Tipsy Thursday #37

I pulled this from The Spring Events that has LOTS of venues not only in Houston but Austin & San Antonio as well!  They know a thing or two on weddings...this was a blog post from today that I aggreed with so much I had to pass it on.  Direct link: http://thespringsevents.com/wedding-blog/avoid-a-dj-nightmare-with-these-tips-for-hiring-one.html

My friend hired a DJ that was a complete embarrassment. She ended up crying in the corner of the reception hall because she was so disappointed by the way the DJ demanded to run her wedding reception.

After experiencing that horrific event with her, I was convinced I wouldn't allow the same thing happen to me. I researched for hours before I settled on a DJ for my wedding, and I am so glad that I did because he was great.

So that no one ever has to deal with the nightmare my friend did, I wanted to deliver some tips on what I did to find the DJ I chose for my wedding.

Ask Around

You always want to make sure other people have a good experience with a DJ before you use that person. Ask everyone you can think of for recommendations. If you head out to a bridal show, be brave and ask some of the brides what they have heard about local DJs.

 

Research as Many as Possible

Check into as many DJs as you can because you'll have to consider your budget, their availability, and the variety of their inventory. If you have a large selection of DJs to choose from, you have a better chance of success in finding the one you need.

Interview the DJ

Before you make your choice, interview the DJ. Ask the DJ about his or her experience, what he likes to do during reception, how flexible he is, and how he handles certain situations. You can also ask if he has a video of his DJ work that you can view, so you know what to expect.

Provide a List of Songs You Want and Don't Want

Before you make your final decision, hand a list to your DJ of the songs you want played and those that you do not. Ask the DJ to see if he has most of the songs, and if he doesn't, if he would be willing to use your copy. Also, check with him to make sure he is comfortable with the songs you've chosen. Make sure the DJ agrees not to play the songs you don't want as well.

Trust Your Gut

If you meet with a DJ, and you just don't feel good about having him work your wedding, don't choose him. Your gut is usually correct. Even if there's nothing wrong with his work, not feeling comfortable with him will only make working with him a frustration, and you don't need that for your wedding.

Take Your Time and Choose Wisely

Don't rush your choice for a DJ. This is one of the most important wedding professionals you will hire because it's the entertainment that everyone expects at your celebration. Find out as much as you can, and feel good about your decision. If you need help, bring along a friend or family member. That way, you'll have second opinion, and know that you've made the best decision.

Marcelina Hardy wrote this guest post because she didn't want the same thing that happened to her friend happen to anyone else. She used DJs in San Antonio TX because she found San Antonio DJsare the best for her wedding. She is now married almost ten years, and loves to watch her wedding reception video because of how much fun the DJ was during her very special day.

Tipsy Thursday #36

I'm often asked if I do one on one lessons....the answer is YES!  I love to be able to make my client's pictures better and really using the one on one treatment to target my lessons to what they are shooting.  The other day I was at a session and I found a new feature that was on my client's brand new camera.  This came from the vendor all ready set this way and I have to warn people of this!  She then explained she was really confused by these pictures she took the other day in full manual (meaning she told the camera what f/stop and shutter speed).  But from one picture to the next she would see a huge difference.  I noticed "ISO AUTO" flashing on her screen on top, I asked her about it and she had not put that on.  I looked threw her old files and would see while the camera settings stayed the same her ISO would go from 400 to 3600 and everywhere in between from one shot to the next.  I pulled her menu up right away and took that OFF!  ISO is like the old film cameras film speed...the higher the number the less light you need but the more noise you will have (see my entry to learn more:http://breekiddphotography.com/blog/view/1269).  Letting your camera pick that is ok on the fly to use that to help your camera make good choices.  If you're in manual NEVER use and auto ISO speed.  This is why...I used the same settings below, only difference was my ISO and see how much that affects the picture.

Tipsy Thursday #35

 

I'm sick & my brain isn't working!!!

Tipsy Thursday #34

I'm not too comfortable with shooting lightning so I even found these tips helpful.  This is my next fun project and hope you too can have some fun with these lightning photo tips:

* You don't want your camera to be in your hand when shooting lightning. You need a sturdy tripod, as well as a cable/remote shutter release device and bulb mode (which already comes with most DSLR cameras). Bulb mode can keep your shutter open for as long as the button is held down, which gives you ample time to aim at the sky and capture the streaks of lightning.

* Focus on a particularly dark point in the sky or an interesting horizon and wait patiently for Mother Nature to do her thing. You can't plan when lightning is going to hit or precisely where, but by positioning yourself optimally, you will at least be able to take the shot when you sense the lightning is about to strike.

* Don't get carried away with the shutter release and hold it open for too long or ambient light will ruin the contrast of your shot. You only want enough light to give the clouds some shape and texture. Use your judgement as to when the next strike will occur and keep the shutter open for no more than five to ten seconds. 

* Set your camera to a small aperture setting (f/16 or higher) to maximize the chances of your distant lightning shot to be fully in focus.