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Photographers
A listing of the finest Photographers available in the area is
presented in the table below. To learn more about each company,
click on the Company Name to see their Ad, click on their Web Site
hyperlink to access their web site, or contact them through the
Email hyperlink in the table below.
To learn more about how to Capture Your Memories through your Wedding
Photography, please read the article presented following the table.
All phone numbers are in the 805 area code unless
otherwise noted.
Wedding Photography
…Capturing Your Memories
You will have many wonderful memories of your wedding day - a special
laugh with your grandmother, the feel of your flower girl's hand
in yours, the scent of your father's cologne as he kisses your cheek
at the altar. All of your wedding memories will be cherished in
your mind's eye forever. However, the only memories of your wedding
day that you can easily visit again and again and also share with
an unlimited number of family and friends are your wedding photographs
(and videography).
The value of these visual memories of your special day should not
be underestimated. Your wedding photos will be incredibly precious
to you the moment you see them. Imagine how much more precious they
will become to you as the years go by and you are able to simply
open your wedding album in 30 years to revisit that special celebration
attended by all of your family and friends! Responsibility for this
valuable aspect of your wedding should only be entrusted to a professional
photographer. This is not the area in which to save money by enlisting
the services of a friend.
Finding Your Photographer
Like wedding and reception sites and caterers, wedding photographers
book up early so be sure to begin your photographer interview process
as early as possible. You can start this search with the professionals
listed in the index of this edition of CENTRAL COAST BRIDE Magazine
(page 5). If available, check out their web sites - most photographers
provide a variety of photographs on their site, which can save you
time in the first stages of photographer selection. Next conduct
phone interviews, visit their studio and review their portfolios.
Think about your style and your photographic preferences. Which
photographer's style best matches your own? Are your personalities
compatible? While not absolutely necessary, you will be working
closely with your photographer for many hours, so it would be more
enjoyable for you both if your personalities are complimentary.
Styles of Photography
There are basically two styles of wedding photography: traditional
and photojournalistic. Traditional photography mainly involves portraits,
where the photographer puts the group members into position for
photos. Photojournalistic photography mainly involves more candid
un-posed photos. Many photographers are adept at both traditional
and photojournalistic photography. Review their portfolio to get
a feel for their predominant style and area of expertise. Ask a
lot of questions and choose the photographer & photographic
style that best fits you and your style.
Digital Photography
Many photographers now offer Brides the option of digital photos.
With quality professional equipment and printing, digital photography
can now provide photos as sharp and clear as film photos. Digital
photos provide a couple of advantages over film: many more photos
may be taken without added expense of printing each one as a proof
prior to reproduction. Plus every image can be viewed in real time
and, if it is not the shot the photographer wanted, another may
be taken right away. With film, every proof adds to the expense
and if a proof of a particular shot isn't right, it is not possible
to go back and recreate the moment weeks after the wedding.
Most photographers give you the option of viewing your wedding
photos over the internet. Either film or digital photos may be viewed
this way, as long as the film has been submitted to a lab that provides
this service. With proofs online, your friends and family can also
view your photos and order copies of any photos they like via the
website without having to use you (and your time) as an intermediary.
This is a big plus - you will be surprised how many people will
want some photos from your wedding!
The Final Product
Photographers offer a wide variety of packages - choose the package
that offers the options that are most important to you. A package
may include a certain number of proofs where you pay for all final
photos, which are mounted in custom designed wedding albums for
you, your parents, and your in-laws.
You may have extensive experience designing memory albums and want
to purchase certain prints but design your own wedding album. Please
note, we recommend that you design your own album only if you are
very creative and experienced. Otherwise, your precious wedding
photos may remain in a box in the closet for many years to come.
A package may include one set of prints plus all negatives, from
which you can make an unlimited number of prints in the future.
A package may include proofs on the web, where you and your friends/family
may electronically select and purchase prints. Review the package
options available and select the one that best fits your needs and
budget.
Other Considerations
Another thing to consider in selecting your photographer is experience.
How many years have they been operating as a professional photographer?
What percentage of their work are weddings? Do they have experience
at your chosen wedding/reception site(s). What about any special
effects? Would you like a mix of color and black and white photos?
What about hand painted black and whites? Sepia? There are so many
possibilities to capture your wedding in stunning, beautiful photographs.
Be sure to review all of your options with your selected photographer
so that your wedding memories are reproduced in a manner that moves
you.
The Paperwork
As with all of your wedding professionals, be sure to sign a contract
with your chosen photographer. This contract will generally specify
the total cost, the number of photographers to work on your wedding,
the number of hours included, the number and type of proofs that
will be supplied, the number and sizes of photos provided, dates
when work will be completed, and how long the negatives will be
kept on file (and therefore available to you for reprints).
Detailed Planning
Don't overlook the importance of organizational meeting(s) with
your photographer well in advance of the wedding. Take advantage
of your photographer's professionalism and experience by asking
their advice as to timing and settings of photographs at your wedding
and reception. Will your photographer take separate bride and attendant
photos as well as groom and groomsmen photos prior to the ceremony?
Or will your photographer take the majority of the formal photos
after the ceremony prior to your entrance at the reception? It is
a good idea to assign a friend or family member to help your photographer
in gathering all required family members for photographs. This person
should be comfortable with this assignment and should know all needed
family members by sight. With your photographer, develop a photographic
timeline of your wedding day to ensure all special elements of your
wedding are captured forever!
Special Setting Photos
Your photographer will have lots of ideas for special settings for
photographs, particularly if he/she is familiar with the wedding
& reception facilities you have selected. Take some time to
visit your selected wedding & reception facilities with photo
settings in mind. Walk the site slowly; taking in any special attributes
it may have that will provide memorable backdrops in select photos.
Is your wedding on a dramatic cliff over the ocean? Does it have
views of rolling hillsides filled with grape vines or oak trees?
Are there quaint architectural accents you would like to capture?
A grand staircase that would highlight you and your attendants or
your train? Bubbling fountains in flower filled gardens? The list
of potential backdrops is endless. Once you have viewed your wedding
& reception setting with photo settings in mind, make a list
of special photos you would like and share this with your photographer.
Special Photo Presentations
Have you ever been to a wedding where a screen was set up and a
slide show was presented? These presentations may show a series
of photos of the Bride and Groom growing up, followed by photos
of them together throughout their dating life. These slide shows
are often a major highlight of the wedding, bringing a tremendous
feeling of warmth and connection to all present. While these shows
look complicated and expensive to produce, they are actually surprisingly
affordable. And all you need do is gather old and recent photos
and your photo professional will provide the technology and expertise
to create this masterpiece for your wedding, plus you may obtain
copies as well. Picture Magic (page 67) is one of the local professionals
providing this service.
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