Over the last few weeks I have been confronted with a load of things I don't know how to deal with, so I've decided to answer these questions with butterflies! Not the butterflies you get in your tummy when you are nervous or excited, but what butterflies represent to me.

My whole life I have loved Butterflies! They have the most beautiful and quiet way of going through life. Life is always so busy, something happening every moment. We are all so noisy! We all get bombarded by noise all day, everyday. Whether it be the hum of a computer, clanking of keys on the keyboard, music playing, kids running around (and goodness knows how difficult it is to get them to be still for even a moment), washing machines, cars in the street, you name it...

Even our heads are filled with noisy thoughts... we never relax.

Just watch a butterfly! It's so quiet. I wish life could be quiet sometimes.

I always think of a butterfly when I'm doing a photo shoot.

I wear a butterfly ring and have butterfly tattoos on my body, not just because they are so pretty, but because of what they mean to me! They are forever changing.

I've been faced with having to decide on a style for my photography business... you know "branding".

You can't ask me this question... it's always changing. Sometimes I like quiet, pretty, uncomplicated pictures, other times I like dark, hard pictures. My personal photography style changes daily. People get confused by me and what my style is and what they can expect to get as a final result from a shoot, but it really depends on you! Are you fun, bubbly, outgoing? Or are you reserved, a bit quiet? Or are you loud and "in your Face"? There's your answer..... the shoot is about YOU after all. There's no point putting you in a field of daisies when you are into graffiti and heavy metal.

It's important to me to get to know my clients a little before doing a shoot with them. What do you like, what don't you like, what do you want from your pictures. It's also really great to do a small session before the actual shoot to get you relaxed in front of the camera and have a bit of fun.

So for now, consider my style "away with the butterflies"...
www.fernevansphotography.co.za

Photo industry mourns Kodak: Photographers, professionals and amateurs alike, are mourning the end of an era after Eastman Kodak filed for bankruptcy.

Dear Friends,

I have the need to express my opinion on a subject I am confronted with on a daily basis...

As some of you may know from following me on Facebook and Twitter, I have a tendency to rant and rave about the quality of photography swirling around. I hear it time and time again from people who have paid a small fortune to "just someone they found" on Wedding photography and been handed rubbish.

So I have compiled a short list of what I think a couple should look for when choosing a Photographer for their special day.

These days it is so easy for a person to buy an expensive camera and suddenly, miraculously, out of nowhere, they are a "photographer". Sure, companies have made it dummy friendly by creating amazing equipment that virtually does everything for you and all you really have to do is to press a button, but what happened to the art that once only a few dedicated, talented, experienced and educated people created.

I have a LOT to learn and spend a large amount of my time educating myself on the true "ART" of Photography and practising at every available opportunity, and will continue to do so for as long as possible. Photography is my passion!

OK, enough ranting...

1. We all know of at least one person who is married and went through the process of finding a photographer for their Wedding day, so I would suggest getting recommendations from as many people as you can. You will soon find out who NOT to use...

2. With the Internet these days it is so easy to find anything you need. So, spend some time going through online galleries and portfolios of photographers in your area. This will also give you an idea of what style of photography you like and what sort of prices you can expect to pay. If the photographer doesn't have an online portfolio, contact them to view it. Make sure you like what they have to offer.

3. A Wedding in general can cost a small fortune, everything from the Wedding Dress, to flowers, catering and everything in between... this includes your Photographer! It's really important to look at a Photographers portfolio and compare it to the price. Bigger is not always better...

4. Meet with your photographer at least once and have a few examples of what you'd like handy so they can get a better idea of what it is you want out of your photographs. Also remember that the Wedding Photographer is a professional and will advise you on the best way of doing things.

There you have it...

I hope this insert has been helpful

Fern xx
www.fernevansphotography.co.za