I'm new at the forums but I've already seen some talented individuals such as Sam Hassas, Tony Hoffer and many others.
The question is, who do you look up to for their wedding photography skills and technique? Name your favourite photographer, the reason why you adore their work so much, and a link to some of their works (i.e. website) if possible.
The two wedding photographers that come to my mind are Jose Villa and Cliff Mautner.
Jose Villa has an incredible feel to his images. The background is mostly overexposed which creates a sense of tranquility and peace while the colours in the foreground are deep and intensely rich. I don't know how he does it but his colour composition makes his images powerful.
Ilovecanon,
You have some really great work bud. Lots of creativity and good use of light. Both a winning combo. Thanks for the kind words as well. Tim, thank you as well. Your a class act.
As far as the industries noted top dogs I'm most impressed with Jerry Ghionis. He is a posing god and very charismatic with his clients. I saw him live last year at WPPI and was quite impressed. K
He's a bad dude.
Aside from him the local yokels around here provide for a large percent of my inspiration in not only all this photography but in business and philosophy. Evan Baines wrote an article that was so thought provoking I went and bought the book he based his post from and feel like I can tackle 09' like a lineman. Seriously awesome individual. (I spent 3 hours yesterday looking at printers cause of you Baines ) Article: Baines Write up
Spencer helped me sell more prints in the last 3 months then I had the last 12. He doesn't even know what he did but during a casual chat he helped turn some wheels that illuminated a missing link. Also gave me a tip on how to get a 5D mkII without waiting till March. I owe you bud
Can't go into everyone separately but being able to rub shoulders with VERY talented folks on a day to day basis here on the boards has proving to be invaluable to me. I don't have luxury of calling, emailing, PMing the wedding photogs top 10, (without paying obscene amounts of cash) but can click on any given thread, blog, from the best of the best here on the boards.
My advice to anyone who lurks the boards here is to delve in here. Saturate yourself. Offer advice/knowledge when you have some give and post as often as you can. Praise will help you outdo you last set. Critique will do the exact same thing. It's all good.
**raises glass**
To the best wedding photography forum on the net.
I actually did a blog post today on one of my faves... Amelia Lyon. I also ofcourse follow Sam, Jessica Claire, James Rubio.... I like how all of these individuals are not only AMAZINGLY talented but also humble. They will talk to you, answer questions, give advice. Amazing... +1 on the saturate yourself comment...
I am a huge fan of Hass, also Ed Pingol, and Tony Hoffer. Great creativity and lighting (plus pingol has a great cloud guy!!) I look at every post of theirs just hoping one day I will be that great!! Thanks for the inspiration guys!
Another guy is Clay Blackmore. I met him in DC, he shot my sisters wedding. I love his use of light, and his posing is amazing! I also like his interaction with his subjects.
Hmmm... On here, my favorites are Sam, Tony Hoffer, Shrieber and Spencer... I just discovered Ed Pingol today and I have a feeling I'm going to like him.
I don't have any specific favorites in the wedding giant field... like Sam said, "I draw more inspiration from the people on here"... I've never been that into the wedding giants.. I feel that they work with movie stars, celebrities and models.. people that look good all the time. The fantastic shooters on here manage to take pictures of normal people and make them look like models, movies stars and celebrities...
I've never been one to look at "big names". I don't know half the people listed above if they're not on FM. For me, if I hung out on that cloud, I'd feel as though I suck 100% of the time. My weddings are (and probably always will be) normal... I don't get glam brides or high end reception sights. So I like to look at "normal" photographers who do top notch work in real life wedding scenarios.
Sam pushes that a bit just because he's in California and has amazing nature scenes that make me want to strangle him. But when I win the HGTV Dream House, I'll be in Sonoma Valley and will give him a run for his money. Otherwise, his use of natural light is really what helps me try to get the most from what the sun affords me... cause we all have that... most of the time.
I would put David Ziser above of those names, not just talent wide, but a person with enough confidence to share his trade secret without fear, and a compassionate human being. To me, talent is one thing, being a good teacher is one of the greatest skill to have.
Look through Evan's bridal portraits and try not to call him your favorite. I dare you. Look at JasonQ's compositions and do the same. Same with Sam's creativity, Ed's dynamic range (figuratively and literally) and many others. There's some superheroes here.
Wow, thank you Sam Hassas! Your generous words are very encouraging to me. I'll definitely stick around this forum and exchange ideas and knowledge with everyone.
And Richard, I agree with you how the shooters here can make the ordinary look like the extraordinary. Just googled up some of the photographers here and wow, I am impressed by the images and how the website is put together. Unblinkable, Tony and Sam, you guys are just amazing. =P
As for the "big names" and "wedding giants", I look up to their work because of their particular style and vision, not because of the glamorous brides and models they get to shoot. I'm sure they all started out like everybody else and climbed to the top through dedication and hard work. But you guys here take that one step further and have the time and patience to share your techniques and ideas that have made you successful and I'm quite surprised by that.
I'm glad I found such a big pool of talent here. I will have a lot to learn from you all. =)
I would second David Ziser. Nice thing is that he is willing to show hwo he does it and what he was thinking when he did this or that and why. I am searching for all of his videos to get so I cna have them for reference. I been watching him and the others at KelbyLearning.com. I been watching mainly the lighting videos this time but before my months subscription is up I will be watching what they do in PP.
We really dig our friend Jeremy Cowart (not a wedding photographer) @ www.JeremyCowart.com
and for those who love the Photochop, there is a couple here in Nashville where we live that are unbelievable photographers named Mel and Sean Meclellan @ www.MclellanStudio.com (they are seriously ridiculous!)
Otherwise, whoever did the shoot for The Dark Night is my hero!
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