Wedding

1. Create a Capture List

    -Ask the couple what kind of shots they would like for you to capture on the big day. Make 

    sure you keep up with what pics you have taken, and don't leave anyone out. 

2. Family Coordinator

    -Ask the couple to pick a member of the family that will be able to round the family up for 

     pictures. So it won't be so chaotic and the happy couple can get back to the party.

3. Location
    -Visit where you'll be shooting before the big day to get a visualization of what would look
     good where. Take some test shots to see how the lighting will look.

4. Preparation
   -Be Prepared! Also have a back up plan incase bad weather comes around. You need
    back up batteries, blank memory cards. Be sure to get an itinerary so you know the
    schedule. 

5. Set Expectations
    -Figure out with the couple what they want to achieve. Show them a few of your test shots
     from previous. Find out how many shots they want, what they want to be recorded, and
     how they want the shots to be used. If your charging them, make sure you all agree on a
     price.

6. Turn Off the Sound
    -Nothing is more annoying then beeps or shutter noises during a speech or vows. Be sure
      to turn it off.

7. Small Details
    -Be sure to photograph rings, back of the dress, shoes, flowers, menus, table setting, etc. 

8. Two Cameras
     -Use a different camera with another types of lenses. Use a longer lens on one and a
      shorter on another.

9. BOLD but not to noticeable
    -Timing is everything and so is thinking ahead to get in the right position for key
     movements. Move around at least 4-5 times, try to coincide it with songs, sermons, longer
     readings. Be sure to tell them how to pose and move, you know how to get the right
     capture. 

10. Diffused Light
      -If you're able to use a flash in churches, think about if bouncing the flash will work, or if
       you need to buy a flash diffuser to soften the light. 

11. Shoot Raw
      -This gives so much more flexibility to manipulate shots after taking them. You may need
        to manipulate exposure and white balance. Raw will help with this. 

12. Consider your Background
       -With formal shots scope out the area where they'll be taken ahead of time. You'll be
         wanting an unclustered area and shaded spots out of direct sunlight where there's
         unlikely chance of having people around.

13. Don't Delete Your Mistakes
      -When looking back on the images, you may be deleting some of the more interesting
       and useable images.

14. Change Your Perspective
       -Mix things up a little bit. Take some shots from the ground looking up, or up high and at
        wide angles.

15. Wedding Group Shots
       -Make sure you can get up high so that you'll get everyone's faces. Make sure you get
        everyone in place so that you can get the right image in one shot. 

16. Fill Flash
      -When shooting outside after the ceremony or during the posed shots you may need to
        keep your flash attached to fill it in. 

17. Continuous Shooting Mode
      -Being able to shoot a lot of images in a fast pace can come in handy, so you'll need to
       switch your camera to continuous shooting mode. Sometimes is the shot after the posed
       on where people are relaxed that you get the best results. 

18. Expect the Unexpected
      -Many things may end up going wrong on a wedding day. These mess up moments can
       actually make the day and give the couple wonderful memories. Try to capture them. 

19. HAVE FUN!!!
      -The more fun you have the more relaxed those posing will be. 

Food! YUM

1. Shoot from a lower Angle than you think you should.

    -Photographing food from a fork's point of view is different which means interesting. Shooting from

     a lower point of view, can make the food look somewhat majestic. For example, if you shoot a thick

    steak from atop how can the viewer know that steak was really tender or thick?

2. Crop Tightly

    -A tight  crop simplifies the image, and makes it more easier to see the details. This makes the focus

     all on the food, and not on crazy backgrounds.

3. Shallow Depth of Field
     -If you go with a limited focus the image will turn out better. If the background is way out of focus,
      than the need for propping is less restrictive. Just be sure not to over due, with different colors
      blurred around the food.
4. Add a little Oil
    -Use a little brush with vegetable oil to run across the food. This can make it look hot or wet. This
     can come in handy especially if the photo shoot is taking longer than expected. It can make food last
     longer.
5. Do Not Over Prop
    -If the food is supposed to be the center of attention, then don't use so many props and take away
     from the food. If it doesn't belong it should be removed.

ENJOY!

Prom

1. Watch the Background
      -Pick a spot where there is relatively clean background or at least a background that fits in with the idea of prom. Ex: in front of a limo, on a staircase, or just in front of a blank wall.
2. Light
      -Find an areas where the light is relatively bright but not to where the people are squinting their eyes. Look on your camera for a fill flash, force flash, or flash always on to use even though there may be enough light. You can tape a piece of wax paper over the flash diffuse it and the fill flash will create a nice light to face even when in shade.
3. Shadows
     -Shadows thrown across the faces at odd angles can turn a great photo into a horrible photo. Be sure to diffuse your flash in addition to paying attention to shadows. You may need to change locations if necessary.
4. Couple
     -Let the happy couple get close to one another. PDA such as cheeks touching or hugging add a lot a prom picture.
5. Getting the "Pose"
     -Never let yourself be photographed standing straight in a full body composition. The flattening effect will add an illusion being larger than you actually are. Face 90 degrees away from the camera and then turn 45 degrees back towards the camera with your upper body. Finish turning the rest of the way with just your head. Never ever tuck your head back unless you want a double chin.
6. Program or Action Setting
     -Use the program speed with the shutter set for at the very least 1/150 of a second. Don't use a portrait setting because it uses a slower film speed and wider aperture to blur the background and again a more fine grain texture. Which can lead to shaky images.
7. SMILE
     -Capture a genuine smile. Say something other than saying cheese, become creative. There can be a moment of laughter and be sure to capture it. In the confusion of the laughter there will be a wonderful SMILE, so be ready to capture it fast.
8. Take Your Time
     -Don't try to do it just as the limo arrives. A rushed photo session never turns out like you have hoped. Plan ahead.
9. Photojournalist Idea
     -This type of imagery basically captures a lot of unposed images. They show a lot more personality. Getting ready shots, and even shopping for the dress shots is a great idea.
10. Relax
      -If you're relaxed the photo subjects will also be more relaxed and the images will come out better.

Have a Great Time at PROM!!!!

Happy Easter!!!

1. Look for patterns
    -A bunch of colors will make your images turn out impressive and beautiful! If you find repeating patterns or colors, this should be the jumping point for your images. You'll need to adjust your camera's setting. You should over-expose the pictures by using 1 to 1 1/2 stops for the most saturated colors.
2. Shoot Candidly
    -Be sure to capture easter egg dyeing or painting. Use a longer lens like a 80mm or 100mm. Turn your camera mode to AV, select a low ISO and a wide aperture. Allow the camera to do an automatic shutter speed. To fill in dark spots use an external flash.
3. Capture Expressions
    -Use an 80mm to 200mm zoom lens for flexibility and versatility. Expressions can make or break a photograph, so try not to be noticed while photographing. Keep your aperture around f/4 or f/5.6.
4. Simple Backgrounds
    -By having shallow, and therefore blurry, depth of field you can create separation between the main subject and the background. You'll need a telephoto lens of 200mm-400mm to obtain shallow depth of field when your outside.
5. Dress Right
    -If you pay attention to clothing style and how its worn, it will increase the production design of all your photos. Be sure to set the aperture at f/11 or f/16. This will ensure that your subject's clothing is sharp, the colors pop, and you'll be able to notice the spring background.

HAPPY EASTER!!!