"My favorite part of the reception was the photo montage," recalled my dear friend, Beth. I was a guest at her wedding and am in full agreement after witnessing the profound effect that the montage had on friends, family, and - of course - the couple themselves.

As photos of Beth and Steve (her now-husband) flashed across the screen, memories flashed across the hearts and minds of the guests. There was Beth as a baby, munching on her first birthday cake. You could hear an audible sigh from the crowd - and a "sniff" from Mom. When a photo of Steve and his recently-deceased grandmother was aglow, those who knew her gave up a brief cheer in her honor. It was a happy moment; her smiling portrait was a reminder of how pleased she was that Steve was finally settling down.

Guests who were more familiar with either the bride or groom felt like they "knew" them - and their love story - much better afterwards.

"I know from my own wedding, the montage is one of the most memorable parts of the reception," says Kim Artero of Audio Video Ace (312-4122). Her company invests incredible time and care into making very personal and unique photo montages. "I call them a work of art; they are a beautiful tribute to a couple's life and love story to share with their guests, family and children for years to come," says Artero.

Audio Video Ace presents their photo montages on a big screen and provides a technician to ensure the montage and equipment is ready to play flawlessly on cue. System rentals (PAs, speakers and more are also available for rent) can be dropped off and set up or managed by a professional during your event.

Don't think that photo montages are a one-time-use-only expense. "It's also about preserving your memories by adding motion and music to bring the photos to life," says Tony Mason of Memories by Mason (644-1869). "I transform pictures into a perfectly fluid story in such a personal way that tears and hugs often follow a viewing of the DVD," he continues.

Memories by Mason's photo montage prices start at just $150 and can include old photos, slides and negatives that can deteriorate with time. By scanning them into a digital format, they can be treasured by future generations. You can even make prints of your priceless memories when you request that the images be transferred to CD.

"Clients tell me that they view their montages over and over again. They are a gift that anyone can give," reflects Mason.

Questions to Ask Potential Photographers
Are there a minimum amount of pictures? Can you provide high-resolution digital negatives?

Do you enhance all images in post production? Are "touch ups" extra?

What equipment do you use? How many cameras will you bring?

What will the albums look like upon completion? How long are they made to last under normal care?

Can I see the proofs from the last wedding you shot? Can I see albums from a variety of venues?

What the Digital Revolution Means for your Wedding Photos
by William Innes
Photography's transition from film to digital files has both positive and negative impacts on your wedding images.

Quite possibly the biggest detriment is that it seems nearly everyone with a digital camera thinks that they are a photographer. The easiest way to ruin a friendship - and your only chance at having memorable wedding photographs - is to ask a friend or family member to serve as amateur photographer.

Post production has also changed. Now, professional photographers can work to enhance their images further via Photoshop and other tools to improve color and details. That couldn't be done 20 years ago on the scale we do it today, which makes it easy to forget that you still need to start out with a fantastic raw image captured in the camera.

Today's digital cameras are equivalent or better than film, and there are so many more options available to you. Before, the average photographer would shoot 200 to 300 images. Now it's often over 3,000. For photographers like me who enjoy shooting "freestyle" (versus having a singular niche, be it "photojournalism," "fashion," etc.), it provides an even better opportunity to break away from the traditional canned poses. Instead, we have the flexibility to capture more real moments and fun images that tell the story of the day.
William Innes is a professional wedding photographer based in Santa Clarita; 254-2401 www.innesphotography.com