Summer Weddings

Photographing weddings used to make me so nervous. But over the years I have come to enjoy the anticipation of the event and delight in the wedding itself. They are each so different and can be full of family tradition or be creating new traditions. Sometimes they are starting new ready-made families and when the children participate it can be so special and touching. I always love spending that one special day with each family and in some small way I'm a part of that family (for the day). And I always leave feeling like I've made new friends.

Even more wonderful for me lately is the addition of my daughter Ashley to my shooting staff. Ashley brings her artistic sense (and her BA in Animation and Media Arts) and always surprises and delights me with her finished product. So you see it's a family affair for me as well.

On Saturday, as you sleep in or mow the lawn or catch up on your shopping, I will be creating memories for a bride and a groom and their families and enjoying each and every moment. I have the best job in the world!

Happy July 4th!

Happy 4th of July to you all!

Make sure to take your camera with you wherever you're going to watch the fireworks tonight. Thanks to my good friends at one of my favorite photo labs (San Antonio Photo Lab in San Antonio Texas) I'm attaching a link to a little article on Fireworks Photography. My personal advice is tripod, tripod, tripod (or table table table). Try to put your camera on a solid surface because you will be leaving your shutter open longer than usual and it's really difficult to hold still that long.

If your camera is more of a point and shoot then look through the manual to find a "fireworks setting". If you can change the settings on your camera then you have other options.

The fireworks photograph on my website homepage was taken (handheld) at 1/5 of a second. This one is sharp and clear but there are 15 others that aren't. If you have some control over your camera then experiment. The 1/5 of a second was perfect for this shot but on other shots with more fireworks exploding at the same time it was open too long. Experiment, play...it's why we love digital because the delete button is right there and easy to use.

Here is the link. Unfortunately it doesn't take you right there from the blog so you'll have to copy and paste.

http://virtualphotographystudio.com/photographyblog/2010/07/02/fireworks-photography-tips/

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July! As always, feel free to ask me any questions about photography. I'm happy to help.