How to Get the Best Bridal Preparation Photos

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How to Get the Best Bridal Preparation Photos

When it comes to documenting you and your partner’s big day, the photos taken during the ceremony and reception are probably the first things that come to mind. However, did you know that some of the best pictures are actually taken before the wedding?

Wedding preparation photos offer plenty of opportunities for wedding photographers to capture fun and candid shots that turely show the personalities of the two people coming together as a married couple. These also allow them to take pictures of the most dramatic highlights of the preparation, such as the moment you put on your wedding dress or veil.

With all of that said, getting your pictures taken during preparation time is not as easy as it sounds – it’s also not generally the most natural of settings having a camera clicking along while you’re getting dressed! The final moments before you head down the aisle are memorable, but they are also often filled with panic and cramming. This is especially true if you had to adjust some things in your timeline and are running late for your schedule.

Wedding Dress hanging infront of Wilpena Pound

Tips on how to Get the Best Bridal Preparation Photos

To help you ensure that you get the best bridal preparation photos on your wedding day, keep these tips on how to get the best bridal preparation photos in mind:

  1. Don’t Create a Tight Schedule

Your wedding day will naturally be filled with lots of activities here and there. However, creating a tight schedule may not give your wedding photographers enough time to take great shots.

As much as possible, think about the time you allocate for your hair and makeup. I personally try to get to the place of bridal preparation just before the makeup is complete. It would also help for you to go last. This will not only allow your makeup artists to get you ready without rushing the process but also give the photographers time to take creative shots with you as you “prepare”.

Finally, try to be in the venue earlier than scheduled, then if you plan to be just that little fashionably late you can be without the stress. This will give your photographer enough time to capture a good amount of final shots before you walk down the aisle.

Bridal approach at Lot 100
  1. Prepare All the Wedding Details

Your wedding details are also an essential element of your preparation photos. Considering this, try to have your shoes, bouquet, wedding rings, and other details ready for your photographer to take creative shots of, and dont put them on until they are done with them.

This is also a great way to save time, especially if there has been a delay in your schedule. Whilst you are still not ready to have your photos taken, the photographers can work on these as they wait for you.

Engagement ring
  1. Bring the Girls With You

Aside from your solo shots, getting pictures of you with your bridesmaids is also a lovely idea. It can be a candid shot of you and your girlfriends getting ready, or a lovely snap of the whole group in your matching dressing gowns.

These photos can also serve as a souvenir you can give your bridesmaids afterwards to thank them for being a special part of your big day.

Bridal party on bed
  1. Let the Boys Shine, Too

When it comes to preparation photos, you should also give your groom and his crew a chance in the spotlight. However, it’s best to have the guys’ preparation photos done first. This will leave your wedding photographers to be with the bridal party up to the final moments before the actual ceremony.

If you and your partner are getting ready in different places, make sure to coordinate with your photographer on how to schedule the photography sessions best. I usually spend about an hour with boys, then 90 odd minutes with girls before heading to the ceremony venue. If it’s a same sex wedding then I generally allocate the same amount of time with both.

Groom adjusting tie in window 2

You will never again experience the thrill and excitement of getting ready for your big day. Nor will you get to see your closest friends get their makeup done with you and go through that feeling of finally putting on your wedding gown for the ceremony. Imagine your wedding album as a story book telling the story of the coming together of two beautiful people. The Preparation photos are the biginning of that story!

As these are all once-in-a-lifetime moments, make sure to follow the tips mentioned above to ensure you get the best bridal preparation photos possible. Above all of these, however, don’t forget to savour each moment and remember the reason for the occasion!

If you are looking for experienced and reliable wedding photographers in Adelaide, SA, we’re the ones to call! At SvenStudios, we offer you professional photography services to capture your big day in the most natural way. Get in touch today to learn more about our wedding photography packages.

How to Help Your Photographer Get Better Shots at Your Wedding

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  • Bride and groom silhouette

 

Help Your Photographer Get Better Shots at Your Wedding

Every wedding photographer wants to capture their clients’ weddings perfectly. As the bride or groom, you also share the same goal. Of course, it can be tricky for you to assist them on your wedding day. That may leave you wondering whether there is anything you can do to help your photographer do their jobs as well as they can.

While your wedding photographer is in charge of producing your beautiful photos, their job requires teamwork and collaboration. This vital element is not just between them and their clients, but it also involves other vendors, suppliers, and guests.

How to Help your Photographer Get Better Shots at Your Wedding

You can help your wedding photographer get better shots at your wedding using the following tips:

Before the Wedding

Invite your photographer to your venue or rehearsals

It may not be part of the service offered by your photographer, but it will not hurt to invite them when to your wedding rehearsals, or even arrange to meet up and have a walk around. It is the best way for your photographer to see the venue and check the ambient lighting. They even get the chance to meet you and your family and friends before the big day, and this can help everyone feel comfortable with each other.

Alternatively if you can view a wedding your photographer has shot at your wedding venue in the past, it can give you an idea of what can and can’t work for your own day.

What I usually do is when I meet a new couple as their prospective wedding photographer, is to show them a wedding I had shot at their venue in the past, or failing that something similar so that they get a bit of an idea of what they will look like when being captured by me.

Burbrook forest wedding ceremony

Include buffers in the schedule

Make sure you allot a time buffer for each activity listed on your wedding day, as schedule changes are common in most weddings. For example, the bride may need to have her makeup and gown checked after the ceremony, and the groom might need to take a quick break at the same time. Even finding a location for the after-ceremony wedding shots may take several minutes. Some brides will also have a difficult time walking in heels, and this can slow everything down.

I’ve found that if I allocate 1 hour per location you’d like to take photos in this provides for ample time to take plenty of shots while also keeping things relaxed and not rushed.

Ekhidna wines wedding at sunset

On Your Wedding Day

Make sure your venue is spacious, bright, and clean

You can get beautiful photos if the location is clean, well-designed, well-lit, and with a stunning backdrop or view. It will make the job of producing quality and beautiful photos easier for your wedding photographer. The same goes for your place of preparation – a clean house will always look nicer than if it looks as though a tornado had just hit.

Ask your venue to ensure that the space has been cleared and tidied before the photographer arrives. That way, you can ensure that there are no distracting items in the background.

Reception setup

Know where you should stand during the ceremony

Traditionally, brides stand on the left-hand side, but this is entirely up to the couple. Wherever you choose to stand, try to make sure that there is enough natural lighting for both you and your partner and also so that one of you isnt staring into the sun. Another thing you need to ensure is that you stand in the middle of the aisle. If not, your photographer will have a hard time taking well-balanced wide shots from the aisle.

Botanic Park wedding ceremony with trees in background

Inform the Photographer on Schedule Changes

Keeping your photographers aligned with what is about to happen will help them get better photos of the event. While they may be following a schedule that you provided beforehand, keep in mind that these events do not always go as planned.

Make sure you, or ask your MC to give a heads up to your photographer before every special highlight, such as the grand entrance, the first dance, or the speech. Your photographer might need to change batteries or their camera settings in these special cases.

first dance in blue smoke

While it is important to trust your wedding photographer, there are many factors you can help your photographer work to their highest potential. Several factors will determine the quality of their work. As the bride or groom, there are ways you can help your photographer. Once you do your part, relax and enjoy your big day.

Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Sven Studios, headed by award-winning wedding photographer Steven Duncan, captures your precious moments in a fun and relaxing experience, giving you amazing photos you can treasure forever. Get in contact as we’d love to hear more about your day!

 

 

Why Your Wedding Plan Should Prioritise Photography

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Why Your Wedding Plan Should Prioritise Photography

So many things happen simultaneously with wedding plans that some things simply cannot be considered a priority—but your wedding photographs should not fall into that category. As a wedding photographer I may be a little biased, but I turely believe that any wedding plan should prioritise photography for the following reasons.

Professionally shot wedding photographs will always be an investment worth planning for. Why? It’s one of the most important days in your life that you’ll want to remember in the best way possible. After all, nothing can compare to the magic that a photographer can create with their expertise.

A wedding plan should prioritise photography, but that does not mean that you have to turn your big day into one big expensive photoshoot – you just need to be smart about it.

Thorngrove Manor Portrait

Preserving your best memories

Say you want to take a more budget-friendly route with wedding photographers and rely on your guests to take photographs of you and your spouse. Maybe you’ve thought of asking a friend who has some experience in shooting photos to take on the task of photographing your wedding day.

Neither of these situations is ideal for capturing and preserving your memories in the best way for several reasons. While the intent is for the photos to look genuine, your guests will likely be very distracted from being in the moment just trying to take great shots of the both of you. Your photographer friend who isn’t an accredited professional may take some great photos, but they might not produce the stunning images you’re looking for due to lack of experience at weddings, or equipment.

I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked by people who went the ‘cheaper route’ and then asked me to ‘fix’ the photographs they recieved. It isnt really possible in the same way as I could have if I had taken the photos..

If you want to capture one of the most monumental moments of your life and not have to worry about how the pictures will turn out, hire a professional photographer.

Belair National Park wedding photo 2

Maximising your budget

You’ll be more grateful you made the decision to have your wedding immortalised more than you think. Many couples who have chosen to sacrifice their budget for wedding photographs and place elsewhere, like in the decorations or the food, often regret it later on.

This is unsurprising, as guests won’t really care to remember what decorations were used during that special day—but they will want to relive the moment the bride walked down the aisle or how much fun they had during the reception. Those captured moments are worth paying for.

When looking at your wedding budget and wondering how you’ll afford a photographer with everything else going on, remember that you don’t need to pull out all the stops and get a wedding photographer and videographer who’ll do a same-day edit or a simple highlight video if you don’t want a full-on videographer.

A single professional photographer with a partner or a small team who can capture the right moments as opposed to every single moment will be your best option. While there is some expense involved, getting a good wedding photographer can be easy to choose by looking through their portfolio and checking their pricing.

Bride and groom walking together in vineyards

Finding a photographer with the right style

Take your time when choosing a wedding photographer. It’s important that you love their work so that they can capture your wedding day exactly how you pictured it—and they might just exceed your expectations.

Viewing their portfolio is the first step, followed by a short interview or meeting to discuss your plans for the wedding, find out how to best produce a wedding plan should prioritise photography, but also not get in the way of the memories you’re going to create on your day. Once you find a photographer whose style suits you best and with whom you are comfortable, then book them right away! This is something that you want to accomplish soon after you set a date for your wedding, as the best photographers can often be booked up to one or two years in advance.

Groom picking up bride through window

Wedding photos may always seem like an extra, and a huge bulk of your wedding budget in the beginning, but couples soon come to realise that they are one of the most important investments of your special day. So many beautiful moments are shared in such a short amount of time that you’ll want to replay it in your mind’s eye again and again. Only a professional photographer can take your wedding day and make it last a lifetime, which is the main reason why your wedding plan should prioritise photography.

Are you looking for wedding photographers in Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin or Canberra? Here at SvenStudios, we take the precious moments of your wedding day and create fun, relaxed, and natural-looking photos that will have you looking back on that special time again and again. Connect with us and book a schedule today!

4 Crucial Details Your Wedding Photographer Must Know

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Details Your Wedding Photographer Must Know

Your wedding photographer has the job of ensuring that the most precious moments of your big day are captured. Right from your preparations to the moment you walk down the aisle and even to your reception, the photographers are there to document the most memorable day of your life. 

With their skills and experience, they can produce photos that you will surely love looking at for the years to come. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that your photographers will still need your instructions. Whilst they are skilled in what they do, they won’t be able to provide the documentation you want if you do not communicate any details your wedding photographer must know. If your photographers are not aware of that special, unique moment you had planned, this will only stress you out on what is supposed to be your special day. 

Bride and groom under the leaves at the Stockade Botanic Park

On that note, here are four of the many crucial details your wedding photographer must know about the day:  

4 Crucial Details Your Wedding Photographer Must Know

  1. The Day’s Schedule 

The big day will be full of events that you may want to be captured in beautiful pictures. Considering this, it is best to let your photographers have a copy of the day’s schedule along with the locations they need to be in. 

This copy will help them get a better idea of how the day is going to flow. On top of that, this will enable them to be where they need to be and when they need to be there. Ultimately, this helps them anticipate the next activities and set up their gear in advance. 

Once a photographer has this schedule, it would also be easier for them to use their experience and perhaps provide advice on how long things actually take. Knowing this and planning for it makes any wedding day that much less stressful.

Dog running through vines on wedding day
  1. Parking Space 

This is perhaps one of the most essential things you need to sort out in advance and prepare for your wedding photographers. 

Reserving a slot for them will help them park easily and spring into action right away. If your chosen venue has limited capacity, they will not have to spend minutes finding a vacant spot. Rather, they can park quickly, unload their equipment, and start setting up their gear. 

This is particularly important when holding a wedding within the city where parking is often at a premium and hard to find, also if asking your photographer to also provide a photobooth or other bulky equipment.

With the Wedding Car
  1. Group and Specific Photos

If you want to take several family and group photos, it’s a great idea to let your photographer know beforehand. However, take note that you will not be able to accommodate everyone as this will consume a lot of time. You need to pick out the important ones to give time for the other parts of the ceremony or reception. 

You must also let your photographers know if you have any family or friends who have a disability or a strong aversion to flash lighting. This will help them plan the location and lighting for the group shots appropriately. 

Finally, let them know about other special shots of you and your partner that you want to be taken. If you have any location in mind, feel free to share it with them as well. They will take it into consideration when planning the locations. 

Informing your wedding photographers of your preferred group and specific photos will allow them to prepare in advance. Ultimately this will help save time and make it easier for everyone to get the pictures taken. 

Drone group shot at Ekhidna WInes
  1. Surprises 

If you are planning a surprise for your partner, you must also let them know about it. When photographers know what is to come, they can position themselves beforehand to capture your partner’s reaction clearly and from the best angle. Don’t worry – we are usually pretty good at keeping secrets 😉

Surprise!

Finding the best wedding photographers for your big day is the fundamental step to gaining great memories of it. You also have a part to play in this—you must fill in your chosen people with details your wedding phtoographer must know. Supplying them with the information listed above will help them do their job well. Ultimately, this will enable them to get the best snaps of your love story’s momentous day.  

Looking for skilled wedding photographers in Australia? We’ve got you covered! At SvenStudios, we offer award-winning photography as well as a variety of customisable wedding photography packages you can choose from. Get in touch today to know more about our services!

3 Tips to Consider for a Smooth Family Portrait Session

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  • Family walking though trees

 

Preparing for a smooth family portrait session

Family portraits are a classic in almost every household, but the ear-to-ear grin, effortless poses, and loud personality behind each imagery aren’t as simple to capture as you would think. From screaming children, camera-shy teens, to impatient moms or dads, there are various factors that can make or break your smooth family portrait session.

Family photoshoots are tough for professional photographers too, especially since there are tight deadlines and temperamental subjects to consider. With that in mind, the simple tips below should help you nail your photoshoot and strike the perfect pose with your family:

3 Tips to Consider for a Smooth Family Portrait Session

Tip #1: Choose The Location That Suits Everyone

A picture at the beach with the sun beaming down everyone’s shining faces may look visually stunning, but behind the scenes, not all members can beat the heat on a hot summer’s day. The same goes for a snapshot of your family in a winter wonderland, as standing in uncomfortable conditions won’t make it realistic for everyone.

With that in mind, be sure to pick a time, day, and location where everyone can stay comfortable for an extended period. It’s also a good idea to have a back-up option when shooting outdoors, so you can get ahead of unexpected weather reports.

I personally actually prefer to shoot in a shaded, wooded area. It makes for a much easier shoot without any harsh shadows or highlights streaming across people’s faces, and people tend to appreciate that!

Smiling family photo in the grass

Tip #2: Wear Or Bring The Right Clothing

It’s often a good idea to change into themed clothing when everyone is ready to shoot, especially if it’s for a festive holiday set in an outdoor backdrop. This ensures everyone stays comfortable for the most part of the shoot, but if you find yourself experiencing a cold snap, always go for a look where everyone can feel cozy.

Forcing everyone to follow a dress code may result in sour moods and unwillingness to have fun in front of the camera, which will mostly reflect in your images. To that end, it’s best to discuss clothing plans with the family so everyone can agree on the right outfit to wear for the shoot.

Walking together as a family

Tip #3: Be Sure To Prep Your Kids

Kids that are bored, hungry, and see no purpose in what you are doing can often result in a disastrous portrait. If you want to ensure they stay in their best behavior, at least, for the most part, talking to them beforehand should give them an idea of what to expect in the photoshoot.

Giving an incentive such as ending the shoot with a treat – be it ice cream or dinner to their favorite place – are some simple ideas that push your kids to join the bandwagon with you. It can also help to choose a location which you know your little one has enjoyed in the past and make it a bit of an outing. The best family photographers can work without being overbearing and forceful on children.

Baby looking over shoulder 2

The Bottom Line: Preparation Is Key When Unlocking The Ideal smooth family portrait session

Family portraits capture special moments between your loved ones, but the picture-perfect imagery isn’t as easy to achieve. Ideas can clash, outfits don’t match, and some members are too shy to let loose in front of the camera.

Working with the right photographer can make all the difference – be it in breaking the ice or finding everyone’s best angles. Speaking of which, SvenStudios are experienced, award winning professional photographers in Australia that can capture a family portrait that is worth keeping for generations.

Get in touch with us today and see what we can do for you!