So sorry that it has taken me so long to post the second part of my photography tips, but it has been a busy time!  And I am thankful for that because the creative juices are flowing and I am busy with new ideas!

Of course, I want to talk specifically about Monarch Photography and how we provide high-quality services and products!  I truly feel that we go out of our way to make the wedding day special for our couples--from the equipment we use to our relaxed sense of style!

We realize that, if you are not semi-versed in the world of photography (and I certainly wasn't until I met Jonathan 7 years ago), that you may not realize how different the styles and techniques of pro photographers can be--there is a world of difference among studios!

With that said, let's talk about another important factor when it comes to choosing a professional photographer for your engagement and wedding images!

White-Balancing, Color-Correction, and Creative-Retouching of ALL Images--Ask a prospective photographer if these techniques and skills are a common and complimentary part of his or her photographic process!

We take the time to do ALL of these important processes for our clients--When you get your complimentary CD's and license to print at your leisure from Monarch Photography-these images are perfectly ready to print and are all yours!

Unlike many photographers, we review every image we shoot and color-correct, white-balance, and density-balance every single one.

We also go one step further and correct other problems such as family members blinking in formal photos, any facial blemishes on the bride or groom, and other distractions in all your formal portraits. 

In other words, you get images that contain no major defects--we take the extra time to do this in the proofing so that you love every single image!

These corrected images are the same we give you in addition to your engagement session!  

While many other photographers promise you 1,000 + images of your wedding day, keep in mind that many of them are NOT corrected an any way. Unless you know how to correct these, how are they going to benefit you? Every image we give you is corrected with many of them being creatively enhanced, improved and retouched.  They are also high-resolution files, which means that you can easily print anything from a wallet all the way up to a 16x20 or larger!

Regarding white-balancing and color-correction--

Here is an example of a candid image straight out of the camera--there is NO white-balancing involved.  Notice the yellowish tint to the skin tones and the dress.


And here is the same candid image after we have white-balanced and color-corrected it.  Notice the proper skin tones and the ivory color of the dress--much better!

Artistic enhancement can make a good image even better. The following examples are of a first dance shot that shows the enhancements we do to add more dimension and drama to your images. All this at no additional charge to you! It is simply part of the professional service we offer with all of our collections!

Here is an example of a great color-corrected image:


Here is the same image after we enhanced it--See the depth and quality?



During the consultation with a photographer, be sure to ask him or her about these very important elements--

1.  Do you white-balance all of the images?

2.  Do you color-correct all of your images?

3.  Do you do basic re-touching or is that an extra charge?

4.  If I get my CD's with printing rights, will those images be edited and ready to print--complete with color-correction, white-balancing, and no defects such as closed eyes, major blemishes, etc.?

5.  Do you provide a variety of special techniques on my images or do I simply receive a color image of the photographs?  For instance, will you do a high-contrast black & white, sepia tones, selective color, vignettes, textures, etc?

6.  When it comes to my CD's and printing rights, are these CD's high-resolution and ready for printing?  How large of a print can I get from these images?

Do not be afraid to ask to see a FULL wedding by your prospective photographer--Remember that anyone can get lucky with a few shots, but it takes a true professional to capture the entire day with details, relaxed portraits, and fresh images! After all, these images are THE documentation of your day!

Stay tuned for Part Three of our tips!  We will cover some other special techniques, as well as my TOP TEN list of important elements in a wedding photographer!

For a review of what we covered, as well as additional info, be sure to check this link:

The Monarch Difference

Have a great day!