FORGED IN LOVE
HINTS & TIPS
First of, Thank you so much for choosing me to be your photographer. I’m super excited and I absolutely love what I do so much so it’s almost unfair to call it a job. And if we are at it this stage, then its fair to say you love what do too :)
I’m going to capture memories that allow you to relive awesome moment, enjoy the day over and over again.
Planning a wedding is not easy, and you are probably going to not only have a lot of things to decide and arrange, but also potentially various people to keep happy along the way!
Well, the good news is that I’ve been to the odd wedding or two in the last few years, so I’ve put together this guide to not only to make sure you’ve got all the information and advice you need regarding the photography (before during and after), but also to give you some general advice on planning, things to consider and recommend some suppliers etc
ANDY X
TOP TIP
There is no one way to do a wedding!!! What you have to do is plan the wedding that’s best for you. Not for your parents, neighbours, friends or social media. If you think a tradition is a bit odd then don’t do it. Theres no urban law saying you have to have a first dance or cut the cake!! Want to do something completely unconventional then fill your socks. You’ll only get one shot at this don’t leave anything on the table !!!
BEFORE YOUR
WEDDING DAY
Around a month or so before your wedding day I’ll send you an online form with more detailed questions about your wedding (the final balance will also be due at this time). Not only will it include schedules and locations, it will also give you the opportunity to list what family shots are important to you and allow you to highlight anything out of the ordinary I might need to know.
There’s no need to worry about sending over Pinterest boards or things like that. Every wedding is unique cos it’s specific to you both and thats how I approach every single wedding. I totally appreciate that you trust me to approach your day with an open mind, that way we will create photographs that are truly and uniquely and yours
I don’t usually visit venues in advance of the wedding as I genuinely feel there isn’t a need. Although I might arrive the night before or check out a venue early on the morning. For me the best photographs are made by going with the flow on the day and finding wherever the best source of light might happen to be at the time.
Of course I’m happy for you to mention certain locations that you really want to make pictures in the questionnaire and we can try get these covered on the day depending on timings.
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One thing to keep in mind is LIGHT. Good light is the difference when it comes to good photos. So be mindful of where you set up at your getting ready space. If theres a big window place yourself as close but comfortably near it. Try not to sit with your back to any windows though. side on or a 45degree angle is always best. Open curtains and blinds as far as they go and turn off any lights. more light is not necessarily good light.
TRAVEL
Unless your plans make sense to do otherwise, I’ll usually arrange my own travel and accommodation dependant on your preparation and reception locations.
I will always arrive a couple of hours before on the day and any weddings that are over 2-2.5 hours from where I will live I will arrive the night before and stay in a near by hotel.
Don’t worry, there are no hidden or additional travel costs depending on whether I decide to stay in the hotel the night before or not. Everything is included in the original invoice at booking stage.
THE MORNING TIME
For most of my weddings, I work alone if I am able to cover seeing you both in the morning prep. As a rule, I’ll talk to you in advance about what you have planned on the morning and work out my times with you both. We’ll firm up plans in the weeks before your wedding. For larger weddings - or if the logistics and locations are too difficult to cover alone - a second photographer is a great addition to your wedding package. They will generally cover some of the morning prep. If you didn’t initially book a second photographer and now think you’d like one, no worries just let me know and I can sort this, I know some awesome photographers who will fit in the your day as much as I do.
I always like to arrive as early as possible from 2-2.5hrs before your ceremony - not so much from a photography point of view, but because it’s a great chance to meet everyone and get to know who’s who and start to see all the relationships and characters that I can then look into documenting during the day. Plus it gives everyone more time to get over the - ‘Look! there’s a photographer in the room buzz! - its like if a rainbow chihuahua just walked into the room eventually everything will settle down and it won’t seem so odd then, cos lets be honest some of the best nights out you need had a photographer there with you, it takes a little time to get used to it.
As a photographer I love to capture the things that matter and the moments as they happen -TO GET THE BEST PHOTOS YOU HAVE TO BE UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOURSELVES.
I really want to capture your wedding as it was - so you can remember it that way - so, if things are chaotic then don’t worry too much about tidying up, or hiding the chaos for ‘me’ - even if I wasn’t there the universe will still let it happen the same way the only difference is I get to be the lucky one to freeze the moments in time for you!!
But is there is anything thats super important detail wise you want me to photograph please be sure to put them out first thing and mention it to, I may be a documentary photographer but if its import to you its important to me.
CEREMONY
If you are getting married in a church, it will be worth checking the Priest/or churches rules and any photography restrictions in advance of the wedding day.
If there are restrictions on photography then perhaps see if they would at least be happy with me being at the front just to photograph your entrance and when you see each other for the first time as that is such a great moment to capture for you both.
However, some churches don’t allow the photographers to be anywhere except at the back - the important thing is for you to be aware of that in advance - to avoid any upsets on the day. If the Priest or Vicar has concerns, I’m happy to call them and have a discussion in advance! and I always without fail go and introduce myself to any officiant before the ceremony starts as a sign of respect for them and what they do!
TOP TIP
LIVE IN THE MOMENTS
Where I’m totally happy for your guests to take as many photos during your day as they like - I would encourage friends, family and in particular parents to put down the camera for the important moments. They need to see you as you really are and enjoy the moment. Trust that I will be there to capture real reactions, real moments as they happen. Please tell not to be that person in the aisle with an iPad!!!
THE COFFETTI SHOT!!!
á
I
BLOODY
LOVE CONFETTI!!!!
Here are hints and tips for getting an epic shot for your gallery;
1 – Be generous with it, your guests can never have enough confetti. if you think you have enough you DON’T!!! get 3x more
2 – Go big or go home! None of that tiny stuff, the larger looks better on camera. Think the size of a 2euro coin.
3 – Don’t use cones, get some big baskets and let your guests get full fists of it and includes both hands if you have a smaller wedding party
4 – Get someone to throw whatever is left in the basket. If there is a lot left at the end it will look great.
5 – Petals can be a good choice as they are big, colourful and bio degradable so your venue will thank you for it. They are however a bit more expensive so paper ones work great as well.
6 – Throw upwards people, NOT at. Avoid a mouthful of confetti. Let it rain down from above. This is the most important tip!
7 – Let your photographer set up and step up before you start walking. This bit requires me us to create a little bit of order and synchronisation with your guests before we are good to go.
BONUS TIP - if your venue doens’t allow confetti go with bubbles instead and oder a couple of bubble guns from amazon
GROUP SHOTS
I f100% believe it’s important to get some nice photos with the people who are genuinely close to you be it family or friends if this is something you would like. Depending on your schedule and the weather, a good time to do this is usually between the end of the ceremony and before you sit down to eat.
We can finalise the groups you want in the questionnaire I’ll send out, but be aware that on average a larger group photo could take 4-5 minutes or more to arrange. So if you have 10 different group shots, then you’ll need to factor in around 45 minutes which can mean a lot of standing around and not enough time drinking or socialising.
I’d advise doing as few group shots as possible as the less time stood round the better for your guests as most will want to go to the bar as quickly as possible ha
I’m gonna be at your wedding for pretty much the whole day so there will be plenty of time to grab more informal shots of you with friends/family when everyone is relaxed and having fun. Just tap me on the shoulder and ask for a picture! All images from the day will be available for all guests to download or buy prints after the day.
I find that the more relaxed these are the better.
Have the craic, laugh, do whatever you guys usually do together.
PORTRAITS
For portrait photos I prefer to sneak a few quick, short sessions in through the day rather than a long single shoot where you are away from your guests. 2-3 15 min sessions in my opinion is just way more productive for you both
The day is about celebrating with loved ones, not having a lengthy photoshoot. You’ve spent all this money and invited all your favourite people.
I don’t want you to miss out on all the fun happening on your day
but usually I like to play this by ear on the day - especially as weather, timings changing etc can all play havoc with any plans. As a rule, later in the day is better when you are relaxed and have socialised with guests - plus crucially the light around sunset always makes for wonderful pictures especially in late August or September. Most couples love this part of the day, as it’s time away with just you two, taking time out as a married couple and having 5 minutes to yourselves during golden hour. or if id like to try something creative to give you a unique photo for your day I’ll already have this set up before I pull you away from your wedding.
Nearly every couple that enquires with me tells me they hate their photo taken. SAME!!!
I will literally take photos 24/7 but put me in front of a camera and my face goes red and I get awkward. So don’t worry we are in this together. We will just go on a walk. Take a few mins out to take in what just happened and I’ll just snap away while you're just being yourselves.
For Couples Who Love Photos But Hate Posing
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IGNORE ME!!!
REMEMBER YOU HIRED A DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER THAT MEANS GO HAVE FUN!! I GOT YOU BOTH!!!
PARTY TIME!!!
JUST HAVE FUN!!!
LET LOOSE!! DO SHOTS!! SING AT THE TOP OF YOUR VOICE!! GET ON PEOPLES SHOULDERS!! TIE SOMETHING AROUND YOUR HEAD AND GET OUT THOSE MOVES YOU THOUGHT WERE COOL AS A 14 YEAR OLD. COS WHEN ITS ALL SEND AND DONE THE PHOTOS ARE THE ONLY THING LEFT TO REMEMBER YOU DID IT AND IT AND IT WAS….
FUCKING AWESOME!!!!
