Back from visiting Imaging USA 2012 – New Orleans

The New Year has come and do you know what that means? I headed down to New Orleans for Imaging USA 2012. It ran from January 15-17 and included close to 100 speakers this year. I have just gotten back from the expo and I must say; this year was absolutely amazing!

With so many classes and different vendors, this is truly a photographers dream come true. This is a perfect melting pot to make connections and build a rapport with buyers and suppliers. Not only can one boost their business and get their name out there, they can learn so much as well. At this convention you have opportunity to see different products, demos, and best of all; be a part of the largest international photo exhibits known to man! 

I am also excited to announce the new products that will be introduced this year by Atika Studios, which include unique pieces that were imported exclusively from Europe. Along with these pieces, we will be introducing brand new styles of master albums with beautiful and extremely unique cover options.

Photo Courtesy of Imaging USA Website

What blushing bride wouldn’t want to brand their very own wedding display products? It is a new and innovative way to allow each bride to create their own memorable and choice products which will be unique to what other brides and photographers have. Can’t wait to get this going and I look forward to what the New Year will bring!

Proper Photography Styles – achieved thru us!

There are many different styles of wedding photography and the type that a bride chooses is completely up to her. Many brides are will already have a preference going into the planning of their wedding day but if one is unsure it is a good idea to look at a variety of examples. The choice is based on personal preference as well as their personality, their knowledge of photography and the type of pictures that they enjoy seeing. Although photographers may focus specifically on one style many photographers such as with Atika Studios will have a knowledge and ability to produce photographs of all the different styles. It is important to find a photographer that the bride connects with and who shares the vision for the wedding photographs. We at Atika Studios make that easy for every Bride & Groom.

There are three main styles of wedding photography and they include illustrative wedding photography, documentary style photography and traditional wedding photography. Each style can create a magnificent set of printed memories and the choice should be based on preference. Documentary style wedding photography can be most closely linked to a photojournalistic approach to covering the bride’s special day. It usually has a ‘behind the scenes’ feel to it as the photographs are usually not posed, but instead taken as if the subject didn’t know the photographer is there, such are the case with Atika Studios skilled photographers and photos showcased in this post. It can include candid photos with the behind the scenes look and a realistic depiction of how the day went from the beginning to the end. Well many people appreciate the documentary style photography of weddings some brides find the candid shots are not their style.

Traditional wedding style photography is a popular choice among brides because it has been some of the most common used in the past. When thinking about traditional wedding photography style many people think of posed pictures that are great to display. This includes the normal bridal and groom portraits, bridesmaid and groomsmen pictures and posed family portraits. Every photographer will utilize some aspects of “traditional” or “classic” wedding style photography. It is a great way to commemorate all of the people who joined together to celebrate the marriage. While this style is used very commonly, many photographers will use aspects of this style combined with other styles.

Illustrative style wedding photography is a good combination of both documentary and traditional. The goal of illustrative style wedding shots is to get the whole day captured within a set of photos. Using both posed pictures and candid pictures to visually illustrate the day and the emotional journey of the wedding ceremony and reception. It allows the photographer to utilize the creativity as well as satisfy the bride’s wedding shot checklist in a way that isn’t over posed, and has captured the real emotion of the day. The illustrative style of wedding photography is great when creating a photo storybook of the wedding, and also provides the bride and family with wonderful pictures to display and cherish. There is no one style of wedding photography that is better than another style, it is simply up to the bride and groom to decide their preference.

Taking Great Wedding Photos with Atika Studios

For a bride, their wedding day is the most special and important day of their life so far. It is filled with so many emotions and special moments that it is even a little overwhelming. Every bride will attest to having a little anxiety during their special day, thinking about all the details they have worked so hard to plan. One of the most important parts for many brides is the wedding photography. Wedding photos will forever be displayed in the couple’s new home, and the homes of their families. There are a number of different ways that brides and grooms can stress a little less about how their photographs will turn out. When Atika Studios is present you can leave the stress to us. Skilled photographers & Videographers by Atika Studios will have their best every single time.

One of the best tips for taking great wedding photos is to be prepared and know which shots one wants the photographer to capture. If there has been communication with the photographer before the big day, everything will go more smoothly, and the lack of stress will be visible in the pictures. It is important to remember how joyous the day is while taking pictures, because a stressed out bride will show in the photographs. Take a deep breath before starting and relax. Another tip is to always listen to the photographer’s instructions and suggestions. They are professionals and most likely have done many weddings before. The tips they give you will help produce stunning photographs.

As a bride there are many little things that one can do to improve the look of their posed pictures such as bridal portraits as well as the posed bride and groom shots. When posing for pictures, think about your smile in the back of your mind. Relax your face and smile naturally, if you are getting to the point when you feel the smile becoming fake or looking forced, ask the photographer for a brief break and take a second to breathe. The day can be overwhelming and you do not want it to show in the photographs. Another tip is to be aware of the angle of your head. Different angles will accent your face in a different way. Tilting your head at a small angle and keeping your chin raised slightly will help accent your jaw line and put your face in a better light.

When it comes to the candid photographs being taken by the photographer there are a couple tips to help you out. First of all and most importantly, when not posing, let yourself become immersed in what is going on around you. Enjoying yourself will show through the photographs, and there is nothing comparable to a photograph that displays pure joy, excitement or love. It is these special photographs that will commemorate the day in a way that posed photographs will not be able to.

Important Wedding Photos – From the eyes of a Photographer

A bride’s wedding day is a day she is going to want to remember for the rest of her life. It is a day filled with joyous moments and an endless amount of photo ops. One of the most important behind the scenes part of the wedding is the photographer and the pictures he or she takes to capture the special day. Pictures are a way to relive the day for the rest of the couple’s life. With just one glance they can bring back all those joyful memories that were experienced on such a special occasion. It is because of this that it is a good idea to think ahead when it comes to photography.

Different wedding photographers will approach picture taking in different ways. It is important that the bride has a good idea of what pictures she wants taken. This could include any posed family photos or being sure to have photographer present during important and special moments such as the bouquet toss or the father daughter dance. Every bride is different, and she may want different moments of her day to be focused more heavily on certain events versus others. Creating a list of different photographs the bride wants to get is a good way of not missing out on any of you special moments.

There are number of common wedding shots that most brides are looking for. The first types of shots are still photography shots of the items involved in the wedding such as the rings or clothing. It is coming to get a picture of each ring individually as well as both of the rings together. Photographers can find a very artistic way of displaying the rings and the unity that they represent. Other important still life photographs include multiple photographs of the bride’s gown, as well as her shoes and possibly any jewelry that is meaningful to her.

When it comes to action shots of the day’s events many brides will have the photographer arrive as they begin to prepare their hair and make-up.  These pictures are taken so that a timeline of the day can be shown from beginning to end. Pictures during the “getting ready” stage include doing makeup in front of the mirror or having your hair being fixed. It is great to get a picture of the bridesmaids around helping the bride prepare. Depending on the amount of photographers involved in the wedding pictures of the groom and the groomsmen getting ready may also be taken. Other important pre-ceremony wedding shots include the bride helping flower girls, talking to parents and putting the dress on.

All photographers will take a large amount of pictures during the ceremony. Some important pictures include the guests arriving, groomsmen escorting guests to their seats, as well as the bride getting ready to walk down the aisle. As the ceremony proceeds most wedding photographers will get every part of the ceremony from a number of different angles. After the ceremony it is a good idea to have a list prepared of the different family portraits wishing to be taken. This will make the process easier.

The creativity with “Save the Date” Cards

After you get engaged you are filled with joy and overwhelmed with all sorts of decisions and details to begin to think about. From choosing a wedding date, to finding a photographer that fits your personal style, all of the choices can become overwhelming. The first and one of the most important decisions to be made is when your wedding will be held. Most of the details to choose are dependent on the date of the wedding and once this date is set the other decisions can be made.

When planning a wedding it is important to get the word out in a timely manner as to provide guests with ample time to plan on attending your special day. The best way to go about this is to send out ‘Save the Date’ cards upon choosing the wedding date. Save the date cards are used to notify the invited guests about when the wedding date is so that they will have enough time to plan accordingly. Save the date cards are especially important if many of the wedding guests are coming in from out of town and need to arrange travel and hotel accommodations. Save the date cards are usually sent out between 3 and 7 months before the wedding invitations are received.

Save the date cards are an inexpensive way to spread the joy of your engagement and can be customized to suit your personal style. A great way to customize a save the date card is by adding engagement photographs. In many cases wedding photographers and videographers, such as Atika Studios (http://atikastudios.minted.com), will create custom save the date cards with pictures from your engagement photo session. This is a great way to specialize your save the date cards, as well as letting your wedding photographer get to know your style and vibe.

Save the Date cards not only help guests to plan ahead, but they add a special aspect to the whole process. For many couples, extended family or family friends might not have had a chance to meet your fiancé. Akita Studios features a variety of very creative save the date cards that allow for space to explain how you met, or cute antidotes to give the guests an impression of your husband or bride to be. With save the date cards you are not only sending out a note saying when the wedding is, but you are creating something that will be treasured by family and friends.

Save the date cards are very reasonably priced, and when ordered through your wedding photographer you can get a great deal. Atika Studios provides it’s couples with 50 free save the date cards when they choose their complete package. This includes wedding and reception coverage as well as a photo album.

Place Your Memories in a Digital Album by Atika Studios

Atika Studios is proud to announce our new Digital Album which is now available for all of our clients! Not only can you showcase your wedding through digital photos, but you can also watch videos from your wedding as well. Enjoy your photos and videos all in one convenient place!

This all-in-one album is custom designed specifically to you and your special occasion. The layouts will perfectly fit your iPad (1 or 2), and the cover will also be designed to your liking. It will compliment whatever style album you desire.

Once you have made your request for a Digital Album, you will have your new album within just 20 days! The price per album starts at just $250.00.

Hand tailored perfectly for you, place all your wedding memories in one place; a Digital Photo Album by Atika Studios.

Choosing the Ideal Photographer

When it comes to choosing the right photographer you will have many options. The best way to sort out which one will be ideal to cover your event will be to consider a few points. Think about all you want captured, if the photographer can make the most out of every shot, and more. Here are a few questions to think about before making your choice.

Will they capture the moment in its truest form?

A good photographer will be able to capture the feelings of the event through their lens. You will want to browse samples of potential photographers or studios to see if they indeed do this. Take this picture for example:

You can feel the happiness and joy of the bride, groom, and guests. The moment has been successfully captured so that when the photo is observed months or years later, the individuals will be taken back to that very endearing moment.

Will the photographer be able to make the most out of every picture? Will they be able to take pictures and make them look the very best?

A photographer should have an eye for what works. With that being said, they will be able to take something so simple and enhance its beauty. Take this picture for example:

The person behind the camera, because of their artist talent, was able to take something so simple as a table with plates and chairs, to create a beautiful photograph. The most out of every picture is not something that can be done by just anyone which is why you will want a photographer that can successfully do this. They will have the ability to make everything look their best.

Is the photographer able to take photos that won’t require distractions from the event?

Some of the best pictures come from a photographer that doesn’t require individuals to stop, look at the camera, and smile. They should be able to observe the event and when something catches there eye, with a few clicks, they take a photo from afar and without having everyone stop what they are doing, and look over. In all honesty, many feel that this type of photographer is an annoyance because of the distraction it causes. Although to meet customer expectations, this will occur, the photographer should also have the ability to take photos without pulling or distracting individuals from the event. Let’s observe this next photo:

Here you can see the traditions were captured by the photographer without having to stop the event. A good photographer can and will do this.

So you see these are just some details you will want to consider when choosing a photographer. Since they are an artist, you should look at their previous artwork to determine if you would like to use their services. They should be able to find beauty in everything, display that beauty in the photograph taken, and in doing so, not be a distraction to the event.

Atika Studios – Expanding Our Services

We are pleased to introduce that Atika Studios will be opening up a second location in Milwaukee, WI. Currently servicing clients within the Chicago Metro area and surrounding suburbs, we are so thrilled to further our services to the consumers of our new location!

Just as the services we offer at our first location found in the Chicago area, this new location will offer you just the same.

These services include:

• Wedding Photo, Video, and Cinematic Solutions which happens to be our most popular offering by demand.
• Event Photo and Cinematic Solutions, also another consumer favorite.
• Music Video Production, and lastly, Modeling/Portfolio Building.

This newest addition will open come June of 2011, and will include five professional team Atika team members. Every single member of our team is a highly qualified professional and will provide you with outstanding quality!

With this new location brings greater benefit to you! This is because you will no longer need to pay additional travel charges for those who use our service within the Milwaukee Area. This also includes both the Racine and Kenosha Regions.

Regardless of where we are, we strive to provide the ultimate packages by basing them of off each client’s needs. Just as every event is unique, we are now able to customize our services for those surrounding the new location, without additional charges. We took your requests, and in return, will open a second location to satisfy those within this area.

Despite our two locations don’t forget the additional services we offer! We include a password-protected online viewing gallery at no cost. We offer services that can’t be found elsewhere which include free edits of photos, unlimited photographs during the event, portrait sessions both on and off-site, and more. We also offer specials such as out Free Love Story Video Shoot with our Cinematography and Photography Package.

Our goal is to take your memory and make it last forever! We proudly cater to your needs, and with the opening of our new location, we can now offer our distinct services to reach others that want the moment captured in a photo!

Atika Studios Proudly Affiliates with SEP & WPPI

Yes, we are now members of the prestigious two associations for photographers – SEP (Society of Sports and Events Photographers) and WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). Established to serve as guiding source to niche photographers, both associations have gone beyond that in helping photographers shoot better images.

This membership means a lot to Atika Studios. Firstly, because for the amazing resources we would be exposed to as members. Since we went professional just about a year ago, it is vital that we base our growth on strong foundation. Membership at these reputed and trusted associations means access to some of the best resources in event and wedding photography and a chance to further our company with the best of skills! We have been busy with some of the handsome Chicago weddings, modern portrait sessions of bride and groom, and other family photography to capture those beautiful moments. It is exciting to know that we would now be backed by more techniques and tricks that would help us shoot images even more stunning.

Also, with every passing day, we have been adding more photographers to our small little cult of passionate photographers, and hence, this membership comes as a great bonus for us. It is an amazing opportunity to learn and intensify our passion for this great art, called photography.

Secondly, both SEP and WPPI are powerful communities that expose us to not just photographers but everyone who love about photography. It would be interesting to meet like-minded people and of course, a wonderful opportunity to learn and unlearn some of our trades. The communities at these associations have proved to be excellent hives for knowledge and growth prospects and we are so ready to dive in to it.

Networking is essential for photographers especially for niche photographers who cover occasions like wedding. Not everyday one gets married and sometimes, those cocktail hours are far and in between. These vibrant communities help us move ahead in all seasons. In fact, these communities act as excellent forums to showcase a photographer’s work and an exhibition is always great news for people in our profession!

Atika Studios is thrilled to be part of these buzzing associations. We hope to make the best use of this association to keep building our dream – to produce images that tell stories.

The Story of a Wedding Shoe…

So you thought a wedding is only about the long veil of the beautiful bride or the perfect tux of the groom? We, at Atika Studios, do not think so.

Look at any wedding and you would realize that it is not just the big, overwhelming moments but the small sweet-nothings in-between that make wedding the big day.

Our photographers are in constant search of those small little things. In fact, we spend a good time trying to click them to perfection. Did you know there is a story behind every small decoration of a wedding? For instance, the perfect delicate bridal shoe that completes the breath-taking vision of the bride walking down the aisle? or the perfect seating plan to get your most loved ones closer to you when you say “I do”?

We all take pleasure and immense care to make every tiny arrangement of the wedding a thing of beauty. It is just our way to convey to the bride and the groom that we care…capturing it rightly and framing it forever is perhaps a touching gift to the ones who helped you enjoy your day better!

We present you some of those pictures here that meant a lot to the happy family…and a lot to us!