Recent flooding events in the Bow Valley area have prompted Calgary based photographers to band together in an effort help those within the wedding community. The idea started as a simple post in a Facebook group and quickly grew from there. We have all been touched by these floods, some of us are in a position to help those who were affected more severely.

The Idea is simple “A rising tide raises all boats”. Some of our community are in difficult situations due to the floods, maybe events had to be rescheduled or equipment has been lost or people may be unable to fulfill commitments. Other vendors may reeling as well, this is going to take a while to clean up in more ways than one.  In an effort to help those who can are offering up their assistance, how that will look depends on the situation. The motto “lets take care of them first”
Do you need someone to cover a shoot for you, need an assistant, need . . . ?    The list of Photographers willing to help out is growing rapidly:

www.almostframous.com

http://kaelajophotography.com/

http://photoswithfinesse.com

www.jaydenimages.com

www.svetlanayanova.com

http://www.forevercapturedphotography.com

www.makaphoto.com

www.davidlatos.com

https://www.facebook.com/emmamariephotography.ca

polachekphotography.blogspot.com

www.eye58photography.com

http://totemphotography.ca/

www.teamophotography.com

www.rememberwhencalgary.com

www.flyfreephotos.ca

www.widebrightpass.com

www.dazaphotography.com

http://www.conceptphotos.ca/

Kenny and Jill are getting married Aug 3rd  2013.  For their E-session they wanted to have fun doing what they normally do on a “date”.  We headed out into the country for a little shooting . . .  Their love shone through in the cold overcast morning air . We had a great time, these two are good sports comfortable in the outdoors . . . and in the end our targets were hit. I for one am looking forward to the wedding day shots . . . Enjoy.  Kenny and Jill

You are “photogenic” you just don’t know it nobody believes it but it is true. Well okay some people may be easier to photograph but that’s because they’re more comfortable in front of the lens than others. Truth is everyone can have a great photo taken of them or a really bad one no matter how “good looking” they are. When people tell me they are not photogenic I give them a seemingly self serving answer “you haven’t met the right photographer yet”, regardless this is a true statement. You see it isn’t the skill with the camera that makes this statement true. What makes this a true statement? The relationship you have with your photographer and their ability to make you feel comfortable in front of their lens. Of course there is a skill to this . . . timing.  More than capturing the moment, anticipating it even creating it that is the real skill. Sometimes it is as simple as letting you be you. When the real you shows it is easy to be photogenic, then the skill of the photographer come in creating the difference between a good photo and a great one.  Weddings, families, children, couples etc. it’s all the same. Take the example below, this young girl is naturally beautiful but looks highly “photogenic” in the bottom photo the difference is timing and her comfort level.

You’re Photogenic and you don’t know it.

During the month of January I have the pleasure of teaching art at My sons elementary school. The Division one students that I am working with are learning about the arctic as part of their social studies curriculum. The projects involve using polymer clay to create a sculpture of an arctic animal influenced by Inuit stone carvings. I suggested these because the forms translate successfully into clay.

It has been nice to be working in another creative medium, however there has been a constant that I had not considered. As I am working with the children I continue to feed on their joy in what seems like magic to them. My somewhat rudimentary examples of Arctic foxes, Narwhals or Muskoxen never fail to please. Eyes pop and mouths open when a few well placed ovals with ears or horns combine together to mimic an animal’s shape. Exclamations of “how did you do that?” are not uncommon.

It’s this wide eyed surprise and wonderment that is the common denominator, and I love it. There is nothing more gratifying than sharing wedding photographs with a couple for the first time. Eyes pop, mouths open and childlike optimism takes hold. Gasps and smiles are reactions to well posed and lit situations. Exclamations of “how did you get that shot, I didn’t even see you” are very common.

One might let this go to their head, and in a way I do. I don’t revel in the Idea that I am “that good”. Instead I am thankful to be so blessed that something I do could arouse such wonderment . . . wow I am so lucky! I stand there in childlike wonderment in the amazing gift I have been given and the magic I get to share.

Storytelling is the number one job of a photographer but without your input the story is not yours.  You need to consider the elements of your story that are important to you. Take the reins with your photographer and drive your story to the place you want it to go. Let’s discuss some considerations that can help you along your way to your story.

Every story has a beginning, middle and an end. Your day is no different you can create a complete story if you consider these elements. This is the reason we photographers like to shoot the bride getting ready, the dress etc. This can be one possible beginning. You may want to do a couples/ engagement shoot to create a beginning to your story. The middle; could be the ceremony, but what parts are specifically important to you? The end; maybe the last dance and a shot of you driving away in the car with the just married sign? Your story has many intricacies and is uniquely yours if you plan it well you will be happy with the results.

What do you want from your story? What elements are important to you? Do you want the entire day captured from getting ready to driving away? Are all these aspects of equal importance? Each part of your story has a level of importance to you and consideration should be given to this when planning. You want all the images that make up your day but which ones mean the most to you? How do you see your images being displayed or distributed as final product?

Product, what’s the role product plays in your decisions. What do I mean by product? Albums, prints, books, social media images electronic displays etc. You need to consider what your dream wedding will look like to you. Is it a beautiful arrangement of prints on your wall? Maybe it is a beautiful album or photo-book. What about the parents or the family and all those friends on facebook? Each of these “audiences” deserves consideration not only in the image type but the medium also. Books or smaller albums are great for the parents with images that showcase the groom for the grooms side and bride for her parents. Images appropriately sized for email and other electronic sharing are what we like to call “social media images” and are perfect for sharing with all your friends.

When working with a photographer you need to consider all these aspects when creating your story. If you leave this to chance and simply ask for the disc at the end you’re setting yourself up for failure. Think about it talk to your partner and friends decide what you want and proceed with a plan. Create a rough draft, an outline for your story. If you want an album and large prints include this. Together you and our photographer can create the images that you will capture on your day.