Why I Love--No, Loathe--Photoshop

"You can Photoshop that out, right?" 
"My shirt is wrinkly, can you Photoshop that out?" 
"Can you fix my eye in Photoshop? I just don't like how this one is smaller than the other one." 
"Can you whiten my teeth in Photoshop?" 
"He fell and skinned his knee yesterday, can you Photoshop that out?"
"I hate how fat I am right now, can you Photoshop me skinnier?"
"I like my [son's/daughter's/husband's] expression, but I don't like my smile. Can you Photoshop me smiling better?"

No, no, and no.

Once we stop expecting perfection, we can begin enjoying our memories again.

Photoshop can be a photographer’s best friend. While it’s every photographer’s goal to “get it right in camera,” we all know it doesn't happen ALL of the time. The lighting changed so quickly when that super cute glance between mother and son happened, we didn’t have time to change the settings. We’re photographing by a window and further inside the (very dark) room something adorable happened between dad and daughter that we didn’t want to miss—Photoshop allows us to save that memory in post-processing, even if we messed up the settings in the camera. 

We can enrich our photos by cropping and making the colors more vibrant and crisp. Photoshop is amazing for photo enhancement. It adds that bit of extra “oomph” that you just can’t get in camera, no matter if you have a $300 camera, or a $3500 camera. It’s that “final touch” that makes it just perfect. 

Photoshop is great for being creative. I LOVE taking an image and making it a piece of art by using textures, filters and actions. 

But I photograph weddings and families. I help people preserve their memories. A memory should remain untouched.

I loathe Photoshop. If it didn’t exist, as a photographer of memories, I’d be OK with that. 

Don't get me wrong. It takes every ounce of self-control for me to NOT Photoshop out my flaws. Extra baby weight in my chin and arms, too-small eyebrows, weird tooth in my smile… things that no amount of posing or other techniques can fix in camera. But I don’t Photoshop it. Why? Because as soon as I fix those “flaws,” it’s no longer a photo of ME. Abby and Liam will look back at that photo and think I was someone different when I was “younger.” As much as it annoys me to see some of these things in myself, I want them to be able to look back and see their real mommy, not the mommy that I WANT them to see. Not the person that I “wish” I was.

The sky wasn’t colorful during a wedding that I photographed? I’m not going to insert a fake sky just for kicks. That’s not how the day was, so I don’t want the bride and groom to look back in 30 years to “remember” it that way! I want the couple to remember it exactly as it was, grey skies and all. Camera tricks? Sure. Using cool lighting techniques to make a unique photo? Definitely. But what you'll see in the end is still an actual photograph.

I’m a photographer. To me, a photograph represents that exact moment in time. That’s what I set out to capture. Moments in time. Mommy’s with their babies, husbands with their new wives, families playing together. Photography isn’t about photographing perfect people—it’s about photographing perfect moments. 

So the next time you begin say to your photographer, “You can Photoshop that out, right?” just remember, it’s a photograph, and it’s the memory that you’re capturing. Memories aren’t perfect, and neither are we. So I'll say it again. Once we stop expecting perfection, we can begin enjoying our memories again.

Why an Amateur Photographer for your WEDDING is a Bad, Bad Idea

“My uncle has a nice camera, he offered to photograph my wedding for me.” 

“My friend is trying to get in to photography and said she’d photograph my wedding for free.” 

“I don’t have it in the budget to pay for an expensive photographer.” 

All seem reasonable enough, and your uncle/friend/other non-professional person are only trying to help. They mean well—really. But this could be one of the biggest mistakes you’ll make when it comes to your wedding.

There’s tons of photographers to choose from, from amateur to professional. Some who are just starting out, others who’ve been in the business for years, and still others who are willing to do “favors” for your wedding day. Of all the things that you can choose an amateur for, photography is NOT the place to risk your wedding day on. After all, once the flowers have wilted, the cake has been eaten, and the dress has been put away, your photos (and videos) are the only thing left to help you relive the most important day of your life. Hiring a professional to capture these memories is probably the most important decision you can make when wedding planning. 

Below are my top 4 reasons to hire a professional photographer (and videographer) instead of an amateur:

Missed Shots

Professional photographers have photographed many weddings and know the general gist of how things will flow, and what important things to look for in each wedding. While every wedding is different, professionals are CONSTANTLY observing their surroundings to ensure they capture the essence of the day. While it’s technically impossible to get a shot of every single thing that happened that day, the professional will be sure to preserve the best memories for you. 

Quality

Professionals spend a lot of time and money on keeping their gear up to date and top of the line. This means they can work in almost any kind of lighting situations (low-lit churches? bright, sunny days? No worries here!) but an amateur photographer’s equipment may not be able to handle many of these situations, ESPECIALLY when the lighting is scarce. It takes high-quality equipment (and the knowledge on how to use it!) to capture events under different lighting situations. Oh, they bought the Canon Mark 5Diii? Shooting in “auto” mode will produce pretty much the same results as a low-end camera model if they don’t know how to work it.

Helpfulness

Professional photographers will ensure that your day goes smoothly, regardless of whether that’s in their “job description” or not. There’s been numerous times that I’ve had to deliver rings, pin boutonnieres, and handle situations that others may not be willing to do.

What they Can Offer You Afterwards

After the vows have been said and the last dance has been danced, a professional photographer busily gets to work on your photos. Photos, especially wedding images, are not meant to live on a CD or USB for the rest of your life. They’re meant to be displayed, shared, and put neatly in to an album. Sure, you can print from Shutterfly, but the quality will not be there, and who knows how long they will last. Professionals can offer your high-quality prints, canvases, albums, and design services than an amateur simply can not. These photos are meant to last your entire lives, and be passed on to your children and grandchildren. These memories deserve professional treatment.

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Next Week...

We're winding down on the weekly tips blog posts. Is there anything YOU still have questions on?? Email me!

About Blueprint Photography

Blueprint Photography is owned by Jamie Lapsley and located in Newark, DE. I photograph in the DE/MD/PA/NJ regions often, and have travel options available, as well. I've been photographing weddings for over 5 years, but studying photography for 15 years. I have a growing family, including my husband of five and a half years, my two year old daughter, Abby, and my soon-to-be-baby-boy, Liam! We have two dogs and two cats that love to greet brides and grooms at the door when coming for a consultation to discuss your wedding.

Get in Touch!

WEBSITE: http://blueprint-photography.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/blueprintphotographyde

EMAIL: info@blueprint-photography.com

PHONE: 302-668-6058

Big Studio vs. The Little Guys

There's tons of photographers to choose from when thinking about who will be the one to capture the biggest day of your life. Some photographers will independently own their own company, and others will work for a larger, high-volume studio. How do you decide who to choose? As an independent photographer myself, I obviously see the extreme benefits of hiring one of the little guys; however, I can also see the benefits of choosing to hire a large company with multiple photographers. In the end, you are the one who determines which route is best for you. What are you willing to give up on one end to gain on the other? I found this thread on WeddingWire.com from a few years back, where a bride was wondering the same thing. The responses to her question by far lean towards the independent photographer, with the explanations coming directly from past brides themselves. But nonetheless, here's my breakdown on the selection of the Big Studio vs. The Little Guys for your wedding photography:

Getting to Know Your Photographer (and them getting to know you!): 
    When it comes to comfort levels, I can tell you that being in front of the camera is not high up on the list of most comfortable or easy things to do. It's certainly awkward having someone tell you to kiss or laugh like you mean it, while pointing a camera at you. This is why this category, hands down, belongs to independent photographers. The little guy will take the time to get to know you. Most small photography businesses will offer engagement sessions as your "practice" session, to get out those awkward moments. And you get that session with the actual person that will be there on your wedding day. I tell my brides and grooms it's more of a time for us to get to know each other, so when the big day comes, you can relax, and get the images that you've dreamt of. One of the first things I hear people claim about my work is how natural everyone looks. That's because I've taken the time with them to get to know them! Many big studio companies won't let you meet or talk to the photographer until a week or so before hand. Sure, some will let you "choose" which photographer you want on your wedding day. I've heard of several companies that wait to tell you the name of the person that will be photographing your wedding that week!

Personalized Service:
    This one, again, goes to the independent photographer. You will be speaking directly with the photographer, in most cases, when you hire an independent photographer for your wedding day. This company is most likely the photographer's baby, raised from infancy, and you'd better believe that someone who has invested so much of his own time to grow a business will be sure to take excellent care of you! The independent photographer will take the time to find out your likes, dislikes, have conversations, respond to questions (as silly as you think they may be!), give advice, work on posing, and be sure that your wedding day flows smoothly. (Even if it means taking on tasks that aren't in the job description--sewing bra straps to a bridesmaids dress? Been there. Pinning boutonnieres on groomsmen? Done that. Helping to coordinate when things take a turn in the wrong direction? You betcha.) As an independent photographer, I'm also there to ensure that your day is as stress-free and smooth as possible, because I care about your wedding. A photographer that is sent from a big studio MAY do some of these things, but as someone who has not invested as much time in you or your event, they may only see the paycheck side of things. If they're not being paid to do it, why bother?
    On the other side of personalized service,  an independent photographer will carefully examine all of your images, making sure each one is as perfect as it can be. Big studios usually have someone else do the editing. Now you've had someone who doesn't know you photograph your wedding, and someone who wasn't even there is editing your priceless images. Sigh.

Cost:
    Ok, the big studios win this one. Because of their high-volume intake, larger photography studios are usually able to offer their services at lower costs. Can't really argue there. Independent photographers have to pay for everything themselves, and since they can't handle the large volumes that a big studio can, there's much less income to offset these costs. But, you get what you pay for. ;)

Back-Up Emergencies:
    Again, big studios will win this one. With so many photographers on deck, should the assigned photographer to your wedding day have something tragic happen, they can send a replacement. While many independent photographers surround themselves in the industry and have other photographer friends that they can probably call on, it is a risk that needs to be considered. But reverting back to the personalized service of it all, I can guarantee that an independent photographer will do everything he or she can to ensure that they are there for your day. We will bend over backwards to ensure that we are there to see your day through, where as a big studio photographer may just "call out" and find a replacement, instead.

Quality, Style and Knowledge/Experience:
    This one is a tough category to select a real "winner," because photographers come at all ability levels and styles. Many big studio photographers work there part-time, or for fun. Photography may not be a passion for them as it is for an independent photographer, or it may be a way for them to "learn the industry" before branching out on their own. Independent photographers may invest their time in to constantly learning their craft, to ensure that your images are top quality. You may like the style you see from a big studio, but how do you know you'll get the photographer that shot that particular wedding that you liked? The quality may look good, but will it be consistent? How much knowledge will a big studio photographer really have? Remember, just because they've shot 100 weddings that year (experience), doesn't mean they have the knowledge to produce timeless images. But on the flip side, the same can go for independent photographers. Are they willing to invest their own time and money in to knowledge? Have they invested in the right quality equipment? At least you'll know one thing with the independent photographer, and that is if you like what you see when you meet with them, you can bet you'll end up with that style of photos for your own day.




Next Week...

Why hiring an amateur photographer could cost you more than your bargained for.

About Blueprint Photography

Blueprint Photography is owned by Jamie Lapsley and located in Newark, DE. I photograph in the DE/MD/PA/NJ regions often, and have travel options available, as well. I've been photographing weddings for over 5 years, but studying photography for 15 years. I have a growing family, including my husband of five and a half years, my two year old daughter, Abby, and my soon-to-be-baby-boy, Liam! We have two dogs and two cats that love to greet brides and grooms at the door when coming for a consultation to discuss your wedding.

Get in Touch!

WEBSITE: http://blueprint-photography.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/blueprintphotographyde

EMAIL: info@blueprint-photography.com

PHONE: 302-668-6058

You're Engaged!! Now What??

Congratulations! You're engaged! Get out the notebooks, get out the planning guides, and start scouring the internet. Your wedding can be as elaborate or as simple as you'd like. But where should you start? There's so much to plan and organize, no matter how simple you may want your wedding to be, that it can be confusing trying to figure out which vendors to book immediately, and which you can take your time finding.

It may have been almost 6 years since I was wedding planning for myself, but as a photographer, I interact with tons of different wedding vendors over the course of the year. We have the opportunity to have many conversations, and I'd love to share some insight as to the order of planning that I've found to be helpful to most brides.

What to book first:

THE VENUE!!! This is a MUST! You may have decided that your wedding date will be May 6, 2017, but have you secured that date with a venue yet? If the venue that you've claimed is "the one" doesn't have it available, then you might need to reconsider your date. Most other vendors will need to know that this date is locked in and secured before they can guarantee availability for your wedding.

Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Photo by Blueprint Photography

After you've booked with your venue and your date is secured, the next suggestions I have is to book your photographer, DJ, and caterer (if needed). These wedding vendors often book a year or more in advance. This is something that surprises many brides and grooms that I meet. But yes--it's true. I'm booking into summer of 2017 already. That's almost a year and a half away!

Do you want a DJ that will interact with the crowd? Or one that let's things roll as they are?
Photo by Blueprint Photography

What to book 6-12 months in advance:

Once you've settled on the venue, photographer, DJ and caterer, you can relax a little bit (but not too much just yet). If you want a videographer, this is probably the next vendor to book. Video is no longer a luxury as it once was. It's becoming very in-demand, and videographers are booking almost as quickly as still photographers. If you're set on having video, don't wait more than 6-12 months from your wedding date!

You'll also want to choose your wedding dress. Most bridal boutiques recommend 9-12 months to order the dress, have it shipped in, and make the necessary alterations. Some boutique owners I've spoken with say it can be done in 6 months, but that's still risky, in my opinion. Once your dress is taken care of, it's time to pick out your bridesmaids dresses and groom's tuxes. They can take just as long at some boutiques as a wedding dress to come in, and your girls will also need time to get their alterations completed, as well.

Photo by Blueprint Photography

4-6 months in advance:

While it's always recommended to book your vendors ASAP, there are a few that will most likely be able to accommodate your wedding date in a shorter amount of time. Booking with a florist, the salon, and the bakery for your cake can happen around this time (and sometimes even later in the planning process). These vendors are often able to take on several weddings and clients for the same weekend, so you don't need to worry about your date being "available." But as mentioned, the sooner the better, as I'm sure they'd like to plan ahead, as well!

Photo by Blueprint Photography

And finally, picking out your shoes and your nail salon can come closer to the end, as well. Unless your shoes need to be dyed, you most likely will not need to wait for them. And for nails--just be sure to schedule an appointment a week or two in advance at your nail salon so you're not having to wait hours for your turn.

Don't forget about these other important details! (but they aren't necessarily vendors):

Photo by Blueprint Photography

Purchase your rings well in advance incase they need to be ordered or resized.
Save the Dates should be sent 9-12 months in advance, and invitations should be sent 8-12 weeks in advance. Each card will require ordering time, so keep this in mind when planning!
Check with your state on marriage license laws. Some states have a certain time frame that you must apply for your marriage license.
If you're traveling after your wedding for your honeymoon, check your passports!! (Trust me on this one. I speak from experience!!)

Please note...
While I am not a wedding planner, my brides and grooms often look to me for advice, since I am constantly enveloped in the wedding world. These are estimated time frames, and you should speak specifically with each vendor to determine their exact recommended time frames. Each vendor is different with different requirements for time needed. This is just a guide from my experiences in working with these vendors. I haven't had the opportunity to meet ALL vendors available, so each business may have a different response!

WHY do photographers cost so much? How do I know what to spend?

It's true. GOOD photography can cost an arm and a leg. But why? Aren't they just there for a few hours, snapping photos, and burning you a disk? Sure, that takes no time or experience at all, right?

Image copyright: Blueprint Photography

Wedding photographers can range in price from under $1k to $10k and beyond. So why the huge cost differences? When it boils down to it, my honest answer is: experience and quality. It's up to you to determine what your priority is when it comes to photography. I'd highly recommend someone with experience, who is current with the times, and has high-quality equipment to capture moments in any sort of situation. These are the images that will tell your story to your children, your grandchildren, great-grandchildren... (you get my point). There's tons of blogs and wedding articles on this topic, but here's my take on the whole thing.

WHY do photographers cost so much?

Business Expenses
All photographers, regardless of their experience or quality levels, have certain expenses that come with running their business. The same goes for restaurants, retail stores, hair salons... the list goes on. If we can't pay the business expenses, then there is no business (and we get in a lot of trouble with the law! No good.) Photographers, whether employed by a large photography company, or self-employed, have a lot of taxes to pay. There's not only personal taxes, which you're familiar with from your own income, but business taxes on top of that. Your photographer should also be licensed and insured. Have you asked them about that? Most venues will not allow a photographer without a business license or insurance to work at their location.

Equipment and Products
In general, the photographers with the higher quality equipment (and the knowledge to use it), and products will come at a higher price range than those who use equipment which may not be professional grade, and they may or may not know the in's and out's of their equipment, or who offer mediocre products. Just to shoot a wedding, a photographer with the highest-quality wedding gear is probably at any given time carrying $10k worth of equipment. That's not to mention all of the back up gear they need to have on the sidelines, because what if something goes wrong? They can't just say, "Sorry, I couldn't finish the rest of your wedding because my one camera broke." We need to maintain this equipment, be able to get replacements on the fly, and have it serviced yearly to keep it in tip-top shape. On top of the equipment, the products that you receive from your wedding (the albums, the canvases, the prints) can cost a photographer an arm and a leg to purchase for you. A good photographer will have done their research and tested the products to find the ones they like best. Your wedding deserves only the highest quality products to last for that lifetime and beyond, and they can cost a pretty penny. 

Time
Ah, here's a very misconceived topic. Many people are unaware of the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to photograph a wedding. Sure, you see me working for 8-10 hours. So you might think, "$200/hour for my photographer??? They sure do make bank!" (I wish.) Before your wedding day even arrives, I've probably already put in 8-10 hours for just your day alone. And I will put in an additional 30+ hours on the back end to ensure your images are top quality and ready to preserve forever. The less the photographer costs, the more likely it is that they are not spending the amount of time ensuring your images are perfect.

Knowledge
For this section, I have come across the perfect story. 

Legend has it that Pablo Picasso was sketching in the park when a bold woman approached him.
“It’s you — Picasso, the great artist! Oh, you must sketch my portrait! I insist.”
So Picasso agreed to sketch her. After studying her for a moment, he used a single pencil stroke to create her portrait. He handed the women his work of art.
“It’s perfect!” she gushed. “You managed to capture my essence with one stroke, in one moment. Thank you! How much do I owe you?”
“Five thousand dollars,” the artist replied.
“But, what?” the woman sputtered. “How could you want so much money for this picture? It only took you a second to draw it!”
To which Picasso responded, “Madame, it took me my entire life.”

A photographer, just as with ANY profession, must learn, and continue to learn. Teachers attend professional developments monthly. Mechanics, electricians, restaurant wait-staff--all must first learn their trade, and then continue to improve upon it. The same goes for photographers. The saying "you get what you pay for" can not be more true in this instance. And I get it--everyone starts somewhere. But that's where it's up to you, the bride and groom, to determine if you're willing to risk the sacrifice of missing out on some great shots (what if it's dark after the ceremony? What if it's raining and all photos need to be moved indoors? Will your photographer know how to handle this?)

Image Copyright: Blueprint Photography

As a past bride myself, I know how difficult of a decision it can be to spend money, and on what. I get it! But the images that your photographer provides you with are the lasting memories that stay with you forever. Keep that in mind when shopping for your photographer for the big day!

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Next Week...

Next week we'll discuss the order of planning. What should you book first? What can wait a few months to begin planning?

About Blueprint Photography

Blueprint Photography is owned by Jamie Lapsley and located in Newark, DE. I photograph in the DE/MD/PA/NJ regions often, and have travel options available, as well. I've been photographing weddings for over 5 years, but studying photography for 15 years. I have a growing family, including my husband of five and a half years, my two year old daughter, Abby, and my soon-to-be-baby-boy, Liam! We have two dogs and two cats that love to greet brides and grooms at the door when coming for a consultation to discuss your wedding.

Get in Touch!

WEBSITE: http://blueprint-photography.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/blueprintphotographyde

EMAIL: info@blueprint-photography.com

PHONE: 302-668-6058

So much to do, so little time!

Just engaged? Congratulations! But, now what? There's so much to do to plan a wedding, and it can be overwhelming at times. As a photographer, I'm often asked for advice on not only photography, but planning, as well. I wanted to share my thoughts on a few things over the next few weeks to help YOU get a better understanding of planning the biggest day of your life to date!

In the post, we'll talk about what questions to ask your potential photographer, and some products you may want to receive from your chosen photog. Each week will be something different, so keep in touch!

What's your photography style?

What  questions should I ask when looking for the perfect photographer?

There's SO much that you should find out from your potential wedding photographer before hiring them for your big day. When I meet with brides and grooms, I do my best to answer all of these questions during our conversations, but sometimes they just get left out of our discussion! Here's my list of TOP TEN things you NEED to know about your photographer (in no particular order):

1. Will YOU be my photographer for the day, or will you be sending someone else?
2. How long have you been photographing weddings?
3. What is your shooting style?
4. Are you insured?
5. What deposit do you require, and what are the payments like?
6. What is your working style like? (Do you try to blend in?)
7. What kind of equipment do you use? 
8. How long until my images are ready to be viewed, and can I share the images with my guests?
9. Can I have assistant photographers or second photographers included in my package price?
10. Will we have an engagement session before the wedding?

There's SO many more important things to ask your photographer. Brides.com has compiled a great list of screening questions.Check out that list here!

What will I receive from my wedding photography collections?

Each photographer that you meet with will have his or her own collections and pricing, along with different products that you can choose from. There's a long list of items that you might want from your wedding photography, including a professionally designed wedding album, the USB of edited images with printing rights, photo prints/canvases/other display products... the list goes on and on!

The most important thing is to decide for yourselves what YOU want, and then see what your photographer has to offer (or if they are able to customize a certain product for you). 

As a wedding photographer and past bride myself, I feel that the top three most important things that every wedding couple should have are:
• A wedding album (not one printed from Shutterfly, but a professionally designed, professionally printed album)
• The USB of edited images (Good for sending copies to family and friends, and for creating scrapbook memories from the images that may not have been included in the album)
• Professional prints for your wall (These are your heirloom images. Prints from Shutterfly or Walgreens will NOT last you a lifetime!)

Next week... Next week I'll be answering that burning question that you know you want to ask, but most probably don't... WHY do photographers cost so much??? Feel free to send me your thoughts on this topic!

About Blueprint Photography Blueprint Photography is owned by Jamie Lapsley and located in Newark, DE. I photograph in the DE/MD/PA/NJ regions often, and have travel options available, as well. I've been photographing weddings for 5 years, but studying photography for 15 years. I have a growing family, including my husband of five and a half years, my two year old daughter, Abby, and my soon-to-be-baby-boy, Liam! We have two dogs and two cats that love to greet brides and grooms at the door when coming for a consultation to discuss your wedding. Get in touch! WEBSITE: http://blueprint-photography.com FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/blueprintphotographyde EMAIL: info@blueprint-photography.com PHONE: 302-668-6058

Corinn & Dondi [Kennett Square, PA Wedding Photographer] Longwood Gardens Engagement Session

Corinn and Dondi were such a fun couple to photograph! We got through all of our "necessary" photos with plenty of time left, and they were so open to the fun photos. They will be getting married right after Thanksgiving--I can't wait!

For more information on Blueprint Photography's weddings, visit my Weddings page, and then email me at info@blueprint-photography.com to set up a consultation. I'm currently booking 2015 and 2016 weddings.