Often in Blue Ridge Ga, and perhaps everywhere, brides looks for a way to reduce cost in wedding photography. One of those we have noticed is where brides will decline coverage of the getting ready portion of their day in an effort to save cost. We think that is a huge mistake. Hopefully these images will help change that mindset.

Why getting ready images are so important to the story.

In wedding photography there exist so many different couples with different expectations. Money, and in saying money we mean budget, is also different for everyone. Many couples today look to reduce cost wherever they can. In some examples, we have encountered couples who may opt to hire us to document their day, but to reduce cost by reducing hours and eliminating the getting ready portion of their coverage.

We think that is a HUGE mistake.

We hope you will agree after viewing and reading some of these pieces of stories from a a day like no other.

The above images were to be an emotional wedding day, but I believe the above images highlight the bride seeing her fairy-tale come true. This bride was also a dance teacher so the images of the student children helping lift her dress and her image as if surrounded by a cloud remains a favorite of ours.

Wedding at Indigo Falls. Check them out HERE:

In the above example the getting ready portion for the groom was full of much laughter and a few genuine tears when the enormity of the day was realized.

A Stanley House Wedding. You can check them out HERE:

After dressing, the first look between mother and daughter brought on immediate tears.

Wedding at The Historic Tate House. See these wonderful folks HERE:

If you look you will see tender moments and poetry in motion during the getting ready.

Wedding at Rocky’s Lake Estate. See more of that beautiful venue HERE:

Portraits are not limited to after everything is done. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to capture portraits in non-traditional settings.

In closing, when speaking with couples encourage them that your job is to tell a story. Every story, when complete, has a beginning, a middle and an end. Skipping the getting ready images misses out on, in our opinion, spiritual and emotional moments that like the day, are unlike anything else and thereby deserves to be documented.

We shoot with our hearts on the shutter and it looks like this.

Blessings,

John & Tamera

Wedding photography telling the story with moments between posing

Posing in wedding photography can help tell the story, but it is between the poses where the most powerful images often are.

How many times have you as a wedding photographer been shooting a wedding and when it comes time to work with the bride and groom you suddenly are out of ideas on how to pose them? This can be overcome by having a sound relationship with your couple and by learning to look for special expressions and reactions between the couple during the posing. This requires having excellent timing, a strong connection and a willingness to “pull back” a bit. When that happens you can have wedding photography that tells the story in posing.

In the images above from a beautiful wedding in Savannah, Georgia,we had just returned from the ceremony and these images were made outside overlooking the river. The couple just wanted to “escape” a bit after all the rush and high emotions of getting ready and the ceremony. While I am sure they were aware of our presence as we followed them outside, we were not their main focus. That was on each other and in our opinion that shows wonderfully here and that is what makes these images.

For the above images, we had positioned the bride near the window for a few images. Once we told her we were done she was genuinely looking out the window when a burst of sunlight came through. With her head tilting just so this became a beautiful mostly silhouette image. For the image in the church we had been shooting a few formals when the brides little sister just happened to lean into the pew. With the bride facing away and the angled lines of the pew the image was made. For the last image during the getting ready portion and bridesmaid formals everyone was crowding around trying to assist in earrings etc. . A quick shift of position and the image was made with that beautiful expression on her face.

The above image is an all time favorite of mine. Immediately following the ceremony the couple had been put into an area while people were filtered out of the church and were getting ready for the formals and reception. During that time with a dear friend looking on the couple leaned in, touched noses and smiled at each other with a joy that is there for all to see.

For the above images the couple was having such a great time with each other as we moved from one area to another for images that this playful image was created. For the other image we were intentionally working close, waiting for a reaction and we sure got it!

In the images above while we were posing the couple behind the veil we had backed off as if to change a lens. That was our ploy and their queue and you can see the results here. For the next image while we are not posing you do want to be aware for special moments in between even in the ceremony.  For the hands image watch for repeated gestures between your couple. Images such as this are unique for the coupe and can be very special to them.

For this Image we were working in North Georgia for this wedding. During the posing session I had told the groom that if he had anything funny or sexy to say, whisper it to his bride. On a pre-arranged signal he did and the results were gorgeous.

In closing, posing in wedding photography is a wonderful tool to tell the story of the day. Keep in mind it is often the moments BETWEEN the poses when perfect moments can happen. Capturing those is what our job is all about.

We shoot with our hearts on the shutter, and it looks like this.

The most personal wedding images you can give your clients are the most powerful Images.

Why making more personal images leads to the most powerful images.

In the competitive landscape that is wedding photography it is an incredible challenge to stand out. To stand out offering unique artwork and or services is a must. Handing clients their wedding album with the most personal images you can get allows you to reach them in the most powerful way. For wedding photography the most personal images are the most powerful images.

Spending your time and efforts to get to know your clients will allow you to open doors to the insights you will need to capture personal and powerful images. This does not necessarily mean that those personal images have to be iconic or “hero” shots, but they do need to be personally tailored to your clients and to what is strong in their hearts, minds and spirits.

In the images above the getting ready portion was critical for the couple. While we did not have the most elaborate venue, finding personal, powerful imagery is your job as the wedding photographer. The image with the hands on the bible was among the most powerful and treasured images of the wedding.

This wedding took place at McIntosh Reserve. You can check them out HERE:

In the images above the church, the family, especially the children, traditions and the joy and emotion of the celebration were really what their day was all about.

For this couple, two artists, the 1st look was something they wanted to capitalize on. Their couple portrait was fashioned to imbue a sense of classic timelessness.

This Wedding took place at the Historic Tate House. One of our favorite places to work. You can check them out HERE:

For this fabulous couple above…it was all about the beach….the beach yes, but also a celebration of their wonderful intimacy with each other….in cases such as that timing for their movement and expressions with each other is paramount.

You can check out some details about Clearwater Beach Florida HERE:

In this story the image of the lone chair decorated with photographs would get overlooked by most people…however getting to know the couple and family we discovered that the day picked for the wedding was the birthday of a sister who had passed away years earlier. Did your perspective shift when you look at the image now? This is the central truth of personal images for your clients. The more personal the imagery, the more powerful the imagery.

In closing , if your choosing to offer the most personal images you can for your clients, I guarantee they will be the most powerful.

It DOES require you to be involved with your clients. To spend time with them. To learn what you can about their own personal love stories…and it is an investment.

Your clients will love you for it.

You will love yourself for doing it.