Canon DLC: Article: Harnessing the Power of the EOS 7D's video system

These are part of the updated system we offer our clients.

It's bringing Fresno Wedding Videography and Fresno Wedding Photography to a
whole new level. The outstanding images and faster turn-around time are all major
benefits to client, all while prices go down. Stellar!

Canon DLC: Article: Harnessing the Power of the EOS 7D's video system

Wedding Zen - Calming wisdown for the Bride

Wedding Zen 

Calming Wisdom for the Bride - By Susan Elia MacNeal -You can read the entire book by going to Barnes & Nobles or Amazon.com

Your wedding is one of the happiest events of your life, and the beginning of your journey together.

But planning a wedding can get a little stressfull- or a lot stressful- and even the calmest of couples might fantasize about eloping. Before you cancel the caterers, Wedding Zen can help.  Learn to apply the principles of classic Zen teachings to the time-honored traditions of the bride, and see how a little namaste can improve your nuptials in a big way. From stepping out of family fueds gracefully to meditating on your bouquet before you walk down the aisle, Wedding Zen can help ward off trouble in nirvana.

With the gentle teachings of Zen, you'll realize that there's no such thing as perfection and to focus instead on what really matters, setting you free to have a truly wonderful, utterly enjoyable, best-day-of-your-life wedding!

Subscribe to this blog so that as new excerpts are inserted, you can read along and enjoy life.

08-11-11 - Remember: Zen is now. 

It helps us stay in the present and relinquish control. (Yes, letting go of the illusion of control will help you feel better. Don't Believe it? Read On!)

Anyone can do it. It's easy You just have to begin...

08-28-11 - The Rule of Engagement:
Being in the Present Moment

When you're engaged to be married, there's so much to do.
You need to schedule the officiant, order the dress, buy the invitations, and take care
of hundreds of other details. It's easy to let the days slip by in a flurry of planning,
at a time when each and every one should be savored.

The only real rule of being engaged? Be in the present Moment.
Being fully present is the cornerstone of Zen;
when you're truly aware, you're not fretting about the past or dreaming about the
future - you are firmly rooted in the present. (It's as easy and difficult as that.)

One way to stay in the moment is to be aware of your five senses:
How does your body feel right now?
What do you hear?
What do you see around you?
Do you smell or taste anything?
Perhaps most important: What emotions are you experiencing?

Try focusing your attention on the present often -
while waiting in traffic, cooking dinner, talking with your partner.

With practice, you'll begin to live a more mindful life. Right now.

We would like to thank Kristine & Elliott for booking with Composure photo & video for march 2012. We can't wait to see your first dance!!

Men In Black: Posing and Lighting a Profile Portrait (Professional Photographer Magazine Web Exclusives)

Men In Black: Posing and Lighting a Profile Portrait (Professional Photographer Magazine Web Exclusives)

Wedding Venues in Fresno by CPV

We've begun compiling Wedding Venues in Fresno, CA and the surrounding areas for Brides looking for beautiful places to get married or have their reception.

http://ping.fm/FFviF

Composure Photo & Videography Clovis, CA, 93611 - YP.com - http://t.yp.com/53py24

Wedding Photography & Videography in Fresno for as little as $1700 for everything. Including an album!

Book the best certified professional wedding photographer in Fresno for as little as $1700. We are offering a limited number of dates in 2011 where you can book our Charming Photography Collection & Ceremony Videography coverage that includes an album for only $1700. SAVING YOU $300.

You can contact us for this special on our SPECIALS Page

We're excited to have just booked with Amelda for March 2012. Thank you for choosing Composure Photography & Videography

How to select the right wedding photography collection

Wedding Photography in Fresno - How to choose the best collection

        So, you've read in many websites, emails and magazines that picking the right photographer or videographer is important, but how do you do that? You have to know what you need before you can select the "best one".  I mean, if you are like me when I started out in photography I just knew whether I liked a picture or not. I couldn't tell you why or what to do with that information. Let me share with you how I help clients select the best collection for them in our no-cost consultations.

Photography Selection

First, are all of your wedding events in one day? 

Yes - So, what time does your ceremony begin? 4:00 pm (I will use sample times to help demonstrate how to use this tool.)
         What times does your reception begin and end? 5:30 - 9:30 pm - this client would need a minimum of 6 hours of coverage. Beginning 30 minutes before the ceremony and going on through the main events of the reception.

No - Each event will probably be a separate collection of time, but it would be best to get a personal quote from any photographer or videographer with your specific details for an accurate quote. But I will give an example of one of my destination weddings. Ceremony was in San Francisco on Friday at 4pm with a dinner after at 6-8pm. The reception was in Fresno on Sunday at 6pm-9pm. This was a total of 7 working hours and 7 hours of travel. This couple wanted the tuscany album, so the tuscany collection with 7 hours worked well. Then, they simply paid the $45/hour travel and the hotel for Friday night.

         

Are you going to see each other and take photographs before the ceremony?

No - With not seeing each other before the ceremony you are significantly shorting the number of quality images you can have if you want to get to your reception within an hour 1/2 of your ceremony ending. Those relaxed, fun images with brides and grooms laughing and walking and holding hands are usually done before the ceremony. Now, with good planning and a relaxed time line, taking the images after the ceremony is completely manageable.
    
Yes - This will add the number of hours needed before the ceremony, but almost always means getting to your reception earlier and therefore means less time at the reception. So, your ceremony is at 4pm you would want to take bride and groom images at 2:30 until about 3:15-3:30. Then all that you would need to do is bridal party and family images after the ceremony for less than 30 minutes.  So, a sample of time would be 2:30-8:30, which is a minimum of 6 hours of coverage.

         What type of album do you see your final images in?

Coffee Table Album - Press Printed, layouts out like a book with a binding, can have a photo image as the cover, leather cover or a cool vegan linen cover. These albums make good parent albums as well because they begin at $240.00

Tuscany Leather Album - Lay flat properties, referred to in many magazines as a "digital flush album". The images (at least 60) are selected by the bride and groom, edited into at least ten 10x20 spreads and bound to lay flat in a Leather cover.
These albums begin a' la carte at $1200.

Brilliance photo-cover album - This is a contemporary album with similar exterior qualities to a high-end text book, because the image the bride and groom choose wraps around the entire cover and is protected with a high-gloss protective coating. The images (at least 60) are edited into ten 10x20 spreads and bound into this beautiful photographic cover which lay flat when opened up. These albums begin at $1300 a' la carte.

      Final question, do you want images of you getting ready?

Yes - Then you will need to add 1-3 hours of coverage to your collection.
           The determining factors in the number of hours are:
           Will you be at the same location your ceremony is (Peoples Church for example)? 1 to 1.5 hours more.
           Are you going to have to travel from a getting ready location to the ceremony (St. Johns Cathedral for example)? Usually 2 additional hours.
           Are you going to have to travel and it's in a different city (Kingsburg to Clovis for example). Adding in travel time to the total of hours needed prior to the ceremony.

No - Don't add any additional time to your collection.


Let me share with you some "typical time lines" and what collection those clients chose.

First, Clients got married at People's Church at 2pm and went to Tornino's for their  reception at 4pm. They wanted getting ready pictures and preferred the Coffee Table album and they don't want to see each other in advance.

So, Their events are in the same day. Their ceremony begins at 2pm and with getting ready images they would like me there at 1pm and the reception events (cake, garter, first dance, toasts) would be complete by 7pm. They need 6 hours of coverage for photography purposes. Which means they only needed to pick their album, which was the coffee table album. The collection they chose was the Gallery package.

Second, Clients got married at St. Johns Cathedral in Fresno, CA at 3pm. Their reception is not until 6pm at a residence in Clovis, CA. They picked the Brilliance album as their desired destination for their images.

So, Their events are in the same day, their ceremony begins at 3pm, however St.Johns doesn't have a place for brides to get ready, so she got ready at the nearby Holiday Inn. I began with her at 12pm at the hotel. Then went to the church, then formal images after the ceremony for 90 minutes and then off to the reception (20 minutes of driving) to Clovis where the reception events would be done by about 9pm. So, there was 9 hours of working time and a brilliance album. This couple chose the Brilliance Collection. This covered the hours they needed and the album they wanted.

Finally, these clients were doing a simple ceremony and reception at one outdoor venue with just a few guests. They were married at 4pm and their reception started immediately after. They chose to do their images before the ceremony so that they could spend more time at the "party". So, I was needed from 2pm - 7pm. They preferred wall prints to an album and they selected the Charming Collection. This allowed them the 5 hours of coverage they needed and they simply purchased the prints a' la carte after the event.

Videography Collection Selection Process

These collections are usually a little "easier" to figure out what you need. They are based on the hours from 15 minutes before the ceremony to 3 hours into the reception. Then additional items can be added as needed.

1.Ceremony 2pm , move to a new location where the Reception begins at 4pm - Client would need 5 hours of coverage.
2.Ceremony 5pm at Wolf Lakes, Reception is at same location immediately following - Client would need 4 hours of coverage.
3. Ceremony only at a residence with no reception. Client selected the ceremony coverage only

The additional items you might consider are getting ready coverage and longer reception coverage because you are having some special dances or performances.

Ultimately, you figure out what you want covered, consider travel time and then your album choice. 

Congratulations on your engagement and please let us know if we can help you personally find the best collection.

David's Bridal Vendor Night - August 10th, 2011

Our Vendor night on August 10th was a success for all the brides who made it to David's Bridal from 5-8pm on Wednesday

Doing the entertaining and giving away great door prizes was Isaac with Good Times Entertainment

Liz  Roberto of Creme de le Cake will make your cake something to remember!

 

Tenaya Lodge was represented by Charlotte and we had a great time!

Mimi with Apropos Flowers had a very busy table, because her flowers were beautiful.

Of course, I had some of my albums on hand to share current trends with brides who stopped by.

 Many of our brides let us snap a few shots of them looking through the various vendor options.

 See you next vendor night!!