By Pauline Parry
Because a picture tells a thousand words, it's always been very important to us to work with top photographers and plan ahead so that we have great photos of the events we produce, design and cater; events that exist just for one night. We use these photos in our portfolio, on our web site, in magazines and the industry awards we enter.
Today, I want to share the work of one of our favorite professional photographers, Will Henshall from Brilliant Studios in Los Angeles and five of the TOP TIPS he's passed along to us and the brides with which we've worked.
And in the interest of full disclosure, this is the wedding of my son Ross Purnell and his bride, Lauren Bennett at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California. After producing weddings for 25 years, it was so rewarding -- and fun -- to go over-the-top for family!
And in the interest of full disclosure, this is the wedding of my son Ross Purnell and his bride, Lauren Bennett at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California. After producing weddings for 25 years, it was so rewarding -- and fun -- to go over-the-top for family!
1. GOLDEN HOUR
Time your ceremony two hours before sunset to make the most of this beautiful natural light.
Time your ceremony two hours before sunset to make the most of this beautiful natural light.
Saddlerock Ranch is owned by Malibu Family Winery whose vineyards are everywhere on the property. In the late afternoon light, the hills take on a beautiful glow, as did Lauren! I love the look of a bride and groom in a natural setting such as this.
2. THINK AHEAD
Visit the ceremony and event site (if they are different) before the big day at the same time your wedding and photo session will occur. Predetermine favorite backdrops and settings. This will help you create a good timeline and also ensure that the light is just right where and when you want it. If it's not, work with your photographer and adjust your shot list according to the good light.
Visit the ceremony and event site (if they are different) before the big day at the same time your wedding and photo session will occur. Predetermine favorite backdrops and settings. This will help you create a good timeline and also ensure that the light is just right where and when you want it. If it's not, work with your photographer and adjust your shot list according to the good light.
For us, as the design team, we also visited the site before the event and took scouting shots so we could then go back and assemble the right lighting for the overall event and to make this amazing tree the evening's focal point. It was perfect for the bar area and we enhanced it with strings of light and chandeliers. (P.S. That patio heater in the first shot was moved for the party!)
And, we also knew we would want to do another photo shoot during the party at the piano when Ross played for Lauren. Yes, we brought a piano in! I love the combination of the elegant and the natural together. The song and the photos were on the wedding schedule; lighting was preset and Will was ready to capture it in both black and white and color film.
3. TELL A FRIEND
Appoint a person in your wedding party or a family member to take charge of organizing the appropriate people for the family and friend shots. Believe me, this is an important role, so choose wisely! It's difficult for a photographer to know who to capture on film and you will be too busy having fun.
Appoint a person in your wedding party or a family member to take charge of organizing the appropriate people for the family and friend shots. Believe me, this is an important role, so choose wisely! It's difficult for a photographer to know who to capture on film and you will be too busy having fun.
4. CAPTURE ALL THE MOMENTS
Be sure you have hired the photographer for the hours when you really want photos, and by this I mean beyond the ceremony and reception. For instance, will something be happening before the wedding that you want capture professionally? Or perhaps you would like the photographer to be there until the final moment and the "send off."
Be sure you have hired the photographer for the hours when you really want photos, and by this I mean beyond the ceremony and reception. For instance, will something be happening before the wedding that you want capture professionally? Or perhaps you would like the photographer to be there until the final moment and the "send off."
At this wedding, we wanted Will to be there for the rehearsal dinner as well. It was a casual Mexican Fiesta theme held at High Performance, a Los Angeles photo studio, and Good Gracious! did the design, coordination and catering.
And on the day of the wedding, Will was everywhere. Here, he captured Ross and his "posse" in their pre-ceremony hideaway on the property -- a collection of classic AirStream trailers.
5. GETTING PUBLISHED
Many brides today send their weddings into bridal magazine or blogs for possible publication. If you are doing this, think ahead and put together a list of shot lists of design and floral details that really help tell the entire story. Editors love details! Discuss with your photographer the feasibility of him or her covering it all. Honestly, it might mean hiring and another assistant but it will be well worth it in the long run. (And remember, when you send the photos in, be sure to include the photographer's credit.)
Many brides today send their weddings into bridal magazine or blogs for possible publication. If you are doing this, think ahead and put together a list of shot lists of design and floral details that really help tell the entire story. Editors love details! Discuss with your photographer the feasibility of him or her covering it all. Honestly, it might mean hiring and another assistant but it will be well worth it in the long run. (And remember, when you send the photos in, be sure to include the photographer's credit.)
Capturing details such as the table setting is important to getting press for your wedding.
And giving editors dramatic shots such as this one below that "set the stage"
is also a very good idea.
is also a very good idea.
In the next week I'll be covering this wedding with two more blog posts. One on the menu and the food shots and the other on the "rockumentary" of the wedding.
See you back here soon!
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