Photographic Style - Are the images that you are shown, what you would like to see? There are “buzz” words flying about everywhere about photojournalism, formal, classic candid, and so on. Do you want a mixture of black and white or only colour photos?

Truth in Advertising - Is this the photographer that will be photographing your wedding or will they send in whomever is available. Don’t be shocked, this happens more often than you can imagine. Be certain that you know which photographer is going to be there and that you see HIS/HER work and meet with that individually face to face.

Personality – Is the photographer that you meet someone that you can get along with? Is the “chemistry” there?

Appearance - Ask the photographer how he/she intends to dress. Is this person well groomed?

Price Range – Although, the last thing you want to do is shop by price, is this person within your budget? If not, is he or she worth the price difference? Make sure you understand what everything costs, including reprints and albums.

Delivery - How long does it take to get your proofs back,  your finished album, your bridal portrait, etc.?

Offering – Whether it’s a la carte or a package, do you understand what you are getting? Is there any room for changes and will it cost to do so? Sometimes the packages are fixed, sometimes they can be customized, in any case, ask. How much time will he/she spend? What if you need more time? Make sure that you know what’s coming.

Contract - Do you understand the contract. Is it fair? Is everything spelled out? When it comes down going to court, only what is WRITTEN really counts, not what was promised. Make sure that you have no doubts before signing. Read it ALL.

What about deposits and payments? What does it say about cancellations and the photographer not being there? If the photographer protests, ask him why? This is one area NOT to take lightly. You could be disappointed for a long time.

References - A personal reference is always the best and people love to talk. Get a list of references from the photographer and check them out personally. A photographer who doesn’t have references or is afraid to give them to you may not be the person that you need to hire.

NOTE : A good website is a reflection of a good website designer. A good photo is a reflection of the photographer’s skill and a “great photo” is one that brings out a smile and lot of emotions which is a reflection of a good personality who happens to the photographer.

Other Questions: (some questions may be repeated from the list above)

• Have you shot a wedding at my location before?
• Do you have an assistant?
• Do you have backup equipment and is it the same quality as the primary equipment?
• What time will you begin and how long will you stay until?
• When will the proofs be ready?
• Do we get to keep the proofs?
• Do you mark your proofs?
• Do you use high ISO to expose natural light or do you use excessive flash?
• Do you have tele-photo and wide-angle lenses?
• Do you work well with the other vendors? i.e.: coordinators, caterers, videographers.
• Can you work from a photo checklist that we create?
• How will you be dressed?
• Do you click in High Quality RAW format or Standard Quality Jpeg?
• Do you click in Full Manual or Auto?
• Do you process your own photos before printing or do you rely on the printer to do color corrections and editing?
• What is the photographer’s style — traditional, photojournalistic, etc.?
• Can I give the photographer a list of shots that I want?

What goes on the all important contract?

• The name of your proprietor
• The time the photographer arrives and leaves
• Minimum number of photos
• The description of the package you ordered
• A list of guaranteed prices for enlargements. If they have a brochure with prices then get the photographer to write down that the prices on the brochure they gave you are the prices that you will be charged.
• The cutoff date for these brochure prices.
• All additional charges, services, taxes, travel, etc… Get the exact cost on the contract.
• An explanation of what happens if your photographer doesn’t show up.
• The date and deposit amount and how much is still owing.
• Your name, address and phone number. The names and addresses of the ceremony and reception locations.

While many of us spend a lot of time getting rid of ‘blurry’ shots – one of the best ways to add interest to play around with capturing motion blur. Here are 13 places that you might like to start experimenting with capturing motion blur in your photos.

1. Trains

The shot of a passenger waiting on a subway platform for a train with moving train behind is always a fun one to experiment with because it contrasts the speed of a train with the stationary passenger (often being buffeted by wind of the train).

These shots are all about making sure your camera is completely still (tripods are key if you can) and anticipating the moment. It’s also about framing your shot so that your subject is well positioned.

2. The Coast

Coastal areas can be a landscape photographers dream and are great places to capture motion blur. One place to start is by the waters edge where waves rolling in over stationary rocks, piers or sand can create a mystical foggy effect when shot with a longer shutter speed.

Don’t forget that wherever there are people – there is movement! So don’t just focus upon the water.

3. Spinning Children

My kids would be spun around like this all day every day so if you have kids around you’re likely to have willing subjects for this one – just be careful with smaller children as I do have a friend whose child dislocated their shoulder doing this – no photo is worth that!

To get the shot you’re going to probably need a couple of people – one to hold onto the child and the other to hold the camera around that person’s waist (or over their shoulders) in front of the child.

4. Playground Shots

A variation of the spinning child shot above is to head to your local playground where there is usually a variety of equipment which is great for motion blur shots. Swings, merry go rounds, slides or pretty much any equipment that gets those on them moving are fun to experiment with. You can either position a camera on or off the moving equipment to get different types of effects.

5. Bikes

Bikes present all kinds of opportunities whether they be street shots (above), competitions below or actually getting ON the bike with your camera!

If you’re going to experiment with taking photos of bikes one technique to try is slow sync flash which will give the effect of movement while also capturing a split second in time.

6. Cars

As with Bikes – moving cars are an obvious place to look when you’re wanting to capture motion blur. They also present many opportunities whether it be photographing the car from the inside (above), attaching a camera to the outside of your car or actually photographing cars moving by you from outside.

7. The Fairground

Fairgrounds present all kinds of exciting opportunities. Many rides have both elements of movement and stationary components which can create a wonderful effect. They also often have another exciting element – light – which makes twilight photography perfect.

Don’t discount daytime action at the fair though – there are still plenty of opportunities – particularly those to perfect your panning technique.

8. Dance

Whether it be in a performance, on the dance floor at a party or in a studio – dance is about movement and therefore presents us with opportunity to capture some nice motion blur.

9. Birds

Bird photography is very popular in our forum area and among some of the best examples that I’ve seen are those that manage to incorporate a sense of movement into their shots. The key in many places is to choose a shutter speed that is slow enough to get wing movement but fast enough to keep the rest of the moving bird sharp.

10. Star Trails

Stars are perhaps one of the last things one would think about when presented with the challenge of capturing motion blur – but they can also be some of the most spectacular images.

11. Escalators

I have a number of friends who just LOVE photographing escalators and who have spent many hours capturing the smooth movement that they create. Many of their shots have the camera on the escalator and include a subject to give a point of interest – they’re often taken at night so as to capture colorful ambient light in the tunnels around their favorite escalators. Also consider shots of those passing by on escalators with the camera position off the escalator.

12. The Umbrella Shot

This is an oldie but a goodie. To add a little interest to a portrait have your subject hold an open umbrella over their shoulder and behind their head and then have them slowly twirl it.

13. The Street

If I’m ever at a loss for subjects to photograph I just head to the most busy street corner I can find in what ever city I’m near. The hustle and bustle of the street is a never ending supply of movement to capture.

Here’s 10 more composition tips following last week’s article 10 quick tips for composition illustrated with Eastern Washington pictures. Practice these quick and simple tips constantly. They will quickly become a natural part of your routine leading to consistently better and better photography.

Balance and Symmetry

Symmetry makes for a simple, straightforward, balanced composition. Strive for balance by adjusting your composition to establish symmetry with lines, shapes, objects, and color. Balanced and symmetrical pictures are pleasing to the eye.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Repetitive objects make great subjects. Whenever you see a series of similar objects repeated over and over, you have found a winning composition. Repetition never fails to impress and create a unique frame.

Keep it Sweet and Simple

There is a reason why simple is king. Cut the frills, cut the distractions, cut the clutter. The more objects you remove from the picture, the clearer and sharper your story and subject will be to the viewer.

Magnify and Focus

This is something you should remember in all types of photography. Emphasize your main subject. Frame your subject making it larger, taller, or in sharper focus than other objects.

Add Depth

Foreground objects add depth to the picture and brings out the subject in the background more effectively. Include objects at 1/3rd the focus to enhance your subject.

Add Nature

When you are in the field, city or country, look for new ways to add nature to your composition. Scout around and look for natural elements like water, earth, or vegetation to include in the frame. This technique will enhance your picture and make it more effective. I included stagnant water in this picture to bring out reflection of the tulips and add interest.

Portrait or Landscape?

Use your judgment when shooting horizontal or vertical for every shot. Shoot vertically when you want to enhance tall objects to emphasize height. Shoot horizontally to emphasize width. When in doubt, shoot both. You can decide later which one to keep during post processing. In this picture below an horizontal framing made more sense while a vertical shot would have completely ruined the feel.

What’s My Story?

One of the most important tips for any shot is to know your story. Ask yourself what you are telling your viewers with your pictures. Are you sharing a feeling, sensation, moment, or theme? If you don’t know the story when you frame the shot, neither will your viewer. Rethink about clicking that shutter until you see it.

You’re Not Done Till You Do it Again

When you think you are done taking pictures, think again. See what happens when you change your angle, lens, or distance. Surprisingly, in no time you will have whole new perspective.

Cropping is a Good Thing

Cropping is photographer’s best friend. Today’s prevalence for digital photography and wide range of editing tools lets you crop pictures to correct mistakes or reframe your composition sitting at home. Be sure to keep cropping in your tool bag when taking and editing pictures.