What to Expect From Your Wedding Photographer

This is Part One in a series of articles highlighting what you can expect from a typical professional wedding photographer. I give this form to each of my wedding clients so they know ahead of time what will happen, and in what sequence.

Of course, weddings are "uncontrolled" events, and as such, can be unpredictable. However, I found by giving this guide to them, they are more prepared for what I'm doing, where I'll be shooting at, where my assistant will be, etc. It helps them to relax a little more and know that I'm taking care of the photography details so they can enjoy their wedding day.

TIPS FROM YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY PHOTOGRAPHS


First, congratulations and best wishes to you and your future spouse! Planning your wedding can be stressful; however, remember that this will be a happy day for both of you. Good planning and organization will help relieve some of the worries of how to get everything done.

This guide will help you know and prepare what your wedding photographer will do for you on your wedding day. I’ve outlined some of the things we’ll go over as we plan out how to get the most beautiful photographs of your day.

PRE-WEDDING PLANNING:

1: YOUR WEDDING PACKAGE: You and I will sit down and go over the wedding photography services contract so you know exactly what’s expected from me. Then, we’ll visit about the different services and products that I offer. We’ll pick the right wedding package for you that will fit within your budget and give you the most flexibility.

2: SHOOT LIST: Once we’ve settled on the services and products for your wedding photography, then we’ll go over your wedding day from start to finish, outlining what you want shot, and the people you want most in your wedding images. I’ll also give you a Shooting List so you can think about and write down the wedding shots you want. I’ll need you to give me this list no later than 30 days prior to your wedding day. You can return this list with the remaining deposit check. Additionally, you and your spouse should make a list of your favorite and special songs, writings, poems, etc. and give this to me along with the Shooting List. I’ll incorporate these into your Wedding Slideshow (Packages B and C) as well as your wedding album. REMEMBER TO DESIGNATE A PERSON WHO KNOWS EVERYONE, TO HELP ME MAKE SURE I GET EVERYONE’S FORMAL PORTRAIT. I won’t know the physical appearance of the people you want shot in the formals – having a helper is critical so we don’t forget anyone.

3: REHEARSAL: I’ll attend the rehearsal (if no rehearsal is planned, we’ll meet at the wedding site) so that I know how the wedding will take place, and I can make notes on the various places to get the best shots. I’ll also need a secure location at the wedding site for storing the photographic equipment (lighting, cords, etc.) We’ll also pick a place for the formal portraits of the wedding party, friends and family who’ll be included, as well as you and your spouse’s intimate formal portraits.

Part Two of Wedding Photographer Tips will continue next week.

Nature Photography

This is the first in a series of articles with tips on how to photograph wildlife in your backyard.


WHERE THE BIRDS ARE . . .

Tried and True Tips to Outfox the Shy Creatures at Your Backyard Feeder
For Outstanding Pictures!


That's it! I've had it!

Highly frustrated, I jammed my equipment back in the bag and went inside the house for a well-deserved break. As I finally began to relax with a steaming cup of coffee, I suddenly realized that my defiant howl had not only reached the recently vacated branches, but probably every house in the neighborhood. I never had seen such reluctant photographic subjects. You'd think that I was trying to shoot them with a high-powered gun, rather than a harmless little camera. It seemed a mockery to my professional skills as a photographer to be rewarded over and again with pictures of disembodied birds, receding squirrel tails, and dozens of out-of-focus shots. I vowed to simply fill the feeders with seed for the winged brats and stop trying to get those spectacular pictures other photographers seem to net with ease.

That particular episode occurred just over a year ago. Now I have an arsenal of tactics at my disposal, which, though not foolproof, are useful allies in defeating my backyard nemesis: the bird feeder.

Through trial and error (I'm ashamed to say “mostly error”) I have worked out a system for photographing the little critters who pay a call to our humble feeders (I can=t even call them freeloaders since I'm the one who provides the food). Here in the North Georgia mountains, we have a wonderful mixture of opportunistic species who act as though they would literally starve if I neglect to fill the feeders twice a week, or more often if the squirrels conveniently forget which feeder is their own. Overlooking this wildlife wonderland is a large, elevated deck cantilevered over a wooded ravine, which, in turn, bottoms out into a wet weather creek a perfect environment for our woodland friends. With four feeders two for the birds with squirrel baffles, a separate feeding station for the squirrels (I learned early on either fight 'em or join 'em), and a hummingbird feeder the stage it set for wildlife viewing and, with a little luck and practice, photography. I've tried many different methods to capture these illusive creatures, and those brainstorms eventually resulted in the following changes: equipment, position of the camera, and wildlife conditioning.

ARTICLES: Macro Photography Introduction

This is the first in a series of articles of tips on macro photography. Keep checking back for the continuation of this series.


FLOWERS ARE PEOPLE TOO!


How to make your macros come alive with vibrancy and originality.

Have you ever looked at a photograph of a flower and thought Awhat was the point? Or wonder why it seems so difficult to capture the true essence of a rose? When photographers work with still subjects, there can be a tendency to think of them just as inanimate objects, rather than working the entire scene as a whole. However, give this same photographer a human subject, and they'll give it their all to make that person absolutely glow in their portraits. Without some type of advance preparation, it's remarkably easy to end up with a bland macro subject, and as a result produce images without much feeling and artistry. The same techniques employed in studio photography with people can be applied to nonhuman subjects. With just a little imagination and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can produce studio quality portraits with macro objects which you'll be proud to display.

Macro photography is truly an art form, and it takes a lot of practice to get it right. A word of warning, however: Once you embark into the amazing world of macro, unlike Dorothy, you'll never want to go home again. Depending upon the type of equipment you use, the pictures that you can obtain with macro lenses are incredible. You'll see a world that you never knew existed. It can be very addicting peering into this miniature universe, and even more challenging to capture it on film or digital media. However, with the right techniques, equipment and a lot of patience, you’ll be richly rewarded with a new outlet for your photographic creative endeavors.

Welcome to MW Johnson Photography's Blog

Welcome to our new blog! Here we'll share photography and equipment tips, give you the latest news on our studio, and give suggestions on how to prepare for a photo session with a photographer.

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments, and let us know how we're doing.

Thanks -- Michele