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As a Bozeman Wedding Photographer, I understand the weight of selecting the perfect photographer for your big day. Your wedding photos serve as a lasting memory of one of the most meaningful days of your life, making it crucial to find a photographer who aligns with your style, personality, and vision. To assist you in making a knowledgeable decision, I have assembled a list of 15 important questions you should ask your wedding photographer before hiring them.

• Have they shot weddings both indoors and outdoors? 
• How would they describe their photography style? 
• Do they have a portfolio of past weddings they have captured? 
• Do they work alone, or do they have a team of professionals? 
• Are they equipped with backup equipment in the event of malfunctions or emergencies? 
• Have they previously photographed at your chosen wedding venue? 
• How many hours of coverage do they provide? 
• Can they offer references from previous clients? 
• What is their approach to capturing posed and candid photos? 
• When can you expect to receive your wedding photos after the event? 
• Do they welcome requests for specific shots or poses? 
• Will they edit the images before delivery? 
• Do they offer engagement photos or pre-wedding sessions? 
• What is their payment and cancellation policy? 
• Are there any additional fees that you should be aware of?

I take pride in being transparent with my clients and ensuring they have all the necessary information to make an informed decision. Your wedding day should reminisce your unique personality, and I am committed to capturing it in the most authentic and stunning way possible.
If you're searching for a Bozeman or Montana wedding photographer, I would be honored to seize the memories of your special day.

Enlight180

As a professional wedding photographer, I understand that choosing the right photographer for your big day is a big decision. With so many options available, deciding whether to hire a professional or go with a friend or family member with a decent camera can take time. In this blog, I'll go over the pros and cons of hiring a professional wedding photographer, so you can make an informed decision that's right for you and your partner.

PROS:

1. Quality photos: A professional wedding photographer has the experience, equipment, and skills to capture high-quality images that will last a lifetime. They have a keen eye for detail and know how to create stunning images that truly capture your wedding day's essence.
2. Professionalism: A professional photographer will conduct themselves in a professional manner throughout the entire process, from the initial consultation to the delivery of the final images. They understand the importance of your special day and will treat it with the respect and professionalism it deserves.
3. Backup equipment: A professional wedding photographer will have backup equipment on hand in case of any technical difficulties. This means that you can rest assured that your photos will be captured even if something goes wrong with their primary camera.
4. Experience: A professional wedding photographer has likely photographed many weddings before yours, which means they know how to handle any situation that may arise. They understand the ins and outs of wedding photography and can anticipate moments before they happen, ensuring that they capture all the critical moments of your special day.

CONS:

1. Cost: Hiring a professional wedding photographer can be expensive. However, it's important to remember that the price is an investment in your memories. You'll have these photos for a lifetime, so it's worth investing in a professional who will capture them beautifully.
2. Personality: Not all photographers have the same character, and choosing one you feel comfortable with is important. If you feel uncomfortable with your photographer, it may show in your photos.
3. Timing: A professional wedding photographer will have a set timeline for your wedding day, and it's important to ensure it fits your schedule. Make sure to discuss this with your photographer before booking.

In conclusion, while there are pros and cons to hiring a professional wedding photographer, the decision ultimately comes down to what you value most. If you appreciate high-quality photos, professionalism, and experience, hiring a professional wedding photographer is the way to go. If you're looking for a Bozeman or Montana wedding photographer, I'd be honored to be considered. I aim to ensure you have beautiful memories to cherish forever.

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When searching for the perfect wedding photographer in Bozeman, Montana, it's essential to consider a few key factors to ensure that you find someone who is not only talented but also a good fit for you and your partner. As a Montana wedding photographer based in Bozeman, I understand this decision can be overwhelming, but don't worry; I'm here to help. Here are some tips to help you choose the best Bozeman Wedding Photographer for your big day:

1. Start by researching and comparing photographers in the Bozeman area, specifically those specializing in wedding photography. Look at their portfolios, read reviews from past clients, and get a sense of their style and approach to wedding photography.
2. Meet potential photographers in person or via video call to get to know them better. This will allow you to ask any questions you may have and see if your personalities and visions align. When looking for a photographer, finding someone who understands your vision for your wedding day and is passionate about capturing your unique love story is crucial.
3. Consider the photographer's experience and expertise. Weddings can be unpredictable, so you want someone who has the skills and knowledge to handle any situation that may arise. A seasoned photographer will know the area well and be able to provide recommendations for beautiful outdoor photo locations and the best time of day to capture the perfect lighting.
4. Look for someone flexible and accommodating. Your photographer should be willing to work with you to create a photography timeline that meets your needs and preferences. This includes any unique shots or poses that you want to capture and any specific family or bridal party groupings that are important to you.
5. Finally, trust your instincts. If you feel comfortable and confident with a particular photographer, go with your gut. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to ensure that you have someone by your side who you trust and who will capture your special moments beautifully.

Remember, the wedding photographer you choose will be with you throughout your wedding day, so it's important to find a talented and experienced photographer who you feel comfortable with and who will create beautiful, timeless photos that you'll cherish for years to come. 

High-quality Portfolio 

According to statistical analysis, houses with multiple images tend to have a shorter life on real estate listings. A property with a single image lasts about 70 days, whereas a portfolio containing more than 20 images lasts as long as 32 days. About 72.2% of the time, high-quality photos can help realtors win more offers for their listings. (Contributor, 2020)

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Professional Techniques 

The photographer will utilize professional equipment, reflecting your real estate property in a way a mobile phone camera cannot. High-quality equipment like drones, wide-angle lenses, etc., can produce unique and attractive pictures of your property. The more in touch you will be with technology, the better branding for your business. Properties with professional photographs and aerial imaging sell 68% faster than properties with sub-par visuals. (Hoak, 2012)

Perfect Angles

A perfectly angled shot of the property in company with its local landscape will make the real estate property look majestic. Images can be taken both in the daytime and at night to accentuate the look more appealing to clients. Properties with astounding visuals get 61% more views and are quickly sold. (Herlife Magazine August, 2017)

Cost-Effectiveness 

Hiring a professional photographer will allow you to be more efficient in your marketing strategies as it cuts processing and editing images off your to-do list. The photographer will manage most of the image processing while you deal with other aspects of marketing. Other than that, it will build a professional outlook of your real estate page in the long term.

Social Media Edge

Furthermore, the photos taken by the professional photographer will have some aesthetic sense, which can be put on accounts on social media to boost sales. A social media presence coupled with such a professional photo and video portfolio will increase assistance in deals.

In conclusion, yes, it is worth the extra time and investment to hire a professional photographer to help realtors close on listings faster and build up their portfolio to potential new clients. 

References: 

https://retipster.com/ignore-professional-photography-real-estate-investing/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444812704577605310134435428

https://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=427314&article_id=2843759

The first tip that I would like to go over is Composing your image. What I mean by this is it is very easy to just bring up your camera point and snap the photo. What really makes a difference and people will start to notice is taking an extra five seconds to look at your screen or through the viewfinder and take a look at what else might be in your image that could be considered a distraction. I still am making this mistake and will show you my photos of what I did wrong and how to correct it. In the image below, for example, I should have paid more attention to the surrounding area and moved myself or the camera to get the sign on the left out of the image. An easy way to fix something like that is to just crop the image down a little bit to remove the sign. See how it is less of a distraction with that sign out of the image. 

BeforeExample 1

After

The second tip that will help your images is knowing how to do basic color corrections. This tip can be corrected in your camera as you are taking the photo but for mobile phone selfie-takers, you can only correct this after the photo is taken. The Spark Notes version of color correcting is when you take a photo and you notice that it is too yellow or blue. This is due to your camera trying to guess the white balance of your surroundings. The easy way to fix this is if your image is too yellow (warm) you add more blue (cold) to it to bring back the natural color tones. Same if the image is too blue (cold), you warm up the image by adding more yellow to your image. Next time before posting your image right away to Instagram I know they have this slider in there basic editing settings to help warm or cool and image. Give it a try next time and see if it makes a difference in your photos. 

The third tip that I would like to share is getting out of your camera's automatic settings. I know that is a more broad subject but it really can help. Cell phones are a little more difficult with this tip since you can't do much as far as setting your camera up manually. Those of you who are using digital cameras or DSLR's should stop using the "P" or auto settings. I'll admit I did start out my photography career using the auto settings. As time passed I wasn't getting the images that I wanted. I did my research and realized that having my camera in the "P" (which means Programmed Automatic) was having a camera with the training wheels still on. What that mode does is you are allowing the camera to make all the decisions for you. How much light to let in by setting the Aperature, how fast to expose the sensor to your subject by setting the shutter speed. The number one thing that you should definitely be in control of is your ISO. 

If you'd like I can write another post about how to get out of your Programmed Automatic setting and how to understand the different features that go into taking a well-balanced photo.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and if you'd like I can post a video about it to my channel as well.

I am originally from Sandy, Utah it is an off section of the greater Salt Lake area. The reason not that many people know that's where I am from is that my family moved to Montana when I was seven years old. So it is just easier to say I am from Montana than to go into the whole story of Utah. 

I lived in Missoula, MT from 1999 through the summer of 2010. After graduating from Hellgate High I wanted to get away but not have to pay for the insane pricing of out of state tuition. So that's how I ended up at Montana State University. A chance to get away without breaking the bank.
I went to Montana State University from 2010 and graduated the spring of 2015. I met my beautiful best friend freshman year who I married shortly after we graduated in July of 2015. After graduation is when I joined the adult world by getting a job like everyone else to support myself. I got the eight to five job where I stared at a computer screen plugged away so I can make a living.

Going back to how I got back into photography. I'll admit I did try to minor in photography while I was at MSU but my second year into the program I sadly did not pass the gate to continue my minor. That's what pushed me to focus more on my business degree. But, a strange realization happened in my second year of business school. I was sitting in class one day and looked around realizing I am the only student sitting in the front row. I need to sit in the front row because I have always had trouble reading the blackboard or slides on the projector. It made me wonder how are the other kids in the class able to read what is up in the front of the classroom. I know some probably didn't care but others can look at the board and write down what they needed. That was the first time that I realized maybe I need to go get my eyes checked.

I went to an Optometrist who gave me the news after my eye exam that I am LEGALLY BLIND. I couldn't believe it. I wondered how and how long has my vision been like this. I worked with the Optometrist and it took a few years to fine-tune my prescription cause, of course, it couldn't be an easy fix in my case. What I have is called Keratoconus. it is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision. “10 Keratoconus Treatments Causes and Symptoms.” All About Vision, www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/keratoconus.htm.

It was a shock to realize that this disease will only be getting worse over time. But, it was nice knowing that I do have corrective prescription contact lenses that help get my eyes back to 20/20. I still remember the first time wearing my new contacts and it honestly felt like I was seeing the world for the first time. When I would take them out I couldn't believe how bad my vision had gotten. It is sadly comparable to when you open your eyes underwater and you see nothing but blurry blobs. I do legally have to wear my contacts when driving and honestly, I don't mind wearing them cause I like to be able to view the world as it was meant to be. So after having my eyes corrected, I had the idea that maybe I should get back into photography cause now I can see. 
So that is a little bit about me and how I got back into photography. I have always loved photography. I have been taking pictures for a very long time starting on my dad's old film 35mm Olympus to now my Sony a7riii.

Thank you for taking the time to read this little introduction about me. I hope you find it helpful about getting to know my background a little bit. I will try and post to my blog monthly and see how it goes from there. I will touch on different topics about photography, small business, and a few things I have learned about life.

If you have found this interesting please leave a comment below and tell me what topics you would like for me to cover or go into more detail about or you can tell me if you had a similar situation happen to you. Thank you, again and feel free to reach out to me personally anytime.

 

Ruska has now been with our family for four months, which now makes her our little eight-month-old puppy. She has been an incredible dog and is very smart. Even though she has been an amazing dog to train, we keep forgetting that she is still just a puppy who has the tendencies to get bored and get into trouble. Recently, she made the executive decision while we were at work one day that she didn't like our hallway carpet and would help us out by ripping it up. As smart as she is, I need to still remember that she's still a little puppy who has a lot to learn.

How Ruska came into our lives has been an interesting situation. I started looking to get a new dog that I can take Mountain biking with me during the summer. I started researching which breeds would be the best kind for mountain biking. I found out that the top five best mountain biking dogs are: Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog), Brittany, Pointer (Vizsla), Siberian Husky, and Weimaraner.  Article: Five great Trail Dog Breeds

I started looking around and made the observation that shopping for specific dog breeds is not going to be cheap. I did get feedback from people telling me that I shouldn't buy from a breeder and that there are plenty of dogs out there that need adopting. So, I stopped shopping around and started to look at what the local and surrounding kennels had. I was in no hurry to get a new dog until the day I received a call from a friend who told me "I found you a puppy."

My friend had taken his family on a road trip down to Arizona. On their way down there, they made a pit stop at a small gas station near Gap, AZ that borders a reservation. When they got out of the car my friend noticed three dogs wandering the parking lot searching for food. He told his youngest daughter to grab some dog food and see if those "reservation dogs will come over." She grabbed some from their own dog food and soon enough the dogs came over. The dad then realized that one of the three dogs was a puppy. He then went inside the gas station to ask around if anyone knew whose dogs were wandering the parking lot. The clerk behind the counter told him that those dogs are just strays from the nearby reservation. When he came back outside, he told his family they are taking the puppy with them. Right after that is when I got the call about my new puppy.

Ruska spent the rest of the week with my friends family. I was getting loads of texts from my friend telling me what an amazing dog she is going to be. Even though Ruska has been a part of her new family in Montana for only a few months, she is an amazing addition and it feels like this was meant to be. I hope you enjoy the photos below of our little pup and I will probably be posting more in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to read my first blog. Stay tuned next week, I am writing about how I got back into photography.