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What is a First Look?

August 22, 2019

Many people who’ve heard the term first look are not sure what it means. So, what is a First Look? A first look refers to a “non-traditional” wedding day event where couples see each other before the wedding ceremony. Some people believe that it’s bad luck for the wedding couple to see each other before the traditional walk down the aisle. Here are some thoughts regarding First Looks.

What is a First Look?

In this article, we’ll consider some of the thoughts on First Looks and why you should consider it before your wedding day. We’re going to consider some of the benefits of a First look ranging from the wedding couple having more time with guests to enjoy private moments together. What is a First Look?

Nerves and Anxiety

Many couples state that as much as they want to uphold the tradition, they were actually more concerned about not falling on the way to the altar after tripping on their dress or remembering the lines they’ve rehearsed several times over than seeing each other at the end of the aisle. After the First Look, most couples are relaxed and ready to get on with the rest of the party.

More Time with Guests

A first look enables the couple to spend more time with guests and not off taking pictures during cocktail hour, for example. A first look also offers the couple an opportunity to enjoy a nice moment with each other and collect themselves before the ceremony.

Thanks to a First Look, you don’t have to sacrifice the photos you want while also maintaining a balance of seeing and spending time with family and friends who traveled to see you. Most portraits, for example, can be done during the First Look to avoid running out of time later.

Private Moments

It’s no secret that couples rarely get much of alone time during their wedding day, and that’s where the First Look comes in. Moreover, not everyone wants to experience this special moment in the presence of hundreds of people. A First Look is the ideal opportunity to spend a few special minutes together to love each other, complement each other and shed some tears of joy. The big reveal during a First Look can be more magical when you feel you’re not on stage where everyone is viewing you.

Makeup Touch-Ups

After spending lots of cash on a great hair and makeup artist, the last thing you want is mascara streaking down your face. A First Look allows for a majority of the formal photos to be taken when your makeup and hair looks fresh.

Bottom Line

So, what is a First Look? The short answer is that it’s a day before the wedding day when couples see each other and you can even capture the moment with some memorable photos. It can benefit your plans for the day in several ways but it all boils down to preference. There are no rules set in stone so do what feels right for you.

How to Get the Best Wedding Photos

August 6, 2019

Planning a wedding is no easy task, and getting the best photographs is often a top priority for most couples. Your wedding photos are what will remind you of your big day for the rest of your life. Getting the best wedding photos is, therefore, crucial. Hiring the wrong photographer may eventually end up in disappointment. Here are a few tips on how to get the best wedding photos.

How to Get the Best Wedding Photos

When it comes to wedding photos, you’ll also want to plan for engagement photos too. That way you can send out photos with your wedding invites. Below are some tips to help you nail your wedding day photos.

Select a Professional Photographer

You want to start by hiring a professional wedding photographer with the skill and experience to do a good job. Just because someone owns a camera doesn’t mean they have the skills necessary to shoot a wedding. Do your due diligence to ensure you’re hiring the right professional photographer. Check out their portfolio and go ahead to look at reviews, ask questions and check their references.

Consider Doing a First Look

How to Get the Best Wedding Photos — Photo by Awesomesauce Photography

If you’d like to get right to the dance and don’t want to miss the cocktail hour, then consider doing a First Look. In addition to being an intimate moment when you get to see each other before exchanging your vows, it allows you to have plenty of the formal photos taken before the ceremony as well. This ensures your hair and make up look fresh for photos and also gives the photographer ample time to shoot those formal shots.

Have a Timeline

A wedding coordinator can coordinate between you and the photographer to help come up with a wedding timeline. If you don’t have a coordinator, some venues will offer some expert to help you determine how much time you’ll need to accomplish the list of photos that are most important to you.

Make a Shot List

Working without a shot list can be stressful. Make a list of groupings with people’s names and you can cut down on time to gather people. You want to keep the list reasonable based on what you plan to do with the photos afterwards. Perhaps a small grouping of close relatives or a large group photo is all you desire to limit the time for formal photos.

Body Language

You can always employ several tricks to showcase your best side. By turning your torso 45 degrees towards the photographer, you can get a flattering angle of your stomach. If you’re self-conscious about a double chin, touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth while holding your head up and pull your chin slightly forward.

Trust Your Photographer’s Instincts

Your photographer will use the shot list to organize different groups and determine how much time should be allotted. Rather than giving the photographer too many Pinterest boards, trust their vision to capture what they feel looks best.

Bottom Line

That’s how to get the best wedding photos. Just remember to relax and enjoy your day, as you did in your engagements. If you’re feeling stressed out, it’s likely to show. Try not to worry too much about minor details such as bad weather at the photo location.

Engagement Photography Tips for the New Photographer – Capture the Best Photos

June 20, 2019

If you are a new photographer and want to shoot some amazing engagement photos, then you are at the right place. An engagement photo session can be quite tricky at times. You have to think about some amazing and innovative poses, the location of the shoot, what the future bride and groom should wear, etc. As a newbie in the industry, it may be difficult to get a grasp on things immediately. There are many things that you have to consider and look for to ensure that you are clicking some of the best photos. Here are some of the engagement photography tips for the new photographer.

Engagement Photography Tips for the New P

hotographer

Some engagement photography tips for the new photographer include being aware of the backlight, avoid dappled light, choose different angles and more.

#1: Backlight Can Play a Powerful Role

You have to know and understand that the back light can be quite crucial for engagement photography. For this, you have to turn off the flash on your camera. You can also use the sun to create a beautiful silhouette to enhance the look.

#2: Avoid the Dappled Light

It is impossible to host the photo session at the perfect time of the day. If you think that the sun is very bright, then it is better to find shade for more balanced light. As a beginner, you have to be careful and avoid any type of dappled light.

#3: Climb High

Photos that are taken from a slightly different angle than that of the normal one that you choose for most of the time can make a great picture. You can stand on the walls or you can even bring a stepladder where you can climb to take some photos from that angle. This is also perfect for couples with noticeable height differences.

#4: Make the Best Use of Golden Hour

When the sun is about to set, the golden hour starts. Ask any photographer and they will claim it to be the best time for any photo session. The natural golden light can create a soothing and subtle golden effect, enriching the quality and texture of the photo. You need to make sure that you have at least a few perfect shots in this time.

#5: Use the Most of Inclement Weather

Sunset photos are too common. If you want to make something unique yet beautiful, then use the rain as the perfect photo session element. Do not let the rain cancel the plan. Instead ask your clients to make the most of it. You can use waterproof gear for your camera and light to ensure that they are completely safe from that of the weather.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the efficient, amazing and best engagement photography tips for the new photographer or beginner. If you are a budding photographer and want to cover an engagement photo session, then these tips will definitely help you. By taking the best photos, these couples can remember these photos for a lifetime and be recurring surprise gifts from time to time.

Tips for Shooting Engagement Photos

May 28, 2019

Engagement photo sessions are special because they allow you to connect with clients before their big day. Even more so, there’s often much less haste and pressure during the engagement shoot than there’d be during the wedding day. As such, you should grab the opportunity to impress your clients with your photography. Here are a few tips for shooting engagement photos.

Tips for Shooting Engagement Photos

When it comes to engagement sessions, it’s important to help your clients feel comfortable in front of a camera before their upcoming wedding. There are ways to adjust their poses without making them feel uncomfortable. Here are some tips to help your clients look and feel their best:

Turn the Shoulders

The shoulders are typically the widest part of a person’s body so they often set the tone for the photo. Photos, where your subjects have their shoulders turned slightly, are often more flattering. To achieve this, either have your subjects lean a bit forward to reduce the width of the body or perhaps ask them to turn slightly.

Not Everyone is Comfortable with PDA

Tips for Shooting Engagement Photos — Awesomesauce Photography

Engagement photography is about capturing the love between two people. While it’s important and necessary to ask the couple to kiss, hug, be playful, silly and hold hands, not everyone is comfortable with public displays of affection. If that’s the case, be creative and find alternative ways to make the photos more intimate. Romance doesn’t have to be captured during an intimate gaze or a kiss. For instance, you can make a couple feel connected by taking photos of them doing something they both enjoy, such as playing board games or horseback riding.

Do Change Your Perspective

While there are a couple of obvious poses, there’s no harm in changing your perspective to create a more flattering composition. Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try new shooting angles. Embrace your creative side and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to come up with unique photos. Keep things fresh and allow the clients’ personalities to inspire the vibe of the shoot.

Don’t Criticize What Isn’t Working

People are unique and not every pose will work well for every couple. If a position makes a couple seem awkward or perhaps is not flattering, it’s important not to be critical of the client. Feel free to give direction or jump in and show the couple how to pose, but don’t force it to happen. If you’ve rearranged a pose and it still looks uncomfortable to them, snap the photo and move on. You don’t want to make the client feel inadequate and ruin the remainder of the session.

Bottom Line

Follow these tips for shooting engagement photos and you should have a successful shoot. Seek inspiration everywhere you can find it and adopt a custom approach for every project. It also helps to have a great time. Be positive, show interest in the couple and their story and they’ll be more comfortable around you.

Wedding Photo Tips For Beginners – What to Prepare for

April 18, 2019

Are you in need of some wedding photo tips for beginners? For the newlyweds, it is vital to have photos made of their best day. Taking pictures and having them as souvenirs to remind them of that special day is always important. Every special occasion should have memories since they only happen once in life. Wedding photos mean more than a thousand words and it is important to get every moment captured. If you are new to photographing weddings, here are some tips to help you out.

Wedding Photo Tips For Beginners

Use a Contract

A contract is a binding agreement between two parties, so it’s important to have a signed contract for any upcoming event you’re photographing. A contract simply places matters at a more professional level where the parties can be held liable whenever there’s a breach of contract. For new photographers, whether its a friend or stranger, use a contract to avoid misunderstandings later. People may be arrogant and still hold a notion that photography is just but a hobby and they might end by taking advantage of you, but the contract will help prevent this. Let your client see the level of professionalism you display and they will handle you with the respect you deserve.

Dress Appropriately

Once you get the opportunity to be a photographer at any wedding, blend in with the crowd. Don’t create extra attention on yourself because of its not your day. Dress like a guest and fit in the day’s occasion and work without disrupting the wedding. Wear shoes with a flat sole because you will spend much of your day moving up and down. Having shoes also that produce sound when walking is highly discouraged since you will be disrupting the wedding due to the nature of your work. If possible, try and fit in the theme of the wedding and dress professionally.

Take Backup Gear and Extra Batteries

Most wedding takes up a lot of time, so make sure you’re fully prepared. Because you might be new, you should always have options in case something goes wrong as you’re photographing. During the peak of the occasion, you don’t want to have your camera battery die and not have any extras. For a wedding you need to be well prepared in order to capture everything throughout the day. Come prepared with extra camera bodies, lenses, memory cards, and batteries to ensure that you don’t disappoint.

In Conclusion

With the right mindset and equipment, these wedding photo tips for beginners should help you feel fully prepared. Remember to always capture the best moments and the right time to win the hearts of your clients. You are marketing yourself too, potential clients are the invited guests, work smart and you will receive additional work.