Amanda and Chris – Scottsdale Wedding
Posted on November 2, 2011
Almost seven years. That is how long these two have been together before their big day. He is a die hard Steelers fan and she is his sweetheart. They were married last weekend at the Scottsdale Resort. I pinned her for a simple and stylish gown. I was so surprised to walk in and see this beautiful, tulle layered, beaded, long train…princess worthy gown. Her shoes were adorned in glitter and her hair swept up with an elegant braid. Really, really pretty.
When we did their first look and Chris turned around to see her, his towering frame just melted into an embrace. He was finally going to marry his girl and she looked like a princess. That hug brought some tears to my eyes. In that moment you knew how much he loved her. Remember Chris, you vowed to love honor and cherish…no matter how bad a season the Steelers are having.
Second shooting – advice for success
Posted on May 16, 2011
I have a few second shooters that I work with. Depending on availability and personality of couple, I have my go to shooters. My husband is always my first choice as it allows me to spend the whole day with him. He works so hard and never minds me bossing him around. He LOVES weddings, he’s just not really available anymore to shoot with me. Then there is two of my other friends that each have their own successful photography businesses. Neither of them love main shooting a wedding, but enjoy weddings. I have to really connect with my shooters as I need to be able to communicate the needs of the day and be confident that they are going to deliver images that flow with my style.
This weekend I second shot for one of my shooters. She had taken on her own wedding and hired me to second shoot. It was a great opportunity to gain some perspective into the needs of the main shooter and the duties of the second. I thought I would touch on some tips for anyone starting to use second shooters, or photographers looking for second shooting work. At the end of the day the priority is the best coverage you possibily can and working as a team.
1. Sync your cameras. It is a nightmare to try to timeline a day (ceremony specifically) when cameras are set to two different itmes. I am speaking from experience. This never occured to me at first and the proofing took twice as long.
2. I HIGHLY recommend both shooting in RAW. I recommend RAW no matter what but for this purpose, it’s almost necessary. Especially if you are a Canon and your shooter is a Nikon (as oddly all mine are). The color temperature on auto for skin tone alone reads totally different on both types of cameras. Canon reads cooler and Nikon reads warmer in most cases when working on auto. So when I am melding all the images, I have to be able to color match the tone so you can not tell who shot what. I can not do that very easily if they are not both shot in RAW. Sure you can just give them two folders of both shooters, but what bride wants to sort through that? They want to see the story unfold seamlessly.
3. Talk about the shot list and needs before the wedding. Find out what you are responsible for. Find out what the main shooter needs you to make sure is covered. You actually have to think like a main shooter. You have to run through the checklist in your head just as the main shooter would. Have both bouquets been shot? Did the rings get shot? Did we remember to shoot details of dress, grooms flower, etc. All of those important shots need to get covered by you or them. If you are a strong detail shooter, than your main will let you handle that. Give them variety to work with. Give them both vertical and horizontal because in album design, options are necessary.
4. Are you covering everything groom? Then make sure you cover him just as if he were the bride. Getting ready, details of tux, links, presents from his wife to be. Tell his side of the story. Show the bride what she was not there to experience. Take the time (if they are not seeing each other) to cover groomsmen shots and individuals of groom. Allow the main shooter to focus on the bride. This is a huge time saver. I do recommend finding out where the main wants the groomsmen shot. It is best if the bridesmaids and groomsmen shots flow together. They do not have to be the same location, just similar placement and framing. Again, always keeping the album in mind. Make the groom feel you are there for him. You are HIS right hand…because he is her right hand (the bride). Shoot the groom with that inspiration and you will come out with successful groomsmen shots that your main shooter will be thrilled with.
5. Group shots. If you are doing the placement of family, then know the shot list. You need to know who is married and who is not, if anyone (parents) have passed and if maybe an aunt is more like a Mom. You need to know WHO are parents and who are relatives. Don’t assume the main shooter will share all this, ask and know it all ahead of time. Ask for a copy of the shot list since you are most likely directing traffic. Do whatever you can to be helpful so the mail shooter can shoot and move on. You are traffic cop. If the main shooter has it under control then take the time to grab candids from the side. Many of my brides end up loving their side shots as much if not more than direct to camera. A long lense if great for this as they don’t know you are sneaking up on moments from the side in a large group of people.
6. Know what lenses you need. Do not assume your main has all the lenses. Especially if you are not the same camera brand. Not all shooters will want to share lenses either with new second shooters. Just ask, do I need a long lense? Being prepared will get you hired more often. Plus if you are shooting details you need to know if you need a macro or not.
7. Last, support your main. Just be available, be the runner…go find grandpa. Do not let your main leave the couple, you get to be the runner. You get to move the camera bag and pick up the pieces of gear that find their way all over the lawn. Past that just do your best, shoot your second shots like you would if you were the main because they are all equally as important and remember to have a little fun.
Here are some shots from my second shooting this weekend. I LOVED being able to focus on details because I love detail shooting like I love good cheese.
Filed Under Weddings | 3 Comments
Stuart and Rachel Engagement Session
Posted on May 15, 2011
I always get a little nervous shooting late in the morning. Late in Arizona spring is anyime after 8 AM. This was one of those shoots where the bright sun just worked out perfectly. I often encourage my couples to shoot their engagemnt sessions late in the day for that magic light. Time and scheduling would not allow that so we planned a Sunday morning shoot. Rachel did her makeup trial with (who else, but my fave…) Linda Wagner and so she showed up looking beautiful. We started in the lobby of this stunning venue, the Montelucia in Scottsdale. The inside shots were not working…that or my creative juices were just not a flowing inside. So, outside we went.
I had already made a walk around the property before they arrived so I knew exactly what I wanted to shoot. Being it was bright and getting brighter by the minute it needed to go fast without sacraficing the “romantic” feel of the shoot. I shot so much in a short amount of time and was super pleased at the end of it. These two are so much fun and I can not wait for their wedding this November. They got the one and only 11-11-11 slot this year!
Here is the wonderfully in love, Stuart and Rachel.
..and because you KNOW I am incapable of only posting four images…here are a few more
Filed Under Engagement/Couples, Weddings | 1 Comment