I just want to take a quick moment and share something with you. I have hesitated to write on this subject for quite some time. In part, I simply did not want this to come across as a whinning, however at this point I believe not relaying this information to you could be harmful for anyone that needs professional photography in the future. Recently a client called us about pricing and purchase options. Often times clients do not realize that they are often comparing apples to oranges. I explained to her that there are many options, however if you do not choose our studio then be sure to choose another studio that belongs to the Professional Photographers of America and here is why.
Why is being a member of Professional Photographers of America so important?
Education. A PPA photographer abides by ethical practices as well as consistent education. Becoming a member is the first step, but next a member can work toward degrees. Photographers submit work to a group of his or her peers that are photographic judges. A photographers work must meet rigorous scrutiny and standards. Through many competitions and classes, a professional photographer reaches the level of Master photographer after obtaining 25 merits. There is also a board exam that one must take to be considered a "certified professional photographer." Your photographer should at least be certified. I am certified and hold the Master certificate as well as the Craftsman degree.
Unlike many fields of employment, anyone with a business license and a camera kit from Costco can call themselves a professional photographer. Add a website and a cell phone and they are in business. Always be leery of someone that is willing to meet you at a coffee shop. They take your money, shoot a handful of images and burn them to a cd. Suddenly it's your responsibility to retouch, color correct and order your images.
I recently had a bride that brought me a cd of images from her shoot and burn photographer. She asked us to create a wedding album for her. I told her I would try but I needed to see the quality of the images. MY HEAVENS! One of the most important days in her life and she had several images that were over exposed, under exposed, and just plain not good. I did manage to assemble an album after lots of design time and photoshop corrections. Photoshop is for enhancing and improving, not for resurrection of a poor image. Yes, it can do many wonders but it can not do everything. The old saying we were taught in photography school was "get it right in the camera" still holds true in the digital age as it did in film days.
This is a sweet couple that it is getting married in June of 2010. These are some great images from todays session at Piedmont Park and on location In Dacula back at the studio. Guys, thank you so much for a great session. I can not wait to make the wedding images!
By the way, you can not take a car or motorcycle into Piedmont Park anymore. We got very few photos at the park and then security fussed at us and we asked for forgiveness and were quickly shown the gate to exit the bike. We took the bike out and came back in without it. Afterwards we took it back to the studio for a shoot. But we got that skyline didn't we guys!
No this is not Scott & Kayla's wedding, but perhaps someday. Scott and Kayla modeled for us today. This was a scheduled photo shoot to create some portfolio images for advertising and magazine use. They did an awesome job for us even in the August heat. Thanks Scott & Kayla!!!
Here are some more images from Mike & Whitney's wedding. These are a few favorites that we made.
The one by the fountain is when they saw each other for the first time. Let me tell you this makes a tremendous difference in the number of bride and groom photos that can be taken at a wedding as well as calming the nerves for both the bride and the groom when they can have that special moment together. Although this location was pretty neat in that there friends where looking through the window excited and happy for them as they first saw each other. North Metro First Baptist has a wonderful inner garden and fountain area. The other image is a great image that Jessica likes to create by focusing on the flowers and letting everything else behind that go out of focus.
A bride and her daddy! Tough but happy moment for dad.
This past Saturday we did a wedding at North Metro First Baptist Church. This is a great shot of the bridesmaids. We asked them to jump as high as they could. I love the way it turned out. The little flower girl on the end is my daughter and the bride is Whitney Smith, my best friends daughter. I will post more photos when the bride and groom return from their honeymoon. This wedding was a blast and I can't wait to post more images.
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