Galleries

5 Wedding Day Tricks for Better Photos

Gallery September 16, 2015 Zac Clark Leave a comment

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

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

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)

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!

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!

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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Family, Lifestyle

Casey and Quenton—Storming Red Bank Battlefield

Gallery September 9, 2015 Zac Clark Leave a comment

I’ve known Casey ever since I moved to West Deptford in the 4th grade. We went through middle school AND high school together. My dad even coached her basketball team (my little sister was on it) in middle school.

She asked if I do family photos as well. I mean aren’t weddings just really big reunions? OF COURSE, I DO!

We chose Redbank Battlefield for photos with her and her son Quenton. He’s going into 7th grade. Casey and I reminisced about Junior High. It seems all of the teachers I remember have retired. (I don’t feel that old). Anyhow, I wanted to get shots of her son looking natural. He was all about chucking rocks into the river, so I shot while he did that. Surely enough, Casey couldn’t hold back either. There’s something ultimately satisfying about skipping stones. Once I was sure that we got the shots by the river we headed over to the Whittle House and used that for the background.

I love shooting in the city, but there’s something about the openness of the suburbs that you absolutely can not fake. I really enjoyed the way they played off each other. It can be hard to get kids relaxed for a shoot, but Quenton got in the zone pretty quickly. The proof is in the pictures.

If you’re thinking about having some family pictures done, reach out! The light is great this time of year, and pretty soon those little guys are gonna be big guys and you’ll wonder why you didn’t sooner!

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engagement

Jaclyn and Chris—Love Park

Gallery September 4, 2015 Zac Clark Leave a comment

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!

Weddings

Joanna and Ted: A Wonder Wheel Wedding

Gallery August 31, 2015 Zac Clark Leave a comment

Ok, stop me if you’ve heard this one before!

I was hanging out a couple weekends ago on Coney Island with some friends. Of course, I had my camera on me and one of my friends runs into her buds. Turns out they are on their way to the Wonder Wheel to get married.

Just a simple short ceremony on one of the most famous amusement rides ever! Y’know things like this happen all the time… WAIT! No they don’t!

I ask if they have a photographer. They tell me no, just they’re officiant and two witnesses.

I ask if they want a photographer. HECK YES! So they get me a ticket and I get to shoot one of the coolest (and fastest) weddings I’ve ever heard of.

Check out the shots! Joanna’s outfit is this super cool flapper deal complete with headband. Ted got to wear shorts! RED shorts even! Awesome!

Pretty awesome story right?! If you are thinking about something simple and you’re not sure if you need a photographer, rest assured YOU NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

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Editorial, Fashion

Ally in the City

Gallery August 28, 2015 Zac Clark Leave a comment

Last week I caught up with my friend Ally. I’ve been itching to do some more studio style fashion work. I couldn’t help try a little bit of editorial as well. We aimed for a high color, high contrast mood. Of course, Ally provided plenty of charm, good looks and attitude!