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3 Tips for Choosing the Right Family Photographer

  • Happy bub with Mum 2

 

Choosing the Right Family Photographer

When you’re raising a family, time goes by in the blink of an eye. At one moment, you’re juggling a newborn baby while your two toddlers are running around and making a mess; the next, they’re off to college or starting a new job. Capturing these moments is a great way to preserve the memory forever, especially while your children are the smallest they’ll ever be.

An excellent way to do this is to take family portraits every year, especially while your kids are still young. You can track the subtle changes and growth in your family from one photograph to the next. You’ll want to make sure that you’re choosing the right family photographer to artfully yet genuinely express your family’s spirit.

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Family Photographer

Check Their Portfolio

The first thing you should do is to have a look at their portfolio. Your family portraits will very much resemble their previous work, so if you like what you see, then that’s a great sign. The right family photographer will have photos that you sincerely enjoy looking at even though the people in them are total strangers. Even though the subjects in the pictures aren’t saying anything, you can clearly tell the story going on in them.

You’ll also want to check out their family photography photos and check whether they’re relatively uniform or have some vital differences. Ideally, look for a family photographer that changes their style up a bit to take advantage of different settings and scenes to produce creative, original, and memorable photos. You’ll also want to check their family photography photos for different types of families under varying conditions.

Family photography

Ask About Their Style

Each photographer has a unique style that can be seen across their work. When it comes to portraits, some prefer classic shots where the subjects are seated and posed. Other photographers opt for more dynamic photos where the subjects are interacting with each other or their environment.

There’s no right or wrong style; it all boils down to personal preference. Whether you like fun and quirky poses or traditional style portraits, ask the photographer about the techniques they use and see if it reflects in their portfolio.

Walking along the pond edge

Look For Reviews

Lastly, an essential tip for choosing the right family photographer is to look into what people say about them. There are numerous websites dedicated to reviews and referrals of different services, so you might be able to find testimonials from previous clients. You’ll want to find out if they were easy to work with, if they were flexible, and how they dealt with difficult situations.

An excellent place to start would be checking the photographers’ own website and social media accounts. Once you’ve adequately combed through them, cross-reference the reviews you’ve seen with reviews on other platforms. Although you should be on the lookout for positive reviews, keep in mind that there may be negative reviews submitted by customers who are challenging to work with and satisfy.

The less than perfect reviews can be most interesting – not because of how bad the photographer was, but more how they reacted to the poor review. You can’t make everyone 100% happy, but you can try your best to right any percieved wrongs!

Family hugs

Choosing the right family photographer is essential to ensure you get the family portraits you’ve always wanted. These professionals know how to tell your family’s story while capturing the magic and spirit. With these three tips, you’ll find the perfect photographer to preserve your most precious memories and have them proudly displayed on your walls!

Looking for photographers in Adelaide to help you with your family portraits? Let us know at Sven Studios! We are professional photographers that specialize in wedding and family photography. Contact us today to see how we can help!

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Idyll and Co Wedding – Monique & Anthony

Walking about Idyll & Co's forests

Idyll and Co Wedding – Monique & Anthony

Monique and Anthony’s Idyll and Co Wedding was simply devine! Nestled in amongst thick bushland, the Idyll & Co Bed and Breakfast turned out to be the most brilliant of venues to host Monique and Anhtony’s wedding! The combination of the thick foliage in every direction, with the cloudy weather and beautiful people made me thankful that they chose me as their wedding photographer as I had an absolute blast all day, and I had a smile on my face the entire time I was editing their photos!

 

Idyll and Co Wedding Ceremony

The spot that Monique and Anthony had chosen to host their Idyll and Co Wedding Ceremony was hidden down the hill a little from the main bed and breakfast house which meant that their whole ceremony was shaded in all directions by the most magnificent Ausralian bush land I had experienced when compared with any other wedding venue I have visited.

The fun part about hosting a Idyll and Co wedding is the mode of transport the bride and her entourage gets to make use of to arrive at the ceremony! The owners of the venue actually makes the use of a little ride-on tractor available for anyone who wishes to make use of this unique feature which put a smile on everyones face as soon as they laid eyes on it!

Monique and Anthony’s ceremony itself was full of smiles and heartfelt vows, intermingled with personal anecdotes of funny times when they were dating and readings from close friends. You know you’re doing something right when emotion shows all everyone’s face!

Smiling groom 4
Bride arriving at Idyll & Co bed and breakfast
Idyll & Co bridal transport
bride about to walk down the aisle
groom looking on at bride
Bridal approach 5
Idyll & Co Wedding Ceremony 3
smiling bride 7
Wedding ceremony 8
Groom smiling at his bride
Idyll & Co Wedding Ceremony 2
Holding hands during wedding ceremony 2
Reading reader
Idyll & Co Wedding Ceremony
Bridesmaid emotions
Best man pulling rings out
Exchanging wedding bands at Idyll & Co wedding
Wedding ceremony at Idyll & Co
First kiss at Idyll & Co Wedding
Bridal exit at Wedding ceremony at Idyll & Co Wedding

Glamour Photos

I could have spent all day roaming the grounds taking Idyll and Co Wedding photos with Monique and Anthony! The grounds simply suit my style of wedding photography perfectly and in fact was a big reason apparently what Monique and Anthony had chosen me in the first place which is lovely to hear as I really try to bring in the surrounding details of the venue itself within my photography.

I like to point out to all my bridal couples that while I’m super passionate about wedding photography, I’ve also had past successes being an Australian reknowned landscape photographer, taking out numerous state and national awards for my work in other genres and I like to bring in that knowledge to create some unique wedding photography.

It was that uniqueness that drew Monique and Anthony to me, and they specifially stated on the day to make them as small as possible within the more ‘landscapey’ shots I was going to create for them, so hopefully they enjoy the shots I took! The Idyll and Co grounds was a perfect space to do this in too, with rolling hills, thick forests and even a pond to make use of; I had a blast!

Sitting on a fallen tree together
Sitting on a fallen tree together at Idyll & Co
In amongst the Idyll & Co forest
In amongst the Idyll & Co forest together
Bride and groom with bridal party amongst the trees
Bride and groom with bridal party amongst the trees 2
groomsmen flasks
Bridal party going for a ride
Bridal party at Idyll & Co
Bride and groom surrounded by pond
Groom surprising his bride 2
Amongst the tall trees at Idyll & Co
Amongst the tall trees at Idyll & Co 2
On the water’s edge together
Walking around the Idyll & Co grounds
Idyll & Co wedding photo
Cuddles in amongst the leaves
Bridal party with Idyll & Co bed and breakfast
Bride and groom at Idyll & Co bed and breakfast
Kisses between thebig trees
Walking about Idyll & Co’s forests
Walking about Idyll & Co’s forests 2
Sunset through the trees at Idyll & Co

Idyll & Co Wedding Reception

Monique and Anthony has set up a temporary gazebo to expand on the space of the nearby the small shed the venue has set up to host small parties, and up the hill, they had enlisted the help of Daisy Burger to cater their reception with their lovely burgers. My photobooth was also set up spitting out photos all night, and it was awesome to be a part of 🙂

The light faded fairly quickly during the night due to the overcast weather, meaning that some amazing light started to filter throughout the surrounding bushland. This made for a good opportunity to take a few more photos of the bridal party before everyone got too jovial, and I even coerced Monique and Anthony to traipse about in the darkness to take some spectacular shots nearby a gnarly old tree 🙂

bride and groom arriving at reception
bride and groom arriving in gazebo
Guests hanging out at Idyll & Co
Wedding cake under the tree
Cutting the wedding cake under a tree
Cutting the wedding cake under a tree 2
Groom cutting cake enthusiastically
Bride and bridal party together
Girls having a laugh
Groom and groomsmen together
Dip kiss
Speech Giver
Speech Giver 2
First dance near gazebo
First dance hugs on dance floor
Idyll & Co Wedding Photography
Wedding at Idyll & Co

Thanks so much to Monique and Anthony for having me be your phtoographer on your big day! Your was an amazing wedding to shoot and I hope you enjoy your photographs! 😀

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Botanic Gardens Adelaide Wedding – Georgia & Nick

  • Georgia & Nick

    Botanic Gardens Adelaide Wedding

    Bride and groom holding one another in the undergrowth

On what must have been the busiest wedding day in decades, October 10th was the date for Georgia and Nick’s wonderful wedding at the Botanic Gardens Adelaide. Based mainly on the repetition of the date and fun addition of the date and month numbers ot make the year, then combined with COVID-19 rescheduling, I must have had dozens of enquiries for 10/10/20! And what a wedding Georgia and Nick’s turned out to be! Beautiful weather, lovely people and possibly the best spot to take photos in the Adelaide CBD :).

Preparation

I began the day as I usually do with Nick and his groomsmen getting ready in a hotel room in the city. Their room overlooked the northern part of the Adelaide CBD in quite a striking fashion with a great view of the new royal hospital and even Adelaide Oval!

When I arrived the boys were sitting about watching some horse racing, so I began the day by getting them to get a bit hyped up by placing fake bets on a horse race – this allowed for everyone to let go of any nerves thay may be lingering around and loosened everyone up for their preparation photos which we took in and around their room.

Wedding rings box 2
Wedding rings perched on shoes
Groom watching TV 2
Adjusting his shirt
Adjusting shirt
Groomsmen looking fab
Groom leaning on wall
Groom basking in sunlight
Smiling groom in his suit
chilling groomsmen

Georgia and her bridal party were being prepared at the couple’s house in Hillcrest. The girls were getting ready along side their paresnts and some well wishers that arrived half way through. The atmosphere was very laid back with allowed for some beautiful natural smiles and showing of emotion. It was especially endearing when Dad first saw his daugher sporting her wedding dress!

Bridal bangle
Engagement ring in bouquet 3
Bride having hair done 2
Bride’s Mum having makeup done
Bride having makeup done
Bride silhouette
bride getting ready 4
Putting on bridal shoes
Bride looking at bouquet
Bride in hallway 2
Mum looking on 2
Father’s first look of his daughter

Botanic Gardens Adelaide Wedding Ceremony

Finding a park at the Botanic Gardens Adelaide at the best of times can be quite tricky, but on a wonderful warm day such as Georgia and Nick’s wedding day it was extremely hard which led to Georgia being a little later than she had planned to be on the day, leaving Nick to pace about at the front of their congregation showing that he was not aty all nervous.

Georgia and Nick’s wedding ceremony took place at the Araucaria Avenue ceremony spot which boasts a lovely row of New Caledonia Pines (or Araucaria columnaris) leading off into where the sun sits which makes for a lovely,m sunlit backdrop for any wedding ceremony.

As the weather on Georgia and Nick’s wedding day was perfectly sunny, the whole ceremony was delightfully backlit creating a nice halo effect over everyones’s heads all throughout. It does make it ricky though to take phtoos from the side as the light makes for some harsh shadows form that angle. Still beautiful none the less. 🙂

My favourite part of the ceremony was the level of coordination Georgia and Nick’s guests showed with the birdal sendoff, blowing ample bubbles into the aisle to create quite an impressive send off! It’s often the case that not many bubbles show up in photos, but in this case it worked very well!

Groom waiting 2
Groom waiting patiently 2
Groom’s first look of bride 2
Botanic Gardens Wedding ceremony 2
bride during wedding ceremony
Wedding ceremony botanic gardens
Wedding ceremony botanic gardens adelaide
Wedding ceremony botanic gardens adelaide 2
Groom looking at his bride during the ceremony
reciting vows
Exchanging wedding bands 2
Wedding cermeony at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens 3
First kiss 2
Bridal exit under bubbles

Botanic Gardens Adelaide Glamour Photos

Directly after the group pho0tos and a bit of a rest to thankeveryone for coming, we hopped right into the glamour photos wandering about the botanic gardens. It was the plan to do this and then head out to North Terrace, or even the Adelaide Zoo to take photos with the animals as that’s where their reception was taking place, but on the day we opted to stay within the botanic gardens which made things easier.

As the sun was beating down rather harshly, I tried to stay in shaded areas for the most part, utilising the lens flares the sun was throwing up through the foliage and occasionally using the brightness as a backdrop to some of their photos.

All the plants at this time of year in the Botanic Gardens Adelaide are super green and lush which makes taking shots throguh the foliage that much easier and satisfying to see!

In between the Botanic Gardens and the Adelaide Zoo we also made use of some of the Morten Bay fig trees around the adjacent Botanic Park for some photos!

Bride and groom next to tree 2
Bride and groom under a hollow tree
Bridal party walking away form ceremony
Standing in amongst the foliage
Bride and groom amongst the bamboo 2
Sun shining on the bride and groom
Wedding party in the bamboo
Bride and groom closeup in bamboo
Wedding photo at the Adelaide botanic gardens
bride and groom in the bamboo at the Adelaide botanic gardens
Botanic Gardens Adelaide wedding photo
Bridal party together in the tree
Botanic Gardens wedding photo in the elms
Bride and groom holding one another in the undergrowth
Bride and groom together under the trees
Bride and groom looing at the camera
Sun shinging through the leaves on the bridal couple
Botanic Park wedding photo
Bridal party in the Adelaide Botanic Park

Adelaide Zoo Wedding Reception

Georgia and Nick’s wedding reception at the Adelaide Zoo took place within the Sir Thomas Elder Rotunda which is a huge, circular structure that was draped with weather proof plastic sheets to keep guests warm. When sitting inside this marvellous structure, the decorations that were set up really made this space feel like a pretty wedding space with ribbons hanging from it’s center and soft lighting illuminating the whole scene. It’s quite and impressive sight!

Georgia and Nick’s guests were quite happy to make the most of the recent change to COVID-19 regulations in South Australia and very much enjoyed ‘virtical consumption’ of alcohol and of course made the most of the newly allowed dancefloor!

3 tier Wedding cake
Bride and groom entrance
Cutting the wedding cake 2
First dance at Adelaide Zoo wedding reception
First dance at Adelaide Zoo wedding reception 2
Guests talking to bride at head table
Guests at a table
Adelaide Zoo wedding reception
Main course
Maid of Honour with stick
Maid of honour toast
Groom shaking hands

I’d like to thank Georgia and Nick for having me as their wedding photographer at their Botanic Gardens Adelaide wedding, and I hope they enjoy their photos! 😀

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Keep Great Memories With These Family Photography Tips

Family Photography Tips

One of the best ways to remember moments is by looking at pictures that bring back good memories. When you have old photos at home and spend time looking at them, you will be brought back into time and reminded of the feeling you got when those photos were taken.

Fortunately, with the advances in technology, it is easier for people to take pictures and store photos safely to look at in the future. Hiring a family photography professional is still your best bet when it comes to taking stunning and heartwarming photographs, but many people either just dont like the idea of having a professional take their photos, donbt have the budget, or simply think they themselves can do a good enough job!

Hopefully these family photography tips can help anyone take some nice family photos!

Family photograph in studio

 

Keep Great Memories With These Family Photography Tips

Taking family photos shouldn’t be intimidating. Here are some tips you can follow so that you can start taking great family photos yourself:

Consider what type of device you’ll use

One of the most convenient ways to take photos is by using your smartphone. Recently, tech companies have been upgrading and making mobile phone cameras work better than ever. Most of the smartphones in the market produce high-quality photos that can look very similar to high end cameras. They aren’t, but for the mayperson the difference can be indistinguishable. The great thing about smartphones is that they are readily accessible for quick moments that need capturing.

If you want a crisper and clearer quality, investing in an entry-level, mirrorless camera will do the trick. After some practice, you can upgrade your camera’s lenses, helping you take better family photos. This said however, the best camera in the world is the one in your hand – so don’t get too hung up on equipment.

Mobile photos

Focus on the moments

Most people think that family photos are supposed to be more like portraits, standing about aand staring straight down the camera. However, what you would want to look back at are the mundane and spontaneous moments. For example, you can take a picture of your partner preparing breakfast for your children. Another could be a photo of your children in the backyard playing with your dog.

These are the moments you would want to cherish and remember because things will be entirely different years later. Although taking portraits is a great way to see physical growth and development, taking pictures of moments will help tell the story of your family’s growth.

Fussing family

Experiment with angles and lighting

Once you understand how to handle your device and take a few photos, it is best to learn and experiment with different techniques.

Natural light is a photographer’s best friend. When you find an area in your home with the best lighting, family portraits shouldn’t be a problem. An area in your home that lets in natural light is the best place to stage a photograph.

If you’re outside generally it’s best to situate the sun behind your subject, however the quiality of your equipment may come into play here causing images that are too dark, or light. Just makes the understanding of your device that much more important.

Another thing to remember is that camera angles give a different type of perspective and story. Experiment outside while your kids are playing, or when your partner is going up the stairs. These angles and framings can give your photos a story and memory to remember.

Walking along the pond edge

With any new hobby or project, the best way to produce quality output is by practising and experimenting. Compared to other types of photography, family photography is one of the most heartwarming and less-intimating of its kind.

When you practice family photography at home, you’ll continuously be keeping different memories you can look at in the future. Enjoy this new family project you are about to begin and get ready to capture moments that you’ll be thankful you didn’t miss. Hopefully these family photography tips will help out with your shoots!

If however you’re finding the whole situation too much to bear, we are experts in our field and provide specialised wedding photography, family photography, and other photography services. Get in touch and book a session with us today!

 

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How to Make the Most of a Rainy Wedding Day

  • Under the jetty

 

How to Make the Most of a Rainy Wedding Day

 

If rolling clouds and light showers are to stay on your Big Day, there is still room to get creative. The best wedding photographers will know how to play with shadows and make the most of a rainy wedding day amd get the best out of raindrops and puddles. Chances are, your wedding album will make a statement rather than be tucked away in the attic. A little bit of rain shouldn’t dampen the festive air around the soon-to-be-newlyweds, in fact it’s tradition that rain on a wedding day is actually good luck!

Tips to Make the Most of a Rainy Wedding Day

Tip 1 – Think Ahead

When selecting a venue, always account for inclement weather by falling back on covered spaces and indoor ballrooms. If you’re tying the knot in an area home to unpredictable weather, don’t take your chances—study reports ahead of time.

Thorngrove Manor

Tip 2 – Say Yes to the Wet

Is the prospect of a little mud on your dress a no-go or something playful to think about? Most wedding photos occur before dinner time—no one is going to pay attention to spots on your gown while you’re seated. While a muddy dress doesn’t typically pique anyone’s interest, it can make for an interesting character on the dance floor.

Ekhidna wines wedding vineyards

Tip 3 – Arm Yourself with the Right Rain Gear

No, we aren’t talking about a waterproof bridal gown or tuxedo. In case of rain, you want to have an umbrella handy. Avoid brightly-coloured or black products, instead opting for a simple white or transparent to add a touch of chic to your photos. Carry a set of matching umbrellas for you and your partner—your wedding portraits will thank you later.

A neat shot that a wedding photographer can shoot on a wet wedding day is having some background smoke, or umbrellas light up with an off-camera flash. Looks awesome!

A spare set of wedding shoes can become costly. While hitching up your dress or pants from location to location will certainly do, a pair of wellies or sneakers won’t hurt—especially if they’re invisible under your gown.

Smokey greenhouse

Tip 4 – Allow Some Time to Tidy Up

Always allow ample time to dust off or wash up your wedding attire before photos. Keep a stain stick handy in case you get spots on your gown.

As I mentioned earlier, don’t worry too much about a bit of mud on the hem of your dress, particularly if you’ve spent the last few hours traipsing through vineyards! People simply wont notice during your reception.

Dog running in the Ekhidna WInes vineyards

Tip 5 – Know When to Call it a Day

Shooting in the rain is all good fun if you aren’t fussy about it—but it’s best to know your limits. Torrential downpours and gale-force winds aren’t very forgiving, so you won’t want to be out for more than a couple of shots. If you’re worried about your outfit or are shivering in the cold, it’ll come through in your photos.

Bride and groom through the window

Tip 6 – Take Photos on a Different Day

There’s no reason you have to take your wedding photos on your actual wedding day – take for example what Sarah and Ricardo did for their wedding day. Allow the flexibility to reschedule your shoot if the weather doesn’t support it. Consult with your wedding photographer regarding pre or post-wedding shoots.

The only issue with doing this is that you’ll have to get ready twice, which may mean booking makeup artsists and hair dressers twice – but it’s very doable if you wish.

Sharing a kiss under seagulls

A little bit of rain isn’t the end of how you envision your wedding photographs. By preparing ahead of time, coming up with a contingency plan, or simply embracing the weather, the joy in your photos will shine through. Hopefully these tips on how to make the most of a rainy wedding day helps you realise this.

Book your wedding photography with Sven Studios, where we fear no weather and are committed to showcasing you and your partner at your best. We’ve been known to wade out into the ocean or hang off cliffs to get the best shot! Love travel too, so we are certainly going to make the most fo the location! Our wedding packages are expansive, perfect for couples who love a little adventure.