DETAIL OF DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOJOURNALISM WPJA

Award-Winning Photo of the WPJA Q4 contest 2008.

JUDGES COMMENTS: Very nice and unusual detail shot. Everything came together, the light, the location, the people, the chrome bumper and the license plate. Well done.

Peter Van De Maele is an award-winning wedding photojournalist with the WPJA, based out of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. The contest winning image above is taken St-Martin on a Caribbean destination wedding.

The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) is a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world. What sets our members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography. www.wpja.com

OUR LOVELY DAUGHTER IS BORN, A NEW FUTURE FOR THE DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

OUR LOVELY DAUGHTER " MILA MARIT " IS BORN ON FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2009. Togehter with her family " mom, dad & Brother ", see will travel around for our destination wedding photography concentrated for The Caribbean islands, . . . Cuba, Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Trinidad & Mexico, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres . . .

NEW BEST DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE

My new website http://www.petervandemaele.com is online!!!

I am curious about your comments on it, . . .

Drop me an email.

Wedding Photographer
Peter Van De Maele
peter@d-eYe-d.com
info@best-destination-wedding.com

Custom wedding packages Cuba, Havana, Varadero, Holguin or Mexico, Cancun, Playa del Carmen

We offer you our BEST DEAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES!!!
Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele creates customized wedding photography packages for Cuba, Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and Mexico, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujers.
QAULTIY LASTS FOREVER this PRESENT LASTS FOREVER

Only for wedding couples that are getting married in 2010 Cuba, Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and Mexico, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujers. To secure your wedding photographer Van De Maele at your wedding day, is a deposit of 50% required of this special wedding photography packages.

Feel free to contact us, if you have any questions about our CUSTOM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE FOR YOU.

Award Winning Wedding Photographer Peter Van De Maele
d-eYe-d Destination wedding Photography
USA/Canada Toll free: 1-877-793-3387
info@d-eYe-d.com
http://www.d-eYe-d.com

Wedding photography Cuba Varadero Havana

Cuba destination wedding photographer Cuba wedding photography! Peter Van De Maele is an award winning International destination wedding photographer based at Cuba of the WPJA, offers exclusive Caribbean destination wedding photography and recently living in Cuba.
For this reasson we give a Cuba special only for 2009 weddings " Havana, Holguin, Varadero, Playa Pesquiro, Trinidad, ... wedding photographer "

THE PHOTOGRAPHY FACTOR IN PLANNING DESTINATION WEDDINGS

THE PHOTOGRAPHY FACTOR IN PLANNING DESTINATION WEDDINGS

Destination weddings offer stunning scenery and exotic atmosphere, providing the conditions needed to enhance those fabulous memories. However, since these types of weddings are often at resort locations in foreign countries, they’re subject to the unusual and the unexpected, creating logistical and scheduling factors that can affect your entire agenda, including the photography. A few of our most traveled award-winners have weighed in with their own experiences and advice for ensuring a smooth and wonderful event.

POLITICAL UNREST

It’s hard to imagine a more picture postcard-perfect wedding location than Haiti. Few islands in the Caribbean rival its beautiful beaches, mountains, rain forests, rich culture…or political upheaval. Even though the present government is stable, two centuries of bloodshed over politics and power should make you cautious about making wedding arrangements there.

No matter what idyllic wedding location you might choose anywhere in the world, popular attitude and local politics can shift. So when you plan your destination wedding, WPJA member David Murray of Kennebunkport, ME, suggests you scan the news to make sure the country you choose isn’t experiencing instability. The last thing you need on your wedding day is to be rescued from a political revolution.

“Having worked as a photojournalist in Haiti, I know things can change very quickly,” says Murray, who has spent many years in the Caribbean shooting for newspapers and now photographs destination weddings there. “Google the place you select and do your research. Obviously if you are going to be married in Bermuda, it’s not a problem, but in many foreign countries it pays to talk with a concierge or other knowledgeable person at your hotel before venturing off the grounds of your resort into uncharted territory.”

Tod O’Driscoll, a WPJA member from Phoenix, AZ, says if he is going to photograph a wedding in a country unfamiliar to him, he researches it on the Internet and in travel books. “I also speak with people who have extensive experience traveling or working in those countries,” he says. “This really helps me to be as prepared as possible, and helps me deal with logistical issues, like language, culture and customs.”

Destination wedding photographers Peter Van De Maele, O’Driscoll and Murray agree that it’s also important to have a contingency plan for any potential disaster. That’s especially true if you are planning on getting married during the Atlantic hurricane season (June through November), but it can be a lifesaver when a rainy day washes out your outdoor ceremony. “I shot a destination wedding in Kauai, Hawaii, last year,” says O’Driscoll. “I had been planning on getting some great portraits of the bride and groom at the beach. Unfortunately, Kauai had experienced about six weeks of rain so the ocean was an ugly-looking brownish gray. Then on the day of the wedding, it rained pretty much nonstop the whole day. Fortunately, the bride and groom knew that there was a very good chance of rain so they had secured a church to use for the ceremony.”

OMINOUS CLOUDS


Destination wedding photographer Peter Van de Maele, an award winning WPJA photojournalist based in the Riviera Maya, Mexico & Bruges, Belgium Europe has agents in New York & Hongkong caught a rainy moment at an outdoor beach ceremony on Playa del Carmen. In his award-winning photo, a lone, colorful umbrella held aloft by one of the guests contrasted beautifully against a threatening gray cloud, giving the picture an ominous feeling. “It was raining and the bride was freaking out as she was getting ready,” says Van de Maele, because she had no alternative place selected. When he got to the beach for the ceremony, the rain had stopped and the guests closed their umbrellas, except one. That picture tells the story of a nervous beginning to a ceremony that ultimately stayed dry.

Murray advises Caribbean-bound brides and grooms to be prepared for the tropical climate. “It’s hot and it can be humid,” he says. “I strongly suggest that couples wear comfortable clothing. It’s also a good idea to give yourself a couple of days to get acclimated to the climate and the area. Get to know the staff at the hotel and make sure they know you. And stay a few extra days so you can really enjoy it.”

A couple Murray photographed at the Yucatan Peninsula just south of Cancun definitely got into the island spirit when they kicked off their shoes after the ceremony. “I’m always looking to shoot something different,” says Murray about photographing the couple’s feet. “As they walked down the stairs toward me, I noticed the cool lights. I panned their feet with my long lens and stayed in sync with the camera as they took each step.” The resulting image is a whimsical representation of tropical wedding casualness.

Wedding photojournalists are charged with recording the day’s events, of course, but they also strive to visually represent a wedding’s atmosphere. O’Driscoll captured the mood during a reception held at the exclusive resort of La Loma in Cuixmala, Mexico, on the Pacific coast. Originally built as a familial compound by the late British billionaire Sir James Goldsmith and surrounded by the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, La Loma has a sophisticated elegance in an all-natural environment. “The reception was held on a thatched-roof patio overlooking the ocean,” O’Driscoll remembers. His warm, sunset photo beautifully represents the peaceful, private affair.

KNOW THE LAW

Even though the couple O’Driscoll photographed was married at a resort, they still had to adhere to Mexico’s marriage laws. “In Mexico you must have two witnesses, and blood tests for the couple are required,” says Elena Lynch, supervisor of destination weddings with The Wedding Experience, a Miami-based wedding consulting company. Laws vary from country to country, she says, so those couples that want destination weddings should know the marriage requirements well in advance to avoid last minute scrambling.

Some countries have laws against using photographers and other professionals who aren’t locally based. It’s not a problem in Mexico, Lynch notes, and it isn’t typically a concern in other Caribbean countries either. However, she advises keeping your hired photographer’s presence low-key, a tip David Murray also recommends. “I skirted the issue once in Anguilla,” he recalls. “When I arrived on the island and was asked by an official the reason for my visit, he hesitated when I told him I was photographing a wedding. So I hastily added that the bride and groom were friends of mine, which made it OK with him. When I go to Mexico to photograph a wedding, I take only two cameras and try not to appear like anything other than a tourist.”

LANGUAGE, INSURANCE AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

It’s helpful if you know a little of the language where you intend to marry, especially in remote locations. That’s not a problem for Destination wedding photographer Peter Van de Maele, a native of Belgium who speaks five languages and travels with an assistant who speaks six. Van de Maele advises that if you are unfamiliar with the country or language, it’s a good idea to hire a local wedding consultant. However, he recommends working with an independent consultant rather than a coordinator at the resort where you plan to marry. “For resort wedding coordinators, it’s just a job,” he says. “You are just wedding number three or four on a single day. But an independent professional wedding coordinator can help create an exclusive, easy-going wedding tailored to you.”

Wedding photojournalists Van de Maele and Lynch both advocate purchasing traveler’s insurance. In fact, Lynch advises couples to invest specifically in wedding insurance, which typically covers such unforeseen events as severe weather, illness or no-show vendors.

“Good insurance is a must because strange things can happen during special events,” says wedding photographer Van de Maele. In Mexico his assistant nearly died because of an incorrect diagnosis. “Our insurance sent him to a Paris hospital and then to Belgium. The total bill was $60,000! Medical care can be critical, even in a beautiful, exotic paradise.”

Taking these kinds of precautions, whether purchasing wedding insurance, or familiarizing yourself with a country’s customs, laws and climate, will increase your chances for a successful, stress-free wedding, no matter where in the world the ceremony takes place.

—by Lorna Gentry for the Wedding Photojournalist Association
http://www.wedpix.com/articles/016/planning-destination-wedding-photography.html

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOJOURNALIST PETER VAN DE MAELE WPJA

I have wonderful news, the WPJA Q1 results are out.....and guess what!! I placed 2 images of the 5 images that I sended in free!!!

The 2nd place in the CEREMONY, and the 15th place in the DETAILS category. the international wedding photojournalist association wpja invited me 2 months ago and I never believed I could win an award (between all those great and international photographers)....but I did it!!!

INT.JUDGES COMMENTS:
2nd) This is a wonderful photograph of the wedding setting. Beautiful light, good composition and the red umbrella adds just the spot of color the photo needs to the otherwise muted palette.
At least one person came prepared for the weather. Great scene setter. Makes one wonder how the ceremony went.

Check it out on their website www.wpja.com who the judges were and the comments they give about my images.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and don't forget to pass the word, about your International Wedding Photojournalist Peter Van De Maele!

AWARD WINNING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WPJA

The 15th place in the DETAILS category of the Int.Wedding Photojournalist Association (wpja.com) Q1 contest.

INT.JUDGES COMMENTS:
15th)Frame within a frame is a real nice touch for this detail. It's readable and well done. Good seeing on the part of the photographer.

Check it out on their website www.wpja.com who the judges were and the comments they give about my images.

Thanks again to everyone and don't forget to pass the word, about your International Wedding Photojournalist Peter Van De Maele!

WPJA Q1 Results are online!!!!!

Great news:

I placed 2 pictures

DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES 2009

MY NEW WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE IS ONLINE !!!

We offer you our best deal destination wedding photography packages promotions 2009 / 2010!
NEW PRICES 2009:

Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is available to cover any event in Cuba / Mexico :
Wedding packages CUBA, starting from 1.450 €. Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Los Cayos, ...
Wedding packages MEXICO, starting from 2999 $ Riviera Maya, Peninsula de Yucatan, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Morelos....

We have set packages and prices, tax and other additional fees like travel are already included but we also create a custom package for you if needed.

For any questions, please feel free to contact us.

USA/Canada Toll free: 1-877-793-3387
Email: info@d-eye-d.com
http://www.petervandemaele.com
http://www.d-eye-d.com

CHOOSING YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER,

Thank you for choosing d-eYe-d different eYe dimension as your destination
Wedding Photographer. Peter Van De Maele is the founder of the company and is an International wpja award winning destination wedding photographer and has been a Photographer for over 15 years. While the last 5 have been exclusively working in Digital Wedding Capture and manipulation.

If you need assistance in planning your wedding please dont hesitate to contact us. Enjoy the images and if you have any questions please feel free to visit the contact page and send a quick email. Locations covered are included on this page. Destination wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is International and will travel anywhere needed.

Coverage available for weddings in Cuba, varadero, cayo guillermo, cayo largo, cayo coco, playa esmeralda, guardalavaca, playa pesquero, holguin, La Habana also Mexico, Riviera Maya, Peninsula de Yucatan, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Morelos....

Contact: info@d-eye-d.com

http://www.d-eye-d.com
http://www.petervandemaele.com

CUSTOM DESTINATION WEDDING PACKAGES CUBA AND MEXICO, RIVIERA MAYA.


Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele creates customized destination wedding photography packages for Cuba, Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and Mexico, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujers.
QAULTIY LASTS FOREVER this PRESENT LASTS FOREVER

Only for wedding couples that are getting married in 2010 Cuba, Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and Mexico, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujers. To secure your wedding photographer Van De Maele at your wedding day, is a deposit of 50% required of this special wedding photography packages.

Feel free to contact us, if you have any questions about our CUSTOM DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE FOR YOU.

Award Winning Wedding Photographer Peter Van De Maele
d-eYe-d Destination wedding Photography
USA/Canada Toll free: 1-877-793-3387
info@d-eYe-d.com
http://www.d-eYe-d.com

Professional wedding photography, photojournalism
Prices 2009

Gold Photosession, CUBA, Varadero wedding photography
€ 1.450,00 euro ( travel fee included Varadero, Havana )

Every special “moment to hold” of your perfect day, will be in this exclusive photo-package. Pictures of: Getting ready, Bride and Groom, ceremony and family. We fulfill optional all your special wishes: eg. pictures at sunrise or sunset, pictures at other locations, single pictures of the wedding couple on another day if wished,...

• A pre-wedding meeting to know your desires and to inform you about our working plan for your special day.
• Professional photographer Van De Maele your wedding-day. ( max. 4 hours )
• Trash the Dress photoshoot ( Optional )
• Wedding, Parent, Guest Books ( Optional )
• Online photo album for 1 months. “ Share your pics”
• Dvd with all the original pictures of your special day.
• Edited Dvd with selected pictures 100,
• 250 euro per extra hour


Deposit required
To secure your photographer Van De Maele
• Validities prices: 7 days
• Contact: info@d-eYe-d.com
• Website: www.d-eYe-d.com

Platinum Photosession, CUBA wedding photography
€ 1.999,00 euro ( travel fee included, Cuba )

Every special “moment to hold” of your perfect day, will be in this exclusive photo-package Pictures of: Getting ready, Bride and Groom, ceremony, family and a Trash the Dress Photoshoot on a different location.
Borders are no limit for us, we deliver European Top Quality with a “ Caribbean spirit.”

• A pre-wedding meeting to know your desires and to inform you about our working plan for your special day.
• Professional Photographer Van De Maele covering your Full wedding-day. ( max. 4 hours )
• Trash the Dress Photoshoot ( max. 2 hours )
• Online photo album for 2 months.”Share your pics”
• Dvd with all the original pictures of your special day.
• Edited Dvd with selected pictures 150, incl.all needed corrections
• Personalized service and product.
• 250 euro per extra hour

“ QUALITY LASTS FOREVER ”

Diamond Photosession, CUBA wedding photography
€ 2.499,00 euro ( travel fee included Cuba )

Every special “moment to hold” of your perfect day, will be in this exclusive photo-package Pictures of: Getting ready, Bride and Groom, ceremony, family, reception, dance and a Trash the Dress Photoshoot on a different location.
Borders are no limit for us, we deliver European Top Quality with a “ Caribbean spirit.”

• A pre-wedding meeting to know your desires and to inform you about our working plan for your special day.
• Professional Photographer Van De Maele covering your Full wedding-day. ( max. 6 hours )
• Trash the Dress Photoshoot ( max. 2 hours )
• Online photo album for 3 months.”Share your pics”
• Dvd with all the original pictures of your special day.
• Edited Dvd with selected pictures 200, incl.all needed corrections and a slideshow on music.
• Personalized service and product.
• 250 euro per extra hour

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WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES MEXICO
Professional wedding photography MEXICO
Mexico, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujers, Tulum, . . .
Wedding or family events
Pricing 2009


Gold Photosession, MEXICO
$ 2.999,00 usd

All moments to hold, you’ll find in this high-quality photo-package.
Pictures of: Bride and Groom, ceremony, family and reception.


• A pre-wedding meeting to know your desires and to inform you about our working plan for your special day.
• Professional photographer Van De Maele covering your wedding-day for approximately 6 hours.
• Wedding, Parent, Guest Books optional
• Online photo album for 1 month.”Share your pics”
• Dvd with all the original pictures of your special day.
• Personalized service and product.
• Only for the Mayan Riviera!


“ QUALITY LAST FOREVER “


Platinum Photosession, MEXICO
$ 3.999,00 usd

Every special “moment to hold” of your perfect day, will be in this exclusive photo-package. Pictures of: Getting ready, Bride and Groom, ceremony, family and reception. We fulfill all your special wishes: eg. pictures at sunrise or sunset, pictures at other locations, single pictures of the wedding couple on another day if wished,...


• A pre-wedding meeting to know your desires and to inform you about our working plan for your special day.
• Professional photographer Van De Maele & assistent covering your FULL wedding-day. ( max. 6 hours )
• We fulfill all your special wishes: eg. pictures at sunrise or sunset, pictures at other location, single pictures of the wedding couple on another day if wished,... ( max. 2 hours )
• Wedding album of 60 pictures (optional)
• Wedding, Parent, Guest Books (optional)
• Online photo album for 2 months. “ Share your pics”
• Dvd with all the original pictures of your special day.
• Dvd with the selected pictures, incl.all needed corrections and a slideshow on music. ( Ready to print )
• Personalized service and product.


Diamond Photosession, MEXICO
$ 5.999,00 usd

Every special “moment to hold” of your perfect day, will be in this exclusive photo-package, travelfee, accomodation, food, rental car, shipping included . Pictures of: Getting ready, Bride and Groom, ceremony, family, reception, dance and an after photosession of couple on a different location.
Borders are no limit for us, we deliver European Top Quality with a “ Caribbean spirit.”


• A pre-wedding meeting to know your desires and to inform you about our working plan for your special day.
• Professional Photographer Van De Maele covering your FULL wedding-day. ( max. 8 hours )
• We fulfill all your special wishes: eg. pictures at sunrise or sunset, pictures at other location, single pictures of the wedding couple on another day if wished,... ( max. 2 hours )
• 1 Exclusive Wedding Book 9,5x13 inch + Cover
• 80 Best selected pictures, different sizes.
• 2 Parent Books 8x12 inch
• Free delivery of your photopackage with FedEx.
• Online photo album for 3 months.”Share your pics”
• Dvd with all the original pictures of your special day.
• Dvd with the selected pictures, incl.all needed corrections and a slideshow on music. ( Ready to print )
• Personalized service and product.

We have set packages and prices, tax and other additional fees like travel are already included but we also create a custom package for you if needed.
For any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Deposit required
To secure your photographer Van De Maele
• Packages and prices can change
• Contact: info@d-eYe-d.com
• Website: www.d-eYe-d.com

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NEW PRICES 2007: wedding photographer based at Mexico and Cuba

Destination wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele updated his wedding photography packages. We are now also based in Mexixo Playa del Carmen before already at Cuba Havana, that is the reasson that we can offer now smaller exclusivity wedding photography packages. If you don't find your wedding package, we also create a custom package for you, if needed.
VISIT OUR SITE TO SEE OUR NEW PRICES OF 2007.

www.petervandemaele.com
www.d-eYe-d.com

Riviera Maya wedding photography

Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is available to cover any event in Cuba and the Riviera Maya Cancun Playa del Carmen. Wedding packages, starting from 750 USD.

Email: info@d-eye-d.com
http://www.petervandemaele.com
http://www.d-eye-d.com

Getting ready of the lovely bride Yara

Destination Wedding dresses Cancun

Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is available to cover any event in Cuba and the Riviera Maya. Wedding packages, starting from 750 USD.

Email: info@d-eye-d.com
http://www.petervandemaele.com
http://www.d-eye-d.com

Beach wedding photography Cancun Playa del Carmen

New wedding photography packages, 2009

Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is available to cover any event in Cuba and the Riviera Maya. Wedding packages, starting from 750 USD.

Email: info@d-eye-d.com
http://www.petervandemaele.com
http://www.d-eye-d.com

Al Cielo Beach Wedding reception Riviera Maya Cancun Playa del Carmen

New wedding photography packages, 2009

Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is available to cover any event in Cuba and the Riviera Maya. Wedding packages, starting from 750 USD.

Email: info@d-eye-d.com
http://www.petervandemaele.com
http://www.d-eye-d.com

We're All Digital: Peter Van De Maele creates his unique wedding images with Nikon Professional Digital Cameras, lenses and Apple computers for our finishing touch. He currently shoots with Nikon 2x D3, 2x D2xs and 2x D700 camera bodies. Jan & Peter shoots also with Hasselblad digital for our customers who desires an exclusive higher quality, only available in our special highend wedding photography packages.

Mezzanine Tulum Wedding April 2, 2006

Choosing your wedding photographer

The bride and groom's photo album is the best way to preserve your special day. Chances are you and your fiancé will look at the photos many times during your lifetime. Therefore, hiring a good photographer is one of the most important tasks in planning your wedding.

Options: There are a large variety of wedding albums. They vary in size, color, material, construction and price. Find one that you like and will feel proud of showing to your friends and family. Some of the most popular manufacturers of wedding albums are Art Leather, Leather Craftsman and Renaissance.

Make sure you review the differences between these albums before selecting one. You will also need to select the finish process of your photos. Ask your photographer to show you samples of various finishes. Some of the most popular finishes are glossy, luster, semi-matte, pebble finish, spray texture and oil.

Things To Consider: Make sure you hire a photographer who specializes in weddings. Your photographer should be experienced in wedding procedures and familiar with your ceremony and reception sites. This will allow him/her to anticipate your next move and be in the proper place at the right time to capture all the special moments. Personal rapport is extremely important. The photographer may be an expert, but if you don't feel comfortable or at ease with him or her, your photography will reflect this. Comfort and compatibility with your photographer can make or break your wedding day and your photographs!

Look at his/her work. See if the photographer captured the excitement and emotion of the bridal couple. Also, remember that the wedding album should unfold like a story book -- the story of your wedding. Be sure to discuss with your photographer the photos you want so that there is no misunderstanding. A good wedding photographer should have a list of suggested poses to choose from. Use the form on page 0 to select photos you must have. Give a copy of that form to your photographer.

Look at albums ready to be delivered, or proofs of weddings recently photographed. Look at the photographer's preferred style. Some photographers are known for formal poses, while others specialize in more candid, creative shots. Some can do both.

When asked to provide references, many photographers will give you the names of people they know are happy with their work. Some may even give you names from weddings they performed several years ago. This may not indicate the photographer's current ability or reputation. So when asking for references, be sure to ask for recent weddings the photographer has performed. This will give you a good idea of his/her current work. Be sure to ask if the photographer was prompt, cordial, properly dressed and whether s/he performed his/her duties as expected. When comparing prices, consider the number, size and finish of the photographs and the type of album the photographer will use. Ask how many proofs you will get to choose your photos from. The more proofs, the better the selection you will have. Some photographers do not work with proofs. Rather, they simply supply you with a finished album after the wedding. Doing this may reduce the cost of your album but will also reduce your selection of photographs.

Beware: Make sure the photographer you interview is the one who will photograph your wedding. There are many companies with more than one photographer. Often these companies use the work of the best photographer to sell their packages and then send a less experienced photographer to the wedding. Don't get caught in this trap! Be sure you meet with the photographer who will shoot your wedding. This way you can get an idea of his/her style and personality.

Also, some churches do not allow photographs to be shot during the ceremony. Make sure your photographer understands the rules and regulations of your church before planning the ceremony shots.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, HUWELIJKSFOTOGRAAF JAN VAN DE MAELE

Romantic weddings in Bruges, the " Venice of the North"!

Have you always dreamt about getting married abroad?! Maybe you have been on a city-trip to Bruges / Brugge before and you fell completely in love with this beautiful historic city Bruges? Or you have been overwhelmed and seduced by the splendor of the images of our city watching the movie " in Bruges "?
By professional wedding planner / coordinator Kathy Van Wambeke, The Wedding Planet, from Bruges / Brugge / Belgium.

Romantic weddings in Bruges, the " Venice of the North"!

Kathy Van Wambeke, professional wedding planner from Bruges / Brugge, can make your romantic wedding dreams true.

Most people have never planned such an exceptional an memorable day, especially abroad. However a wedding is a very special time that requires lots of creativity and planning.
Nowadays most couples work full-time and cannot find the time to plan this unique day. On the day itself the bride and groom are overwhelmed with excitement and stress!
It is our intention to avoid all that commotion, so that bride, groom and their families can enjoy a delightful and relaxing day!
Make your dream come true with a wedding ceremony at one of the most romantic places in Europe, in Bruges / Brugge, the " VENICE OF THE NORTH "!

Read and explore more: THE WEDDING PLANET by Kathy Van Wambeke

Award winning wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is also available for this top destination wedding location: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Italy, Venice, Paris, Bruges, Brugge, Belgium, Brugge, West Flanders, Prague, Copenhagen, Roma, Italy, Berlin, Budapest,...

Check our wedding gallery to see pictures of a wedding in Bruges / Brugge by Wedding photographer Van De Maele, Bruges / Brugge
Check our wedding photography packages for this top destination wedding locations in Europe.

Are you searching for a wedding photographer in Bruges / Brugge / Belgium?
Wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is born in Bruges:
Bruges ideally named as the " The venice of the North ".
Bruges / Brugge West Flanders: A small city in Belgium with its entire polish and dream is definitely the place to be with your love. With dark, deep canals, gothic buildings, lustrous shimmer of natural beauty and with the luscious tang of world famous chocolates, Bruges / Brugge is one of the cutest places to feel the pulse of saying ‘’ Love You’ to your special someone.

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ROMANTIC WEDDING DESTINATIONS EUROPE

TOP 10 ROMANTIC DESTINATION WEDDING LOCATIONS IN EUROPE

Europe, with its rich culture, with the pulsating shimmer of true British magnetism, with pristine treasures, with ceaseless thump of quixotic splendor happens to be one of the top places to spend quality times with your beloved. Whether to experience the aura of the Dutch colonialism or to feel the romance of taking the canal trips or to pamper the mind with the historical architectural wonders, Europe is the place to fade away and relax. The brilliance of the summer cities, the dreamy reality of the weeping willow, the hush mumble of the soft snowfall, the rich- red –ruddy- hue of the rhododendrons teamed with the entire fancies of the land of art, culture, love and romance are enough to turn your dream into reality whist planning out a romantic getaway with your special someone. The top 10 romantic destination with their polish and glamour, trance and fancies, beauty and luster are just the right places to be with your beloved.

Award winning wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is also available for this top 10 destination wedding locations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Italy, Venice, Paris, Bruges, Brugge, Belgium, Brugge West Flanders, Prague, Copenhagen, Roma, Italy, Berlin, Budapest, . . .
Check our wedding photography packages for this top 10 destination wedding locations.


Amsterdam: Amsterdam with its historical relics, architectural wonders and with those deep canals running amidst the city center is the right place to spend some special moments with your beloved. If you are willing to spend time with your special someone in a carefree way yet interested in art and architecture, well then the city of ‘Rembrandt’ will never disappoint you. Take a boat ride in the canal and rediscover the city’s charm in the lustrous hue of the setting sun. Amsterdam has a lot to offer to its traveler. Laced with chic pubs, elegant restaurants, historical museums, concert hall and art museums Amsterdam will definitely add to your romantic vacation.

Barcelona: Tired of snowfall? Bored with the same old routine? Take a break. Book your ticket for Barcelona with your beloved and enjoy the thrill of this summer city. Barcelona is typically a multi-ethnic city where the splendor of Spanish traditions finds a profound diction. Be it to stroll down through the picturesque boulevards whilst praising the street performers or just to sit carelessly with your beloved at the dazzling beaches with a tall glass of cocktail or to enjoy the Spanish cultural finery in the theater, art, dance and music concerts Barcelona is the destination to be with your sweetheart.

Venice: Italian finesse laces Venice whilst making the city the boulevard of art, culture, beauty and tradition. With its quixotic sheen Venice is the right place to enjoy a romantic vacation. Never experienced the luxury of sipping wine whilst watching the brilliant wintry falls? Never felt the pulse of appreciating the architectural wonders with your like minded beloved? Want to escape from the madding crowd to the haven of culture and ethnicity? Well, consider Venice this time for a romantic vacation. Stay, relax and feel the verve of the city with your special someone.

Paris: The most romantic place Paris is the destination for them who wants to enjoy serene tranquility teamed with the thump of romance with their special someone. Be it any time of the year Paris will never thwart you. It is the place to feel the effervescence of being in love. Walk side by side whilst holding her hand along the bank of River Seine, climb the Sacre – Coeur, stroll hand in hand at the pea green ‘Park of Luxembourg’, sip coffee and taste the croissant at the chic coffee pubs, Paris has a lot to offer to make your stay not only quixotic but a dreamy one.

Bruges ideally named as the " The venice of the North ".
Brugge West Flanders: A small city in Belgium with its entire polish and dream is definitely the place to be with your love. With dark, deep canals, gothic buildings, lustrous shimmer of natural beauty and with the luscious tang of world famous chocolates, Brugge is one of the cutest places to feel the pulse of saying ‘’ Love You’ to your special someone.

Prague: Experience the magnificence of the utterly romantic ‘Charles Bridge’ with your sweetheart this time. Fade to the dream land of beauty, castles and fancies. Yes, book your ticket for Prague and rediscover the majesty of Eastern Europe.

Copenhagen: With the touch of old and new, with the blend of tradition and modernity, Copenhagen is the most sought destinations of sheer romance. The city boasts its harmonious merge of ancient and modern architecture. Take a boat ride in the canals and feel the brilliance of the place.

Roma: Fade far away to the tender splendor of Italian romance, hue, tradition and culture – book your ticket for Roma and feel the radiance of being in love all over again. Roma with its pictorial sheen is the place to experience the European magnificence and Italian romance.

Berlin: want to experience an adventurous outing with your special someone? Want to feel the pulse of walking through the audacious trails hand in hand? Want to say those unspoken words to your beloved amidst the vibrancies of the off beaten tracks? Visit Berlin with her and make your entire dream into reality.

Budapest: Let the crystal dreams of River Danube to lure you with your sweetheart to the world of trance. Let the city of churches, the haven of architecture aid you in mapping out those implicit words. Let Budapest be your next romantic destination to do all those things with your special someone.

Award winning wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele is also available for this top 10 destination wedding locations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Italy, Venice, Paris, Bruges, Brugge, Belgium, Brugge West Flanders, Prague, Copenhagen, Roma, Italy, Berlin, Budapest, . . .
Check our wedding photography packages for this top 10 destination wedding locations.

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SHOOTING WIDE LENSES VS. LONG LENSES
INTERVIEW OF WEDPIX WITH MEMBERS OF THE WPJA.com

Shooting wide vs. long runs to the heart of how you approach wedding photojournalism—in the storytelling, the composition, visceral message and emotion conveyed, and even in how your subjects relate to one another.

In fact, there’s no debate that the decisions you make on the length of your lenses significantly affect your results in documenting any one scene or event during the wedding festivities. There are advantages and disadvantages to shooting both wide and long, and it’s ultimately up to your mind’s eye, your vision as a wedding photojournalist, as to how you decide which lens is appropriate to any particular scene.

We’ve polled some of our top members on their wide vs. long shooting styles, as well as their techniques, preferences and recommendations for using focal length as a key tool for effectively documenting the story of the day.
SHOOTING WIDE

Most wedding photojournalists routinely use a variety of lenses to shoot weddings, but for the most part, shorter, wide-angle focal lengths get the lion’s share of use—actually about 75 to 80 percent of the time. Most typically 17mm to 35mm in length, the shorter lenses capture more of the scene, allowing textures, atmosphere, reactions and other subjects of interest to play a role in telling a richer story.

“Wide reveals more of the story behind the shot,” states WPJA photographer Hun Kim, who works out of Seattle. “It takes more effort and intention [than with a tight composition] to compose the scene, but it’s definitely rewarding once that magical shot is captured.”

Kristin Reimer, a WPJA photojournalist whose studio, Photomuse, is based in the northern New Jersey/New York area, likes a balanced approach, saying that she doesn’t overuse either wide or long lenses during her coverage. However, her inclination is to shoot wide, as that is what allows her to get in close to my subjects and the action. “I prefer that intimacy,” she explains. “Shooting wide allows me to bring in the energy and moments that are happening surrounding my given subject, providing a bigger picture of the whole event.”

She notes that she is trying to show the actions and reactions that exist around her subject. “By placing myself up close like this, I become a part of the energy. I feed off this energy, it emboldens me to take chances, to play, experiment and push myself deeper.”

For a recent WPJA award winner in the Action category, Reimer was in the midst of the dance floor, almost laying on her back as the crowd gave way for a boy who had been dancing quietly to the side for most of the night. “Once he stepped out into the limelight in front of the crowd, and in particular, my camera, he burst out of his shell into these incredible dance moves. He was awesome,” she recalls, and she captured the dynamic moment using 10mm 2.8 glass.

A caveat to shooting wide is that wide lenses create some body distortion—people look heavier and shorter on the edges, while arms can look huge, Females usually don’t like this, though men generally are okay with it. Also, distracting or unwanted elements can enter the frame. “It’s more difficult to isolate a subject and make it ‘pop,’ and you're constantly trying to avoid putting the bride and groom in the edges of the lens' wide-angle distortion,” New York’s Jeffrey Lau explains.
Photograph by Jeffrey Lau, New York of bride and groom closeup on the wedding reception dance floor

Lau captured a WPJA award winner during the bride and groom's first dance at a reception held in a large tent. The groom whispered something into the bride’s ear, and she smiled while twirling his fingers behind his neck. “In that moment, I dropped the telephoto, grabbed the wide-angle body [with a 17-40mm f4 USM set at 17mm] and stood about six inches away from her fingers, framing both her and the reception tent, and took the shot,” he notes. “I usually shoot in bursts, but I only had time for one frame before she let go.” Lau notes that if he had shot this same image with a long focal length and framed the subject exactly the same way, the DJ, the lines from the tent and light pouring through the window would have completely disappeared from view.

“I am a photographer who wants to feel and smell the subjects, and with wide-angle lenses, you are in the vibration of tensions,” says award winning Riviera Maya Yucatan-based destination wedding photojournalist Peter Van De Maele. “You can feel them. It's a storytelling moment.”
SHOOTING LONGER

With long lenses you can give your subjects more space in situations where you don’t want to be a distraction. And there are other benefits as well.
Photograph by George Wolf, Hawaii of bride and groom embracing at wedding

“The advantages of long lenses are the ability to isolate the subject from its background, and to wholly make the image just about that particular subject,” Lau notes. “The obvious disadvantage is that in many cases (not all), there tends to be little to no context as to the whereabouts of the subject, who else was there, and why the subject may have had expressed what they were feeling.”

“I often find a long lens to be more sterile and disconnected, as if I am shooting a stranger in the distance,” Reimer adds. “More reflective and quiet, long is for when I either can't get in close or for when I want to be the unobserved stranger in their midst. I also associate shooting long with intimate and private moments. A stolen glance, a caress, a kiss—the details that are conveyed by the emotions.”

Hun agrees that a long lens has the capability to capture the detail and emotion of individual subjects. “It's nice to get in close to a shot using long lenses,” he says, “but I've seen a lot of photographers overkill this style [with] shots of single-subjects.” Also, using long lenses raises the occasional risk of a person passing between you and the subject, blocking a shot at the key moment.
Photograph by Kathi Littwin, New York of groom's reaction during the wedding reception toast

Sometimes a situation warrants that you forsake the wide angle for a longer lens, such as when Hun captured a groom reacting to an emotional toast by the best man, who also was the groom's brother. Hun says that the brothers seemed to have a very close relationship, and that is reflected in the groom’s expression as his bride comforts him. Although he had been shooting with a wide angle, Hun switched to a standard 50mm lens for this image, as there was a distance of 15 to 20 feet between the toasters and the couple. “I just decided to switch back and forth and capture both sides independently, with the luxury of knowing that my wife was covering the scene with a wide angle as well,” he notes.
DISTRACTIONS AND REACTIONS

Shooting wide requires getting close up to your subjects, and that can cause reactions, as well as distractions. How do people react to being photographed with either long or wide-angle lenses?

Lau notes that the wide-angle approach can actually be executed in a way that minimizes the distraction aspect. “Since your view is incredibly wide, you can often frame the person(s) to the sides of the image without them realizing you are actually focusing on them,” he says.

TOP TIPS FOR SHOOTING WIDE VS. LONG

* Carry a second body so that you have the ability to quickly switch to a longer lens in for convenience. (Hun)
* Anticipation is key for shooting wide. It helps you to visualize the scene and be ready to instantly compose and start capturing, and even to try to imagine capturing several variations of the same scene as well. (Hun)
* When shooting wide never be shy. Take it to the max, get in there and become a part of the action. At the same time, this is not carte blanche to be rude and aggressive in a negative manner. (Reimer)
* Be quick & nimble like a ninja to be able to re-position yourself discreetly for any shots. (Hun)
* When shooting long, retain your focus and wait for the moment. Long is about patience and creating tunnel vision. Think about the details, don't shoot long just because you are afraid to get in close. If you use a long lens because you are nervous of getting into the action it will look sterile and unconnected. (Reimer)

While he believes that you need to vary your distances from your subject to build a complete story, he maintains that it is critically important to get close to your subject during peak moments of emotion and action when it's both possible and appropriate. “It can make the difference between a shot that is remembered, and one that is just another pretty picture,” he notes.

International destination wedding photographer Peter Van De Maele usually starts shooting from a distance, and then moves in, allowing his subjects to get used to the noise of the cameras and the lenses pointed at them.

Reimer says that her clients have actually been more intimidated when she was using a long lens for portrait work than when noticing a wide lens up close. “I can't answer with certainty why that it is. My guess is that a long lens just looks more serious,” she muses.

Sometimes getting in close with a wider lens can be beneficial to getting natural, true reactions, especially in portrait sessions, when you can help assure that the couple is relaxed while filling each frame full of detail, layers, and substance.

“Getting in close means I can interact with [the couple] more and help them feel at ease,” says Reimer. “We are working together as opposed to having a spotlight on them to perform under. When I shoot long, I have placed distance between us which I feel sometimes leaves them feeling alone and needing direction and guidance. The personal contact disappears.”
IT COMES DOWN TO MORE THAN GLASS

“Ultimately, the biggest reason I prefer getting up close and personal, is the intangible sense of intimacy all of these elements can provide when the everything falls into place,” Lau says. “I think it helps us to feel more connected to our subject and heightens our sense of emotion. Long shots on the other hand, are great for purposely isolating and subduing a small moment. Where our subject's peaceful expressions, and body language, is all that's needed to tell the story.”

Ultimately, the characteristics of any lens—wide or long—are only as good as what you see in your mind’s eye. The tools are what you make of them, and are totally dependent upon your shooting style.

“Either way, the aim is to capture the moment and the emotion, to tell the story and to show the couple something they may have missed,” Reimer says. “How I choose to interpret that moment is the deciding factor.”

—by Michael Roney for the Wedding Photojournalism Association WEDPIX

D-eye-D photographer info

Profile Peter Van De Maele,


Since the day I was born, I was interested in photography. One of the first things I ever saw, was the lens of my father’s camera. My interest in photography started in my childhood and because of it, photography has become my greatest passion, my profession and an important part of my life.


I studied photography in Ghent, Belgium and worked with my father, Jan Van De Maele, Professional Photographer specialized in weddings. In this way I learned shooting professional and exclusive wedding pictures. This allowed me to gather the experience you need to become a highly qualified Professional Photographer.


I travelled around the world and captured people, their emotions, their way of life on photo. These voyages were an important step in my career and signified my breakthrough as Professional Photographer.


Some of the countries I visited:
South and Central America ( Ecuador, Mexico, Cuba )
Asia ( Japan, Laos, Thailand, India, Cambodja, Pakistan, Bhutan, Malaysia )
Europe ( France, Germany, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Switzerland )


Borders are no limit for me. I try to move limits every time I shoot a photosession. I aim to become a better photographer with every picture I take. My ambition is to come as close as it is possible to perfection. My aim is to amaze my customers with the quality and service I deliver.


Through my photography I express my emotions and feelings, because one picture tells more than a thousand words could ever do. My pictures speak for themselves.


Quality Lasts Forever