Location, Location, Location
Take advantage of your surroundings! Your photographer is sure to know many options for scenic shots,so discuss possible locations with him in advance. If getting hitched in Chicago, there are seemingly endless picturesque scenes to capture some favorite moments of the special day.
Consider these unique photo spots in Chicago:
- The Bean/Millenium Park
- The Northeast side of Adler Planetarium
- Buckingham Fountain
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- The Wrigley Building
- The Old Water Tower Building
- In a Horse-Drawn Carriage
- The Intersection of LaSalle and Jackson
- The Chicago Theater
- The Lakefront off of Montrose
- Morton Arboretum in Lisle
- Lynfred Winery in Roselle
Have a Plan
Once you’ve decided on a location, it's time to tame the wild bridal party that comes along for the photos. The key to getting through your photos with a genuine smile on your face is organization. Make sure you and your photographer are ready for the shoot..
Create a photo schedule and stick to it. As much as your bridesmaid sorority sisters may want to catch up, they’ll need to save their gabfest for the reception so that you can squeeze in all of the photos you want in a short time-frame.
Decide on groupings ahead of time. Getting everyone into the right photos does not have to be a difficult task! Give your photographer a detailed list of who you want in each photo. It’s best to specifically list each family combination so that your photographer doesn’t miss any important shots.
Let your wedding coordinator be the drill sergeant. Your wedding coordinator can help round up people for photos. Give your coordinator a copy of the photo list so she can help keep the photo process organized. With a “people-wrangler” putting family members on stand-by, your photos will fly by.
Create your photo order with a purpose. Make sure to strategically plan those group photos. If your cousin and her family are only in one photo, take it right away so they can head to the reception area and be out of the way. Similarly, if your parents are in dozens of photos with different people, try to do them in a row. This can save time by keeping them in the shot and simply replacing the others in the photo.
Allow some extra time. Your day is tightly scheduled as it is, but adding 10 minutes to your pictures can be a saving grace. You want to make sure that even if your two-year-old ring bearer has a fit, you can still get photos with him. Tacking on a few extra minutes can allow you to go with the flow and fix most situations without throwing off the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Be Realistic. If your church only allows 15 minutes for photos after the ceremony, your photographer likely won’t be able to get through a three-page list of extended family members. Take photos of immediate family members and the wedding party at the church, and plan to take photos of extended family and friends either before the ceremony or later at the reception.
Laugh. Everyone has that one family member that can drive you nuts. Instead of letting them get the best of you and add stress to your big day, laugh it off. Not only will you release built up stress, you can continue to enjoy your day, and create a GREAT shot. Laughing shots are some of the most genuine candids you can get, as an outpouring of happiness comes across on screen.
Be Creative
Don’t be afraid to be creative with your poses. You never know what may turn out to be a favorite moment from the day!
A few ideas:
Blindfold the groom! It's a great shot without spoiling the first moment the groom sees the bride. It captures real sentiments and can keep both the bride and groom calm before the ceremony.
The first moment the groom sees his bride is a moment you cannot recreate. Whether it happens before the ceremony or as the bride walks down the aisle, capture both sides to highlight a moment you’ll never want to forget.
Write a letter to each other and read them with a door or screen between the bride and groom. This creates a special moment, as the photographer captures the reactions.
Using signs in your photos can create easy captions. They can make for great beginnings or endings to a wedding photo album as well as adding a unique touch to your photographs.
Using signs can also come in handy later. Taking the time to take a few shots with “Thank You” signs can make for a memorable and personal thank you card for you guests. It also provides another opportunity to showcase those wedding photos you treasure so much!
What are you doing for your wedding photos? Tell us below....
No comments:
Post a Comment