Photographing Couples...

Setting up a private photo shoot for yourself and a loved one can be both weird and wonderful. It's a time-honored tradition for couples to document their relationship, but ideas on how to do it range from boring to tacky. Unless you're happy with walking into a department store and having a quick photo taken with a backdrop, chances are you want something more creative but also classy.

While there are thousands of possible ways to have your picture taken, there are a few ground rules you'll want to follow. First, make sure you and your significant other are the focus of the shot. A photo of you and your partner in front of a mountain might be a great memory, but it won't work if it detracts attention from the two of you. You also want to remember your audience -- if you're sending the photo to your grandparent

s you don't want it to be overly romantic and certainly not suggestive. And remember, this photo is a representation of both you and your spouse, so make sure you plan together.

No matter how you decide to do it, you'll want to make create something you'll appreciate for years to come. For that, we can help; continue on for five different ways to handle the occasion.

5: Keep It Simple

The best way to get a photo done quickly and easily is to keep it simple. After all, the point of it is to show off the couple, not the environment.

"Clean backgrounds, clean edges, good light and a nice moment are the formula for a good

picture," says commercial photographer Matt Slaby of Luceo Images. This means you don't need a fancy photographer or a whole lot of setup. You won't need an overused tree background either. Just find a friend with a decent camera, get yourself some colored paper or a large colored sheet and stand next to each other wearing a nice outfit. Don't overdo your attire, the background or the smiles. What you'll get is a picture that highlights exactly what it's supposed to, you.

If simplicity isn't your bag, don't worry. We've got an idea for the over-the-top couple.
A playful shot that packs a punch.

4: The Remake or Fantasy

Just because couples' photos are usually associated with plain shots doesn't mean they have to be. If you're in the mood for something a bit more experimental and you have the time and money to invest, you might try to stage a photo that better exemplifies your interests.

It doesn't matter what you're into: video games, medieval art, cowboys, movies or whatever else, chances are there is something there you can emulate. A popular choice is Grant Wood's 1930 painting, "American Gothic," but choose whatever you think would best suit your personality, whether that's re-creating the cover of "Tron" or donning a pair of boxing gloves for a playful shot that highlights your interest in the sport.

If you find you're spending too much money to create the fantasy shot, you still have plenty of options. Turn to the next page for an inexpensive one.

3: The Photo Booth

If you're convinced you have to spend a lot of time and money to get memorable shots, perhaps you've forgotten about the good old-fashioned photo booth. It's quick, easy and provides enough retro flair to coax a smile out of the most camera-shy of people. The main problem is finding one.

If you live in a major city, there's a reasonable chance that there's a photo booth somewhere in your vicinity. Web sites like PhotoBooth.net even allow you to search for a booth nearby. You'll be surprised at how many are still up and running at bars, clubs, arcades and malls. While they're a far cry from the megapixel-infused digital photography of today, they still offer a means to take candid and often humorous photos on the cheap. Keep in mind, however, you'll usually only get four pictures per shoot and they'll all be very small. If your intention is to hang photos on the wall or send dozens to loved ones, you'll want to choose another option.

If you don't like the impromptu nature of a photo booth, then a staged photo may be right for you.

2: The Staged Shot

There's a reason why one of the most popular types of photos is the staged shot. It's simple, cheap and you don't have go anywhere!

All you need is your significant other and your home. Provided you have that, you'll be set to go. Just choose the particular location. Maybe you'd like to take the photo outdoors (say, to show off your new home), or perhaps near the fireplace if you're planning a holiday picture. Just don't forget, you'll want to make sure you're still the highlight of the picture -- not the fancy new paint job in the living room.

No matter how much you stage a shot, there is no substitution for the original, which is where our next couples' photo idea comes from.

1: The True Grit Shot

This is probably the most time-consuming of all the photography ideas on this list, but it's also potentially the most rewarding. The idea is simple; hire a photographer to follow you around to snap candid shots.

Depending on your day-to-day life, the potential here for truly amazing couples' photographs depends on what happens. You'll likely be surprised at how great a candid photo of you and your partner loading groceries into the car, crossing the street under an umbrella or even cleaning up the house looks. Don't worry too much about what you're doing here; if your photographer is taking a lot of pictures, even if the time frame is short, chances are you'll have a nice picture as long as you're doing things naturally together. You'll want to make sure you're not doing anything you don't want shared with your friends and family -- pick another day to scoop your dog's waste from the backyard, for example.

Keep in mind, there are thousands of different ideas for couples' photographs, and these are just five of them.

Choosing The Right Locations

The next thing you need to decide are the locations where you would like to have your engagement photos taken. These locations are places that would either look really cool in your pictures or places that are special to you as a couple for one reason or another. By choosing different locations that have some type of connection to your relationship you'll be able to be much more genuine during your shoot and you're almost guaranteed to appreciate them more in the long run.

Some great places that could potentially make your list of locations are:
· Where you first met
· Where you had your first date
· A restaurant, coffee shop or any other location that you frequent as a couple
· A really cool looking landscape or skyline that's near by
· A location with lots or bright and vibrant colors
· A location that would be the last place that you would think of getting your engagement photos taken, like an abandoned warehouse or old junkyard

Once you select your locations, don't be scared to get outside of your comfort zone a little bit when you're getting your photos taken. Have fun and explore the spaces -- you're only going to have one chance, so don't leave anything out that you'll regret not getting once you're finished.

Also, while you're traveling to your different locations, don't be afraid to make an impromptu stop if you feel the need to take advantage of a new place or background. Some of the best shots that we took were at locations that we didn't plan on stopping at.

Finding A Photographer That Fits Your Style

One of the most important things that I have learned now that I have had my unique engagement photos taken is that you need to find a photographer that fits your style. I really can't stress this enough. There are a lot of photographers out there that tend to forget that this is your wedding and not just another addition to their portfolio, so as you begin to look for photographers for your engagement photos please try to find one that you know will match your personality as a couple and who will really listen to your thoughts and ideas.

When you first meet with photographers, here are a few questions that you might want to bring up with them when they are showing you their portfolio:

• Why did you choose these different locations for the photos that you're showing me and what did they have to do with the couple? (this will show their interest for the couples as opposed to the art)



• How many different locations do you allow us to shoot at and how open are you for some brainstorming before we go out and start shooting? (this will show their willingness to be flexible so that you can learn each other's style)



• How do you normally find your clients? Are they referred? (this will tell you how satisfied their clients have been -- more referrals = more satisfaction



• How many of your engagement photo clients end up asking you to shoot their wedding as well? (more engagements that turn into wedding shoots means more happy clients)



• Can I speak to one of your recent satisfied clients? (it's always good to check a reference or two)

Also, I've found that it's also good to meet the photographer in a restaurant for dinner or coffee shop for a drink so that you can really get a good feel for who they are and what type of photographer they are. This might seem like a lot of work for just getting engagement photos, but if you're spending the money and taking the time to get them, then you should do it right the first time.

Bride & Groom

{ Engagement Photos }

Engagement shoots have become widely popular among newly engaged couples, and almost all of them want something different and unique. The best way to achieve that is to make it personal and have fun. That is when the best and most creative photographs are taken. Engagement photo sessions are supposed to be casual and relaxed so in this case, sticking to your comfort zone is perfectly fine. If you are planning to have your engagement photos taken and want to do something a bit different, think about what your personal interests and hobbies are. If you and your future spouse share a common hobby or interest, consider using it as a theme for your engagement session. For example, if you both love racing, find a nearby racetrack that will allow you to spend an hour or so shooting there.

When the Wedding is over, All you have are the photographs.

What You Should Expect From Your Wedding Photographer

The photographer should comprehend and realize your needs and expectations and understand your stylistic preferences and have a clear plan of how to execute the photo session and what to capture in image.

During the wedding, the photographer should be unobtrusive, quiet and cordial, efficient and accurate. The wedding party should not have to concern itself with the photo activity, which should proceed seamlessly "behind the scenes."

The final products should document the wedding in the way you wanted to see it, and reflect your stated tastes and preferences. The photo quality should meet the highest professional standards.

These common-sense guidelines to planning for successful photography will help you achieve your expectations and the best results:

Select a Photographer With Whom You Have Good Personal Chemistry
People underestimate the importance of the "personality" of the photographer, who will end up being a very personal guest at your most important day. When selecting a photographer establish as a key criteria not just the usual portfolio preview, but evaluate carefully whether you feel personally comfortable with this person. Mutual compatibility is paramount! Too often people regret their choice of a photographer not because they don't like the pictures, but they ended up not liking the person.

The actions, behavior and personal style of the photographer can literally ruin your event. All too common are complaints such as : I hated him! He stood out like a sore thumb, he was... obtrusive; pompous; arrogant; bossy; poorly dressed; greasy; ill-mannered; overbearing; egotistical; made bad jokes; loud-mouthed; and he ordered my guests around like he was the director of the event. Take your pick. You don't want either. I've even heard about a photographer getting annoyed and raising his voice to the guests while setting people up for a shot. Don't bring a photographer to your event which you would not otherwise feel very comfortable to have as a wedding guest. First find a photographer who you like as a person - then evaluate other criteria.

What To Look For In a Portfolio
Evaluating a photographer's portfolio depends entirely upon your own stylistic and artistic preferences. Fundamentally, do you prefer artistic photography, or the more generic, commercial wedding look?

Your wedding photography should reflect who you are as a person- and match your tastes and style. When you evaluate photographer's portfolio, look for nuances and subtleties. Does the photographer see things as you do ? Is there as sense of beauty ? Does the photographer captures the light in people's soul ? Does the photography reflect the passion of the moment? Do the portfolio pictures speak to you ? Do they move you? Stir passions?

There is no easy formula. Follow your heart and look at as many photographers as necessary until what you see with your eyes connects with you intrinsically. Don't settle for average and never make stylistic compromises for the sake of time pressures and convenience. You will live with these photos for too long to have regrets. The photographer should be an extension of yourself and meet your highest standard. Be very picky!

Define and Articulate Your Expectations and Desires
Visualize in advance what your completed wedding album and framed photos should look like. Do you prefer the lasting elegance and sophistication of traditional black and white photography ? Black and white photography will not fade when framed and subjected to light, and will last for generations. Color prints may discolor and turn greenish with time when exposed to direct light. However, color is very beautiful, especially during outdoor weddings in a nice landscape and weather conditions. Color photos in albums will keep for decades. If you favor color photography do you prefer the "soft" touch often associated with glamour or model photography or do you want crisp, clear and sharp images? How many prints will you want and what sizes will you prefer. Do you like matte or glossy finish, with borders or without ? How do you envision your wedding album?

Consider your own preferences carefully. If you are uncertain let the photographer show you samples of different print formats and approaches. Ask about the lab the photographer deals with. Look at samples of actual weddings. Be aware of the large, glitzy show samples on the wall. Sometimes these impressive wall-samples are provided by labs and not even shot by the studio you are sitting in. Some photographers are like fast food restaurants. Somehow the burger you get never looks like the one on the poster.

Think carefully about what you want and communicate this to your photographer and assure that the photographer understands your expectations.

Plan the Wedding Day Photography from Beginning to End
It is wise to appoint a member of the wedding party to be the photo-coordinator during the big day, to organize the family groups and to point out people to be photographed. Remember that the photographer does not know your relatives and guests. A wedding day command such as "Make sure you photograph Uncle Wilbur and Aunt Mae" won't help the poor photographer.

Visit the location with the photographer and the photo-coordinator to preview the wedding site. The photographer needs to determine lighting conditions and become familiar with the overall environment . If you plan to photograph posed groups outside, plan for alternative locations indoors in case of adverse weather conditions. Let the photographer know during the site visit whether you prefer candid "document the event freely with your own eyes" approach, or a structured, formal posed-groups, or a combination of both.

Let the photographer know the sequence of the activities and who, what, when and where you want to photograph (or, not to). It is important to determine whether the photographer should photograph during the ceremony. Some houses of worship prohibit photography during the actual ceremony, in which case the photographer should be willing to come in during the rehearsal. If the photographer shoots during the actual ceremony this may trigger the guests to pull out pocket cameras with flashes and video cameras, which can be disruptive.

Also, consider whether it is important to the bride to get photos in her chamber, applying make-up, getting styled, etc. In such a case it would be appropriate to select a woman photographer.

Get Things In Writing
Most professional photographers will write a special wedding photo contract. Be sure that you read it carefully, especially the fine print. Be aware that by US and international copyright law, the photographer owns the negatives and has the sole right to reproduce the photos. If you wish to receive the negatives, and thus the copyright, you need to discuss this in advance. It is up to each photographer to accept or decline this request and to determine additional costs for this privilege.

The contract should clearly define all mutual expectations and requirements, including services to be rendered, fees, deposits and all related information.

Closely examine "price packages" to avoid unexpected, pesky "add-on charges". Contracts should clearly define what is included in the price and you should know exactly what you are getting in the end. Also, be sure to discuss cancellation, refunds of deposits and when payments are due. A good photo contract helps both parties define terms and conditions and assure a clear understanding of all relevant issues. Like any contract, don't sign anything you are uncomfortable with. If necessary, take it home and have the contract reviewed by your representatives.

Be Nice
When the photographer works hard at your wedding all day, please extend a host's courtesies. Be gracious, polite and friendly. Please offer food and drink and allow for periodic short breaks. Your kindness will be much appreciated.

All of this work and effort will hopefully help you assure that when it is all over, you will have a photo album to love and treasure forever - without a single regret.

The trends of 2012 are starting to be seen!

2012 Wedding Gowns Victorian styles are an inspiration for the 2012 bridal season. Have you seen them popping up in bridal salons? They have long, full skirts paired with corsets, lace, chokers, and high collars – these are the details that you’ll see on runways in 2012. Gorgeous Victorian-style wedding dresses where colors add drama and romance!

Multiple gowns: The recent trend of having a separate reception dress shows no sign of stopping. Many brides will choose to have a fuller, more ornate dress for their ceremony, and a more manageable or more casual dress for partying the night away. It is clear that the reception dress should be much more relaxed and fun. It is all over the blogs that Kate Middleton will jump on this trend too. We’ll have to wait for April 29^th to see if it is true…

2012 Bouquets
Ultra-romantic wedding bouquets will pair beautifully with classically-inspired wedding dresses. Soft colors such as ivory or light pink, and big, plush blooms like peonies, will be adorned with details like pearls.

2012 Wedding colors
There are lots of diverse options here. The bold color pairings of 2011 continue in 2012, such deep pink and sunny yellow. Neutrals and romance will make a comeback this in 2012, however, with choices that convey tranquility, such as beige and pale blue.

2012 Wedding Food
Grooms cakes are becoming an essential part of the dessert course, going beyond sports-themed treats and becoming nearly as elaborate as the primary wedding cake. Full-on dessert tables will be a trend this year, with smatterings of pies, cupcakes, and other, often homemade, treats.

More and more, couples are including a Good Night Station at the end of their reception for their guests’ enjoyment. With the wedding menus at Majestic Gardens, we always include chocolate covered strawberries as a good night treat but many couples incorporate additional goodies for their guests.

The Krispy Kreme donut favor send-off was a trend set by Gwen Steffani and still remains popular but today there are many different options. For the past couple of years, the biggest trend has been the candy bar and pastry favor buffet. What is great about these stations is that they can be color coordinated to match your wedding colors and you can include your favorite selections. Guests love the edible favor buffets and always comment that they are a great send-off.
For a different twist, you can add the classic Good Night Station which includes a display of fresh hot coffee, hot tea or an ice cold bottle of water together with a small bag of heart-shaped cookies or chocolates. By switching from a hot to a cold beverage, this station works year round. If you are having a fall or winter wedding reception, the Good Night Station can be modified to include mini donuts and hot chocolate which are always a welcome treat on a cool evening. For a summer wedding reception, you can have traditional ice cream sandwiches and popsicles served to your guests with bottled water.

Another great idea is to have fresh bagels with cream cheese available for your guests as they depart. The bagels are packaged in bags labeled with your name and date, and make a great breakfast for the next morning. With the bagels, you can include a variety of mini bagels or for a really special treat, you can include a half dozen of bagels (usually two plain, two poppy and two sesame) with ½ lb of cream cheese for each couple. For couples having a Saturday evening reception, the bagels can be paired with the early edition of the Sunday paper.

2012 Wedding themes

Having an overarching theme to your wedding was passé for a little while there, but all-out themes are coming back. You’ll see wine lovers with cork & bottle décor and even wine tastings at the reception; seaside-themes with everything from shell decor to a seafood dinner. Embrace your theme and incorporate it into everything from your wedding invitations to your wedding favors. Just make sure it is YOU and your theme will work!

Strong wedding themes will be big in 2012.

Are you getting married in 2012? What wedding trends are you spotting?

A Day @ Club Moto

{ Congrats Jacob & Tanya }

Engagement Photos Usage Tips

Aside from the wedding images, many couples won't have any other professional photos of themselves. The engagement session photos can be included in your wedding album to create a prequel; leading into the wedding day story.

If like most couples, you are looking for a fun way to entertain your guests during the wedding reception, consider using the photos as part of a slideshow. Reception slideshows have become a favorite choice because they are personal, easy to put together as well as operate, and they beckon for everyone's involvement in an unobtrusive way. The slideshow is something that your photographer can easily put together. However, if you are computer savvy, you can also create one on your own. The best part is that all of your guests will enjoy viewing photos of the newlyweds on a big screen. Below is a short list of affordable slideshow creation tools:

• Roxio PhotoShow

• Slide.com

• Imageloop

Another option is to use the images in a guest book where guests can sign on the day of the wedding. Your photographer can put together a beautiful custom guest album with blank space for signing along with your engagement photos. This is one of the more popular options because it makes a great memorabilia and everyone will enjoy looking through your photos during the wedding.

If you want a display piece, you can select one or two of your favorite photos from the engagement session to be enlarged and displayed at your wedding. The cocktail hall or gift table is a great place for this. Rather than a guest book, you can opt to have a signature mat around the enlargement where guests can sign. Usually, if your photographer is providing the enlargement, he or she can also provide an easel for the photograph.

These are just a few of the ways that engagement photos can be used. There are many great reasons to have professional engagement photos taken. It should come as no surprise that so many couples are seeking this option. If you are interested in learning more about engagement sessions, just talk to your photographer.

Wedding Photography

Choosing a wedding photographer is often a confusing process. You want to find someone who will take nice pictures, but how do you know what to look for? Between all of the different types of photography, cameras, films and all of the different personalities of photographers, it can often seem an impossible task. This guide will discuss styles of photography, film and how to choose a photographer that has a personality you can live with.

Selecting A Style

The first point we will touch on is style of photography and pictures. There are many different styles which photographers use, and the decision rests upon your tastes. The two most popular styles used in wedding photography are "photojournalistic" and "portrait". The two most common styles of pictures used are posed and casual.

The portrait style photographer should be able to take both posed/formal shots and casual shots. Generally, a photographer who uses this style will take more posed shots than casual because his/her experience has shown that couples' tend to buy more of these shots. This is fine if you are such a couple, but you may run into problems if want more casual shots than posed. One way to find out if a photographer uses one type over the other is to look through his/her portfolio. The photographer that uses a photojournalistic approach usually takes shots that are not planned, and because of this they are usually casual. Often a photographer using this style has experience in journalism (newspapers, magazines, etc.) photography. The shots taken are often spontaneous motion shots as well.

There is a third type of photographer as well. It's harder to gauge what type of pictures will result though, for this type of photographer is not a professional, and often has no portfolio. Whether it is a friend or relative, this person is a "hobbyist" photographer who will offer to photograph the wedding for free (or very low cost). Your pictures may or may not come out as well as if you hired a professional, and the best indicator in this case is experience. Just as with any photographer, you should interview and get references.

Camera Types

There are two basic types of cameras that wedding photographers use, 35mm and medium format. There is some contention, even among professional photographers as to which is best. The 35mm cameras will give you a slightly grainier appearance if the photo is enlarged than the medium format will. Unless you plan on very large enlargements, the only one that will notice this graininess is your photographer.

Film - A Return To Black And White?

Film comes in color or black & white. Color is the most popular choice in wedding photography, but black & white is gaining a foothold. Black & white film will give you a more artistic looking photograph no matter whether you a prefer portrait or photojournalistic style. It also lasts longer than color film. Color is the more versatile of the two. Color pictures will give you a more accurate portrayal of your wedding day. They can be made into black & white prints, but won't last as long as black & white pictures from black & white film. Photographers who use the photojournalistic style are more apt to use black & white film. The choice is usually made according to the couple's tastes.

Another consideration is the speed of the film. Most photographers will already have a standard that they use in certain situations, and the couple won't need to worry about the film speed. When using a "hobbyist" photographer, a discussion about film speed should occur. Since most hobbyist photographers use a 35mm camera, the focus will generally be on 100, 200 or 400 speed film. 100 speed is best in strong sunlight and is the least grainiest of the three. 200 speed is the middle ground and often used for partial sun or partial shade. 400 speed works well in low light. 400 speed is the most commonly used for wedding photography (by hobbyist's) because it can be used for indoor shots or outdoor shots.

Your Photographers Personality

Wedding photographers have a reputation for being high strung and haughty. Not all wedding photographers are this way, but some are. Most couples are looking for a photographer that takes great pictures, but is also sociable while doing so. The best time to find out what personality your photographer has is in the interview. Ask pointed questions and gauge his/her reactions. If you feel as if the photographer is putting on an act for your benefit, he/she probably is. Trust your instincts! Ask for references and then follow up on them. Make sure to ask about the photographer's personality. If the couple feels comfortable with the photographer and vice versa, it will show in the pictures.

The Perfect Portfolio - Beware!

Finally, always look through a photographer's portfolio. In the case of a hobbyist photographer, look through albums of pictures that he/she has taken. These photographs will probably be the best that the photographer has taken, (or they wouldn't make it into the portfolio) but should give you an indication of what to expect. Look for photographs where subjects are slightly out-of-focus, where attention is drawn away from the subject, colors are muted or too strong (lighting), streaks in pictures and so on. If you find any of these things, it's likely that the pictures of your wedding day will contain some of these elements as well.

Congrats!!!

Rick & Maria

Define Your Personal Style:

When booking a photographer, be sure to communicate the style of photography that you want. If you only want traditional pictures, make sure your photographer knows that. If you want photojournalistic pictures, make sure your photographer knows how to capture those candid moments. Communication with your photographer about the style of pictures you want is key!!

I always encourage my brides to collect samples of photos that they love - and photos that they don't like... when I see these images, it gives me a clear idea of their style!

Tears and Tissues

Tissues are a mess so instead try this: Place a cotton handkerchief in the grooms' pocket, the bride has no where to put one. This way if she tears up the groom can take out the hankie offer it to her or dab the tears himself. It will be a beautiful moment for everyone. You may need to practice this so he doesn't ruin her makeup. And who knows, plenty of grooms tear up too. This is more elegant than the back of his hand

Photos Before the Ceremony

We tell many of our brides to rethink the only-one-hour-between-ceremony-and-reception-for-pictures rule. Here's how that standard timeline really works (imagine you're the bride): The ceremony begins a little late, because a bridesmaid couldn't find her shoes. You're totally flustered, but it's time to walk down the aisle. You eagerly await that "First Glance" of your groom. Except the you're coming down a long aisle, or from down the beach, or the back of the room. The guests stand, and all you groom sees is the top of a veil moving toward him. He may get choked up, but by the time the you reach him, he's masked his emotions again.

The ceremony ends and it takes 15 minutes for the guests to file out of their seats. That 1 hour is cut down to 45 minutes. You and the bridal party will also need about 15 minutes to get to the reception site and get settled. 45 minutes is now only 30. In that half hour, we can do all the "must have" pictures -- family, bridal party, lined up side by side. But that's all. Then you're whisked away to the reception, where family and friends tell you how great you look, and there's a first dance, and a cake cutting, and dinner, and dancing... Everyone has a great time, but there's a problem. On the most romantic day of your life, you haven't had the chance to say more than 3 words to your new hubby! The night ends, and you go home, totally exhausted.

Now let's rewrite that script. You plan for your bridal party to be completely dressed and ready an hour and a half before the ceremony. No last minute rush. You and your groom have arranged a pre-ceremony reveal. You leave all your bridesmaids behind for a special rendezvous. Outside, in a courtyard, or perhaps on the beach, your groom nervously waits for you. His back is turned.

You silently walk up behind him and tap him on the shoulder.

He turns and sees you for the first time, close enough to touch, his eyes full of love. He can see every little detail up close. You giggle, he looks down at his shoes, you hug, you kiss. You two are alone in the world for this special moment.

When the butterflies in your stomach subside, you have a chance to talk. You tell him how you could hardly sleep last night; he tells you that he couldn't find his socks and is wearing a mismatched pair. After you've reconnected, your photographers (who've secretly been photographing all along) take the time for some romantic photos that you wouldn't have had time for after the ceremony.

Now, there's still an hour until the ceremony, so we bring the bridal party and the family out for the must-haves. It's all out of the way. A half hour before the ceremony, you and your groom go back inside and sip champagne in a private room and chat until it's time to walk down the aisle.

During that cocktail hour? Let's wander around and take those fun pictures with the bridal party that you always wanted!

Wedding Photography Tips for Brides

Brides want their marriage ceremony to be perfect. Part of making this memorable occasion nothing short of spectacular is to involve the right people behind the scenes. Everything from the cake, to the music, to the photographs need to be spot-on. However, when it comes to pictures, wedding photography tips for brides can help assure the bride-to-be that she will look absolutely stunning.

The first thing for a lady to do is take the time to know her photographer. Making the extra effort to meet with the man or woman photographing the event will allow both the subject and the photographer to gain a feel of what to expect from each other. Sending an assistant to do this is usually not recommended. The bride will want to discuss options such as black and white pictures, an assistant will not always know what the bride truly wants.

Photographer’s who have been in the business for many years are very good at knowing what poses compliment different body types. More often than not a series of pictures of the bride, and in some cases the wedding party, are taken before the actual ceremony. This allows more than enough time for posing for the camera.

Photographer’s are artists. While they do not paint with a brush or make clay sculptures, they bring together contrasting colors coupled with light and emotions. Pictures can be bold and sharp or dreamy and subdued. Brides are encouraged to relay any ideas ahead of time as far as poses or backgrounds are concerned. Backgrounds make a huge difference in the outcome of a photograph. Studio shots and outdoor shots should both be discussed.

The absolute most important thing is attitude. Emotions show in photographs. The bride is encouraged to ignore the fact there is even a photographer present. She should do her best to calm her mind and simply let her own personality shine through. There is no need to always look into the camera, it is the photographer’s job to capture a variety of angles.

Facial expressions become fake if they are held for too long. Photographer’s know this. The goal is to capture the emotion in an instant. This is one reason why numerous pictures are taken. When all elements are right, no other picture can surpass the bride’s.

Paying attention to detail makes a big difference. Well-manicured fingernails are a must. Chipped polish and jagged edges are obvious in pictures. This is not what a bride will want to see in her pictures. Hair and make-up needs to be finished off just right. Runny eyeliner and mascara should not be worn as most brides do shed a tear or two on her big day.

There are many wedding photography tips for brides available. Personal friends, relatives, and wedding planners can share their ideas. Gaining input from other photographers and art directors are excellent methods for creating age-defying portraits.

Color is our friend...

It is surprising the number of brides I encounter who are either afraid of, or resistant to, using color in their weddings. Like many aspects of wedding planning, choosing a color palette can seem overwhelming at first. Often I hear brides say “We are just going to stick with natural tones,” but in most cases what they are really saying is, “I am scared to commit to a color palette, so I’m just not having one.” This just makes me sad. Color is a wedding’s best friend. If you are capable of making the huge decision to spend the rest of your life with this guy, you are capable of committing to a color palette. Here are some things to remember when trying to get over that scary COLOR hurdle:

“Color palette” does not have to be synonymous with “matchy-matchy”.

I have heard this on several occasions: “I’m not really into the whole ‘matchy-matchy’ look.” OK cool. You don’t have to be. Utilizing a color palette in your wedding decor doesn’t mean that every single detail of your wedding day down to your toenail polish has to coordinate. Think about it like you would think about your wardrobe. You may not be the kind of girl who matches her bag and her shoes every day, but you still try to put together some sort of cohesive look. The same can apply to your wedding. Like Stacey on What Not To Wear says, “It doesn’t have to ‘match’ is has to ‘go.’ If you are afraid of the matchy-matchy syndrome, maybe you pick 6 colors instead of just 2 or 3 so that there are plenty of options at each turn and you end up with cohesion but not matchy-matchy.

Flowers come in colors, not in transparent.

It’s likely that flowers are going to play a fairly significant role in your decor, so give your florist something to work with. I’m no botanical expert, but if you go to him/her and say “We are just using shades of taupes and grays” you are kind of limiting what they can do for you. While all-white flowers can be stunning, adding color can really give your wedding a huge “wow” factor. In most cases a smaller arrangement of brightly colored flowers will add the same amount of drama as a larger arrangement of white/ neutral flowers. And even without being an expert on the cost of flowers, generally speaking I can tell you that buying less flowers is cheaper than buying more flowers

Using a color palette is a FREE way to personalize your event.

Everyone wants their wedding to be special and personal to them. If your friends and family know that you love a certain color, they will be delighted to see that color at your wedding. But even if you use a palette of colors you have never even thought about before in your life, if you use it throughout the event from invitations down to decor details and favors, you will have personalized your wedding.

Color can transform a space.

Especially if you have an indoor venue, you are not working with a completely blank canvas when designing your wedding. You may have wall colors, carpets, etc. to contend with. By having a color palette for your wedding decor, you are essentially saying to your guests “Things in this color palette are part of our wedding.” This can be a good thing if there are permanent design elements in the space that you don’t necessarily love. Your guests eyes will be drawn to the things that are part of your wedding, and away from the things you cannot control. If your wedding is being held in a space where your guests have been many times before, like your childhood church or a popular ballroom, utilizing a color palette will help transform it so that it looks completely unlike the way they have seen it in the past.

If you’re not creative, you don’t have to come up with the color palette yourself.

Your vendors can help. Believe me when I tell you that your wedding planner, florist, and even stationery designer would all be delighted to give you ideas about color. But even just leafing through one of your favorite clothing or home decor catalogs can give you ideas. And of course the online resources are endless.

It’s ok if your fiance doesn’t want to give input on this.

I have spent many an hour of my life in invitation consultations where the bride keeps asking her fiance “Which color do you like best?” and he responds “Whatever you like best, honey.” And repeat. Finally I jump in and say “If (insert fiance’s name here) felt strongly about this I think he would give you his opinion. Maybe you should take the reins on this one.” The hard truth is that unless you insist that every aspect of the wedding must be Pepto pink, dudes really just aren’t that interested in color schemes. Does this mean that they don’t care about you or the wedding? No. It just means that this is not something he feels strongly about, so if you pick something that makes you happy then he will be happy too. Let him give input on things he has an opinion about, like what band to hire or what brand of bourbon to serve.

The bottom line is DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOR. Unlike your fiance, you are not marrying the color palette for better or for worse. You are just dating it throughout the course of your wedding planning process. If you decide after the wedding to break up with it and move on to a different palette, then on harm, no foul. It served is purpose and nobody got hurt

Remembering Your Wedding Day

It goes without saying that remembering your wedding day for the rest of your lives is very important. Undoubtedly one of the best ways to do this is by having some great pictures to look back on. Photography is one of the most essential aspects of any wedding, and it's vital that you get it right. Photos can do so much more than just document the event, they can capture atmosphere and emotions of the wedding day, and while you will probably always remember what you felt like on your wedding day, it's great to be able to recall the occasion from a third person's viewpoint.

You'll want to make sure that getting the right photographs is a priority, and keep it mind from the onset of planning. Perhaps the first stage of planning comes when selecting your venue. You will want to make sure that the venues you are having your ceremony and reception at allow for photographers to be present. It may sound silly, but believe it or not some venues have restrictions on photography. While the vast majority of wedding venues allow photographers, it's always sensible to check, especially if you are getting married somewhere unusual.

Keep in mind that more and more photographers are taking wedding pictures as a source of additional income. It is important that you can make a determination between which photographers know what they are doing, and which ones are simply trying to make a bit of extra money on the side.

Another early planning consideration is the style of wedding photography you want. Traditional style photography involves you and your guests posing for pictures, often in a variety of different locations. While some people who are trying to keep their costs down will simply opt for pictures in one location only, a variety of shots against different backgrounds are recommended. You may find that traditional style photography can be very time consuming, and may not capture the atmosphere of the wedding, and even though these can make for great pictures, they may not be exactly what you are looking for.

If this is the case, a photojournalistic style may be the best option for you. Photojournalism is often associated with b&w wedding photography, and involves the photographer taking pictures at their own discretion; you will not be posing for anything, instead shots will be taken as the events unfold. For this reason you may find that photojournalism is often better at capturing the true atmosphere of the occasion than traditional photography. But while the photojournalist has free license to shoot whenever he or she wants to, you may end up getting some pictures taken when you are not ready. With a good photojournalist this is usually not a problem.

When hiring somebody to take photojournalistic pictures you will probably end up paying more in the end. There are two reasons for this. First off, they will probably take more photos, moving around, capturing the wedding when they see fit. Also, these photographers usually stick around much longer, if they are charging an hourly rate, the cost will climb.

For most people, combining both styles of photography is the best way to go. It will allow you to get traditional photos that you pose for, as well as some that capture the atmosphere of the events as they unravel. Why not try to work a deal with a photographer for both services at a price you can afford?

If you are on a tight budget you may want to consider hiring a professional to take traditional style photos, but then having guests help you out with the other pictures. Chances are if you ask around, you should be able to find somebody that can take pictures during the reception. They may not be of the highest quality, but you will get the pictures that you want without having to pay a professional rate. This is an option that more and more people on a budget are exercising.

Finally, make sure that you know if you are getting black and white or color photos. There are advantages to both, but you will probably want to make sure that you get some of each. B&W wedding photography photos are often more emotional, but at the same time you may want to have some color photos because they will allow you to capture how the wedding and the people actually looked. This is something that you can talk over with your photographer. They may be able to do a bit of both so that you cover everything.

Wedding photography is important. Choose a photographer you are comfortable with and start planning early on to help ensure you have a visual record of your day to look back on for a lifetime.

.:.: Choose Your Style :.:.

Get your hands on as many wedding pictures as you possibly can. Look online, in bridal magazines or on mantles and desktops -- wherever wedding pictures may be. Sneak a peek at your best friend's album (something tells us you won't have to twist her arm). The point is, familiarize yourself with all the photo styles out there: formal portraits, candid photojournalism, black-and-white, color and sepia prints. Try to identify the styles that intrigue you, and that you'd like to see in your own wedding album. You'll want your photographer to excel in the style you love best.

Stand and Be Photgraphed! Traditional Vs. Candid Photos For Your Wedding

It's sassy, spicy, and sensual. That once unchartered territory on the edge of 'too risqué' is now a growing trend in the photography industry. More and more women, especially brides, are flocking to the idea of giving their guy a truly unique and personal gift for their big day rather than the traditional watch or cuff links.

Boudoir photography. It's not a new idea by any means. 'Boudoir' is an old French word that referred to a woman's changing or pouting room. It is the place where women would prepare for a night's festivities or escape from the crowd for a moment to gather her thoughts. It was a personal and usually elaborately decorated space. And many photographers keep that intimate feel when photographing boudoir.

Women book their sessions for countless reasons... weddings, anniversaries, overseas deployments, or just to celebrate a newly revitalized body after having children. The most important thing to remember is that it's a day for YOU - from mimosas, to music, to a full hair and makeup session - make it a day to celebrate and pamper yourself. Your boudoir photographer should know how to hide the things you dislike, and accentuate the parts of your body you love. Be sure to employ a photographer who is highly skilled (lighting, technical aptitude, etc.) and who has the sort of personality that makes you feel comfortable and uninhibited.

So you decide to book a session. Now what?? The first thing most women ask when booking their session is 'What do I wear?'. I always recommend a hint of a man... something to show your guy that you had him in mind when making his gift. It could be anything - his favorite jersey, the tie he's wearing on the wedding day, or even his favorite cocktail in the background. From there, wear something that reflects your personality, because that's what he fell in love with in the first place! If you're a jeans and t-shirt type of chica, grab some frilly boy shorts or torn up jeans with a simple bra. More of the fancy type? Play it up with a corset, stockings, and stilettos. And for something simple but sexy, covering just the essentials with a white sheet will do wonders for his imagination.

It's an exciting way to show your sexy side, and the idea of giving a truly personal gift is catching on as women become more and more comfortable with their bodies. The traditional one year anniversary gift is paper, and personally, I can't think of a better piece of paper than a few boudoir photos.

There is no reason why the ‘candid’ shots or reportage photography can’t do this for some people, in fact the above paragraph summarises the justification for taking photographs at weddings, in whatever style. But when we take that moment to pose for a group photograph, just after the ceremony to stand and actually be photographed. Not everybody enjoys this part; it can feel stiff, uncomfortable and awkward to be placed in the shot and then instructed to ‘smile!’ However this has become a part of a traditional wedding, as it is a time when the whole family can get together and be photographed. It is a time to be ‘immortalised’ in the photograph and for that period of your family’s history to be documented. And even if it is uncomfortable to smile on demand, just think how lucky we are not to have to sit for an hour while someone paints us instead!