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7 Tips for Choosing the Right Outfit for Family Photos

  • Little Family :)

 

Choosing the Right Outfit for Family Photos

Taking photographs is a great way to capture meaningful moments and events in your life. If you and your family are scheduled for a family photoshoot, you want to ensure that everybody looks their best.

To ensure this, one of the things that you should pay close attention to are the outfits each of you wears. You can be surprised at how a single outfit can easily make or break the entire photo—which why it’s crucial to ensure that everybody is wearing the right outfit.

7 Tips for Choosing the Right Outfit for Family Photos

To help you pick out the right clothes, here are some tips for choosing the right outfit:

Skip the Matching Outfits—Colour Coordinate Instead

Matching outfits were once a novel idea, but they’re a thing of the past now. Today, it’s all about coordinating the colours of each family member’s outfits—which actually make photos a lot easier on the eyes. Aside from this, the colours will also let every personality in your family shine. To properly pull a family photoshoot off, decide on a colour scheme before you have your photos taken.

Duncan Family

Take It Easy On the Patterns

Too many patterns on an outfit can be distracting, especially in a photo—which is why it’s best to keep the patterns to a minimum. A good idea would be to choose just one particularly fun pattern or style for your family’s outfits; that way it will be easier for everyone to pick out coordinating colours. Makes things much easier on everyone to choose the right outfit for themselves.

Family photographer Adelaide

Always Plan Ahead

When the family has agreed to take a family photo and have finally booked a session, it’s now time to sit down and plan the shoot as well. Think about what to wear and what type of photos you want to come out of it. That way, everybody will be on the same page, thus allowing the photoshoot to run smoothly.

Walking together as a family

Think About the Background

If you will be using specific backdrops for the photo, then keep it in mind when picking out what to wear. You don’t want to clash horrendously with the background, or even worse, match with it! If you’re doing the shoot at a studio, then you can talk to the photographer ahead of time to discuss what type and colour of the backdrop will be used. This will help you plan out your outfits with your family accordingly.

Above the duck pond

Consider the Texture

Keep in mind that photos are static, which means that to generate interest, there needs to be eye-catching elements to make your photos look alive. You can do this by considering the textures of your clothing. Through it, your photos can depict subtle movement that will help make it come alive.

Proud Grandpa

Avoid Stripes altogether

When it comes to photos, wearing outfits that feature horizontal stripes by conventional wisdom be avoided! It’s an old wives tale that horizontal stripes can make you look wider in photos, which is why traditionally vertical stripes are preferred, as they are supposed to make you look more slender while outlining the curves of your body.

However this supposed illusion has been debunked by numerous studies and really just comes down to an individual person’s style and confidence in wearing any particular outfit. So when choosing the right outfit for you, simply consider wheather or not you like it or not – not if there’s any stripes or such nonsense.

Wear Outfits With Flattering Necklines

V-shaped necklines or a scoop neck tends to look good on a lot of people. Choose a flattering neckline that will make your outfit look better while suiting your body perfectly in photos.

Little Family 🙂

 

Choosing the right outfit to wear for a family photoshoot may be quite daunting, as everyone has different styles. By following these tips, you can make the shoot run smoother, while simultaneously giving you beautiful photos that you can look back on with fondness. Happy to get in touch if you’re planning on having some family photography done!

 

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What You Should Do Before Picking Your Wedding Photographer

  • Bride and groom under gum tree

Picking Your Wedding Photographer

Weddings are incredible events. You’ll put on a carefully selected dress or suit. You’ll be surrounded by close family and friends. You’ll be in a place or venue that holds some special meaning for you. Everyone will enjoy the evening partying and toasting your love for you and your partner. The entire occasion will be filled with memories that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your married life.

For a day that requires so much careful planning and preparation, you definitely don’t want to forget how special it is. That’s why it’s so important to pick a capable wedding photographer as you’ll be entrusting them to immortalise your memories.

Wedding planning can be extremely stressful. You might be tempted to book someone just to check this item off your to-do list. However, your photographer will have such an intimate role in your wedding day that it pays to do some research before settling on one.

Wedding cake

What You Should Do Before Picking Your Wedding Photographer

Here are five crucial things you should do before picking your wedding photographer:

1. Figure out your expectations

If you’ve never worked with a photographer before, you should know that one photographer does not equate to another. Everyone approaches their work in a different way and using their own personal styles. Do you prefer more candid photos? Do you want to achieve a certain look? If you’re not clear about what you want, it’ll be hard task picking your wedding photographer.

Try and find a photographer that utilises a style and has demonstrated the ability to form your vision of your wedding photography, and try to stay away from ‘directing’ them too much with requests that may not be a part of the photographer’s usual way of doing things. If you do their work will probably not what you’d expect.

Paxton winery wedding from the air

2. Ask for a referral or two

A good photographer will have many happy clients. Some may have worked at your family or friend’s wedding. A trusted contact will give you an honest review about how they felt about a photographer’s services and if they were able to meet or exceed their expectations.

Reading reviews online help too – but make sure you know what you are reading. Reviews on Google and Facebook can be faked (but not always) and other reviews like those collected by ABIA tend to be more accurate as each review is vetted by a committee.

laughing

3. Review albums and portfolios

Photographers will publish their portfolio and recent work online. If they haven’t, you can definitely ask for one. Each photographer has their own style and technique. Check if their previous work aligns with your taste.

When you meet, try and make a point of viewing an entire wedding album – one they have presented to previous clients as completed work. That way you get a better understanding of the quality of their work, and not just the ‘hero’ shots they might publish online.

They are the ones behind the lens, and they’ll be interpreting the event through their own eyes. If you aren’t a fan a photographer’s work style, it’s best to take them off your shortlist.

Digital Deluxe Album

4. Meet with your shortlist in person

Photography is a highly personal and creative undertaking. You’ll be able to tell more about the person by meeting them face to face. Ask about their work ethic and how they can work discreetly but efficiently. A friendly, approachable, and—most of all—professional photographer will put you and your guests at ease and create a good atmosphere for making memories.

grooms first look

5. Evaluate packages

Ultimately, you’ll need to find someone who falls within your budget. Give yourself time to find options. Some wedding photographers offer engagement shoots and additional services like video montages.

The wedding will only last a day, but the photos will last a lifetime. If you don’t set about picking your wedding photographer carefully, you won’t be able to do a do-over. However, if you’ve done your homework well, you’ll be able to find someone who will help you capture the day’s moments as authentically as possible and give you photos that you’ll be happy to look back on for years to come.

We offer professional wedding photography services in Adelaide and all over Australia. Get in contact, and let us know how we can help you capture your special day!

Semaphore Beach Sunset
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Our Tips For Taking Keepsake Family Photos

  • Our Tips For Taking Keepsake Family Photos 1

Taking Keepsake Family Photos

Nowadays, almost everyone’s phone is equipped with a decent camera. People take photos of one another and of themselves at any old time of the day. Candid photos are nice to browse through every now and then. However, having proper family portraits taken by a professional are excellent keepsakes that you can look back on and pass on to your children and grandchildren.

Tips For Taking Keepsake Family Photos

If you want to capture milestones, take advantage of loved ones being in the same location, or you simply want to immortalize the present moment for future generations, here are few tips you can use to create beautiful family photos:

Hadley and her family

Dress using a similar theme

One way to elevate your family photos from the ordinary candid shots to encourage everyone to dress up a little more than usual. Decide on a color palette that you can all agree on. Be careful to choose muted, non-distracting colors that will flatter everyone’s skin tones. You don’t need to dress up in costumes or wacky attire, but rather give everyone some loose guidelines like wearing denim, or outfits in predominantly cream or light blue colors.

Family photographer Adelaide

 

Go natural

You and your family’s future generations will look back on your photos and will want to know all about you. Make it a point to look like yourselves, wearing your usual style of clothing and only a light layer of makeup. Avoid trying a new hairstyle in the week or a few days prior to your portrait session. You might end up with something you regret, and the way you look in that moment will be immortalized forever.

Little Family 🙂

Choose a photographer you are comfortable with

Professionals experienced in taking family photos will put you and your group at ease during your photography session. You may want to choose someone who has experience working with very small children, so they know how to get a good shot even with a fidgety baby in the group. The right kind of photographer will also be able to calm your nerves and elicit laughs and smiles from everyone in the group during the shoot. Be sure to have a chat with your photographer before you agree on services so you can see if they are the right fit for you.

Fussing family

Use levels

Make the photo visually interesting by providing a set-up that has two to three “levels’ all the participants can take turns shifting around on. Put a lower layer, with young children sitting on the floor or grass. Seated in the middle, you can have the head of the family, parents, or any grandparents holding infants. Finally, your top layer can consist of older children and adults standing around the rest of the family.

Duncan Family

Include those who can’t be there

If you have loved ones who can’t be physically present for the photo, there are still ways you can include them in the portrait.

For family members who have passed away, some people like to hold on to a framed photo of them, or even photoshop them in. Others wear a special dress, hat, or accessory that represents their family member. Even if they aren’t present to pose for the photo with you, there are still ways you can pay tribute to them and make them feel they are part of the memory.

If you are wondering when the best time for family photography is, the answer is: right now. Your children will grow up in a flash, your parents are advancing in age, and commitments may take you or your loved ones far and away from each other. Don’t worry about picking out fancy outfits or posing in front of a fanciful set. Find the right photographer and take your portraits now, so you can keep your memories for a lifetime.

Are you looking for family photography services in Adelaide? We’d be happy to help you capture your family’s special moments. Contact us to learn more and have a chat!

 

 

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4 Things Wedding Photographers Should Always Prepare For

  • Wedding rings on shoes

 

Wedding Day Preparations Every Photographer Should Make

Wedding photography is entirely different from studio photography. At a wedding, you can’t tell your bride and groom to redo their poses if you messed up your shot. You’re dealing with live moments, and you need to act fast.

A good wedding photographer knows how to adapt to any situation, and they know what to do when something goes wrong with their initial plan. This is a list of a few things that wedding photographers should always prepare for, but it isnt a list of common sense items like extra batteries or a second or third camera body as backups.

This is more of a list of things wedding photographers should prepare for that you might not have thought of yet.

4 Things Wedding Photographers Should Always Prepare For

  1. Outdoor photoshoot using natural lighting

As a wedding photographer, you should know when is the best time to do outdoor wedding photoshoots. Taking outdoor photos is more complicated than staying indoors as you will never know how much light or how good or bad the weather is on the day of the wedding.

I always hope for a little bit of cloud cover making the outdoors closer to being inside, but when it’s super sunny – as it so often is in Australia – I like to use the shade a lot.

Most non-photographers don’t know that taking photos at noon is not ideal since the sunlight is very bright and harsh. Unlike during the golden hour, the light is more flattering for the couples. If you can, talk to the bridal couple beforehand and request to take the photoshoot at a specified time of the day.

To help you out, here is a detailed comparison between midday and golden hour that you can share with your client:

Midday – the sun’s peak

  • Shadow is not flattering to the body
  • Creates shadows in the surroundings
  • Overhead light creates a strong shadow on the face
  • Hot temperature leads to sweaty and shiny skin
  • Light is strong and harsh, making the couple squint
  • Overall: awkward, over-exposed, and unflattering images

Golden Hour – one to two hours before sunset

  • Soft light keeps the face free of harsh shadows
  • Lower temperature relaxes the couple
  • Less intense sky is flattering to the face and body
  • Warmer tone light creates an intimate and romantic look
  • Overall: relaxed, flattering, and romantic images
Inglewood Inn wedding photo at the cottage
  1. Bad weather conditions

Weather is unpredictable, so you must always anticipate possible scenarios. Having a back-up plan for bad weather is one of the things wedding photographers should always prepare for. It is crucial that you know how to shoot in all weather and are prepared to get a bit wet sometimes.

Here are some things that you should have, in case of unwanted weather disasters:

During warm seasons

  • It’s going to be bright outside so try using an ND filter to keep your depth of field soft
  • If you have an assistant, carry a reflector to direct some light to the harsh shadows
  • A drink bottle to hydrate!

During colder seasons

  • Lighting equipment for dimmer locations
  • Bring umbrellas for the birde and groom and possibly your camera
  • Extra batteries as the cold weather drain the battery faster – but you should be doing that anyway.
Lightning
  1. Camera angles

Before the ceremony begins, make sure to check on the location regardless of whether it is outdoors or indoors. Assess the place and see what position captures a good shot of the bride’s entrance, the taking of vows, the wedding kiss, and other highlights of the ceremony.

Also, consider the lighting in the area, where is the best place to get a shot of the faces of the bride and groom, etc? Plan out how you will move around the place while the ceremony is on-going. If you have a team with you, it will help if you assign designated areas to each photographer.

Burbrook forest wedding tree
  1. Use of fill-flash

Fill-flash can also be used outdoors while the sun is up. Typically, a wedding photographer would not recommend a shoot at midday, as this creates sharp shadows in the face. However, the light from the flash will help fill out the under-eye shadows of the bride and groom. It also helps balance images that have backlighting.

As a wedding photographer, you should know when to use fill-flash to balance out the light to your images. It is not always necessary, in fact I try not to use it during the day as much as possible, but it is better to equip yourself with knowledge and proper gear in case it is needed.

Under a weeping willow

Wedding photography is a hard task because you are dealing with real-life events. If you messed up or missed a good moment, you will never get a chance to capture it again. Thus, wedding photographers are skilled and experienced professionals that anticipate every scenario to make sure that everything is in their control.

Hopefully this list of things wedding photographers should always prepare for has alerted you to some of the things you may not have thought of yet before heading out to shoot a wedding. I’ve tried to include points that arent in other, similar lists, so hopefully it was some help 🙂

If you or you know someone who is looking for an Adelaide-based wedding photographer, contact us at SvenStudios today – we can help capture precious and intimate moments on wedding days!

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7 Different Wedding Photography Styles

Wedding Photography Styles

Aside from the wedding programme, dress, cake, buffet, and décor, you should also invest money and time in hiring a wedding photographer that will help relive your special day through the photographic art they create. More than anything, wedding photos are something you can keep years after the wedding that will help you reminisce your special day. They narrate the important scenarios in your wedding and capture intimate moments.

Placing wedding ring on her finger

If you are getting married soon, and you still can’t decide what kind of wedding photographs you would like to have, here is a list of sevendifferent wedding photography styles to help you narrow down your options. While a wedding photogrrapher might lean towards using mostly a single style – they are all part of a competent professional’s repatroir.

7 Different Wedding Photography Styles

Style #1: Traditional or Classic Shots

Traditional shots pertain to wedding photography that your parents or grandparents most likely had. These shots are straightforward and are typically captured at eye level. Most of the time, wedding celebrants and guests pose for this kind of photography.

Best for:

Bride and groom standing together in forest
bride and groom in the long grass
Giving each other hugs

Style #2: Photojournalistic Shots

Photojournalistic shots epitomise mordern wedding photography in my opinion. These photographs capture stories and moments in your wedding that you would most likely miss as a bride or groom, and therefore has become quite a popular way to approach wedding photography in modern times.

Best for:

  • Capturing candid and heartfelt moments
  • Telling stories through emotions or actions
  • Unfolding memories of the wedding years after
Bouquet toss
Bride and groom holding one another on driveway
Bride about to leave for wedding ceremony

Style #3: Editorial Shots

If you and your partner like to pose on cameras, this style is the best option for you. It is great for a wedding that has a specific theme, as you can use these photos on your wedding invitations, wedding favours, and thank-you and appreciation cards.

Best for:

  • Themed weddings
  • Couples who like to have prenup shoots
Paxton winery wedding 2
Bride and Groom together in the vineyard
Inglewood Inn Wedding Photo

Style #4: Landscape Shots

Many couples today take their engagement and wedding photos with landscapes. This style is great if you want to feature the location of your wedding ceremony, whether it is on a beach or mountain. The beauty of the landscape also adds drama to your photos, making it look more intimate. Not to mention that it would look great when you decide to print a photo book of your wedding.

As a former Landscape photographer of the year – I absolutely love incorporating some landscape work into my photography!

Best for:

  • Scenic wedding locations
  • Couples who love nature or adventure
Belair National Park wedding photo
Thera, Santorini Wedding
Bride and groom under a fallen tree

Style #5: Aerial Shots

As with landscape style, using modern technology like drones, a photographer is able to capture a wider view of your wedding location. Capturing your wedding from a wider perspective can make the people looking at the picture feel that they are part of your precious wedding.

Best for:

  • Featuring scenic wedding location
  • Capturing meaningful moments of the wedding such as ceremony exits
Drone shot from above
Ekhidna wines wedding at sunset
Middleton beach Wedding

Style #6: Dark and Moody Shots

As the name implies, it is dark and moody, but it does not mean that the photographs will look sad and intense. Instead, these kinds of shots can make your wedding photos look more dramatic and intimate.

Best for:

  • Couples who would love to break wedding norms
  • Wedding locations that have great lightings
Bride and groom through the window
Wedding dress hanging in window
Belair National Park wedding photo 2

Style #8: Black and White Shots

If you want to have classic-looking and elegant wedding photos, then you should do this style. With these shots, photographers focus more on capturing moments and making them look dramatic through editing.

Best for:

  • Timeless photographs
  • Highlighting emotions and actions
Bride and groom through the window at Paxton Winery
bride and groom under Gollops Bridge on their wedding day
Tieing tie in front of window

 

There are many different wedding photography styles, and this list only barely scratches the surface of them all. If you want to have classic wedding photos, you should do traditional or black and white shots. For dramatic and intimate stills, photojournalistic, landscape, and aerial styles would be best for you. You can also do fine art, dark and moody, or editorial shots if you want to have themed and creative wedding photographs.

The easy part is finding a style of photograph you like, the hard part is matching your tastes with a photographer! If you are looking for a wedding photographer, get in touch with us today. We offer high-quality photography services that can help capture and relive the precious and intimate moments on your wedding day!