Gasparian FOTO

Category: Opinions

Blog for fun, just about anything.

  • Should I do First Look?

    Should I do First Look?

    Should You Do a First Look on Your Wedding Day?

    As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, one of the most common questions I get from couples is: “Should we do a first look?” While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, I want to share why a first look might be the best decision you make for your wedding day—especially if you care about maximizing your photography time and creating a relaxed, joyful timeline.

    What Is a First Look?

    A first look is a private moment where the couple sees each other before the ceremony. It’s intimate, emotional, and often one of the most memorable parts of the day. Instead of waiting until you walk down the aisle, you get to share this moment in a quiet space—just the two of you (and your photographer).

    Why a First Look Can Be a Game-Changer

    • More Time for Photos: Doing a first look opens up the entire pre-ceremony window for portraits. That means we can capture couple shots, bridal party photos, and even family formals before guests arrive.
    • Less Stress, More Joy: With photos out of the way early, you won’t feel rushed after the ceremony. You’ll actually get to enjoy cocktail hour and mingle with guests instead of disappearing for an hour of photos.
    • Authentic Emotions: The first look is often more emotional than the ceremony itself. It’s a chance to connect, breathe, and soak in the moment without hundreds of eyes watching.
    • Better Light, Better Photos: In Los Angeles, natural light is everything. A first look allows us to shoot during the best lighting conditions—especially if your ceremony is later in the day.

    Sources: Gasparian FOTO

    But What If You Want to Keep It Traditional?

    If you’ve always dreamed of that aisle moment, that’s totally valid. Some couples choose to skip the first look to preserve tradition—and that’s okay. Just know that it may compress your timeline and limit your photo opportunities before sunset, especially during fall and winter weddings.

    Final Thoughts

    As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how a first look can transform the flow of the day. It’s not just about logistics—it’s about creating space for connection, calm, and beautiful imagery. If you’re on the fence, let’s talk through your timeline and see what works best for your vision.

    Want to see how a first look plays out in real weddings? Check out our sample galleries for inspiration.

  • Is Real Madrid Better than Barcelona?

    Is Real Madrid Better than Barcelona?

    Well, they are both amazing teams, but me personally, I am not really a fan of Barcelona but I get why people think Barcelona might be better than Real Madrid. Here is why I think Real Madrid is better than Barcelona. First, Madrid has more trophies, they have more wins against Barcelona. Barcelona has only 5 UCL’s ( UEFA Champions League).

    Secondly, Real Madrid has always had the better players, and they have one FIFA Club World Cup more than Barcelona. Sure, Barcelona has beat Real Madrid the last 2-3 times but that doesn’t change the fact that we have one more against them in general. People are mostly fans of Barcelona because of Messi, but people are a fan of Real Madrid not only because of Ronaldo but of the team that Madrid is.

    So, in my opinion Madrid is the overall better team than FC Barcelona not only because of the stats but because I also like Real Madrid in general.

  • Copyright Laws 101

    Copyright Laws 101

    In the United States, when the photos are taken then the photographer owns the copyright to the photos. The copyright owner (photographer) has the right to control a list of things, including:
    (a) who gets to reprint the photos,
    (b) who gets to make derivative works of the photos (such as a painting of a photo),
    (c) who gets to sell copies of the photos, and
    (d) who gets to display the photos publicly.
    It is more customary now that you can pay an extra fee to the photography to buy a copyright license (i.e, permission to do one of the things in (a) through (d)). Usually that license is just for the right to reprint the photos (i.e., use the photos for personal use, such as on Christmas cards or in a wedding photo book). The reason for this fee is that the photographer will lose out on the money that you would have paid her for the prints. Since one of the rights of the photographer is to sell copies and another right is to publicly display the photos, the couple and the photographer can also negotiate how the photographer will be limited in these activities. For a fee, the couple is purchasing those rights (and not just a license) away from the photographer. Sometimes this will not be an additional price in the contract, but it is understandable if the photographer wants to charge a fee for this, to make up for what the photographer otherwise would have made commercially on the photos.