MY FAVORITE VENUES TO PHOTOGRAPH (AND WHY)

Part II: Providence Public Library, Providence, Rhode Island

Click to view Julia & Jason's wedding

Occasional posts are 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 our client(s) 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 with our camera to do our very best for you.

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 10am, 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.
 

Providence Public Library is a historic landmark in Providence, Rhode Island. It is quite the opposite type of environment and vibe as Rosecliff, discussed in Part I, but beautiful and practical in its own right, especially for winter wedding photography. 

For outdoor photos, the southeast facing terrace is ideal, especially early morning while the sun is facing the building and late day when the sun is completely behind it (or anytime on an overcast day). In addition, Waterplace Park is lovely and is only .6 mile away, so you can enjoy a 12 minute walk through the city or take a quick 5 minute drive to get there.

The interior of PPL is romantic, spacious and beautiful. Creatively, a photographer couldn’t have a bad backdrop if we tried! One of the ideal areas to photograph groupings is upstairs, just outside the bridal suite. There is beautiful natural light and outlets for your photographer to plug into if necessary. It’s out of the way from your guests, but not far from everything else: so you can easily disappear for just a few minutes at any point if needed. And for photos of the bride and groom together, utilizing the library itself with the books is a must, and will allow for some quiet time for you (literally - shhhh)!

Alexandra Kreher, Sales & Event Manager for Russell Morin Catering & Events adds, “The Providence Public Library is a gem in Downtown Providence. It presents the setting and feel of a Newport Mansion, while being tucked in the center of the city. The location not only offers plenty of nearby accommodations, restaurants and entertainment, but also includes its own timeless charm, which is the perfect backdrop for any event, especially weddings! The space is versatile and absolutely exquisite, offering an ideal and dynamic location for every aspect of a wedding – and most notably for photography.”

Lastly, it’s important to note that you should ask your planner to suggest timeframes that work for any venue based on the season, and in order to maximize the quality of light and how that reflects on the surroundings throughout the day.

Click here to view Julia & Jason's wedding day story. Click here for more Venues and Friends who I recommend in the wedding/events industry and beyond. Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

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THE POWER OF PAPER

iolabs print on Rag paper with 8-ply Rag mat

A recent post focused on the personal value of a wedding, event or family album. Now I’m excited to write about one of my favorite photo subjects, and one that is often overlooked: PAPER.

Although I still hand-process my black & white film, I stopped manually printing my photos four years ago. It was SO hard for me to completely make this shift. First of all, I love printing: I started when I was 14 years old and never stopped. And to be honest, I’m just plain stubborn!

In addition to printing all of my black & white work for over 20 years, I also printed some of my color photography and enjoyed some alternative processes as well. One of the most fascinating things about the printed photograph is that the same image can have such a different look, feel and vibe depending on the paper and process it’s made from. Every so often, I’d get into “Mad-Scientist mode” and experiment in my darkroom by taking one single negative and printing it onto one type of paper, processing it 3 or 4 different ways; and then repeating this with ten or so different papers (all using that one image). I had a way of cutting the edges of the paper to use as “code” to decipher the paper/chemistry combo to later compare them side-by-side. At the end of the day, my darkroom would be literally COVERED with over 50 variances of the exact same photograph. My assistants would enter the darkroom to find me with a big smile on my face! :-D

I have now trusted the printing process to Printmakers in Pawtucket, RI and iolabs in East Providence, RI. They are different types of printers for different types of projects. Printmakers still processes my color film and they maintain excellent print quality. They add, "We at Printmakers are excited to witness the shift in the creative world as the process has swiftly become more digital over the years. As a result, we’ve become nostalgic towards those original analog traditions. There is something irreplaceable about the touch and feel of the printed page. The tangible quality of paper is the reason why it has become a selectively used material, now reserved for specific purposes. In short, when someone chooses paper, they are commemorating something worthy of note; paper is as important to the business as the work itself."    

Printmakers print on Pearl Surface paper, hand-mounted onto Rag album page

With iolabs, there are many photographic papers and surfaces to choose from and all of them are of superb quality. Over time, I’ve come to rely on a couple of “Go-To” papers for the majority of my work: I know what to expect from these particular papers and I feel they represent my work really well. But there are times when a photo calls for something different: I recently had a large piece made for a client that looks fantastic as a super gloss finish. Although I rarely print on glossy paper, I couldn’t imagine this one done any other way - it looks fantastic. And another photo may look better on completely flat matte finish. It really depends on what we’re going for, and these are collaborative efforts between my client, my printer and myself. Bonus: I still get to be a mini-mad-scientist while trying all of these papers (you can take the girl out of the darkroom but you can't take the darkroom out of the girl)!

iolabs adds, “iolabs is devoted to offering a wide range of papers for any artistic medium. Each paper is hand selected and tested in our studio to ensure that we are providing our clients a paper that we trust to perform consistently and perfectly. We are proud to offer a handful of photographic papers that print images with clarity and sharpness, in conjunction with archival qualities to help ensure that the image outlasts us all. The simple act of choosing a paper provides the opportunity to select a material which adds a greater level of representation to the image. Ultimately, a paper choice plays an important role in representing your message as a photographer.“

iolabs print collage on Rag album page

I am definitely a believer that it’s the ENTIRE process that will dictate the strength and impact of the final outcome. I have been truly fortunate to work with both Printmakers and iolabs to ensure this for my photography.

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

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THANK YOU WEDDINGLOVELY

I want to thank WeddingLovely for posting an interview with me on their blog today! Click the photo to read and enjoy!

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.

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

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REMEMBERING LOVED ONES AT 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

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THANK YOU BLISS CELEBRATIONS

I want to thank Bliss Celebrations for today's Vendor Spotlight on my business! Bliss Celebrations is great source to find quality wedding and event vendors in New England.

BOSTON WOMEN'S MARCH FOR AMERICA, JANUARY 21, 2017

As I mentioned in my launch post, this blog will be dedicated more to valuable information pertaining to photography, weddings and events, as opposed to posting recent work. But occasionally, like today, I will break my rule!

On Saturday, my mom and I went together to the Boston Women's March For America. How awesome it was to experience history in the making on such a large scale. Top that off with the company of my own mom. A great day indeed.

I took over 100 photos from this awesome event of about 175,000 men and women. Here I've narrowed it down to my favorite 20. I want to note that I tend to keep my political views more private than public. And when public, staying fair. So when sharing photos like this, I sincerely try not offend anyone. As you can imagine (or saw for yourself), there were some signs that, although "made their point," I am not showing here for this reason. This is a child-friendly selection of photographs :-) I hope you feel the same unity and positivity looking at these photos as I did taking them.

Peace & Love,
Dana Siles

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