Your Custom Text Here
THE PHOTO ALBUM: TO DO OR NOT TO DO? 5 FACTORS
Times have changed over the 18 years I have been a wedding and event photographer. For a long time, the majority of my clients would expect an album – and often one for the parents and/or family members. Although the majority of my clients still feel the same, it’s no longer a given. So what’s changed? Based on my experience, I’d like to share what I believe are among the factors for this fairly recent shift and also to discuss when and why I believe wedding and event albums are important.
Times have changed over the 18 years I have been a wedding and event photographer. For a long time, the majority of my clients would expect an album – and often one for the parents and/or family members. Although the majority of my clients still feel the same, it’s no longer a given. So what’s changed? Based on my experience, I’d like to share what I believe are among the factors for this fairly recent shift and also to discuss when and why I believe wedding and event albums are important.
1. First and foremost, the economy is a factor for the average household - and let’s face it, for many, a wedding or event album is not a priority, it’s an indulgence. That said, I do know that many couples and families have regretted not investing in a quality photographer and/or a quality album. Go to any wedding/event forum online and you will read numerous examples of regretful purchases. I believe couples and families need to ask themselves: what will mean the most to me and my children 1, 10, 30 years from now? I’ve worked with limited budgets under 20K, nearly unlimited budgets over 500K and everywhere in-between – literally - my clients truly span the entire socio-economic scale. But what they all have in common is that they truly value pictures, and they all structured their wedding or event budget accordingly.
2. The digital revolution has produced many photographers. This is a pretty loaded subject in itself, which I may dedicate my thoughts to (and those of fellow photographers) in a future post. Regarding the question of a wedding or event album, although some of the newer photographers are fantastic and I enjoy and respect their work, unfortunately, the fact is that many do lack professional shooting and album building experience. In many cases, the couple is left with unedited files of a full day of coverage. I believe you would be much better served to hire a quality photographer for fewer hours, capturing the most important aspects of your wedding day with quality expertise throughout the entire process. Why? Because a digital file is to be treated as a start, not a finish: think of your digital file as a negative, which needs to be processed to make a quality print. Furthermore, narrowing down from 1000 photos to 100 select photos to really tell the story is a true craft in itself. If you consider yourself a picture person and/or want your future generations to have an album as a family heirloom, then by all means consider investing in an experienced, quality photographer and including your photography as one of the wedding or event priorities.
3. The digital medium has made viewing photos much easier and more cost efficient for many of us. Back in the (dare I say) not-yet-old-days, negative film had to be processed and printed to see the photos. Some of us, myself included, would then edit the photos and put them into a photo album (or commission a professional to do so for a special event or wedding). Now, a simple click of a button and - there they are. This is great. However, by definition, photos are often unedited and become trapped in the computer or on Social Media. Now, I certainly believe platforms like Facebook have their place. I like Facebook and totally use it both personally and professionally. That said, every year, I make a family album for everyone in my family, highlighting our family’s special events. Yep, an actual album – paper pages included! I don’t want my niece and two nephews to grow up solely relying on a monitor to see their family pictures. I love knowing that, every once in awhile, they cuddle up on the couch together to look at their photos; and I smile at the thought of the album spread out between two or three laps, flipping the pages together and enjoying the quality time together - making memories while remembering them. That is how I want my family to enjoy their memories and I feel the same about this for my wedding, event and family clients.
My family enjoying their annual photo album
4. Are you a Picture Person? Do you feel that your own family pictures are valuable to you, whether they be 2 years old or 20+ years old? If you are someone who loves pictures, then having a well-made album is worth the cost and time. But if an album just feels like a formality to you, then perhaps a different approach is worth investigating.
5. Whether or not you choose to start a family may influence your decision about investing in a wedding album. Does it mean a lot to you to have this family heirloom to pass down to your children? It’s a personal question, but one that I do believe is important to answer for yourself, and for any future generation(s).
To summarize, Terry Huang Jr., Customer Service Manager at Renaissance Albums (one of my album binders) adds, “From a photographer's perspective, it's vital to preserve your work and ensure that it's displayed on the best "canvas" possible. Offering quality albums does this, while also providing your clients with the best end-product available. As a potential album recipient, they should realize that the albums offered by their professional photographer are not the same as the ones available to the general public - not even close actually. They are professional-grade and only sold to photographers, and therefore the quality and craftsmanship is on an entirely different level from the "photo books" they can purchase online directly on their own. Additionally, sharing files on social media or on a screen is something we all do and is very convenient, but it pales in comparison to looking through a beautifully-printed album that has been thoughtfully edited, designed, and handcrafted by experts. There's just something special about having a tangible album containing your best memories to share with family & friends at gatherings, opposed to the simple "click-and-scroll" viewing that we are all so used to, but doesn't truly capture your special day or do it any justice.”
Renaissance Album: Renee & Ernest's wedding album
Renaissance Album: Julia & John's wedding album
There is no One Size Fits All to wedding, event and family photography - or to the creative process. My biggest suggestion for anyone hiring a photographer is to ask the right questions based on your personal needs so that you feel confident in your choice.
Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES AT YOUR WEDDING OR EVENT
One of the most beautiful things about being a wedding and event photographer is the constant opportunity to see and document love. And many times, this love extends to those we have lost and miss. I’ve been touched by the beautiful tributes my clients have paid to their loved ones, and listing some of the most memorable for you to consider for your wedding or event.
One of the most beautiful things about being a wedding and event photographer, quite simply, is the constant opportunity to see and document love. And many times, this love extends to those we have lost and miss. I’ve been touched by the beautiful tributes my clients have paid to their loved ones. I am taking the liberty of listing some of the most memorable for you to consider:
1. It’s truly moving when a small portion of the ceremony is dedicated to remembering those who have passed. It can be as brief as 1-2 sentences by the officiant, or more in depth by having a family member come up to say a few words. Lisa and Jon saved a moment of their ceremony to light a candle in honor her father.
2. Empty chairs reserved for those who have passed is lovely. I’ve also seen chairs with a ribbon across the chair or with a scarf of a loved one gently placed on the seat.
3. At Diana & Aseem’s recent wedding, they placed framed photos of their loved ones on select chairs in the front row of their ceremony, with a rose aside each photo.
4. Later at Diana & Aseem’s wedding, Diana’s sister surprised her with a sisters dance during the time of the reception that a father-daughter dance would have taken place. Not a dry eye to be found (including my own).
5. At Nicole & Mike’s wedding, a few framed photos of Nicole’s father stood aside the sign-in book and place cards. Memory tables are also lovely. In this case, I suggest using the same style frames for all photos. I’ve also seen memorabilia displayed aside the photos.
6. If you are presenting a slideshow, you can dedicate some slides to your loved ones.
7. Wearing or pinning a piece of jewelry, a photo or memorabilia of the deceased is an understated, yet beautiful way to remember them during your wedding day. I’ve also seen their names sewn into clothing or a simple handkerchief (alone or accompanying the bouquet).
8. You can ask your sibling, family member or honor attendant to include your loved one in their toast or speech.
9. If your loved one served their country or state, a bag piper is a fitting tribute.
10. In lieu of favors, it is beautiful and thoughtful to donate to a fitting charity in memory of the deceased.
11. You can ask your photographer to take a picture of you holding a picture of the deceased. For an upbeat and humorous approach, Meg & Brady made a life-size cutout of grandpa and boogied with “him” on the dance floor!
Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles
MY FAVORITE VENUES TO PHOTOGRAPH (AND WHY)
PART 1 | Rosecliff, Newport, Rhode Island
Rosecliff in Newport is one of my favorite wedding and event venues to photograph in Rhode Island. I’d compare the light and environment of Rosecliff to a thumbprint: no two days are alike, which is inspiring.
PART 1: Rosecliff, Newport, Rhode Island
Occasional posts will be dedicated to the topic, My Favorite Venues to Photograph (and why). To be clear, our job as your professional photographer is to be able to work in virtually any lighting and environmental condition. Most of us would agree that the only part of the day we need “control” over our light and/or surroundings is during the posed and group photos of you and your loved ones. In my experience, some venues are easier to photograph and/or allow more creativity and flexibility than others, thus allowing your photographer to go above and beyond.
How do I define my favorite venues to photograph?
Practicality: Let's face it: we are in New England! We've had cold days in September, warm days in November and rainy days in July. Does the venue provide a seamless Plan B if the weather suddenly shifts (and it may)?
Position of the sun throughout the day: The light may be perfect at 4pm at a particular venue. But if we are taking the posed photos at any other time of the day, are there different background options, or are they limited (ie, choosing between phone lines or the busy street as the backdrop)? If high noon is the only time to photograph, do we have shady options so that you do not roast in the sun on a hot July day?
Inclement Weather: Some venues that are perfect on sunny days for photos may have limited options if inclement weather occurs. Are there areas which provide shelter that are spacious enough to work in and/or allow some dimension and creativity? Having just a little bit of flexibility can go a long way for your wedding and event photography.
To kick off this topic, Rosecliff in Newport, Rhode Island is one of my favorite wedding and event venues to photograph in Rhode Island. I’d compare the light and environment of Rosecliff to a thumbprint: no two days are alike, which is inspiring. The creative opportunities are endless: although I have worked at Rosecliff numerous times throughout the years, I always manage to see and shoot differently, allowing each series of work to have its own perspective unique to that day.
The front lawn faces west, so early day photos with the mansion lit in the background are lovely. The Rose Garden, which features a statue of Venus, runs along the entire south side of the mansion, with a lovely view at each direction which allows for incredible flexibility no matter what the sun direction. And on a clear night, the moonrise above the Atlantic Ocean on the east-facing back side is remarkable. A good photographer can shoot in nearly any direction at any time of the day at Rosecliff, so it really is among the ideal venues, creatively speaking.
Google Maps: Rosecliff, Newport, RI
Since the interior is so spacious, if inclement weather occurs, your photographer can easily work in another part of the mansion without having people in the background - and without sacrificing space and beauty, which is a bonus. In addition, the back terrace provides shelter, so if it’s rainy without wind, you can still use the lawn and water as your backdrop.
Philip Pelletier, Director of Special Events for The Preservation Society of Newport County adds, “Rosecliff, built in 1902, was modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles and was created as a showcase for extravagant entertainments. The snow-white terra-cotta house features the largest private Ballroom in Newport and a heart-shaped staircase along stunning panoramic ocean views from the back lawn that can all provide an amazing backdrop to frame your wedding portraits.”
It’s important to note that you should ask your planner to suggest timeframes that work for your specific venue based on the season in order to maximize the quality of light and how that reflects on the surroundings throughout the day.
Click here for more Venues and Friends who I recommend in the wedding/events industry and beyond. Click here to view the Rosecliff Gallery or Ashley & Nick's wedding at Rosecliff. Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENDORS
PART 2 | Completing Your Photography Search: Brief Technical Advice for the Non tech/creative
If you don't know a lot about photography, how do you form the right questions? Here I will attempt to make some sense of the basics and help guide you in your next steps towards choosing the right wedding or event photographer.
PART 2 | Completing Your Photography Search:
Brief Technical & Creative Advice for the Non-tech/creative
Candid moment during Anne's portrait with her parents. The Chanler at Cliffwalk, Newport, RI. Medium Format Film.
I suggest reading Part 1 | Starting Your Photography Search: Deciphering Your Needs and How to View Websites to preface Part 2.
For any important purchase, we need to ask the right questions in order to make the best personal decisions. Part I concluded with: make notes and questions and select 3-5 photographers you’d like to learn more about. But if you don't know a lot about photography already, how do you form the right questions? Here I will attempt to make some sense of the basics and help guide you in your next steps towards choosing the right wedding or event photographer for you.
1. After you’ve emailed and/or spoken with a few photographers, meet with your top 2-3 choices: Purchasing products and services via internet/phone is standard these days, but wedding and event photography is not something you can “return” if you later learn that your photographer or their product(s) did not meet your expectations. View complete sample photo albums, loose prints, wall and table display options and meet and talk with us, in person. If this is not an option, Facetime or Skype will suffice, and most can ship you an album to view. Photos and albums can look incredibly different on a monitor, so it’s important to truly see the quality of the prints, display and album options, etc. Do the pages feel sturdy or flimsy? Is the cover made with thick, quality board or thin board that can easily dent over time? How is the quality of the photography itself: is the color and density true or do the whites look blown out or do the blacks often appear muddy, lacking detail?
2. It’s important to know for sure that your photographer brings backup gear to your wedding or event: extra cameras, lenses, batteries, memory cards, etc. This is very basic but unfortunately not a given: gear is expensive, so less reputable and/or less experienced photographers may not be thoroughly equipped. Years ago, one of my cameras failed just minutes before the ceremony. I grabbed my spare and was good to go - no worries. Any responsible pro will do the same.
3. Quality pro digital cameras have two card readers in the camera: so as we shoot, we are backing up our files in real time. This is extremely important. Cards can fail, and this is beyond our control - so if your photographer is backing up while shooting, it could potentially make the difference between having or not having photos at the end of the day. Furthermore, make sure the photographer you choose will backup your files to external drive(s) and/or Cloud service during or afterwards. Most of us do both, providing a total of around FIVE copies of each original file within hours of your wedding or event (two original cards from cameras, main computer drive, external drive(s) and/or Cloud).
4. Professional wedding and event photographers who strive for utmost photo quality and file size shoot RAW files (and/or film). In a nutshell: RAW is layered, the equivalent of a negative, meaning it includes the maximum amount of file information possible; JPG is flattened, (or let’s say “cooked,”) a final version to print from after processing the RAW file. Some photographers may argue that the visible difference between shooting in JPG and RAW is so slim that it’s not necessary to shoot RAW. Some may believe this to be true and although I strongly disagree, that is their opinion. Keep in mind, though, that there are photographers who may say this simply to increase their profit margin because it’s more time-consuming to process an unprocessed RAW file than it is to work with a processed JPG file. Furthermore, it takes a “meaner” machine to process RAW: hard drive space, speed and quality hardware/software is costly. We photographers who work in RAW are using (and backing up) TERABYTES of space via internal, external and cloud storage.
5. Pricing Structure: Be careful not to define a photographer's pricing on coverage alone: ask those you are interviewing to provide a total estimate for you, including albums, loose prints, your digital files if applicable, etc. Make sure you understand and agree with any additional fees that may be applied to ensure no unwelcome surprises: S/H, sales tax, travel fees, processing fees, additional coverage, second shooter if applicable, etc. and be attentive to the bullet points or fine print for "all inclusive" packages.
Extras:
6: Arrival: If we’re not early, we are late. Reputable photographers will arrive no later than 20 minutes prior to scheduled time (ideally 30-60 minutes).
7. Attire: Ask what the photographer (and our assistant(s), if applicable) will wear to your ceremony or event. We should blend in, no sneakers, not too tight/low/high, no loud shoes (you don’t want to hear flip-flip or clunk-clunk during the ceremony). Most of us have different outfits for different types of jobs, like beach wedding vs. black tie event. I learned this the hard way: by wearing all black to a beach wedding! Not only did I stick out like a sore thumb, I got a mean sunburn!
8. Availability: Make sure that you are guaranteed to get the photographer you have interviewed and not an associate. If you are hiring an associate, interview them directly. In addition, what is the photographer’s policy if he/she is unable to photograph your wedding or event? A responsible planner can rely on Plan B in case of emergency.
9. Lawsuits: Although I’ve personally never experienced a lawsuit, I do have reputable photographer friends who have been sued one or two times over 20+ years in business. Maybe their fault, maybe bad luck - I wouldn’t necessarily hold this against them. But if a photographer says they’ve been sued 3, 4, 5 times, I’d consider that a red flag.
10: Turn-around: It’s important that you understand the turn-around time for your wedding and event photography, and that this information is clearly stated in the photographer’s brochure and/or agreement. If there are unforeseen issues with turn-around on the photographer's end, which can happen, they should simply communicate this with you and keep you updated.
It certainly takes attention to detail, patience and research to make the right decisions for your photography needs and budget. But enjoy the process, don’t get hung up on the small stuff and have faith that you will make the right choices. Learn more by reading Frequently Asked Questions. Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENDORS
PART 1 | Starting Your Photography Search: Deciphering Your Needs and How to View Websites
I’m excited to share some advice for those seeking a wedding or event photographer. Part 1 will help guide your initial search; Part 2 will provide brief technical and creative advice for the non-technical/creative. Future Parts will provide the expertise of other types of vendors.
PART 1 | Starting Your Photography Search:
Deciphering Your Needs and How to View Websites
Candid portrait of Nikki, Michael and Lily. Photographed at Chequessett Yacht & Country Club, Welfleet, MA. Medium Format Film.
For my first Blog subject, I’m excited to share some advice for those seeking a wedding or event photographer. Part 1 will help guide your initial search; Part 2 will provide brief technical and creative advice for the non-technical/creative. Future Parts will provide the expertise of other types of vendors, in their words: how to choose the right florist, planner, makeup artist, etc.
It goes without saying that this is not a one-size-fits-all subject. Photography is an art form and people appreciate and relate to art in different ways; coverage and presentation options vary between different photographers; we each have our own shooting styles, personalities and pricing structures. No comparing apples-to-apples here!
Questions to discuss with your fiancé and/or family include:
1. What are the top 3-4 most important elements of your wedding day or event, for which you would consider hiring above-average vendors? Does photography fall within this top 3-4 for you?
2. What is your wedding/event budget? Most specialists suggest 10-15% for your photography portion. Although I’d like to suggest keeping it closer to 15% if photography falls within your top 3-4 priorities, I’ve personally seen photography portions range anywhere between 5-50% of budgets - literally - so this is not an exact science. The important thing is to prioritize and be realistic. Likely, you don’t need the best of everything; but you’ll want top quality for those aspects of your wedding or event which will mean the most to you before, the day of, and after.
3. What do you want your photos to look and feel like? Do you prefer posed or candid shots? Do you like natural light photos or those with a more theatrical-style lighting? Do you like a more traditional look, a documentary look or a stylish/fashion feel to photography? Do you want a photographer to provide lots of direction or someone who is more of a fly on the wall? Keep in mind: there’s lots of grey area here. But as artists, we all have our specialties and processes. So it’s important that you decide what you want and need, and equally important what you don’t want and need.
What to look for when visiting photography websites:
1. Does the photographer show complete weddings/events from beginning to end? If not, I’d request samples of recent stories so that you can get a feel for their process and quality of work throughout an entire day. I believe it’s important that you not base your thoughts on limited subject matter (ie, just romantic photos and bouquets); your wedding or event is much more than that, so it’s important that you see all aspects of our work, from details to dancing, and everywhere in-between - the whole story.
2. Try to look past the design of web sites and truly see the actual pictures. Consider the site design as the “frame:” what’s important is what’s inside. Look closely at the photos: are they properly exposed, or are they very light or dark? Can you see the detail in the white wedding dress, or are the whites often blown out? How does the photographer’s work compare between natural bright light, natural dark light and artificial light? Although we all have our own artistic styles, you want to select a photographer who is also a technician and can work in virtually any and every lighting condition.
3. Can you envision yourself in these photos? Do they make you smile? Do they make you feel? If you feel connected to a stranger’s photos, imagine how you’ll feel when that’s YOU in the photo! If you feel bored or uninspired looking at the photos, keep it moving.
4. Read our bios. How much professional experience does the photographer have? Is this a full time career or a side job? If this is not clear on the site, just ask. Most importantly, do you like, agree and relate to the photographer? You’ll work with your photographer the longest and closest of all of your vendors - so personality is important!
5. Read our reviews and testimonials by our clients, and our endorsements by fellow industry professionals. Their words are valuable.
Make notes and questions and select 3-5 photographers you’d like to learn more about. When I need a specialist of any kind, I’m not just hiring them for their service or product; I’m also hiring them to educate me so that I make the right decisions moving forward. So make sure that whoever you are interviewing is communicative, patient, transparent and timely. Check out Part 2 | Completing Your Photography Search: Brief Technical & Creative Advice for the Non tech/creative.
Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles
NEW YEAR, NEW BLOG
My New Year’s Resolution: to provide information that feels valuable to people who cherish their photographs: especially couples planning their wedding and parents wishing to document their growing families. I plan to do this about once per week.
January 1, 2017
Happy New Year and thank you for reading this introduction to my upcoming blog!
I've been thinking about doing this for a while now, so here's my New Year’s Resolution: to provide information that feels valuable to people who cherish their photographs: especially couples planning their wedding and parents wishing to document their growing families. I plan to do this about once per week.
When selecting blogs to read for myself or my business, I try to seek resources that help me feel inspired and teach me about topics that are important to me. Personally, I prefer blogs that get right to the point, so I hope that you, the reader, will be able to find the information you seek here swiftly and with ease.
I invite you to browse through my web site to see samples of my work; although I will show some samples here on the blog, I prefer to utilize this space for text and will often link to pages of my site (and other sites) to illustrate the blog post.
Some of the topics I look forward to writing about, at times with the help of fellow photographers and industry colleagues, include: wedding albums for today’s bride and groom; recommendations for archival storage; the power of photographic paper; the value of quality presentation; highlighting Artisans within the Events Industry; prioritizing your wedding needs; and more. I’m very involved with trying to reduce food waste within my industry, so there will definitely be a few posts dedicated to this important subject as well. I’ll also use this blog to introduce my own products and services.
Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles
