Tag Archive for 'weddings'

Teeny Tiny Photography Tips 2009:

little photographer seim 300x207 Teeny Tiny Photography Tips 2009:by Gavin Seim updated 10.18.09:
I like quick bursts of information and chat frequently as @gavinseimtwitter2 Teeny Tiny Photography Tips 2009: on twitter.  I’ve made this list of my favorite tips and ideas. I plan to update it throughout the year. You can add your favorite photo tweets and tips in the comments with your twitter name. I might even RT them myself.

I give credit when I can, using names in parenthesis. Some of these are my own little musings based on what I’ve learned, so I’ve indicated myself with an (S). If there’s no name then I probably don’t know the source. Remember that these are not always exact quotes, but ideas I’ve re-formed to fit in under 140 characters. Feel free to tweet them yourself. You can RT @gavinseim or link to this post with http://bit.ly/phototip.

Things to think on:

  • Don’t wait for the photography establishment to try and stand out, because if you do, you won’t (S)
  • I’m not afraid to change my opinion, but I am afraid of not having one. (S)
  • It seems that by giving away knowledge we only get more of it. (S)
  • Competition. A powerful tool that makes you stronger. Complaints about it are often cop outs from photographers not motivated enough to excel (S)
  • Art is not about money. But it really really helps. (S)
  • In photography rules mean conformity, and to conform is the opposite of creativity. (Whitmire)
  • I’m tired of the industry telling photographers what a standard size is. My print size will be what I decide to make it. (S)
  • Photography is painting with light. So if light is paint, why do we spend more time pressing buttons than mixing our paint? (S)
  • Be Positive. It’s not just a blood type. (S)
  • Each time I think I’m really good, I learn that I’m not as great as I thought. Then I actually start getting really good (S)
  • Always do the best you can with what you have, but always push yourself to the next level. (S)
  • A unique style is no longer unique once everyone is using it. (S)
  • As photographers we often overlook the power of just practicing. It’s like giving ourselves our own workshop for free. (S)
  • If a “picture” is worth a thousand words. A “photograph” is worth ten thousand. (S)
  • Photography is painting with light. So if light is paint, why do we spend more time pressing buttons than mixing our paint? (S)
  • It’s not the location you take your photos in. It’s the photos you take in your location. Anything can be a good background. (S)

Posing n more:

  • Portraits. Guys tilt the head towards the low shoulder = macho. Girls tilt head towards high shoulder = pretty (Celentano)
  • Bridal Portraits, Hold that bouquet on the hip to look thinner. Hands (and bouquets) held in front from make the bride look bigger. (Celentano)
  • Group portrait. Just before the shot have everyone lift up their shoulders and lean towards the center. (Celentano)
  • Portrait Tip: Look for triangles in your group poses. Use bodies, sitting, head position etc to form triangles. (Celentano)
  • If posture pose and light is correct it does not matter where the camera sits. The pose is still set. (Gardener)
  • Posing tip: If it bends, bend it. Play around with joints, elbows, fingers, everything.
  • Posing tip: Leave some open space between those bent elbows and the waist. Helps make your subject slim n trim. (S)

Continue reading ‘Teeny Tiny Photography Tips 2009:’

Stunt Groom Anyone?

OK I’m not a Sprint or Blackberry user, but all work and no play is no fun and this ad is perfect for us photographers. It actually got me thinking though. What crazy cool things could I pull off if I had a stunt groom. Here’s a few images that came to my mind…..

“No, I want the jacket actually in flames. It’s looks hot! Oh and this is HDR. Keep it still”

“That’s perfect. Now when the Chopper flies over, hold the roses in one hand and swing up with the other”

“OK look like the groom is feeling. Scared”

No it’s actually four stories, but the trampoline is solid. Jump into her waiting arms.”

“Hey do we have a stunt bride around here…?”
Gavin Seim

Being a Professional Wedding Photographer:

seim wedding caveb photo 40 650x434 Being a Professional Wedding Photographer:

Get the essentials: Thinking outside the box works, Just remember to get the MUST have's. Walking down the isle, standing at the alter, the first dance and many more. What's important to each couple can vary, so communication is important.

Where to start, how to get there, how to stay there. Secrets for professional and aspiring wedding photographers from Gavin & others. (forum thread is here)

by Gavin Seim: How do I handle my first wedding? How do I become a pro? I get these type of questions fairly often. Weddings aren’t for everyone but most aspiring and pro photographers will photograph a wedding sometime in their career. There’s much to be learned from what’s demanded of us at a wedding. While this article is aimed at those getting started, seasoned pro’s will get ideas too.

Today I’ll give some I’ll talk the basics of how I see and think when I photograph a wedding. Tips 1-6 will focus on getting great images. Then we’ll talk a bit about a  post production and business (which is every bit as important). As we go thru them I’ll post some favorite images and share some thoughts.

The first wedding is daunting. Let me say that I won’t be talking about extreme photography basics in this article. If you’re at that stage there’s no shame in it, but you should gain some experience before tacking a wedding on your own. It’s a one time event and if you get it wrong you will be, at best, a sore spot in the eyes of your client. That’s not good for getting new clients and both you and your client deserve better.

If you can, second shoot aside an experienced photographer it’s a great way to learn, gain better portfolio and get more confidence. In my case that never happened. Though got serious about photography at age 12, my first wedding was cold turkey. I photographed for fun at a wedding and the couple loved them. That pushed me forward and my first paid wedding came awhile after. The rest is… Well the rest is below.

seim wedding caveb photo 46 650x434 Being a Professional Wedding Photographer:

Try new things: This shot is the result of the first time I used off camera wireless flash (with Radio Poppers) at a wedding. I was just learning them, but made the choice to push myself to get great light in this scene. It paid off and my final image has a neat cinematic feel that fits my style.

Before my first wedding I absorbed the information in at least three wedding photography books. That helped me get a feel for what should happen. Without that study I would have missed a lot of important things. Resources like this are great (I wish I had had them) but a book can help you get perspective and have a reference to review. I’ll list few good books to get you rolling at the bottom of this post.

My first paid gig was back in the film days. I was about eighteen. Armed with my Canon EOS3, a cheap flash, a cheap zoom lens and an old monolight strobe handed down from Doug Miller, a real local pro, I became a wedding photographer. Was I good? No, but I was enthusiastic.

Continue reading ‘Being a Professional Wedding Photographer:’

Let Auto-Iso Help Get You In The Zone:

The Violinist - Nikon D200 1/100s f3.0 ISO 800

The Violinist by Alan Hutchison – Nikon D200 1/100s f3.0 ISO 800

By Alan Hutchison: I tend to shoot in a photojournalism style and in my opinion my best images are those where I manage to capture a special “moment”.  It’s sometimes just luck, but a lot of the time it’s all about getting yourself into “the zone” and reading body language, watching for clues on when someone is about to smile or laugh, or do something a little crazy and knowing “the moment to click”.  So when I’m in “that zone”, the last thing I want to be thinking about are my camera controls – I have to know them so well that I can change them without even thinking.

One area where my camera really helps to get me into the zone is the “Auto-ISO” feature.

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Easy, Free, Multi Image Layouts For Lightroom:

Most of us know about print templates in Lightroom, but the cool secret is that you can make multi image page layouts too.

This article over on Seim Effects give the details, as well as a set of FREE layout presets to get you going. I’m pretty stoked about the new possibilities of making multi image layouts right from Lightroom. While it won’t replace In Design for my full scale albums, it’s so fast at making quick attractive layouts for things like Press Printed Books. Check it out.

seim 10x10 3h 1v Easy, Free, Multi Image Layouts For Lightroom:

The Bridal Show:

2009 bridal show booth The Bridal Show:

by Gavin Seim: This weekend I had a booth at the Wenatchee Bridal Show. The confession I have to make is this. While I was happy with my setup and received great feedback, I ran into my typical problem. I was not a good enough salesman.

Now those of you that listen to Pro Photo Show know that I’m not a shy person. It’s as if like I sit in my booth making weird sounds as I flick my lip with an index finger making that interesting “buh buh buh” sound. Nope, I do fine interacting with people and being professional. Until it’s time to seal the sale that is.

Continue reading ‘The Bridal Show:’




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