How I spend the Christmas Season, preparing for future flower girls and ring bearers

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2011/dec/24/1224_clock/

Jonathan the DJ

Some of you know that in addition to my work behind the camera (or video camera) I’ve also spent a lot of time behind the mic. With summer pulling in for a visit, I’m struck by the complete absence of DJ jobs on my calendar. I’ve worked everything from Car Shows and Christmas Fairs to Craft Festivals and Wild Mushroom Parties, playing what the people want to hear – and what the whole family will enjoy. So – if you’re looking for a DJ for your next event, perhaps we should talk.

Not so loud that the neighbors will complain, unless you want them to.

in the photobooth

At a wedding last week where I was the videographer, documenting among other things another photographer at work. It’s what the mother of the bride, who hired me, asked me to do – capture the photographer during the portrait shoots. There was also one of those old-fashioned styled photo booths. For a buck or two (free at the wedding, naturally) you can get a strip of automated snapshots of you and a friend printed on the spot. The attendant had feather boas, fireman’s caps, funny glasses and other props for the subjects to wear in the booth. I posed with my video camera. It’s part of my identity and it was in keeping with my photojournalistic nature. I didn’t feel like pretending I was someone else. I noticed the photographer that day shed her camera and opted for props.

About the photography-versus-video situation… It was tough not being responsible for the stills. I couldn’t believe some of the missed opportunities that photographer never knew she missed. Seemed to me like she was just going through the motions. To be fair, I recently dropped the ball with one type of photo and this photographer would have wiped the floor with me if we were being compared in that regard – so everyone has good and bad, or perhaps ‘less good’ days.

With the group she was shooting, and the great backgrounds there’s no doubt in my mind there will be some good shots in the mix. That mixture, however, could have included more great ones if she was more engaged. Alas, beyond my control. Nonetheless, I believe I did good work, and when the opportunities arose I made a few suggestions to the participants regarding how they could improve their photos. I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds too much, but I really do care.

There are books out there for brides/couples to help you make the most of your wedding photography. How to stand, how to hold your flowers, that sort of thing.

More importantly, and it’s probably covered in the books, I would recommend couples make their suggestions and wishes known during their wedding. “Let’s have some fun with this setting.” “Please don’t line us up for a firing squad.” “Can we try one like this … “ That sort of thing.

Anyway, felt like sharing these via the blog.

The Mountaintop Shop is now OPEN!

From our work behind the scenes at festivals and fairs in the area, MMG developed the “retail experiment.”

This evolved over time to a point that permitted speedy set up and tear-down offering a unique product – the nostalgic tin signs for which we’ve become known in some circles.

Change is inevitable, and the tent was folded up for about the last time in 2009, to free up time for capturing more once-in-a-lifetime events, such as weddings!

But the yearning to serve the consuming public remains.

Today, we’re happy to announce the launching of our online – EVERYTHING – store.

The Mountaintop Shop – offering just about everything for your online shopping convenience.

What began as an idea for a few focused books in my online shop has become the Mountaintop Shop with numerous diverse departments. Please consider shopping here whenever you’re contemplating a purchase online.

ANYTHING you can’t find in the Mountaintop Shop can be added to the special orders section if you find it at Amazon-dot-com.  Simply email the link to me, and I’ll add it right way and return your email letting you know it’s there.

Thanks for reading.

There’s a little bit of salesman in each of us,
Jonathan Ment, the photographer (and merchant)
sales @ mentgroup.com
(remove the spaces, thanks)

Wedding Photography Philosophy

Elaine and Eric's Ceremony

Again this week I had the chance to explain my philosophy when it comes to photographing weddings.  I’m there to capture the day, record the moment and – whenever possible stay out of the way.

I shoot in an unobtrusive manner.  Sure, you need a photographer to manage the situation when it’s time for formal portraits – but during the ceremony it’s important to get the shots without stealing the show.

A couple I’ll be photographing in July made a point to tell me “Don’t get in front of mom during the service.”  A welcome point, but almost unnecessary.  If I’m in front of anyone, I’m generally kneeling. I prefer the over the shoulder approach.

Guests enjoy themselves and see the bride and groom instead of the back of my head. Whether I’m working in a church, or beside the Hudson River – in the Catskill Mountains or Adirondacks, the scene and scenery should be the center of attention.

In filmmaking, there’s something called the establishing shot – that can be the areal view of the bridge on which the meeting will take place, or view from the clock tower – at a wedding, it’s the shot that shows all of the guests waiting in anticipation or applauding the kiss.

As important as the rings are, I feel these big-picture sorts of moments are at least as photo-worthy. The rings will always be on those fingers, but friends and family will go their separate ways once the wedding has ended.

Freehold Bridal Show, Wedding Photography in the Catskills

Jonathan Ment Photography at the Freehold House 20, February 2010

On Saturday I brought out some portfolio work to a small bridal show at the Freehold House, in Freehold, NY.  Fewer than 100 couples were represented during the day and I had a chance to chat with most.  Many folks have already found their photographers – and apologized. That’s just silly. There’s so much that goes into planning a wedding. If you’ve found your photographer, that’s another thing to cross off the list.  That said – one visitor told me how her photographer keeled over dead a month before her wedding and she had to scramble to find a new one. YIKES!  After that conversation, I told another couple “take my card, you never know.”   Of course, even if the wedding comes and goes, someday you might want a photographer for another party, a portrait shoot, a session with your cat or dog…

This was a small show for sure, but I had fun.   Though not so busy to really qualify, this offered a sort of speed-dating scenerio where brides and their entourages had a few minutes each with various vendors to see if that love connection would be made.

Flower shops, dress shops, and a dress preservationist also exhibited, along with another photographer and several area businesses. One favorite, whom I’ve encountered both privately (think canoli pit stop) and on the job (Tasha & Clarence’s wedding last October) is Dawn’s Bakery. I heartily recommend her.

Throughout the day, we enjoyed excellent live music by jazz guitarist Ed Wasilewski,  whom I would recommend to anyone in need of a solo performer of this sort. Ed tells me he also works with small ensembles and can even offer a band format when needed.

During the day I collected entries for a free photography drawing. I’ve posted the winners here.

I should mention the boxed entree served to exhibitors was terrific. A grilled chicken-bacon-salady thing. I’m sure Freehold House is a great choice for a special night out or your once-in-a-lifetime event.

Wedding Albums

I’ve just returned from the Photo Expo in NYC, and I’m happy to report that I’ve brought back a half dozen new options for your photo album.  Whether your wedding is in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Hudson Valley or elsewhere, you’re wedding photos deserve to be more than just screen savers or heavy attachments in your email.

So, while I’ll continue to delivery rights-included digital files, I’ll also be offering photo books, and other beautiful wedding album options.

These books range from as little as $100 or so, for custom books you’ll share for years to come to around $500 for amazing one-of-a-king coffee table albums, your friends won’t believe contain your wedding photos – until they open them.

I intend to produce a sample or two soon, but in the meantime web images are available. I look forward to discussing these with you – and I look forward to ensuring your photos aren’t trapped on a CD or in cyberspace for months or years.

~ Jonathan Ment, photographer

Your Most Memorable Day

Long before I read the thoughts of others on the subject, I told several friends, colleagues and advisors the following: “It’s great to be a part of the most special day of most people’s lives.”  I’ll revise that here as part of the “most memorable day, “ the wedding day.

Theresa and the Admiral, 1971 Thunderbird, Windham NY in the Castskills

As a photographer, working to capture every special moment of the wedding day, it’s my job to preserve memories in photos (or sometimes video).  It’s also my pleasure.

If I see a butterfly on a guest’s shoulder, I’m taking the photo – ok, Ashton Kutcher, I’ve seen your Nikon ads – and whoever wrote them, knows what they’re doing.  Weddings are often outdoors at a time of year when the flutter-bys might make an unexpected appearance.

If the flower girl is just too shy for the job – isn’t that why you picked them, more great photos.

Tasha and Clarence get married, Catskill NY

If the cake is great, the guests elated and the ’57 Chevy that brings you to the church too cool, more great photos.  You’re inside the car. You didn’t see what it looked like when it pulled up to the curb – but you picked it for a reason, right?

My job, that of any event photographer, is to capture all of these small details along with the big ones – the ceremony, the reception, your first dance as husband and wife.

It’s one of the most wonderful days of your life, and I get to be a part of it.  Others feel the same.  I’ll say that a few folks in the business are less enthusiastic.  If you get that vibe, no matter how shiny their website, or slick their sales pitch, run.  You want a photographer who’s genuinely happy to be there.  There are enough of us in the world, that you should be able to find one who’s a good match for you. ` Jonathan Ment, Photographer

Erwin & Liza

Have been meaning to share this photo from the wedding of these two great individuals.

A family reunion

With five members visiting from Hong Kong, and 15 more meeting them in the mountaintop town of Windham for just a few days – the window of opportunity to capture the family all together was slim.

We achieved terrific shots of the whole group, but my favorite shot from the day was this candid.  It was the last frame I shot during a three-hour session.

I thank the family for selecting me as the photographer to capture these memories, and for letting me know they were thrilled with the results. I plan to share comments from clients as they become available.