I suggest you look for a photographer like you look for a plumber or car salesman. Get someone you trust and kind of like. Love will only blind you to what may end up being more important.

This picture is not related to the topic but I always feel obligated to put one of my pictures into each topic I write about!

What does this mean to someone looking for wedding photography? It means someone who can take ok pictures and knows photoshop can can make the pictures look a lot better than a good photographer who is not great at photoshop. From my point of view, the bride is really paying for both but can she tell whether she has great pictures or great photoshop.

Given the time to retouch and the number of shots taken in a wedding, I recommend both but only for the files used in the wedding book. It;s the only way to make the photography affordable.

Here is where I am at a loss to how to explain to brides how the wedding could be less expensive with only a slight compromise. A lot of brides are enthralled with the number of files they get from the wedding. I honestly think that past 300 files, the bride is just asking for a ton of work for both herself (in making choices) and for the wedding photographer (in taking the time needed for post processing, a long and tedious task). I am not asking the bride to agree to only get 300 files, but be willing to get 300 better files and maybe 1300 average files so the photographer can put the most time into the files the bride will want the most. And if there are 20 or 30 more files the bride finds she wants, it is easier to add those to the total then do the same work on the other 1300. But how do you put this in a contract or explain it on your website or over the phone?

Here is a file I would give a bride.

Lindsey before the wedding standard processing

adjusted color, threw the back 2 bridesmaids out of focus and lightened the room

There are the things you can do if you have the time and with a limited number of files in the album, I can really be creative and make a file sing.

So, to restate, I would suggest that the bride accept 3 levels of file quality.

1. basic quality which should make a good 8×10 (or larger) and should be correctly exposed and sharpened.

2. 200-300 files taken to the next level with selective lighten and darken and pump up the contrast.

3. For special purposes like prints or albums, the file will be converted to black and white (or sepia), parts of the file will be thrown out of focus, parts of the file will be retouched out or new things will be retouched in, and anything else that can make the file look great will be done.

If I could put more effort into #2 and #3, would both the bride and the photographer be better off?

Heather and Jason's first dance at Windows on the River in Cleveland Ohio

(just an obligatory image from my most recent wedding, consider it an advertisement)

How does the bride spot the problem photographers? Too cheap,little selection in online gallery, all or most pictures from the same wedding, not any or many references, slow response to phone or email questions, and not being business-like are some of the warning signs.

Ring bearer insurance

(the 2nd and last advertisement)

So when does a good photographer go bad? First of all, photographers need input, lots and lots of input! We need to know when and where to be. We need to know about little surprises that make great pictures. We need to know your expectations, are you traditional or anything goes on the wedding formals? If you need the files or book in a hurry, we need to know. Most photographers will either meet your needs or let you know what the delays may be. That is another difference between the good and bad photographer. And last and pretty important, the good photographer takes great pictures!

Getting ready to catch the bouquet.

I lied!

1. making a visual point. I can draw you eye to the most interesting part of your picture. These are effects like darkening the edges, blurring most of the picture but leaving the important parts sharp, and of course making the picture into a black and white with some color (spot color, not a favorite of mine but still worth mentioning).

2. Retouching for glamor or just to make you look better. I can smooth out your skin, thin your face, arms, stomach, and much, much more. I can make you smile.

3. special effects. I can take a bad picture and make it look interesting. Well maybe not the ones above but most of them. I can use motion blur. I can make it look like an illustration.

I can overlay a texture like sand, tree bark, or anything else you can think of. The down side is that it all takes time and although I do these retouches when I design an album, I have to charge for this service if you want them on the files, BUT I CAN DO IT!

How much is too much. I would say it’s up to you. But if you notice the retouching more than the picture, it is too much.

Wedding photography at University Circle in Cleveland Ohio

I am breaking from my normal format to give the Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown bride some ideas of where to shoot your portraits and and formals. This first blog will only include Cleveland and the surrounding area. Stay tuned for Akron wedding photography locations and Youngstown wedding photography locations.

For weddings at Cleveland, here are some of my favorite outdoor locations.

1. Squires Castle at Willoughby Hills, Ohio

photography at Squire's Castle in the Cleveland Metropark system

Squire’s Castle is only roofed for 1 room and my cause problems in rain or snow.

2. Italian Gardens near University Circle and Wade Lagoon.

The Italian Gardens on MLK

The downside of the cultural gardens is that it is very popular and there will be limos lined up at almost any time of day.

3. The free stamp near Cleveland city Hall on Lakeside in downtown Cleveland.

Photography at Cleveland Ohio downtown at the "Free Stamp"

4. Edgewater Park

Cleveland wedding photography at Edgewater Park

Only major problem is the wind (most of the time) and rain or snow (some of the time).

More sites to come in the next blog!

Moments that will last a lifetime

The first dance, another moment that will last forever.

This is why I believe in photojournalism as the best style for weddings. Artistic photography can be beautiful, but will it keep it’s meaning for you in the furture. Just my 2 cents worth.

Michael Steinberg

Remembering your best man and Maid of Honor

The first is our time and how many of us you get. We sell our time in hours, packaged times like 4 hours, 6 hours, ect., and unlimited or even 3 days for Hindu weddings. We sell an assistant, a second shooter, or even a third.

We sell some of our files, all of our files, corrected files and retouched files. We sell prints, all sizes from wallets to pretty much as big as you want to go and canvas mounted prints. We sell engagment shoots and can send the files directly to any newspaper you want them printed in.

Michael and Cristen engagement shoot at Garfield memorial in Warren, Ohio.

And lastly, photographers offer everything you could want done with your files. You can get traditional albums, coffee table books, copy or redesigned coffee table books for parents, wedding party, and whomever you would like to give one to. The prices for a book can vary from $40 (or less) to $16,000 and more (Pictobook precious metals series), not including design fees. And the size for the album can vary from 4×6 inches (maybe smaller) to at least a 16×20 book.

So what are you buying. Here’s my advice. If money is no object, whatever you want. Otherwise, know yourself. If you are a scrapbooker or a graphic designer, you may only need files (spend more money on the best photographer you can afford). If you want a great album, ask your photographer for samples of albums and find the album manufacturer you want. Sometimes the album will look better than individual albums. I would still pick the photographer you like the best but 2nd best might be better if you like his albums better. Lastly, if photography is not that important to you, I would put the money into a videographer and use a friend. After all, it’s your wedding!

Tracie and Greg wedding reception at Landerhaven in Cleveland

The coffee table albums will give you the best and most lasting memory of your wedding, not the vast number of digital files. There is also a second consideration. Most photographers, myself included, will base our prices partly on the cost of our time. Time spent on correcting files, designing books, and of course the time shooting the wedding itself. If we could spend more of that time on the design and correction of the files for the book, there might be saving you could negotiate with the photographer. And I offer these suggestions as a photographer who offers packages with high res files only! Please note that this blog is from my perspective only and I welcome your comments. If a bride has a choice between getting the files and getting an album, I would suggest the album any day of the week.

Michael Steinberg

Gloria's wedding

As I have said in past posts, I will design books for brides who have high res files and printing or copyright for their images from their photographer. I use Finao, Graphistudio, Pictobooks, and Asukabook and I can use any other book printer that you would like. I can design with your imput or using my own design sense and composition. I can send you a pdf of the design as I do it or surprise you. I will give you the cost of the book, parents books, or wedding party gift books before you commit to starting the design. So if you are interested, go to my website to look over the prices www.weddingphotographercleveland.com/rates and get some idea of price although I would suggest contacting me by email or phone to get an estimate based on exactly what you want. I am including samples of my design work below. Enjoy.

getting ready

Lisa Book

Ted and Diane

Kendra"s book