The New 2015 Wedding Art Collection— Wall Art & Albums

This is beginning of the 2015 wedding season and I couldn’t be happier. I just received my fabulous wedding albums that I’ve been cooking up for the past two months and I can’t wait for you to touch them and feel how full of awesomeness this collection is.

Introducing: Wedding Art Collection. This season, I will be offering two major products for my brides that will blow your socks off— Wall Arts & Art Albums.

Wall Art.
Yes, your wedding images should be on your walls, and on your mom’s wall and even at your office walls… Whatever place you feel like, and it’s even better if your art is made with quality materials and designed to last a lifetime. These are printed on either an Art Metal sheet (meaning metal for real) or metallic glossy paper. They come in two sizes and are designed to withstanding time… They are for sure a great way to decorate your walls and show family bliss.

Art Album.
This season I’m introducing the these babies. They are the killers of albums. They are hand crafted by master Italian artisans— and I’m not freaking kidding. My new album collection IS the perfect home for your beautiful images. Your wedding albums should be the best thing you have from your wedding. Think about this, your wedding album is the ONLY thing that will be left to remember your big day. Yeah you got uncle Charlie’s Iphone photos, but hey, they will be lost as soon as the new phone comes. The food, the venue, the dress, the flowers will be gone by the end of the night. All I mean is, the sentimental value of your wedding album is the ONLY thing that grows as the years pass…. and it needs to have all the bells and whistles so your grandkids can enjoy it too.

Imagine your wedding being preserved in one of them babies…

Your wedding images after the wedding: Digital Files Explained

Digital Files anyone?

Today we have more and more devices with the ability of taking very good images. Many brides are coming up to their wedding photographers with the request of just delivering their wedding picture files and not wanting anything else with hopes of getting a bargain. But are you really saving moolah or just doing a disservice to your self? Below is just one of the things that happens to your wedding images after the wedding.

Digital Files vs Digital Retouch.  Whats the difference and as a bride, what do I care? I just need the 2500+ digital files from my photographer!…  It is a good idea to know the details in which your wedding photographer process your wedding images . This will allow you to have a better judgement when hiring a professional photographer. After all, you are paying big money to save your moments in the right way… and it is a good idea to know how we make the magic of making YOU look fantastic!

Without further do, I will explain in detail some of the processes and techniques we use. I will also show a couple of  samples to illustrate the process that an image goes to be considered a finished deliverable product which you won’t get when just buying the digital files.

Digital Images

When it comes to pictures there are many different file formats—But I will just talk about two of the most commonly use by wedding photographers; JGP and RAW file formats.

Consumer Point & Shoot digital cameras (the camera that any of your Smart Phone has) take the images and transform them to the JPG file format.  In this process two things happen, your camera increases saturation to make your photos look great and decreases the file size to save space to take more pictures. That’s what we are looking for right? …aaah sometimes. If you just want to document your kids or just want to take some photos here and there… then Point & Shoot-jpg format is your thing. But if you want photos to be printed in albums or for your walls like your wedding photos you better shoot in RAW—and thats what professional photographer use.

JGP vs RAW

When the camera does the conversion to jpg there’s a lot of information that is discard to make the file size smaller. This makes the image not good enough for a decent print—and at the end, you want to make that nice album right? That is the reason why most wedding photographers like myself shoot in the RAW format. This format does not discard information—it makes the file size bigger, it produces dull colors (because is untouched by the camera) but it gives the photographer the benefit of manipulating the image for a better final result. It’s like having a vacation with unlimited days! yeah!

At the end, RAW files produce richer images that can be printed in a bigger size and still looks awesome. But for an image to be “client ready” it needs to go througth a few processes. We call them ” Retouching.”

Digital Retouch

In the retouching stage, we do a combination of processes that will enhance the photo in a way that will not kill its naturally—very important.

The whole process goes like this; we saturate the colors to make the image more vibrant and appealing. Burn & Dodge the high and low lights to boost the contrast of the image to make it more interesting and to add depth. And finally we clean the image of unwanted elements that interferes with the story that the image is telling.
Things like pimples, blemishes, hair on the face, we smooth wrinkles, get rid of unwanted surrounding elements and more.  Sometimes… we need to modify the bone structure of the subject… I know, I know but you will still look like you. I promise.

Sample-1

Below is a photo that has been retouched specially for the wedding album. Look carefully, as the image will change.

To this image, I first got rid of unwanted marks like pimple, eyes dark circles, blemishes, and out-of-place hair.
If you notice, I also modified her facial bone structure—this created a more elongated and elegant facial expression. To make emphasis on the eyes, I moved them closer together, made them whiter and accentuated their colors. The skin was smoothed a tiny bit and the teeth were whitened.

To make the image less dull, the high & low lights were increased and the overall colors were saturated and enhanced. Take a closer look as the image changes.

Sample-2

There are times that an image just needs its colors to be pump. On this image, I only worked on the Hight & Low lights, burning and dodging them to get details. Some minor unwanted spots were removed from the sky but very minimum.
If you pay close attention to his clothing, the highlights were accentuated to create contrast—this makes the image more interesting. Also, the eyeglass reflections were enhanced to give power to the whole composition. Take a closer look as the image changes.

Saving your wedding day it’s way more than just pointing and shooting. There’s many other things that we as wedding photographers do to make sure that you will look your best and still look like you.
—To view more photos from the first sample, Click Here.
—Second sample, Click Here

Please share if you like this post 🙂
See you then!

Wedding planning—How can you have your cake and eat it too?

There are many complicated things in life and putting together a wedding could be harder than becoming a brain surgeon. Your wedding day is something you want to enjoy and not worry about, but how can you have your cake and eat it too? This is how.

Weddings are multiple headed monsters that love to eat your time and money and if you let them, they will have your soul for dessert too. If you are like most people you have a 9 to 5 job which makes it even worse. KILL ME!!. How the hell you put together such celebration with the time you have, take good care of your expending, and be able to enjoy your wedding day like is 1999? Introducing wedding planning.

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Thinks to consider when planning your wedding. Choosing a venue

Are you getting married or planning your sister’s wedding? Then this quick dirty wedding tip will be a good read for you.

Choosing a venue

This is what potentially can make or break your ideal wedding and also your budget. It is one of the most expensive parts of the day—alongside to photography that are crucial, so plan accordingly. Be true to what you want, and what your budget will let you do. Sometimes your budget dictates what kind of venue you will use for your wedding day and other times you already have a theme you are rolling with. Having this in mind will really make or break your budget. For example, if you are short on cash and are planning to have a home-back yard kind of wedding think about the unthinkable—like extra toilets, tents, food preparation, garbage pick up, rentals for plates/chairs, helpers, noise policy, and yes insurance.

If you add everything up a wedding venue could be a better choice. Pictured 150 people, haft of them drunk in a place that is not designed for this kind of parties… I don’t want to imagine that but being prepare will asure you that your day will go as planned.

In contrast, A wedding venue have all of these bases covered. The only thing you will need to worry is decoration and to have a wonderful wedding day for you to remember.

So tell me, do you already have the venue for your wedding or are still looking? What are thinks you are considering when choosing your perfect wedding venue?  🙂 Share!

Wedding Booking FAQ’s. Question future brides may or may not have.

Before the wedding

This is a list of question future brides may need on their search for a wedding photographer

1. Do you have insurance?
   — Yes, I do
2. Do you have an assistant?
   — I always shoot my weddings with an assistant .
3. Do you have a second shooter (second photographer)?
   — I do offer a second shooter as an add-on. $500 extra.
4. What equipment do you use?
   — I use the best lenses, cameras and peripherals that currently the industries uses
5. Do you color correct my images?
   — All images get color correct it. Images that goes into the album get an extra love and time
6. How many hours do you cover?
   — I shoot the whole wedding day—from getting ready to cake cutting in most of my collections
7. How far in advance do I have to book?
   — Usually I get book a year in advance but you can always check for availabilities. The golden rule is to book the photographer 12 to 6 months before the event.   
8. What distinguish your work from other photographers?
   —I’m a story teller. I use photography to record the story of your day and saved it in beautiful albums and wall art. My only job is to make images that will carrie your legacy in all its glory. And that’s what I love to do. 
9. What information do you need from me before the wedding day?
   — A few important things I need from future brides are:
   a) Your wedding date
   b) Your head count
   c) Your venue
   d) And any other special details about your wedding for example, What type of wedding yours is? Why uncle Bob is walking down with you and not your father sort of things. This help me plan in advance for any curve ball.
10. Do you have any backup equipment?
    — I shoot with two camera bodies and 5 different lenses. I have a backup camera body and many memories cards. All my cameras have two memory card slot—one for saving and the other for backup. I always carry 4 flashes.
11. What if the day comes and you are unable to shoot?
    — I would have to be really dying or something very bad happening with my kids. If that happens, I will get you a photographer of my level to shoot your wedding.
12. What packages do you offer?
    —I offer three main collections. My starting price is $2500. Please inquired for the full price list
13. Do you offer video?
    — I concentrate to tell your story with images only. But if video is something you need I can talk to some friends and give you some referrals.
14. Do you offer slideshow?
    —Your album design will come as a slideshow video for your to view and share with family and friends
15. Do you offer engagement sessions?
    —Engament sessions are the best thing for us to break the ice and for you to feel more confortable with photography plus the images can be use as a signature book for your guest to sign at your wedding… and yes I do offer them. 🙂
16. Can I customize my package?
    — Yes you can. I have options to upgrade my collections.
17. How far do you Travel?
    — I cover 40 miles radius from NYC after that we can arrange travel fees.
18. What about payment?
    — A 50% non-refundable is require at booking. The remaining 50% is due 15 days before the wedding.

On the Wedding Day

1. I don’t like or know how to pose.
   —At the wedding we will have a combination of journalistic style (no posing) photos and formal (minimal posing) portraits. You don’t have to worry about posing, just worry about having fun and enjoying the day. The rest I’ll take care of.
2. I need photos of everyone.
   — Sure! a week before the wedding I will send you my running sheet. This is a list of all the family formals that I need to take. I will need someone to provide all the names and to find uncle Bob for me since I don’t know him. This will guaranty images of everyone.
3. What happens if it rains and we can’t take our portraits?
   —We have two options
   a) Find an inside place where we can do them. I always carry clear umbrellas if you are into it too
   b) Reschedule your portraits to be taken at a better day right after the wedding.

After the Wedding Day

1. How Many images do you deliver?
   —I deliver between 800-1200
2. How long after the event I get to view my images?
   — You get to view a social media teaser the same week of your wedding. After that is two to three weeks for your magazine proof,
3. What king of albums do you offer?
   —Hand crafted Italian leather albums. They are really gorgeous.
4. Do you offer Wall Art?
   —YES! Metal prints, canvas, and wall cluster.
5.  How long after the event before I get my album?
   —You will get your album designed by me two to three weeks after the wedding with a proof book. The proof book will be your guide to add and exchange the images of the designed album.
6. Do I get the image files?
   —You will get the digital files from the album at the album resolution. You also have the option of purchasing all of the images you did not chose to be in the wedding album in a 4×6 print format. All of the print images purchased will come with the equivalent in digital. Ex. 50 4×6 prints will the the same size and quantity  4×6 digital in a disk.

Legal

1. Do you required a contract?
   —Always
2. Who owns the right of the images?
   —Photography is consider intelectual property and by the copyright laws the photographer holds all the right of any image taken. All weddings I do have the right to print and share their images with family and friends as many times as you like. They only thing is that images cannot be use for commercial purpose without permission or payment.
3. What if I don’t want my images to be online (Social Media or your portfolio)
   —Photography is a visual medium and my portfolio/social media is my store front. I understand that there are circumstances that the client may need to ask not to have the lives in a public medium. In that case you will need to purchase the intelectual rights of the images from me. Usually it will be the cost of your wedding package times 2.
4. What happens if the wedding gets cancel or pospone do I get my deposit.
   — I understand that this kind of things can happen as much as we don’t want to think about. Usually we save your date and we do not book anybody else for that day. That’s the reason why the deposit is non-refundable. Now, If the day of your wedding gets book I will gladly return your deposit, otherwise we cannot.

Wedding Dress Extravaganza Shoot

The Wedding Dress, is one if not the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to your wedding day. There are so many styles, fabrics, and ornaments to choose from that it can be mind bugging. Finding the right one can be a fight to the death—but when you finally find “The One” you can’t help but to burst in tears of joy.

This past Sunday, Olga from Glamorous Bride NYC brougth some of her dresses to our studio for a wedding dress extravaganza shoot.
Tell me which one is your favorite?

Makeup and Hair:
Making Faces By Salome Gonzalez

Albums

My father in law has one of those old DVD-R recorders. He saves all the family videos directly from a video camera to that thing… He has more than 500 hours of unrecoverable memories saved there. Or maybe not so saved. One day that thing will fail and hell will break lose.

There’s no better place to save your memories than having a physical book. I have pictures posted in all the social media platforms, and yet nothing compares to the feeling of getting onto the top shelf of my closet and reaching for that box full of old pictures. The smell of old photography paper gets me ready for what I’m about to relive.

Here are some of the books I use to save your moments.