Check out some of the shots here from Flagler Beach last week. This was the end of the swell from hurricane Earl. Thanks for the “heads up” from Eric Worley on who would be out and about surfing.

I will be on a business trip to Jamacia August 27th though 31st. I will have limited access to email and phone service. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone and I will contact you as soon as I have access again.

I will be on vacation July 6th through the 10th on a cruise to the Bahamas. I will most likely not be reachable during this time period, but feel free to contact me via email or phone and I will return your inquiry as soon I have access to do so.

Believe it or not folks I am indeed here. I realize this blog has had very little activity as of late, but between family concerns and actually shooting my photography sometimes the “blogging” part of my world comes to a grinding halt. So rest assured I am indeed and active photographer so that limits my time for updates. I hope to have some new updates from the last two recent weddings up soon…

Sincerely,
Dwayne Fleming

I was looking back over some images searching for a particular photography and ran across my first paid job that “marked” a start to a paid professional photographer. It was for a mere $150 for a beach wedding. Say what you want about the pricing on weddings…a market exists for low cost beach weddings and someone has to cater to that in my opinion. Sure “Uncle Ed” can do them for that price, but for starting photographers it’s a good way to “get your feet wet”.

This was a beach wedding in Flagler Beach, FL a young couple on a small budget. I actually had fellow photographer Forest Egan with me on this shoot since he was “pondering” getting into the wedding photography. (He was already an awesome wildlife photographer in my opinion.) So both of us took are “version” of shoots for the wedding and burned everything to CD for the clients and gave it to them. (I know, I know….we can start the “CD Negative” debate all over, but that is what we did back then.)
The client proceeded to Wal-Greens eager to print photos from the wedding. (Even after being advised that they should use a professional photo lab.) So they tried to print them from the self-print kiosk and decided the photos “sucked” essentially. (dark, blurry, etc.) The bride called me all upset and after assuring her the photos on the disc would print fine I had an 8 x 10 printed and mailed to her at no charge. After a few days I called her to follow-up and told me she told me how great the photo I sent looked. I assured her all her photos could be printed properly if she took them to professional lab.
Then a few weeks later I got this from my bank….
Needless to say the client would not response to emails or phone calls.

I really had no recourse for this client since I had provided them with the negatives etc already.

Can you say…”Lesson Learned”….

Most of the website updates have been completed to allow a new look and provide more examples of my photography online. This is always a ” work in progress” since I’m the photographer, graphic artist and web designer.

I’m currently working on some blog and website updates. Out with the old and in with the new.

Matt & Margaret Mott

What turned out to be a beautiful wedding day on October 12th 2008 with a small group of family and friends. The day started out with a stretch limo ride from the bride’s house to Ormond Memorial Gardens where the ceremony was performed. While the bride waited with her brides maid she dodged Matt (groom) to avoid letting him see her in her gown. Margaret made a beautiful bride and made was a “cool” groom. (Sunglasses and all..)

After the reception a short limo ride to the beach for a few formals of the bride and groom together on the beach. Then onto a packed reception hall with friends and family anxiously awaiting the arrival of the wedding party.

A night to remember for everyone involved, with a full dance floor until the wee hours…

 mottwedding.photosbydwayne.com

On a beautiful day, August 23rd, 2008 they exchanged vows at the Sunset Harbor and Yacht club. A small, beautiful wedding with the backdrop of yachts and the Halifax River.

royerwedding.photosbydwayne.com

Jessie & Timmy Royer

As a wedding photographer over the last few years I have begun to understand the profession much deeper than I did from the outside as a “doing it strictly for fun” type of photographer. As I moved forward I realize that you have at least two types of clients:
Client number one is a “snap shot” client. Essentially what he/she wants is “snap shots” from the wedding to record the event. Typically these clients wants lots of picture of “whatever” (I am quoting a client!!) and the disc with all the digital negatives for a few hundred dollars.
Client number two wants “Artistic” photos. He/she wants those special touching moments captured in a compelling form. Something that tugs at your heart and brings back the emotions of the day. These are the types of pictures you blow up to 16 x 20 and hang on the wall of your home.I guess the point of this Blog is that neither one of these is bad, but I truly want to be remembered for the “Moments” in people’s lives through my photography. Not as the “camera guy” who shows up and take some “snap shots” at your wedding. Trying not to offend my clients I have begun to have real world discussions with them about what they want out of their “Wedding Photography”. Uncle George can show up with a decent DSLR and take the shots for them. They can also buy the disposable cameras and put them on all the tables for guest to pickup and use for some great “snap shots”. If they want the “snap shots” guy I can be that guy, but is not my preferred “form” of photography (any more). So needless to say this year I have begun to let my pricing reflect that “change” in my perspective.

With Humble Respect,
Dwayne Fleming