8 tips for how to keep your wedding guests happy!

You are just planning your big day but you are also feeling the burden of entertaining your guests. While some of these options may not be something you have the ability to do, they are just ideas for each couple to keep in mind when giving a happy guest experience. At the end of the day, it’s really about you two but we also want everyone to feel like they are a huge part of this auspicious occasion.

5 things every new photographer needs to know

8 things to consider about photos on your wedding day

Unless your in the wedding business it's hard to know what sort of things you should be thinking about regarding photos for your big day. I've compiled a list of eight things that will help you communicate clearly to your photographer exactly what you expect from them. 

One: Are you wanting getting ready photos? 

Getting ready photos are very popular these days. Who wouldn't want to capture as much as they possibly can from their wedding day. These photos are usually full of candid moments that you'll cherish forever. The classic photos of moms helping their daughters lace up their dress happen while you're getting ready. Communicate with your photographer and give them clear times, locations, etc. 

Honestly though, light makes a huge difference. If you pick a location that has very minimal light and is a little too tight, then it does show in your photographs, especially if you want the airy look!

Two: What about the groom?  

Getting ready photos for the groom aren't as common but they make some really cool candid moments too. I mean is there a better time to capture the groom's real personality then surrounded by his groomsmen. If you plan to get groom getting ready photos make sure you leave enough time for the photographer to get enough photos of both sides. You can even ask about rates for a second shooter for this. 

Three: Are you doing a first look?  

First looks can capture some really intimate moments. Having a time before the ceremony without people (well, except the photographer) can lead to come really amazing photos. Again, if you plan to do this there is some communicating that needs to happen between the photographer and the bride and groom. 

Four: Group family photos

As much as your family makes sense to you, the photographer isn't going to have an idea about who your parents are and who is just someone walking by. Make a detailed list before the day of the wedding explaining what groups of family you'd like to photograph. This will also make the whole process go a lot quicker because you can inform family members before hand where and when they should be there for the photos.

Five: Are there any details you want photographed?  

Usually the photographer will take photos of many of the details at your wedding. However, if there is anything that you really don't want to miss, you should make sure the photographer knows. Many brides like to have photos of their shoes, earnings, necklaces, etc. Never assume that the photographer knows what you're thinking. 

Six: Special locations for photos? 

Where are you planning on talking photos after the ceremony? Are you staying at that location for family photos or are you taking them somewhere else? Are you going somewhere different for couple pictures then where you were for bridal party photos? Consider how long it will take to get from one location to another and plan practically. 

Seven: Are you leaving enough time for the photographer to get all the photos you want? 

Your wedding day will be packed with things. One of which is photos. Ask your photographer how long they want to take pictures and plan from there. They will know best and can even help you with your time scheduling throughout the day. 

Eight: Do you have kids?

If you have children, does your photographer know? Adding more people to the mix when getting your photos can take up more time. Especially if they're young. Communicating this with your photographer will be helpful for them as they plan for the day. 

I hope this things were helpful for you as you plan your busy (but so amazing) day.

Tips when planning your big day!

It is so important to you that your day go just right and we are going to try our best to make that happen. It is no secret that planning a wedding is already stressful enough so as your photographer I really want to walk you through some tips to help things go smoothly while capturing every moment.

GETTING READY

Getting ready can be such a beautiful time to get those genuine pre-wedding shots. But sometimes the energy is ruined by the aesthetic. A cluttered, messy, dark room takes away from the genuine moments happening and the beauty of the morning. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Clutter: I know there is a lot going on, but try to keep clutter hidden and to a minimum. Keep bags, suitcases, laundry, etc in a different room, or the closet. I often do a short sweep when I arrive to clean up the area anyways!

2. Light: Window light is my favorite light. If possible, get ready in a room with lots of window light, where we won’t need to use lamps or artificial light. Having an orange tungsten light mixed in with the window is not ideal for color. So I always prefer to turn all lights off and rely only on window light whenever possible!

3. Hair/Makeup: If you will have a h/mu artist, they will need as much light as possible. I suggest doing your h/mu next to the window, for them and for me!

4. Don’t forget about the groom! Sometimes the groom gets left with the dark tiny room. He is just as important, and his photos will look way better in a well lit room

FIRST LOOK

A first look shoot is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time in a more private setting before the walk down the aisle. It doesn’t have to be a big staged moment. It can be simple, genuine and intimate.

I recommend doing a first look for three reasons:

1. It calms the nerves. There is nothing that relaxes nervous brides and grooms more than finally seeing each other and enjoying a few moments alone before the official events begin.

2. It gives you time to take it all in. You can share what you’re feeling, you can hug, you can actually say “wow you look incredible in that dress”– all things you can’t do when you’re at the front of the aisle with everyone watching.

3. It makes the timeline easier to work with. If you can see each other before the ceremony, we can do all family portraits and bridal party photos before too. Your family can go enjoy the cocktail hour right after the ceremony, and we can get to couple portraits right away. Which means you miss less of your cocktail hour too!

4. If you’ve always dreamed of the walk down the aisle as the first glimpse of each other, then we’ll do it that way. It’s your day!”

GROUP PORTRAITS 

Because this can be a tiresome task for a lot of guests and family members, I recommend keeping this list short and as simple as possible. Some families are bigger than others but that is ok. As long as we are prepared to have at least 20 minutes for these portraits we will be able to get through them all.   Also, make your list of group portrait combinations before the actual day and hand it over to someone trustworthy. This person will be an assistant and call over everyone by name. This always works in helping create smooth transitions when everyone is trying to get to the party.

COUPLE PORTRAITS

I recommend two portrait time slots for portraits of just you two together: right after the ceremony for 30 minutes , and at sunset for about 20 minutes.

Why after the ceremony? Because the pressure is off, and you’re ecstatic, giddy, in love, and ready to party. I’ve gotten some of the best, most genuine joyful moments at this time.

Why before sunset? Because its when we get the best light. At sunset we’ll get great golden light. And right after the sun disappears we’ll get some of the best moody light in which I love to shoot.

If your ceremony is later in the day, close to sunset, we will just merge these two into one, for about 30-40 min total.

The most important thing to ensure we get great photos is trust. If you trust me to create the photos you’ll love, I’ll be able to do my thing and guide and direct you well. It’s all about collaboration and trust!”

CEREMONY LIGHT 

Ceremonies in nature are my favorite: the setting, the light, and the freedom for me to shoot all around. For outdoor ceremonies, light and sun are super important factors in the photos. Spotty sun light and harsh uneven light are not ideal. So if you’re having your ceremony close to midday, try to always backlight yourselves. This means, try to set up the ceremony so that the sun is behind your officiant, so you two are backlit, evenly,

You could also plan your ceremony later in the day, so the light is nicer, closer to sunset. Just be sure to leave enough time for any delays, as well as couple portraits around sunset.

RECEPTION LIGHTING 

As you know, capturing the mood of your event is very important to me. This is why I don’t use flash for anything other than party/dance floor time. For a romantic mood, market lights and candles are great, and if you use enough, they provide great light for photos. Just try to stay away from using only candles, or super dim lighting, which will make focusing trickier for me. If you’re unsure about your setup, just ask me and I’ll help!

DJ Lights: While colored/flashy lights that your DJ provides might be fun for party time, they can destroy the romantic mood of your first dance and special dances. If you are having colorful lights, I ask that they be turned off for special dances. For party time, go crazy with them if you want!

A FEW MORE TIPS

1.  Be sure to EAT AND BREATHE! You will be so busy and consumed with everything that is happening, you will forget to take a minute to breathe and eat. So do both in intervals😊 You don’t want the stress to show in your photos.

2. Have your bouquet, shoes, jewelry, invitations, rings or anything else you would like me to photograph handy. I will be photographing those first before anything else.  

3. Have a selection of photos from our mood board picked out. This gives us a feel of what you like and what your expectations of style are. I can help you through the process of creating a mood board.  I do not recommend picking particular poses from Pinterest as it all depends on the location and creative style that the day has for us. Please trust that I will create poses that are best suited with the environment we are in and that best fit the two of you. However, if there is one particular pose that is a must have then we will make it happen. I will do my best to accommodate your requests but keep in mind , this is a very busy day for us all and in trying to make one request happen, it could in fact slow the process down. Simple goes a long way! We will then be able to create works of art that you can hang on your wall and look at for years to come.

I hope you have found these tips useful when planning your big day. If you need anything else please do not hesitate to ask. I am always there to help make this the most special day of your life.

See you on the other side of the lens 😊

Sherry

What to wear to an engagement shoot

One of the hardest parts of an engagement shoot can be trying to figure out what to wear. It's hard enough picking what to wear each morning. Many of my clients ask for tips on how to coordinate two outfits that suit their personalities, looks good on them, and will be flattering in photos. Here are seven of my tips and tricks to creating the perfect engagement shoot outfits. 

ONE: don't choose an outfit that doesn't feel like something you'd usually wear

Wearing clothes that make you feel like yourself is key to making your shoot as custom as it can be. As tempting as it can be to scroll through Pinterest trying to find inspiration, don't allow yourself to get too caught up in it. The last thing you want to happen is to receive your photos and feel like your in someone else's clothing. Take your favorite skirt out of the closet or go shopping for something new. Just be sure that you feel confident in what you choose. After all, these are YOUR photos. You're not trying to replicate someone else's engagement shoot. 

TWO: wear complimentary colours but don't match

There's nothing worse than seeing photos of couples who are too matchy. Try to stay away from wearing the same colours. Instead, find a colour palette that suits you and work from that. You're always safe with a basic white or black tee, but a{s tempting as it is to stick to the neutrals, don't be afraid to throw in a bit of colour to make a statement. 

THREE: be thinking of past and future shoots

As fun as it is to bring lots of colour and patterns to a shoot, keep this in mind when choosing your theme. Will it go well with your wedding? Would it mesh well with the other photos that you've taken together as a couple? Many couples like to have their engagement photos posted somewhere at the wedding or even printing into a book. Be thinking in advance about the mood and theme you'd like all the way up until the wedding. 

FOUR: think of your location

Be sure to be thinking about your location when planning outfits. Will there be wind? If so, movement in clothing makes photos that much more interesting. Consider wearing a dress or a skirt to make more movement in the photos. 

In the fall or winter, don't be afraid to dress warm. Winter sessions where the couple bundle up in layers can look very sweet. Again, adding a bit more (without making yourselves too bulky) can make the photos that much more interesting. 

FIVE: don't forget about the hands

Photographers typically like to take photos of the engagement ring. Don't forget that your hands will be in these photos too. Consider getting a manicure or even coating your nails with a fresh coat of nail polish at home. It would be a shame to look back and the photos and notice you should have put more effort in nail care. 

SIX: makeup and hair 

Definitely consider doing something a little extra to your hair and makeup for the shoot. What you're not going to want to do is go to extreme with this. Make your hair and makeup look nice but don't go over the top. You'll still want to look like yourself. 

SEVEN: wear clothes that fit right

It's important to find clothes that are flattering to your body. Do some research on your body type if you're not too sure. You shouldn't feel bound to making your clothing decisions based on body type but it's sometimes helpful when you're unsure if something compliments you well or not. Especially in the case of men, it's so important to find pants and a shirt that fit properly. Do the arm raising test to see if you are able to move freely but that it's not too baggy.