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5 Ways to Find An Excellent Photographer for Your Wedding

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  • Photo of the year contest AmandaBrian

 

Find An Excellent Photographer for Your Wedding

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

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

5 Easy Ways to Find An Excellent Photographer for Your Wedding

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

  1. Decide On Your Style

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

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

Ministry of silly walks wedding photo

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

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

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

Crozier Street Wedding Photo

  1. Do Your Research on Potential Photographers

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

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

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

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

bridal aprty bathed in sunlight

  1. Take a Close Look at Previous Work 

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

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

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

  1. Assess Their Personalities and See If They Match Yours

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

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

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

  1. Weigh Pros and Cons and Choose the Best Offer

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

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

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

Santorini Wedding

 

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

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

 

 

5 Iconic Wedding Photographs Shot list

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  • Engagement ring in red bouquet

 

Iconic Wedding Photographs

Weddings are one of the happiest moments in a couple’s life, and it’s a milestone worth remembering for years to come; that’s why having a professional photographer capture the intimate affair is essential. 

But even the most picture-perfect shot won’t make an impact if it doesn’t speak to the personality and expectations of the bride and groom. It’s always important to let your photographer do their thing with heir own artistic eye to capture what they think are the best weddings shots – but it’s also helpful to communicate any ‘must have’ shots you expect from your day.

List of 5 Iconic Wedding Photographs

With that in mind, some of the essential shot-list every wedding album should have includes the following snippets: 

  1. Getting Ready for the Big Moment – Pre-Wedding Shoots (Candid Moments and Mementos)

Every wedding album needs a behind the scenes shot of the bride and groom getting ready for the biggest day of their lives. This is arguably the only time couples can feel glamorous while getting made and dressed up – it’s also the last morning that you will be referred to as ‘unmarried’ so it’s important to capture these moments.

Some examples of the iconic wedding photographs your wedding photographer would be looking to take would be the make-up process, a closer peek at the wedding dress / suit details, the couple’s accessories or mementos (like the rings, shoes, jewellery, bouquet, and even the wedding invitation), and candid moments in between glamming up. 

Bride looking out window at Thorngrove Manor
  1. Groom and Bridal Party – Go Traditional or Crazy with Friends and Family Before the Wedding 

Weddings not only celebrate the love shared between the couple but also between family and friends! It’s a special day where everyone can reconnect and have fun together, so it only fits to capture it with your gals and guys. Couples can go with traditional shots and go crazy the next — the mood and personality of your shots are yours to make! 

The fun thing that I like to do when taking group shots like this is that I like to do the ‘crazy’ shots before anything else – that way the smiles of doing something crazy are still on your faces once I quickly call for a more ‘formal’ shot.

The fact of the matter is that nothing about being prepared in front of a camera is natural, so you really need to have a bit of fun with it all in order to capture anything that looks ‘natural’.

groom and groomsmen having fun on driveway
  1. The Iconic First Meeting Between the Bride and Groom – Walking Down the Aisle 

Every moment before then is leading to this one where the blushing bride makes her entrance and walks gracefully down the aisle with her parents tearfully by her side. At the opposite end is the proud and emotionally-packed groom, waiting for his bride-to-be to meet him. This is a critical, heartfelt moment the photographer shouldn’t miss! 

More and more common are what’s known as the first look photoshoot, where this emotional moment is actually done in private – or sometimes surrounded by the bridal party before the ceremony begins. The benefit of this is that you get to remove any fears of being overly emotional in front of family and friends at the ceremony – and it can even help out with potential changes in scheduling due to unforeseen circumstances – like late cars, etc.

Grooms first look at bride at the Watershed Cafe
  1. Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dance 

Another emotionally charged and profound moment is during the dance between the father and daughter or mother and son, both of which shows the genuine connection passing between generations. Next to the first meeting between the bride and groom, this scene will undoubtedly put anyone to tears. 

Father daughter dance
  1. Shared Happiness at the Reception 

After the vows and the sombre moments, it’s time to capture the couple and their loved ones in their best elements — having fun and dancing to their favourite tunes. This should be colourful and let everyone’s personality shine through!

Guests having fun in the photobooth

Let your photographer capture your iconic wedding photographs

Beyond an eye for finding beauty in odd angles, the photographer you hire should also be experienced in wedding photography. After all, you need to see shots that best represent the special moments of your wedding — from iconic scenes to never-before-seen images that are unique to your day; the right photographer ensures you won’t miss a single thing. 

As I stated before however – please make sure your photographer is aware of any ‘must have’ shots you’ve already pictured in your mind in having! Unfortunately we are not mind readers and if we miss something, just know that not everything can be captured on a day!

Brides having fun at their Adelaide Sailing Club wedding

Why Choose SvenStudios to Take Your Wedding Photos in Australia?

If you’re looking to capture the beautiful moments leading up to your lovely day, we’re the best wedding photographers in Australia to call. We strive to keep your precious memories and iconic wedding photographs alive with our high-quality photos you can treasure for years to come, so get in touch with us today at 0401403080 to see how we can share your love story in the way you would want to remember. 

 

Wedding Photography – Our Guide to Taking Family Photos

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  • Guests table group shot

 

Our Guide to Taking Family Photos

Wedding photos primarily focus on the newly wedded couple, and rightly so. It’s their special day, after all! But no couple can stand on their own—they got to this joyful phase in their lives with the care, support, and love from their dear families.

Aside from your vows, first dance, bouquet toss, and other couple-centric wedding moments, your family photos will give you some of your most treasured lifelong memories. The best thing about professional wedding photography is that you are promised high-quality results that you can share as much as you want—you can send digital copies off to family members, print them as souvenirs; the options are endless!

With this in mind, heres a short guide to taking family photos on your big day!

Guide to Taking Family Photos

Family Photos You Shouldn’t Miss

Before the ceremony – Make sure to prioritise family moments as you prepare for your wedding day. Candid photo sessions with parents and siblings can be fun and a little bit teary.

Mum looking on proudly

After the ceremony – You can take group family shots around the altar or another scenic space in the ceremony venue. It’s best to prepare these locations before your wedding day.

group photo at Ekhidna Winery

During the reception – A popular choice for wedding couples is to take group photos with each table at the reception. You can set up family portrait sessions at your reception venue, too!

boys group shot

Besides the general photo-taking guidelines, rounding up family members for photos can be a challenge on top of an already hectic wedding day. Read on for a simple guide to to taking family photos as easy as possible.

 

  1. Set Your Priorities

If you grew up closely with certain cousins, a family member who helped raise you, or someone who has been very special to you all these years, prioritise their presence in your photos. This is your day, and you should be able to share all of your memories with the people closest to you.

For many families, it’s usually a given that parents, grandparents, and siblings are the main members included in family portrait sessions. To make things more efficient, you should make a list of group shots  in advance.

group photo at Alru Farm wedding

  1. Send a List to Your Photographer

Professional photographers work better with a specific shot list—this helps them prioritise and watch out for specific moments during your wedding day. Once you have a list of your family photo priorities, send them on to your photographer. This will make the photo session go much more smoothly.

 This is incredibly important – your wedding photographer works best when they have artistic freedom – however they do not know who are in your family and who belongs in a group shot. Out of all the opportunities for photos on a wedding day, your wedding photorgapher relies 100% on your direction with this. As a bonus, if your photographer knows which family members are extra special to you, they will keep an eye out for candid photo opportunities during the reception and beyond.

Guest group shot

  1. Put it on Your Schedule

For maximum efficiency and little hassle, it’s best to set a specific time for family portraits. Many couples decide to take family photos at the end of the ceremony, before everyone moves on to the reception venue. However, this is a very narrow window of time, especially if you want to change before the reception or if you have other special plans.

Another option is to get the portraits done before the ceremony starts. This will give you ample time to get all the shots you want without infringing on the ceremony and reception schedule. Just make sure that all family members are told so they can arrive on time!

St Francis Winery Wedding

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, and the feelings of love and belonging are not limited to your partner; these emotions include your family, too. Make sure to set aside time and locations for your wedding photographer to capture moments with your closest family members. These are lasting memories that will stay with you forever.

Hopefully this guide to taking family photos on your wedding day helps out slightly in your planning!

If you’re looking for wedding photography services Sven Studios is the best choice for you. We have a variety of customisable wedding photography packages that will deliver all the high-quality products you need. Contact our award-winning photographers about our services today! 

3 Reasons Not to Make a Wedding Photographer Shot List

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Don’t Make a Wedding Photographer Shot List

During the wedding planning, many couples do not know how to deal with wedding photographers. Having a professional cameraman running about taking photos on the most nerve wrecking day of your life is not something people do very often! This leads to a lot of Google searching and perhaps even asking family and friends who may know what to do in this unusual situation. While that is all well and good, advice can be a little behind the times.

One tip that is usually found handy is to provide a shot list for the wedding photographer. A wedding photographer shot list is exactly what it sounds like—a definitive list of shots the photographer must take before, during and after the wedding. However, that could put a lot of unnecessary pressure on the photographer, and on you. 

Wedding photography can vary on the day itself given a number of reasons, such as the high probability that you and your spouse will likely be pulled in multiple directions. 

Amongst the tall trees at Idyll & Co 2

With that said, a wedding photographer shot list may not be a good idea. Here are three reasons not to give your wedding photographer a shot list:

3 Reasons Not to Make a Wedding Photographer Shot List

  • It implies a lack of trust

If you’ve already booked a photographer, then you’ve already shown you trust them. After all, you had to go through a rather tedious process of research to find a photographer you get along with and will take incredible photos. Given all of that, you should not have any need to give this professional any specific directions. 

Embrace the idea that you may not get all the shots you want, but know that you will definitely get the shots you need. Discuss things thoroughly with your photographer and make sure that you both come to an agreement on how each other expects the day to run. Being a little picky on having a few ‘must have photos’ is fine, but micro-managing someone who knows what they are doing just puts a lot of stress on everybody.

Bride and groom holding one another in the undergrowth
  • Weddings vary

There are so many variables during the wedding day. The weather could change, there could be adjustments or changes at the venue, the lighting will shift and more. Even the hair and outfits of the couple can change, whether it’s a last-minute style change or something brought about by wind or the general rush of things. The nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic is an excellent example of how things can change quickly!

Even if you put together all the elements to shoot a copy of the ideal images you spotted on Pinterest, something will be different. If your photographer has a shot list, they may focus on getting the exact shots you’d like instead of managing to capture a lovely candid moment which they would know will work based on their own experience and ability with the camera.

Thorngrove Manor wedding couple
  • Precious time gets wasted

More often than not, wedding photographer shot lists include photos that have to be staged. Considering how weddings can essentially move from beginning to end in the blink of an eye, that’s tricky. Even if it’s just a matter of standing a certain way at a certain spot, setting up the shot can take time. This takes away not just from your photographer’s capability to follow the day’s actions as they happen in a timely manner, but also your time within the day itself that could be better spent on other aspects.

Lightning wedding photo

While a wedding photgorapher shot list may seem like a good idea in theory, in the long run, it actually is not. Your photographer most certainly knows what they’re doing. More than anything, make sure to have a good sit-down talk with your photographer so things can go as smoothly as possible.

This isn’t to say that you should not make a list of certain photos you’d like taken – like for example a list of family photos. But try not to drown your photographer with photos you’ve seen elseware and say you want them done the same way – just with your faces in them. 🙂

For reliable, top-notch wedding photography, contact Sven Studios today! Nothing brings us more satisfaction than capturing precious moments.

 

8 Picture Perfect Moments you need to shoot at a wedding

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  • 9 Picture Perfect Moments You Have to Get on Camera

    Bride and groom amongst gum trees

As a wedding photographer, one of the foremost requirements is to have “the eye” for taking good photos, find ing the picture perfect moments in a day that just need to be taken. There are some moments in wedding photography that you know from experience will make for the best images. I’ve put together a list in the past for some of the most important wedding photos you need to capture, but this list is a little more direct, and more of a list of what most people tend to expect in their wedding photography without any fuss. More focussing on the wedding ceremony itself.

Whether you’re in the wedding photography business or just an avid fan of tear-jerking moments, here are nine of the most picture perfect moments in weddings that you simply have to capture on camera.

Picture Perfect Moments leading up to the Ceremony

The Details

The bride and groom spent copious amounts of time in picking out the details of the wedding—so capturing them on camera is a good way to show appreciation. The flowers, the layout, and the program are merely some of the things you can zoom in on.

Engagement ring in bouquet
Bridal affects
Wedding dress hanging in window

The Venue

Taking a panoramic shot of the wedding venue is always one of the best shots. The venue is one of the things that couples take so much time in choosing and reserving—a nice photo of the place makes for a perfect photo.

Sedan Lutheran Church 2
Inglewood Inn Wedding backdrop
Burbrook forest wedding ceremony

The Guests

A few shots of the guests milling about, finding their seats, and chatting joyously to each other makes for powerful photographs. Candid photos like these aren’t just picturesque, but they add colour and excitement to the wedding portfolio.

Guests
Having a good time
Hugs from guests

The Groom

More often than not, the groom will arrive first on the scene ahead of the bride. Some photos of his arrival and preparation, as well as zooming into his face for emotion are good picture perfect moments in the album. Make sure to watch out for him walking down the aisle, most of Groom’s emotions about the ceremony start showing there. Be on standby to capture his face when he sees the bride—these emotion-filled moments are the perfect time for photography.

Groom’s first lok of bride
Groom waiting patiently
groom waiting patiently

The Bride

The bride will definitely be the star of the show, so documenting her from start to end is a must. As soon as the bridal car arrives, try to capture her inside up to the moment she steps out. Some close-up photos of her face before her entrance is definitely a necessity—and taking a picture of her entrance is an absolute must.

Bridal entrance
Bridal arrival
bridal arrival

Picture Perfect Moments During the Ceremony

The Traditions

As the ceremony begins, ensure to capture the various traditions involved. Whether it’s lighting the unity candle, stomping on glass or hand fasting—these small gestures define the couple and the lives they live, making for a picture perfect moment and representation of themselves. If they write their own vows, it’s also the perfect time to zoom in and capture their emotions on camera.

Asatru hand fasting
Bride holding a wedding sword
Vows

The Reactions

While the guests may not have that big of a role in the ceremony, their reactions to various things happening is a key to capturing the story of a ceremony. This is where your photographer’s eye comes in, watching out for any sudden streaks of emotion which would make for picture perfect moments. More often than not, this will elicit some laughter and joy—further driving this joyous occasion.

Parents singing
little one in the aisle
Singing

The Kiss

Undoubtedly, capturing the kiss is basic for wedding photographers. No wedding is complete without this shot—as well as the couple’s reaction right after.

First kiss
First kiss under the trees
First kiss

 

Conclusion

 

Weddings are the perfect avenue for capturing beautiful moments on camera. With a couple of shots, you can be a part of something much greater than yourself—even if just for a few moments.

 

Are you looking for a wedding photographer in Adelaide to capture your perfect moments? Get in touch with us today and schedule a meeting to discuss what services best fit you.