The Bettie Page

A less-boudoir/more-pinup styled shoot has been in the stars and on the agenda for me for quite some time. I'm grateful the ever vintageous and notoriously Bettie-Page-like Christina was happy to model! She did great and looks beautiful in her very own hand made pinup gal suit! I love the idea of the famous photo mock: posing the subject exactly as a celebrity or famous photo with similar lighting and attire. I'd love to do more of this with respect to vintage movie stars, such as the tutu shot of Marilyn Monroe, or the formal Sabrina shot of Audrey Hepburn. Perhaps remaking iconic celebrity imagery could be offered as boudoir type portraits, or more timidly as senior portraits, or even to promote fashion design or other sort of commercial advertising. Can't go wrong with the classics.

Famous mock of Bettie Page on the beach!

I fantasize about finding a niche for fashion photography of men and women. Nothing is more fun than directing fashion shoots and making just about anyone look fabulous. My Bettie Page doppelganger is certainly in queue for cover girl if ever I need one! Thanks, Christina!

Albums Like No Other

Page spread from 10x10 Flushmount album, featuring floral composite.

Sometimes I wonder what happens to my clients' images if I haven't been commissioned to publish them into an heirloom quality album. I envision them inserted in a DIY low quality photo book template... or worse, logged away on disc in some box waiting to be unearthed by a future child who tries to view them on whatever technology is available, only to get disc misread errors. I can only guarantee that a DVD will last as long as the technology I'm aware of; I can't read the future. I mean, what could we fathom of 2012 when our high school mix tapes that spoke our passions were stored on 8-tracks?

As time attests, our most treasured heirloom images are best preserved in printed materials. Sounds old school, but who knows what could happen to the abstract "digital soft copy"? At the end of the world when the magnetic poles shift and we lose all our wifi's and databases and electricities for gosh sake, what will we do?

The spatial landscape, with portraits.

I'd like to plug in the value of professionally designed photo albums. I know that a lot of wedding clients asking for packages without albums are in the end making photo books themselves *hands on hips*. That's all a fine practice if you like templates and cheap book binds that come unglued after a couple years, but over here in the world of art and narratives, we don't like to make photo books. We like to make Storybooks. We want them to A.) documentarily mean something, and B.) last forever (or at least for a hundred years, and that's a pretty nice chunk of time).

You'll notice in these examples how intertwining event details really brings forth the vigor of the moment. The designs are totally different for everyone because the particular shapes and colors of their images physically determine the layout of that particular page. Space is an artistic cruciality; larger images and more open space make greater statements than a page filled with a bunch of little squares.

"First Look" composite with vineyard fauna and reception table card.

I love the dynamism of The Composite (a.k.a. the collage). No template can do this for you, and I don't even want to fathom trying it with non-digital design methods (i.e. your parents' wedding album). It's fully an artistic digital design, like painting. The eye and skill for this is what you get with professional graphic design services.

If clients are not making photo books or wall decor, then images are sitting on a disc somewhere collecting time. Or they're sitting on Facebook being pushed down by updates. Is the internet the new 'attic treasure box'? Really? What happens to it in my End of the World scenario?

Individual images can make bold statements. Put them on your wall. Groupings of images can make bolder statements. Cluster them on your wall, or publish them into an album. One image is like one word. You can't always tell the full story with one word. Lots of words make a story. Lots of pictures make a storybook.

I want to be your historian. I'd love to archive some things for your museum. Take some time to ponder the value of that!

Outtro page, 10x8 Flushmount album.

Master Study: "The Spielberg Face"

Normally my master studies regard classic artists such as Michelangelo, Rembrandt, etc. Let's diversify! Revisiting my background in filmmaking, I recently learned that there's an industry nickname describing a particular expression on characters' faces in Spielberg films. It's called the "Spielberg Face". Captivating! He brings pivotal attention to those totally encapsulated in a moment of wonder and realization. It's usually a close up, focus on the eyes, a mouth wide open, an awestruck return to childlike moments of curiosity, a face totally oblivious to all else, and a complete submersion into something encapsulating and wondrous. My favorite array of Spielberg Faces can be found in E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The most recurring Spielberg Faces in reality are found on children. I watch how they discover things, how everything is new to them, and I ponder how totally mind blowing is the world of adults to them.

Marveling at mom's bridal gown as she prepares for her wedding

This post highlights some recent shots I've delightfully discovered have captured that particular "Spielberg Face" on children. I love finding these expressions! It's a little peak of excitement to be able to capture. I also owe the capturing to my discreetness in scenes with children, especially ones trained to say "cheese!" at cameras. It's difficult to capture raw moments of curiosity on the "cheeseburger" kids, so I often have to introduce wondrous distractions. Bubbles are surefire.

When I watch Close Encounters, in absolute humanness, it brings me to tears to fathom how we as adults could witness something just as new and yet undiscovered as a close encounter with beings from elsewhere. In such an event, we'd much become children again ourselves -- unknowing, discovering things new and wondrous for the very first time. I feel the same when I am able to capture these expressions and look at them later. It's a different world, so joyous and pure.

Location Crusade: The Ameristar Hotel

Are you bummed about dreary weather? Chilly breeze twisting your face? Are you stomping your foot saying "I want my photo session in winter!" Well, p'shaw to spring! Your fearless photographer is out and about scouting indoor locations for those who can't brave the weather but want to do sessions in winter.. or for those who need backup locale ideas in case of unsavory weather.

Today I scouted the interior hotel and lobby areas at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles (hwy 70 and Fifth Street). Check out these sweet nooks. (Click images for larger views.)

Lounging lovers? Cozy up in the hotel lobby/lounge area.

Abstract carpets and marble fireplaces.

Intriguing stone paneled wall with slits of light!

Textured wall with lighted waterfall, oo!

Skylit cobblestone walkway... wait, this is indoors? Yes!

Skylight near casino entrance (insert foreground close up of lovers).

The daring red wall... for daring noir glances.

Chocolate brown curtains.

If you're looking for other unique options for shoot spots in the greater St. Louis area, check out my earlier blog on this related topic, and stay tuned for more location scouting as I discover the hidden gems of lovely places to be photographed.

Branching Out to Babies!

Okay gang, I've officially branched out to photographing the wee ones! ...especially catering to busy new mothers with week day sessions that can be done in-home. I've covered a few infants and children previously, but I'm currently researching trends in baby photography and seeking a new refreshing angle to the genre. I'd love your comments on this topic to see what styles are getting parents excited these days.

What do we all think of baby photography trends? If you're a grandmother, father-to-be, newlywed or bachelor dude, I'm curious to know your impressions of baby photography this day and age. Do you find certain poses awkward? Angelic? Creepy? Heartfelt? What do you think works best and what is just plain thumbs down? Here's some eye candy to spark some opinions:

strangely bound Holiday Inn gift?

floating baby on a cloud of hands?

naked parents? (I'm with this kid's expression)

squishy faced babies in crocheted hats?

babies a-dangle in hammocks?

pregnant belly with hand hearts?

All these are fairly formulaic styles in artistic baby portraiture. Some of the more refreshing ideas I've gathered have involved babies wrapped with intriguing things, or placed inside of naturally shaped objects. I've even seen a few shots (which scare me) of babies appearing to have been left in random places, like wrapped and set on the fireplace mantle! Huh? Oh, I found your baby in the bookshelf.

"dear, where did we leave the baby!"

As far as my own designs for posing infants, I do enjoy naturalistic colors, shapes reminiscent of birth, and themes relating to growth as found in nature, such as seed pods, bird nests, flower blooms and fabrics reminiscent of floral membranes. I was recently very much inspired by Anne Geddes' new work called Beginnings. Peruse her work here to glimpse a few images. She was inspired by nature and the concepts of birth and new life, and worked that still life photography into pregnancy and infant portraits. I love her attention to the details of these intricate floral buds, seeds, intertwining nesting materials, and her analysis of embryonic shapes for babies to fit into. Often the amorphous blob of a baby's limbs cannot unawkwardly fit into things like baskets or teacups, whereas the natural fetal position amidst soft cottons and nestlike comfort suits them perfectly.
Nature seems the most fitting backdrop for babies. They've just exited the most natural place they'll probably ever know, just entering a crazy world just waiting to get its iPhones and high fructose corn syrups into their hands. A newborn baby has not yet been touched by the world and its influences, and I think that so unfamiliar concept is what really sparks my curiosity about infants and capturing them. Everything is new, unknown and pure. That is what should be captured and remembered about this too brief moment in their lives. They'll never again know that sensation of untarnished newness and purity.

Do I Need A Second Wedding Photographer?

I encounter brides who either ask this question or state up front that they want a second photographer for wedding coverage. I think someone somewhere is telling them, "Make SURE you get a second photographer!" However, these days everyone is on a budget, and as that means cutting out the extras in most cases, in other cases having the addition is critical.

There is no Yes or No to this question; the real answer is based both on your preferences and your scenarios. This article will help you assess particular situations and help you decide if you need a second photog or if having one would be overkill.

Situations Absolutely Requiring Second Coverage

If any one of these situations is true of your wedding day, then you'll want to heavily consider a second photog:

• Two events are simultaneously happening in two separate places and there is not enough time for one photographer to cover both. Example: groomsmen and bridesmaids getting ready at totally separate venues.
• You want shots of different expressions from multiple angles simultaneously. Example: One photog captures your bridal party recessing from the altar at the same time the second photog captures you and your spouse exchanging just-off-the-altar excitements in the lobby.
• Your ceremony is 20 minutes long. There's only so much moving around and capturing as many angles as possible during such a short ceremony!
• You create your own photo booth and want it to be covered by your professional photographer. You must have one photog on the booth and the other on the dance floor.
• You want to choreograph an off-altar First Look. First Looks, like any short lasting moment, are best covered from two angles simultaneously.
• Your venue is in low light, either outdoors at night or a dimly lit space with a high ceiling. These dark situations sometimes require special spot lighting for best exposure. A second photog is required to manage lighting equipment. 

Situations Perfectly Well Covered with One Photographer 

• All events are happening in the same venue and you have 7 or more hours of coverage. Longer coverage means more time for your photog to mosey and cover pretty much everyone and everything.
• Your bridal party has 4 or less groomsmen/bridesmaids. Smaller groups take less time to manage and pose with just one photog.
• You have a Catholic wedding. The length of Catholic ceremonies offers more than enough time for just one photog to cover everything and everyone from many angles. Two photogs is overkill here.

It's a Toss Up

If after reading these scenarios, you're still undecided whether you need a second photog, consider that getting one will not necessarily allow you to shorten your coverage hours. Also consider that adding a second photog to an Amkar package which doesn't include one is the same cost as adding more hours of coverage for your primary single photographer ($150/hr/photog). Consider too that having a second photog shooting the same subject from two angles may result in your second photog showing up in the background of some of your shots. If this happens, expect longer image turnaround time so the second photog can be digitally removed from critical images.

Having two photographers is often a benefit to the photographers themselves; coordination, equipment management and travel can more easily be arranged. For instance, if I jump on the limo with you when you travel to multiple photo sites, things will go more smoothly if I can jump on and off with you and not need to find parking separately. My second photog can manage my car elsewhere. This indirectly affects the fluency of your schedule as well.

Hopefully this will aid you in your decision regarding one or two photographers! As I mentioned, it really is very situational, and not everyone needs to have two photographers, but you can clearly see the benefits in certain situations. 90% of weddings I cover tend to have one photographer and they can be shot sufficiently as such.

To learn if your specific coverage requires two, I recommend we meet up and chat about your particular venues, budget and wedding day schedule.

Prepare To Be Shot!

Most of us assume we know how to pose ourselves best for a portrait. The simple truth is that professional photography is not snapshot photography. Time, art and people management is involved. This article evaluates my experience shooting portraits and events and prepares you before the shoot on what to expect.



© Amkar Photography

Photography is probably the last thing on your mind as you get closer to the wedding day, but if you consider these tips carefully, you'll be a well informed photo subject, which means your photos will be that much more excellent!

Candid Means Candid - Don't Look At Me!

I think this is funny. 100% of my clients say they prefer the candid photo style, but on their wedding days they're always waiting for me to pose them, asking me "Should I look at the camera?" True candidity is synonymous with photojournalism, which in it's richest and most authentic sense means the photographer is invisible and events are unfolding emotionally and authentically. If you want truly candid photography, you need to learn to forget about me. Sounds rude, but it's true. I won't take offense. We will converse on the sidelines, but when you see the lens up to my face, try to pretend it's not even there.

Not All That Glitters Is Candid

About 85% of a wedding is generally shot candidly. The other 15% is carefully posed (5% family formals, 10% couple/bridal party portraits). You don't want to have everything candid because when you look at your image pile later you'll be scraping to find any shot where your two faces are looking straight at the camera (shots your family will also seek). Thus why posing is desired. Some don't like to be told what to do, but trust me, for a mere 10% of your wedding day, let me lead. You'll be more pleased with my elegant posing results than your standard bar room shoulder-to-shoulder shot.

Novel Idea - Pose Yourself

Nothing would make bridal posing go more smoothly than working with a super model. I'm not saying you have to be one or even look like one, but you can totally pose like one! Watch a red carpet awards show sometime before your shoot. Do you notice how many poses they have prepared to display to the cameras? They are constantly moving. Actresses have been trained how to show their best angles on cue. Nab some tips from them, remember to strike those poses, and you too will look absolutely awesome in every single shot. Guaranteed.

Some Simple Pose-Yourself-Awesome Tactics
Try them in front of your mirror when wearing your bridal gown, and I guarantee not only will you look radiant, you will feel 100% confident too. These work for all body types: 

1. Straighten the back, no slouching!
2. Suck in the stomach (doing so regularly can tone your abs!)
3. Hand on the hip slims the upper arm
4. Weight on the back foot slims thighs and flatters curves
5. Turn a slight shoulder toward the camera to slim the shoulders and minimize chest
6. A chin to the shoulder creates a sleek, elegant neckline and playful flirtatiousness (see photo above)

I know you all are checking out those bridal fashion magazines... follow their lead!

Family Formals - Hold Your Fire!

I will announce reminders on the spot, but please inform your family that they should not be taking their own photos of family formals while I am shooting them as well. Their camera flashes will add unwanted light to my images and will overexpose my shots. Redoing these shots will lengthen the family portraits session and result in more bogus shots that will have to be deleted. If time permits, I will invite those happy snappers to take the very same shots once mine are complete.

The Shy Guys

Guys are often less gung ho about photo taking than ladies, but I have ways peaking their interest. In these cases the goal is to make them forget about portraits and focus on their ladies. Candid styles are more challenging for engagement shoots because moments often need to be created rather than being truly candid. The "created candid" still looks authentic. Creating interaction is my method to get guys involved and captivated with their gals. It can involve jumping, running, dancing or interacting with a gadget or prop.

What Is She Doing??

Photography is the creation of artistic media, and artists will often go to the nth degree to capture something they find impactful. If you see me hiding behind things, swiping items to put in shots, lying on the floor, lying on my back, seemingly spying on people or climbing on top of something, it's all pretty normal behavior.

As always, I will adhere to your preferences as far as shooting and minding surroundings. Put your best foot forward and be shot with confidence!