Posts Tagged ‘planning’

Engagement Photography sessions

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Engagement Photography in Suffolk and Essex.

Most of my wedding packages include an engagement shoot and I’m often asked why I offer them.

The majority of us aren’t models and can feel a bit uncomfortable in front of a camera. When couples like yourselves have a shoot with me before the wedding it gives them a chance to see what being photographed professionally is like.

It also means that come their wedding day they are totally at ease with having me around.

I like to work with emotions and those fleeting moments that create a wonderful wedding story. Having a couple at totally at ease with me means that those true emotions are able to shine through.

The shoot normally takes place somewhere local to you, Essex and Suffolk abound with great locations – so it’s always easy to find somewhere! It’s not a fussy studio session, but a more relaxed, informal shoot. It’s good to have the shoot quite soon after you book your photography with me. This means you’ll have plenty of time to choose your favourite images for things like save the date cards, invitations, signing books or anything else that will compliment your wedding.

Some couples just use their shoot as a chance to feel more at ease and relaxed with me prior to their wedding day – that’s fine too. There is never any obligation to make any purchases.

All my clients get a special extra service from me after the engagement shoot. Their very own private, invitation only online gallery. Here you can show photographs from your engagement shoot. Your guests will not only see all those beautiful pictures, but also have the chance to buy gift vouchers from me as a way of contributing to the cost of your wedding photography. This has been a very popular option recently, and so much nicer than getting another set of knives and forks!

What to wear?

The shoot is all about photographing you and your partner during this awesome time in your lives. You’re both madly in love and ready to start creating a great future together and it’s those emotions you want to shine through in your photographs.

It’s very important you wear clothes that make you feel great, but also are comfortable and match the place and your personalities. Try to match your look with each other. If you’re uncertain of what you think would be good to wear – stick with classic casual clothes. These always look good and won’t date in years to come.

Don’t worry too much about having your hair and make-up professionally done for your shoot – just be ‘you’. Of course if being ‘you’ means a trip to the salon – go for it! If you really think you would like a professional to do some make-up for you, let me know as I have a couple of great make-up experts I can call in for you. You could always use the make-up artist you’re going to use on your wedding day and ‘test drive’ your make-up.

What to do with your photographs?

As part of the complimentary engagement shoot included with most of my wedding photography packages, you’ll also be presented with a collection of screen resolution files which you can share with friends online. I’ve also got a range of other products you may be interested in:
Portfolio Box

Presentation box containing 15 mounted multiaperture prints.
£330

Framed prints and wall art.

Wouldn’t it be great to present the mothers with a wonderful framed print from your shoot as a thank you and not some flowers that will wilt in a weeks time?
Use your complimentary 10% discount on my range of beautiful framed prints or wall art.
From £120

Books and albums.

Exclusive to engagement shoot clients – I have a range of amazing albums and signing books which make a great reminder of the day and a way to show off all those wonderful photographs.
Again, use your complimentary 10% discount when ordering.
From £320

I hope this has not only answered some of your questions about your engagement shoot, but also got you even more excited about it than you were before!

Can’t wait to see you at the shoot!

While I’m based in Suffolk and photograph weddings all through out East Anglia and Essex, I’m always happy to travel to somewhere special!

Alex

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Cake knives at dawn – dealing with the ‘all about me’ wedding photographer

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

A little while ago, when I was feeling quite wordy and articulate I commented in a forum that wedding suppliers are like musicians in an orchestra.

Each one of us has a little role to play under the conductor – the bride and groom. When it all comes together it makes the most awesome symphony, but every so often one of the musicians decides to play their own tune. Result – a cacophony of noise.

It pains me to say this, but quite often it’s the photographer who is the errant solo artist in the orchestra of your wedding. That person who can’t work to schedule, who takes far too long trying to set up a photograph which will impress all his photography chums, who holds up the rest of your wedding. Sure everyone has a job to do, but why is it so often I hear complaints about other photographers who took three hours to photograph the bride and groom with scant regard for the other professionals working at the same wedding?

Right, lets not get super negative about things – I also don’t like to hear people bitch and moan about stuff – that’s what the newspapers are for..

Getting back to the symphony of your wedding. When everyone works together, they’ll create a beautiful expression of joy. I’m always taking the time to check the details with my couples before the wedding day. What time is the bride getting ready, when is the car leaving for the church, when would your caterer like to serve the meal. All these times are times I need to bear in mind when photographing at your wedding. Can you imagine if things on the day got held up because of me? OMG I think I’d die of embarrassment!

I’m not one of these overblown ‘all about me’ photographers who turns up at your wedding with a truck full of gear and lights – who then proceeds to spend an e.t.e.r.n.i.t.y posing and reposing couples while the caterer edges closer and closer with that cake knife as those delicate soufflé starters start to collapse in on themselves. ‘Oh but the light is lovely, it’s award winning’ comes the cry from the photographer as the couple collapse like their soufflé..

Observational, reportage, documentary, photojournalism – call it what you will – this is how I like to photograph a wedding. Just watching and photographing the real emotions of the couple and the guests. What’s better, a picture of a bored looking couple posing for their umpteenth photograph in front of a tree, or a photograph of a couple exchanging little loving glances with each other as they enjoy their glorious soufflé? I know which one I’d like to look at from my wedding. Sure, I do a few posed photographs of the bride and groom, after all Gran would love to have a simple photograph of you both to show off to her friends. I always keep it short and sweet and always, always make sure that I know what time the caterer would like to serve the meal.

So, how do you know if you’re going to end up with an ‘all about me’ photographer?

It’s a bit tricky really, but you really do need to ask about how they will work on the day. I tend to ask for between 20 and 30 minutes for formal portraits with the bride and groom, but some of the more, shall we say, equipmentally involved photographers can spend upto a few hours! Are they laid back and accommodating about any plans you have for the wedding day? Have a look through their wedding portfolio – is it full of stuff that looks like it’s out of a magazine, where every element is ‘just so’, or is it full of natural, un-posed, emotive photography?

Ultimately you want to fill your wedding orchestra with people who can create you perfect wedding together. Common sense should get you far – but asking a few questions can’t hurt…

If you like to find out more about my emotive style of photography for your wedding, I’d love to hear from you (click on the contact link below)

Thanks to Jacque at Anglian Events for suggesting this topic on my Facebook page

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