Tag: wedding photography

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3 ways to save on your wedding photography

Your wedding photographs are the memories of your wedding that will accompany you for a lifetime, and perhaps even outlive you. So, you don’t want to skimp and get it wrong. Professional wedding photographers are worth their weight in gold, but getting your wedding pictures done by them can actually take a chunk out of your wedding budget. The Knot’s real wedding survey suggests that the average couple spends $2556 on their wedding photography, which is quite a lot of money. Fortunately, there are some ways in which you can make your money go further and get the best possible results for what you can afford. Let us find out what they are.

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Research well and book early

First and foremost, don’t assume that you will get an unreasonably high discount, however early you look. So, start with someone who has rates that you can afford. Take the time to check out photographer portfolios and reviews, and find a photographer whose style you like. Although you may have a limited budget, you can still find the best photographer for that budget provided that you begin your search early and zero in on the right candidate.

Make use of discounts

You must have gone through the wedding photos of your friends. Is there any that you have loved in particular? If you haven’t really given much thought to this, think about it now. This way, you may find a good photographer who gives you a better deal because of the reference your friend provides. It is also likely that photographers offer referral discounts if you get someone else to sign up for their services as well. If you know of any other engaged friends, recommend your photographer to them. If they like him as much as you do, you may even and snag a discount when they sign up for his services.

Look for package deals and stick to the digital version till you can make your album

Many photographers offer package deals, and you can choose the one that fits your budget. Set some time aside to discuss your options, and find out if you can customize the available choices to fit your needs. Don’t worry too much about getting your wedding album ready right after the wedding. The important thing at this point is getting the pictures taken by a good photographer. Once you have the digital prints ready, start working on your wedding album only when you have the budget for it. Else, put it off till when you do. You do not have to worry, as you will always have the pictures to put into the album. Just don’t forget all about it. Make sure that you will get your album ready as soon as you have the necessary amount put aside for it. Share the digital prints with your friends and wedding guests soon after the wedding, so you do not have to postpone the excitement of sharing those memorable moments.

Find more valuable tips and advice to plan your dream wedding and stick to budget by visiting us at Best for Bride.

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Fun Wedding Photo Ideas

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The wedding photos do not have to be the same joyless shots of the bridal party arranged like a class picture. People are getting creative with the wedding photos. These fun wedding photo ideas can be used to create keepsakes that will be treasured forever.

One bride had a modest heart cutout of the back of each of her bridesmaids’ dresses. For one great photo, the bride and bridesmaids faced away from the camera with the bride in the center. Having their arms around each other or holding hands would be a sentimental touch.

The newlyweds can take have a photo taken of them holding their parents’ wedding photos. Couples can create a special moment to be part of the wedding photos by placing a word made with large white letters in the grass within the photo. “Love” or “forever” are some good options for the word.

Involve your guests. Have an outline of a heart drawn on the pavement and have guests stand on the outline with the bride and groom standing inside the heart. With everyone facing the photographer, the photo is an excellent way to remember all the friends and family that were at the wedding. Also, it helps the guests feel more involved rather than being sent off to the reception and wait for the photos to be finished.

Creative bride and groom photos can be wonderful keepsakes to be framed and cherished for years to come. One romantic pose is of the bride facing away from the camera with the groom’s arms around her waist. With his hands, he can make a heart shape by having the thumb and index finger of one hand touching the thumb and index finger of the other hand.

Due to the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the big day, many couples miss out on touching photo opportunities before the ceremony. Some people have found ways to keep the tradition and still have a wedding photograph of the couple before the wedding. A common strategy is to keep a door between the bride and groom. A partially open door serves as a partition between the couple. A sentimental twist to this wedding photo pose is for the couple to exchange love letters and read them while the photographer takes pictures of the bride and groom’s reactions to the letters.

Sparklers can be great props for a fun wedding photo. The couple could be inside a heart made from sparklers. Some couples get the bridal party and guests involved in holding sparklers for fun wedding photos. If planning to use sparklers, the couple should check to be sure the use of sparklers won’t break the rules of the venue. An alternative location could be used for some sparkler photos or other fun props can be planned if the sparkers aren’t acceptable for the chosen venue.

For more great tips about adding fun to your special day, browse the Best for Bride blog. From planning to the reception, the bride and groom can have an enjoyable experience.

 

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Wedding Photography : Which style is right for you?

Wedding photography is one factor which you can get right, or go terribly wrong with. The pictures taken on the day form a critical part of your wedding memories, and so it is important that they are captured in the way you wish to remember them.

Today, there are various styles of photography to choose from. You can choose to go with a particular style, or a blend of styles, depending on what appeals to you. So, let us first try to understand these styles.

Traditional/Documentary Style photography

This is the tried and tested style of wedding photography that we recognize in our mother’s or even grandmother’s wedding album. The photographer works on capturing the couple and the crowd in set poses which are known to have worked over the years. The group photos are quite similar, with the people in the photographs assigned specific poses and places. Every detail of the wedding is covered in order, from when the bride dresses for the wedding,to the arrival of the couple at the venue, the ceremony and beyond. It is quite formal in nature, and predictable too. Most of the pictures look perfectly timed, are well-lit and done in portrait style. The photographer can be creative with the location and angles from where he shoots, but the options are limited. If you aren’t too adventurous and want a minimum guarantee on what you will receive, this is the style to opt for.

Photojournalism

In this modern style, the photographer works in the background, does his work unobtrusively, and captures the moments as and when they occur. The pictures reveal a story, like you would see in a documentary or magazine. There is less posing, arranging, lighting or timing, and your pictures will look natural and candid. If the photographer is talented, he will be able to capture the actual fun, excitement and emotions at the wedding by getting the best shots at the right time. There is a risk you run with this style if your photographer doesn’t have the necessary expertise. You may end up with an album full of random pictures that do not gel together.

Fine art photography

This is perhaps the most dramatic style, where the photographer experiments with styles, lighting and posing to transform your pictures into pieces of art. One thing is certain, your wedding pictures will be unique. The personal style of the photographer seeps into every picture, the beauty of the background is wrapped into the frame and artistic composition is the ultimate aim. Like in photojournalism, the pictures convey a story, but the methods, medium and effects are entirely different.

A harmonious blend of Traditional and modern

The go-to choice for most couples today, this is a blend of portrait photography with photojournalism. Here, you get the best of both worlds. The photographer not only captures all the classic portraits, but also pays attention to the details of the day in his pictures. You may however, find that your album is pretty similar to the others in his portfolio. If predictability is what you prefer, this is the choice you need.

Hopefully, you now have a clear idea of what style suits your personality. For more wedding advice and tips on planning for your big day, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Engagement Photo Tips

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Your engagement photo does not have  to be like those drab, sterile photos of the engagement announcements in the local newspaper. Many couples go to a professional photographers studio and get photos taken that are reminiscent of school pictures. Instead of choosing a color background and grinning, get engagement photos that reflect your personality as a couple. Here are some engagement photo tips to stoke the creative embers.

Many couples opt to hire a professional photographer for the engagement photos. Some couples who do their own engagement photos outdoors with the help of a photo-savvy friend end up with some great outdoor photos. When deciding whether or not to hire a photographer, consider your budget and if this is the best choice for getting the photographs that you want.

Natural daylight is beautiful light for an engagement photo. However, bright sun can be harsh and result in shadows and squinting in photos. Consider when the best light would be for the photo. Do you want the soft light of right before sunset? Are you having the photos taken in a wooded area and need more light? If you are using a professional photographer, the photographer should have some suggestions for capturing the perfect daylight shot.

Dress to suit the setting. If you choose to have your engagement photos in a field, formal wear isn’t going to look right. It looks out of place and staged. Choose clothing that looks natural, like something you would actually wear in that setting. The engagement photo is about you as a couple, not about your ability to dress to impress others. Some brides-to-be wear a white dress for the engagement photo that is suitable for the setting yet hints at what is to come.

A common problem that couples have for the engagement photo is tension and stress. When you focus on trying to create the perfect photo, it brings heavy expectations. Instead, get close and enjoy the moment. Remember what the photo is about. It’s not about every hair being in place and perfect smiles. It’s about the love you share.

Tell your love story. The engagement photo does not have to reflect how you met or where you got engaged or your favorite activity to share, but some of the most endearing engagement photos do just that. If you share a hobby, consider showcasing that activity in the photo. Share where you met or some place that is special for you as a couple.

Home is where the heart is, right? You’re comfortable at home and relaxed. If you tense up just thinking about a photographer taking your photo, you might want to opt for home. Why not have an engagement photo in the kitchen if you enjoy cooking together? In front of the fireplace is a classic choice. While you may feel comfortable in your bedroom, it can come across as creepy for an engagement photo.

For more tips about making the most out of your engagement and planning the big day, visit Best for Bride. Our blog has some fantastic tips for making your wedding the best day of your life.