I really wish I can release all the weddings and shoots that I’ve shot but that is not possible as I’ve done some celebrities as well as clients that are a bit private and prefer their images not online. I therefore have to respect their requests for privacy and not display them. I however have a few to display so stay tuned.

At the sound of celebrities I can imagine enquiring minds wanting to know which celebrity. I can’t give away much but I’ll  just say that it is a very famous player of AC Milan and his entire family. He’s a cool cat, they’ve enjoyed the photography and we’ve all had a blast. That’s as much info, I could/would disclose.

I will be releasing a few shoots within the next few days so stay tuned and come back often.

Regards,

Bryan Morris

As you can see from a few weeks ago, we’ve purchased a dog, a dog that needs lots of exercise. We’ve chosen to almost on a daily basis walk the dog and that usually happens on the Eagle Beach.

A few days ago my wife and sons walked ahead as my daughter and I ventured into picking up cigarette stubs on the beach. It was not even ten minutes and it was not a thorough attempt, if it was we would’ve still been there around the clock picking up stubs.

These were picked up between MVCI (Not Marriott Vacation Club) and Oceania on the Eagle Beach.

Now, I don’t point fingers at visitors or locals but I do address the smokers. Please don’t smoke on the beaches or if you do so figure out a way to have a windproof ashtray. You know what, don’t complicate your life nor mine nor my children’s children.
DON’T SMOKE ON THE BEACH!

If this continue and we don’t do anything, could you imagine what would happen?

See what was collected in under 10 minutes.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Last year, I’ve started out about, insanity. I was determined to do things differently in order to expect different results. I’ve had a few areas of my life that I was going to tackle and one of them was surely my weight. I must say that I’ve succeeded in this area greatly and I’ve lost a considerable amount of weight. I’m now down to a size 33 waist from a tight/uncomfortable 42 heading to 44. I’m still not where I want to be but I’ve made strides into the right direction and I certainly will not give up now.

My thought for this year is to not give up. You may have been having a dream for some years and you still don’t see it come to fruition. I want you to examine yourself and see if you’ve done all that there is to do to accomplish this dream. This thought dawned on me after following the American presidential campaign these last couple of months.

I don’t know much personally about the now President Barack Obama, I’m still to read his books. I must say though I’ve become a fan of his. My admiration is not in accordance with his political objective but more so with his determination. I can imagine the numerous obstacles, skeptics, not to mention his greatest in a me (Inner voice) that he’s had to overcome before getting to where he is today. It shows me that hard work, determination and will power will always make your dream come true. President Obama could’ve been a cop out like most of us are when we face opposition but he chose to press on and today he’s arrived, despite the obstacles, despite what skeptics said, despite what his inner voice told him time and time again.

I’ve studied his name a little and it means “a gleam” as in a gleam of light in darkness. This is the exact impact his story has had on my own life. It has given me hope in a dark season. The dark season that I’m referring to is certainly not the economy as I don’t view President Obama to be my source. The dark season that I’m alluding to is the many plans and ideas that I’ve been working on for years and I still don’t see them coming to materialization. That would discourage anyone and cause them to give in to the many obstacles that come up against them. I must admit, I’m not a weak person, so I haven’t given up, I however wasn’t pressing on with the necessary clout to bring things to pass. His story was a real boost to me; it jolted me back into position to pursue my goals with the same tenacity that I once had.

My message to you this year is to not give up. Winner’s never quit, quitters never win. Just keep that ambition high amidst the many obstacles, cynics, skeptics and your biggest enemy in a me. Start to relive a purposeful life and revitalize all those dreams and ambitions you once had.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

What is the missing vendor phenomenon?

This is the phenomenon where you’ve booked your wedding date, pay your deposits and coming closer to your wedding day your vendor is gone with the wind. The business could not have withstand the pressures of the fallen economy and it folds.

I’ve haven’t been posting for quite some time now and I’m like OMG, people might be thinking that I’ve packep up and run. So I ‘ve decided that I had to make a post today to let you know that I’m still here, busy but still here. Besides I’ve been in contact behind the scenes with my 2009 brides and those 2008 brides that placed orders for the holidays.

Savvy business practices dictate that business owners should be aware of the ebb and flow of the economy especially this ebb as this was destined to happen. There was no need of a crystal ball for this one.

I’ll be posting my last wedding soon, maybe today or tomorrow latest so swing on by within a few hours.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

I’m convinced that the general public enjoy my work. I’m pleased to know, the blood, sweat and tears that go into my photography is somewhat appreciated.

I’m continually contacted by engaged couples, either the man or the woman. I try to respond within 24 hours and usually much earlier. Upon responding they seem to fall off the face of the earth.

I’ve realised that the reason that they “Fall of the face of the earth” is that my prices are higher than the general public. The reason for my prices being the way they are can be read here and here.

The local wedding industry is pretty much cookie cutter where pricing and execution is concerned and they only promote bargain photography. Therefore I’m very often contacted with a hypothesis and when the couple realize I’m not cookie cutter they fall off the face of the earth. I’ll be open and honest like I always am. This is ANNOYING.

Just respond and say ”Mr Morris, I would like to have you but you’re not in our budget”  I would certainly appreciate it or I can probably customize a package for you. I do this 9 out of 10 weddings or if I’m way above your budget I understand. I love a Bentley but can’t afford it. So I stay and admire it from a distance.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

In reference to photography, not only wedding photography, I present to you a website dedicated to the value of photography.

El Cheapo Photography

Browse through this website. You’ll find much information concerning the value of photography.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

I’m so excited for what’s in store for rest of the year as I’ll be working on launching a few new projects.

This month will be a pretty busy month for me I have a few weddings and a few portrait sessions.

As you know by now that I’ve quit shooting 1 hour weddings. Even if I’m offered $1000 to shoot those I wouldn’t do them anymore. I so strongly believe in being your historian and 1 hour at your beach ceremony does not do such an important day justice.

I haven’t blogged as good as I would’ve liked in July, I’ve had a couple of days drawing a blank. It didn’t go bad but I really had planned to do much better. I’ll however try for August.

Did You Know???????????

The reason for a non refundable retainer clause in the contract………..
Once I receive your non refundable retainer, I’m yours for that day. I wouldn’t be trying to book any other wedding on that day. So any business on that day would be denied once you’re booked. Weddings are usually booked, months and most cases years in advance. It would be difficult to impossible to fill the date if you cancel just a few months out.

I want to thank you, faithful blog stalkers for visiting regularly. Every now and again you may leave some blog love (Comments), we love those.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

How I’d Like To Be Kissed 

by Christine M. Koppa

I’ve had my fair share of kisses over the years. Some, I admit, were horrible, and included things like braces, corn-chip breath, and games of tonsil hockey. But there have been some pretty sweep-me-off-my-feet kisses too, like: kissing under a sky illuminated with fireworks, a grown-up-game of spin-the-bottle (please land on green eyes — yes!), and scandalous kisses that never should have happened but felt so good. It’s no wonder, of course, that my girlfriends and I want more of the latter than the former. So listen up, guys, for some advice. Here, eight women kiss and tell…

Make sure she’s willing
“First off, does the date merit a kiss? Am I engaged in conversation with you? Am I smiling? If things seem like a go, a first kiss should be very soft. Please, no tongue! Just kiss my lips with yours. Nip at my bottom lip — just slightly tug it. Don’t be like my last first date, who licked my teeth and got my hair caught in his college ring (come to think of it — never wear a college ring on a date).”
– Alexis Derano, editorial assistant

Brush up
“I think hygiene is key. Before you attempt to kiss me ask yourself: Does your breath smell like pepperoni pizza? I don’t care if we just dined in garlic heaven — a pack of gum or tin of Altoids cost around a buck. Both fit in your pocket. Puh-lease, have fresh breath. I keep Tic-Tacs on me at all times (hint, hint)! If we go back to your place to cuddle and watch a DVD, there is nothing sexier than a guy that excuses himself to the bathroom and emerges smelling like Crest. I once kissed a guy that tasted like tuna fish. We did not go on another date.”
– Donna Tice, accessories buyer

Ration the love
“A little goes a long way, boys! A little lip, a little tongue, a little caressing of my cheekbone. For starters, give me a quick, sexy sweep. Then retreat — do not shove your tongue into my mouth. What I want now are your lips. I want long, solid smooches. Next, pull away and hold the back of my head in your palm. Look into my eyes. I’ll reciprocate — trust me.”
– Kristina Katsulous, account executive

Sneak a peck
“When just getting to know a guy, I like it when he goes in but doesn’t make it to my lips and rather dots my cheek and lip with a long, sweet, I-know-I-like-you peck. Then he pulls away and I likely blush, which is a good sign. On our next formal date, I expect full lip-on-lip contact.”
– Tina Jackson, student

Kiss me in the theater
“Take me to the movies and kiss me (just sweet pecks) at really touching moments, like when the main guy and gal realize they’re meant to be or the puppy gets saved from a burning building. It shows me you’re sensitive and totally tuned into my girly feelings. I’ll kiss you when your team scores a basket — promise.”
– Rachelle King, sales associate

Watch the hands
“Do not take my hands and put them in inappropriate places on your body while we are sharing a kiss. If I like you, my hands will be caressing your brow or tucked under your collar. And I love it if your hands are resting on my hips, holding the back of my head, sweeping my cheek with a soft, open palm, or holding my hands (personal favorite). It ruins a kiss if you take your hands and go rushing to different places. If I like you… we’ll get there.
– Willow Roberts, photographer

Sweep her off her feet — literally
“This is a little cheesy, but I love Hollywood kisses. Completely, over-the-top, theatrical kisses. Hold me, dip me, kiss me. It shows me you love to have fun (like me), and it’s so romantic. Hollywood kisses are also a great distraction from petty arguments, by the way.”
– Laura Gowzen, personal trainer

Just do it!
“My best advice is so simple: Go for it. If you get that urge, and I don’t seem that into it, who cares? Maybe I’m just zoned out for some reason, or maybe I am into you and you just aren’t picking up on my very subtle vibes. I’ve been sneak-attacked a lot with a kiss, and nine times out of ten, it turns me on!”
– Jaz Valte, publicist

Christine M. Coppa has written for Glamour, Boston Home & Garden, In Touch, etc. She has to stand on her tip-toes to kiss her boyfriend… but isn’t complaining.

This is a very great article, I’ve really enjoyed reading it. I’ve concluded that my approach to kissing was being managed well. I therefore would like to share this approach with you.

My conclusion to this story is; everyone is wired differently. What rocks my world might turn you off. So when engaging in any sensual activity, make sure this topic is discussed and that you’re informed what to do and what not to do so you don’t end up looking like a total dunce. 

Especially for the guys, but not limited to guys, our date or partner expect us to know what to do without telling us what to do. Make it your business to discuss it before hand and you should be good. If it’s a date you have to be certain where your evening is headed before you strike up the conversation though, or you might just end the night prematurely.

Communication is the key!

Bryan Morris

The very first church in Aruba, built upon the Catholic belief. Built by the Spaniards and the remaining Indians on the island. The religion was introduced by the Spaniards.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

However very little information is given about what wedding photography entails.

Many brides contact me concerning wedding photography and when they receive a pricelist, it would appear that the rapture has taken place. No more communication. The cause of this behavior is simple; they don’t have a clue what wedding photography entails. This information is not readily accessible to them or to anyone for that matter, therefore, my attempt to educate the general public on this subject.

“A professional makes his work look “easy”

This quote is so true, as to many people they see a photographer show up to an event with a “Big” camera for 5-10 hours (depending on the length of their contract) and walk away with a big bundle of cash. I’m afraid to disappoint you, but this is as counterfactual as this thought can get.

Granted, there are photographers who take this approach. They show up to the wedding ,photograph the wedding during the contracted time and later deliver a CD with the images to the wedding couple; happy as a clam, with their full payment in hand for a job hopefully well done.

This approach is good if you’re the do it yourselfer kind of bride or groom or if you’re the experienced photo enthusiast, or better yet, the seasoned pro that has all the vendor relationships needed to pull of such a project.

If you fall in any of these categories you’ll be safe but if you don’t there’s a downside to all of this.

Do you know of a professional lab that can treat your images with all the care and respect it deserves? What about high quality album manufacturers? Many of them will only work with professional photographers. Think about it for a little, these are images that you’ve just paid hard earned money for. So where would you go to print your images? Wal-Mart, Costco?

In this case, the photographers never study the images to know if he’s a good photographer or a bad one. He’ll never know what he’s doing wrong or what facet of photography he dominates, as most times he’s off to another wedding. His approach to business is that his gain is in numbers so he has limited time to study his work.

So if this is generally not Wedding Photography, then what is?

The myth of the magic Camera

The thought: “If I have a camera just like X, I’ll be able to photograph just as well as him”

The assumption is that it is the camera that does the job. The photographer simply holds the camera to his eyes. Apply pressure to a button and Voila – Instant beautiful portrait or a prizewinning story telling candid.

Everyone is happy, life is great.

Or is it?

I own a Kitchen Aid 600 Professional Series mixer. Well not me, my wife. I know how to turn it on and off I have access to a gazillion recipe. Does that make me a pastry chef? Although I enjoy cooking and I’m pretty good at it. Does that make me a gourmet chef?

Analogous to my description, no matter how much you spend on expensive camera equipment it cannot do the work for you. The difference is the “man” behind the camera.

If I let you borrow my camera equipment would you take on the responsibility to cover one of the most important days in someone’s life?

So think clearly and carefully when you are tempted by the photo enthusiast in your family who offers you their services as a wedding photographer. If you care about your pictures, politely tell them that you would be happy to have them take extra candids, but that you will be hiring a professional for the wedding and you would prefer they simply enjoy the days as a guest who is free of pressure and can put down the camera and dance, if they choose.

Besides, I know of too many disappointed brides wishing they can reconstruct their wedding day adding the same attribute that they turned down, photography. It’s simple; you get what you pay for.

In wedding preparation there are a few things that one should never be thrifty about, and photography is certainly one of those things.

I always inform my potential clients that your wedding images, besides your rings, if you don’t lose them or are destroyed, are the only tangible memories of your wedding day. Your cake is eaten, your dress most likely would never be worn again, your band pack up and leave, your flowers wilt and I can go on and on, but you get the message.

I’m like a historian at your wedding. I provide the memories for that great day 10, 15, 20 years after the wedding, sitting around the kitchen table reminiscing your wedding day with your offspring. We are all aware that we would not remember every detail of the wedding, having the images (album) to assist makes it very pleasurable.

The attributes of a professional

A professional cares about your final product, therefore strive to satisfy.

Typical years of experience back the work. Trial error sweat and darn well sure tears.
A lot of hours of learning and experimenting often trail a professional by the time you meet him.

I’ve received my first camera at the age of 9, I can remember shooting up the neighborhood.

That was still in the film era. In my teens I’ve laid the camera to rest and in my early 20’s I’ve picked up photography again and had been shooting since with a short interval due to a fulltime career. This goes to show how long I’ve been at it before really establishing a business that is to date almost 5 years.

You are paying for much than a few hours of photography.

You are paying for the peace of mind that comes with hiring a responsible professional.

Following is a few pointers you should consider when looking for a photographer.

A Professional should:

• Have knowledge of their equipment and ability to utilize it without having to think.
• Have invested in not only one camera (and in professional digital cameras cost upwards of $4000 each) but at the least two or more, so that in the case of a breakdown – they can proceed without any cares that they might miss anything on your wedding day. It has happened to me that one of my bodies went bad during a ceremony and I’ve heard of other photographers who carry 4 bodies that had all 4 bodies went bad during 1 wedding. So having backup is a good thing!
• Have established a relationship with high quality reputable service providers to handle their image printing and album manufacture. If they do it themselves they must be accomplished printers and album creators, made evident by the sample of their work.
• Be well versed in photographic theory, and comfortable working under different lighting conditions.
• Be able to oversee the entire event and anticipate their actions to capture great candid moments.
• Be able to work with groups of people to create great formals that don’t even look like formals.
• Have excellent people skills and get along with all ages and walks of life. No matter their race, creed or sexual orientation.
• Have a properly registered business. They are not a fly by night operation that can fold and disappear tomorrow and leave you with no pictures. No “make checks out to cash” or “cash only” policies.
• Have the business sense for creating high quality work, fulfilling orders quickly and handling any errors or problems, should they occur.
• Have documents and contracts that clearly state the terms of their work and what you’re entitled to when you pay for their services. You want to be fully educated and don’t want any surprises when placing your album or print order.
• Have tight and high standards for their work, which you should’ve observed for yourself in the quality of the work presented to you before you booked.
• Be organized and prepared for their jobs. Ready and willing to work and leaving personal issues aside.
• Be highly familiar with the medium used to capture images, be it film or digital, to understand its nuances, strengths, weaknesses and quirks.
• Have the ability to get shots that are consistently better than the friend who offered to photograph your wedding for you in the first place!
• Deliver what they promise when they promise it!

Finally, you should enjoy their personality and their work; this is an important day.

Your ultimate goal is having an awesome final product, be it prints, albums or slideshows, getting along well with your photographer will definitely help accomplish this.

Part of what you are paying is time and effort this professional has put into learning this craft, as well as the business side of life. After all this is a business venture. You want to know they can handle a business and money responsibly.

But what else are you paying for?

The Cost Of Doing Business.

Though there are hundreds or even thousands in Aruba and probably millions of self-employed individuals all over the world, there are many who are not self-employed and do not have the information regarding what it takes to run a business – both in time and money.
A business requires a number of basic items, including (but not necessarily limited to):

• A location. Even if a home, rent or mortgage has to be paid.
• Phone service. You want to be able to talk to them ……..
• A web site. This is now more than ever a requirement for modern brides and grooms when reviewing photographers.
• Administrative supplies. Paper, pens, envelopes, computers, printers, desks, filing cabinets, shelves and the myriad supplies needed to keep the blood of an organization flowing and its products moving.
• Production supplies. Cameras, lenses, flashes, camera bags, tripods, light meters etc…..
• For the digital photographer, software for handling digital images. Possibly high quality printers for printing their own work. Memory cards for storing images. CD’s, DVD’s and extra hard drives for backups. Lab costs. Album manufacture costs.
• Marketing; Literature with information about their business that clearly explains who they are, their services, their products and their prices. Sample albums, example prints. Magazine & Web advertisements. Wedding & Bridal Shows. Search Engine Optimization for your website.
• Educational costs. Conferences and conventions. Seminars. Books and magazines. A professional should always be looking to learn more about their craft,to improve or expand it.
• Insurance, for equipment, for liability, for errors and omissions.
• Employee payroll and taxes and oooh yeah, taxes!
• Automotive costs. Insurance, maintenance costs, gas. I’m not too sure if I show up to your wedding like Jesus……
• All of the other costs that go into living in this modern day society.

To some small degree, the money you are paying a professional goes towards each of those items. They are needed to keep a business running.

There are still additional expenses for a photographer that wants to set himself apart from the pack.
While you do not want to be gouged by a photographer, they can’t give away their work, if they expect to remain in business (and how can you come back to them to do adorable images of your children if they do not remain in business?)

At this point, you then must ask yourself, “Do I want to work with a photographer who charges only a little and must do many weddings to even survive –therefore leaving little time they can dedicate to each wedding? Or do I want to work with someone who dedicates more time and energy so that each and every wedding is fully serviced and receives the highest possible prints & albums, but costs more?”

The answer to that question lies in the answer to this question:

How important are your wedding pictures?

This is not meant to suggest that photographers doing more weddings a year are not quality and service oriented. However, the laws of this universe are generally agreed to hold that there are only so many hours in the day and that a person can only be in one location at a time (I’m still working on violating those laws …) something has to give.

A look at a photographer’s work will tell you if quality has been sacrificed in order to keep price down.
If the work is acceptable to you and the price is right, book them!

In the automotive field it is generally understood that a BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar or Lexus mean higher quality, better craftsmanship, and greater attention to detail, better handling and speed.

But not everyone wants a BMW or Lexus.

Similarly, there are people who do not consider their wedding photographs very important and therefore do not consider the work of a higher priced photographer worth the extra money.
It’s all a matter of perspective and individual priorities.

Personally, I consider photographs very important and work to create the best images I can whenever I pick up a camera. Likewise, I want to work with a bride and groom who consider their wedding images important and worthy of a great degree of attention and dedication.

OK, so you are paying for experience, a sound business and the costs of keeping a business running.

But what really goes into your wedding?

The Work of a Professional

A great deal of planning and preparation goes into a wedding. And I don’t mean for the bride & groom!
As a professional, there is so much more than just the wedding day photography.

First there’s the consultation.

This varies depending on the situation of the photographer, studio or home based.

A studio based photographer can be met in his studio. The consultation might be an hour or two.

For a home based photographer, they may have to travel to visit you. Travel time added to the consultation can easily be an hour or two depending on the distance he has to travel, time of day, weather conditions, traffic, etc. Additionally that travel time means lost work time completing tasks for other clients.

The consultation requires having materials to hand that can properly educate the client regarding services offered, the terms and conditions and the costs associated. Sample images and sample albums so that you can see the quality of the photography first hand.
Time for photographer: 3 hours

Subsequent to signing of contracts is a period of silence. Depending on the package chosen you may have an engagement session and or a day after session included. If this is a location sitting, this generally is the case, there is at least an our travel time, an hour or so for the shoot, travel back, preparation of the final images for printing, getting the images to the lab, delivering to you.
Time for photographer: 8 hours

Upon getting to the island, the time has come to meet with the photographer to discuss any last minute plans for the wedding, or any details that have been nailed down since you first met or spoken. This is a great time to go over any specific shots that are important to you and which your photographer should look out for.
Time for photographer: 2 hours

Attending the rehearsal dinner is a great idea, to acquaint oneself with the order of the wedding, where guests and other important people of the wedding would be entering, sees the timing of the entrance and to make a final check making sure that there would be nothing obstructing from getting the shot. Or if there are to make sure they’re aware of them. This is also a great to meet the family and friends that I will be working with the following day.
Time for photographer: 2-3 hours

Pre wedding night is the night that the photographer puts together all the equipment needed for the following day-Lenses, Cameras, Batteries, CF Cards, Flashes, Tripods, Monopods, Light stands, Reflectors, Laptops etc. They must all be checked to make sure they are ready to go.
Time for photographer: 1-2 hours

So even before the wedding day, the photographer has already worked 19 hours on your wedding. One the wedding day is the real test of your photographer’s abilities comes into play.

There are a varying amount of hours (depending on your contract) of photography in multiple locations under a mixed bag of lighting conditions e.g. Indoors in lowlight, outdoors in harsh sun or deep shade, dappled light under a tree, tungsten, fluorescent. Your photographer will be photographing individuals and groups. Sober people, inebriated people, people who love having their pictures taken and people who don’t, Infants and toddlers, teens, adults and elderly family and friends. Also on his list to capture are images of preparations, the ceremony and reception, details of the event. Each of which collectively would serve to share the story of the day.
Time for photographer (including travel and arriving early, which is always brilliant): 8-10 hours

After the wedding, there is the preparation of proofs. Depending on the style and the medium to capture, there can be anywhere from a couple of hundreds to 2500 images to go through.
I personally shoot an average of 200 images an hour resulting in 500-700 proofs. The amount increases by the hour. The images need to be prepared for viewing. I do my general magic with them choosing from a variety of software. Though they would not represent the final quality but I must admit that they’ll be very close. Creating multiple format DVD backups and taking them off property to storage.
Time for photographer: 8 -10 hours

Album Design-This is the next long stretch. The length depends on the intricacy of the design, the number of images and pages. Added to that would be time allocated to proofing and possible adjustments.
Time for photographer: 8-10 hours

Lab and album ordering, etc
After receiving the print order, Images have to be edited in order to place the print order. Besides the digital prepping of the images there’s also administrative tasks associated with your wedding.
Time for photographer: 5 hours

Album and print delivery-These are carefully packed and shipped by my lab, I’m charged extra for their time and care. No time is spent by me doing this but I however would have to pay extra for the service.

So there we go, this pretty much sums up the flow of an entire wedding. Prior to the wedding we had a total of 19 hours invested in the wedding. After the wedding an additional 35 hours is allocated to the wedding so we can have anywhere in and around 55 hours expended on a wedding. Then add in the time of the assistant (if any) spends at your wedding. Material costs for printing of your prints or album manufacture etc…..