Tag Archive for: ideas

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Tips for candid wedding photos

  • Leaning against a lamp post

Candid wedding photos

There are different reasons for having a photoshoot. Some may just be to capture a new profile picture for your social media accounts or to document a turning point in your life. However, wedding photography is special, because it is supposed to be one of the happiest moments of your life and you want your photographer to document this emotion.

A wedding represents a major milestone in your life where you are taking on responsibilities as a spouse and have found a signifant other in which you will spend the rest of your life with.

Knowing that this rite of passage into a new life is extra special, you’ll want photos that capture the pure essence of what it means to be in the moment on an important day. Candid photos capture the raw emotions of people, and this can give the photos on your wedding day that unique look that will be amazing to look back to.

I’ve put together some tips on how to looking amazing for your wedding photography in the past, but I thought I’d expand a bit with these new tips for more candid wedding photos.

Tips for candid wedding photos

Here are tips to ensure amazing candid photos on your wedding day:

Put Your Trust in Your Photographer

If you have any doubts in your mind about whether or not the photographer you hired will be able to deliver the photography you expect, this will cause problems as it adds worry on the day. Make sure you have a casual chat with your photographer, and make sure you have them walk throguh an entire wedding shoot they have done in the past so that you develop a sense of trust and chemistry with them.

Having  this confidence in your photographer will allow you to just enjoy each moment spent with your soon-to-be spouse.

Bride and groom between the trees

Don’t Mind the Cameras and Just SMILE!

This may be difficult for some, as they are simply just camera shy or do not enjoy photos being taken. However, once the day of the event comes, emotions just absolutely take over and people just forget about everything and focus on the beauty of their wedding.

The trick is to pretend that you are not being photographed, and just focus on the event itself and take in all the euphoria and love that weddings radiate. Let the photographer melt into the scenery and just focus on the more important aspects, like your family, friends, and your spouse.

There will be moments where wedding photographers will ask you to step into the light for a better shot, but while that is not being done, know that you are doing great and it is visible to everyone around you.

What I like to do when shooting a wedding is doing a bit of a warm up with photos that dont require too much in the way of posing – and then maybe if needed bring out the posed shots – but they often arent needed.

Walking through the trees

 

Live In and Savour the Moment

Weddings often go by in the blink of an eye due to all the emotions and fleeting moments that occur within the day.

Needing to focus on anything other than the moment you are in will be visible in your final photos which is the oposite to what candid wedding photos are all about! Sometimes it is advisable to get a wedding planner or someone who can organise things well to remove burdens of logistics off of your shoulders.

When the day is planned well, there is nothing much to worry about and it becomes easier to live in the moment. Of course, it goes without saying that timelines and plans may often derail to a certain degree, but the trick to moving on with it is just to trust that all will go well and you prepared well.

After the day is done, you will have amazing photos to look back to, so forget about the worries and go with the flow!

Inglewood Inn wedding photo at the cottage

Don’t Rush the Timeline

Wedding days can seem chaotic, but rushing timelines are what no wedding photographer wants to deal with. With less time for people to be themselves and savour the moment, there are limited opportunities for nice photographs.

Wedding photography is best done at a slow pace, as photographers try to look for the best possible shots and angles for amazing photos. Having a relaxed schedule will allow people to warm up to wedding photographers, and ultimately give a better experience.

Bride and groom walking about Burbrook forest

Weddings require your full attention and presence for you to truly have an amazing experience. This is why having professional photographers around is an invaluable asset because you will have high-quality photos to refer to in the future.

Wedding albums in particular can be super important as they are often handed down for generations to come as family hairlooms. Just imagine 40 years in the future with possible grandkids, reliving the emotion you were feeling in the candid wedding photos you’re looking through together. It really is an investment in the future.

Here at Sven Studios, we offer high-quality wedding photography in Adelaide and around Australia. Contact us and let us talk about your special day now!

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5 Things to Avoid When Taking Photos of Newborn Babies

  • Baby Turtle

 

Things to Avoid When Taking Photos of Newborn Babies

Newborn photography is something that excites many parents. Photos of babies are beautiful mementoes, and they can also make great gifts for when these children are older. However, it can be challenging to pull off these types of photos. Here are some mistakes people make when photographing newborn babies and how to remedy them.

5 Things to Avoid When Taking Photos of Newborn Babies

Mistake #1 – They shoot in poor lighting

One of the common errors that beginners make is that they shoot without regard for exposure and lighting. Since cameras record differences in light, illuminating a subject is the quickest way to improve picture quality.

Photo editing software can do many things; they can crop photos, modify the background, and even remove red-eye in subjects. However, no software can solve lousy lighting. Although there are tools that can adjust lighting, a post-processed photo will still look subpar to one taken in good light.

baby mirella

Mistake #2 – They want to capture a ‘perfect’ photo

Like anything that has to do with young children, it is a lot of work trying to photograph babies. Newborns, especially, will not hold a pose unless when asleep. Even then, they might shift around. If you are aiming for Anne Geddes-level pictures, know that there is a lot of planning involved.

The best photos are taken when the little ones are not posed awkwardly. They are just sitting, sleeping, or playing as they would, and the photographer only captures them as they are. Let your child go about his or her business, and snap the photos without overthinking.

baby shoot

Mistake #3 – They are not always ready to shoot

Seasoned newborn photographers are always ready with backup cameras, batteries, and memory cards. It will be a letdown if you miss important moments like your baby smiling, laughing, or seeing something for the first time.

Experience is the only way to learn how to avoid the special moments, which is why the better photographers out there can charge quite a bit more for their work, while cheaper photographers may not have as much experience and/or equipment under their belt.

Happy bub

Mistake #4 – They rely on DIY too much

Though it is perfectly fine if you want to document your child’s everyday life, there are moments when hiring a professional is the better choice. For example, if you are sending birth announcements, a professional photo that your loved ones can frame is the best option.

Birthday or holiday cards are also better if professionally shot. In the end, you will be the one to compile all of these in albums, so you should get something classic which you can look back on fondly.

Happy bub in the grass

Mistake #5 – They do not make backups

Backing up your data is essential for work and school documents, but you should extend that to your photos as well. Losing your photos is definitely one of those things to avoid when taking phtoos of newborn babies! These photos show memories that you cannot otherwise retrieve. If you lose your only images of an event, these are gone forever. You can revisit the place and retake those photos, but the memories you will have are different from the original.

 

Conclusion

Taking photos of a little bundle of joy is a way for a couple to capture a brand-new stage in their life together. Thinking of these things to avoid when taking photos of newborn babies will make sure you’ll have a stack of images your client can display for years to come.

Capturing a baby’s first moments is priceless, and SvenStudios can help you with that. We work out of Adelaide and specialise in newborn photography, and we have been accredited by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography while also being a registered teacher! Get in touch with us today to learn more.

 

 

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5 Tips for Travelling with Your Wedding Gown

Santorini Wedding

Travelling with Your Wedding Gown to your Destination Wedding

A destination wedding is a fabulous way to start married life and is a great excuse to have a holiday. When you look back at your wedding photos, you will have a lovely time remembering how you spent time with the people closest to you and your fiancé in an amazing destination!

I realise that not many people are heading overseas at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I do know that many of your are still planning on having a destination wedding, and it may well be at a location you can still travel to! Like within Australia! I’ve covered many weddings in Darwin, Hobart, Canberra and Rural South Australia that beat many international destinations easily!

Before you jet off, though, you have to figure out one important thing—how to get your wedding dress to your destination.

5 Tips for Travelling with Your Wedding Dress

Travelling with your wedding dress doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and care, you can keep your gown in perfect condition throughout the journey. Whether you’re heading to a local venue or a destination celebration, here are five helpful tips to make sure your dress arrives safely and beautifully, just like you imagined.

Avoid checking it in luggage

Whatever you do, avoid checking your wedding dress as luggage. It will get battered in transit, and there is always a risk of it getting lost. As much as possible, fly with your wedding dress as a carry-on item.

Check with your airline about their policies on carrying wedding dresses – as it may be an exempt item when it comes to the number of pieces of luggage you’re allowed. Also. label the bag containing it with your name, e-mail address, and the contact details of your destination.

Bride hanging her dress

Buy or recycle a garment bag

The bridal shop will likely use a garment bag when sending you your wedding dress. However, check if this is strong enough to stand up to travelling with your wedding gown. If you have your doubts, invest in a tougher garment bag. Ask your bridal shop to show you how to fold your wedding dress as well.

When you get to the gate, arrange for the attendant to hang your dress in a closet. Some airlines will preload your dress if you call ahead, so explore this option as well. Sometimes, though, there is no hanging space since surfboards and wheelchairs are the priority for closets.

In this case, you might lay your dress over bags in the overhead, but be considerate of the other passengers and ask permission. If you have the money to spare, you can resort to buying an extra seat just for your dress, or upgrade to business class – this allows you to have an additional carry-on bag!

Wedding dress

Invest in a vacuum bag

For brides with voluminous wedding gowns, a vacuum bag is almost mandatory when travelling with your wedding gown. Pack your dress while inside its garment bag into a similarly-sized vacuum bag and suck the air out, which will make the carry on much smaller – and if you’re lucky the checkin gate wont weigh it! Just dont try and fly with an airline known for being sticklers on weight.

You can then pack this into a tri-fold carry-on case, and store it in the luggage just like you would another bag. Remember to pack a garment steamer or request for one at your hotel or resort to iron out the creases. You do not want to memorialise the wrinkles in your wedding photos!

Putting on dress

Use a carry-on suitcase

A regulation-size carry-on suitcase is an excellent storage place for a wedding dress. For this to work, you need to pack your gown carefully. Use a hard shell suitcase; this protects your clothing from rain or other fluids. When packing, turn your dress inside out.

Turning your dress inside out will protect things like lace details, needlework, and other delicate embellishments. You can also put tissue paper in between the folds, to preserve the garment better.

Santorini destination wedding

Have your dress professionally packed

Your bridal shop can pack your dress to fit in your carry-on suitcase. You can specifically ask them to pack it for travel; this should be part of their services. You can also get a specially-designed box that meets carry-on size requirements for airlines or chartered planes. These boxes also have acid-free tissue paper which you can put in between folds.

Taking the wedding dress for a spin

 

You can pack a wedding dress for your destination wedding, but it will require a bit of planning from you. Travelling with your wedding gown can be tricky, but don’t let the hassles of travel prevent you from having a picture-perfect day!

Ensure that you have photos that will last a lifetime with Sven Studios. We are experienced destination wedding photographers super keen to travel and dedicated to perfectly capturing one of the most special days in a couple’s life. Browse our previous work or get in touch with us for more information!

How to Fold Your Wedding Dress for Travel

If you’re planning a destination wedding or flying to a special venue, knowing how to travel with your wedding dress is key to keeping it safe and photo ready. One of the most important steps is folding your gown properly, especially if you won’t be carrying it in a full-length garment bag.

Here are a few tips to help you fold your dress with care:

Start with clean hands and a large surface

Lay a clean sheet or towel on a flat surface like a bed or table. Make sure your hands are washed to avoid transferring any oils or dirt onto the fabric.

Use tissue paper between folds

To protect delicate fabrics and prevent creasing, place sheets of white, acid-free tissue paper between each fold. This adds structure and protects beadwork or lace details.

Fold from the bottom up

Gently fold the train or skirt upward, tucking it under layer by layer. Avoid sharp creases and keep the folds soft. If your dress has multiple layers, start with the underlayers first and work your way out.

Protect the bodice

Once the skirt is folded, lay the bodice flat on top. If the bodice has structure or embellishments, cushion it with more tissue paper to prevent damage during travel.

Place it in a carry-on or garment bag

Whenever possible, avoid checking your dress with luggage. Whether you’re driving or flying with your wedding dress, keeping it close ensures you can monitor how it’s handled. Choose a carry-on suitcase or a travel-friendly garment bag designed for delicate items.

By planning ahead and folding carefully, travelling with your wedding dress can be much smoother and less stressful on your special day.

Storing Your Dress Safely During Flight

Flying with your wedding dress can feel nerve-wracking, especially when you’ve spent so much time choosing the perfect gown. The good news is that many brides successfully travel with their dress by taking a few simple precautions to ensure it stays safe, clean, and wrinkle-free during the flight.

Here’s how to store it properly while in the air:

Avoid placing anything on top

If your dress ends up in the overhead bin, make sure nothing is placed on top of it. Consider asking your seatmate for a bit of space and keep the bag flat and undisturbed during the flight.

Pack a travel steamer

Even with the best care, some creases may still appear. Packing a small, handheld steamer can help refresh your dress once you arrive, so it’s photo-ready before the big moment.

By preparing in advance and handling your gown with care, flying with your wedding dress becomes much more manageable, giving you peace of mind before your celebration begins.

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2 Things That Affect Your Wedding Photos More Than Expected

  • Groom looking at bride

 

What can Affect Your Wedding Photos

Planning for your wedding photography session is just as exciting as planning for the big day itself. You have different ideas on how you want the wedding photos to come out, where you want to hold the photoshoot, what theme you want to follow, and so much more. After all, you will want to make sure that the finished results are as beautiful and as remarkable as your wedding day.

Before you proceed with your photoshoot session, however, you should know that there are other factors that can affect your wedding photos. Other than you and your partner’s beautiful smiles and your chosen location, here are two important factors that impact your wedding images.

Bride and groom on the rocks on their wedding day

2 Factors That Affect Your Wedding Photos More Than You Expect

  1. The photographer’s style

If you want more personality and professionalism in your pictures, hiring a professional wedding photographer to capture your most precious moments is the way to go.

As you look for these professionals, you should remember that each wedding photographer’s style is different from another. While you are sure you will be getting professional service, their photos will have a different style or mood portrayed in them.

Some artists would be great in coaching and directing you, while others will have more of a photojournalist approach to capture your emotions in the most natural way possible. Some will have a bias towards light-coloured backgrounds like the sea and the sky, while others produce dark and dramatic portraits.

Considering all of these, you must look at the portfolio of the prospective wedding photographer to make sure that you are working with someone whose style is close to your preference.

Belair National Park wedding photo
  1. The time of your shoot and your wedding

Aside from your venue, the decorations, and your wedding’s theme, the time of your shoot will greatly affect your wedding photos. If you want to be very specific with the mood to be captured in your images and you have time around the pre-wedding photoshoot and the ceremony, coordinate with your photographer to determine which part of the day works best for your ideas.

If you have a preference for certain types of scenes you’d want captured on your day, a good idea is to show your wedding photographer examples and they would be able to provide advice as to whe would be the best time to have that certain shot done. After all your choice of wedding photographer themself would be the biggest affect on your wedding photos.

If you want to achieve a bright mood, having your pre-wedding portrait session in the morning in a place where the sunrise is beautiful is a great idea. However, you will have to be strict with the time to make sure you’re getting the most of that rising sun’s beauty. If you want for something scenic, having a photoshoot featuring the setting sun is another excellent idea. Lastly, if you want to achieve an intimate and romantic mood, taking your portraits at night with candle lights is an idea that you might want to explore.

Paxton Winery wedding night shot

Your wedding is a momentous occasion for you and your partner, and it’s essential to keep these precious memories in images that you can always look back to after years into your marriage. Don’t forget your wedding guest books too! As you search for a wedding photographer to cover your big day, keep in mind things that can affect your wedding photos, including the two factors we mentioned above, and you’ll surely achieve the images you desire.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer to work with, we are the one you’re looking for! We love travelling all around Australia to Hobart, Darwin, Canberra and of course Adelaide and also love International weddings! We know that your wedding is your ultimate celebration of love, so we work hard to capture your genuine smiles in stunning photogrpahy you will love looking back to.

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How to get great wedding photos working with your photographer

  • hugs amongst the vines

How to get great wedding photos

One of the essential elements of a successful wedding is great photography in order to look back at your memories in years to come. With the popularity of social media and the vast developments in photography, couples have begun to expect more from their photographers. They wanted prettier pictures, better videos, and more content overall.

Port Noarlunga wedding

And as the industry of wedding photography continues to grow, so too do the expectations upon photographers to get great wedding photos.

What makes a good wedding photographer?

A good wedding photographer is able to blend into the background, only stealing focus from the bride and groom when a bit of an act is needed to get everyones attention for a big group photo.

They should be able to employ a number of different techniques and styles, using these to tailor their photography to the couple’s preferences – but also staying true to the unique vision each photographer represents in their past work. You’re not like to hire a photographer that doesnt have a good track record in the ability to get great wedding photos are you?

A good, modern photographer should also be able to put their subjects at ease, to create photos that are more natural, real and authentic. A more traditional photographer might take a different stance on this, but that’s up to your preference.

Belair National Park wedding photo 2

How can I help get great wedding photos and make it easier for my photographer?

There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your wedding photos by working with your photographer. Keep in mind that every wedding photographer works slightly differently so adapations need to be made, but here are a few ideas to help get great wedding photos:

  1. Build a relationship with your photographer.

A photographer understands that your wedding day is one of the most important events in your life and that there is an added level of vulnerability when it comes to taking intimate photos. It may be difficult to loosen up with a photographer present, but talking candidly with them while they are taking your photos can help build some trust.

Just like any relationship, the foundation of the connection between photographer and subject relies on trust. Trust your photographer, and your photos can come out a lot better. The best way to do this is meeting up with your photographer before your day, just to have a bit of a chat.

Sharing a coffee like this is the most effective way to find out if you share important personality traits and to simply find out if you’d be keen on spending any amount of time with this person – let alone your wedding day!

Driving toward Chateau Tanunda
  1. Forget your photographer exists.

In modern wedding photography, if every single one of your photos is of you looking directly into the camera, then something has gone amiss. The happiest day of your life consists of more authentic and intimate moments than everyone smiling for the camera.

Allow your photographer to fade into the background so that they can take beautiful candid photos. Candid photos are just as important as photos posing for the camera. In many cases, they are more likely to recreate a real and important moment in your lives and evoke an emotion later on while reminicing about your day!

laughing
  1. Inform your guests of your wedding day’s rules regarding photography.

Wedding guests are often the wild card at any event and can make or break your wedding photography. Telling them how you want them to behave for the cameras, or with their own cameras can prevent any unexpected incidents. Informing them of any theme can also make it easier for the photographer to frame and take photos that everybody will love.

Another option that is becoming more and more popular at weddings is going for device-less, or ‘unplugged’ weddings. Device-less weddings prevent amateur photographers from taking photographs of their own and getting in the way of your trained professional. This can prevent the awkward pointing of camera phones blocking your actual wedding photographer from taking a photo. It can also help the guests be more in the moment, which can help create better photos.

Mobile phone
  1. Make sure your photographer is coordinated with the events.

It is not uncommon at weddings for a few of the guests to come up with a beautiful surprise for the bride and groom. It can be a large gift, or a surprise performance from the bride, groom, or a beloved musician.

If the photographer is not informed of such surprises, the chances of them being able to capture that moment in all its splendour are greatly diminished. If you have a wedding planner, make sure that the photographer is made aware of their plans.

What I usually do is ask for a simple timeline of a wedding day which helps me be in position for any events that are planned for the day, and it’s often the case that if the guests are planning a surprise then someone tells me about it during the day at some point.

If they dont then my experience kicks in when I think something is going to happen and this is a big reaosn why you’d want to hire an experienced wedding photographer!

Boys having fun on the dance floor

Weddings are a tender and historic moment in our lives. It is only right that you wish to capture them for all their beauty with great wedding photography. However you may decide to go about your wedding, a wedding photographer is a must. The right wedding photographer for you can make the joy of your most precious day last a very long time.

If you’re planning your wedding day, I’d love to put up my hand as an experienced wedding photographer! Whether it be in Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Canberra or international, you only need to check out my portfolio of previous weddings to understand that I’d be sure to get great wedding photos for you to enjoy for decades to come!