Often I am asked by my clients if I could recommend a good videographer for their upcoming wedding and I am never quite prepared to answer their question. I am very picky of who I will refer because once I do they become an extension of my business. Even though we are two separate companies, many times the customer sees us as one (especially if one of us messes up). The other reason I am so picky about a videographer is that most of them don't have a lot of experience doing weddings.
In February of this year I had the pleasure of working with 303Motion who specializes in Wedding Films. I was the photographer and they had been hired to create a film of Christa & Dustin's wedding (click here to view their film) at the University Club in downtown Denver. Their work was unlike anything I had seen before and once I saw it I understood why they refer to themselves as "Wedding Films" instead of "Videography".
Now I have no hesitancy in recommending 303Motion to create a Film of your wedding. Their work is incredible and unique, plus they know what they are doing on the day of the wedding and will remain unobtrusive and if you are my client you know that is important to me. Please enjoy another sampling of 303Motions work by clicking here.
Cari & Dan are the type of couple who know how to have a good time. Their lives are full of love for each other and their children. Cari was beautiful and Dan looked very debonaire. Thank you to Bella Sera Event Center for helping everything to move smoothly.
After visiting a popular electronic component store that sells some popular phones and electronic tablets for the third time this week, I am left wondering if Harry Beckwith wasn't correct in his book Selling The Invisible. In it he points out how we have become accustomed to settling for poor customer service. We make fun of companies like McDonald's and Disney for how clean, quick and nice there employees can be. He says that love them or hate them McDonald's hat set the standard for good fast food in a clean environment. Disney is also known for being really clean and even though they did with stressed out people on vacation all the time, there "Cast Members" always have a smile and are really nice.
In an effort to try and find something good in a bad situation, I thought that customer service would improve in a down economy. Almost every business owner will tell you that they would rather keep a current customer happy than it is to find a new customer. Therefore it would only make sense that if I am in doing business with a service provider that it would behoove them to treat me well and make me happy. More often than not, it is just the opposite. I have had phone companies not even ask "why" when I cancelled my service because of to many dropped calls. After 3 years of having our monthly charges automatically deducted from our account with our TV service provider, we found out that we should have receiving a discount. While I was on the phone with them getting this issue corrected I brought up my displeasure of being charged and extra $5 a month for not having it connected to a phone line. Their response was, "you want a discount for paying by credit card and not be charged for no phone line?" Needless to say we are no longer with that TV service provider.
All this being said I would have to agree with Harry Beckwith in his observance that part of bad customer service is our fault as consumers. The reason is because we have accepted the service we are receiving and continue to spend our money at those companies. So after my third trip to the electronic store to find out that I can't buy what I want because I won't show up an hour or two before they open to get one of two or three that was delivered that day, is really my fault because I am going to buy it even though I am not happy with how I am being serviced.
As a wedding photographer I strive to focus all the attention on my clients and minimize how much I talk about myself. However I felt the need to write about myself ever since I saw what was next on the docket for one of my photographer groups, I decided that it was time to share about me. I still want my clients to know that it is "All About You" and to prove it you can stop reading now you can click here to see that it is about you.
If you did click on the link you would see my attempt at humor which I endeavor (and sometimes fail at) all the time.
So back to the reason for me writing about me. As I said I saw the topic for our next meeting which is going to be a photographer friend talking about his recent experiences taking pictures of some big time VIP's, and I thought to myself "big deal". Then I kept thinking (I know... and no, it didn't hurt) I grew up in the LA area and have my share of run in's with some VIP's that I could share. Even better is that a few of my run in's have to do with photography as well. Then I thought (still not hurting) that most of this happened a while back and not everyone will know who I am talking about. So I am including some visual aids that will show you who I am talking about. Some of you might have to go ask your parents or older siblings who these people are, but at least you have the assistance of an image (you know, in case they didn't drink their Ensure yet today).
"Run In #1"
When I first got started in the wedding photography industry I was working as an apprentice for a photographer in the San Fernando Valley (LA). I was very excited because I knew that he was hired on to shoot LIsa Whelchel's (visual aid #1) wedding who starred in "The Facts Of Life". (visual aid #2 below)
It was very cool. I got to hang out with Blair, Joe, Natalie, Tootie and yes... Mrs. Garrett. Before the day arrived I envisioned that Blair would admit that she didn't want to marry this guy, that once she met me she realized what a mistake that would be. That Joe would say, "forget Blair"! "I'm the one that really loves you". That Natalie and Tootie would be arguing about which one I should pick and finally Mrs. Garrett would come in and use her timely honest and sometimes inconvenient wisdom to settle the whole matter so we could all be friends again.
As you have probably guessed by now, that didn't happen. Instead I was subjugated to carry camera equipment, changing film, moving lights, holding reflectors and fluffing the brides dress.
"Run In #2"
Again, while I was slaving as an apprentice for this photographer, people at the weddings we were working would ask him to go take pictures at different events. He really had no interest in doing this but like any businessman he wouldn't say no if the price was right. Then again, being a professional wedding photographer, he didn't want to stoop down to my level to take pictures at some middle aged ladies birthday party either. That's where I come in.
The party was to take place on a week night at a night club on Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills. I lived about 30 miles away which meant it took about 30 minutes from my house driving the speed limit. But as everybody knows, you are rarely able to drive the speed limit in LA so it ended up taking more like 90 minutes which meant I was late. Because I was in a hurry I needed to find a close parking spot that I knew I wouldn't get a ticket at so I chose the closest parking garage.
Once there, the guest of honor told me that she would like a picture of every person that came through the door. It seemed easy enough and I was actually feeling good about my abilities to get some really artistic images of people entering through a doorway. Then it happened. Khrystyne Haje (visual aid #3)
from "Head Of The Class" (visual aid #4 below) came through the door and I almost dropped the camera that I didn't own.
It got even better when I found out that Albert Alexandre Louis Peirre Grimaldi (visual aid #6) was by her side. After some discussions with his body guards, I was able to take their picture. Once again I envisioned that this picture would end up on some global magazines cover and I myself would become famous. Once again I was subjugated to harsh and unfair criticism from the guy I worked for. He just didn't understand how much you shake when their is a 250lb uzi carrying guy standing next to you. Of course it's out of focus!
At 2:00 a.m. the party ended and I started to head back to my car reflecting on the night of creating doorway art and my near death experience with the body guards. As I approached the parking garage that I left my car in, I noticed a sign that said the garage closed at 11:00 p.m. I hastened my pace as I rounded the corner to where the gate was located and shook it vigorously to verify that the well paid attendant completed their nightly task of locking it. To my dismay, they had.
After expediently pondering my options, I realized that I needed to make a phone call and that all my spare change was being held hostage in what is now a prison for my car. So like anyone I didn't hesitate in making a collect call from a pay phone to the arbiter of ridicule to inquire about a way home. After a brief exchange about the lack of unconscious repose, he informed me that there was nothing he could do. Then after much deliberation I decided to phone my father. Again, after a brief exchange about his lack of unconscious repose, he also informed me that there was nothing he could do.
I realized that I was on my own in a strange posh land. Like a lone wolf in search for his prey, I began to investigate my surroundings for a solution. It didn't take long before I realized that there was a bank right across the street from the establishment of unlawful vehicle incarceration. I quickly sprang into action once I noticed that it had a 24 hour teller and housed a uniformed attendant that was stealthily maneuvering to allow the egress of vehicles out of the parking garage in that building.
I approached as a lost puppy would to an old lady with a hand out offering refuge and explained my situation. To my pleasure, she offered her modest temporary dwelling for my own repose and I accepted. The establishment of unlawful vehicle incarceration opened at four hours later. I thanked the nice uniformed attendant and moved my way across the street, retrieved my motorized personnel carrier, paid the custodian of unlawfully incarcerated vehicles and made my way home.
And that is the story of how I spent the night in a bank in Beverly Hills. (Did you notice how my writing improved after meeting the Prince?)
Well I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it. Oh, before I forget. Mr. Fancy Pants Photographer that is going to be speaking (if you are reading this), it was all in jest. I think it is totally cool that you had the opportunity to work with all those people.
As my first post for the "not so" new, waiting for the "New & Improved" format blog, I decided on the topic of what to wear to a portrait session. Whether it be a family, high school senior or casual portrait session, I am always asked, "what should I wear"?
As you can imagine there are many different answers to this question that depend on gender, type of session, location of the session, weather and most of all your style. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing what you want to wear, is to pick something that you are comfortable in. If you are not comfortable with what you are wearing then there is a good chance that will be reflected in your facial expressions and in turn you will end up with pictures that you don't look as good as you could.
Family Portrait
The most common and tempting thing in family portraits is to have everyone wear the same thing which more often than not is a black or white shirt with khaki pants or jeans. If you like this look and are comfortable in them, then great, your job is done. However, if you would like a unique and different look then choose something casual, comfortable and fun. Tip #1 - Portrait sessions in a studio are suitable for both casual, semi-formal and formal clothing. On location sessions are suitable for casual clothing.
High School Senior Portrait
These portrait sessions can be some of the most fun and creative portraits. Again, you want to choose clothing that you are most comfortable in. Commonly people want to bring a few change of clothes. Keep in mind the location of where the portraits are going to be and how easy it is to change in and out of your outfits. If it is a remote location, changing in a car is an option or even behind some thick bushes. Another option is bring people with you (of the same gender) and hold up blankets that you can change behind. Tip #2 - Guys, wearing a tie on location can look awkward and out of place. Ladies - Bring a pair of tennis shoes even if you don't want your picture in them. Also, heels can look awkward and out of place in locations such as the mountains or hiking trails (save those for more urban locations).
Casual Session
Commonly known as an engagement session the biggest issue that I experience at these sessions is shoes. Again, keep in mind the location and what will look appropriate for that location. If you are shooting in the mountains, don't wear heels or dress shoes. Also for this location, dress shirts, slacks, silk blouses and skirt suits will definitely look out of place. Jeans, boots, and a button down shirt will look much more appropriate.
For an urban setting there is a little more room for choices. You can still wear the same clothes you would for a mountain setting but now you can break out those heels, slacks and silk blouses. Once again ladies, keep in mind that you will be doing a lot of walking so if you are wearing heels make sure to bring some comfy walking shoes. Tip #3 - Don't be over concerned with clashing. Sometimes that can say a lot about you being comfortable enough with each other that you allow the other person to express their individuality.
Props
Lastly, props are great. Here is your chance to express yourself and your personality. For families with little ones, bring some of their favorite toys that can be incorporated into individual and group shots. For high school seniors, bring something related to what you are into at school (i.e. if you are into sports bring things related to that sport, if your are into drama bring a costume, if you are into academics bring your favorite book). For the engaged couple bring things express you as an individual and/or as a couple (i.e. if you love movies from a certain genre bring something that expresses that, if your both into cooking, bring an apron and chef's hat).
Remember that not everyone is a super model and is comfortable in front of a camera. Therefore try to wear and bring things that will help ease any concerns about having your portrait taken.
In our effort to post more consistently, we will start blogging again at this website. Hopefully in the next few months it will get a new look and be easier to navigate. In the mean time we hope that you will find our writings to be informative and slightly entertaining. Our goal is to post at least twice a week and fill it with images and topics that relate to weddings, portraits, families, cameras & sometimes quirky things.
Posts
