The State of Event Photography

DSLRs can be had right now for cheap. In fact I saw some ads selling a Nikon D80 with 18-55 kit lens for only 8,000 pesos, sure its used but its still a pretty good camera and that price (even for a beater) puts it in the level of mid range compacts. I would dare say that in each Filipino family there is at least one family member or friend that owns a DSLR. In the past people would hire professionals to document their birthdays, debuts and even weddings. But more and more these days, it seems Filipinos are quite satisfied into taking their own personal DSLR and trying to shoot their own events. This is a fine concept but even I do not try to shoot my own events.


I'll tell you why. Shooting your own events tends to put you at a disadvantage creatively, why? because you have your own preconceived notions about each person in the party, so it's either the subject will be too comfortable or too uncomfortable with you pointing a camera in their face. Too comfortable does tend to get a more natural emotions but it can also mean you could spend too much time and effort into shooting one subject, remember there is a lot going on around you and waiting for that moment when the light hits Jenny's eyes just right is just too much effort (for an event especially if you are shooting alone) and might cause you to miss an important event. Too uncomfortable and there's probably going to be a hand or some obstacle covering your subject's face. To add if you are a guest or the host of the party you will never truly be able to join in the fun and festivities and you will most likely (except for the odd snap by cousin Larry) never be the subject on the photos.


My point is a pro is removed from personal feelings you might have of your guests or fellow guests, so the pro is more objective and also knows from experience where to position him/herself and knows what to prioritize.Speaking of which having and knowing priorities is very important in an event photographer. Do you position yourself upfront or at the back during the exchange of vows, close up or wide angle, flash or ambient, shallow DOF or more DOF, shoot in burst or single, what ISO to use, what WB to use, when and what lens to use? I apologize for the jargon, the point is the photographer is making dozens of choices in each shot and those choices make or break a photograph's appeal. While to most people it might not make a difference, it does to the photographer. As a photographer you should be your own greatest critic, never be satisfied always strive for that perfect shot. 

  

 Here in the Philippines it is not unusual to find a resident photographer hunter or hunters in every church. And before things get out of hand Photographer hunters are not people predisposed into hunting or killing photographers, 'hunters' are the term used for photographers who stalk a church or venue waiting for a wedding or event to take place, and shoot that event with the intent to sell prints at an inflated cost to their respective subjects just minutes later. From my experience these hunters still are able to earn a pretty decent living with these tactics, which means that, for us Filipinos there are still those that value a true hard copy of photos. The emergence of Photo booths have cut deep into these 'hunters', why pay if you can have a printed photo for free. While they are also considered pros they also have no obligation to you to produce and thereby quality can be sacrificed for quantity in this case. I am not saying that 'hunters' are no good its just that if they can sell mediocre looking photos with as little effort as possible, they will because it doesn't matter, tomorrow (or maybe even later) they'll be off shooting some other event and your event wouldn't have mattered that much.

Hired pro photographers, try to get to know you and at least try to devise a gameplan on how to shoot your event. Trust me when I say that pro photographers treat each event uniquely, no two events are ever the same (duh) The significance is that the pro is always on the lookout for something new, something fresh, a new idea, a new concept is born every second. That plus the pro knows what is expected of him/her, so you get what you expect and then some. Most pros also package their services with an album or prints, something that a casual snapper will most likely not be able to produce. Let's face it about 80-95% of the photographs you've probably taken have gone straight to social media sites or emails. I have a classmate, knows pretty much all that I know, she got married 7 years ago, got friends to take their wedding photos and until now no hard copies. Come to think of it I haven't even seen the soft copies. Pros on the other hand deliver, because they have to. So my point is, you should hire a pro for your next event. I'm pretty sure you'll thank me for it. 

At the moment there are a lot of premium and well established photographers that could charge you an arm and a leg, but there are also some cost effective solutions (in other words cheap). You can check out BUD Photo, the latest photo and video service provider which offers affordable packages for Birthdays, Debut, Weddings, Anniversaries etc... you may visit their website http://budphoto.weebly.com or contact 0927-3440923/348-4291 email bud.photo@yahoo.com

Complete Wedding Package in New Manila, QC for only 180,000!

Are you searching for a church? a reception venue? caterers? invitations? flowers? Photo and Video suppliers? All the while trying to stay within budget?

Look no further, Carmel Events has created a complete wedding package with all these inclusions at a very reasonable price. 

In 2008, Fr. Arnold "Arnie" Boehme, Father Superior of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Brod. Willie Villamin of the Knights of Columbus also a lay minister and owner of Villamin Ultravision Digital Photography   in cooperation with various other top wedding suppliers such as Print Lane, DXC's Catering, Eloquente Catering, Lina Vitan Catering,and Hizon's Catering  have teamed up to bring you a Complete Wedding Package with the aim of promoting the Parish facilities. This package comes complete with most of the amenities couple's need for a wedding. Click here to check out our Complete Wedding Package.

Mount Carmel Complete Wedding Package

Price: 180,000* (Good for 150pax )
(pricing in excess of 150pax also available)

Package Inclusions:

   - 100 pcs. Invitations by Print Lane (click here for samples of invitations)   - Flowers for the Bridal Party
   - Use of Church Facilities
   - Flowers, Thule and Red Carpet at the Church
   - Use of Fr. Mark Horan Hall
   - Tiffany Chairs for all guests
   - Fully Air Conditioned Function Hall
   - Built in Sound System, with surround speakers
   - Stage for the couple
   - Catering by  DXC's, Goblet, Eloquente* , Hizon's* and Lina Vitan*  (Catering Packages available here)
   - Fruit Basket and wine for Offertory
   - Coordination for the Church and Reception Venues
   - Photo and Video by Villamin Ultravision Digital Photography (Photo and Video Package package)

For more information please call or text 348-4291/0920-9220271 or visit the website at http://carmelevents.weebly.com.

Mt Carmel's Complete Wedding Package

In the era of value meals and promo bundles, it now seems that more and more things can be had for far cheaper and easier when bought in bundles. It started out that only venues and restaurants wanted to bundle, as it is easier to sell these on non-peak days (weekdays and mornings). It is easy on the suppliers as well, and much easier for the client to have only one person or entity to communicate with.

Now, with the cooperation of various suppliers, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, looks to launch its very own 'package deal'. As I am one of the main architects of this project, I will not critique it but only try to promote it. So whether you are planning to get married soon, know of someone who's planning to get married soon, or just curious please take a look at the package that we have prepared. Please click here to visit the Carmel Events Website.

For inquiries please call (632) 583-6416

On Choosing a Restaurant for your Reception

For most newlyweds, having the reception at a restaurant is the most practical solution. From grills with wonderful outdoor views to great Chinese restaurants. But what should you look for when looking at a restaurant for your Wedding's Reception.

Firstly, and probably quite obviously, the restaurant should offer food that is to your taste. Primarily, since these are restaurants, the food should be good and on time. One good thing about most restaurants is that they are usually pretty accessible, with good parking and public transport. Most restaurants with the resources to handle weddings have packages and be sure to check these out as they are mostly cheaper than trying to put together everything yourself. One often overlooked feature is that the restaurant should have at least pretty good looking interiors. I've been to some very nice restaurants in the most unusual surroundings but it's what is inside that matters most. With that in mind you should also look for a restaurant which has good security, you would not want any of your guests getting robbed outside or by bystanders inside the restaurant, of course reputation of the restaurant is also an important consideration.

The absolute best part about having your reception at a restaurant is that you know all the food already, you may have eaten there before, and you know what is good and what is just okay. And if there some unexpected guests, it is easy for the restaurant to adjust, since everything is right there. And more often than not, it is also the cheapest option. Some even offer eat all you can and drink all you can. Having a restaurant as a reception venue does satisfy completely the food aspect of the reception, as there is very limited privacy in restaurants and also even the most beautiful function rooms cannot begin to match that of a hotel's ballroom or the ambiance of that garden venue. Pound for pound though having your reception at a restaurant makes a lot of sense especially in these trying times.

Requirements for Church Weddings

This might be a little off topic, but hey, I haven't seen any postings out there regarding this topic, so I decided to help and post this list of Wedding Requirements for most Catholic Churches in the Philippines.

1) Baptismal Certificates (Recent with "For Marriage Purpose")
2) Confirmation Certificates (Recent with "For Marriage Purpose")
3) Certificates of "No Marriage" CENOMAR from NSO (for singles)
Certified True Copy of Marriage Certificates (For Civilly Married)
4) Recent 2x2 Photo
5) Recent Residence Certificate
6) Valid Marriage License from Civil Registrar
7) Attendance of Parish Pre Cana Seminar
8) Permission of the Parish Priest of the Bride
9) Delegation form for invited officiating Priest
10) Publication of Banns - In the Parishes of the Bride and Groom
11) Canonical Interview with Parish Priest.

Other requirements for Special Cases:
1) For Mixed Marriage: Permit form the Chancery Office of the local Diocese
2) For Marriage between a Filipino and a Foreigner: Civil Status at the Foreign Embassy and Permit form the Chancery Office of the local Diocese