Senior Reps Wanted… Lets Shoot :: { north ga senior photographer }
Now looking for Senior Reps to be the face of Scott Greene Photography’s 2013 Senior Class. If you are chosen… it only cost you a little bit of your time and you’ll have some great pictures to keep on disc with a print release license. Plus you’ll set the trend for all 2013 Seniors to follow :: If you or any upcoming senior that you know are interested just send the below information to scott@greeneworks.net :: all entries must be received by January 31st to be eligible to be picked. Please copy and paste this into an email and send to scott@greeneworks.net
What is your or the senior’s name? Age? Gender?
What high school do you or the senior attend?
What sports do you or the senior play for the school?
What is your favorite sport or the senior’s favorite sport?
What extra curricular activities are you or the senior involved in besides sports?
What is your favorite or the senior’s favorite subject in school?
What is your idea or the senior’s idea of the perfect/coolest senior picture?
What are some cool locations or ideas that you or the senior may have?
Why would you or the senior make a good senior rep for Scott Greene Photography’s 2013 Senior Class?
Please copy and paste this into an email and send to scott@greeneworks.net
You may attach a picture of yourself or the senior if you like but optional only.
A Clean Wash….2010 Final Post
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and will hopefully have a great and safe New Years… as I post this last post of 2010… i have been doing a lot of reflecting on the past that is helping me to plan for the future. If I had to sum it up in one sentence…. Remember where you’ve been, don’t forget how you got here and always keep looking ahead. That is pretty much a moral compass that I plan to follow for 2011 and it also makes for a good personal mission statement for any photographer in the business.
The “don’t forget how you got here” part from the above statement can mean so many things to so many people, but for me… one aspect of it other than remembering the advice, help and info that I have received and still receive from other great photographers ( many thanks by the way ) is the fact that I used to carry my camera around with me everywhere that I went. I was always looking for a “picture”. My goal is to try and go back to those roots because I think that’s when I developed my creative eye. Most of the times I shot inanimate objects such as buildings, plants or whatever caught my attention… it is good every now and again for me to shoot for me… meaning just having some fun.
Well with that in mind… a “great mundane” ( oxymoron ) opportunity presented itself. My wife and I had to wash our comforter, well she did because I have no idea how and would probably ruin it. She asked me if I wanted to go to the laundry mat… I was like sure I’ll go not knowing what I would really do there, BUT then I actually grabbed the ol’ Nikon and out the door we went. Yes… I was that weird guy that is now topic of conversation in about three households right now, because i was walking around taking pictures of washing machines and driers. As I started shooting I remembered the times that I used to always be that weird guy with the camera…. I actually liked it and vow to do it more in 2011…. so if your ever within 40 miles of Jefferson, GA… be on the lookout for a weird guy walking around aimlessly with his hat turned backwards and a big camera shooting “stuff”. Here are a few shots and they are by no means anything close to good, but it was just fun for me and I just felt like sharing a little bit of my lazy day today:
The “First Look” is Always the Best Memory.
By Elizabeth Hood.
As my husband and I just celebrated our first anniversary, we did a great deal of reflecting on our wedding day. In fact, I think I thought back to our wedding each Saturday along the course of the year, and said, “Let’s do it again!” to my husband! I often find myself looking through our wedding pictures, and smiling to myself. I wanted the day to be perfect, and it certainly was!
I would consider myself a very traditional bride…I wanted to throw the bouquet, have my Dad walk me down the aisle, serve a seated dinner after cocktail hour, and most importantly not see my groom until the church doors opened! I did all of the above plus some, with the exception of seeing my husband-to-be before the ceremony. This was a very tough decision for me, which took months of toiling over and over-analyzing! I wanted to do the “traditional” thing, and wait for “the moment” when I would first see Todd at the altar – along with 300 of our closest friends and family, a wedding party of 15, two photographers, and a wedding planner…with my Dad in tow, as well as all of my emotions! Sounds perfect…right?? Not quite! In fact, the tradition I was so desperately clinging to, in support of not seeing each other, was started to keep grooms from fleeing after seeing their not-so-appealing brides before an arranged marriage ceremony. That certainly was not the ambiance to my wedding day that I was looking for!
Weeks before the wedding, my photographer Scott, had asked me for a schedule so that he could make his plans accordingly. As I sat at the computer stressfully looking at my meticulously planned wedding day, I could feel my head spinning. I had made Option A which included not seeing my groom, Todd, prior to the ceremony. In another file, I housed Option B, which I had only drafted to humor a few people, and it included a First Look session with Todd before the ceremony. I’m not quite sure why I made the decision that I did at the time, but I gave in and sent Scott Option B before I could change my mind! I thought I would later regret it, but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made!
Our wedding day went amazingly well! I had heard horror stories of things going wrong, and I was prepared for something horrible to happen on mine knowing my bad luck, but it didn’t. I had put so much effort into making such a small decision about when to see my groom. I thought the decision to see Todd beforehand would have major repercussions, and it didn’t! If anything, I would have regretted the decision to not see Todd until the ceremony, an idea I held so tightly to for the several months we were engaged!
On our wedding day, I remember getting ready, and being so excited to see Todd for our First Look so early on in the day. I wouldn’t have been able to wait until our late afternoon wedding to see him! I was freshly dressed, primped, and ready to go when we arranged to see each other in the chapel. Luckily, the craziness of the day, people everywhere, and hundreds of pictures had not had enough time to wear me down! We shut the doors to the chapel and I walked down the aisle as Todd waited at the altar. I remember all of the exact feelings I wanted to have at that very moment, and I was not disappointed! Seeing my groom for the first time was more than I could have imagined, and it seemed to be magnified since it was just us! We were able to have a private moment all to ourselves, even in the midst of a hectic day. Furthermore, I was able to hug Todd, get his reaction to my dress, exchange our wedding gifts, and catch up on all of the morning’s happenings in those moments. It was so nice to be alone with each other, and make wonderful memories! If we had seen each other for the first time at the altar, our first moments alone on our wedding day would have included blistered feet, hungry bellies, and a whirlwind of thoughts late into the night! Seeing each other before the wedding allowed all of the emotions that had been brewing inside of me all morning, as well as the pre-wedding jitters to leave my body, and allowed us to be relaxed during the remainder of the day. We were able to have such an emotional and sentimental time together before moving on with our day, and it seemed to put us both in the right mindset for our quickly-approaching ceremony. In addition, our wedding party and guests appreciated not having to wait for us to finish post-ceremony pictures in order to eat dinner and open the dance floor. And, to be honest, I enjoyed not missing cocktail hour either! I needed a glass of wine; my feet were hurting!
I wouldn’t change one thing about my wedding day, and I think that is a huge accomplishment in itself! Not many newlyweds can say that! The pictures that came out of our First Look session are a wonderful reflection of the precious moments I was able to share with my husband on our wedding day. Had I chosen to go with tradition, we wouldn’t have these gorgeous pictures hanging on our bedroom wall!
To All Potential Brides One Day….
8 Question to ask a Wedding Professional before booking them!
Hiring the right team is critical to planning your dream wedding…and it can also be quite stressful.
How do you find the right match for you? How do you know who to trust? Where do you go for advice?
First of all, this is not an easy task and it’s totally normal for couples to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or confused.
It’s not like you plan a wedding every day! This is all probably brand new to you, so be patient with yourself.
A few tips to finding the right ones for you…
- Do Your Homework. You’ll get much more out of a meeting or conversation with a wedding professional if you do a little background homework first.
Spend some time on the internet or talking to friends who’ve recently been married. Find out the average prices in your area and what services are available. Get an idea of what you like and don’t like. Wedding websites and chat rooms can be a great resource. This way when you meet with a wedding professional you’ll be able to ask better questions and have an idea of what to look out for.
- Meet With Them. An in person meeting is the best way to interview a potential wedding vendor. It lets you get the full experience of their personality, style and professionalism. If that’s not possible, have a phone conversation.
- Ask Questions. There are no stupid questions! Make sure you get clear, specific answers to your questions. If you aren’t sure what something means, ask them to clarify. Keep asking questions until you completely understand.
If a wedding vendor has a problem with you asking questions, they probably aren’t the one for you. The best wedding professionals are patient, understanding and take the time to help you make the best choices for your wedding.
- Listen. Don’t just hear the words they say, really listen. Watch the vendor’s body language. Are they confident and comfortable with their response? Do they look and sound nervous? Do you get a “funny feeling” about them? Take all the sights, sounds and feelings into account along with their responses; if your gut tells you something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.
- Check References. Portfolios are hand-picked to show off the best work, but they may not represent the “average” wedding performance. Videos are edited for the optimum presentation. But real referrals from satisfied clients are hard to fake.
Call up both client and professional references. Ask questions and use those listening skills. Even if they give a rave review, you’ll often be able to “read between the lines” if there were any issues or problems.
Ask around and search the internet for reviews. Check the Better Business Bureau for any outstanding complaints against the business. Weigh all of this information into your choices.
Here are 8 Must Ask Questions to ask ALL your potential wedding professionals before booking:
- 1. How many weddings do you do per year? How much experience do you have?
This is an extremely important question. Ideally, your wedding professional should have ample experience specifically with weddings. Not only will they be more skilled in their craft, this also makes them a valuable source of information and ensures that your wedding day goes smoothly.
- How much do you cost?
Price is often relative, especially when you factor in experience, reputation and expert skill. Generally, the most talented professionals have a higher price tag because they are worth it.
- 3. How much is the deposit?
- What specifically is included in that cost?
Because packages often vary, it’s likely that you won’t be able to compare one vendor exactly to the next without doing a little figuring. The lowest cost isn’t necessarily the best deal; some higher quotes include services that you have to pay extra for in other packages. Make sure you take this into account.
- What happens if I cancel? What happens if you cancel?
Find out if your deposit is refundable under any conditions. Does the wedding professional have a back up plan if something happens to them?
- Do you use a contract?
If the answer is No, RUN! A contract is designed to protect both you and the wedding professional. Don’t settle for a verbal agreement that won’t hold up in court.
- Are there any additional fees?
Taxes, service charges and travel fees can add up quickly. Make sure you understand exactly what is included and if there are any other fees you’ll have to pay. This should be clearly defined in your contract.
- Do you carry liability insurance?
The answer you’re looking for here is Yes. This protects you in case an unfortunate accident should occur on your wedding day. It’s also a sign that this is a reputable business, since most “fly by night” operations don’t invest in insurance.
If chosen wisely, with the right wedding vendors you get expert help and advice…for free!
Brides: Intimate Moments, Better Reactions and Awesome Pictures!
I have a lot of brides who cringe when I ask them if they’d like to see their groom before the ceremony. “It’s tradition. I don’t want to jinx anything,” is a common answer.
“I was completely against seeing the each other before the wedding, I simply wanted that moment of opening the doors and him seeing me for the first time, but I was torn because I also wanted to enjoy the reception and not make ppl wait while we took pictures so we compromised. Before we took any pictures the groom went to the sanctuary and I walked down the aisle to him, no family and friends just a moment for us. I get my moment and nobody has to wait after the ceremony while we take pictures.”
Q: My mother insists that I not see my groom-to-be on the day of the wedding until the ceremony. Is this customary in today’s weddings?
A: Most couples today have disregarded the musty old superstition of the bridegroom not seeing his bride before the ceremony on the day of the wedding. The superstition stems from the days when marriages were arranged and the groom might never have seen the bride. There was a chance that he might take one look at her and bolt – so it was often safer for them to meet for the first time at the altar! This, of course, is a custom that these days certainly does not need to be followed, unless of course it’s something you both feel strongly about.
So, since that really isn’t the case too often anymore, why not consider this taboo? Not only is it a great way to schedule your photos and ensure you enjoy your cocktail hour, but the moment when you first see each other is always magical- beyond words actually.
here are a few couples that decided to see each before hand and they say that it was the best decision:
2011 Seniors… Xperience It!
Attention all 2011 upcoming high school seniors and or any parents or friends to any 2011 seniors: Its your last year of high school and a chapter of your life coming to an end…. what better way to remember it than to have some unique pictures of yourself in the moment. This time only comes once and with ScottGreene Photography all the pictures can now be yours. My senior package includes a disc with every image processed and enhanced for you to keep and print whenever you want. I am not one of those photographers that holds your images for ransom… every image is yours on a custom designed DVD and case. Included is a print release license that allows the power to print to be left up to you. While you can still order the highest quality prints and products through me…. you are no longer obligated to. Multiple locations, multiple wardrobe changes and all the time that needed to capture you and your personality and interest are just a click away. Contact me for special discounts and other products…. book now!
Before…. then happily ever After
There are a lot of great photographers out and about in today’s age… especially thanks to the digital era (that is a whole different post in itself). Chase Jarvis, Paul Johnson and Dave Ziser are a few of my favorite photographers because their style and images just “wow” me. I consider myself a very good photographer and I am fairly technically sound when it comes to working the camera and adjusting to different situations on the fly. The general public has the assumption that when we snap the shutter release button the image is perfect. Which is actually the same frame of mind that I used to have when I first got started. I couldn’t understand for the life of me why a photographer would charge $2500 for a wedding or why a photographer would charge $100 for a sitting fee just to shot a few pictures. For those of you who share the same thoughts right now…. let me open your mind and show you the light to a photographers work load on an average shoot
I’m just going to start the “workload” story after the drive time, hours spent shooting, wear and tear on the equipment and the stress of getting everything right on the first go….. b/c lets face it…. it’s not like we can reschedule most weddings…. =). So now I have all my images on the cards and I have just backed them up in two different locations. Rule of thumb is…for every hour spent shooting… I spend about 2 hours in post production. For example: (eight hour wedding + sixteen hours in post production = 24 hours of total work). Anyway i proceed to go through and “cull” all of my shots. Culling is the process of closely and carefully examining each picture to decide if it makes the cut or not. I then go from culling all of my images down to the very best ones of the shoot to then the “color correcting” process. This probably is where most of the time is spent. I go through each individual image and color correct them. I probably could get away with not doing it on all the images, but this is that extra step that I feel like that I give to my clients that the other photographers in town do not (not calling any names). So if you figure a 1500 picture wedding or a 250 picture toddler shoot… there is a lot of color correcting going on. After the long process of coloring correcting I go to what I call the “artistic tweaking”. This to me is the fun part (well its all fun of course), I go through the pictures yet again and pick out some of my personal favorites and add some sort of artistic twist in them. These are the ones that give the “wow” factor to my pictures. The reason I pick out certain ones and not all of them… well let’s just say that the picture of posing with grandma is not going to wow you like the one of your emotional first dance. This is a quick scaled down version of my workload at the least. I hope you can now appreciate more the final images from me or any photographer at that.
Here are a couple of before and afters……
