Monday, August 31, 2009

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Dynamic Lighting

As portrait artists we strive to schedule our session to take advantage of the prettiest light of the day. Weddings don't allow that kind of luxury, so it is essential that your chosen photographer be able to read light at, well, the speed of light.

As you are interviewing photographers examine their portfolios for a range of variation in the images. Are the photos flat or are the faces softly rounded with dimension to them? Can you see a sparkle in eyes? Does this artist utilize different lighting situations such as edge lighting to create drama in her images?

Lighting is the most important element in good wedding photography. Make sure your chosen photographer can see the light.





Would you like to talk about your wedding day photography? Call 480.366.4476 or e-mail me at marcia (at) marciaphoto.com to set up a visit today.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Brides - Are Your Important Emails Going In The Junk Pile?

Hmmmm....just got an email from one of my favorite wedding coordinators asking me to please contact our mutual bride as she hadn't yet heard from me...but here's the thing, I emailed said bride two days ago and was starting to wonder why I hadn't heard from her!

In these days of too much trash emails, spam filters, junk mail filters, etc. we need to all be particularly vigilant in keeping track of who we've corresponded with and when it has been too long for a response back. I am ever so grateful that our bride let her coordinator know that she hadn't heard from me (and bummed that she evidently didn't get the nice email I sent her). I had it on my mind that if I hadn't heard from her by Tuesday that I was going to call her to follow-up. Now she'll get a phone call tomorrow morning instead.

One way I've found to combat the spam issue is to use Facebook messaging. I'm not saying it's perfect, as I have had a couple of messages delayed, but so far it has reliable and I don't have to worry about messages being labeled "spam" or "junk".

Soon-To-Be-Marrieds, make sure to add any wedding vendors you are in contact with to your address book and ask them to add you to theirs. Try to avoid what happened to me this weekend and save yourself time in the process. We're here to work for you despite what our computers have in store for us.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Ok, spread it around to all your soon to be married friends...It's Freebie Friday! The first couple to comment on my blog wins an engagement session from Marcia The Art of Photography...now here's the fine print:

Engagement Session location is Scottsdale, AZ only.
Engagement Session must be completed by September 22, 2009
Viewing Session must be completed by October 6, 2009

What you get:
Pre-Session Consultation
Engagement Session
Viewing Session to select your images
Personal Website for one month
3 Artist Choice watermarked images to use on FB etc. to share with your family and friends
1 5x7 of your choice.


Book your wedding with us with in one week of viewing and receive a very special bonus.

Make sure when you comment on the Blog that you include your full name, a daytime phone number and valid email address. Remember, if I can't contact you, I have no way of giving you your prize. This contest ends Friday, 9-4-09.

Good Luck, Can't Wait To Work With You!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

We're #2! Thank You!

I'm so excited and once again I have to thank you, my readers, guest bloggers, supporters for being behind me and this blog.

Last night I couldn't sleep so I googled myself (ooh, sounds kind of dirty when I say it out loud). I found a post from Networked Blogs that ranks the 50 Top Blogs and was amazed to find this one at #2!

Below is the press release I just wrote as well as a screen shot of the page. Thanks again, because it's you that was instrumental in making this happen:


Networked Blogs has ranked Marcia The Art of Photography #2 in their Top 50 Blogs in the Phoenix, AZ region. Networked Blogs ranks it's top 50 regions in the world with Phoenix AZ being 24th of 50 world-wide.

Marcia The Art of Photography Gallery Blog is dedicated to providing timely information to soon-to-be-marrieds as well as showcasing the images created by Owner-Operator, Marcia Mauskopf, Craftsman Photog, PPA Certified.

Marcia Mauskopf is an award-winning wedding and portrait photographer based in North Scottsdale, AZ. She has been creating images for families since 1987 and has been designated as a Craftsman Photographer as well as being Certified by Professional Photographers of America.

Marcia's Portfolio can be reviewed at http://www.marciaphoto.com or in person by calling 480.366.4476



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Big Thank You To My Readers!

Thank you to my wonderful readers! I just checked and between Facebook's Networked Blogs and various other feeds you number 215 strong. I really appreciate the time you take to check out what's happening and welcome any feedback or suggestions for other material to go on the blog.


...and if you are reading this but not yet a subscriber, why not join by clicking here for Facebook Networked Blogs, or, enjoy the convenience of receiving blog posts direct to your email.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - The Difference Between Black and White and Really Good Black and White.

Beautiful B/W photography has a full tonal range from rich, deep blacks to clean whites. There's more to converting a digital photo to B/W than just hitting a button, and this is one of the ways to determine if a photographer can give you the quality you deserve.

Photo number one is low contrast and a little muddy. Check out number two, though. Sparkling eyes, glowing skin and depth in the background. Doesn't this photo look fully dimensional compared to the first? Which would you rather have framed in your home.

Here at Marcia The Art of Photography I strive to give you the very best quality prints and albums possible. You can always be assured of quality, style and service.

Make sure that you get the beautiful imagery that you expect.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Green Wedding Friday - Bella Cupcake Couture


Out of necessity and love of cupcakes; Bella Cupcake Couture was born.

Bella Cupcake Couture was created by Carrie Middlemiss after being laid off as an 18-year employee of a bank which collapsed as a result of the economic downturn. Carrie had always wanted to contribute and be a part of the cupcake community and saw this as the perfect opportunity to follow her passion.

After a year of research and talking to cupcake lovers and shop owners, she decided upon the idea of starting a company that sells custom decorative textile-inspired cupcake wrappers to hide the crinkly, translucent paper they're baked in.

Carrie wanted something fashionable for the bottom portion of her cupcakes and always said "Why should the frosting have all the limelight?"

Now, Bella Cupcake Couture offers posh and chic textile-inspired cupcake wrappers. The boutique-style designs add a touch of sophistication and elegance for any special occasion. Carrie envisions the wrappers, which are printed with soy inks on recycled paper, at weddings, bridal and baby showers and as birthday gifts, housewarming gifts and a little treat for yourself.

Our hope is that our Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers bring smiles to the ones you care about and create cherished memories with your friends and family. We want our customers to enjoy the simple pleasures and savor the sweet life.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Too Much Of A Good Thing

Sometimes good ideas take a life of their own and sometimes in life I just don't see the really big picture when I am trying to see "the bigger picture".

As you all know, I recently started a series called "Weddings 101" where I am having guest bloggers participate in helping in the education process of diy wedding planning. I think that this is such an important subject that in discussions with vendors I had suggested that they go ahead and put the information on some discussion groups thinking that I had them scheduled far enough in advance that it would not be an issue. After all, the important thing is that the information gets out to the people that need it and we all have different audiences, right?

It was an idea that was too good. In one case, I have been tagged several times now on one article that has gone viral. In the second case, I actually asked a vendor to write specifically for me only to see that article run as a guest blog by another photographer a few weeks before I had it scheduled.

The intent of Weddings 101 is to offer valuable assistance to the thousands of couples that get married each year and I believe that the information on the couple of articles in question is so valuable that I will still be running them here. Please be assured though, that in the future, unless I specifically say that I saw it somewhere and asked to re-run it, any guest blog you see here will be published fresh and new for you.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Does The Image Draw You In?

Effective wedding photography is much more than a recording of the day...like good cinema, you should be drawn into the story, becoming not only an observer, but a participant in the event, even if you did not attend in person. When you are caught up the in the emotion of the situation documented, you know that it is a successful image.

In the photo below there is a palpable sense of anticipation. Just like the people in the audience leaning forward to hear every word of the ceremony, you have the tangible feeling of leaning forward, too, ready for the next image that completes the storyline.





Some photos are just a record shot, the best are filled with emotion, drawing upon your own to give you a sense of participation and timeless enjoyment in the magic of the day.

Would you like to talk about your wedding day photography? Call 480.366.4476 or e-mail me at marcia (at) marciaphoto.com to set up a visit today.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Puppy Love - Harley

How can you not love that face? Harley finally settled down enough for this shot at the end of a session that was pure kinetic motion. I don't think Harley stopped moving more than about 2 seconds during the 45 minutes I photographed him.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Is It Important? Soon-To-Be Marrieds, I Want To Hear From You!

Ok, so I gotta rant....I've had something on my mind for a couple of weeks and I'm going to just explode if I don't say something.

A couple of weeks ago I heard about a report on Fox News. It was an interview with the spokesperson of a leading bridal publication. She said that many couples are forgoing professional wedding photography in favor of having all their guests take photos and upload them to a single Flicker site.

I have to tell you - I have several hundred friends on facebook and twitter so I see a lot of wedding pics. Out of focus, cross lit, badly composed, overexposed and underexposed. Do I see good quality images? Yeah, once in a while, but mostly it's (see list above). I can't imagine those being my wedding photos, can you?

The wedding album is your new family's first history book. It is a documentary of the first day of the rest of your family's life. A life of quality and style who's opening images are ... SNAPSHOTS? I look at my parents album, a study is black and white, my husband's parent's photos softly faded color. Memories that can never be remade lovingly protected in ribbon bound albums of leather and paper.

Properly trained professionals have made an extraordinary effort to understand the nuances of the event and psychology of the day. Your professional photographer has mastered the technique, mechanics and artistry of her craft. Having a friend take wedding photos is no different than asking your neighbor next door to stitch up the three inch cut on your hand because she makes her own clothes.

A colleague of mine often says "The money you save on your wedding photography today is exactly the amount you'll spend in regret tomorrow". Sage words. How do you want to remember your wedding day? With photos off an i-Phone or professional photography that truly lasts a lifetime.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Freebie Friday - Win An Engagement Session

Ok, spread it around to all your soon to be married friends...It's Freebie Friday! The first couple to comment on my blog wins an engagement session from Marcia The Art of Photography...now here's the fine print:

Engagement Session location is Scottsdale, AZ only.
Engagement Session must be completed by September 15, 2009
Viewing Session must be completed by September 30, 2009

What you get:
Pre-Session Consultation
Engagement Session
Viewing Session to select your images
Personal Website for one month
3 Artist Choice watermarked images to use on to share with your family and friends
1 5x7 of your choice.


Book your wedding with us with in one week of viewing and receive a very special bonus.

Make sure when you comment on the Blog that you include your full name, a daytime phone number and valid email address. Remember, if I can't contact you, I have no way of giving you your prize.

Good Luck, Can't Wait To Work With You!

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Weddings 101 - On Hiring An Officiant



In this first guest post Phillip Waring explains what goes into becoming a wedding officiant. Thanks Phil, for leading off this new series.


The Wedding Officiant: Clergy, Judge or Justice?
By Phillip Waring, Arizona Ministers

Weddings, mitzvahs, memorial services, christenings, communion, baby namings, funerals, and other significant celebrations are all performed by the clergy of many genuine faiths. However, men & women performing wedding ceremonies are regulated by Arizona State Law.

Only judges, justices and clergy of religious societies are authorized to perform legally binding wedding ceremonies in The State of Arizona. The marriage agreement or covenant is solemnized, or sealed, by the spoken word of a judge, justice or clergyman. Clergy and judges may ‘pronounce a couple legally married,’ and by law, only a judge can ‘pronounce a couple divorced’ from their marriage.

Arizona State Law makes it perfectly clear that people purporting to be clergy, whose self-proclaimed authority to perform weddings comes from the internet, are deceiving the public and are illegal.

No one can log on to a computer to become an authentic judge or justice. That would be illegal. Anyone impersonating a judge will likely stand in court before a real one!

No one can log on to a computer to become an authentic clergyman. That would be illegal, but because of ‘separation of church and state’ laws, no judge is allowed to confront those who do it.

Websites advertising to be churches offer free and for fee ordinations for people who want to skip training and verification of their religious intent. Many boast the fact that they are of no faith, but can still get away with authorizing fraudulent people to perform legal weddings.

Ordination is an “appointment to lead and solemnize” from a verifiable religious sect. Downloading or buying a certificate of ordination does not constitute a real ordination. No legitimate religious sect would vest this important authority in such a cavalier manner. Because the law shields those who abuse the privilege, mere peddlers become ‘ordained ministers’ whose only calling is to perform weddings for their own selfish gain.

Fake clergy hide under a veil of falsehood by proclaiming to be ‘wedding officiants,’ because they know they are not real ministers and become embarrassed when confronted about it. Arizona State Law does not authorize ‘officiants’ to perform marriage ceremonies. By law, officiants are judges, justices and clergy of religious sects.

Therefore, there are unscrupulous individuals impersonating clergy in order to trick unsuspecting couples into giving them money to perform their wedding ceremony. To refer them as legitimate clergy perpetuates the hoax, and in fact, demonstrates a lack of respect for unwitting couples and genuine clergy of faith. This may be a good time to consider the credentials or lack of credentials of those referred to couples as a minister.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Social Responsibility - A Call To Action



I just got home from an advanced screening of The Cove, a documentary of the dolphin slaughter that goes on in Taichi, Japan. There are times when we must all stand up against wrong, this is one of those times. Every once in a while it is our responsibility to speak for those who cannot...that time is now. I urge every single one of you reading this now to see the movie, tell your friends about it, blog, facebook and twitter to get the word out.

FIVE THINGS you can do now
1. Write to our leaders and help get the word out in Japan.
2. Learn more about dolphins in captivity.
3. Choose the safest fish to eat.
4. Help Save Japan’s Dolphins efforts on the frontlines.
5. Support the filmmakers with your donation.

A Little Something For You


This month's desktop image is a study in lights and darks. Please feel free to download and enjoy.

What is light? It's dramatic, it's extraordinary. I love what adding a light under the cake can do for a dark corner. Click on the image to download a copy of your own and freshen up your desktop!

Keep checking back for new images. Sometimes bridal, sometimes something different, but something always for you.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Spotting Good Wedding Photography - Special Effects

Used judiciously, special effects can add punch to an album, convey emotion and boost the storytelling quality of the image. Beware though, too much can date your wedding album as much as that brandy glass with the bride and groom that dates your parent's album.

Tell me which you like best and why. Photo #1 is classic color, #2 a special effect called "Ink", example #3 is cross-processed, and #4 is a photoshop action called D VLI.

Do you have a favorite? Let me know your thoughts. Do you think a wedding album should be solely color and b/w, let's start a discussion. leave your comments below and let's find out what today's couples really think of special effects in their first family history book, their wedding album.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Weddings 101 - A Primer On Planning Your Own Event

So, I've had this idea germinating for a while now...what if some of the leading wedding professionals here in Phoenix shared their thoughts with couples on what's important in hiring their vendors. What if they shared what they have learned from experience in real life in the field, the pitfalls they've seen other couples fall into, the ways around them. The stuff that the bridal magazines never mention.

What if they could do this in one common place...like my blog!

Starting this month, Weddings 101 - A Primer On Planning Your Own Event will be a new segment right here. Phillip Waring of Arizona Ministers for weddings and more! will be leading with our first post. Watch for this segment (at least) monthly as we guide you through making informed decisions for your wedding of a lifetime.