This week’s winner is Abby Warren Photography with this fun-filled umbrella shot of Aimee Cowen and Tara Louviere at Monkton Wyld Court in Dorset.
BRIDAL PREP
Some of my favourite photos are captured during bridal prep. The nerves, the excitement and the intimacy with family and friends. It is an honour to be with a bride in the lead up to her wedding. This image was captured at one of my favourite wedding venues in Scotland, Glencorse House just outside Endinburgh
This photo was taken in the cottage on the grounds of the venue, which boasts its own beautiful little church. Using only natural light I caught this moment of the bride being helped into her dress by her bridesmaids.
It is a good time to capture the little details that the bride has worked so hard on like her jewellery, shoes, personalised dressing gowns and hangers, flowers, but also those precious moments of exchanging gifts with the bridal party or the first cheeky glass of champagne and the moment parents see their daughter in her dress for the first time, which is my favourite.
Bridal prep is also the best time to build a rapport with the bride and bridal party. To be there as a support and to help where needed, to be a voice of calm among the nerves and most importantly to have fun with them. In my opinion the more relaxed you can make your couples feel the better your photos will be. I would say the large majority of my couples are not overly excited about having a camera shoved in their faces, so the more relaxed they feel they less they will notice you hovering around. I always make sure I talk chat with everyone at the wedding.
Click on the gallery for more bridal prep images
CONFETTI SHOT
If you’re planning a confetti shot there are a couple of things to consider… Make sure to ask the venue if they have a preference as to where they would like this to happen. Also most venues will require you use biogdegradible or sustainable confetti now, so best to go with these options if you’re unsure.
You can make your own real flower confetti or there are tons of places online like FlowerConfettiUK. The one thing with using real confetti is that because its much heavier it doesn’t float as well when thrown for a confetti shot.
For biodegradable confetti there are lots of companies online, but my personal favourite is Proper Confetti because of their large selection of colours to match any wedding theme.
Confetti cannons are a great way to get way fill a shot after the ceremony or during the first dance weddingandpartystore.com.
Your photographer should know this, but another tip is to get your guests to throw it up in the air rather than in the face haha
Scottish Wedding In the Rain
This couple braved the rain and didn’t let it dampen their day. I have always thought that rain is really beautiful in wedding photos and actually I don’t mind an umbrella or three
Friendship
I love this image of one of my brides and one of her bridesmaid…. pure love and happiness in this photo
Love from above
This was a glorious wedding held at Little Park House in Shepperton Studios. This photos is natural light and taken from a beautiful balcony above the brides. One of my favourite photographs
Confetti Walk
Such a great wedding in the beautiful back streets of York with Hannah and Huw on a very rainy day. The bad weather made no difference to this cool couple, who took it all in their stride. A fun day had by all!
Preparing for your headshot session
1 – BEFORE YOUR SESSION
If you have a headshot session coming up be good to yourself. Don’t go out drinking the week before, drink plenty of water and get those early nights. That all sounds very boring I know, but your headshot is your calling card so if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Be good to yourself.
2 – BOOK A LATER SESSION
As soon as you have to get up early and be well rested for your session you will of course not sleep a wink. If you don’t have to work that day ask for a later appointment as it means that if that happens you’ll at least get a nap in or maybe get a chance to chill out before. It is all psychological so it might be enough not keep you up late.
3 – WHAT TO WEAR
Colour headshots are much more fashionable now, so we are able to experiment more. It’s always good to bring something white and something black, but I always encourage my clients to bring colours. Pattern’s are also not a problem and as long as logos are not too complicated, as they can be edited out after, then bring those too. Select items that have interesting and differing necklines and layering items is also a good bet.
Think about your casting… this doesn’t mean you need to come dressed as a police officer, but we want to capture a range of possible castings. If you are not sure bring it all with you… better to bring more rather than less.
4 – CONSIDER HAIR & MAKE UP CAREFULLY
Some make up is very useful, but some it can also be a photographers nightmare to edit, especially if it’s not done well. Natural make up is what we want in a professional actors headshot.
EYES – My focus is always the eyes so some mascara and matte eye shadow is great.
EYEBROWS – this is a big bugbear for me… the trend is to have block eyebrows and although it may look nice it is far too modern and is too much of a statement and will leave you out of any period castings. Please keep your eyebrows natural.
LIPS – A lip stain is better than a lipstick, but if you are going to use lipstick a matte one is preferred and make sure it is of a nude or natural tone.
SKIN – It’s good to keep you skin hydrated, but be aware that your skin should not look too shiny. I know it is horrible if you feel your skin is not being great, but part of our skill set is we can edit spots and blemishes so please don’t worry. If you really find it hard to be completely natural then just keep it light… it’s always a good idea to take your makeup with you anyway and that way you and the photographer can discuss it.
HAIR – if you have long hair bring whatever you will need to change your hairstyles.
MEN – it’s well worth bringing your shaving equipment along so that you can get with and without facial hair should you want to.
5 – BRING IT!
Although being relaxed is important it is also true that a headshot session is part of your job, so treat it like work and bring it! It can also help if you hate having your photo taken, as it gives you the kind of focus you have in an audition. It is completely normal for actors to feel vulnerable in a session as they are not used to performing as themselves… So don’t think of it as you being you. Switch on. Not all nerves are bad, so don’t worry if you feel anxious, just embrace it and focus. Part of our job is to help you relax… I absolutely hate having my photo taken, but a good photographer will make it relaxed and fun for you.
6 – EMBRACE THE THINGS YOU HATE
In an industry where there are a growing number of actors every year, it is more important than ever to stand out. The things you hate about yourself maybe the very things that make you different. We all want to be seen as beautiful, that’s natural, but confidence is the most attractive quality.
If you have a scar don’t let them Photoshop it. I hear so often ‘I don’t like that side of my face’ or ‘my nose is too big’… We are our own worst critics and the things you hate about yourself might be exactly what others love about you.
Embrace the things you hate and have fun!