By Washington DC wedding photographer, Blake Newman

Photo © Blake, Great kids photos start with faces and expressions

Kids are like puppies and kittens, they are so doggone cute!

The secret to great children photography is to come in close, focus on the eyes, focus on the the expressions, and take lots of photos.  Also, I highly recommend shooting horizontally.

Why horizontal?  For one, our eyes are side by side, not on top of each other.  We go through life seeing horizontally and panoramically.  Horizontal orientations are so much more natural than vertical.  Besides, it allows you to come in closer without boxing them in.  Often, you will see my shots missing foreheads and chins because I think the eyes and lips are much more important.

Photo: Blake Newman (c) photography at the playground

See again how this horizontal composition just seems to work.  Also, I tend to compose the most important part of my photo off to the side, often in 1/3 of the photo.  Be sure to take your camera with you everywhere, to the playground, to the mall, the world is a photo opportunity.  And remember to come in close, it’s all about the expressions – and they don’t always have to be smiles either.  Shooting your kids at the playground keeps you engaged and lets them know that you are paying attention to them.

This was a completely natural and spontaneous shot by Andrea at a wedding.  She stood way back, shot with her 200mm zoom and focused on the girl playing with the flowers.  The composition was great and the expression very natural.  In the second shot, you can see in her left hand an old teddy bear, which made the shot even more classic and priceless.

Photo: Blake Newman © Foot in mouth photo

Weddings are great opportunities to shoot kids

Rest assured, if there are children at your wedding, Andrea or I will be all over them. We know how important children are to weddings and the natural cycle of life. Children photography at weddings create incredible photo opportunities and add a new dynamic to both the wedding and the photography.

If you would like to learn more about us and our photography, please give us a call at 310.880.1162 or e-mail me at blake (at) inqbation (dot) com.

Freezing an element in time, Photo © Blake Newman, ArtistsCafe

I love this photo for many reasons.  For one, I think the expressions were great.  Second, I just love how I was able to freeze the spray of the champagne in mid-air.

Great candids, party shots, and photojournalism don’t just happen, they are made.  For one, you need to anticipate action.  You need to be in the right place and the right time, and that is not always an accident.  You also need to be quick on the draw, fast on the shutter, and quick to make adjustments or rapid fire shots if action is emerging over time.  Finally, you need to know your equipment and most importantly, lighting.  If my flash had overpowered the shot then the background would have gone completely black and we would not have been able to get all of the facial expressions in the photo.  It’s little things like this that add up to great photography.

Celebrations are for champagne and cigars, Photo: © Andrea, ArtistsCafe

Another great moment, in my opinion, by my shooting partner, Andrea.  This candid photo has many great elements as well.  It is symbolic in many ways.  I also like how Andrea managed to include the groom’s ring in this photo.

Let them eat cake, Photo: © Blake Newman, ArtistsCafe

The great elements about this photo from a classic Italian wedding in Washington DC are the expressions, the lighting, and the classic moment.  Andrea, my shooting partner, was opposite me and to the left, shooting on the side of the cake.  You can see her odd-shaped flash to the left of the screen, which provided a helpful back-light to the photo.  The lighting of the cake and the shine on the groom’s hair is also a result of Andrea’s flash.

I was using a wide angle lens to capture as much depth of field as possible and as many people in the background as I could.  I also dragged the shutter and froze the action with my flash so that I could bring up the ambient light in the background.  Otherwise, the entire background would have gone completely black.

This photograph also speaks to experience and anticipation.  There are multiple photo opportunities when it comes to cutting the cake.  But, inevitably, they always tend to kiss before, during, or after they cut the cake and share a bite with each other.  Often, the bride will kiss her groom for feeding her a piece of cake nicely and not smashing it in her face.

Spiral action of a bride's dress, Photo: © Blake Newman, Artists Cafe

I like this photo for many reasons as well.  For one, I doubt that any guest would have caught this.  So, it is one thing that separates me and my photography from that of a guest.  Nowadays with the proliferation of great digital cameras that are both smart and forgiving, I’ve got to do something to separate myself from the crowd.

I also like this shot because it serves as both a party shot and a detail shot.  That bride probably spent a lot of time selecting the right shoes, the right dress, and maybe even the right stockings for her wedding.  I’ve been able to pay attention to some of these details for her.

Finally, it is a symbolic photo to show how she kicked up her heels and enjoyed her wedding.  Nobody will ever know that it wasn’t her father or groom who was spinning her around on the dance floor.

Close-up photo of wedding band

I know that you have sweated the details.  I understand the time and attention you have paid to every last one.  For this reason, I invest a significant amount of time documenting the details of your wedding day as closely and carefully as possible.  Using a 50mm macro lens, and in many cases a tripod, I will shoot hundreds of photographs of your flowers, rings, decorations, dress, and all of the other elements to your wedding.

Imagine that you were describing your dress to one of your best friends.  Imagine the details.  Just as you would describe your dress and your flowers and your decorations, I will photograph them.  And, if there is an object or item that is particularly significant or important to you, please let me know in advance so I can pay extra attention to detail.

If you would like to see more samples of my wedding photography attention to detail, please call me at 310.880.1162 or e-mail me at blake (at) inqbation (dot) com or visit me online at www.artistscafe.com and www.inqbation.com.  I am available primarily in the Washington DC metro area but have been known to travel on occasion as well.