One question I get asked from time to time that really has no clear-cut answer is this: should a bride hire two photographers for her wedding, or is one enough? As with so many other things related to photography (and weddings), the answer is always "it depends". Yes, it depends on what you want from your photos, and - to some extent - what your budget will allow. Let's explore this issue a little further.
As a rule of thumb, I always recommend having a second shooter, as it improves coverage capacity and ensures that you'll get a rich variety of photos. Having a second shooter provides an opportunity to have professional coverage for more events than a single photographer could possibly offer. Just a few examples...
1) Prior to the ceremony, having a second shooter allows you to have professional photos of both the bride AND groom getting ready. A single photographer will only be able to get photos of one of those people (which, 99% of the the time, is the bride).
2) During the ceremony, the second shooter can get shots that a single photographer simply cannot (e.g., the look on the groom's face when he sees his bride walking down the aisle, or a tear of happiness running down the father of the bride's cheek as his daughter takes her vows, and so on).
3) Since about 95% of the time, formal portraits are done during the cocktail hour, a second shooter can cover the guests mingling at the cocktail hour while the primary photographer shoots the formals.
4) During the reception, the second shooter can take some great detail shots or get really cool perspectives (e.g., wide shots of the entire dance floor) while the primary photographer focuses his or her attention on other events.
Of course, second shooters don't come cheap. Depending on where you're located in the country, a second shooter can add a few hundred to over a thousand dollars to the cost of your photography package, so choose carefully!
A Photographer's Work is Never Done...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Michal Parrington - opera singer extaordinaire
We did a shoot today with Michal. Totally fun girl, with a hell of a voice to boot! She'll be performing in an opera soon and needed headshots for the program. Here's a little sample of what we did today. I'm pleased.
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| D300, 17-55 @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 1/100. SB900 at camera right on M mode at 1/8 power. SB800 camera left on M at 1/4 power. Little cleanup in CS4 and we're all set! |
Monday, March 28, 2011
New pricing for all wedding photography packages!
We've recently updated our wedding photography package pricing to be more budget-friendly! Call or e-mail for more information.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Our new dogs!
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| D700, 24-70 @ f/8, 1/200, ISO 500. Two flashes off-camera provided the light: one SB800 at 1/8 power fired into a Lastolite EZYBox, and one SB900 at 1/4 power fired into a 32" umbrella. A little touch-up in CS4 and we're good to go. |
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tanyora and Ray Miller - Married on October 16, 2010!
What a lovely couple they are! Kaci, Stefanie, Natalie, and I all had a blast at their wedding. These two are so great together, and they had an awesome day. We were happy to be a part of it! Congratulations...here's to many years of happiness!
...But I know someone who will do it for free!
I can't count how many times I've heard this line from brides-to-be looking to save a few (okay, many) bucks as they plan their wedding. I also can't count how many of those brides have either called or e-mailed me half hysterical when all was said and done because their free photographer: 1) didn't show up; 2) missed a ton of pictures; 3) screwed up most (or all) of the pictures, or; 4) spent more time socializing/drinking/dancing/hanging out than working.
It's highly likely that, during the planning process, someone you know - a friend, a family member, a coworker, etc - is going to offer to provide some service for free. Although they may mean well and have your best interests in mind, this isn't a good idea for a handful of reasons. Let's explore a few.
1 - Conflict of interest.
There's no way to understate how difficult it is to remove oneself from the excitment of a wedding day and become a worker. It's natural to want to mix, mingle, and socialize with the other guests when you know people. And it's hard to pull yourself away from that environment and get to work. So while the volunteer photographer is busy chatting away with folks he hasn't seen in decades, he's not taking pictures and he's missing those oh-so-important moments.
2 - No guarantee of experience.
The number of people looking to get into the wedding business has increased exponentially in the last few years. To anyone looking for their "big break", a friend's or family member's wedding seems like just the ticket! Unfortunately, what this means is that even though you're receiving a free service, you're also allowing someone (with whom you have some sort of personal relationship) to turn your wedding day into their experiment. There's no guarantee that the person will do their job correctly or well, and when it comes to taking photos, there's no room for error.
3 - Potential for the relationship to sustain irreparable damage.
Either of the above scenarios can yield similar outcomes: you'll be left without usable photos, or with no photos at all. And what happens to the relationship you have with the person who let you down? Sadly, in my experience, I've seen one too many relationships and friendships have wedges driven into them because of things like this.
It's highly likely that, during the planning process, someone you know - a friend, a family member, a coworker, etc - is going to offer to provide some service for free. Although they may mean well and have your best interests in mind, this isn't a good idea for a handful of reasons. Let's explore a few.
1 - Conflict of interest.
There's no way to understate how difficult it is to remove oneself from the excitment of a wedding day and become a worker. It's natural to want to mix, mingle, and socialize with the other guests when you know people. And it's hard to pull yourself away from that environment and get to work. So while the volunteer photographer is busy chatting away with folks he hasn't seen in decades, he's not taking pictures and he's missing those oh-so-important moments.
2 - No guarantee of experience.
The number of people looking to get into the wedding business has increased exponentially in the last few years. To anyone looking for their "big break", a friend's or family member's wedding seems like just the ticket! Unfortunately, what this means is that even though you're receiving a free service, you're also allowing someone (with whom you have some sort of personal relationship) to turn your wedding day into their experiment. There's no guarantee that the person will do their job correctly or well, and when it comes to taking photos, there's no room for error.
3 - Potential for the relationship to sustain irreparable damage.
Either of the above scenarios can yield similar outcomes: you'll be left without usable photos, or with no photos at all. And what happens to the relationship you have with the person who let you down? Sadly, in my experience, I've seen one too many relationships and friendships have wedges driven into them because of things like this.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Being a critical consumer when shopping for wedding services
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting - and one of the most expensive - things anyone will do in their lifetime. Even for the smallest affair, there's a lot to buy and book! From the dress to the rings to the cake to the photographer to the entertainer...the list goes on and on. Although the total cost of a wedding will vary according to the region of the country, the going rate for a traditional ceremony and reception (including all of the usual fanfare) for 150 people is currently hovering at about $38,000.
In the recent past, the media has begun to draw attention to scam artists and con routines in the bridal marketplace. Just last week, a story about a planner who stole tens of thousands of dollars from an "unsuspecting" (and I use that term loosely) couple made national headlines. And there have been so many others, too - like the DJ who took the money and never showed up, or the photographer whose portfolio was outstanding but whose results were mediocre, or the celebrant who got arrested for being a fraud. It is a shame, but these people are now infiltrating the bridal marketplace and taking advantage of couples on what should be one of the happiest days of their lives.
So, how do you make sure this doesn't happen to you? How can you ensure that your wedding vendors are who they say they are? How do you help ensure that you, too, won't be another statistic? The answer is by doing some research and being a savvy consumer. Knowing what questions to ask is key. So is being able to pick out little clues. When you take everything into consideration, you can make informed decisions.
1 - Look up your vendors in your state's database of registered business entities.
You want to be sure that you're hiring vendors who have taken the time to register their businesses with the state in which they will operate. Every state maintains a database of all registered business entities within said state that are in good standing. Some entities may not be listed (for example, the New York State OPAL database does not have sole proprietors listed), so if you can't find a vendor listed, ask to see a copy of their certificate of incorporation, or other proof that their business is operating legitimately.
2 - Ask your vendors to provide copies of any relevant licenses, certificates, insurance, etc.
Certain vendors are required to hold licenses or certificates in order to operate legally. For example, in most states, caterers and cake bakeries must be licensed by the state health department, and must renew their certification annually. Anyone who presides over a marriage ceremony must be legally authorized to do so. A number of other vendors (namely photographers, videographers, and DJs) are often required to hold liability insurance policies.
3 - Search for reviews of each vendor on the Web.
Many popular wedding websites like Wedding Wire, One Wed, Bride.com, and Bridal Tweet allow users to leave reviews for vendors for others to read. Search for your vendors on some of these websites and see what others have had to say about them. Yelp is another popular public review website. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if the vendors have ever had a claim filed against them; however, if the business name doesn't show up, that only means that no one has reported them (which is obviously a good sign).
4 - Ask each vendor how long they have been in the wedding business.
This is one of the most common errors that engaged couples make when selecting their vendors. So many times, people choose vendors based on their talents in other areas without knowing what the person's capabilities are in the realm of weddings. When interviewing vendors, it is critical to insist on seeing samples of work that demonstrate proficiency with weddings. A photographer whose portfolio consists entirely of landscape shots might be talentend, but this says nothing about how well they handle low light situations. Likewise, a DJ whose entire demo reel consists of nothing but Sweet 16's may have a flair for engaging people, but how well can they work a wedding?
5 - Pay attention to price.
Wedding services are not cheap, and for good reason. Like the old saying goes, it costs money to make money. Those stunning cakes in your baker's catalog were not made in an Easy-Bake Oven. Nor were those beautiful portraits in your photographer's portfolio taken with a disposable camera. Nor does your DJ dazzle guests with a retro 90's boom box. Your vendors have invested significant amounts of money in equipment, education, and other business expenses so that they can provide superior products and services for your big day. Those costs, of course, end up being passed along to the consumer. If a prospective vendor's price is drastically cheaper than other area professionals, let this raise a red flag. It is likely an indication that the person has not been in business for very long, or is operating illegitimately.
6 - Review contracts before signing them.
This is probably one of the more tedious tasks you'll have to do when shopping around for vendors, but it could save you lots of heartache and money down the road. A professional wedding vendor will have a contract that they will require you to sign if you decide to book them. Many vendors will have a formal contract-signing process in which they'll review the details of the contract with you line by line so you understand what you're signing before you sign it. Whatever you do, DO NOT sign the contract until you've read and understood everything. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
In the recent past, the media has begun to draw attention to scam artists and con routines in the bridal marketplace. Just last week, a story about a planner who stole tens of thousands of dollars from an "unsuspecting" (and I use that term loosely) couple made national headlines. And there have been so many others, too - like the DJ who took the money and never showed up, or the photographer whose portfolio was outstanding but whose results were mediocre, or the celebrant who got arrested for being a fraud. It is a shame, but these people are now infiltrating the bridal marketplace and taking advantage of couples on what should be one of the happiest days of their lives.
So, how do you make sure this doesn't happen to you? How can you ensure that your wedding vendors are who they say they are? How do you help ensure that you, too, won't be another statistic? The answer is by doing some research and being a savvy consumer. Knowing what questions to ask is key. So is being able to pick out little clues. When you take everything into consideration, you can make informed decisions.
1 - Look up your vendors in your state's database of registered business entities.
You want to be sure that you're hiring vendors who have taken the time to register their businesses with the state in which they will operate. Every state maintains a database of all registered business entities within said state that are in good standing. Some entities may not be listed (for example, the New York State OPAL database does not have sole proprietors listed), so if you can't find a vendor listed, ask to see a copy of their certificate of incorporation, or other proof that their business is operating legitimately.
2 - Ask your vendors to provide copies of any relevant licenses, certificates, insurance, etc.
Certain vendors are required to hold licenses or certificates in order to operate legally. For example, in most states, caterers and cake bakeries must be licensed by the state health department, and must renew their certification annually. Anyone who presides over a marriage ceremony must be legally authorized to do so. A number of other vendors (namely photographers, videographers, and DJs) are often required to hold liability insurance policies.
3 - Search for reviews of each vendor on the Web.
Many popular wedding websites like Wedding Wire, One Wed, Bride.com, and Bridal Tweet allow users to leave reviews for vendors for others to read. Search for your vendors on some of these websites and see what others have had to say about them. Yelp is another popular public review website. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if the vendors have ever had a claim filed against them; however, if the business name doesn't show up, that only means that no one has reported them (which is obviously a good sign).
4 - Ask each vendor how long they have been in the wedding business.
This is one of the most common errors that engaged couples make when selecting their vendors. So many times, people choose vendors based on their talents in other areas without knowing what the person's capabilities are in the realm of weddings. When interviewing vendors, it is critical to insist on seeing samples of work that demonstrate proficiency with weddings. A photographer whose portfolio consists entirely of landscape shots might be talentend, but this says nothing about how well they handle low light situations. Likewise, a DJ whose entire demo reel consists of nothing but Sweet 16's may have a flair for engaging people, but how well can they work a wedding?
5 - Pay attention to price.
Wedding services are not cheap, and for good reason. Like the old saying goes, it costs money to make money. Those stunning cakes in your baker's catalog were not made in an Easy-Bake Oven. Nor were those beautiful portraits in your photographer's portfolio taken with a disposable camera. Nor does your DJ dazzle guests with a retro 90's boom box. Your vendors have invested significant amounts of money in equipment, education, and other business expenses so that they can provide superior products and services for your big day. Those costs, of course, end up being passed along to the consumer. If a prospective vendor's price is drastically cheaper than other area professionals, let this raise a red flag. It is likely an indication that the person has not been in business for very long, or is operating illegitimately.
6 - Review contracts before signing them.
This is probably one of the more tedious tasks you'll have to do when shopping around for vendors, but it could save you lots of heartache and money down the road. A professional wedding vendor will have a contract that they will require you to sign if you decide to book them. Many vendors will have a formal contract-signing process in which they'll review the details of the contract with you line by line so you understand what you're signing before you sign it. Whatever you do, DO NOT sign the contract until you've read and understood everything. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
September 11, 2010 tribute in lights
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| It's hard to believe that nine years have passed since that fateful day. It will always feel like it was only yesterday for many of us. Ever year, I make it my business to head into lower Manhattan to pay my respects. Kaci came with me for the first time this year; she has never seen the Towers of Light in person before. It was a pretty clear night; really lent itself to a photo opportunity. I situated myself in front of the Brooks Brothers building on Church Street to take this shot. Nikon D700, 14-24 @ f/16, 1 second time exposure, ISO 2000, 0.0 EV. The camera was mounted on a tripod and triggered with an MC36 remote release. |
Trip to Seattle
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| Taken on the Pike Place Market pedestrian bridge that leads to the garage. Had a great, clear shot of Mount Rainier. Nikon D700, 70-200 @ f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 100 -5.0 EV. Did a little light editing in Photoshop CS4. |
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| Entrance to Pike Place Market. Nikon D700, 24-70 @ f/5, 1/500, ISO 200, -2.0 EV. |
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| I've never quite seen anything like these before! Some kind of ornamental pepper thing. Eh, it looked cool to us! Nikon D700, 24-70 @ f/4, 1/320, ISO 200, 0.0 EV. |
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| Don't get me wrong...I love Alaskan king crab legs...but DAMN! 25 bucks a pound! Then again, it's quite fresh - a welcome reprieve from the frozen stuff we have here on the Eastern Seaboard. Still...damn! :-) Nikon D700, 24-70 @ f/4, 1/320, ISO 200, 0.0 EV. |
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| If you've never been to Pike Place Market, it's hard to even attempt to describe how big this place is. First time I went to Seattle, I kind of expected it to be something like Grand Central Market. Um...not exactly. This place is seriously unlike anything I've seen before. I snapped this shot of Kaci strolling through the inside marketplace. A little post processing in Photoshop CS4 and voila! Nikon D700, 24-70 @ f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 800, 0.0 EV. |
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| And, of course, the trip to visit the family wouldn't be complete without a photo of the family. It was a wee bit chilly when this was taken - thank you to everyone for putting up with me while I composed and shot this! Nikon D700, 24-70 @ f/4, 1/250, ISO 800, +2.0 EV. I added a little fill light by using an SB900 on camera in manual mode at 1/64 power (I believe). |
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wedding photography - special deal!
For a limited time, Brian Cesario Photography is offering a fantastic deal to anyone planning a wedding in 2010 who has not yet booked a photographer. This super saver package includes:
Full day of coverage
One photographer
DVD with high-resolution images and print rights
Choice of one 11 x 14 framed enlargement print
Password-protected online gallery
The price of this package is a modest $1,199. Visit us online at http://www.briancesariophotography.com to view our portfolio. Contact us at www.briancesariophotography.com if you are interested in booking!
Full day of coverage
One photographer
DVD with high-resolution images and print rights
Choice of one 11 x 14 framed enlargement print
Password-protected online gallery
The price of this package is a modest $1,199. Visit us online at http://www.briancesariophotography.com to view our portfolio. Contact us at www.briancesariophotography.com if you are interested in booking!
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