-By Radelle

(p.s. today is my birthday!! (hip circles & high kicks!)
(for my present you can fill out this survey!!! Pretty please)

Thankyou to everyone who emailed questions. I really really hope that you find these answers

useful for your photography craft & business. I wish when I was starting out (forever ago) that someone

had done FAQ blog posts for me!  Keep the questions coming & we will try our best to get to them.

(the next FAQ post will be on “Tips for shooting on the wedding day”, email if you have a specific question)

Much Love,

Radelle, Kari & Adam

Q:

Honestly, I'm a people person. I could have an hour long conversation with a brick wall,

but when it comes to shoots and posing I am awkward and quiet.

How do you tell people what they are doing looks completely

ridiculous with out making them feel bad or angry?

A: Excellent question! You have to remember that people don’t know what they look like when they are posing.

Classic example: I had Kari photograph Adam and I in a Eternal Love session last year. I was working it baby.

I mean really working it. I thought I looked sexy. I was pursing my lips & giving attitude galore. When we were

going through the images, I totally looked like a weirdo. The pursing wasn’t sexy & I looked in pain + scary.

2 lessons were learned that day 1) That when you are the model, its hard to tell if what you are doing is awesome or weird

2) as photographers we learned that it is our job to say “a little less purse, a little less (or in my case, a LOT less purse)

….there you go!”  We are the eyes behind the camera, WE can see what looks great!

I think you can really wreck the energy of the shoot if you are not careful in how you guide your clients. I always try to

remember that they are not professional models & are counting on me to make them look the best they have ever looked.

So if they do pose themselves in a very strange way, the best thing you can do (to keep the awesome energy up) is to shoot it.

Shoot it, encourage them & then guide them gently into a more flattering pose. This way they won’t shut down on you and

get self conscious, rather they get into it!

Another thing is to direct them. I often get right in there and show the bride exactly what I want.

(see photo of kari doing this below!)
I get my stylized high fashion looking (posed)  image, and then I go for a more natural look by being funny.

The couple laughs & I get to capture more of their relationship. I also get them talking about who they are as a couple

& funny stories come out, and I just have my camera always ready to start snapping those fun interactions!

A friend of mine wants me to do her wedding pictures for her. I'm not sure I can handle it though.

Is there any tips you can give me in how to handle a crowd as big as a wedding party and not have

them pulling me every different way saying,"Take a picture of this, take a picture of this." I'm afraid I'll

 end up not having any time to get pictures of the bride and groom.

I think its important to be open to suggestions as sometimes people see cute little things that are happening

that you don’t, however its also important to remember that it is your job to document the day in a way that the Bride

has hired you to. This means setting boundaries. Just as you cannot follow the flower girl around all day snapping her

every move, you cannot shoot every single person’s suggestion. Your job is to capture the images that the bride wants.

It is your job, as the professional to make sure that you get images of the bride & groom. I have been in situations where

everything ran so late that my picture time was squished down to nearly nothing (the reception was starting). I knew that

I did not have nearly enough images of the Bride & Groom to properly document their love, so in a casual moment at the

reception when people were just mingling about, I grabbed them and said “I need you for 10 minutes outside”. Ive never

worked so hard & fast! But I felt leaving that wedding that I had done a fabulous job. Couples are often caught up in their

big day (as they should be) and they are totally relying on you to capture the things they want most–so make that your priority.

If you need to, just say to whomever is pulling you around “I will capture that in just a few minutes, but my priority right now

is to make sure I get enough images of these two love birds! Thank you for pointing that out to me” (with a big smile).

I keep hearing you & other photographers talk about shooting “manual” but all of my photos are

 turning out blurry. How do you focus that quickly on manual instead of auto?

This is actually a question that we get a lot of! I think that this a common misunderstanding!

I think that when people read the word “manual”  on blogs or forums they are thinking auto or manual focus.

We shoot (most of the time) with our camera on AUTO focus. When we are talking about manual,

we are talking about the actual camera setting. The dial on the top. There is AV, TV, M ß the M is manual. This is where

you can adjust your ISO, shutter speed & aperature. A great place to learn how to use this setting is your camera manual

& utube videos! Learning this setting gives you complete control over your camera & the ability to shoot well in any

type of lighting situation! It gives you tons of power & full creative control!

lighting- It is a CONSTANT pain in the butt! I'm just starting out and I don't have the funds for any

kind of lighting equipment other than an external flash. Sometimes it's impossible to stay in

the shade though! What do you suggest I do for full on sunlight? Is there a cheap trick you know of?

I am not the type of photographer that you will see with lights stands & reflectors everywhere. I honestly think

that natural light is a million times more flattering, not to mention how akward it can make people feel (when my goal is

to make them look natural in front of my lens) so if I can get away with no flash, I totally do. During a wedding day

I typically will only use my flash during the Reception (and possibly ceremony–depending). When I am outside,

I expose for my clients skin, not the sky. As my darling  friend Jasmine Star says, if I cared about the sky more then the people,

I would be a nature photographer. Yes I could expose for the sky & add a flash, but I just feel that clients look

(and feel) more natural with natural light. So when you are shooting, look for natural reflectors–the sun hitting

a light colored building, a car, a sidewalk, and position your clients so that they are getting the glow off of that (see image below).

In terms of situations where there is no where to shoot but full on sunlight, I always choose to back light my clients &

expose for their skin. Not only does this add a glowy look to the photo (less glowy if the sun is really high), but it ensures

that their skin is perfectly exposed. Using this technique I can shoot anywhere.

I had the honor to interview my friend & fellow Canadian (shes in B.C) darling & sweet as pie, Jamie Delaine.

Jamie’s work is so exquisite that it appeals to every bride’s sense of romance, and yet so fresh & fun that Bride’s know they

will have fun with Jamie behind the camera. At only 19 years old, Jamie is quite the entrepreneur.

As taken from her website:

A girl in love with so many things. In love with living life, laughing until my stomach hurts, drinking green tea,

rainy Vancouver days, cardigan sweaters, learning to love people selflessly.

The little things make me smile & I don’t mean just any smile… the kind of smile that causes my cheeks to swallow my eyes.

Please read on & get to know more about my friend

Where is home?
I live in Surrey, BC -- a suburb of Vancouver!

If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream
home?
Oooh, so much of what makes home "home" to me is community. Family, friends, my
church body: because of that, I'm in love with Langley (a city close to Surrey) that
houses most of these lovely things. I'm absolutely in LOVE with Langley and would
definitely build my dream home out in the Langley country somewhere.

How would you describe your style?
I love anything quirky. My mom laughs at half of the things I wear out of the house
on most days... I guess I just have a lot of self-confidence. Quirky, colour,
laughter, joy.



What is your favourite photography accessory, other than your camera?
My Shootsac! http://www.shootsac.com

If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
It used to be my Canon 35mm f/1.4 L lens. But, lately, it's been on the brink and
I've been without it for a few months while it's been repaired. I bought the Canon
24mm f/1.4L lens and I'm totally in love. That's my favourite.

How important is Photoshop in your final images?
Not that important. I do most of my processing in Lightroom and Photoshop is used
only for slight toning actions and a touch of sharpening!



Do you plan on buying any new equipment and if so what do you have your eyes on?
Not at the current moment, I'm super happy with the line-up I have.

A wedding photographer who inspires you?
Punam Bean.

A website and/or blog you visit often?
Facebook. Way too often. Also, Bleubird Vintage.

If you could give a starting photographer only ONE piece of advice, what would it be
and why?
Put so much personality onto your website, into your work and into your client
meetings that people will either love you or hate you. Secret to getting clients you
love. 


Something you’re still learning?
That I'm not invincible. So often, I try to do it all and all I do is end up falling
flat on my face.   I need to learn to rely on other people than myself.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Jesus Christ. 

What is your greatest fear?
I don't have any deep, paralyzing fears but: I hate the dark. I hate when people run
up the stairs behind me. I have terrible nerves and if you come around a corner too
fast, I'll scream. 



Something that is overrated?
Fast food.

Favourite food?
I'm such a freak, but... I just love salads.

Favourite sport?
To watch? Hockey (playoff or olympics, only.)
To play? All I do is run. HA!

Website: http://www.jamiedelaine.com/#/jamie/
Blog: http://jamiedelaineblog.com/

Leave some BLOG love below!( comment) and become a facebook FAN! (eternal reflections photography)

xoxo

P.S. The Rebekah im refering to (if you need to mentor with someone who has extensive camera & lens knowledge) can be found here. She is beyond FAB!!

(Im sorry that the format on this text today is a little bit wonky. I have no idea why….le sigh)

_________________

I know that a lot of the professional photographers who read this blog are going to WPPI in Vegas (as are we),

and we are so excited to be meeting up with as many of you as possible
(and do a little consulting in our free time)!
We are so excited to be going to WPPI! We feel that no matter what field of work you are in, growing & learning is something that should always be a part of your “job”. It feeds your passion & creativity & teaches you improved skills.

Something that comes up in our consulting, is photographers who feel “second rate” or that they

are doing “everything wrong” after attending a workshop or a seminar. They seem to disregard all

of the wonderful things that they do! As such, I wanted to toss out one suggestion to all of the

photographers who are going to WPPI.

Be true to yourselves. True to your gut.

In settings like WPPI, it is so easy to idolize the speakers to the point where you take everything that they say as “gospel” and lose your “gut” and

your critical thinking skills (do I sound nerdy?).

I challenge you to listen critically to ideas/tips/suggestions and ask yourself

“would that further my career/goals”?. NOT EVERYTHING WILL. There is more then 1

way to skin a cat (what a gross description). But the fact is true. One of the industry leaders,

Jasmine Star, uses “auto white balance”, much to the aghast of some of her peers.  She bucks against

the norm and does what WORKS FOR HER. She listens to her gut & runs with that.  I think that is key.

Learn, but stay true to yourself, and listen to your gut. If everyone is saying that you MUST offer

boudour photography to your brides, but you do not want to, you don’t HAVE to. It is your business.

Do what you love & only that! I promise

you that then, and only then (when you are doing what you love) will it show in your images.

If a company is telling you that their album is “the best” & it is very, very popular, but you honestly

don’t care for the look of it; don’t carry it for your clients! Only offer/carry/do/process what feels right for you.

What fits for you. If you don’t love it & see the value in it, your clients will not either. (this goes for anything

not just products)

Here is a quick example of what I mean. Right now it is trendy trendy trendy to be “all about”

prime lenses only and scoff at anything else. Especially popular is the 50mm. Is it amazing? yes. YES!

But is it the only lens worth using? Not to me. I love a lot of lenses, depending on the situation.

But that is just my personality. I have a colleague that went to a workshop where the gentlemen

teaching the workshop said that “hands down you would never get anywhere unless you exclusively

used prime lenses”. That is certainly his opinion, but it is just that. An opinion based on what FEELS

right with him (and that is totally valid!). That is all that I am asking of you. Do not feel the need to

jump on every trendy suggestion or question everything that you are doing. Leave WPPI with some

great solid suggestions, tips & ideas; but dont check who you are at the door & do not leave feeling like

you do not do anything right. Realise all that you do amazingly (a word?) and BUILD on that.

Just remember, even though you may not be on the stage, you are amazing in your own way and

your thoughts & insights & ideas are just as valuable as anyone elses. Honor them.  Hold on to that.

Learn all you can, but be true to your gut.

For Photographers (a part of a FAQ segments)

My 2 cents on New Years Goals.

Goal setting is a powerful tool and as a photographer, I think that it is essential.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I heard from Jasmine Star that 95% of all

photography companies will fail in the first 3 years. That is just crazy! You

want to have staying power and while there are many components to that

(that we will discuss in future FAQ posts) one of the ones that we have found most

 successful is goal setting.

People often get their back up about "new years resolutions" as they feel that if they dont write any,

then they will not fail. However,

Ever notice how your life never really stays the same? You're either improving it or

 damaging it, your actions aren't neutral. Tell me, would you plan a wedding without

all the fine details? What about take an exotic vacation without first making plans?

 So why is it that we go through life sometimes and not have a clear plan or vision as

to what we want out of it?

By setting the goal and making the plan, this plants a vision in your mind and also your

subconscious mind. During this process the subconscious mind is given a set of instructions

 to follow and carry out.

I am a huge believer in New Years Goals. Every year I write goals in my life in categories.

"physical, spiritual, financial, just for fun/family, self sufficiency, Professional".

I would say that in total I set around 70 goals. On average, I complete around 40 of these.

Sure that is just over half (perhaps not THAT impressive), however, how many of them

would I have accomplished if I didnt set any? Not likely very many.

What has been very interesting to me, is that

at the end of the year I have gone back and read them, and there are always alot that

I totally forgot about, yet somehow accomplished.

I think one of the key things, is as you are writing the goals down, really picture

yourself achieveing that goal & imagine what it would feel like.

I know that a lot of people will say pft its a waste of time. But I really feel that

 it is worth your time & energy. It gives you focus & it has been proven that your brain

works on the goals & finding ways for you to accomplish them; even when you have long

since "forgotten" about them. Interestingly, I wrote goals 5 years ago for where I wanted

to be in 5 years time. I accomplished every single one of those goals in 2 years and even

blew some of them totally out of the water. While I am a goal focused person, I cannot say

 that I was obsessed or really focused on getting them scratched off my list...rather I

had put them out there, and they found a way to me. (if that makes any sense in sort of a hippie way).

I now have 10 years goals....(yes owning an airplane is on them)...and im excited to see

how quickly they will be accomplished. At the risk of sounding like a cheesey

motivational high school guest speaker (although I would secretly love to be one)-----

Deciding what you want is risky. Telling someone else can feel uncomfortable. 

You might feel like you've got to preface it with something like, "Please don't 

tell anyone, Can you keep a secret, I know it sounds crazy, but" But you know what? 

People who set and achieve awesome goals are risk takers, they've learned to be.

 They know that they've got the privilege and duty to design their own lives, 

make their own decisions. They dare to dream, and dream big. So challange yourself,

 set personal & business goals, FEEL them, and then get on with life being excited

 about your future. You can be the photographer that you desire to be. You will be 

amazed at all that you accomplish. 

____________________________

Eternal Reflections Photography is an International Award winning studio providing glamorous

 wedding photography for Fabulous People. With Roots in Edmonton, Alberta, Eternal Reflections 

photographs Edmonton (& area) Weddings & is an leader in International Wedding Photography. 

Eternal Reflections Photography also provides consulting and workshops for photographers wishing

 to grow their business & learn luxury wedding photography.www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

About a week ago we reached our limit for our fall 2010 workshop. We are replying to all of those photographer’s who inquired individually, however we have not emailed everyone yet, so we wanted to just put this on the blog & let you know that we will give you a personalized email with the option to be first on our spring 2011 workshop list.

In a couple of months we will be releasing details regarding the Spring 2011 workshop. If you wish to be on that email list (to recieve the details), email us & we will add you. love@eternalreflectionsphoto.com

Those of you who emailed after the Fall 2010 workshop was full, will get first dibs on the spring workshop in a first come first serve basis until it is full.

Stay tuned to a new blog post coming your way soon!

Much Love,

Adam, Radelle & Kari

———————————————–

Eternal Reflections Photography is an International Award winning studio providing glamerous wedding photography for Fabulous People. With Roots in Edmonton, Alberta, Eternal Reflections photographs Edmonton (& area) Weddings & is an leader in International Wedding Photography. Eternal Reflections Photography also provides consulting and workshops for photographers wishing to grow their business & learn luxury wedding photography. www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

-By Radelle, Adam & Kari

FAQ photographers

Lindsay wrote, “your work always looks so fresh & original. How do you do it?”
Well Lindsay (& other photographers!), everything! Seriously, sometimes it is the mischevious glint in the ring bearers eyes, sometimes it is the style of the dress, sometimes it is a storefront ad (abercrombie for example) that looks emotional & raw. Sometimes it is visiting our grandparents, sometimes it is Rockwell. Stay tuned to your surroundings & feelings and you will be amazed at how inspiring your own life is.

————————————————————————-

Eternal Reflections Photography is an International Award winning studio providing glamerous wedding photography for Fabulous People. With Roots in Edmonton, Alberta, Eternal Reflections photographs Edmonton (& area) Weddings & is an leader in International Wedding Photography. Eternal Reflections Photography also provides consulting and workshops for photographers wishing to grow their business & learn luxury wedding photography. www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

A: Be ridiculously funny. We’ve been known to make total fools out of ourselves to get our couples to laugh! No but in all seriousness, whether its the laughing-having a great time expression or the really tender moments that we capture, we credit it to our love of love. We are genuinely so excited to go to “work” and love being at the wedding and seeing the bride & groom in love. If you feel “meh” towards weddings or wedding photography at all, do your self a favor and the brides a favor and specialize in something else. You should be there with your full heart, and then that is when you get those really fantastic images. When we first started up a gazillion years ago, we also did family & newborn portraiture. Our hearts were not in it. We did not feel that same excitement as we feel when we are photographing a wedding. So we followed our hearts and now we only photograph weddings. Find what you are passionate about and specialize in that. Not only will you naturally produce happy, emotion filled images of your couples, but you will become an industry leader because all your creative energy is in one area. So in summary, find what you love, love what you do, and the art will create itself!
 
Q: What are two things that help to make photographing a wedding easier?
A: We are in love with 2 things at the moment. Our GPS & our shootsac.

Q: Can I pick your brain?
A: Yes. We offer consulting & workshops.

Much Love,
Adam , Radelle & Kari

Edmonton Wedding Photographers/Edmonton Photography/Edmonton Weddings