Life is a mixture of two distant concepts – happiness and sadness, achievements and losses – and the mankind knows how best to live it. Different celebrations, such as the wedding ceremony, play an important role in this regard. These celebrations differ with the geographical, religious and social differences we talk about across the globe. Greek weddings are given much respect in the western hemisphere due to historical reasons. Let us look into some key features of the modern Greek weddings.

Greek wedding ceremonies are conducted in two big parts, namely the Betrothal and the marriage ceremonies. The bride and groom are first asked by the priest at the entrance hall of the church, if they had arrived of their own free will. The couple is then led inside the church, and before the priest blesses the rings, the best man puts them on the right ring fingers of the bride and groom. The ring is exchanged three times between the bride and groom to represent their life-long association. The best man can either be a male “Koumparos” or a female “Koumpara”. The priest then puts his vestment over the couple’s crossed hands to solemnize the ring celebration.

Marriage celebration is the next to be followed in Greek weddings. The bride and groom are either asked to hold two big, lighted candles in their hands or they are placed on the ground in front of them. The lighted candles symbolize the love and blessings of the Jesus Christ for the would-be husband and wife. The priest then holds the wedding crowns called “stephana” over the couple, and makes the sign of cross three times. The two wedding crowns are connected with a ribbon symbolizing the new kingdom they were about to be entitled the queen and king of. The bride and groom kiss the crowns thereafter, before the best man places them on their heads. He then helps the couple exchange crowns thrice, symbolizing their undividable union.

The priest would finally take back the crowns and ask the couple to release their hands while holding the bible. This again carries a deep rooted religious meaning, which says only god could separate a solemnized wife and husband after their union. A reception and a wedding dance would be the course thereafter. All these memories are of course captured by a professional wedding photographer to be later enjoyed again and again for many generations.

Professional Photography – Portrait Photo Tips and Styles

There are three basic types of portrait photography variations. They include 1) head shots, 2) head and shoulder shots, and 3) environmental shots. The environmental shots are portraits in a location where the photographer can take pictures of the person as well as the environment. These kinds of portraits provide character into the subject.

The level of photography you decide on depends on what type of mood you are trying to convey through the photo. If you are shooting for an informal picture, you should consider environmental shots. If you’re aiming for a formal portrait picture, you might consider a head and shoulder picture.

There are many methods to help the subject look relaxed in the picture. The best photos are usually when the subject is not looking directly into the camera and appears relaxed. You could have them sit in chair or stand. The key to having great portrait photos is if the person looks relaxed. Here are a few tips and tricks in achieving this:

1) Choose an appropriate background. What is the model’s personality or the attitude of the family? Are they outgoing, serious, or funny? What are they trying to create with the photo? What mood are they wanting to express? 2) Pose your subject. When taking photos, give your subject clear instructions. If you think the positioning looks off. Tell the subject to tilt their head. 3) Vary the viewpoint As a photographer you must learn how to think creatively. With the resources available today, boring, posed photos will not make much of an impression. Uniqueness is the key! Most pictures are taken at eye level, but by changing the angle you can make your images much more compelling.

One of the best tips to taking good photos is to be prepared. Being professional, organized, and positive puts people at ease and will make the photo sessions run smoothly and efficiently.

Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur just wanting to capture some memories of family vacations and special events, many of your photos will likely include people. By following these few portrait photography tips, you can learn to take fantastic photographs that will be beautiful, natural, and professional quality.