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5 Ways to Find An Excellent Photographer for Your Wedding

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  • Photo of the year contest AmandaBrian

 

Find An Excellent Photographer for Your Wedding

Wedding photos are the best souvenirs on your wedding day. They capture the best and most heart-warming moments on your very special day, and you can look back on them for many years to come. 

Of course, you want all of your wedding photos to be perfectly shot and composed so you would have good photos to show to your children and even grandchildren someday. That’s why you need to be meticulous and set high standards when choosing  your photographer for professional wedding photography.

5 Easy Ways to Find An Excellent Photographer for Your Wedding

To help you sort things out, below are five easy ways you can hire an excellent photographer for your wedding.

  1. Decide On Your Style

In the vast and varied industry of professional wedding photography, how would you choose the best one for you? The simple answer is to screen them. One of the most important considerations in choosing your photographer is when you have a distinct photography style in mind. From here, your choices would be trimmed down by many, as you only pick those photographers that mesh with the style that you prefer.

One thing that will help you decide on your style is to gather a collection of wedding photos from the internet by browsing photographer portfolios of weddings they had shot in the past. Choose the ones that appeal to you. Through this gallery of inspiring images, try to analyze the common things among those photos that made you like them. 

Ministry of silly walks wedding photo

For instance, they can be a classic style of photography, a formal pose, or maybe a very elegant feel. Discuss with your partner which styles you will feel comfortable with on the day, something that suits your personalities and meets all your aesthetic preferences.

I personally get comments on my own photos where I like to bring the mentality behind my award winning landscape photography into my wedding photography thereby capturing not only the couple, but also the venue which they had spent hours agonising over beforehand!

You don’t even have to limit yourselves to just one style! Many photographers out there are flexible enough to use different techniques for a wedding shoot and creatively put them together in one album. Your wedding photos will be a collaborative effort between you and your photography team, so make sure to emphasize the exact aesthetic that you want to achieve!

Crozier Street Wedding Photo

  1. Do Your Research on Potential Photographers

After deciding on a specific wedding photography style, you now have only a few photographers to choose from. Take a close look at each of them by browsing their social media pages and official websites. Look through their wedding albums to have an idea of how they capture moments, especially those that are really special to you.

Of course, the photos on full display are their best shots and poses. How about what their previous clients say about them? You should also consider reading customer reviews from reliable sources like ABIA to understand the kind of service they’ve given other couples and events. There may be red flags that you can spot on these reviews that will help you decide easily. 

Based on these reviews, what do you think of them now? Are they responsive to queries? Do they deliver as promised? Do you like the way they interact with their clients? Knowing these things, you get a better picture of what services you can expect during your shoot.

Another important factor you should take into account are industry accreditations. Being a photographer does not simply mean someone who owns a camera – however, unfortunately a lot of people seems to think so! There are organisations which can help you find an excellent photographer for your wedding like the AIPP.

bridal aprty bathed in sunlight

  1. Take a Close Look at Previous Work 

As mentioned in the second tip, you are free to look at potential photographers’ galleries on their respective websites. However, you should not base your decision solely on their featured albums. What you should do is to ask these photographers for at least a full wedding from one of their previous clients. This will give you a clear picture of what kind of product they deliver. If you see the same quality of images as their online galleries, it means they are genuinely excellent photographers!

A smart idea is to ask your prospective photographers for photos similar to the wedding theme or venue you will have. For instance, you are having a garden wedding. Ask for a wedding album from a previous client that also had a garden themed event. This way, you know exactly what to expect to see for your after-the-wedding photos.

Aside from that, you should also look at each of their photos with a critical eye and be keen on details. Look at the couple’s photos. Does it portray intimacy between them? How about the lighting? Are they too flashy or dim? Take the time to look through the pictures of the couple’s guests, too. Do the photos portray festivity with the subjects projecting emotions—feeling happy, touched, sad, and joyful? These many factors will ensure you will make a thoroughly informed decision in the end.

  1. Assess Their Personalities and See If They Match Yours

It is also essential to work with people you like. Having a good relationship with your photographer will help bring out the best in you during your many shoots. The feeling that you are comfortable posing in front of them and doing as the photographer says makes the job easier and produces better results.

You need to know if your photographer is someone you can comfortably work with. You can easily sense a certain rapport during your conversations. When you give suggestions, how do they respond? Does your photographer look excited and happy when you describe your vision of the photos? Do they insist on what they want or respect what you prefer? Are they always on time?

Look for a photographer with a good demeanour and excellent social graces, someone assertive and who gives instructions respectfully. The photography team should be the friendliest you’ve ever met as you will be smiling all day long during the shoot. Can you still smile when you feel annoyed or embarrassed by your photographer? Of course, you wouldn’t want to work with someone you don’t like.

  1. Weigh Pros and Cons and Choose the Best Offer

This is the time when you put all considerations together and weigh each critical element—proximity, price, package inclusions, and value for money. For instance, you may be confused between choosing a photographer near your area for offering a good set of inclusions in the package and the one that provides the same but at a lower price. You also need to know if photography teams in different territories will ask for additional payments on top of their standard rate in the form of an out-of-town fee.

You may also get offers that go the extra mile by including special effects, additional coverage, or even discounted engagement shoots. Compare their rates and determine which one falls within your budget range. While investing in wedding photography is a good move, spending too much on it is not very practical. You’re better off spending your money on a honeymoon trip or furniture upgrades when you move into your house together.

Choose a package that will cover your wedding day, starting from your preparation up to the last minute of your reception program. Consider the number of good photographers in the team. Is there just one? Some offer two or more excellent photographers to cover your event. Of course, having two is the better option as you get two creative minds and twice the coverage.

Santorini Wedding

 

When you choose the best photography team, you are assured of quality wedding albums that capture the best moments of your wedding day and memorabilia that will last for ages. It’s essential to do your due diligence and find a team you can trust and work well with – so hopefully this short list of things to think about to find an excellent photographer for your wedding will help!

Save your time with your search to find an excellent photographer for your wedding and check out SvenStudios. SvenStudios is ready capture your best smile and emotions throughout your big day. We offer professional wedding photographer solutions to capture your special moments as a reminder of your big day’s love story in the most natural way. Give us a call today!

 

 

4 Tips for taking group photos at a wedding

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  • Drone group shot at Ekhidna WInes

Taking group photos at a wedding

No matter how unique you plan your wedding ceremony to be, you’re more than likely still going to dedicate some time taking group photos at a wedding. That will ensure that you have photos of friends and families aside from the other parts of your wedding as a record of who attended years down the track.

Taking group photos at a wedding would have to be one of the traditions during a wedding that just cannot be overlooked – no matter how tedious it sometimes can be!

Bridal group

4 Tips for taking group photos at a wedding

Even though a group photo session might seem simple, planning is vital to ensure its success and to make sure it doesnt eat up too much time on your wedding day. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to take the best group photos.

  1. Keep it small

Taking group photos don’t have to include everyone at the wedding in one frame. Ideally, there should not be more than around ten individuals per shot. That is because the more people to participate, the longer the time it will take to finish the session. Plus, everyone is going to have a photo of themselves anyways because that’s the photographer’s job.

What I usually like to do on a wedding day as a wedding photographer is take one big group shot of everyone attending – usually using my drone so that it’s a bit of a novelty, and captures everyones attention while taking the photo, and then peeling off for taking group photos in smaller groups.

Group shot
  1. Look for helping hands

Help is always appreciated, especially when you are trying to gather people to take photos. For this reason, do spend some time looking for people who can help. You can ask a family member who most likely knows most of the guests, which means they can get things done a little better.

Your photographer will not know anyone there, so they are usually limited to shouting out names blankly if you’ve given them a list. If you gave a list to someone who is natually good at rounding up people, this process will be done much quicker. I usually say it’s best for your parents to do this job.

Helping Dad get ready
  1. List the shots that you want

Create a list of all the shots you want to take on your group photo session. Doing so will allow you to announce who is coming up next and ensure that those who are going to take multiple pictures do not have to leave so often. For example, if one person were to show up in the first shot and then again four shots later, they might have already disappeared after the first.

It’s often the case that people don’t like having their photos taken in a group like you’re often forced to on a wedding day so they might run off – conveniently be hiding in the toilet, or taking an ‘important’ phone call. Try to have those people you know will try to avoid you have their photos all at once.

A big hint I like to point out is try to organise it so that elderly and children go first so that once they are done with taking group photos, they can go sit or play about. Also have your parents go last! They will be your best hellp in rounding up any groups who have not yet had a photo taken!

When you list the shots and organise properly, you ensure that the time where you’re taking group photos goes smoothly, and no one’s going to be missing.

group photo at Ekhidna Winery
  1. Talk to the photographer

You should always talk about your plans with your photographer. That is because they are the ones with the experience in photo taking and generally know what will work best. For example, if you have a place in mind for the session, tell your photographer about it. They will work with you to set up the area for proper lighting or suggest another place that may be better for the group photos.

If you want some help in this regard, I’d be super keen to have a chat, you only need to ask!

Close up portrait

Group photos on your wedding day can take up a bunch of your precious time if not correctly planned. They require plenty of planning to ensure success, and you will need to put in the effort if you want it to be so.

However, taking group photos on a wedding day generally just can’t be skipped as you’re likely to have family and guests in attendance that would rarely be seen together otherwise.

The photos and the memories you will capture from this will be ones you will cherish for the rest of your life, your group photos will help you remember when Uncle John accidentally tripped on Aunt May’s dress, spilling his champagne everywhere!

How to Have a Vintage Themed Wedding Photoshoot

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  • With the Wedding Car

 

Vintage Themed Wedding Photoshoot

Lovely vibes, happy guests and good weather—these are the things that a bride and groom wish to have at their wedding. But before the big day plenty of people opt to have an engagement photoshoot done beforehand to make sure they get those specific wedding photos they had already dreamt of. Occasionally a wedding day’s photoshoot may be rushed or at certain times of the day not best suited for taking photos, so having a separate shoot beforehand can help here.

Of course, if you want to have memorable and high-quality photos for a keepsake, you must have the perfect theme that you want for your shoot. If you have chosen a vintage theme wedding photoshoot, you are at the right place because we will give some tips that you can use to nail your vintage themed wedding photoshoot 

What Is a Vintage Themed Wedding Photoshoot? 

Before taking you into the details, let’s understand vintage themed wedding photoshoots first. A vintage themed wedding photoshoot is perfect if you are aiming for a timeless and romantic look. It is not just sepia-tinted background and vignettes – which seems to be a popular trend in wedding photography – an experienced wedding photographer should be able to make use of a vintage vibe without the filters. 

A vintage themed wedding photoshoot should only give a touch of the past that evokes nostalgia and romanticism influenced by your favoured era. It’s a popular wedding theme for most couples today because of its sophistication and elegance. If you choose a vintage theme wedding photoshoot, your photos will forever be in style.

First dance at Quince Brook wedding

What Are the Things to Consider to Achieve a Vintage Themed Wedding Photoshoot?

After knowing what a vintage themed wedding photoshoot is, you need a guide to achieve this kind of theme. If you choose to do your wedding photography before officially tying the knot, it’s time to look for the things you need to achieve your vintage setup. 

Preparation is vital so that you can find the perfect venue and props. Here are some of our tips for you before you contact your wedding photographer to do your pre-wedding shoot: 

Tip #1: Immediately Look for a Location with a Vintage Vibe

The first and most crucial thing you must do is look for your shooting location that shouts, “I look vintage!” It’s the primary key to make your photographs as vintage as possible. You need to do this first before anything else because you might have difficulty reserving a place. You need to consider your photographer’s availability when booking a location, too. A location with a vintage vibe can be an old house, a historic building or a retro-themed restaurant. 

Thorngrove Manor
Tip #2: Go for a Retro-Themed Dress Code

To achieve a vintage vibe, you need to have a retro-themed dress code to complete the look. Men can wear a classic tuxedo, and women can choose old-fashioned attire paired with a classic hairstyle. There are many choices of garments you can choose to achieve a vintage look. You can take some inspiration from the internet and send it out to the people involved in the photoshoot so you can have a uniform look. 

Hanging Thorngrove Manor wedding dress
Tip #3: Complete Your Look with a Full Glam Vintage-Inspired Makeup and Hairstyle

Your look should be the centre of attention for your photos, so you need to be on point, from your dress to your hair and makeup. You can attain this by getting your hair and makeup done inspired by your favourite era. You can show some inspiration to your makeup artist, or you can watch tutorials on how to get a vintage makeup look. This tip also applies to the groom because there are vintage-style hairstyle options for men as well. 

Putting on Makeup in car at SC Pannell Winery
Tip #4: Utilise Retro-Themed Props for Your Shoot

If you think the place does not give enough vintage vibe, you can add some props to make it more vintage-y. While the location, your dress and your makeup look already indicate that your theme is vintage, the props will tie everything together because they can help set the mood in the photographs. You can look for antique items to serve as decor in your location. Here are some of the classic examples: 

  • Vintage Vehicles – Antique cars are a classic, and they will take your photographs to a whole new level of class and sophistication. This prop is an excellent addition if you have the budget. You can make the most out of it since your photographer can do different shots and angles. 
Passionate kiss in between wedding cars


  • Antique Tins and Glass Jars – Another romantic vintage vibe you can have for your photoshoot is a nice table setup paired with vintage tins and glass jars. Your table setup should have a completely vintage look, so be careful with all the details. 
Wedding reception table flowers
  • Antique Record Players – Vintage record players are a perfect go-to if you don’t want to have extensive props in your photoshoot. This prop is so popular, and you have probably seen this from one of the movies you’ve already watched. 
  • Antique Typewriters – Having a vintage typewriter as a prop is another perfect way to set the vintage mood on your engagement shoot. Try typing a few romantic phrases or even your names to make the photo look more intimate. 
  • Antique Camera – A vintage camera is a cute addition to your vintage theme, especially if you both love photography. Instead of going with digital cameras, replace them with a vintage one to align with the theme. 
Homemade decorations
  • Balloons – Even if you opt for a modern design, you must have balloons. Balloons are easy to play around with, and your photographer can do various shots with balloons. It’s just a matter of creativity on how you will use it. 
Balloon man

 

We understand that you only want the best for your shoot. Hopefully, this guide has helped you with your preparation to achieve the vintage themed wedding photoshoot you want. Even with all these tips, your photographer will still be the one to make your desired theme successful. For this reason, you need to find the best photographer to work with so that you’ll feel comfortable in front of the camera during your vintage-themed shoot.

If you are looking for the best wedding photographer in Adelaide or around Australia, Sven Studios is here to help! We offer professional wedding photographer solutions, no matter the theme you have in mind. Allow us to make your vintage-themed wedding photoshoot possible. Get in touch with us today to book your session!