photography
Last week I had a shoot with my friend Sydney Dauter on Grosse Ile in Michigan. This is my first real shoot in a month or so and it felt great. I was feeling very uninspired the last few months and decided to do a shoot just for me. I wanted it to feel “dreamlike”.
This shoot has inspired a project called Dream Sequence which I will continue throughout the next year.
There is something about fashion photography that calls out to many photographers. For me it was holding the images in physically published medium that just made it seem so official and therefore became a goal of mine. I started to get more into fashion photography a few years ago, starting with fashion bloggers.
When I first started out I just used my friends as models and experimented with different lighting, editing, and angles. Then I started reaching out to local fashion bloggers to collaborate with. Eventually those free shoots turned into paid shoots. Here are some tips I've learned while growing my fashion blogger client list.
Every fashion blogger is different. It's very important to give them images that align with their feed and that they will actually use. This will help you become a regular photographer and a paid photographer with them. A lot of times photographers collaborate with fashion bloggers for free in order to gain traffic, but the bloggers never use their images. Why? Because their images don't fit with the blogger's feed.
Ask yourself the following questions before you go on the shoot:
• What colors do they use/how are these photos edited?
• How do they usually fill the frame?
• What backgrounds do they usually go with?
• What orientation do the photos usually have? Portrait, landscape, square?
• Most important: WHAT IS THE THEME?
Example: Tori Radday. Below is a screenshot of Tori's feed. Most of these photos were taken by me, but what is her theme? What makes this Insta account unique? First thing, color. There is lots of color throughout these photos. Second, she fills the frame and the background is secondary to her. Third (you have to click on the photos to see, but trust me) none of them are horizontal. They are all either square or portrait.
Okay, so now you know what style of images the fashion blogger is looking for. It's time to give them variety. Think about what a fashion blogger's goals could be. Usually it is to promote products that they are wearing or give outfit inspo. This requires full length and detail shots. I usually will ask the blogger if there are any details that they want to highlight. This way I can focus on getting shots they are interested in.
Making small changes can do a lot for adding variety to the images. Something as simple as adding or removing sunglasses can completely change the look of the images. Usually when I shoot with Tori, she brings about three pairs of sunglasses and switching them throughout the shoot. Look at the images below and notice the change in sunglasses.
Changing the background of a shot can also add variety to a shoot. You just need to turn the model around, cross the street, or walk down the block to get a different background. You don't necessarily need to drive 20 minutes to a different location to get the effect.
Another great way to switch up the shoot is to have the blogger sit down. Either on the ground or on a step always makes the images more interesting. Bloggers are usually good with posing themselves, however everyone needs a little direction at times. Some bloggers stand in the same position as you snap a few photos and don't move. There is no need to get more than two or three photos of one position. Encourage them to move around, raise their arms up, or tilt their head.
Bloggers do not want to use the same photos over and over on their feed, so you need to provide options so they can get the most out of the shoot. This is one 30-45 minute shoot that utilizes the space correctly which providing variety.
There is nothing worse than working with a photographer who is nervous or who is awkward. It makes the subject feel uncomfortable and it comes through in the photos. I have extreme anxiety and believe me, you just have to power through it. FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT. I've gone to so many shoots where I feel like I'm about to have a panic attack while driving there. You just have to take a deep breath and get the job done.
The best advice I can give is to have a bunch of questions lined up in your head to ask or put them on your phone. For example, When did you start your blog? What inspires you as a blogger? What are your favorite places to shoot? Do you have any fun collaborations coming up? Are you from this area originally?. JUST KEEP ASKING. Get them talking. It takes the pressure off of you and makes it an enjoyable experience.
Make sure you shoot in RAW. Okay I mean, you don't have to but it makes your life a lot easier if you forget to change your manual settings for a few shots and that shot happens to be the best one. Believe me. It happens. This just helps keep the quality of the photos while you edit them.
I usually shoot with my ratio at 2:3, but remember Instagram only allows for a 4:5 ratio. This means that if I'm filling the frame to the edges while shooting at 2:3, a lot will be cut off once it gets to Instagram. If you are shooting in 2:3, remember to leave space for the change in ratio. This is something that I am still working on remembering. I hate when shoes get cut off or the top of the hair has to get cut off because of this restricted ratio. The first image below is in 4:5 ratio that I cropped in Lightroom. The second is 2:3.
Shoot portrait, not landscape. Trust me. There is a reason why it is called portrait and landscape. You're not shooting mountains, you're shooting a blogger. Go to your favorite fashion blogger's Instagram. Look at the top nine photos. They are either portrait orientation or a square. Shooting from a lower angle in portrait will help you capture more of a fashion vibe.
This is just customer service 101, but somehow a lot of people don't know how to do this. Let the blogger know how you are going to give them the images, about how many images you will give them, when they should expect to receive the images, and your expectations of credit. I always let bloggers know that I do not allow any editing of my photos (no filters) before I give them the images. I also let them know that they must tag me in the photos and write *photo emoji* by @rrracheldwyer or shot by @rrracheldwyer. Contracts are your friend.
Shooting with fashion bloggers is a great way to get your name as a photographer out there and grow your fashion portfolio. These tips are not necessarily the *right* way to do it, but have helped me a lot throughout my shoots. Nothing can beat practice as far as improving, but having some foundational help is important too.
Photography - Me! Rachel Dwyer Photography - website - instagram
Model - Tori Radday - website - instagram
A few months ago Insta account @UOVirginia reached out to me and Tori Radday about a potential collaboration. Vanna from UO noticed Tori and I tagging her @UOVirginia account very regularly. She loved our work together and wanted us to create content for their Instagram.
After all expectations had been set, Tori and I met with Vanna at the UO in Shortpump a few days prior to the shoot to pick out three outfits. Vanna told us about some themes she would like to work off of and then let us free. From there Tori styled the outfits with her own accessories, while I planned out the locations.
The first outfit was my absolute favorite. I love clothing with texture and a bold pattern. Because of the complexity of this outfit, I wanted a plain urban/warehouse background. I actually have had this location picked out for a few months and was waiting for the right outfit. I also have been obsessed with these shiny wall hangings and wanted to use them for a shoot. Shoutout to Vanna for shaking them in the background while I shot.
For the second outfit we started with this green dress from Urban. One of the themes Vanna told us about was "cozy", so we grabbed this big sweater from Urban too. Since the outfit was focused around greens and shades of gold, I really wanted to go to the yellow wall in Carytown where Tori and I frequently shoot. Along the way we stopped at some white backgrounds. I also chose to quickly go to the overpass for the final location for this outfit to add some variety.
The third outfit was a cute, red dress that had a low cut back. The dress was more formal, so I really wanted it to feel like a holiday shoot. When I think New Year's Eve I think shiny, metallic, sequence, and anything along those lines. There is a metallic background in an alley near my house that I chose for the first location. Again, the goal of this shoot is to highlight the outfits, so I wanted the backgrounds to be simple, but with slight texture.
For the second location we wanted to the Byrd Theater in Carytown. It has a lot of old charm and Tori radiates vintage, so it was a great fit. The first challenge was that we were chasing the sun. The second challenge was shooting in Carytown on a Sunday around the holidays. So many people were out in the streets and it was very difficult to get a good shot. I bumped up the ISO and had to wait for my opportunity to shoot between crowds of people.
Overall the collab was very successful and a lot of fun. Big thanks to Vanna from Urban Outfitters for being a fantastic partner. She really let Tori and I take over creatively and offered assistance where ever she could. I love creating Instagram content and it was a dream come true to work with @UOVirginia. I would say that you can expect at least one more collaboration between us three.
BTS: I used my Canon 6D Markii and my 2.8 24-70mm lens. I kept my aperture at 2.8 for all of the photos.
Photographer: Me, Rachel Dwyer - Website - Instagram
Model: Tori Radday - Website - Instagram
Partner: Urban Outfitters Virginia - UO's website - Instagram
Usually when I run into people that I haven't seen in a long time, the first thing they say to me is, "OMG I LOVE YOUR INSTAGRAM!" After a some quick small talk, we bid adieu and I immediately go on Instagram to see if I even follow them. When I look at their feed, I think to myself that their Instagram could look amazing if they just did a few things differently.
Below are seven simple tips that will help turn your Instagram into a cohesive feed. Although these tips are basic, they set a foundational knowledge for editing. All of the photos below are either screenshots from my iPhone or photos taken on my iPhone 6.
One easy way to make your feed look better is to stop using Instagram's filters. Yeah, I get it. You want to make the picture "your own" by adding the yellow-tinted, weird focused, super contrasty filter that thousands of people have already used. Thankfully there is a way to make it unique to you without sacrificing the image.
Download an app that is primarily used for editing, such as VSCO or Afterlight. I prefer VSCO, but I have used Afterlight in the past. I use VSCO because I already edit with them through Lightroom for my actual photography. Purchase is required for Afterlight and their are in app purchases for VSCO. However, both are under $5.
I suggest sticking with one filter or a few filters within the same range (if you are using VSCO). Although repeating a filter removes the *waste 15 minutes picking out the PERFECT filter* part of your day, it does create a uniform look for your feed.
The first image below is edited with Instagram's Slumber filter. The second image is edited with a VSCO filter. The first image is overwhelmingly yellow and dark. The second image is much truer to the original image while still having its own personality.
This is something that drives me crazy, but once you see it you can't unsee it... straight images. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen photos on Insta that have EXTREME slants. This of course is not a absolute truth, but unless you are a professional photographer shooting fine art or fashion photos, you need to straighten your images.
In the first photo below, the image is tilted to the right. If you look at the car on the road, you can see that the left tires are up hirer than the right tires. A simple adjustment (and a VSCO filter) on the image and it looks less disorienting.
In order to do this, try to make your horizon perpendicular to the right or lefthand side of your screen or parallel to the top or bottom of your screen.
Another huge pet peeve of mine is when people post a photo where the subject is surrounded by trash, junk, dirty clothes, charging cords, open doors, etc. Do not take photos with a huge mess in the background. Clean up your space! This does not mean you have to spend hours cleaning your apartment to shoot one image. You just need to make sure what is in the frame is clean.
This rule also applies when you are outdoors. Think about the frame of your photo. This photo was taken in Florida while I was on vacation. I loved the colorful titles and thought they would be a fun, simple background for my ice cream.
Because there were so many people walking around, it was extremely hard to not get anyone in the frame. The first image was my best attempt. However, no one wants to see someone's feet near food. I simply cropped out the "clutter" of the image.
Natural light for Instagram is key, especially if you are just learning about photography. When you use non-professional indoor lighting, you will get a harsh yellow glow similar to the crappy Instagram filter I just told you not to use.
Try to get close to a window. When I take photos indoors, I open all of the shades/curtains and turn off all of the artificial light. You might have to move your furniture around a little bit, but it's worth it. If your place has horrible lighting, go outside. Bring a poster board board for a white background and take the photo with the outdoor light, usually the shade works best.
I can't tell you how many people think a small, yellow lamp light is going to make the picture have "better lighting". If you notice in the first picture below that the light is very yellow on the left hand side. The light on the right is very blue. This is because I took it in between a artificial and natural light. The uneven light and the yellow glow make this photo... not so good.
The second photo is taken next to a window. For reference, both of the photos were edited with the same VSCO filter. The white balance is even across this photo. The natural light makes the image crisp and clean.
If you look at some of your favorite bloggers on Instagram, you notice that not only do their individual pictures look good, but their feed as a whole looks good. This is not an accident. Bloggers download apps that help them plan their feed. UNUM is an app that allows you to see what your new photos will look like with your current feed. It also tells you the best time to post and the best hashtags to use.
In order to make your whole feed look uniform, you need to think about the color theme of your feed. Below is a picture of my Instagram from a few months ago. There are strong pink, blue, and pastel themes throughout these images which allows the feed to look cohesive. None of the images have an overwhelming amount of dark colors. Some of the images have darker clothes, but this is balanced within the image and within the feed by lighter images.
You do not have to have pastel colors for your theme. Many people use black/gray and white for a very modern look. Some people use darker images overall which works when it is consistent. Some people have wood and plants frequent their feed which makes it look cohesive and others have crazy colors throughout. It doesn't matter what you want to go with, as long as you are conscious of how the image you post will look next to the last few images you posted in your feed.
If you are at all interested in how your feed looks, please don't post a photo collage. Sure, they are cute for someone's birthday or whatever, but they look like crap on your feed. If we are expecting to see big square images and then in reality see one which is actually a bunch of smaller squares/rectangles, it messes up the flow. Believe me. If you want to make a photo collage, post it on Facebook. See the image below.
Instagram released a new tool this year where you can add multiple photos to a single post. This allows you to incorporate all of the photos you want without sacrificing the overall feed. Please utilize this.
One of the biggest issues I have seen on Instagram is poor exposure. Even if you are not a professional photographer, exposing the photo properly can be easy. When you are editing your photos, just try to make sure that the whites are truly white. If they are dark or dull, brighten them up a little bit. If they are completely washed out, you will need to rein them back in.
In the first image of the sunflower, the overall feel is very dark. When you lighten it up so that the house is much closer to a true white, the image is much brighter and looks a lot better.
In the second set of images, the comforter that my suitcase is on is supposed to be white. You can also tell this is under exposed because it is hard to see what is in my suitcase. The blacks tend to run together and it's hard to distinguish my purse from my boots. Once we lighten this up and add some contract back for the darker closers, we can see the boots and purse distinctly.
In the last pictures the sun was setting. The original picture is a little too heavy for me so I lightened up the building to be closer to a true white color. It still looks like the sun just set because you can see the ferris wheel lit up, but is a brighter image overall.
These are just a few of the most basic ways to improve your feed. You don't need to be a professional photographer or blogger to make your Instagram stand out. Be mindful of these 7 tips and you will be able to create a more cohesive and balanced feed.
All photos are taken by me, Rachel Dwyer.
Rachel Dwyer Photography - Website - Instagram
You can check out the apps I mentioned here:
Instagram - Download Here
VSCO - Download Here
Afterlight - Download Here
UNUM - Download Here
Best, Instagram Worthy Photo Locations for Fashion Bloggers in Richmond VA
Read MoreI have been traveling a lot... I mean a lot. Between Michigan, Richmond, vacation, and all work trips I have barely spent more than 10 days in one spot. Between weddings and engagement shoots I have barely have had time to do some fashion blogger/content creating shoots. Not to mention that this constant travel has caused me to be a under the weather. Oh yeah, and I'm moving. What a fun time!
Thankfully I mustarded up the strength to go out and shoot with Tori Radday on Sunday. I fly back to Michigan on Wednesday so I wanted to make sure to shoot with her before I leave. I had her meet me at the new place off of Cary. We shot two different outfits around Carytown.
Below are photos of her second outfit.
Every year my boyfriend's family holds a family reunion in Seaside Park, New Jersey aka the Jersey Shore. When I first heard that we would be going on vacation to the shore, I immediately thought of GYM, TAN, LAUNDRY. To be fair, most people in their mid to late twenties associate the Jersey Shore with the classic MTV show featuring the not so classy, party lifestyle.
My experience was nothing like the TV show. In fact, the whole TV show takes place within a few blocks of Seaside Heights, which is a particularly trash part of the boardwalk. Just a quick bike ride south you'll hit Seaside Park. This is where we stayed. The beach was amazing. The sand was so soft and it was full New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians escaping the work week, sans blinged out t-shirts and blowouts.
Here are somethings I would highly suggest doing if you are a blogger, Instagram lover, or just looking for new things to try:
1. Walk along boardwalk
When you think of the boardwalk, you immediately think of games and shops. However, keep going south and you'll hit the boardwalk along the beach. I went for a run the first morning we were there and was taken back by how beautiful the morning sky looked. I highly suggest running (or walking) down the boardwalk bright and early. The temperature is cool enough to run or walk comfortably, plus there aren't a lot of people out. This photo was taken at about 6:30am. The light was so soft and I had to stop running just to take a picture.
2. Hit up Park Bakery for breakfast sandwiches
After I went for a run down the boardwalk I was starving. Nick, my boyfriend, and I went to Park Bakery to pick up breakfast for the family. This place is tiny and gets packed in the morning so be ready to get close to other people. Their breakfast sandwiches are great. I got the sausage, egg, and cheese on a homemade everything bagel for $6. This filled me up the whole day. If you're more in the mood for a sweet breakfast, well it will take you 10 minutes to decide from all of their donuts, cinnamon rolls, and trays of pastries.
3. Lay out on the beach
Seaside Park had one of the prettiest beaches I've ever been too. There is so much soft sand that no one is really cramped together. You do need a beach pass to get on the beach. They have booths next to every access point to the beach so you don't have to go anywhere special to get it. Since the house we rented came with annual passes, we just had to clip them on our beach bag.
The water was cold when you first stepped into it, but after five minutes you'll be good and it feels more refreshing than cold. When you go to the Jersey Shore or any beachy vacation, you need to remember you'll be on the beach most of the time. Get a new book, buy sunscreen, bring lots of water, and don't forget the beach chairs. It's time to relax. They do not allow alcohol on the beach and do check coolers (unfortunately).
4. Go to Beach Culture for lunch
Beach Culture is just down the street from Park Bakery and right next to Surf Taco. I can say I was mildly addicted to their Acai (AH - SA EYE - EEE) bowls. Fun fact: Get a punch card there the first day you go. This is great, especially if you have a big group that you can hand it off to. I got the BC bowl for breakfast/lunch four out of the seven days we were there. Not only did this taste fantastic, but their cold brew coffee was great too. They also have regular style smoothies, tea, and kombucha. Not to mention... how cute are these bowls?! Perfect for Intsagram
5. Explore the shops in Seaside Heights
On the boardwalk in between the trashy t-shirt stores and psychic readers you will find some cute stores. For example, this store front was adorable and caught my eye. This was Lucky Leo's Sweet Shop which had a whole wall full of saltwater taffy. I ended up buying a whole box to bring home to my mom and dad as a gift. Not in the mood for a whole box? Each piece is only fifty cents.
B & B is another popular clothing destination. There is one in Seaside Park and I believe the other is in Seaside Heights, but I could be wrong. When I was told about the local "B & B" I was pretty skeptical. I was pretty shocked to find that they actually had cute clothes! Not cheap, but cute!
Shopping not your thing? The people watching on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights is pretty.... unique.
6. Grab a quick drink at Playa bowls
Can you tell I was on a smoothie kick my week at the shore? This is because they were SO GOOD. Playa bowls is located on the southern end of the board walk. It's cute, pop-up-like stand is right off the beach and no pants are required. I had the strawberry banana smoothie and it was very good. I would love to try the waffles or any of their bowls next time I am at the shore. There is definitely something for everyone at this stand.
Check out there website and full menu here.
7. Go to the beach during sunset
Every night, without fail, the sunsets at the Jersey Shore were amazing. Pinks, purples, and oranges always filled the sky. I've never seen such consistency with pastel colors. After 6pm you do not need to have a beach pass to walk along the beach. The beach clears out and just a few people remain around 7:00pm. Grab your significant other, a beach blanket, and a water bottle full of whatever liquid you want... hint hint... and just enjoy yourself. The most relaxing part of this whole trip was when Nick and I would walk along the water at sunset. It's truly an amazing site every night. The sun sets on the bay side of the island, but I highly suggest staying on the ocean side. This way you'll get nice, soft photos without the harshness of the light.
Overall the Jersey Shore was NOTHING like what I expected. I went in expecting Guidos and bumpits, but experienced smoothies and sunsets. I would highly suggest renting out a house in Seaside heights with family or friends. It was definitely must for anyone looking for a low key, stress free vacation.
I finally took a break from editing all of my weddings and engagement images to do a shoot with Tori Radday. Tori and I have been working together for a while now and she is always one of my favorite people to photograph. As a blogger, you really should know the importance of good photography. If you want to make your blog look profession, it has to have quality images.
Tori and I work together once or twice a month doing about 2 or 3 outfits every time. This is a great way to optimize time and your money with a photographer. She also switches out different glasses for looks which really creates a nice diversity in her Instagram posts while wearing the same outfit.
This is one of my favorite looks she has done. It is such a retro and frankly, a much more sexy look, than I am used to shooting. She rocks it too. I always say my job would be too shoot for Free People or Urban... or really any female-based brand. I think these last few images really show that off.
Model/Stylist - Tori Radday
Photographer - Me! Rachel Dwyer
This was my first international (if you can call it that? My mom is from Canada. When I'm back on Grosse Ile, we go all of the time. International sounds fancy, so I'm going to use it... but honestly I think most people assume that I mean far away, when I mean 35 minutes from my parent's house in the USA) photoshoot. I have known Michelle for a while now. I used to go to Canada to get my hair cut and colored because she did a great job and charged the right price. She moved to Toronto a few years ago and studied hair and makeup at a really well known school. She works on TV shows, weddings, and anything you can think of that needs hair or makeup.
It is so easy to shoot a couple that is passionately in love. Michelle lives in Toronto and Kevin lives somewhere in Indiana. It's notable feature is that it is an hour away from Chicago. Just kidding, I'm sure it has other notable features... But I was very impressed by Kevin. He owns two (or three?) stores that create hearing aids. He also works for the corporate office in Phoenix. So basically he lives on a plane between Indiana and Phoenix, Phoenix and Toronto, Toronto and Indiana. Because of this, Michelle and Kevin don't get to see each other as half as much as they want to.
Michelle drove in from Toronto for this shoot and Kevin flew in from Phoenix the night before. I'm so honored to have photographed this shoot after all of the traveling to make it happen. Michelle grew up in Windsor and wanted to go to Reaume Park. I had never been and the gardens were amazing. We got there around 6:30/7pm and the lighting was perfect. This a great place and it's FREE! It's a public park and absolutely beautiful.
Next we went to Riverside and Parent streets and pulled into the park there to get the photos of the Detroit skyline at sunset. This is kind of a special picture features both an American and a Canadian, while standing on Canadian soil before they get married and move over to the US.
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Couple: Michelle and Kevin
Photographer: ME! Rachel Dwyer
Engagement photos on Belle Isle, Detroit.
Read MoreI teamed up with Tori Radday from Fashion Trends & More to collaborate on a fashion inspired photoshoot. This was my first real shoot in Richmond, VA so I was very excited to see what Tori had in mind. She suggested that we meet up in Carytown. This was such a great idea. Carytown is filled with murals and colorful walls that make the perfect backdrop for any fashion shoot.
Tori was so great to work with and I'm so excited to work with her again on future shoots. She has such an inviting personality and feels very comfortable in front of the camera. I believe our styles blended perfectly together.
I am in love with Instagram and having the "look away" photos is a must. However, when you're having a professional photographer take photos of you, how do you tell them what you are looking for? What do you wear?
Read MoreLauren is a cheerleader for the Detroit Tiger's and wanted a unique Detroit photoshoot. We went on the top of a parking structure for the first part of the day and then moved to the colorful wall mural. Lastly, we headed to Hammtramck for a few more shots.
Here a few photos from Shelby and Joe's Wedding. The ceremony took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Grosse Ile and the reception was in Wyandotte, MI. We took getting ready photos at Shelby's parent's house and went to Elizabeth Park for photos.
I have known Heather since high school and when she asked me to do her engagement photos, I was so excited. Heather always had unique style and I used to love the photos she took back in high school. She inspired me to venture further into photography, so it was quite the honor when she asked me to take these photos.
We took the photos at Centennial Farm on Grosse Ile, MI. I grew up riding horses here and it is also the park right behind Heather's house.
The were married just a few weeks ago with a small ceremony at a Zingerman Farm.
Gina and Patrick's wedding took place August 28, 2015 at Stoney Creek Metro Park in Shelby Township, Michigan. The ceremony was lined with trees that reached all the way to the sky and greenery everywhere. The pictures speak way more than words.
It's fun to attend a wedding as a guest and not have to worry about the pressure of being the photographer. Although sitting at a table of my college friends and their exes was a little weird, it was nice to reconnect with so many people.
My friends and I arrived to the ceremony as the bride was just about to walk down the aisle. I almost walked down the aisle myself, but then was soon directed to get out of the way. We ran and took our seats in the beautiful, but very hot church. One thing to remember, in old churches there is no air conditioning. It's hot. It's stuffy. The family was nice enough to provide fans to the guests while we witnessed the marriage.
The reception took place at The Baker Lofts just outside of downtown Holland, MI. It was truly a gorgeous reception space. We were first greeted by a tall moss divider which was the background for our escort cards. Just behind the the mossy wall lay a beautiful space lined with lights strung across the ceiling. The colors were muted tones and the center pieces were succulents.
The overall beauty of the reception space dulled the reality of the cash wine bar and the dueling pianos. Also, they brought their dog. So it was a win.
I love the challenge of working with someone new. Especially someone who has never really participated in a photoshoot. There are always insecurities and uncomfortable moments. I love this because I watch them become more comfortable throughout the shoot. I do not know if it's me being goofy the whole time, or them getting used to a camera shoved in their face, but something happens.
A few days ago I worked with Joy, who has never really had a photo shoot before. She is obviously beautiful and has a cute sense of style. It was raining and the mosquitos were destroying our legs, but we had a successful shoot. As the shoot went continued through the night she became more natural in front of the camera which translated in my images. I foresee many more shoots with her.
June 6, 2015
First I want to state that I thought I would never do weddings. In fact, I never wanted to do weddings. I took engagement photos for the couple and they asked me, repeatedly, to do their wedding. Finally I broke down and said yes. I am beyond thankful that I did.
After a full week of gloomy days, Saturday was the perfect day for a wedding. I brought along my Jennifer Boris as my second shooter. The Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church on Horsemill Road set the background for Jon and Kristin's ceremony. The church had a very clean look to it with plenty of natural light shining through the tall windows. After being told that it was against church policy to have me take any photos within the church post-walking-down-the-aisle, Jennifer and I had to come up with some creative ways to get shots.
After family photos in the church, we headed over to a house on Grosse Ile near the lighthouse. The bride and groom originally wanted photos in front of the lighthouse, but I had to inform them that the light/shadows would look better if we faced the houses. There was also a small boat that was an eyesore in the background. Once the bridal party turned around the shots were natural with the beautiful houses in the background.
The reception took place at the Chateau on the River in Trenton. I was extremely impressed with how the venue looked and the great outdoor space that was provided. I worked 16 hours and spent another 20 or so editing. I already have another wedding booked and I hope more will follow.
