Archive for category Photography

Photobook Review & Giveaway

Posted by Crystal in Giveaways & Contests, Photography, Real Weddings

I was recently approached by Lulu.com and asked to review their Photobook services and give one away (that’s coming up – so keep reading). I am somewhat familiar with Lulu – I have friends who have used Lulu.com to self-publish their writing for quite some time already – but was not aware that they had added Photobooks to their selection. The timing worked out nicely as I had not yet ordered a photobook from my own ceremony yet I received my photobook last week and have been showing it off to EVERYONE lol. So now it’s your turn – first some pictures, then I will give you my thoughts on the process and the book itself:)

Photobook arrives – it’s like Christmas in July

The Book & Cover

Some Of My Favorite Pages

Pricing:

I’m a pretty budget savvy person so one of the first things that caught my attention was the price. Lulu.com Photobooks start at $9.99 for a soft cover, 20 page book and $19.99 for a hard cover, 20 page book. Very budget friendly!

Sizes and Templates:

I really like the range of options that Lulu offers for their ebooks. My particular book is an 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 square book. I am a huge fan of square albums (its the scrapbooker in me lol) and its generally a more expensive option when it is offered which isn’t often. I really like that this size/shape was available for the same price. Other sizes included 8 1/2 x 11, 9 x 7, 5.25 x 3.5 (guest book album?) and 3.75 x 2.5 (brag books for grandmas?).

Lulu.com also offers a great selection of templates that you can use depending on your preferred style: classic, modern, romantic, vintage, nature inspired, etc. Now – I am a graphic designer and I had already designed the pages for my album so I choose full photo templates for each page and then uploaded my own designs as a photo for each page and for the cover. I love that flexibility – you can use one of their templates if you wish – or if you have some graphic design or digital scrapbook ability you can design your own pages like I did. Just make sure you respect the bleed areas.

Building a Photobook:

I found the Photobook creator very easy to use. You can upload pictures from your computer or from your albums on Flickr, Facebook, etc. You then choose the layout you want to each page (one picture, two pictures, three pictures, text boxes, etc) and drag and drop your photos into their spaces. You can save your progress and come back to it late if you need to until you are ready to publish.

Show off and/or sell your Photobook!

The neat thing about Lulu is that it’s both a self publishing company AND a bookstore. You can create your books there and sell them through the website. You set the prices you want to charge and when a book is purchased, Lulu prints and ships directly to the customer. This feature is great for photographers who want to offer their brides affordable, flexible album options. You create the album and set your price. The bride and her family can order as many copies as they wish whenever they wish.

There are a few different options you can pick when you publish. You can choose to keep the album private (so only you can order it). You can also choose to have your book available by link only. This means you can give the link to friends and family so they can preview and purchase a copy if they want. I choose this option – not because I want family to buy my book – but because then family and you guys can go see the preview (Click here to check it out lol). This option keeps your book from being included in their public database – which is the third option if you have a book you want made available to purchase for the general public.

Quality

I am quite happy with my photobook. I choose a hardcover book and it is quite sturdy. It’s only 20 pages thick so it kind of reminds me of a child’s hardcover picture book lol – nice and sturdy. (Yes, you can add more pages as well). I was impressed by the color quality as well – the pages were crisp and clear and the colors were bright. My photos came out looking gorgeous on each page.

GIVEAWAY – GET YOUR OWN PHOTOBOOK!!!!

So – we’re going to give away a photobook to one lucky reader! You can use it to create a wedding album or an album showcasing your wedding planning process (showers, parties, etc), your honeymoon, or whatever you wish. You will be able to choose your size, hard cover or soft cover and up to 20 pages at no cost. Giveaway Ends August 4th at midnight EST.

Here’s how to enter:

Sign up for our newsletter in the sidebar – all newsletter subscribers will automatically be entered to win!

You can also earn additional entries by Twittering our giveaway. Send your tweet @CrystalUnrau to ensure that your extra entries get counted!

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YAY!!!!

Posted by Jill in Photography, Real Weddings

We got to see and order our engagement pics today! I’m THRILLED. J and I are both EXTREMELY critical of the way we look in photos. We had rather low expectations of how they’d turn out since we’re both hoping to lose some more weight before the wedding (ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!). But for a couple of Fatty McFattersons, I think these turned out pretty stinkin good!! We were so happy with Brandy, our photographer and Josh, her hubby from Something Beautiful Studio and Design. If you’re in the Birmingham (Gadsden) area, check them out! She’s so extremely talented, like a little jewel in the middle of Gadsden, Alabama!! Hehe! And her sitting fee was completely reasonable too… much more so than the other engagement photographers I looked at. We have another appointment to go back to have some of these edgy shots done in our wedding duds after the big day. I’m sure we’ll use her for baby (God willing) and family photos too.

Brandy will do some wicked amazing editing on the images we chose. The first one is my favorite and the second one is J’s favorite. Unfortunately neither one of us were thrilled with the other’s choice in favorites… but since J has already mastered the art of compromise. We got MY favorite in a wall portrait and HIS favorite in a 5×7! haha! We’ll probably go back and order his favorite in a wall portrait too, when funds aren’t so tight… because, hel-lo weddings are expensive!!

Without further ado, our engagement pics (All from Brandy at Something Beautiful)

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Brilliant Photographers!

Posted by Jill in Photography, Real Weddings

I love photography. I’m okay at it. But I always want to get better. When I first discovered Jessica Claire and Becker, I flipped. And spent WAYYYYYYY too long going through each and every one of their blog posts. They are both brilliant photographers that shoot in a way that is exactly what I hope my images to look like (both the ones I photograph and the ones photographed of me!).

I’m sure what I like about both artists is their impeccable photo editing. I mean, photography is a whole different ballgame than it was 10 years ago. I believe that if you learn to edit really well, that is what sets you apart from other wedding photographers. I adore that new “glowy” feel. It’s almost magical!

SOURCE **WARNING** You’ll spend a whole day going through this man’s site!!!

Check out Becker’s before and after shots. Genius!! He takes photos from good to AH-MAZING! See…

SOURCE

Jessica Claire shoots a lot of romantic Mid-Summer Nights Dreamish photos, of weddings with a lot more uniqueness and style than my “I know damask is overdone” wedding. I wouldn’t pick that level of vintagey goodness for my own nuptials, but there’s something about her images that I’m absolutely drawn to! It’s vintage done in a modern way that I love.

SOURCE **Hope you have another whole day to spend on her site!

When I first started planning my wedding, I knew I wanted “classic and timeless”, I know I am having elements of 2010 (such as the forementioned overdone damask), but my hope is that when my kids look at my wedding album, they find little to laugh at! Not that I would EVER laugh at the blue veils my mom made her bridesmaids wear…

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Stress Inducers…

Posted by Jill in Photography, Real Weddings

So in the midst of my fore mentioned ridiculously hectic week, I received a call from my wedding photographer, Scott.

Scott is a dear friend. I worked as his assistant for a summer during college. He taught me more about photography than I could have ever learned in a classroom.

When J and I first got engaged Scott was one of my “must haves” when thinking about our wedding. I was thrilled when he said he’d photograph it. I’m extremely picky. In fact, whenever someone asks my mom who will be photographing our wedding she says “don’t you feel sorry for that guy”.

Well, apparently Scott found out that I’m rather hard to please because the phone call in the midst of my hectic week was to inform me that he could no longer photograph our wedding. Our wedding which takes place in FOUR months. Our wedding which has a UBER tight budget. OUR wedding, where a picky photographer and a picky videographer get MARRIED. I was devastated. Thankfully I was too busy with work to focus too much on the grandeur of this announcement at the time. But now it’s sinking in.

See, Scott was planning on photographing our wedding with his own private company. He also shoots for a big name portrait studio in St. Louis. Despite Scott asking specifically for that day off, the big name studio tyrant is forcing him to work. Scott has found another girl to photograph the wedding and has said that he will be able to shoot the ceremony. Unfortunately, I have to say, I feel like I’m totally getting the shaft. I guess I should be grateful that he’s found me a backup, but I’m hesitant since I’ve only seen a couple of her images, and that I don’t have a personal relationship with her, like I do with Scott.

So, I’ve been tooling around online looking for a new photographer. And guess what? They’re EXPENSIVE. The cheapest decent photographer I found charges TWICE as much as Scott for HALF the service. The more I think about the whole ordeal, the more I want to sit in a corner and cry.

I have my mom’s voice echoing in my head “everything happens for the best”. I’ll keep repeating that to myself and go with the replacement.

Meanwhile, here’s some of Scott’s work for you to feast your eyes on….

Scott

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Top 6 Mistakes Brides Make When Picking A Wedding Photographer

Posted by Crystal in Photography

Wedding Photography is a hotly debated topic among wedding photographers and if you find it overwhelming, you’re not alone. Wedding Photographers offer a wide variety of packages and prices anywhere from $500 – $10,000+ and every photographer thinks that they are the best and the other guys are “cheap” or “overpriced” – “amateur” or “stuck up”. The biggest mistake that brides make is assuming that if they pay more, they’ll get better pictures. This is not always the case – in fact, I’ve had many brides who spent more for the more expensive photographer only to be sorely disappointed with the end results.

Wedding photography is important – it’s capturing those once in a lifetime memories you don’t want to miss – and you can’t do it over again. So how do you ensure that you’re getting what you want no matter what you’re budget may be? Choosing your wedding photographer is a process that should include plenty of research. To help you out, here are the top 6 mistakes brides make when choosing a photographer:

1. Failing to do the research – In just about any urban area there are hundreds of wedding photographers. Don’t limit yourself to 2-3 or “the photographer your cousin used” just to save time. Take time to visit bridal shows and local photographers’ websites to view as many photography portfolios as you can find. Narrow down your list to only those who’s work interests you and then start calling to find out which photographers are available for your date. Book consultations with photographers who are available on your date.

2. Hiring a photographer based on price rather then past work. There are exceptions but 90% of the time what you see in your photographers portfolio is what you’ll get. Many brides make the mistake of hirer a photographer because he offered a cheaper price and promised he could produce pictures just like her favorite photographer does. If you don’t love your photographer’s past work – there is a good chance you won’t love your wedding photos no matter how much you paid. Ask your photographer to see a complete portfolio or sample album from a recent wedding and immediately remove any photographer’s from your list if you are not impressed by their portfolio.

3. Forgetting to ask for a contract. If you learn even one thing today let it be this: ALWAYS have a contract. For every vendor you use – musicians, florists, venue, etc – you need a contract. This contract should include your package details, prices, any additional fees that may be incurred, etc. Having a contract helps to protect you from vendors who cancel at the last minute or fail to show up.

4. Not asking about emergency arrangements. What happens if your photographer is seriously ill on the day of your wedding? Who is their alternate? What does their work look like?

5. Not knowing the options. Many brides have regrets because they see friends with albums or other products from their wedding photos that their photographer did not offer. By taking the time to research a wide range of photographers, you will have a better idea of what your options are and what options are important to you.

6. Failing to negotiate! I am sure I am going to get hell from photographers for this one but yes, you should consider negotiation possibilities. Remember – your photographer’s time, skill and experience are worth money but each package will include different amounts of coverage, final products, etc. If you find a photographer you love, you may be able to negotiate price based on the type of package you want. For example: if your package includes more albums or prints then you need, ask if you can have those items removed for a savings.

Do you have other tips? Leave your tips and ideas in the comments section!

budget wedding, wedding, wedding photography

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Wedding Pictures – A Must Read if you Entrust Them to Uncle George

Posted by Crystal in Photography

A friend of mine asked me for advice on how he could take the pictures at a relatives wedding to save money.

I reminded him that wedding pictures will last a lifetime, and every minute of that special day must be captured in great detail.

Consequently, I would not recommend anything other than a professional photographer, but if finance is tight, following this proven outline should lead to a collection of “treasured memories”

Initially, I would recommend close ups of centerpieces and the place settings, name cards and menus.

This can be followed up with wide shots of the venue before guests arrive and of course an overall view of the guests seated.

The bride and groom’s first dance is essential, plus the happy couple dancing with their parents. Photos of the bridal party dancing always prove popular and guests dancing in happy situations are other important subjects

Close ups of the cake prior to the cutting should not be overlooked and remember to show the bride displaying her new ring to the guests. Photographs of the toasts to the couple will always be treasured memories. Remember to show close ups of happy smiling faces.

Include close ups of guests’ faces, having a great time. These are best taken later in the evening …after they have loosened up a little. remember to depict varying situations both sitting at tables and dancing

Family members and children also make great subjects together with close ups of the band, DJ and the Master of Ceremonies.

The bride and groom cutting the cake is always a highlight so take plenty of shots covering this situation.

Traditions vary from country to country with removal of the brides garter by the single males and the catching of the bouquet by the single ladies being two that I am familiar with. Whatever tradition is prevelant in your country, make sure it is included in your photographs.

Final shots should be of the couple being farewelled by guests and of course departing in their vehicle.

Remember, you only get one chance at these situations so take plenty of photographs and you are sure to gather a great collection of treasured memories.

Author Antony Wilton is a hobby photographer with a keen interest in wedding photography. His site http://www.weddings.bestbuysite.com is a total guide to arranging the perfect wedding

Album Shown: Polka Dot I Do Album from Target.com

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Another day, another fantastic photographer

Posted by Crystal in Free Stuff, Photography

Free photo packages seem to be the thing to do this wedding season, with many high end photographers holding competitions and rewarding the winners with a free wedding photographer package. It’s great for you guys – I hope you are entering all of them! Here is another one for you from Karenscape Photography! Share your story of how you found “the one” for a chance to win a $9700 photography package! They are giving away one package every 3 months. They are located in Manhatten, and will travel up to 75 miles before charging travel fees. But – for a $9700 free package, I’d pay a fair amount of travel expenses, lol.

Here are a few samples of their fabulous work:

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Free Photography with Kate Triano

Posted by Crystal in Free Stuff, Photography

Kate Triano is giving away a free wedding photography package – but you have to get on this TODAY. The deadline in Feb. 20!!

The prize includes:

-8 hours of wedding day coverage by me
-all images hosted online for one year
-an online slideshow
-30 photo 8×8 album

In order to qualify you must:

-anyone getting married in 2008 with a set date
-must have a great LOVE story and reason as to why they deserve this above anyone else!! (anyone can enter you and you can also enter yourself)

How sweet is that? Get the rest of the details on her blog.

Same samples of Kate Triano’s work:

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Save On Wedding Photos

Posted by Crystal in Photography

Hi,

I am in desperate need of some photography options for my wedding that aren’t going to cost me thousands of dollars. Most packages that I see on the internet are over $1000. Do you have any ideas?

Michelle

Hi Michelle,

There are some ways to save money on your wedding photography. First of all, you can certainly negotiate with a photographer. Be clear with him/her that your budget will only allow a certain amount. No-one says that you have to buy a big package. Have the photographer only do certain poses for you. Then have friends or family members take digital action shots for you and have them email the photos to you later.

It is also not unusual for a photographer to snap pictures then sell you the proofs which you can have processed yourself.

You also have the option of hiring a student photographer. Just be sure that you interview the student and that they can show you some good samples.

Good Luck and congratulations,

LeeAnn

This tidbit came from a recent issue of the Cheap Weddings EZine. To subscribe, visit http://cheap-chic-weddings.com

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Hire a non-wedding Photographer!

Posted by Crystal in Photography

Did you know that a professional photographer who does not specialize in wedding photography will often charge 50-75% less then a wedding photographer? You can often find qualify professionals, with photography knowledge and experience, for a fraction of the cost!

TO ensure you get the photos of your dreams, a little planning does help. While this is a more affordable option, your photographer does not have a lot of wedding experience and will not always automatically think of all the photo options and ideas a wedding photographer would. To make sure you get the images you want, browse online and in magazines for those unique and interesting photo ideas, and then make some lists for your photographer:

1. A list of posed shoots needed – shots with family members, wedding party, the couple, unique set ups, etc.

2. Set-up shots – what areas do you want pictures of? make sure you list any special items and decorations – the cake, the centerpieces, the alter decor, etc.

3. Candid shots – what aspects of the actual ceremony and reception activities do you want photos of?

These lists will help ensure that nothing gets forgotten!

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