- How can I help you (the photographer) get the best possible pictures on my wedding day?
- First and foremost, try to forget that I have a camera in my hand. Try to be as relaxed as possible. The moments when you are relaxed and forget I am taking pictures of you is when I get the best shots. When it is time to do the more posed portrait shots I will also be trying to take candid shots as well. So don't worry when you all of sudden see me shooting away at you when you think you aren't ready. If I am taking pictures when "you don't think you're ready" its usually because I see the two of you just being yourselves in the moment and they are usually the best pictures I take. A lot of times I will start to pose you in a particular way and then I will wait to see what you do, as in minor adjustments that you make... it's more of a starting point in my mind. I will pose you a lot of the time, I just want you to be aware that I will still be trying to take candid shots at the same time. Just be yourself! And have fun!
- Should I make a list of poses for you?
- Yes! Please think about certain poses that you want me to take...if you can't think of any right now, search the Internet. Look at my website. Look at your cousins wedding pictures that you absolutely loved and take note of your favorite pictures. I will always do my best to get a variety of posed pictures of you and your mate, but I'm not a mind reader. There may be some pose that you are dying to do and you are just waiting for me to take...instead of waiting just tell me. Better yet...write them down before hand and give me your list so that I can make sure to fit them into our picture-taking schedule. I will always take the obvious groups shots, such as the groom with his parents, the bride with her parents, the bride and groom with the bride's family and so on and so forth. But there may be some family friend from out of town that made the special trip to see you get married that you want a picture with...in the hustle and bustle of the days events you may forget that you wanted that picture with that friend...if you write it down in advance and hand it to me, I won't forget. Sit down right now and make that list. You won't be sorry that you did it.
- Don't forget to schedule picture-taking into your wedding plans!
- We will need at least one hour (one and half would be even better) to take the couple shots. And at the very least one half hour to take the group shots. It's best to take the group shots first, so that once we are done everyone can go do what they want while they wait for us to take the couple shots. Think about what you will have your guests do while we are taking pictures for an hour or so. It would probably be wise though to take the pictures sometime before the reception, because once that begins its just too hard to gather everyone together and besides you'll just want to eat and have fun.
- Ahh yes, and then there are the traditional shots during the reception to remember. The cake cutting, the bouquet and garter toss, the daddy daughter dance/groom and mother dance/ and the couple's first dance. I really think it would be best to take these shots as soon as you can. You want the majority of your guests to enjoy these moments with you. It is always sad for me when I see guests leaving before the bride has thrown the bouquet and/or cut the cake because it is getting too late. If you don't have a DJ then I would suggest delegating the deed of announcing these moments to someone in the wedding party. You don't want to get your pictures back and wonder where the bouquet tossing pictures are...and then realize you forgot to do it! That happened to me at my wedding. I don't want it to happen to you. Be prepared.
- A little note about "Getting Ready" pictures...
- If you want to help make your getting ready pictures look better make sure to clear as much clutter out of the room as you can. Take all plastic bags off of the bridesmaids dresses and take the wedding dress out of it's bag too, and get those bags out of sight. If there is something in the room that is not wedding related then get it out of view. Just try to keep things organized as much as you can. Don't forget that you will be photographed in whatever you will be wearing before you put your dress on... button up shirts are great so that you don't ruin your hair and makeup or wearing a nice robe would work too.
- What should I wear for my engagement or portrait pictures?
- Try to coordinate the styles of your outfits and stay in the same color scheme. You should both either be casual or both be dressed up. And as far as colors go...just stay in the same family of colors; like similar bold or bright colors or similar muted colors.
- Hear's a list of complimentary colors:
- Red & Green
- Yellow & Purple
- Orange & Blue
- Black & White
- It also looks good if you are both wearing the same color. Just use your good judgement. Many colors combinations that I haven't mentioned above will look great together. Most importantly keep your styles the same.
- Do not wear pin stripes. They can create strange optical illusions in pictures that are not flattering.
- Busy patterns are another thing to avoid. It's best to keep it simple. The main objective of taking your picture is to see your face, not get distracted by what you are wearing.
- A lot of couples will both wear jeans or both wear khaki pants.
- When thinking about your outfit it's important to think about where the pictures will be taken. For example, if you choose to go the beach, you will get sandy and wet. I love having couples walk along the water, so it would be a good idea to wear sandals. I wouldn't shy away from forwal wear at the beach or park however, you just have to realize that in order to get a wide variety of poses you may have to sit in the sand and/or get a little dirty. If dirt bothers you then you should choose an inside location or just be prepared.
- What should we do if it rains before or during my portrait session?
- If it rains just before a portrait session I'll often bring plastic bags to protect your clothes while you sit on wet objects. If it does rain we can always reschedule or just wait the rain out.