Yesterday I read a great blog post on Rock-n-Roll Bride about what people should expect to pay for their wedding photographer. This blog post is a MUST read for anyone about to be married as it’s a real eye opener. Here’s some food for thought:

♥ Photography is an Investment, Not an Expense. After the wedding, what’s left? The dress, the ring and YOUR MEMORIES. That’s it. This being said, the photographer is the one thing that shouldn’t be scrimped on or “DIY-ed”. These memories are your family heirloom. Why risk it?

♥ What’s Important to YOU? Weddings can be expensive. The thought of spending thousands of dollars on a photographer is a lot for some people to come to terms with. There is no hard and fast rule about what you should budget for your wedding photography. You may have heard of the 10% rule, in which 10% of your wedding budget should be allocated to your wedding photography. In reality, people have different vales and priorities. If you are a Foodie, then you’ll put more money into feeding your guests. If you are really into music, then you will splurge on great entertainment. And if you appreciate the value of good photography, then you will invest in it. So, ask yourself, what’s most important to you? Your answer is where you should put your money.

♥ Owning a Nice Camera Doesn’t Make You a Photographer. Being a photographer is not just about owning a professional camera; it’s about knowing how to USE it. Take note: not all photographers have exactly the same skill set. So, when shopping for a photographer, remember it’s not like comparing apples to apples. Our experience, products, and visual point of view are all different.

♥ Experience Counts. The more experienced a photographer is, the more he/she should cost. A wedding day is fraught with pitfalls and challenges for the inexperienced, including ever-changing lighting conditions, venue restrictions, bad weather, and grumpy guests/bridezillas. A good photographer knows how to deal with all of this.

♥ Creativity is Priceless. We’ve all seen those familiar wedding shots: Bride looking out the window. Groomsmen re-creating the scene from Reservoir Dogs. Bridal Parties jumping up in the air (why the heck are they jumping, anyways?) But, a pro will often have the skill and creativity to go beyond these standard shots to capture moments chocked full of genuine personality and emotion. And, being able to do this in high pressure situations like weddings is not an easy skill to develop.

♥ Is Your “Pro” Professional? What good is having a photographer if they are completely unprofessional? A good way to find out is to ask for referrals from people who have used the photographers you are considering. The last thing you want at your wedding is a photographer who shows up wearing jeans, barks orders at guests, is distracting during the ceremony, or goes MIA during the event to check their cell phone or Facebook.

♥ You Want “natural” Looking Photos. A good photographer has the ability to pose a couple. Don’t want to be posed you say? Trust me, you DO. Posing doesn’t have to mean stiff looking, un-natural photographs. For me, I call it ‘guiding the couple”, which basically means, I look for good light, a good background, and then bring the couple to it. I then get the couple to engage in a natural way, so I can step back and photograph. The next time you see a really lovely natural looking image, chances are the photographer helped guide the couple into that moment, that location and that light. When you can’t tell it was posed, well, THAT’s good posing. And, this takes LOTS of practice.

♥ Seeing the Light. Another thing that you pay for as prices go up is the ability to see light and knowledge of different lighting techniques. Knowing the difference between natural light and flash, and how and when to use each, is critical.

♥ Getting it Right IN the Camera. When you hire a pro, chances are they will nail the shot right in the camera, reducing the need to ‘fix’ it later in Photoshop.

♥ Knowing WHEN to use Photoshop. Want that stray hair, blemish or braces removed? Want to look a few years younger by getting rid of some wrinkles? How about a few pounds lighter? We all want to look our best, but at the low end of the market, it’s probable that wedding coverage and the disc of images you receive will not be retouched. Or, even worse, the images may be over-Photoshopped, leaving you with zombie looking eyes and flat skin and unrealistically white teeth and blue skies. A seasoned pro will know when to use Photoshop without going overboard.

♥ Service Matters. When you go into Walmart do you expect the same level of customer service and attention that you’d get at Saks? Heck no! At Walmart, you’re left to your own devices to find your way through the dizzying aisles of choices. Then, be prepared to get in line and wait with a zillion other people (and crying babies). Hopefully, your purchase won’t fall apart the same day you bought it. My point? Customer service is another thing you pay for.

♥ It’s expensive to be a photographer. Next to being a dentist, photography has one of the highest start up costs. I think PPA estimated it to be in the neck of $40,000. Yeah, that’s more than many people make in a year. It’s no wonder photographers often have a 2nd (or 3rd) job, or a spouse, helping pay the bills. Most professional wedding photographers are small businesses, run by people who made the brave decision to leave comfortable, full-time employment (ahm, me included!) to take on the challenge of working for themselves. In addition to all the equipment needed, you have to take into account the costs of  things like rent, gas, electricity, computer equipment, data back up, software, marketing, advertising, transportation, education, mortgages, food, entertainment, insurance, pensions, clothing, etc. When it all adds up, it’s darn expensive to be a photographer.

♥ But, It’s Only One Day of Work, Right??? Many people think a photographer’s fees are just for 1 day’s work and therefore hard to justify. However, I can tell that you that for me, one wedding usually involves about 42 hours of work. This includes marketing, emails/phone calls, meeting with clients, engagement shoots, shooting the wedding, downloading/archiving the images, editing & retouching, album design, printing, framing, creating slide shows, uploading online galleries, and delivery of everything to the client. Add all that time to the cost of marketing, advertising, office equipment, camera equipment, insurance, rent AND the cost of the materials to make wedding albums, prints, etc. Do the math and you’ll quickly see the photographer’s profit dwindle.

♥ She Works Hard for the Money. (Yes, that’s a Donna Summer reference!) Wedding photographers are warriors and ninjas. Seriously. They are some of the hardest working folks I’ve met. The job is both physically and mentally demanding. I liken it to doing a tri-athalon. Want to know why I take Sundays off? It’s because I’m either in bed sleeping or at the massage therapist getting my body repaired. So, before you start bargaining with your photographer on price, please remember their fee is based on their experience, artistry and cost of doing business. Rock-n-Roll Bride said it best: “The recession, the day of the week your wedding is on, the size of your guest list (e.g. “I’m having a small wedding”), and the fact that you chose to spend a large sum on your dress, doesn’t affect how much it costs your photographer to shoot your wedding.”

♥ Walmart or Saks Fifth Avenue…Where Do You Like to Shop? Whenever you make a purchase, there are a variety of brands out there for you to choose from, ranging from budget to luxe. Wedding photographers are no different. We have the equivalents of Walmart, Macy’s, and Sax Fifth Avenue. At the low end of the market, the photographers are most likely photography students, weekend warriors or newbies just starting out. Generally, these folks have very little (or no) experience and training, lack professional grade equipment, offer products that are produced more cheaply, and are still working out the kinks as they learn how to run a business. Mid-range photographers have more training & experience and generally shoot weddings more frequently. They are also more likely to have better quality, professional equipment and insurance. Their product line is often of higher quality because their fees allow them to put more resources into nicer products. Lastly, the customer experience tends to be better because they have found their ‘groove’ and are able to avoid many of the pitfalls a newbie faces. Upper range photographers are generally very experienced and well trained, use only top quality equipment, provide an incredible customer service experience and offer high end products to their clients. 

What’s the moral of the story? You get what you pay for. Every person deserves to have a good photographer on their wedding day. So, even if you don’t have the biggest of budgets, spend as much as you can reasonably afford, and find ways to save in other areas, if possible.

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a group portrait for the San Francisco law firm Hanson Bridgett, LLP. This year, Hanson Bridgett hosted Globalaw’s Annual Members Meeting in San Francisco. Hanson Bridgett is a member of the Globalaw international legal network, which gives them access to lawyers at firms in 165 major jurisdictions around the world and provides critical international resources for their clients. Hanson Bridget has been a San Francisco and California mainstay since 1958. Based in Northern California, Hanson Bridgets’ 150+ attorneys serve clients nationally and internationally.

In addition to being able to work with a great bunch of folks, I loved this shoot because Hanson Bridgett’s San Francisco and Marin offices are certified Green Businesses and their Sacramento office is a certified Sacramento Sustainable Business. In addition, they are the only law firm we know of that features a Rock Band, a Jazz Trio and a Grammy award winning violinist. Cool, eh?

To top it off, the shoot was held at the fabulous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Since 1907, the Fairmont hotel has hosted the rich and famous, kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, and stars of the stage and screen. If you didn’t know, the United Nations charter was signed at the hotel, and Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at the hotel’s famous nightclub, The Venetian Room. In addition to hosting some of the most influential meetings and events, the hotel also is well known for its breathtaking weddings and other special occasions.

The Fairmont San Francisco luxury hotel is centrally located, just a short cable car trip from downtown, the Financial District, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s also located at the only spot in San Francisco where each of the City’s cable car lines meet. I encourage anyone visiting San Francisco to spend even just one night in this amazing hotel. If you do, be sure to check out the hotel’s incredible panoramic view of San Francisco and the Bay!

Special thanks goes out to my assistant, Mischa, and Hanson Bridget staff Rob Corwin and Brandi Hewlett who worked as an incredible team to help me arrange and capture this fun group portrait.

Hanson Bridgett LLP
425 Market Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.hansonbridgett.com

The Fairmont Hotel – San Francisco
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5000
www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco

Tips and Information from Certified Green Photographer Rebecca Wilkowski

by Tricia Goss, Featured Green Contributor; Featured Food & Wine Contributor, Associated Content

Photographers have an affinity for nature. If you are a professional photographer or simply love to snap photos of scenes that catch your eye, you do so because you want to share the beauty and appeal that you perceive in the setting. Perhaps this is why green photography makes so much sense.

What is green photography? Photographer Rebecca Wilkowski provides a definition.

“It’s pretty simple, actually,” says Rebecca. “A ‘green’ photographer is one who has assessed the impact his/her company has on the environment and who chooses to use environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices in an effort towards lessening this impact.”

Rebecca should know. She is a certified green photographer.

Rebecca did not start out as a green photographer, though. After moving from the Midwest to California in the late 90′s, she became interested in green living through her new friends.

“I was really intrigued by how important fitness and health was to so many people here,” she says. “I quickly made friends with people who really placed an importance on healthy living, and living in harmony with their surroundings. In some respects, I had to un-learn a lot of what I was taught growing up.”

Eventually, her new habits became a way of life. This, in turn, began to affect her work.

“When I moved to San Francisco in 2004,” shares Rebecca, “I attended the San Francisco Green Festival. It was then that I realized that I could apply the principals of green living in my daily life, to those of my business. It took me about two years of research, and a lot of trial and error, in order to change my business to being more environmentally friendly.”

So what is it about Rebecca’s methods that qualify her as a green photographer? She modified her business practices and became certified by Greener Photography, which is a non-profit organization that seeks to lessen the environmental impact of the photography industry. She is also a member of Green America’s Green Business Network, Greener Photography, Green Chamber of Commerce and Green Bride Guide.

Why should you consider green photography?

“With over 155,000 professional photographers in the United States,” says Rebecca, “the photography industry is simultaneously experiencing its largest ecological footprint in its 200-year history. By going green, not only are you opening yourself up to a new segment of customers who are looking to hire eco-friendly vendors, but by implementing some simple energy and cost saving steps, you’ll be helping the environment and your bottom line.”

There are green photography steps you can begin to take immediately.

“Going green may be easier than you think,” reveals Rebecca. “Even small steps can have an impact.”

Here are Rebecca’s thorough yet practical tips for any photographer wishing to go green:

• Recycle – Think paper, cans, glass, plastics, batteries, ink cartridges, paper, mail, and office supplies. It’s all fair game!

• Reduce Waste – Use only what you need. Offer online galleries in lieu of paper proofs. Deliver contracts, invoices and receipts as PDFs.

• Reuse Materials – Use rechargeable batteries and solar powered battery chargers. Consider purchasing recycled, used or re-furbished computer hardware, office machines, camera equipment and office furnishings.

• Save Energy – Use the standby mode (or turn off) electrical equipment when not in use, install dimmer switches and CFLs, keep the thermostat below 70 degrees, install low flow toilets and faucets.

• Cut Your CO2 – Got a destination wedding or event? Purchase carbon offsets to lessen the footprint of your travel. Use public transportation, carpool, or ride a bike to run errands and meet clients. You’ll be surprised how the good fresh air and sunshine will make you feel. And, you might even get there quicker!

• Shop Local – When you shop locally, not only are you reducing the pollutants and other expenses involved in the long-distance manufacturing and shipping of products, but you are also doing your part to support the local economy.

• Don’t Be Trashy – Before you toss old or used items into the trash, consider posting them on websites like Freecycle.com or Craigslist.org, or donating them to charity. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

• Choose Eco-Friendly Vendors – Does your lab offer eco-friendly products or paper? Are your frames made from sustainable materials? How many of your vendors are employing green practices?

• Ask Questions – Do you really need to purchase a new item, or can it be rented or bought used? If you must buy new, is the item available in an eco-friendly version, or from a local retailer?

• Create Partnerships – Connect with other local/green-certified, businesses. These relationships often lead to lucrative referrals.

• Get Certified – Many local, national and industry-specific organizations are available to certify green businesses. Certification not only recognizes you for your achievement, but it also sets you apart from your competition.

• Keep on Learning – Going green doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a result of thoughtful choices and changing one’s habits. For tips on how you can be more eco-friendly, check out National Geographic’s Green Guide or attend the annual Green Festival in a city near you.

• Donate to an Environmental Non-Profit – Whether you choose to donate your time, or a portion of your earnings, organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Urban Forest and Greenpeace are just a few of many great organizations you can support.

Visit Rebecca Wilkowski’s blog for links to the organizations with which she is affiliated, as well as links to her photography portfolio. For more on green photography, check out GreenerPhotography.org.

(Click here to read this article on Associated Content. I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Green/Eco-friendly blog posts, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.)

I’m happy to share that recently I was asked to participate in, and photograph, an event at Oakland’s Lake Chalet. I go past the Lake Chalet several times a week while going running around Lake Merritt, and I’ve always wanted to peek inside as I’ve heard the restaurant is just great!

The green event was put on by the Lake Chalet, in conjunction with Karine Brighten of Karine Brighten Events, and Pilar Zuniga of Gorgeous and Green. Karine specializes in coordinating ‘green’ events, both private and corporate. Pilar offers wonderful eco-friendly gift, decor and floral arrangements, both for events and through her retail boutique in Berkeley.

The Lake Chalet has been working towards greening its facility, and is now available to host green events, such as weddings, corporate meetings, and more! I was really excited and honored to be chosen to be on the Lake Chalet’s “Preferred Vendor’s” list, as their only green-certified photographer…woo hoo!

Here are some fun photos of the event. I can’t wait to do more at this great venue. Oh, and they do a awesome 3-6-9 Happy Hour in the Pumphouse, and a great Taco Tuesday that you can enjoy right out on the dock when the weather is nice. Be sure to check them out, and commission a Gondola Ride on the Lake after dinner!

Event photographer for Lake Chalet Oakland Lake Chalet Green Weddings event Eco-friendly wedding flowers Lake Chalet Green Weddings event Sustainable Wedding Flowers Oakland Green Event Coordinator Oakland Green wedding flowers San Francisco Gorgeous and Green Weddings Berkeley Blue and Green wedding flowers San Francisco charity event photographer San Francisco private party photographer Green Wedding Coordinator San Francisco San Francisco gala event photographer Corporate event photography San Francisco Corporate Event Photography Oakland Oakland event photography Oakland Event Photographer Berkeley event photographer

A little history on the Lake Chalet (in case you didn’t know….I sure didn’t!)

Originally a tidal estuary formed by several creeks, Lake Merritt’s gets its name from former Oakland Mayor, Samuel Merritt, who proposed to dam and clean up the estuary in 1868. After funding the project with his own money, Merritt laid the groundwork for the urban sanctuary we know today as Lake Merritt.

The Lake was further transformed into a recreational park around the turn of the Twentieth Century as the roads and paths were built and in 1925 the Lake got its Necklace of Lights.

Municipal Boat House - The Lake Chalet building began life in 1909 as a high-pressure salt water pumping plant for the Oakland Fire Department; John Galen Howard designed the original concrete building.

In 1913, Walter D. Reed designed the two building wings to serve as a municipal boathouse. The building hosted excursions, regattas, locker rooms, a tea room and several restaurants.

The original pump station remained in operation until 1955 when building was converted to offices by Superintendent of Parks William Penn Mott Jr. to move parks staff there from downtown. The Lake Merritt Rowing club has used the lower south wing for their activities since 1961.

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill – The restaurant, which opened in August of 2009, was created by veteran restaurateurs Gar and Lara Truppelli (Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant and Park Chalet Garden Restaurant in San Francisco) working with Executive Chef Jarad Gallagher.

I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see my Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.

Jerry Hart is a veteran radio broadcaster and morning show radio personality, including KISS FM in San Francisco. His weekly show, Smart Green Travel, is just one of many popular shows on Green 960 AM, which regularly features nationally syndicated talkers, including local and live news programming and environmental editorial content.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Featured on this program:

Corina Ann Beczner
Owner & Green Wedding Consultant
Vibrant Events
www.vibrantevents.net
(415) 613-3778

Rebecca Wilkowski Photography
Certified Green Wedding Photographer & Photojournalist
(347) 413-4747
Web: www.RebeccaWilkowski.com
Blog: www.RebeccaWilkowski.com/blog

Bride Chic is the fabulous blog of couture wedding fashion designer, Amy-Jo Tatum. Amy-Jo has been a columnist for San Francisco Art and Fashion News and written articles for The Wedding Gazette. She founded The Design Project of San Francisco, a networking organization of fashion professionals collaborating their skills and talents on projects. She’s currently working on a book called—you guessed it—’Bride Chic’, all about that white gown and very special designer/client relationship. Want to see more of her fabulous gowns? Check out her site at www.amyjotatum.com

To read the article on my company in full, please visit Bride Chic. I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.

About the Couple:
Sarah and Anthony met while they were students attending the Art Institute of California in Santa Monica. Anthony works in film and Sarah is an artist. According to their photographer, Rebecca Wilkowski, Sarah and Anthony are “stylish, young, and fun, and with a great aesthetic as they are both artists…” In college, the couple had the same circle of friends, but somehow managed not to meet each other for three months. Then, late one night at the end of a party, Sarah showed up and Anthony was smitten. A week into dating, Anthony asked for her hand in marriage but she promptly said “no.” After 3 1/2 years of asking, Sarah finally said yes! They tied the knot on January 31, which is Sarah’s grandparents’ wedding anniversary. They thought it would be a nice tribute to them, as they have been happily married for more than fifty years.

The Decision to Go Green:
The couple’s shared love of nature led them to throw a gorgeous green wedding. Anthony loves to write, draw, and go camping. Sarah likes hiking, camping, riding horses, and all things outdoorsy. They invited a group of close friends to keep their wedding day small and simple, very in tune with the outdoors. Using their creativity and working with the gorgeous scenery of their venue, Anthony and Sarah incorporated their unique personal styles into their celebration.

Venue:
Before the wedding, the couple stayed at the Claremont Resort Hotel and Spa.  The ceremony took place at Tilden Park in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden, a naturally stunning and serene living museum of California’s native plant species. This garden encompasses many of the state’s rare and endangered plants and is a place for visitors to wander among trees, shrubbery, and flowers from different plant communities throughout the state. Sarah and Anthony had both always wanted to get married outside, and the gorgeous Botanical Garden seemed like the perfect place.

Rings:
Anthony and Sarah chose a green and meaningful option for their wedding rings—they exchanged vintage rings that had belonged to Anthony’s grandmother.  This idea is eco-friendly, and offers a way for the bride and groom to make a special connection to important family members.

Florist:
The couple decided to use a local, family-owned and operated florist, Darling Flower Shop, for their floral arrangements. The Darling Flower Shop came highly recommended and created the gorgeous succulent bouquets that Sarah wanted. The yellow flowers in the bouquet are wattles, Australia’s national flowers, which perfectly represent Sarah because she is from Sydney, Australia and yellow is her favorite color.

Reception Food:
Sarah and Anthony both love Italian food, and Oliveto, close to Oakland, CA is their favorite restaurant in the whole city for Italian cuisine. Sarah’s heritage is English and Italian, so it fit very well and was a natural choice for their reception dinner. The venue created a delicious menu of fresh, local and certified organic foods for the bride, groom, and their guests.

Table Linens and Decorations:
The couple rented their table linens and decorations, an option that is both budget and eco-friendly. The white tablecloths added to the simple, elegant look that Sarah and Anthony created.

Entertainment:
Instead of having a live band, Sarah and Anthony decided to use their iPod for music as a money-saving strategy. They made their own playlists and hand picked songs that were meaningful to their relationship, as well as their friends and family.

Cake:
Sarah and Anthony wanted an Alice in Wonderland type cake, unique and a little silly, similar to the Mad Hatter’s hat.  Fortunately, they had a close family friend who was willing to make the beautiful cake from scratch. This is a great way to save money and add a personal touch.

Final Thoughts:
The bride acknowledges that planning a wedding can be stressful at times, but it’s worth it.  Sarah says that she and Anthony realized this “the moment we saw each other right before the ceremony. In that instant, all the stress of the day melts away, and you remember why you love each other.”

—–

The Green Bride Guide (GBG) has everything you need to plan a green wedding! Here you can find pictures from real green weddings, articles and advice on eco-chic decor, and a wide range of green wedding gifts including: organic bedding, Recycled Glass Dishes, and eco-friendly appliances. GBG also has the largest green wedding directory in the country, to help you connect with local vendors.

To read this article in full, please visit the Green Bride Guide. I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.

If having a green wedding is important to you, it’s a good idea to choose green vendors to accommodate you on your big day. This week’s Macro Monday featured photographer, Rebecca Wilkowski, definitely belongs in the green group.  Not only is Rebecca a Certified Green Photographer, she also serves on the board of directors for Greener Photography and is a member of Green America, Green Chamber of Commerce and the Bay Area Green Business Program.

In 2006, Rebecca modified her business practices to be more environmentally friendly.  This included reevaluating her practices, technology, office work flow, services and products.  Rebecca Wilkowski Photography even offers environmentally-friendly wedding albums, canvas wall prints, and DVD folios made from recycled materials.

So, who is Rebecca and what is she all about?  Here’s what she has to say …”My background is as diverse as the people I’ve come to photograph, and includes photojournalism, commercial work, portraiture, fine art and travel photography. Weddings, however, are my first love…people are my passion! I treat each wedding as if it were my own. I spend copious amounts of time planning and preparing. I get pre-wedding jitters. I’m overwhelmed with the joy of the first kiss. I get nostalgic when the bride and her father dance. I get down and boogie with the guests on the dance floor. And, (yes, I’ll admit it), I even cry as I edit the photos from each wedding. These images….my client’s images…are that beautiful. And it is this emotion that I strive to evoke in individuals when they see my work.”

The wedding she’s sharing with us today is one with plenty of green elements.  Sarah and Anthony met in school at the Art Institute of California.  After a week of dating, Anthony asked Sarah to marry him.  She quickly said “no.” Then, she finally said “yes” … after 3 1/2 years of him asking.  They were married at the East Bay Botanical Gardens on the anniversary of Sarah’s grandparents to honor their marriage of over 50 years.

Countdown to Earth Day: Greener Photography

-by Rebecca Wilkowski, for Style Unveiled

In just a few years, style-savvy brides have turned “green weddings” from relative obscurity into a must-have affair. From organic flowers and recycled invitations, to vintage gowns and antique rings, couples are finding ways to incorporate green elements into their big day. But, what about photography?

Brides can now choose photographers who not only showcase the couple’s personality, but also offer their services with a low environmental impact. Didn’t think photography could be green? Think again!

There are many ways a photographer can lessen her/his footprint, but some of the most common include: using rechargeable batteries, recycling, purchasing used equipment, using non-toxic/eco-friendly products, partnering with local green vendors, eliminating waste by going paperless, employing energy saving techniques, purchasing carbon offsets for travel to destination weddings, and investing in green technology.

Greener Photography, a non-profit organization founded in 2008, is leading the green photography movement with its certification of professional “greener” photographers in the US and abroad.

Hiring a certified green photographer not only helps you plan a wedding you can feel good about, but also has other perks. Online galleries let you view and share your photos when and where it’s most convenient. Hand-crafted and archival albums help ensure your priceless memories are an heirloom to cherish for years to come. And, with the waste-reducing measures your photographer takes, you’ll end up reaping those benefits when she/he passes those savings on to you, keeping your photography from breaking the bank. Best of all, your photographer will be able to work with, and refer you to, other reputable, eco-friendly vendors, helping you to save time in planning your big day.

Greener Photography certified photographers have successfully completed a rigorous application process, ensuring each has met a minimum level of eco-friendly business practices. Couples can search for a Certified Greener Photographer by visiting: www.GreenerPhotography.org.

To read this article in full, please visit Style Unveiled online.

Rebecca Wilkowski is a San Francisco-based wedding photographer and photojournalist who made the switch to going green in 2006. She is a member of Green America’s Green Business Network (only 1 of 10 approved photographers in the U.S.), Greener Photography, and the Green Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about San Francisco Green Wedding Photographer, Rebecca Wilkowski, online here.

I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.