Why I love Wedding Photography Part 1

I always ask myself, "who is more stressed out, the bride or the wedding photographer?" Okay, in my case I admit it, I do get stressed out a little during weddings. I do pray A LOT and it helps A LOT, but weddings can be tough. You only have this one chance to get it right...if you don't get it right, it's not like they can re-create the scene all over for you.

However...the wonderful part of wedding photography is sitting down at my computer the next day (sometimes that night) and looking over the images. It's not that I don't dis-qualify myself as a good photographer, but I'm so thankful to God for arranging my mind, my eyes, and even my commands to my subjects. I'm often so blessed and say, "thank You Lord, thank You for all your help." I truly believe this gift of photography is from Him.

I truly love wedding photography. It's like sharing someone's really special day with them except that I get to go deeper and just like a reporting photo journalist (this was, by the way, my first degree in college before switching to public relations) whose primarily obligation is to not only get the facts but document them.

Even the shyest of brides seem to get use to my photo intrusions after a while. I guess they figure they just better get use to me...and they do, in the most beautiful way. Of all the brides I've had the honor to photograph they've all had a beauty that warmed my lenses and poured beautiful images out of my printer.

Then there's the groom and his team of guys who demand special tactics on behalf of the photographer. Guys just seem to freeze up when a camera's around. I've found that after many moments of cajoling and comical questions always brings doable album shots.

One thing I've noticed lately is that when anyone at a wedding I'm shooting has a question, who do they shoot (pun intended) for answers? You guessed it, the lady who sticks out with her Gary Fong Lightsphere (flash diffuser) and honkin' big camera...yes, that would be me.

...better get back to the computer, wedding post work. More next time.

Photographers Don't Grow on Trees

Lately it's come to my attention that people don't really understand all the work and time that photographers put into their business. Taking the actual pictures is really just the start. When I work with a client, say, a simple portrait session, consider the following crucial steps:

• at least two days and several hours scout time to determine the best time of day, lighting, etc.
• prepare equipment, clean lenses, prepare flash cards, check batteries, re-charge equipment, etc.
• review in my mind the person, what style would they like, what I would do or talk about to put them at ease so get that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
• at least one hour or more shoot time, not including the time it takes to load equipment.
• Drive time, props
• shooting, I always go over on time, but I don't charge for it
• post work: opening the files in PhotoShop RAW format and converting to jpeg, depending on images this can take 4 to 10 hours. Especially in group shots when one person doesn't want to smile or a child keeps moving.
• any softening or special effects work
• meeting with the client to go over the images
• more computer/lab work.

Oh, did I mention taxes and bookkeeping? Probably not because this is my least favorite side of the business.

Now, consider this: I pay upwards of $125 plus tip to color and cut my hair. A massage, much needed for someone who likes to workout and also lifts heavy camera equipment, can cost $65 plus per hour. A pedicure is $45 an hour, plus tip...I can go on and on.

In college, I studied journalism and a good two years was concentrated on photography, then 14 years in my darkroom. Currently I'm in my 4th PhotoShop class and will probably take it for another two years. I won't even go into the cost of equipment except to say this...my new lens costs just as much as my new camera.

Photographers don't grow on trees, and we work hard, really hard to get the documentation of your wedding, your precious graduate or your beautifully aging grandmother just the way they would want to be remembered.

My current price for a one-hour portrait session which includes a print package and full cd of images is $175. Pretty fair hun?

Photography

I met with a client the other day and from the beginning of our meeting I had this lack of peace. Though I really liked the people, I felt inwardly that this wasn't a good match for me. They loved my work, especially my prints with Scripture, and truthfully I really liked them.

However, there was this lack of peace.

Along with shooting through God's Eyes, my prayer for me as a photographer is to shoot through His Mind. A lot of people wouldn't outright understand that, but what it means is listening to His Spirit and succumbing to His Will rather than my own.

Sometimes when I'm in a middle of a shoot, I find myself praying seeking the Lord for His direction...He's never let me down. Now you might be thinking, "well if you're a professional photographer shouldn't you know what you're doing?" I would answer, "yeah, I've got the years of schooling and the experience." But you know, being dependent on God for all things doesn't make me less knowledgeable about what I'm doing, but makes me more powerful because my power comes from the creator of the universe who knows all things. He controls the lighting, the smiles that are generated, the conversation and the technicalities of the equipment.

He's NEVER let me down.


Check out the bride and her nephew. Precious. Precious in God's Eyes.

One Very-Cool Ride

There are many reason why this bike ride is going to be fun, but the most important is the ride accommodates a wide range of ages and athletic abilities. Let's face it, if you can ride a bike five to eight miles, a 15 miles should be cake. Now, if you're a 15 mile-rider, then what's another 10 miles especially with a group of friends, business associates or your family pushing together. Now the more challenging 50 miler, well, this is a great start for experienced cylcists wanting to push themselves and a great primer for cyclists who are gearing up for century rides.

However, cycling in Napa Valley in the Spring, in a safe controlled environment should entice cyclists from across the nation. The vineyards are blooming with tell-tale signs of mustards, daffodils boasting bright colors and other adorations of Napa Valley foliage. From rustic farms to exquisite mansions, it's really quite beautiful.

The really cool aspect of this ride are the two organizations that the Rotary Club of Napa has selected to raise funds for. The Pathway Home Project, a transition center located at the Yountville Veterans Home geared specifically for Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans and Enchanged Hills Camp for the Blind and Visually-Impaired (in conjuncion with Lighthouse).

Probably the best way to get involved is to form a team and raise pledges. See our Web site for more information: www.cycle4sight.com.

Photography

Photography has changed a lot in the last 10 years. We moved from the dark room to the computer, and hey, it's exciting stuff. The only problem is non-photographers have no idea the time it takes to manipulate an image. I think a lot of people are of the assumption that photographers tap a few keys and in seconds refresh, enliven, brighten and...viola. Spending time in PhotoShop can take hours sometimes, and hey, a lot of times it's not because the photographer didn't get the lighting right. Many times it's refinishing our clients mistakes. But that's okay...because I love photography.

A View From The Top

This is a picture of our friend Archie, atop Mt . St. Helena, in the Napa Valley.