Real Weddings

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Vendor Highlight: Paosin Photography


This week we had the opportunity to interview the fresh and gifted photographer Femi Osinowo. Femi is the man behind the Nikon camera of Paosin Photography.  It is late evening, but the mood for the interview is still live and chipper. We go through casual pleasantries and settle into the flow of our interview.

What is your Company name?
Paosin Photography

That’s an interesting name. Where did it come from?
Well, Paosin was a nickname I received while I was in the university. When deciding on a name for my business, I needed something short and memorable and Paosin fit perfectly.






That is awesome. Now let’s get to know the person behind the camera. Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Femi Osinowo and I am from Ogun State, Nigeria. I spent my growing years in Nigeria and obtained by BSc (Computer Engineering) at Lagos State University before moving to the U.S. at the age of 29.

So what do you do in your freetime?
At one point in time, I was really into soccer games on the computer/Playstation. I also like movies and playing my guitar.  Now, I spend more of my leisure time honing my skill as a photographer.



Where are you located?
I live and cover events throughout Maryland, the U.S. and Internationally.

Please give us a description on your company
The purpose of my company is to help couples immortalize the love, friendship and emotional moments of their special day. I take photos that will tell the story of  their union even without needing words.


Getting back to the business side of things, we want to know, Why this profession? What is the story behind Paosin Photography?
Everything started a little over two years ago while experimenting with my cousin’s digital camera. I took the camera to a friend’s graduation party and after the first shot I could not stop snapping. The crowd was having such a great time and being able to capture those candid moments was such an indescribable thrill. A month later, I received my first DSLR, continued shooting and upgrading my equipment from there.

What are your creative influences?
My creative influence comes from the work of other seasoned photographers. I really admire their work and use it as fuel to continue developing my craft. My long-term goal is to shoot Weddings/engagements exclusively.


What is the most interesting event you have covered this year?
I recently covered an Asian engagement ceremony/party. It was quite interesting and unlike any event I had previously covered.








We ended the interview on a much lighter and random note with this question: What is your Favorite anything?
With a laugh he answers, “Taking pictures and currently, Pina Colada Slurpees”


Writer’s Comments:
Femi Osinowo is a photographer dedicated to his art (and his camera).  One of the traits that make his work so unique is his use of angles and lighting to produce pictures that are not only beautiful and fun but allow the viewer to see a single event from multiple perspectives. He is also a proven perfectionist who does not stop until he has THE EXACT image/moment he set out to capture. 


For more information or to book  Paosin Photography for your next event contact Femi at:





Phone: 410-504-3311
Email: femi@paosin.com












All Images courtesy of Paosin Photography

Friday, July 1, 2011

Music: Live Band vs Disc Jockey

Battle of the Bands and DJ’s

It’s finally the end of the week and like most of you out there, we’re counting the hours until we can trade our overloaded desks for a night (or weekend) on the town. Yes, the weekend has plenty of social events to attend; weddings, engagements, baby showers, cookouts, etc. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, be sure that one thing these events will have in

common is… Music! In one form, or another, music will be in the air and this definitely ha

s us thinking about weddings.

OK, this is a wedding blog so we are ALWAYS thinking about weddings *insert laugh*. Today, we are looking at music in respect to the reception. At a wedding music is provided either Live (A band) or recorded (Disc Jockey). While both methods can be entertaining there are also a number of things t

o consider when deciding whether to go with a band or DJ (in no particular order):


ATMOSPHERE

Music has a large influence on the ambience of a room, s

o think about your theme for the reception. What vibe do you want to have in the room, relaxed and easygoing or energetic and upbeat? Most African bands are high energy and guest engaging so that is a sure fire way to get your guests excited. If your looking for a classic and relaxed atmosphere, a DJ who can play slower more contemporary songs to keep the mood light and airy is best suited for the occasion.


VARIETY/GUESTS

The two go hand in hand. Why? Because the music is not j

ust there to fill silence, its there to entertain YOU & YOUR GUESTS. If you and your spouse-to-be love music from across the genres, a DJ would have the array of songs needed to incorporate these genres into the reception. When considering the guests, it’s often safe to cater towards the majority. Younger guests are generally more receptive of what’s current (AND wedding appropriate) i.e. Top 40, R&B, Rock, Hip-Hop etc. Which would of course be better provided by a DJ. Older guests are more appreciative of traditional

African music and the custom of “spraying” which a live band would be more suited for the job.


SPACE

Sometimes, this is not as simple as we think but you must consider the size of the venue. Will the hall comfortably hold your guests, decor, d

ance floor AND a band? If Size is not on your side, the beautiful thing about a DJ is that (s)he will not require the amount of room needed by a band and If you were hoping to dance the night away in your Traditional wear to the beat of your cultural drum, look for a DJ who will have such songs in his collection.


BUDGET

Usually, having a DJ costs less than a Live Band. This is because the larger the band the more people to pay. For the Bride on a Budget, this does not mean that you cannot have that band.

A few pointers:

1. Look for a band with fewer members (But DO NOT sacrifice quality).

2. Ask friends and family if they know anyone willing to work with their budget.

3. Instead of hiring a band for the whole day, hire them for a later time e.g. in the second half of the wedding i.e. the time couple change into their Traditional. With the right sound system, and lengthy preselected play-list, a close friend can easily stand-in, as DJ ‘til the band is ready to play.

Remember, whatever your decision, be sure to check references and ask unbiased family and friends for an opinion. There is nothing worse than hiring a terrible DJ or Band for a time you will remember for the rest of your life.

Ultimately the goal is to have fun dancing with your New Husband surrounded by loved ones.


Photos Courtesy of:

Cunningham Photography

FindalVideo