Anyone shopping for a photographer must be informed and aware of the lack of quality control that most photographers and studios apply to the projects they sell. For so many years, I have been hearing from labs, printers, photographers, assistants, and staff, both mine and other’s that I am a perfectionist, or that others do not care like I do.
To me, there is only one way to do something, and that is the best that it can be! Photography is a science and an art. Many details must be based on feeling. So this is the artistic side of me. But that feeling cannot just be arbitrary, it must be based on sound reasoning, available only to one with great experience. In addition to there are technical aspects that extend far beyond lighting and angles and camera settings, but also aspects of facial topography and body language and positioning, that so few now days are sensitive to. Here, repeatedly at every step, from the advice given to clients even before the gig is booked, the concern over the practical planning and scheduling, the allotment of time, the availability of a venue’s areas to work in, the client’s personal tastes, and preferences through to the attention to detail in a myriad of ways during the portrait session, the purposeful use of light, the creative use of backgrounds, the skilled use of lenses and optics, that far exceed merely zooming an all purpose lens, but using specific focal lenses for a reason, and the sensitivity to and awareness of posture, body language, expression, eye movement and limb position everything makes a difference.
Repeatedly I see photographers work that just looks misinformed: faces that are not flattering. Expressions that are bad. Body language that is awkward. How can that be acceptable? Yet as technology allows anyone to get sharp photos, it also blurs the line and lowers the standards. There are two totally different approaches one can take to producing a collection of wedding photographs and possibly albums. One is very easy. The other is very difficult. One is fast and cheap. The other is very time consuming. The better way is better because of one major factor. You might think it involves better gear, and it usually does, or that it involves having more experience, and surely that plays a huge role. Or you must figure it involves fancier album bindings, or some special materials? Perhaps you guess that it involves more photographic skill, more skilled use of light, more knowledge of how to record people at their best? And those are all very valid factors. Yes, But the biggest difference between the best and the rest, is that from the shoot to the binding, there is thought at every step. Every action, routine, step, decision, is not made by habit, or because others do this, or because this is what was done last week. Everything from the choice of gear, the way the lights are set up, the photo composition, the crew staffing, and all the way through to album design and page layout and image retouching can involve wide ranging levels of skill. But skill without thought, is skill not implemented.
Skills applied routinely without specific thought, yield mechanical, lifeless and unfeeling imagery.
Thought makes all the difference between what you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else and that which anyone can do. Thought takes time. Repeatedly, every single photographer that I speak with , emphasized the importance of reducing the time involved at every step and cutting out whole stages of the workflow due to cost. Without thought, everything is the same, cheap, and worthless. With thought comes customization, individuality and meaning. Today, anyone can take pictures. But that was being said fifty years ago about a group of pros that learned rules of thumb, while the tiny minority of skilled photographers, understood there is no quick fix to the personalized craft that photography can be.
Here at Rabenko Photography and Video Arts, my first goal and approach is to do everything the right way for each particular situation. If you love imagery, you will most certainly feel the difference between my work and others. That does not mean that any one shot here will blow away any one shot elsewhere. But looking at a whole set of images, the value, meaning and excellence in mine, will be far greater than elsewhere. For those who insist that budget is their core value, for those who are shopping on a budget, my skills and experience will still produce more meaningful photos and represent a far greater value in the long run even if I am not personally at your event, or doing the photography myself, because my oversight, my studio’s handling of your project, means that from the simple to the complex – factors are approached with more thought, more experience and better judgment than the competition.
Philosophy and Experience
Why should I choose you to photograph my wedding?
Do just want pictures, or do you want meaningful pictures?
Compare my photos to most other photographers and you will find more emotion, more expression and more feeling – here!
I started young, and have always believed the only thing constant is change.
While most photographers today are either old or not so fluent in the digital world, or they are young with only a few years of experience, I am very experienced, but having gone 100% digital in 2001, have comfort, fluency and skill with the medium very hard to match. So it is the best of both worlds.
My theatrical background, and parents in both artistic and technical fields, both feeling the image, and creating it are natural to me.
For twenty years I worked for the most demanding, particular and high end wedding photographers in NYC and the metro area. Unlike so many freelance and independent photographers, who assist a few months and then think they are experts, I actually had my own studio in my early twenties. But I realized there was much more to know and that being a photographer was much more than just taking pictures. I closed my studio and worked for others, who were experts in their niche, with generations of experience and strong technical skills.
Back then, photographers worked for one studio, due to conflict of interest. But my work, passion and reliability, led to my working for the top three studios simultaneously as clients requested me, or the studios needed me. Ultimately I became known as a photographic artist. My clients would use those and other endearing terms. Each project was different. I approached it in a unique way. While studios very often want to sell a specific type of shots or shot sequences, I would fine tune my approach based on the feel I got from the client, the subject, the event. Often persons cannot know what they will want or like in advance of an event. And then they are not in any mind set to discuss, or decide. And there is no time. So much must be done by feel. My artistic and technical goals were to make each project special. To do justice to the event, its participants and the craft of photography.
My work was extremely photojournalistic, for before that word was used. It also could be very classical, flattering and “perfect”. Romantic fantasy and glamor were other looks I brought to events that were simply not familiar to the studio staffs responsible for completing albums and prints from my shoots. Studios often would follow through in a mechanical and automatic way. Thus I left to offer clients the artist’s vision from start to end.
And Here I am for you. For those who want something special, flattering and meaningful.
My portraits involve verbal direction as I pose you to look your best, or a natural conversational style that combines the best qualities of posed shots with the best of a candid style, so you look great and feel great too.
My lighting changes and is appropriate for each shot.
Candid photography candid, truly photojournalistic… called advanced photojournalism due to it’s skillful use of light while documenting the unexpected and momentary. This very unique approach elevates candid shots from the common snapshots so many professionals do, to the look of great photographs.
Always on the cutting edge of technology but with a vast skill set from years of experience, the photo shoot can be lightning fast and efficient, and my coverage of the event is unobtrusive and easy.
Photography and video both involve light, timing, the same people, and occurs together in one place. It makes sense to have one technical and artistic person in charge of both the photography and video. It makes sense to avoid a paparazzi situation, and have a harmonious crew, rather than a competing and fragmented crew. Rabenko Photography and Video Arts offers the best in both still photography and Videography ( today called cinematography, film, or motion). I have many articles here to help you understand the situation and make the right decision.
What qualities do you feel distinguish you from most wedding photographers?
Are there certain areas where you particularly shine?
Do you have a philosophy that informs your approach?
How many wedding albums have you done?
Can I preview any of your albums online? I noticed they are under lock and key.
Can you provide references and testimonials?
Costs
What does your wedding service include?
Today there are so many variables at every step that your budget is really the best way of gauging the approach. After a thorough understanding of your feelings about the meaning and value of photography and of video, and a detailed discussion of the event you are planning and how you anticipate feeling about all the emotions of the day as well as the dynamics of family and friends, I can suggest recommendations that will include who would be physically at the event, for how long, what their goals would be, what products you would be coming away with, what level of collaboration will occur later, and how much post production time will be needed to make products that are uniquely complex and artistic or easier to produce but still meaningful.
Do you offer different packages or products?
If so, do you have a list of what is included in each package or product?
Is the price all-inclusive or will there be extra charges that could come later?
Is there an extra charge if the event lasts longer than expected?
Do you require a contract?
Technique and Process
Which camera and other equipment do you use?
Do you employ what is known as “advanced flash” techniques?
If so, could you describe this technique?
How many assistants do you have and what are their specific jobs?
Do you and your team wear certain colors or dress in a way so as to be distinguishable from guests?
Will you be doing all the photography yourself or will members of the team be doing some of it?
Do you shoot both still photography and videography of the wedding?
If so, is the videography done by you or someone else on your team?
Do you have a substitute photographer/videographer in case you get sick on the Big Day?
What is the process? Do you shoot hundreds of proofs from which the bride gets to pick and choose?
Or do you choose from them yourself?
Do you shoot black and white as well as color?
Do you do photo-correction to all pictures or only certain ones?
Do you color correct images?
Is photo-correction an extra charge or part of a package?
What is your policy in terms of original rights to reprints?
How soon will I be able to see the proofs?
Will there be previews of the album available online?
How soon after the event will the physical album be completed?
Religious, Ethnic and Cultural Aspects
I noticed that you use the word BneiMitzvah on your web site.
Are BneiMitzvahs the same as Barmitzvahs and batmizvahs?
Are you familiar with Jewish law and wedding customs?
Do you understand the spiritual significance of the Jewish marriage?
Do you have an understanding of the Jewish mindset?
To you view Judaism primarily as a religion or as a culture?
Do you believing that the Torah is of Divine origin?
How many Orthodox weddings have you shot?
Are you experienced with Reform and Conservative wedding ceremonies?
Are you familiar with the high points and differences in the the Ashkenazi and the Sefardic wedding traditions? Do you know which rituals in each tradition are a “must” to be photographed?
Do you photograph secular and interfaith marriages?
Kabbalat Panim
Prior to the wedding ceremony, the chatan and kallah greet guests separately.
Do you use a team to photograph them separately?
When the bride and groom are in separate rooms (for instance the tish, the signing of the ketubah) how do you photograph both simultaneously?
Are you familiar with the customs of breaking the plate and smashing the glass and what each one symbolizes?
Since dancing is an important element of the wedding ceremony, will you be filming the dancing?
I have heard that the time on the wedding invitation is often much earlier than the start of the ceremony. How does this affect you if the chupa does not take place on schedule?
Style
Do you take specific photos on request?
It’s very important to us to have album photographs of all the important people in our families – both sets of parents of course, but also the grandparents, aunts uncles, cousins and close friends. Can you guarantee this or is it more or less a hit-or-miss process?
How important is the couple’s style in determining the kind of shoot you will do?
Do you have a primary style such as photo-journalistic pictures or posed photos?
Do you offer different styles?
Which of the following wedding styles if any, do you employ?
1. Wedding photojournalism (story telling via candid shots)
Do you or any member of your team have experience or training in the field of photojournalism?
It seems as though every wedding photographer today claims to be a wedding photojournalist. Why is that? Well, because photographers are afraid of losing clients if they do not use the marketing term “photojournalist” somewhere in their material. However, despite the prevalent usage of that word, there are many photographers out there who have no experience in wedding photojournalism, or photojournalism in general. In fact, their portfolio often does not even exhibit photo-journalistic style shots.
2. Fine Art Style using artistic angles, creative lighting, unique compositions and advanced post production techniques. In post production, these images are transformed into fine art using textures, filters, masks, and other advanced Photoshop techniques to create a visually stunning, emotional image.
3.Traditional Wedding Photography The wedding photographer is seen almost as a type of coordinator, and thus assists in guiding and directing the wedding.
4. Fashion Wedding Photography
These techniques include the usage of unique off-camera lighting, fashionesque poses and expressions, along with dramatic backgrounds.
5. “Trash the Dress” Wedding Photography
“Trash the dress, fearless bridal, and rock the frock” are all terms used to refer to the style of photography that contrasts elegant bridal clothing with an environment that is completely out of place.
6. Modern Wedding
Bridal Shoot
What are the most important factors to be considered when doing the bridal shoot?
Engagement Shoot
Do you photograph the engagement party (vort)?
Do you offer an engagement photography style that is unique to the individual?
Can you do either or a combination of traditional posed and photo-journalistic candid shots?
Can you help us figure out which would be best to reflect our own style and personalities?
Do you do location shoots?
If so, can you help us select or set up scenes for location shoots?
Sheva Brachot
In some traditions, during the week following the wedding, it is customary for friends and relatives to host festive meals in honor of the chatan and kallah. This is called the week of Sheva Brachot, in reference to the blessings said at the conclusion of each of these festive meals. Are you experienced in shooting these events?
Are any of the above shoots part of the wedding shoot or are they priced separately?
Why should I choose you to photograph my wedding?
Do you just want pictures, or do you want meaningful pictures?
Compare my photos to most other photographers and you will find more emotion, more expression and more feeling – here!
I started young, and have always believed the only thing constant is change.
While most photographers today are either old or not so fluent in the digital world, or they are young with only a few years of experience, I am very experienced, but having gone 100% digital in 2001, have comfort, fluency and skill with the medium very hard to match. So it is the best of both worlds.
My theatrical background, and parents in both artistic and technical fields, both feeling the image, and creating it are natural to me.
For twenty years I worked for the most demanding, particular and high end wedding photographers in NYC and the metro area. Unlike so many freelance and independent photographers, who assist a few months and then think they are experts, I actually had my own studio in my early twenties. But I realized there was much more to know and that being a photographer was much more than just taking pictures. I closed my studio and worked for others, who were experts in their niche, with generations of experience and strong technical skills.
Back then, photographers worked for one studio, due to conflict of interest. But my work, passion and reliability, led to my working for the top three studios simultaneously as clients requested me, or the studios needed me. Ultimately I became known as a photographic artist. My clients would use those and other endearing terms. Each project was different. I approached it in a unique way. While studios very often want to sell a specific type of shots or shot sequences, I would fine tune my approach based on the feel I got from the client, the subject, the event. Often persons cannot know what they will want or like in advance of an event. And then they are not in any mind set to discuss, or decide. And there is no time. So much must be done by feel. My artistic and technical goals were to make each project special. To do justice to the event, its participants and the craft of photography.
My work was extremely photojournalistic, for before that word was used. It also could be very classical, flattering and “perfect”. Romantic fantasy and glamor were other looks I brought to events that were simply not familiar to the studio staffs responsible for completing albums and prints from my shoots. Studios often would follow through in a mechanical and automatic way. Thus I left to offer clients the artist’s vision from start to end.
And Here I am for you. For those who want something special, flattering and meaningful.
My portraits involve verbal direction as I pose you to look your best, or a natural conversational style that combines the best qualities of posed shots with the best of a candid style, so you look great and feel great too.
My lighting changes and is appropriate for each shot.
Candid photography candid, truly photojournalistic… called advanced photojournalism due to it’s skillful use of light while documenting the unexpected and momentary. This very unique approach elevates candid shots from the common snapshots so many professionals do, to the look of great photographs.
Always on the cutting edge of technology but with a vast skill set from years of experience, the photo shoot can be lightning fast and efficient, and my coverage of the event is unobtrusive and easy.
Photography and video both involve light, timing, the same people, and occurs together in one place. It makes sense to have one technical and artistic person in charge of both the photography and video. It makes sense to avoid a paparazzi situation, and have a harmonious crew, rather than a competing and fragmented crew. Rabenko Photography and Video Arts offers the best in both still photography and Videography ( today called cinematography, film, or motion). I have many articles here to help you understand the situation and make the right decision.
Gary Rabenko may be reached at gary@rabenko.com. Rabenko Photography & Video Artists is located at 1001 Broadway in Woodmere.
