Wall Bounce

Just a quickie....all I want to say is that I was a ceiling bouncer (bounced my external flash off of the ceiling) before in indoor low light situations, but now, I'm trying to be more of a wall bouncer. Way less raccoon eye. If you don't have a big white wall to bounce off of, you can use a reflector or even someone wearing a white shirt:)

This was my first try...too much flash but you get the idea. Just dial it down a bit. Please excuse my model. He wanted to yawn for the picture. Very attractive, Kai. I had also tried doing one with Gary but yawning Kai is more attractive than sick Gary:)

Light Reading

Currently reading `Captured By the Light' by David A. Ziser (check out his blog, updated daily). So far, so good! Always a ton more to learn and if we could improve in one area, this is it for sure.

I'm Sure Your DSLR Is Nifty But...

Okay, I hope this doesn't sound mean but I just need to let the general public know about a few things. Generally, everyone is very courteous and follows the unspoken `rules'. There are some great photographers attending weddings who are guests and are super respectful and aware of our roles. I would say that 99% of people are really wonderful at being aware of our time, where we are, and what we do.

I know everyone has a snazzy (or nifty!) DSLR now and there are SO many cameras at weddings. I know you want to practice and capture the moment and see what your camera can do, but, there are a few things to keep in mind. As I have photographed a wedding or two (18 this year) there are a few things that drive me bonkers.

1. Yes, you have a nifty DSLR that I'm sure takes great pictures BUT you shouldn't be standing up in the middle of the aisle taking pictures during the ceremony. Especially not standing up, or putting your camera in front of mine, during the kiss or vows etc. Unless you're a grandpa, then you can do it (I'm only saying that because a cute grandpa did that last weekend:)

2. Yes, I'm sure you have a nifty DSLR but you probably don't need to have your camera on continuous rapid shutter, especially during the vows or a prayer or something. Kind of distracting to the guests, don't you think? And really, are you going to post 50 pictures of the exact same thing to facebook?

3. Yes, I'm sure you have a nifty DSLR but do you really need to take 100 pictures, with direct flash, during the first dance or cake cutting?! Kind of blows out some of our photos, in case you were wondering! One or two pictures are fine.

4. Yes, I'm sure you have a nifty DSLR but family photo time is family photo time. It's not `Hey, everyone in the family, grab a camera and let's take pictures of all the family combos!!!'. You can get a photo later from the bride and groom. Or, you can hide off to the side and quietly take one. Thanks!

5. Yes, I'm sure you have a nifty DSLR with lots of ideas for photos but unless you are my husband, the mother of the bride, the bride and groom, or in the wedding party, I don't need your advice on where to stand or what YOU think would be a great picture. I'm not trying to sound conceited, I just get a lot of unsolicited advice.

6. And, my number one pet peeve: Yes, I'm sure you have a nifty DSLR but unless you have asked the bride and groom as well as the photographers if you can follow along and shoot...do not follow the wedding party for their portrait session getting all of `your' shots. We usually have limited time and don't need distractions (random flashes, someone in the way, people looking at the wrong camera).

Seriously, I don't mean this in a mean way. Informative. We photographed 3 weddings this week alone so it just starts to bug you after a while, ya know? I don't do well with criticism and don't mean to hurt anyone so please be nice:)

Wedding Photography; Adding It Up

Just thought I would share the approx. hours that go into wedding photography. I will also indicate who does what with a G (Gary) or L (Louise):

(L)Emailing with bride/groom: 1 hour

(G) Prepping equipment, recharging batteries, reformatting cards, cleaning sensors, packing camera bags: 1 hour

(G+L)Meeting with the bride/groom or checking out new location:1 hour

(L)Engagement shoot (including driving): 2 hours

(L)Editing engagement shoot, (G)burning disk and (L) mailing the CD: 4 hours

(L) Planning itinerary and getting directions/maps all ready to go: .5 hours

(L)Wedding day coverage for Louise (getting ready to end of portraits with driving): 8 hours

(G)Wedding day coverage for Gary (ceremony to mid reception with driving): 10 hours

(L)Uploading, (G)backing up, and (L) going through photos (deleting super overexposed or eyes closed): 3 hours

(L)Editing photos (first in lightroom and then in photoshop): 30 hours

(G)Making slideshow: 4 hours

(G)Renumbering pictures, burning disks and (L)mailing packages: 2 hours

TOTAL:65.5

For 2010, the cost of wedding photography was $1200.00 which is less than $20.00/hour. We feel that we have really built up our portfolio and offer great photos. Needless to say, our 2011 prices will be higher as this doesn't even take into account our equipment and supplies:)

Camera Body Upgrade

Gary has a Canon 5D and I have a Canon 40D. I'm looking to sell my 40D and upgrade to either a 70D or 5D (problem is we'll lose the higher frames per second with the 5D). Thoughts?

Flash

Gary and I have been using our flashes to bounce light (and sometimes direct flash) in ceremonies and receptions. We have been using studio lights as the direct light when shooting in studio. However, what we have not been working on enough, is our flash photography in sunlight (mostly fill flash). With just two people, we can hold up a diffuser and the shadows disappear. With more than two people, it is not an option!

(Just a break in the writing...this is my sisters' dog, Bailey. He wouldn't sit still either while I practiced with my remote flash)

We have recently purchased some radiopoppers...these are transmitters and receivers that allow your external flash to function in places other than your camera. Fortunately we have our light stands already (we actually have 4 total and use two for our studio) so today I tried it out.

(Please excuse today's model, he wanted to play in the sandbox and I just wanted him to sit still for one minute:)

I promise he really is a happy kid. Anyway, I had the umbrella directly in front of him. I realized afterwards that if I had put it on the opposite side of the sun, I could've balanced out the light a little more. Also, would've worked better if the umbrella was lower. I'm still really working with manual as I love shooting aperture priority, unless in the studio where it's so much easier to shoot manual than outside. It's a bit tougher shooting manual when you have a kid that will only stand there for 2 seconds so you better make sure your lighting is as you want it:)

(the set up)

I think the next effect would be cool at night or at sunset...I placed the flash (without an umbrella) directly behind my sister to get an outline of her 24 week baby belly...

(set up below)

(Pretend my sister isn't wearing her bright pink pants..she'll be so embarrassed that I posted this)

So what I learned from today is that I would like to really work on my fill flash and remote flash photography. Gary and I need a photo date to do that together because with the kids running around and Koen trying to knock over the flash stand...it's hard to focus:)

Always more to learn!!!

The Business Side of Photography

Gary and I were not business people. I mean, I loved organizing, being efficient, and working with people BUT, we had no real business experience. Being that this is our 4th year in business, what can I tell you?

Well, here are some of the basics that refer to the bookkeeping aspect and the benefit of having a registered business.

First, when you are getting started you need to do three things:

1. Apply to the city for acceptance of your business name. This cost us $35.00. We tried to come up with a name for a while, and looking back, it would be nice to make it G&L photography or something but oh well, GC Photography we are! Gary is actually the owner of the business but that is good, because then this helps to reduce his overall income with all the write offs AND he can pay me a salary for tax purposes.

2. Apply for a business license. I believe this cost $100 and something dollars.

3. Business insurance. Once you have a business, your equipment is NOT covered by your home insurance. If your camera gets stolen from the home or from your car, too bad! Also, you probably want to get some liability coverage in case someone sues you for breaking their leg at your house or something. (PS We also have a contract for weddings so that people cannot sue us or get money back, greater than they have paid us, if they are not happy with the photos).

(If you plan on making more than $30,000 you also need to get a GST number)

So what is one of the benefits of a registered business? For taxes!! Here are some of the things you can write off:

1. If you use your vehicle, you get to write off the percent of km's that you use for work divided by the total use. So, say you use it for work 25% of the time. You can write off 25% of the following; gas, insurance, repairs, and oil.

2. If you use your home for your business, you can write off a percent of your home's expenses. For example, we use 600 square feet of our 2100 square foot home for business (studio space and office). So, we get about 25% of the following written off; insurance, property tax, repairs, hydro, internet, phone, gas, and water. You could even write of cleaning supplies!

3. And all the other obvious things....office supplies, equipment, printing stuff etc.

Basically, because we did not make too much in 2009, we could write it all off and not have to claim any income from photography. Hopefully, with Gary paying me a salary this year, it will work out that we can take money off of Gary's total income this year. Does that make sense?

Next step for us, which we should have done a year ago, is to get a logo. I'll be honest, it's awesome having your partner as a partner 95% of the time, but the other 5%, it's really hard to agree on things creatively because we see things so differently. So yes, we are getting someone else to make us a logo:)

Have a wonderful weekend AND if you haven't joined GC Photography on facebook yet, please do!