Technology can be very empowering, and many times that’s a good thing. It can also lure us into a sense of believing that we’re better at something than we really are; being able to instantly translate a foreign phrase doesn’t make one fluent in that language, and having a high-quality camera integrated into our smartphone doesn’t make one a professional photographer. It may improve the quality of your pictures, but you still won’t know the difference between an f-stop and a four-way stop—or why it matters. 

Take the “candid” shot: Seemingly so simple, there’s an art to capturing that spontaneity in the perfect light. There are simply some events and circumstances that warrant hiring a professional photographer, whether it’s that one-in-a-lifetime occasion or something that could add value to or enable a business or financial opportunity. PhotosTM shares a few tips below.

Don’t take chances when money’s on the line
Between global commerce and the proliferation of remote workers, our first impressions of business colleagues and vendors are often online. This is why a professional headshot should be a requisite for every business. Not only does it provide potential clients, customers, and partners with a first impression, but it’s an image that is often replicated on other sites, such as professional networking and social media sites, as well as in news stories and business proposals. From the way you sit or stand, to the background behind you, this seemingly simple undertaking requires more preparation and thought than your fourth-grade photoshoot.

Mannix notes that hiring a professional photographer to shoot your corporate events can also help your business brand. In addition to professional shots adding credibility to your website, most people in general like seeing themselves included in photos, and may be inclined to share high-quality images across social media, adding mileage to your branding efforts. 

A knowledgeable and experienced photographer is an absolute must if you have notable attendees, such as government officials, celebrities, or other dignitaries at your event. Consider hiring a professional photographer for any public speaking or training events that you or someone in your business is conducting as well for your promotional materials.

Also, you’ll want to hire a professional photographer if you’re selling your home to show it in its best light. When your prospective buyers click on those images, you want shots that will beckon them and make them believe that they could see themselves cooking in your kitchen or relaxing on the patio in the quiet of the morning. While this has always been true, never has it been more important than in this era of COVID-19 when many people are reluctant to go places—or at a minimum, judicious about what compels them to leave their surroundings and close-knit circle. 
Real estate agents have gotten creative about using technology for 3D walkthroughs, virtual open houses, or even video-chat tours. Professional photos are a key component of this new era of home marketing.

A bridge of miles and experiences
In times of uncertainty, capturing special moments that allow you to relieve valuable memories becomes more important than ever. Being able to share photos of pregnancies, engagements, wedding ceremonies, and the first and last days of school with loved ones far away, or with those unable to safely visit, can offer a treasured connection in what seems like a distant world for so many.
Personal photos also give younger family members historical context. We’ve all marveled at pictures of our parents and grandparents when they were young, as though we could never have imagined them that way. Future questions of “where were you in 2020?” or “what did you look like when you were my age?” can be answered pictorially with professional images worthy of keeping for yet another generation.
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A worthy investment
British photographer Martin Parr said, “Photography is the simplest thing in the world, but it is incredibly complicated to make it really work.” You may marvel at your improved photos with the latest iPhone camera, and then you try to capture the breathtaking beauty of a morning mist or a night sky and you just can’t quite seem to get there. That’s what professional photographers do: connect you and the ones you love with that perfect moment in time, captured.
This article is brought to you by PhotosTM—My name is Tsafrir (Mike) Melamed. As your wedding photographer, it’s my job—and my privilege—to capture all of those special, fleeting moments during your wedding, plus a great many others, so that in the weeks, months, and years to come, you will be able to experience them, possibly for the first time, and then enjoy them over and over again. In the photojournalism style, I stay behind the scenes, snapping candid shots as the story unfolds and taking more formal, staged photographs when appropriate. The result is a joyous and natural collection of scenes from your most special day. For more information, please visit my website or contact me today!

​For many brides, planning a wedding is both exhilarating and exhausting. There are so many details to plan for and people to organize that the stress can take some of the fun out of the process, but fortunately there are several ways to make the day special and unique to you and your partner. 
 
One of the best ways to inject some fun into your wedding day is to plan for a venue that shows off your personalities. These days, more and more couples are opting for non-traditional vows that are held outside of a church, meaning you can really get creative and show off who you are. Whether you want to say “I do” at a place that holds special meaning for the two of you--such as the park where the proposal took place--or at a venue that incorporates parts of your personalities, it’s important to do a little research before making any decisions. Some non-traditional venues will have limited space, or won’t have accommodations for inclement weather. Others may not allow food and drink, meaning you’ll have to hold your reception elsewhere. 
 
There are plenty of things to think about when planning for your big day; here are a few ideas from PhotosTM.com to get you started.
 
A classic movie theater
 
If you and your partner are movie buffs, there’s no better place to say your vows than inside a historic theater. Many towns are still home to a classic film venue, so even if there isn’t one where you live, there may be one in a town near you. It may be possible to rent out the main theater for several hours and even serve guests from the snack bar, but each venue is different so get the details before making any plans. The owners may not want outside food and drink to be brought in, so this may be an instance where a separate reception hall is necessary.
 
A dog park
 
Get the dogs involved! If you have a beloved pet and want to include him on your big day, why not look for a lovely dog park to say your vows in? More and more cities are making room for these parks, some of which have some awesome amenities for pups.
 
Invite your guests to bring their own dogs (dressed in their best formal wear, of course) for the big day and set up a little table full of treats for the four-legged attendees. You may have to get permission from the city to hold the ceremony in the park, so look online for the rules in your town. And, of course, you’ll want to ask someone to be on clean-up duty, both before and after the ceremony.
 
The library
 
While the library may not be the first place you think of when you’re planning a party, certain locations around the country have enough space to host a wedding, offering up an architectural feast for the eyes as well as a sense of history. If you and your partner love to read or if your profession involves writing, the library may well be the venue for you. 
 
On the farm
 
While you wouldn’t be the first couple to be married on a farm, you can make your big day unique to you by going for a rustic theme or setting the date late in the year and surrounding yourself with Christmas trees. An elegant, holiday-themed wedding is one of the most memorable ways to celebrate your love; just be sure you’re not cutting into everyone’s holiday plans by setting the date well away from Christmas Day.
 
Your backyard
 
Your own home could be the wedding venue of your dreams. By making a few upgrades here and there and decorating for the occasion, you can turn your backyard into your dream wedding location. And all those improvements -- from adding a fresh coat of paint to planting flowers -- can actually increase your home’s value.
 
Choosing a unique venue will allow you and your partner to show off your personalities and truly create a memorable day that celebrates both of you. Think about the best ways to showcase all the things you love and how you can share them with your friends and family.

The Franco family was my last family portrait for 2020. It was a fun little mini session in Cuesta Park, Mountain View. 

I enjoyed working with the Noble family. We did a fun mini session at Diamond Park in Oakland. An awesome spot for a fun family session. 

Ms. Shook is my kids teacher - so much fun working with her and her wonderful family! They joined us at the Fall mini sessions in  Del Valle Regional Park. 

 I love it when I get to take photos of 3 generations, from grandparents to grandchildren.
​The Devlin family was so awesome to work with during our Fall mini-sessions at Del Valle Regional Park

Te best part of being a family photographer is capturing the fun interactions between the family members. The Feldman family was so awesome and natural infant of the camera - Thank you for being part of my fall mini sessions at  Arizona Gardens Stanford.

I had the opportunity to take Yonathan’s Graduation pictures at the University of Stanford. It was a fun and relaxed photo session on a sunny day. 
​Congratulations Yonathan on recently receiving your B.S. Degree in Mathematics from Stanford University!!! Good luck and wishing you the best on your Masters Studies! 

Hey friends…Did you hear?
BAY AREA FALL MINI SESSIONS ARE LIVE!!
I have selected a few exciting locations for this year, this is the perfect time to update that family portrait and get your Christmas cards done early.
These sessions are great for couples, families, maternity, seniors, engagements, and/or headshots…
Don’t miss out this year! 

For all the information and to RSVP - Click here!
Spots will fill up quickly! Time slots are on first come first serve basis - don't wait! ​

Michelle contacted for a special family portrait card. She had a vision for this crazy COVID19 year to make a fun 2 part card.
The first part is all the family sitting on a station "waiting for this year to end" and the second part is a fun family portrait.
We did the photos session and designed the card...
​Bring your ideas to our Bay Area Fall mini sessions!