Ivan Apfel Photography Wedding Blog

Saide and Mauro's Wedding

2010-07-30T22:53:00.003-04:00

October 10th, 2009
Ceremony: Deering Estate, Florida
Reception: Deering Estate, Florida
Event Coordinator: A Joy Wallace Catering Production and Design Team

As promised, here are my favorites from Saide and Mauro's wedding. I was looking for a particular email from Saide today and was shocked to see that we have now known eachother for almost two years now. I can't believe it has been that long since she first contacted me about her New York City wedding in Miami. Other than a hand full of people at the wedding, everyone else including the Bride and Groom are from New York. So to say that they lived it up is an understatement. The Deering Estate closing at 11:00 PM didn't stop them with a private section awaiting them at the Viceroy on Brickell. After having spent over ten hours shooting their incredible wedding I had to turn down their offer to join them for the after party. But what a great group of images and memories.

Videographer...should we hire one?

2008-09-02T23:19:00.006-04:00

One of the top five questions I am asked by my brides and grooms is whether I would recommend them also hiring a videographer.

While this may seem like an odd question to ask a photographer, I am glad to know that they do so knowing that they can trust in me giving them an unbiased perspective.

On that note, let me give you my honest take on videographers at weddings.

How important is having a video to you? I ask because while most people will look at photographs over and over again for years to come, I have had brides in the past that literally watched their video once and never again. On the same note, I have other past brides that will sit down weekly to look at their pictures while watching their video. So, if a video is something that you feel is something you will watch again and again, then by all means, hire a videographer for your wedding.

What is my personal opinion of videographers? Well, obviously I am partial to still images, however, video is not the same as it was even ten years ago. Back when videographers shot on beta, hi8 or VHS format editing studios were extraordinarily expensive and not always available to all videographers. One thing to remember is that your final video is more like a storybook wedding album. Instead of being just well shot footage, it is actually the final edit and put together that really makes the final video. Now that videographers have access to very sophisticated digital video editing software at a fraction of the cost of the old professional editing suites which fits on a desktop computer, videographers have the ability to provide their clients which extremely high end final products. Just as good is the fact that their cameras have been able to shrink while maintaining exceptional image quality.

So, this leaves two major issues that you will want to consider. The first is what should I look at when hiring a videographer and the other is how do I make sure my videographer and photographer get along?

Let’s start with the first item. Choosing a videographer is no different from choosing a photographer. You want to look at their creativity, make sure they have what you feel is a good eye for capturing events, as well as making sure they have a strong understanding of the use of their equipment and the media. You also want to view their equipment and make sure that they only use professional grade primary and backup equipment because accidents do happen. I would also tend to stay away from studios that offer both video and photographic services. Why? Well, they are very different art forms with different sciences behind them. Would you go to Annie Leibovitz to shoot a movie or go to Steven Spielberg to shoot a photo spread? Then why do the same thing for your wedding. Additionally, and this is a personal thing, just like I do not like third parties designing my wedding albums, you would prefer that they do the final video editing themselves. My reasoning behind this is that we both shoot a great deal of images and footage. We then have a limited page space or video time to tell the story of your day. Who better would know the important events of your wedding than the people there?

The last thing you want to ask them is what their opinion of photographers is. If they say anything negative, then you might want to keep looking. The reason is tied to the last item. How do I make sure my videographer and photographer get along?

Simple, provide each of them with the others information and ask that they connect and compare notes about your event ahead of time. Doing this will not only allow them to plan how they will shoot each important event without interfering with each others shot but it will also allow them to potentially work together to make sure that events such as cake cuttings and bouquet tosses are done in a way that allows them both to capture great images and footage. I have even been known to shoot images using only the lighting from their main light (as seen in image above).

I hope this gave you some insight into the relationship between videographers and photographers as well as what to consider when considering a videographer for your event. While I do not endorse or have any business relationships with any particular videographers, I always maintain a current list of videographers that work well with me and provided my clients with an exceptional final product. Feel free to contact me and I will be happy to provide you with their contact information.

We Found a Photographer We Like....When Should We Book Them?

2008-07-18T14:30:00.005-04:00

South Florida Wedding vendors are now feeling the rush of calls and e-mails about wedding services. This is because we are now going into the five month "High Season" cushion. As we know, most bridal magazines recommend booking your vendors 5 to 12 months before you wedding date. South Florida's High Season is from November to May. Because of this, I feel this is the right time for this blog.

There is no one answer to this question because there is no one type of wedding photographer. You have independent photographers, photography studios and you have what I call photography "chop shops". Independent Photographers will often time shoot everything themselves with an assistant. In some cases if they have a very talented assistant who is ready to be a lead photographer they will them shoot a smaller budget wedding while they shoot a higher package wedding on the same date. Studios will often times book two or three weddings for the same date and will then assign photographers contract photographers based on thir experience and the wedding package price. Then there are the photography "chop shops". You have no idea who you are getting here. Often times you will be shown samples from the top five photographers that are signed with that studio but are not told that unless you spend over a certain amount on your package you will receive a junior photographer whose work you have not viewed.

This is a good time to advise you about statements in your Services Overview or Contract:

Photography by Ivan Apfel Photography"

"Photography by Ivan Apfel and not a third party photographer"

Note the difference. The first means that the actual photographer than arrives will be myself or anyone one I hire to cover your wedding. The second means that me and me alone will shoot your wedding.

Why is this all important? Because depending on which of the above two you select, it affects when you should make you deposit.

If you want to hire the photographer you met with and want them reserved for your wedding, please keep in mind that it is a first come first serve reservation. Whoever reserves their services first get the photographer.

With larger studios you have more flexibility to work on the package, the price, the details before making your deposit to reserve their services because they have a stable of available photographers for your event.

However, with someone such as myself who shoots all of his weddings himself, I only book one wedding per date. And be aware, if the wedding is on Sunday and they book me for the rehearsal on Saturday, then the Saturday date you wanted is now unavailable. Because of this, when you find a photographer you like for your high season event, book them right away.

I know, many of you are thinking, "This is all true, but how often does this actually happen?" Not sure about other photographers, but personally I have to make around 15 calls a year to brides who are still asking questions about my contract to let them know that another couple just booked me for the same date. It is heartbreaking to do this but as a independent photographer, I have to insure that I have constant booking to insure any business stability.

Please keep in mind, myself and most other photographers use the deposit to reserve the date and the pricing schedule quoted to you. My contract clearly states that it can be amended and modified at anytime up until the day of the event. So do not feel that you have to get every little detail perfected before making your deposit. Because while you do this, another couple could book your wedding date.

Welcome to the beginning of the South Florida Wedding High Season. This year should be fun.

“Wait,what happened to all of the amazing images?”

2008-03-30T11:15:00.007-04:00

Article by Ivan Apfel (originally printed in WedPlan January 2007 Newsletter)

So, it is time to decide on your wedding photographer. You search all the wedding sites; you check out all the photographer’s listings. You look at their sites and all the beautiful pictures and all the not so beautiful pictures. You contact the photographers that you were impressed with. You meet with them and decide on one that not only makes you feel comfortable, but also offers you the package you want for the budget you need.

Fast forward to one to three weeks (depending on photographer) after your wedding. You log into your proofing page and exclaim “Wait, what happened to all the amazing pictures?”

Very few couples go into their wedding knowing the realities of photography in general and wedding photography in particular. In truth, why should you be expected to? You have to deal with florists and learning flower names, looks, colors, how they do in heat and cold, etc. You have to learn about cooking and catering. You have to learn about ceremony planning and legal documents — all in a relatively short period of time.

The point of this article is to let you know what to expect and what to look for before you hire your photographer. Let’s begin.

Myth versus reality: You look at all the beautiful pictures in the wedding magazines longing for your wedding pictures to look the same. Guess what? If you choose the right photographer, your pictures will come very close. However, keep in mind those wonderful pictures that you saw in the magazine included a professional editorial photographer, a set coordinator, a stylist, full time make-up artists, a hairstylist on set and, of course, professional models. They then spend hours setting up and shooting each look. In the end they narrow down from 300 images to the 10 beautiful shots you are now looking at adoringly. A good final product might include the following: 30 percent are as good as the best shot “Uncle Joe” took with his point and shoot. 50 percent should be better than the shots taken by “Uncle Joe” and his point and shoot. 20 percent should be beautiful images that you want to frame for your mantle and office desk.

Things to keep in mind. When you create what you want your photographs to look like, you have to take into consideration what is feasible with your budget. I have had brides who wanted me to shoot them getting ready at their hotel, pictures of the groom getting ready at the church, beautiful photographs of the cake that look like a magazine shoot as well as the family images at the church, pictures of the guests enjoying cocktail hour, the wedding, the reception, etc. If this is what you want, please note that this will require more than one photographer. Why? Because many of all these things are happening at the same time but in two different places.

Things to help ensure these results. First off, you have to make a choice. Do you want your pictures to look like your standard wedding pictures or do you want them to resemble the images in the magazines? Like I mentioned above, most of the magazine layouts were shot by an editorial photographer. If this is what you want, look for a photographer who shoots both commercial photography and wedding photography. Why? They will tend to bring more of a commercial look and perspective to your wedding assignment. Look at both their work and see if the commercial images match what you would expect from a magazine. Next, stay away from photographers who show you their sample book and state that they will make every one of your pictures look as good as these. Some of the best photographers I have met who shoot for some of the biggest names in advertising and fashion can not even make that promise. This is especially true with wedding photography, where light sources, temperature, and angles continuously change.

Finally, you really do get what you pay for. If you go for the lowest bidder, you will most likely end up with the lowest percentage of great shots when your wedding day is done. On average in most metropolitan areas, you should plan on at least $1,200.00 for a good photographer’s package including only one photographer and no album. Prices can then go up depending on the type of book you want (leather, cloth, prints versus coffee table style, etc) and if more than one photographer is needed — and, in some cases, if you insist on the use of professional studio lighting for certain shots.

Here is my golden piece of advice to you when looking for your photographer — it is what I did when looking for our wedding. When you look at your potential photographer’s images, look for a variety of styles (commercial, fashion, editorial, wedding, etc.) The more styles they tend to shoot, the better they can handle variable shooting conditions. Next, look at the composition and creativity of their composition. A great image is 50 percent technical skill and 50 percent creative eye. If they have a creative eye and good technical skills, you stand a very good chance of walking away with some great images that you can look at lovingly for years to come and might even make your friends envious.

Final Pre-Wedding Meeting - Why They Are So Important

2008-03-01T01:30:00.006-05:00

Let’s be honest, a bride will spend on average two hours discussing the details of the floral arrangements with their florist. They will spend an average of three hours meeting and discussing the details of the wedding cake ingredients and design with their wedding cake maker. They will spend several hours working with their dress maker. So why would a bride not spend at least two hours discussing the details of the wedding with their photographer.

Not being on the same page with your wedding photographer is the absolute best way to be less than thrilled with your wedding images. No matter whom the photographer or the client is there is no sure thing when it comes to coming out with the images both parties are happy with.

From my own experience, I have had clients who loved my style and work but when we discussed the details of what images they really wanted to see in the final package, they were ones I would never have thought of. I have had other clients who when we discussed things they loved everything I came up with and had no input of their own yet were very happy with the final images.

So as you can see, there is no client that is the same. This is why pre-wedding meeting with your photographer or client is very important. Brides and Grooms, if you wedding photographer wants to set-up a time to meet or speak prior to the event, make the time and clear a couple of hours for this. Wedding photographers, I recommend the same. I recommend doing this no more than one month from the wedding day and no less than 1 week. I believe in this because 90% of all wedding details are finalized within this period. Any earlier and the photographer mind find out that an assistant or equipment is needed for the event with not enough time to get either. Any further out and chances are things will change before the wedding and your planning is all but ruined.

Here are some important items to remember to ask or bring answers for:

What are the Events?

Sounds like a simple question, but I have found that no two weddings are the same unless it is a package deal at a wedding hall. I have had weddings where the wedding and the reception were held two feet from each other. I have had some where they had the wedding at the church followed immediately with champagne and cake cutting in the churches garden and then everyone went to the reception location at a private residence. So as you can see, details and locations always change. Be ready to give the photographer the breakdown of when and were specific events will take place. This includes addresses of various locations. Google and Mapquest have made lives easier but it is still better to get it directly from the client.

Schedule of Events:

This is VERY important because it allows the photographer to plan out equipment, how to set up for each and what time requirements will be needed. This will also tie into the next area which is…

Desired Coverage Expectations:

What and where do you want the photographer to be for each event in the schedule? This will help answer many questions about what is needed to complete each aspect and what can and cannot be done. For example, if the bride and groom are at separate hotels and the wedding is at a church, the client can not expect the photographer to be able to shoot the groom’s party getting ready and the bride’s party getting ready by them selves. One of two things will be needed. Either hire an assistant with photography training to shoot one group while the primary photographer shoots the other. Or, the bridal party or groom’s party will have to be ready at least 90 minutes prior to the event so that the photographer can shoot them, then go to the other party’s location before then going to the church to set up.

List of Formal Portraits:

This is very important. Bride and Groom, I can not stress enough how important it is to have a list of the portrait shots you wish to have taken as well as the people in each. It is also helpful to assign someone from either the wedding party who knows everyone involved who can assist the photographer in getting each person for each portrait. A few things to remember for the formal portraits:

Keep the number of images down. This is not the time to have pictures taken with your cousins and all of your aunts and uncles. Those can be shot during the reception.
Expect to use the whole Cocktail Hour. This is what it was created for, to entertain your guest while you and your party have portraits done.
No Guests or Cameras. I am now a dictator about this. You are paying us good money for these images. Guests not only delay the process, but people taking pictures with their own cameras can not only because one or more people in each grouping to look at them instead of the photographer but also because their flashes can interfere with ours and cause shadows or exposures that ruin your images. If they want a picture for themselves, most of use offer them the ability to order online for very little cost. And whether they like it or not, our image will be much better than theirs anyways.

Special Requests:

Keep in mind, we are not personal friends or families or your. So we will not know who your grandmother is nor will be know what specific images are important to you. Before hand let us know if there is someone you want us to take a picture of you with. Let is know if there is a particular shot you want such as a picture of the two of you standing in front of the church thanking each guest as they leave. I recommend that you give us a list the day of so that way we can use it as a check list allowing you to enjoy your day. This way if we look at our list and see we have not shot you and your Aunt Diane, we can come and let you know that we still need to shot that one.

Finally, Discuss Style: You should always know your photographers style based on the samples you have seen. We generally tend not to be chameleons in this aspect. However, make sure to discuss this a little when you first meet. In addition, and this is VERY important, discuss how you want the event shot.

Styles of Wedding Photography

2008-03-01T00:27:00.003-05:00

Understanding what type fits your event.

You should always know your photographers style based on the samples you have seen. We generally tend not to be chameleons in this aspect. However, make sure to discuss this a little when you first meet. In addition, and this is VERY important, discuss how you want the event shot. There are five styles or wedding photography, which are:

Traditional Wedding Photography – This is when shots are super posed and almost out of a book. This will include posing your guests for pictures. We literally have a list including bride portrait, groom portrait, cake cutting, first dance groom, first dance father, getting in car, etc.
Wedding Photo Journalism – This is what I call stylized “winging it”. Essentially, we document how things happen. Do little to no posing at all but will get our self prepared to shoot specific events in a specific manner including using multiple flashes or getting on top of a ladder for a specific angle. Other than that we let you and your guests do your thing and we just document it.
Wedding Fashion – This is fairly new and stems not only from fashion photographers getting into shooting weddings, but also clients who want to feel as though they are being shot for a magazine layout. If this is what you want, keep in mind that you will be shooting and posing for about 60% of your event. You will not have much interaction with your guests. Also, remember that location, details like flowers, dress and suit play a major role in achieving this style. If you are shooting in a banquet hall, you will not be able to achieve this style. Also, use someone who shoots only this style and does so both for weddings and actual fashion clients. Just so you know, I am not one of these types of photographers.
Traditional / Photo Journalism Combination – This is the most popular style. This is where 80% of the wedding is shot as it happens but the photographer will shoot traditional formal portraits, will shoot requested shots including table shots of guests. This is the best choice if you want images that capture the events as they happened but still want some of those posed shots. If choosing this style, it is important to go over in detail what parts of the wedding you want shot traditional style and which parts are shot photo journalism.
The last is what I shoot. There is no specific name for it but I tend to call it Controlled Photo Journalism. This is where the photographer will tend to photograph most of the event in a photo journalism style and will take minimal "formal" or "posed" images. Instead of formal poses, we opt for a controlled form of photo journalism in which we will describe what we are looking for, we will determine our angle and may even use some controlled lighting devices but will then let the everyone be themselves. The outcome is quiet amazing. It results in images that while mildly choreographed still maintain a natural feel that allows everyone in the image be them self. Now don't fear, those of us that do it correctly are able to shoot in this style without keeping you and your guests from enjoying themselves and the event.

I hope this has given you some insight into what various styles of shooting weddings are. It is helpful to know what type of style you are looking for in your images so that you can look for that within the photographer you choose to document your special day.