get to be like part of the family, and that?s the kind of situation where you get thank-you?s more, as opposed to clients who saw me online and just booked me.?

Michelle Frankfurter

Frankfurter notes that she usually takes her client relationships pretty seriously. In fact, ?I crave it,? she admits. ?For me it really means a lot, because it?s so different from working for an editorial or commercial client. That?s much more of a detached relationship. With this it?s a lot easier to get much more personally involved with it, and you really are seeking that praise.?

She explains that she comes from a small family that immigrated to the United States when she was very young. ?I think there?s a part of me that wants these people?s lives ? seeing the cousins, the aunts and the uncles,? she confides. ?I didn?t grow up with any of that.?

Often Frankfurter even reciprocates by writing back, building further on the relationships she has forged. She talks about a wedding she shot this past June?one that generated a thank you email that went on for pages. The client lives in California, but had visited with Frankfurter before the wedding. ?She?s a botanist, so we spent about two hours talking about symbiotic relationships among plants rather than the wedding,? Frankfurter remembers. ?So there?s this definite intellectual connection.? So when she recently packed up all of her proofs to ship out to the client, she included a photo of two plants. Says Frankfurter, ?It had nothing to do with the wedding, but I figured she?ll appreciate it.?

To say that thank you notes are simply feel-good acknowledgements for services performed would be an understatement. In fact, for many wedding photojournalists they are a critical motivation to keep shooting and doing their best?a validation of their career, and sometimes even more.

Malgorzata Woszczyna

?Once you get a thank you note, you want to go and shoot [another] wedding,? says Woszczyna. ?Sometimes [as a professional photographer] you may get overwhelmed with the business issues, but once you get those thank you notes, it?s all worthwhile. They keep you excited about what you?re doing.?

Esposito says that getting notes like these means that he not only fulfilled what the couple wanted, but gave them more. ?I love it when people say that they can tell that I worked really hard on their wedding day,? he states. ?If I didn?t get a couple of thank-you?s now and then I?d probably be wondering ?am I doing this right???

Frankfurter adds that these notes tell her she didn?t just go through the motions or punch a clock. ?I?m hoping that the photos are going to be very meaningful; that they?re going to age really well. Something that will be in their family. They make my day. So the notes are truly inspirational.?

The value of receiving thanks doesn?t always end with professional satisfaction. Sometimes they go straight to the heart of your humanity, and what value you?re bringing to the world around you.

Frankfurter recalls a wedding she photographed last October?one that generated a series of bittersweet notes from the bride. She notes that the wedding day was gorgeous, and everything was just about perfect. But the bride?s mother was terminally ill. She was in a hospice and it was really touch-and-go whether she was going to make it to the wedding at all.

?On the wedding day, you?re juggling all of these different things and trying to make sure you?re covering all of your bases. When I saw that the mother was at the ceremony I was thinking that the one thing I wanted to make sure I had at the end of the day was something strong with her,? she remembers. ?So it just so happened that while I was taking shots of the groom and the groomsmen, I happened to look behind me, and the bride was kind of kneeling in front of her mother?and the mother was in a wheelchair with the hospice worker in the background.?

Michelle Frankfurter

She got the shot, and indeed it was a powerful photograph. A few weeks afterward the mother died, so Frankfurter rushed the photo to the bride to use in the memorial service. The bride subsequently sent Frankfurter a series of heartfelt thank you notes that she describes as ?really moving.?

?It was one of those rare situations where you realize that this is more than a wedding photo, and more than just a job,? she says. ?It?s that ability to empathize and figure out what?s really going to be important to this individual. And that?s basically what I?m trying to do with every wedding: Look at each group of people as individuals, and capture how they interact.?

Indeed, the expressions of thanks from clients can confirm and expand your role not only as a photographer, but in the world at large. Says Woszczyna, ?The checks we receive keep us in business, but the thank you notes push us forward and expand our horizons. Without them we could not go on. You just can?t go for the money. You have to go with your heart.?

—by Michael Roney for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

All-Access Photographer Pass

2010-11-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

For many, the most exasperating and dreaded moment of every wedding is right after the ceremony and before the reception, when everyone in the wedding party is called together for a grand staging, row after height-organized row, of matching taffeta and tuxedo silk.

"It's 'formal' picture-time!" - a wedding element as traditional as cake-cutting and garter tosses.

Photo by Amy Deputy

These days, however, brides and grooms are far more likely to break tradition when it comes to their weddings-and their photography. Couples are throwing creative and intensely personal weddings that represent their relationship. And they want their photography to capture that story-not the one a photographer is directing. Instead of pre-determined, posed stills, brides and grooms want to remember the unplanned, special moments that define the individuality of their wedding: a laugh between bridesmaids in the dressing room; a mother watching her daughter adjust her veil; the intimate moment between a father and his daughter, minutes before walking down the aisle; or the flower girl sitting in the grass, oblivious to her role, more interested in a dandelion than her basket of rose petals.

But there's a catch to pulling off this highly personal, documentary-style approach: you have to be willing to allow the photographer behind the scenes, giving him or her access to your most personal moments, so they can tell the story of your wedding-from beginning to end, and all the hidden parts in between.

Even if you think you've given your photographer unlimited access to your day, there are sometimes sticky situations that are out of your control. Churches, for example, often institute strict rules about where a photographer is permitted to stand during the ceremony. Another common restriction involves the use of flash photography. If that's the case, and there's truly nothing you can do, then you have to be realistic about the photos your photographer will be able to capture. If he or she has to stand in the back of the church, it will be impossible to document the bride's expression as she approaches her groom.

Amy Deputy, a wedding photojournalist and member of WPJA, says that designated church areas are one of the biggest roadblocks to access. "Churches have had such obnoxious photographers in the past, and it is a very sacred event," she says. "Sometimes it helps to talk it over with the pastor, and let him know that your photographer has promised to stay down low in the front and be respectful of the ceremony."

Photo by Daniel Sheehan

Daniel Sheehan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning commercial and editorial photojournalist, developed a strategy when he started photographing weddings-an interest that arose when he did a photo essay for a friend's wedding. Sheehan likes to attend the rehearsal, if only for a few minutes, in order to identify the key players in the wedding, as well as coach them if necessary on what kind of photographs he likes to capture. "At the rehearsal, they're thinking of everything that's going to happen the next day, minute-by-minute, and I can get an idea of what moments are important." And, if there's still a family member who's not cooperating the next day? "After working in newspaper for 15 years, I'm used to not listening," Sheehan says.

You will be tremendously busy on your wedding day, often with every minute scheduled and accounted for. If you know you want photographs that capture the two of you sharing a special moment alone, you should schedule time together-on a park bench, walking down the street, or just canoodling. "I like to have 30 minutes with just the couple," Deputy says. "Is that faux photojournalism? Maybe. But it's also creating a natural and special moment where they can just be in love." She won't set up a shot, but she encourages you to make the time, so these moments have a chance to take shape organically. Otherwise, they might not happen.

Deputy also recommends giving your wedding photojournalist a primer about your family dynamics. Share some personal details about your parents and siblings, so the photographer can get an idea of how to capture their strongest attributes, as well as the relationship you share with them. What's their story? Who should be photographed together? What do you love to do together?

Photo by Anne Ryan

To avoid any problems with family members barring the photographer from intimate settings or bugging the photographer for specific, posed group photographs, Chicago wedding photojournalist Anne Ryan stresses the importance of preparing your family beforehand for the type of photography you've chosen for your wedding. She has had good luck with couples who delegate a point person. This person is in charge of communicating with the photographer, identifying the VIPs, so the photographer can capture candid moments involving the near-and-dear cast of family and friends. "Everyone has that one friend or family member with drill sergeant mentality who likes to give orders," Sheehan says. "They become my accomplice." He also recommends putting together a shot list in advance.

Most photographers agree that granting an all-access pass isn't just about physical spaces. "Photojournalism is about documenting great moments with totally unguarded emotions," Deputy explains. That means letting your guard down enough to let your photographer see who you are. Take time to get to know your photographer, and make sure you hire someone you feel a connection with.

You have to completely trust your photographer to handle your emotions responsibly, and to know intuitively when they should or shouldn't photograph. With trust comes comfort. "When people are the most natural and comfortable, that's when they look their best," Ryan says. "The moment you start directing, they start acting differently."

That's another reason Sheehan likes to make an appearance at the rehearsal. If he takes some photos at the rehearsal, he gets a preview of the people who pose. "People are trained-you point a camera at them, and they turn and give you a big smile," he says. "At the rehearsal, I can give them a talk, tell them to act natural when I'm around."

"When they know they're OK just the way they are, they give themselves permission to open up. And all of that is done in an instant," Deputy says. "When people are comfortable with who they are inside, they can look right into the camera-and there's a really powerful connection. That's a picture that tells a story."

— by Meghan McEwen for The Wedding Photojournalist Association

Church Photography Restrictions at a Wedding (73%)
Wedding Scene Setters: Telling A Story Through The Use Of Space (54%)
Optimizing Your Wedding Photojournalism (51%)
Focusing On Good Wedding Photography Images (46%)
Getting Creative With Wedding Portraits (43%)
Away From The Main Wedding Story: Sideline Shots (43%)
Wedding Day Portraits With Just The Bride, Groom And The Photographer (43%)
How To Find Your Ideal Wedding Photojournalist (43%)
Weddings Can Be Chaos (43%)
Wedding Images With Depth (43%)

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Patterns In Wedding Photojournalism

2010-11-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

Amid all the chaos of a wedding day, scenes of patterns can help restore a sense of calmness to the moment, creating order from disorder.

And patterns will abound at wedding ceremonies and receptions. For one, you?ll have a number of ushers decked out in the same tuxedo, coupled with bridesmaids wearing the same dress, without any pangs of jealousy. A unifying color or color scheme usually ties all the visual elements together. And there are also numerous props?from chairs and place cards, to champagne glasses and silverware?that all can provide broad canvasses of patterns.

Each pattern presents an attractive opportunity to capture an interesting photo, adding a contrasting dimension to many of the other photos of the event. It?s a breath of fresh air for the eyes too, since patterns appear so frequently in daily life, whether on a tile floor or in slats on a picket fence.

?In general, I think the brain likes to create order from disorder,? says wedding photographer Kelly McCord. ?I like finding patterns and repetition that are occurring naturally. It's not something I purposefully try to do. It's just the way I seem to see things.?

That?s why many WPJA members keep an eye out for patterns during weddings, whether they can be incorporated as main subjects in a photograph or as a secondary feature in the shot. The result is a soothing photo that can produce some stunning visual effects.

Patterns can be found at just about any wedding; it?s largely a matter of keeping an eye out for anything that is visually repetitive.

Rows of chairs or pews, for instance, can be lined up in the frame to show an attractive pattern, as can a number of other static objects at a wedding.

?People put so much effort, money and time into picking these details, colors, cards and flowers?all which are very important and can create interesting patterns,? says Alex Ze-evi Christian, a New York-based WPJA member. ?Even though every wedding is filled with patterns, many times they are hidden and can be easily missed. My challenge as a photographer is to discover and photograph them in a way that will enhance the photojournalistic wedding story.?

Also, if the dance floor is packed with dancers doing the electric slide or some other line dance, you can have the chance to capture an action shot of silhouetted figures as they all strike the same pose.

Keep an eye out for the clothes of the wedding participants, since they especially can be incorporated to capture patterns in photos that include a human element. A group of guys wearing their black-and-white tuxedoes, or all the bridesmaids sporting the same pattern, provide a lot of material with which you can work.

At one wedding Joseph Hein shot, he spotted, literally, a pattern he could work with from the get-go: The bridesmaids had all worn bold, polka-dot dresses to the reception. ?When I saw those girls, I knew there was going to be a good shot there," says the Seattle, WA-based photojournalist. ?The pattern and the moment was what helped it turn out to be a great photo.?

Photo by Joseph Hein

Hein wanted to incorporate the dresses into a more interesting action shot, and got his chance when two bridesmaids went up to cut a cake, which just happened to be decorated in the same polka-dot pattern. He dashed over and snapped away, capturing a polka-dot-centric photo.

Hein?s polka-dot photo shows just how quick you need to be to catch patterns converging naturally, especially when shooting in the photojournalistic style--when in some cases you only have one shot to capture a particular moment.

So when you see an opportunity to capture a repetitive pattern, take it. Once it?s gone, it may not happen again.

Kelly McCord had only one chance to capture a pattern, where the groomsmen and ring bearer, all in their pinstripe suits, each had their hands clasped behind their backs in a similar grip. ?I especially like situations like that when it?s a happenstance that it?s one after another,? she states.

Photo by Kelly McCord

Right after she took the shot, one of the subjects unclasped his hands, wiping away the parallelism in the subject. ?To get those kinds of shots, you really have to be on your toes,? McCord says. ?It?s easy to help make it happen. It?s not easy for it to happen naturally.?

There are several types of objects at most weddings that number into the hundreds, making them ideal elements for pattern shots. But since the objects are static, you can work with them more freely and frame a creative picture.

Place cards are one such item, arranged ?just so? to create a nice pattern of dozens. At one wedding in upstate New York, the couple had arranged for the cards to hang from lines on clothespins, recalls Ze-evi Christian.

Photo by Alex Zeevi-Christian

Some photos create such a perfect medley of repeating parts that they beg to be shot, and this is one of them. But rather than just take a straight-on shot to merely capture all the cards, she aimed up, framing various lines?the cards, clothes pins and their shadows?in a light blue sky.

She considered staking out the scene, possibly for a hand to grab a card as it hangs, but she couldn?t just perch herself there when the entire wedding was going on.

?If I approach the table and someone is actually grabbing a card, I?ll go for that shot,? she says. ?Other times, nobody will grab the card because they don?t want to disturb me. I?m not going to ask for a volunteer.?

All good photos, to a degree, try to make some sort of visual sense, and patterns are one way to make the image click in a viewer?s brain. Taking mental notes of possible patterns at a wedding, and pouncing when the shots are right, can help add dazzling results to the mix.

Most basic photography courses teach participants how to find and capture patterns in everyday settings. Such skills, though very fundamental by virtue of training and experience, remain a vital part of a good wedding photojournalist?s agenda.

?If you?re the type of photographer that?s always looking for patterns,? says Hein, ?in general, your photography will be better.?

—by Paul Ziobro for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Capturing Quiet Moments

2010-11-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Weddings can be chaotic, noisy affairs where emotions are displayed publicly, so one of your biggest challenges can be capturing their quiet, intimate side. Trust, anticipation, skilled observation, savvy lens selection and a host of other judgments make it possible to bag those quiet, poignant moments in images that recall the day for those in attendance, as well as give those who were not in sight into what it was like to have been there. It is all part of the unique value proposition that our members bring to wedding photojournalism.

In college, WPJA photographer Mark Adams of LaCour in Atlanta chose to pursue a degree in anthropology because he wanted to be a photographer. He knew anthropology would help him be more observant of human interaction, he says. ?In order to make pictures of real moments, you have to observe personalities, get to know people and see how they interact with others,? he says. ?You also have to know when to be quiet and back away.?

Photo by Mark Adams

A newspaper and magazine photojournalist for a number of years before becoming a wedding photographer full time, Adams says he has a passion for documenting real life. ?It?s powerful to make pictures of real moments that [enable people] to go back and re-experience those moments.? He succeeded in enabling a bride to relive a tender moment she shared with her father in an award-winning photograph taken during the reception for a large wedding?about 700 guests?in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in downtown Columbia, SC. The three-day Hindu wedding was colorful and ornate, Adams remembers, ?Like eye candy. It?s easy to take pretty pictures at a wedding like this, but it?s harder to take meaningful pictures that capture special moments and personalities. That picture is such a great moment because it transcends the [specific] to show universal emotion.?

Adams perceived a strong connection between the bride and her father. ?Throughout the day he was so proud,? he says. So when a slideshow showing the bride and groom as children began to play during the reception, Adams looked at the father and wasn?t surprised to see him becoming emotional. Making himself as inconspicuous as possible, Adams trained his lens on the father and waited for emotion to overwhelm him, a moment he was certain would happen. ?When the bride looks at that picture in her album she will be transported back in time to that intense personal connection with her dad. That?s what I want her to remember.?

Photo by Allegra Gilbert

Like Adams, Allegra Gilbert, a wedding photographer in Lynchburg, VA, anticipated a quiet, emotional moment for the father of a bride in her summer 2006 award-winning photo. She was taking pictures of the bride, her mother and bridesmaids in a conference room inside the Washington National Cathedral in Washington DC, where the wedding took place, when the father of the bride entered the room. She immediately situated herself so that she could focus entirely on him, knowing he would react to seeing his daughter for the first time in her gown and veil.

?I felt other people [in the photo] would be distracting so I positioned myself to isolate the moment,? she says. ?That picture was taken about 20 seconds before the verger [a lay minister] threw everyone out of the room, telling us that the bride and her father had to have some time alone. Being thrown out of a room was a first for me, but it was OK because I had the picture I wanted.?

Gilbert considers herself to be a quiet observer ?rather than an in-your-face, wide-angle shooter,? and typically seeks those quiet moments with a 50mm lens on her 30D, moving to an 85mm on her 5D. ?I?m more of a sit at the sidewalk caf? and look at all the people go by type of photographer,? she adds. ?I like to observe and I think my work reflects my contemplative style.? To ensure that she doesn?t draw attention to herself, she rarely uses flash and keeps a low profile, and never skulks around in the corners of a room to take candid photos. ?That?s odd behavior so it tends to make people take notice,? she says. ?I?m just quiet and eventually everyone forgets about me being there.?

She notes that experience helps you be in the right place at the right time. ?Sometimes it?s just luck,? she says, ?But luck favors the prepared.?

Anticipation and finding the right spot for capturing a quiet moment is a skill that comes with experience. A wedding photojournalist would normally strive to find opportune moments when the bridal couple were so used to having him around that they were unaware of his presence, even when he makes significant strides to be in place to photograph them.

It?s important to observe human nature and family dynamics before and during a wedding. When wedding photojournalists assure their clients they will capture the day for them completely, the couple feels secure and ignores the camera?the ideal scenario for quiet moments to happen and be captured.

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalism Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Machine Gun Shooting

2010-11-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

WPJA photographer Scott Lewis, who just moved to Philadelphia from central New Jersey, halted his unpacking to ponder a question: When photographing a wedding, is it necessary to shoot constantly to ensure that every memorable moment is captured?

He answered by recounting a recent conversation he had with two young photographers just beginning their careers as wedding photojournalists. They admired his style and sought guidance. Lewis, who has worked most of his career as a photojournalist, most recently at a newspaper in Raleigh, NC, gave them sage advice. ?These guys shoot twice as many pictures at a wedding as I do,? says Lewis, who takes between 1,400 to 1,800 images per wedding. ?I told them, ?You?re taking a machine gun approach when you should be taking a sniper approach.??

The digital age has liberated photographers from the expense of purchasing and processing huge quantities of film. In addition, some WPJA members have cited the ease and economy of digital photography as a factor that support their creativity?one that includes a license to take large numbers of shots. Yet overshooting has its disadvantages.

Lewis posits that less-experienced photographers overshoot because they do not trust their instincts. ?As a photographer, you are always going to beat yourself up about every moment you miss,? he points out. ?That?s just what we do. It?s not important to get every possible moment between the couple. The guests are just as important. If you photograph a protest, for example, you don?t have to get a picture of every person with a sign. You need to capture the essence of the event. A wedding is like 100 little events in a day. You just need to capture the essence, not every moment.?

Patience is part of the discipline, and that also improves with experience. You can stay fixed on a subject or moment, get one in the bag and then hang with the scene while shooting a few more in hopes of a change that will improve the picture.

Photo by Scott Lewis

At a recent wedding, Lewis patiently captured a well-framed candid emotion, which revealed a private and honest split second expression given by the subject while among other wedding attendees. Unguarded moments like this one are what Lewis continuously looks for, even in structured situations. ?I shoot for me but not at the expense of shooting for my clients,? he says. When Lewis sees something that he finds visually intriguing, like the bride standing serenely by the window in this photograph, he shoots and hopes his clients will have a similar response to the picture. When they do, he calls it ?magical.?

Lewis believes he must put down the camera from time to time in order to see?moreover feel?what?s going on. ?I often sit back and look at the world through my own eyes and not just through a camera. It brings a human element to the photos. It?s about people connecting.?

To Lewis, the measure of ultimate success is to have someone who didn?t attend the event feel as if they were there. ?You do that by being a good observer,? he notes. ?If you are constantly shooting you aren?t observing. A photo editor once told me you can?t give up your life to photograph others? lives. If you don?t have a life, you aren?t going to be a good photographer. That?s also true for wedding photography. Overshooting takes away energy and creativity.?

Evrim Icoz, a WPJA photographer in Portland, OR, is completely opposite from Lewis in his creative process. Icoz has to move?all the time?and consequently shoots a lot; taking 3,000 images is not uncommon. But Icoz isn?t shooting photos for the sake of picture taking. He judiciously selects moments and shoots each one like a short story by capturing the build up to the moment, the moment itself and the denouement afterward. Later when he edits, Icoz pares down the number of images by choosing only those that tell the story of the day best.

Shooting more than one frame of certain situations and events also helps inoculate the photographer from an untimely blink from a subject?the chance of which is increased as the number of subjects in the frame grows.

Icoz says he walks around constantly and patiently watches. ?Turks are very aware of their surroundings,? says the Istanbul native. ?At weddings you have to look all over the place, not just at the action in front of you. I?ve seen wedding photographers sit down! I don?t wait for the action to come to me. I go looking for it.?

Photo by Evrim Icoz

Icoz had to sprint to keep up with the action at the recent high-spirited wedding of Portland personality Margie Boul?, who invited musicians, performance artists and puppeteers to perform at her wedding to her high school sweetheart. The reception was held at an art gallery across the street from the church. In keeping with the festive atmosphere, Samba dancers, jugglers, wedding guests and the couple danced all the way down the street to the carnival sounds of a Brazilian percussion group. ?I walked with them and tried different combinations of lighting and lenses,? says Icoz. ?My philosophy is that the first time I see something I capture it immediately. But that doesn?t mean it?s the best photo I can get. I stick with the subject and wait to get the best shot. I waited for the bride?s dress to fly in the air a bit and looked for one more action to happen. When the drummer lifted his hand, that was it.?

Because he also photographs dance, Icoz says he often anticipates what?s going to happen at weddings. ?In music you can hear something coming and it?s the same in weddings. It?s a combination of anticipation and constantly monitoring what?s happening around you.?

WPJA member Jonathan Kirshner of Springfield, IL, agrees that the key to photographing a wedding successfully is staying alert and anticipating moments. He says that he sees weddings as performance for wedding photojournalists. ?It?s a blend of athletic and artistic performance,? he says. ?There is so much energy that goes into shooting a wedding that you have to prepare for the expense of energy physically and mentally in order to do it well. The day after shooting a wedding feels like you?ve been in a marathon. As a wedding photojournalist, you don?t set up pictures, so you have to constantly be in the process of making good images.?

Kirshner and his wife, Shannon, are staff photographers with the State Journal-Register newspaper in Springfield. Often they work together to photograph weddings, and when they do they shoot between 3,000 to 4,000 images per event. ?If just one of us is shooting, it?s more like 2,000 to 2,500,? he says. ?It isn?t motor driving the wedding to take 2,000 photos because we?re thinking throughout the day about making great pictures. That means recognizing and anticipating moments, moving to compose, moving in and out of situations, and working situations creatively. Your brain is on, your eyes are moving and you?re documenting emotions. You are constantly engaged in the creative process.?

Photo by Jonathan Kirshner

At a wedding in the plaza of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Kirshner anticipated and captured a buoyant moment during the reception when the joint was jumping. Wedding guests danced to a live band that performed in front of a replica of the White House fa?ade as it looked during Lincoln?s presidency. ?This was one of those moments during a wedding that shows when photojournalism is more than just reacting to what you see but anticipating what?s to come,? Kirshner says. ?I saw these guys jumping and made a split-second decision to do something at a low angle. I didn?t use flash, just available light from the bright white house behind them. It was a creative decision that turned out well. Weddings overflow with photo opportunities.?

While the way in which they shoot varies, all three photographers say the number of images they capture is determined by instinct, experience and anticipation. Scott Lewis says when shooting, it is important to remember the work of those who saw photography as a craft and not a business tool. ?Those people who made photography an expressive, exciting medium didn?t rely on the mechanics of motor drives to capture scenes or moments,? he says. ?They relied on their guts.?

In his book The Decisive Moment, Cartier-Bresson talks about the heart, brain and camera coming together into a fully integrated response to the world. Lewis says that when you do that you are connecting with your subject. ?That?s what separates one picture from another?no matter how many pictures there are.

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalism Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Tips in Selecting Discount Wedding Invitations

2010-11-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

Choosing a wedding invitation is very important because it will give your guests a first impression or glimpse of what your actual wedding will be like. A wedding invitation must, first and foremost, reflect your wedding theme and motif. Wedding invitations also often serves the purpose of being delightful keepsakes.

However, the right wedding invitation need not cost an arm and a leg. It is not wise to spend a fortune that can be used somewhere else. The range of kinds and styles of discount wedding invitation is vast. Choosing a particular one can be very confusing. There are discount wedding invitations and if you follow the guidelines below you will definitely never go wrong in choosing one. The key is to be prudent and not letting yourself get carried away. You can even save more money if you follow these guidelines.

Choose wedding invitation style well. As mentioned earlier, your primary consideration in choosing a wedding invitation style is the theme and motif of your wedding. Is your wedding grad or simple? Will your wedding be light or formal? Other than that, it all depends on personal taste and budget. But whatever your taste or budget range is, you will definitely be able to find a good wedding invitation. If you want, you can even buy some cards and design your own invitation by buying a printing kit which is offered by some wedding service providers.

Determine the kind of wedding you'll have. Your type of wedding invitation will largely depend on whether you will have a traditional or modern wedding. Traditional weddings would require a more formal invitation. On the other hand, a modern wedding will call for a more modern kind of wedding invitation. Traditional wedding invitations would only contain texts. It wouldn't contain any graphics. Traditional wedding invitations are usually upright and folded with the words engraved on the right side. Cards used in traditional wedding invitations are usually white or cream and the letterings are in silver and black. If you are having a themes wedding then choose a wedding invitation that is appropriate for your chosen theme. For example, you can have a sixteenth century scrolled parchment wedding invitation if the theme of your wedding is Tudor.

Choosing a supplier. Wedding invitations can be obtained by mail order, printer, stationers and stationery designers or you can buy online. Choose a supplier hat provides value added services and features so you will get real value for your money. Some suppliers will help you right the wording in your wedding invitation. Some will even help you with wedding etiquette rules and would help you if you are confused about all the etiquette rules involved in sending out wedding invitations. It would also be nice if the supplier has trained and experienced wedding etiquette and social correctness experts. Choose a supplier that offers personalized service so you can be sure that you are not getting run of the mill wedding invitation.

A good discount wedding invitation supplier will also respond to your inquiries and requests promptly either through email or by phone. But your privacy must always be requested so make sure that any personal information you provide to them is used for the sole purpose of processing your order. Your order must be transmitted across a secure server, so your billing information is kept private.

Mark Flavin is the creator of the popular wedding website http://markflavin.com/wedding

With information for those thinking of getting married and those who have already walked down the aisle. It is free resource everyone should see. Go check it out: http://markflavin.com/wedding

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Different Elements In A Chinese A Wedding Invitation

2010-11-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Nowadays there are different styles of wedding invitations. Indeed wedding invitation is one of the must items for a wedding. It is used to announce the wedding and spread the joy and happiness of the couple. A well designed wedding invitation can give an unexpected impression to the guests. It is in fact marking the beginning of a wedding ceremony. Depending on different cultures, different elements can be seen on a wedding invitation.

For example, traditionally in China, wedding invitations are usually red in color, with the famous Chinese character double happiness printed on it while a traditional wedding invitation in Europe or USA is usually white in color. Of course an Indian wedding invitation will have Lord Ganesh printed, which means a blessing from God, it may not be applicable to most of us though. In this article, it is attempted to explain different elements forming a Chinese wedding invitation, which can inspire couples who are planning their Big Day.

Common elements on Chinese wedding invitation

As discussed, one of the major elements of a Chinese wedding invitation is the red color. "Double Happiness" is also very common on such invitations. Apart from these famous elements, sometimes a pair of dragon and phoenix can be found on a Chinese wedding invitation. Another element, which may be surprising to some of the readers, is a pair of chickens.

Red Color

As most of us may know, a Chinese wedding invitation is usually red in color. However, not many people know the reason why it is in such color. In fact, red color is not only for wedding, it is also the main theme of Chinese festivals such as Chinese New Year. Concerning wedding invitations, Chinese wedding invitations are of different colors a few thousand years ago. Chinese used black color wedding invitations a few thousand years ago. It is believed that there were five emperors, Red, Blue, Yellow, White and Black Emperors in Chinese History. They are indeed the ancestors of Chinese people. The black color of the wedding invitation may probably be coming from the notion of the five emperors. The red color came to Chinese wedding invitation, and other festivals in the Han Dynasty.

The first emperor of the Han Dynasty declared himself as the son of Red Emperor. Starting from this legend, the red color became the main theme of different celebrations and festivals. This theme also became the main color of wedding invitations. One may doubt that why gold and yellow were not adopted as main color of wedding invitations, as it can be always seen in traditional Chinese palaces. In fact gold and yellow are also meant to be something lucky and joyful. It is also interpreted as a symbol of the royal family, or the emperor. The only one who could use these colors is the emperor. This forms the reason why gold and yellow colors are not the primary colors of a wedding invitation. However, culture is changing from time to time. More people start adopting gold and yellow color the Chinese wedding invitation designs.

Double Happiness

In Chinese culture, wedding is always related to the notion of double happiness. This "double happiness" is an interesting Chinese character. It looks like two people standing side by side. In fact we can interpret it as a couple standing together. From here we may get a clue of the reason for printing the character "double happiness" on the wedding invitation. This character bears the meaning of getting together. It declares that a man and a woman, and two families will be united as one. The character "double happiness" is usually printed on the red invitations with golden hot stamping.

Dragon and Phoenix

Dragon has long been the symbol of China and Chinese people. When Dragon and Phoenix come as a pair, dragon represents male and phoenix represents female. Dragon and Phoenix can be interpreted as a perfect couple. Similar to "double happiness", this pair are one of the elements which is usually seen in wedding invitation design, with golden hot stamping.

A pair of chickens

In Chinese, chicken is pronounced as "Ji", the pronunciation is similar to another Chinese character meaning good luck. A pair of chicken becomes a blessing to the couple. It blesses them good luck for the rest of the life after marriage. This pair of chickens are usually full color printed on the invitation. It looks a traditional paper cutting. This delivers a quality of Chinese style which a hot stamping logo cannot be replaced with.

As mentioned, the notion of double happiness is the key of Chinese wedding, some modern Chinese wedding invitations can be one of the choices for your big day. You can also find some other vendors of wedding invitations in USA for your big day.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. His works are in 983 Wedding Invitation. He runs A Wedding Blog and you can find lists of wedding vendors from Wedding Tips Websites

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Images With Depth

2010-11-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

Anyone who?s been to a wedding knows there?s nothing simple about the pictures. This is doubly true for a wedding photojournalist, whose goal is not to just photograph the bride, the groom, and the family and friends present, but to capture the energy and the variety of emotion that surround the event. After all, it?s called a milestone for a reason.

One of the best compositional strategies for a great photographer is to focus on images with depth. Deep photos, like any good wedding cake, are made up of multiple layers of people, objects and emotions that make for compelling photographs and, for those involved, memories that will last. A photograph with depth is complex--it shows and it tells the story. And as with many great images, it takes a little bit of luck and a lot of skill.

To get a shot with complexity, it takes ?hard work,? says Joseph Gidjunis, a WPJA member in Pennsylvania, USA. ?I know that?s a cheesy phrase, but a photojournalist doesn?t just accept what?s in front of them as the only answer, the only photo. We all get lazy, and it?s hard to keep the camera in front of your face and also constantly look around you and be aware of your surroundings. So when we see that one great shot of emotion, we get it and we feel like it?s done. But it?s not?there?s something going on around it, beside it; a bigger emotion coming up around that moment.?

Photo by Jonathan Adams

Jonathan Adams, a WPJA member operating in Wyoming and Kentucky, USA, agrees. Looking for the larger moment helped him capture the photo that placed in a recent WPJA contest, showing a bride and her sister embracing tearfully, the bride?s face reflected in a mirror.

?I had photographed just minutes earlier the bride using the mirror for makeup, so using the reflection was something fresh in my mind. Once I got the composition I watched the expression of the sister while watching for a clear view of the bride. The moment came together and I was ready for it. I shot about 10 photos of this scene and it quickly evolved from a grab-shot moment in the first frame to a composed, clean image with more depth by the last frame.?

This strategy is one Adams often employs to catch the subtleties of the day as well as the big brush strokes of emotion. In fact, he uses an artist?s metaphor to elaborate. ?I look at shooting like sketching a drawing. I shoot the scene and keep shooting while constructing and deconstructing the photograph. After I shoot the first image, I start looking for secondary elements to help tell the story?often times people looking on or reacting. I search around my main subject for things that make the image have more meaning or impact, while at the same time I?m looking to clean up my composition.?

Staying with a moment and seeing it through clearly requires not only skill in composing an image, but patience. And plenty of it.

?I am not the type of photographer that can grab a great moment from across the room with a long lens, says Adams. ?What I am is the type of photographer that is great at observing cool moments, and positions and preps himself to be on top of it the next time it happens. I?ll see a moment taking place at a reception and position myself for a repeat of that moment. As soon as that happens and I get the photograph, I continue to wait and watch through the camera, with the idea that hopefully I caught the moment with the momentum going up, and it will only get better. Don?t stop shooting until you are sure the moment has gone or you have thoroughly worked the scene.?

Photo by Matt Kim

California, USA-based WPJA member Matt Kim found this to be the case when he took an award-winning photo of family and friends laughing, crying and, in the background, looking on with confusion. According to Kim, the photo was taken ?at a reception in a rural backyard. I was scanning the crowd looking for good moments.?

?I'm not certain what happened, but my guess is that the mother of the groom, who had not been very expressive during the ceremony, finally had her emotions catch up to her and started bawling an hour into the reception. I saw her across the yard and moved quickly towards her and snapped a series of photos.?

By spying a moment-in-progress and taking initiative, Kim was able to capture more than just an overwhelmed mom?and more, it turns out, than he was even able to notice at the time.

?The main subject of course is the mother sobbing with her face in her hands, but we also see the grandfather, still happy, and family friends reacting to the joke someone must have told,? Kim notes. ?Meanwhile...no one notices the mom behind them. The guy walking past in the background was completely unaware and his expression doesn't reflect his general demeanor during the wedding day, but it?s intriguing.?

Kim knew to seize the moment when he saw the previously reserved mother let loose with her emotions. This awareness of and familiarity with your clients is essential to taking a more complex photograph. The depth is not just in the image, but also in your understanding as a wedding photojournalist of the emotions involved.

?I think depth is very useful in telling the stories more efficiently,? Kim says. ?Including background, and additional players, it adds context and relationships to a single photo. And usually it's just a matter of being aware of all the elements in a scene and working the angles to present the most complete story.?

Photo by Joseph Gidjunis

There?s quite a story behind the Gidjunis photo of newlyweds kissing that took first place in a recent WPJA contest. In the foreground, a woman, the groom?s mother, has thrown her hand up in the air; in the background, a younger cousin laughs at the spectacle.

?This photo was a culmination of the whole wedding, in a way,? says Gidjunis. ?Throughout the day we?d seen a series of kisses by the bride and the groom, who were a bit more physical than some other couples, and it really got to be funny towards the end of the reception.?

?We?d just come off of an impromptu formal shot with some extended family and the couple started kissing again. The mother said ?I can?t believe it, again?!? and the son answered, ?I married her, I put a ring on her finger, I get to do this all day long!? So she threw up her hands, as if to say, ?what am I going to do???

Because of the image's skillful composition, we get both sides of the story in one photo. This is the appeal of an image with depth to the wedding photojournalist.

As Jonathan Adams says, "I like to see points and counterpoints, I like to see actions with reactions, moments and reasons. I always want to provide a reason for the viewer to linger longer on an image." Quite literally, it's this skill to perceive beyond the surface, to the deeper story, that makes an eye for depth and complex composition so valuable to the wedding photojournalist's work.

—by Heather Bowlan for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Capturing Wedding Toasts

2010-10-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

A celebratory toast to the bride and groom is deeply ingrained in wedding tradition, but do you know how the venerable custom came about? In Bottom?s Up!, a 2005 book of cocktail lore, former maritime reporter Robert McKenna solves the mystery.

Drinking to a person?s health or happiness dates to Greek hosts who wanted to assure guests that the wine they drank was not poisoned. But the word ?toast? comes from the Latin word ?tostus,? meaning roasted or parched, and it came about during Roman times. Wine wasn?t very tasty then, so drinkers plunked a bit of burnt bread into their goblets to improve the flavor. The custom continued into the 1600s on European waterfronts, where seaman dropped a bit of toast in their glasses of ale or mulled wine. When the crouton grew soggy and sank to the bottom, inevitably one of the drinkers would call, ?Toast!? and they?d race one another to see who could finish the drink first and eat the saturated bread.

These days, raising a glass to toast a bride and groom has a higher purpose: to wish the couple happiness and success. Toasts can be emotional or funny, sometimes embarrassing, but always heartfelt. They can also be tricky to photograph, logistically and artistically speaking, so wedding photojournalists have to remain alert, creative and nimble. For example, a bridal couple may be squarely in a photographer?s viewfinder during a toast, but ?when glasses are lifted, you never know if their faces will be obstructed,? points out WPJA member Amy Raab, a wedding photojournalist in Annapolis, MD. ?You may think you have a clear shot, but you don?t.?

?How we shoot is dictated by the environment,? says Wendy Woods, a Minneapolis-based WPJA member who photographs weddings with her husband, Nick Gorski. ?We have to be careful to not block people?s view.?

Photo by Amy Raab

Raab agrees. In fact, her consideration of guests at a 2007 Annapolis wedding reception led her to capture an award-winning photograph. The evening party was held on a boat cruising Chesapeake Bay. ?About 75 people were gathered on the middle deck of the boat, which had a low ceiling,? Raab recalls. ?That confined space dictated how I photographed the toast. I got close to bride and groom and the bride?s dad, but I had to squat down because otherwise I would have blocked everyone?s view. It was ideal because all three were lined up in a row.?

During his toast, the father of the bride told an amusing story of how the couple met. True to her photojournalist roots, Raab listened to the story with the camera to her eye. She kept the three subjects in her viewfinder and waited for the emotional moment. ?You have to focus and keep in firing range in case you see emotion,? she explains. ?The little moments?a subtle glance, rolling of the eyes?are the hardest to capture.?

Photo by Wendy Woods

Photographing moments that epitomize the mood of a wedding are part of what wedding photojournalists do best. Wendy Woods captured the essence of an emotionally charged Minneapolis wedding held earlier this year in an award-winning photo of a toast given by the bride?s dad. Woods likes to position herself at the side of the head table at a reception in order to capture the couple?s faces. That put her ?in the right place at the right time,? she says modestly about the image. ?The bride?s father was having difficulty delivering the toast because he was so emotional. The maid of honor suddenly went to him to lend moral support. I think she felt protective of him. Then she put her hand over her mouth because she was about to cry, too. It was a weepy wedding, and that moment encapsulated it.?

Photo by Ben Chrisman

Often it takes creativity to visually translate a feeling. WPJA member Ben Chrisman chose a quirky angle and an interesting background to show the effervescent atmosphere during a toast given by the groom?s sister in a Las Vegas reception early this year. The wedding took place in Lake Las Vegas, located about 10 minutes east of the city. While the groom?s sister was talking, Chrisman moved among the seated guests looking for the right angle to put the scene in context. Slightly tilting the camera and including the boldly colored, striped wall conveyed the whimsical feeling in the room.

?I don?t like traditional wedding photography,? says Chrisman. ?It?s boring! Wedding photojournalists are taking wedding photography to a new level. It?s an exciting time to be a wedding photographer. Each week I?m pretty amazed at the awesome shots my [wedding] photojournalist buddies are taking, and that forces me to come up with something I haven?t done before. There are so many photos to take and so much in front of me during a wedding, I just try to figure out how to make it visually interesting in a way that I haven?t seen before.?

Nearly all the nuptials Nevada-based WPJA member George Wolf photographs are destination weddings. ?The reason people come to Hawaii to get married is that it?s a beautiful place,? he says. ?They want their wedding to be at sunset on the beach and who can blame them? So I try to incorporate the sunset and surroundings as much as possible.?

Photo by George Wolf

Including the environment in a picture of an Ohio bride and groom toasting one another earned Wolf a WPJA award in early 2007. Hawaii is rich in color and textures, so to convey that, Wolf excluded all but a portion of the ocean in the background so that he could contrast the rich amber color of the champagne flutes with the vivid blue sky. Making the bride and groom slightly silhouetted added a touch of drama to the photo, and further accentuated the colors.

It was a small wedding, only a half dozen guests, he says, which is typical of the ceremonies he photographs. And because most of the weddings are small, attended only by loved ones, Wolf says toast makers feel free to speak from the heart. ?Emotions come out, especially from the bride and groom,? he says. ?But a lot of people like to go for laughs with their toasts, to varying degrees of success.?

The most humorous toast Wolf remembers was the wedding of director/writer Jay Chandrasekhar, who directed the 2005 movie Dukes of Hazzard. ?His best man was from his comedy troupe, Broken Lizard, and his toast was awesome,? Wolf remembers. ?Everyone was laughing. It was like a good standup routine and went on for 20 minutes. I took photos of people laughing, but that was one toast that wasn?t nearly as photogenic as it was entertaining.?

Laughing or crying, wedding guests lift not only their glasses but also their hearts in joyful toasts, and wedding photojournalists excel in visually translating the mood so couples can remember forever how the moment felt.

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Deprogramming Wedding Subjects

2010-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at a wedding?with a camera. Maybe then you could get a wedding party to be 100 percent candid 100 percent of the time. To capture spontaneous, truthful moments throughout a client?s nuptial day, wedding photojournalists have a few tricks up their sleeves, including disappearing in plain sight.

?I?m six-foot-three and have no hair,? says Michael Albert, an award-winning WPJA photographer from British Columbia, Canada. ?So I don?t blend into a crowd very well. And having a Canon D body around my neck doesn?t exactly make me unobtrusive, either.? And yet by the end of the day people often tell him, ?Oh, I didn?t know you were there!?

Photo by Michael Albert

This amazes Albert. ?Like most people I?m a little self-conscious,? he admits. ?I feel like I stand out like a sore thumb.? But Albert captures the most unselfconscious moments of people at a wedding, a feat he attributes to his photo gear and mindset. He?s streamlined his equipment?two camera bodies, two prime lenses (wide angle and close portrait)?so that he doesn?t have to think too much. ?I?m so comfortable with the simplicity of my setup that it makes me a more quiet person to be around.?

Albert was one of those kids in school whose abundant energy routinely landed him in hot water with teachers. As an adult, he?s learned to funnel that energy into creativity. Before a wedding, Albert grounds himself by slipping into a Zen-like state. ?I calm down and accept what comes,? he says. ?I think that relaxes people around me. I?ve mastered the skill of talking to people with my eyes, giving them a sense of peace and confidence in me.?

But when Albert encounters those people who simply can?t forget a camera is nearby, he has a game plan. ?The default move I do when I encounter someone who won?t stop mugging for the camera is to smile, drop my camera and move on to the next person. Then I go back, often with a pre-focused lens, and fire the camera at belly level.?

From the get-go Heather Mabry sets her clients straight. ?I tell them at the initial meeting to ignore me during the actual event,? she says. A WPJA medallion winner from Georgetown, Texas, USA, she says it?s important to be clear with clients about the way she documents weddings and to set some ground rules. But, she adds, her clients wouldn?t have sought her services if they weren?t already sold on her photojournalism style. ?That?s why they hired me,? she says, ?so they already know that they don?t have to act aware of me the entire time.?

Sometimes brides and grooms take it on themselves to lecture their own wedding parties about not posing. ?I don?t ask them to, but they do it anyway, and it works to my benefit.?

Mabry?s shooting style comes naturally to her. ?I?m not the type of person who is naturally inclined to do a lot of posing during the event,? she says. ?In the beginning I never wanted to do a bunch of portraits. My photography was always hands-off. So it?s clear to brides and grooms what my style is. If most of the work you show is posed, setup-type shots, then your clients will expect that type of work from you.?

Photo by Heather Mabry

When she does encounter people who mug for the camera, Mabry says, ?I gently remind them that they don?t have to do that and should continue on with what they?re doing and not look at me every time I point the camera. Sometimes people have the mindset that they should look at the camera, so when I tell them not to, they?re happy to know they can ignore me. Other guests try to pose, but when they see that others are ignoring me they get it. I guess some people think they don?t look good in candid pictures.?

If some wedding guests are uncomfortable in front of Mabry?s camera you?d never know it. Her portfolio shows insight and intuitiveness in a lively mix of animated and relaxed images. Mabry believes her personality has everything to do with it. ?I?m pretty quiet by nature, not exuberant, so people are relaxed around me. They know that I?m not going to be obnoxious. By the end of the night, they don?t notice that I?m there any more.?

Children, on the other hand, are a different story. When there?s a camera around, most kids can?t resist perpetually posing, and dissuading them from hamming it up can be a frustratingly fruitless endeavor. As WPJA founder David Roberts notes, "Typically, kids are programmed by their parents at a very young age to stop any activity they are engaged in and 'cheese' for the camera aimed in their direction." One solution is to communicate with the adults and encourage them to let their kids be kids throughout the event. Though this tactic does not work perfectly all the time, it does facilitate more opportunities for candid moments.

Photo by John Hong

Distraction can be a photographer?s best friend. For wedding photographer John Hong, ice cream made him invisible to four children in an old-fashioned ice cream parlor in Yakima, Wash. ?The parlor was a hang-out area for the wedding party,? says Hong, who along with his brother Joseph run John & Joseph Photography in Seattle. He had been with the wedding party for a couple of hours, he says, wandering around taking pictures, so everyone?including the children?were used to him being there. ?I let kids be kids and they get used to me,? he says, ?and eventually they ignore me.? But distractions can guarantee candor. When Hong turned and saw the kids absorbed in their frozen treats, he was able to capture the sweet spontaneous moment quite handily.

Generally if you?re confident and comfortable with yourself, advises Joseph Hong, your clients will feel the same way about you. ?Comfort is of foremost importance,? he says, in getting people to relax and forget that a photographer is nearby taking pictures. ?We get to know our clients quite well because we?re photographing personalities, not just a wedding. And we have to make everyone feel comfortable?not just the bride and groom?but family and friends, too, because they?re also part of the pictures.?

Hong says he and John have encountered camera-shy people throughout their six years of photographing weddings. They?ve found that ?everyone has their level of comfort and if we feel a person is uncomfortable, we?re not going to push the limit. Of course, alcohol throughout the evening helps to get rid of inhibitions,? he laughs. ?But we won?t photograph someone who?s not comfortable. Usually, though, even the shyest clients get used to our presence and style.?

Being swift-footed also helps them capture true moments, Hong adds. ?By the time they notice us, we?re already gone,? he says, so there?s little time for a subject to be self-conscious. ?We shoot and we move and we shoot and we move. By the time we come around a second time, they?re used to our presence and we become kind of invisible.?

Early on in their wedding work, the Hong brothers knew that shooting in natural light would yield more natural pictures, in part because it enables them to remain in the background. ?In today?s world of mega lenses, we?ve always believed that less is more,? says Hong. ?We shoot exclusively with prime lenses, which enable us to shoot with natural light and not use any flash. They?re faster lenses so we can stop down to f/1.4 or wider and use natural light.?

Going for a natural look is the goal of all wedding photojournalists. It can be challenging?after all, people are involved. But by being as inconspicuous as possible and concentrating on the small moments of the day, WPJA photographers capture the big picture of a wedding. On her web site, Heather Mabry says it best with a quote from the mid-20th-century Italian novelist and poet Cesare Pavese: ?We do not remember days, we remember moments.?

— by Lorna Gentry for The Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The Wedding Invitation - Steps For Stress-Free Selection of the Perfect Invitation

2010-10-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

The day has finally come...the proposal was made, the date is set, the place is chosen and now it is time to choose the invitation to spread the joy to all of your loved ones that you are getting married. With so many details to plan and so many choices of styles, colours, themes, etc with which to choose from, the process and ultimately, the final choice can be so overwhelming for some. The truth is, like the decision to unite your life with the one person you have decided to do so with, this too should be an easy decision. As with love, you cannot chose who you love, as your heart will decide that for you... the same applies to selecting an invitation, you will know it when you see it.

The following information will provide you with a step by step guide in choosing the best invitation that will not only say it best and share your joyous news, but it will also reflect your style, theme and overall ambiance of your wedding, not to mention your budget. Most information available discusses invitation etiquette alone, while this article is meant for a different purpose. Most couples have an image of what every detail will be like for their wedding day, but can't quite put it all together to achieve exactly what it is they want. I have created a step by step guide to organize your thoughts, prepare you for invitation selection, inform you of potential options, all while respecting your budget. So get ready to learn and enjoy the process of choosing a pivotal element of your wedding day...your wedding invitation.

First, you need to in vision the type of mood you would like your wedding to encapsulate. Are you fun-loving and comical? Are you whimsical and want to be swept away into a fairytale? Are you modern and "seriously" in love? Are you captivated by moonlight on a wave stricken beach? Are you quiet and elegantly simple? Once you have established the mood of your wedding, you can easily establish the style of invitation that reflects that mood. Elements that reflect mood include the card stock, for example, vellum; a soft somewhat clear paper suggests bliss, romance and has softness in its tone that reflects elegance. A card stock that is thick and bold with sharp lines exemplifies a modern flair with class. A card embossed with characters or images may very well bring a comedic or humorous edge to your invitation. These are of course, just a few examples of card stock styles that are available to choose from. Fortunately, now that you have a starting point to mentally in vision the emotional setting, if you will, of your wedding day, the style of card stock or paper used will become very easy to choose once you begin viewing the many invitations available for purchase. The mood or genre of the invitation you view will leap off the card now that you know what to keep in mind. Remember, whatever the mood that best represents you as a couple, should definitely be brought forth through the visual and written expression of your wedding invitation.

Next, the colour scheme chosen for the special day is crucial to know when selecting a wedding invitation. Most often you have many choices in terms of which colour you want to use within your invitation, as well as elements within which to choose from to highlight your colour scheme. Usually, the colour chosen for the bridesmaids dresses, tuxedo vests, flowers, tablecloths and any other accent feature of the wedding, all coordinate together along with the invitation to unify the day and create a visual balance with what not only you, but also what your guests will be experiencing throughout your entire wedding day. As such, the special colour woven into the fabric of all of your wedding decor can easily be incorporated with your invitations through the design that exists right on the invitation card stock itself, the ink colour that will inform your guests of all of the very important details of the day, as well as a lined envelope with the colour of the day that can be used as an inner envelope (not the envelope you address) that adds a wealth of elegance and class to the overall appearance of your invitation package. The colour chosen also contributes and enhances the mood or tone of your wedding, which also supports what was previously discussed above.

Let's imagine that you have completed the first two steps. If you have not already realized, you have now chosen the invitation itself, the colour within the invitation that will bring it to life and since you already know all of the details of the day including your ceremony site, your reception site, the date and time of one of the grandest events of your life, you are now ready to "write" the text of your invitation... which means you are half way to completing the process of selecting your perfect wedding invitation. The text or written element is by far the most important part of your wedding invitation. Here you will highlight all of the pertinent information your guests will need to know in order to be part of your special day. Therefore, it is crucial to confirm that the date, time and place are firmly booked and have no possible chance of changing before ever writing and/or ordering invitations.

The other important decision to make is to decide who is hosting your special day? Are parents involved? Are parents deceased, divorced, want to be mentioned, want to be excluded? Do you already have children that you would like to mention? There may also be so many other factors that need to be thought about, so think carefully about who is important to you and who deserves mentioning on your very special wedding invitation. Since the wording of your invitation is crucial, be sure to give it careful thought.

The other part of the text is your font or lettering style. The style you choose is but another key element in the overall mood of your wedding day. A very scriptive or cursive font exudes romance and softness, while a block style lettering often suggests a more serious, modern flair. Remember, the lettering itself will probably be the biggest element on the page, therefore, it will also be the biggest and first thing your guests will see once unveiling your invitation from its envelope, so think about the "statement" you want make with the lettering style to choose.

Now you have all of the pieces of the puzzle; your invitation, the colour and the wording, thus, the invitation ensemble has been completed. However, if it has already entered your mind about how your guests will let you know if they can join you on the wedding day, then think no more. It is almost certain that most invitations you choose have an accompanying or accenting response card and envelope, which then provides a means for your guests to inform you of their ability to attend the wedding. Therefore, you are finished choosing your invitations, your guests will now be able to communicate to you whether or not they can attend; the only other question is, how many invitations do you need to order? Usually, one invitation is given per married couple and one invitation per single adult. Overall, I recommend that you also consider your own family traditions with the way in which an invitation to such an event would be customarily issued.

The final step includes the ever-famous budget. Realistically speaking, every couple needs to establish a budget when planning a venture as grand as a wedding. Big or small, finance needs to be part of the equation. In saying that, most of what I have touched on above, does include the involvement of a vendor who can link your requests to a printer who will make all of your thoughts a reality which may or may not meet your budget. Fortunately, I have many solutions for you. For those who can afford the card stock with professional printing but wish to have all of the extras that the budget won't allow; do-it-yourself bows or other adhesives can easily be purchased and applied by you at a fraction of the cost. Add your own personal touch without comprising all of it. Another alternative is purchasing invitation kits that include a professional card stock where you would apply the text and printing aspect. In this case, you would gain an overall professional style invitation, but again at a fraction of the cost. Finally, for those that are fortunate enough to possess an endless budget or close to it, my ultimate advice would be to go for the gold; make all of your dreams come true and relish in the beauty of not only finding your perfect soul mate, but also enjoy the luxury of the elite invitations professionally printed and elaborate adornments affixed by professionals that can do it all for you. Whatever the situation, rest assured that by following these steps I am certain that you will happily complete the process of selecting the perfect wedding invitations.

In closing, I will leave you with one final thought about your wedding invitations. Be sure to think carefully through the many choices you have, enjoy the planning experience and remember, the keepsake factor of your written wedding invitation is enormous, as your invitation will be a tangible remembrance treasured forevermore by all who receive one.

My initial interest in weddings and all of the the coordinating that goes along with it, came about when I began planning my own wedding almost eight years ago. Throughout my personal experiences in doing so, I considered a concept for the ideal wedding shopping destination; a one-stop shop for bridal essentials and as a result, I opened a store specifically geared toward weddings. The store was owned by myself, my sister and our mother and after five years of operation, we met and serviced thousands of brides and or couples planning one of the most important days of their lives; their wedding. Not only has this experience accelerated my customer service abilities, it has also provided me with a wealth of knowledge and expertise withing the wedding industry. I now happily assist couples with their wedding preparation thorough my online store http://www.finallythebride.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding Photographer Etiquette: When, And When Not, To Shoot

2010-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

When WPJA photographer Michael Barber made his award-winning photograph of a bride shimmying up into her descending gown, it was a proverbial Hail Mary shot. Barber?s photojournalist background enabled him to conquer a challenging situation. With no ladder and no picture possible at eye level, he pre-focused the camera, lifted it up over the dress and fired away.

Photo by Michael Barber

?I didn?t know what picture I had until I saw it,? he says. ?It goes back to my press conference and sports photography days where I was working in a pack and it was impossible to get a good picture at eye level. The spontaneity of the photo makes it fun.?

Spontaneous moments like these are what every wedding photojournalist works to capture, but not all uninhibited moments are humorous or touching. Some can be downright embarrassing. Should you shoot when a bridesmaid has a wardrobe malfunction ? la Janet Jackson? Walk away when the bride disrobes to put on her dress? Photograph an adorable five-year-old flower girl who?s half in, half out of her dress? As a wedding photojournalist, when is it appropriate to document a moment and when should you walk away?

?I?m there as a storyteller, not a voyeur,? says Barber. ?Clients are comfortable knowing that that?s my role. Changing clothes is an awkward moment perhaps, but certainly not one that gets in the way.?

Barber leaves the decision of whether he should stay or go up to the bride. ?It comes down to the client?s comfort level. We all know she has to change from street clothes to bridal gown. I have a conversation with her before the wedding about that moment and tell her I?ll leave the room when she?s not comfortable and come back when she is. My respect for them and their respect for me allow me to work most of the time when they?re changing without much ado. But I have clients who want me to leave when it comes time to change. Then when I go back in she?s completely dressed, which is fine, too.?

It?s rare for anyone to ask WPJA award-winning photographer Matt Kim not to take pictures, he says, in the bridal chamber or anywhere else. He?s actually often surprised by how much access he has to private moments?including hostile ones. Emotions run high at weddings and fights or disagreements can happen, ?but I don?t shy away from that,? he says. ?I hang in there and photograph it as an observer.?

Photo by Matt Kim

Kim?s award-winning photograph, taken earlier this year of a private moment in a San Francisco bridal chamber, shows just how comfortable his brides are with him in the room while they change. Kim caught the bride?s comical grimace as her friends helped her into her dress. ?Getting into those dresses isn?t the most comfortable or easiest thing to do,? he says. Difficult wedding gown wrangling is a scenario that happens frequently at Kim?s weddings, but so far none of his brides has shied away from including those private images in their online and paper albums.

Michael Barber believes the bride dressing into her gown is an important moment that shouldn?t be missed and he relishes the opportunity to be there. ?Sometimes there is so much going on that I?m left in the hall and they forget to come get me,? he says. ?I have to be attentive to that situation because otherwise I?ll miss the moment of the dress going on. It?s a transformational moment. The bride is transforming from a nervous girl, who has so much on her mind, to a bride ready to meet her groom. That moment is what we?re really after, and it?s a big moment for her, as well as her mother, sisters and friends.?

Would it be easier if the bridal suite photographer were female? Barber is not so sure. ?It?s not so much who?s in the room but what?s taken out of that room that?s the difference,? he notes. ?If a bride is comfortable enough to walk around in her underwear in front of a male or female photographer, that doesn?t necessarily mean she wants those images online or in her album where her friends and family can see. So a female photographer may have greater access, but even still she needs to be discreet.?

Privacy is in the eye of the beholder, according to wedding photographer Julia Bailey. ?Sometimes brides say, ?No way are you taking a picture until my dress is on,? and others say, ?Oh, can you take some nudes???

?I tend to have beautiful brides,? Bailey continues. ?There?s no reason why they shouldn?t show off their bodies. Often they ask if I can take a picture of them with nothing on but their veil. Sometimes we do a [pre-wedding] session and put a book together that they give to their fianc? on their wedding day as a gift.?

Like Michael Barber, Bailey believes that her discretion in handling nude and sensitive photos is paramount; therefore, she places those images in a separate gallery on her web site. ?If I take some photographs where body parts are exposed as a bride is getting her dress on?like breasts, even in silhouette?I don?t put those online where anyone can see,? she explains. ?I put them in a private gallery that is locked and can be accessed only by the bride. Then it?s up to her if she wants anyone to see them. I do the same thing with nude portraits.?

Matt Kim is also sensitive toward indiscrete moments that can happen during a wedding, especially at the reception, where on the dance floor intoxicated women in strapless gowns can reveal more than they realize. ?I delete those images,? he says flatly. On the other hand, when something dramatic happens he doesn?t hesitate to shoot. ?At a wedding that took place on a hot day, one of the groomsmen fell straight over,? Kim remembers. ?I ran over and pointed my camera but people were saying, ?Don?t take the picture.? I took a couple of shots but backed off instead of trying to completely capture the moment.?

The gentleman recovered and was fine, says Kim, but it begs the question: Should you photograph wedding guests in distress? ?I think you?d have to be in the situation to figure it out,? he says honestly. ?But if a grandparent fell over with a heart attack or something, I don?t see the benefit of photographing it. In my work I?m trying to convey the truth of what happened, but God forbid if someone died. Hopefully I would have some pictures of the grandparent alive.

Photo by Julia Bailey

When it comes to photographing nude children, Julia Bailey hesitates, in part because she is a mother herself, but also because she?s sensitive about even the appearance of sexual exploitation. She has taken photographs of children partially clothed, she says, ?but even though it?s an adorable moment, I?m aware that it can be misconstrued as pornographic.? So Bailey is frugal about taking pictures of undressed children, except when she just can?t help herself. ?Once I did get a picture of a little girl in her bloomers who was about to get her dress on. She was very shy and covered herself up with her arms. I couldn?t resist; her shyness was so cute.?

Shyness, however, just doesn?t come up very often with Bailey?s brides. Even though she looks a little like an alien in her old-fashioned hair drying bonnet, the underwear-clad bride in Bailey?s award-winning photograph had no qualms about being photographed while she got ready for her New Orleans wedding. And more than one bride has exposed herself in front of Bailey?s male assistant, Max, who happens to be her fianc?. ?There was one bride who walked around nearly nude in front of him and she was fine with it, but it made me uncomfortable. I said, ?Hey, you?re not supposed to see that!??

? By Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Featured Photographer: Karin von Voigtlander

2010-10-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

Portrait of Karin von Voigtlander by Annette Lein

In the streets, alleyways and back roads of Merida, Mexico, a 15-year-old Karin von Voigtlander found her passion: photojournalism. She had been shooting only about a year and a half in her hometown of Kalamazoo, Mich., when she was invited by a girlfriend to aid her minister mother in her work in the Yucatan Peninsula. Von Voigtlander packed her manual Minolta 35mm camera and 30 rolls of black-and-white film, flew to Mexico and found her calling.

With no way to communicate?she spoke no Spanish?the camera conveyed von Voigtlander's intentions and emboldened her to unflinchingly document what she saw. ?The camera was my invitation to interact with people I don?t think I would have interacted with otherwise,? she says. ?I felt like it was exactly what I should be doing when I was out there photographing.?

The camera had been a gift from her parents when she was 14. Over the years, the von Voigtlanders watched their daughter struggle to find a creative outlet. ?I had tried a lot of other different types of art: painting, sculpting and drawing. I failed miserably,? she admits. ?I was just rotten at all of them.? The camera, however, was the right fit. ?I started documenting the exploits of my teenage friends. Whatever we did, I shot it in black and white. Then my dad helped me convert my bathroom into a darkroom where I processed and printed my pictures. I was so in love with the process that I would spend 12 hours at a time in the darkroom.?

Photo by Karin von Voigtlander

In her senior year in high school, von Voigtlander applied to the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY?the only school she approached, much to her mother?s chagrin?and was accepted. She graduated with a BFA degree in photojournalism in Fall 2001, but the sour economic conditions during that period truncated her career possibilities. ?It was such a bad job climate then,? she says. ?9/11 did horrible things to the photography market.? She went to Mansfield, OH, for an internship on a small weekly newspaper. When that expired, she returned to Rochester and got a job as a photojournalist on another small paper. ?I was happy to work and didn?t care that it wasn?t prestigious,? she says.

However, the slow pace of her work?three to four assignments a week?squashed creativity and sapped her energy. ?It just wasn?t stimulating enough,? she recalls. Then she saw some wedding photojournalism work done by WPJA founder David Roberts and was intrigued. Never had she seen that approach to wedding photography. A little research revealed that there was a demand for non-traditional, candid photography and she began to offer her services on weekends, enabling her to shoot more and make more money, too. Soon she was photographing so many weddings that her day job was getting in the way. A year and a half later, she quit the paper and became a full-time wedding photographer, traveling to nuptials from Long Island to the Catskills, Buffalo to the Adirondacks, as well as other northeastern states and foreign countries.

Von Voigtlander enjoyed the freedom and creativity, she says, but missed the weekly mix of wedding and editorial photography. When a position on the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle daily newspaper became available a little over two years ago, she immediately applied and was hired. Now, she enjoys a steady diet of editorial and wedding photography, and her contentment is evident in her work. Over the years, many of her images have placed in numerous competitions, garnering her WPJA?s Silver Member designation, an honor of excellence. Von Voigtlander?s images show her sense of humor, insight and bravery in capturing intimate moments.

Photo by Karin von Voigtlander

During a wedding in Skaneateles, NY, a picturesque town upstate in the Finger Lakes region, von Voigtlander photographed a bride trimming her father?s nose hair. ?It?s amazing what people give me access to,? she laughs. ?I don?t want to offend my clients by putting a camera in people?s faces in intimate moments. I tend to back away until I know my behavior is accepted. The bride said, ?Dad, you?ve got some nose hairs. We?ve got to get those nose hairs.? And I thought it would be so funny, so I put my camera up..." Good thing she did-that picture won third place in the humor category in another WPJA competition.

Von Voigtlander also took fourth place in the ceremony category in a WPJA competition with an image of a tender moment between a Rochester bride and her dad just before he walked her down the isle. ?There was a close relationship between those two,? she remembers.

?She was an older bride, thirty-something, and you could tell it was tough for her dad to give her away. They even looked a little alike. They were standing in the room where you wait before you walk down the aisle. That?s a great place to take pictures. Nine times out of ten you can get a good moment during that time.? She doesn?t recall what was said that made the bride laughingly embrace her father, but she does remember being struck by the light illuminating the pair. She chose black and white for the picture, she says, because ?color would have been distracting. You get drawn straight into the moment when it?s black and white.?

Photo by Karin von Voigtlander

Von Voigtlander had another award-winner, this time in the Kid?s Category. Her picture of a wedding cake that looks like the leaning Tower of Pisa and a blindfolded boy took ninth place. When von Voigtlander spotted the boy at a Rochester wedding reception scaring guests with his antics, she positioned herself so the cake loomed in the foreground of her viewfinder. ?He was trying to freak everyone out that he was going to tip over the cake,? she says. ?He put the napkin on his face and waved his arms around the cake, trying to get attention. I?m pretty sure he could see okay, though. He was just being a little boy.? Her choice of angling the picture makes both cake and boy seem vulnerable, and makes it hard for a viewer not to gasp and laugh out loud.

She?s been gathering so many wonderful stories over the years that last February von Voigtlander started a blog on her web site, even though she was a little dubious about it. ?At first I thought it was pretentious,? she says. ?But when I started to read other people?s blogs, I thought it was a great way to display updated work and keep in touch with people, especially clients.? Now she?s in love with her electronic journal. Like wedding photojournalism, blogging about the weddings she photographs appeals to her journalist nature to share people?s stories in words and beautiful, emotional and humorous photographs. ?I?m a blog addict,? she confesses. ?I want my life to be more interesting so my blog will be!?

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Negotiating For The Photograph

2010-10-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

The mother of the groom announces that you?re to only photograph her left side, which she insists is the good one. The maid of honor tells you she does not want to see the camera until the sun sets. The singer demands that because of his celebrity status, no photos can be had of him at all. And the officiant lays down the rules?no photographs will be taken during the ceremony. Of course, you?ve been hired to photograph the entire event from start to finish. Do these photo-phobes present a problem? Not at all.

Photo by Tara Arrowood

To be an effective wedding photojournalist is to be a superb negotiator, undaunted by the photo weary. The top pros know how to find a common ground, appease the camera adversaries, and still get that award-winning photograph. We?ve talked to three WPJA award winners whose razor-sharp negotiating skills repeatedly ease tensions during weddings, enabling them to capture brilliant images.

There are times when the photographer butts heads with well-meaning relatives or others who are working at the wedding, such as the make-up artist. And these people may keep the photographers from doing their jobs. For instance, while the bride is getting ready, the relative or make-up artist may ask that no pictures be taken before the bride is ?ready?, keeping the photographer at bay in the hotel lobby or out in the hall.

For WPJA award winner Tara Arrowood, this is not as daunting a problem once she has access to the bride. When asked to not take pictures, she says, ?I look at the bride and ask, ?Do you want me to take photos now??? If the answer is yes, she continues to work.

Photo by Andre Maier

Things can also become a bit sticky when the bride and groom request ahead of time that you not take pictures of a certain person at the wedding. Fortunately, the savvy photographer knows how to avoid any ugly confrontations or leave anyone feeling awkward. When the bride and groom tell wedding photographer Andre Maier they do not want pictures of the father?s new wife or the sister?s boyfriend, he takes family portraits with and without the individual. This way, the couple can discard the photos of the uninitiated guests.

WPJA contest winner Earl Christie has taken pictures of people who are visibly uncomfortable in front of the camera. They may smirk or simply look away. He notes, ?I?ll smile at those people and mouth a ?thank you? so they know I?m there to do a job -- something the bride and groom want done right.? Throughout the day, he makes an extra effort to be affable and polite, making it easier for people to lighten up to him and to the camera. As a result, he has no horror stories.

The person officiating the wedding may inform you that absolutely no pictures can be taken during the ceremony. This has happened at least once to every wedding photographer who has been around the block a few times. In essence, this individual is telling you that you can?t do your job. Does it have to be a horrendous hurdle? Not necessarily.

The first step to avoiding this scenario is to be informed?to be perfectly clear on when and where you can and cannot photograph. Our experts agreed that upon the initial meeting with the bride and groom, you should find out about any photo restrictions likely to be imposed at the wedding venue. If there are any, ask if you or the couple can contact the officiant to review and possibly modify them prior to the big day. Christie says, ?A week or two before the wedding, we?ll have a logistics meeting and we?ll go over the restrictions again.?

Hired to photograph a wedding in Mexico, Arrowood was told of the restrictions ahead of time but assured by the couple that the rabbi would loosen up on them. He did not. On the day of the wedding, the rabbi made it clear that she could not take any pictures of the ceremony. Not willing to simply accept that edict, she enlisted the help of the bride?s father, and together they confronted the reluctant clergyman with a series of questions such as ?What is it that bothers you about the photography?? ?What is it that?s important to you?? ?Is there a time and a place that I can move around during the ceremony?? They discovered that the rabbi was worried that the camera?s flash would interrupt his line of sight and that Arrowood would be a distraction to the guests during the religious parts of the ceremony.

Identifying exactly what it was that bothered the clergyman, Arrowood was able to work with him to find a compromise that both he and she could live with. In the end, she was granted four photographs during the processional. This was better than nothing but not an ideal situation, and in fact, a rather extreme and rare one for a photographer who has flown all the way to Mexico. Luckily, this sort of thing has only happened once to Arrowood.

Christie takes a similar approach to Arrowood when negotiating with the person conducting the ceremony by isolating what it is that bothers him or her about the photography. ?I come from a place of really trying to respect what they?re trying to do,? he says. ?I try to be sensitive to where they?re coming from and hopefully that comes across, and a lot of times people who have restrictions will usually modify them for me or drop them completely.?

Maier never accepts an edict that no pictures can be taken during the ceremony. If necessary, he offers ?concessions? that actually fit well with his laid-back working style: He prefers to stay in the back of the building or in the outside aisles, and he does not like to be in between the bride and groom or too close to them.

?I explain how I work,? says Maier. ?I tell them that I don?t stop anyone for a picture. And I?m not in anyone?s face.? Oftentimes, he says, that is enough for the restrictions to be lifted. But when that doesn?t work, he tells them that he will stay in the back, behind the last row of guests, or offers not to use a flash, making himself as inconspicuous as possible.

Photo by Earl Christie

The same holds true for Christie. However, there was one wedding in which he did not have a choice but to stand a few feet away from the couple, as there were no sight lines from the aisles or the back of the pews. (Luckily, there were no photo restrictions at that church.) Yet even then, with the help of a large floral arrangement, Christie was able to hide himself. He stuck his lens through the flowers and captured the bride and minister in laughter. That became an award-winning photograph.

Overall, the attitude with which the photographer approaches the person administering the restrictions can indeed speak volumes, since in general, those rules haven?t been issued arbitrarily. Usually, sometime in the past there was a photographer who was disrespectful or disruptive during the ceremony. Simply showing respect and acting polite will get you far in possibly negotiating a compromise.

The officiant isn?t the only person who might try to stop the photographer from doing his job. Maier recalls a wedding when a well-known singer who had been hired to entertain the guests during the reception told him that no pictures could be taken of him. Maier reminded the entertainer that the bride and groom paid a lot of money to have him at the wedding. A compromise was made in which he was able to take two pictures with a flash when the singer stepped onto the stage and a handful of pictures without a flash during the first two songs. Then, Maier had his assistant take pictures during the entire performance from the back of the venue.

Arrowood had a similar scenario in which a celebrity did not want her picture taken at all. As a compromise, she gave the bride the copyrights to the pictures in order to ease the celebrity?s fear of their possible resale by a professional photographer. Arrowood says that she does not like to give over copyrights, but in this instance the celebrity was making her way into too many important photographs to simply allow them to be discarded.

Solid negotiating skills weigh greatly in elevating and furthering a wedding photojournalist?s work, making those unique moments more accessible. Maier sums it up: "I just want to get the photos, to make the people in the pictures look good and in the end, to make my clients happy with the pictures." Good negotiating makes all that possible.

—by Lauren Ragland for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Unique Ideas For Memorable Wedding Invitations

2010-10-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

The custom options available for wedding invitations are unlimited. For the couple who want a truly unique look for their wedding, the invitations are a wonderful place to start. There are many ways to create unique and lasting invitations of your special day. Choosing an invitation for your wedding is important, because it will be one of the most lasting mementos of that day. Take the time to select an invitation that reflects the true spirit that you share as a couple, and do not worry about whether it presents a traditional look. Some ideas to consider:

Photo invitation - Invitations with the engaged couple's photograph are a touching way to invite others to your wedding. There are a variety of ways that photographs can be incorporated into the wedding invitations. Some invitations include a full color photograph of the bride and groom. Others use a black and white, low contrast (or "watermarked") photograph. With the full color photographs, you will have to put the invitation's wording on a separate panel so that it will be clearly visible. If you choose the low contrast photography, the writing can appear either on a separate panel or over top of the photograph.

Invitations with drawings - Subtle, black and white line drawings are a romantic touch to wedding invitations, and a wonderful way to make your invitations unique. A simple drawing of a church, wedding bells or a depiction of the couple as children all add an interesting touch to wedding invitations. There are many invitations available that have drawings already, or, you can work with the printer to customize your invitations.

Adding some fun - One way to add a unique twist to your wedding invitations is by adding something fun to the invitation envelope. You may choose confetti, stickers or a funny photo of the bride and groom. If you are hosting a destination wedding, include a brochure about the area where you are getting married. Another popular trend is embellishing traditional paper invitations with large or colorful bows in satin, organza and lace.

Go nontraditional - Some couples balk at the idea of following the strict format of wedding tradition. If you and your future spouse would like to try something different, there is no reason to stick with traditional invitations at all. Print your wedding details on small cards, and enclose them in a small box of chocolates for each guest. Write a love story about you and your fiancé, which culminates in a wedding invitation, and have it printed in booklet form, and mail to your guests. The options are endless, and limited only by your imagination.

Keep in mind that invitations do have an important job. No matter how carefree or nontraditional you and your fiancé are, the invitation should include the date, time and location of the wedding and the reception. If you expect a response from your guests, it is also important to include a self addressed envelope with postage included. As long as these important pieces of wedding etiquette are adhered to, you can be as unique and nonconforming as you like with the rest of the invitation.

Is it acceptable to have a unique wedding invitation even if you are planning a traditional wedding? Absolutely. While some people like to coordinate their invitations with the style of their wedding, it is not strictly necessary. If you have a fun or different idea for your wedding invitations, then, by all means, choose the invitation that you want. If you plan on celebrating with a formal ceremony, make sure to mention that on the invitation, such as "black tie requested". On the other hand, if the wedding invitation is off-beat people may assume that your wedding will be a more casual affair unless you specifically state otherwise. Putting the information on the wedding invitation prevents any confusion.

Unique wedding invitations are a fun way to express your personality. Most importantly, they do not have to cost a fortune. There are a variety of personalized options available online and in stores. Do-it-yourself invitations are usually the least expensive option until you consider the time it will take you to print and assemble them all. Online invitation vendors can save you time as well as providing a higher quality invitation than what you would buy at the local office supply or discount retail store. But to use a famous advertising phrase, "some assembly may be required", particularly if you have chosen a style with multiple layers or bows.

Do not hesitate to add your own flair to personalize your chosen invitations and make them your own. If you still have doubts, consult with the sales professional at your wedding store for ideas on standard invitations, adding custom touches to personalized invitations, or creating your own invitations with a do-it-yourself kit.

Arianna Jordan is a freelance writer and blogger who offers suggestions about event planning. Ms. Jordan writes about weddings and specific items which can make a wedding standout such as unique wedding invitations.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Featured Photographer: Eric Cable

2010-10-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone who's ever had a boring, unfulfilling job that they've always wanted to quit in order to pursue their true passion, but maybe never had the guts to do it, can look up to Eric Cable.

Portrait Photograph of Eric Cable

A late bloomer to photojournalism, Cable spent his first years out of college, up until the age of 29, building an auto wholesale business where he bought and sold cars and trucks around the country. It was a self-sustaining cycle with no end in sight.

One day in 1999, Cable decided that he?d had enough.

"Out of the blue, I decided I wanted to be a press photographer," the Portland, OR, USA-based photojournalist says. "So I sold my business and everything related to it, and made a major investment in Nikon digital and film gear."

That?s a typical attitude for Cable, as he seems to want to jump feet first into anything; especially when it came to what he truly wanted to do: photojournalism. His passion, slightly fanned in college but reduced to embers during his sales career, was reignited after Cable made his abrupt career change. With success in news photojournalism that eventually led to a career in photographing weddings, Cable's decision appears to have paid off, given his slate of WPJA awards.

Photo by Eric Cable

Perhaps it was an eye that could spot the best cars to trade that gave him the presence of mind to know when and where to spot the best pictures, whether they be once-in-a-lifetime action shots or private, emotional moments that would go unseen without him, like his WPJA award-winning photograph of a father daintily dabbing away a tear before walking his daughter down the aisle.

Or perhaps it was an incessant persistence that would eventually pay off as a man shooting pictures for a living.

What Cable lacked in experience from the get-go in photojournalism, he made up for with his tool: the Nikon D-1, a novelty by 2000 standards. After taking some assignments for local papers in Oregon, he was soon shooting for the Associated Press, largely, he admits, for his advanced digital camera.

And into the fire he was thrown.

"That was a huge learning experience," he says. "I never had any instruction in how to shoot news, so my first dozen or so assignments were questionable to say the least."

While covering assignments that included political news, protests, sporting events and just about anything else, Cable picked up invaluable photojournalism skills, such as meeting deadlines, dealing with pressure-packed situations where you only have one chance to get a shot, and learning the craft of taking great pictures.

Unfortunately, the economics of being a freelance news photographer were not entirely conducive to raising a family, which he was doing at the time. Still, Cable did not want to sacrifice his passion for photojournalism, so he persevered.

Cable figured out how he could work in the emerging style of wedding photojournalism that valued capturing candid, intimate moments rather than set-up stooges smiling at a camera. It was the style Cable already shot in and wanted to continue.

"I never wanted anything to do with weddings because everything was soft-focused, posed and mind-numbingly boring," Cable says.

As in the other stages of his life, Cable dove right in. He initially offered to photograph three weddings free of charge, just to get enough images to create a portfolio to show potential clients. From there, he took the album to a wedding show, where his unique shooting style helped him book nearly 30 weddings for the next year.

"I was one of the first guys in my town (Salem, OR) who was shooting like that so it was really easy to book," he says.

As with his news photography career, Cable got by with a lot of on-the-job learning at first. And he had to, considering that before he started documenting weddings, he had only been to two such events in person: one was his own, the other when he was a teen. "Believe me, I wasn't paying attention at either one of them," he says.

While his previous newspaper and newswire experience had left him with the chops to capture moments through his lens, he found that he picked up more skills with each wedding he worked, such as where to stand to anticipate great shots and how to take good pictures in dimly lit churches and reception halls.

He moved to Portland in 2002, where he found more photographers documenting weddings in the same style he had been using. But amid the increased competition, Cable kept carving out his space, getting more couples referred to him, building his business and honing his craft.

With a true sit-back-and-shoot outlook, Cable says that most of his best weddings for candid photos rely largely on the demeanor of the bride and groom. An outgoing, fun couple usually has similar friends and family members, who bring the same freewheeling attitude to the day. An introverted couple, however, may be harder to catch opening up and letting loose during their wedding day, posing more of a challenge.

Photo by Eric Cable

But his best work seems to spring up when he least expects it. He modestly says: "My favorite photos are the ones where I got lucky, and something wonderful happened right in front of me."

Well, if he gets lucky this often, it may be time to buy a lotto ticket. For one shot of a garter catch, he captured a rowdy group of guys, vying for the lacy prize in a mid-air action shot that won him a 3rd-place WPJA award for an action shot.

"One never knows where exactly the garter is going to fall, or just how crazy the group will get," Cable says. "And, of course, it all happens at mach speed."

Photo by Eric Cable

He took the same attitude to a lively dancing scene, where he snapped the bride mid-twirl, with a wildly expressive facial expression, as her newlywed husband looks on. "I suspect I will be lucky if I ever get as good a dance photo as this," Cable says.

Like his buy-and-sell business earlier in life, Cable's extended journey featured some repetitive undulation, as he kept jumping headlong into a new venture, learning on the job, and developing into a pro.

Now, he finds himself solidly immersed in his passion of wedding photojournalism, the trajectory of which seems to be steadily heading upward. He continues to do travel and magazine photography in addition to his wedding photojournalism practice, vindicating his abrupt decision to shun the salesman's suit and strap a camera around his neck.

—by Paul Ziobro for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Letting Go: Photographing Intimate Moments With Parents

2010-10-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

In the 1950 classic film Father of the Bride, George, played by Spenser Tracy, watches his daughter Annie, played by Elizabeth Taylor, take her wedding vows and says to himself, ?I realized at that moment that I was never going to come home again and see Annie at the top of the stairs. Never going to see her again at our breakfast table in her nightgown and socks...Annie was all grown up and leaving us, and something inside began to hurt.?

The scene may be fiction, but the emotion behind it is real. Throughout the wedding day, parents and their children walk a delicate line between past and future. Letting go is never easy, but it can make for dramatic photographs full of heart. Through experience and instinct, wedding photojournalists capture tender moments many bridal couples typically don?t see, giving them windows into the hearts of the people they love.

?There?s always a moment during the day when it hits the parents,? says Louisiana, USA-based WPJA member Cameron Gillie. ?Sometimes it?s immediately after the father walks down the isle with the bride. But the parents? dance is also very emotional and I?ve seen it hit the parents then.? In his experience, Gillie finds that the gravitas of the day most often impacts parents and bridal couples immediately following the ceremony. ?These are always great photos?lots of hugs, joy and sometimes tears.?

Photo by Cameron Gillie

When Gillie took his award-winning photograph during a summer wedding in Houma, LA, USA, he had been keeping an eye on the bride?s father, even after he walked his daughter down the aisle. When emotion swept over the parents, Gillie captured their tender faces. The moment is so candid that it seems as if Gillie was invisible to the couple; which is key in this trade. ?Being as unobtrusive as you can be is the essence of photojournalism,? he says. Comparing wedding photojournalism to his work as a newspaper photojournalist, which he did for a decade, Gillie says photographing weddings requires more finesse. ?It?s a dance of giving people space and getting the picture.?

Zoya Dicaprio, an Alexandria, VA, USA-based wedding photographer, takes a more spiritual approach to capturing intimate moments between the betrothed and their parents. ?I?m constantly aware I?m in someone else?s space,? she says, ?but I?m there as a vessel. Photographing a wedding is like meditating for a long time. I?m constantly in the moment, which feels good. It?s the bride and groom?s time and I feel privileged to be in their space. I?ve had to walk in really close to people at very sensitive times. When I have to do that, I try to be quick, respectful and totally in the moment.?

Photo by Zoya Dicaprio

Dicaprio?s photograph of a bride dancing with her father, which placed in the Emotion category in a WPJA competition, was a sensitive moment as such. All day, the bride?s father had been stalwart, showing no emotion whatsoever, she recalls. Then at the reception, his emotions got the best of him. ?That often happens when fathers dance the first dance with their daughters,? she says. Even so, this family was so somber that the father?s sudden display of feelings was a surprise. The picture, however, didn?t elude her. ?When you put experience, being in the moment, and empathy together, you see the moments come.?

Like Dicaprio, Neil Kiekhofer, a wedding photographer in Milwaukee, WI, USA was surprised by a sudden outpouring of emotion in a wedding he recently photographed. ?The difference between being a good photographer and great photographer is being able to understand who you are photographing,? he says. ?I had noticed that the family was close, so I was watching them and was in the right spot.?

Photo by Neil Kiekhofer

It happened during a Jewish wedding in Milwaukee. In Jewish weddings, the ketubah, or marriage contract, is signed prior to the wedding in a private ceremony attended by only immediate family. ?Typically after the ketubah is signed, the rabbi sings and there are hugs and kisses. It was unusual for so much emotion to come out,? says Kiekhofer. ?The groom?s sister teared up and her parents moved in to console her.?

Kiekhofer was touched by the family?s emotion, he says. ?It reminded me of when my sister cried for me during my wedding. It?s a very special moment, a pivotal point when [a family] realizes the child has grown up.?

Empathy during a wedding is a critical component of taking intimate photographs, says Dicaprio. ?Every wedding I photograph, I wonder what it will be like when my daughter, who is six, gets married. I wonder what it?s like for the mom to see her daughter get married.?

Photo by Christopher Record

North Carolina, USA-based wedding photographer Christopher Record also caught a warm moment between a bride and her parents. The bride decided to see how the decoration of the reception hall was coming along before getting dressed. Her parents seized the opportunity to have her alone for a few minutes and gave her a bouquet of flowers and a gift. ?I think the magnitude of her getting married hit them at that moment,? says Record. ?They forgot about me,? he says, so no one was self-conscious. The picture won third place in a WPJA photo competition.

Capturing intimate family photographs is most effective when everyone becomes comfortable around the photographer; when they forget he or she is there. According to Record, that takes patience, time and trust. ?Having done a lot of documentary photography, I?ve found that it?s possible to become somewhat invisible. You have to be patient, get to know the people, and let them know you are professional, which makes them feel comfortable. Then they forget about you. My favorite pictures are those in which the people obviously didn?t notice someone was taking their picture.?

Kiekhofer agrees and adds that photographers also have to know when to put the camera down. About his award-winning photo of the groom?s parents and sister, Kiekhofer says, ?The moment was there and then it was gone. I took one or two shots and no more. If I had kept shooting they would have become self-conscious and ruined their moment??the antithesis of good wedding photojournalism.

Throughout a wedding day, a close connection between wedding photojournalists, bridal couples and wedding parties makes beautiful, intimate photographs possible. ?I don?t need a Hollywood-perfect couple and a $2 million wedding to have beautiful photographs,? says Kiekhofer. What makes for wonderful photos is ?the relationship I build with the couple, and the couple?s emotions and passion for each other,? he says. ?Their love is transferred to the parents and friends. The whole day is intense in a good way. There is so much beauty and love everywhere you go that it makes my job that much easier.?

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalist Association

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.