The judges agree that this image from Tod O'Driscoll is the best representation of LOVE. The smiles on the face of the bride and groom are genuine and you can just see how much they care about each other and how happy they are to be married. Congratulations, Tod!

We received over 30 submissions for this contest and narrowed the selection down to seven Finalists. Here are the other six Finalists, each receiving an honorable mention:

Photo by Ryan Graham

Photo by Royce Rolstad

Photo by Lauren Aves

Photo by Kelly Baxter

Photo by Jemma Coleman

Photo by Andrew Jordan

Thank you to everyone who participated in this BIG Folio contest. And a special CONGRATULATIONS to all of our finalists! We have a few more giveaways up our sleeves, so keep reading the BF Blog for more chances to win.

It's June. It's wedding season. It just feels like the right time to host another contest. And the prize, well, it is BIG.

That's right, BIG Folio is giving away a 16-GB iPhone 3GS for the best image of LOVE. Not the love shared by family members, but the swept-away sort of love felt between a bride and groom on their wedding day or a newly-engaged couple. It seems like a broad category, and it is, but we are leaving the creative component up to you photogs out there. Send us pictures from weddings, from engagement sessions (even from random events) and we will determine which image best represents true love.

THE RULES:

• Only two submissions per photographer will be viewed by contest judges.
• The image must contain a couple showing how much they love each other.
• Send images to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com.
• Image size should be no larger than 400px wide.
• The photo deadline is Thursday, June 25th at 11:59 p.m. PST.
• Have fun and be creative!

 

THE HOLGA...

This unassuming, simple, easy-to-use camera has garnered its fair share of praise around the globe. Designed in 1982 by T.M. Lee, the Holga was originally introduced in Hong Kong, but eventually became a worldwide success. It was even at the epicenter of the first, big street photography trend.

The Holga, in all of its simplicity, is still capable of taking some amazing, artistic shots. Photographs taken by Holga's have even gone on to win some major photography awards. In fact, this image of former-vice president Al Gore was featured in a White House News Photographers Association "Eyes of History, 2001" exhibit. It was shot by David Burnett with, you guessed it, a HOLGA.

So, why are we talking about the Holga on a blog for professional photographers? The answer is simple: we want to know if any of you Photogs have ever used a Holga during a wedding or portrait shoot? And if so, how did the pictures turn out? Please leave your responses in the comments box, and as always feel free to submit your Holga images to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com.

Is your online proofing system not all it is cracked up to be? Do you wish there was something better out there? What would you say if you could try it for FREE for a full 30 days?

NextProof is BIG Folio's online proofing platform for professional photograhers and every NextProof plan comes with a FREE 30 day trial.

With SIX available themes and FIVE available plans, there is something for everyone with NextProof. And if you want to do your own thing, NextProof can be easily customized to suit your personal style or match your existing website design.

 

 

...what YOU think about photography. We would like to know your opinions about what turns someone with a camera into a PHOTOG. What turns a shot into THE SHOT. And what sets a GREAT photographer above the rest?

Everyone knows photography blends art with skill, a natural talent with actual training. But which do you think is more important to have? The art or the skill?

And what attributes must a really great shot possess? What is more important, the composition, the subject, the lighting or even something else?

And how does a photographer become The photographer that is booked out months in advance?

We want to know what all you photogs out there have to say. So, please leave us your answers to these questions (and any other photography-related ideas) in the comments section. We look forward to reading your thoughts on the matter.

Also, if you have any images you think really capture the essence of great photography, send them to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com for your chance to appear on an upcoming feature.

Did you know that creating a custom website that fits your own personal style and taste can be as easy as 1...2...3?

BIG Folio's web services allow YOU nearly limitless control over page and gallery layout and design. If you can dream it, your site can be it. Check out the following example of a one-of-a-kind site design in only three simple steps:

1.  Lay out your design (we like to use Photoshop)
2. Upload the design to your BF admin as the "page texture"
3. Turn off the Page Text and Page Image

We encourage you to get creative. Come up with something you love or something you think the world has never seen before. Integrate your personal flare or the overall style of your business. Design your site around that one favorite shot, or use something as simple as a piece of office decor as your inspiration. The possiblities are as endless as your own creativity. The sky is the limit, folks. Enjoy.

Are you rethinking your current logo? Do you want to add something new to your website? Or are you just getting started in the business world?

BIG Folio has the answer for you. We recently teamed up with photographer and designer Jen Thompson to offer you a brand new, full-service Logo Design Package.

The package includes:

• 3 original creations based on your ideas and concepts
• 2 revisions to your concept choice based on your needs
• Your final design will be delivered in all popular print and web-ready formats (eps, psd, tiff, jpeg, png)
• A business card template as a layered psd file
• If you have BIG Folio or NextProof accounts, we’ll add your new logo to your website and proofing account

Want to see some sample logo designs? Check them out here or visit our official Logo Design site for more information or to sign up today.

We had several responses to our post from Monday about finding and shooting hidden moments at weddings. We think the following image truly captures the raw emotion of the bride's father. The description sent to us by the photographer says, "This is the father of the bride, divorced, sitting alone in the row behind his [ex]wife, who is now remarried, as he watches his only daughter take her vows." We are guessing if you didn't already know that, you might have been able to figure it out from this captivating image. 

To see more work from Erin J. Photo, click here. Have an image you wish to submit? Send it to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com.

               Photo by Dan O'Day

Everyone knows weddings can be so fun that sometimes they get downright wild. But what about all the quiet moments tucked in between the funny toasts, the cake cutting and the Thriller-dancing grandmas?

We'd like to hear your stories about photographic the moments of tenderness between a bride and a groom stolen away during a reception, or the doting glances of the bride's father as he walks her down the aisle.

Send your images of wedding quiet times to lindi{at}bigfolio{dot}com and post your stories to our comments page, and you might see your work featured on the blog in an upcoming post.

It is the first official weekend of June, which undoubtedly means the summer WEDDING SEASON is in full force. We keep hearing a lot of good news out there from wedding photographers who say the wedding business is just as booming as ever, despite the economy and trends in other industries.

So, BF wonders how many of our photog friends will be out-and-about this weekend doing what they do best, shooting weddings and documenting the events of a joyful day. If you are a photographer and you have plans to shoot a wedding this weekend, leave us a comment with the date and location and any extra details you would like to share. Who knows, you might just earn yourself an upcoming blog feature...

BIG Folio announced a while ago that we had started a Twitter account. We have been thrilled by the number of people who joined in to follow our Tweets. And just in case you are new to BIG Folio or new to the Twitter game, we'd like to recommend a few folks to check out.

BIG Folio is gearing up to launch a new, incredibly cutting-edge design along with some new design elements. Want your site to be more customized? Well get ready, because these BF additions will do just that. And stay tuned to the BF Blog for more information about these upcoming releases.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to our post last week about must-have photography equipment. We got several comments that made us nod our heads in agreement and a few that just made us chuckle.

Among the lists of popular equipment was the 5D Mark II (see above), the 50mm 1.4 lens (see below), and various lighting tools.

And among the responses that made us smile were eyeglasses, husbands, champagne and pez dispensers.