Archive for Wedding Photography

PhotoTips for your big day

By admin · Comments (0) · Thursday, August 30th, 2012

Your wedding day is approaching. And that means that pretty soon someone is going to be snapping a boatload of pictures of you and your beloved. Are you prepared?

Having a camera aimed in your direction for hours on end isn’t something you’re used to – unless of course you’re a hotshot celebrity. Do you know how to look your best for the camera? Advice from photographers around the country.

Just Be You

1. Be Yourself. Don’t try to look or be anything other than yourself. If you are self-conscious about a certain thing and it manifests itself physically, it will ultimately come through in the photography…. Be your best self and you can ensure that the photos will indeed portray you as your best self.

2. Relax. We’re often our worst critics when it comes to pictures. Remember that you want to be seen the way others see you too. While you want flattering photos, you want to make sure that it still looks like you in the pictures.

3. Laugh! It’s flattering on everyone.

4. Think about the moment. Capturing the romance of the day, the emotion, excitement & intimacy is what it’s all about. Don’t look at your photographer, look at your new spouse and savor it all. Your photographs will be amazing & true.

5. Forget the camera is there and try your best to be playful and warm.

6. Have an engagement session. This is so valuable for client and photographer. The clients have an opportunity to relax and be in front of the camera and the photographer can get to know his or her clients. By the time I am at the wedding we are friends and this makes everyone more relaxed!

Dorothy McCuskey 901.359.8575

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Categories : Wedding Photography

What Do Wedding Photographers Cost so much

By admin · Comments (0) · Monday, July 9th, 2012

For an eight hour wedding:

- We won’t bore you with the details, but an eight hour wedding typically amounts to at least one full 40 hour work weeks worth of time. Again, if they are charging you $4,000 for an eight hour wedding, you are not paying them $500 / hour. In addition, all of the little “things” you want in the package, the album, the proofing, the prints, the parent albums, are not only expensive for the photographer to buy, but also require a lot of time by the studio to handle and produce.

Now for the expertise.

Shooting professional photography is a skill, acquired through years of experience. Even though our camera’s average $4,000-$5,000 for just the body, and most of our lens are in the $2,000 category, taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.

Most Professional Photographers take years to go from buying their first decent camera to making money with their photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, there is a mountain of other equipment involved, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc.

And let’s not forget that you actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, make people comfortable in front of the camera – and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself.

Think of it this way – the next time you pay $100 to get your hair done, a pair of scissors only costs $1.50. But you gladly pay a lot more to hire a Professional to actually do the job.

What about the cheap studios at the mall?

Please don’t compare us to the chain store studios. But if you must, consider all of the time and work that we put into our photographs, compared to what they do. Good luck getting a two hour photo shoot at a chain store. Not to mention they won’t come to the beach! And of course, look at our work compared to theirs. You get what you pay for.

The truth is, most of the mall and chain store studios lose money. In fact, in 2007 Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios because of the financial drain they were putting on the company. What the chain stores bet on is that you’ll come in for some quick and cheap photos, and while you’re there, you’ll also spend $200 on other things. They don’t have to make money, they are just there to get you in the door.

Conclusion

We hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs cost so much more than the ones that you get from your local drug store.

 

-Good information from Debra Weisheit  www.weisheitphotography.com 07/09/12

Dorothy McCuskey 901.359.8575 www.pbdstudio.net

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Picking your Photographer

By admin · Comments (0) · Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

With recent horror story’s of failed wedding photography and bad services in the media it has never been more important to do your research when booking a wedding photographer. The problem is photography is simply so accessible for everyone these days, you buy yourself a fancy looking SLR, you set up a website and there you have it your now a professional photographer. I am however afraid to say that getting professional results is much more difficult than that and by the time many couples find this out its just to late for them. I have even seen evidence of photography websites stealing other photographer’s work and passing it off as their own in order to book unsuspecting wedding clients. So just how do you spot the good from the bad?

Price.
While we all love a bargain some things are simply to good to be true. There is a wide range of prices and packages available on the market so finding value is possible but if the price is significantly cheaper than the local market/competitors then they must be cutting costs somewhere down the line. This is often simply due to the lack of skill from the photographer and that they just wouldn’t get any bookings if they charged the same as there professional competition. So when thinking of wedding photography you have to remember that it is an investment. When the dress has been worn, the food has been eaten the one thing that remains for years to come is the wedding photography. Don’t think cheap, think value.
Ask Questions.
One of the first things you should do when you think you have found a photographer is to ask to meet them in person. This will be your chance to quiz the photographer. A professional photographer will be very much used to any questions you have for them and happy to answer any concerns so don’t be afraid to ask anything.
Questions to ask at this meeting are.

How many weddings has the photographer shot?
What equipment the photographer use? (This may mean nothing to you but take note of how confident the photographer is in their answer. Does it appear they know their gear inside and out?).
Does the photographer have backup if a camera or other piece of equipment was to break?
Does the photographer carry business insurance? (Many venues will not allow a photographer to work in their venue if they do not).
Is the person you are meeting actually your photographer on the day?
Is the work you are seeing their own?
See a whole wedding… or 2.
Seeing a few nice shots from varies weddings is fine but anyone can get lucky and if they shoot 2000 photos and only get 1 nice shot that’s pretty worthless for your wedding day. Ask to see some album examples showing a whole wedding from start to finish. This will also give you a chance to ask some more questions on how they work to see if there style suits you and to make sure the work you see is there own. Look for a consistent standard of work no matter what the situation. You want your photographer to be able to produce a high standard of image in all lighting conditions and under any pressures.
Use Internet reviews
The great thing about the Internet is that the word can be spread very quickly if there is rouge out there. Search not only for the company name but also the name of the photographer, as it is very possible they may have built a bad reputation under a previous name. Finding one bad review may not mean they are all bad but if it’s an on-going pattern then beware.

Recommendation. 
Recommendations and referrals are the professions best friend. Any company worth considering will aim to always please and asking friends who are already married can give you that piece of mind.

Ok so this  may sound a little doom and gloom. Wedding photography is not all bad and most of the photographers you will find and meet will be honest businesses with a passion for photography and a pride in their work. However there are rouges out there and taking simple steps and doing lots of research will help you spot them fast and not become a victim of there low standards and terrible service.

 

-Dorothy  McCuskey

www.pbdstudios.net 901.359.8575

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Wedding Accessories: Must I Wear a Wedding Veil?

By admin · Comments (0) · Thursday, April 26th, 2012

What’s the story with wedding veils? Do I have to wear a wedding veil, and if so, for how long?

Besides being a bridal icon — and coquettishly sexy to boot — the wedding veil has many symbolic interpretations and uses around the world and in different religions. For example, wedding veils were once donned as protection from evil spirits or used to prevent the bride and groom from seeing each other until the deal was sealed in an arranged marriage. Times have changed, but the wedding veil remains a popular part of the bridal ensemble. That said, you do not have to wear a veil on your wedding day, just as you do not have to toss your bouquet, wear a garter, or smear cake on each other’s faces. If you do choose to wear a wedding veil, it is traditional to wear a blusher-style veil down the aisle, which is then lifted by either your father (before he leaves your side), maid-of-honor (before the final vows), or groom (after the final vows). If you don’t like the idea of wearing a blusher, you can certainly walk down the aisle with your wedding veil worn back and away from your face. How long you wear your veil is up to you. Some brides find them somewhat unruly — especially if you’re getting married at the beach or other windy locale — and can’t wait to take them off after pictures or before they hit the dance floor. Luckily, many wedding veils are now detachable, which means they simply Velcro to your headpiece and can be easily removed without ruining your hairstyle. Keep your options open: Try out a variety of veils when you go gown shopping to make your final decision. And if you decide you don’t care for them, simply go veil-less and don’t wear one at all!

As a photographer I do love the detachable veils they are very fun to photograph! :-)  -Dorothy McCuskey 901.359.8575 www.pbdstudios.net

photo by PBD Studios -Dorothy

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Categories : Wedding Photography

Weam Team Wedding

By admin · Comments (0) · Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Congratulations to Ashley and Joshua big wedding day March 25th  2012! This was nearly a WEAMTEAM wedding we met them last year March 2010 at a Weddings and Events Seminar at Le Pavillon. They booked everyone we had there based off availabilty. This was a fun fun wedding. The Venue was Carahills II in Gallaway TN, They booked there honeymoon to Jamica with Travel Leaders the Collierville office 901-853-6200 and they enjoyed it so much they HAVE already booked another trip through them back to Jamica! wahoooo.  The flours were done by Paula Payton -Paytons Perfect Designs absolutely STUNNING! Drapers did the catering and the cake ALL VERY YUMMY! PBD Studios Dorothy McCuskey and Elizabeth Schaulk did the photography I think we did a pretty good job (wink) and Don Lawler with Story Tellers did the video. Andria Lewis was the Event Planner doing a amazing job keeping this in order. <BR>

Absolutely Stunning couple!

-Dorothy McCuskey PBD studios 901.359.8575

 

 

 

 

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Wedding Photography Trends 2012

By admin · Comments (0) · Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Photo taken by Dorothy McCuskey PBD Studios at Dixon Gardens Memphis TN, Tux provided by Guys Tux Memphis TN

Vintage style: A lot of Brides are adding a vintage look to their weddings,  then looking for the sepia and old grainy look to the photographs to really get that feel.

Wedding week pics: couples are starting to request wedding week coverage, especially if they have friends and family in from out of town. We are already being asked to cover more rehearsals and rehearsal dinners and day-after sessions, so why not just extend the photo fun to a whole week?

Detailed images: More couples are asking for detailed photos of all of the centerpieces and everything that goes into the wedding day. This includes creative shots of shoes, rings and the dress.

Pre-wedding portraits: Different styles of portrait sessions done before the big day, such as a boudoir session as a gift for the fiancée, are becoming more popular.

More creativity: As couples want to get more creative with their portraits, they need more time to get the type of shots they want. More couples are scheduling a few hours before their wedding to go out and have a pre-ceremony shoot where they can be more relaxed and get some images that show them enjoying the moment.

Shoes: Huge deal these days no more white shoes… Brides are going bold bright and beautiful with the colors, we have also found that Toms are a popular shoe for the whole wedding party. Its all great for photographs.

-Dorothy McCuskey  PBD Studios photography 901.359.8575 www.pbdstudios.net

 

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Categories : Wedding Photography, wedding tips

Capturing The High-Points Of Your Wedding

By admin · Comments (0) · Monday, February 13th, 2012

I think most of us are not happy with our bodies or health and want to make improvements. Age has a way of causing one to look for answers…fast. I’m there. ;-)

Today, while  reading the popular book “Body For Life” by Bill Phillips, I was drawn to a chapter called “The High-Point Technique”.

In the chapter, Bill explained that he had worked with a lot of professional photographers on many magazine photo shoots. He noticed that most of them would shoot for as many as 11 hours and not get a single photo that was worthy of a magazine cover. That’s the way it goes with most photographers. It can be frustrating. He also noticed that there were a few photographers who worked differently. They began sessions with a quick calculated setup. Then, they find their position, take a “warm-up” photo or two, and proceed to capture “the moment” on film. That’s it. Photo shoot over.

If you’ve seen the photos on covers like People, Time, or Vogue, you can see that the results are impressive. Sometimes breathtaking.

How does this story relate to your wedding? First of all, it’s very hard to photograph or capture “the moment” on film. It takes lots of skill and practice and, I think, a unique ability to read people and situations. I would say that most photographers and wedding videographers are like the majority of magazine photographers that Bill mentioned. They technically know their craft, but their approach is wrong and they often miss “the moment”. Their images are ok, but not not spectacular.

I think really great wedding photographers and cinematographers have that little something extra…that special ability to patiently wait…anticipate the action by reading the people…and then capture that “special moment”.  I’ve observed a lot of wedding photographers and videographers since digital cameras become so prominent. Digital makes it affordable to over-shoot. I think the majority are shooting everything that moves in hopes that they will get something usable. I call that “spray and pray”. In television, we used to call that hosing (like firemen). I constantly preach to my crew to plan ahead. Have an idea for the storyline before you shoot. Know your subject as much as possible. But, then watch patiently, anticipate the action, and look for “the moments” that tell the story….and to edit in their head. Whether it’s your wedding album or wedding film…isn’t that really what you hire your photographer and cinematographer to do- to catch “The High-Points” of your wedding day?

For more information or to share your thoughts, contact Don Lawler, Chief Story Officer at Storytellers. www.WeTellYourStories.com. 901.485.3027.

 

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Categories : Wedding Photography, wedding tips

Small changes to take your wedding photos up a notch

By admin · Comments (0) · Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Everyone wants to have stellar wedding photos, and the first step to this is hiring awesome wedding photographers. But, you may not know that there are some things that you can do yourself to help make your wedding photos even better. Most of these changes are both affordable and easy to do, and they can really help with the aesthetic of your wedding photography.

Just because you didn’t spend a ton of cash on Etsy doesn’t mean you can’t have gorgeous detail shots of your wedding day. The best details are ones that can’t be purchased anyway, like a charm from a grandmother’s necklace or even a note from your groom. If you are up to buying a few custom items, one of my favorite details that is also inexpensive is a personalized hanger for your wedding dress. I’ve started carrying a wood hanger around with me to weddings just for this because the ugly plastic one that comes from the bridal shop honestly ruins your dress shot. It doesn’t even have to say “bride” or “Mrs. Smith” on it, but a pretty wood hanger looks much better showing off your gown. It’s a great detail that only costs 20 bucks and that dress shot will look great in your wedding album. In addition to having a few of these personal details, it helps to keep them organized all together in one place. It saves a ton of time for your photographer to be able to grab one bag with your shoes, jewelry, lingerie, garter, etc and get all those shots at once.

Hotel room (that’s clutter free) for getting ready

This makes a HUGE difference and it’s not that big of an expense. Having a suite or just a nicer hotel room to both get ready in and have your details shots taken in really helps your photos. Your photographer now has lots of options for hanging your dress or shoes and styling all those smaller details for those highly coveted detail shots. Another perk is there is a ton of natural light available in most hotels for all the getting ready shots. Nothing is more disappointing than having great details and moments to photograph and having to do it inside of a dingy old cluttered church room that has funky orange light going on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A engagement session – This is the only item that takes a bit more effort and a little planning ahead but it also has the biggest advantage. The best way to make sure you look happy and relaxed in your wedding photos is to do an engagement session with your wedding photographers. Some photographers, like myself, include an engagement session in our packages. But many do not and you have to add it on- it’s worth it! Any nerves or anxiousness you might feel prior to your engagement session would otherwise be felt on the wedding day. Getting to know your photographers and feeling comfortable with them is so important. Having your friends “take engagement photos” is not the same as building rapport with the people who will actually be capturing your wedding day.  Your photographers will get to know your best angles and learn the best way to get a natural smile out of you by working with you before the wedding day. And, if you are more shy, you get the chance to get any awkward moments over and done with prior to the wedding day.

 

 

 

 

So those are a few ways how you can help to create amazing wedding images. These small items can make a big impact on your wedding photos and I hope you got some ideas

-Dorothy McCuskey www.pbdstudios.net 901.359.8575

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Categories : Wedding Photography, wedding tips

What is a Retainer

By admin · Comments (0) · Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Photo taken by Dorothy McCuskey PBD Studios - Michabelle's Inn Hammond LA

Sometimes also referred to as a “Deposit” or “Booking Fee”, the correct term is actually retainer fee, and it refers to an agreed sum of money paid to secure the services of a professional for an agreed upon time-frame.

Retainer Fees are Standard in Wedding Photography

A retainer fee may be a new concept when you’ve just started looking into hiring a professional wedding photographer, but the practice is standard in the wedding photography industry.

Other Professions that use Retainers

You are probably already familiar with the retainer fee, as it often conjures up the image of a lawyer, the result of cultural training arising from movies or TV shows with lawyers as the major characters. Of course, with lawyers, even retainer fees can get really complicated with flavors like “security”, “advanced fee” and “evergreen” retainer fees. However, for the sake of argument, I would like to point out that a number of other professions retainer fees. Here’s a short list:

  • Doctors – certain doctors who practice “Boutique Medicine” use retainers
  • Bankers – their retainers are upfront fees charged to clients, even if “the deal” eventually doesn’t go through
  • Freelancers – software engineers, web designers, copywriters, consultants and such all use retainers of some sort, allowing them to pay the bills while working on and waiting on assignments

What Does it Mean when someone is Retained?

Once you’ve retained a service professional (by paying the fee, and signing a contract), you are officially BOOKED, and that professional would take him or herself “off the market”, so to speak, meaning they would not make it known that they are seeking work in a particular time-frame.

Why Non-Refundable?

Consider this: if the retainer fee was refundable, and for some reason the client decides “at the last minute” to request the money back — perhaps the wedding was canceled for some reason — then the professional photographer would have no income for the previously agreed upon date.

If this were to happen several times, you can be sure the professional photographer would soon no longer be in business.

To Summarize

By Paying the Retainer Fee:

  • you are paying for my promise to come shoot your wedding on the day of your wedding (plus any pre-wedding engagement session or post-wedding after-session).
-Dorothy McCuskey
www.pbdstudios.net
901.359.8575
pbdstudios@me.com
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Improve Communications with you Wedding Photographer

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, January 6th, 2012

The best way to avoid problems down the road is to have an open and honest discussion about your expectations in your wedding photographer and their expectations in you. To do this you need to establish a great relationship and communication with each other.
You’re not just renting wedding cameras and equipment! Your hiring a talented artist who will capture the moments you’ll treasure forever.

Photo taken by Dorothy McCuskey PBD Studios 901.359.8575

*Have a Pre-Wedding shoot! Whether an engagement or bridal session, take this time to get to know your photographer and get some of those “photo” jitters OUT!”

*Remember that a photographer is a trained professional…not a phsycic, Make sure you have a relative, friend, or possibly your coordinator available to the photographer during posed shots so that he/she can point out close family members needed for those important photographs.

*Spend time with your photographer before your wedding day. Sit down for coffee, or chat with them during your engagement and/or bridal sessions. As a photographer, I will not just show up at the wedding completely unaware of what the couple likes, their personality and ideas. As a bride or groom you should expect the same!

-Dorothy McCuskey

www.pbdstudios.net

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