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Weddings

5 Wedding Day Tricks for Better Photos

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Brides often ask me if there is anything they should know to get better photos on their wedding day. My response is normally so long and filled with so many ideas that their eyes start to glaze over. So I figured I’d choose the best 5 (because I love a top 5 list) and share them. Feel free to bookmark this page for later use, it’s one you’ll come back to again and again on your day!

Set up an Engagement Shoot

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Practice makes perfect! Many brides have never dealt with a photographer before in their lives. Having a little practice in front of the lens can really help prep you for the day! I offer my brides a free engagement shoot when they book me! It helps me get familiar with my couple and helps them relax around me. The same goes for most grooms. What I’m getting at is that people just don’t get someone to take their photo for them enough. I remember my mom used you carry around this polaroid that she’d hand off to every damn stranger for family photos. Now that we all have cameras on our phones we have forgotten what it’s like to have another person take our picture. Get used to that, It’ll happen several thousand times on your day!

Forget about being Perfect

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We’re not perfect. And thats really a good thing. Hair is gonna blow around, flowers are going to be dropped, drinks will spill. It’s not your job to worry about that stuff. In fact, it’s your job to not worry about that stuff… FOR ONE WHOLE DAY. He didn’t fall in love with you because you were perfect, it was because you were perfect for him. Enjoy yourself, and stop worrying about EVERYTHING. I promise someone’s on it! Your pictures are gonna look so much better if you’re carefree.

Make a Playlist (Man, I wanted to say MIXTAPE so bad here)

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I know I feel like strutting my stuff when I have Thin Lizzy, or the Rolling Stones bouncing around in my head. Maybe you’re more of a Kanye or Katy Perry fan. Take my advice, make a few playlists for down time and share them with your bridesmaids. If everyone has them on their phones no one is running around looking for a charger at the end of the night like Gullom from Lord of the Rings. You’re all rocking out during your getting ready rituals/limo time and I’m getting great photos of you singing into a hairbrush!

Strike the Hip and Pose!

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Ok now for the real practical advice! Show some attitude. You are the star today! Take it, Rock it. This is the one time in your life that being shy is a no no. If you think it will make a good photo, make it happen! I won’t say no. SUPER SECRET: NO ONE WILL TELL YOU NO! I’m easy to work with like that. Short of getting you dirty/ruining your dress/make-up before the ceremony I’m up for anything.

Laugh!

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Seriously, don’t forget to laugh. The whole day is gonna be a little stressful, I know, but take a second and just think about how wild it is that you’re here. This is the finish line. Ever see anyone not laughing at the finish line? Too much great stuff is happening to not laugh. I bet if you laugh it’s gonna make him laugh too. It’s good for the soul and its great for pictures. Don’t forget!

That’s the best 5 I can think of! Sorry I don’t have some cool pneumonic device for this.  EPPPL haha That doesn’t really off the tongue. Anyhow, If you’re thinking you might like to just get some practice in I’m booking engagement sessions right now! Hit me up and we’ll get something neat going!

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Jaclyn and Chris—Love Park

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I haven’t had the pleasure of shooting in Philadelphia for a few years now. When Jaclyn asked me if we could do her engagement shoot down there, I was delighted to have an excuse to come down. I grew up near Philly, so I knew a couple great locations for pictures.

We started at the Ben Franklin Bridge. I knew that there was a really cool cobblestone slope right off the bridge. And since it was in the middle of the day, the shade from the bridge would help with the photos too.

Jaclyn and Chris brought along their daughter, Hailey! She was a total comedian. We got some really sweet family photos, and of course we had to get that Iconic shot in front of the “Love” sign!

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Becky and Mike at Coney Island

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First let me explain that photo above. Mike just told Becky that he would go on the Cyclone. That’s a great reason to be excited!

Travel with me back in time… Becky and I have known each other for over 20 years. Back in 1994 I was a First Class Boy Scout with Becky’s little brother in Troop 9. So yea… a long time. When she asked me about engagement photos, I immediately suggested Coney Island. I’m rarely there early enough to get shots with the gates closed. I really dug the pattern for the photos.

We made our way around Deno’s Wonder Wheel and out onto the beach for a really great backdrop of the park! As we headed over to the carousel Mike suggested we go on the Cyclone. Obviously, Becky was pretty excited!

We couldn’t have asked for a better day. Look at those blue skies!

If you’re engaged and still haven’t done engagement photos or booked your wedding photographer… What are you waiting for? Contact me here!

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My Favorite Spots for New York Engagement Shoots

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All part and parcel of the wedding photographer’s book of tricks is his location scouting ability. I spend a few days a month looking for cool spots to bring my Brides and Grooms to be for their engagement photos. Some of my favorite work is from engagement photos I’ve shot.

Why is that? Well, Weddings are super fun events, but they can be super stressful. Brides have a lot going on that day and it can be hard to overcome that.

Engagements on the other hand are pretty stress free. Which is likely why you don’t see shows like “Engagement Shoot-zilla” or some nonsense like that. The real trick though is to pick a great location. Here’s a list of my all time favorites.

5. Any Brooklyn Rooftop

I’m one of those privileged few that has roof access in Brooklyn. I’m not stingy with my roof. In NYC it’s rare you can get an unobstructed view of the sky. And the sunsets right now are amazing!

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4. The Subway

Hey it’s the city! Its a natural part of our lives here. Don’t hate on the subway photography. Engagement photography should tell a story of how you met. If that was underground, what better place to set your shoot!

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3. Central Park

Its one of the most iconic places in New York. The Central Park photo shoot is almost a right of passage for New York brides. DOn’t shy away from the idea if you have a friend that did hers there. Central Park is HUGE! Your pictures are going to be unique.

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2. Brooklyn Bridge Park

The charm of Brooklyn, with a view of Manhattan. That big honkin’ bridge in the background assures everyone that “you are here.” There’s so many cool little quiet spots to have a moment to yourselves, it’s a wild contrast from the epic scale of this city.

 

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1. Coney Island

It’s no secret that I love Coney Island! There’s so much color. The rides are awesome and there are just so many opportunities for great pictures. Whenever I go I have a hard time not going on the beach with my couples to get something that shows just how rad this place is!

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So what do you think? Do you have a favorite spot?

If you’re engaged and looking to get those engagement photos, don’t hesitate to reach out for a quote. With wedding season winding down, now’s a great time to set something up with me.