Tell me your story

Posted by KC - 03/04/10 at 02:03:41 pm

I love stories. Always have. I still remember my 6th grade teacher, Helen Trexler, reading the book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle aloud to us as a class. It’s as vivid as yesterday. I can describe the room, the light in the room. I can tell you where my desk was. I can see her standing there; hear her voice. Even tell you how she was dressed.

Hearing that story changed me. That’s what great stories do.

These photographs are portraits of a three wonderful people whose lives and work are wonderful stories. We all have great stories. We are born with them. Something about the process of “growing up” seems to cause a kind of amnesia. We can’t always remember our own story. It took me a long time to remember mine. A handful of remarkable people helped me remember it, and now I realize that every person I have a conversation with is helping me remember my story. Like my friend and fellow photographer, Kim Siedl, who just yesterday helped me remember some keys elements of my own story. All of these people help me remember and tell my own story so that it brings joy and purpose and meaning to life.

The secret to my work as a portrait photographer is to invite my clients to tell me their stories. That’s it. It’s really quite selfish on my part. I am fascinated by their stories. And then while they are telling them to me, I make a few photographs. It’s simple, really.

Doing more with less

Posted by KC - 01/06/10 at 08:01:42 am

One of the things I like most about being a wedding photographer is the chance I have to be a calming influence in the middle of all the chaos. This year we will continue to make the “trusted adviser” role a central part of the Craige & van Roden offer. It won’t cost our clients anything. It’s just who we are, and what I believe we are supposed to do.

Here’s our first suggestion: Write a short story. Imagine that you are about to celebrate your 25th wedding anniversary and are looking back on your wedding day. Describe what was wonderful about the day, what was really special, and what you most enjoyed. Don’t try to cover every little detail. Stick with what was most important and memorable.  Was it warm or cool, dark or light, inside or outside? Who were you surprised and excited to see? Were you rested and relaxed?  What do you remember seeing, tasting, hearing? Touching? Do you remember unique aromas?

If you keep to only a few paragraphs what you will be doing is pre-visualizing what is most important to you about your wedding day and setting yourself up for success as you continue through the planning process. Give it a try and let us know how it turned out.

Three mistakes to avoid when hiring a wedding photographer: Part 3

Posted by KC - 12/10/09 at 11:12:33 am

More good advice from excellent wedding photographers in other parts of the United States and Canada. This doesn’t mean that your uncle Bob won’t capture many good images. In fact, we occasionally include an image or two in our albums from the bride and grooms talented friends and family when they catch something that we miss. My gifted friend and fellow photographer, Charles Gupton, taught me early on to recruit these other well equipped and  highly skilled wedding guests as assistants. An extra set of hands to hold a reflector or flash, or help herd groups will always come in handy. We don’t let our egos get in the way of doing the best possible job for you.

#3 – Don’t Make the Mistake of Expecting Pro Results From an Amateur Photographer

I can’t tell you how many brides I’ve had come in to look at my albums, and tell me: “My sister got married last year. They had Uncle Bob take their pictures because he only charged them $200. But she didn’t get a single picture from her wedding that she likes.  Every time she looks at her pictures, she cries.” The biggest mistake a bride can make is to undervalue her wedding photography. Countless brides have tried to save a few dollars by hiring a friend, or having a family member take their wedding photos. And countless brides have little but tears to show for it. Think of professional wedding photography as an investment in your future joy. It will cost a little now (although it will cost less than the food you serve at your wedding), but it will pay off in great dividends, as you enjoy the memories for the rest of your life.
~ Fritz Liedtke, Fritz Photo, Portland, OR

Don’t leave your wedding photography up to chance! “Cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean good, and “good” doesn’t mean cheap! Do you want to risk one of the most important days of your life to an inexperienced photographer, or Uncle Bob, or Cousin Lenny who has a digital camera, instead of cutting corners on the hors d’oeuvres?
~ Joanne Bartone, Photographer, Pittsburgh, PA

Classic or dated? Wedding photography cliches to avoid.

Posted by KC - 12/09/09 at 02:12:29 pm

So, I’ll admit right away that I am guilty of some of these. And when I read this post on I Do for Brides I was reminded of the photographs from my own wedding in 1977…. full of stupid cliche images that I swore I would never duplicate. Hats off to Susan who said to me right off the bat, “..and don’t waste your time taking that stupid picture of my dress. I don’t get that picture and I don’t want it in my album.” Clearly we can learn something from our clients!

And now for your viewing pleasure, a few of the “cliches” from our recent blog posts…

I’m going to send a link to this post to the brides whose weddings these images are from to get their reaction (he writes nervously…). Hey, we don’t learn anything if we don’t listen. For the record I have never once asked a wedding party to jump up in the air.

Three mistakes to avoid when hiring a wedding photographer: Part 2

Posted by KC - 12/09/09 at 08:12:23 am

#2 – Don’t Make the Mistake of Prioritizing Products Over the Photography

Yes, we love designing and producing beautiful albums and we always have the story of your wedding day in mind as we capture each image. We are also realistic and know that your budget is limited. That is why Craige & van Roden offers collections that do not include an album as well as those that do. If photography is a priority, and you already have your Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer and all the dishes you need, you can “register” with us just like you do with Crate & Barrel or Bed Bath & Beyond. Encourage your friends and family to give you a spread or two in your album! We even have a nice boxed gift certificate they can wrap up and send to you.

“If you have a limited budget for wedding photography, invest the money in the photographer and not the album. If you look for a less expensive photographer so you can have money left over for an album, you will likely end up with bad photos in a pretty package. You are better off with great photos in a shoe box. You can always get an nice album down the road after you win the lottery or get that big raise, but if your photos are bad you are out of luck.
~ Dennis Drenner Photographs, Baltimore, MD

One thing I think a bride and groom don’t pay enough attention to is considering the quality of the photography aside from the album and wall prints. Clients get easily excited by the look of the album, the size of the album, or the fact that parent albums are included, or a large wall print, etc. However once the event has taken place and all is said and done the photography can’t be redone and clients will be disappointed if they have wall prints and 3 albums filled with mediocre photography. If clients can only afford the services of an exceptional photographer, with little or no product, at least the day is captured forever in images that inspire and take one’s breath away. Albums or other products can always be ordered when budgets allow, but hire a photographer based on his or her professionalism, integrity and photographic skills. Do not hire a photographer solely based on the biggest package deal they are offering.
~ David A. Barss, Photographer, Portland, OR

Three mistakes to avoid when hiring a wedding photographer: Part 1

Posted by KC - 12/08/09 at 10:12:42 am

Since we hope you are reading this blog because you are considering Craige & van Roden as your wedding photographer, or you know someone who might be, I wanted to include some good advice offered by other experienced photographers. I was not surprised to see “wrong personality” as the first mistake to avoid. When you like your photographer and your photographer likes you the bond formed is going to be reflected in the images that are captured on your wedding day.

“When you are hiring a wedding photographer, don’t hire someone whom you don’t really like on a personal basis! Their photos might be great, but remember that your photographer is going to be a very substantial participant in your wedding day, not only capturing your memories, but becoming a big part of them! So make sure you’re comfortable with their personality. If you find your photographer irritating, abrasive, or if you think their jokes are cheesy, keep looking. You REALLY don’t want to look at your wedding photos, and think “Oh wow, remember the incredibly inappropriate joke the photographer told right before he shot this?” or “That guy got on my nerves – I remember feeling irritated with him as this photo was being taken.” Your day is about your happiness, first and foremost. The most beautiful photo in the world won’t mean as much if your memory of the photography experience sours it!
~ Buffy Goodman, Edmonton, Alberta

The number one mistake to avoid when hiring a wedding photographer is to listen to everyone else. Your best friend might have loved her photographer, and your cousin probably swears by hers. So you meet with both of them and their pictures seem good enough. But did you like them? Your photographer will be with you all day, so it’s important you get along with them and enjoy their company. Your instincts will tell you a whole lot!
~ Britney Gardner, Turn Loose the Art, Huntington Beach, CA

Gillian and Craig

Posted by KC - 11/29/09 at 07:11:42 pm

Gillian and her wonderful family have been close friends for many years. Our houses are less than a mile from each other and the moms in our neighborhood refer to themselves the “Quail Hollow Council.” Translation: Getting away with anything with so many pairs of eyes watching you wasn’t easy.  We made a portrait of Gillian and her brothers, Albert and Andrew as a Christmas present for the mother Violet from their father, Frank a couple of years ago. We must have done something right because Gillian apparently decided then and there that we were going to photograph her wedding. Of course, I don’t think Craig had proposed at that point!

It was a wonderful afternoon of getting ready, and Raleigh Trolley rides from the Manson and Greeson houses to the Church for the ceremony. The wedding party re-boarded the Trolley for the trip to the State Club, stopping downtown for a quick group portrait on Fayetteville Street with the State Capitol in the background, and at our Craige & van Roden studio for a little champagne… no alcohol allowed on the Trolley!

Their elegant reception at the State Club included dinner and lots of dancing to music provided by the incomparable Joe Bunn. One of my favorite memories will be  photographing Gillian and Craig as they cut their cake with her grandfathers Naval officer’s sword. An even better memory: the chance to dance with my wife, Ann, while my wonderful and talented colleague, Patrica kept working!

Enjoy!

Aiden

Posted by KC - 11/14/09 at 11:11:22 am

Every now and then it all comes into alignment. The day Aiden and Sandra came in for these portraits wearing matching sleeveless t-shirts and jeans I had that feeling feeling… and was not disappointed.

Susan and Shannon: Wedding Day

Posted by KC - 10/28/09 at 08:10:47 pm

You may be wondering why we have included a shot of the breaking of dawn over Northern Virginia along with this small collection of photographs from the joyful wedding of Susan and Shannon….

This was the view from the elevator lobby on my way down to the restaurant at the Westin, Tyson’s Corners for my 6:30 AM breakfast that Saturday morning. Why so early? So we could be ready to go at 7:30 AM, our appointed time to meet with Susan and her bridesmaids to capture the “getting ready” process. That morning I also posted a Facebook entry with a photo of the dining room… totally empty. After all, who eats breakfast in a hotel at 7:30 on Saturday?!

It was a wonderful day. Getting ready at the Westin, a limo ride to St. John Neumann Church in Reston followed by the 11:00 AM wedding. After a few group photographs in the Church, Brandy and I drove Susan and Shannon to Vienna, stopping for a few casual and fun portraits at the Freeman House Store and Museum. The rain held off until we arrived at the Grand Atrium in Tysons Corner for a wonderful lunch followed by a lively afternoon of dancing (including the Hokey Pokey) and celebration. The party continued in the Westin bar later that day with Susan, Shannon and a host of friends, but by then we had put the cameras down and picked the frosted glasses up. Cheers!

If you would like to see the full set of images from the day, please get in touch with us for a link to the site.

Enjoy!

Susan and Shannon – The Preamble

Posted by KC - 10/26/09 at 01:10:03 pm

We photographed the wedding of Chris and Meg at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in May of 2008. While making a series of informal portraits of some of the guests we captured this image of Shannon and his fiance, Susan who were making plans to marry in the fall of 2009 in northern Virginia.

When I capture an image that has merit, I love to bring it up on the small LCD on the back of the camera and show it off. When Susan saw it she quickly said: “We could use that picture for our save the date card!” And I quickly said, “If you will allow us to photograph your wedding, I’ll make sure you have it when you want it.”

Earlier this month we had the true privilidge of photographing the joyful morning wedding of Susan and Shannon and captured a great set of images at three different locations in the Washington, DC area. We’ll post a sneak peak of their wedding photographs in the next day or so, so check back here to see more.

Enjoy!

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