The Sentiment Shines Through
by EVANGELINE LAZAM
When the celebration is over, what can be more precious than reliving the day’s events together by looking at the pictures taken? You can guarantee that every walk down memory lane will be a pleasant experience if you know the dos and donts of wedding photography.
Makeup marvel
While this is your day to shine, don’t get caught on camera with a shiny face. Stay away from cream makeup or those with glitter, as they tend to look shiny on film.
Instead, use powder-based or matte foundation, blush, and bronzer to warm your skin tone and let you blush like a bride should. A warm cheek and lip color in peach or rose will look perfect in flash photography and in either black-and-white or color. Bright red lipstick will appear black in black-and-white, though.
Experts suggest that brides run hair and makeup trials before the wedding, and to bring a camera to these sessions so that they will know how they will look in pictures. A professional makeup artist will know how to adapt to the weather, location, and time of your wedding, and the different makeup techniques needed to avoid caking and melting. "Good bridal makeup should be long-wearing, and require minimal retouching," says professional makeup artist Krist Bansuelo. Bansuelo recommends hiring a makeup artist who understands photography lighting requirements. "The bride’s face should look good in photographs regardless of the kind of camera used, because other guests will be taking pictures of the wedding to show their friends and families too," he says. Bansuelo adds that it is reasonable to invest in quality makeup brands.
About time
Planning your day to accommodate photo sessions and allowing adequate time for taking pictures is crucial, because the time of your wedding will call for different photography techniques. Maximize the time spent for taking formal photos by hiring a second photographer to handle the casual shots.
A borderless backdrop
Feel free to use your environment; let the setting create a colorful and playful palette for your wedding. Don’t fret if the background isn’t perfect. In a digital world, nearly everything is possible. If it starts to rain, don’t stop taking pictures outside. Get close to your groom under a classic, oversized black umbrella. You’ll love how the delicate raindrops work to create the most romantic photos for your wedding book.
Light Drama
Photographers, especially photojournalists, tend to prefer natural light. The best time to take pictures is late in the afternoon, since the soft and natural glow of early evening is always more flattering and easier to work with. But if your celebration takes place earlier in the day-when the sun casts harsh shadows-your photographer will have to offset this by using more flash to fill in the shadows. In this case, it would be wise to find some natural shade-for instance, under the spreading boughs of a tree-to reduce the chances of squinting.
Candid composure
As a rule, formal pictures are taken for the sake of remembering everyone who took part in your celebration. Say yes to variety; go for a combination of both formal and casual shots. You don’t always have to stop to strike a pose, as posing for pictures comes often looks artificial.
Don’t worry about getting blurry pictures when you’re moving; a camera set at a low shutter speed creates images that are intentionally blurry. Remind your guests-and yourself!- to have fun. A photojournalist will be attracted to your natural disposition and actions, and will try to capture the true spirit of your day.
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