"I don't want anyone seeing me without my make-up on!" Photographing the bridal preparations.

 

"I don't want anyone seeing me without my make-up on!". 

This is the comment I most often hear from brides when they think about whether they want the bridal preparations photographed. I always offer the option of having the bridal preparations photographed on the morning of the wedding itself. And in our special deal it doesn't come at any extra cost. 

Quite often brides say they don't want this, but then most of the time this has changed by the time the wedding arrives. So what does this photography involve and why does it change?

A time for photographing the details.

Firstly it is a time for photographing those so important details involved with getting married when they are still looking their best. This is a very important part of recording the story of the day for the bride and groom in the years to come. These, more often than not, are included in the selection of photos people make for their wedding album. 

Whether it is a picture of the shoes so carefully chosen, the wedding rings, the flowers, the dress hanging up or even the garter. It may even be some other detail that is special to your wedding.

Photographing the bridal preparations

Let us return to that first comment at the top of this post. It is possible to simply mock up a picture at the end of the make up session showing the bride touching up her make up. Other brides, however, want a photographs  before the make up is put on and the hair is ready. Both the pictures below (along with all the other pictures in this post) were taken at the preparations for Sarah's wedding earlier this summer. Neither picture was "mocked up" when the bride was ready.

 It is also a time, when time allows, for getting those early portaits of the bride, bridesmaids and the brides parents. But as importantly it is a time for photographing the events and atmosphere of the preparations. The final picture below is one of the candid pictures taking during the preparations at Sarah's wedding. Here one of the bridesmaids is having her hair done while the bride's sister stands by watching, a lovely moment.

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(Thank you to Sarah for allowing us to use her photographs)

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Wedding Preparation - Visiting the Venue with the Couple

Why visit the venue with the Couple?

There are lots of reason's that I like to visit the venue of a wedding before the day itself. Where possible I like to do this with the couple getting married.

Whether the couple are there, or not, I like to see what it looks like and to search out good photographic locations. It is also important to find places to photograph when it is wet. It is also helpful to see where the sun is and where the light comes from. All this helps me plan the technical side of the photography for the day.

What it doesn't do, however, is the equally important part of the preparation that is to easy to miss. To shoot a venue I need to understand why a couple chose the venue and what it means to them. And the only people that can tell me this are the couple themselves.

Earlier this year visit to Taunton and bridge. Registry office had scaffolding on the front and wasn't the best location for the bride and groom shots. We needed to find a better place nearby where the group shots could be taken and also for the bride and groom photos. The bride and groom photographs on the day needed to be taken quickly before the couple moved on to the reception some miles away.

The two following pictures show photographs taken at the spot we found in central Taunton. The bride and groom didn't move between the two photographs except to turn round.

Last month for a wedding in Wells the couple and I searched for a spot that they liked by the town hall which was easy to reach and fitted into the schedule and flow of their day. Not a problem in a beautiful City like Wells.

On other occasions, however, it is not so easy. Whilst there had also been lovely places by the church that we had used we had been very short of time as there was a wedding there soon after.

The picture on the left was taken of the bride and groom in a spot surrounded by large buildings that are not very 'picturesque'.

A small little corner that was ideal that we found out on our visit to the venue proved the ideal placce for this lovely bride and groom photograph.

Yesterday I visited Dillington House with a couple. Walking around the venue and sharing ideas and locations for the pictures I could get a very good idea of the couples dreams for their perfect day. For this couple the location is very important to them and as well as the close up and intimate photographs they want sweeping pictures showing the house and gardens and the celebrations taking place their. It was only by visiting with them that I could find this out

So why visit the venue with the couple?

Visiting the venue with the bride and groom helps me understand the story of the day and makes the photography personal and special to the clients. Each wedding is different and needs to be photographed differently and the visit to the venue with the couple is an important part of the preparation so that realistic plans can be made.

Oh yes, as importantly, it helps the couple to be more relaxed about the photography on the day. A major plus point.

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I Don't Want a Pre-Wedding Shoot!

With each wedding we photograph we offer the option of a pre-wedding photo-shoot, but not everyone wants one. So what is it and  how much does it cost?

What is it?

A pre-wedding shoot is just that a photo-shoot before the wedding. We would normally go to a location of your choice and take some lovely pictures of you as a couple. Many couples have never had professional photographs done of them together and this will be the first time that some people have ever had any professional photographs done.

What's more its fun, yes that's right, it's fun. Everyone always says this after their shoot even if they are very hesitant before it happens. Why is it such fun. In the midst of busy wedding planning it is great to take time out as a couple and do something together where you have time for each other in a lovely location.

How much does it cost?

Getting married is not cheap. Everyone has their own budget, and it is usually tight so this is a fair question. If you have booked your wedding photography with us then the shoot is included in the cost of the wedding. In other words you pay no session fees for a pre-wedding shoot. We can provide digital images and prints at a reasonable cost but you do not have to buy anything, more about this later.

But I don't like my photograph being taken!

Many of us don't like to see pictures of ourselves. That is just the way it is! Or is it? If this is you then this
photo-shoot is very useful and helpful. Not every session is about getting lovely photographs. It can simply be about getting more comfortable in front of the camera.

It is a time in which I can see how you look your best in front of the camera and the sort of photographs you like. There are many techniques photographers use to make you look thinner, hide features you don't like and help you relax in front of the camera. You can use this shoot as a time to prepare for being photographed so that you look your best on your special day. It can simply be a rehearsal for the wedding photography and you don't have to buy any of the photographs.

 Suggestions for the shoot.

To get the best out of such a shoot we would plan it carefully together but here are some suggestions.

• Set aside plenty of time not just for the shoot, but to do something nice together as a couple on the day. Make it a special time for the two of you.
• Choose a lovely place to take the photos, perhaps a place that is special to you both.
• Get babysitters if needed. 
• Carefully choose the clothes that you will wear, you don't want to clash!
• Enjoy

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