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5 Tips To Achieve Perfect Wedding Photos Without A Photographer

5 Tips To Achieve Perfect Wedding Photos Without A Photographer 

Planning a wedding is perhaps one of the most exciting journeys in one’s life. The joy of sharing such a milestone with the person you want to spend the rest of your days with is quite an experience you wish to intimately remember in more ways than one. However, a wedding is also a bed of roses that consists of challenges you need to overcome as a couple. 

Among these challenges would be the financial burden that a wedding can painstakingly take its toll on you. Even if you want the best for your special day, the budget can restrict you from having the best and the most expensive things. But of course, there’s no way you’re letting the burden get the best of you. Instead, you have to think of ways to achieve the wedding of your dreams on a budget. 

Wedding Photography 101: Sans The Photographer 

Naturally, your instinct would be to make a list of wedding preps and effects that you can downgrade or possibly get rid of so you can save more money. For sure, not hiring a professional photographer has crossed your mind, especially after knowing the typical rates of such services nowadays.  Capturing wedding photos without a photographer is sure to save a chunk of money!

Personally as a professional photographer myself, I’d always advise against foregoing such an expense, as the photography you receive as a result of your wedding often represents the only memories you will retain going forward with your life. However I am also realistic with the notion that photographs are not always the most important items on people’s checklists. Hence this blog post! This may also help you realise how valuable having someone who has the experience is!

Wedding Photos

If you’re wondering if you could make it work, here are some tips you can try to achieve the perfect wedding photos without a photographer: 

  • Invest In A Good Camera 

You may think that this isn’t a practical tip since you still have to shell out money to purchase your first camera. However, if you think about it, investing in a good one won’t only mean having the ability to take beautiful and high-quality photos for your big day. Even when the day is over, the camera stays with you, and you can use it for other special memories you want to capture as you embark on your married life.  

Moreover, there are several digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras in the market that you can consider based on your budget. They’re fairly easy to use and won’t even require professional skills to operate them. Alternatively, you can consider buying a second-hand camera that can serve the same purpose.

  • Know What Accessories You Need 

To make sure your camera will work as expected, you might want to consider purchasing additional gear and accessories for an ultimate setup. A tripod, for one, can greatly help in stabilizing the camera. Hence, you won’t need to worry about blurry or out-of-focus shots.  

Having a tripod also makes it possible to get photos of you and your spouse together, mainly if no one else knows how to use the gear. Group shots are also achievable because of this incredible accessory.

Just make sure you learn how to assemble and attach the timer so you won’t have a hard time navigating it when the day of the wedding comes. Also, find out how to set the camera’s timer, which will be greatly useful when you’re taking group and couple shots. 

  • Make Use Of Beautiful And Natural Backdrops 

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you won’t run out of beautiful and creative ideas for a backdrop. Trees and flowering plants will suffice if you want to capture candid and romantic photos of yourself and your partner. If you can’t find such options, you can also take pictures in the venue with a stunning view or setting. 

If you know you won’t have enough natural backdrops to utilize, you can prepare a dedicated corner in the venue where you can set up a photo booth of some sort. You can then adorn it with artificial or fresh flowers, depending on your budget. 

  • Ask Your Guests And Friends 

Although you can try, it’s nearly impossible to do all the picture taking yourself. There’ll be times when you need to entertain your wedding guests, so it’s also a good idea to ask your friends if they can hold the camera for a few minutes and start snapping away when you’re too occupied to do it. 

If you have friends who are good with cameras, try to ask for their help. Just be sure not to burden them entirely because, of course, they also want to enjoy the day as much as everyone else does. 

You could also host a bit of a ‘photo hunt‘ with your guests using a QR code based photo collection app like Selfbooth. This gives your guests a bit of a gamified reason to head out and take photos for you during your day, and with everyone with a smart phoone on them these days should result in a lot of photos.

Wedding photo hunt invitation encourages guests to capture and share memorable moments using a QR code, with a list of suggested shots to photograph.

  • Seize The Lighting 

If you don’t know it yet, certain times of the day are considered the best times to take amazing photos. The golden hour, for example, is when the sunlight is less squinting and can look naturally beautiful when taken at a good angle. To achieve perfect wedding photos, it’s recommended you start your pictorial at least an hour before sunset.  

You can use the camera’s flash to avoid getting annoying shadows on faces, especially if you’re doing the shoot outdoors. Additionally, pay extra attention to everything around your image. Eyesores can easily get captured in your photos, such as garbage cans or a tree branch obscuring your face.

Wedding photos in album

Final Thoughts 

Wedding photos don’t have to be expensively taken for them to be beautiful. Sometimes, all it takes is a good eye and enough preparation on your end. If you want to save chunks of money on your wedding day, consider taking your own photos. Just be sure to consider some of the tips above so you can have perfect photos.

I’m not going to lie, being your own photographer and shooting wedding photos without a photographer is going to be tricky, but it probably can be done!

 

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5 Wedding Moments That Look Good When Naturally Captured

Natural Wedding Moments

So it’s finally your wedding day. You spent so much time planning it and making sure all the preparations go accordingly that you found yourself stressing over it for the past several months. Now that the much-awaited moment of your life has come, all you have to do is live your best day and hope it doesn’t end too soon!

When you hire wedding photographers to document the most memorable occasion of your life, you may tend to feel conscious about each pose you and your partner make. You can’t help but be nervous about how the photos will turn out, especially if you aren’t used to being in front of a camera. It’s crucial to avoid overthinking the situation because you aren’t strictly required to pose. In fact, depending on the style of photographer you choose, your photographers will prefer it if you keep it as natural and candid as possible! 

Keep reading below to find out some of the best wedding moments that can be perfectly captured on camera without the need to pose so much. 

Monique Anthony

5 Wedding Moments That Look Good When Naturally Captured

Trying on the Dress

It’s every bride’s dream to wear the perfect wedding dress on their big day. You spend months or even years finding inspiration for the dress you want, looking for a reliable tailor, and waiting for the day you can finally fit into it. On your wedding day, when you finally put on the gown, you don’t have to think about anything and let the natural emotions flow—and that precise moment makes for an unforgettable wedding photo.

Al-Ru Farm bridal preparation

The Groom’s Preparation

Just like the bride, the wedding is also a groom’s big day, so he should also be given his fair share of the spotlight. While a groom’s preparation can much faster than the bride’s, every step involved counts—from putting on the shoes, buttoning the suit jacket, and buckling the belt, to wearing the watch and securing the bow tie in place. The groom’s preparation should also be best captured as naturally as possible to really showcase the emotions leading up to the actual ceremony.

Groom staring out window

The Walk Down the Aisle

The most stereo-typical moment of every wedding is when everyone is gathered at your wedding venue waiting for the bride to finally walk down the aisle. As soon as she enters, the groom finally gets to lay his eyes on his soon-to-be wife—which is a moment of pure magic.

Given its intense nature, it’s the very moment that has to be captured candidly because you don’t have to think about anything else—not even the photographers. All you have to do is focus on the moment and see the people you love, especially the person you’re looking forward to spending the rest of your life with.

Bride arriving

The Slices of Life

Part of wedding photography is ensuring that not all the necessary poses have to be serious and planned out all the time. The random moments where everyone is laughing and having a good time are the ones that are best captured on camera, without you even remembering that there are photographers present. They often happen during the preparation and the reception.

Laughing couple

The Couple Shots

Even though there will still be times that a wedding photographer will ask you to do specific poses, you can play around with the shot however you like. If it comes down to the intimate couple photos where you’re strolling along the wedding venue, you can genuinely be yourself with your partner. It’s one of the few moments you can be together, and there’s no one with you, so you should savour the moment and let the photographers do their magic. 

Kangraoo Island Elopement photoshoot

A wedding happens only once in your lifetime. Instead of going over how you want it to happen, it’s best to let things be and enjoy every second of it. When it comes to wedding photography, you can leave it to the experts and let them handle the shots—because more often than not, the candid photos make the best memories. The wedding moments captured by your photographer will better represent you as a couple, rather than a contrived overly-posed ‘representation’ of the day. 

Are you looking for wedding photography packages in Australia for your special day? Sven Studios offers wedding photography and videography services in Adelaide and around Australia. Get in touch with us today to inquire about our prices!

 

 

 

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Be Inspired by Disney Princess Wedding Dresses

  • Wedding dress reflected in mirror

 

Disney Princess Wedding Dresses

As a wedding photographer , a trend I’ve noticed in weddings I’ve covered over the years is that brides often say that they have their wedding dresses inspired by Disney Princesses. Now when you hear that statement it sounds fairly childish, but when you sit back and have a think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Disney movies are what we in western society are brought up on.

Their morals and stories are ingrained in our childhood minds and stay with us right through to adulthood. The Disney variants of the classic fairy tales such as Cinderella and Snow White have even replaced their original storylines in common knowledge. For example, did you know the original story of Notre Dame? written in 1831 would not suit a typical Disney movie… Far more death and adult scenes involved there..

Wedding dress

ANYWAY, modern brides are more often turning to dresses they have grown up and idolised in Disney movies. The most popular Disney princess wedding dresses by far from my experience as a wedding photographer has been Belle’s Ballroom dress she wears when first dancing with Adam aka the Beast.

I’m a huge Disney nerd, and in particular love the princess movies, so having a closer look into Disney Princess Wedding Dresses is an interesting topic to me! Obviously some of these Disney Princess Wedding Dresses arent actually their wedding dresses, but are just iconic dresses they happen to wear in their movies – but they are still interesting to look at.

Belle

Belle

I haven’t had the privilege yet of photographing a banana-yellow dress design 100% copying the style of the dress seen in the movie, but I have had more than one bride telling me they modelled their design on this disney princess dress. Little wonder why really; Belle featured in Beauty And the Beast, a film released in 1991, when then-7 year old girls would now be turning 30-35, or prime-average age to be married these days.

Otherwise Belle also follows a fairly relatable life for girls in modern society (as far as I can make of it anyway); always being called pretty and beautiful while also feeling slightly different on the inside due to her ‘nerdy’ habits of never having her nose in a book. She is romantically pursued by a handsome but arrogant hunter, in whom she shows no interest because of his conceitedness. Luckily she finds her perfect match in the Beast while trying to live for her family (saving her father) and avoiding the clutches of her sexist suitor.

Sounds pretty much like a typical parallel to a modern life of a growing woman. At least from what I’ve heard, I mean I haven’t lived the life of a growing woman… as I’m male; but it seems to me the attractive and intelligent girls out there like the Disney princess Belle out there live a similar life.

ie revelling in the popularity their beauty brings, but also feeling like an outcast due to their good grades, always the subject of an annoying or boorish guy’s affection and finally finding their ‘Beast’ of a groom to whom they will be married and live happily ever after.
I think? I don’t know, I’m just trying to dissect why Belle is such a popular choice in having wedding dresses inspired by Disney Princesses.

Cinderella

Cinderella

Cinderella of course is the archetype design of Disney princess wedding dresses, however quite different in personality to Belle’s. For example she is made a servant in her own home and is constantly tormented by her evil stepmother and two stepsisters. Quite different to the free range of lifestyle Belle enjoyed, while Cinderella is also shy and romantic, Belle on the other hand is quite extroverted.

One can see a parallel to modern life here, where by a bride could feel like they are made to be a servant at their work, or even family with little time to look for their ‘prince charming’. Suddenly through chance, or their ‘fairy god mother’ are granted a chance to meet someone and live happily ever after, despite making social faux-pas such as leaving their shoes all over the place…

Cinderella is not as popular a Disney princess in choosing her dress to mimic as a bride’s wedding dress. Possibly due to the age of the Disney film; it was released in 1950. I wonder if wedding photographers were having brides tell them about wedding dresses inspired by Disney princesses back in the 1970s? Quite likely I would assume.

Rapunzel & Elsa

elsa

It hasn’t been too common to have brides state they’ve drawn inspiration from more modern Disney Princesses like Elsa, Rapunzel or Anna, I mean the films were only released in 2010 and 2013. But I’m pretty sure that it’d be highly likely I’ll be hearing stories from future brides, perhaps in the next 10-15 years about how they’ve always wanted to have a dress like their favourite Disney Princess.

Particularly with the success Frozen and Tangled have enjoyed as the first two 3D Disney princess movies. Tangled was the highest grossing DVD of the year, and Frozen was the highest grossing animated film of all time, which is impressive considering the number of 3D animated films being produced these days. So look out for this type of dress in the near future!

The others

Wedding dress hanging At Alru Farm wedding

While there are some traditionally conservative designs still in the line up of Disney princess wedding dresses, one would be hard pressed to envision a dress inspired by Pocahontas, Jasmin, Esmerelda, Fa Mulan or Kida except on the most adventurous of brides. That isn’t to say that any bride who grew up idolising these Disney princesses wouldn’t look fantastic in their designs, it’s just that they aren’t traditionally wedding-type dresses.

Others though like Ariel’s from The Little Mermaid could possibly be overlooked as she isn’t often pictured in her wedding dress other than right at the end of the film, promptly followed by giant calamari-making by her prince..

Tiana from ‘The Princess and the Frog‘ might be a popular choice in the United States as its one of the few Disney princess movies even mentioning America. Besides her dress has a bit of an eccentric design, it’s nice, but a bit strange when compared to the more traditional shape.

Aurora (or Sleeping Beauty) is possibly not overly appealing as a dress design as she is pictured more often than not asleep. Pretty boring eh? Besides, who among you knew that her name was Aurora? I had to google it :/.

Finally, Snow White is probably too old fashioned, and Megara isn’t really a princess until she marries Hercules so she doesn’t really fit in this list anyway… Actually, neither is Fa Mulan.. huh. OR BELLE! oh dear there goes this whole article!

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3 Things Professional Wedding Photographers Wish You Knew

  • Happy wife happy life

 

What Wedding Photographers Wish You Knew

Photographers have their fair share of difficulties, but that just comes with the stress of the job. We do everything we can to capture the magic of your wedding day in your photos. 

In this job you really wear your heart on your sleeve and the best of us are passionate about what we do to a fault, But while we try our best to provide the best possible service, there are some things we keep to ourselves that we hope you understand. Here are just a few things most wedding photographers wish you knew: 

3 Things Professional Wedding Photographers Wish You Knew

1 – We don’t want to replicate cheesy Pinterest photos

Wedding photographers have their own style. They have their own creative vision and want to be able to use it with their clients. While bringing in some inspiration is much appreciated (and even highly encouraged), we don’t want to commit a case of creative plagiarism. We do not deliver a replica of a fellow photographer’s vision because most of us have a great portfolio to show you as well. 

Plus, we want to give you a new and fresh concept that has never been done before. Every wedding is unique and special, so we want your photos to reflect your own personalities.  

Instead of searching for photos you want to imitate, compile a mood board with the vibe and feeling you’re going for and look for a photographer with an impressive portfolio that can interpret that vision. We love creative ideas, so don’t be afraid to tell us what you want to go for – sometimes cheesy can be fun – but too much is just silly.

OMG it’s an engagement ring

2 – Our rates are like that because we’re professionals

We understand that you’re on a budget. And as much as we want to help, we need to support our business and families too. Our equipment is an investment, and the skill we possess comes from years of experience and training.

Wedding photographers wish you knew just how much of our lives are poured into our craft and we price ourselves accordingly – it’s not just because it’s a ‘wedding’ and many people like to say.

We know that people are willing to do your shoot for two hundred bucks, but every photographer bases their rates on their skill and years of experience. If you want high-quality photos, you have to be willing to invest in a professional. At the end of the day, the adage, “You get what you pay for,” holds true.

Waterfall wedding photographer Hobart

3 – We wish you’d give us some credit online

It is completely your prerogative to do whatever you want with our photos. We’ve edited them the best we could, and it is our pleasure when you post them online. But tagging us in your photos and leaving us positive reviews can help out our business — especially if you post them without any filters. It would be much appreciated if you give us credit. 

It’s the best thing in the world to hear and to see that you enjoyed our work so it’s really put a smile on our face!

Happy groom

At the end of the day, wedding photographers can let these things slide. It is a special day for a lovely couple, so most photographers will do everything they can to make the newlyweds’ experience special. When clients show their appreciation for us and all the creatives who worked tirelessly on their wedding, it reminds us just how fortunate and special our job is.

Photography is more than just having good equipment and pressing a button. It’s a skill that takes years to develop, so every heartfelt “thank you” recommendation, online mention, and tip in any shape or form truly brightens our days.

Don’t let one of the best moments in your life go uncaptured. Contact Sven Studios, the creative company of the best wedding photographers in Hobart, Darwin and Adelaide. From lovely prenup shoots to formal wedding shoots, we help make this special time in your life last longer through breath taking photographs. Contact us today!

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Important Wedding Photography Dos and Don’ts

All photographers view weddings as a major day. This is because the amount of responsibility on the shoulders of wedding photographers is gargantuan. After all, it’s one of the biggest days in the life of the couple involved. In that case, there is no question that nerves will always be part of the equation for each and every wedding that they cover.

The key to successfully executing wedding photography is to ensure that both the groom and bride are comfortable in front of the camera’s lenses. A pre-wedding photoshoot is a great way to manage the nerves on both sides and establish better rapport between the photographer and the couple as well – but it’s not a requirement.

I feel as though being a successful wedding photographer is really all about putting the trust in oneself and your experience in order to be confident in capturing the day no matter what is thrown your way. Being flexible is very important.

There are also some wedding photography dos and don’ts that really need to be heeded at every wedding. While these guidelines are primarily for your wedding photographer, knowing these will help you be more mindful of photography details during your big day.

Some simple Wedding Photography Dos and Don’ts

  • DO focus on even the smallest details

Weddings are planned months in advance, and often, even years. It’s safe to assume that even the most minute detail was well-thought-out and has some sort of significance. Aside from candid couple photos, and even some sneaky shots of guests with their guard down, the photographer should look at the setting and small details the bridal couple has put effort into.

Your photographer should ensure there’s a photo of the entertainment at the reception, especially if it’s your favourite performer. Shots of buffet or plated meals are a must, too. If an heirloom has been passed down to either bride or groom, a captured snap of that should not be missed as well. 

This is something you should communicate to your photographer – as even the best wedding photographers may sometimes miss a ‘must have’ shot that you expect to have. Despite it being best to let your photographer have freedom to do their thing – pointing out small details would always be appreciated.

Guest gift

  • DON’T stand out so much or call attention to yourself

Weddings and the receptions that follow are incredible training grounds for photographers to be ninjas. It’s important that people are able to feel unobstructed by cameras suddenly in their face, or by constantly being asked if they’d like a photo. While there may be an idea for a great group shot, the photographer shouldn’t start pulling people from different corners together just for a shot unless it feels absolutely necessary.

OMG an engagement ring

  • DO use natural light where possible

Authenticity comes through in a photo well when natural light is involved. There’s a lot of family and friends at these events, which leads to emotions running high. These are some of the best moments in the life of both the groom and the bride, so it’s best to make sure the day is captured accordingly and reflects as much. Even if you have a flash kit, only use it when absolutely necessary; nothing beats the magic of natural sunlight.

bride looking out window as she gets ready

  • DON’T get caught up in capturing everything

Aside from the key shots, there’s a lot of room for candid wedding photos. If the photographer finds themselves missing a moment by a few seconds, don’t dwell on it. There should be another candid moment worth capturing after all. The photographer shouldn’t attempt staging the shot either. It’s natural to miss some things, since it’s practically impossible to photograph every minute or instance during a wedding and reception.

If a bride asks for a specific photo though – it’s certainly best practice to go grab it! haha

Laughing and playing

Weddings are undoubtedly special for the couple getting married, which is one main reason why wedding photographers feel immense pressure. A good way to start a good working relationship between you and the photographer is a pre-wedding shoot. There are several wedding photography dos and don’ts, and it’s vital you choose a photographer where these comes naturally.

Looking for wedding photography services? Contact SvenStudios today! Allow us to craft the precious memories of your wedding day in a fun and relaxed way.