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Jai Girard – Wedding Photographer Bends Creative Curve

Jai Girard has for years been described as the most innovative and talented wedding photographer in Chicago. Booked as much as two years in advance, she shows an unrelenting desire to bend the creative curve so that every picture becomes not just a chronicle of an event but the capture of a memory that will last a lifetime. She dedicates herself to finding the unique excitement between a bride and groom, has been a pioneer in urban realism, and is known for her unique understanding of the understated simplicity of a wedding’s emotion.

StrictlyWeddings.com is thrilled to add Jai as one of our Chicago partners. Visit her page on StrictlyWeddings.com or her web site.

Strike a Pose! Wedding Photos – More Dramatic, Edgier

There are some tricks that you can adopt to look better in your wedding pictures irregardless of whether it’s a professional photographer who poses you or your uncle or auntie whose instructions is limited to “say cheese!” By knowing some tips and secrets, and spending time in front of the mirror practicing before the big day, you can help look your best for your wedding pictures.

• Point Your Toes
  • You may think a pointed toe doesn’t matter because most wedding gowns cover your feet but it does make a difference.
  • Avoid planting both your feet together while flat on the ground. Move a foot to point your toes by doing this; you are shifting your weight to your back foot, which will cause your hip to shift. This hip-shift makes you look curvier.
• Turn Your Shoulder at 45-degree Angle to the Camera
  • If you turn your body slightly to the right or left, you will appear slimmer in the photo. Generally speaking, your entire body should never be square with the camera but slightly side-on, usually 45-degree or more.
• Relax Your Shoulders
  • People tend to tighten and raise their shoulders when they are nervous and this causes a couple of problems. It makes your shoulders appear narrower, your neck shorter, and worse, it creates a look of tenseness. (Not a happy bride pose!).
  • To be able to do this pose, you have to concentrate on relaxing your shoulders let them fall naturally.

• Keep your Elbows Away from Your Body
  • Unless you are super-slim, pose with your elbows slightly away from your sides. If you pose with your elbows touching the sides of your body, your body will look as wide as the elbow-to-elbow dimension, not to mention that if you have upper arms that are not toned, it will get squished and look even bigger.
  • Just move your elbows slightly away from your sides, creating just a small separation between your body and your arm, people will notice the cut-in of your waistline in your photos and this makes your torso appears slimmer.
  • Learn this pose with care. When you are moving your elbows outward, make sure that you do not lift your shoulders (which we already know, is not a good thing). Also you only want to move your elbows slightly away from your sides – too far out and you’ll look like you’re doing the funky chicken!

• Make Your Eyes Appear Larger
  • Usually, it is not flattering to tilt your head back because your chin becomes more prominent than your eyes. Lower your chin by a fraction of an inch.  This will bring your eyes closer to the camera than your chin and mouth and makes your eyes appear larger. Just a tiny lower – too much lowering and you might cause a double chin. Practice in front of the mirror.
• Relax Your Forehead
  • When trying to accentuate their eyes, brides will open their eyes wide. In the process of doing this, they raise their eyebrows which creates a “surprised look” and a wrinkled forehead.
  • Keep your eyes and forehead relaxed in order to look more natural. Practice your facial poses in front of the mirror till you are familiar with the movements.

Photos courtesy of Jordan Payne Events and Table 4 Weddings.

Chicago wedding photography at it's best

No standard poses here. These acclaimed Chicago wedding photographers capture the beauty, emotion, and spirit of your wedding with a craftsmanship approaching fine art. In addition to the bridal portrait, ceremony, and reception photographs, you may wish to add a prenuptial portrait of you and your betrothed.  The black and white photo featured above is from Rick Aguilar Studios.

With premium photographers booking months in advance, it is best to make your choice soon after the wedding date is set. The professional you commission should be compatible in personality as well as style. Remember to provide a list of required shots, to ensure that the memories you cherish in your heart will also be preserved in print. Ensure the setting is perfect for your photos with the best wedding photographers in Chicago featured at Strictly Weddings Chicago.

The photo above is from Artisan Events.

This next photo is from Peter Thurin who goes on to mention:

“What better to photograph than those extraordinary moments on a day so emotional and spirited. This is the day so many people bookmark in their dreams. It is a milestone that brings family together. It truly is magical. Yet, the real magic in weddings is the emotional, heartfelt expressions from one person to another. It’s the hug in the back of the church, the kiss on the cheek, the tears of a mother (or father) as her daughter is being given away. These are the moments I love to capture with my photography.”