I’ve decided to post an interview with me (Ron) each Monday. Our industry has been changing quite a bit the past few years; but more importantly, the consumer and what is termed “professional” has changed even more.

So here goes this weeks interview:

I: Weddings are still taking place each week; what has changed the most in the wedding photography business in the past few years?

Ron: I photographed my first wedding in 1974 at the ripe old age of 16. Man were things different. Film and lenses were slow. You needed a lot of light to capture a proper exposure. Plus you were at the mercy of the labs to process both your film and your prints right. Now we’ve evolved into ‘digital’ cameras and backs. Capturing speeds and lenses have evolved, giving us unlimited possibilities for capturing images electronically. What most people tend to forget is that it’s still the same light we’re using to get these images. All the training I have done to get Certified as a Professional Photographer and to earn my Masters and Craftsman Degrees from the Professional Photographers of America still comes into use on every image I capture.

I: That being said; there’s been a trend for ‘photojournalism’ style wedding photography for a number of years; is that still out there?

Ron: Yes I believe it is. The old way of photographing everything ‘posed’ is no longer the norm. Funny thing is, we were doing ‘photojournalism’ way before its’ time. My background is in photojournalism and I was capturing ‘candid’ images on my 35mm camera from the first wedding I photographed. Using the long lenses and the extreme wide angle lenses with my digital equipment is just so much more fun because I know what I can do with those images in post processing. While many couples things ‘photojournalism’ photography is the only way to go; I stress the importance of a few good ‘guided’ photos during the day. Expressions, backgrounds and environmental hazards such as wind and rain can take the fun out of your wedding photographs if that’s all you have at the end of the day….candids!! Mixing the two kinds has always been our specialty. A well trained eye is worth a lot more than a finger that just pushes a button!

I:  We’ve also heard that many couples are opting for either a relative or an inexpensive photographer to do their wedding; thinking they will save many dollars by getting the prints made themselves afterwards?

Ron: This is nothing new. Many couples have always looking at the photography portion of their wedding budget as an area they can either cut or eliminate all together. An uncle or friend sometimes offers to do these as their gift to the couple. And the couple might not even think about the quality issue; or the tension that will ensue between an otherwise good relationship. We could give many examples of couples who wish they could go back and do it over again. Their photographs didn’t turn out even close to what they expected; and many times we’ve heard of ‘bad’ blood between the two parties because of it. While we can’t work with every couple on their budget; we do like to advise them about how valuable are these images? Most couples would agree this is the most important day of their life. But then they skimp on photographs and have nothing ‘great’ to display for themselves and show to their family and friends in the coming years. If the images are that bad, many couples hide them in closets instead of in coffee table albums and wall portraits where they belong. The images we capture for our clients are to remind them of their love for one another. And it’s our expertise that make them look their best; through posing, lighting, proper selection of camera and lenses. You don’t ask a dentist what equipment they’re using; you trust them because they’re the professional.

I: You mentioned your expertise in the last answer; can you explain that more?

Ron:  Because of the fast-paced information age we live in today; many people think photography is just pushing a button. In reality, it is quite a number of steps. Yes, the pushing of the button captures the image with the settings on the camera; but knowing what settings to use, along with posing, background selection, lens and aperture selection are some of the other steps involved in the capturing process. Then there’s the enhancing/retouching process. No one wants to see all their wrinkles or imperfections on their photographs. In the ‘old’ film days; we relied on negative retouchers and print enhancers to remove blemishes and smooth out details in the final photographs. Now we use software to do that job. But that software doesn’t do it automatically, contrary to popular belief. If it did, each person would end up looking like a plastic doll. It takes the trained artists eye to retouch, blend, enhance and remove items that will make the portrait or photograph exceptional. Plus the final finishing techniques of lacquer spraying to seal the photos and the mounting in an album or the professional finishing touches in a custom frame and mat or canvas portrait that will ensure a long life to the prints.

I: Wow, that’s a lot more than just pushing a button. So what final words of advise would you have for couples looking for a photographer to capture the most important day in their life?

Ron: First off; take a deep breath and think about what you want for your final product. Do you just want digital files you can play with; do you want someone that’s never been under the pressure that wedding days throw at each of us (time delays, wardrobe problems, caterer problems, weather, family issues, and much more); or do you want someone who can help make your day go smooth, no matter what happens during the day? Hiring a true professional allows you to access them during normal business hours and usually they are willing to work around your schedule; but the main thing is, they are easy to get a hold of. They will always have backup equipment in cases of emergency. And that goes for their computers, servers and backup systems as well. And they are friendly and easy to work with. The best wedding photographers get the shots they need, blend into the background for the photojournalism type photos you’re looking for, and they deliver you a professional product whether that be prints, a photo album or wall portraits that you can enjoy for years.

I: Thanks Ron for all the valuable information on wedding photography!