Pictures are an integral part of any wedding. Newlyweds are usually thrilled to get their pictures back from the photographer so they can relive their special day. But there are many special activities you can build into a wedding that involve photos.
One fun idea that many brides employ is to take photos of everyone as they arrive at the wedding, almost like you do at a high school prom or company Christmas party. You can provide a backdrop and couples can pose either for a paid photographer or for whoever happens to pick up the camera. These pictures can be taken with a Polaroid camera for instant fun or with a disposable camera. If you want slightly higher quality photos, go for a digital camera.
This can be an excellent way to keep guests busy and happy until the "official" reception begins with the arrival of the bride and groom.
As an extension of that idea, you can take instant photos and create scrapbook pages or memory book pages with the photos. There can be supplies on hand so guests can create pages on site, or pages can be pre-made and photos simply placed into the prepared spaces. If guests don't want to create pages on site, or the bride doesn't want this particular activity going on, the photos can be saved for later. As a gift for the bride and groom, someone can create memory books with these photos.
If Polaroid cameras are used, another option is to have the people in the photo sign the Polaroid photo and place that in a basket somewhere. The bride and groom will enjoy looking at the photos later.
While it's not a particularly unique idea, many brides like to provide disposable cameras on each table at the reception so guests can capture candid shots of the reception and the table guests. These photos can be added to the newlyweds' wedding album or they can be placed into a separate album showing the wedding from the guests' perspective.
Another fun activity sure to be entertaining is to create a "silent photo guess" area. Here's how this works: before the wedding, someone close to the bride and groom collects pictures of the bride and groom at various stages in life. The photos should depict the bride and groom doing things, not at Christmas or with their first birthday cake. In other words, the photos should include some action, but it shouldn't be obvious in the picture what has taken place or where the person is.
Much like a silent auction, people will come along and look at the photos, then take a silent guess as to what the photos show. They can write their guess on a piece of paper and put it in a numbered basket that corresponds with the number on the photo. Reading these guesses during the reception is entertaining and sure to be amusing. The bride or groom can provide the real answers. This is a particularly fun activity at a relatively small, family wedding where the participants know the bride and groom very well.
If you want to provide an area for guests to have their photos taken but aren't thrilled with the "prom night" idea, how about having a photo corner set up somewhere in the reception hall or facility. Here, the wedding photographer will take candid shots of wedding guests. They might be couples, but could also be entire families, friends having a good time, or the groom being carried on the shoulders of the best man. Whatever the pictures end up being, they provide a fun, "let it all hang out" area for the wedding guests and a surprise for the bride and groom. Since they will likely be busy with all the reception details and having the time of THEIR lives, they might appreciate knowing their guests had a pretty good time too, as evidenced in the photos.
|
|
Outdoor Wedding Reception Activities |
If you are having your wedding reception out of doors, that opens the door for many activities that would be hard to pull off indoors. You can plan games and activities based on the outdoor theme and carry that theme indoors if part of the reception is inside as well.
Depending on where the reception will be held, you can plan many activities based on the setting. Whether it is the park or on a farm, there are a myriad of activities you can plan.
Let's start with some basics based on popular wedding locations. One fun game for a winery wedding is a blindfolded wine tasting game. If the bride and groom are wine drinkers, this might not a game the bride and groom should be a part of, but instead guests and wedding party members. Blindfold perhaps a half dozen volunteers and have them do a blind taste test (provide something to clean the palate between sips). The volunteers should guess which wine is the pinot noir, which is the Cabernet, and so on. A bottle of wine is the obvious prize for the winner of this game.
Say you are having a reception at a country club on a golf course. It's possible your theme will include golf elements, so why not include golf in some reception activities or games? You certainly could head to the golf course for a "hole in one" contest, or have a driving contest to see which guest has the best stroke. As a simple, "who gets the centerpiece game", you could have people guess how many golf balls there are in the floral centerpiece (which could decorate a plain large glass vase filled with flowers). Similarly, there could be a large vase or other clear container filled with golf balls at the reception somewhere and guests could guess how many golf balls are in the vase.
A silly game could be made on the dance floor by asking everyone to include their best golf swing into their dancing for one particular song.
Now, if your reception and ceremony are both to be held outdoors and guests will be milling outdoors, think about games or activities that can take place outdoors and still keep to your level of formality or informality. For example, if the reception is being held at a park, perhaps guests might enjoy a "walk down memory lane". Prior to the reception, someone can use potted plants or arbors to create a little private lane, which guests can walk through. Along the path, guests will find pictures of the bride and groom at various stages in their lives. There should be a place for guests to record their thoughts and memories along the way as well.
If your wedding and reception are fairly casual, you can always tell guests ahead of time to prepare for a ball game or some other fun outdoor activity. Women can bring a pair of sneakers. Just imagine the fun photos you'll get out of a rousing game of football or baseball played by women in dresses and sneakers and men in suits and sneakers!
You can provide a challenge activity involving barefoot dancing in the grass or a Frisbee toss in the backyard. Is there a pool in the yard where the reception will be held? Why not have a swimming activity for after the whole of the reception is done?
|
|
Your Wedding Photography Checklist |
Hire a professional - Under no circumstances you should take any chances on this matter. There are many fine points that only a professional can handle well, and that is why you should go only for the best there is. If the photographer is an amateur he or she might not have experience with angles, tricky lighting situations, and so on.
Consultation sessions - After hiring your photographer, have a few sessions so the photographer would meet your family and will understand what you want included in your album. How many long shots, how many portraits, who to include in the group photos, the photographer should have a list of what you prefer. He or she should also know your best angle so your photographs come out great.
The rehearsal - You should have a person from your family who is not actively involved in the ceremony in charge of keeping people together for the family photographs. You should also allot a specific time for this purpose, which should be included in the program.
The style of the photography - This is the silent aspect of the wedding photography. Find out what style would be suitable for your wedding photographs. This will depend on whether the wedding takes place outdoors or indoors, inside a lighted hall or a dimly lit church or chapel, etc. When searching for professional wedding photographers, look at the different styles in his or her portfolio to see what you like. It is very important that you agree on the style in the beginning, so you have the best results. The contract - A wedding photography contract agreement is a formal document signed by the couple and the photographer that binds specific obligations to each other. It must be carefully looked over before you sign it and agree to the terms. It should not be difficult to understand; however, ask questions and make sure you understand each line of the form before signing. While the price is primary item in the contract, also discuss things like the exact date and times and possible overtime charges, whether the photographer will have back up equipment on site and who will take his or her place in case of an emergency, all the items in your chosen package, the delivery time for the completed prints, and who retains the rights to the photographs.
The package - Well before your wedding, decide on all the minute details of the wedding photography package. This will be a part of your contract and will be what you receive in the end. Talk to family members and look at their wedding albums. Do you like the size of their pictures? Do you want them to all be 8x10s or mix of 8x10s and 5x7s? Do you want all posed pictures or candids? Consider how many prints you may want to give as gifts.
Book enough time - Look at your event. Generally, the photographer will want to take pictures of the bride and bridal party about an hour before she walks down the aisle. They allot an entire hour so she's not rushed, and so that if there are out door pictures, the groom and other guests don't see the bride before she walks down the aisle. Include one hour before the event, the actual wedding, the cake, and the first few dances.
Location - After you've decided on the location of your ceremony and reception scour the surrounding areas for unique places to take your pictures. If you're having a traditional ceremony in a church, a lot of times you can find nice gardens or walkways on church grounds. Also look for interesting places within the church. Stained glass, for example, can provide a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding photography. Concentrate on smaller elements, not necessarily larger backgrounds, to create beautiful wedding portrait photography. Look for a doorway with an ornate frame, or a spot near a window that bathes you in sunlight. If the weather permits taking your wedding portrait photography outdoors is also a great idea.
There are so many details that surround the planning of your wedding, and the photography is just one of them. However, remember that your wedding photography will be your most important keepsake of your wedding, so taking the time to put some serious thought into the final product will be well worth it in years to come.
|
|
Wedding Photography Guide |
It can take a year to plan and lasts just one special day, so ensuring pictures of your wedding are captured as beautifully as possible is crucial. After the vicar, the photographer has the most important job as it's his responsibility to ensure your happy memories are preserved for posterity.
Getting the lighting right, ensuring the whole operation runs smoothly and captures the best impressions of you and your guests takes experience, expertise and the right equipment. So unfortunately, Uncle John with his new, shiny camera is not going to cut it. Weddings are expensive occasions, and employing the right photographer will, after the reception, probably be your second biggest expense, so make sure you hire the right one!
Once you've had a look at their website and spoken on the phone, you should arrange to meet the photographer several months before the big day. This will give you an opportunity to decide whether you gel, and that they'd be able to create the right rapport with you and your guests.
Make sure you see full albums of weddings they've photographed before, and not just a selection of their best work. This also gives you an opportunity to decide what style of pictures you'd like:
* Traditional/Classical - carefully posed pictures from a pre-selected shot list designed to capture you looking your best, and plenty of wide shots of friends and family.
* Reportage - unobtrusive, magazine style pictures that reflect genuine moments and record the day in a relaxed manner.
* Contemporary - a combination of formal shots and relaxed candid photos.
Once you've selected the package you want, you can then move on to discussing the price, but remember that photography is a skill and not a commodity. While people will forget whether there was a band and how the food tasted, a picture can last a lifetime.
On the big day, you can arrange for the photographer to capture the early morning preparations and then to capture specific moments of your reception such as your first dance. Or alternately, they can be there just to capture the ceremony and the cutting of the cake. The choice is yours, but don't forget to have them capture the unique wedding favors you selected!
Once he's returned to his studio, the photographer will be able to use the wonders of modern technology to remove incidences of red eye, crop the images to best fit the frame and even add special effects to produce the perfect wedding montage.
After the all cake's been eaten, the guests have left and the wedding presents opened, you can sit down and enjoy reminiscing over your beautiful photos. They can either be presented to you in a ready made album or on a DVD so you can sit back and watch a slideshow while scribbling down the numbers of the ones to be printed. Your favourite pictures can then be put in an album, presented to loved ones and put in frames so you can be reminded of your fairy tale wedding day for many years to come.
|
|
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Wedding Photography |
There comes a time in everyone's life when the need become an independent organ of society is our top priority, this is the case of weddings. This sacred ritual in which to people are united before friends, loved ones and God, is in fact the product of love, which is the cornerstone of every home. Since weddings represent such crucial and decisive times in our lives it is important to keep as many momentous which would remind us in the future about those precious occasions we lived in the past.
Most of the time, families are brought together by doing something they all enjoy; sometimes it may be going to the beach, going to a park, spending some quality time talking about the common interests or watching a family photo album, these activities are sure to bring everyone together. Regarding the last activity mentioned, we often hear from mature people that "By recalling special memories they feel like they have lived that very same moment all over again", actually that is true for most of us, that is the power of a good picture.
Through professional photography, family members have the joy of having a good time re-living all of fun moments they spent together at the very moment the core of their family was born. It is also true that if an amateur took an important picture and the results were less than perfect, he/she will be remembered by failing to capture a special occasion; this is something that shouldn't happen. A wedding is a special occasion which happens only once (involving the same couple at least!) as such all of the moments should be captured by a professional which is going to provide high quality pictures to be enjoyed by the family in the near future.
A picture is worth a thousand words, it can make us laugh at all of the little things that might have gone wrong but luckily no one noticed! Pictures capture a quick moment in time which is precious to us. Weddings, graduations, birthdays are all special occasions which need to be remembered because at the end, the few things that we leave behind as proof of our existence are the great memories we make with our loved ones and the great pictures taken during each special moment.
Spending quality time with your family, that's what good parenting is all about and what better way to do so than by flipping through a professional-made family photo album.
|
|
How to Look Good in Wedding Photographs |
|
The dress was beautiful, you got through the ceremony and reception without a hitch, but just when you thought your wedding was perfect, your pictures come back and you look awful. What can you do to make sure that your photos are as beautiful as the memories you have?
Here are some of the things you should consider:
- Never scrimp on your photographer. Nobody's going to remember if your bouquets had daisies or rare, exotic orchids. But years from now, your great grand children will be looking at your wedding album. They're not just souvenirs, they're heirlooms. Spend on them.
- Avoid complicated hairstyles and veils. You'll be walking around, too busy talking to guests to check the mirror. You don't want your veil hanging to the side, or your bangs plastered to your face. Keep it simple and elegant. If you want a dramatic veil for your walk down the aisle, look for a style that allows you to detach part of it, leaving you with something less cumbersome at the reception.
- Buy or make a small clutch bag or pouch that matches your gown. It should carry blotting paper, pressed powder, lipstick and blush. Ask your maid of honor to keep it handy for you.
- Wear waterproof mascara. You will cry a lot. It's guaranteed. Black mascara will run and leave unflattering raccoon eyes.
- Don't wear heavy powder eyeshadow. Again, you will cry. You will also sweat from walking around in heavy makeup, a thick gown, and hundreds of guests milling around you. Powder smears and cakes, and ends up under your eyes.
- Don't wear sheer lipstick. You'll eat it off. Or if you do, wear a matte or semi-matte base and apply the sheer lipstick as a top coat. Be sure to blot well, or it'll end up around your mouth or on your teeth.
- Don't wear heavy shimmery makeup, unless it's applied by a professional makeup artist. It doesn't photograph well under less than perfect lighting conditions. If you do, apply only on the eyes.
- Bridal makeup should be soft and romantic, not harsh. Natural pinks are most flattering, and really make you look like a "blushing bride". Avoid hard-edged contouring and dramatic browns, unless blended well and kept close to the eyeline. Even lipsticks should stick to the pinks and brownish pinks. Bright reds look too harsh worn against a white dress.
- You'll need good foundation that lasts long but doesn't cake. The trick is to apply moisturizer first and let it "set". This will prime your skin. Apply a matte or cream foundation, then concealer. Dust powder foundation with a brush.
- Take good photographs right after the ceremony, when everyone's make up is still intact. You should have solo shots, couple shots, and group photos with your entourage, friends, family members.
- Ask for a few black and white photographs. They always have a soft, romantic feel.
- If you'll be having outdoor photographs, light is most flattering in the morning and at dusk. Avoid any outdoor shots from 11am to 2pm; everyone will just be squinting.
|
|
Have a 'green' Wedding, Hire a Digital Photographer! |
There are many simple ways to have a ‘Green’ wedding. Hiring a digital photographer is one of the easiest ways of all… Why go digital? Well, here are a few reasons:
Receiving your wedding or portrait photos on DVD and/or CD is more cost effective and more ecologically sound than paying for several hundred printed photos you may never even use.
If you want to share your pictures, these days it's so easy to post them online or to email your favourites to your friends and family. This not only saves you time and energy, it also saves you money!
In addition to the financial benefits to going digital with your wedding photography, the ecological reasons are pretty compelling as well.
It’s been known for years that the chemicals it takes to develop and print photos are toxic. - As is the process for making the paper to print them on. That paper is chemically treated in a variety of ways and photo-paper is not known for being recyclable or recycled.
And film itself is responsible for a large contribution to environmental pollution. Most especially because of the emissions of methylene chloride, which is a solvent used in the making of photographic film. Very, very toxic.
Then there’s the processing. For every roll of 24 film prints, at least 4 ounces of chemicals get poured down the drain during the processing. Down the drain means in our water systems and leaching out into the soil.
Silver is also used in the processing of film. As a matter of fact, around 40% of all the silver consumed in North America has been used to make photographic materials.
Silver is discharged from film processors, such as photo labs and hospital x-ray units, in the form of sewer sludge. Silver ions can be more toxic to water organisms than mercury.
Now all this doesn't mean you shouldn't get any prints made at all. Of course you’ll want to have a few pictures printed for framing, but when you receive your wedding photos in digital format, all you need to do is choose just a few shots to be professionally printed, instead of dozens. Or you can even do your own printing at home.
Another really great thing about having your images in digital format is that they’ll last forever… While film images will deteriorate over the years, digital images can be safely archived indefinitely without ever losing quality.
So does such a simple choice really make a difference? Yes. More than you might think...
Recently, the Stockholm Water Authority in Sweden noted that the rise of digital photography was a major reason why silver pollution had diminished by half in the city's sewers in just five years.
Proof that choosing a digital photographer really does have a positive effect on the environment!
|
|
Great Pictures are a Must at a Wedding |
Wedding photography is the one discipline in the wedding industry that does not produce a product that you can enjoy on your special day. You bet, now more than ever in the digital information age, freelance and full time career options are endless. Wedding photography is a great place to start your Photography career. Photography is ever evolving; it requires an artistic flair and a vision to take really great pictures. Be sure to ask any questions you have about this important event. Your wedding photography is important to you so don’t hesitate to be clear about what you want.
A wedding photographeris expected to be a master of the craft. When looking for a photographer the best way to make a determination if he/she is good is to observe them in action, try to watch them at a function or event. The hardest part of choosing a wedding photographer is that you sign a contract and agree to pay before you have ever seen the photos. If you are doing an in-person interview, the photographer can show you portfolios of samples of their work. Hiring a professional photographer is the best option because he has the equipment, the experience, and the knowledge in this field. A qualified professional will most likely be using what's known as a digital single-lens reflex camera, or DSLR, with an average of 8 mega pixels and perhaps even more.
The goal of the wedding photographer is to capture the true you. When we look at photos we think we are seeing the truth as it is taken at that specific time. This isn’t always true as all photos can be cropped.
When many think back on their life, there are certain memories that come to mind. These memories are often important days or moments. Your wedding day memories are very precious and you don't want them lost by poor photographs. One of the top priorities on a wedding day is to make sure every moment is captured with great photographs and by looking at party favors. These once-in-a-lifetime memories are irreplaceable and making sure these photographs and party favors are properly stored and displayed after the wedding should be just as important.
The wedding goes by so quickly, and before you know it your guests are leaving and think to yourself where did the time go. Then you find that the event is over and what you are left with is all your memories of the day. Once the wedding comes to an end you will receive the proofs from the photographer, this way you can choose the pictures you would like to include in your album. Another good reason to scout out the locations is to check out the lighting situations. Photographic artists who retouch and edit photography are in great demand as are graphic artists who specialize in certain graphic and photographic software.
Hiring professional photographers is usually the preferred way for couples to capture the moments of their wedding forever. If given the opportunity, most couples would prefer to work with a professional wedding photographer. Finding a good photograph is not inexpensive so budget wisely so you are able to get the photographer you want. So choose wisely.
|
|
Five Top Wedding Photography Tips |
Finally you have everything booked for the wedding of the year. The countdown and last minute plans begin to take shape! Because your photographs will probably (aside from videography) be the only lasting way to really remember all the effort you've put into this magical day, we've come up with our five top tips to help you make the most of your photographer (and allow them to create the best images possible).
Tip one:
Allow more time!
If time is going to be a bit tight for photography later on in the day (and with demands on your attention from family, relatives and friends it usually is!) why not start getting ready earlier? Then you can make plans to have photographs with your bridesmaids, parents and other important people in your life when you've just finished getting ready. You'll be looking absolutely perfect and if you've left extra time for this you'll also have a bit of time to calm your nerves before walking out the door! Your bridesmaids and parents will especially treasure these photos with you - the last hour as a single girl!
Tip Two:
Plan your locations in advance!
Your photographer is going to have a lot to think about on the day. Make their life easier by thinking about potential good locations for your group shots in advance. Ideally you want a photographer who will be happy to come with you to see the venue(s) in advance so they can get their own ideas. If they don't offer - ask them! This is one of the most important days of your life - make sure your photographer is prepared!
Tip Three:
Make time for photography
We know weddings are about celebrating your union with your closest friends and family, but remember that your photographs are your way of showing your future children or grandchildren what your wedding day was like. It makes sense to maximise the skills of your photographer and to try and get some really beautiful shots of the two of you. Shots like the ones you see in magazines though don't just 'happen' when you're not watching, they take time, effort and a willingness to work with your photographer. If you want photographs which also look like beautiful pieces of art then talk to your photographer about setting aside half an hour after the ceremony when you can do these. Our favourite wedding was a couple in Bristol who left their wedding party for half an hour and got a friend to collect their pet dog. We got some really special shots of them walking in the park with their dog which worked wonderfully to represent the start of their new life together as a family.
Tip Four:
Be natural!
It might be the only time you ever have a camera pointed at you for an entire day, but try to act natural and forget the photographer is there. It's great if you can find a photographer who you really get along with, because they really do become a friend and can then blend into the crowd and get some really relaxed shots. It's especially important when taking photographs of the bride and groom that you focus on each other. Laugh, giggle, cuddle and kiss. Forget about the camera and let your love shine through! That's what makes great photographs, not stiff and awkward formal poses with no emotion!
Tip Five:
Ask family what they would like!
While we don't recommend handing your photographer a huge list of group set ups (which will only stress everybody on the day when Auntie Elma can't be found), it's still great to get some feedback from your parents and other key family members on which photographs they would absolutely love. We've heard horror stories of parents being devastated when the prints come back and there isn't one of the bride with her Mum on their own for example. If this or other shots are particularly important to you or your family then let the photographer know in advance. There are so many variations of family shots it would usually take hours to do them all, so if you have a particular preference do let your photographer know - and well in advance of the day!
|
|
2 Weeks to go – time to meet |
What bride doesn't want her wedding day to go exactly as she planned with a minimal amount of drama and disappointment? To avoid as many of the 'should’ve, could’ve would’ve' moments later, proper preparation is required.
Photos are the ever lasting reminder of your wedding day. They record the atmosphere of your wedding, your dress, guests, the venues and special details. They will be on display in your home and the homes of family and friends as a reminder of the beautiful celebration of your love. For that reason, every detail of the day is important and you will want to relive every moment through your photos again.
Yet on the day, emotions are charged, tensions are high and schedules are tight. All the details you want to see again later will be a blur and you will be so focused on the events, you will not be able to remind, repeat and reiterate your expectations. To make sure your memories are recorded to your expectations, you will have to put in some work before the day.
1. Meet and greetAt this point, you would have booked a photographer who is qualified, experienced and someone you will feel comfortable with on your wedding day. You need to feel absolutely sure that the photographer you have chosen will capture the essence of your ceremony and be able to make you and your guests look the best you can.
Set up an appointment to meet with your photographer and preferably have some shots taken of you and your fiancé. This will give you the opportunity to get to know the photographer better and learn to relax in front of the camera, alone and as a couple.
2. Style starThis meeting allows you the final opportunity to confirm what style signifies you as a couple. Are you traditionalists or contemporary? Do you want mostly colour or black and white photos? Do you want mostly realistic photos, or some that are digitally altered to create a specific effect? If you’re not sure what you like, take the time to go through a wedding magazine with your fiancé and photographer to find clips that match your style.
3. Make a shot listYou will undoubtedly have specific shots you want of the day – those non-negotiable must haves. Create an initial list and build a more detailed list with input form your fiancé, parents and the rest of the bridal party. Discuss the list with the photographer and get his input and ideas as this list will keep him /her focused during the day and ensure that nothing will be forgotten.
4. Talk about family mattersRounding up people for formal portraits can be a challenge. Adding divorced parents, eccentric aunts and wheelchair bound grannies to the mix can make it even trickier. If your photographer is prepared he can play a vital role in making sure that tempers are kept in check during the day and that no one is offended.
5. Location, location, locationVisit the wedding venue with the photographer if they are not familiar with it, even if it is an online tour. Make suggestions about specific settings and corners you would like to use as backdrop to your photos. Draft a general sequence in which to go to different settings or locations and bear in mind things like what distractions must you watch out for in each location, where the light is etc.
6. Create a Master ScheduleWith your photographer, plan out a schedule of the wedding day in 20-minute intervals. This should include wedding preparations, photos of the bride, bride and bridesmaids portraits; the groom and his groomsmen, the full wedding party, the family portraits, and the bride and groom.
Wedding photos should start with the largest groups first and move down the list to help keep things moving along as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Plan for extra time so you won’t be rushed or distracted by the time pressures and always make extra provision for possible traffic delays. Make sure your guests know when they need to arrive for their photos and don't be afraid to emphasise the importance of being on time.
7. Make sure everyone is connectedBe sure to give the phone number of the maid of honour, mother of the bride, the best man and contact at the venue to the photographer (and everyone else who is rendering a service on the day). Also make sure you have a copy of these numbers available on the day. If something does not go according to plan, or you want to change some detail at the last minute the wedding, everyone should be in contact easily.
8. Have help!This is your wedding day; the most beautiful event of your life and you must be fully present to enjoy it. Once you have made your lists and flow plans for the day (and checked it twice), enlist the help of someone who's familiar with your relatives to be in charge of gathering the herd for the wedding photography planned. You'll have plenty of other things to do rather than finding hiding family members on your wedding day.
9. Smile, relax and enjoy!Remember that no matter what happens on the wedding day, there will be a plethora of uncontrolled variables. Relax, wear waterproof mascara, smile until your cheeks hurt and enjoy your day. Remember, if you are having fun, everyone else will too and it'll make your photos that much better.
|
|
Thinking Outside The Box With Artistic Wedding Photography |
Your wedding day is one of the most special, eagerly awaited days in your life;and often we spend a great deal of time and money to ensure that it is perfect in every way.
Everything from the flowers to the food is given careful consideration in an effort to plan a cohesive and exciting event that is reflective of your personality. And nothing is more scrutinized than the photography - that which will be a lasting memory of your special day. Today's sophisticated brides and grooms are looking to artistic wedding photography more and more - as a way to infuse their wedding with non-traditional style.
Artistic wedding photography is photography that is approached with more than just "stand and pose pictures" in mind. Gone is the day of formal - and often stiff - wedding photography. Today's photographers have ushered in a growing trend wherein they bring creative expression to the age-old craft of wedding photography.
Some methods included in artistic wedding photography may include the use of non-traditional angles that you may have never associated with wedding photographs - including the use of light, color, shadow, and scale. A creative photographer can create dramatic works of art out of a single photograph and present you with a photographic result you can frame and hang in any room.
An increasingly popular style of artistic wedding photography is that of candid - or journalistic type - photography. Using this method, the photographer takes photographs of the couple and their guests when they are unaware of the picture being taken. Photographers who are adept at this have an uncanny ability to stay unnoticed and still get beautiful, engaging shots.
Artistic wedding photography may also include the use of the computer to add design elements to the photography in order to make them unique. The choices are really endless when it comes to creating photographic works of art. Working with a photographer who can best express the style that is unique to you and your wedding means finding one that works at a higher creative level than traditional wedding photographers. Luckily, most photographers host their own website where visitors can browse through their work and get a sense of their style.
Having a wedding does not mean that you are stuck with traditional vendors and formality reminiscent of your mother's wedding. Infuse your wedding with modern sophistication by choosing artistic wedding photography. The memories will last you a lifetime.
|
|
7 Tips to Make Your Wedding Photography Spectacular |
#1 TIME!The number one most important thing to remember is that
YOU WILL BE RUNNING LATE..
Plan for it! If you need to be ready by 1:00 be dressed and ready by 11:00. Plan for about a 2 hour difference in real time and wedding time. It’s a freaky twilight zone reality that does not exist in any other form other than in weddings. THINGS WILL HOLD YOU BACK! It’s weird but true. So it’s better that you are dressed and ready early even if you’re sitting around in your hair and make up… gives us more time to shoot more awesome pictures! So it’s a win/win! The last thing you want is to be stressed out all day and not enjoying the beauty of everything you've planned so meticulously because your manicurist was really slow. Do not be the last person to get your hair done that day because your girls’ appointments were first. You need to be one of the first appointments. I can shoot the girls later but not you. Make sure get your hair done really early.. Hairstyles are notorious at quoting short times for hair sessions. If they tell you an hour for hair it will be an hour and forty five minutes. Make up artist are almost as bad. Have your manicure and pedicure done the day before… also make sure to exfoliate your face the day before. You make up artist should have told you this. Do a full body exfoliation if you can the day before it will leave you glowing for you wedding day. Make sure if you have never exfoliated before that you do it at least a month ahead of time in case your skin is ultra sensitive and it makes your break out. That way you know whether you’ll have a bad reaction. #2 Meeting your fiancé ahead of time.I know that this is a very sensitive subject for many of you. I know that you want him to see you walking down the isle for the first time. So.. Seeing him or not seeing him? That is the question? Like everything involving your wedding, this is a very personal decision, which means it weighs entirely on your individual preferences. There is no pressure one way or the other. I believe that we can make the meeting just as special if not more by having you meet ahead of time. We can capture the moment with the perfect romantic setting and lighting. We can set up a scenario where you meet that adds another moment of mystique and wonder to your beautiful day. Also, having this time to be together can help diminish the stresses of the day. You guys can focus on what’s really important, as opposed to the many details that must fall into place. As a result, your love for one another takes center stage. And this can happen no matter what the setting. It definitely comes across in the photographs. #3 Getting ready at the same hotel.This one is a biggie for me. I love to tell the whole story and sometimes because the bride and groom are getting ready at such for away locations I can then, only tell one side of the story with depth. If you guys book a room the night before you can each wake up relaxed and refreshed and ready to start your getting ready process. Plus I can shoot both of you getting ready. I can tell your story and well as his. Choose a beautiful hotel that has a garden area or beautiful lobby where I can take your down to shoot your pictures of you alone, you with your parents and also with your girls! Then I can do the same for him! Plus I can use the location to shoot your wedding dress, shoes and accessories. It’s much better than shooting in a home that’s messy with wedding chaos or a backyard. One last thing ...usually hotel rooms have big windows that allow in more natural light which translates to softer, prettier pictures as you guys get ready! #4 Schedule some time for sunset pictures.The most beautiful, most magical time of the date is sunset or sunrise I call it “The sweet spot.” I know that most of you are not morning people. So if you can... try to schedule a little time for your and your loved one to get away for some sunset pictures. Skin is creamier, softer and more beautiful. The light is warn and there are less harsh shadows. So if you can do it schedule about 20 minutes outside of our regularly scheduled picture time for some sunset pictures. As you can see in the photo on the bottom left the sun is still very high up in the sky, the shadows are dark especially under the eyes.. But the rest of the photos are soft and warm, much more flattering. #5 Well lit reception.Now this tip is one that many brides don’t put much thought into and I think in makes all the difference in the world in regards to your reception images. You see... a camera doesn't see the same things that the human eye sees. You may think when you walk in to a reception area that is lit with just the standard light that it looks bright enough, but have you ever noticed when you take a picture indoors usually all you see is the peoples faces and black in the background. Well, we “drag the shutter” which means that the camera will try to capture as much light as possible from the background but if there is little light then the camera is going to capture black. But if you use twinkle lights and candles (lots of them) and as much lighting directed towards tables and walls then the camera has more to capture. So go crazy, get some Chinese lanterns or get your DJ to add your monograms to the dance floor with lights.. It all helps as you can tell below. The brighter the light the better. I know that Dj’s are often trying to dim the lights for your first and other formalities but this does not have a nice effect on the images..unless they have a cool spotlight or something of that sort. So this is something that you may want to discuss with your dj. #6 The ring shot.One little thing that also makes a difference is ….when you are putting on your rings, please be aware that I am trying to shoot it. So tilt your hand a bit so that your audience and I can see it. It really pays off at the end and looks beautiful in your album. If we are outdoors in plenty of light I will usually get in really close and do a shot of just the hands. This looks spectacular and really adds to the story of your day. #7 The Kiss!The kiss, the finality, the end to your gorgeous ceremony. The moment everyone waits for! So take your time Don’t rush through. I’m not saying you guys have to slobber all over each other. Just take it slow. You should probably practice. Maybe he can slow dip you or anything. Make it romantic and unique. If you take your time during the kiss it usually allows me to take a close up and a full body shot depending on the lighting situation. If it’s outdoors I can do a sequence set of more than 2-3 pictures. Make sure that you are facing your profiles towards your guests. You could put your hands on his face for part of the kiss, but please be sure that there are no arms around necks. This usually blocks the whole kiss... Not so good.
|
|
|
