Group shots - love ‘em or hate ‘em?
People have a bit of a love/hate relationship with group shots; on the one hand you want to make sure you get those all important photos of you and your family but equally you don’t want to spend ages standing in a line plastering a smile on your face.
People have a bit of a love/hate relationship with group portraits; on the one hand you want to make sure you get those all important photos of you and your family but equally you don’t want to spend ages standing in a line plastering a smile on your face. They also take time, time that you could be spending with your loved ones having fun. But for most people it’s important to get photos of you on your big day with the people that are important to you. That said, if you’re choosing photos to go on your wall or flicking through your wedding album in years to come do you want to look at endless photos of family members standing in a line with a fake grin slapped on their faces? Probably not.
So what to do?
First off think about the group photos you really really want. For me a whole group shot is a must because it covers everyone. (Well hopefully everyone but there’s bound to be someone who’s gone for a quick wee or having to deal with a tantruming child who doesn’t make it). Other ‘standards’ are with parents, siblings, your children, grandparents, bridal party.
Once you’ve got your list then think about wether any of them might be covered throughout other parts of the day? If you are having bridal prep photographed then you will probably get the bride and bridesmaids, bride and Mum, then bride and Dad (arriving for the ceremony). The groom and groomsmen pretty much always get photographed before the ceremony waiting for the bride. That’s not to say you take these requests off your list, just let your photographer (hopefully me) know that you want them but you are happy if they are checked off at other times.
Bride with her immediate family arriving before the ceremony
Hopefully that’s narrowed the list down a bit.
My next tip is to get the photos you do want done as quickly as possible. This is where it’s a good idea to enlist a family member and/or a friend who can help round people up - someone with a loud voice who has maybe a bit of a bossy nature is ideal. It’s also a good idea to do it sooner rather than later ie before too many drinks have been sunk. Although that may help with the next suggestion….
Helpful guest getting the wedding party into position
Make it fun! The photos don’t have to be of everyone standing stiffly, baring their teeth in a resemblance of a smile do they? Have a bit of fun, pull silly faces (just don’t flash your knickers).
So hopefully that’s a few tips to make the groups portraits go smoothly and quickly. That said, if you’re still not convinced then don’t do it, it is your day!
Street/Stranger Portrait workshop
On Saturday I took part in Andy’s Street/Stranger Portrait workshop. I was massively out of my comfort zone having to approach strangers to ask if I could take their portraits, but because you can get some amazing results I just had to do i
With Andrew Newson Photography Courses
On Saturday I took part in Andy’s Street/Stranger Portrait workshop. I was massively out of my comfort zone having to approach strangers to ask if I could take their portraits, but because you can get some amazing results I just had to do it.
Andy set us the challenge of taking 50 portraits, well I only managed 30 but I got the most out of the group so I’m counting it as a win :)
There’s so much to think about when doing this; who to ask, getting straight in your head what to say when you approach someone, making sure your settings are correct, making sure the composition is good, and all in a very short space of time as you don’t want to hold these people up too much. Not all my portraits worked out but below are the ones that did.
For more information on this workshop and others run by the very knowledgeable Andrew Newson please visit his website.
Baby shoot!
I was asked by a friend if I did baby shoots. Well it’s not something I’d really thought about as I’ve never done it but if they were prepared to be my guinea pigs then yes!
I was asked by a friend if I did baby shoots. Well it’s not something I’d really thought about as I’ve never done it but if they were prepared to be my guinea pigs then yes!
So with a little (a lot) of help by my husband setting up his studio lights, I did my first baby shoot on Tuesday. I actually quite enjoyed it more, than I thought I would! It helped that baby Grace was very amenable and didn’t grumble at all about having a camera stuck in her face for over an hour.
I’m pleased with the results (one of my favourites was actually the first one taken as a test!) so if anyone else would like a baby photo shoot please contact me.
Rachel & Joe
On the 15th September I was lucky enough to be booked along with another photographer Mark Mitchell to photograph the wedding of the gorgeous Rachel and Joe.
On the 15th September I was lucky enough to be booked along with another photographer Mark Mitchell to photograph the wedding of the gorgeous Rachel and Joe.
The wedding took place at Core Clapton, London which is a restored Edwardian Parish Hall and I don’t think I’ve seen a more impressive parish hall! It was a really beautiful, simple wedding, they’d roped friends to help; from the flowers to the Welsh ladies choir who sang in the service to the food to the band. It really was a fun, joyful wedding.
Welcome to my website
Welcome to my new website which will be the home of my wedding and event photography business.
Welcome to my new website which will be the home of my wedding and event photography business.
I’ve been taking photos for a very long time (I have a GCSE and A level in photography, gained using a film SLR and dark room rather than digital SLR and LightRoom) and I love a wedding so what better way to try and make a living than combining two favourite things?!
Aside from taking photos and spending time with my family, I also like sewing, eating, drinking (partial to a good g&t and have turned into a bit of a gin snob having tried over 30 different gins so far), cats and I have to admit to being a bit of a telly addict.
So that’s me, I hope you enjoy the photos and if you are getting married or having event I hope you’ll consider booking me
Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions (either photography or gin related).
Thank you,
Samantha