An iPad for Your Photo Album?

I’ve decided to start offering iPads for your photos.  It makes an excellent photo album for wedding or event photographs.  Having had one since it came out, I can definitely say the screen is extremely vibrant and will give the person viewing it a very enjoyable experience.
Contact me for more information!

Wedding Season is OFFICIALLY here…10% OFF in May 2010 Contracts

All contracts signed in May, 2010 will get 10% OFF their contracts.  Dates are filling in fast.

Subrina’s Quick Fashionable Shoot

Subrina’s Makeup and Henna was done by Sonia Sandhu at www.SoniaSandhu.com. Read more

What’s Up With Having An E-Session?

An E-Session is an Engagement shoot, and it is something I recommend having to get comfortable with you and to have you get comfortable with me.

During an E-Session, we will spend an hour or two in a location (or two) of your choice. I recommend a special place that means something to you, whether that be your favorite beach, restaurant, look-out, or even inside your favorite store (most store managers won’t mind at all)!

Getting to Know Each Other
We will spend time getting to know one another. I will learn how you two interact with one another (on and off camera) as well as how comfortable you are being photographed. You will learn how you actually feel in front of a camera. If you are a bit camera shy or overwhelmed, an E-Session will help you become more comfortable; and in turn, you will be more relaxed on your wedding day. Together, we will learn how we best interact and communicate, which is extremely valuable to establish before the wedding day!

If you know what you want out of your wedding photographer, this is a great opportunity to communicate this to me to make sure I know what you are look for. Some couples prefer their photographer to take the lead and direct the bridal party, while some like the photographer to hang back and take predominantly candid, journalistic photos. Most like a mix of the two. Either way, your E-Session will be a good indicator of what you would like on your wedding day.

Announcing Your Engagement
While your wedding photos are some of the most important you will ever have taken, its great to have romantic and professional images in a more personal and intimate setting. You can then share these photos with friends, family, and co-workers to tell them you are engaged, use them on your “save the date” cards, and post them on your wedding website! At your wedding, these photos can be used to create a customized guest book, as part of your party favors, and on a sign-board! There are so many possibilities!

Photography Tips for Your Wedding Day!

This is your special day, enjoy it!
Of course you want an amazing album and set of photos; but, you also want to enjoy your wedding day, spending the majority of it with your family and friends! Here are a few tips on how you can accomplish both!  I know some of this doesn’t apply to Indian weddings, however you get the idea.

Tip # 1
Have a list of “must haves” for group photos planned out ahead of time! Start with the largest groups first, so you can release people in sections, allowing them to head to cocktail hour. Also, make sure you introduce your photographer to a VIP Designee. This designee should be someone who knows everyone in your group shot list, as well as a few VIPs that you may want photos with during the reception. They will be responsible for keeping people together in list order (and keeping these individuals from leaving the photo site) until it is time to send them off to the cocktail party.

Tip # 2
Before the ceremony, plan to spend some time with your photographer. During this time, you are able to get some fun shots with your bridesmaids and immediate family.

This will allow you more time to relax and have a little fun before your trip down the aisle! This time will also be valuable to the photographer for capturing your dress in fine detail, getting some artistic photos of you with your veil and flowers, taking some unique photos of you and your bridal party at your venue before the ambient light starts to dim!

While you go back inside to get ready for the ceremony (touch up make up and hair, meditate, breathe!), your photographer will then be able to spend 15 to 20 minutes with the groom, his family and his groomsmen! By now, your guests will be arriving, and you’ll want to be tucked away where they can’t see you and your beautiful gown!

By taking these photos before the ceremony, you will knock out 1/2 of the “commonly desired” group photos, saving about 20 to 30 minutes of valuable time: time that you can now spend socializing at your cocktail party!

Tip # 3
After the ceremony, try to keep your list of group photos to a minimum. I suggest:

• Bride & groom with each side of his/her immediate family, then combined.
• Entire bridal party with bride & groom
• Entire bridal party with bride (alone), then with groom (alone)
• Groomsmen with bride, then bridesmaids with groom

If you have two photographers, these 8 set-ups can take less than 15 minutes to arrange and photograph! Now, send everyone else off to cocktail hour and plan to spend 10 to 15 minutes with the photographer for some really beautiful, unique, and fun shots of the two of you together, all dressed up! After that, it’s your turn to head to cocktail hour! Enjoy it!

You can take your extended-family photos during the reception as you make your rounds.

Tip # 4
If there are shots you specifically want, even though you didn’t think of them ahead of time, call your photographer over and ask them to take these shots. That’s why you hired them! If you have two photographers, one can continue photographing your guests or following you around in a more photo-journalistic fashion, while the other photographer can take photos as requested.

Many times, two or three guests will ask your photographer, “can you take a photo of us?” If they ask this of your only photographer, than you may end up missing out on some vital moments across the room. That’s why, it’s always best to choose a 2-photographer package! It’s amazing how unique and complete your album will look from two very different angles!

Tip # 5
Don’t forget the details! Allow your photographer time to photograph the reception hall. This room is now all set up, dressed to the T with your flowers, place settings, candles, and more! Months (or possibly years) of research, hard work, and money went into planning the look and feel of this reception! You WANT photos of this, trust me! So, make sure to allow your photographer to run ahead to the reception room to start shooting before the guests arrive! If you really want photos of your cocktail party, you will probably want to choose a 2-photographer package or extend your cocktail hour by 15 to 20 minutes.

Tip # 6
Plan to spend another 15 minutes with your photographer (alone) during the reception. If applicable, they will take you outside to get some sunset or night photos in your formal attire. At this time, you have eaten, socialized with guests, and will now be ready to have a few minutes of peace. Your photographer can be your best friend at this moment, pulling you out of the beautiful whirlwind for a breath of fresh air and a few sensual embraces with your new hubby!

If you have a 2-photographer package, your 2nd photographer will be inside, covering your guests so you don’t miss a thing! A good time to take this break is after your dinner and table rounds. Have the DJ pump up the music and your guests will flock to the dance-floor!

Tip # 7
Sticking to a detailed schedule rarely works out perfectly, but it is a good guideline. If the time line starts to skew, make sure you give your photographer a good 10 minute warning before your cake cutting or garter toss. Your photographer, who knows weddings like the back of their hands, can even point out when it is a good time – especially if you are running off schedule or get wrapped up in conversation. If you think it’s a good time for cake or to do an event (garter toss, specific dance, anything that draws attention, etc.), then make sure to give the photographer(s) a few minutes to set up the right angle and lighting for their shots. Your photos will reflect this, and you will be very thankful you didn’t surprise them! If you need help keeping guests from wandering out for air, have the DJ announce the event that will be taking place, and advise guests to be back within 10 minutes! DJs (emcees) and photographers work very well together, especially when you have seasoned professionals! They will know what to do even if you don’t have the slightest clue! When a wedding planner isn’t present, it’s their job to run the show when they see things slipping past the clock!

Tip # 8
Have fun! Don’t worry about the shots, the details, the music, the food, or anything else for that matter… you’ve done your job! You’ve planned your event, hired professional vendors, walked down the aisle, and married your spouse. Now, it’s time to party! Let your bridesmaids and designees pay attention to and manage the details. You just get on the dance-floor and have some fun!

What Equipment Do I Shoot With?

These are my primary camera bodies and lenses that I use.  I have more, but these are my favs!

Bodies (Click, click, click…)
• Canon 5D Mark II – 21.1MP
• Canon 5D Mark I – 12.8MP

Lenses (Bodies come and go, but glass is forever.)
• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
• Canon EF 85mm 1.8
• Canon EF 50mm 1.4
• Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L

Lighting (Let there be light!)
• Quantum Flashes and Quantum Battery Packs
• Canon 580EX II, Canon 430EX II
• AlienBees 800 Strobes w/ Umbrellas
• Calumet Genesis 400 Strobes w/ Umbrellas and Softboxes

That’s a brief look at what I shoot with.  I’ve been getting this question quite a bit.

Tania’s Photo Shoot

Tania’s makeup was done by Sonia Sandhu at www.SoniaSandhu.com and the shoot went very well. Read more

I’m Offering Free Photography

Yup, you heard it right.  I’m going to be giving away free 2 hour time slots for your events.  Whether it’s a wedding (2nd photographer only) or any other family event, you get me to come out for up to 2 hours and take pictures.

Here is a short F.A.Q.

There has to be a catch, no?

Well, the answer is “sort of”.  This offer is in conjunction with a signed contract with Sonia Sandhu’s bridal makeup services (www.soniasandhu.com).  I also ask that you pay for my travel and any rental equipment (generally we won’t need it).  This would also include you covering any parking fees incurred during the events.  The minimum is 4 hours for services (you pay for 2 hours) when combined with this offer.

So, how much is your travel fee?

My travel fee is $70 (covers 2 events) within the Chicago suburbs.  $80 (covers two events) going to the city.

Can you do my wedding or engagement party?

I will be more than happy to cover your events.

Do you use professional equipment or are you going to use something my guests already have?

All my equipment is professional series photography equipment.  I also only use professional series lenses (not available at you local Best Buys’ and such) for shooting your event.

What do you (Ken Sandhu) get out of this?

I would have to have you sign a photo release form for your event which would give me rights to use any and all photos for my marketing campaigns and portfolio.

What do I (client) get out of this?

You will get a CD or DVD full of medium resolution (approx. 1024 x 768) pictures.  All pictures will also be available on my website as proofs for purchase of higher quality versions and have them shipped directly to your home from the pro lab that I work with.  I shoot at very high mega pixels so the pictures will be perfect to get printed at any professional lab (not Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, etc…).

Do you provide prints?

I do provide prints, however they are not included in the price.  I will upload the pictures to a personal gallery which will allow you to purchase professional prints from a high quality lab in any size you wish.

How long does it take to get the CD or DVD?

Depending on my workload, it will take anywhere between 4 week to 8 weeks to receive your DVD after I have done post processing.

How do I schedule you?

You can go to the “Contact Me” form on this site and send me a message with your event date and see if I’m available.  If so, we can setup a payment of travel fee to hold the date for you.