Wedding & Bridal Shows

Bry Cox at the Salt Lake Premier Wedding Show, Jan 19th 2013

Saturday, January 19th, I’ll be at the Joseph Smith Building in downtown Salt Lake for the best bridal show of the year.

Admission is free, even for brides, and you can register right here.

I will have with me some new and exotic weddings with me from the cliffs of La Jolla to a private beach in Corpus Christi. You’ll really want to come and see these finished albums, that are displayed in their entirety, exact copies of what the bride and groom received.

See how great the bride looks all day long, no matter where we shoot or what the conditions are like. When you hire me, you get the best images all day long.

Even on my website I have 6 ENTIRE wedding albums from start to finish so that you can see brides of various ages, body shapes, and styles. No matter what, I know how make you look great. But seeing them online is nothing like seeing them first-hand. Come to the bridal show, meet me and see my work, see the albums, feel the pages and the finishes, and really understand the difference and quality of a Bry Cox heirloom album.

Again, admission is free and I will be right off the elevator on the Mezzanine level. See you on Saturday, January 19th!

BryCox - JSMB 1

 

How to Pick a Wedding Photographer (part 1)

I was recently asked these questions for an article, and thought I’d also post my answers on my blog as well.

“What Should People Be Looking for in a Wedding Photographer?”

I take this subject seriously because weddings matter and photography at weddings matter. There are few buying decisions in our lives that actually can cause life-long regret, and wedding photography tops that list. You may spend a lot of money buying a bad car or even a couch that isn’t comfortable, but the problem is solved once you get rid of it and replace it.

But when it comes to wedding photographs, they can only be done once. People who have made a poor decision in this area will lament even 50 years after their wedding and will still hold regret. I’ve found that if one bride doesn’t hire me, it’s usually her regret afterwards that gets her friends to hire me. If a mother of a bride comes in with decades of regret from her own wedding, that feeling is usually enough for her daughter to spend the extra money to hire me.

The reason people worry about their wedding photography is simple, it only happens once, it can’t be re-done, and you don’t know what you’re paying for until a month or so after the wedding.

Of all the expenses of a wedding, the photography is the one thing you keep your entire life. And as people get older, their tastes change and improve and they become more educated. If their photography is faddish or sub-par, it will only get worse as the years go by and your tastes improve.

There are literally thousands of photographers in every state saying that they are professionals. Many of those lately are your friends, neighbors and relatives needing you to hire them for friendship sake and as a favor to them to help them build their portfolio. These are not photographers with credentials other than their love of photography and the fact that they are spending what seems like a lot of money to them on equipment.

Guilt of hurting a friendship or feeling the need to help build someone’s portfolio with your one and only special day are bad motivators. These should not be reasons you hire any photographer. There is a wide gamut of skill, education, abilities, and price options, but when it really comes down to it, price and quality are related very tightly in photography.

Weddings are incredibly difficult for photographers as they provide a wide range of variables, locations, lighting conditions, weather, body shapes, and people’s personalities. Despite all these, the photographer must create great images without excuse, and usually under incredibly tight time constraints.

A wedding photographer must be skilled, knowledgeable, and versatile, and at the same time creative. But these things are hard for a client to really see when they’re shopping around.

So my advice when shopping for a wedding photographer is to not trust the initial samples a photographer shows you, and that goes double for any sample images online – there isn’t enough resolution in web images to see the flaws.

You must get in and see the images first-hand in printed form as big as possible. You must meet the photographer and see how you like his/her personality. You must ask to see more samples than are shown, particularly entire weddings in album or printed form.

If they don’t have printed samples, and lots of them, spanning years and years of weddings that look wonderful, then they are too new for you to hire. They are either not making enough money yet to afford some samples and/or are too inexperienced for you to hire. You are not someone’s guinea pig for practice. You need a professional on YOUR one big day!

When you look at samples, look past the flowers, the dresses, and the things in the images, and instead look at the photography, the consistency of the images. Look to see if the bride looks thin all the way through, if she always looks good, and doesn’t look fake, plastic or “photoshop-ed.”

Also make sure to pay particular note to the sample album and how it is constructed and built. How many sample albums are there? Do they go back years? Are parts of the book coming apart?

Hopefully there are plenty of albums that span years, show all sorts of locations, lighting, and options, and despite lots of use and traffic from clients, the books should be holding up beautifully.

Keep in mind that most photographers will show their lucky shots taken on an easy day for lighting (usually called “natural light” images taken on a cloudy, overcast day). Those kind of lucky images require no real skill. They do nothing to show YOU how you will be photographed on your day in your unique lighting conditions.

So ask instead to see entire weddings in broad sunlight, or in the middle of the night outside. Ask to see entire weddings all the way through, and not just the photographer’s favorite samples.

Photographers on the cheaper end of the scale rely on their equipment and the law of averages, shooting thousands of images in hopes of getting something somewhat decent and saleable. They then cover up their images with lots of software and effects. They attempt to hide the common problems of bluish-grey skin and the dark eyes caused by bad technique, with effects like yellow tones and washed out looks.

To a new bride, these effects make images seem fun and “different,” but to the trained eye they just look bad and trendy. In fact they are not different at all, but very commonplace as almost all new photographers are doing the same thing.

A more experienced (and yes more expensive) photographer will shoot fewer images, all of which will be great, and he/she will do it under any lighting condition, and this will be done with control. The images will look great and will be powerful on their own without all the trendy effects. They will be emotional, will be hip and cool, but will also have a classic and timeless appeal.

Finally, one good way to gauge a photographer’s level of expertise is their credentials! Always ask about a photographer’s credentials and what it is that makes them “professional?”

How many years have they spent learning how to photograph people? How long have they done this as full time career? Where did they go to school and with what degree? Is this a new career or have they dedicated a large portion of their lives and their hard-earned money to continually learn and understand their profession?

You wouldn’t let someone without a license cut your hair for your big wedding day, and you shouldn’t let a photographer potentially ruin your wedding day photographs without having at least basic Certification. A bad hair cut at least grows back in a few months, but bad wedding photographs will live with you your entire life.

I believe that any photographer who calls himself or herself a professional should at least prove it by having Certification. On top of that, hopefully they’ve earned some national titles like Master and Craftsman. These titles and ranks help a prospective client know that a photographer is consistent in their skill and will do a better job. Photographers with credentials can be found under the “Find a Photographer” section of PPA.com.

You’re based out of Utah but you seem to travel all over shooting weddings. What do you think is the most important thing couples should look for in a wedding photographer …Value? Talent? Consistency? Quality? Why?

Yes, all of those. Price is always an early question, as everyone wants to save money on a wedding. But price is never the final deciding factor. Most people understand that nicer products and services must cost more, but still most people have some type of budget constraints. Yet almost everyone would still rather cut in some areas in order to have better images that they can enjoy the rest of their lives.

A photography business is not a cheap business to run when you want to produce great images. Every step of every process is expensive when done right. Some things we spend money on in life are mass-produced. Great photography is instead custom made each time for just one client.

A lot goes into each job in terms of expertise, constant training, equipment, computers/software, insurance, overhead, and the supplies that go into the final products. There are cheap ways of cutting back on all of these, but it always shows in the final images and album.

And yes, talent and consistency do play a huge factor. No ones wants to worry about how their wedding images will turn out and no one knows until after the event is all over with, how the images really did turn out. Knowing they have someone who consistently is proven to do a great job gives them peace of mind, and that makes the extra expense of travel totally worth it to them.

What are the brides-to-be and families generally asking about when they make first contact with you? Does this change as they go through the process of engagement photos, bridal photos and then during the day?

Yes, most people start off asking about price, mainly because they don’t know what to ask. But as the process moves forward, those who are really interested in the way that I work, will talk more about the things that are actually important to them like quality and style.

Interestingly, many of the people that complain most about price at first become life-long clients of mine, coming in again and again throughout the years. Once they get it, they love what I do and come in for everything. They schedule shoots of their new babies, events and other special moments, and I get to see them and their lives change over the years.

It’s especially fun to deliver wall prints to clients and see their homes already decorated throughout with canvases, collages and portraits I’ve done for them in the past.

I’ve seen research on how brides usually make decisions on a wedding photographer. After cost, how do brides evaluate your work?

Price may be the reason a bride doesn’t hire a particular photographer, but price is never the reason a bride does hire a photographer. Price may be the first thing people ask about, but both photographers and brides both say that quality and a photographer’s personality were more important than price in the decision making process.

(Continue reading part 2 of interview.)

 

Temple in a Snow Storm During Bridal Show

This last week I was one of the main vendors at the bridal show held at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake.  It is always a great show.  I look forward to it every year.  Here is a look at my booth if you didn’t make it.

During the show, there was a beautiful snowstorm and I created some wonderful storm images of the Salt Lake Temple looking out the window.  I created a few variations and I’m still deciding which one I like the best.  Which ones do you like?

I’m also excited that all of these were processed out using my new duo-tone black & white effects that I recently created, and are finished with my new line of  custom edges that I’ve been working on.  I create and sell these effects and edges to photographers around the country when I speak to save them time and money.  These are a part of my new line of effects.  I really love how they look, especially with these images.  I’ve also tried them with portraits and absolutely love it!  I will post them on my blog soon.

After looking out the window, I had to step out for a couple images outside.  Again, I shot two variations and can’t decide which one I like better.  One is shot faster to catch the flakes in the air and the other is slower which creates some really cool diagonal lines.  Both work for so many reasons.

Before running back in, I got a passing tourist to take a photo of me with my camera.  I love the snow in the air, but hate that I’m out of focus.  DANG!

Anyway, soon I’ll have those temple images ready to purchase in my art site.  But until then, let me know which ones are your favorites.

Bry Cox at Bridal Show Tomorrow (Saturday) @ Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Tomorrow (Saturday), is the big bridal show at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, called “Salt Lake’s Premier Wedding Show.”

BryCox - JSMB 2
BryCox - JSMB 2

I’m very exited for this show — it’s not only my biggest shows of the year, but I will have some awesome new things for you to see too, like a HUGE 16×20 metal album!  You absolutely have to see this album!  It is stunning!!

BryCox - JSMB 1
BryCox - JSMB 1

I’ll be on the Mezzanine, right off the elevator and I hope to see you there. The show is FREE, and any friends that want to stop by and say hi are welcome, and if you are a bride, you should pre-register for prizes. For info or to pre-register, click here. The show goes from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm tomorrow, Saturday the 22rd.

Me at last year's show
Me at last a previous show

Thanks for looking and please browse my main website at BryCox.com (or my blog if you’re reading this in a separate feed reader BryCox.com/blog).

Bridal Show This Saturday at JSMB

BryCox - JSMB 1
BryCox - JSMB 1

This Saturday is the big bridal show at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, called “Salt Lake’s Premier Wedding Show.”  I’m very exited for this show — it’s one of the biggest shows of the year and one of the classiest ones as well.  I’ve been working on some fun new things for for my booth and hope that everyone loves the new changes.

I’ll be on the Mezzanine, right off the elevator and I hope to see you there.  To pre-register (and get some prizes too), or for any info, click here.  The show goes from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm this Saturday the 23rd.

Me at last year's show
Me at last year's show

If you’re even in the area, come by and say hi.  The show is totally free!

BryCox - JSMB 2
BryCox - JSMB 2

Brittany’s Bridals

I’m very excited about Brittany’s bridal shoot. Her wedding is still to come and will be in Denver next month, but here are some of the images I’ve been working on for her that will be apart of her bridal display at the wedding.

BryCox - Brittany 1
BryCox – Brittany 1

I love this long horizontal image — not only the lines, but her eyes too!  Stunning!

BryCox - Brittany 2
BryCox – Brittany 2

Here is a fun image using a very unique background that I adapted (not originally created for a photographic background), lit with a glamour style, and processed using one of my custom cross-color processes.

BryCox - Brittany 3
BryCox – Brittany 3

And finally, here’s a great image that I started to light as a silhouette, but then turned her slightly for a little more powerful angle.  I loved how this session went.  This is just a sample of all the great images!  I’m very excited to finish this order and to photograph the wedding.  It’ll be a great day, Brittany!

And until next time, America!
— Bry

Gateway Wedding Show this Saturday

 

 

BryCox - Gateway Wedding Show
BryCox - Gateway Wedding Show

This Saturday, I’ll be at the Gateway Wedding Show, located in the Grand Ballroom next to The Depot at the Gateway.  The show goes from 10 am to 4 pm and it should be a lot of fun.  I’ll be bringing some new albums and some new beautiful samples to show.

Bridal shows are a great way to see and compare different photographers and other wedding vendors very quickly, and I’m excited for you to come and see me and what I do, and to compare the quality and value against anyone else.

If you’re getting married, stop by and say hi.  It’d be fun to see you.

Until Saturday, America!
— Bry

New DVD Portfolio, Updated Website

I have a new portfolio DVD for 2009, and it is all finished and ready for you!  It is formatted for your large widescreen home theater so that you can view the images large and in the comfort of your own home.

Bry Cox - Portfolio DVD
Bry Cox – Portfolio DVD

This DVD includes specific slideshows on weddings, bridals, families, children, high school seniors, models, as well as some entire wedding albums so that you can see how I might tell the story of your day from start to finish.  You can order one for free right off my main website, here. (Click on Free DVD on menu.)

You can watch it on any DVD player or computer, both Mac and PC.  The music is amazing and was all written and recorded by my sister, Elise.  Each music score was specifically chosen for each slideshow to accentuate the mood of the images.  It is a wonderful DVD and I know you will all love it.

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Note to photographers: I can understand how other photographers may want to frequent my site, and I appreciate that. However, I received thousands of requests from photographers for my last portfolio DVD, photographers not wanting to hire me but to get ideas for themselves.

If you are a photographer, please understand that I spent a lot of money and time producing these DVDs and am happy to give them for free only to clients and potential clients. I cannot respond to photographers requests for free DVDs, but you can certainly order them for a cost (along with many other photographic items) in the store part of my photographic workshop site.  Thanks for understanding.
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And until next time, America!
— Bry

Gateway Wedding Show this Sat!

Bry Cox - GWS

Ah, yes! It’s time again for the Gateway Wedding Show. My email blasts are going out today, I have brand-new wedding album samples to show, and some new canvas gallery wraps as well.

If you are new to me and my work, come see me and get some special discounts like Half-Off an Engagement or Bridal portrait session, and a new discount available only at the show.

Bry Cox \ I’ll be giving away my art print, “Snowfall, Salt Lake City” as well for the fashion show drawing.

If you don’t win it or can’t make it, you can get it here with free shipping (and mounting included) using code ‘FreeShip‘ for the next two weeks (until July 12th).

See you there, and until next time, America!
— Bry

Gateway Wedding Show Followup

BryCox - GWS 4

The Gateway Wedding Show this last Saturday was awesome!  I really like bridal shows, but they also wear me out because they are so much work to put on.

I am one of the contributors of this show, and so besides designing and printing the billboards and doing their website, I also photograph the fashion show on the day of.  Here are some of the images from the show.

The photo on the left is me with some of my friends who were dress models.

These dresses are just exquisite and are available from AltaMODA bridal in Salt Lake. 

Well, until next time America….. — Bry

BryCox - GWS 3

BryCox - GWS 1
BryCox - GWS 2 BryCox - GWS 5

AMAZING Fashion Bridals

One of the great reasons for a blog is so that I can show you cool things that I’m currently working on, and then put stunning images like this up for everyone to see.  These are some of the images from the fashion shoot that I used for the I-15 billboard advertising the Gateway Wedding Show tomorrow (Sat 10-4 pm).

BryCox - GWS 1  BryCox - GWS 2
BryCox - GWS 3 BryCox - GWS 4

I love photographing Nattalie — she is such a great model.  And the dress is fantastic — it is from AltaMODA Bridal, my favorite bridal shop!  Go check them out if you want something totally fresh and new.

I will have these images and many more for you to see close-up and first-hand tomorrow at the show.  Come and say hi!

Well, until next time America….. — Bry

Gateway Wedding Show

GWS Billboard

I’ll be at the Gateway Wedding Show this Saturday.  Y’all should come 🙂

Saturday, Feb 23rd
10 am – 4 pm
In The Gateway’s Grand Hall (South Temple and 400 West, SLC)

I’ll have my big jumbo album (24 inches tall) full of my newest images, and I’ll also have more from the shoot I used on this billboard!

 Until next time America… — Bry