Wedding Photography: The Engagement Session

I love Engagement sessions, this is the part where you get to know your clients and just have a fun day at a park or their favorite venue. For me, the engagement shoot is more about relationship than the photography itself. This is the first time that the couple will get to be photographed by you.

Have you ever noticed that when a camera is pointed at you, either you stiffen up, get your usual smile from your bag or do crazy things in front of the camera? The reason being, a lot of people are camera shy and they don't feel comfortable being photographed.

A goal of the photographer is to ease this tension and let them relax and get to know you. So what I do during the first half hour is just to take candid shots, I go further back, becoming almost invisible and just let the couples talk and have fun. This would break the ice and slowly I ease them into a more portrait or editorial session (posed but un-posed photos, I know its confusing. It's basically posing the couple so that it looks natural in the photo, as if it's candid). So go have fun and be creative.

As Bambi Cantrell said "Emotion Instead of Perfection".

Tips: For the Photographer

- I usually schedule the engagement shoot, if possible, two months before the wedding, since I create a slideshow for them to view at their reception. This is great for both the bride and the photographer. The couple gets to see their images for the first time and for the photographer, this is a good marketing opportunity as well to the future brides that might be in the audience. So it really is a win-win situation.

- Don't rush to take photos before you meet the couple, talk to them a bit, get to know them more. They will respond better if they feel comfortable with you and trust you.

- This is a good opportunity to study their angles, what pose works for them and study how lighting affects it. You don't have the pressure of time unlike the ceremony, so do your mental notes now and the wedding day would be so much easier.

- Bring a telephoto lens with you, this would let you be far away from the couple and be invisible to them. Telephotos are great portraits lenses as well. My favorite is Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and the Canon 135 2.0 f2.


Tips: For the Bride

- If you can, flow with your photographer and let him pose you or set you up in an environment for a good picture. Your photographer needs to have his creative juice going, so go with it (unless he wants you to dangle off a cliff or something :) ).

- Wear plain clothes with light colors and if you can with no pattern. This makes you the center of attention and not your yellow polka dot blouse :)

- Set up an appointment later in the day if possible to get the best quality of light available if shooting outdoors.

- Pick a venue where there would be a lot of different environments to shoot. A lake with a bridge for example or a place where there is a lot of nice architecture or even a graffiti wall.

- and most important HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE DAY!!!

Next Topic: Wedding Preparation

Wedding Photography: A Personal Guide

People ask me why I ventured into wedding photography. I guess for me, it all boiled down to an interest and love of portraiture and people. In one day of wedding photography, you get to be a Photojournalist, Landscape photographer and a Portrait photographer, couple that with a high adrenaline environment and it can be very challenging and fun. It is a culmination of all that I love about photography wrapped into a neat package.


Tips for the Photographer:

This is the only time where you will change your hat and be a businessman instead of a photographer. Have a portfolio ready or a sampler album to show your clients. Be clear what you are offering to them.

For me, my photography is about Quality. I only shoot 12-15 weddings a year to really spend time with my client's wedding day and photographs to process later.

My brides are those that appreciate art, beauty and quality of work. They deserve only the best from me.

Tips for the bride:
The Meeting

It is very important for the couple to meet with their photographer in person before signing the contract. Wedding photography is people photography. An effective photographer has to have excellent people skills and a good rapport with the couple. The couple needs to be confident in the skills of their photographer and to feel at ease with him.

Read the contract carefully make sure you are protected and that everything is covered. Don't hesitate to pose questions to the photographer not only regarding the contract or the package, but also on how he feels about his photography and his vision for your wedding as well.
Photography is an art and it needs a lot of creativity and passion to drive it.

















The Package

Here is a breakdown of the package that I offer to my clients. I wanted a package that is affordable and customizable.

- Free consultation

- Six to Eight Hour Coverage (This would cover 2 hours of preparation, 3 hours of ceremony and 2 to 3 hours of the reception. )

- Photographer and assistant photographer (A second photographer is a big plus since it will allow different perspectives on the wedding and also a greater range of photos you can choose from. It also protects the client from shots that could be missed by one photographer)

- Ownership of original high resolution images on DVD of all shots taken (This is a great value to the clients, as they do not have to pay extra to the photographer for prints and they could see the whole selections of images from their wedding. Print all you want :) )

- Ownership of 50 edited photographers choice images on DVD (One of the reasons why my clients choose me is my approach to photo editing. I apply different styles to my favorite images, be it black and white, editorial, bold fashion or subdued and romantic)

- 50 4 x 6 prints of edited images (There is nothing like seeing a photo on paper and touching it, rather than on a computer screen. I also give my clients prints of my favorite edited pictures in lovely lustre paper)

- 1 - 11 x 14 Metallic Print (I love metallic paper, it adds a nice pop to the image. I offer this to my clients for them to frame and hang on their wall)

- Online album of 50 Photographers choice images (Two to three weeks after the wedding, I post my favorite images on my website so the couple can share their pictures to their friends and family as soon as possible)


CUSTOMIZE IT WITH ADD-ONS

- Premium Coffee Table style photo album
- Canvas Gallery Prints
- Thank You Cards
- Engagement session with slideshow cd to present on your wedding reception
- Trash the Dress session (for the daring and funky bride)
- Budoir Session (a more private sexy photo shoot, high fashion)
- Additional Photography Hour(s) (if six hours of coverage is not enough for you, you could always add more)


I will be writing this article in four parts, the engagement session and the three parts of the wedding day: the preparation, the ceremony and the reception. This will act as a primer not only for other up and coming wedding photographers but also to the bride, so she knows what to expect from her photographer on that special day.


next topic... The Engagement Session