There is little argument that photography can be a stunning medium for art. And it is no surprise that when couples search for a great photographer, they are also searching for a great artist with a poetic eye and a innate gift for capturing emotion. But, just as we all have different tastes in the music we love and the foods we adore, the same goes for our affinity to various styles of photography.

Today's bride has a plethora of choices when it comes to photographic styles. Photojournalistic, candid, traditional, and stylistic are just a few of the terms she must become familiar with. And although most brides can quickly narrow down their choices, few have ever heard of or considered photographs in oil.

Taking the art of photography to a different level, hand-colored oil photographs exude a soft and beautiful style of their own, transforming a black-and-white photograph into a magical work of art.

Patti Gabriel, a fine art photographer, is one of the few in St. Louis who specialize in the art of hand-colored oil photographs. Although Patti has been recognized in various publications, including a profile article in Mary Engelbreit Magazine, her business has thrived in an "underground" environment for many years, with very little advertising or promotion. With a background in Fine Art, Patti deftly intertwines her talents as a painter with her eye for photography.

If you are considering a hand-colored oil photographer, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Inquire about the photographer's background. Although some photographers can create beautiful hand-colored portraits, a background in painting or Fine Art assures you that they have plenty of experience in the relevant techniques.
• Some photographers may hand color a photograph taken by another photographer, but some will not. Experts often prefer to take the photograph themselves in order to ensure the proper conditions that will lead to a stunning final product. For example, in some temperatures and climates infrared film works best; in other situations, regular color print film is appropriate. In addition, photographers who have spent years in the business of hand coloring photographs may prefer to develop their photos by hand, on specific developing paper, or even at a specific temperature in the lab to exercise maximum control over their creation.
• Remember, a hand colored photograph is a portrait, so staging and posing is a must. For a couple who prefers photojournalism, having their environment manipulated and their portraits posed may be the antithesis of the freedom that they are looking for on their wedding day.
• Ask to see a portfolio of the artist's previous hand-colored photographs and make sure that yours will indeed be colored by hand. With today's digital technology, some photographers use software to enhance photos, which may not give the results you were expecting.

Once you have made your decision to incorporate hand-colored photographs into your wedding plans, you will love having a timeless keepsake of your special day.

This article was contributed by Arina Lanis, Editor-In-Chief, founder of Wedding-Club.com. If you have questions or comments about this article, please feel free to e-mail her at arina@wedding-club.com