New York wedding photographer Jody Ake takes antique wedding portraits unlike any I've ever seen.

Jody uses an old-school camera process called wet collodion, which involves coating a glass plate with hand-mixed goo and then exposing the plate while it's is still wet. The resulting "ambrotype" is a negative image on glass that's then backed with black velvet. BLACK VELVET, PEOPLE!

Jody explains, "When people come in for their portrait they soon realize that this is not a normal photo shoot. I use a huge studio view camera that's about 100 years old. I have to prepare each glass plate right before I expose it and I have to develop it immediately." Jody's clients receive their one-of-a-kind ambrotypes to keep.

To see more of Jody's antique wedding portraits and get the scoop on a discounts for offbeat brides, keep reading…

Continue reading "Antique wedding photography from Jody Ake" →

I've got this theory about wedding photography and offbeat couples.

See, wedding photographers aren't just doing a service for you. You're also doing a service for them by providing images for use in their portfolios. And, let's be honest, which photos add more to a photographer's body of work: another traditional shot from a traditional wedding or a photo of a couple dressed as astronauts taking flight on their wedding day?

In other words, photos from your offbeat wedding may be of greater business benefit to a photographer … and therefore, photographers may be willing to negotiate a lower price.

I decided to test this theory by asking some of my favorite wedding photographers about their pricing policies and negotiating tips for non-traditional couples. Here's what I learned…

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So, you're having a theme wedding. And you're looking for a wedding photographer who won't scoff, "Wait, you're getting married on a pirate ship?" A wedding photographer who won't ask incredulously, "So, you're dressing up … like astronauts?"

If you want a photographer who screams, "FUCK YEAH, I LOVE YOUR WONDERFULLY WEIRD THEME WEDDING!" then you want Justin Winokur. This LA-based photographer will totally p0wn your theme wedding, and if you don't believe me, just check out some of his photos from a Star Wars wedding…

Continue reading "Star Wars wedding (Justin Winokur will photograph the bejeezus out of your theme wedding!)" →

Caroline Winata of Tinywater Photography has something magic in her super lush, super saturated, super gorgeous wedding and engagement photos:

Those of you who are members of the OBT may recognize this bride-to-be — it's Julie, who recently wrote about her experiences with Tinywater Photography in the OBT forum.

Keep reading for more Tinywater photos, including the most gorgeous urban elopement ever, a four-legged flower girl, and a trash the dress special offer…

Continue reading "Tinywater Photography in Sacramento and the Bay Area" →