Wedding Layers

I’ve come to the conclusion that The Church of England and Amy Winehouse have a lot in common with one another – both have the potential to change the world, yet both are hell bent on destroying themselves.

Less than 12 months ago the Archbishop of Canterbury passed a new ruling called the “Marriage Measures” it was designed to bring Church Marriages into the 21st Centuries. In brief, the couple no longer had to show a direct connection with a specific church or parish. At last the penny had dropped that couples wanted to marry in pretty churches and so the “Idyllic Churches” were freed to offer their marriage services to all couples. Well done I hear you cry, at last. The Church had seen the writing on the wall and decided to compete with the registry office. One budding Vicar has even started marketing his church on Ebay, I like that… no its not disrespectful, its pragmatic.

However there seems to be a sinister threat to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s hopes for attracting more couples to church for their weddings. There is an alarming trend which could become the dominant view in church unless halted very soon. Worse still it is being implemented as swiftly and efficiently as could only be achieved in a dictatorship.

A bride stands at the altar speaking the most important words of her life so far, “I do”, and whilst she will have her personal memory, she has been banned from having any wedding photographs. With alarming regularity, unswerving authority and without appeal, Church Vicars are saying “No” to wedding photography during the marriage service.

To make matters worse the couple often only find out at the rehearsal. The question then is who do you speak to? What do you do? The Vicar is the face of the church and often an impassable brick wall. I have seen a Vicar leave the groom standing at the Altar, take the bride to one side and tell her in no uncertain terms, “No photography in my church”.

Before I say anything I ought to share my credentials. I may be an award winning photographer, and I am… But I was also a Baptist Minister (Vicar) for ten years and have a degree in Theology (The study of God) from Oxford University and in those years I married dozens of couples and managed many wedding photographers.

So why are Vicars banning wedding photography in church?

Well it seems for three reasons:

1. The bad behaviour of photographers

2. Photography disrupts the service

3. Photography during a wedding service is simply irrelevant.

“We All Encounter Bad Behaviour In Life, But We Don’t Focus On It.”

It is true, some wedding photographers can behave badly, climbing over the pews, pointing a lens in the Bride’s face as she say “I do”. One wedding photographer I heard of, stopped the service because his camera malfunctioned and he wanted the minister to do it over again for his backup camera.

So I do sympathise with vicars because some photographers behave badly. But the old saying about “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” springs to mind.

In the Bible, there was a time when the Apostle Peter was fed up with the way he was being treated and he asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive, seven times.” His reply stunned Peter, seventy times seven, In other words never stop forgiving.

My Policy: Is to agree with the Vicar where Elise my partner will stand at the front of the church and where I will stand at the rear of the church. Without exception Elise never moves from her position unless invited to by the Vicar and I only move if its been agreed beforehand.

“When Disruptions Happen, Professionals Adapt And Move On.”

It was my first service in my first church and I announced the wrong song. The church sang one song the organist played another. I was really annoyed, I wasn’t sure what to do, and I felt everything went down hill from that point. An elder member of the congregation said to me “that was fun, at least it made everyone think about what they were singing.”

A decade later, in the middle of my sermon a toddler walks up to the platform and grabs my leg. The congregation found this disruption incredible funny. So what did I do? Get annoyed. No. I picked up the toddler and quoted Jesus’ words “The Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”. Then I used the child’s innocent action to explain the kind of life God is looking for from us adults.

Disruption happens, and you can’t always prevent it. However Vicars are trained professionals and are able to adapt and move on. They choose how to respond to disruptions, either use it for good, or become frustrated by it, either way it’s their choice.

The biggest disruption caused by wedding photographers is undoubtedly the use of flash. The flash on your compact camera is bad enough, but a professional flash could be a hundred times more powerful. It can distract the Vicar, the couple, even the whole congregation if it goes off thirty or forty times during a service.

Our Policy: Has been to invest in high speed cameras. Each of our cameras and lens costs in excess of £5,000 but the benefit is 60, 70, 100 photographs during the service virtually silently and without flash. Likewise, we never use continuous shooting. We take single key photographs of expressions, the rings going on, precious moments. Most photographs are taken during hymns or as the congregation stands or sits so no one hears us.

“A Picture Paints A Thousand Words, And God Knows That….”

I always loved the fact that Jesus did His first miracle at a wedding. Kind of tells you how important your marriage is to God, doesn’t it.

Now the argument goes, we never used to have photography in church, so we don’t need it now and anyway they didn’t have photographs in Jesus’ day.

Well the world moves on as the Archbishop of Canterbury knows. Today we live in a world where photographs are a central part of our world; consider TV, Web, Facebook, all now part of daily life, all photographically centered. Let’s face it Jesus preached to thousands without a P.A. system, yet you won’t find a church these days without one, or without central heating or electric come to that! Technology simply opens up opportunities and this is a wonderful opportunity for the church to create a memory that will matter the most in a couple’s life.

I always think its tragic when you look through a wedding album and see the bride enter the church, turn the page and everyone is throwing confetti. Where’s the most important moment of this couples life together? Where is the history of the moment, the beauty of the kiss, the joy, the excitement…?

Does God approve of wedding photography? I never speak on behalf of God because He can speak for himself. Just consider that in over 90% of Jesus’ teaching he “painted pictures” in words for the people, they’re called parables. For the first 1600 years the church used “The Stations of the Cross”, icon-pictures of the 12 most important aspects of Jesus’ life to teach their congregations the truths of the Bible. What lives on in the world’s consciousness about Jesus are His parables like the Good Samaritan or the Lost Sheep, truth in pictures. What better truth, than the love of two people, pictured forever.

When a couple are going through hard times, they will often get out their wedding album to remember that precious day. Maybe its to help remind them of why they got married, or the vows they made to each other, or their commitment… whatever the reason, what will their wedding album say when the page where they were supposed to say “I do” is blank?

This years 35% of the church weddings we were booked to photograph have either changed church venues or moved to hotels because Vicars banned wedding photography… how sad is that… how Amy Winehouse is that?

My Advice to Couples:

Ask the Vicar at your first meeting for the church’s guidelines on photography.

Book a full-time professional wedding photographer who is a member of an International Association like the MPA or BIPP. This will mean that they have to abide by a certain code of conduct.

Remember there are hundreds of cheap weekend warriors who have bought cheap digital cameras and now call themselves wedding photographers. You are more likely to run into problems with these photographers.

Book your wedding photographer as early as possible and work out where they want to stand in the church, then communicate that to the vicar in person. Telephones and emails are not good ways to communicate issues that affect the service, so meet the vicar at the church and show him where your wedding photographer will stand.

Book a wedding photographer who doesn’t need to rely on flash especially during the wedding service

Get your wedding photographer to write, telephone or meet the Vicar to confirm that they won’t move during the service, and they will not use continuous shooting and that they will respect the solemnity of the service.

If having done everything possible to way lay the fears of the Vicar and yet (s)he refuse to have wedding photography then you can contact the Bishop. If you Google the Parish name where you are getting married the Bishop for that Parish should come up, call him/her and ask for their help, they are usually very helpful. Alternatively you can contact Emily Shepherd, Director of Communications.

My Advice to Vicars:

Set a written church policy and give it to couples and their wedding photographers at the very first meeting.

A church’s guidelines could require the use of a qualified wedding photographers who belongs to an accredited association like the MPA or BIPP.

If the wedding photographer behaves badly report him/her to their Professional Body, who will take action.
Just a thought, forgiveness allows the good guys to carry on with your trust; just-consequences is what is due to badly behaved wedding photographers which should come through their professional body (Their god, “Vengeance is mine says the Lord”)

Imagine That Studios – Portrait & Wedding Photographers in the UK

Imagine That Studios – Blog – http://www.imaginethat.uk.net/blog/?cat=23

Principle – Keith Beesley BTh. (Oxon)

Author: Keith Beesley
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There is one thing that every couple must do when planning a wedding, and that is finding the right photographer. This may not be as easy as you think, as a lot of things depend on the photographer. You want to make sure you make the best decision since you will only get one chance at this. Having someone who captures this priceless day is important. So make sure you do not make the mistakes listed below when you are searching for your wedding photographer.

1. Having the Thoughts that All Photographers are Equal

As you know, no one is the same as anyone else. This is especially true when it comes to photographers. To get this point through, think of your favorite sport, and now think of the top two players. Notice how these players are both great, but have their own style.

2. Choosing a Photographers Based On Their Price

Choosing the cheapest or most expensive photographer, does not guarantee you they quality. You may choose the cheapest photographer and get the best quality, or choose the most expensive and get the worse quality.

3. Thinking the Right Gear With Get Great Results

Just because the photographer you choose carries around the best equipment, does not mean they are an expert using it. These expensive cameras come with a lot of great features, but unless your photographer is skilled on the equipment, these features mean nothing,

4. Letting Friends and Relatives Take the Pictures For You, and Expecting Professional Results

It is always nice to have your friends and family take pictures at your wedding, but remember that taking professional pictures needs experience. Even if your favorite Uncle does have the best camera, if he is not experienced, these pictures will not be professional.

5. Cutting Your Photographers Time

A lot of times we want a lot in a little bit of time. If you want family pictures or pictures of the wedding party, make sure you schedule time for it. If you try to get everyone together and rush the photographer to take the pictures fast, you are more than likely going to get bad results. Know who you want pictures taken of, and make time for it. Make sure you tell your photographer the must have pictures well in advance. Having a time schedule will give your photographer and chance to organize and take great pictures.

6. You Entertain Too Many Photographers

Though price shopping with a number of different service providers is often a good idea, with photography this is not necessarily so.

A good photographer often has an already established client base and relies more on word of mouth than on advertising or on overly competitive prices. Many quality photographers will not even consider lowering rates for a price shopper. While it is important to get a good price and to stay within budget for photography services, it is even more important to have a professional experience and a high quality product.

7. You Sign the Paperwork Without Looking it Over First

It is not only one of the biggest mistakes but also one of the most commonly occurring – many people do not read the paperwork provided by their photographers. If a couple is serious about getting the best photographer, they need to take the time to read the contracts. Also, any items that are discussed between the photographer and client must appear in writing.

8. You Do Not Trust Your Own Instincts

A couple may get the feeling that an offer from a photographer is too good to be true, then will ignore that feeling in order to get a good deal. It is more important to trust those instincts; if something seems fishy, it probably is.

9. Lack of Professionalism is Ignored

A person who is planning a wedding has a long list of items to attend to, so it can be easy to ignore small things, such as a photographer who is dressed unprofessionally or behaves in any way other than a business-like fashion. It may seem unimportant how a person is dressed at the time of procuring their services, but if you attempt to picture this person in the midst of a wedding ceremony and formal reception, you may understand why professionalism is vital.

10. You Do Not Make Inquiries Into the Sample Album

Amateur photographers may attempt to piece together a sample album from multiple weddings, showing only one or two of the best shots taken at each wedding. A professional photographer will show a sample album with shots obtained at one wedding, showcasing the ability to capture multiple excellent photographs during the event.

It is also important to ask the photographer about the wedding; ask specific questions about techniques used or about the wedding itself so that you know for certain that the photographer is showing a legitimate sample album rather than one obtained from another photographer.

Gareth Osgood is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Hampshire Wedding Photography, he recommends Cooper Photography.

Author: Gareth Osgood
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There are many buying decisions to make when planning a wedding. One of the most important decisions you can make is who will photograph your wedding. The broad range in pricing these days can cause alot of confusion for prospective brides and grooms. I hope to clear that up in this article.

One question I am asked all the time is:”How can one photographer charge $700 for an entire day and another photographer charge $3500?” Do you get what you pay for? Does more expensive mean better? Does less expensive mean bad? Lets start with some basic information on how the photography industry has changed in the past five years.

Digital SLR cameras have become somewhat mainstream in the last couple years. Many people are purchasing 12 MP camera for under $1000 and instantly becoming “photographers.” There is no minimum education level or licensing required to become a professional photographer. Many of these novice photographers are starting part-time wedding photography businesses to help supplement their income. To them, $700 is alot of money for a days work. In this category many of the photographers are using photo-journalism as their approach and also providing CD’s as the finished work
product. While not all photographers in this novice level are bad photographers, you should have a certain amount of buyer beware.

I recommend meeting with several photographers within different price ranges at least 6 months in advance of your wedding. Be prepared with a list of questions. Record your feelings when you first meet; sometimes first impressions are the most important. Make sure you will feel comfortable working with this photographer during your wedding day.

Here is a list of questions you should be asking.

1. How long have you been a professional photographer?
2. How long have you been photographing weddings?
3. Do you have an assistant who works with you?
4. Do you bring a back-up camera in case your main camera has mechanical failure?
5. What is your style of photography?
6. Do you photograph more than one wedding per day?
7. Are you the photographer or do you hire someone else for the day?
8. If you provide a CD do you provide a reproduction release for all the images?
9. If you provide a CD are the images full resolution?(as opposed to sized for the web)
10. How long does it take to receive the images?
11. Are the images that we order retouched?
12. If I want certain poses with relatives, how do I make sure those will be taken care of?
13. Could you provide us with 2-3 references?

Do not neglect asking any of the question above. You will be amazed at the differences in answers and will soon see why there is a huge difference in pricing. I have known many couples who were surprised to find someone else at their wedding as the photographer because they forgot to ask question 7. Do not assume anything and get everything in writing.

On your wedding day you want to make sure you have a photographer you can trust. If someone is charging under $1000 for a wedding, most likely they would not pass the test when answering the above questions. If you are trying to save money than you will have to accept that sacrifices will have to be made. Are you willing to trade experience for price? Are you will to trade piece of mind for price? How about quality for price? You are the only one who can make that decision.

There is some skepticism about photographers who charge too much for wedding photography. How can one justify $4000 for days work? In reality, a photographer’s fee covers more than just the hours spent at a wedding. First the photographer has a cost of sales for the end products they are delivering to the client. Add to that insurance, marketing fees, consultation time prior to and after the wedding, computer time retouching images, assistant fees, photographer salary. And when all that is paid out, there should be enough left for entrepreneurial profit.

Professional photographers love what they do, but are also business people, who know that their fees must cover all of their expenses and provide a profit so they can continue to succeed in the business. The photographers who do not cover all their expenses by charging low fees, will not be in business long enough to succeed.

Be prepared when you start meeting with photographers. Do some research in advance to find out what weddings cost in your area. Look in magazines for the styles that you like. Every photographer has a their own style and some are sought out just for their own brand. Know what your budget is and what you want. If a CD with 400 unretouched images fits in with your budget than be prepared to accept an unfinished product. If portraits, and an album are what you desire, be prepared to be top dollar. Your wedding day only happens once in a lifetime and your portraits will help you cherish the memories especially as the years go on.

Mary Buck is a professional photographer with Lightscapes Photographic Artwork in Duluth, GA. She is available for weddings in the Metro-Atlanta area. She also photographs infants, children, families and high school seniors at her studio in Duluth.
You can view her work at http://www.lightscapesphoto.com/

Author: Mary Buck
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Sure, there is no doubt, what to choose: a professional photographer or family relative who is an amateur photographer. While that family member, who was chosen as photographer wouldn’t be able to enjoy the wedding, because of the work and as amateur photographer he is not able to see things that matters, a professional photographer would be there to take professional photos, because he knows what is the most important in wedding photography and therefore  the results are obviously different. Your photographer has to capture every lovely view, every smile, every laughter.
There is no second chance to take really good wedding photos, it is once and for all. Therefore it is necessarily to know how to get a good wedding photographer. Most of photographers do not even bother with wedding photography, because wedding photography is one of the most difficult branches in photography. Good wedding photographers are those, who love their work and are able to take photos, which are telling true stories. The photographer should have a unique style. The photos have to be creative and fully charged with emotions. But there is not only the photographer who matters. Essentially is also a good planning for the wedding.

Different ways

Search for a good photographer. There are different paths to find one. Go to magazine store and find the best magazines about weddings and wedding planning.  Most of the magazines also have a chapter about wedding photography. Some of the photographers have commercials inside with contacts. Many of the magazines also have yellow pages with wedding photographers.

Another way is to “Google ” for a wedding photographer. Most common keywords to get best results are: “Wedding photography”, “wedding photographer” or simple “wedding”.

Another way to get a wedding photographer is to post ads on free advertisement pages.

And if any of your relatives got married recently, just ask them, if they had a wedding photographer. If they did, just ask for contact.

Now, you have to contact all the photographers, which you think will suit your wedding concept.

Asking the right questions

It is necessary for you to know the wedding photographer. Important for you to know is how long is he in this business, what equipment does he use and if he is working with an assistant or in pair with another photographer. Also ask for a webpage gallery. If he does has one, have a look and check it. It is important for you to know what he offers, so go ahead and ask for offer and also for pricing. Additionally write him what is your lifestyle, what are your expectations and wishes and in what style will your wedding be.

Choosing

Now, think about what is important for you. Review your budget, which was intended for wedding photography. After you have received all of the answers from photographers, make the first selection. See, if they meet your expectations and if they offer all the services you have asked. You can also easily recognize if someone is serious and if he really wants to shot your wedding. After that, contact the selected ones again and ask them to meet them in person. This way you can see how they are in reality, what they think and how they work. Ask the same questions as you already did when you first contacted him. See if there are any deviations to his statements. If not and if you like the photographer, then it is time to tell him, that he is the one.

Afterwork

Your work is not finished yet. Ask him, if he is working with a contract. If not, ask him, if he can prepare a contract, which will be signed by both of you. Read all paragraphs very carefully and do not sign, if you do not know what you are signing. If everything is ok, sign it. This way you can be certain, that you will get for what you pay.

There is another thing. Do not pay in advice. If he wants advice money, kindly ask him, if you can add another paragraph, which defines that you are obligated to take him as wedding photographer. If he still wants advice payment, then do not pay more than half of the whole price of his services.

The pretty work

Now, it is recommended to make the photographer very familiar with your wedding. Tell him about your wedding planning, about the style of the wedding. Tell him what kind of photos you expect. Make a plan and go together to the place, where the wedding will take place. Look at different places for portrait photography. Tell him the program and time schedule of the wedding, so he can get prepared.

If you are going to follow these steps, you will probably get a really good wedding photographer and therefore also great wedding shots and services.

It is the most important day in your life, so take your time and find a really good wedding photographer.

http://weddings.gregorharih.com

Author: Gregor Harih
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Wedding Photographs – Expensive or Priceless? Here are 10 simple ways to get the best wedding photographs on your day.

1. Look at each other

Please remember you are marrying each other not the minister or the registrar. As a former church minister I just want to assure you its okay to face one another. You have spent a small fortune on wedding photography, but at the crucial moment all that anyone sees in your backs – talk to whoever is doing the wedding and TELL them you want to look at each other.

2. Do, do crazy things on the day

Please do act on the spur of the moment. Spontaneous things can work really great on wedding photographs and a good photographer will lap it up.

3. Colour or Black and White?

Some will say what goes around comes around. But the reality is that black and white and colour photography are very different. Black and white is much more atmospheric and dramatic. Look at samples of photography because colour photographs should be either subtle or vibrant never wishy washy. Make sure you get both in your album. Ask what the mix will be, i usually do 70% black and white for intimate shots and 70% colour for group shots. Ask the photographer which they prefer and why.

4. Do it for real NOT mock

Beware the part-time wedding photographer who will want to do MOCK cake cutting and MOCK first dance so they can get away. Don’t accept MOCK anything. If your photographer is not there when you actually cut the cake, then they’ve missed the speeches, and the meal and that special moment, and the… You want your photographer by your side all day.

5. Can you trust your photographer?

Trust is important. You have to feel you can trust your photographer, after all they will see you all made up and completely un-made. You have to feel you can trust your photographer so when they ask you to do something or pose in a particular way, its going to make a great photograph.

6. Style and approach

A photographer can’t be all things to all people. Ask what their photographic philosophy is – reportage, traditional, journalism. Does their approach agree with yours?

7. Listening

The first time you meet your photographer, check whether you feel they listened to you. At the end of the day you want to open your album and get the wow factor, that happens when the photographer gives you something of what you are expecting, with things your were never expecting.

8. Flexibility

“Customer is King” is a true saying, or in this case ” Queen” and being flexible is essential. I guess all wedding photographers go through the “Packages” stage in their career, I know I did. Here my package, take it or leave it. One thing to know about your wedding is that its UNIQUE. Therefore, you need a photographer who appreciates your uniqueness. If a photographer is not flexible to your desires before your wedding day, they will be even less flexible on your day.

9. To be seen or not to be seen

There’s a big difference between being seen and being noticed. Its your day so do you really want a photographer taking over? – And it happens in so many ways – from telling the couple what to do – to making everyone wait for their meal. I’ve even known a photographer stop the ceremony because he missed a shot. Remember its your day and your photographer is there to guide you NOT dictate to you. However the thing that annoys me most is the photographer with the big flashgun. With the right investment in high speed lenses and a proper understanding of exposure 95% of photography can and should be taken with available light. In the last 12 months I’ve only used flash once.

10. Know what’s going to happen in case of bad weather

You can never guarantee the weather, especially in the UK. When the sun is out photography is easier because there are usually lots of places to go with the bridal party to get great photographs. But when its raining its a different story. Space is usually limited and locations likewise. Without exception I always checkout the wedding and reception venues if i’ve never photographed there before. Because I try to use only available light I need to see where the light is good – but I also check out where we can photograph on a rainy day.

http://www.imaginethat.uk.net Keith Beesley BTh. (Oxon)

Author: Keith Beesley
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