posing, a lost art

"Paul" -  Jean Baptise Pigalle (1760)

wedding photographers, tend to say "i am a photojournalist, i don't pose couples." that tends to remind me of the statement: "i am a natural light photographer" which typically means, "i don't know how to use flash."

all the great wedding photographers know how to pose as well as how to shoot photojournalistic looking images. some may sell themselves as photojournalist; however, take a look at their editorial work and you will see their posing mastery.

photojournalism is a wonderful medium for capturing pictures at weddings; however, photographers have been using the medium as an excuse for their laziness for not learning how to pose. this is not a critique of photojournalism, this is a critique of laziness and the refusal to learn basic rules of posing. i will continuously mention photojournalism through out this blog post because it is tyically used in contrast as to why photographers don't learn posing. 

photography was developed in part by observing classical sculptors and painters. who understood how to pose the body so it can be most flattering to the eye. posing is a lost art that photographers have forgotten or given up on. one of the reasons i believe this is so, is because posing is a skill which takes a great deal of time to master.  those who pose bodies, know that they must pose the hands, spine, feet, eyes, fingers, chin, torso…all in one photograph, pretty much every part of the body. i'll present a situation for you where i believe posing becomes important:

“as a photographer, you are hired to photograph a small wedding, in the heart of wedding season, at a catering hall in new jersery. the  setting has decent looking decor with dreadful mixed lighting we photographers all dislike. the bride’s parents are religiously conservative and do not speak much to the grooms family. the groom does not want to kiss the bride as much out of respect for the conservativeness of the family. [there isn't much going on] you have severe limited time at the catering hall, because as you know these places are wedding factories and there is a wedding immediately in the reception area where you are photographing. the maitre'd interrupts your meal to tell you "let’s go, is time to cut the cake." she also interrupts your family portrait session to tell you to speed it up. she then interrupts your bride and groom portrait session, to tell you to speed it up, again. the bride ask for a few more photographs as guests are hurried out the hall and one of the cleaners purposely bumps you as a way of telling you to get out the hall; all because they want to speed up the wedding you are photographing, so as to clean up in time for the next wedding, right there after. [delicious moments for you to photograph aren't happening] during the reception, few people are dancing or interacting. also the bride is a bit heavy set."

David - " Michealangelo" (1501-04) 
Image courtesy of wikipedia

what would you do?  first thing, is to not complain and remember you are doing exactly what you love!: my personal mantra. so here is what i did. i took the bride and groom away from their families, and took them outside, posed them so that the bride can looks most flattering, and photographed them. [the result] bride: "i liked the ones [photographs] the most, when you took us outside."  i presented that situation because i wanted to show, that there wasn't much opportunity for photojournalistic moments. additionally, knowing the basics of posing helps to make those who don't have the type of bodies we see in the magazines to appear most flattering.

a wedding presents one million monkey wrenches, having every tool at your hand makes you better equipped to handle those wrenches and posing is one of those tools.

so the next question is: after i pose the couple, how do i not make it not look too "posey?" stay tuned for part ii of this blog post.

french wine board

to be a photographer is to be obsessive, well at least for me. i obsess with light and composition. the first thing i look for when approaching a photograph is light: "good light." and if there is none, i don't care how great the location is or how interesting the subject matter. such a situation is  not worth my time. why? photo means light and graph means to write or draw. photography begins and ends with light. if it's absolutely necessary, and there is no light, i will then add my own light. 

light first! 

this presents a problem in my personal life, as it does for many photographers. for the past three years, within the context of my personal life, i've found it difficult to be an active observer/ to live in the moment, if you will. most of time, i engage in passive observance because i take out my cell phone or camera(s) to photograph or record videos: at dinner, on a nature walk, at a weekend retreat, riding my bike etc. sometimes, i am not "present" in the moment because i am documenting. i document to develop and leave a legacy so others can enjoy it after i am gone. 

it’s a trade off... this choice is greater than i.

so this past weekend gina and i went to wine country with a few friends and visited a number of wineries, quiet at a few wineries, ok a lot of wineries, ok, I love wine, don't judge me! anyways, at some of the wineries, after ever glass tasted, i walked away from the counter and looked around for light, interesting subject matter, and then returned to try the next glass. at one winery in particular, there was a riddling wine rack/ french wine board  sitting on top of two barrel in front of a window. 

voila!

and then it ensued: "lay on the floor," turn your head slightly left, soft, breath,...ummm... yeah!

social networks as tools of visual merchandising | pennsylvania wedding photographer

social network can be used for many purposes, as it relates to branding, sales, product placement, marketing etc. for small and big businesses alike.  facebook, instagram, twitter, tumblr, and the list goes on, can all be used as display windows similar to the ones storefronts use, to display your product.

what is visual merchandizing?

let’s define visual merchandizing, by its purpose:  the purpose is to attract clients, engage them in a meaningful way, motivate them to enter the storefront, and then purchase the product.

three do’s and don'ts to using social networks as a tool of  visual merchandizing

1. private [do not]:  if at any point you decide to use your social networks to display your products. it should never be set to private. privacy in the internet age is a myth; therefore, you should be operating under the notion, that if you don’t want it seen or known, then don’t put it on the net. your social networks like a display window at a store should always be open to engage potential clients. the high fashion stores of new york city’s 5th avenue, always have their display windows open. imagine,  if stores were to shut down their display windows and only after you ring the bell [request friendship/follow as in social networks] at the front door then you can go in to see the products. this would result in a loss for potential clients. 

2. stay consistent [do]:  firstly, define your brand, then stay consistent with the images you post that is representative of that brand. if your product is cameras then there is no reasons you should be posting jokes about central american earthworms.  the point is, that which is totally unrelated should not be seen. here is an exercise for you: imagine you are going to purchase a ferarri, when you arrive at the dealership, you are greeted by the chuck e cheese mouse trying to sell you burgers and tickets for video games. does this sound like at turn off? yes it does [because the two are totally unrelated,] now go and clean up your social network and make sure its consistent with your product.

3. keep it fresh [do]: have ever noticed that google changes their front page ever so often in regards to holidays and celebrating famous people around the world?  like you, i too like to click on all the animations and play with them.  this serves many purposes, but in regards to marketing, it keeps you coming back to the front page of google, it's enticing. the reason they change the front page ever so often  is because people get bored. therefore, you must figure out a way to keep potential and returning clients engaged in a way which is consistent with your brand. one way you can do this is to showcase new photographs in regards to your product. take for example, specifically facebook, as seen in [2012-2014] your cover photo is prime space for visual merchandizing.

a method to creating epic dates and lasting memories: for married men and their wives | pennsylvania wedding photographer

photo courtesy of  vintage warehouse

WHY CONTINUE TO DATE AFTER MARRIAGE?

“always continuously date, no matter how long you have been together.”  this, statement i learned from my parents who have been married since 1967, when my mother was 17 years old and they are still married to date.

STAY AWAY FROM TRADITIONAL DATES

we all know why men should date when they are single; however as a married individual you should continue to date because it creates a space in your wife’s mind that she is still a desirable being. as well as the outings should be entitled: "dates," especially when you are married.  again this reinforces the notion to make your wife feel continuously wanted.  one of most important things you can do is stay away from traditional dates for the most part i.e. dinner and a movie because of the routineness of it all.  sometimes you will want to go to see movies and eat together but these should not be called dates, they should be casual. but if you do need to make a date out of a movie and dinner, then have an experience….

a friend of mine told me that he and his girlfriend at the time went to matinee with a twist. they snuck chinese food: tea, soup, wontons, and fried rice into the theater and had a meal during the movie.  naturally they were a bit crass but to this day he told me that she never forgot that date.

BE DIFFERENT

this method requires a few internal qualities: bravery, adventurousness, spontaneity, the ability to have fun, the ability to converse, and also plan. here is an alternative to simply going to a movie and dinner: see a foreign, black and white, or silent film; and if you must do dinner, have an exotic meal. the main point is to always do something different than traditional dates (movies and dinner).

so you can’t find something “different, ” try browsing, what i like call the artistic journals and the hippie newspapers.  in new york city that would be “the village voice.” those journals are jam packed with fresh ideas.  let’s assume none of you ever went salsa dancing and both of you are non-hispanic. if you decide to go salsa dancing, knowing that both of you can’t dance is adventurous and could only end in a good time.   

DATES AT HOME

by contrast dates can be carried out at home, for dates at home there are three main keys: creativity, dress up for the occasion, and set the mood.   let’s revisit the salsa example, you can decorate a room, dress as if you are going to a salsa club, cook or order out a spanish meal,  play salsa music, and dance. 

photo courtesy of wikipedia

SURPRISE HER

she should never know what you are planning, doing, or where you are going to, until she gets there.  you don’t have to hide, nor does it matter if she knows your tactics as outlined in this blog. this means she can see you putting the date together but there should always be an element of surprise, excitement, and anticipation, these are precepts to creating lasting memories.  the natural question is: what happens if we get to a place and she really doesn’t like it and you weren’t aware of it, prior?  take for example: so you take her to apple picking and she is allergic to apples.  here is what you do….

you must always have a plan A, B, C, and D and here is where spontaneity comes in.  never just go one place, if your main date is salsa night at a club, you must be able to scout the location prior to see what else is in close proximity.  so after or before salsa,  you stop at the local store, buy “hispanic imported drinks,” sit outside, or  take a stroll, and chat.  then stop for an impromptu session at an art store, or gallery talk about your favorite painting, purchase grapes from a vendor at the side at the street, or dance with her to the song you hear in the street.  with this method and key internal qualities listed, you will never run out of ideas. be brave, be adventurous, be creative, and think outside the box.

Happy Wife, Happy Life!

ade and gina | pennsylvania wedding photographer | pennsylvania bridalmakeup artist | small business saturday

hey all,

i have teamed up with my life partner gina to provide photography and makeup for lovers. 

[edit] have you seen our new website?

  www.adeandgina.com

she  is a physician as well as a bridal makeup artist. we have formed a family oriented company aimed at creating lasting memories for brides and grooms of which our personal values and by extension our company values are based in the concepts of love, style, fun, and healthy relationships.

bridal makeup artist

her name is gina charles and you can see her work at www.makeupbydrg.com
gina specializes in bridal and beauty makeup. as well as mentioned earlier, she is also a family medicine physician with a concentration in women's health. gina also treats skin, specifically acne and hyper pigmentation. over the years she has fused together both of her passions; i.e. treating patients as well as doing their make up: which is all part of her campaign to make women feel as good as they look.

small business saturday 

we have worked together on a number of weddings, creative projects, portrait sessions, birthday parties etc... take a look of some of the work we have produced over the years.

ade and gina | pennsylvania wedding photographer | pennsylvania bridal makeup artist | small business saturday

the crutch of social marketing

this week we have a guest blogger, Andy MacPherson who is one half of Macpherson Family Photography. Andy and his wife Connie are wedding photographers who hail from new jersey.  Andy has an interesting take on why it is necessary to get out from behind the computer and socialize in regards to marketing.

Success isn't something that just happens - success is learned, success is practiced and then it is shared. - Sparky Anderson

The main thing I wanted to talk about is marketing a new business and a few interesting things I have found. I have a rather “new” photography business because I recently moved my business from Florida to New Jersey, which created a whole new set of challenges. This meant, I had to find creative ways to get my name out to my new community. I’m a little bit of an introvert, I’d rather stay at home and hang out by myself than go out and with a group of people. I’m much more comfortable sitting home drinking a craft beer and playing video games, or surfing the web: this is a very common trap for anyone who is trying to grow their business. Like most creative people we tend to be introverted which does not translate well into expanding into larger markets. Being introverted does not have to be a business killer, if you know how to embrace it and use it to your advantage.  Therefore, I always keep in mind: “Take responsibility for yourself.., because no one's going to take responsibility for you.” -Tyra Banks

I originally thought I could just grow my business and get new clients by using social media, my blog, my website, and anything else I can find online. As photographers we should be using all these outlets to promote our business but we should not use it as our only form of marketing. Business is about people and by only using the internet we are limiting our reach.

Subsequently, business is about the owner solving problems for clients, and getting a financial return for their efforts. If people trust a business person they will gladly compensate you for your product. As a photographer my product is my photography and what I can create for the client. Photographs are  my product, and most importantly it is a part of me, it is my creation. People are hiring me  for what I can do; they are hiring me because they like and trust me. Think about it, if you lined up 100 photographs of different weddings from 100 different photographers and the photographers weren't allowed to be in the room with the display. Then, ask a bride to pick a wedding photographer based solely on the photographs in front of her, what would her main objection be?  I can guarantee you it would be “well I would really want to talk to the photographer and meet them before I decide”.  So I have to remind myself to get out of my comfort zone and get out of my house and do some real marketing. Because it as William James, the father of modern psychology said, and I paraphrase: one has to run far enough on their first wind to find out if they have a second wind.”

 So as I close, I want to challenge you to get out there, start meeting people, vendors, and potential clients alike, then find out their needs and help them. Some concrete ways of doing so is to be a part of fundraisers and community events.  One of our family clients recently had their little girl diagnosed with leukemia. We did a fundraiser for her and people loved it, which helped raised money for her treatment. So get off the computer and get out there and meet people.  Find people on social media and meet up with them, find groups online you can get involved with then go in person and make connections. Find creative ways to let people know what you do.

‘The more you do something the easier it gets: “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves. -Thomas Edison

fear based marketing

 fear is a powerful emotion and motivator to buy.

my financial consultant, suggested to me sometime ago that "in america, only purchase a new car if you are a millionaire...get as much out of your current car as possible."  i may have taken his advice a bit too far but in the process of becoming even more financially responsible, i literally and figuratively watch every dollar i spend.

my current german model make car has continued to serve me well and has taken me as far as ohio, new york, marylannd, virginia, connecticut, new jersey and back to shoot portraits. at 145000 + miles it is strong and continues to run.   

so recently, i went to get an oil change at a monro service center  in my city and the attendant was telling me that i needed new front brake pads and rear tires for my vehicle.

now instead of simply telling me, he took out a brochure with pictures of brake pads and tires on them.  along the bottom a scales measuring the thickness of break break pads and tire threading in inches. most importantly, the scale is composed of 3 main colors: red, yellow, and green similar to a traffic light.

moreover, around the world, red is associated with danger and yellow associated with caution and green means its ok.  note well, two of 2/3 main parts of the scale is is based on caution: red and yellow.

the attendant then proceeded to check off that my brake pads were in the red zone and rear tires were in the cautionary yellow zone. now, more than likely anyone ending up in the 2/3 cautionary zones what do you think they would more than likely do? that's right, feel fear and buy, buy, buy.

how can you use some of these marketing concepts in your photography business? 

keep kewl!