Your Herts & Beds Wedding - Jun/Jul 2019 (Issue 74)

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY 67  THROUGH THE LENS Capture your day on camera with this handy guide Photography how to… DECIDE ON THE STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY “Spend time looking at different photographers and think about how their images make you feel – if you get goosebumps looking at someone else’s big-day imagine how you’ll feel looking at your own,” says Becky Harley of Becky Harley Photography. “If you want to go for pure documentary-style you might not get family group shots. Some classic photographers may require an hour of your time for portraits. I offer a mix that focuses on natural moments but I love to capture epic bride and groom portraits!” says Rafe Abrook of Rafe Abrook Photography. “You might change your preference once you see different styles. Some couples prefer a more styled or artistic photographer, whereas others might prefer a laid-back look,” advises Becky Kerr of Becky Kerr Photography. CHOOSE THE MUST-HAVE SHOTS “Your pro will be experienced in capturing all the things you want to remember without being prompted. If they spend their day consulting a long tick list, it’s highly likely that they’ll miss the natural moments that make your day so special,” says Becky Harley. Rafe prefers working with couples that trust him to know what to capture. “I always shoot the bride’s dress reveal to her dad, the confetti throw, and dance offs. I use the small gaps during the day to evaluate what I’ll do for lighting and portraits as I’ll have the gear with me for all eventualities,” he says. “Choosing images that capture natural emotion is just as important as choosing the sharpest or technically clean shots,” says Andreas Yiasoumi of AY Visuals. GET USED TO BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA “Having a pre-wedding shoot is an excellent way of helping you to feel comfortable and to see that it isn’t so bad! Plus it’s great to have these photos to look back on and remember how happy and excited you were during your engagement!” says Becky Harley. Rafe’s engagement shoots tend to last around an hour. “I don’t have a long list of complicated wedding poses. Whilst some couples naturally fall into each other’s arms, some take a little more time to get comfortable. I use well-judged humour and compliments to settle nerves and lighten the mood and before you know it the shots are just rolling,” he says. If you don’t have the time or budget for a pre-wedding shoot don’t panic as many photographers will blend into the background. “I tend to shoot very candidly,” says Andreas. “A lot of the time I’m barely noticeable, which allows for natural emotion to be brought out in the work.” USE THE PICS AFTER THE BIG DAY “We’re so used to viewing our photos on our phone and sharing them on social media, however, your photos are special and how they’re viewed should reflect this,” says Becky Kerr. “What good is the investment you’ve made in your photography if all your images sit on a hard drive?” says Becky Harley . “Beautiful albums create an amazing time capsule of your day to enjoy for years to come. Make sure you pick your favourites to print and frame, or put into a photo book to enjoy,” she adds. “I offer a wide range of beautiful products including mini books, framed prints, and USB and print boxes that create lovely mementos of the day. If you have an engagement shoot, you can also use those images for invites, bunting, signing boards or general decoration on the big day too,” says Rafe . beckyharleyphotography.co.uk beckykerrphotography.co.uk