Not your uncle's brand new DSLR

In today's economy everyone is trying to save money and many skimp on photography.  As a professional photographer, I am often asked, after the fact, how much it would have cost to have me cover an event.  The reasoning is almost always the same.  We needed to save money so we had "Uncle Fred" or our friend's friend who is in school for photography... take our wedding photos, babies first year photos or son's senior portraits.

This usually breaks my heart.  I know that in looking for a place to cut expenses they cut on the photography - and now that moment or occasion is lost forever.

Yes, "Uncle Fred" may have the same camera that I have - if he has the money he can buy it - maybe even the newer and "better" model.  BUT, does he have insurance?  Education?  A backup camera?  12 memory cards?  An assistant?  The Professional Photographers of America and all of their lawyers and Drivesavers (they can rescue erased images off cards).  10 years of experience dealing with crazy divorced families and drunk grandmas?  I could go on and on but won't.

When you hire a professional photographer, many things come with that.  All of the things listed above plus the continuous education, experience with people, distance from your friends and family (so Fred can be in the shot) and the piece of mind that the person is there for you - not as a guest of yours and a friend that you will most likely not be able to "unfriend" if they screw up.

For my wedding ceremony, I had 6 wonderful shooters.  All were either professionals in their own right or assistants that I had trained myself.  Of the 6, I was emotionally attached to 3, just met 2 and one was myself.  I still have shots that I wanted and didn't get.  Why?  I didn't ask myself and communicate to my photographers what I really truly wanted.  There were only a few things that we missed, and truthfully it was almost 100 degrees.  I wish I had given them a list - or stopped to check out the shot they were about to take because my only formal shot of everyone there - didn't have everyone there - them.  (And it was out of focus).

The truth is you get caught up in a moment and forget details.  A professional will capture those for you.  They will ask what you want and have you think about it ahead of time.  They will not become lost in the moment as I did with my wedding.

When you get a cavity filled you go to the dentist.  For surgery, a surgeon.  I would never let my "friend's friend" fly a plane full of my closest friends anywhere.  BUT, that is what you are doing when you trust someone other than a professional with your memories or occasion.

I know it seems like I am on a rant, and maybe just a bit... but I have heard too many horror stories to not share my unsolicited advice. 

Some time this month I will do a portrait of a couple married for more than 64 years.  What if they let their son's buddy do that?  What if something happened to them the next day and all their children had was an out of focus, sun in their eyes shot of their parents and no one to blame but their buddy?  How awful would that be?  I would never wish that on anyone - but it can happen and does.

I know that when I take that portrait, I will watch for shadows, position them so they look their best, focus the camera and do my best.  As soon as I get home I will load the images to my computer, back them up onto a hard drive and a "time machine."  That's a double back up and then I will edit those images and save them again in their edited form before I even consider using that memory card again.  That way, if anything happens to that card, my hard drive, my computer or my time machine - they are in three other places.  If the card was bad, I will immediately send it to a company called Drivesavers - who will recover every image for me - for my $400 co-pay for being a PPA member (which costs no less than $650 a year). 

What I won't do is lose those images.  I have every safeguard in place and even then, if they choose to sue me for some reason - I have the lawyers for one of the largest photography organizations who will go to court for me (I will personally never set foot in a courtroom).

While I love "Uncle Fred" as much as the next person and trust my friend's friend to take a pic on my cell phone for FB...  I will not trust either with my memories.

And neither should you.

Trust someone who knows what they are doing - many times they will even listen to your money issues and have some suggestions for you.  I want to make money doing what I love but don't want to be a millionaire tomorrow by milking people out of their life savings.

Let the professionals do their job and let Uncle Fred and your friend's friend enjoy the party.  They don't just have a nice camera.

Summer Photo tip #2

So we all keep hearing how we should wear hats and sunscreen and sunglasses because of the UV issues right?  Well, it presents an issue for photos.  Have you ever looked at your images after shooting a great shot on the beach or at the park and realized that you can't see any faces?  It's the same problem as my last tip.  Shadows! 
If you can - take of hats and sunglasses and take the photo in the shade.  If some of your subjects won't take off those baseball hats - I know I am one of them - make them tip the brim up so you can see their beautiful eyes.  Also if they lift their chin - they will look thinner (another one I do!) and they will appreciate that you want to see them in the photo. 
My goal in presenting these tips is to make sure that you can take great family and friend photos without having to sit at the computer in the beautiful weather and "fix" those pictures afterwards! 
Do you have any problems that you would like some help fixing in regards to personal photos - please leave a comment here or on my facebook pages and I will try to help you out!  Enjoy the beautiful summer weather this Memorial Weekend!
Peace and Love
Sherry

Senior Portrait Ambassador Program

Sherry Kruzman Photography is announcing a new Senior Portrait Model Ambassador program. 

I am looking for a few new models to take their senior portraits early and try a photographer that isn't your "school's photographer."

There is no required photographer for a school and they can't tell you where to go to have your senior portrait's done. 

I believe that your portraits should reflect you - not faked in a studio - but outside and wherever you are.  If you play sports - I will come to photograph you actually playing or competing.  If you want to go to a few different locations, we can absolutely do that. 

What I want is for you to be excited about your senior portraits and show them off to your friends.  If you like them and refer your friends to me for their senior portraits, then you will earn credit towards prints.  The more you refer - the more you earn. 

If you think that you are this kind of a model - looking to do something different with your senior portraits - please contact me!  I am looking to work with you.

sckruzma@gmail.com
248-672-8447

Bathing Beauties

Sometimes the best portraits are simply catching kids doing what they love.  Today I let some of my favorite girls play in their bathing suits and a water table.   Check out some of the expressions!

Natalie was quite happy with herself and her cute little suit and crocs.

Big sister Julia.

All three beauties playing with the water table.  Simple as that - and they had a blast.  Staying at their level and being willing to get a little wet allowed me to get the shots I was looking for.  These aren't professional wall portraits, but they are their true personalities shining through - and that is priceless!

Summer Brides

I absolutely adore summer weddings - shooting outside, sunsets, great moods of the wedding party - it all makes for gorgeous pictures. I was lucky enough to capture the wedding of Brad and Devon Keeler at Waldenwoods - I think that's the name... Devon was glowing and laughing - none of the Bridezilla stuff and their friends were so much fun to hang out with. I am going to hopefully post a few of the photos and you can see what a beautiful couple they are and what a perfect setting we had.