Since I’ve had a few clients be a little confused when trying to make their own prints from my professional digital negatives, I thought I should address it here on the blog to avoid confusion in the future.

The professional cameras I use have a full frame sensor, this means that it’s the same size as a 35 mm negative. Therefore all the digital negatives have a 2:3 ratio.

Images printed in a 2:3 ratio will show the entire image. This would include a 4×6, 6×9, 8×12, 10×15, 12×18, 14×21, 16×24, 18×27, 20×30, 22×33, 24,x36, 26×39 and so on. However, some of the most popular sizes for prints and frames in the U.S. do not include most of these sizes. This means that when printing a photo in some of those other sizes, part of the image will be cropped out of the print. I have some examples below from Jessica and Hunter’s wedding in Del Mar this past weekend.

Here’s the original image in a 2:3 ratio size for comparison (2×3, 4×6, 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30…)

This is what a 5×7 would look like:

An 8×10:And an 11×14:

Also, keep in mind when ordering canvas wraps, part of the image will wrap around the edges. Here’s a screenshot of a 30×40 canvas wrap showing the parts of the image that would be on the sides of the frame:

I hope this helps! And of course, can’t wait to share the images from this gorgeous wedding soon :).

I’ve talked about the first look before here, but I thought it was important to include a different point of view on the subject – the groom’s point of view.

A couple of my grooms were kind enough to take some time and share their thoughts on their own experience.

Tassie and TJ were married on July 11th, 2010

“The first look honestly wasn’t something that I had thought of before our wedding day but was all for it when I heard what was planned. It was one of my favorite moments on our wedding day and was very glad we did it. Seeing her in that moment and the excitement and love showing in her smile was one of the warmest feelings I’ve ever experienced. It was very similar to seeing her walk down the aisle but it was something that only Tassie and I share as opposed to sharing that moment with everyone else in the church.” T.J.

And here’s an image from Tassie and TJ’s first look:

Christen and Jason were married on November 6th, 2010

“At first I thought it was against tradition. We had some good advice to choose a photographer we really liked because in 20 years the pictures are what you are going to remember. Christen said it would give us more time for pictures, they would turn out better and we wouldn’t have to rush before the sun went down. Looking back at it now, I am so glad we did it the way we did. It was more personal and I truly got to see her before anyone else. I didn’t have to hold anything back because it was just us. I think there is something special about getting to express those feelings and not have to hold them in because you are in a ceremony. I honestly think seeing her before she walked down the aisle made the experience of her walking down the aisle better. I already knew she looked beautiful, my nerves were lowered and I was able to focus on her. I really thought the whole experience was awesome and the way to go.” Jason

And here’s an image from Christen and Jason’s first look:

Thank you both so so much and I hope this helps any of you trying to make a decision weather or not to have your own special moment prior to the ceremony or not.

Happy wedding planning :)