.. and a happy Christmas from the boys!
All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.
A wedding album should tell a story, not just record who was at your wedding. It should convey the atmosphere, the joy and emotion of the day and capture those little moments that make your wedding special and unique.
Not every photograph taken on your wedding day will be a "posed" shot. In fact, most of them won't be. The images that become treasured favourites are almost always the ones that no-one realised had even been taken at the time!
Group shots and bridal couple portraits are great for showing everyone in their finery, looking their best and beautifully lit, with an attractive backdrop. The photographs that depict the dynamics and relationships between people, the warmth of friends and the love for family, cannot be staged and require an observant and attentive photographer.
Sally Marie's style is based on a natural and unobtrusive method of capturing important moments, emotion and expressions of feeling. Like every other aspect of the day's photography, it's important that the couple and their guests feel comfortable in the photographer's presence and are able to relax and be themselves.
This impromptu toast from the groom's workmates was anticipated and captured from a good distance away so as not to intrude on the moment of celebration between friends. It became a favourite choice for the final album!
Whenever there are children at a wedding, you can expect to create some beautiful portraits without resorting to commanding them to "say cheese"! Children are naturally curious and, even when they don't play up for the camera, their fascination of the events around them produces some wonderful expressions.
Of course, sometimes it all gets a bit too much!
The genuine moments that a good wedding photographer can capture, will be treasured for generations to come. Make sure your wedding day story is told by an expert visual storyteller!
To discuss our wedding photography services in more detail, call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail weddings@sallymarie.co.uk.
A classic portrait of the bride and groom is what makes a wedding album. It's what everyone wants to see! There are so many ways to capture the "just married" moments and expressions, and bridal couple portraits can be beautiful, traditional, or quirky... whatever the style they will be one of the most creative elements of your wedding photography.
A good time to take your bridal couple portraits is just after the ceremony. At this point in the day you may want to steal away for ten minutes, sip some champagne, catch your breath and take everything in.
Another option is to do the group shots first, then allow your guests to relax, mingle, chat and get drinks and canapes while you and your photographer find a quiet spot to take your couple portraits.
This needn't take up more than ten minutes of your day (although you can spend as long as you want of course!) and it's at this point I would suggest asking enthusiastic guests with cameras not to follow you for this bit. It's important to create the right mood and, if you're conscious of a dozen cameras and mobile phones pointed in your direction, it can be overwhelming and distracting. The best results are achieved with a few minutes gentle direction from a good photographer, who will put you at ease and make you look your most beautiful.
Many couples choose a second (or third!) location for their bridal couple portraits. If your wedding is taking place near a spot that is meaningful to you, such as a forest or park, consider taking a detour there for some special portraits before the reception.
You will find your bridal couple portraits even more outstanding if you've chosen to do a pre-wedding shoot before the big day, as you'll need less direction and won't feel awkward in front of a camera. If you already know your photographer and trust them, you can forget their presence and enjoy a few minutes of each other's company before the partying begins!
For an informal chat about your wedding plans, or to book a complimentary pre-wedding photoshoot, contact the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail weddings@sallymarie.co.uk
Make sure you allow plenty of time to get everyone organised for the group shot. Ushers can be a great help in speeding things along here by letting everyone know that they are needed for a few minutes for a group photograph. A high window, steps or balcony can provide an excellent vantage point for getting everyone's face in the picture clearly.
Smaller group shots can be as informal or as formal as you like, but remember it can take longer to direct a group of people so limit the number of smaller groups to what is important to YOU the couple - it's your day and your wedding album after all - and don't allow endless combinations of guest groups to compromise images that may be more important to you, such as the shots of the two of you together.
If it helps, make a list of the essential groups and give a copy to an usher or the best man, and a copy to your photographer. Sticking to a set of important group shots will make this part of the day as smooth as possible for you and your guests.
Group shots can be taken indoors or outdoors, and will usually include the bride and groom with each set of parents, immediate family, siblings, and of course a photograph with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
There is no rule on how traditional these shots need to be, and if you want to inject a little fun and quirkiness to your album then group shots can become a real talking point!
Each wedding photography package offered by Sally Marie Photography is tailored to your wishes. We will offer suggestions if required and direct the shots for the most striking and flattering results, but ultimately it's all about you and what you want. Call in today to talk about your wedding plans over a coffee and we'll be happy to go through ideas for your wedding photography with you. Call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or visit http://www.sallymarie.co.uk/ for more information.
It's important that you check with your minister, registrar or officiant before the wedding day to make sure there are no restrictions on photography during the service. Unfortunately there are a surprising number of photographers out there who still insist on wandering about during the service, getting in the way and causing a distraction, which has understandably left many registrars apprehensive about ceremony photography. There is no need for any of this! 
There is no valid legal obstacle to the photographing of your marriage ceremony, with the only exception being the signing of the register. The register document cannot be photographed by law, and it is therefore normal to shoot the bride and groom "pretending" to sign a blank page in the register after the real thing has been completed.
To discuss your wedding photography requirements, call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail weddings@sallymarie.co.uk
The morning of the big day will most likely be a buzz of activity. It's a huge part of the wedding day story and a part that you'll want to remember.
More and more brides are choosing to have this time documented by their wedding photographer as part of the wedding photography package, and you may want to consider whether this is something you would like to include in your wedding storybook or album.
Some brides like to have the whole preparations photographed, from rollers-and-dressing-gowns through the hair and make up artist's visit to the final transformation in gown and veil.
Other brides prefer a general "before the wedding" feel, with shots of the dress waiting to be put on, details of shoes and flowers, perfume and champagne, which all add a lovely feel and a burst of colour to the eventual album design.
This elegant image was taken as the bride left the hotel lift on her way out to the lobby:
Sally Marie offers bridal preparations as part of the wedding photography service. With a female photographer who specialises in making women look their best on film, it's a relaxed, friendly approach and the images taken at this part of the day are natural, fun and flattering.A second photographer is also available to document the groom and groomsmen and the arrival of your guests before the ceremony.
Let's hear all about your plans for the big day - call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail weddings@sallymarie.co.uk
COMING UP NEXT: Wedding Photography Blog Series - Part 5: The Big Day (The Ceremony)
All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.
