Wedding Photography Tips #17:  Bridal Party Photos

I am really slacking lately!  This time a year is so festive with lights and yummy smells coming from the kitchen.  I get so caught up in it all I forget what day it is!

The people you choose to be around you on the day of your wedding really sets the tone for everything.  Supportive loved ones there to hold your hand when you’re anxious or to just tell you how your lip stick is.  The core people are what hold you up in good times and bad.  They’re the ones always there for you.

I don’t follow the rules most of the time and I don’t like doing everything everyone else does.  I do what I feel is important and what matters to my clients.  Most of my clients don’t want to spend a lot of time taking photos of the bridal party.  Just enough time to get a group shot and maybe a couple candids of everyone hanging out together.    Each couple is different of course, so take the time to decide if you want some crazy creative bridal party photos.  Think about where you’d like to do them.  It doesn’t have to be a specific spot, but if your ceremony and reception are at two locations, decide where you’d like certain photos to happen.   And always talk it through with your photographer.  They usually have some pretty good insight on these things.

bridal party photos

Next up…The Bride and Groom

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Wedding Photography Tips #16: Family Photos

The ‘have to do, but no one wants to do them’ portion of the day.  It’s a pain to stare at the camera for a long time taking photo after photo, while the photographer says ok 1..2..3.  Trust me it’s not a picnic on the other side of the camera either.   So that’s why I decided to make family photos as fun, easy and quick as possible.  I always do the immediate family (siblings and parents) and grandparents. Beyond that it’s up to the couple.  And most couples don’t want more then that.  If you want more then just your immediate family make a list with people’s names on it and give it to your photographer prior to the wedding.  The more people you want, the more time it requires, so it’s important that you and your photographer are on the same page.  I make family photos as fun and light hearted as possible.   The more I have you laughing the less fake and contrived the photos are, which is my ultimate goal.

The day of the wedding make sure the family members participating in the family photos are told where and when they’re suppose to be.   And let them know it’ll go quickly if they cooperate.  Motivating family for photos can be like herding cats, so let them know what you’re expectations are.  Everyone wants to make the bride and groom happy on their big day.  They’ll move mountains if you ask them. 

Next up…Bridal Party Photos

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Wedding Photography Tips #15: Final Payment

Ah money, it’s a love and hate relationship isn’t it?  The week of the wedding every vendor is requesting final payment and your wallet is about to break in half from being opened so many times.  If you can I suggest couples finalize all their vendors prior to the wedding day.  No one wants to be running for the check book at the end of the night to pay the photographer, DJ and anyone else that was forgotten.  So make it easier on yourself even if the vendor doesn’t require final payment until the day of the wedding, pay it in advance and be done.

Tips….during this holidays season people are always wondering who do you tip or give a little something extra too.  I’m going to throw it out there that anyone that provides a service is eligible for a tip.  I’m guilty of not giving all my service providers a tips, but when I do, they’re always very appreciative and even a little surprised.  Every now and then a couple will tip their vendors at their wedding.  It’s never expected, but ALWAYS appreciated.  It just shows how much they appreciate our hard work and understand why we’re there.  I think something as simple as a thank you card is even appreciated more then you would think.  If you feel your service providers worked their tail off for you, thank them.  I’m sure they’ll work even harder for you.

Next up…Family Photos

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Wedding Photography Tips #14: Finalizing your Time line the week of the wedding

It’s hard not to stress time line.  I try to just go with the flow and what happens, happens.  But having a general plan really does make a difference.  People know when and where they’re suppose to be and things flow better when there’s a plan.  You don’t have to stick hard core to the plan, things change, it is a wedding.  Any vendor that has shot even one wedding before knows and understands this.

You’ve discussed with your photographer and made sure there’s a good amount of time reserved for photos.  Give a copy of your time line to everyone that has a roll in the wedding, family, friends, major vendors.  (if you have a planner they do this for you).  Once everyone knows what they’re responsibility is you can relax.  Don’t worry about watching the clock on your wedding day, that’s what all those important people are for.  I do my best to keep couples on time when it comes to the photos. That’s why I ask for a certain amount of time, to make sure it all gets done.  So you’ve done the work, now relax and let other people work their magic!  It’s your wedding day!

next up…final payment

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Wedding Photography Tips #11: The Best place for an engagement shoot

Apparently I haven’t been paying close attention to the calender and forgot where I was at in the tips…So yesterday’s was late.  My apologies.

Today’s post is one of my favorites.  I love finding new places to shoot a couple.  It’s fascinating to me all the different places that would work so well for an engagement shoot.  I generally leave it up to a couple where they’d ultimate like to do their shoot, but I like to offer up some suggestions for new places.  Anywhere that has meaning to the couple is the best.  Then the photos mean even more to them then if we choose a random location.  Another idea is to go completely opposite as what your wedding will be.  So if you’re wedding is in the mountains, go downtown Denver for an engagement shoot.

Go scouting before hand and see what’s right in your own backyard.   Is there a park or trail near by?  Or maybe the zoo or botanic gardens are places your love to visit.  Considering making those your location of choice.  Most photographers will be uber excited to try a new place and can make any location awesome.  So start brain storming and see what strikes your fancy.  Maybe the location will even inspire what you’ll wear!

Next up…What should I wear?

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