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Photographing the Bride, Groom and Wedding Gown before the Wedding Ceremony

(Above photographs courtesy of Phil Farber)

As you can see from the stunning photographs from Chicago photographers Jai Girard and Phil Farber shown in today’s post (and two of our Chicago StrictlyWeddings.com partners), it is no longer unusual for the Bride and Groom to see each other before the wedding. How else could these photographers capture such a moment?

There’s no right or wrong as to whether you choose to let the groom see you and your wedding gown before you walk down the aisle, yet we think it’s a fabulous idea. You’ll see that these couples stepped out of the “traditional” box and let their photographers’ creativity shine. The end result? Impressive and oh so memorable photos that will last a lifetime (think about the story you get to tell your kids – a special place, a loving kiss, a joyful laugh).

(Above photographs courtesy of Jai Girard)

Whether you take photographs before the wedding or not keep the following ideas in mind:

WHAT IS ROMANCE? Let your photographer understand what is romance for you two. Is it that one moment when the bride and groom see one other for the first time? Is it a special place? A time of day? Let your love for one another take center stage. No matter what the setting, this will definitely come across in the photographs.

PHOTOGRAPH THE MOMENT. Photographing the moment can entail very different approaches. Trust your photographer to know the moment.

AT THE CEREMONY BUT NOT DURING. For couples who would like their photographs before the ceremony but want the aura and mystique of the wedding setting, they can combine the two. Allow close family members to sit in the pews while you stand in the aisle. It can be a very intimate and special experience for you both, as well as for your loved ones.

DO IT YOUR WAY. Whichever route you take, make sure it is determined solely by your vision of your wedding. Scheduling photographs should never be determined by the photographer for the sake of convenience. Some may suggest to you that you should meet before the ceremony “while the makeup is still fresh” in order to get good pictures. Meeting for that reason alone would be a mistake. Be true to your heart. You can depend on your wedding photographer to get memorable shots no matter when you see each other or where the setting.

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.

Bridal Photos with a Little Edge

Bringing together the elegance of a bride and the edginess of The PM Nightlounge of the Joule Hotel in Dallas, Texas makes one amazing bridal shoot. Danielle, a beautiful bride to be worked the camera of the beautiful nightlounge, the penthouse and the beautiful outdoor terrace of the Joule Hotel. With the hotels chic décor and rich tones, brides are provided a beautiful backdrop for some amazing bridal portraits.

Photographer: Gary Donihoo of f8 Studio
Floral Design & Creative Director: Jordan Payne of Jordan Payne Events

Engagement Pictures – Tips from a photographer

As a follow-up to our recent post on “New Trends in Wedding Photography,” Dallas Wedding Photographer, Celina Gomez of Captivating Simplicity Photography offers this advice on Engagement pictures.

What location is best for engagement pictures?
First you have to decide if there is specific “look” you want your engagement pictures to have. Are you a nature person or do you prefer architecture and city streets? Where did you first meet? Your first date? Your first kiss? Where did your fiancé propose? Think of a location that is special to you as a couple. Think of hobbies that you and your fiancé enjoy doing together.  Places that are significant to you as a couple will be the best place for your engagement photos.

What to wear?
I suggest bringing two outfits, a dressy outfit and a more relaxed outfit that reflect your own personal style. Wear something that you would normally wear so that you don’t feel uncomfortable or out of place. Colorful clothes always look best in photos, and it’s not necessary for the couple to “match” as long as the color schemes don’t clash. Avoid wearing all white or all black. Where we take your photos may require walking so bring a pair of comfortable shoes to wear.

Posing
Your photographer should guide you into certain poses, but mostly this should reflect you as a couple. If the photographer asks you to cuddle up next to your honey there is no “right” or “wrong” way to do this so cuddle up next to him/her just like you would if you were in the comfort of your own home. Try to slip into your own world and act as if you and your fiancé were just enjoying an afternoon by yourselves. Talk, walk, laugh, snuggle, lay down in the grass, whatever you feel like doing with your significant other all while your photographer snaps away and records the interaction between you and your fiancé. This makes for photographs that look more natural and reflect the personalities of each couple in a unique way. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to show how much you love each other.

Note: It’s best to book your photographer 8-12 months in advance to make sure that you get the photographer that you want for your special day.

Meet Bianca and Adam. They have been dating a little over 2 years. They spotted each other at a local Sushi Restaurant and began dating shortly after they met, and the rest as they say is history.  Their photo session was shot at the Shops Legacy where the couple resides.  Bianca and Adam are so in love and they weren’t afraid to show it. They slipped into their own world and just had fun with it, and because they were so comfortable we got amazing results.

Celina Gomez
www.simplicityblog.net

New Trends in Wedding Photography

The stiff group portraits that were the standard in wedding photography for generations have become the exception rather than the norm. Here’s a little inspiration for your wedding photographs.

Wedding photography taken in unusual places is one of the hottest rising trends in weddings. Many of these pictures are taken as engagement photos before the wedding, but they are nothing like the posed studio shots of old. Urban backgrounds are particularly popular, ranging from black and white photos set against a towering city skyline to gritty scenes in front of graffitied brick walls. For couples who do not live in a city, popular backgrounds include seasides, natural locations, and even places like carnivals and zoos. These settings are also gaining popularity for day-of-wedding photography; the contrast between the wild setting and the bride in her exquisite bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry makes for an interesting juxtaposition which gives the pictures an edgy quality.

Another trend in wedding photography is to make pictures a part of the event itself, rather than just something to look over weeks later. The rise in digital photography has made this possible. For instance, you might have the photographer use the photos he took during the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour to project as a slideshow onto a wall during the reception. Digital photo booths are finding popularity instead of traditional wedding favors. The guests can go into the booth and have their pictures taken as an instant keepsake of the day. Some of the photo booths will even have a monitor on the outside which will show all of the pictures taken during the reception as a slideshow for everyone to enjoy. An added bonus is that the newlyweds can get a copy of all of their guests’s pictures burned on a disc for them to have as a souvenir.

Pictured here: Gina Cristine Photography out of Chicago shared these photos of friends of hers. Carolyn and Pat knew each other in high school and re-met at the Chicago South Side Irish Parade. Their first date was bike riding at the spot were these engagement photos were taken. Pat asked Carolyn to marry him in front of Chicago’s Buckingham fountain and they celebrate with drinks and chocolate covered strawberries at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.

Photoshoot Secrets Revealed: Achieving Perfect Wedding Photography

For many couples, their wedding day is the happiest day of their lives. Full of magic, beauty, happiness, and romance, there are so many aspects that beg to be remembered. Because of this, many couples in Dallas, Texas look for a wedding photographer to help them capture every special moment.

Wedding photography in Dallas, Texas presents its own unique challenges. Whether you are getting married in a church or outdoors, in the winter or in the summer, it is helpful to have a wedding photographer from the Dallas, Texas area. This will ensure your photographer will be familiar with the distinctive possibilities for your Dallas, Texas wedding.

Style is more important than business

Choosing a wedding photographer in Dallas, Texas is not as simple as pulling out your wallet, however. For many couples, indeed it is the style that they see first, especially when it comes to wedding photography. And depending on the feel of the wedding or the tastes of the couple, one photographer may be better suited in style than other.

When choosing a wedding photographer in Dallas, Texas, you want to focus on the style of the photographer first. While the details of contracts and pricing are also a consideration, you should make sure that you have found the ideal wedding photographer for your style. It is more important that you love the pictures you ultimately decide to purchase.

Keep your photographer’s needs in mind

For many photographers, wedding photography in Dallas, Texas can be an all day affair, and the bride and groom should keep this in mind. Not only should you arrange everything well in advance, but you should also consider the needs of the wedding photographer and/or assistants throughout the day. If you want the photographer available for every single moment of the day, for example, you will want to arrange for them to eat as well – ensuring they do not have to go off site to eat and miss photo opportunities of precious moments.

Allow your photographer creative license

Couples should also be aware that wedding photography in Dallas, Texas does not need to be directed. If you have done your homework and hired a professional wedding photographer, he or she will already know what and how to photograph the different aspects of your wedding. Allow your wedding photographer to approach the wedding with their creative eye, and if you have any “must have” shots that you want, let them know ahead of time so that they can watch out for those moments.

Coordinate the photographer with other vendors

If you want wedding photography in Dallas, Texas that is natural, there is nothing more frustrating for the photographer to have everyone pose the moment that they come into the room. It can also be frustrating if you have a videographer and photographer that have totally opposing styles. You can help ensure that everything goes smoothly by coordinating the different vendors together so that they have a common understanding of what everyone is trying to accomplish.

Live in the moment

The most important thing about wedding photography in Dallas, Texas is to live in the moment.  If you spend too much time worrying about whether your hair is just right, the ring bearer’s tie is on straight, and every single shot is magazine-cover worthy, then you will miss a lot of the magic of the moment.  Trust your photographer to find those “picture perfect” moments.  Lastly, keep in mind that it is impossible to plan for every photo opportunity.  You may think a picture of the bride and the flower girl sounds too cute for words before the big day, only to have the flower girl burst into tears moment before the photos because she is not allowed a second slice of cake.  The more you are able to live in the moment, the more natural, and beautiful, your wedding photos will be.