Saturday, June 14, 2008

Webpage Redesign and Update

Steve, Kim and I are in the process of doing a total web page redesign. We are going to add a slide show with a lot more pictures that are readily visible. I am hoping to add a slide show to the blog!!! It will make it a lot easier to add pictures for everyone to see. If you have a favorite picture you would like us to feature, email us at sburk@magekphoto.com and let us know. I am sure April will give me a few- Maggie, how about you?

An update, well, let's see... we have been to the beach in the morning again for engagement pictures. Wow it was windy!!! However, as usual, very dynamic! LaGinna and Steve were great sports! They drove in from San Antonio and got up early to take pictures!!! Then, they were off to Schlitterbaun for the day. It was a beautiful day! Kim fell in the water- which, I of course laughed at- she wasn't as amused!!! We have been downtown with a bride- that is a first. Usually we do engagement pictures, but Adrienne wanted to go downtown for bridal pictures. They look great! Crystal had an amazing wedding with an antique Rolls Royce and a leave by way of boat!!!! We had another wedding that was on the lake with close family and friends, and an amazing ceremony. The minister did a great job! The couple actually saw each other before the ceremony so we could take pictures of the two of them together without any time constraints. It was great! Thank you! A couple of other engagement pictures- one where we trekked all over and got great pictures, and one where we stayed close to home and got wonderful pictures. Christa and Mark were great sports! Despite her distaste for slimy things, she climbed out on the rocks at Victory Lakes! Amazing pictures!!!!!!



Here's a picture from the balcony of the San Luis Hotel in Galveston, Texas. Be sure to check out Margan's wedding as soon as it is posted for more amazing pictures!




http://www.magekphoto.com/

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Choosing a Photographer- Part 2

Your wedding.... if you are like most brides, you have been dreaming of this day for years, and planning for it takes months of time and effort to make sure it all turns out exactly like you dreamed it would be. The wedding day arrives, everyone is hurrying around, and suddenly it is time for everything to start, and the next thing you know, it is over. It flew by, and everything is a blur. Thankfully, you have the pictures to go back and look through over and over and remember all the fun everyone had- you may even see crazy things that your friends and family did when you weren't around.

Choosing a photographer for your wedding is one of the most important things you will do. When the wedding is over, you will have few things left other than the pictures. Be sure you take the time to choose the right photographer for such an important occasion, and don't let cost be the only factor. When you start to choose your photographer, here are a couple of things to keep in mind....

1. Make sure the photographer has the skills to photograph your wedding. Look at images from an entire wedding, not just the highlights. Anyone can take a great picture from time to time, especially if they are with you for the entire day, but can they take great pictures all day.

2. Make sure you like the photographer. The photographer has to have a great personality and be able to get along with everyone, even Aunt Sue who thinks she should be photographing your wedding because she got a new camera that she has been dying to use. You want to make sure the photographer isn't going to order you around all day, making you feel rushed and as if you missed the wedding because you were taking pictures. As I said before, no one wants to spend time with a grouchy person, or someone they don't like. Make sure you like the photographer.

3. Meet with the photographer and see prints. Prints are different than what you see on the monitor. Prints are what your pictures are going to look like. No photographer has any idea what your monitor settings are, they only control their monitors. Their monitors are set to the lab so what they see is what you get. Sometimes, the images on your monitor look great, but the prints don't look so great, and sometimes the images on your monitor look dull, but the prints look almost 3D. Take the time to look at the prints. If you can't meet with the photographer in person, ask them to send you some prints. Compare what you see on the monitor to what the prints look like.

4. Cost or Investment, they are both the same. How much is going to cost you to get what you want. There are a lot of variables, and usually time is the biggest factor. Some photographers are less expensive, but you give up the time they will spend with you. Keep in mind, wedding receptions typically never go exactly as they are scheduled. Everyone is dancing and having a great time, so the cake cutting gets pushed back, or dinner took longer than expected, lots of things happen. Make sure you aren't rushed by a photographer who is on a schedule. The photographer should be on your schedule! You do not need the added stress of the photographer saying, "My time is up, thank you," when you haven't done all the things you wanted to do, and have pictures of them. Who wants to miss pictures of the ladies diving for the bouquet, or grandma doing the YMCA and Chicken Dance? If you don't mind being prepared to pay extra on the wedding day, then time isn't a concern, but if you are on a budget, make sure you have the photographer for enough time for things to run a little behind schedule.

5. Reorder prices. Usually brides don't think about how much it is going to cost to get additional pictures that aren't in the package. Most brides think they will have enough in the package and they won't want anymore. Remember family members may want to purchase pictures, and you may end up wanting additional pictures. Always at least look at what it would cost for additional prints.

6. Hidden fees. I know that sounds crazy, but a lot of times there are additional fees for things you thought would be covered in the package. A few of the biggies are edits, time, and travel. If you want to go to Galveston to take pictures on the beach, is there a fee for the travel? What if it rains and you need to reschedule, is there a fee? If the ceremony is a the church, and the reception is at a different location across town, is there a fee for multiple locations? The wedding coordinator is standing at the back of the church in every picture of your father walking you down the aisle, is there a fee to edit her out? Make sure you ask what those fees will be, if there are any fees for those things.

Photography is important on your wedding day, make sure you take the time to pick the photographer that is going to be right for your wedding. Don't let cost be the only factor you consider.

http://www.magekphoto.com/

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Choosing a Photographer

We have been talking a lot lately about our website, how we want to change it, etc.... A few gurus in the business tell us that we should not have as much text, that it is "stuffing." Kim and I both think highlighting more pictures is a big change we need to make, Steve agrees, but is a little slower at making the change than we are. I also think it is important to know the photographers that you are working with. What we write on our website is not "stuffing" it is what we believe. I think photography skills are important, but the personality of the photographer is just as important. No one wants to work with a grouchy photographer who orders them around. You want to work with someone who will take amazing pictures, and remember that this is one of the most important days of your life! So, even if you don't choose Magek Photography, make sure you work with a photographer who has an amazing personality!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Importance of a Good DJ

We have said long said that a DJ is very important. He (or she) can make or break your reception. They can encourage guests to get up and fun, or leave early. A good DJ helps us as well. No one wants pictures of their guests just sitting around doing nothing. They want pictures of their guests having a great time celebrating their wedding!

I typically don't recommend folks on this blog, but I was so impressed with the DJ on Sunday that I feel I must do this. PRP Entertainment, specifically Damon P Pamplina, was AMAZING!!!! He got the guests moving. They had an awesome time, the bride and groom had an awesome time, and we have awesome pictures to show it! So, if you are looking for a DJ- check our their website, http://www.prpentertainment.com/ or give them a call- 281-486-7788, be sure to ask for Damon!