Planning A
Wedding? Ask a Photographer for Advice By Kathryn Gabriel, New Mexico
WeddingScapes
A
groom recently asked me, as a wedding photographer, to suggest a beautiful
location in our area to marry his sweetheart. I responded immediately with
three locations, and he said, “It’s always reassuring that the professionals
know the best places. By your response I’m sure you'll do a great job on our
wedding photos.” The wedding photographer is a valuable planning resource, yet
all too frequently they’re hired when it’s too late to make changes.
One couple scheduled their intimate ceremony in a tiny, picturesque chapel late
at night in December before searching for a photographer and videographer.
Since they were marrying on their own, they wanted both still and video
photography to show friends and family. Both photographers tried to convince
the couple to reschedule the ceremony earlier in the day when the landscape, the
historical architecture, the falling snow, and possible sunset could enhance the
pictures—but it was too late. The only light source was candlelight, and so the
artificial light on the two cameras competed with each other with less than
perfect results.
Wedding photographers are usually familiar with most of the popular venues in
their area and have shot under various and challenging lighting conditions at
all hours of the day. They will know when the optimal time is to begin a
ceremony at a particular location, a time when the light turns a pond to golden
glass, or turns stained glass radiant. I recently shot a wedding in a chapel
with windows only on its north side, and I prepared for what I thought would be
a lack of ambient light to illuminate the colorful floor-to-ceiling mural behind
the altar. To my surprise, the sun poured through the clearstory window over
the altar and lit the row of flower vases on the altar’s mantel just as the
bride walked down the aisle. I’ll now be able to advise couples of this stunning
effect.
Wedding photographers are usually sensitive to the movements of the sun and will
generally be able to tell you where it will be at a given time over a given
place. The placement of the sun is crucial to outdoor photography, as well as
to the comfort of the bridal party and guests. It is a misconception that
subjects should face the sun for proper lighting, and doing so makes them squint
and look like they’re in pain. (They are!) Photos that are shot with the
subjects’ backs to the sun results in an evenly lit face and highlight effects
in the hair, provided there is enough flash to compensate for the sun. The best
compromise is to orient the outdoor wedding ceremony crossways to the sun so
that no one is looking directly into it, but again this requires ample fill
flash to avoid “raccoon eyes.” The photographer’s keen eye will also be able to
spot stray telephone and electrical wires, unsightly backgrounds, and other
details that might mar the wedding pictures. One officiant I work with always
asks me for the best angle to position herself and the bridal party so that
their guests (and camera) can best see them, while the background is at its best
for pictures.
If at all possible, photographers should attend the rehearsal (even if for an
extra fee) or at the very least scout out the venue beforehand so that they can
advise on lighting conditions mentioned above, or on the timing of events in the
wedding itself. Most people think of the wedding photographer as someone who
remains in the background and quietly documents events as they unfold. While
photographers should not intrude on the sanctity of the ceremony, they are
connoisseurs of style and the visually appealing, and they can make
recommendations on such things as the lighting of the unity candle or the
placement of the cake so that they may be photographed properly.
Unless the bridal couple is organized, the photographer can become master of
ceremony—and this is okay. At one casual outdoor wedding, I asked the bride if
her father was to escort her to her groom. “I hadn’t thought it through that far
yet,” she said. The wedding was to begin in just a few minutes! If the
photographer has planned and advised well, he or she should be able to move with
the ceremony like an intricate member of an orchestra (if not the conductor in
some cases) and will be able to photograph with less effort. The harmonious
result will show up in the pictures.
I
have had a couple of brides ask for advice on particularly photogenic bouquets
or makeup. For flowers I suggested arrangements that compliment the body, as
opposed to overly enhancing a robust figure with an exaggerated bouquet. Some
photographers say white flowers don’t photograph well against a white dress, but
white calla lilies with their green bases and stems are quite elegant. Red rose
buds with eucalyptus leaves are another favorite. Make-up tips include avoiding
sunburn and facials that turn the skin red the week of the wedding. Wear more
make-up for formal, evening weddings, and natural makeup for outdoor weddings.
Women of color should avoid face whitening products.
This is important: If at all possible, avoid churches or reception halls that
use too many fluorescent lights; they turn the skin green and the photos a
sickening yellowish-pink color.
The most important aspect of any wedding, of course, is the couple’s ceremonial
vows and what will make that special event enjoyable and memorable. As my
friend the wedding officiant once said, “This is not a photo shoot…we’re doing a
thing here.” With the money and expectations invested, however, planning
for beautiful pictures is worthwhile. Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer:
They leap at the chance to use their experience and creativity to please their
customers and enhance their own portfolios.
Officiant - Officiate - Reverend -
Reverand - Minister - Celebrant
-
Pastor - New Jersey Wedding Officiant - Presiding over New Jersey
Wedding Ceremonies
*Please note that New Jersey
no longer has a "Justice of the Peace" position. The position was
eliminated many years ago.
