What makes great wedding photography? Your wedding photographs are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We want them to be the best they can be. Flash Point Productions would like to offer these tips and ideas to help you prepare for your engagement, bridal, or wedding day photo session.
Where is a good place to take pictures? Here are some of our favorite places to shoot engagement photos and bridal portraits, all in the greater Salt Lake City/Provo/Ogden area.
Mountains:
Of course, some of the best pictures come from shooting in a location that is special and unique to you. Where you got engaged, where you met, or where you went on your first date would make for a memorable photo shoot.
Surprisingly enough, it is possible to get a good picture in almost any weather condition. Sunshine and blue skies are beautiful, but overcast days provide nice, even light and soft shadows; rainy days may be a fun backdrop for pictures under a colorful umbrella; and while snow may be a good excuse to cuddle together, it can also be the perfect opening for a spirited snowball fight.
Two of the best times of the day to shoot photographs are in the morning and the late afternoon. High noon often creates hard shadows on faces and forces you to squint into the light. The geography of the location and the direction it faces may be the deciding factor on what time of day will be best to take your photos.
Remember to take your engagement photos two to three months before your wedding date and your bridal portraits at least one month before.
Most public places and buildings will let you schedule a photo shoot for free as long as you call ahead of time and secure permission. (Outdoor public parks usually do not require permission.) Bear in mind that some places like Red Butte Gardens or Thanksgiving Point charge an additional fee to take pictures there. Some wedding reception centers will also allow photo sessions on location as long as there is not a wedding scheduled for the same time; they may also charge a small fee.
When choosing a location, think about what kind of background you want in your picture. Do you want a wide, expansive panoramic look, or something small and intimate? Keep your eyes open for beautiful backgrounds; picturesque nooks and crannies are often tucked away in surprising places.
Often, the best engagement photographs happen when the couple is involved in an activity or interacting with a prop. Piggyback rides on a hike, swinging on playground equipment, or walking on a beach can all inspire great photographs.
If your pictures are going to be in color, choose complementary or contrasting colors and backgrounds. If you prefer black and white photographs, then choose strong, monochromatic shades and remember, red and blue look nearly identical in black and white (see photos at right).
For bridal portraits, remember to call ahead to your location and make sure there is a place where you can change into your dress. Feel free to bring your friends and family to your bridal portrait session, though more than two or three people tend to hinder the process more than help it.
It is helpful if you come to the photo session with specific ideas and examples of what you want your pictures to look like. The more detailed you can be about your preferences and style, the happier you'll be with the end result. We want your pictures to be the pictures you want to have. Of course, we are happy to make suggestions and recommendations but since we believe brides are people too, we would rather have you be relaxed and comfortable than try to pose you like a doll.
So, what makes a good picture? Ultimately it is when the subject is relaxed and having fun. Don't pretend to be happy, just be happy and you'll end up with pictures you'll love!