Is it still necessary to hire a professional photographer? Digital cameras have advanced drastically in quality, making pro quality images more affordable than ever. There are online image editing programs that offer a surprising level of functionality for free. I searched "How to Photograph a Wedding" on YouTube and got over 49,000 results! So why pay a bunch of money for photos when you can just buy your own camera, or pay a friend a few bucks to shoot them for you? Here's five good reasons:

1.     Education-Those YouTube tutorials can be pretty darn informative. I use them myself for new ideas. However, a person would have to log a lot of hours on the computer to equal a college education. Many professional photographers have bachelors or associate degrees specializing in photography. (I earned a bachelor of arts in Photo-Illustration with a minor in Art History from Kent State University.) 

2.     Equipment-You can get a pretty awesome camera at a big box store for $500. I'm sure we all know "that guy" at the kid's soccer game with the sweet Nikon. How many of us know a non-professional photographer with $10,000 worth of lenses in their camera bag? 

3.     Personality-I don't know many people who truly enjoy having their photo taken. A huge part of becoming a quality portrait photographer is learning to put your subject at ease. If you feel uncomfortable and awkward during the photo session, how do you think you will like the photos?

4.     Computer Skills-Ansel Adams performed his magic in the darkroom. Today's photographer uses the click of a mouse. From file management, to archiving of images, to color calibration, to image manipulation, a professional has a lot of time and cash invested in the technology of post-processing.

5.     Finishing-I don't think we, as a society, print enough photos. There is real value in a print. A professional has network of companies providing cutting edge professional products for their clients.

So, is it still necessary to hire a professional? Yes. I know, I'm a little biased on this one...but trust me, you won't regret your decision.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS     This cold weather (it's 4 degrees right now!) has me craving comfort food. We had braciole (beef rolls braised in tomato sauce) with home made pasta for dinner last night. What's your favorite winter comfort food? Share it on our Facebook page!

Jason and Kate were hoping for a winter wedding, and they sure got their wish. The Christmas lights were still twinkling, and mother nature provided a perfect coating of fluffy white snow. Needless to say, this Wedding Photographer was pretty excited about the perfect conditions.

Photographing a wedding on a snowy day certainly presents its challenges, but the Bride and Groom were troopers. They braved the cold and snow for some awesome photos in downtown Chagrin Falls, even stopping at Starbucks for a quick warm up! 

In my career as a wedding photographer I have never had a better winter day for a wedding. The snow was just perfect, and the Christmas lights make it look like a fantasy land. Make sure to watch their fusion video and take a peek at some of their photos!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  If you walk directly from a snowy park into a crowded Starbucks, your camera lens will get very foggy. Lucky for me I had the wide angle in my pocket, and it was still warm enough that it didn't fog!

PPS What's your favorite Starbucks drink? I'm kind of boring, and usually just order a doppio espresso. Share yours on our Facebook page.

2013 is a new year, and it is off to a great start here at Black Dog Photo Co.. Our calendar for 2013 wedding photography is filling up fast, with some 2014 dates even booking. That being said, it's fun to look back on some of the great weddings of which we were a part in 2012. 

I created a fusion video containing some of my favorite images from this past wedding season. What a blast we had with these bride's and grooms! 

If you are planning a wedding for 2013 or 2014, be sure to take a look at the video. It's full of cool ideas, and cool Wedding Photography!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

Are you a Bride and Groom planning a 2013 wedding? Are you looking for awesome wedding photography? If so, stop by and see us at the Today's Bride Show in Akron this Sunday. Check out our wedding photography, talk to us about what you are planning for your day, and be sure to register for a chance to win a digital camera in our show raffle! 

Black Dog Photo Co. will also be offering an amazing Today's Bride Show special. Book Black Dog Photo Co.'s package B for your Wedding Photography by January 31st, and receive a free digital tablet album in addition to your package! Click here for details.

Looking forward to meeting all of you on Sunday, thanks in advance for stopping by.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

I just delivered J.P. and Alexandra's wedding photos. As she viewed the photos for the first time, Alexandra said, "I feel like we are at our wedding all over again!". I think that says it all.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

Wedding Photography dates are booking fast at Black Dog Photo Co., but we still have dates open for 2013 weddings. As an incentive to help us fill out our calendar, we have put together a pretty awesome special. Book Black Dog Photo Co. for your Wedding Photography before the end of 2012, and receive a special package for $2012. The package includes:

-Unlimited Coverage
-Two Photographers
-20 Page Album
-DVD of Images with Copyright
-4x6 Previews
-Preview Slideshow of Selected Images
-All Images Posted to an Online Gallery

This package has all the key items our potential clients are asking for:  No time limit on our coverage, a custom designed album, and the copyright to your photos. As well as an awesome price!

Want to learn more about how Black Dog Photo Co. can capture your special Wedding day? Hit me up here, I'd love to learn what you are planning!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

Alright, I know we are getting pretty close to the big Holiday, so here are the details for our Holiday Mini-Sessions! 

The sessions will be at Lock 3 in downtown Akron. The city looks awesome in its Holiday garb, with bows and garland, wreaths on the light poles, and a huge Christmas tree by the skating rink (check out some of the examples above and below). Sessions are about twenty minutes long, with no limit on the number of people. Included with your session are five of your favorite images on CD, a custom Holiday Card design, and 10% off the purchase of any print 11x14 or larger. The cost for the session is $75.00. 

Sessions can be scheduled from 12pm-4pm on Saturday, December 1st. If extra times are needed, we can also schedule on the afternoon of December 9th. Cards and images will be ready the following week, giving plenty of time to get those cards in the mail! Call or email Ryan to schedule a time, or if you would like more details. 

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  I think photos on the skating rink and/or toboggan would be pretty awesome for an adventurous family! Here's a link to the Holiday Fest if you're looking for ideas.

Wow, that was a quick year! It certainly does not seem like the Holidays are upon us, and that 2013 is right around the corner. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it". If you are getting married in 2013, you don't want to miss this deal. Stop and take a look at our $2012 in 2012 special!

Wedding Photography dates are booking fast at Black Dog Photo Co., but we still have dates open for 2013 weddings. As an incentive to help us fill out our calendar, we have put together a pretty awesome special. Book Black Dog Photo Co. for your Wedding Photography before the end of 2012, and receive a special package for $2012. The package includes:

-Unlimited Coverage
-Two Photographers
-20 Page Album
-DVD of Images with Copyright
-4x6 Previews
-Preview Slideshow of Selected Images
-All Images Posted to an Online Gallery

This package has all the key items our potential clients are asking for:  No time limit on our coverage, a custom designed album, and the copyright to your photos. As well as an awesome price!

Want to learn more about how Black Dog Photo Co. can capture your special Wedding day? Hit me up here, I'd love to learn what you are planning!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS    There is no way I can narrow down my favorite holiday food, but one thing I look forward to every year is Great Lakes Christmas Ale (interesting tidbit...my college photo professor shot the image on the label). It's only available during the holiday season, so when it shows up on the shelves I know it's time to get in the spirit. What do you see/hear/smell that lets you know it's time for the Holidays? Share it on our Facebook page! 

I got my "exhibitor handbook" in the mail for the upcoming Today's Bride bridal show today. It brought into sharp focus the fact that we have officially entered the wedding planning season. Planning a wedding can be a difficult and stressful experience, or it can be a fun memory to go along with the wedding day.

Having been a Wedding Photographer for over 15 years, I've seen it all. Good weddings. Crazy weddings. Scary weddings... Let's just say I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't when it comes to planning your big day! 

I found a great article about choosing a Wedding Photographer from the Huffington Post. I summarized the good stuff below. Here's the link to the full article. 

1.  Don't be afraid of the price. Wedding Photos will be what you have to remember your wedding for the    rest of your life. 

2.  What's your style? Photography, like all art, is subjective. Do you like traditional, or more edgy photos? Do you like photos that look vintage, or more artistic? Do your homework and choose a photographer with a style that fits your eye.

3.  Personality. The quality of your photographs will depend on how well you click with your photographer. If you aren't comfortable, the look on your face will show it in your portraits. 

4.  Important elements. The details from your wedding day are what fill in the story in the wedding album. Does the photographer have an eye for what's important? Do the flowers, programs, cake, table settings, etc... look awesome in their photos?

5.  Customize your package. Once you narrow down your choices, meet the photographers face to face. Make sure you can get a package that fits the needs of your wedding. 

6.  Good vision. You want a photographer who will create rock star photos of your wedding without too much direction from you. Hire a professional you can trust to do a great job (PS. this applies to all your vendors, and can relieve a lot of wedding day stress).

I make my living as a photographer, so obviously it's important to me that brides and grooms choose Black Dog Photo Co. as their Wedding Photographer. That being said, I want our clients to work with us because we offer the important qualities discussed above. 

Choosing a Wedding Photographer is a big deal because Wedding Photos are so important. Choose wisely.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan


PS.     Choose Black Dog Photo Co.

PPS.   Planning an Akron Wedding? Want to learn more about my Wedding Photography? Hit me up here, I'd love to hear about your wedding!

The rain is still tapping on the window as the remnants of "superstorm" Sandy peter out over Northeast Ohio. The high winds and rain have brought about the end of one of the most beautiful fall seasons in memory. Late summer rain and cool nights triggered the trees to unleash a gorgeous palette of red, orange and yellow hues along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. While I am sorry to see the end of a wonderful season, my cameras will be happy for the break! Our wonderful clients sure took advantage of the weather to create some amazing Wedding Photography and Family Portraits. Here's a dose of warm sunshine in a gallery of some of my favorite images from the season to warm you up on a gloomy day. 

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  Fall may be winding down. Believe it or not, it's already time to start thinking about Christmas cards! Keep an eye on the Black Dog Photo Co. website for great specials on Akron Photography!