Wedding Video Styles

There are several styles of wedding videography you may choose from. We have enclosed outlines of some of the more popular styles:

• Journalistic – Similar to a documentary. The video follows the time line of the wedding.
• Cinematic – The video will convey a more dramatic representation of the wedding day. Special effects are sometimes used as well as many techniques "borrowed" from the cinema.
• Storytelling – This is a nostalgic/sentimental approach. The bride and groom might narrate part or all the video. Clips can be recorded before, during of after the wedding day.

Good videographers rarely stick to one of the above themes, rather they mix them depending on customer requirements and the "dynamics" of the wedding.

With powerful post production and video editing software, the clips from the wedding can be combined in several ways. Typical end products may include:

• Highlights –Typically less than 10 minutes long covering the important part of the wedding days. These can be also uploaded to You-tube to share with family and friends.
• Short form – These edits cover between 15-45 minutes of the most interesting bits.
• Traditional – this is a long form wedding video. There is little editing and duration can be between 2 and 3 hours.
• Photo montage –This is a slide show of the pertinent shots from the wedding, arranged in a cinematic format.
• Love story – This is the story of how the couple met, interviews with friends an family, shots of the couple walking on the beach hand in hand, culminating in vows etc. This can be done in the format of a music video.

If you are planning a wedding in Sydney, we would love to discuss your video needs. Please have a look at our website for more information and samples of our work:
http://www.photoprofessionals.com.au/

Portrait Photography

Here are a few tips for better "do it yourself" portrait photography. If you live in the Sydney area and are considering family photography (including babies, kids, pregnancy and maternity) or any other type of portrait photography, please visit us at:

www.photoprofessionals.com.au/portrait-photographers.htm

Getting your subject ready for the portrait shoot:

• Make the body and head face opposite directions.
• For male subjects: Head towards far shoulder.
• Female subjects: Head toward near shoulder.

Hands:

• Only show finger edges, not the flat part of the hand/
• Fingers should be facing away from camera
• Curve fingers a bit.
• Male hands should be closed, female should be open.
• Use opposing diagonals: ie head resting on arm; each pointing in opposite directions.
• Fingers should not be intertwined.
• Don't  rest a head on a clenched fist. It looks too aggressive.

During the portrait session:

• Do the head shots first - while your subject is still fresh. 
• Next let the subject pose naturally without instructions from you.
• Lastly do three quarter shots. Full body portraits rarely come out well.
•  For group portraits, make the group either touch hands or "overlap" each other
• Group members ideally should have similarly toned cloths, i.e. warm or cold.
• Place brightly clothed individuals in the middle.
• Position couples face to face and/or touching to convey intimacy.
• Stagger head heights.
• Pose men to the right of the frame, women to the left.
• Use negative space around couples to make the eyes focus on the subject.

Happy shooting and speak soon,

Joe

Private Photography Courses

We've been running group photography courses and workshops for a number of years now. They work well as a "general purpose" introduction to digital photography. Lately, we have been getting more and more calls for individual private lessons to cover a wide variety of topics: Anything from advanced photo composition to post production with Photoshop and Portrait Professional. We have given over 50 private lessons since late 2010 and they proved to be a hit. The student gets more out of the training (compared to group classes) and we get to know our clients better. A true Win-Win. If you are considering a group or private course in photography, please check us out at: http://www.photoprofessionals.com.au/photography-courses.htm

We also have gift certificates if you think somebody you know could benefit from our courses. You can find details at: http://www.photoprofessionals.com.au/gift-certificates.htm.

Speak soon,
Joe

Choosing your wedding photographer

We have listed a number of criteria you might want to look at when choosing your wedding photographer.
We will tell you our conclusion right now... If you are getting married in Sydney, choose us at 
http://www.photoprofessionals.com.au/

Experience - Make sure that the photographer you are choosing is a professional and not just a part time amateur ?
Style - There is no right or wrong here, it's a matter of taste. You'll know once he/she shows you a few samples...
Personality - Be certain that your personalities match.
Dress Code - Tell your photographer the dress code at your wedding.
Price - With few exceptions, you get what you pay for. But you knew that already, didn't you.
Contract - Make sure your contract is to your satisfaction and keep amending it until you are happy.
Deposits and payments? Most of the time deposits are non refundable. Confirm this with your photographer.

Consider asking the following from your photographer:

• Have you photographed any other weddings at my location?
• Will you be working with an assistant?
• Do you carry backup equipment and flash? (If not, look elsewhere).
• What time will you be arriving and leaving?
• How long will it take to receive proofs?
• Who owns the proofs?
• Do you use tele-photo and wide-angle lenses?
• How much processing / photoshopping do you use on original images?
• Do you make prints in-house or do you contract them out?

The number of questions you can ask are endless, but it's best to trust your instincts. You will probably know if a wedding photographer is for you after the first minute you talk to him/her...

Speak soon,
Joe