Natural Lighting – and my new camera

For years now I have turned away weddings that were taking place indoors, for one reason – I don’t like to use a flash. There are two ways to shoot in a dark, indoor environment, one is with a flash and the other is to push your ISO way up. Until recently, pushing your ISO way up meant a ton of noise, usually to the point that the image was so grainy it was unusable. Enter Nikon full frame. I recently purchased a Nikon D700 to help resolve this issue, and am extremely excited to put it to the test. This camera can photograph in dimly lit areas, with no flash, and at usable speeds, with very little noise. This summer it will get most of its work outdoors, and then some on indoor receptions. I expect 2012 to be a whole new world, filled with beautiful indoor weddings… Maybe yours?

Another Bride’s Testimonial

I had a wonderful experience with A22 Photography, The photographs were vibrant and creative. I was very impressed with how well my wedding was captured not just in a cursory sense, but stylistically the romance I was trying to convey came across in the pictures. Ron was ever the professional, and most of the time you were not even aware you were being photographed. I received my pictures in a very timely manner, and for what you get, the rates are extremely competitive and reasonable. Thanks Ron!

- Cassie Daugherty

Choosing Your Photographer

Having had been on the other end of the interview process, I have a pretty good insight into the world of choosing a photographer.  For many of my clients, this is their first wedding. So choosing a photographer, along with choosing everything else about a wedding, is a new and often times stressful endeavor. There is always the worry about who to choose, how to choose them, whether or not they are the best fit, is their price commiserate with their experience, are they going to get the results you want, and many others.

There are many methods to sorting this out.  A fairly popular one is to interview the photographer. Meet up with them for coffee, or lunch even, and just see if they mesh well with you. This will allow you to filter out the ones that just don’t “get” your vision, or who are just awkward to be around. This is someone who will spend their entire day with you, likely more time with the bride then just about anyone else all day, so make sure it is someone you can be comfortable around.

Once you get past the feeling them out stage, come at them with questions that can answer your greatest concerns. What questions? I advise putting aside an hour or so, to think about what you really want in a wedding photographer. What aspects are most important. Is it the posed shots with family or the candid ones? Is it about the style? If so, look for that style in the photographers galleries. If you don’t see the look you want in their galleries, there is a good chance they wont deliver it at yours either. Same goes for the candid vs. posed. If the candids are great, but the posed are mediocre, fine, if the candid ones mean the most. If the posed ones mean more, then make sure the posed photos in their gallery fit the bill.

Many websites out there have long lists of questions to ask your photographer. Search for it, and you will find far more lists then you could ever need. Sort through them and find questions that make sense to ask. If you don’t know anything about equipment, what is the point of asking about it? Also, one that always struck me as strange, was the “is wedding photography your only job?” question. What difference does that make? When I started out I was moonlighting as a wedding photographer, as are many photographers just getting into the business. If their portfolio looks like what you want, then that is what should matter. Don’t misinterpret what I am saying here. If the photographer has another job and does weddings on the side, and can show you photos of them, and you like them, great. However, if it is someone who doesn’t have any photos to prove they can do it, move along.

Below are some links to wedding websites with tips for finding the right photographer:

Tips from “The Knot”

More tips from “The Knot”

I like this list because it explains what answers you are looking for

A Bride’s Testimonial

“When we were looking for a wedding photographer we had a few key things we could only hope to find all in one place. A fresh, interesting perspective on photos, the ability to catch candid moments that we would have otherwise missed, and a realistic price for a couple funding their own wedding. Ron met all three! He also brought a calm energy to the day that made me feel like a movie star while keeping me relaxed at the same time. When he met up with me at the salon before the wedding to take “getting ready” shots I was a frazzled mess a nerves, overly concerned with what could go wrong with the day. His calm composure and professional but friendly manner helped me to let go and truly enjoy the day. I think any experienced wedding photographer is part therapist to the bride!

Ron listened to how we wanted our photos to look and what overall style we were hoping for – he exceeded our expectations. He is truly versatile and can actualize any ideas you may have for how you want your photos to turn out. Our pictures are amazing! He caught every expression and gesture my husband and I made during our ceremony ~ I had no idea we were so animated. And the photos of our kiss could be turned into a flip book. Thank you Ron for documenting our day so perfectly!”

- Jasper Morrow

Interview with the photographer

How long have you been a photographer?

Growing up my father always had a camera with him, so it was only natural for me to have one in tow as well. Then when I was about 14 years old, my neighbors, a retired freelance photographer couple, took me under their wing and taught me the finer points about photography and shooting with a manual 35mm camera. During those years my work was mostly of the beauty of the countryside I grew up in. It was not until I reach 16 that I started photographing people. Portraiture was a whole new subject matter, one that was changing far faster then nature, and I loved it. So I photographed my first wedding when I was about 16 years old, upon request of family friends who knew I had a knack for creating great photos. And so it began.

Through the following years I photographed more and more weddings, families, models for their portfolios, and just about anybody else who asked. I was hooked on portraiture. To this day I still photograph nature, but hour for hour, I spend most of my time photographing people. I still photograph fashion work for models signed, and those looking to get signed, with agencies (if you wish to see more of my work, take a look here). However, wedding photography has always been the most intriguing, likely because it is the most challenging. It takes a certain mindset, a photojournalist intuition, eye, and speed. I will talk a little more about that below.

What do you enjoy about photographing weddings?

As I started above, weddings are a fast paced event where at any given time, many things are taking place, all worthy of a photo. Capturing little moments between people, or the expression on a Mothers face as they see their little girl all dressed up in here gown, or the Father wiping away his tears. Anticipating these special moments and making sure that I am in the right place to catch them is almost as enjoyable as watching someone light up when they are looking at the images I give them. I love to read the emails from newlyweds who just received their images, it makes every moment worth it.

Describe your photography style.

I take a photojournalist approach the weddings I photograph. It is common for me to wander in and out of the rooms when people are getting ready, just popping in unexpectedly to capture unplanned special moments. Due to my experience in shooting fashion work, I also enjoy the time I get to spend with the Bride and Groom just after the ceremony, as this is often when we shoot the two of them together. I really enjoy this time because they are always beaming with joy, smiling ear to ear, and I get to spend a few minutes with them alone to capture that happiness. This part is a lot of fun, I get to orchestrate the general idea of the photos, but the newlyweds are the stars and take it from there.

Chase and Gracie

A beautiful wedding held at that beautiful Portland Golf Club. Here are a few quick picks, see more at a22photo.com

Welcome

I would like to welcome you to A|22 Photography’s new blog. Here you can find just about everything you can on my website (a22photo.com) as well as some quick picks from recent shoots, updates on what is going on with A|22, as well as any deals or promotions.  On the right is the link to my Facebook and my actual website. If you are a Facebook user, I would love for you to become a fan, you can do so my clicking that link, and then “become a fan”.

I will also be writing blogs about things to think about before a photoshoot, getting the best images from your own camera, as well as answer any questions that I get asked.

Cheers,

A|22 Photography -  Ron Hope