Wedding & Fashion Photography..how do they relate!?

I had a colleague of mine once say that he wanted to focus on JUST Weddings & Portraits and he could not understand WHY we had gone towards other things like High School Seniors, Fashion, as well as Sports Photography.  In all reality when he mentioned this, I too had to stop and think about WHY!

Funny how things happen this was around the time, I had crossed paths with Skip Cohen, a fabulous person to know and follow in this industry.  Skip with many years under his belt, and as the former President/CEO of Hasselblad, the  past President/Chief Operating Officer of Rangefinder Publishing Inc. , and now President/Founder  of  Marketing Essentials International, is the ONE person who helped put it all into perspective for me.  Not only did he confirm for me that "diversity" in this business is good, but it is essential!  He was so right!  I looked at today's economy and also figured that YStudio needed to be ready and diversity was a way to stay afloat in this business.  After all, we are photographers, as well as artists, and although we would like to specialize in one area, photography and art form  is everywhere!

Another valuable lesson I learned in my dealings while being asked to be a  Guest Blogger with Skip, was that being creative meant that I could not pick and choose, being creative is just that...being creative!  I love when I am able to create something from nothing, and at the end of the day, THIS is why clients hire us....they trust us, and how could I let them down, plus it is so much fun!

Take Fashion Photography for instance.....a lot of which I am  learning in the Fashion Photography industry is that I can easily apply this to my weddings.  Think of it this way.....when a bride is planning her wedding what is among the first thing she invests in?  MAGAZINES! Yes! Do you think her breath is taken away by everyday "real" wedding photography?  The chances are slim, what will take her breath away are the Bridal Couture images of gowns, and other fashion editorial spreads.  SHE WANTS TO LOOK AND FEEL LIKE THIS!  So I simply take images from my favorite fashion shots, and think hey I can have a bride do that pose at her wedding!  And of course I always ask tell my brides let's be adventurous, you would be surprised just what they will do if you simply ask!

So, I feel that being diverse, creative and doing the NON traditional is going to help me get those images for my client.   Don't turn down a shoot simply because you only do weddings, or only do portraits, think of it this way, you WILL learn something which you can apply to whatever it is that you specialize in...you will keep shooting which is always important and you will HAVE FUN!

Photos by :  B. Yasuhara

Wedding Engagement Photographs with a TWIST!

When you think about  engagement photography sessions, most people think of a couple sitting in a park, kissing, gazing at each other and holding hands.  Don't get me wrong there is NOTHING wrong with these things, IF that is what identifies you as a couple.

Take for instance, if you are  a couple whom are avid book readers, met in school, and were engaged right after graduation!  Well....then perhaps you would like to consider the college campus where you met, and where the story actually began.  Now, take it another step further....what is it that you and your fiance really like.  Maybe you are both rock n' roll fans, or musicians, perhaps you are race car drivers or even photographers yourselves.  THAT is when you start to plan a setting for your shoot.  After all, capturing who you both are during these particular years is important and will be cherished for many generations to come.

So if you don't care much about keeping a journal, keep in mind, photographs are a journal they are a journal of your past, present, and yes future.  Why not record these moments and allow this heirloom into your families?  Wedding and engagement photography alike, does not need to be a "mold" for all of you, break that cookie cutter and be YOU, after all that is who you are and it is who your fiance fell in love with.

If you have no idea "where" to begin, speak to your wedding photographer and ask about styling, hair and make up artists, they can help style the shoot for you and although you may think it does not feel natural, trust me, it will be.  Just be you, live it up and watch what happens!

Congrats on your engagement and CHEERS!!!

All Photos for this shoot c. 2010 YStudio Photography (shot for Palo Dobrick of Chicago)
Hair/Makeup by:  ANGELA - AMS BooMBoX
Wardrobe/Stylist:  Nima Shiraz 
Model:  Natasha  
Model:  Kurtis Dam-Mikkelsen