Upstate NY Photographer: Brave

I have a few ideas and I might use each Wednesday or Thursday to post what I feel is brave or what I see to be brave.  I want to look behind the scenes a little and try to find different perspectives.
The first thing I thought of occurred to me while I was sitting at a red light ( see all good ideas come while driving) and I watched a store owner bringing items into his store from a delivery truck on main street in the town of Middleburgh.
Brave. Brave because over a year and a half ago Main Street in Middleburgh (as well as surrounding towns) was 8 feet under water due to Hurricane Irene. We all have our own memories of that Sunday.  Main Street had been wiped out.
Fast forward with remnants of blood, sweat and many, many tears- our little town has made business happen again, homes have been ever so slowly re-establishing themselves. Our home owners, our business owners in the little town in upstate NY, well, they are brave.

Upstate NY Photographer: Brave. What Does It Mean?

 I think in my car when I drive.  Sometimes the music is on, sometimes I like the pure quiet.  However, that is where almost all my ideas start...I wonder why that is?  I love the song Brave by Josh Groban and maybe that is what got the wheels turning a little bit.

At first I was going to do a whole series on what I thought about being brave, but I decided how rich and eye opening it would be to see what others considered brave.

So here is what I want to do and I want you to join me ( I'll do this each week for May) Take the weekend to photograph and we will post entries on Amber J Photography each Wednesday!

1. What is brave to you?  No rules here.  It can be a person, place or thing. Doesn't matter. Black and white, or color.  You can be any age to submit.  (I do ask if you are submitting the photo of someone under 18, that you provide me with a parental contact number to verify publishing rights )

2. Compose 1-3 photographs that you, yourself have taken.

3. Email them to - amberjphoto@gmail.com
Include: your name
              brief description as to why you consider it a resemblance of bravery.
              twitter handle (if you have it.)
             instagram (if  you have it)



4. You do not have to be a professional, though professionals are MORE than welcome to join too. (Just let me know your studio name so I can include that)

5. I will post a series once I get at least 5 entries. Then, please tag yourself, share the concept and be blessed by the bravery of everyone that surrounds us.

6. I will do this every week for the month of May, you may enter every week with a new concept. I'm all for it.

7. In the end, because I can't help myself I will give away goodies for a bunch of reasons.  I haven't even decided yet. I am thinking composition, storyline, unique idea...I am still figuring that out.

If you have any questions feel free to email me... :)

PS: Please keep it appropriate for FB family - friendly content 

Upstate NY Wedding Photographer: Choosing a photographer must be mind numbing..

You, the soon-to-be bride and groom have a LOT going on as you plan for your up and coming wedding day. In so many ways, I envy you.  Weddings have a come a long way in the past decade or so with the internet, social media and of course, Pinterest. There are million or more choices out there and that includes wedding photographers.
It's over-whelming for me to see how many people have started there own photography business.  In a sea of facebook jump starts, I don't envy the job of pouring through countless calls for your attention.

A few simple steps could ease the pain:
1. WHO RECOMMENDS US AND WHY? Word of mouth.  Almost all of my brides have come to me by recommendations from either a friend or a venue I have worked for.  Ask around. If you already have your venue booked, ask the venue director. Chances are they are not going to recommend someone who they don't feel will suit their couples.
On a secondary note, if someone recommends a photographer, find out why.  Do they have first hand experience with the distinguished work of a certain wedding photographer or are they simply recommending their best friend, daughter or cousin? Know the source.

2. PORTFOLIO INVESTIGATION? Look over their online portfolio. As you are looking through, decide what you LIKE about a certain portfolio.  Is it their candid style? Is it their detail shots? Are they portraying a certain artistry you enjoy?

3. A PHONE CALL INSTEAD OF EMAIL? Call. Get on the phone first with your photographer. You may be able to tell right away if their personality will fit yours and believe it or not, that is vital to a successful telling of your wedding day story.

4. WHY A CONSULT?  Your photographer should always be willing to meet you in person.  Rarely will I book with a bride who I don't have a face to face consult with.  We need to talk and get to know each other a little, after all I am going to be with you every step of your wedding day... that's a big deal!

5.  WHY CAN'T I FIND PRICES ONLINE?
Most photographers are pulling their price list from their sites. Why? For me personally, I would not want to be passed over or judged on my services based on my price list.  It is the last point I discuss with a bride simply because I want to know what a couple wants in a photographer first.  There is a relationship that needs to be established that goes far beyond just a hired service.  I need to be the right photographer for you, not just a piece that fits in the budget process. After all, I am re-telling the priceless story of your wedding day!!!  Price points are always important, but should not be your only deciding factor :)

Always check and ask about insurance, experience and legit business standing. A photographer should always, at the very least have a DBA (doing business as) in their county and insurance.  An official facebook page is not proof of business. ASK!

Those are just a few ideas as you begin looking for the wedding photographer that is right for you.
Happy planning!!!!!

Upstate NY Photographer: Burlap? Who Knew?

I saw a post, then another, then another all on how burlap can be incorporated into a rustic and chic wedding. So, instead of coming up with a post all on my own, I figured I would list a few links that I liked!

A unique post by Emmaline Bride here focuses on a variety of uses for burlap.  It gives ideas on shoes, save the dates, and weddings.  So cool! But it is definitely for the hands on bride.

 

 

 

 

source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another cool showcase for accenting the archway or altar was to use burlap as featured here on Wedding Chicks. 

Last but not least!!!!  THIS wedding entertained an entire burlap theme!!! Check it out on one of my favorite blogs... Rustic Wedding Chic.

Enjoy!!!

Upstate NY Photographer: I'm No Tattoo Artist...

Being a professional photographer has a catch.  It's that whole word "professional". That moment when you want your clients to realize you have it together, you know how to produce amazing  images and yet connect with them on a personal level.
Before vacation wrapped me up in sunshine, I met with an adorable couple in the little town of Roxbury, NY.  From minute one it started to unravel with professionalism slowly leaking from all areas of what should compose a meeting between photographer and client.
1. The client ran super late (that happens)
2. Client got a little lost maneuvering some roads to their venue prior to meeting me, even later.
3. Absolutely no cell service in this cute little town. None. I was cut off.
4. All little cafes and restaurants CLOSED by the time we met up that Sunday afternoon.

Therefore our little client meeting took place on a bench outside of a shop on Main Street.  It was a little chilly, but not intolerable, but still everyone was a little frazzled by the time things began.  The meeting was lighthearted, but it started to get uncomfortable when a wayside pedestrian become very interested in our conversation and decided to comment... a lot. Insert many polite smiles and absolutely no where to go and hide.

Unraveling continues.

I was beginning to think, there is no way this meeting is going to solidify a great relationship - everything is going downhill.

It got worse.

In my final goodbyes and thanking them for their time, the wayward pedestrian couldn't resist asking if I was some sort of artist.
I concurred.
"Are you a tattoo artist?" We all stopped and looked at him, there were no words.
"No, sir, I am just a wedding a photographer."  JUST a wedding photographer? Like that is sublimely inferior to a tattoo artist?
"Could you take pictures of dogs and make them into tattoos?"  He was serious. The conversation was getting worse and my cute little couple just stood there watching the whole thing - nearly as confused as I was.
"No sir, I don't do tattoos. At. all."
He continued on his way (with his little dog tucked under his arm) and I looked at my couple and asked..."Is there something about me that screams dog tattoo artist?"
Hysterical laughter commenced and the most awkward client meeting in history went down in the books.
And yes, I will be photographing their wedding this July.

Upstate NY Photographer: Don't Give Up

I try to find something inspirational every day. Perhaps it's better said, that you can find inspiration when you are looking for it.  This video has been seen by millions, because it invokes such a sense of emotion and stirs something inside us that we tend not to feel very often.
Dreams are possible, faith is necessary, love conquers all....we dig the quotes, but I'm not sure there is true belief in them..until we see something like this happen.
Then.
We are reminded of the very beautiful possibilities we have before us.  He didn't win a medal, but he won hearts.  I can't tell who won the Olympic medals that year...but I know Derek Redmond.

Upstate NY Photographer: A Bride Made Me Think...

I limited myself on explaining a few aspects of why we are turning our attention to rustic, chic and country weddings.  The first and foremost reason is because I absolutely adore them and when you combine photography and passion, you can help but produce something filled with excitement and love.
However, the less romantic side of it all comes down to the technical aspects of barn and farmhouse weddings.  Lighting.
A bride came to me this week with an inquiry about her wedding in a nearby barn style venue. Her main question was about the lighting and if I would be able to photograph there. Honestly, I am not used to those kind of questions from brides, so it was cathartic for me to answer her.
Now, I know most venues for receptions and churches offer less than stellar lighting.  The most challenging, by far are the old dark barns and sweet farmhouses that cast very little flattering light.
The romantic wood planks and high wooden archways that enhance the fairytale atmosphere can plummet a photographers ability to capture the enchantment.
I have focused my energy in the past few months to become proficient in photographing at these types of venues. It's necessary.  With venues stretching from Albany, Oneonta, Roxbury, Hudson and Lake George this was something I was noticing not being done very well!

Nothing should stop you from having the most romantic country wedding ever...just make sure you have a photographer that knows how to showcase it from the camera ;)