Wedding Event Photography

One of the most important days of your life is approaching–choosing the right wedding photographer can be a daunting task! Certainly, you want the highest quality of wedding photographs without going broke. You are looking for a wedding photographer who is in tune with your wedding style as you imagine that day. You also want a photographer who is professional, experienced, talented, and a pleasure to work with.

Partnering with the right photographer is easy when you know what to ask. Start by doing a quick phone interview of each wedding photographer to narrow down your choices. Find out first if they are available for your wedding day—if they’re not, it narrows things down immediately. Ask about prices, who will be photographing the wedding, what style of wedding photography they use to shoot weddings (black and white, color, posed photos or candid shots).

After you narrow down your wedding photographer choices, you’ll want to set up a date to interview the photographer. In some large companies, the photographer you talk to might not be the one they send out for your event. Make sure you interview the photographer who will actually be at your wedding and see his/her portfolio, in order to evaluate their style.

You’ll also want to find out what happens if the wedding photographer you choose is fired before or right after your wedding date. It will put your mind at rest if you are assured that your wedding will be photographed even if your photographer is no longer with the company and that you will also have access to your photos no matter what the hiring status of the photographer.

Be sure to ask these questions when interviewing the photographer:

1) Experience Level.

On the most important day of your life, you want someone who is an expert at wedding photography to preserve your memories in a professional manner. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you ask your wedding photographer questions about their experience.

Is this a job or a hobby for the wedding photographer?

Do they have formal training or education in wedding photography?

You might be tempted to save money by hiring a novice wedding photographer, but do you want stunning photos that capture your special day or just so-so ones?

Do they frequently photograph weddings?

Some photographers are better at static and posed studio photography than action oriented and “on location” wedding photography. Photographing a wedding involves capturing spontaneous moments, not just poses, so it’s important to have someone who is an expert.

Does the wedding photographer use professional-grade equipment, and do they have back-up equipment available, just in case?

Have they photographed weddings in your chosen location before?

Prior experience in a location gives the wedding photographer an advantage because he’ll know ahead of time what film, filters or flash he/she might need to get the best results.

2) Ask About Their Portfolio.

Photography is an art, so it’s understandable that you may or may not like the style used by the wedding photographer. To make sure you’re going to love the way your wedding is photographed, request to see a portfolio featuring their work.

To make an educated decision, you’ll want to view an entire wedding portfolio from start to finish, not the best few photos from many weddings. Ask what style the wedding photographer uses. Some photographers tend to like more posed shots while others have what is called a photojournalistic style, which involves more candid shots.

Ask if he/she likes to use color photos, black and whites or a mixture. Also, ask if they use a digital camera and retouch the photos to make them black and white, or if they use film.

3) Will They Dress the Part?

Your wedding photographer will be spending a lot of time with you on you on the most important day of your life. It’s crucial that his or her personality blends in, making it a pleasure to have him/her at your side.

If the wedding photographer makes you uneasy in a short interview then don’t hire them for your event!

No matter how charming he is, you’ll want to make sure the wedding photographer will dress the part and look professional while taking those important photos.

Finally, ask about any assistants. Ask if you can meet them and ask about how they will dress and conduct themselves to ensure your wedding goes smoothly.

4) Money and Technical Matters.

Though you don’t want to skimp on wedding photos, it is important to make sure this particular photographer isn’t going to break your budget. Find out ahead of time about how much it will cost to have him/her photograph your wedding.

You’ll want to know how much time you’ll be allotted, and how many rolls of film they’ll take during that time. If the wedding photographer uses digital cameras, ask how many shots they will take to ensure the event is well-documented.

Most photographers offer packages that specify a certain amount of pictures for a set fee. If you don’t see a size of photograph that you want, ask if those packages can be customized to meet your needs.

You’ll also want to ask about the cost of albums and copies, since you’re probably going to fall in love with a lot more of the photos than you bargained!

Ask about deposit and cancellation policies. In order to hold your date, what method of deposit is needed? What are the cancellation policies? If the wedding photographer cancels, will your deposit be refunded?

5) Ask If You Can Get It In Writing!

You’ll want a contract to protect you in case you’re unhappy with the services of your wedding photographer. If you end up going to court to settle matters, the judge will only be concerned with the conditions written in the contract. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you get all of the details in writing.

The contact should include:

Expected services, fees, cancellation policy, fee schedule and all aspects of your photo packages written in detail.

You’ll also want their name and address, as well as your name and address on the contract. Be certain that the contract has a signature and date for both of you and that you receive a copy of both sides.



By: Julie Davidson

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Hi Friends and Fellow Entrepreneurs,

Ahh…wide angle photography, probably one of the easiest types of photo to take; but also one of the hardest to excel at.

Have you ever tried to cram 30 people into a single photograph? You’d try to stack them, have some of them on the floor or even ask some of them at the back to jump at the press of the shutter!? You’re also trying to make sure that you are able to see the faces of these people in the photograph. Difficult if your camera’s lens is not wide enough and you have to move yourself further back to accommodate, which may not be possible if space is limited. When shooting indoors with flash, moving back may even give you an underexposed photograph, as flash is often not powerful enough to reach longer distances.

Apart from the utilitarian purpose of getting good group photographs, shooting wide angle lets you portray the scene in full detail with unusual and sometimes, exaggerated perspectives. This is especially true of super wide angle. Small objects can be made to appear larger than larger objects within the same scene, effectively shifting the balance of the image composition. When used well, it can bring attention to the subject of interest in the foreground, at the same time preserving the context of the whole image by showing the location or event in the background.

Choose your foreground interest wisely

-Wider Options

Lenses are categorized by their focal lengths. Typically, lenses fall into one of these categories:

· super wide angle (10~24mm)

· wide angle (24~35mm)

· standard (about 50mm)

· telephoto (70~300mm)

· super telephoto (300mm and beyond)

These numbers indicate the focal length, which describes the field of view achievable using that lens. Incidentally, the field of view of a 50mm lens is considered to be an approximation to what the human eye sees. For the DSLR owners, they can choose from a variety of lenses ranging from a super wide lens all the way up to a super telephoto. But what about the rest of us?

Digital compact camera owners are not left out of the picture. There are a multitude of wide-angle adapters for digital compacts; both made available as accessories as well as by third-party manufacturers. These can be attached via lens threads or bayonet mounts on their bodies. There are also some from third-party lenses which can be attached magnetically!

-Focal Length Multiplier

Note: The ‘focal length’ of the lens determines the ‘field of view’, which is the angle of view seen using this lens. ‘Field-of-view crop’ is often referred to as ‘focal length multiplier’ for the sake of simplicity.

Digital photography, from the hardware perspective, is based on principles of 35mm film cameras. For a photographer who shoots with film, there is no such thing as a ‘focal length multiplier’, because to them, everything is 1x. This means that a 50mm lens is a 50mm lens. Not so for a digital SLR. A 50mm lens virtually becomes a 75mm lens, when attached to a Nikon D200 digital SLR. This is because the ‘focal length multiplier’ of 1.5x causes the 50mm lens to have a field of view equivalent to a 75mm lens.

Shooting wide angle is basically one way of depicting a scene using a wider field of view, which in turn is achieved by using a lens with a focal length of less than 50mm on a 35mm film SLR camera. These days, with the proliferation of digital SLR cameras, there might be some confusion to how focal lengths are calculated.

To keep things simple, we can use this rule of thumb. If you are using a 35mm film SLR, your focal length multiplier is 1x. If you are using a digital SLR, your focal length multiplier could be any one of these, depending on the model of DSLR camera: 1x (eg Canon 1Ds Mk II), 1.3x (eg Canon 1D Mk II), 1.5x (eg Nikon D200 or D70) or 1.6x (eg Canon 30D).

To get the actual focal length (and hence field of view achievable) of your lens, multiply the lens focal length with the multiplier.

Example 1

Nikon D200 (multiplier is 1.5x) with a 17~70mm lens

The actual focal length range of this combination is 25.5mm-105mm, achieved by multiplying the lens range with 1.5

Example 2

Canon 1Ds Mk II (multiplier is 1x) with a 70~300mm lens

The actual focal length range of this combination is still 70-300mm.

Example 3

Nikon F5 (35mm film camera with multiplier of 1x) with a 15mm fisheye lens

The actual focal length of this combination is still 15mm.

The reason behind the focal length multiplier falls to the size of the recording media, the CCD or CMOS. Different cameras use different sized CCD/CMOS for different reasons eg. to make a smaller camera and for better power efficiency. For compact digital cameras which do not fall under the digital SLR category, focal length multipliers are rarely used because they don’t have interchangeable lenses. What they do have are wide angle adapters or telephoto adapters. A wide angle adapter may be referred to as a 0.7x wide adapter. What this number means is that this adapter shortens the focal length of the built-in lens by multiplying it with 0.7, effectively creating a wider field of view.

Super wide angle shots sometimes appear distorted, but they do show a lot more in the background, lending context to an image

-Focusing with Wide Angle Lenses

An inherent characteristic of camera lenses is that wide angle lenses come with more depth-of-field compared to telephoto lenses. This reduces focusing errors to some extent, which means that you can focus on almost anything around the center of the frame and get an acceptably sharp image. In this case, a small aperture further increases the chance of a sharp image. For best results though, we can use the “1/3 of the distance rule”. Look inside your camera viewfinder, estimate the distance from the nearest point that is visible in the viewfinder, to the furthest point that is also visible in your viewfinder. Focus on a point that is roughly one-third of the distance away from you. If you cannot use autofocus effectively on that point (perhaps due to very dim light levels or low contrast early in the morning on a mountain), you can estimate the distance and manually focus your lens, using the distance scale on your lens. A small aperture (eg. f16) gives you more depth-of-field, so use it if possible. That’s why it’s good to carry a tripod, which will let you use smaller apertures without camera shake.

-Composing with Wide Angle Lenses

Wide angle photography has its own set of challenges. While it lets you show more of the scene, sometimes less is more. If not properly framed, a super wide angle image may include distracting elements which detract from your image, because a wide angle lens sees a wider field of view than a normal lens. Therefore it’s good to fill the frame well, composing it in such a way that only the necessary elements are included. Landscape photography is a classic candidate for using wide angle lenses. In order to shoot great landscape photography, foreground interest is important. Wide angle lenses let you include a sizeable portion of the foreground in the frame, so use it well by choosing a foreground that is actually interesting.

When shooting super wide angle, we can also get away with a slower shutter speed because the shorter focal length downplays slight camera shake errors, opening up new possibilites with photography. One example is hand-holding your SLR camera in a busy street downtown, capturing a sharp image of your subject while rendering the pedestrian traffic as a blur, due to the slower shutter speed.

-Wide Angle Care

Exercise more caution when handling your DSLR or digicam with a wide-angle lens/adapter. Some wide angle lenses have protruding glass which is more exposed and susceptible to accidental contact with dirty fingers or worse, it may end up getting scratched. If your lens accepts a UV filter, get one. It will protect your lens from countless dangers. Many wide angle lenses allow you to focus closer than a telephoto lens, so a lens hood helps to some extent to protect your lens from your overzealous attempts to get a closer shot.

Wide angle photography is exciting, go forth and experiment!

Enjoy !

Warmly,

Bernard Tan Min Chun

Photographic Artist

http://www.dreamentry4u.com/photo.html



By: BERNARD TAN MIN CHUN

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(It must be remembered however that satellite imagery rarely competes with Oblique Aerial Photography where and angle is required) For many years aerial photographers like their land-based colleagues have relied on film and it has only been in the last few years that the digital equipment has been able to rival film. This is still not true for large prints where medium format film cameras provide the benchmark in perfect conditions such as display Construction Photography.

The main advantages digital has over film: -

Greater flexibility – allows photography in poorer condition which would not normally be possible, e.g. Photography in low light - ISO’s up to and above 1600.

Immediate data recall and review while on location.

No changing film.

High capacity memory cards allow hundreds of images on one card (depending on image size) - especially important where a large number of images are to be taken in a short space of time, such as Event Aerial Photography.

Image stabilization on lenses.

Immediate image transfer from the office to clients.

Easier archiving of electronic data with instant recall.

Easier manipulation of images for both archiving in Aerial Photographic Libraries and e-mailing.

Disadvantages of digital over film: -

Limitation in size of printable image depending on size of sensor. Most semi-pro DSLR’s do not have full frame sensors, therefore smaller than 35mm. Professional DSLR cameras do have full frame sensors but these are roughly the equivalent of a 35mm film camera and no larger.

Meduim format digital cameras are not usually appropriate for use in Aircraft due to the restriction on ISO settings and the very high cost.

Possible to loose data inadvertently.

Camera battery power is paramount.

Need for constant hardware and software upgrades.

For many aerial photographers the move to digital equipment has not only provided greater flexibility but has also reduced processing costs as many clients will not require prints but only the digital files on a disc. Although there will be a large initial outlay for the equipment the savings over time on the lab processing fees should outweigh these.



By: Keith McGregor

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Wedding is a function which needs to be remembered for the future. As you might imagine, a wedding photography is very essential which needs some skill and experience to make everyone look beautiful. Photographer you chose will be capturing the moments and memories of what may be the most important day of the life.

Wedding photograph serves the lifetime memories for a person.

Due care should be taken in selecting a wedding photographer because there is no second chance. Photographer should be able to produce beautiful work in a multitude of locations in all kinds of weather conditions in a minimum span of time. You can take suggestion from your friends, take your time and follow some of the simple suggestions and you will most certainly be satisfied with the outcome.

Interaction of photographer is very essential with the friends, family and members of the wedding party. Photographer should have the personality to complement you on joyous day.

You might keep the budget allocation in mind. Generally, a photographer should be booked at least two or three months before the wedding day.

You can take personal referrals or suggestions from the friends. People who have positive personal experiences with the photographers can help you to take a decision. After selecting few names, you can pay a personal visit to review his or her online portfolio. If it looks appealing, you can make an initial contact to determine his availability, cost and package of services that you are to get from the photographer.

You can ask for more detail from the photographers. Ask for a complete portfolio of a single wedding. It can give a much clearer sense of what you can expect than a collection of choice shots from several different events. Pay attention to whether the photographer is expert in capturing expressions and personalities.

It would be more ideal if this meeting includes the bride and groom as well as parents, since photographer will be required interacts with them more often.

Wedding photographs serve as a reminder of the entire gala show. A few meetings prior to wedding may give you a brief idea of the things in advance.

If you are camera shy, it can help you a lot. By taking a few shots prior to the day of the wedding, your photographer may help to feel comfortable on the big day. This can also help in establishing the kind of photos that will work on you.

Before the wedding day, few photographs of the couple can be taken on other ceremonies. Service of any photographer depends upon the client’s demand.

You can trust your photographer regarding the lightening. Remember that your photographer has been doing this since years and probably knows a great deal more about the topic.

You might be interested in asking a few questions like how you will get prints of the photographs. You can also check the availability of the photographs in time. If your guest want a copy of the wedding photographs, your photographer must be ready to give as many copies are required.

Colored photographs are mostly liked by people but you can go for black and white images because they look great. With a very traditional and refined appearance, these images can cherish your memories forever.



By: Rafi Michael

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We use cameras to keep a visual record of things that happen in our lives. These could be special events, like weddings and graduations, or fantastic sights say of wildlife. There are also those people who just want to take pictures of everyday life. There are different cameras suited for all these kinds of photography. I think its best to say that once we narrow down what we will mostly use our cameras for, we can then look for a digital camera buyer’s guide to help us narrow down the camera we are going to buy.

These guides should not be expensive and sometimes come free of charge with photography magazines. You can also use photography magazines. They sometimes have sections that play the same role as a buyers guide. The guides you get will show you what is new in the market and the prices for those cameras. You also see reviews by the experts and the pros and cons if any of the cameras. They sometimes run articles on the cameras as well as full product features. When using a digital camera buyer’s guide, you will also know what accessories are available and the best to use. These range from flashes, lenses, filters and printers just to name a few.

The important thing about using a buyer’s guide is that they will show different price ranges, and cameras to suit every budget and photographers need. You also have the opportunity to compare cameras, and make a judgment based on what the experts are saying about the different cameras in the market.



By: Peter Gitundu

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It is well-known among internet marketers that writing and distributing articles is one of the best and least expensive ways to promote products and services to a very wide audience. If you are involved in trade show or event marketing, you can use this technique to very effectively support your event marketing efforts.

**Supporting your trade show marketing with articles**

Let’s say you are a wedding photographer who shoots weddings within a radius of about 150 miles of your office or home. You are selective about which weddings you will shoot because, quite frankly, some pay better than others. So you are interested in reinforcing your carefully developed image. Your image is of a photographer who does work that is more creative and of higher quality than what you get from the average wedding photographer.

One of the successful methods you use to promote your services is to enter two or three specialty wedding trade shows held every year in different cities within your target area. Because these shows are geared specifically towards couples who want “something special” (that is, they are prepared to spend more money), they help you reach the “better than average” clientele you are after.

**A perfect opportunity to reinforce your special image**

This is a perfect scenario for reinforcing your image by writing and publishing articles about wedding photography. Of course you have to be careful that your articles don’t sound blatantly self-promoting. Most article marketers suggest your articles contain interesting, general information that can stand apart from the fact that you just happen to be providing the services you are writing about.

For instance, you might write an article called “Do Something Different with Your Wedding Photos”, where you describe some different techniques and locations that might be used. Or “Wedding Photography Over the Last 50 Years”, or “Should Your Photographer Choose Your Wedding Outfits?”, or “5 Secret Locations to Shoot Your Wedding Photos”, or “Perils of a Wedding Photographer”.

There is really no limit to the number of original and interesting stories you could can come up with if you just use your imagination.

A good article marketing campaign will consist of at least three or four articles written and distributed just before the peak periods in your marketing cycle. If you are trying to reinforce your trade show marketing, make sure you prepare your articles well before the trade shows you are entering.

**How to distribute your articles**

Your objective is to use these articles to create an identity for yourself at the same time as getting yourself lots of free publicity. The more places you distribute your articles, the more prospective customers you will reach, so don’t be timid about getting your articles out there.

The obvious place to start is by posting them on your own website. Create an article section and mix in articles from other (non-competing) writers. This will make your website a more valuable resource for your prospective customers, and it will enhance your image in their eyes.

Second, consider distributing your article to the local print media. If it is interesting enough — and not just a self-promotion — some of them will very likely publish it. The important thing is to find an interesting angle. Think in terms of their readers and write for them. Some media will even have special sections — weddings, home renovations, automobiles, outdoor, sports — that you can contribute to.

Third, if you are entering trade shows, send your material to the trade show organizers. They may publish a show program and may be looking for interesting material that helps make their program appear more substantial.

**Distribution on the internet**

If you are catering to local customers you may think the internet is overkill. But you would be wrong. If you are trying to reach prospects in, say, the Lexington area, make sure you write your article so the search engines know your service focuses on the Lexington area. They will do a great job getting you exposure for searches like “wedding photography Lexington”, “Lexington auto detailing”, or “kitchen renovators in Lexington”.

Distribute your articles to as many key article websites on the internet as you can find. This will do three things for you. First, a lot of people will read your articles on these sites. Second, other sites interested in your subject matter will republish your article, exposing it to an even wider audience. And third, the major search engines will analyse and index your article and it will start appearing in searches.

**Using a professional article writing service**

You may not feel comfortable writing your own articles, and you may think it is much too time consuming to do your own distribution. That’s when you should look for a reliable service to do both of these things for you. You might be surprised to find out how many writers and promoters there are out there ready to go to work for you.

Look for a service that has a solid track record. They should be able to show you writing examples, and they should be able to give you a very good idea where they intend to distribute your articles. As with most other specialized services you will probably find it is a lot more efficient to let a professional do it for you than to try to do it yourself



By: Rick Hendershot

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Most successful potographers start out as assistants to experienced photographers. Assistants acquire the technical knowledge needed to be a successful and also learn other skills necessary to run a portrait or commercial photography business.

Portrait photographers take pictures of individuals or groups of people and often work in their own studios. Some specialize in weddings, religious ceremonies, or school photographs and may work on location. Portrait photographers who own and operate their own business have many responsibilities in addition to taking pictures. They must arrange for advertising, schedule appointments, set and adjust equipment, purchase supplies, keep records, bill customers, pay bills, and if they have employees, hire, train, and direct their workers.

Commercial and industrial photographers take pictures of various subjects, such as buildings, models, merchandise, artifacts, and landscapes. These photographs are used in a variety of media, including books, reports, advertisements, and catalogs. Industrial photographers often take pictures of equipment, machinery, products, workers, and company officials. The pictures are used for various purposes for example, analysis of engineering projects, publicity, or records of equipment development or deployment, such as placement of an offshore oil rig. This photography frequently is done on location.

Scientific photographers take images of a variety of subjects to illustrate or record scientific or medical data or phenomena, using knowledge of scientific procedures. They typically possess additional knowledge in areas such as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry.

News photographers also called photojournalists, photograph newsworthy people, places, and sporting, political, and community events for newspapers, journals, magazines, or television.

Fine arts photographers sell their photographs as fine artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, fine arts photographers need artistic talent and creativity.

Self-employed, or freelance, photographers usually specialize in one of the above fields. In addition to carrying out assignments under direct contract with clients, they may license the use of their photographs through stock photo agencies or market their work directly to the public. Stock photo agencies sell magazines and other customers the right to use photographs, and pay the photographer a commission.

Working Conditions

Working conditions for photographers vary considerably. Photographers employed in government and advertising studios usually work a 5 day, 40 hour week. On the other hand, news photographers often work long, irregular hours and must be available to work on short notice.

Some photographers work in uncomfortable or even dangerous surroundings, especially news photographers covering accidents, natural disasters, civil unrest, or military conflicts. Many photographers must wait long hours in all kinds of weather for an event to take place and stand or walk for long periods while carrying heavy equipment. News photographers often work under strict deadlines.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Employers usually seek applicants with a good eye, imagination, and creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of photography. Entry level positions in photojournalism or in industrial or scientific photography generally require a college degree in photography or in a field related to the industry in which the photographer seeks employment. Freelance and portrait photographers need technical proficiency, gained through a degree program, vocational training, or extensive photography experience.

Individuals interested in a career in photography should try to develop contacts in the field by subscribing to photographic newsletters and magazines; joining camera clubs; and seeking summer or part time employment in camera stores, newspapers, or photo studios.

Photographers need good eyesight, artistic ability, and good hand eye coordination. They should be patient, accurate, and detail oriented. Photographers should be able to work well with others, as they frequently deal with clients, graphic designers, and advertising and publishing specialists. Photographers need to know how to use computer software programs and applications that allow them to prepare and edit images, and those who market directly to clients should be familiar with using the Internet to display their work.

Portrait photographers need the ability to help people relax in front of the camera. Commercial and fine arts photographers must be imaginative and original. News photographers must not only be good with a camera, but also understand the story behind an event so that their pictures match the story. They must be decisive in recognizing a potentially good photograph and act quickly to capture it. Photographers, who operate their own business, or freelance, need business skills as well as talent. These individuals must know how to prepare a business plan; submit bids; write contracts; keep financial records; market their work; hire models, if needed; get permission to shoot on locations that normally are not open to the public; obtain releases to use photographs of people; license and price photographs; and secure copyright protection for their work. To protect their rights and their work, self-employed photographers require basic knowledge of licensing and copyright laws, as well as knowledge of contracts and negotiation procedures.

After several years of experience, magazine and news photographers may advance to photography or picture editor positions. Some photographers teach at technical schools, film schools, or universities.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of salaried photographers were $26,080 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $18,380 and $37,370. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $54,180. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of salaried photographers were $32,800 for newspapers and periodicals and $23,100 for other professional, scientific, and technical services.

Salaried photographers, more of whom work full time, tend to earn more than those who are self employed. Because most freelance and portrait photographers purchase their own equipment, they incur considerable expense acquiring and maintaining cameras and accessories. Unlike news and commercial photographers, few fine arts photographers are successful enough to support themselves solely through their art.



By: Herb Williams

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Your wedding pictures are the most important pictures you will have taken in your life. When you select a photographer you have to be very cautious. Improvements in camera technology has made it almost impossible to take a bad photograph. Many amateurs, prepared with refined equipment, are capable of taking decent photographs. However, there is much more to Wedding Photography than knowing how to operate a camera. Wedding photography is about seizing moments, capturing emotion and creating memories. The technical skills required to do this are essential, but it doesn’t stop there.

Professional wedding photographers photograph people every day and not only have the necessary photographic skills, but are adept at handling people. How do you find a professional wedding photographer?

Initial, you must ask if photography is their full time profession. Even though you are not required to be a member of a professional organization to become a professional photographer, membership is a good indication that your photographer is very serious about his craft. Membership in the Professional Photographers of Ontario (P.P.O.), for example, requires that you are an active, full-time photographer. Another indication of your photographer’s proficiency is the equipment they use.

All right - your photographer is a member of a professional photographic association and has medium format apparatus. What else do you look for in a wedding photographer? First and foremost, you must view the photographer’s work. Not only should your photographer show you a variety from different weddings, but should also show you a sample of one entire wedding. This way you can see if your photographer can produce quality throughout the event, not just a lucky shot from different weddings. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how they would handle different situations, such as crying children, obnoxious relatives or fainting bridesmaids. If you are not comfortable with their answer, maybe you should look somewhere else. There are many types of professional photographers covering a vast spectrum of classifications. Though your photographer may be a skilled nature, commercial, baby or pet photographer, it takes a different skill set to photograph weddings.

A great advantage of choosing a photographer that is a member of a professional photographer’s association is that they have the opportunity to become qualified and recognized. As a member of the Professional Photographers of Ontario, the photographer must qualify, within two years of joining, to retain membership. The letters displayed after a photographer’s name, FPPO, APPO and LPPO indicate that the photographer has passed precise levels of the qualification program. Accreditation, a national designation from the Professional Photographers of Canada (P.P.O.C.), proves that the photographer is capable of delivering above average quality in a given category, such as wedding photography. It also means that the photographer books up pretty fast, sometimes up to a year in advance.



By: Rafi Michael

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I am often asked by keen amateur photographers how they can make money with their hobby. The answer is very often, wedding photography. Many professional photographers began their careers by shooting weddings. As a wedding photographer, you can make a substantial income, without a lot of overhead. Many wedding photographers work from home, and very often, part time. But if you are ready to take the next step, then my Wedding Photography course can help get you off to a great start. See more at www.howtoshootweddings.net

Wedding photography can be a very lucrative part time of full time option. In the United State alone, wedding photography accounts for approx. $5 Billion per year. That’s a sizable market. And with some know how and a decent digital camera, you can be a part of this industry. I have designed a course that includes everything you need, including business forms, technical discussions, sample ads and business and even tips on using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Apple’s Aperture. You can see more information and order at www.howtoshootweddings.net.

One of the first questions I am asked when shooting with a digital camera (after the “which camera do you use, question), is, what format should I shoot? Tiff, High Res JPEG, RAW etc. And the answer is very simple. RAW! There is NO other option. And you need to make sure that you are using the highest resolution (megapixels) available on your camera.

You should only be using a digital SLR (DSLR) camera, with the most powerful (expensive) flash available for your system. When you shoot a wedding, you will need to use flash for basically every shot you take. Indoors and out, even in bright sunlight. The flash will light dark subjects inside and when you are outside, it will fill in the shadows of your subject, and make the resulting photos look their best.

A very important point to remember when you photograph the bride, is to make sure that there is lots of detail in the brides dress. With digital cameras, the sensor cannot record as wide a range of light to dark as with film, and whites in particular, can be very challenging to record with detail. This is where you need to be able to balance the flash with the available light to get acceptable results. Otherwise, you may have some angry people calling you after the event. And you cannot arrange a do-over for a wedding, it is a one shot deal. So, make sure you do lots of practice before your first real, paying event. A good way to practice is to have you wife/girlfriend/kids dress up in white clothes and take lots of shots and note the settings you need to get detail in the dress, and good skin tones on the brides face.

Whenever possible, set up the kids in the bridal party by themselves. These kinds of photos will sell to the parents, the bride and groom and many other family members, especially the grandparents. Part of your job is to not just take good photos, but to take photos that will sell and keep you in a job and allow you to buy more equipment as you need it. You should always take individual shots of each kid and have the parents help to get them comfortable so you can get some good shots. Always try to choose an interesting background where possible. In order to focus attention on the kids and not the background, I often make a selection around the kids in Adobe Photoshop, and darken the background a little, so the kids will stand out and be the attention of the photo. For more information, goto www.howtoshootweddings.net



By: Tom Jackson

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Your wedding is one of the most beautiful and important days in your life. Something you definitely want to capture with great photographs - both for yourself and for future generations. However, a worst case scenario, could have you paying lot’s of money for a bunch of pictures you really are not satisfied with. This article will walk you through some of the most important aspects of wedding photography.

Choosing a photographer

Your first task is naturally to select a wedding photographer. Most expensive doesn’t always translate into “best”, so it can pay off doubly to check out several companies and photographers. Also, you should be aware of that some photographers only offer the traditional wedding photography style, or strictly a photojournalistic style. It is best to find a versatile photographer that can do both.

When visiting the photo company you should inquire who will actually be taking the pictures. Salespersons often pose as actual photographers and try to woo customers. If at all possible you should speak directly with the photographer and make sure companies deal openly. You should also ask them to show several complete weddings from each of the photographers they offer you, so you can choose. Make sure the one chosen is the one that will cover your wedding. Otherwise, it is better to find a photographer that personally shoots weddings. A two-person team is an even better package because two points of view of the wedding can be taken.

In any case, the photographer should be able to show more than one complete set of wedding photos. Couples should not accept someone who shows only selected prints of their best photographs from different weddings. A photographer who can exhibit three or four complete sets of good quality pictures, all from different weddings, will probably be a very good choice for your special occasion.

Do not be afraid to come across as “too picky”. Because asking intelligent questions will encourage photographers to deal openly with customers. Remember, it’s your special day, and you should make sure that the wedding photography is something that will help you and your loved ones relive those wonderful memories.

The big day - one big photo-op

Once a great photographer has been appointed to the task, most of your job is already done. However, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to make your wedding as good a photo opportunity as possible.

The first thing to do is to give the most opportunities for the photographer when scheduling activities during the wedding day. When planning the time of the wedding ceremony and of the reception, couples should incorporate the time that the photographer requires to capture all of the couple’s special moments. There should be a gap between the end of the ceremony and beginning of the reception, to allow for more photographs for the bride, groom and wedding entourage, especially if they are in two different locations. The photographers and subjects will have a more relaxed shoot and will enjoy all the parts of the wedding if the events are well spaced out.

Selecting a photographer that will provide unlimited coverage for the whole day is also a good way to ensure that none of the photography will be rushed.

The check list

As you see, the most important part with successful wedding photography lies in selecting the right photographer. So, to conclude this article, here is a short check list of things you should ask all potential photographers.

- What kinds of cameras does he use? Does he use medium format equipment and have a back up? Does have a “leaf” shutter or “focal plane”?

- What lenses does he use? Does he use only one, or will he change lenses? Make him show you photo effects that he is able to achieve with different lenses and choose the ones which you like to appear with your photographs.

- Will he provide photographs in both color and black and white, or would he charge extra for B/W? Dramatic effects can be made with black and white photographs, so ask if this is a premium.

- Are hand and digital coloring or digital color separation included in the package or would he charge extra for these? Better pictures are developed when the photograph colors are separated first, improved, and then printed.

- Is he willing to customize a package that is within your budget?

By: Charles Hawkins

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(c) 2008 Tom Jackson

Whenever you are taking photos, either for a big event, like a wedding, or just the family at the beach, you need to take notice of the surroundings. Very often, you will see photos taken by people that would have been very good, but something got in the way, like something in the background or the camera was not held straight, or some other small thing that could have been avoided, but now has lead to a picture that is less than acceptable.

Apart from making sure the camera is held straight, and that the lens cap is off, and your finger is not in front of the lens, the first thing you should look at is the background. This is where most problems occur because the photographer is looking at the subject, not the background. If you do not check the background first, you could end up with tress and other things growing out of the heads of the subjects or worse.

With the advent of digital cameras, it is an easy task to check that the photo looks good, at least on the small screen of the camera. You can tell if there are problems and make any necessary corrections on the spot. Be careful not to get caught up in the emotion, and forget to check these things. Just remember, every time you hold the camera up to take a photo, look at the background, then the subjects, then take the photo.

Also, you need to be aware of where the sun is when taking photos outdoors. When the sun is in front of the camera, you run the risk that the cameras light sensor will expose for the sun and not your subject. Your photos will be very dark as a result, although you will get a lovely exposure of the sun. And, be very careful if you are pointing the camera in the direction of the sun, as the sensor could be damaged if exposed to such a bright light for too long.

If you are taking photos for a bride and groom, then this information becomes even more critical. In fact, if you are taking photos for anyone who is paying you, then you need to make sure each and every photo is perfect. If you do not plan every photo, you leave yourself open to failure. That means a nice enjoyable day taking photos and making some money to boot, becomes your worst nightmare. Remember, plan to succeed and take care of the small details, and you will have fun and make some money along the way.

Whenever you take photos at a big event, wether or not you are being paid, checking the background os critical to taking good photos. Now, instead of just making sure that the background is not causing a problem, you now need to be looking at the background for photo opportunites. In the church or at the reception, you need to be constantly searching out suitable backgrounds to use for the bride and groom and the bridal party. Look for any opportuntiy to use a sunset, water fountain, garden, staircase or anything that will enhance the photo. You can check the blog in the resource box for a photo of a bride and groom, taken at the base of a staircase in an office building downtown Phoenix AZ. This is an example of spotting a suitable background, and then making sure the bride and groom follow the photographers direction, in order to take some stunning photos that will sell.

This office complex had such a beautiful wooden staircase, that it was an obvious choice for some photos of the bridal party. In this situation, and wherever you possibly can, if the groom is shorter than the bride, make sure you position the couple in such a way that the groom will look taller. Even if you have to use a phone book or a small box. Use whatever you can to make the groom look taller. It may seem silly at the time, but the photos will look much better, you will sell more photos and hence make more money. The bride and groom will also appreciate your efforts to make their photos look their best.

This will be a great advertisement for your skills. People will see the thought and care you put into every picture you take, and they will tell their friends. The best form of advertising is word of mouth. And make sure you have plenty of cards with you to promote yourself. People will not want to write down your details, they will want a business card or postcard or flyer.



By: Tom Jackson

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With an increase in higher speed internet connections, higher quality digital cameras and even camera phones, it has never been easier to make money from your photos online. Regardless if you are Professional Photographer or simply just a gifted Amateur, all you have to do is upload them, set a price and wait.

So what types of images can you sell and where? The best types of photos to sell online are called stock photos. These are images that normally illustrate objects, landscapes, ideas, emotions, people, and art. This list is endless but images do need to be of a certain standard and quality to be attractive to buyers and sell online!

Quality is most important, poor quality images taken in low light will not be very useful to any graphic designer for use on the web or print. They need high resolution, sharp images, but the best thing to do if you are not sure if your images are good enough is to upload your images to a photo sales website, they will then make a decision and either reject or accept your photos or graphics for sale.

Graphics can also be sold online via most websites, for example website graphics, backgrounds, textures, and digital artwork are all in demand by designers & the public alike for print.

There is another type of image that doesn’t matter as much about the quality but the content, and this is event photography. For example, the media and news industry needs images immediately of world events as they happen. It takes time to dispatch a photographer to a destination and delays could mean missing the publishing deadline. Therefore even images taken on a camera phone will qualify for sale if put in the right categories. For example: News & Current Issues on ProfessionalFoto.com.

Where to sell your images is a big decision, we recommend a website called ProfessionalFoto.com. The reason why this website is better for photographers to sell their images on is that they allow the seller to set a price and give a fair deal for their work. They only take a small commission and the rest is the Photographers profit! This website is also ideal for Landscape and Art photographs and images as ProfessionalFoto.com will be introducing a prints and canvas product selection soon.



By: Lewis Jeandren

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Choosing the right company will not only dictate the quality of the work but will also make the difference between meeting your deadlines, complying with the law and receiving the correct advice and expertise to get the results you require.

One of the most important influences on choosing the supplier is obviously the end product you wish to acquire. Aerial photography is not a homogenous product and there are many variables involved with aerial photography which can influence the end result as well as the cost. Below is a list of some of the types of Aerial Photography available;

Oblique Aerial Photography

Vertical Photography

Survey Photography

Event Aerial Photography

The end use for the image will also dictate the type of equipment used. For display size photography, Larger than A1 it is important that the quality and detail exists to be able to expand the image up to the required size. Most good companies will still offer a Medium Format Film service as well as a digital service, only in very recent times has the digital equipment begun to rival the quality of film for big enlargements.

If precision survey photography or vertical photography is required the company must be able to fulfil this requirement with accurate GPS equipment and often with a gyro-stabilised camera mounting system.

However you choose your supplier, be sure to shop around, make sure you receive the expert advice, a good reputable company will suggest the most appropriate type of photography to fit your budget and brief even if they do not offer the service themselves.

Beware of casual/part time companies or individuals, they may not have the expertise to advise you or indeed be operating within the bounds of strict air law. A specialist Aerial photography company will own its own aircraft and employ full time qualified pilots which allow the flexibility to react to the prevailing weather conditions and therefore produce the best possible photography.

A good indication of the extent of a company’s aerial competence is the existence and size of their aerial photographic library. If a company has an extensive library they may also already have an image which will be sufficient and thus reducing your cost as you can merely purchase the library image from them for a smaller fee.



By: Keith McGregor

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ernous is a pro photographer and digital imaging specialist. He has a Diploma in a Design Photography and experience in a variety of photographic fields ranging from home to industrial design photography.

He recently started working as a professional photographer, starting a career in the art of digital imaging. He started this journey as an amateur photographer out to take pictures that he wanted to remember later in life, but to his surprise he was asked by most family and friends to take the next step and become a professional photographer.

His passion began while attending Photography Academy in Berlin, Germany where he took up the study of photography as a hobby under the mentorship of Mark Ballock. He is now studying to be a commercial photographer at the Art Center of Design in Vienna which will enhance not only his ability to take amazing and creative imagery but will also give him the tools and knowledge of being the best in the industry.

His style of shooting is considered a journalistic approach with a twist. Andrew believes that with every picture lies a story. His vision is to bring life and representation of art in every photograph he takes.

Andrew Chernous has multiple years of Adobe Photoshop experience especially in CS2 and RAW files allows him to create more detail and color so that every picture is Art.

He has been published twice in the Berlin local newspaper and website for travel destinations of Western Germany. Also appearing multiple times in the Northern Germany Coast News for local chamber events such as the Encinitas Sundowner and Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Sundowner.

An image gallery from this developing series will be featured online soon.

By: Robert

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For the average person, digital cameras are the tool of choice to snap pictures of family and friends, to record special events, and to capture images of inspiring landscapes seen on vacations. However, for some, a love of nature, simple curiosity, or an interest in photography as a hobby guides them toward the world of close-up, or macro, photography. Close-up photography is simply a matter of taking pictures of small objects by getting very close and obtaining a magnified view. For anyone serious about macro photography an SLR camera is needed but for those interested in dabbling with their basic digital camera, a little experimentation can produce interesting close-up photographs.

Special “macro” lenses are recommended for the enthusiast but most digital cameras can accept small ***** on “close-up” lenses which provide additional magnification. The digital cameras most consumers purchase are auto focus and merely require the push of a button to enter close or “macro” mode but the owner’s manual should be reviewed to discover the minimum focusing distance of the camera. When shooting at a distance of only inches there are a number of precautions to take to assure a high quality image.

1.) Focus: When photographing at close range/high magnification, images can be blurred by the slightest movements.

• If the digital camera has a feature for mirror lock-up, it should be activated as the mere movement of the mirror can blur the image taken.

• Use a tripod

• Because slight breezes can cause movement, it is easiest to shoot subjects indoors when possible to gain control over the environment. In addition, shooting inanimate objects can also be a good starting point for a novice as the subject of the picture will not be moving.

• Because of the close range, blurriness in all but a very small area of the picture frequently occurs. To get more area in focus, reduce the aperture and increase lighting. In some instances, increasing distance from the subject may be necessary.

• Be sure the subject is parallel to the lens as items which are perpendicular have portions which are further away and therefore tend to blur.

2.) Getting the view you want: What is seen through the viewfinder of the digital camera is different than what the lens sees. This is particularly evident when photographing at close range.

• Use the LCD instead of the viewfinder to see what is being photographed.

• Or, use the correction marks (lines) that can be seen through the viewfinder which approximate the border of the image being taken to visualize what the lens is truly seeing. Then adjust the shot as necessary.

3.) Lighting: True macro photography commonly makes use of specialized flash units but care should be taken when using the flash unit with a digital camera to avoid over exposure and to obtain a natural looking background. Beginners can try a couple of things to obtain the best outcome

• Diffuse the light by using very thin tissue in front of the flash

• Place plain poster board (biege or gray is often used) behind the subject if the background is blackened. This will lighten the background and if placed far enough away, blur to look more natural.

• Use natural diffuse light when possible. As in most photography, avoid direct, overhead sunlight.

Although basic digital cameras have limitations related to macro photography, beginners can certainly obtain images with a level of detail and beauty seldom seen with the ***** eye when giving necessary attention to the special needs of close up photography.



By: Christine Peppler

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(c) 2008 Tom Jackson

This is part two of this article. I the first, part we covered the following points; Please see the first part for a full explanation of the 3 points.

1. Make sure that all your batteries are fully charged. This is critical, not just to make sure your camera can take photos on the day, but to also protect the photos you take and be sure the memory card does not become corrupt.

2. Make sure that you have enough memory cards to hold all of the photos you will be taking on the day. By having several memory cards available, you can shoot a number of images on each card and minimize the risk of losing all the images you take on the day.

3. Before you start the days event, make sure that you format the memory cards and get them prepared for the days event. Always format in the camera you will be using.

This is the continuation from part 1 of this article.

4. Never use a memory card in more than one kind of camera without formatting the card. You can not only damage a memory card but you may lose the images you have already taken by using the card in a camera other than a camera of the same make and model as the one you used to format the card. Most cameras will write the file a little differently, and so if you use the card in a different camera, you again run the risk of losing images. If you intend to use a card in a different camera, that make sure that you copy all the files onto your computer, and then format the card in the other camera before use.

5. Part of the reason for item 1 above (fully charged batteries), is not just to make sure you have enough power to take photos during the days event, but also to ensure that the camera will not power off during writing a file to the memory card. If the camera battery fails while writing a file, you will not only lose that image, but the rest of the images on the card may be lost forever. A memory card is just like a computer hard drive. It has a directory and file structure so that the camera and your computer know where the files are, how many files are on the card, and how big the files are. If the camera fails during writing a file to the card, it can corrupt the card, just like a hard drive crash. Also, never take a card out of the camera while the file is still being written to the card. Always make sure that if you need to remove the card after taking a photo, wait a few seconds to make sure the file has been written to the card to avoid problems.

6. When it comes time to move your photos onto your computer?s hard drive, I suggest that you use a memory card reader and not the camera. Again, it is always possible that the camera?s battery could fail during the process to copy the photos over to your hard drive. This will not usually be a problem, but it could cause the card to become corrupt and therefore potentially lose your images. It is generally accepted i the industry that a memory card reader is faster than your camera when transferring files. Card readers are very inexpensive, and you have a choice of using a multi format reader or one designed just for the card type your camera uses. They are so cheap, that I always carry one with me so that if I need to, I can either copy files to a computer that happens to be at the location I am shooting, or to display some of the images onto the computer monitor for the client or subjects to see right away.

So, if you would really like to lose all those treasured photos, if you really want to have the hassle of explaining to your client, family or friends that you have lost all of the images you took, then just ignore these tips. You will lose some money, some friends and have to endure the wrath of some potentially very angry people. Good word of mouth advertising cannot be bought. So, if you do have a problem during the event, you will miss out on a lot of income that you could’ve made over the years. There are wedding photographers who consistently make well into the 6 figure income. And in the US alone, the wedding photography market is in excess of five billion dollars a year. Not a bad market to be in.

So, if you follow these simple steps, you will ensure that your images will be saved, and everyone will live happily ever after. OK, well, maybe we do not need to be that melodramatic, but I am sure you get the picture (pun intended). Your clients will be happy, you will be happy, and your wallet will be happy. Plus, you get the benefit and the pride of knowing that you did a good job and that a small part of you will live on and be enjoyed by generations of people looking at your photos. Just like an artist has people viewing their paintings. It just does not get better than that. Enjoy.



By: Tom Jackson

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Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, a milestone in your baby’s development, the traditional family pictures – when any of these occasions occur, do you know why it pays to get the services of a professional Calgary photographer? Because you might be left with pictures that are out of focus, ones that do not have the proper lighting, and just unprofessional results which do not deserve to be framed.  Remember that these picture-perfect moments come only once in your life, so it pays to get the services of a professional Calgary photographer from a reputable Calgary photography studio, who will be working with you to produce artistic and satisfactory results for those great family albums which will be passed on from generation to generation. 

If you are looking for a reputable Calgary photography studio, one of the best Calgary photographers, this side of Canada, here is a few tips that you need to keep in mind. If you are booking for an important event like a wedding, contact the Calgary photography service provider in advance.  Their services for these types of events get fully booked really fast – so you would want to give them advance notification.  Next, when getting the services of a Calgary photography services provider to capture those family moments like milestones in your baby’s life – or family pictures, you should look through the portfolios of the professional Calgary photographer whom you are considering to hire.  This way, you can rest assured that the type of work that they have and the attention that they pay to detail will be used to your maximum advantage. 

When looking through the studio of a Calgary photography service provider or the portfolio of a Calgary photographer, here are a few questions that you need to ask yourself.  Do you like the style of the photos?  Do you want a photographer who makes his or her subjects pose for posterity so that the picture will look professionally made – or would you rather have him or her capture those candid moments?  How about the color of the print?  If you prefer to have black and white photos included in your album, make sure to inform the photographer beforehand.  This is because if the Calgary photographer is using film, he needs to have a separate camera to capture some shots in black and white.   However, the same thing does not apply if a digital camera is being used.

Finally, make sure that the Calgary photographer is flexible enough to work with the results that you want.  As a client, you do deserve to have some say in the way that things will turn out, so the photographer should be flexible enough to give you what you want.  You should have no problem at all in this department if you will get the services of a professional Calgary photographer who will capture those picture perfect moments, no matter what the occasion is, in film.



By: Clint Jhonson

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At all Spirit Cheer events, you have come to expect a relaxed non stress atmosphere in which all of your teams will compete to their highest ability. The Spirit Cheer staff is with you all day long with a smile on their faces and a willingness to help all attendees. Our staff makes the difference. At Spirit Cheer, teams will experience our awesome production sets, high quality sound, and entertainment thru out the day.

PSST: Wait till you see our stilt performers.*

Gifts, throw outs, video entertainment and more fun is what you have come to expect from each Spirit Cheer event you attend. From high quality gifts for each participant and coaches to Caribbean Vacation giveaways, the fun never stops. Join us this year to experience the Spirit Cheer difference and create some of your own unique Spirit Cheer memories.

*Stilt performers do not attend all events but at our most major events.

VENUE LOCATION/ADDRESS:

Expo Center Hall

at the Tampa State Fairgrounds off of I4

4800 Hwy 301 North

Tampa, fl. 33610

EVENT INFORMATION:

Spirit Cheer is excited to announce Tampa as the new home for the All American National Championship. Come join Spirit Cheer as we bring our FUN and EXCITING Nationals to Tampa. A larger Expo hall, more warm-up area and the open warm-up philosophy you’ve come to expect from Spirit Cheer. Join teams from around the nation that will compete for the titles available! All teams will compete on both days, and on Sunday, we have planned numerous awards ceremonies throughout the day. Across the way parents can enjoy the world famous Hard Rock Casino and within 5-7miles all the pleasures of Busch Gardens theme park. There will be something for everyone that attends. Can you say Easy! Call today for more information about our largest competition of the year! We look forward to bringing more FUN and excitement than ever before!!!

EVENT ACCOMMODATIONS:

Spirit Cheer recommends these properties for you to stay at, just ask for the Spirit Cheer room block for your discounted rate:

Host Hotel:

Crown Plaza Tampa East – 813-623-6363

Area Hotels:

Embassy Suites East -1-800-362-2779

Hilton Garden Inn East – 813-626-6700

Homewood Suites – 813-685-7099

TENTATIVE ITINERARY:

All competition schedules will be posted here on the Monday prior to the event.

Doors Open: 8am

Ticket Sales: Friday Night host hotel until 10pm. Saturday at 7:30am

Coaches Meeting: Friday night at 9pm Expo Hall at the Fairgrounds

REGISTRATION FEES:

Participant: $125

Crossover: $60

Individual: $75

Stunt Group/Duo/Trio: $160

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Registrations must be received by Friday, February 25, 2008

SPECTATOR FEES:

Adult: $25 per day

2-day pass: $35

Student (4-17): $15 per day

2-day pass: $20

Child (3 & under): Free

PARKING FEES:

$16 per car

VIDEO/PHOTO INFORMATION:

Action PitStop is your one source for Photography and Video. Covering the Entire United States, Action Pitstop Photography is second to none in quality event photography.

NO VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED.

Force Majeure. Spirit Cheer shall not be liable for failure or other delay in performance of its obligations under any agreement to the extent such failure or delay is due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God, acts of public enemy, fires, floods, war, civil disturbance, participation, sabotage, lock-outs, labor disputes, acts of any governmental or quasi governmental authority, cessation of operations by the NBA, theme park, or any other force majeure.



By: Mike Pare

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I think you’ll accept wedding is one of the most important occasions in an individual’s life. So every one wants to capture this special moments. Wedding photography is the best way to freeze the unmemorable events of your special day. Wedding photography cannot be taken lightly as they are very important.

To ensure the success of both wedding reception and the ceremony, one needs to select best wedding photographers. The main aspect of selecting a perfect wedding photographer mostly depends on the place where you have been planning your wedding- Los Angeles or San Francisco.

If you have planned your wedding at Los Angeles, selecting the Los Angeles photographers is a very important aspect of your wedding. You can seek the help of a good wedding planner to select the best wedding photography service, which will save lots of money, time and stress.

If you have planned your wedding at San Francisco, getting a perfect San Francisco portrait photography is really a Herculean task. If you have found your best wedding portrait photography, your wedding is as close to perfect as it can possibly be. The best solution to get rid of worries about photography is to hire professional San Francisco portrait photography service if your family is not accustomed with anybody with immense skills of photography.

Some of the bridegrooms preferred to have their wedding moments in Santa Barbara. If you’re one among them, then you would be in utter confusion on getting the perfect Santa Barbara wedding photography.

Santa Barbara has a great deal of photography studios in the area, giving consumers an extensive range of alternatives. You can simply browse the Net to find a person who can make your modern bride visual artistry in a photographic forum. You can simply found your dream photographer who is offering best Santa Barbara wedding photography as per requirements of the clients.

So, you have learned few tips to select best wedding photographers for your wedding. Your selected photographer irrespective of the area he belongs, he should be able to create relationships based on trust and comfort, which allow the tender, sweet, and intimate moments of your BIG day to emerge.



By: Sally

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When you start looking for photography jobs and assignments, the first thing your client wants to see is some samples of your photography work. These samples collected together are called a portfolio. Your first step to making money from your photography is building a credible portfolio of your best work. There are several ways that you can do this.

Working at a non-profit charitable event: Non-profit charitable events are great experience and you will give you the chance to collect a lot of good photographic samples from these events for your portfolio. You may not get paid but you will gain a lot of experience and you will get some good shots.

Voluntary work: you can volunteer for some jobs and do them free just to build up your experience and portfolio. I have done free photography for bands in he past and had a real good time doing it.

Collecting some of your best shots together: As you take photos you can save some of your best to put in your portfolio. When photography is your hobby you will find many places to take pictures. I like to pick a theme and develop some photography shots on that theme. For example I live near the sea, so I would go to the beach and take loads of pictures, then when I get home sort the best ones out. Then do some photoshop enhancements to the pictures. But would be editing through to find the best ones so that I can use in my portfolio.

Taking some pictures of family and friends events:  This is great way to learn how to take photos of people. You can take pictures at family or friends events and keep a few for your portfolio, also they make great gifts to give to them. This will also give you good experience to perfect your skills and this will look good in the portfolio.

It is important to know just what area of photography you will be specializing in before you start to build your portfolio. Once you have decided this you can then start to build up a good collection of photo portfolio samples relevant to the type of photography you are into. It is good to show off your range of skills as a photographer. Take different photos from different angles and really show that you can master the different lighting set ups.

Make sure that you present your portfolio extremely well. Put your photos in nice looking portfolio folder that shows your professionalism. You can create a slick laptop presentation and show them off in style. A good idea would be to design a logo or think about creating a brand for yourself. So you can use this on all your photo samples, website and promotional material.

Your portfolio is critical to your photography business. Make sure that you take care to prepare it very well. It is your first introduction to your clients and first impressions are lasting ones. Your portfolio is also the means that your prospective clients will know that they can trust you to take fantastic pictures for them. You need to make your portfolio stand out from the rest. So the more time you take grooming the portfolio the better. Build confidence and trust in your prospective client.



By: Gordon Powles

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