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Guide on How to Take the Best Wedding Family Photos

Family trying to throw leaves over married parents

Take the Best Wedding Family Photos

Wedding photography is not as cut-and-dry as people think. Besides being excellent at using lighting and thinking about composition, wedding photographers must also deal with your family dynamics & politics, understanding your wedding day timeline, and scouting the locations of your programme. Here are five tips to ensure that things run smoothly during your big day.

How to Take the Best Wedding Family Photos

Clarify the Schedule of the Family Photos

Traditionally, photographers shoot wedding family photos directly after the ceremony. Sometimes, brides would like family portraits before the reception starts. If you want to organise this activity at other times, you have to tell your photographer and your guests. In some cultures, the couples invite their extended family to the preparations on the day of the ceremony – well before the ceremony. This provides your wedding photographer with more material and allows them to take candid shots of your family.

Family photography in the long grass

Inform Your Family of the Photoshoot Venue

Bringing your guests and family outdoors will help utilise the natural light, which can create better images depending on the day. Before the ceremony day, you should agree with your photographer on the venue of the family photos. If you would like the ceremony hall, the temple, or the church as the backdrop, your suppliers may have to bring in special lighting to make the photos brighter for the best wedding family photos.

Also, don’t stray too far from the ceremony venue for the photos. If there is a gorgeous lagoon or a garden on the grounds, but it’s a bit of a walk away, you could probably arrange for a photoshoot with you and your spouse only. Your wedding party might have seniors; even a short trek to a different spot might tire them out quickly.

I usually opt to have a photo done of your entire congregation done first – usually using a drone from the air before breaking up nearby for family photos.

Drone group shot at Ekhidna WInes

Do Not Keep the Photoshoot Going Forever

Typically, family photoshoots last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes . An extravagant wedding with many guests from other regions or countries might take longer; family photos for parties with upwards of 500 guests might take an hour! Whether you have an intimate or a grand celebration, though, it is best to keep the photoshoot as short as possible.

It’s a good idea to figure out what groups need to be done in a formal manner, while selecting certain groups which may be better done informally at the reception.

Girls group photo

Know What to Expect During the Photo Sessions

Unless you specify something with your wedding photographer, I always try to run family photo sessions in a predictable way. First, the wedding photographer will adjust to the light and take test shots of you mingling with relatives and friends. Then, they will ask people to approach you and your spouse in batches. Typically elderly and kids go first followed by siblings and extended family – try to have your parents go last as they are helpful in rounding up family members.

It’s really important to make a list of family photos you want taken on the day. This does not mean a list of individuals – but a list of groups. For example ‘I want a photo with Bob, Jane and Trent’ is not a list. This is a list –

  1. Bride, Groom, Bob, Trent
  2. Bride, Jane
  3. Bride, Groom, Jane
  4. etc

Notice that Bob, Trent and Jane did not have a photo together? This is because Bob and Trent are estranged from Jane for some reason due to family politics that I simply don’t know as a photographer, so I have to rely on the list you’ve given me. I don’t know what combination of family members you need from your family photos – so to have the best family wedding photos possible, a list is essential.

There is no set combination for wedding photos. Since each event is different, the bride and groom will have various configurations of close friends and family on their special day. What’s important is coordinating with your supplier and telling them who you expect to see in each picture. When you coordinate with your photographer beforehand, you’ll have an easier time on the day and receive the best wedding family photos possible.

Group shot

Most people would love to reminisce about their wedding through photos and videos of the day. It is nice to see candid, natural shots of preparations and everyone having a great time, but formal shots are still expected at weddings as they are perfect as souvenirs in photo albums. Whether your style is classic and traditional or offbeat and quirky, you’d want a record of one of your happiest days as a couple with the best wedding family photos as possible.

Immortalise one of the most memorable days in your life with photography from SvenStudios. We provide wedding photography and videography in Adelaide; our complete package includes a 360-degree virtual video of your ceremony, professional editing of high-resolution photos, and more. Download our pricelist or contact us today for enquiries!

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4 Reasons You Will Want to Have a ‘First Look’

  • Wedding first look

 

Want to Have a ‘First Look’?

During the wedding planning process, there is always one hot topic that the bride and groom will talk about: the ‘first look’. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, a first look is when a bride and groom meet together privately and see each other before the ceremony begins. This is different from the traditional ways, where the couple will only get to see each other during the ceremony.

While some may say a first look is unnecessary and untraditional, some will also claim that it is a must. Regardless of what you may believe, we sometimes suggest that you consider it as there are some compelling reasons why you may want to have a ‘first look’.

4 Reasons You Will Want to Have a ‘First Look’

  1. Your wedding is held during winter

Typically, if you plan to hold the wedding ceremony late into autumn, during winter, or even early spring, you may want to have a first look done. This is because the sun sets quite early, and if you are holding your ceremony later in the afternoon, there will not be any natural light left for the photo-taking session.

As such, a first look early on ensures that you and everyone else will be able to have photos taken using the light still left before it goes below the horizon.

Photos taken during sunset are of course taken at sunset, after the ceremony, but you need not take as long as you usually would due to having had a photoshoot done before your ceremony.

You may have also considered having an engagement shoot done previously also for the same reasons.

Lightning
  1. The reception follows the wedding immediately

If the reception starts immediately or almost immediately after a wedding, you will want to have a first look session done before the ceremony. Otherwise, you may spend the majority of your time during reception, taking photos rather than enjoying your meal. This is especially true if you also plan to have pictures of friends and family, which reduces even more time for your post-wedding activities. 

On top of that, if you are planning to enjoy plenty of cocktails and other drinks during the reception, you may not look at your best after a few. In other words, you may want to have a ‘first look’ as it will ensure you and your partner can have your photos taken before getting busy with the ceremony!

First look
  1. The location of the wedding is far from the reception venue

Many couples hold their reception on the same or near their wedding venue. However, some may hold their reception far away from the ceremony location. If the latter is your case, then it is smart to want to have a ‘first look’ before the ceremony. This way, you do not have to rush around trying to take pictures right after the wedding to give you and the others more time to reach the venue and prepare for a wonderful night. Plus, a first look ensures you get plenty of photos to add to your album, whereas rushing for pictures taken will only significantly limit how many photos you get!

first look in Kuitpo Forest
  1. You are afraid of the pressure of your emotions at your ceremony

Perhaps the most common reason why people want to have a ‘first look’ is that they are afraid that the nerves leading up to a traditional ‘first look’ as the bride walks up the aisle may be too much to bear causing ugly crying or other such emotional reactions you may not want to display in front of family and friends.

Having a first look allows you to get these nerves and emotions out of the way before the ceremony thereby lessening the chance of not looking your best during the ceremony.

Grooms first look as she walks towards him

If you believe that you will have a rushed photo-taking session due to the tight wedding schedule, then you may want to have a ‘first look’ before the chaos ensues! Sure, the ceremony will be a blast, but you may regret it later when you find out that the resulting photos were not what you expected or that you do not have enough to work with because you didn’t allocate enough time for it.

Save yourself the headache and do a first look if any of the above reasons apply to you, or you simply want to see the love of your life before everyone else!

Sven Studios is a professional wedding photography service that helps couples capture their weddings’ emotional memories to treasure forever. If you are looking for the best wedding photographers in Adelaide or around Australia, get in touch with us today to see how we will capture the best moments of your day!

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Debunking Common Myths About Wedding Photography

  • bride and groom on a rock

Common Myths About Wedding Photography

Your wedding day is, of course, one of the most memorable and exciting moments in your life. It is the day when two hearts intertwine, committing to giving unconditional love and care.

The smiles, glances and all the memories can be captured in beautiful photographs. That is why it is necessary to hire reliable wedding photographers to make sure that your big day will be unforgettable.

When planning for your wedding photography, there can be a lot of things that you may hear. Below are some common myths about wedding photography that you should be aware of. Don’t worry; we’ve busted them for you!

Debunking Some Common Myths About Wedding Photography

Myth: I need to provide a “to-do” list of the wedding shot samples to my photographer 

Selecting a wedding photographer to capture one of the best moments of your life is crucial and there are many reasons why.

While it is good to assert your dream wedding ideas, it is better to trust the photographers to make your wedding photos memorable. Let their creativity flow. Trust in their expertise. Trust them fully by letting them do their best shot. 

Giving them a very detailed list of wedding pictures may make them feel like they cannot be creative on their own. It may even result in some delays as photographers have their personal touch and unique styles for every event that they cover.

Of course, you can always tell them if you want a specific wedding pose that you have been dreaming of or those very important family members you want to be included in the photoshoot, it’s just when a couple gets a little too controlling is when the photos produced tend to be of lower quality.

Bridal Party playing rugby on Crozier st

Myth: Candid/new-age photographers are not really into taking family portraits

Candid, and natural photography refers to the type of photographs captured with no creation of a posed appearance. This does not necessarily mean that photographers nowadays do not take family photos at all.

While candid photographers love to capture moments as they happen, they also take formal portraits. Because a wedding event is an occasion with your most favourite people, they would love to capture those happy faces posing in front of the camera – it’s kind of what is ‘expected’ from wedding photography, so not to have them at all in a wedding album would be a bit silly.

Kuitpo Forest Bone Gully Family Shoot

Myth: I do not need to hire a professional wedding photographer; my friend can do it with a DSLR

A wedding is like a one-time big-time event. You just can’t reschedule it for the next day if things do not go as planned. Having a good friend who can take good, decent shots for you is really helpful, but having professional wedding photographers can provide you with expertise and back-up if something unexpected happens. 

Don’t you want your friend to enjoy the wedding festivities as a guest? Or are they not important enough and you relegate them to being behind a camera all day? Having a professional come in means they will act professional, they wont act as a guest – only enough to be able to capture that personable vibe you have going on your day.

There is also probably a good reason why your professional wedding photographer is a professional wedding photographer, and not your friend with a camera. It’s what they do. It would be like hiring a friend to fix your roof just because they own a ladder.

Wedding disposable camera

Myth: The quality of my wedding photos will depend on the brand of the camera or on how expensive the equipment is

This is an old, old myth about wedding photography and has always been a subject of discussion. While a good camera helps in catching nice photos, it is still the photographer who is the one to capture stunning images. A good camera can bring a difference but only to an extent because, without a professional photographer’s skill, not much of an result will be achieved.

There is an old joke that goes something like this – ‘A chef notices a photographer flipping through some photos on their laptop while sitting down for lunch, admiring the photos the chef quips ‘They are some nice photos, you must have a nice camera!. To which the photographer replies ‘This is great food! You must have amazing pots and pans!’

The camera is a tool to do a job, while there are different grades of tools available, they are all still tools, and it’s not until a skilled person who knows how to use the tool uses it to create, then it’s nothing.

Of all the myths about wedding photography, this is probably the most common one to have come up at a wedding. It can be fun to talk gear to fellow camera aficionados, and I personally am guilty about super excited about a new camera I might be using – but it really doesn’t matter.

bride and groom looking at camera on their wedding day

Myth: If only we have the best location, then we can have the most amazing wedding photos

Not all weddings have to happen in grand, majestic locations. Sure, there are some picturesque places that photographers had a chance of shooting for an event. But because your wedding may not be held in the most splendid place in town or on the cliff side of Santorini, that does not mean that your wedding photos will not be as amazing as you want them to be.

Professional wedding photographers are trained to capture moments from simple spaces to the grandest spots, with the aim of creating something special for the couple they are shooting for.

Money shot of Crozier st

Entrust your wedding moments to professional wedding photographers. Forget the myths about wedding photography and make sure to achieve your dream wedding with their help.

Our wedding photography services at Sven Studios will make your wedding a moment that is worth remembering. Contact us today for more details!

 

 

 

 

 

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The Pros of Having Couple Portraits Before Your Wedding Day

Having Couple Portraits Before Your Wedding Day

For a number of reasons, many couples choose to have couple portraits taken before the day of their actual wedding. These shoots are done either in their full wedding attire, including makeup and hair, or in a more casual style which is more of an engagement shoot. There are several advantages to making that choice for your couples portraits.

A huge advantage of having couple portraits done before your wedding day is that you’re given a delightful collection of photographs that you can put on display on your wedding day, or even use on your invites, or RSVP website.

Bride and Groom together in the vineyard

Some pros of having couple portraits before the wedding day itself

Additional Creative Shots

Having a separate shoot on a different day means you don’t have to settle for a place that’s just close to your ceremony or reception. You will be able to select a location of your choice, and given the number of wedding photo locations in Adelaide alone, there’s sure to be a lot of options. You can even have a photoshoot in a place that means something special to you and your significant other!

Not only will the photos in general improve greatly because of the varying backdrops, but also, the photographer will be able to experiment to see what can work on your big day. Timing is also everything, and it is possible to better schedule specific photos for the best lighting during the day, all the way up to sunset, or perhaps just after sunrise if you’re keen to wake up that early!

Walking along the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens dam

Extra Candid Guest Photos

Wedding photographers see time as an incredibly precious resource on a wedding day. Having your couple portraits taken before the actual day of the ceremony and reception means that they have more time on their hands to capture other things. They will be able to spot as well as document more moments that are candid and genuine.

A seemingly quick hour long session for couples portraits, or glamour photos on the day itself can actually keep your photographer for longer when you consider the time spent on preparation and travel time. Traditionally taken as the final step after group photos with family, and before the reception couple portraits can take up much of your day so it can be a big advantage to have already had your photos done in order to spend more time with your guests on your actual day.

Waterfall wedding photographer Hobart

Photographer Test Shoot

One of the key aspects of taking on a couples portrait session prior to the wedding day is testing the photographer. See if the communication with them flows well, and if they make you feel comfortable in the first place. Check on things like how well they planned for the shoot, and if they turned up early. Afterwards, look into whether or not the final photos are to your liking and meet your expectations. Also check if you received them on time, and if the quality is up to your standards.

I can’t tell you how many times people who arent overly happy with their wedding photos get in contact with me with the often impossible request to ‘fix’ them for them. This situation can be avoided if you thourghly research your photographer and make sure they ‘fit’ into your day as well as they possibly can.

One Tree Hill Engagement shoot

Getting your couples portraits done before the big day holds a lot of advantages for you and your photographer. There is more space for your photographer to be creative and more time to plan when you have them done on a separate day. On your end, you will be able to have more relaxed photos and, on the day itself, be able to spend more time resting between the wedding ceremony and reception.

Looking for wedding photography packages in Adelaide or around Australia? Contact Sven Studios today! Allow us to capture the precious memories of your wedding day in a fun and relaxed way that you’ll be proud to look at forever!