Monday, March 8, 2010 Posted in Weddings
As with most art forms, there are always good times to break rules. Whether it be lighting, composition, focus, movement, etc., it is sometimes a good idea to do something out of the ordinary to produce a photograph that is extraordinary. One of the tools in my bag is the silhouette and when the lighting allows for it, I do my best to use it. Silhouette photographs are strongly backlit with very little front lighting. The irony here is that this situation is typically considered problematic for photographers. Indeed, I long considered it the same until I had a personal breakthrough and began to use this “apparent” disadvantage to make an image that proved far more engaging and appealing than had I otherwise tried to shoehorn the scene into something that didn’t fit. What comes out of this approach is generally very artistic and interesting; not to mention that I absolutely LOVE turning a problem into its own solution 
I don’t do it all the time as that would diminish the effect. But when given a strongly backlit environment that works in this manner, I find it to be icing on the cake of already enjoyable photography. Not to mention I love the “ooo’s” and “ahhh’s” I get from my clients when I show them a wonderfully artsy silhouette shot when they weren’t expecting it.
With this in mind I think brides should pay as much attention as possible to how their event location will be lit if they are able. By bringing in colored wall lighting, you can change the entire look of a room. In some cases we will even use gel colored flashes to create this effect if desired. This will let the photographer work with the walls rather than fight them (nobody likes ugly walls) and the effect is fabulous:
Thanks for looking everybody.
Ciao!
Your friendly Austin wedding photographer – Eric Kotara
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Posted in Weddings
I recently decided to spruce up my package offerings and add some goodies to the mix. Starting this year I will be offering KISS Flush Mount Albums to Brides that opt for the Gold and Platinum packages. I will also be upgrading the coffee table books to a much better product offered by KISS, their linen soft books. In all, these new offerings will really add value to the packages in which they are included.
The flush mount albums are absolutely beautiful. They are covered in supple leather with back padding and bound very well. Each album is delivered in a floral print cloth slip cover. The pages are made by mounting professionally printed images onto boards. The image is trimmed to the edge of the board, hence the name flush mount. Each album is designed as spreads; that is, if you lay open the book the two visible pages facing up will be one single spread. This is in contrast to the more traditional albums of old where individual prints were placed into pre-cut mattes. This gives continuity to the album, helping us tell the story of your wedding day in a way that flows easily from page to page. It will be less about looking at pictures and much more about experiencing the day all over again.
Also upgraded are the coffee table books. In the past we had used many of the standard press printers out there and we were never really all that impressed with the products, no matter the vendor. Press printing can create problems when you are printing large images and I find it much nicer to use actual light-sensitive printed photographs as the quality is so much better. This is where KISS shines. Their soft cover linen books offer the same photo quality printing as their flush mount hard albums without the boards for pages. They are covered in a stain resistant linen available in the same select colors as the leather albums offered. It feels good to say goodbye to press printing, and once you see the results, I am sure you will agree.
So without further adieu, here is some album love
These are the color choices available for both the Leather hard albums and the linen soft books.
Why do I like KISS? Easy. They make life simple for me. Rather than drown a client in options, many that never get selected, KISS prides itself on simplicity and ease of use. They only offer two styles, in 4 sizes, with 7 color choices. It really can’t get any simpler than that. The company was also founded by a former wedding photographer, so I can trust that the direction they follow will be with the bride and groom in mind. This gives me peace of mind knowing my clients and I are in good, trustworthy hands.
See you all soon for some more wedding photography fun!
Ciao!
Your Austin Wedding Photographer – Eric Kotara
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Posted in Weddings
There is an old saying that in Texas if you don’t like the weather just wait 20 minutes. It’s not a lie.
I recently had the pleasure of photographing Meiling and Paul’s wedding at their Austin home on one of the loveliest days that could grace a February. Their wedding day originally had rain in the forecast. It was cloudy and wet leading up to Sunday. It was even rainy Sunday morning. And then, just like that, the clouds broke and the day truly became the perfect day for a wedding. Two days later, it was frozen and snowing How’s that for a window of opportunity?
It was a very relaxed and comfortable wedding and party. Everyone was in great spirits and happy the sun was out. Good drinks, good friends, and some delicious pastries made for a fabulous time.
Enjoy the pictures. And special thanks to my second photographer for the day, Kristi Wright!
They topped their cupcakes with custom screen printed cookies! Really neat.
These were Delicious!!!!
And you know how I love ring photographs.
Ciao!
by Eric
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