Build a Bear Party! from Michael Warf.

Here’s a small glimpse of some of the photos taken for Management Matters. If you are interested, more frames are available at www.lethbridge-photographer.com for you to get a sneak peek at before the magazine goes to print.

Brien and I travelled to Edmonton to create an engagement set for an old friend, and someone new! Jordan used to work for me at my past media company – devbox, and I was thrilled to find out he wanted us to share in his special day in 2010.

We met on a crazy windy day on the Strathcona tram, which allowed us some great vintage photo opportunities. It was the final run of the day, so the conductor gave us access to the tram station for a few minutes – I think they resulting photos turned out great! Throughout the day we explored some graffiti on Whyte Avenue, and slowly made our way to Rutherford house via my old haunt; the Sugar Bowl.

It was great to see my old stomping grounds again, and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding in 2010. This one will be special, as we are getting our first commercial opportunity to use the video side of our new gear, as well as play with some great HD stabilization equipment.

This great couple drove in from the Brooks, Alberta area to create an engagement session that reflected their love for rural roots.

As luck would have it, behind my house is a set of old farm buildings and abandoned vehicles. Derek was adamant that we choose a “Chevy” truck for the background (hate for Fords run deep?), and the rusted carcass left in the field gave great visual texture for their set. We chased the sunset to grab the last remaining bit of light for the day, resulting in warm, backlight images. Stay tuned for more of this couple as we shoot their wedding in 2010.

In attendance were many of Lethbridge’s photography community including Hope Litwin, Rod Leland & Cody Belter. I had my new Canon 7D with me and was able to shoot some random footage to get acquainted with the camera in a low light setting for video. Here’s the resulting clip:

Scenes from a tweetup from Michael Warf on Vimeo.

Taryn came to me after seeing Steph & Brad’s wedding photos, what a great referral! Taryn and Jon wanted to include their dogs (which are like family) into their engagement set, so we got a few shots with their mix of doberman, rottweiler and chihuahua brood (who were very well behaved for the camera). Kudos to both of them as they braved the chill of a Lethbridge October evening to get some great shots. They are such a great looking couple, and naturals in front of the lens, they made my job easy.

I was approached by local stylist Tanya Yancie early in the planning stages and helped corral a portion of the 15 photographers who donated their time to document the day via the Alberta Strobist group. Brio salon is beautifully modern, family owned and operated. I was pleasantly surprised at how such a visually stimulating place could lay inside an unassuming retail storefront on one of the busiest streets in Lethbridge.

Rather than take portraits for the kids, I took a documentary approach so Brio could have an album to share their contribution with the community. 200 kids were affected by the movement this year, and were sent home with many grooming supplies donated from local businesses. I feel strongly that this will be an annual event, and I can’t wait to help out next Summer to help kids feel great about themselves, and give them a fresh start for the coming school year.

I met Chris & Melissa less than 48 hours before their wedding. Their original photographer had to cancel at the last minute due to a family tragedy. News of their need for a replacement photographer spread like wildfire through the support of photographers in Lethbridge and the surrounding area, and ultimately Chris and Melissa put their trust in my work (simply through the website, before even meeting! Yikes!).

Upon meeting them both the next morning, it became very obvious that Chris was a lifetime football fan. I had scouted a local pond for wedding locations previously but really wanted to do something special for this couple to make their photos shine. I pulled a few strings with friends and within hours had security clearance to shoot at the new stadium, which is still under construction.

I don’t think this is the last time you’ll see this great location in Lethbridge wedding photos, but it feels great to be the first wedding shooter to be able to do so. I covered the morning makeup and hair sessions, while Kevin McCarthy – my second shooter who drove in from Calgary with 24 hours notice, covered the guys. The service was held at University Drive Alliance church, with a lovely reception in Coalhurst, Alberta.

Thanks for putting your trust in my photography guys, it was a pleasure to work with you both on your big day!

1. Two hour photo session with Michael & assistant in multiple locations in the Lethbridge area
2. DVD full of colour-corrected, print-ready image files in high resolution (poster size and smaller)
3. 12″ x 18″ print of your favourite photo from the session.

So put a pen to paper or start hammering those keyboards and let us know why you’d like an engagement session with Michael Warf Photographics, winners will be announced on this blog in just a few short weeks!

Original Email

Why do Lethbridge photographers seem to have so little creativity.  I see photos on a website then a month or so down the road other photographers have the exact photos on their site (different subjects, same concept).  Where is the creativity?

My Response

Hi Xxxx,
I think many photographers in Lethbridge are very creative, but let me give you my spin on things.

Wedding photography is very commercial, and most photographers branch out into one of three categories:

1. Traditional
2. Modern
3. Photojournalistic

Usually the bride sees a set of shots in a magazine or a style from another photographer and requests similar locations, poses, etc.

Most photographers try and put a personal spin in things, but in the end – it’s all about the client.

Another factor is trends in the industry. Most of us belong to WPPI, a national group of wedding photographers, and attend their conference. Too many return drinking the same kool-aid.

Other times, photographers will collaborate on the same shoot. I often second shoot for other photographers in town, and they for me. Both of us will post photos from the same wedding.

If you would like to evaluate the creative potential of a photographer, ask to see a wider portfolio to see work past the constraints of weddings. As an example, I shoot music, models and cars – none of which follow the wedding “formula”.

Most photographers would love to collaborate with a client on new and fresh concepts and styles. With risk comes reward, finding a client who will give the freedom to create is often a challenge.

Where does your comment stem from? Can I help at all?

M
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I think this sender makes some valid arguments that relate to other discussions we’ve been having in the industry as of late. The current economic situation is generating many new and part-time photographers into the market, trying to supplement their income, or generate a career change. This flood of new talent is bringing varying degrees of quality into the market, and the common reference for the majority of them is the portfolios of other photographers.

With many new photographers chasing quick dollars, emulating the style of other photographers, and generating a similar post production look – with just a few clicks in Photoshop (many photographers use Photoshop “actions” or recorded moves by more experienced hands to generate certain tones, textures or other visual styles) the landscape is too “watered down”. The overuse of these “actions” and “me too” poses, backgrounds and compositions tends to make things quite generic. If creativity truly is “the art of concealing your sources” – the internet is making things harder to hide.

A wedding photographer is a special breed, she is one part counsellor, photographer, project manager, technician and salesperson. The pressures of the wedding day bring out the best (and the worst) in a photographer, and those who can handle the heat excel over the long term. Some argue that the intensity of the wedding day, and the risk of experimental photography keep things looking the same.

I personally believe that if photographers stick to a consistent style, they will get work in that style – feeding more originality in the portfolio. Many discussions around locations, style and incorporating the personalities of your subjects into the resulting photos will keep things looking fresh, and let the new ones sort things out a level below.

What do you think?