Posted on January 21, 2012
Robert Brault said it best:
“Most of us don’t need a psychiatric therapist as much as a friend to be silly with.”
And so went the magical week of attending the Digital Wedding Forum’s annual convention. This year, it was in New Orleans – a city that will forever remain in the top of mind as a magical, wonderful, smelly city that leaves it mark deep in your soul. It changes you. You never want to leave.
My personal highlights were shooting for DWF Cares – where we met couples that lost their wedding images in Hurricane Katrina. Bridal businesses provided dresses and tuxes for the guys. With about 50 wedding photographers in tow, we explored the French Quarter and took some great images for these couples. The event was led by John Michael Cooper and Dalisa of Altf in Las Vegas.
We also attended many seminars, taught by industry leaders – that have changed my business.
By the end of the week, I had attended countless seminars, met some amazing people, and literally had one of the best weeks of my life. Is it OK to say I enjoyed some beverages and the company of some wonderful people? All in moderation, of course ; )
Some new “Industry Friends” I am so thankful to have met:
Liana Gonzales
Joseph West
And of course, hanging out with old and wonderful friends:
Jason + Sara Martin
Alex Vazquez
Tara Sproc
Enjoy some shots from the various parties and shoots!!
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Posted on October 27, 2011
Wedding planning season is just about here, and another year of some amazing weddings is behind us. I wanted to share some ideas and lessons learned from weddings I have shot and from weddings where I was also a guest. Hopefully these will help everyone that is out there planning their day.
Watch the slideshow.
Slideshows have become almost synonymous with weddings. Everyone wants to show friends and family all their cool trips and things they have done – after all, its a pretty important story of how you arrived at finally being married. However, while the 35 minutes of images might be cherished by you, don’t expect your guests to be mesmerized past 5 minutes.
Bust out the iMovie, or hire a company to help put the show together. PowerPoint is for the cream-colored walls of corporatedom, and doesn’t belong in your wedding. Keep it awesome and short, and you will leave your guests with something to talk about. And they can get to partying – which we all know is why they are there anyway.
Matt + Kara did a great job with keeping people interested in their slideshow.
Toasts are great, but keep ‘em to the key people.
Similar to the slideshow, toasts can run long. Guests that are hoping to eat, drink, and dance really don’t want to sit through an hour of people talking. Keep your toasts assigned to the key people in your life – the emotions will be more concentrated, the words will mean more, and your guests will avoid the sighs of when yet another person lumbers from the back to grab the mic. Don’t let the DJ or MC ask the crowd for additional toasts.
Some people live for this day. Let them have their moment.
Seeing each other before the wedding?
You might have read my earlier blog post on the topic…and the benefits are still the same. Consider finding a special spot near the ceremony venue where the two of you can spend some fleeting quiet and romantic moments before the intense day about to unfold before you.
By seeing each other before, the schedule will be more relaxed, you can control the spot for some great images, and the moment will most likely mean more than just keeping a secret for a bit longer.
Invest in the venue – then the photography.
This is near and dear to me! Most people hear “Always invest in your photography first.” And, while I agree to an extent, the most amazing photographers can’t provide truly amazing and captivating images in a lackluster venue. Take a stellar photographer, have her/him shoot a wedding in a wooded field with views and wilderness. Then take the same photographer and have them shoot a wedding in a Red Roof Inn’s conference room…and….well, you get the idea.
Amazing venue = GREAT images. Promise.
Spend some money and time in finding a venue that reflects who the two of you are. Whether its a wooded pond in the Gorge, an old barn, or an Herbary, spend your time finding a great place. This will make for a happy photographer (we love shooting in amazing places, really) and your images will, in turn reflect your personalities more – since the venue reflects the same.
Amazing venue = GREAT images.
Isn’t that the end goal of all this work in the first place?
Hopefully these tips will help shape your planning. As always, if you have questions on a wedding idea, feel free to email me and I will be more than happy to give you a second opinion.
Posted on March 5, 2011
Have you wanted to offer a photo booth at your wedding? In my experience, true photo booths are a cool idea, but are expensive to rent and your guests need to cram inside the little box. Plus, let’s face it…there are some cheesy photo booths out there.
My answer is the “Photo Studio Experience.” This is basically the exact same concept of a photo booth but with more flexibility and space for your guests to enjoy. There are different backdrops on professional studio stands. Two studio lights with umbrellas will be also setup. This add-on includes:
- Up to 4 hours of coverage;
- An optional second photographer to manage the “studio”
- A completely random (and fun) trunk of props;
- Some TOTALLY awesome vintage backdrops;
- Selective “Polaroid” digital conversion (see images below);
- All images provided digitally;
- Backdrops flex in size based on available space and location.
Personally I feel this is a much more elegant and professional way to provide the same functions of a booth but allowing more creativity and space. And, let’s face it. Your guests will feel like ROCK STARS! They will be provided with cards that have a “ready date” and website where they will be able to download the images and add to their Facebook pages, or print – at no cost.
The cost for the additional service is $600. Hit me up with questions!!!!
Scott
PS. Thanks to Jessica + Jeff for letting me be the first person to shoot this type of experience. It was a BLAST. I think I had more fun than the guests LOL. Below images are just a few from the hilarity that ensured during their reception. Offer this for your guests!!!!
Posted on January 15, 2011
What an absolutely amazing year 2010 was! As I look back, I am blown away by the incredible opportunities afforded me as a photographer by all the couples that chose me to be a part of their wedding. The year began with a BANG – two weddings in Florida and one in Hawaii, all within 3 weeks of each other. Then, just a few weeks later I was back in Florida on my favorite beach. Once the jet lag wore off, Summer was in full swing here in the Northwest and two local weddings got me acclimatized to the Oregon/Washington wedding scene. From amazing “Traditional American” weddings, a full-on Cambodian wedding, and a Chinese-themed wedding in the Bahamas, I learned an unbelievable amount this year!
Take a journey back through 2010 with me and check out my favorite shots from the year!
Posted on June 17, 2010
As the Oregon wedding season is getting ready to launch (once the rain subsides) I wanted to share a very important topic with all brides and grooms to be – What to do with the guest camera issue.
Perhaps you have never even thought about it. Now is the time. If you invite 100 guests to your wedding, that is 100 cameras, and possibly 100 people trying to compete with your professional to get the shot. That is 100 flashes that are also jeopardizing your professional’s exposure. You should set some ground rules that allow your guests to relax and enjoy the day and keep your photographer from frazzled nerves.
1. Ask in your correspondence for guests to please leave their cameras home. Emphasize that you have worked hard at selecting a professional to do all the hard work and that everyone will have the chance to view images online. Guests should just relax and enjoy the festivities.
2. If you have a friend or relative that insists on shooting at the wedding, discuss this with your pro and make sure they can be accommodated. I remember one wedding where the bride’s uncle was an old-school shooter. I embraced his desire to take some shots of his niece and invited him along for some couple shots and even during the reception. I could tell he really wanted to be able to shoot, and by actually inviting him to be a part of it I was able to avoid conflict, and let him have his moment while still maintaining control.
3. Even if you ask guests to leave their cameras home, the plethora of iPhones and video-equipped phones will provide ample competition for your pro. As a professional, I have often set up formals and group shots and let the crowd “have their chance” where they can shoot away. However once they are done, I ask to be allowed to work. Discuss this type of arrangement with your photographer as well.
4. Of course you could do nothing. As documentary photographers, our job is to document your wedding. This includes your zany guests and their desire to record your day as well. Be prepared for many shots of other cameras and guests vying for position (which alone can make for some awesome shots).
Just think about what images you really want for your wedding…if you want the day documented as it unfolds, then let it happen. If you want truly “clean” images with no other interference, then be prepared to lay some ground rules for your guests. Either way, this is a very good conversation for you to have when selecting a professional photographer.
Scott
Posted on April 14, 2010
There has been a lot of talk lately about DIY weddings and the expense of hiring high quality vendors. It seems that more and more couples are opting to recruit a friend or family member to be their photographer. And, while I am a professional photographer, I will do my best to address this serious issue without bias. That being said, here are the top 10 reasons to hire a professional wedding photographer:
#10. We know weddings. We see so many weddings every year that we know what to expect. We know the best angles for the cake cutting, the bouquet toss, the first dance. We know what lenses to have ready and where to be to get the shots that mean the most to you. A friend or family member most likely does not know any of these.
#9. A guest is a guest! Let your friend or family member enjoy your wedding and not have to be a nervous mess. They will be working hard, doing something they most likely have never done before…and you have given them a huge responsibility. Is that fair to them?
#8. It’s all in the bag, baby! Photography is a very expensive contact sport. Us professionals have amassed a significant investment in top of the line cameras, storage, lenses, lighting, you name it. We have them repaired and maintained by the manufacturer. We have the sensors cleaned. We also have redundant equipment to cover us in the event of an equipment failure.
#7. We know our gear. As a professional, I am always shooting! Remember the stories about the high school football coach that made his players carry a football for an entire month? They could never set it down. The reason? It became an extension of them. My cameras are an extension of me and I can grab it, fire it up, make a change and get the shot in seconds. Most people that do not live photography will not have the same results and will miss “the” shot.
#6. It’s our business. While the devil may be in the details, we know the important stuff to cover with you. I always have a printed out time line that I bring to the wedding and will engage your vendors so we are all on the same page. We have liability insurance in the event someone is injured. I will call you and email you during the weeks before the wedding to ensure everything is crystal clear and we are all comfortable.
#5. The best computers. Most people think photographers only care about cameras. What good are the best cameras and lenses if my computer dies and I lose all your wedding images? Most photographers have redundant external drives, online storage, and offsite backups to protect YOUR images. I currently use a RAID5 array and 10 external drives (plus off site drives) to protect your images. Most people never think about this. Neither will your Uncle Bob.
#4. We have a network. Another element most people do not consider is the reach of the photographer. I have contracted with you to be there on your wedding. But what happens if I am in a car accident on the way? What if I am hospitalized? Most professionals have a diverse network of other professionals that are friends that will always ensure you are covered.
#3. Standards. Okay, so your high school friend is going to shoot your wedding. He shoots all day and gives you a DVD of your images…but they are in a RAW Nikon format and you cannot do anything with them…or maybe his monitor is not calibrated and they all look yellow…or maybe they are exported JPEGs at a small resolution and look horrible when printed. Professionals have all this stuff covered for you. 
#2. We like to edit. When you think about price, you are probably thinking “well they are only going to be there for 8 hours…why are they so expensive?” Most people don’t think about the time to email, setup meetings, research the venues, shoot the wedding, download and backup the images, edit the images, burn the assets, design layouts and albums, place orders, receive orders, ship items, and follow up. It’s a lot more than 8 hours! I typically spend a week after the wedding on edits and organizational tasks.
#1. It’s your best day. You were so excited when you said yes…the feeling of that ring on your finger. You have thought of this day since you were a little kid, and now it is approaching. Why would you settle on a non-pro to document it? As a professional, nothing bothers me more than hearing from people that say “our wedding images were horrible…we thought we’d save some money.” Basically, those memories are just that…
So, I know this sounds all doom and gloom. It doesn’t have to! Here are a couple of solutions to the problem:
1. Wait. If you cannot afford professionals, wait. Save your money and do the wedding thing right.
2. Hire a wedding planner. Most people think they are a luxury they cannot afford…but in reality they can save you a lot of money, guide you through some decisions, and be invaluable on the wedding day.
3. Remember about retainers! When you hire a professional, you will be asked to pay a retainer. This is typically 50% of the commission fee. So, think of it as a payment plan. 50% down, and 50% in the next several months. When broken down into these smaller chunks, it is often much easier to plan and afford.
I hope these help you make the right choices when thinking about professionals for your wedding. As always, contact me with any questions!
Scott
Posted on March 1, 2010
I think it can be safely said that shows wear you down. As a professional, you are on your feet for many hours on end, constantly interviewing for your “job” and managing all aspects of your business from a far, strange place. This was not the case when we came home from the 2010 Vintage Bridal show in Portland this weekend.
We returned home with a new group of vendor friends that truly made the weekend a blast. We met some wonderful brides-to-be, and even chatted with members of the community that just stopped by to see what all the fuss was about. Melanie (my wife and admin superstar) even left with an awesome vintage makeover! The show was hosted by Ava Hansen and Alexsandra at the Queen Anne Victorian Mansion in North Portland.
All told, we left this show after spending some time with wonderful people. Special thanks to Wendi from Sweettreats for the cupcake samples that kept us all going, Coiffure by Kristen Behlings, and Brenna Scarrott for Melanie’s amazing makeover, the cats from DJs on Demand for ordering pizza and spinning some awesome big bands, Eye Design Studio for all the discussions on marketing and social networking, and Steve and Jess from Fifty Chairs for being our wonderful neighbors!
This was a brilliant event – thanks to everyone! I will also be announcing the winner of my free engagement session soon!
Scott
Posted on February 22, 2010
I forgot all about this, until I just saw a picture in the news and it all came back to me.
My wife and I were living in Alaska, and just moved from Eagle River to a great little condo in Girdwood. Girdwood is an AMAZING small town, nestled in a valley about 40 miles south of Anchorage. The cornerstone of Girdwood is Alyeska – a decently sized ski resort. Our condo was at the bottom of Chair 3 and we could basically ski right into our living room.
The year was 2004, and the US Alpine Championships were going on at Alyeska. However, somehow, I had NO CLUE about any of it. Maybe it was my 40 mile commute along one of the most dangerous avalanche-blizzard-mountain goat stretches that had me delirious.
Anyway, I noticed there was a commotion in front of the condo, with sled dogs and some folks in native Alaskan garb. I grabbed my camera as a chance to shoot some sled dogs, and headed out.
I soon realized there was a guy and his (cute) girlfriend trying to get into the sled, and everyone was laughing, having a good time. I started shooting and shooting just for fun. It soon seemed to me, that something more was happening than just some random people getting into a sled with a team of dogs. As I was shooting, I casually asked the guy…”who are you?”
“Uh..” He froze and looked at me. “I am Bode Miller.”
While I do [did] quite a bit of skiing, and lived in one of America’s best ski towns, I was not a big follower of Olympic sports. I casually asked one of the handlers next to me “Okay, who is Bode Miller?”
I have long since lost these images from before I was a pro. Unless they are hiding on some external drive in the attic… It might be time to do some looking around.
Posted on January 19, 2010
If there is one thing that really grates me…past the stupid drivers and too small parking spaces, it is greenwashing. For those who aren’t aware of this practice, it starts when a company wants to appear like they care about the environment yet do little in reality. Last week I saw a bottle of Windex in the store with a green sticker on top called “Greenlist.” Apparently, there is some master list of chemicals some people thought were “green” and if the chemicals in your product match the chemicals on this list, then they get to put a green sticker on the product. Greenwashing at it’s finest.
I preface this post with this information because I want to convey to my clients – both present and future – that I am a truly dedicated individual that recognizes the impact even my small photography business places on the planet.
Aside from being a vegetarian and an avid recycler, here are a list of what I am currently doing to minimize my negative impact on the planet:
- Terrapass: Each year I estimate the miles I plan on driving and purchase carbon emissions offsets from Terrapass. These offsets are audited and do result in a carbon reduction by routing those miles through wind and other alternative energy sources.
- Paperless contracting and client management: Many of my clients know about my online client websites. These paperless programs allow us to conduct business without printing and mailing contracts, quotes or any other needless paper.
- Recycling: All paper waste from the studio is 100% recycled. I make an effort to purchase recycled paper as much as possible. My business cards are even printed on 100% recycled paper with soy-based inks.
- Sticking to digital: While it is tempting to pick up a Lomo camera or a Holga, I will stick with digital photography to avoid the chemicals and paper used in developing prints from film.
- Support of non-profits: I have been a long time supporter of Sea Shepherd (before they were on TV) and other wildlife and conservation groups.
There are a TON of additional things I could be, and plan to implement this year. I want to find an Oregon non-profit to auction a wedding package and take an active role in tree-planting this Spring.
Am I on track? Do you think I am just another greenwasher? Comment below!
Scott
Posted on October 24, 2009
I realized yesterday that I posted my 100th blog post. I know for most hard core bloggers that this may be a weekly milestone. But, for us photographers, this is usually a longer process. I thought it would be a good chance to look back at where I started.
My first blog post here was only in September of 2007. I was offering some informational posts about how to choose a good photographer. I don’t even think I had any followers back then!
My first wedding ever was shot in Alaska at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. It was for Leigh and Mike and below (based on metadata and time) was the very first wedding photo I ever took.
I know…it’s not a stunner! In fact, the very first image I took is even out of focus and never made it to the client. It appears the bride was being reprimanded about something, curlers and all.
While looking at the last wedding I shot (Janice + Kevin in Hawaii) it is so surprising to see how everything has progressed – from my website and brand, to equipment, clients, and of course the 100th blog post. My actual last shoot was Michelle and Josh’s trash the dress session, something that was never even on the scene back in 2003.
And, while I have now shot over 25 weddings across the country, I still get the creative butterflies in my stomach when I pull up to a venue. I still get that crazy awesome feeling when the bride and groom see each other for the first time, or when the father of the bride chokes up when he hands off his daughter.
Its a wonderful amazing incredible job to have and I am so thankful to all my clients (past and future) for the trust and faith they put into me for this most important of responsibilities.
Now I need to get ready for Laura + David’s wedding today…
To the next 100 blog posts!!!!!
Scott