"Stick with me kid, this "life" stuff isn't too hard. I mean if that creepy baby on the E-Trade commercials can buy and sell stock, how hard can it really be...I'll help ya figure it all out...."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Showin' Ally the ropes.....
"Stick with me kid, this "life" stuff isn't too hard. I mean if that creepy baby on the E-Trade commercials can buy and sell stock, how hard can it really be...I'll help ya figure it all out...."
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The "first look"...before or at the ceremony?
One of the first, and most important questions I have for a bride is "are you going to see your fiance before your ceremony, or will he see you for the first time at the altar?" While I'm not going to tell anyone how to set things up on their wedding day, there are advantages and dis-advantages regardless of how you answer this question.....
On the one hand, if you wait until the ceremony, you get images like Meghan and Nathan did above. Completely natural, unscripted, emotional responses from the groom as he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day. It's also more traditional and some would say it's bad karma to see your husband/wife on your wedding day before the ceremony starts. The only down-side to this approach is the photographer is limited by everything from the church, the way the chairs/pews are set up, other guests who might jump into the aisle, to even the Bride's father who might slightly move one way or the other and block the shot. It's also difficult to get the bride's reaction without the use of a 2nd photographer.
Or you can go the route of Carrie & Brian and Tracey & Trent. They saw each other prior to their ceremonies, but we were able to set it up in a way that still created some suspense, and resulted in some great reactions between the two. Because the situation is a bit more controlled, you tend to end up with more pictures of the "first look" which makes for a great storyboard type layout in their wedding albums.
Again, there's nothing right or wrong with either approach. The decision is completely up to the bride & groom and I have no qualms with either option, as long as everyone understands the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
On the one hand, if you wait until the ceremony, you get images like Meghan and Nathan did above. Completely natural, unscripted, emotional responses from the groom as he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day. It's also more traditional and some would say it's bad karma to see your husband/wife on your wedding day before the ceremony starts. The only down-side to this approach is the photographer is limited by everything from the church, the way the chairs/pews are set up, other guests who might jump into the aisle, to even the Bride's father who might slightly move one way or the other and block the shot. It's also difficult to get the bride's reaction without the use of a 2nd photographer.
Or you can go the route of Carrie & Brian and Tracey & Trent. They saw each other prior to their ceremonies, but we were able to set it up in a way that still created some suspense, and resulted in some great reactions between the two. Because the situation is a bit more controlled, you tend to end up with more pictures of the "first look" which makes for a great storyboard type layout in their wedding albums.
Again, there's nothing right or wrong with either approach. The decision is completely up to the bride & groom and I have no qualms with either option, as long as everyone understands the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Speak Up! Let's hear what YOU think about wedding photography......
I talk to A LOT of photographers, and we all have our own ideas on what should be important to wedding clients. However I want to hear what the CLIENT actually thinks! Brides, Grooms, Planners, here's your chance. I want to hear what you really think about wedding photography and wedding photographers. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Simply post your responses in the comments section of this post.
Some ways to approach this very informal and entirely non-scientific survey:
-If you're a Bride planning a wedding, what was the most important thing you looked for in a photographer, and what types of things drove you nuts about looking for a photographer?
-If you're a married Bride, what would you do differently with your photography now that you're married and the wedding is over?
-Wedding Planners, the same things go for you. What do you advise your clients to look for and/or stay away from when selecting a photographer? What drives you nuts on the wedding day?
-Or, feel free to add anything else, as long as it's relevant to the topic!
If you'd like to post anonymously that's OK, however please post where you got married. What flies in California might not necessarily go over well in New York. I also am not concerned with who your photographer was/is, the point is to be able to learn from your experiences in order to create a better experience for our clients down the road.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing your responses. If you'd like to keep the conversation going on Twitter, just click the link on the right side of this page to follow my twitter feed.
Some ways to approach this very informal and entirely non-scientific survey:
-If you're a Bride planning a wedding, what was the most important thing you looked for in a photographer, and what types of things drove you nuts about looking for a photographer?
-If you're a married Bride, what would you do differently with your photography now that you're married and the wedding is over?
-Wedding Planners, the same things go for you. What do you advise your clients to look for and/or stay away from when selecting a photographer? What drives you nuts on the wedding day?
-Or, feel free to add anything else, as long as it's relevant to the topic!
If you'd like to post anonymously that's OK, however please post where you got married. What flies in California might not necessarily go over well in New York. I also am not concerned with who your photographer was/is, the point is to be able to learn from your experiences in order to create a better experience for our clients down the road.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing your responses. If you'd like to keep the conversation going on Twitter, just click the link on the right side of this page to follow my twitter feed.
Friday, February 13, 2009
2009 WeddingWire Brides Choice!!!
WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Jay Crihfield Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!
In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means JCP is one of the very best Photographers in the Chicago area!
Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.
“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”
Oh, and in case you missed out....click the bad boy emblem above and leave a new review for me!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
25 things
In the interest of full disclosure, this idea originated from Jessica Claire's blog and not facebook!. So in order to let you know a bit more about me other than the the fact that I'm some random guy who takes pictures of pretty brides and cute kids, here are 25 things that I love as well as 25 things that I can't stand......
I love....
1. My wife Amy and Son Jack
2. Still, clear, quiet, cold nights outside
3. People who are always trying to be part of the solution to problems
4. Riding my bike on a crisp fall morning in the country
5. Downtown Chicago at night
6. A perfectly struck golf tee shot (doesn't happen very often)
7. Spicy wings and cheddar chips from Buffalo Joes in Evanston
8. Driving through the Napa Valley tasting wine
9. The way our dog, Otis, cocks his head to the side when he looks at you
10. Lionel trains
11. Curious George
12. Listening to novels as audiobooks and trying to visualize the stories as movies
13. Watching the snow fall while listening to Jim Brickman albums
14. Road trips
15. When my Son points to a picture of Big Bird or Elmo holding a camera and says "Da-Da"
17. My clients
18. "The Office"
19. Just about anything on the Discovery Channel
20. Coffee
21. Most foods that will clog your arteries and raise your cholesterol
22. Cherry, grape, orange Tootsie Pops
23. Old school "90210" not that new stuff....I can't believe I actually used the phrase "old school" in conjunction with 90210!
24. Being able to figure things out on my own.
25. Receiving comments on my blog *hint* *hint* *wink* *wink*
I'm not so fond of....
1. Impatient people
2. Wind chill
3. Humidity
4. Coffee drinks that you need a translator to order properly
5. Mayonaise
6. Post-it notes
7. Negative vibes
8. Shoveling snow
9. Yard work
10. Hospitals
11. Television shows/channels that are not high-definition
12. Paying any kind of Illinois state tax or fee that supports a goverment as corrupt as Illinois'
13. The electoral college
14. The stupid dancing robot character on Fox NFL games....what does a robot have to do with football?
15. Being a fan of Chicago sports teams....they all are terrible and not worth watching!
16. The way actors in movies hold coffee cups that are supposed to be full as if there's nothing in them.....at least ACT like there's hot liquid that will spill all over when you flail it around like a conductors baton!
17. When my Son points to a picture of Telly (the fat, grumpy, worry-wart muppett) and says "Da-Da"
18. Heidi and Spencer
19. Decaf. Coffee
20. Most movies and TV shows that my wife likes to watch
21. Going to the gym only to find the Food Network on the TV...I don't understand the point of working out while watching someone prepare fattening food...just seems a bit counterproductive.
22. Chocolate Tootsie Pops
23. Life moving too fast
24. Most of the TV shows that my wife watches, including but not limited to "Wife Swap", "Big Love", "Greys Anatomy", "Private Practice," and "The Hills"
25. The sound of a vacum cleaner that I'm not the one operating....it's like nails on a chalkboard to me.
I love....
1. My wife Amy and Son Jack
2. Still, clear, quiet, cold nights outside
3. People who are always trying to be part of the solution to problems
4. Riding my bike on a crisp fall morning in the country
5. Downtown Chicago at night
6. A perfectly struck golf tee shot (doesn't happen very often)
7. Spicy wings and cheddar chips from Buffalo Joes in Evanston
8. Driving through the Napa Valley tasting wine
9. The way our dog, Otis, cocks his head to the side when he looks at you
10. Lionel trains
11. Curious George
12. Listening to novels as audiobooks and trying to visualize the stories as movies
13. Watching the snow fall while listening to Jim Brickman albums
14. Road trips
15. When my Son points to a picture of Big Bird or Elmo holding a camera and says "Da-Da"
17. My clients
18. "The Office"
19. Just about anything on the Discovery Channel
20. Coffee
21. Most foods that will clog your arteries and raise your cholesterol
22. Cherry, grape, orange Tootsie Pops
23. Old school "90210" not that new stuff....I can't believe I actually used the phrase "old school" in conjunction with 90210!
24. Being able to figure things out on my own.
25. Receiving comments on my blog *hint* *hint* *wink* *wink*
I'm not so fond of....
1. Impatient people
2. Wind chill
3. Humidity
4. Coffee drinks that you need a translator to order properly
5. Mayonaise
6. Post-it notes
7. Negative vibes
8. Shoveling snow
9. Yard work
10. Hospitals
11. Television shows/channels that are not high-definition
12. Paying any kind of Illinois state tax or fee that supports a goverment as corrupt as Illinois'
13. The electoral college
14. The stupid dancing robot character on Fox NFL games....what does a robot have to do with football?
15. Being a fan of Chicago sports teams....they all are terrible and not worth watching!
16. The way actors in movies hold coffee cups that are supposed to be full as if there's nothing in them.....at least ACT like there's hot liquid that will spill all over when you flail it around like a conductors baton!
17. When my Son points to a picture of Telly (the fat, grumpy, worry-wart muppett) and says "Da-Da"
18. Heidi and Spencer
19. Decaf. Coffee
20. Most movies and TV shows that my wife likes to watch
21. Going to the gym only to find the Food Network on the TV...I don't understand the point of working out while watching someone prepare fattening food...just seems a bit counterproductive.
22. Chocolate Tootsie Pops
23. Life moving too fast
24. Most of the TV shows that my wife watches, including but not limited to "Wife Swap", "Big Love", "Greys Anatomy", "Private Practice," and "The Hills"
25. The sound of a vacum cleaner that I'm not the one operating....it's like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
No more bare walls......
A few weeks ago I featured a way to use composite images to eat up more empty wall space while still displaying a large number of images from a portrait session. Here's another way to decorate your walls using a handfull of smaller 12x12 mounted images, and several floating shelves, available at outlets such as The Container Store
The beauty of this type of display is its versatility. Since the prints simply stand, or lean against the wall on the ledges, they are easily interchanged as you add new prints from each year's session. Since we have 12 images currently on the wall, as Little Jack gets older we can display a fresh image from each year until he's 12 years old...then we've gotta come up with a new plan!
The beauty of this type of display is its versatility. Since the prints simply stand, or lean against the wall on the ledges, they are easily interchanged as you add new prints from each year's session. Since we have 12 images currently on the wall, as Little Jack gets older we can display a fresh image from each year until he's 12 years old...then we've gotta come up with a new plan!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
It's not ALL about the art.....
Every now and then I get the question from a client (usually from a parent) "is it OK if we take a few family/posed/formal photos?" My answer, "ABSOLUTELY!" Unless you make a habit of dressing up in bridal gown and tuxedo on a regular basis, and asking your closest friends and family to do the same, chances are you're not going to look this spectacular all the time, and it's worth a few quick seconds to knock out a "formal" photo or two. I don't feature these types of images on my site or on the blog, but I definitely realize the importance of these pictures not only for the Bride & Groom, but for the parents and extended family as well. So if there's any doubt as to what's included with my coverage, take a look at a few family pictures from this past season......
...I doubt these will be winning any awards any time soon, however it's important to make sure you have enough time built into your schedule to accomodate these pictures, because even though the creative, artistic, documentary style images are what I'm typically hired for, the family and bridal party pictures are an equally important part to a complete wedding photographic coverage.
...I doubt these will be winning any awards any time soon, however it's important to make sure you have enough time built into your schedule to accomodate these pictures, because even though the creative, artistic, documentary style images are what I'm typically hired for, the family and bridal party pictures are an equally important part to a complete wedding photographic coverage.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
ISPWP Featured Photographer....
Today I found out I'm the current featured photographer on the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) site. Interviews like this are always weird because I always seem to come up with better answers to some of the questions after the interview is over! Either way, it's pretty cool to be featured on a site that boasts some pretty prestigious names in the wedding photography world among its members.
Click here to take a look!
Click here to take a look!
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