Wedding Questions

If you have questions leave a comment or email me at alyssaflaten@mosaicphotography.net-- I love educating artists and if I can save you a few steps, I'm happy to do it.

Recently, I got a myriad of questions from an Ohio studio regarding Wedding Photography. Here are the questions and my answers are in all caps.

1. What 3 things would you tell me to look out for…..one of those….”if only I had known before hand”

IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF LIGHTING AND CAMERA SETTINGS OR DON'T KNOW HOW TO BEST APPROACH A SHOT--TAKE IT A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS. FOR EXAMPLE, TAKE THE VITAL SHOTS IN BOTH A PROGRAM MODE AND WHATEVER OTHER MODE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE (LIKE APERTURE PRIORITY OR SHUTTER SPEED PRIORITY) AND TAKE THE SHOT WITH AND WITHOUT FLASH IF YOU ARE UNSURE.

HAVE TWO SHOOTERS, AND/OR AT LEAST BACK UP CAMERAS. STUFF ALWAYS HAPPENS!

ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN FOR THE DAY INCLUDING A LIST OF ALL THE MUST TAKE SHOTS AND PLAN OUT WHICH ONES YOU ARE DOING WHEN AND COMMUNICATE THAT WITH YOUR COUPLE AND THE REST OF THE BRIDAL PARTY TO DECREASE YOUR CHANCE FORGETTING AN IMPORTANT SHOT. YOU CAN ALSO SET UP THE KEY MOMENTS AHEAD OF TIME JUST IN CASE YOU MISS IT DURING THE CEREMONY (LIKE EXCHANGING RINGS, LIGHTING UNITY CANDLE, DAD AND BRIDE WALKING DOWN AISLE, COUPLE KISSING).

BE SURE YOU HAVE A CLEAR CONTRACT THAT RELEASES YOU FROM ALL LIABILITY. PPA HAS GREAT RESOURCES ON THEIR SITE IF YOU ARE A MEMBER. IF YOU AREN'T A MEMBER BUT WANT TO OPERATE AS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY, YOU SHOULD JOIN A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION LIKE PPA OR WPPI.

I SHOOT APERTURE PRIORITY PRIMARILY BECAUSE I LOVE PLAYING WITH DEPTH OF FIELD AND BLURRING OUT BACKGROUNDS, BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER TO BOOST YOUR APERTURE/F-STOP WHEN THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN THE IMAGE ON DIFFERENT PLANES. SO A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS THAT HOWEVER MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE PHOTO, THAT'S WHAT YOUR F/STOP SHOULD BE. FOR 8 PEOPLE F/8 WORKS GOOD. LOTS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS SAY F/16 IS GREAT FOR GROUP SHOTS, WHATEVER SIZE, AND THAT TOO, IS A GOOD RULE OF THUMB BUT MY BRAIN LIKES REMEMBERING TO ANALYZE HOW MANY ARE IN THE GROUP AND SETTING THE F/STOP ACCORDINGLY...I TEND TO FORGET TO DO THE EASY F/16.

2. How do I use a high ISO setting for low light and keep the picture from being too grainy?

I NEVER GO HIGHER THAN 800 ISO BECAUSE I DON'T CARE FOR GRAINY IMAGES, FOR THE MOST PART. FOR LOW LIGHTING I USE A CANON SPEEDLITE 480 FLASH OR SOMETIMES A VIDEO LIGHT (diffused by a reflector--someone else holds this near the dancing couple while the photographer takes the shot). I ALSO USE A 50 mm 1.8 f/stop LENS AND A 28mm 2.0 f/stop LENS WHICH ALLOWS MORE LIGHT INTO MY CAMERA WITH THAT LOW OF AN F/STOP. FOR THE CEREMONY I USE A TRIPOD IF THE LIGHTING IS LOW, BUT NOT USUALLY DURING A RECEPTION BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MOVING AROUND TOO MUCH ANYWAY.

3. Do you use a tripod during the ceremony at any time?

I DO IF IT'S CANDLELIGHT, OR LOW-LIGHT

4. What do you set your internal camera custom settings at?

I DON'T SET ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY THAN HOW IT IS CALIBRATED FROM THE FACTORY (I DON'T MAKE THE COLOR MORE VIBRANT OR DO AN EXPOSURE COMPENSATION, ETC. INTERNALLY.....NOT SURE WHAT ALL THE NIKON TERMS ARE, I SHOOT CANON) I WILL USE THE APPROPRIATE WHITE BALANCE SETTING WHEN NECESSARY. TUNGSTEN IS USUALLY BETTER FOR THE RECEPTION, BUT IT COMPLETELY DEPENDS ON THE COLOR OF THE LIGHTS IN THE ROOM.

5. Do you ever count off to or pose your subjects (for the flower toss or the cake cutting or the first dance)

YES, WHEN NECESSARY, I COUNT OFF THE MOMENT. PEOPLE ARE COOL WITH THIS BECAUSE THEY HIRED ME TO GET THE SHOT. I TALK THROUGH THE ENTIRE DAY AND THE PLAN FOR THE DAY WITH THE COUPLE BEFORE HAND AND EACH TIME WE MEET I AM LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEM, THEIR PREFERENCES, AND WHAT THEY ENVISION. BECAUSE OF MY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COUPLE SOMEONE ALWAYS COMES AND GETS ME DURING AN IMPORTANT MOMENT (MARRIAGE LICENSE SIGNING OR CAKE CUTTING, ETC.) IF I AM NOT ALREADY THERE. O AND I ALWAYS SHOOT WITH SOMEONE ELSE. IT RELIEVES PRESSURE AND INSURES THAT YOU WON'T MISS AS MUCH.

6. Or instead of counting off a pose or picture, do you just shoot when you feel the time is right?

I DO THIS TOO. A LOT DEPENDS ON THE COUPLE AND THEIR STYLE. SOME WANT NO INTRUSION FROM US AND OTHERS WANT SOME DIRECTION BUT NOT IN-YOUR-FACE, HANDS-ON DIRECTION. AND THIS IS WHERE IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR PERSONAL STYLE AND BE SURE YOU ARE SHOWING THAT TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS. IF YOU HATE THE TRADITIONAL STUFF OR THE PHOTOJOURNALISTIC APPROACH DON'T SHOW IT--SHOW WHAT YOU LIKE SO YOU ATTRACT THE CUSTOMERS THAT ALREADY LIKE YOUR STYLE BEFORE YOU EVER TAKE THEIR PHOTO.

7. Do you repose your subject if you miss or blur the shot or is it just gone?

YES, IF YOU HAVE AN INKLING OF A DOUBT, GO WITH IT-DON'T IGNORE IT!! AND JUST CONFIDENTLY SAY, 'I WANT TO TRY A DIFFERENT CAMERA SETTING', OR 'I THINK SOMEONE BLINKED'. YOUR JOB IS TO GET THE SHOT NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.

8. Do you use the gray card?

NO. I KNOW MY CAMERAS WELL ENOUGH THAT I KNOW WHEN I'M NOT GETTING THE CORRECT WHITE BALANCE AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. I HAVE NEVER USED A GRAY CARD. I NEVER USE A LIGHT METER EITHER. IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH A GRAY CARD OR LIGHT METER THAN DO IT. AGAIN, I KNOW MY CAMERAS WELL ENOUGH THAT I USUALLY KNOW WHEN I NEED TO ADJUST THE EXPOSURE.

A WEDDING ISN'T THE BEST TIME TO TRY A COMPLETELY NEW APPROACH OR METHOD (IN REGARDS TO LIGHTING AND EXPOSURE), SO USE THE METHODS YOU ALREADY KNOW. AND WHEN YOU DO TRY SOMETHING NEW, ALWAYS TAKE THE SHOT THE WAY YOU NORMALLY WOULD TOO AS BACK UP.

9. do you take lights along to the wedding?
YES, IF THEY WANT TRADITIONAL PHOTOS AT THE ALTAR, AND I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH THE LIGHTING AT THE CEREMONY. I BRING ONE 800 STUDIO LIGHT WITH A LARGE SOFT BOX. OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T USE ANY STUDIO LIGHTING.

I WILL USE A FLASH AT THE RECEPTION AND CEREMONY (IF IT IS ALLOWED AND IF THE LIGHTING IS LOW). BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I SHOOT ALL NATURAL LIGHT.

AGAIN, WHEN YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT THOUGH, YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOU ARE MOST COMFORTABLE WITH--I HAVE NEVER BEEN A STUDIO/LOTS-OF-GEAR GIRL. I APPROACH A WEDDING DAY MORE LIKE A PHOTOJOURNALIST IN THAT REGARD.

10. Do you use a long lens for during the ceremony and just shoot at a distance or are you right up there?
THIS DEPENDS ON WHAT THE COUPLE WANTS. I LOVE WHEN THEY GIVE ME THE FREEDOM TO GO WHEREEVER BECAUSE THEN I CAN CAPTURE THOSE TRUE MOMENTS FROM THE BEST ANGLES. BUT WE HAVE 70-200 2.8 IS LENSES THAT WE USE WHEN WE ARE STASHED AWAY IN A BALCONY OR IN THE BACK OF A CHURCH DURING THE CEREMONY.

Starting up and Gear

I've been asked, "What kind of Equipment do you use? And How did you first get started?" And here's my answer

My first real camera was a Canon AE-1, (why did I ever sell it???) I took Black and White Darkroom/Photography classes in High School, and studied Photojournalism, Photography, and Graphic Design in college. (Wish I would have taken some business classes too!)

Now I shoot all digital, all Canon. I primarily use the Canon 5D. My favorite lenses are the Canon 100mm 2.0 and the Canon 70-200 IS 2.8. For studio stuff, I use Alien Bees.

For software, I use Photoshop CS3, Illustrator, and LightRoom.

Cool Beans!

Staying Fresh

Here are some tips for staying fresh as a photographer and artist:

1) take care of yourself! Go do something that you enjoy whether a cup of coffee and a good book, getting your nails done, or just going to bed earlier. If you feel good, you'll enjoy life so much more.

2) Overload your brain with visuals. As an Art student and teacher I found this so helpful and sang this tune over and over to my students. I find inspiration from others work--don't try to copy--just look and enjoy; and somehow, somewhere it will sink into your subconscious and affect your creations. But don't just look at photography; look at films, videos, paintings, sculpture, magazines, blogs, etc... That's the fun of creativity--a new idea can be inspired by any random thing.

3) Go into each job or project with a new challenge for yourself to try something a bit out of the ordinary for you. For example, try something different with depth of field, with the rings, with details, shooting from a different angle (maybe climb a tree), asking the family or bridal party to act out or sing something, be outlandish if you please.

Getting the Word Out!

Different photographers and artists have asked me how I get the word out about my work and company. Sometimes, I think, why are you asking little old me? I'm just a stubborn girl that obsesses over just about anything I do.

Nonetheless, this is what I have found to be the most helpful:

1. A sweet website! We live in a Cyber Age people. Kids today, elementary aged kids, can't image life without cell phones--my little nephews have their own! I didn't get one til I was in college and had to commute an hour for work in the winter. And that's one example of how technology affects the culture of today compared to the culture of 20 years ago.

So websites are key. All my clients have either found me through a google search or through referral, which leads me to #2.

2. Word of mouth is SO important! I send out quarterly newsletters to all the clients who have ever worked with me. I blog on a fairly regular basis. I have lots of friends on FACEBOOK and have now joined Twitter--it's crazy but there is power in social networking like that and it gets my name in front of people.

3. I have been very fortunate to have been involved with students (as a teacher and as a youth sponsor and leader in different youth groups, campus organizations, etc.) from junior high up through college for the past 10 years--so it's been natural to photograph these different people with whom I have worked and had relation. So RELATIONSHIP is super important! Get out there and get to know people--there are so many amazing people in this world! Not only do relationships lead to paying jobs, but it leads to personal growth and development. I have had the great privileges to work under Kevin Kubota and Doug Gordon and maintained friendships from those experiences--these are peers and friends who I can bounce ideas off of, vent to, and pick their brains. Get involved and build relationships with other photographers--those friendships are priceless.

What I Wish I Would Have Known Way Back When

Finding your niche--where you fit best takes time and diligence--that's what I am learning. But I am glad to offer anything I can to you, artists, to speed up your process of finding your niche.

What would I wish I would have known when I first started out? ....A LOT! mostly that being myself is okay and even essential to your success--I don't have to exactly replicate someone I admire. Instead, understand your strengths and then run with it! Do what you love, and do it well. Don't try to be all things for all people. A good read--reading is ALWAYS good--"Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham.

I wish I would have known about all the sweet Photoshop resources available to photographers instead of re-inventing the wheel and doing things the hard way.

I also wish I would have taken business classes from the start. A huge percentage of photography is business, as much as I would love to say it's all art and passion, it's not. It's knowing how to budget, knowing legalities of running a business; it's understanding cost of sales and profitable pricing, the art of selling...the list goes on.

Last, focus. And re-focus. Focus on what you are good at, and narrow your market to that. Also take time to focus on skills or concepts you need to improve or grow in.

Hopefully this isn't overwhelming...always take advice with a grain of salt. Figure out how to translate what you learn from others into your specific situation, your market, and your personality, so that you are always true to yourself.

I leave you with Judy Garland's words: "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."