Posted in B&G, Event, Nuts & Bolts, Teaching, Weddings

I just realized that folks may think the lights that I put up are big hot lights on stands like they might see used in a movie or a TV show. I have posted “behind the scenes” shots of the formal fantasy portrait work I do, where I do use studio strobes. So I see where a misunderstanding can arise.

But when it comes to on-location wedding photography, the truth is I always use the smallest, most unobtrusive lights possible. In most cases I get amazing results using little strobes that I attach with suction cups to the wall. These flashes are so small that they literally fit in the palm of my hand. The *pop* they put out is just like the pop coming from everyone else’s pocket cameras.

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Here’s what they look like in position in a restaurant room.

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And here are the results I get by putting just a couple of these lights up in an otherwise impossibly dark room.

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So, if you’re getting married or having a reception in a dark venue (as almost everyone is! ;-) ) I will light it for you in a way that gets professional results, and my lights will be completely out of the way and barely noticeable.

New Pricing

Posted in Uncategorized

We’ve just simplified and updated our pricing.

The price changes are a reaction to several things.

First, we’ve had such a great response to our online shopping cart, that we’ve decided to make that the default way for clients to get their digital negatives and prints. Our online shopping cart makes it so easy for you and your family & guests to look through your photos, pick your favorites, and order whatever you want. There is even a helpful qualified person on call to answer any questions you (or grandmother) may have about ordering online. Brides & grooms love making their photos available to their friends without themselves having to become a photo lab or DVD-burning fulfillment house.

And because we know how much some brides want all of their digital negatives, getting your digital negatives on DVD is still an option both in the a la carte menu, and gratis in our top Collection III – Platinum.

Another change is that we’ve done away with the concept of an “available light” option. Not only does this better comport with the way we shoot in reality, in the very dark reception halls where so much of your wedding happens, but it simplifies pricing, too. We always bring lights anyway because we always want to make the very best photos possible for you. So our new pricing reflects this.

Finally, we’ve better highlighted the significant savings you get when choosing from a Collection, rather than a la carte.

For example, you’ll enjoy more than $1,600 in savings when you choose our “Gold” Collection II over the same coverage a la carte. That’s a 29% discount.

You’ll save just under $5,000 when you choose our “Platinum” Collection III over the equivalent coverage and products a la carte. That’s a 42% savings.

For full details, lets set up a consultation!

Posted in B&G, Weddings

This great video treatment / teaser by my friend Ary Dalton is just top notch. We shot Judith & Kenneth’s beautiful wedding last April. I’ll post some photos here soon! Great job Ary!

Judith and Kenneth from Ary Dalton on Vimeo.

Family time

Posted in Families, Our Family

As all of you small business owners already know, there really is no quitting time; there is so much work to do that the work is never done. So – if you ever want to spend time with your family – sometimes you just have to draw a line in the sand, drop everything, and do it.

Tonight I took my wife and four boys out to a great little Mexican place that our neighbor told us about. Faustos Mexican Grill in Henderson. I fed all 6 of us for under $30, including a $5 tip. We’re very full and happy! Then we found one of Henderson’s ubiquitous community water playgrounds where we ran around on the jungle gym ’til we were all exhausted. One of my boys was so caught up in the fun that he put off going potty ’til it was too late. Oops.

We’re back home. I’m taking off tomorrow, too.

Then back to another 80 hour week, loving every minute of it!

Posted in Editorial, Teaching

We had a really good time yesterday shooting down in Nelson, NV for the cover shot of a Las Vegas magazine.

Adrienne is a great model! Jennifer was the Woman Of Many Hats – in addition to being editor of the magazine, she took care of everything that needed taking care of: hair, makeup, schlepping, food, hydration, transportation, logistics, etc. Sort of a wonder woman. And shots like these cannot happen without the help of many hands. Thank you Gina, Dan and Kristin.

Here’s just a peek in on what we were doing.

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Sharp

Posted in Nuts & Bolts

Looking into a replacement for iContact – who do not like the (legally-acquired) email lists I am using. Someone suggested Campaign Monitor out of Australia. I’m checking out!

Posted in Teaching, Weddings

That jarring headline is a quote from “Tropic Thunder”, where Robert Downey Jr.’s character advises Ben Stiller’s character to pull it back, never go all the way.

Throttle back your Photoshop effects. Or better, use none at all. Photoshop actions can be so exciting, especially to the new photographer. But – like government and habanero salsa – it’s best to use them sparingly. I’ve ruined many photos by applying Photoshop actions at 100%. Now – if I use Photoshop actions at all – I start at 20% opacity and slide the opacity around ’til it looks best. Then I back that off a little bit ;-) Everybody knows, you never go full retard.

Posted in B&G, Bridal, Engagement, Event, Giving Back, Teaching, Weddings

Move Around. Crouch and look up. Stand on a ladder & look down. Put your subjects above you. Put them below you. Get real close. Provide your viewers a look, an angle, different than the one they see in everyday life.

Look around at a wedding. 99% of the people with cameras are either standing or sitting, taking their photo with the same view one sees by just standing there.

Normal people taking photos at a wedding
Normal people taking photos at a wedding

Move around and suddenly your photos look different, you’re *making* photos.

Posted in B&G, Bridal, Engagement, Giving Back, Teaching, Weddings

If you don’t have off-camera strobes or don’t know how to use them [see #4], turn your subjects’ backs to the sun, shoot in manual mode and expose for your subjects’ faces. Your photos will immediately be better than any point-and-shoot civilian who tries this. Their photos will be dark and underexposed.

Turn your subjects backs to the sun.

Turn your subjects' backs to the sun.

Yours will be high-key, with long stabby shadows, and maybe some of those cool hexagonal jewel light-sabers.

Shoot into the sun. Flare is pretty.

Shoot into the sun. Flare is pretty.

Posted in B&G, Bridal, Engagement, Event, Giving Back, Teaching, Weddings

I’m shocked to learn how seldom people say “Thank you.” I recently moved my family to Las Vegas from out of state. Many people made time to meet with me as I was scouting Vegas, and I tried to send thank you notes, and often little gifts, to all of them. Once I moved here, many told me how unusual it was for them to hear any sort of thanks. My “thank you”s stood out. Many of these people have since referred work to me. Say “thank you”.