Photographic Artistry » EMC Photography

Bridal pricing?!

Krystal — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:20:41 +0000

One of our beautiful brides, Julie, poses near her church in Normal, Illinois shortly after her wedding ceremony this July.

Ed and I have gone through many web pages that brides are on, and the most recent that I’ve read and really caught my attention was a woman complaining about photographers’ websites.

She had some legitimate complaints, one was some photographers just plain have bad websites. Very true. I know I’ve seen some. And I’ve shown Ed what I like and don’t like about fellow photographers sites, and I think we have made a good-looking web site.

The other gripe was, photographers not placing pricing on the web site. Well, I can see both sides of the argument, so here it goes.

I don’t want a bride, or a family, or a corporation to not call me just because the price point I have is $100 dollars higher or lower than my competition. I want them to call, or email me, because they have seen my work and would like to know more about what we do.

Every photographer is different, photography is an art and the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I’ve seen some amazing photographs, and I’ve seen a lot of OK shots that had a great subject, which made the photograph seem so much better than what it is. I’ve also seen a lot of very bad photography.

I worry that a bride is going to choose a photographer just because they were a few hundred dollars less expensive than we are. Then the day she sees her photographs from her professional photographer, she is disappointed in the results. Sorry, price does matter!

I don’t want to be the lowest bidder, I want to be the one that is within the price range they have allotted, and they love my husband’s artistic ability. I love that my brides consistently tell me how much they loved how we captured their day, and thank us for all of the effort we put into making their day go as smoothly as it did.

I do understand that having a price range is important, because if you are planning on an allotment of $800 for a full day of photographs, in our area, you are either going to get a shoot and burn photographer, or someone that is still training to become a professional photographer.

Ed and I are professional photographers, we are affiliated with major photography associations, have taken hundreds and hundreds of hours of course work and seminars to be a better photographers. Spending at least 100 hours a year in training, as well as thousands of dollars on equipment, dues, and insurance (yes, we are a business, and we are required to have insurance).

Ed and I both enjoy continuing education, Ed has spent the past four years teaching seminars and college courses to help photographers improve themselves and at the same time we are keeping up with the technology around us. I believe that real professional photographers do continuing education, with emphasis behind both the camera and the computer.

Ed has been behind a camera for more than 29 years, and I have been shooting since 1996 as a semi-pro, and moved into the professional range in the past two years.

By the way, our most popular package is includes nine hours of coverage, and it is $2500. It includes a number of things that would actually cost a lot more if they were all done a la carte.

Our prints are $22 for a standard 8×10, with canvas available starting at $145, and we do have on line viewing, and do allow our images to be placed on Facebook, we even put a few on ourselves! Our after the wedding prices are sometimes far cheaper, sometimes far more expensive, sometimes the same as our competition. But how can a bride learn that looking at just the package prices? She can’t.

I do wish brides had more time to contact more than 3 photographers, and choose the one that best suits their needs, not the lowest bidder for the day. Some brides will spends many, many hours choosing their dress. It makes a splash for just a few hours. The photography of you in your dress, timeless.

Krystal

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Terry and Laura – touring their Windy City

edvydas — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:50:13 +0000

We headed back to the friendly confines of Chicago with another fantastic couple — Terry and Laura who are getting married in just a couple of months in our neck of the woods. They live in Chicago but plan to marry in Central Illinois.

This pair of doctors are getting ready to move to Montana shortly after getting married, but wanted to be sure to tie the knot before heading west. Both of their families live in Illinois and the surrounding states and it would have been bad to go out there and then get married.

This couple is made for each other — and lots and lots of fun to work with!

They put up with me (as many of our couples do) with my suddenly stopping where we were going for a quick shot as I was (as usual) in visual overload in the city.

We did most of the shots at Jackson Park where the Osaka Japanese gardens are located and then headed for Promontory Point. Both places are special for these two — with the Point being where Terry slowed down during a walk and proposed.

I love those romantic spots!

We will be seeing them at Illinois University’s Allerton Park later this year and very much look forward to working with them again!

Pair of lovebirds captured in on the bridge and in the water while at the Japanese gardens.

Special moments near the lake

Laura pulls Terry along as they walk the paths at the beautiful Japanese gardens in central Chicago.

Laura flashes her smile as Terry has some fun

We stopped midway a tunnel to grab a quick -- and very unplanned -- shot near the Museum of Science and Industry.

Laura takes a bite out of Terry's ear while having fun at Promonotory Point at Lake Michigan

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Wow! Four years of teaching coming to an end

edvydas — Fri, 07 May 2010 01:27:21 +0000

Members of the Art 127 class don't exactly know what to do with Ed as he proceeds to play dead.

My last day of teaching at Richland (at least for now!)

My last group of students (at least for now!)

I don’t know if I’ll be back or not, so I don’t know if I should celebrate, be maudlin, rant and rave or just go out and have a party!

I officially gave notice and was replaced, I’m happy to say my business is active enough that I don’t easily have time to do this.

Four years, eight semesters and I don’t know how many students.

I don’t remember all the names — yep, still horrible with that. But I truly appreciate the fact that many of my students are still shooting and are now even earning money for doing so.

Keenan Adams (Keenan Adams Photography), Valerie Cook (Valerie Cook Photography), Mary Lehman, Jason Smalley, and so many others. They may or may not be doing it full-time. They may or may not be supported by their spouses. But, I’m very proud of all of them. There’s probably others, but not even sure who they are.

Yeah, pretty bad on this keeping in touch stuff. Always have been.

But I also hope they remember me and my classes.

I vividly recall my mentors in photography — Bill Gillette formerly of Iowa State University, Dennis Garrels formerly of United Press International, John Gaps III formerly of the Associated Press (and the guy who asked me the classic question while I was shooting of “why are you taking photos?), Ed Porter formerly of the Sioux City Journal, Tom Gapen of the Los Angeles Daily News and others.

My current “heroes” of Bob Davis, Kevin Kubota, Doug Gordon, Clay Blackmore and David Ziser. Oh, and the irrelevancy and insanity of the boys of TriCoast Photography of Texas!

Each one of these guys has completely different styles and different approaches. They all share a love of shooting from the heart. I’ve attempted, somewhat successfully I’m told, a fusion of many styles. You take what fits you.

Shooting from the heart is what it is all about for me. I have been known to wear my emotions on the outside — and I don’t consider that a disadvantage.

Absolutely no respect for the near comatose and confused!

These last four years have taught me much — and I will miss the semester long classes. I will continue to present seminars via Richland’s continuing ed program and now the Decatur Area Arts Council. So, I refuse to give up teaching entirely.

I’ve honestly learned as much from them as they might have from me. I believe that a teacher who thinks they know it all is pretty much useless. They won’t teach since they actually can’t learn. You need to constantly advance and constantly be challenged and keep striving.

Hated a DJ by the name of Casey Kasem — but loved his message — Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

I also have to give a huge round of applause to adjunct faculty. I definitely know you aren’t in this for the money. I think that when I added up the actual hours spent in class and prepping for class, I’m earning quite a bit less than I would at McDonalds or Burger King.

Yikes.

I’ve always said there is something wrong with a system where teachers are paid less than executives of companies.

Now — I do know that I’ve also created my share of headaches and pains in the ass for Richland. I’m outspoken and have a tendency to protest when I see the need. So — to those whom I’ve offended, I apologize. And get your damn act together! Oh, great now I probably need to apologize again.

So, to all my former students! Thanks for some good times! And some headaches, backaches, worries, stress. . . . Oh, right. . . .

This was supposed to be a good, goodbye!

Lindsey (#1), Abigail, Nicole, Andrea, Charles, Lindsey (#2), Tucker, me, and my wife (who I convinced to audit my final class cause I’m awful at teaching 1 on 1!) Thank to Tonya for taking these pics (now staff at Richland.)

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Engaged at Starved Rock

edvydas — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:20:32 +0000

Jennifer and Chris took a trip back to one of their favorite places at Starved Rock near Oglesby, Illinois, while seeking the photos that would say it all about their engagement.

The Chicago-couple (okay — actually Frankfurt couple but Chicago sounds much nicer to me!) found themselves all over the place in a short period of time as we attempted to capture their essence as a couple.

You could say they’re a bit in love. Well, maybe a lot in love! And the day proved to be perfect for capturing that intensity. It was a bit wet (muddy) for our trip but this did not do anything to lessen the fun.

This is the place where Chris proposed to Jennifer — and where they said they make a yearly pilgrimage. Who can resist? It is a gorgeous, gorgeous place to visit. Water, trees and lots of beauty. And they had no problems fitting in.

She teaches photography at a high school while he is a pipe fitter. I have to admit, this combination seemed a bit unusual to me. Silly me. It’s pretty obvious they were meant for each other.

They are getting married just a bit later this summer — so watch out for more photos coming in the not too distant future of this beautiful couple.

Jennifer and Chris share a moment under beautiful skies while visiting Starved Rock for their engagement session with us.

Chris can't resist just a little nibble on his bride!

Okay -- just a simple shot of this cool couple.

Who can resist a bit of time playing in the park.

A spot near Lover's Leap at Starved Rock in Illinois is a perfect destination for romance.

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HDR Imaging — A different way to capture images

edvydas — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:25:24 +0000

When teaching photography classes, I teach the absolute importance of getting exposures correct.

After all, you can immediately tell when there is a problem with an image due to bad exposure. It looks too light or too dark. And you can tell when someone has attempted to correct the problem (or let the “auto” mode on their computer software correct it.) The pictures start getting this grainy appearance. And programs like Adobe Photoshop can only make so many changes to an image before things start falling apart.

But there is one way around this — and depending on whom you speak with, it is either the greatest thing since sliced bread or just another tool of the devil. It is called High Dynamic Range photography (HDR for short).

I enjoy playing with it. What you actually do when creating an HDR image is take multiple photos of the exact same thing at different exposures. And then combine the results in programs such as Photoshop or Photomatix.

Let me explain further — when you normally shoot an image you create a single exposure. HDR depends upon your taking more images — one that is at what can be considered the correct exposure, another over exposed and then another even more overexposed. Then going the other direction and creating one that is under exposed and then even more underexposed. Five photos seems to be the common number but you can create with as few as three or as many as nine.

It does take a special program to combine the images — and I prefer Photomatix to Photoshop for this currently, but some of the changes coming to Photoshop may change my mind on this.

Now — the ideal way to capture these types of images is using a tripod. I have some strange aversion to using tripods (I think I’ve actually lost too many of them) so I try to find ways around this. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. But I find that it is possible to create something a bit different.

I’m going to post a bit more on this on my next blog, but here are some teaser photos taken this past week while on our pilgrimage to the annual WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) conference in Las Vegas! And I’ll explain further the remark of “greatest thing since sliced bread or another tool of the devil!”

If you’d like to see more, please visit our main website at EMC Photography or at Flickr

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Special New Year for Bloomington couple

edvydas — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:55:27 +0000

The day started as beautiful but cold — and stayed that way the whole way.

But you never would have guessed that if you were with us at the gorgeous Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington. We found ourselves spending a warm and cosy day working ourselves into our usual shooting frenzy on a wedding day.

Shooting our second wedding of the new year, we chronicled the day of Adrienne and Nicholas — a fabulous and fun couple. And met lots and lots of really cool people who were both family and friends of the newlyweds.

The day was the culmination of lots and lots of planning by Adrienne who found herself working without her groom — as he was away at US Army training! So, this date became even more special as he made it go right to get leave at the right time, not an easy task when part of the Armed Forces.

We are tossing up a few of the images from that day, please enjoy! We will have the full set of photos in about three weeks up and running.

Adrienne and Nicholas twirled their way through their first dance as a married couple at the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington, Illinois.

Nicholas gets a joyful and tearful hug from his new mom, Adrienne's mother, during the wedding ceremony.

Nicholas gives his bride a kiss and a dip at the Chateau.

Nick and his crew of wild and crazy groomsmen and ushers.

Adrienne and her gals made the beautiful halls of the Chateau pale in comparison.

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Ringing in the New Year with a special wedding

edvydas — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:22:26 +0000

Cold, oh yeah!

But, who cares when you have a couple getting married?

We ventured out for a New Year’s day wedding with a fantastic couple — Brooke and Matt — to the little villa of Farmer City, Illinois.

The couple, who leave near Weldon, hosted about 100 guests between their service at First Baptist Church of Farmer city and the Woodlawn Country Club. Even though temperatures were hovering in the teens (maybe colder) you could feel the warmth of their relationship. What we also very much appreciate it meeting lots of really nice people, family and friends, who attended the day’s celebration.

We will take a few weeks to get all the photos up and running, but I thought you might enjoy a bit of a preview.

Brooke's sons could not resist the urge to spend a few minutes playing hide and seek while waiting for the ceremony to begin at First Baptist Church in Farmer City, IllinoisBrooke and Matt had a few minutes free this fall during a wild harvest season (can anyone say lots and lots of rain) to get "framed" for their engagement photos.

Okay, that was a bad title -- but what can you say, finding love in a cornfield!

Brooke and Matt found a beautiful season to celebrate their wedding day.

Matt and Brooke pose outside (we were very quick!) at the Woodlawn Country Club in Farmer City, Illinois. They don't look too cold. . .

Okay, let's make this clear. No one can see what shoe's the bride is wearing. So, let's go for a bit of color and sparkly sneakers!

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Training a whole new group of photographers. . .

edvydas — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:34:15 +0000

Wow!!!!

I looked out onto a classroom that was completely full today! It seemed like every seat was filled and that is absolutely thrilling to be an instructor when that happens.

If you are wondering what I am babbling about – along with our business I also teach at Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. This is my fourth year as an adjunct (that means part-time in college-speak) faculty member.

I am so excited about this semester coming up that I can barely hold myself together. The world of digital photography continues to change so fast and so wildly that it is hard to keep up – and I have to say, when you teach photography it forces you to keep up!

When I started four years ago Photoshop CS2 was the modern program – and now we are on Photoshop CS4. No one had even heard of what has become an industry standard, Photoshop Lightroom. Cameras were topping out at 6 mB. And who would have even begun to think that digital SLRs would be producing videos that rival cameras that costs thousands more? And that just scratches the surface.

But – one of the coolest things about all this technology and all these advances, all they do is allow a photographer to do a better job faster. I don’t think there will ever come a time when photographers are not part our lives. No matter the advances of camera, it still takes a human to create an image.

I have yet to see a camera that captures the quality of the light (as I heard my friend Bob Davis say more than a few times this summer) without a photographer first seeing or creating it. Nor have I ever seen a camera pose a person so they look thin or eliminate that horrible double-chin. And lots of other things.

I have the perfect image that I’ve posted with this blog to talk about the quality of light as this gorgeous couple I shot in Bel Air, Maryland illustrates. Cool – and they were fun to work with to boot!

If I ever get a camera that can do this without my input, well, I can hang up my Nikons and fade into the sunset.

And I look forward to working with this newest crop of budding photographers on just this kind of an adventure.

Now – if only I had actually taken a photo of that classroom today! Maybe for the next post…