5 Tips to Feel More Comfortable in Front of the Camera

When I take photos of couples some are more comfortable then others. Regardless, I always try and make it as natural as possible, that way the photos really do come across as sincere. With that being said there are things you can do to further ensure the photos don’t look too posed. In this short post I will list 5 simple ways to do so.

Simply having Chellsea look back at Ryan created a dynamic and emotional photo.

1. Don’t look directly at the camera 

It’s often really easy to just stare at the camera and smile. Now, there is nothing wrong with looking directly at the camera, but the problem with doing this all the time is that all the photos tend to look the same. Plus, if you are always smiling as the camera is pointed towards you, the photos will tend to feel unnatural. So, look away for some, perhaps look down or even change the angle sometimes where you are looking up at the camera. Anything to just add a bit of intrigue to the photo.

This was a fun photo done right at the end of the wedding. The picture frame tied in to the scattered frames hanging down from the trees.

2. Use a prop

To be honest, I don’t often bring props to a portrait shoot or wedding but they can be very useful. The sessions I have had couples use props have actually turned out quite well. This can be just about anything. Depending on the theme of the shoot or the emotion you are trying to emote, be sure the prop actually makes sense. One wedding I had the couple brought some bright coloured umbrella’s. It wasn’t raining, in fact it was bright and sunny, but it really matched the overall theme of the shoot and made for some very interesting photos. Another engagement session I had, we used bright coloured balloons. Unfortunately the session was cut short by a storm but in the 15 minutes we had, we got some fantastic photos. It could also be something as simple as your wardrobe. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that helps you feel comfortable behind the camera. 

This engagement session was done at the Brickyard where Curtis originally proposed to Katie.

3. Pick a location that is familiar to you

Whether it’s an engagement shoot or even a wedding, sometimes it can be very helpful to stage it at a location that holds meaning to you. I did an engagement shoot with a couple where they originally got engaged at. It’s almost impossible not to relive those initial feelings and they often really come through in the photos. By having it a location you are familiar with, not only will you know the lay of the land, but things will just feel that much more natural. Not to say, you can’t do this with a venue you’ve never visited before, but a place you know could make a big difference.

4. Meet your photographer beforehand

Most photographers are great at creating a quick relationship with their client the day of but some are better then others. In the end if you don’t feel comfortable with your photographer, then it will show in the photos. It’s not always possible to meet with your photographer before a portrait shoot but at least with weddings I highly recommend it. Even just meeting over coffee a week in advance can make a real difference once the big day comes. Not only will you get to know the photographer a bit better, you can also get a sense of their shooting style, what they are thinking regarding location or anything else that will help the day of go smoother. 

5. Look at other photographs

Be careful with this one. Don’t go out and memorize poses necessarily but by looking at other photos you can get a ton of ideas which may lead to ideas of your own. As I mentioned earlier, you might see some props that you like, or maybe even a location you never would have thought of. In previous posts I mentioned some sites for inspiration in general so feel free to check that out. Another obvious place to look is your photographers portfolio. If you haven’t already see what their style of shooting is, what other clients of their’s have done or anything else that might help.

In the end, just relax and have fun with it. If you don’t feel comfortable take a short break and try something new.  

Things to consider when choosing a photographer for your wedding

Choosing a photographer for your wedding can often be as hard as choosing the right shoes. There are a lot of different things to consider, many of which a lot couples don’t even think about until it is too late or they have committed to one particular photographer.

What is your budget?

This can sometimes be the deal breaker, especially if you have a great photographer in mind but simply can’t afford them. So before you put all your eggs in one basket make sure the cost of potentially hiring them fits into your overall budget. With that being said, a lot of photographers are flexible. They may not necessarily come down in price, but perhaps it might make sense to only hire them for the most important part of the wedding. For example; I have worked with couples in the past who couldn’t afford the package they wanted, so we simply chose what were the most crucial hours of the day to them. Another option is to split up the day into 2 parts. Keep in mind that not all photographers are willing to do this. 

The other option is to go with another photographer all together, one that is more in your price range. Just be sure that you are not ‘settling’. Take a look at their portfolio and make sure their style fits your needs. I get more into detail on this exact point in the next section.

Do you like their portfolio?

Go to their website. Check out blog posts, portfolio pages or anything else they may have. If you are trying to go with a more experienced photographer, go deep into their blog or portfolio and see if they have a consistent look and style. Are you looking for a candid style or more of a traditional look? Don’t hire a photographer only to turn around and tell them you want all your photos to look exactly like someone else’s. It’s unfair to the photographer and will often lead to photos that just don’t live up to what you expected. You should be hiring a photographer because you like what THEY do not because you won't them to emulate someone else's work.

How do you get along with them?

When I get a new client I highly encourage them to meet with me in person. Even if it’s a 10 minute meeting. It will also help put your mind at ease after getting to know the photographer a little bit better. Ask any questions you may have. Exactly what do they offer for each package? How would they define their shooting style? What happens if the wedding goes long? (this happens a lot) Are they flexible on traveling throughout the day? There are many more questions you can ask so have a list before you meet up.

One of the main concerns I get from clients is what happens if the wedding does run long. Will I just get up and leave in the middle of the first dance? Obviously not. But I do tell them that if it is an excessive amount of time, say more then 15 minutes or so there may be an extra charge. 

How and when are the photos delivered?

Be careful with this one. I have heard many horror stories about couples not getting their photos until 6-9 months after the wedding. Even then, they have to buy prints or they only get a certain amount of the photos upfront. This doesn’t happen all the time, but be sure you talk with your photographer and discuss how this is handled. I personally write in the contract that each couple gets all the final photos on a DVD no later then 30 days after the wedding. This ensures there is no extensive delay and couples know what they are getting. For some couples that live outside the city I have sent a link in which they can download the files. USB sticks are also becoming quite popular and this is another option I usually mention to clients. 

The reception

I figured I would touch upon this part mainly because I have had some confusion here in the past. If you hire a photographer for say 8 hours and some of those hours include the reception … how long do you plan on having them there for? Are they eating dinner? Is dinner considered a break in which you don’t think you need to pay them? When I shoot a wedding I always assume that, even if I am eating, my time doesn’t stop or get put on hold. If there is any confusion to this I am always up front. I do this mainly because I literally take 5 minutes to eat and then I am up and about shooting guests are anything else going on. Even if the meal is split up, I am always doing something.

Also, indicate to your photographer if you plan on having a meal for them at the wedding. If you aren’t, that is fine, at least they will know to bring their own snacks. One thing that helps is to have a spot set aside for the photographer where they can store their stuff while taking photos. I usually just keep my things in the corner by the DJ booth, or even by the front table in plain site so I can see it. But it all depends on the setup of the wedding. The best case scenario would be to have a locked room but this isn't always feasible.

Conclusion

One point I didn’t really go into detail with is signing a contract. Always, even if it is a basic one, get the photographer to write up a contract. Read it, understand it and then get both parties to sign it. This ensures that everyone is protected.

Trust me, I have a had a few weddings where couples have contacted me a week before their wedding because their photographer bailed on them. On the other end of the spectrum, I have also had one or two couples cancel on me due to the wedding being called off. As long as I have enough notice I am quite flexible and won’t charge but if it does happen, it should be indicated in the contract. 

Aside from that, just be sure to get to know your photographer either through email or in person. Be upfront with what you are expecting but at the same time don’t be to overbearing, be sure to let the photographer do what they do best … which is take photos!

Getting the best possible photos on your wedding day

Photography is an integral part of pretty much every wedding. After all, what couple wouldn’t want to document at least part of their special day. Some couples are fine having a relative or friend of the family snap photos while others hire a professional to get the job done right. With that being said, some photographers are better then others and depending on which one you hire, there are certain things you need to look out for in order to make sure your wedding photos turn out as best they can. Most of these tips can actually be applied well before your wedding, to some extent. So without further delay, here are some my favourite tips for couples to consider before their wedding day.

1. Time of day

When is your ceremony taking place? Is it in the wide open? Is there any shade? Is it outdoors?

These are all important questions for a variety of reasons. For instance, if you wedding is at high noon, where the sun is beating down from above, this can create unflattering shadows on just about everyone. This isn’t to say that flash can’t be used throughout the ceremony, but some weddings don’t allow it, and plus, if the photographer can’t get in close it may not even be possible. I know me personally, I like to hang back and get photos from a distance with a zoom lens. Shade can play a very integral role in capturing better lit photos during the ceremony. If, you think it may be sunny and the time of day isn’t ideal, then it might be a good option to have some form of shade, at least for the couple and the wedding party. 

This wedding had everyone. Rain, clouds and eventually a lot of sun and warm temperatures. For this particular shot, I got the girls to stand against one of the old sheds which was in the shade. Shade is a photographers best friend. It creates natural even light.

2. How big is your wedding party?

I have had at least a few weddings where the wedding party was so large that it was struggle to get proper photos because the locations was so small. Obviously it is just a matter of moving everyone to a larger area but make sure you plan this in advance, especially if you are on a strict timeline. Some couples like to get very large shots of family and the wedding party and this is even more of a challenge depending on space. It can also take some time to organize and get all the combinations required. When you meet with your photographer of choice make sure you are upfront about how large your wedding party is, and if you plan on getting a lot of different family combinations. This will go a long way in planning the timing of the day. I find it works best to do all the family photos first and then work your way down to the wedding part and finally the bride and groom. That way,  family members, especially older ones, aren’t waiting around the entire time.

With only 8 total people, this wasn't the largest wedding party I ever shot but it was important to find a large enough area for them to fit. Another bright sunny day with no shade, I moved them to open area with trees for shade. Not only was it cooler for everyone but it allowed for much better lighting.

3. Does your wedding attire go with your surroundings?

It’s really easy to choose a nice colour scheme for you and your wedding party but don’t forget about how everyone will look during the portraits and even the ceremony. If you plan on getting everyone out to the local park and getting photos done with trees in the background, it probably doesn’t make much sense to have green dresses. Ok, I have yet to have a wedding couple choose green as their colour choice but, trust me, I have seen some ‘different’ choices. For instance, if you are going with purple or something bold like that, make sure you choose your portrait locations accordingly. If you have no choice in the matter, a simple solution to this is to have your photographer convert the images to black and white. I am a huge fan of black and white and I often convert a lot images to black and white at no extra cost, but some couples only like colour. 

Knowing tha we would eventually be going to the local park, Erika and Daniel chose a muted colour scheme for their attire and it worked wonderfully. It really complimented their surroundings.

4. Be prepared for the weather

I don’t know how many weddings I have shot where it is either extremely hot or quite cold. Either way, it can make for some uncomfortable and rushed photos. There was October wedding I did this past year where the ceremony was indoor and then we had the portrait session at the local marsh. It was a great backdrop and the photos turned out amazing but the bride was wearing her dress the whole time, in below 0 weather. She was a real trooper but near the end of the session you can really see it in her expression that she was cold. Luckily we got through the photos quick and got her warm as soon as we were done. So, a jacket goes a long way or keeping a warm car nearby to jump into is another solution. On the opposite end, on extremely hot days, bring an umbrella, make sure there are areas of shade around or take breaks in an air conditioned house. 

This was that cold October day I discussed above. Like I said, she was a real trooper but even I was cold. To Ryan's credit he did offer his jacket up a few times. 

5. Be upfront with your photographer

I have heard of many different instances of a photographer getting the ‘bride from hell’, or something to that extent. I have yet to have that problem, or anywhere close to that. Part of the reason is because I always make sure I communicate with the bride and groom. Not just about scheduling for the day, but also what kind of shots they are looking for specifically. Many just tell me that it’s completely up to me to work my magic which is fine. Others bring examples of photos they have seen from other weddings. Now, I have my ow style, and I’m not going to copy another photographer but if your photographer has and idea of what you are looking for going in, then this ensures that you get the shots you want. Except it will be with their own personal style. Which, after all, is what you are paying them for. When both parties are on the same page, it makes for a much smoother wedding day. 

These are but a few examples of what I have encountered over the years. If anyone has anything to add please feel free to comment below. In the end, if you are truly enjoying your wedding day, those emotions will come through. It’s just a matter of capturing them properly with a camera!