Wed - May 30, 2007
Fashion + Beauty: Buying a Qipao
I have done my far share of chinese weddings and
the Qipao is a must have for the receptions table toasts. The knot magazine
called asking for a shot of bride wearing a Qipao. We sent over several shots
and wanted to share the article. The image they selected is my amazing bride
Kathy Chien.
Everything you need to know about purchasing a traditional Chinese dress.
The biggest question: Where will you buy your qipao? Many brides choose to have their qipaos custom-made, and others order theirs online. Here are the pros and cons of the two most popular options.
Custom-made
Pros
+ By having a seamstress or tailor make your qipao, you'll get the ultimate hands-on experience. Just like having any garment handmade, you'll consult with the designer about the style and fabric of your choice. You'll have a muslin fitting, which will help to perfect your design, and you'll have at least one additional fitting to fine-tune your qipao.
+ A seamstress who is experienced with qipaos can easily help you go as by-the-book or as one-of-a-kind as you like. If you have a picture of a qipao you love, she may be able to help you re-create it. If you have something more standard in mind, she should be able to show you patterns or photos of other dresses she has made that can help you make your decision.
Cons
- As you might have guessed, having a qipao made may be fairly expensive. The amount of customization you are looking for, the type of fabric you choose, and other factors, such as location, can change the price.
- If you live in New York City or San Francisco, for example, finding a tailor who specializes in qipaos will likely be no trouble at all. In other areas of the country, finding someone to make a qipao may be difficult, if not impossible.
Ordering Online
Pros
+ Even when shipping is taken into account, online prices can be hard to beat. Online shops that specialize in qipaos are often based in Hong Kong or Taiwan, so while FedEx can cost a bundle, these companies generally work with large volumes of orders and can keep prices low.
+ Similarly though, having your qipao shipped halfway around the world can take some time, depending on just how much you’re willing to pay for shipping. Exact times vary, but a general time estimate is anywhere from a month to a few days.
Cons
- Because you're not using a seamstress, you'll miss out on hands-on service. Though many online retailers offer a fair amount of customization, you generally still have to choose from a set menu of options. If you do choose to buy online, you should still see a tailor to have your measurements taken. Though there are online guides for how to do it, ask a pro to be sure your measurements have been taken correctly. When you upload your measurements onto a website, check first as to whether they are asking for inches or centimeters, and convert your numbers if necessary.
- Because you aren't seeing the options firsthand, it can be hard to know how your qipao will look until you have the finished product -- which, because you're having it custom-made, most likely won't be returnable. Be especially careful about matching colors: Many hues don't look quite the same in a digital photo or on a computer screen as they do in real life, especially reds. If you're not sure, look into ordering a sample of the fabric or provide your own (though this may add to your final cost) to make sure you like the shade.
A few factors to keep in mind
A full-length qipao is customary for weddings. To be sure your tailor gets the right measurement, pick out your shoes first (and of course, don't forget to bring them with you to the seamstress!).
Modern qipaos are usually very narrow, so slits are cut into the skirt to allow for walking. Be sure to have your tailor take measurements for these as well, so that you are comfortable with the amount of leg that’s being revealed.
You'll need extra measurements if you plan to wear an especially fitted style. In the least, you’ll want to get your upper arm and collar circumferences measured. And, if you have chosen a style with a narrower skirt, your tailor may also ask for thigh and hip measurements as well.
Customizing fabric is only the beginning. Be sure to look at all of your options of collar, button or other closure, and trim styles you might want. You may have an heirloom in-the-making.
-- Kate Wood
Everything you need to know about purchasing a traditional Chinese dress.
The biggest question: Where will you buy your qipao? Many brides choose to have their qipaos custom-made, and others order theirs online. Here are the pros and cons of the two most popular options.
Custom-made
Pros
+ By having a seamstress or tailor make your qipao, you'll get the ultimate hands-on experience. Just like having any garment handmade, you'll consult with the designer about the style and fabric of your choice. You'll have a muslin fitting, which will help to perfect your design, and you'll have at least one additional fitting to fine-tune your qipao.
+ A seamstress who is experienced with qipaos can easily help you go as by-the-book or as one-of-a-kind as you like. If you have a picture of a qipao you love, she may be able to help you re-create it. If you have something more standard in mind, she should be able to show you patterns or photos of other dresses she has made that can help you make your decision.
Cons
- As you might have guessed, having a qipao made may be fairly expensive. The amount of customization you are looking for, the type of fabric you choose, and other factors, such as location, can change the price.
- If you live in New York City or San Francisco, for example, finding a tailor who specializes in qipaos will likely be no trouble at all. In other areas of the country, finding someone to make a qipao may be difficult, if not impossible.
Ordering Online
Pros
+ Even when shipping is taken into account, online prices can be hard to beat. Online shops that specialize in qipaos are often based in Hong Kong or Taiwan, so while FedEx can cost a bundle, these companies generally work with large volumes of orders and can keep prices low.
+ Similarly though, having your qipao shipped halfway around the world can take some time, depending on just how much you’re willing to pay for shipping. Exact times vary, but a general time estimate is anywhere from a month to a few days.
Cons
- Because you're not using a seamstress, you'll miss out on hands-on service. Though many online retailers offer a fair amount of customization, you generally still have to choose from a set menu of options. If you do choose to buy online, you should still see a tailor to have your measurements taken. Though there are online guides for how to do it, ask a pro to be sure your measurements have been taken correctly. When you upload your measurements onto a website, check first as to whether they are asking for inches or centimeters, and convert your numbers if necessary.
- Because you aren't seeing the options firsthand, it can be hard to know how your qipao will look until you have the finished product -- which, because you're having it custom-made, most likely won't be returnable. Be especially careful about matching colors: Many hues don't look quite the same in a digital photo or on a computer screen as they do in real life, especially reds. If you're not sure, look into ordering a sample of the fabric or provide your own (though this may add to your final cost) to make sure you like the shade.
A few factors to keep in mind
A full-length qipao is customary for weddings. To be sure your tailor gets the right measurement, pick out your shoes first (and of course, don't forget to bring them with you to the seamstress!).
Modern qipaos are usually very narrow, so slits are cut into the skirt to allow for walking. Be sure to have your tailor take measurements for these as well, so that you are comfortable with the amount of leg that’s being revealed.
You'll need extra measurements if you plan to wear an especially fitted style. In the least, you’ll want to get your upper arm and collar circumferences measured. And, if you have chosen a style with a narrower skirt, your tailor may also ask for thigh and hip measurements as well.
Customizing fabric is only the beginning. Be sure to look at all of your options of collar, button or other closure, and trim styles you might want. You may have an heirloom in-the-making.
-- Kate Wood
Posted at 09:06 AM
Wed - May 16, 2007
Modernbride June/July 2007 - That's AMORE Wedding in Tuscany
Ann and I had a lay over in Houston today. I was
grabbing something to eat, when Ann came back with a huge smile. Modernbride
published the wedding we did in Tuscany last April. I actually have it featured
on my website. Anyways, the it was cool to see our work getting some national
attention.
Here is me being a dork in the store. I bought all the copies they had.
Here is me being a dork in the store. I bought all the copies they had.
Posted at 11:49 AM
Sun - May 6, 2007
The Knot Unveils Best of Weddings Magazine
Ann Hamilton was doing a little research on the
web the other day and came across a press release on the Wall Street Journal. I had received a call
several months ago, from The Knot magazine. They wanted to let me know,
according to the a massive research, I was being considered one the top wedding
photographers in the San Francisco/nation. Flattered of course, but thought how
cool that the poll of thousands was unbiased and unsolicited. The way the rating
works is that, if you have a blurb and a number next to your name. It basically
means you nominated and rated. Some vendors will just be listed by name, phone
number and web address. Those listings are for the advertisers.
In the planning stages, grab a copy for ideas and inspiration. A must have for any and all brides. It is your new wedding bible. LOL.
thanks, hugs~
Here is the press release:
The Knot Unveils Best of Weddings Magazine
May 1, 2007 9:04 a.m.
First-of-its-kind Survey of 25,000 Real Brides Reveals Top-rated Wedding Sites, Photographers, Bands, and Florists in 40 U.S. Cities from Los Angeles to New York
NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From finding the gown shop with the best service in Boston to the most professional wedding photographers in New York, Chicago's top cakes, and L.A.'s best-rated reception sites-wouldn't every engaged couple like to know the inside scoop from recent brides in their area? The Knot Inc. (Nasdaq: KNOT, www.theknot.com), the #1 wedding website and most trusted multimedia wedding authority, announces the arrival on newsstands of The Knot Best of Weddings magazine, a by-brides-for-brides guide to the top wedding sites, photographers, florists, and more in over 40 key cities across the United States.
The Knot conducted a massive survey of 25,000 recent brides and grooms-the first of its kind-to capture detailed feedback on every wedding business that couples hired, from reception sites to planners, cakes and limo companies. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting ratings-and detailed feedback-were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides. The survey was administered by Harris Interactive.
"Editors can do hours of research, but the experience of a recent bride is truly the best way to get detailed information on which wedding professionals in your area will really go the extra distance to make your wedding perfect," comments Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot. "We decided to harness the amazing resource of our million annual newlywed members, and get them to grade the work of their wedding vendors. This feedback gives future brides invaluable information to help make their wedding hiring decisions."
In addition to the 1,500-plus vendor reviews, the magazine features hundreds of inspiring photos of cakes, flowers, favors, and wedding details chosen by The Knot team of style experts. Additional editorial "best of" lists include: top color combos, hot trends, brides' favorite honeymoon spots, top first dance songs, and more.
Survey results also reveal first-of-its-kind detailed local demographic information on today's bride and all her wedding details. Some of the highlights from the survey include:
-- New York brides are engaged the longest (13.1 months) while Las Vegas
brides have the shortest engagements (9.1 months).
-- The average wedding guest list is 155 people (but Wisconsin brides have
the largest weddings, averaging 191 invitees).
-- Weddings are split in terms of formality, with South Carolina brides
choosing a more casual affair (57%), while New Jersey brides are opting
for black tie (68%).
-- The average cost of a wedding gown is $1,279 (but NYC brides spent the
most at $2,297).
-- The average cost of a wedding photographer is $2,466 (Long Island
brides spend the most on photography at $3,949).
In the planning stages, grab a copy for ideas and inspiration. A must have for any and all brides. It is your new wedding bible. LOL.
thanks, hugs~
Here is the press release:
The Knot Unveils Best of Weddings Magazine
May 1, 2007 9:04 a.m.
First-of-its-kind Survey of 25,000 Real Brides Reveals Top-rated Wedding Sites, Photographers, Bands, and Florists in 40 U.S. Cities from Los Angeles to New York
NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From finding the gown shop with the best service in Boston to the most professional wedding photographers in New York, Chicago's top cakes, and L.A.'s best-rated reception sites-wouldn't every engaged couple like to know the inside scoop from recent brides in their area? The Knot Inc. (Nasdaq: KNOT, www.theknot.com), the #1 wedding website and most trusted multimedia wedding authority, announces the arrival on newsstands of The Knot Best of Weddings magazine, a by-brides-for-brides guide to the top wedding sites, photographers, florists, and more in over 40 key cities across the United States.
The Knot conducted a massive survey of 25,000 recent brides and grooms-the first of its kind-to capture detailed feedback on every wedding business that couples hired, from reception sites to planners, cakes and limo companies. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting ratings-and detailed feedback-were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides. The survey was administered by Harris Interactive.
"Editors can do hours of research, but the experience of a recent bride is truly the best way to get detailed information on which wedding professionals in your area will really go the extra distance to make your wedding perfect," comments Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot. "We decided to harness the amazing resource of our million annual newlywed members, and get them to grade the work of their wedding vendors. This feedback gives future brides invaluable information to help make their wedding hiring decisions."
In addition to the 1,500-plus vendor reviews, the magazine features hundreds of inspiring photos of cakes, flowers, favors, and wedding details chosen by The Knot team of style experts. Additional editorial "best of" lists include: top color combos, hot trends, brides' favorite honeymoon spots, top first dance songs, and more.
Survey results also reveal first-of-its-kind detailed local demographic information on today's bride and all her wedding details. Some of the highlights from the survey include:
-- New York brides are engaged the longest (13.1 months) while Las Vegas
brides have the shortest engagements (9.1 months).
-- The average wedding guest list is 155 people (but Wisconsin brides have
the largest weddings, averaging 191 invitees).
-- Weddings are split in terms of formality, with South Carolina brides
choosing a more casual affair (57%), while New Jersey brides are opting
for black tie (68%).
-- The average cost of a wedding gown is $1,279 (but NYC brides spent the
most at $2,297).
-- The average cost of a wedding photographer is $2,466 (Long Island
brides spend the most on photography at $3,949).
Posted at 09:39 PM
Thu - April 26, 2007
This blog featured in Photo District News Magazine
My blog was featured in the current issue of
Photo District News magazine. The article, by David Walker, titled 7 Ways to
Boost a Wedding Business.
Display your winning personality with a blog
Yeah, yeah, blogging is a cliché, but San
Francisco wedding photographer Gene Higa has figured out how to turn his blog
into a marketing workhorse. “My web site is great for getting my name out
there, but my blog shows my personality,” Higa says. And that’s what
sells him to brides, he adds.
Higa spends three or four hours a week on
the blog, posting new entries every two or three days. Photos are prominent, of
course: as soon as he’s done shooting a wedding, he posts 20 or so of his
favorite images. He links back to engagement photos of the bride and groom, and
when he receives raves from clients, he posts those, too. In addition, Higa
writes about his experiences with good vendors, and links to their web sites. He
talks about his travels, his promotions and pet projects, his photography
seminars (at WPPI and other places) and he posts tips for other photographers,
too.
It’s all designed to boost traffic and links back to his blog,
and he minds the details to make sure brides-to-be stop in. For instance, he
doesn’t have any music on the blog so visitors can peruse his blog at work
“without getting into trouble,” he explains. He also studies his web
site search logs, and then incorporates the search terms brides use into his
blog posts in order to draw traffic from elsewhere on the web. And, of course,
visitors can add their e-mail address to Higa’s ‘notify’
list.
above photo by aric c. hoek
Posted at 10:30 AM
Fri - April 6, 2007
Design Aglow - The fusion of Photography, Design and Inspiration
Today Kristen of Design Aglow
stopped by. She was looking to feature our studio in the her online magazine.
The section is called, Inside real Studios which features “the coolest and
most fashionable studios around.”
Here is a tidbit about the magazine. I love the look
of it. There are some great articles for photographers. Everything from how to's
in photoshop to what is new in the cool world of wedding photography. Get a
subscription and get tuned in to the world of Design Aglow.
Well, here we are. At long last, after much toil,
creation, love, tears, and late nights, Design Aglow is ready to open her doors to
you—the new breed of wedding and portrait photographer. You are different.
Good different. Your mind is wide open and constantly searching for more. The
quest for new techniques and creative ways of thinking are always at the
forefront of your business. While your narcissistic quest for constant
self-improvement will never be quenched, you will never give up. You are the
modern photographer and you deserve a new and different breed of
publication—us. At Design Aglow, we strive to be the publication that
represents you.
No ads, amazing complimentary actions and template
downloads, articles and interviews from the best photographers in the industry,
concise, no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point format, tons of visually stimulating
images, and most of all, a fresh and unique approach. Come on...you know you
want it.
Here is a screenshot of the website.
Posted at 08:33 PM
Tue - April 3, 2007
the rf-cookbook
A wedding photographer has to be prepared to shoot in any situation. It’s key to creating images that “wow” your clients. So here I was in Santorini, Greece, my fifth destination wedding of the year and I was excited about having the opportunity to create some really amazing photos. Santorini’s landscape had so much to offer. My clients, Jim and Beibei, were married at Santo vineyards in May 2006.
My vision for Jim and Beibei was to incorporate as many Santorini landmarks in their wedding photos as possible. The iconic domes of the churches, the white buildings cascading down the cliffs, and the surrounding islands were every photographers dream. It was just a matter of finding the right situation, the right location, and of course having beautiful light in which to work.
The wedding party headed cliff side to photograph some portraits in the beautiful sunset lighting. Along the side of the road, we spotted a small church and raced over to find the perfect spot. As I looked out the passenger side window, I said, “ That’s it, pull over!” We had found the perfect location. Now it was time to bring my vision to life. I grabbed my Canon 5D with a 24-105mm f/4 uSM lens.
Natural posing and natural light are the main ingredients of this image. I love creating strong portraits of my wedding clients and a strong image means keeping clutter to a minimum. I keep my images pristine by paying attention to the backgrounds and keeping the moments real. In this image, Jim was standing on a small wall looking into the light. I pointed the camera up to create a strong portrait of the groom. The light from the setting sun seemed to wrap around him and bring out the strong lines and shapes of the chapel in the background. My vision had come to life and my client was thrilled with the results.
As a longtime Canon shooter, I like to keep my methods simple and trust in my equipment. It’s essential that I test my cameras before walking into a situation. As we walked toward the location, I quickly checked my ISO, which was 320, and the AV mode was stopped down to f/5.6. This combination would provide the depth of field and saturation I need for the exposure.
Back in the studio, I fine-tuned and polished the portrait in Adobe Photoshop CS2, using actions our studio has purchased — and created — to keep the workflow simple and fast. I refer to this as taking the image “beyond the proof.” Some of our favorite Actions are made by Kevin Kubota and Parker J. Pfister. Once the files are ready, we order prints through a ROES (Remote Order Entry System) hosted by Bay Photo lab, and catalog them with Iview Media Pro.
Gene Higa will be giving a presentation at the 2007 WPPI convention called, “Expanding your market globally.” To see more destination wedding photos and events visit his website at www.genehiga.com.
INGREDIENTS
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Flash Media: SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash, 4.0GB
Lighting: Setting Sun
Computer: PowerMac G5 dual processor (2 Ghz) / 17" apple laptop / 12" apple laptop
Software: Microsoft iView MediaPro and Adobe Photoshop CS2
Lab: Bay Photo Lab (ROES)
Posted at 11:54 PM
Sat - February 24, 2007
Destination Wedding and Honeymoons - Spring 2007
I was in Boarders the other night checking out
some of the fashion magazines for inspiration. Of course I had to check out the
bridal section to see what new in the industry. I have been so busy with
everything else that I forgot I had a wedding getting published. Well, to my
surprise DWH
published the wedding
of Molly and Alvaro. You might remember I photographed their wedding
in Carmel last year. Next time you are out there grab a copy for
yourself.
Posted at 09:36 PM
Wedding announcements
Getting the word out. It is nice to get emails
that my images are used to announce clients weddings. Here are some of the cool
magazines I received lately.
Here is wedding announcement of Shelli and Jason. Married in Jamaica.
Here is the wedding announcement of Emiko and Martin. Married in Carmel Valley.
Here is wedding announcement of Shelli and Jason. Married in Jamaica.
Here is the wedding announcement of Emiko and Martin. Married in Carmel Valley.
Posted at 09:30 PM
Mon - December 18, 2006
Wed-Shooter
From time to time that share my story with other
photographers. The story of getting my start, in hopes it will inspire the next
generation of photographers to "Shoot for the Stars". I opened up email this
morning and was happy to see the story was published.
Wed-shooter, a resource for inspiring and professional photographers alike, is designed to help develop style and grow their business. I was asked to take part in and was honored to do so. Here is the article. I have a ton more to share and will keep you updated.
By the way, we made it to Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. Check back in. I have lots to share.
Reaching for the stars
What are you going to be when you grow up? We have all heard it before. My answer was always; I’m going to be an artist. But, what kind was the real question for me. I wouldn’t get my answer for year to come. College would open my eyes in so many different ways. People, different cultures, the world -- it was there for the taking. I always approach life as an open book, open to the possibilities to what it has to offer.
It was my second year as an Art History major that I took a prerequisite beginning black and white photography class. Little did I know that this would set the tone for rest of my life. I still remember that first day in the darkroom. Not seeing my hand in front of my face and the smell of developer and fix. That was the day I found my passion. Photography gave me so much opportunity to meet people, see different locations and, of course, create art. Photography was my ticket to do anything and go anywhere.
Now the trick was figuring out how to make a living doing what I love. Well, one day during a class critique my professor pulled me aside and suggested that I pursue my photography as a career. He asked if I was interested in working over the weekends carrying his bags at weddings. Being a broke college student I jumped at the chance. I would do this for the next three years. In the meantime, I was bussing tables, working in a lab, and finishing school. My professor’s friend, also a photographer, needed some help in the studio so I went to work for him part-time and learned the business aspect. My plan to be fully saturated with photography was working perfectly. I had one pro who gave me the opportunity to learn hands-on what it takes to be a wedding photographer, and another pro who helped me learn the business side of photography, all the while working in the lab to see the results.
School was coming to an end and I was starting to gain my confidence as a photographer. I was ready to take my photography to another level. I sat down one day and figured what my living expenses were for one month. I saved that amount times six and, in the meantime, I worked some trades to make a complete Hasselblad system. I had the tools, but just needed the work. So after getting my savings in line I decided to quit all my jobs and lived off my savings for the next six months. My birthday was coming up and I was given money as a gift. I decided to use it to buy my business license and that was the best birthday gift I have ever been given. The two photographers I had worked for would eventually refer me smaller jobs where the client couldn’t afford them. Booking those smaller jobs set the wheels in motion and my business started to take off.
Working from home was tough. I would use the local coffee house as a meeting place. I started to notice that artists would exhibit their work on the walls, so I approached the store manager and asked if I could also display my work. I had one really beautiful wedding to show and I was starting to get calls from referrals. I made 20 16”x20” prints and had them framed. I showed these images to prospected clients that met me at the coffee house. The coffee house was perfect and lots of people saw my work. It became somewhat of a studio for me. The real trick was that I showed my work in the neighborhoods that I wanted to target or possibly get work in.
From the very beginning I understood that marketing would be an integral part of my business. My marketing has changed over the years. Print ads, direct mailers, word-of-mouth and the Internet was where I had focused my efforts. I found the Internet would open more doors and give me the type of exposure I was looking for.
Today, I run a storefront studio with my colleague Ann Hamilton. We are in a neighborhood of San Francisco called Cow Hollow. This yuppie neighborhood in nestled between Presidio Heights and the Marina. You can say that Ann and I have come full circle. Years ago we would meet clients at the Starbucks up the street.
I have been shooting in San Francisco for years now and I wanted something more. I was starting to get burned out and was losing my passion for photography. I was told long ago that if you are comfortable you are not growing. I was surfing the web one day and wondering who was shooting weddings all over the world. I thought why not me? Destination weddings would be the next step. I had then decided that I would start marketing beyond my Bay Area base. I wanted to attract brides that wanted something different. I had a wedding in Carmel, California that weekend and one of the guests was getting married in North Carolina. I had mentioned that I was interested in working with them. A couple of weeks later they saw the results of the wedding and asked if I would come out to North Carolina to photograph theirs. That was over five years ago. The word of mouth from that one wedding spread like wildfire and produced six bookings in various cities across the country. Now, my inquiries have grown internationally. This year alone, Ann and I have covered weddings in the Philippines, Peru, India, Italy, Greece, Jamaica, Thailand, and Barbados, not to mention numerous cities across the United States.
Destination weddings have become a flourishing part of my business. Shooting in other parts of the country and around the world gets me out of my comfort zone. And, most important, the excitement I felt in college as a student learning about photography has returned. Photography once again is allowing me to meet new people, see new locations and be an artist. The Internet has enabled me to better market myself and spread the word out about my destination wedding work. Blogs, photography forums, and consumer and trade publications are important to my current marketing and help keep the buzz going. Having a studio with visibility in an area that is my target market also helps generate word-of-word and referrals. The concept is the same from the coffee house days, just on another level.
Ann Hamilton has also been an inspiration to staying true to what we love. Not only does her wedding work keep her busy, but Ann has also created a niche for herself with artistic dog portraits. Check out her work at www.annhamiltonblog.com
As an artist, it is natural to want to create what has not been done before. I always try to challenge myself, not only as an artist but I also open myself up to the possibilities of something new in my life. Being different is a good thing, as long as you stay true to yourself. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination. Be driven and don’t let anything discourage you from pursuing what you love. Keep in mind that the most successful people in life fail 70% of the time. I went from shooting backyard weddings to weddings all over the world. Can I go bigger? Of course, there is so much more out there.
I wanted to share what I have done over the years and offer myself as an example to others so that you can be different and your desires can become a reality. I hope that this article will inspire you as a photographer to be best that you can be. Remember to always aim high and shoot for the stars.
Check in to see where Gene Higa is shooting or what is new in his business. www.genehiga.com-web or www.genehiga.net-blog
Wed-shooter, a resource for inspiring and professional photographers alike, is designed to help develop style and grow their business. I was asked to take part in and was honored to do so. Here is the article. I have a ton more to share and will keep you updated.
By the way, we made it to Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. Check back in. I have lots to share.
Reaching for the stars
What are you going to be when you grow up? We have all heard it before. My answer was always; I’m going to be an artist. But, what kind was the real question for me. I wouldn’t get my answer for year to come. College would open my eyes in so many different ways. People, different cultures, the world -- it was there for the taking. I always approach life as an open book, open to the possibilities to what it has to offer.
It was my second year as an Art History major that I took a prerequisite beginning black and white photography class. Little did I know that this would set the tone for rest of my life. I still remember that first day in the darkroom. Not seeing my hand in front of my face and the smell of developer and fix. That was the day I found my passion. Photography gave me so much opportunity to meet people, see different locations and, of course, create art. Photography was my ticket to do anything and go anywhere.
Now the trick was figuring out how to make a living doing what I love. Well, one day during a class critique my professor pulled me aside and suggested that I pursue my photography as a career. He asked if I was interested in working over the weekends carrying his bags at weddings. Being a broke college student I jumped at the chance. I would do this for the next three years. In the meantime, I was bussing tables, working in a lab, and finishing school. My professor’s friend, also a photographer, needed some help in the studio so I went to work for him part-time and learned the business aspect. My plan to be fully saturated with photography was working perfectly. I had one pro who gave me the opportunity to learn hands-on what it takes to be a wedding photographer, and another pro who helped me learn the business side of photography, all the while working in the lab to see the results.
School was coming to an end and I was starting to gain my confidence as a photographer. I was ready to take my photography to another level. I sat down one day and figured what my living expenses were for one month. I saved that amount times six and, in the meantime, I worked some trades to make a complete Hasselblad system. I had the tools, but just needed the work. So after getting my savings in line I decided to quit all my jobs and lived off my savings for the next six months. My birthday was coming up and I was given money as a gift. I decided to use it to buy my business license and that was the best birthday gift I have ever been given. The two photographers I had worked for would eventually refer me smaller jobs where the client couldn’t afford them. Booking those smaller jobs set the wheels in motion and my business started to take off.
Working from home was tough. I would use the local coffee house as a meeting place. I started to notice that artists would exhibit their work on the walls, so I approached the store manager and asked if I could also display my work. I had one really beautiful wedding to show and I was starting to get calls from referrals. I made 20 16”x20” prints and had them framed. I showed these images to prospected clients that met me at the coffee house. The coffee house was perfect and lots of people saw my work. It became somewhat of a studio for me. The real trick was that I showed my work in the neighborhoods that I wanted to target or possibly get work in.
From the very beginning I understood that marketing would be an integral part of my business. My marketing has changed over the years. Print ads, direct mailers, word-of-mouth and the Internet was where I had focused my efforts. I found the Internet would open more doors and give me the type of exposure I was looking for.
Today, I run a storefront studio with my colleague Ann Hamilton. We are in a neighborhood of San Francisco called Cow Hollow. This yuppie neighborhood in nestled between Presidio Heights and the Marina. You can say that Ann and I have come full circle. Years ago we would meet clients at the Starbucks up the street.
I have been shooting in San Francisco for years now and I wanted something more. I was starting to get burned out and was losing my passion for photography. I was told long ago that if you are comfortable you are not growing. I was surfing the web one day and wondering who was shooting weddings all over the world. I thought why not me? Destination weddings would be the next step. I had then decided that I would start marketing beyond my Bay Area base. I wanted to attract brides that wanted something different. I had a wedding in Carmel, California that weekend and one of the guests was getting married in North Carolina. I had mentioned that I was interested in working with them. A couple of weeks later they saw the results of the wedding and asked if I would come out to North Carolina to photograph theirs. That was over five years ago. The word of mouth from that one wedding spread like wildfire and produced six bookings in various cities across the country. Now, my inquiries have grown internationally. This year alone, Ann and I have covered weddings in the Philippines, Peru, India, Italy, Greece, Jamaica, Thailand, and Barbados, not to mention numerous cities across the United States.
Destination weddings have become a flourishing part of my business. Shooting in other parts of the country and around the world gets me out of my comfort zone. And, most important, the excitement I felt in college as a student learning about photography has returned. Photography once again is allowing me to meet new people, see new locations and be an artist. The Internet has enabled me to better market myself and spread the word out about my destination wedding work. Blogs, photography forums, and consumer and trade publications are important to my current marketing and help keep the buzz going. Having a studio with visibility in an area that is my target market also helps generate word-of-word and referrals. The concept is the same from the coffee house days, just on another level.
Ann Hamilton has also been an inspiration to staying true to what we love. Not only does her wedding work keep her busy, but Ann has also created a niche for herself with artistic dog portraits. Check out her work at www.annhamiltonblog.com
As an artist, it is natural to want to create what has not been done before. I always try to challenge myself, not only as an artist but I also open myself up to the possibilities of something new in my life. Being different is a good thing, as long as you stay true to yourself. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination. Be driven and don’t let anything discourage you from pursuing what you love. Keep in mind that the most successful people in life fail 70% of the time. I went from shooting backyard weddings to weddings all over the world. Can I go bigger? Of course, there is so much more out there.
I wanted to share what I have done over the years and offer myself as an example to others so that you can be different and your desires can become a reality. I hope that this article will inspire you as a photographer to be best that you can be. Remember to always aim high and shoot for the stars.
Check in to see where Gene Higa is shooting or what is new in his business. www.genehiga.com-web or www.genehiga.net-blog
Posted at 09:58 PM
Tue - December 12, 2006
WPPI-December Newsletter-Erika Burgin Wilkinson’s All-star Wedding Team
Earlier this summer I was asked to photograph a
wedding for a friend of mine. Erika Burgin the daughter of Becky Burgin and
sister of Alisha Todd. A family of award winning photographers. WOW, what a
honor. Ann Hamilton and I would shoot side by side with our good friend Brook
Todd. We shot film that day and when the day was over I think we shot well over
5000 images.
Couple of weeks later we got the results and it was
great to see how a room filled the best of the best saw things differently. All
very complimentary and Erika has happy. After all that's all that really
mattered. Is that we made killer wedding images for the bride and
groom.
Here is the article:
What happens when an award-winning photographer gets
married? Ask WPPI member Becky Burgin of The Art of Emotion. Her daughter,
Erika, is a photographer herself, and was married this summer. Becky recently
shared Erika’s story with us.
Todd Wilkinson and Erika met in the summer of 2005,
dated, and quickly fell in love. Todd eventually proposed to Erika in front of a
crowded restaurant; everyone cheered when she accepted. And the plans began.
Most brides book the venue first, then see which photographers are available;
for Erika, photography was the first priority. With that in mind, Erika chose
WPPI speaker Gene Higa as the lead photographer, who asked Ann Hamilton to
assist him. Fellow WPPI speaker Brook Todd was chosen as a second photographer.
His wife and partner, Alisha, is also Erika’s sister, and she was in the
wedding.
Erika only recently finished going through her 5000
images and narrowing them down to about 100, which will be the basis for her
custom album and wedding website. It was hard—not just because there were
5000 images, but also because there were so many talented photographers: Along
with Gene, Ann, Brook and Alisha, Becky also shot, as did friends Baron Spafford
and Mimi Alfonso.
Nice article, but I do have to clarify one thing.
Ann
Hamilton is NOT my assistant. Yes, she does help me on jobs. But, I do
the same for her. I will gladly carry Ann's bags any day. She has her own very
successful business and is by no means an assistant.
From left to right: Brook Todd, Alisha Todd, Becky Burgin, Gene Higa, Erika (Burgin) Wilkinson and Ann Hamilton;
Photo taken by Kristen Souders of Bliss
Here is a couple from the digital body.
Posted at 02:13 PM
Fri - December 8, 2006
Studio Photography-Profile (Projecting His Brand)
I miss Jamaica already. But, it is always nice to
be home. Getting back to the studio I got a nice little welcoming
gift.
The November issue of Studio Photography Magazine profiled my business. A magazine for professional photographers and imaging professionals. The article is about projecting my brand.
The November issue of Studio Photography Magazine profiled my business. A magazine for professional photographers and imaging professionals. The article is about projecting my brand.
Gene Higa captivates his clients with an animated,
professional style—that is, once they shift their focus from his wedding
imagery. Actually, that’s all part of Higa’s plan: to market himself
as someone who’s smart and attentive, someone you can trust to deliver
wedding photographs that draw gasps from those who see them.
“I market myself as hip, cool, and stylistic,
and emphasize that the classic look is still there in my photography,”
Higa says. His clients seem to agree, and love that Higa’s modern, San
Francisco-based studio is adorned with tasteful accents and large prints from
some of his recent shoots, offering colorful, strong visuals to back up his
presentation.
What’s so striking about the images are his
settings and backdrops. “I try to hit non-standard locations for formal
shots, to avoid looking like the other guy,” says Higa. “Putting a
wedding dress where you’d never expect to see one—that gives the
photos a different look and style.”
Creating a fashion-oriented, casual but modern style
is half of what drives his marketing . . . and what Higa feels is a big part of
what brings in the bookings. “A lot of shooters tend to look at other
wedding photographers’ work for inspiration. I avoid that altogether, and
browse fashion, marketing, and advertising photography for my inspirations.
Modeling myself after a traditional wedding photographer isn’t what
I’m trying to do,” says Higa.
While he feels that shooting weddings in the same
location, over and over, ensures a great final product, Higa knows that a new,
off-the-beaten-path location brings out the artist in him, and gets images other
photographers may not find—simply for not wanting to work beyond their
comfort zone. “It gets the creative juices flowing. I re-invent myself at
each wedding,” he says. “Trying to be an artist while making a
living is exciting.”
What’s in a Name?
Higa’s business model calls for projecting his
brand, making sure everyone he meets will likely remember him. He finds this
easy to do, as all that’s required is to be himself. “People can
spot a phony. If you’re enjoying yourself, and excited about what
you’re doing, it will show,” he says.
If a vibrant and positive attitude isn’t enough,
he always makes a sincere effort to learn at least one thing from every person
he talks to.
“People are interesting, and they love to talk.
If you’re interested, they’ll open up. For me, loving the job means
getting to know my clients. I try to get to know the bride’s and
groom’s parents, and make sure they know I’m there to create great
photography for them, too. I make it a point, before I leave a wedding, to say
goodbye to the parents first and to the bride and groom last. This approach has
always worked for me. The referrals, emails, and ‘thank you’ cards
are the payoff.”
On the Road Again
Higa’s wedding photography isn’t limited
to his hometown of San Francisco. His destination wedding packages are a
flourishing part of his bookings, in part because of the way he markets them: he
blogs about his destination weddings on his website. This lets his clients read
about how great their special day was for him, too, when he sends them the links
to share with their family and friends. This further extends his name, his
brand, his personality, and his photography.
“My blog is one of the best marketing tools
I’ve ever used,” he says. “My current, past, and future
clients all read my blog. People follow it and pass its link along to friends.
Potential clients can see I’m working every weekend, and that I’m
working in exotic places. They get to read about who I am as a person.
“The comfort and confidence this builds is impressive. Says Higa,
“It is sort of a pre-qualifier, allowing too-busy-to-stop-in,
career-conscious brides to ‘interview’ me . . . without even meeting
me. I’m booking without ever sitting down with the
brides.”
People who see his blog before a wedding approach him
at the reception to talk about what they saw, and often book him for their own
weddings. “There’s nothing as cool as having folks meet you after
they’ve seen your work and loved it!”
Being in a new setting for each destination wedding
also adds a creative spark. “All of my travel wedding locations are new to
me, so the perspective is fresh, which makes it great for me and great for the
client. We’ll often drive out from the ceremony site, looking for texture,
lines, and something with more of a fashion flair to it.”
Expenses are covered for destination weddings, from
flights to ground transportation to hotels. Being abroad also means taking
safety precautions, especially with the client’s photographs. After each
wedding, Higa and his assistants back up the files on his laptop, on a portable
hard drive, on DVDs—one set to carry and one to FedEx back to his
studio.
The Higa Team
From India to Peru, Italy to Greece, professionalism
and diligence remain his top priorities. “I have a great support team;
they work well to support my brand, even when I’m away. I feel that
everyone who takes part in my business is part of my PR process. From my store
front designer to my onsite assistant, all are part of the experience. Everyone
and everything combines to make a happy client. Nothing beats a great
team.”
Higa is humble about his packed booking calendar, and
feels that success boils down to projection of his brand. “I love my job,
and I love the business,” he says. “Think about it—I’m
going to a party every weekend! Ten years into this career, and I’m still
as excited about each wedding as I was the first time. “People are
celebrating their lives, and in the process, it lets me be an artist. How great
is that?”
For more Higa images, visit www.genehiga.com
Thanks to Christopher Appooldt (Studio Photography Contributor) for writing a great article.
For more Higa images, visit www.genehiga.com
Thanks to Christopher Appooldt (Studio Photography Contributor) for writing a great article.
Posted at 06:28 AM
Fri - November 3, 2006
The Knot Travel and Leisure / Travel and Romance
Back in March I headed out to the Philippines for a
destination wedding. The trip was simply amazing. The wedding just got published
online in The knot's online destination wedding section. Nice timing, today we
received our double volume 11x14 coffee table books for this wedding.
If you would like to see more of the wedding, click here.
The Bride: Sharon Gonzalez, 32, director of project management
The Groom: Patrick Gonzales, 30, senior developer
The Date: March 16
Before their three-year engagement and four-month, long-distance courtship, Sharon and Patrick's first relationship challenge was probably the most meaningful: Patrick's sister, Rachel, had to approve. The two first met while Rachel was visiting her friend Sharon in New York. Because Patrick went to school at NYU, the trio would often hang out together. Fast-forward six years after that first meeting to when Sharon and Patrick found themselves single at the same time, and a relationship was born. "Rachel thought it was hilarious, but she gave us her blessing," says Sharon. Not wanting to wait much longer, Patrick proposed a few months later on the beach beneath a full sky of stars.
If you would like to see more of the wedding, click here.
The Bride: Sharon Gonzalez, 32, director of project management
The Groom: Patrick Gonzales, 30, senior developer
The Date: March 16
Before their three-year engagement and four-month, long-distance courtship, Sharon and Patrick's first relationship challenge was probably the most meaningful: Patrick's sister, Rachel, had to approve. The two first met while Rachel was visiting her friend Sharon in New York. Because Patrick went to school at NYU, the trio would often hang out together. Fast-forward six years after that first meeting to when Sharon and Patrick found themselves single at the same time, and a relationship was born. "Rachel thought it was hilarious, but she gave us her blessing," says Sharon. Not wanting to wait much longer, Patrick proposed a few months later on the beach beneath a full sky of stars.
Posted at 12:07 AM
Sun - October 29, 2006
Kodak ProPass Magazine
From time to time I am asked if i shoot film or
digital. Of course, most of you know that I am 100% digital. I made the switch
about five years ago. Taking the plunge from Hasselblad to Cannon. It was big
step and I have never regretted doing so. Kodak ProPass Magazine approached me a
couple of months ago about the use of digital and creating a niche that was
right for me. My sponsor Bay Photo Lab have been printing my work on Kodak paper
for years. I love getting the rich skin tones and consistency in all of my
prints. Here are is the article. It was a pleasure to be featured along side of
my good friend Becky Burgin of the Art of Emotion.
It’s a great time to be a wedding photographer.
Today’s brides are more educated about
photography than ever before. Influenced by the many different styles they see
in the many different magazines they read – from classic to
photojournalistic to fashion inspired editorial photography – the last
thing they want is a replica of their parents’ staid wedding
album.
Of course, this means that finding your niche in the
marketplace is more important than ever. Which makes us wonder, in this new era
of endless possibility, how on earth do you decide which niche is right for
you?
Read on as we talk to Becky Burgin and Gene Higa, two
wedding photographers with completely different business models and artistic
styles.
One shoots film, the other uses digital. One is all
about romance and interaction, the other clean lines and bold passion. One
shoots primarily in Northern California. The other aims to shoot all over the
world.
And yet, as different as they are from each other,
they do have a commonality: They were both made for this work. And they’re
both wildly successful at what they do.
Ashish and Monica
My third day of shooting in India. We had some down time to create some beautiful bride and groom portraits. I used the light of the videographer’s camera. You would never guess, but we had about 500+ guests around us at the time. Captured digitally with a CANON 5D Camera, CANON 24-70 mm 2.8 L-series lens using black-and-white UV-Haze filter, f8 @ 1/40.
Mehndi
The art of Mehndi. Paste made of finely ground leaves of the henna plant. Temporary body art for the bride on her wedding day, it reflects the culture, good health and spiritual enlightenment. Captured digitally with a CANON 5D Camera and CANON 24-70 mm 2.8 L-series Lens using black-and-white UV-Haze filter, f8 @1/60, in natural lighting with -1 stop fill flash.
Swept Away
We had a few moments outside the church to create some bride and groom portraits. It being a sunny, windy day in San Francisco, I embraced it by shooting up into the sky and having the veil blow into the wind. This is one of a series of images created that day. Captured digitally with CANON 5D Camera and CANON 24-70 mm 2.8 L-series Lens using black-and-white UV-Haze filter, f8 @ 1/1000, in natural light.
Joseph
I saw this cross in the parking lot of the hotel on the first day we arrived in Ajijic, Mexico. It gave me nice clean lines and I loved the texture of the wall behind it. The color of the boutonniere matches the wall and the groom’s suit matched the cross and ground. It just worked. Captured digitally with CANON 5D Camera and CANON 24-70 mm 2.8 L-series Lens using black-and-white UV-Haze filter, f8 @ 1/250, in natural light.
Jim
With destination weddings, you want to incorporate the locations. In Greece it is very distinctive to have the blue domes on every church. I wanted to create a very strong image using the church as a background. This way there is no mistaking that we were in Greece. Captured digitally with CANON 5D Camera and CANON 24-70 mm 2.8 L-series Lens using black-and-white UV-Haze filter, f8 @1/800, in sunset lighting.
Sadie and Nowell
I headed down the hill with my bride and groom to get some of the hills of Tuscany, Italy in the background. We found a field filled with tall grass and the contrast of the blue sky made for a perfect backdrop. It gave us color and isolated the subjects. Captured digitally with a CANON 5D Camera, CANON 14 mm 2.8 L-series Lens using black-and-white UV-Haze filter at f16, in natural light.
Gene Higa: Destination Different
What sets Gene Higa apart is his style.
“My style and my personality,” he explains. “I see a lot of wedding photography with heart backgrounds, beach backgrounds. I’m going for something more contemporary, more edgy, more artistic. That’s the model of my business – dare to be different – that is my niche.”
Higa was an art history major in college,” he says. “I was going to sell paintings in Italy. I had learned about the Renaissance and that was where my passion was.”
Everything changed after his first photography class. A professor (who was a professional wedding photographer) pulled him aside and said he should do something with his photography. “He said that my work was really strong and that I had a good eye,” Higa recalls. “He took me under his wing. I started assisting for him, and did that all through college. And after college, I just went for it.”
Influenced both compositionally and emotionally by the Renaissance art he studied, Higa is drawn to people and faces. “I can develop very clean, strong portraiture in any given situation,” he says.
Whether it is a church, a garden, or city street, he tries to always use clean backgrounds, where there are lines or textures on the walls. “I like a lot of color and texture in my images,” he says. “I don’t like a lot of trees, I don’t like a lot of poles. But I do like to use architecture – meaning gates, doorways, walls, staircases. And I’m not afraid to use words in my backgrounds or signage. Basically, anywhere in the world I can find a clean line with bold colors.”
Not surprisingly, many of his clients are artists themselves who are looking for something very, very different in their wedding photography. “My brides are not afraid to get married in museums, or to be photographed inside a museum of art, or on the streets of San Francisco. I have brides doing their portraits in Millennium Park, which has huge pieces of art. And we’re incorporating that into their wedding photography.”
Posted at 10:50 AM
Wed - October 11, 2006
Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Magazine-Wedding in Peru
Earlier this year Ann
Hamilton and I headed over to Peru for a destination wedding. Nancy and Life'
would have the wedding of their dreams. I received a email from Destination Wedding and Honeymoons magazine
asking if I had weddings that I would like to have considered for the 2007
spring issue. So here is a sneek peek to what is to come. Get your copy when it
hits the stands in 2007. I have many more publication coming down the pike. I
will let you know when those hit the stands.
FYI for brides (past, present and future) If you are interested in having your wedding published, ask me for my submissions guidelines. Also any of my destination brides for 2007 interested in being on television, let me know.
FYI for brides (past, present and future) If you are interested in having your wedding published, ask me for my submissions guidelines. Also any of my destination brides for 2007 interested in being on television, let me know.
Posted at 08:58 PM
Tue - September 19, 2006
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Symphony opening night was a huge
hit. A couple of weeks back I teamed up with society photographer Drew Altizer
to photograph the event. Well, the shots went to print this morning so
check out to see who's who and what they were wearing. Go grab yourself a copy
of the San
Francisco Chronicle.
Posted at 02:01 PM