The what if’s”What if it rains on my wedding day? “

I will be doing a series of “what if’s”After twenty five years of photographing weddings I have heard them all!

One big one is “what if it rains”..Dont panic! First off overcast is the most flattering light for portraits!

 

 

Always be prepared, its better to be safe than sorry. I always tell my brides bring umbrellas,   incorporate the colors of your wedding,

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“Multi-colored or completely clear, there’s an artistic opportunity to take advantage of with rain.

 

Hopefully you will  have a very creative photographer who will go with the flow and use the rain to his or her advantage!

This photograph was shot after the rain,there was a big puddle on the beach,one of my favorites,would not have been possible if it didint rain!

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It could be good luck.

Maybe in your mind, rain on your wedding day is the worst thing that can happen. A sign, if you will, that you have really bad luck.  “in some cultures, rain on your wedding day is considered good luck, symbolizing fertility and cleansing.

Another great puddle reflection!

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DONT smile and look at the camera! Children at weddings by http://www.creativefreedomphoto.com/

Say YES to having children at your wedding! Being a wedding and child photographer I am really bummed out if there are no children at a wedding.And parents please dont tell them to “smile and look at the camera”!

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Children are amazing subjects because they are just themselves,so allow them to be themselves! That is when you can capture the most endearing moments of childhood.

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A wedding album would be very bland without any photos of children

If only adults could be more like kids,for one thing,we would have a much better time!

We would be uninhibited and would make friends every where we go!

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So let loose and live a little!

The Wedding Reception/Ideas and advice from a wedding photographer

This blog is part of a four part series on weddings. “Getting Ready” The Ceremony” The Intimate session” and lastly “The Reception”

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After twenty four years of photographing weddings nationwide, I have been to allot more receptions that most people on the planet.in this blog I am going to share with you advice to make your reception memorable.

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The venue you choose is important,its all about the atmosphere. I know that venues are extremely expensive.Here is my suggestion,why not rent a beautiful house on the beach and have everything come to you,caterers,hair and makeup,band or D.J. Some of my favorite weddings were at private homes.Also I do believe you would save allot of money this way.

I do suggest you have live music,D.J’s are alright but so redundant .Personally I feel a live band is so much more memorable.Makes your wedding more unique.

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I would stay away from the big resorts,unless you want to feel like a number and see other couples getting married the same day.Some of these places to me feel like an Assembly line of weddings

Make it your own,be creative,be unique.

Why not hire a cartoon artist, a magician, a fortune teller,a cigar roller.Give your guests something to talk about.To be honest,a great deal of the receptions I have been to were a bit boring.You want yours to stand out,you want your guests to have a great time.

A photo booth is allot of fun for children and to get adults to feel like a child again.

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Instead of a cake, I have seen all kinds of things,a coffee and desert bar,even Key Lime Pie on a stick, again,make it your own,have fun with the planning!

As for the food,why not ask your favorite restaurant if they will cater your event, or if you have relatives who cook you could save allot of $$.

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ALONE AT LAST /the intimate session

part of a four part series on wedding photography. getting ready,the ceremony,the intimate session,and the reception  Advice for the client.

The only thing that I do insist on with my clients is an “intimate session” This will perhaps be the only alone time that you will have on your wedding day.I feel that these photographs are the most romantic and probably the ones that you will be hanging on your walls.

http://creativefreedomphoto.com/ Some people do not realize that photography is made up of light and composition.

When you are working on your timeline, leave at least a half hour or more in the best light of the day,the last hour before the sun is setting.Think about the background,are there some beautiful nature spots on the grounds of your venue? If not try to explore and find a beautiful nature spot nearby your venue

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Do not allow anyone to tag along,this is a distraction to you and to your photographer.Your guests will be fine, might be a good time to plan a cocktail hour. Always work with your D.J. and wedding coordinator and let them know in advance .

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When I am photographing a destination wedding,I sometimes plan with my couples for a “day after” session. using the destination as my background. My couples are always so much more relaxed the day after,I get to spend allot more time with them = more beautiful and interesting photos.

 

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I Do! The ceremony by creativefreedomphoto

This blog is in a four part series,Getting Ready,The Ceremony,The Intimate session and the reception.,so stay tuned!

If you are having an outdoor wedding,hope for the best but always prepare for the worst.make sure that you have a back up plan!! If you have your heart set on getting married outside,go with the flow,have lots of umbrellas handy,incorporate your wedding colors. Do keep in mind that overcast is  best for portraits

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As far as ceremony sites I have seen it all in my twenty four years of photographing weddings nationwide.From elaborate castles in Germany,to beach blankets in Key West .Make it your own.There are no rules!

 

I am often asked about timelines.The best light for photography is when the sun is low in the sky. I would say ,if you are having an outdoor wedding,look up the time of sunset for that day and schedule your ceremony two hours before time of sunset.Allowing plenty of time afterward for your group shots and saving the very best light about a half hour before the sunset for your “intimate session” the photographs of just the two of you alone .Dont rush your photographer through this,give them at the very least a half an hour.Remember these are the photos you will probably be hanging on your walls.

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Some couples now a days have a “first look” before the ceremony. This helps take the edge off, (good for nervous couples).Also a wonderful time for your photographer .Also a great Idea is the “first look” for Fathers and daughters

 

I always ask my couple,”what is the most important photo to you” 99% of my brides and many of my grooms will say (or better say) the first time I see my bride!This is such an important shot,I never miss it!!

First look

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During the ceremony look at each other! believe it or not I have seen couples who look at the notary the entire time.

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I absoulutely love shooting candid during the ceremony,there are so many emotions.Another favorite are capturing kids at this time.

 

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The most important kiss of your lifetime is your first kiss as husband and wife. I always have a second shooter and we are both getting this most important moment from two different views. I would highly recommend that your photographer have a 2nd shooter/assistant,especially for the larger weddings

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GETTING READY! wedding advice

This blog will be in four parts,”Getting ready” Ceremony”., “The intimate session” and the reception.

Today I will be covering “getting ready”

I always get to the location early. The first thing that I photograph is the atmosphere of the venue,this is important to my couples,they have chosen this venue for a reason. After twenty five years of photographing weddings I have had the privilege of traveling to castles in Germany,the super dome in New Orleans,the Biltmore in North carolina,Hemingway house in Key West just to name a few.

New Orleans superdome

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international fine arts wedding photojournalism

 

 

For my couples,try to have the ladies and the guys get ready at the same location,there are two sides to the story.I like to go back and forth.

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international fine arts wedding photojournalism

During this time I like to photograph the details,  have a go to person for your photographer. I always ask to have the details ready for me when I come in.The rings,the flowers,an invitation or newspaper,something with the date on it,shoes dress,vows etc…

Advice to the ladies,choose a room with the most natural light,remember that light is very important for the sake of the photos,you do not want to get ready in a room with florescent lite with no windows.Try to keep the room free of clutter.

q

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international fine arts wedding photojournalism

Leave plenty of time for some bride and groom portraits when you are all ready.For the brides do not be last to have your hair and makeup done.

“Catch Me If You Can”

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international fine arts wedding photojournalism

Try to get plenty of rest the night before and if you get nervous remember it is about the marriage. Dont sweat the small stuff,just go with the flow.

“GIVE ME THE DETAILS” Photographing wedding details by

Byhttp://www.creativefreedomphoto.com/

Like any event photographer, most of my wedding shots are of people, i.e. the bride, the groom and their guests. This, after all, is what a wedding is all about and what people mainly want to see when they open a wedding photo album. Weddings, though, are always packed full of other visual details besides the people. So much time is spent in preparation to make a wedding look beautiful that it would be a shame not to preserve some of this in the album. I find that sometimes the best way to achieve this is to make these details the subjects of some of my photographs, even if this means leaving people out of some shots completely.

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Efficient time management is a major factor in a successful wedding shoot, and it can be difficult to capture all the shots you require across the day. That’s why I always show up   early. I do this partly because it affords me the opportunity to walk around the venue – both inside and outside – and assess the lighting conditions on the day. However, it also gives me the chance to get some photos of the building itself and perhaps some of the decorations, flower arrangements and so on before any of the guests have arrived. I always remind my bride to have all of her details together for me when I come into the room where she is getting ready, flowers, rings, vows ,jewelry,shoes, anything and everything that she wants photographed. I challenge myself to find many creative ways of photographing  inanimate objects (since  I am a people photographer) this is always a challenge. I have been know to take an interesting painting off the walls and use it as my background. I try to stick with the colors of the wedding. Keep in mind all of this put together will want to look coordinated in a wedding album.

Of course, often we are asked to take photos of the bride, groom or both getting ready for the wedding. If this is in a hotel or other location far from the venue, it may be difficult to find time to turn up early and capture these detail shots. If so, don’t worry, there will be plenty of other opportunities. Try to spot details and photograph them across the day, and perhaps steal a bit of time at an opportune moment. An ideal opportunity is usually during the meal; most people don’t want to be photographed when they’re eating, so I take the chance to have a walk around the building and its exterior to grab some extra shots.

ALWAYS remember to photograph the venue and location. For destination weddings I might include some of my personal shots of the place I have taken before or after the wedding/

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The “Intimate session”Capturing The Love/http://www.creativefreedomphoto.com/

 I ask my students what is the”most important subject between the couple  or siblings that you are photographing.most dont guess the answer right away,it is the love,the relationship between them.

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.I ALWAYS insist on  that, I call it “the intimate session”NO ONE is to follow. I take them to a beautiful spot in nature, I try to schedule this session during the last half hr of sunlight”The magic hour” At that time,have a cocktail hour for your guests,they will be fine.This short time maybe the only”alone”time you will have on your wedding day,my couples of course welcome this.These are the photos you will cherish and have them framed and hanging on your walls.

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Sometimes at destination weddings (especially In New Orleans) I like to have a “day after session”, when the couple gets to put their wedding clothes back on and have a blast for about two hrs while I use the destination  for a backdrop, the couple is so much more relaxed, people are congratulating them,playing music for them,buying them drinks along the way everywhere they go,and they are getting the most interesting,romantic unique and fun photographs!! I also love to incorporate the people we meet along the way !

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Shttp://www.creativefreedomphoto.com/ay “YES” To the engagment session!!

Benafits of having an engagment session

1. Get yourself some sweet photos!

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Sounds pretty obvious, right? But as time inches closer to the big day you start to find yourself getting busier and busier. Early in the engagement is the perfect time for an e-shoot; while the excitement of the proposal and visions of the future are still fresh in your mind, that emotion will be clearly evident in your photos.

 2. A chance to let loose and get creative.

You have an opportunity to take some truly unique photos, different from any you’ve had before, so make good use of it! Start with the location and pick a place that means something to both of you. It can be where you got engaged, a first date or just a verymemorable date, where you met (maybe your highschool/university). It can be any place that puts you at ease, something familiar that naturally makes you feel good, such as the zoo, a beach, or even your regular coffee shop. Where ever you decide, make it mean something to you.

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Fred Howard Park,Tarpon Springs

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Your photos are actually pretty useful!

Speaking of creativity, your photos aren’t limited to the confines of a picture frame! Many savvy do-it-yourselfers are using their e-shoot photos in many crafty ways. Use them for save-the-date cards, receptions seating charts and table indicators, wedding programs, guest books, or even just a really awesome coffee table book for home.

 

Practice for the big day .http://www.creativefreedomphoto.com/

Chances are you haven’t had your photos taken by a professional before, so how do you know what to do? On your wedding day you’ll be surrounded by cameras, not just the one you hired. With everything that is going on during the day, it’s great to have one less thing to worry about.

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Whether you are camera shy or a photogenic vixen, the e-shoot s a great opportunity to instill confidence and build comfort in front of the camera. It can be daunting to have a camera follow you, it happens to all of us, and it’s best to get that anxiety out of the way in advance. In no time, you’ll stop focusing on the camera and more on each other. Your nerves will calm and your stress will float away. Your interactions with each other will become more natural and you’ll learn to avoid the innate reflex to stiff up and smile directly into the camera.

 

 

 

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If you want to really make it a true dry run, try coordinating your e-shoot with your hair and makeup trials; it will allow you the chance to see how they show up in photos.

Letting your photographer get to know YOU.

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Not only is it good practice for you, it’s also a great trial run for your photographer. It allows him/her to see how you interact; to learn if you are timid or big on the PDA. They will learn about your personalities, whether you are goofy or serious, and how much direction you’ll need or want. It’s a great time to learn about your love story, chat about your wedding plans, and push to see how affectionate you can get in front of the camera. The opposite is also true, you’ll be able to communicate what you like and don’t like, as well as your preference for angles, expressions, lighting, and editing styles. All this will allow them to tailor the photos to make your images more personal and memorable.

Getting to know your photographer.

It’s great to have your photographer get to know you, but it’s more important that you get to know THEM. Get a taste of their shooting style and learn how they direct you. It will be very similar to how they direct you on the wedding day so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Chat with them about your wedding plans and get tips about planning out the schedule. Your photographer has seen it all and probably has a ton of advice on how to organize the day and minimize rushing and delays.

Lastly, think about this, you will likely see your photographer more than anyone else on your wedding day … including your fiancé! The e-shoot is a perfect ice breaker to transform your photographer from a ‘stranger’ taking your photos to a ‘friend’ taking your photos. Establish a relationship with your photographer (and all your vendors for that matter). Get to know his personality & hobbies to the point where you feel comfortable enough with them that you’ll look forward to spending time with them on your wedding day.

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THE DOS AND DONTS OF WEDDINGS/FROM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER /creativefreedomphoto

There are so many after twenty one years of learning,I know I will leave out some.Here is a list that will be very helpful to you in planning your wedding!

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Get the groom to be involved, it’s his wedding too

Seat older guests away from loud music

Remember to involve step parents in some way

If it is the joining of two families, incorporate the kids into the ceremony,give them each a gift,have them participate

Have someone else do your makeup, you will be too nervous and critical,I dont suggest a relative I do suggest you hire a pro hair and makeup that will come to you!

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DO get airbrush and false lashes!

DONT be the last to get ready, as a wedding photographer, I need one on one time with my brides for the very important bridal portraits.

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DO have everything
in one place, have everyone come to you.

DO rent a house
on the beach perhaps as apposed to a resort  , do you really want to see five other brides getting married,this is YOUR special day!

Look for your ceremony and reception sites first-one year out is average

Less is more,less guests = less stress Don’t invite guests you really don’t want to see at your wedding

Don’t seat divorced parents at the same table

Try to have an engagement session, great way to get comfortable with your wedding photographer,also nice to display an engagement photo next to your guest book

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I love this idea, donate flowers the following day to a nursing home or hospital

DO feed your vendors!

If you hire an award winning photojournalist who has a gift for capturing “the moment” DONT give him/her a list of a thousand group shots or constantly tell them what to do, trust them,and enjoy yourself,forget about the camera!

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DONT hire any vendors you wouldn’t want as guests DO hire your photographer early,DO read my post on the art of finding the perfect wedding photographer,the best ones fill up fast!

DO ask your photographer for recommendations of vendors better to have people that work well together especially a photographer and video,everyone needs to work as a team!

DO work on the timeline with your photographer,keep in mind photography is light +composition. save the last half hr for just the two of you in the best light! Your guests will be fine,perhaps plan a cocktail hr for this time.I sometimes give a day after intimate session especially when it is a destination wedding, using the destination as a background, You get to wear your wedding clothes once again and will have the most awesome and unique photos of just the two of you!

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If you have an outdoor ceremony be sure to have a backup in case of bad
weather

Be sure your Maid of honor knows how to bustle your dress

Be sure to eat on your wedding day, it’s easy to forget or be too excited
but you don’t want to get run down or have low blood sugar!

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MOST OF ALL Don’t stress out over little things! REMIND YOURSELF, ITS ABOUT THE MARRIAGE!!

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