We were staying at the beach house of next week’s bride (last week) I thought it’d be fun to do some pictures for her (spontaneous) prior to leaving back for Utah. So we talked down to the beach and took some pictures in a short 40-60 minute block of time she had open.
I love that she’s picking something different for her wedding dress and it matches her personality and looks.
I look forward to the wedding this Saturday.
Couple shots before every wedding?
I could do this sorta thing for every wedding.
Either on a previous day or take some time prior to the actual event and take some great pictures of the bride and groom.
So often it’s expected that the couple shots come after the temple ceremony (LDS) or after the walk down the aisle ceremony. In both cases there is often very little time for couple shots with group pictures, luncheons and receptions coming up quick. I would argue many of the non-LDS weddings have even less time if the ceremony is later in the day (along with the nice light)
So I’m saying to all you brides and brides to be… put thought into your pictures. Sure we’ll get the job done in no matter what amount of time you give us. Just saying it might be better for you and me to plan for some morning pics or on a previous day.
In this situation this couple had to drive about 90 minutes (with traffic) to get back to where the reception was and had they not done pre-wedding pictures all of these pictures would probably not have happened. Even though we did take about 20-30 minutes for a few more after the ceremony on a nearby hill. (Coming soon)
I mean their reception location was stunningly beautiful and I had all sorts of ideas of amazing pictures, but they had guests to entertain and things to do. A reception to be had, the time for couple shots had passed and I’m sure everyone was glad the majority had long since been done.
Part of why I switched things up
Really to get better pictures is why I changed my pricing structure. I wanted to get better pictures with more serious clients.
I loved helping out the poor student, however it was time to step it up with those who were willing to aim for the best pictures ever and not just in word only. But would put in their part… where pictures would be seen as more important and not just a bystander doing whatever. I still love helping poor college students out but when they really have a passion for awesome pictures. We always find a way to make it work.
When they put more into it they get more out of it… and I’d gather perhaps they mean more to them!
In fact it’s getting to the point where I’m considering including this kind of thing (or at least bridal sessions) with Every wedding I do.
May Bo and Dallan got married earlier this month and their wedding pictures are soon to come.
But a couple weeks before hand I had the chance to go up to Logan and take some bride and groom pictures of the two of them.
The Festival of Colors is about Colors… so I figured I’d do a post focusing on the Colors at this year’s Holi festival in Utah.
(Above) The big launch of the colors at 4:50pm
(Above) The launch of the colors the first time around.
I Didin’t get any colors on me until about 9hr into the day when this batch of yellow hit me.
Choosing your spot for the color explosion is very important. I picked a bland spot… but I made it work and focused on the crowd experience and colors.
My blog posts hope to reach the following people in the following ways. (No particular order)
1. The client
By showing them their pictures in a short succinct recap, and giving them a quick method to show their pictures to their friends and family.
2. The clients friends and family.
By offering them a short recap of their friend or family member.
And also provide a link to the full gallery so they can see more if desired
3. Potential clients
By showing them what kind of work I’ve been doing recently.
After 4-5 years I keep on getting better every shoot.
It’s great to see many pictures from one shoot and know that I don’t just take a small handful of good pictures at each shoot.
Thus the longer posts
4. Friends and Family
Because they say they like to see what I’m up to.
They like to look at pictures. Or so they say 
5. Other photographers
-I think that’s a huge bulk of my audience.
I write many posts of photographers interest only.
Posts with tips and tricks directly mainly to photographers, specially the aspiring and learning types.
I also try to include teaching moments through almost all of my posts.
Like for instance, this post.
That being said.
Here’s the link to the FULL GALLERY
This couple has yet to be married.
I’ll be in Hawaii when they get married.
They opted to do their wedding pictures on a previous day.
Why do people do their pictures on a previous day?
Why do I like formals?
This one is the product of Spencer … he decided he wanted to pick her up.
I welcome ideas, I don’t know what all a couple is wanting or willing to do.
Any when it comes from the couple themselves, it’s bound to be the favorite… because it was their own idea, their own moment.
Ladies and gentlemen…
Props to the bride for not only being willing but more than happy to go out to the stinky gnat infested waters of the Great Salt Lake.
And to her Mom and two sisters and niece that came to help.
And to my wonderful Intern Heidi who braved the swarms of mosquitoes that came out about 5 minutes prior to this shot
Annika (the bride) had no problem going out into this little area in her beautiful wedding dress and in between being sucked dry by mosquitoes she even posed and smiled.
Now for the exciting part…
Usually I spend a good 10-20 seconds editing pictures… but I was happy to see with the great lighting and flash assistance from Two directions
(It makes me happy to be able to say that)
I didn’t have time to really even review pictures because we had overstayed our welcome with the blood suckers. So I was just hoping things would be in focus.
And to top it all off it was pretty much the very last picture of the night. Huzzah
I kinda wonder what we could do to it if i do decide to edit it…
what a beautiful sunset and what a beautiful bride.
I will post the rest when i get to them i suppose… but for now back to the weddings from a few weeks ago.
Here’s another photo shoot I did about a month ago and they’ve since gotten married
It was in a week or two span that every bridals i did she had the groom come along as well.
It’s a break from tradition but it seems that they specially enjoy it if they’re not big fans of getting pictures taken by themselves, or if they want pictures up at their reception.
To view the full gallery go to http://jarviedigital.smugmug.com/gallery/8942191_9W2ay (more…)
Thought it would be nice to put the two of these together with the engagements I just posted of them
Are they technically called “Formals” since the groom was there too? I’m not sure
But since I wasn’t going to be around for the wedding (conflict of weddings) while i was there I did these.
Yes I know… It looks somewhat fake eh?
We did shoot middle of the day because I went 4-wheeling later that day.
So I was happy for the chance to get into some shade.
I do like that she had these flowers… they look real don’t they?!
They really liked these types of plants… I thought they were awesome.
I put the f stop up high to catch a bit more of the sun and of course flash to light up the foreground (them)
To view the full gallery, go to http://jarviedigital.smugmug.com/gallery/8945147_58bsd
View the rest of the post for more tips etc
She’s married now so I can show off her bridals – Check out the full gallery
Here’s a couple to embarrass her sisters… if that’s possible
JUST A FRACTION of GOODNESS
Just so you know this is just a fraction of the amazing pictures taken that day.
I’m doing this wedding in combination with another professional photographer Julie Harman
So imagine this list of pictures X2 because she also took just as many awesome pictures
I’m sure Julie will get around to posting some on her blog… and I’ll link it here when she does.
For a view of all the pictures from that day visit the SmugMug Gallery
A little explanation… They’re both College track stars
Her = U of U
Him = BYU
The scenery at the Tahitian Noni Gardens was great!
The shade we had at around 6-7 was great!
The bride was gorgeous, that certainly helps!
The dress was very memorable (and I’ve seen a lot)!
The mom was helpful (even helped with the reflector!
It was laid back and fun and totally enjoyable!
The bride pulled off smiley and modelish wonderfully!
I’ve picked too many of the pictures so I’m trying to unpick some to make things more manageable editing process.
But in the meantime enjoy a preview.
I’m not Just being lazy…
but to prevent a certain fiancee from accidently seeing these pictures
You’ll have to click on the link to see these bridals for now
They were taken in SLC at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
She really wanted indoor shots and this is the most common place
And because it’s common it’s also no cost or reservation… that I know of.
Are there other good indoor spots in SLC??? If you know… let me know!
Click Below:
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