Fine Art Wedding Photography: How to Capture Images with Style for the Modern Bride

I fell in love with Jose's work when I was planning my own wedding. There was just something so undeniably gorgeous about his work that just didn't compare to anyone else's. It was dreamy, romantic, and timeless. The colors to. die. for. We ended up booking him for our wedding and couldn't be happier with our wedding collection. I started off in the wedding photography industry shooting digital. It wasn't until a year ago that I had a bit of an epiphany. All of my favorite photographers shoot film, so why was I shooting digital? Truth be told, I was scared. I was really used to checking my LCD for the exposure. There were so many unknowns and what ifs with shooting film, but the best advice I received was to just do it. I bought myself a Contax outfit and started shooting personal stuff only in film. And was I hooked!! I made plenty of mistakes back then and wish I had this book as a guide to help me out. But I still have so much to learn about shooting film in different lighting situations and this book is filling in those spots and giving me the information I need so I can try them out. With Jose's book I feel less blind and much more confident. I'm now shooting film at most of my sessions, but have yet to shoot an entire wedding 100% film. What I love about this book is that it takes a lot of the fear away from shooting film. Where before, I was making educated guesses and trying things out, I now have a guide on how it's done by someone whose work I've admired for years. I found the section on his gear very useful as well as the information he gives on shooting low light with flash. That's something I have yet to try because I just wasn't sure how to do it, but now I have a good starting point and am really excited to try it out. I also like the sections telling us how he works his typical wedding. What's loaded in which camera, what he uses each camera for, what's being done when another camera is being loaded with film, etc. It's little things like that that I know will help me become a confident film shooter at actual events. All in all I highly recommend this book. It's filled with gorgeous pictures and tons of useful information. It's easy to read (trust me, when books get to technical for me, I tune out) and will be helpful to anyone regardless of whether you shoot film or digital. But if you are wanting to shoot film, you should get yourself this book! Quell some of that fear and go for it.

Jose Villa is one of, or if not the best wedding photographer of today's generation. It is common for photographers of Villa's skill and talent level to keep the secrets to their success to themselves, but with this book, Villa does the complete opposite. He freely shares with the reader everything he has learned, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to replicate his trendsetting look. This is no book of rhetoric or theory. It is a book of application whereby Villa provides stunning fine-art imagery of weddings/engagements he has documented in the past with examples explaining his method (s). Classic and timeless, these breathtakingly beautiful captured moments of tranquility effectively show the reader what can be achieved by following the books instructions effectively. Villa has produced a must read for beginning or professional wedding photographers alike who aspire to produce high-quality fine art wedding images with film. It is simply written and full of useful advice that photographers of all genres can use as a source of inspiration and education to satisfy today's generation of brides. It is for the aforementioned reasons the I am thrilled to recommend, "Fine Art Wedding Photography: How to Capture Images with Style for the Modern Bride", by Jose Villa for film photographers interested in learning his craft as based on his experiences. Respectfully, Jamusu.

In an image-saturated society, this book by Villa & Kent offers rest for the eyes and inspiration for the creative spirit. The wedding and engagement images reflect peace and tranquility, passion and joy, all in the midst of what can often be a stressful day. I believe images like Villa's are necessary for a couple to have in order to look back on during some of life's more turbulent times. And what photographer wouldn't want to learn how to provide clients with images that inspire devotion and commitment? The technical and business advice is sound, thorough and obviously time-tested and I believe easy to grasp for a novice just dipping one's toes into the industry's waters or a working professional who's looking for some inspiration. What seems unique about Villa's work is that while he remains on the cutting edge of what is most sought after in the wedding world, his images remain classic and timeless. This is obviously the work of a man grounded in his vision yet able to pivot in order to meet the needs of a demanding market. I would recommend this book to any wedding and engagement photographer, not to mention other industry professionals looking to expand their knowledge of how the photography end of things works. As for myself, I'll definitely be signing up for Villa's next workshop! [...]

STOP! Don't read this book! What I want you to do is go beyond just reading and study this book. Use it as a guide. Put its words into practice. When someone with a resume and portfolio like Jose's decides to invite readers into his life, do yourself a favor and listen. Anyone who has worked with or even seen the images of Jose Villa knows that they're seeing something different. Almost exactly like Monet and his impressionist school set out to change traditional painting from standard, stiff portraiture to an art form that was extremely creative and emphasized specific artistic elements, Jose is doing the very same thing with wedding and portrait photography. Take this description of impressionism for example. Without knowing the source, it would be difficult to differentiate whether it describes impressionist painting or Jose's "new school" fine art photography: "...visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on the accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, the inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience, and unusual visual angles." In Fine Art Wedding Photography: How to Capture Images with Style for the Modern Bride, Jose discusses his individualized approach to every element of his business. He exposes his business to reveal the specifics behind each beautiful image highlighted and how a systematic approach allowed him to achieve his signature look. Jose even describes oversights and mistakes he's made in the past and how others can learn from them. This book is not a comprehensive guide to wedding photography. At 160 pages, however, it does an excellent job of explaining in detail exactly how Jose has differentiated himself from tens of thousands of wedding photographers working today. If you're a professional, amateur, or just a fan, do yourself a favor and learn Jose's take on lighting, composition, flash photography, raising prices, and keeping clients as customers beyond their wedding date.

I am a huge fan of Jose Villa and when I found out that he wrote a book about fine art wedding photography, I was overjoyed with excitement!! I read this book from cover to cover and it literally changed the way I photograph my couples instantly. I cannot thank him enough for sharing his thoughts, process and expertise for creating beautiful wedding photography that will last a lifetime. His photos are timeless and inspiring. Each time I see a new series of his photos, it pushes & inspires me to be better. This book is for anyone who wants to understand how to expose for your subject and play with light. It's a must in any wedding photographers library!

Jose Villa's book, Fine Art Wedding Photography, is as much itself a piece of fine art as it is a practical, hands on, down and dirty highly inspirational book on wedding photography. In my experience, most wedding photography books leave the reader feeling like they've just paid to read the how to instructions on the back of a package of hot dogs. Jose Villa brings a fresh and vibrant spin on a time honored tradition. His book teaches technique in an approachable way and manages to leave just enough to the imagination to make me yearn to go out and try his techniques. Even though this book is written by a film photographer and I shoot digital, I loved reading about what film choices Jose makes and why and how he shoots each image. Wonderfully written with just the right combination of images to text. Love this book. I look forward to reading it again and again.

I have been in this business long enough to know that most "how to wedding books" are largely geared for amateurs wanting to make the jump to professional. I do not know why, but sometimes I still buy these books hoping "this one" will have some great ideas that have never occurred to me, only to be disappointed. Most wedding books rehash the same basic stuff, i.e. wide angle lenses have different perspective than telephoto, have back up cameras, use flash when in dark reception rooms, etc. Jose's book gives great advice to people who already know BDE, what fast lenses do, etc, and are not trying to learn wedding photography while learning "PHOTOGRAPHY". This book offers great tips on achieving that great pastel tone, breaking the ice with hesitant couples. However, this book is not about tips, rather how to think in a cohesive manner, because when creating the finished product, one wants the clients to recognize your work photo by photo, and not think that the wedding was done by a collaboration of photographers. Unfortunately, Jose's pastel color technique requires film. I sold my film cameras years ago and I am now contemplating buying a MF outfit to supplement my digital equipment. Because after various tries in Lightroom and Photoshop, there are no quick ways to emulate the pastel look, when I get the look I want, it does not sync with the rest, I have to do each photo individually and that creates havoc on my workflow. In the end, except for using film to get that pastel look, I did not learn anything new. However, Jose's philosophy and approach made me think about the way I shoot and helped me realize that I need to simplify my technique (K.I.S.S.) and aspire for more consistency.

Goal - My hope and main purpose for writing this review is so that I may point you in the right direction in regards to the decision of whether or not you will benefit by purchasing this book. Perhaps you may be propelled into action which will progress you forward in your photography journey or perhaps this review may simply save you some valuable time and money. In my opinion both are excellent options from which to choose. I believe it is important to know at least a little bit of background information about your reviewer before you take his or her word for something. This may help you make the right choice for you by determining in which ways we are similar and in which ways we may differ from one another. I am a photographer that is relatively new to the industry but nonetheless have been paid to shoot various assignments including events, engagements, products etc. It took a while but I finally found my compass point and so that next step for me in my career, or my path if you prefer, is to become a full-time wedding photographer. Naturally, you want to do a fantastic job and make sure that you create not only valuable art/products that can completely satisfy your clients but you also want to create a long-lasting successful brand right from the beginning. I am self taught, I have had the opportunity to read some great photography books by some amazing photographers/teachers and attend a handful of useful workshops. I was excited to get this book. After reading all the reviews I believed this book, above the others I was currently looking to purchase, would contain useful information that was both innovative and something that you would only be able to gain through years of experience and after multiple failed attempts. I was disappointed. The book is pretty, feels good in your hands, but is light on content. I do not have more time to read than the average person and I finished this entire book in one day. Jose's story is very similar to that of other currently successful wedding photographers and if you are like me then you will probably bore easily as each page reveals nothing that you did not already know - even as it concerns the technical aspects of photography. I was hoping for a more in-depth analysis of what he does, how he does it, and why it is such a successful formula, instead I felt as though every page contained only surface material that made me feel more and more cheated as the book continued. It all felt very simplified to me - too simplified. As a grade school book is to a comprehensive college textbook. I would have appreciated more insightful business information since being a wedding photographer isn't so much about the pictures as it is about understanding how to run and operate your own small business. I don't care for plugs because people are simply just people but sometimes there are noteworthy additions to the universal library of information that can move you right along in the proper direction with good momentum that can not be ignored. For example if you really want to learn about light than you read "Light Science and Magic" or if you really want to improve your interpersonal skills then you must read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Carnegie. These books give you the information you need to know in a direct manner. They are THEE books on their particular subject matter. So for me, if I could go back in time and have the opportunity to make this choice again I would pass, I would not purchase this book.

Se vi piace il settore matrimoniale, è un bel libro

Lo compré porque me encanta el estilo del fotógrafo de bodas (Fine Art Wedding) José Villa y sus bellas, evocadoras y luminosas fotografías. Y no me decepcionó, en el libro te da una serie de consejos a partir de sus experiencias y te explica, a grandes rasgos, sus técnicas de captura de imágen. Sus imágenes son arte.

A beautiful little book and such an inspiration! Handful of great tips, even if you don't shoot film like the author, still plenty to discover. Hundreds of amazing photographs, best book I've read for some time. Photographs inside - timeless.

Very nice information

Dies ist für mich das inspirierendste Buch zur Personenphotographie. Auch wenn Jose Villa und sein Buch weitgehend Mittelformatfilm nutzen, transportiert das Buch die Schönheit von hellen leichten Bildern mit harmonischem Kontrast und Tiefenschärfe, und gibt Anleitung zur Umsetzung während des Photographierens und nicht erst in der Nachbearbeitung. Damit meine ich nicht Highkey. Nachdem heute in der Nachbearbeitung die Kontrasterhöhung über S-Kurve etc. so einfach ist und alle Bilder eine Portion Vibrance und Clarity bekommen, ist dies ein wunderbarer Kontrapunkt der meine Bilder schöner gemacht hat. Eine Warnung jedoch, das Buch ist kein Lehrbuch. Die wenigen Tipps die er gibt, muss man für sich entwickeln. Und als Kindle eBook ist es vollkommen ungeeignet, solange es keine 20" Displays gibt.