Thursday, October 22, 2009
Lindy & Matt in the Classic City
Lindy and Matt picked Athens, where they met and fell in love, for their engagement shoot. The campus has lots of memories for them, from the Terry College of Business where they first had classes together to Sanford Stadium where they spent their Saturdays in the fall (Go Dawgs!). We got some really classic shots on Old Campus, plus some great ones of them goofing around together. Congratulations, Matt and Lindy!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Linda & Sam
I had the privilege of shooting Sam & Linda's wedding last weekend at Primrose Cottage in Roswell. In the middle of a really rainy start to fall, we had an absolutely gorgeous (and dry!) Saturday. Many thanks to my assistant shooter, Josh Weiss, for his great photos (as always), and my 2nd assistant, Barrett Wolfe, for helping keep me sane when things get busy. Congratulations Linda and Sam!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Looking Your Best In Your Wedding Photos (or ANY photos for that matter!)
We all want to look hot in our photos right? I'll be the first to admit that I'm a chronic abuser of the "Untag" button on Facebook at the first sight of an unflattering photo of myself. Here are some tips I've gathered from my own experience, mixed in with some recommendations from fashion pros.
• First of all, start with a good foundation, and I don't mean make up! Consider your UNDERWEAR before your big day. It's important to be sure you're not fussing with panty lines, showing off more than you should, or feeling self-conscious. If you are, your photos will show it. Another thing to think about: if you'd like photos of yourself stepping into your dress, keep the pics PG-13 by wearing a strapless bra, corset/bustier or some Spanx™.
• Get your make up done by a professional. Even if you never wear the stuff, a good make up artist can apply light foundation to make you look your best without looking 'made up.' If you do regularly wear make up, wear it a little heavier for your wedding. While it may look like more in the mirror, your guests and the camera always see less than you do. Plus, the old saying "The camera adds 10 lbs." is true! A camera flash blows out the natural shadows in your face and can leave you looking puffy. A skilled make up professional can use contouring techniques to give you defined cheekbones and enhance your jaw line (so can a great photographer who can add contouring with well-developed Photoshop™ skills...wink, wink).
• Appreciate the spectacular creation that is WATERPROOF MASCARA! Wedding tears are beautiful and can make some really sweet shots. Big, black smears down your face (or dress) are not!
• Hire a photographer who makes you feel comfortable. If you can't relax around them, you'll have bad chemistry and it will show in the photos. Pick someone who wants to get to know you so that they'll feel like a friend by the time the wedding rolls around.
• Consider a bridal shoot or engagement photos before your big day for several reasons: 1) You'll be more comfortable with your photographer if you've had time to work together; 2) If you're camera shy, you'll have some time to 'practice' with your photographer and get more relaxed; 3) It's a great time to run through your hair and make up so you don't have any surprises on your wedding day. Besides, many brides do this anyways, why not get some fun pics when you're all dolled up? 4) You'll knock out a handful of the pictures in advance and have more time partying with your guests.
• Ham it up if you're feeling silly. Nothing is better than a true, natural smile. We've all heard that to relax we should picture our audience in their underwear. Better yet, picture your fiance' in his or whisper something naughty in his ear. You're both bound to crack up...Remember, trust your photographer, you'll never get something unique and different if you're not willing to get a little crazy and try something new. If you don't like it, delete it!
• If your photographer asks that guest put their cameras away during certain photos, understand that it's probably for a reason. When multiple cameras are out, especially in group photos, it slows down your hired photographer as they wait for others to get their shot and can often cause you to have photos with half the people looking other directions. Many people also get nervous in front of the camera (myself included!). If you do, it may be wise to keep the flashbulbs from guests to a minimum, you'll probably relax more if you don't have an audience. If you're concerned about your photographer's policy on other cameras, ask before the wedding to be sure there are no surprises.
• Take a chill pill. If everything doesn't go exactly as planned, don't stress! If the linens aren't exactly the right color, it's unlikely that anyone but you will notice, and if they do, chances are they won't remember. Be flexible and enjoy the day you've been planning for so long.
Now get out there and be smokin' in those pictures!
• First of all, start with a good foundation, and I don't mean make up! Consider your UNDERWEAR before your big day. It's important to be sure you're not fussing with panty lines, showing off more than you should, or feeling self-conscious. If you are, your photos will show it. Another thing to think about: if you'd like photos of yourself stepping into your dress, keep the pics PG-13 by wearing a strapless bra, corset/bustier or some Spanx™.
• Get your make up done by a professional. Even if you never wear the stuff, a good make up artist can apply light foundation to make you look your best without looking 'made up.' If you do regularly wear make up, wear it a little heavier for your wedding. While it may look like more in the mirror, your guests and the camera always see less than you do. Plus, the old saying "The camera adds 10 lbs." is true! A camera flash blows out the natural shadows in your face and can leave you looking puffy. A skilled make up professional can use contouring techniques to give you defined cheekbones and enhance your jaw line (so can a great photographer who can add contouring with well-developed Photoshop™ skills...wink, wink).
• Appreciate the spectacular creation that is WATERPROOF MASCARA! Wedding tears are beautiful and can make some really sweet shots. Big, black smears down your face (or dress) are not!
• Hire a photographer who makes you feel comfortable. If you can't relax around them, you'll have bad chemistry and it will show in the photos. Pick someone who wants to get to know you so that they'll feel like a friend by the time the wedding rolls around.
• Consider a bridal shoot or engagement photos before your big day for several reasons: 1) You'll be more comfortable with your photographer if you've had time to work together; 2) If you're camera shy, you'll have some time to 'practice' with your photographer and get more relaxed; 3) It's a great time to run through your hair and make up so you don't have any surprises on your wedding day. Besides, many brides do this anyways, why not get some fun pics when you're all dolled up? 4) You'll knock out a handful of the pictures in advance and have more time partying with your guests.
• Ham it up if you're feeling silly. Nothing is better than a true, natural smile. We've all heard that to relax we should picture our audience in their underwear. Better yet, picture your fiance' in his or whisper something naughty in his ear. You're both bound to crack up...Remember, trust your photographer, you'll never get something unique and different if you're not willing to get a little crazy and try something new. If you don't like it, delete it!
• If your photographer asks that guest put their cameras away during certain photos, understand that it's probably for a reason. When multiple cameras are out, especially in group photos, it slows down your hired photographer as they wait for others to get their shot and can often cause you to have photos with half the people looking other directions. Many people also get nervous in front of the camera (myself included!). If you do, it may be wise to keep the flashbulbs from guests to a minimum, you'll probably relax more if you don't have an audience. If you're concerned about your photographer's policy on other cameras, ask before the wedding to be sure there are no surprises.
• Take a chill pill. If everything doesn't go exactly as planned, don't stress! If the linens aren't exactly the right color, it's unlikely that anyone but you will notice, and if they do, chances are they won't remember. Be flexible and enjoy the day you've been planning for so long.
Now get out there and be smokin' in those pictures!
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