Category Archives: Tips & Tutorials

Monday, August 23, 2010

Get ready for the Getting Ready Photos!

Planning a wedding is NO easy task, in fact after the wedding is over, many brides admit, if they hadn’t hired a planner, they wish they had!  Unless you have done it yourself, it is hard to fathom exactly what all is involved.  There are so many emotions during what is supposed to be an amazing and beautiful memory, it still can be, consider “getting ready” photos for your wedding day!

You may be asking yourself, what on earth do I want with a bunch of photos of me looking   not so great, hair in curlers, no makeup, what am I going to do with these photos?  Think for one moment, during this time usually mom, dad and the rest of your loved ones are nearby.  You would be amazed on  how important these moments leading up to the very minute you see your fiance for the first time and walking down the aisle.  Plus it is a beautiful capture of you in your space, all giddy, and ready to go, at this point in the wedding planning, there is “nothing” more you can do.  The venue is set, as is your photographer, your cake, dress, everything is ready and all you have to do is “show up!”

As a wedding photographer myself, I know all too well the “value” of the getting ready photos, the emotions are priceless, but so is the opportunity to get to know my clients as well as their mothers, fathers, and family.  It allows for that extra special time we need to bond, laugh, cry and prepare for one of the most important days of their lives!  I could not dream of anything better……an engagement shoot is also highly recommended as many of you know, I always include these sessions for my couple because again, it is about them!

Remember folks, your parents are here once in a  lifetime, when they are gone, only the memories remain.  Make them count, see the beauty everywhere and consider “Getting Ready” photos on your wedding day!

Seen here: Hair Style and Makeup Artist :  Teresa Reynolds  and the bride Giselle with  her lovely mother “Fortune” of Newark, CA.  Congrats to the happy couple!

Wedding Venue:  Mountain Terrace, Woodside, CA
Getting Ready Photos here:  YStudio Photography
Official Wedding Photographer:  I-Motion, Los Gatos, CA (Simon)

Looking for YOUR wedding photographer? Connect with YStudio Photography, we would LOVE to hear from you. You can also find us at Facebook




Wednesday, July 28, 2010

It’s a Fabulous Newborn Posing Guide Giveaway!

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE newborn and baby photography! And although I have not ventured into this area of creativity…YET, I do celebrate it because after marriage, comes the carriage!  As  wedding photographers we know this so we better start thinking weddings, maternity, newborn, birthday parties and overall FAMILY Photographers!

This morning I came across a gorgeous baby web site and saw they have a contest!  If there is anything I go nuts for are contests!  So….check it out folks, and GOOD LUCK to everybody!  Hurry contest ends August 1st! Yes, I too am trying to WIN!!!!!!!!! It’s a Fabulous Newborn Posing Guide giveaway on Inspire Me Baby

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Wedding & Fashion Photography..how do they relate!?

I had a colleague of mine once say that he wanted to focus on JUST Weddings & Portraits and he could not understand WHY we had gone towards other things like High School Seniors, Fashion, as well as Sports Photography.  In all reality when he mentioned this, I too had to stop and think about WHY!

Funny how things happen this was around the time, I had crossed paths with Skip Cohen, a fabulous person to know and follow in this industry.  Skip with many years under his belt, and as the former President/CEO of Hasselblad, the  past President/Chief Operating Officer of Rangefinder Publishing Inc. , and now President/Founder  of  Marketing Essentials International, is the ONE person who helped put it all into perspective for me.  Not only did he confirm for me that “diversity” in this business is good, but it is essential!  He was so right!  I looked at today’s economy and also figured that YStudio needed to be ready and diversity was a way to stay afloat in this business.  After all, we are photographers, as well as artists, and although we would like to specialize in one area, photography and art form  is everywhere!

Another valuable lesson I learned in my dealings while being asked to be a  Guest Blogger with Skip, was that being creative meant that I could not pick and choose, being creative is just that…being creative!  I love when I am able to create something from nothing, and at the end of the day, THIS is why clients hire us….they trust us, and how could I let them down, plus it is so much fun!

Take Fashion Photography for instance…..a lot of which I am  learning in the Fashion Photography industry is that I can easily apply this to my weddings.  Think of it this way…..when a bride is planning her wedding what is among the first thing she invests in?  MAGAZINES! Yes! Do you think her breath is taken away by everyday “real” wedding photography?  The chances are slim, what will take her breath away are the Bridal Couture images of gowns, and other fashion editorial spreads.  SHE WANTS TO LOOK AND FEEL LIKE THIS!  So I simply take images from my favorite fashion shots, and think hey I can have a bride do that pose at her wedding!  And of course I always ask tell my brides let’s be adventurous, you would be surprised just what they will do if you simply ask!

So, I feel that being diverse, creative and doing the NON traditional is going to help me get those images for my client.   Don’t turn down a shoot simply because you only do weddings, or only do portraits, think of it this way, you WILL learn something which you can apply to whatever it is that you specialize in…you will keep shooting which is always important and you will HAVE FUN!

Looking for YOUR wedding photographer? Connect with YStudio Photography, we would LOVE to hear from you. You can also find us at Facebook




Tuesday, June 8, 2010

BBW Brides….from one big gal to another………

I had a great phone conversation today with  friend and colleague, Robert Valdes, HD Wedding Videographer, and I shared about my passion and strengths in working with the more abundant bride.  I am not here to knock down photographers or videographers about how they approach the larger more lovelier bride, I just want to share on how I approach this situation.

Being a larger woman myself, I have always panicked at the thought of seeing myself in photographs, not to mention video, after all, the camera does add a few pounds and inches. And to make things worse, depending on the angle of the camera, the posing and the lighting, the larger bride can be devastated the day she’s presented with her wedding photos. A day that should be filled with beauty, radiant smiles, laughter, tears of joy, can end in a flash the moment she sees herself in an alarming and unflattering manner. Remember…it is up to us as your photographers to see the beauty and create it so we can capture it! Even the thin brides needs to be analyzed before being photographed, so for the BBW’s we MUST take our time.

Think of it this way, a little girl starts planning her wedding early on, playing with her Barbies is where it all begins, she becomes ONE with that barbie doll, she dresses her and then introduces her to Ken and VOILA! It’s time for a wedding! So, you see, not only do I approach photographing her as if I were photographing myself, I approach her wedding day with the tender loving care and memories of her childhood. The day is finally here, and you better believe it, I am going to bust my butt to get her the images to match that lifelong childhood wish and dream!

If one cannot see the beauty in each of their clients, how well will those images tell the story of their lifelong dream? If you want to make an impact when photographing BBW’s or your larger male clients, meet with them talk to them about their camera concerns if they have any. If they do not mention it, don’t just walk away with a signed contract and do nothing! DO MORE! Work harder to position your subjects in flattering light, angles and positions. After all, they are hiring you because they LOVE your work, show them some LOVE and don’t just point and shoot. Pay attention to the dress, the arms, the shoulders, the tummy, and make sure if your client has a double chin to do everything you can to camouflage or flatter and diminish. If when meeting with a larger bride, she reveals she is going sleeveless, keep that in mind and plan accordingly, alert your assistants and give them advice of the best angles to capture her or the groom. If this is the case and she has a veil, this may be your saving grace!

I have had many opportunities to work with plus size brides, and I LOVE it! It’s keeps me on my toes, and honestly, it really makes me think that I should have this attitude with ALL of my brides, but in reality, from one big gal to another, she’s going to get just a little more from me! Here are just a few pointers when shooting a BBW.

NEVER photograph a larger bride straight on, think in 45 degrees angles
Pose her slightly behind her groom
Photograph large gals in the “center”, always and have the group lunge forward towards your lens
Pose her arms away from her body to avoid making her look wider
DO photograph your BBW brides from a higher camera vantage point. This is awesome to diminish the chin
NEVER photograph her from behind unless it’s cropped tight and looking over her shoulder slightly turning her body
Window light can be your best friend! Position her at the window and shoot from the shadow side, watch how her body is flattered by sculpting her with shadow
And as my friend Jerry Ghionis says, “shoot her through the eyes of her husband-to-be!”
Sending a huge shout out to all my BBW brides and brides everywhere! Celebrate BIG!

Please feel free to show some love here in our comments section. And if you are interested in learning more about approaching the plus sized beauties with your camera, I am available for one on one mentor sessions or I can answer any of your questions here on the blog.

Barbara Yasuhara is a portrait and wedding photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area, Honolulu, and Miami areas and a contributing author of the Wedding Photographers Resource. Her website can be accessed at http://ystudiophotography.com

Looking for YOUR wedding photographer? Connect with YStudio Photography, we would LOVE to hear from you. You can also find us at Facebook




Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tips for your BEST Wedding Photos!

 Many brides can become “overwhelmed” when planning for that BIG day, there is so much to do and in what seems to be so little time.  One of the most important things of this day, I feel is photography.  Keep in mind that besides your wedding bands, your photos are the very first heirlooms of your union and new families and these are to be cherished for many generations to come.

It’s very easy to give priority to your “guests” and what I mean by this is that sometimes we focus on making sure we choose the right venue, the most beautiful gown, the greatest looking and tasting cake, the most expensive flowers, etc.  Before you know it, you can easily be well over your budget.  These things are important, don’t get me wrong, however, when the guests leave the venue, the remnants of the cake are stored away, your gown goes in for preservation, the gifts either get returned or exchanged, what’s left?  Your memories! Exactly!

Many of you will hire photographers and videographers, and you may simply choose your photographer for the “price” of their packages, and whether or not they hand over a photo CD, etc.  Don’t get caught up in this, first of all, NEVER choose your photographer for “the package!”  Choose your photographer because you LOVE their work, and because you LOVE how they make you feel about your wedding.  Listen to them, shop around, see who has your best interest at heart and NOT who is willing to offer you a package that will get you hooked.  Get hooked with them, get to know them, ask questions, and by all means make sure that they offer Engagement Sessions.  Don’t skimp on your everlasting memories, you do not want your wedding photos sitting in a box under your bed because you are embarrassed how poorly your big day was captured.  After all, what’s left are your memories, give them the TLC and priority you so deserve!

More tips on how to hire a wedding photographer  and Here are some GREAT photography tips for brides……Cheers and may you all live happily ever after!

Looking for YOUR wedding photographer? Connect with YStudio Photography, we would LOVE to hear from you. You can also find us at Facebook




« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2011 Y Studio Photography | ProPhoto Photographer Blog by NetRivet, Inc

T w i t t e r
F a c e b o o k
W e d d i n g   W i r e
Y e l p