Wedding plans are in the works, You’ve decided on the caterer, the cake and the flowers, and have taken a look at the totals so far. Fortunately, you have a strong heart, so once you can breathe again, you realize you still need a photographer. Well, there is uncle Ed, and he takes pictures at all the family events. Granted, some of them are a little fuzzy, but most of them turn out pretty good—and he is free.
Stop right there. The most important day of your life is not the time to start cutting corners on capturing the events surrounding it. This is when you need to call a professional photographer, even if it means changing the menu to chicken instead of veal. You won’t remember much about the food later, but the pictures will be there to look at for the rest of your life. You want something you will be proud to share with friends, something that captures the moment with clarity, even in the candid shots and this is when you may want to call Brenowitz Photography.
David Brenowitz has been obsessed with photography since he was 13, and would chase his parents out of the kitchen at night, so he could set up his darkroom and see how the shots taken that day turned out. During his life as a drummer with rock bands, and a computer programmer, he was always taking pictures and playing in the darkroom that was installed somewhere in his home of the moment.
As a computer programmer, he stated, “I was dying a slow death by cubical.” This conclusion launched a new career—working for studios and learning the business side of photography. With his newfound knowledge he decided to go out on his own, and opened Brenowitz Photography.
His focus is wedding photography and wedding photojournalism, although he also enjoys creating family portraits. Looking through the albums he has displayed, it was entertaining and at times breathtaking. Like a movie with a good script, you see the different layers when you go through the second time. A two-page spread with a shot of everyone at the reception was muted, setting the background. Across the bottom of the pages were shots of the bride and groom arriving, their first dance, the cake cutting, and various other candid shots of people having a good time. Looking at this caused me to say, “Wow, what a party.”
When David photographs a wedding, he said he arrives while everyone is getting ready backstage to capture the last minute preparations. He continues shooting through the ceremony, and then the reception. He takes hundreds of images, capturing expressions on the faces of guests, cake cutting, dancing, and the memories of a very important event. Unlike uncle Ed, if there is an equipment failure, David has plenty of backup equipment in reserve, so nothing is missed. Also, unlike uncle Ed, if David gets sick (David has never missed an event), he explained his wife Marcia can step in for him as she is also a photographer. He said she attends a number of the weddings with him, giving the woman’s touch to many of the photos.
After the event, he works on creating a layout, and when the bride and groom are ready, he shows them the images on the big screen in his home. It’s like a movie showing, as the pictures flash on the screen. He said his expertise in computers comes into play here through the various suggestions on layout, and adjusting to meet ideas and suggestions by the couple. For the full effect, you could probably talk him into popcorn, as the process takes at least a couple of hours to complete, he said. He added that each album is one-hundred percent based on images the couple chooses.
David said his goal is to create a wedding storybook in which his clients will be able to delight in through years to come. He said he strongly feels everyone should be a specialist, especially in the area of wedding photography. David shared, “Wedding photography is not only an art… it’s a sport. You have to be in good shape to do it.” He said a photographer has to be able to move constantly to catch the moments. He explained he has to be right on technically as well as with his timing.
David’s years of training definitely show in his work. He said he was one of the first photographers in the Denver area to go digital, and has been completely digital since 2000. He noted he is constantly upgrading his equipment, and has taught digital photography for PPA (Professional Photographers of America) to other photographers, as well as individuals wanting to improve their skills.
He is also a Certified Professional Photographer. Obtaining this certification requires passing a rigorous professional test on photography. In addition to the test, letters of recommendation from vendors such as wedding coordinators, florists, caterers and other photographers had to be submitted. Recertification is required every five years, and this is accomplished through continuing education. David said he takes advanced classes all over the world. I could tell he was very “depressed” about a class in Tuscany he and Marcia took in October of 2005.
Even with certification and all his training, David uses the services of a professional printer for the final prints. He said all the final photographs are printed in traditional wet photography from the digital images he captures. Though all his pictures are taken in color, he can produce black and white by removing the color. The color can always be taken away from an image, but can’t be added. “Emotional moments translate better in black and white,” he said, explaining there isn’t the distraction of a vivid color drawing the viewer’s eyes away from the true point of interest.
A lot of David’s work comes through direct referrals from previous brides and other vendors. He cautions anyone when selecting a photographer to make sure the person is flexible and their personality is compatible with their own. He said he strongly believes, “Not getting along with the photographer will show in the images.” He said you want to make sure you have someone who captures the memories, and delivers a presentation piece, a book or DVD show that you can continue to view with pride. Someone who gives you the WOW factor in the work they produce.
David Brenowitz and his wife, Marcia, can be reached by calling 303-279-6562. A visit to their web site, Brenowitz.com, will give you the opportunity to view some of the wonderful work this couple does, and inspire you to set an appointment.
By Linda Fillingim
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