As a wedding photographer, I'm constantly asking myself questions about my photographs. What do the photos say about my clients? What do the photos say about me as a professional? How does my work fit into the current trends in wedding photography? 

I ran across a well thought out and well written article by Lauren Johnson called "A Stylist's Thoughts on Wedding Photography Trends". As a stylist she believes that a timeless, elegant style is the direction in which wedding photography is moving. Read the article here.

I enjoyed the article. Partially because I agree with so much of what Lauren has to say, and partially because I feel that Black Dog Photo Co.'s style is similar to what the article describes. "A photographer should take on that same responsibility and help the couple be their best version—showcasing exactly who they are." Sounds about right to me.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS Ash had a taste for Rockne's last night, and I blew it up with a Terminator Sub. It might be the best sandwich ever...shaved prime rib, lettuce, tomato, three blended cheeses, and a handful of fries. Health food. What's your favorite splurge? Share it with us on Facebook.

Is it still necessary to hire a professional photographer? Digital cameras have advanced drastically in quality, making pro quality images more affordable than ever. There are online image editing programs that offer a surprising level of functionality for free. I searched "How to Photograph a Wedding" on YouTube and got over 49,000 results! So why pay a bunch of money for photos when you can just buy your own camera, or pay a friend a few bucks to shoot them for you? Here's five good reasons:

1.     Education-Those YouTube tutorials can be pretty darn informative. I use them myself for new ideas. However, a person would have to log a lot of hours on the computer to equal a college education. Many professional photographers have bachelors or associate degrees specializing in photography. (I earned a bachelor of arts in Photo-Illustration with a minor in Art History from Kent State University.) 

2.     Equipment-You can get a pretty awesome camera at a big box store for $500. I'm sure we all know "that guy" at the kid's soccer game with the sweet Nikon. How many of us know a non-professional photographer with $10,000 worth of lenses in their camera bag? 

3.     Personality-I don't know many people who truly enjoy having their photo taken. A huge part of becoming a quality portrait photographer is learning to put your subject at ease. If you feel uncomfortable and awkward during the photo session, how do you think you will like the photos?

4.     Computer Skills-Ansel Adams performed his magic in the darkroom. Today's photographer uses the click of a mouse. From file management, to archiving of images, to color calibration, to image manipulation, a professional has a lot of time and cash invested in the technology of post-processing.

5.     Finishing-I don't think we, as a society, print enough photos. There is real value in a print. A professional has network of companies providing cutting edge professional products for their clients.

So, is it still necessary to hire a professional? Yes. I know, I'm a little biased on this one...but trust me, you won't regret your decision.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS     This cold weather (it's 4 degrees right now!) has me craving comfort food. We had braciole (beef rolls braised in tomato sauce) with home made pasta for dinner last night. What's your favorite winter comfort food? Share it on our Facebook page!

Jason and Kate were hoping for a winter wedding, and they sure got their wish. The Christmas lights were still twinkling, and mother nature provided a perfect coating of fluffy white snow. Needless to say, this Wedding Photographer was pretty excited about the perfect conditions.

Photographing a wedding on a snowy day certainly presents its challenges, but the Bride and Groom were troopers. They braved the cold and snow for some awesome photos in downtown Chagrin Falls, even stopping at Starbucks for a quick warm up! 

In my career as a wedding photographer I have never had a better winter day for a wedding. The snow was just perfect, and the Christmas lights make it look like a fantasy land. Make sure to watch their fusion video and take a peek at some of their photos!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  If you walk directly from a snowy park into a crowded Starbucks, your camera lens will get very foggy. Lucky for me I had the wide angle in my pocket, and it was still warm enough that it didn't fog!

PPS What's your favorite Starbucks drink? I'm kind of boring, and usually just order a doppio espresso. Share yours on our Facebook page.

2013 is a new year, and it is off to a great start here at Black Dog Photo Co.. Our calendar for 2013 wedding photography is filling up fast, with some 2014 dates even booking. That being said, it's fun to look back on some of the great weddings of which we were a part in 2012. 

I created a fusion video containing some of my favorite images from this past wedding season. What a blast we had with these bride's and grooms! 

If you are planning a wedding for 2013 or 2014, be sure to take a look at the video. It's full of cool ideas, and cool Wedding Photography!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

Are you a Bride and Groom planning a 2013 wedding? Are you looking for awesome wedding photography? If so, stop by and see us at the Today's Bride Show in Akron this Sunday. Check out our wedding photography, talk to us about what you are planning for your day, and be sure to register for a chance to win a digital camera in our show raffle! 

Black Dog Photo Co. will also be offering an amazing Today's Bride Show special. Book Black Dog Photo Co.'s package B for your Wedding Photography by January 31st, and receive a free digital tablet album in addition to your package! Click here for details.

Looking forward to meeting all of you on Sunday, thanks in advance for stopping by.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan