By James Maher

Source: Digital Photo Mentor

Photographing events can be fun, but they are certainly not easy! Things move fast, there’s usually a ton of energy in the air, and the best moments often don’t occur twice.

As someone who has photographed events in New York City for the past 12 years, here are my most important event photography tips and strategies for nailing a shoot, whether it is a small family gathering, an evening cocktail event, or a wedding with a very intense mother-in-law!

9 Event Photography Tips and Strategies

1. Set up the shot and wait for the expressions

Good event photography is all about expressions.

While you often will need to capture some environmental shots, the photographs of people are the stars of the show, and to take a good photograph of people you need good expressions. Event photography is much more than just aiming the camera and shooting. It’s about seeking out poignant moments, powerful expressions, and often just waiting for them to appear.

Pay attention to the looks in people’s eyes.

Set up a shot and wait for someone to smile or react.

Inexperienced event photographers will put their camera down and by the time the moment happens they will have missed it.

Experienced event photographers will feel that a great moment could occur and they will wait with their camera at attention as it happens. Sometimes, even often, that moment doesn’t ever come. But the handful of times it does occur during the event will likely result in the most spectacular photographs of the day.

2. Fill the frame

Fill the frame with your subjects, make that expression prominent, and get rid of the fluff that doesn’t add to the moment.

When we talk about creating images with emotion, capturing strong facial expressions is usually how you do that. But in addition to nailing the timing of the shot, framing is just as important.

It is wonderful to create complex images capturing the people, the background, or multiple things happening at once. You should certainly try to get those images, but when a powerful moment happens, get in there and frame what’s most important.

3. Be aware of your surroundings and look for that special moment

There is a reason why experience is so important for event photography. That is because event photographers learn to have a good feel for what is going on so they can anticipate what is going to happen.

Your awareness is so important at events.

When the camera is down you should be looking around trying to figure out where and when the next picture-perfect moment is going to appear.

4. Don’t settle for stiff shots!

Uncomfortable people are the bain of every event photographer’s existence.

If everyone were outgoing and extroverted, the job would be so much easier, but that’s just not the reality, and your job is to help make people comfortable.

As an introvert myself, this was a tough skill to learn but trust me, it’s possible for even the quietest event photographer to master this. If you see someone who looks uncomfortable, whether it’s a candid shot or a posed portrait, talk to them! Smile, ask them how their day is going, and show genuine interest. Crack a joke, find something in common, and just engage them in any way you can.

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Source: Perfect Wedding Guide

Fall has arrived! It’s time to break out the pumpkin spice lattes, scarves, and curl up with a blanket to watch Hocus Pocus. But before you can do all of that, you have to attend a fall wedding.

Finding the right dress to wear to a fall wedding can be a daunting task. From the color to the cut, it’s hard to know what will look good and be acceptable to wear, but don’t fret!

As the weather changes, we’ve got the best dress ideas to wear to a fall wedding, wherever you happen to be in the country.

The Floor-Length Fitted

The floor-length slim is a name we’ve assigned to any dress that is one, floor-length, and two fitted to your person. A good rule of thumb when going with a floor-length fitted dress is to choose one in a jewel or dark color (i.e., black, purple, emerald, mauve, navy, or dark brown). That way, the focus is on the fit of the dress, and the color is not screaming over it, saying, “Look at me, look at me.” As beautiful as you are, you are not the focus today.

Style note: This type of dress is best for indoor/outdoor fall weddings that are business casual.

The Cocktail Dress

The cocktail dress is a crowd favorite. When we hear the phrase, “cocktail dress,” we might think in our minds, “little black dress,” which is fine, because they’re very similar. Though the cocktail dress has changed over the years, in today’s world, a cocktail dress is simply any dress that hits you above the knees and is a semi-formal fashion. This means you’d be comfortable wearing it to a business meeting and or a semi-formal event, like a wedding! The floor is wide open when it comes to the best colors for a cocktail dress in the fall. Our only note is to stay away from pastel colors, like pale pink, green, or powder blue.

Style note: This type of dress is best for indoor fall weddings that are business casual or semi-formal.

The Floor-Length Flare

Any dress that is floor-length and poofs out at the waist and or has a full skirt is considered a full-length flare. This dress is NOT a full Princess gown, like in Cinderella, but merely a modest poof that fills the skirt and pulls it away from your body. The floor-length flare is a fall favorite of ours because it provides texture, volume, and sometimes warmth, in the right situation. Patterns also look great with a floor-length flare. Choosing a simple floral, polka dot, or abstract design can give the dress some character without overpowering the wearer.

Style note: This type of dress is best for indoor/outdoor fall weddings that are formal or black-tie.

The Jumpsuit

For those who are not a fan of dresses, we hear you, we see you, and we part our legs on the dance floor with you; behold, the jumpsuit, which is one of our fall favorites to wear to a wedding. The semi-formal jumpsuit is a classic twist on an old favorite. Right now, the jumpsuit is also very in-style, which is good news for our fashionista wedding guests looking to make an entrance without upstaging the wedding party. As for our fall jumpsuit color recommendations, we recommend dark colors like black, brown, navy, and maybe even a dark orange. Please, please, stay away from any patterned jumpsuit. Those belong in the spring!

Style note: This type of dress is best for indoor/outdoor fall weddings that are business casual and semi-formal.

Well, there you have it, our best dress ideas to wear to a fall wedding, wherever you happen to be in the country. We hope this list helps and you enjoy every second of fall.

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Source: Elegent Event Entertainment

Thanks to the availability of easy-to-use devices and apps for building playlists and mixing songs, nearly anyone can call themselves a DJ. But do you really want just anyone at your event? If you’ve been wondering if you should hire a wedding DJ or just use Spotify, think twice before you make your move.

Do I need a DJ? Here’s 7 arguments for hiring a pro.

A backyard BBQ with a small number of friends may not warrant hiring an experienced DJ and a ton of sound equipment. But for larger gatherings where you want to create a memorable experience, a professional DJ can make a world of difference.

1. A great DJ will also emcee, keeping the party flowing

An experienced DJ also acts as emcee—which is a huge help when you’re having a big event. They’ll make announcements, get people on the dance floor at the right time, keep tabs on your crowd, and make sure everyone is having a good time. Any lulls will be addressed quickly, and your DJ will keep the party smooth and flowing for the duration.

2. They have an arsenal of great tunes perfect for your crowd

Keeping a large group of people with diverse tastes happy and on the dance floor is a challenge—and it’s one professional DJs are experienced in meeting. They’ll read your crowd and adjust as needed to make sure everyone is having a great time. Don’t risk getting stuck listening to an amateur’s personal music favorites or a lackluster lineup.

3. DJs come with solid, working equipment that will sound great

When you book a great DJ, he or she will have a professional sound system with backup equipment to ensure your event goes off without a hitch. With an amateur, you may end up with terrible sound quality or not have sound at all, thanks to cheap, dysfunctional equipment.

4. Hiring a DJ has a comparatively low cost but makes a big impact

Hiring a DJ often amounts to only a small percent of what you’ll be spending on your wedding, but the impact is huge, so be sure to make room for this in your wedding budget. The truth is that most guests will never know or care exactly how much you spent on your dress or flowers, but they will definitely remember a great party.

5. They maintain a professional image

It’s your DJ’s job to professionally represent themselves and the company they work for. You can be assured they’ll be dressed appropriately and interact with you and your guests in a kind, professional manner. On the other hand, a Craigslist DJ is likely to be full of surprises—such as totally inappropriate attire, weird tunes, or drinking on the job.

6. They’ll set up and break down

You don’t want to have to worry about clearing a space for your DJ. Before your event, they will set up all of their equipment in the designated space and make sure all is working. When things wind down, they’ll clean up and leave no trace behind.

7. They’re dependable and know how to communicate

An amateur may say yes, only to be out of business by the time your event rolls around. A professional DJ has a reputation to uphold and, barring a catastrophic emergency, won’t let you down when the big day comes around (and even then, they’d probably find a great colleague to cover your event). A professional DJ will also respond promptly to your emails and calls, working with you before, during, and after the event to ensure your needs are met.

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By Tre Pryor

Source: Louisville Homes Blog

Summer is fading fast, offering the promise of the very last of sunny days, warm nights, and plenty of outdoor events. Whether you’re getting ready to hop in the pool or fire up the barbecue, you have endless options for festive gatherings. Light your backyard parties with a special type of glow by using creative outdoor lighting ideas for your party.

Light It With Lanterns

One of the great outdoor lighting ideas is lanterns! (Image via Flickr by rkelland)

Paper lanterns are a simple option for outdoor lighting that can add a lot of color to your space. These are ideal for special events when you want to feature a themed color palette but aren’t sure where it fits in an outdoor setting. String up paper lanterns in bold colors for a fiesta party to complement your piñata and taco bar, or use the bride’s wedding colors for a backyard bridal shower brunch. Paper lanterns are versatile enough for any occasion — all you need are a few pillars, trees, or other supports from which to hang them.

Add Festive Flair With Strung Lights

There’s not a single person that doesn’t like these fun string lights. (Image via Flickr by RisforRndm)

Strung lights aren’t only for the Christmas holiday. You can use strings of miniature lights to illuminate any event. White lights are a versatile choice that will work with any setting: String them around a gazebo to create romantic lighting, or wrap them around your balcony to set a seating area aglow.

Choose the right hue for single-color lights, and you can give your event a distinct ambiance all its own. With options like red and blue mini-lights from Christmas Lights Etc, you can host a festive Fourth of July event that will keep the neighbors talking for days. Multicolored lights are versatile enough for everything from a birthday party to a casual evening with friends.

Get Tropical With Tiki Torches

Incredible outdoor lighting ideas are all around us. Make your backyard the image of the South Pacific. (Image via Flickr by nan palmero)

Tiki torches are a favorite for pool parties and luau-themed events. If you’re looking to add some tropical flair to your yard, you can’t go wrong with this lighting option. The best feature of tiki torches is their ability to stand alone. Unlike other lighting options, these don’t need supports for artful stringing or table space for careful arrangements. Simply plant your tiki torches in the ground where they’re out of the way of traffic to give your space a fun, beachy ambiance.

Light the Path for Nighttime Revelries

Anytime you light a path, a fun adventure must be right around the corner. (Image via Flickr by chris runoff)

Pathway lights are as functional as they are decorative. Are you tired of guests trampling flowerbeds or marring certain parts of your landscaping? Offer a clear walkway to the party area by using path lights to illuminate the way. Choose a neutral hue like warm white, and you can leave these lights up all summer, switching them on for every evening event. Stargazing parties, sleepovers, and other after-dark events are easier to find and safer to navigate with this lighting solution.

The right lights can transform your party from a lackluster event to a truly unforgettable gathering. From a wild flickering flame to a soothing romantic glow, you have options for every type of ambiance. Make sure the fun can last long into the night with smart summer lighting solutions for every type of party.

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By Chip Kouri

Source: Times Record News

The Summer of 2019 is flying by. It seems like it was just yesterday we were celebrating Memorial Day and now, in just a few short weeks, we will be celebrating Labor Day!

Once August rolls around, I, like many others, start to look forward to autumn. Changing of the leaves, somewhat cooler days and pumpkin spice flavored items everywhere! It is at this time of year I also start thinking about how I am going to arrange my home and what kind of decor I will use for fall decorating.

Of course, pumpkins play a huge role in fall decorating. They are wonderful to put on a porch, accent a flowerbed or gather on a mantel.  Problem is, real pumpkins tend to rot and fall apart or get eaten by local wildlife, while the fake pumpkins available at the craft store can cost upwards of $60 or more.

While it is still a bit early to put out these decorations, now is the time to craft them so they will be done when you are ready to decorate for the upcoming season.  I have a couple of easy, inexpensive pumpkin DIYs that you can make in an afternoon and even get the kiddos involved, so let’s get started!

Dryer Vent Duct Pumpkins

Materials needed: 

Dryer vent duct (The flexible kind. NOT the semi-flexible kind) Mine was 4″x 8′)

Scissors

Wire cutters or pliers

Small zip ties

Spray paint in your choice of colors

Step 1: Stretch the duct out straight and using your scissors and wire cutters, cut your duct work into 1 1/2 to 2 foot sections, leaving the wire supports in tact at each end.

Step 3: Spray paint in your choice of color. Let dry completely.

Step 4: Once dry,use a hot glue gun or regular glue and embellish however you like. I used twigs from my yard, silk leaves and flowers and even some green Easter grass. Use your imagination to make yours unique. Once the glue is dry, use them in your Fall home decorating scheme how you see fit. These are weatherproof, so they may also be used outdoors.

Bath Tissue Pumpkins

Materials needed:  

Rolls of bathroom tissue

Roll of quilting batting (available at local craft or fabric stores)

Large fabric scraps of your choice

Scissors

Embellishments

Step 1: This project is so quick and easy, you just might make many, many of these! Unroll your quilting batting and using your scissors, cut a square about 18″x18″. This may need to be a little larger or a little smaller, depending on the size of your roll of tissue.

You may use multiple layers of the batting to give the pumpkin a fatter look. I stacked two layers together for each of the pumpkins I made. Cut your fabric into a square slightly larger than your batting. These items may also be cut into circles, just make sure there is enough to cover your finished product.

Step 2: Place a roll of tissue in the center of your batting, hole side up. Begin folding the batting up and over the roll of tissue, pleating the sides as you go, and stuffing the ends into the roll. Once covered in batting, follow the same steps with your fabric, making sure to cover all the batting. Sometimes it is helpful to use the handle of a wooden spoon to pack the layers of batting and fabric inside the tissue roll.

Step 3: Decorate! I kept mine very simple and just used a stick from the yard as a stem and added seasonal ribbon as “leaves”. And that’s it! Once the season is over, you can store these as they are or unwrap them, store the batting and fabric and use the tissue!  Of course, these are for indoor use, only.

So, you see, with just a few materials and some imagination, you can create some very unique, festive and inexpensive pumpkins to add to you Fall decorations this year.  I hope you all give these a try!

Happy crafting!

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