Doug Peterson, Wedding Photography

Tips for a Bride

March 23rd, 2010

Here are some tips for picking a professional, passionate, artistically talented, and hard working photographer. Sure I’m biased, but whether you choose me or not I think these tips are good.

Tip 1: Look Past the Portfolio

Ask to see a recent wedding the photographer shot in its entirety. All photographers have a good 20-image portfolio, but only a good photographer consistently captures the essense of every wedding.

Tip 2: Beware the Bait-and-Switch

There are many “wedding photographers” in South Florida who will book multiple weddings for the same date. On your wedding day they will call in “sick” and send a low-cost substitute photographer. Always ask for a strong financial guarantee that the photographer will be at the wedding himself/herself.

Tip 3: Independent Research

Check your photographer out independently. Ask for a reference or two and make sure they aren’t a family member or friend of the photographer. Search Google for their name.

Tip 4: Equipment

Does the photographer use professional grade equipment and do they always carry a backup camera? Without a backup camera a single slip, spill, or bump and they (and you) will be out of luck. The specific brand or cost of a camera should not concern you – I routinely switch between $400 (film), $7,000, and $24,000 cameras which allow me to capture images with different feel.

Tip 5: Look for Someone You Like

Working with a photographer that you get along with will keep you at ease throughout your big (sometimes stressful) day, capturing more natural and flattering images. The best photographer in the world won’t do you any good if you’re not comfortable with them being around. It’s simple, pick someone you like!

Tip 6: Trust Your Gut

Can you trust them on your big day? Do they seem enthusiastic about your wedding or is this “just another” wedding to them. I wake up excited the morning of every wedding I shoot, looking forward to capturing the fleeting moments throughout the day that make up the essence of that wedding.

Bodyscapes, Miami Finale

May 3rd, 2012

My beautiful girlfriend Emily and I moved to Boston / New York recently. As a farewell to the city of Miami I gathered together many of the models, friends, and random strangers I had the pleasure of working with as bodyscape models. The goal was to take advantage of our joint experience in this form to create beautiful landscapes from many bodies at once. Ideas that had been floating around in my head for months finally got a chance to take real shape. I’m very proud of what we accomplished. A few of the best images are below:

Sand, Fog, and Water

January 8th, 2012

My other work has kept me from bodyscapes for the better part of a year now, but with upcoming changes in my life, including a move to Boston, I thought it was a good time to prepare for one last bodyscape shoot in Miami. This included reviewing my previous body of work (no pun intended) which made me realize I never posted the results from my Sand, Fog, and Water bodyscape shoots.

See More from these Shoots

Young Artists

December 13th, 2011

The Florida Grand Opera hired me to shoot the head shots of their Young Artists.

See the other Young Artists

Andy & Laura

December 12th, 2011

Looking for the wedding of Laura and Andy? Check out the photos at my Zenfolio Page or on Facebook (wedding, photo booth).

Beth & Aaron

September 3rd, 2011

For my two most recent weddings I’m trying something a bit different. Rather than post a gallery of stand alone images I’ve posted a preview of their albums. Simply hover over the preview below and select “Expand”.

Craig & Kristen

September 3rd, 2011

Meagan & Joseph

May 2nd, 2011

There is nothing like starting off the summer wedding season with a wedding on the beach in Key Largo. The weather, which looked like it might challenge the beauty of the day, managed to hold out the entire ceremony. A warm gentle breeze punctuated a beautiful ceremony, followed by a very elegant reception. My personal highlight was the 70+ year old Grandmother of the Groom who sung Ave Marie at the ceremony and a beautiful musical blessing at the Reception. Not only was it emotionally touching, but she had a darn good voice!
More Images From the Day

Clamshell

February 5th, 2011

Trying out some new lighting gear for a classic clamshell beauty style of lighting.

Manage Gallery Exhibition

January 16th, 2011

I was honored late last year to have my work shown at the Manege Gallery / Central Exhibition Hall in St. Petersburg Russia. The Curator, Marina Jigarkhanyan, had seen my work in the collection of the Art Photo Expo Gallery and contacted me directly to invite to me to participate in their annual photography exhibition. The 2010 exhibition followed a very broadly defined theme of “Fashion” in which my work fit as a sort of base interpretation. The idea being that the body is the origin of all fashion – without the lines, shapes, and curves of the body there would be little of interest to ornament with clothing and accessories.

The exhibition also gave me an excuse to see Russia for the first time.The highlight of the trip was having the pleasure of dining with Marina and my host at the Russian Vodka Room. We shared our often differing, always strongly held, and mutually respected views of the world – from two very different countries and from two different generations – an experience worth the trip by itself.

The photos below that have my logo water marked on them are my images. The remainder are from the staff of the Manege Gallery who have my appreciation for providing such images to the artists who were exhibiting.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Marina without whom I would have never enjoyed this experience.

A Danish Party

January 16th, 2011

While visiting the headquarters of Phase One (my favorite camera company) I stayed with a friend of a friend in Copenhagen. A party my first night reminded me that “what unites us is far greater than what divides us“. Especially when aided by a bit of libation.

Please excuse the noise – many of these images were shot at the equivalent of ISO 51,200. Which, for non photo dorks, is approximately 64 times higher sensitivity to light (in order to shoot in darker conditions) than a typical consumer point and shoot. I actually rather like the way it looks as something about the grain and high contrast remind me of the mood of that evening.

Thanks for all the fun guys!

Danish beer has never been my favorite, but somehow it tastes better when drinking it in Denmark.

From Russia With Love

January 16th, 2011

While in Russia for my bodyscapes gallery show at the Manage Gallery in St. Petersburg Russia I enjoyed a brief tour of the city from a friend of a friend. I owe her a great debt of gratitude as without her the cyrillic alphabet used in Russia would have left me illiterate.

On the way to a small pet food store we passed this man. Something about the scene struck me as emblematic of Russia.

My beautiful and generous host waiting to meet some friends before a concert.

My beautiful and generous host with her classy twin reflex medium format camera. Girls with medium format cameras are very sexy.

A Visit to Phase One in Denmark

January 16th, 2011

Following Photokina last year I was honored by an invitation to visit the Copenhagen, Denmark headquarters of Phase One. Confidentiality prevents me from posting or discussing much of what I saw there, but I do have a few interesting images to share.

The ferry that carried my train from mainland Europe to Denmark across the Køge Bugt (bay).

I got lost trying to enter the building since one wing is under construction.

The entire facility was decorated with customer images and everyone showed great pride in both the quality of hardware & software as well as what customers have created using it.

Apparently made as a trade-show giveaway by a Mamiya Distributor this can of Mamiya branded soda had me in stitches.

I can't remember if they said that only a very small number of Light Phases were ever made in a Mamiya mount, or if they said that only test models were made. Regardless this is the only one I've ever seen.

Croatia

October 19th, 2010

See More Photos From This Shoot

Natasha Take 2

October 19th, 2010

Natasha is building her modeling portfolio to branch out from her current work as an actress.

See More Photos of Natasha

Alison & Mike

October 19th, 2010

Family, Friend, Food, Flowers

Alison and Mike opted for an intimate wedding with close family and friends only. The ceremony was in their spacious backyard and a catering company helped prepare some of Alison’s family specialties (Alison is a chef). It was a relaxed and enjoyable celebration of love.