professional photographer « Thoughts From an Island Photographer

April 9, 2010

Finding Your Perfect Wedding Officiate

At Tropical Focus we work with many local wedding officiates and know first hand that every one has a unique style all their own. Regardless of where you live and where you plan to get married, picking a wedding celebrant can be rather tricky. You already know from countless magazine articles and wedding blogs that you should choose a wedding officiate to reflect the values you both share as a couple. It’s easy to narrow down the choices because you need a specific religious ceremony or want an extreme wedding venue. But finding the right style for you – now that makes a memorable wedding!

To ask potential ministers about their style and approach to their ceremony is only a beginning. Our suggestion is to get a second opinion and do it before you sign on the dotted line or otherwise make a commitment. Not from a wedding planner – but from your prospective wedding photographer, whomever they may be.

The minister sets the tone for the entire wedding ceremony and professional photographers know that when the bridal couple and minister mesh well – it’s magical. They see it in every photo, whether you’re having a simple beach wedding or a traditional ceremony in a house of worship. (If your prospective photographer is too busy to give you an answer, find another one to ask – and too take your wedding photos too!).

There IS a perfect minister for every couple, no matter what your wedding venue is. Some specialize in certain locations and types of ceremonies. But NOT every officiate has a style that is perfect for every couple. Do you want a minister who:

�
- Looks like a judge, mother earth, a businessman, a clergyman/woman, an island bum or does it matter?
- Actively involves any children in the ceremony details, or the entire wedding party? Or someone who thinks children should be seen but not heard?
- A bystander who does the weddings from the side, keeping the bride and groom the center of attention at all times or one who becomes your best friend and confidant within seconds?
- One who shares personal anecdotes and philosophies during the ceremony in hopes you will agree, or shares your own personal journey with the wedding party and anyone else on the beach during the ceremony?
- Incorporates symbolism and traditions – whether religious, from nature, or their own portfolio of island fun – into the ceremony? Sings or chants or has a melodic voice? A quiet one, or one that will carry and be heard by everyone in the wedding party?
- Reads material you’ve prepared for them for the first time at the ceremony, or has a very hard time remembering names? Incorporates your personal vows into a ceremony that feels specific to you, or one that uses a singular set of words for every couple?
- Stretches out a ceremony to bore most brides, or one that is so speedy that you will not even remember saying I Do before you did?
- Shows up one minute before the ceremony start time and departs before you remember to stop kissing and turn around to say thank you? Or one that sticks around and maybe even takes a photo of you for his/her personal memory book?

Do you really need to care about all this? Some people pick a wedding officiate with little thought. They just select the first name they see, or the least expensive priced person listed on a website. The local photographers know, though, that when these same couples to do a vow renewal, they will have learned their lesson and give weight to this all-important aspect of their special day the second time around. A wedding is for a lifetime of memories – it’s a cliché, but so true. So decide what your own ‘must haves’ are as a couple, and ask a wedding photographer for an opinion.

Most wedding photographers are like us and are pleased to help out with any information that can make your day more special. In fact we’re glad you asked. When a wedding officiant matches the personality and style of the bridal couple – no matter what the combination may be – perfection happens and it shows in every photo. By asking, we get to know you more intimately as a couple and these personal connections always make for better photos.

We also love it when our future brides send us photos of their wedding dresses and other details before their island wedding. But, all that’s for another blog!

Until later,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Weddings — Tags: beach wedding, bride, ceremony, island wedding, professional photographer, wedding photographer — Karin @ 9:15 pm

Comments Off

January 15, 2010

Child’s Play

Do you want positively fun photos of your children – images that really show off their personality? Do you want the same thing in a family photo shoot? Here are some tips to make it happen.

Let the children play. That’s right. It’s a simple formula but sometimes hard for parents to do. Instead of fussing about how they look or worrying about them getting sand on their clothes, let them just be kids. Sure, it helps to focus that energy a little.

And the best way to do that is to join in on the fun. So, go ahead and let your own inhibitions down. Forget about the camera and try to remember what it was like to be a 5-year old, a toddler, or even an 11-year old. Don’t worry about your double-chin, your own smile or even us. Get down on the grass, the sand or the floor and play with your kids.

For formal shoots, let your kids pick a color to wear, sunglasses for everyone, or whatever props they think will be fun to include. It’s their shoot too.

Engage your children on their level, no matter how you break the ice. Like many photographers, at Tropical Focus we carry a bag of props ranging from princess crowns and pirate gear, bubbles and frisbees. But sometimes all it takes as a well placed tickle or a loud noisy kiss on a cheek. Get your kids attention. Admittedly, your kids may be taken back a bit if you never play with them. But after a few minutes they’ll get use to it and they’ll love it. So, forget about the camera. Enjoy your children. Your photographer will know just when to capture the image.

Play too - be in the moment with them. It’s important to be at eye level with your kids while you are playing. Hovering can make them nervous or wary and always focuses on your differences – not your shared fun. Follow their lead and let them see you can laugh with them, whether they are burying you in the sand on a St. John beach, or trying to braid your hair, or playing with their favorite stuffed animal. Forget the camera or your watch, or your troubles and dance with them. The photographer will catch that perfect smile on your face. These are the moments of your life – enjoy them.

Be spontaneous and show them how. You do not need to give up your formal photo shoot dreams to have fun photos too. After the posing, jump into the water with your clothes on and invite the kids to join in.

If you’re not that adventurous, share a surprise with them. Make it fun – have them solve a riddle or dig for buried treasure. Or, just whip out a gallon of their favorite ice cream with plenty of toppings and whip cream. Don’t worry – the photographer will do the rest, so ignore him (or her). You just need to get into the moment with your kids and have fun.

All of this will drive your professional family photographer a little bit crazy and out of control. Really. And they will love every single minute of it. Really. It’s child’s play and all in a days work.

Filed under: General, Weddings, portraits — Tags: buried treasure, engage, family photographer, fun photos, professional photographer, St John beach, St. John — Karin @ 5:19 pm

Comments Off

December 3, 2009

When Money Is Tight

I got an e-mail the other day from a bride who was excited, hopeful and ready to book my services if I was still available for her day and time. We’d talked last spring but she had long-ago decided she had to trim her St. John wedding budget and we had parted our ways – or so I’d thought.

There are four family photographer friends in the upcoming wedding group – three amateur and one professional – and she and her groom had decided to let them handle the photos to save costs. After all, they’d all be taking photos anyway.

In today’s tough economy, it was an understandable, although potentially a regrettable decision:

Amateurs can and do take spectacular photos, but relying on those alone to get those important photos can be risky. After all, lighting can be complex and even the finest digital cameras can’t handle these conditions without expert skills.
Are you sure that your photographer friends know about proper exposure or finding the perfect spot.
And, while taking wedding photographs for family and friends is an honor, even for a professional, it is hard work, and the shooter ends up on the outer edges of some of the fun instead of participating directly. Speaking for my peers, we do it anyway out of love.

It turns out that the best man in this case was also a smart man. He and the maid of honor pooled their resources and decided to gift the young couple with a St. John wedding photographer as an early wedding gift. They wanted to take the pressure off the guests travelling so far to attend the island wedding, and ensure quality images throughout the day for everyone. It was a great kindness and a thoughtful wedding present which will last a lifetime!

As the chosen photographer for their Virgin Islands destination wedding, I am honored. Yes, I am giving them a generous deal – as kindness deserves kindness. I’m looking forward to meeting the whole group, and even helping the amateurs take some great photos. (… but that’s fodder for another blog, so stay tuned).