So your processing style, or technique, at least as presented here, consists entirely of running all of your shots through Noiseware? How many chapters do you expect that will take up?
Thanks you guys! Hey Abby, you cut your hair! Sooooo cute!
Hi Alpha,
Actually, I retouch each photo individually, but you were discussing skin in general. I was explaining to you that on weddings, I don't have time for skin above Noise Ware at half of the default setting.
What I spend my time on, is curves/hue layers, and patching out all exit signs, light sockets, and other pesky things. I amp colors, and occassionally add a texture or two. That is a whole lot of work to do on a non batch basis, considering I'm also getting the albums done in one week as well as the normal 1800 images from RAW.
The book, "Spectacular Weddings" is not about me, or the way I process my images. It's about really killer weddings. I was contacted about a year ago by the publisher who had been going around to various websites, and the editor liked my photos. They asked me to contact a few of my brides to see if they might be interested in participating in telling their stories. They chose 8 of my brides. Naturally, they needed images to go with the stories. That's where we came in. I am not the only photographer in the book, and the same goes for the weddings. I think there were around 15 photographers total. Maybe more.
I've been fortunate to have learned a lot in these last four years of doing weddings. Most of it, tidbits here and there from other photographers about workflow, processing, lighting, and photoshop. I've taken what I've learned, patched it together, and came up with my own little quilt to make our company stand out in the very cut throat Dallas market. On the Knot alone, there are HUNDREDS of photographers advertising in my area. There are only five there, including me, charging what we are charging.
So why would these couples pay what I'm asking? When they have hundreds of people who would do the job for much less? Sometimes thousands of dollars less? It's because they like what they see. It's because they like what the don't see. It's because, in this very over crowded market, we are different.
Put it this way: (I'm a girl, so I get this.....)
Brides fantasize about their wedding day ever since they are little kids. They have seen oodles of magazines featuring beautiful brides (models in most cases) in romantic places, put out by commercial photographers.
And then they book venues with big "exit signs" over the door where she enters the church. She can't afford the $10,000 hand fitted couture gown. She gets a blemish that day/the guys are running late and they've stopped at the bar/there is mud outside the church instead of beautiful green meadows.
See where I am going here? I could say, "too bad so sad, but this is how your wedding day was, and I'm only here to document", or I could do the very best I can to make the day, and her, and her husband the fantasy they want to remember their wedding as.
Remember the photo above of the outside of the church? Here is what it actually looked like. Who wants to remember brown grass, and a lady walking through the shot?
Or would they wish to remember it this way?
I'm not trying to convince you to like any of these shots, or even to like the processing. A lot of photographers don't like my ample use of photoshop. But then again, my mortgage isn't paid by photographers. (even though about 10 percent of my clients are professional photographers). My bills are paid by my brides and grooms. They like the fact that they are getting a bit more fantasy than reality. That is why they choose us. And that is exactly the reason that we do things the way we do them. I don't want to be like other photographers. I want to be different.
As for the upcoming videos, they will be at no charge to anyone. I'm not trying to make a buck here. I'm trying to help people out. The way I was helped out. It's one of those things you will either like and use, or don't and won't.
I will tell you though, that I've finally given in to the whole seminar thing. I never wanted to charge to teach, as I feel it is my obligation to pay back. But times, they are a changin', and I can't fly myself around here and there on my dime. We were honestly astounded that people were willing to pay for a class. Especially since I try to help on the internet for free all the time. But then again, there are travel expenses, and material expenses. I'm only telling you guys this because I'm afraid to be viewed as a money grubbing opportunist.....so if you see stuff about the seminars, that's why. We didn't invent them. We were asked to do them. At some point, you can no longer help for free.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I just wanted to square a few things up. Mainly about why we do the things we do. And why that it seems that sometimes we are selective about feedback. As photographers, I often agree with you guys. I do. But as business people, sometimes we have to go another route. Our motto, and our client base is that we make the fantasy come true. We're not so much about "you got what you got".
So now, I am going to insert our motto into our sig line. "Our photos will always be more fantasy than reality". It's worked for us, so we won't be changing anytime soon, even though I know that some photogs think it's over the top. No slam on you guys. I honestly respect your opinions. But as a business person, to put myself among the masses doesn't make much sense either.
Hope everyone is doing well, and we really thank you for all the wonderful feedback, both positive and not so positive. Here's hoping we all have a great 2008-09 season!
Hugs,
Cindy
im in awe and i have a reception to shoot coming up. Never done anything like this before
Just the kooky way I shoot.
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/30/30988-aef3845b94a67d6dcce6e4e59d5d66c3.jpg?1734159046)
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/30/30986-0fbf9af8f70b46ce37aeb237ba68b573.jpg?1734159039)
