CS: How to Photograph Couples Naturally with Mike Zawadzki
One of the biggest challenges in wedding and portrait photography is to get subjects to feel relaxed in front of your camera. People are used to taking selfies with friends or in a mirror, but when a professional camera is pointed at them, they often freeze up or feel awkward. No matter how good the camera taking the picture is, or how well someone knows how to use it, an uncomfortable subject is always going to look uncomfortable.
Join wedding and portrait photographer Mike Zawadzki as he guides you through the basics of directing and coaching couples naturally. You'll learn posing tips, how to break the ice with anyone, and how to make quick connections that build a strong rapport with subjects.
During the live shoot with a *real* couple, Mike will show how he works with the couple to make them feel relaxed, and how he simultaneously analyzes his surroundings to make the most use of any location. Improvisation, both in people skills, and how to creativity use a space, are two of the most important traits of a talented wedding/portrait photographer. The skills learned in this course will help elevate your portrait photography to a new level, no matter what camera you have, or what kind of scenery you have to work with.
*The images Mike shoots during this class be be used in his following class (Improving Your Workflow with AI Software). Anyone who Is interested in Mike's full photography workflow is encouraged to take both classes, but attendance in both is not required.
As one of the leading wedding photographers in the world, New Jersey wedding photographer MIKE ZAWADZKI has a distinctive style that helps his couples remember their wedding day memories in a timeless, bold, and genuine way.Mike has been photographing weddings for 10+ years and enjoys a technically challenging low-light situation as much as he does a stunning once in a lifetime sunset + sky. He typically starts with traditional poses that will make older members of families smile. Then, based on the rapport he builds with clients, he mixes in more personalized and creative shots of couples based on their preferences, and vibe. Mike enjoys meeting new couples, and learning about their unique love stories, which helps his subjects feel comfortable in front of his camera no matter how shy or introverted they may feel.
In a society where we are bombarded with negative self-image content on social media, with algorithms that help create false narratives about how we should look, Mike's philosophy in photography and life is to reject this status quo. He firmly believes everyone deserves to have beautiful photographs of themselves no matter what their age, size, race, gender, religion (or lack thereof), or sexual orientation may be. When not photographing weddings, Mike can be found seeking out the best hidden gems of New Jersey pizzerias, and spending quality time cooking delicious impromptu meals with his girlfriend Melanie.
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our state-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Conservation Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rutgers Football, Longwood Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic digital photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much, much more.
FAQ UNIVERSITY
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, most classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo Superstore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004). We also hold classes at our Philadelphia, PA location (28 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register early for such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.
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or rescheduling for Camera Show classes.
As one of the leading wedding photographers in the world, New Jersey wedding photographer MIKE ZAWADZKI has a distinctive style that helps his couples remember their wedding day memories in a timeless, bold, and genuine way.Mike has been photographing weddings for 10+ years and enjoys a technically challenging low-light situation as much as he does a stunning once in a lifetime sunset + sky. He typically starts with traditional poses that will make older members of families smile. Then, based on the rapport he builds with clients, he mixes in more personalized and creative shots of couples based on their preferences, and vibe. Mike enjoys meeting new couples, and learning about their unique love stories, which helps his subjects feel comfortable in front of his camera no matter how shy or introverted they may feel.
In a society where we are bombarded with negative self-image content on social media, with algorithms that help create false narratives about how we should look, Mike's philosophy in photography and life is to reject this status quo. He firmly believes everyone deserves to have beautiful photographs of themselves no matter what their age, size, race, gender, religion (or lack thereof), or sexual orientation may be. When not photographing weddings, Mike can be found seeking out the best hidden gems of New Jersey pizzerias, and spending quality time cooking delicious impromptu meals with his girlfriend Melanie.
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our state-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Conservation Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rutgers Football, Longwood Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic digital photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much, much more.
FAQ UNIVERSITY
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, most classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo Superstore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004). We also hold classes at our Philadelphia, PA location (28 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register early for such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.