Not inviting someone to your wedding
Published December 20, 2010 | 
This is a good question and one that is asked by most couples. Most everyone, sadly, have members of their family that don't get along or who don't get along with someone else they what to invite to their wedding. There are a couple of ways to handle this, some extreme and some not so extreme. It mostly depends on the dynamics of your situation. Not knowing the family dynamics in detail I can only give you guidelines I would consider.
First and foremost, this is your event, your wedding, your party. Invite the people you like and who you want to have a good time in celebration with. Weddings tend to have their own set of stress factors so don't willing add to that stress.
DVD Slideshow Production
Published August 8, 2010 | Slideshow production companies are popping up all over the Internet. People are taking their digital and print pictures and having them placed on DVD’s as slideshows for personal use and for gifts for all occasions. People everywhere are hiring professional slideshow production companies, such as RicKara Photography, to make engagement slideshows for wedding receptions, graduation slideshows, anniversary slideshows, birthday slideshows, memorial service slideshows, vacation slideshows, holiday slideshows, and just about anything you can think of slideshows. But how do you know which slideshow company to choose?
It use to be that when we took our photos of our special occasions: weddings, vacations, reunions, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, family, friends, pets and so on, that we’d get the photos developed and place them in a photo album or a shoe box. A couple of our very favorites would be placed in frames. But, the photo album or shoebox would then sit on a shelf or under a bed or in a closet or somewhere where they’d be neglected and hardly ever looked at. In the meantime the photos themselves are drying out, cracking, and turning yellow. When we do go to look at them they’re never as good as we remember because they’ve aged.
Placing our photos on CD's or DVD's the photos will last much longer. They will not crack, fade or yellow. Future generations can enjoy the same quality in a hundred years as we can today.
Turning your photos into slide shows, also called video albums or photo montages, makes the photos fun to watch and more people will enjoy viewing them with you. So how do you know if you've found a quality slideshow company? An important rule of thumb to remember is, "If the price seems too good to be true, then it usually is". No real slide show creating company can give you quality work without putting quality time into it. The less the price, the less amount of time going into it. You might as well go buy yourself the cheapest slide show software you can find and do it yourself. A quality slideshow creating company has invested thousands of dollars to be able to produce the highest quality work for the consumer. And they will spend the time needed to clean up your photos like removing red eye, color correcting old yellowed photos, removing crease marks and such and create a quality DVD that you can be proud of. The more time a company puts into creating your slideshow, the higher the cost of that slide show. Of course a higher price doesn't always mean better, there will always be those who overcharge. When comparing prices, don't forget to compare the contents of the package. This will make a tremendous difference in the pricing and the quality of the slideshow you receive. But don't fall for bogus charges such as transition charges. What are slideshows without transitions? So shop around, compare prices, packages, and view some slide show samples.
Viewing samples is very important to choosing your company. If you’re satisfied with just the simple fade-in, fade-out photomontage style slideshows, then you have a lot of companies to choose from. If you want something fun, exciting, emotional, creative and unique, then there’s very few companies to choose from. Your memories are precious and your slide shows should reflect each occasion in a unique and creative way. To a true slide show creator, such as RicKara Photography, creating quality slideshows is comparative to an artist who is creating yet another masterpiece that is worthy of displaying to everyone you know.
Disposable Cameras for Weddings?
Published August 7, 2010 | Disposable Cameras for my wedding? Yes! they are also called single-use cameras, but they will never replace a professional photographer, of course. But they could save money on the overall photo budget, provide memorable fun for you and your guests, and occasionally turn up a priceless casual shot.
Disposable low-price wedding cameras are a popular wedding favor at many wedding receptions. These cameras are placed on each wedding guest table, usually accompanied by a printed card encouraging guests to use these cameras throughout the reception to capture unforgettable moments that may be missed by the professional photographer. They also are a wonderful and fun activity for the guests. If your reception is going to be indoors, I recommend the disposable cameras that include a built-in flash. They cost a little bit more, but will provide better picture in the lower light of indoor banquet rooms.
While the professional photographer is busy orchestrating beautiful pictures of the wedding party and family, many things are taking place throughout the reception that are well worth capturing. Wedding guests may use these cameras just like any other camera, simply point and shoot.
Disposable wedding cameras are available in many styles to accommodate just about any wedding theme. Many of these cameras can be ordered with a custom photos on the camera like an engagement photo. You can also include a courtesy card to place on your guest table with a decorative imprint and instructions.
Your professional photographer will collect the cameras before the reception winds down and chances are good that the pictures will be waiting for the happy couple upon their return from their honeymoon. And along with the prints or a CD of the images, the photos can be posted on popular social Websites like Facebook so everyone can see and enjoy them. You may even get a photo good enough to be included in your wedding album.
Your professional photographer should be able to order and provide the custom layout design for your camera and help you save even more money by buying in quantity. If guests know that they will have a chance to see and download the pictures they take, they tend to take much better pictures.
A Picture Perfect Wedding
Published July 26, 2010 | Weddings are definitely one of the happiest moments in a person’s life. But, this momentous occasion does not always come as blissful as the event itself. Days and even months before the big day, couples usually get too stressed with the smallest details.
The process of listing down and cutting down everything into specific details—the wedding date, the venue, the reception, the caterer, the designer of the gown and suit, all the way down to the wedding coverage—are the areas where stress usually ushers in.
Due to hectic schedules, most couples usually do not pay much attention to one of the crucial things in any wedding—the wedding coverage. Despite the overwhelming tension and excitement, couples do not have to be nonchalant when choosing their wedding photographers if they want their fun times and precious memories recorded very well.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PREFERENCES
To avoid making this slight neglect that usually leads disastrous results, couples have to decide first what kind of wedding photography they would want to have.
Most wedding photographers today categorize the types of wedding photography into two: the traditional or classic style and the wedding photojournalistic style.
The most common style used by wedding photographers today, the traditional or classic wedding photography is considered as a “timeless” and the “safest” style because you normally see in countless wedding albums. Characterized by classic poses of subjects aware of the camera, this style involves so much control from the photographer because he is in-charge in arranging individual and group shots before, during, and even after the wedding.
Having excellent portraiture skills, expect the photographer to focus more on the quality of the photograph by making the subject look great from the littlest details. Expect typical wedding photos like pre-ceremony pictures, formal shots of the bride and groom posing with brides maids and ushers, cake cutting, garter and bouquet toss, and the like when you choose a classic wedding photography. This style is ideal if the couple would want to keep portraits of family members for their wedding album.
If the couple is adventurous and unconventional, then you might want to consider the wedding photojournalistic style of photography on your big day. An increasingly popular style today, wedding photojournalism offers fresh and new style of taking photos in the occasion. Characterized by candid shots of the subjects unaware of the moving camera, the photojournalism style lets the attendees act freely to capture their pure and true emotion.
Sourcing style from his experience in journalism, the “photojournalist” pays more attention to minute details and candid shots rather than arranged ones. He’s more into eyeing interesting moments and capturing those in his lens to produce a narrative collection of images that tell a story.
Although some traditional poses will be present, expect photos that show actual emotions of the bride and groom and of other participants throughout the duration of the wedding when you choose the photojournalism style.
In order to avoid ruining the documentation of your wedding, here are some tips in making your wedding a picture perfect one:
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Weddings are one of the most exciting chapters of one’s life. Make sure that you choose a wedding photographer that can meet all your standards. Meet with the photographer before hand the so you could discuss the details you want.
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Inform the important participants about the schedule of photo sessions and make sure everyone attends the rehearsal to cut down the stress.
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Have a reception area so guests can be informed about the itinerary. This will set the occasion in order.
Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Published July 26, 2010 | Many couples get so caught up with planning all the obvious details of their wedding–such as the cake, the wedding decorations, the gown and gifts for members of the wedding party–that they often overlook the importance of selecting the right wedding photographer. It’s important to remember that the photographer you choose will be responsible for capturing the moments and memories of what may be the most important day of your life! With this in mind, you'll want to take great care in selecting a wedding photographer considering there are no second chances.
As you might imagine, wedding photography is one of the most challenging types of professional photography. The wedding photographer has to make everyone look beautiful, shooting in a multitude of locations in all kinds of weather conditions–and accomplish all this in minimum amount of time. At the same time, your wedding photographer should have the personality to complement you on your most joyous day. Take your time and follow some of the simple suggestions discussed below, and you will most certainly be satisfied with the outcome.
Where Do You Begin?
Personal referrals or asking friends, relatives and co-workers for suggestions, is a great place to start. Typically, people who have had positive experiences with photographers are more than willing to share that information. In addition, you’ll already have some insight about the photographer’s personality before you actually meet. After compiling a preliminary list, visit each photographer’s web site and thoughtfully review his or her online portfolio. If a portfolio looks appealing you, chances are, that photographer might be a good fit. Next, call or email each photographer on your list. Through this initial contact, you can determine the photographer’s availability, the type of work they specialize in (candid or traditional) as well as an estimate of the cost and what you’ll receive for that fee.
Schedule appointments with the photographers who seem most appropriate and ask to view their portfolios in person and discuss more details. Ask each of them to show you a complete portfolio of a single wedding–this will give you a much clearer sense of what you can expect than a collection of choice shots from several different events. Pay attention to whether the photographer is adept at portraying individual expressions and personalities. Ideally, these meetings should include the bride and groom as well as the bride's parents since you will all be interacting with the photographer.
What Questions Should You Ask?
Be sure to write down all of your questions beforehand, and take thorough notes during the meetings. Although most professional photographers will provide you with a clear outline of their services and fees prior to your meeting, you will, in all likelihood, still have a large number of questions to ask. Remember, the more information you have, the more confident and relaxed you’ll feel on your special day. The following are some questions you may wish to consider asking:
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How will you show me pictures for selection (e.g., electronic, proofs, contact sheets, online gallery, etc.)?
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Will you help me choose the final pictures?
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How will you make it easy for friends and family to order reprints?
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What are the costs of the various levels of coverage?
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What is your photography style; photojournalistic, traditional, mixed, etc.?
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How much for the duplicate prints, albums, folios, enlargements, thank you cards, etc.?
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What’s your time frame for preparing the pictures for my selection?
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How about engagement session?
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How long do I have to make up my mind as to which pictures I want and how many?
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How long have you been in business?
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What’s your philosophy for photographing weddings?
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Will you have an assistant?
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Do you have travel fees?
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How much is your overtime fee?
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Will you be shooting my pictures personally?
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Will you use film or digital?
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What's your payment policy?
How Much Will It Cost?
The following are some points that will help prepare you for what you might expect to pay for your wedding photography:
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Plan to allocate a significant portion of your wedding budget to ensure photographs are perfect. Expect to spend at least $1000 on a professional wedding photographer to document your event. Albums and prints are usually extra. Other extras that may increase your bottom line include additional hours, additional photographers, custom albums etc. etc. Add on too many extras – and your photography budget could quickly creep to $5000 and beyond!
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Cut the timeline…the longer your event, the more it will cost to document it. Since photographers often charge based on the number of hours they will spend at your wedding, a shorter/smaller wedding celebration will yield big savings in your photography budget.
Making a Commitment
At this point, you should have a relatively clear idea of which photographer is best suited to capture your wedding day memories. Once you have made a decision, be prepared to leave a deposit to reserve the date. You may still wish to reassure yourself by asking about a few final details. For example, find out what the photographer's policy for wedding-date changes is and what the alternatives are if he or she is not available on the backup date. Also, ask about their policy for an unexpected cancellation. If you feel the photographer is right for you, then relax and make the commitment with the confidence that you’ve made a well-formed, intelligent decision in planning the most important day of your life.