Posts Tagged ‘groomals’
Cat and Jared got married last month.
I did their wedding pictures out here in Utah even though they got married in DC/NC
Sometimes it’s a much much less expensive option to get the formals (pre-wedding pictures), if you’re on a budget and can’t have it all might as well have one thing be really awesome, perhaps better than have everything be just a bit mediocre.
So for a bride on a budget consider doing a pre-wedding photo session and then perhaps going for the more risky less price on the wedding group pictures. Or perhaps do it the other way around.
So we did her bridals and formals all inside. A portion at the capitol and a portion at the SLC library.
We did go outside for a couple of minutes at the Capitol.
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.
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?
- They’ll thus have these pictures in time for their wedding reception or dinner.
- They’ll also have lots more time on their wedding day.
- They won’t freeze as much on their wedding day. (popular for winter weddings)
- We can pick any location.
- We can shoot at any time.
- It’s tons cheaper.
- They can even get another photographer to do group shots if I’m not available.
Why do I like formals?
- For many of the same reasons:
- We can shoot at any time. (not just smack dab in the middle of the harshest light)
- We can take our time and focus on better quality. (Wedding days are often very rushed)
- We have more fun.
- I can do more weddings this way.
- They can show off the prints at the reception.
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.
Hurray for my first ever in the corn fields picture. haha
It’s funny how we often go somewhere to take pictures where the look is iconic and yet you take pictures with a background that you didn’t even think about.
A background that looked like it could have been from anywhere.
It’s as if you go to the Beach to take pictures and yet it doesn’t look like the beach at all… no water, no sand, no glorious sunset or surfers. haha
I often go to a shopping center called Riverwoods and walk away with mostly nature pictures of a pond and a bunch of trees with no shops or buildings in site.
(Thought I’d add the picture in color too)
Seems like most of the time we go out of our way to go to some amazing place and our favorite pics are of the person in front of a wall… or maybe even with just the sky.
I could have shot this corn picture in any number of locations closer to me in tons of corn fields in my city.
Well on one hand it seems funny we put so much emphasis on location to the couples and even sometimes pay lots of money.
But there’s a lot of reason behind it and some of that is perception.
I really didn’t mean to write a schpeil on locations and even though I and many others have lots to say… I thought I’d mention that this time I took a picture that totally matched the name.
I went to wheeler farm and took pictures of the couple in the corn fields… never mind the fields were relitively tiny and a small portion of the location… but it was the first time for me and I thought their glamorous and stylish look would be a perfect juxtposition.
Here are a couple other pictures that did fit them very well.
I suppose going to a city park in the farm format and taking pictures of a old truck could be an example of my previous discussion.
On that note I was happy that my assistant pointed out the existence of the truck.
This was definetly part of wheeler farm and the look… so this does prove why a nice place with lots of options and well maintained is a good fit.
Think about the dress too… a nicely kept lawn is a good thing to keep a white dress clean… but if not… have them hold the dress. Could be fun.
This picture really could have been any any clump of trees
This following picture is a great example of a “this could have been anywhere shot”
We were taking pictures of the truck and there was a bridge i was being pointed to but I just loved how the light was hitting this little section of trees.
Trees that could have been anywhere but I just felt like it would have matched them and their look and the way I was feeling. So …. bammm
‘Things are clicking. (Pun intended)
I’ve got some fancy new toys like new lenses and lighting stuff.
I’m working better with all the people coming to assist.
It’s a lot of work getting each person to know what to do specially when it seems i have to deal with someone new each time.
But i’m getting better at it and showing them their job faster and better.
While still keeping the connection with my clients.
Things are starting to get even busier around here with 3 weddings each week for the next few weeks.
It’s just about the right time to start getting in a groove.
And I think I’m in a groove, taking things to the next level.
I’ve been spending a bit more time on lighting my pictures.
ALSO, after years trying to get faster at editing… I think I’ve slowed down.
Sometimes I’ll edit all the pictures then go back through and see what I missed.
Checking a second time to see how I can improve the pictures.
Yes maybe I don’t have tons of time for it at the moment but i think it will help step up the level for times to come.
The plan is to do Fewer jobs and focus on them a little more.
(Which happens to mean an increase in price, but shhhh don’t tell anyone. haha)
I hope you all have enjoyed what you’ve been seeing these days.
The following set is from the SLC library in case you wanted to know the location.
Finding and working a new location on a whim… Pays off.
Don’t you just love the reflection off of the glass.
The one on the right looks almost fake. For some reason it just came out that way. I did add a bit of vignette.
I admit it’s not the perfect wedding picture, but as a regular kinda modely picture for some reason I love it
Girls love their veil, their ring and romantic moments… so that’s a 3 in 1
