Vendor Spotlight: Cathy Dietz Photography & Video

Welcome to the first installment of "Vendor Spotlight" here at The Perfect Wedding Solutions blog! In the coming weeks, I'll be posing questions to some of the Michiana area's finest photographers, bakers, caterers, venues, and more to help you navigate the often-confusing process of planning your wedding.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce Cathy Dietz Photography to you. Here are her answers to my questions:

What inspired you to start your business?

As I’m writing this I am preparing to have my own “headshot” done today. I am trying not approach the session with the same feeling of dread that I see clients come to me with over and over again. Yikes! I have this idea about how I’d like to see me, but I’ve learned over the years, to get that across in a photograph takes more than a slick studio and a great camera.

What inspired me to start my business? Basically, it’s because I found that when I would photograph a person, I had a knack for setting people at ease. The result would be authentic images , not the standard stiff, posed ones we’ve all seen too many of. Once people started offering to pay me I thought “hey, maybe I’m onto something”.

How would you describe your photography style?

Hmmmm… it’s hard for me to describe my style exactly. I guess I would say “Artistic Portraiture”. Most of my sessions and events include what you could classify as traditional and candid images. The difference with my photographs is what I do with them in post-production. This is where the “art” of my photography comes in. Each image goes through a special retouching process to make it the most beautiful it can be. Sometimes I need to take out something distracting in the background or I might decide to turn and image black and white. It takes a little more time, but the results are always worth it.

What advice would you give brides who are looking for a photographer?

• Think about what you want to have in your hands after all is said and done. Do you want an album, enlargements, color images, black & white images, etc… Different photographers are going to have different skills in all these areas. Once you know what you want you’ll have good questions to ask a potential photographer.
• Your photographer is going to be with you ALL day. If after you meet with a prospective photographer your personalities don’t click, move on. It is VERY important you feel comfortable with whoever you choose… it will show in the images.
• Ask about the equipment the photographer uses. Are they using a professional SLR and do they have “fast” lenses that will work in situations where flash is not permitted. One of my biggest pet-peeves is photographers who only use a standard “on-camera” flash. This results in images where the background is completely dark. The photographer needs to have additional lighting in these situations.
• Of course, make sure you see examples of weddings the photographer has done, and get references.
• I had one bride last year who had been not only practicing her dancing ahead of time but had also been practicing her posing. We had to continually break her of this throughout her wedding day. Don’t practice posing! Relax and enjoy your special day. If you do this your photographs will be stunning!

What new trends do you see in wedding photography for 2009? I think in 2009 you will see more wedding photographers offer “high art” images, be it from a creative setting or from digital enhancement. Digital photography has come a long way. Just about anything you can imagine creating artistically can be done. In my home I prefer to have art that I have some connection with, whether it is something a friend has painted or a photograph from a place I have visited. What better way to start off your new life than with a piece of art from your special day.

Who inspires you most on a daily basis?
I have a luscious cocoon of family and friends that keep me inspired! I keep in close touch with them. The more I am part of their everyday experiences, the better I am at connecting with my subjects. This year I am also taking a cue from famous photographer Annie Leibovitz. She published a book, “A Photographer’s Life”, that is made up of candid photographs of her family from 1990 through 2005. I am making a point of taking more pictures of my own family. It reminds me that there is so much beauty in the ordinary.

Visit Cathy Dietz's website for more examples of her beautiful photography and email cathy@cathydietz.com for more info.

Picture perfect pictures of your wedding. How PERFECT is that?