Tips
for working with your photographer:
Our clients are not typically professional models and we do not
expect them to be experts in working with photographers. For that
reason we think that a little information can go a long way to
relieving your fears so that you can relax and enjoy your day. The
following tips will help you help us create for you exactly the kind
of pictures you are hoping for. |
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Talk, Don't Keep It A Secret - From our first meeting
with you to the last dance at your wedding you will find that
we are far more interested in your ideas and what you want
then we are in telling you about ourselves. Our goal is to
create beautiful pictures for you. The most
beautiful picture of you gazing longingly at your (slightly
out of focus) groom in the distance, will not be beautiful to
you if you prefer a more natural and less posed style. One
style definitely does not fit all when it comes to photography
and the only way we can give you what you want is if you tell
us. As
professionals, we can help you identify your likes and
dislikes. We can seamlessly blend a combination of styles to
give your pictures the look you seek. We can do this only
because you tell us what you want and we listen. |
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To See or Not To See - One of the decisions you and your
groom will have to make is whether or not to see each other
before you walk down the aisle. First and foremost keep in
mind that the decision is yours. We will of course honor your
decision. We have found though that one of three scenarios
presents itself depending on what you decide. The three
scenarios for taking portraits on your wedding day (assuming
that you want to take at least some portraits) are: |
* Schedule the amount of time necessary
beforehand to do the absolute best work we can.
* Schedule enough time beforehand to not be too rushed but
don't take too long, or
* Do the best we can in the brief amount of time available
between the ceremony and the reception.
While
this may seem like a biased list of choices, it is in fact a
reality of your wedding day. Early on, when you are at your
freshest (not to mention your hair, makeup, and flowers) and
there is no time pressure, we have the opportunity to do our
most creative work.
This also lets you and your families and
attendants enjoy your wedding and reception. Does this mean
that you and your groom have to sacrifice that special moment
when he sees you for the first time as his bride? No! This
bring us to Private Time… |
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Private
Time - Private time is time that we schedule for the bride
and groom (typically 15 – 30 minutes) where we find an out
of the way place for the groom to wait for his bride to
arrive. They then spend private time, alone, together. Every bride has a dream of walking into the
church and having her groom "melt" when he sees her
at the end of the aisle. Not to burst any bubbles but we have
found over the years that very few grooms will actually let
their guard down and "melt" in front of hundreds of
their family, friends, and associates. We have heard from many
of our couples that Private Time was a wonderful time and in
fact was the only time they had to spend together all day. We
find that after Private Time, our brides and grooms are happy,
relaxed and in a perfect frame of mind for beautiful pictures. |
Calm
& Collected, or Frenzied & Hurried - If you're on
time we will do the best, most creative work we know how to
do. If you're not, we'll do the best we can in the time we
have. In either case it's your day and your decision. We will
never add to your anxiety but will make the best of whatever
situation we have to deal with. To help you be on time we will
meet with you for a final planning meeting 3 to 4 weeks
beforehand. At that time we will work out a sequence of events
for your day. We will plan with you how much time to allot for
portraits and who needs to be there and when. Just because we
may be starting with the bride at 2:00 doesn't mean we need
everybody there to stand around for an hour. We will give you
a schedule for everyone in the portraits and if you'd like,
we'll make up appointment cards for you to give out specifying
where and when we need everyone for their portraits. Above
all, our job is to help you relax and enjoy your day. |
Teamwork
- A great photographic session is always a collaborative
effort between the photographer and the client. We can and
will help you feel comfortable in front of the camera you only
need to show up with your own sparkle and energy. We can't
take truly memorable pictures by "doing it to you".
We are all on the same team and we have to work together. It's
not gruesome work, we'll make it enjoyable, maybe even fun,
when you bring your personality and energy into the team.
Hair
& Makeup - Your wedding day is no time for a "bad
hair day." It's a good idea to meet with your hair and
makeup person in advance so you and they know exactly what to
expect on the big day.
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You should also make it clear to them that you don't plan to
be late to your own wedding and you need their cooperation to
arrive when scheduled and complete their work on time.
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Flowers
- Typically we start taking pictures with the bride and her
family and attendants before the ceremony. That's when and
where we need the flowers. Your flowers are an important part
of your portraits. It does no good to have the flowers waiting
at the church if we are starting portraits somewhere else.
Serendipity - You know what they say about "the
best laid plans…." It's also true for wedding plans. We
have never seen a wedding where something unexpected didn't
happen. Allow a little extra time in your planning, for the
unexpected.
A Little, Goes A Long Way - We can't capture the kind
of artistic, emotional, spontaneous pictures you want by being
cold and aloof. We can only do it by having a relationship
with you. In many cases we will spend 8 or more hours with you
on your wedding day. It helps if you treat us like a friend,
not a servant. Arrange for us to get a bite to eat, as you
would for a friend. As artists we have never outgrown our need
for personal feedback. If you like the job we are doing, take
a moment and tell us. A few words of appreciation go a very
long way towards recharging our creative energies.
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