A few years ago, a camera manufacturer ran a series of ads on TV featuring actor Ashton Kutcher roaming about during an outdoor wedding, taking snapshots of the various attendees. Snap. Snap. Every picture beautifully lit. Every picture an artistic wonder.
Although it was obvious that Kutcher posseses only a minimum knowledge of Photography, the camera manufacturer led the viewer to believe that anyone could take incredible pictures if they just owned their brand of camera.
Wow.
It's a fun idea to get sucked in to.
Similar victims of this sort of marketing strategy may sound something like this:
"Buy these golf clubs. Hit every shot like a Pro",
or ...
"Use these pots and pans and cook like Paula Dean!"
The problems? You don't have a Pro's golf swing. You really don't know how to cook all that well.
As much as I like Ashton Kutcher as an actor, he may be partially responsible for some of the many disappointments Brides have experienced by hiring an "enthusiast", rather than a skilled Professional.
Professional Wedding Photography is very similar. A camera is a tool. It's only a tool. Having the newest and best-est, most tech-iest camera only means ... someone has a nice tool in your hands with which to create.
Similarly, when on location, I've found many homes with a beautiful piano in the living room. When asked "Who plays?", I usually find a family member with a somewhat basic, rudimentary level of skills. It's really nothing more than a pastime, and very, very few play well enough to offer their services professionally - on a wedding day. For a once in a lifetime occasion.
You've planned your day to the last nuanced letter. Now memorialize the moment with unmatched Wedding Photography from a trusted Professional.
Spring is here, and with Spring comes ... Wedding Season!
The end of April marks the official kick-off of the Wedding Season for Robert Charles Photography. (You Southerners have to realize that the temps are still only in the mid-30's as I write!) But what do you do when our featured couple has requested outdoor Engagement Photography and the ground is still ... white?
I suggested we make use of our city landmark - The State Capitol - and do something a little light-hearted. Carolyn and Brent were quickly "on board", so we set a Saturday date (around noon), warmed the car up and headed downtown.
Anytime we get the "green light" to do something different and "color outside the lines", we're usually pleasantly rewarded. Here is the image they chose for display and our "Animated Images!*" from that Engagement session in March.
Some time ago, a Bride met me at the Studio door and - before entering - emphatically quiried, "You do Photojournalism, right? Because I don't want anything posed!"
I assured her that, having photographed weddings for other studios where "PJ" was their exclusive style, I would be more than happy to "collect" images for her throughout her wedding day, if that was what she really wanted.
Relieved, she entered the RCP Studio - whereupon she saw a gorgeous portrait of "Kasey" statuesquely featured in front of a huge bank of stained glass windows. "Oooooh, that's beautiful!", she exclaimed.
Hmmmm. Should I tell her that Kasey didn't just "happen by" those windows and that the image she so liked was more than just happenstance, or say nothing? I gently told her that the large print in front of her was the result of the Bride working together with me to create something fantastic which otherwise wouldn't have been created had she only wanted "collected" images - instead of "created" images as well.
Just a few weeks ago, RCP had the oppotunity to photograph Erin & Zach's wedding. We worked together to create some beautiful images which we both loved. Why not take the time to create beautiful, mind-blowing images which you'll treasure for a lifetime? Here are a few of Erin & Zach's images:
Erin outside ... in the church
and in a close-up
Zach in the aisle Fun post-Ceremony pictures!
Erin & Zach with our "Painter's Touch* " FX
For more thoughts on "Photographer-Assisted Photography", just click on the link below
Every now and then Robert Charles Photography has the privilege to work with a family over the course of a number of years. This is the case with Jessica.
A number of years ago, we had the opportunity to photograph Jessica for her Senior Pictures. Later we created a family portrait for her family. Still later, we photographed her brother Cory's Senior Pictures. And just a few weeks ago we had the chance to photograph her wedding.
Jessica was a delight to work with! She and her (now) husband, Kyle, gave us the opportunity to create images which will be treasured for the rest of their lives. Here are some of those images:
Weddings are one of the most memorable events in a person's life, and the memories we have and share are kept fresh in our minds with incredible Wedding Day photography.
Despite the influx of photo enthusiasts eager to try their hand at preserving lifetime memories, experienced Professional Wedding Photographers offer something which new "point and shooters" cannot: Beautifully crafted images.
Just think ... a Bride will spend hour upon hour pouring over a myriad of details for her Day. And how will it be remembered? In the photographs she treasures for years to come.
Robert Charles Photography specializes in Classic, Elegant Wedding Photography by creating images which uphold a tradition of quality. Your Wedding Day deserves nothing less.
Just 2 weeks ago we photographed Robin and Jeff's June Wedding. We were happy to have played a small part in their exceptional day! Some of their images appear below.
Robin
Another look - with "Painter's Touch" Jeff - ready to go
We photographed Robin & Jeff with our And stopped at park on the way to the
If you've read earlier RCP posts, you may have read some of our Tips and Suggestions if you are planning an upcoming wedding.
Today I wanted to mention a subject which has been largely ignored, but which may be of great importance to you as you survey the myriad of options available today in Wedding Photography.
Frequently we hear future Brides ask if a High Resolution (Hi-Res) DVD comes with a Package. A Hi-Res DVD grants the Bride and Groom the right to print as many images as they desire. On its face, this sounds like a great idea; however, if you look a little deeper, you can avoid "Pitfall #11".
With the advent of Digital Capture, Brides are often deluged with a proliferation of images taken on their Wedding Day. Almost invariably, little - if anything - is done to adjust, enhance and retouch them. To do so would require 15-18 hours of studio time per wedding - and that is NOT going to happen with a large Studio which may photograph as many as 4-8 weddings in a given week. Most Studios will choose perhaps a dozen images - out of the hundreds and hundreds captured - and use those as representative samples from your wedding.
Bridal "guides" have not yet picked up on the fact that if you obtain a Hi-Res DVD of your images you will undoubtedly be receiving a "rough draft" version of your images which are not (yet) fit to be printed!
One Studio has solved this problem by placing an asterisk next to the offer for a Hi-Res DVD. When traced to the bottom of the pamphlet, the reader finds: "Studio does not warrant or guarantee the quality of images printed from this DVD".
The bottom line? Know what you are going to be receiving if you intend to print your own prints from a Hi-Res DVD!
At RCP, we take the time to adjust, enhance and retouch every image before you see them to make them "Lab-Ready". Hi-Res DVD's from RCP are manicured to bring them to the state of beauty which you expect to find in finer Wedding Photography. Here are a couple of examples from a wedding just a two weeks ago:
Here is the image our Bride received
This is the original - before enhancing and retouching.
Let me ask you: Which one do you prefer?
On a wedding day, our Brides go to great lengths to find the perfect dress, have their hair done, and pay close attention to countless nuances to make sure they look their best. Shouldn't your Wedding Images show you in the best possible light also?
Here are a couple more side-by-side images:
"Lab-Ready" image Image without enhancing and retouching
Here is the bottom line: If you are interested in obtaining a Hi-Res DVD, be sure you know what you will be receiving!
Here are some suggestions:
If you are intent on obtaining a Hi-Res DVD, avoid Photographers who "shoot and burn" or "shoot and post". These images will be in "rough draft" form and not suitable for printing
Ask your Photographer if ALL images from your Wedding Day will be adjusted, enhanced, and retouched
Be sure that all your Wedding Day images are "Lab-Ready"
If you have further questions regarding Hi-Res DVD's, feel free to email Robert Charles Photography at rcharlesphoto@tds.net . We're here to help!
A couple of weeks ago, Feng and Kenneth celebrated their recent marriage - and Feng's graduation from MSU - with a reception at the Kellogg Center on campus. They invited guests which included Professors, Classmates and Family - who came all the way from China for the occasion! After the reception we had some time to create some beautiful images of the two of them together. A few of those images appear below.
Here they are with one of their favorite images They wanted pictures in front of Beaumont Tower
so we did something a little lighthearted
An image with "Painter's Touch" !
Feng and Kenneth loved their pictures, and we were honored to have played a small part in their special day.
Robert Charles Photography provides Classic, Timeless, Elegant Wedding Photography, by combining the craftsmanship found in Traditional styles, mixed with the best in modern Photojournalism. Unlimited time and locations for those seeking to preserve their memories for years to come.
Package pricing starts at just $995 for our Introductory Package. Our Signature Package is an investment of just over $3,000, including multiple Albums, Wall Portraits, numerous enlargements - and more!
