Nashville Wedding Photography - The different types

Wedding photography is a lot to take in. If you don't have a friend or family member already a photographer not sure what type of photography you are interested in this article will help you! Getting married has it's exciting moments true. It's the planning that can cause some stress. The wedding world has PLENTY of choices to confuse you with and you don't want to make any wrong choices.

Here is some information on the different types of wedding photography, or photography in general. 

One popular types is Lifestyle. As far as I know, it is mainly used with portraits and closely related to photojournalism. It's more controlled than photojournalism but captures life similar to photojournalism. I am starting to see a lot more photographers chosen to be a part of weddings because of how much it captures joy and happiness. This style is also quite popular for fashion as well as musical artists. 

Here are a few pictures that fall under this category: 

A cousin of this type of photography, as previously mentioned is Photojournalism. In my opinion, you can have shots that are lifestyle also be photojournalistic but it's not always the other way around. You might see couples hiring photographers that just do photojournalistic as well as a traditional photographer because you can't really find many that do both. What you will get from this photographer is nothing posed, nothing controlled total fly on the wall situation.  It's life as it's happening. It tells a story and it communicates. It does get confessed with lifestyle, and it can be universal. But the biggest difference is the story behind it. Yes, it's mainly uncontrolled, meaning not posed. But you can find some that are naturally posed like sitting, standing or laying but that's as posed as it gets. If the person decided to do something as you take their picture, that's awesome and again, not controlled. 

Here are some examples:

Then you have some traditional photography. This is classic style utilizing a lot of creative and classic poses. This is created by the photographer and is meant to capture a great picture from the start. This is one of the most popular styles you find in the wedding photography world. It's highly controlled and it takes a lot of practice, as a photographer to keep poses fresh. One of the biggest challenges with this style is keeping smiles genuine. A tip to this is have the subject make a funny face and yes take the picture and be ready! The laugh will come and you will get a genuine smile. This is traditional because way back when the camera was still brand new people had to stay still as you see pictures from the 1800's. The more photography grew the more people started to get creative with taking pictures and started creating more poses.  This still continues today as you see in traditional wedding photography. Sometimes the poses start to mimic lifestyle photography, but it's created and not captured on the spot as a real moment. 

Here are some examples:

 There are the types you might encounter when shopping for your wedding photography. You might find a specialist in one or a photographer that specializes in all. Hope it at least helps you decide on what you want! 

www.toyelephantphotography.com

Nashville - Love is in the air!

If you are in Nashville, watch out, love is in the air! If you are a wedding vender, you know what I mean! Just go to one wedding and you will feel the buzz! And the way Spring has been going, it seems like Nashville can take all the 'love' it can get.

Okay, so the weather isn't ALWAYS sun shinning, but there is a lot more sun these days, take advantage of it! Here are some fun ideas for couples and for couple portraits!

These ideas are for any one, wether you are a photographer, a couple looking for some great 'going-out-for-fun' ideas or a combination of both please feel free to get some great shots and send me your pictures!


Bike riding! - You can get some great shots riding or riding to a destination. Biking actually gets you out in the nooks and crannies of Nashville or in any city or neighborhood actually. As a photographer, you'd appreciate some of the locations you accidentally stumble upon or they make great character shots if you get real creative with them. Below is a picture my husband took of me Downtown Nashville. I do recommend if you are biking to take pictures make sure you have or invest in a caring case that is appropriate for biking. Or, if you invest in a GoPro camera you are lucky and will have fun for years! The GoPro camera is made for just about any outdoor occasion. Underwater, falling from the sky, cave diving, diving, biking. It is made for it all.

A day in the park! Seriously guys! I've come to realize not only are there A LOT of parks in the Nashville area but a lot of cool spots in each park! You get to go out for a walk and have some fun. This usually means a lot of good 'ol natural light too. This is great for beginner photographers and even the professional. Sunlight is unmatchable for light. There are lights that can mimic the Sun, sure. But if you got it shinning outside, go and get it! Below is a self-portrait of my husband and I at a local park. We had a great time and got some fun photos from it.

Hiking. I know. Hiking?! Yes. Hiking. I can't tell you how much fun hiking is with your loved one. It's even great when you can snap a few pictures while you do it. I have taken a couple on a small hike for their engagement photos and I got AMAZING shots. Also, I was lucky enough to get some of my and my husband on a short hike. So, get onto google and nail down some easy trails. Below are two examples. I have so much to put in this category, but then I would be bragging.

I know these are all pretty much a given of locations for photography and for fun. Maybe you've been there, done that, maybe not. But I am always trying to find ways to combine my business with pleasure. My husband is not only also my best friend but he is also a photographer. You never know what creative bud this will strike with your loved one!

Don't forget! Send me a picture from your day out, keep the 'love' in the air!

Wedding Photographer Tips - The Post Editing Blues

How often to you dread editing? Not because you aren't good at it or it's not your 'forte' But because of the hours you spend at your desk.... sitting? Truth be told, this isn't just tips for Wedding Photographers. Post Editing Blues happens in just about every post editing session. 

Now, I never dread editing. I am sure you don't either. Actually, the thought doesn't even enter my mind prior to editing my wedding photos, I love it THAT much! But the thought hits when I've been sitting at my desk for a few hours and I get up for a snack and my body gets so used to that darned sitting position that it pretty much cries when I get up. I feel all in knots and I am not even halfway through my post editing process. I am sure this is more common with wedding photographers as weddings yield a high volume of pictures to sift through. As I said, the post editing blues can effect anyone. Here are some tips to help you through it all. Use all of them or some of them. I have found them all to help me so I hope to pass on the help. As always, if you have tips, enjoyed these tips or have any comments or questions, please feel free to communicate! 

1. Stretch. Now wether you do this every morning, every night, before editing or all three this is quite important. Check out this site for 5 simple reasons why stretching is a good idea. One of them you will see leads to the reduction of stress. It's true for me that when stressed out it really blocks my creative communication. So stretching at least once a day and HIGHLY recommend before you sit down to edit. It's easy as going to youtube.com  for basic yoga stretches or you can get fancy and buy some DVD's or take up a yoga class or two to learn a few basic stretches. If you are still not sure what to do, feel free to contact me. 

2. Keep yourself in check if it's been more than an hour since you've gotten out of your chair, get up. Walk around or stretch some. I highly, HIGHLY, highly recommend taking a 5 - 10 min walk. Don't freak out! I know, you just shot a wedding Saturday and you have deadlines to meet and 'who has time for a walk?!' Trust me,  your body and your eyes will thank you! I also find it quite refreshing and clears my mind and keeps the creative flows going. It is also anther tip for stress relief.  If you can, try easy going work outs to keep your body fit. 

3. Keep away from junk food snacks! If any one is aware of how yummy junk food snacks are, it's me. But this will not help you in the long haul. I do recommend snacks of a heathy choice! Carrots, cucumbers, trail mix, protein bars, orange slices... you get my point. Think of food as your fuel, well... food is your fuel so know that putting in 'food' that is highly processed isn't really food, or food that your body needs. 

4. Get regular rest. Don't stay up until 4 am and sleep until 9 am just to get right back to it. This will not benefit you, your body nor your art. I am sure you've done it, we all have. Still got the job done, so whats the problem?  Well, I don't know about you but life feels just a tad bit more chaotic than when you are well rested. 

Picture of the day: 

There are my tips, hope they help! There is plenty of work out there but, in my opinion, you won't perform your best if you are letting your body, mind and spirt get out of shape. 

Here are some links to some motivational sites in regards to keeping your body in shape as well as a link to a youtube.com video that I use to work out with:

www.Twotri.com - For the beginner triathlete! Great motivation topics and easy tips for getting and staying in shape even if you aren't a triathlete.  I love it because regardless of what I am doing, this great couple always seems to find a way to motivate me. 

www.weightlossjules.com - This is another great site of motivation! It's a great journey of a gal who lost a ton of weight and is on a mission to help others do the same. I think she is doing a great job and between the two has helped me!

Here is the channel for videos on fitness: http://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender?feature=fvst