Please go to : http://www.frankcourtney.com/blog

(all the existing post up to here have also been migrated)

Eddie Smyth of the group Tailteann hails from my hometown of Trim, Co. Meath. They recently released a CD, using one of my photos on the cover.

It’s a great CD – well worth getting.

For more information see :

http://www.tailteann.com/

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you sometimes lose a little money – that’s all.

When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything. Because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little, and getting a lot. It can’t be done!

If you buy from the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.”

John Ruskin (1819 – 1900)

Apart from selling yeast (surprise), it’s main business is selling wedding cake and icing equipment (as you can see from the window).

Yes, I know some of them are obvious, but it might help to have them all listed in the one place. You will also notice that cost is not number 1. Yes, of course it’s important, but there are other things to consider as well.

I would also like to see your comments on this list – have I missed anything, or underrated/overrated some of the points ?

1) Is the photographer free for the date and location of your Wedding

Obvious, I know- but popular dates and photographers often get booked up early. Some photographers will also be reluctant to travel to certain locations – especially if it would make it difficult for them to return the same day.

2) Is the photographer in your price range (see below for more discussion on price)

There are photographers at all price levels from ‘free’ to ‘need a second mortgage’. Always make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. It’s very difficult to make exact comparisons, as the package details will vary from person to person. See number (5) for some of the things which may or may not be included. Also check what other costs or expenses might be charged e.g. travel (mileage), accommodation, meal (often provided for all day photography).

Many photographers can justify high charges by their talent and experience. Others may try to charge the high fees and not deliver. If your photographer is ‘free’ ask yourself, and them, why ? Some photographers use cheap or free photography as a legitimate way of building up experience and getting established. However, you will still have to satisfy yourself that they can deliver what you want from your very important day.

3) Do you get on with the photographer

Very important. Ideally both of you should meet the photographer before signing any contract to ensure you’re all on the same wavelength. If you don’t get on well during this meeting – imagine what it might be like on the day of your wedding. Not every photographer will be right for every couple – even if they’re extremely good and talented photographers.

You should be able to rely on your intuition here. You may also be able to get opinions from other people who have used them – either from someone you know, or via one of the many online wedding websites. This is one of the biggest single factors which will ensure you are happy with the end result.

4) What style of photographs does the photographer take

Some people prefer having just a few formal posed photographs – others like the more traditional approach. The current trend seems to be for more informal and ‘photojournalistic’ photographs, with a minimum of formal photographs added on.

Make sure you discuss with the photographer what photographs you want from the day. You can make a list of photographs you particularly would like , but try and keep it as short as possible.

5) What do you get for your money

This is where many of the major price differences arise. The following are the many elements which could be included in the cost :

• Photographers time (and skill)
• Proof photographs
• Album (which one, how many pages, how many photographs, who chooses the photographs)
• Album copies (smaller sized version of the main album – often known as ‘parent books’)
• Slideshow
• Copy of images on CD/DVD (low/high resolution)
• Enlargements of images
• Website for sharing/proofing images
• Special image processing (‘airbrushing’, special effects, Black & White)
• Secure image backup for a number of year
• Cost for any extras (e.g. extra images, extra album pages, extra album copies, longer time of coverage)

6) What experience does your photographer have
Ask to see samples of previous work, ideally of a complete wedding as well as samples from other weddings. These will often be available to view online.

7) What back-up equipment does your photographer have
All professional photographers should have backup equipment available on the day of your wedding. Equipment does fail, so it is essential to have, for example, a second camera, flashgun etc.

8 ) What training or experience do they have

Formal qualifications are not essential, but a good photographer will always be learning new skills and keeping up to date with modern trends.

9) Membership of professional bodies/associations

Once again, not essential, or a guarantee that the photographer will be right for you. However, membership of appropriate professional bodies can give you extra confidence in your photographer. Many of them have various qualification levels which can only be achieved by presenting work of a certain standard.

10) Familiar with the wedding locations

If the photographer has sample photographs from previous events at your chosen locations, then that can help in two ways :

(a) You will have a better idea of what to expect as the final result

(b) The photographer will be able to concentrate more on you, as they will be familiar with the location

If it is a new location for that photographer, many will make a quick ‘recce’ trip, or arrive a bit earlier on the day to have a good look around, and choose good locations for the photographs.

This is from the French theatre company, Compagnie Carabosse – and was a pretty big event in the IFSC. I don’t think there’s anything quite so spectacular this year. However, lots of other interesting shows to see.

I was surprised to see this sign still here – albeit, a little faded. The sign is on Nassau Street, at the end of the block containing the Dental Hospital. It overlooks the railings and playing fields of Trinity College.

Of course the hotel itself no longer functions. Finn’s hotel is where Nora Barnacle worked, and James Joyce first met her near here in 1904. Their first date was on June 16th that year. Joyce based the character of Molly Bloom in Ulysses on her, and June 16th is now celebrated every year as ‘Bloomsday’.

Some more information here.

Not too far away either is Sweny’s Chemists – where Leopold Bloom bought some lemon-scented soap for Molly – fact and fiction continue to intermingle.