11 Reasons to Use Simchavision for all your Weddings

1. Guaranteed lifetime prints.

2. We post process every individual picture for that extra color “pop”, photojournalistic black and white, or that “artsy” special treatment.

3. Online images that are password protected, for out-of-town guests.

4. DVD of images always available.

5. Never leave home. From UPS delivery, to online album selection, the only place you’ll need to be, is at the wedding (we’re working on that too).

6. Museum-quality enlargements.

7. Custom-designed albums representing traditional and modern looks.

8. Completely unobtrusive,  (discreet is our middle name)

9. Available for travel- farthest to date (Israel).

10. 20 Years experience.

11. 30 minutes or less for to get them in dancing, caterers love us, your guests love us, and you’ll love us.

Thoughts

Since the beginning of civilization, people have been making artistic representation of other people, that is, portraits.  Drawings in caves produced thousands of years ago show crude but sensitive paintings in rock.  The ancient Mesopotamians gave us the first “civilized” types of portraiture in unique stone personifications of faces.  The depiction of the face as a realistic personage began as an art form.  From the images of kings and queens through the commissioned paintings of the Renaissance period to modern photography, portrait art has developed into an intimate, personalized interaction between creator and subject.  The long and often repeated sittings for painters have now been replaced by the quick, high-intensity exchange of the photo session.  We produce about 35% of the wedding pictures before the invited guests arrive. In most cases, I will not have met the bride or groom before now.  I come to this event primed.  This short term relationship must produce harmony and ease between us; it must also yield images as unique as each person I photograph.

Like a good friend breaking through the invisible wall that separates you from the rest of the world.  I must help you shed your public facade and reveal your true individuality.  I must successfully translate a distinct human personality of three-dimensional form into a two dimensional representation.  This recorded image must come to life of its own.

I, as an artist, must capture the “essence” of my subject-their persona. During a wedding I must have a creative, empathetic perception of moments. The key is to understand and capture the essence of the occasion and to reveal a genuine sense of joy and emotion.  There will be no second chance and a little margin of error in capturing these moments.  From the tear in a father’s eye as he walks his daughter down to aisle to the grooms totally fulfilled smile coming off the chuppah.  I have the ability to stop time, to capture moments through the lens of a camera.  

As a wedding professional, my clients trust me to see the wedding not only through their eyes, but also their hearts.  I owe it to both my clients and myself to be the very best I can be, to capture those poignant images an average photographer would miss.  I enjoy the positive feedback from you and enjoy becoming an extension of your new family.

Jewish Museum in Philadelphia

Recently saw a Simchavision Bride and Groom picture on the wall at the museum.  People tell us our images are museum quality.

A Thing of Beauty

All the planning.  All the details.  All the anticipation comes to a climax when you’re walking off the chuppah with your other half.  The day that “you and I” officially become “we”.

In that one dizzying moment the rules of physics were suspended and time stood still.  This is the dreamlike moment you want to keep fresh in your heart.  Your wedding video unlocks all this joy whenever you watch it.

Your wedding video is only as good as the people who create it.  Our wedding videos are exquisite… and it’s not just because we have better equipment.  You’ll experience sensitivity and artistry when you view a wedding video created by us.  We capture the beauty of your wedding dreams to keep the happiest day of your life alive forever.  Discover the joy of placing your wedding day in the hands of a professional.  Life should always be this joyful.

Testimonials for 2.20-25.2011

To: Simchavision

Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 6:46 PM

Subject: Albums

The albums are gorgeous! The pictures are so sharp.

Thanks so much!

Of simchas!!

Thanks,

Segal Schonfeld

Dear Ari,

It was our pleasure to have you do our photography for the second time.

You are a pleasure to work with, and also fast and efficient.

Thanks again.

Rivka Leah

 

 

How to Look Great in Portraits

When you know that there might be a photographer around, do you break into a cold sweat?  Do you shake?  Do you duck behind the nearest bush or crawl under a table?

You are not alone.

In fact, you are one of the millions of people that hate to have their picture taken.

And if it makes you feel better, those models in the magazines need help.  Before a photographer snaps the shutter, the hair stylist and makeup artist have done their magic.

This article is in response to people asking about better picture taking.  I put to together a few ideas that might make you look better and more comfortable in pictures.  Our photographers know how to use lighting and angles to bring out your best.  This is for the amateur Abbas making family memories.

First and foremost in my book is to relax.  Faces reveal a lot about what’s going on inside.   Someone who is stressed will transmit that stress in a photograph. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, relax every muscle in your face, and then picture yourself in a favorite vacation spot!  It may sound crazy, but people are always happier with there photos after performing that quick and easy relaxation technique.

Harsh sunlight can be tough on people.  Few people look good squinting.  Also, the sun’s hard light will show more texture and form unattractive, deep shadows.  Open shade or a soft window will usually produce the best photographs of people.  As long as light casts soft, pleasing shadows that show the shape of the face, you’ll get a pleasing result.

Regarding makeup: less is more.  The sublime “chein” of a Yiddishe panim shouldn’t be covered.

If you tend to look heavy in photos, it is not your fault.  The camera notoriously adds at least ten pounds.  It’s good to remember that darker colors recede and lighter colors attract attention. Also, angle yourself to the person shooting.  Never stand straight to the shooter.  When posing, remember another simple rule: if it’s a joint, bend it!  Just a subtle bend of arms and legs will eliminate stiffness.  It will make you look relaxed, natural and thinner.  Last, but not least, props can be used to accentuate the positive and hide any negative.

The reason one takes a picture is to capture that fleeting moment, to memorialize that slice of time for eternity.  If you remember these tips the next time a camera will be around, you’ll find it easier to smile and be happy.  Go ahead, you look great!

-Aryeh

Huh?

What did you say?

Walking around with your fingers in your ears at weddings? Try this.  If the music is unbearably loud: hum.  This will drop the music decibel level by about ten points.  If that doesn’t work, come over and ask me for a pair of ear plugs.  I usually carry extras.

The greatest moments are never posed!

Why is Photojournalism so popular?

“. . . Without a doubt, the single must popular buzz word in today’s wedding photography market is “photojournalism”.

By definition, photojournalism is the documentation of an event without interfering or influencing the outcome of the pictures. This is the opposite of traditional photography that requires the photographer to direct the creation of each photo.  Clearly this is not the type of photos taken at your parents wedding.  With a photojournalistic approach, you get about 40% more pictures and this style frees up more time.  I couldn’t imagine stopping you to pose each photo.

While we do take the traditional posed “formal” portraits, we’ll be capturing most of the day as it unfolds, naturally.

The emotion within the moment is the heart of every great picture.  We literally immerse ourselves in the event and with the people.  Guests think we’re a friend of the couple they just haven’t met yet, who happens to do photography. The responses have been overwhelming. The amount of pictures, coupled with the genuine feel of the wedding have people talking.  Truly spectacular moments are filling people’s albums to show for years to come.

-Aryeh

Future-Proof Films/ No Regrets

A young couple, deciding whether or not to include professional video in their budget.  I asked them to imagine owning a film of their grandparents wedding day how much it would mean to them.  The bride replied that her grandparents did indeed hire a professional to record a 16mm film of their wedding.  I offered to buy it from her, and asked her for a price.  She said, “I could never part with that film, it’s our family history and probably one of the most important things that I’ll ever own.”  That was precisely the point.  Having a professional wedding film produced will provide joy to your family now and for generations to come.