Category Archives: Tips & Ideas
FAQ: How do you shoot: Traditional and Group Shots
In yesterday’s post, I talked a little bit about our shooting style and how it varies throughout the day. In particular, I talked about some of the times during your wedding day when we employ a photojournalistic approach by staying unobtrusive so that we can capture the natural and authentic moments of your wedding day.
There are times, however, when we have to step up and take charge to create the traditional portraits and group shots that are a traditional part of a wedding day. We don’t display many family photos on our website, but we do believe that it is important to capture a few nice portraits to document the presence of your friends and family members on this day. One of the really special things about weddings is the fact that it is one of the few days in your life when you will be surrounded by a hundred or more of the most important people in your lives. As time goes on and your friends and family members pass on, that record will become more and more important.
But enough with the solemnity, here are a few of the fun, funny, and unique bridal party photos from this past year to cheer you up!
Ann Oleinik is a Chicago Wedding Photographer who serves Chicago, Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond. Check us out on our website or facebook, and Contact us to learn more about having us shoot your event.
FAQ: How do you shoot throughout the wedding day?
One of the questions that most couples ask me about is what our shooting style is like throughout a wedding day. The answer, of course, is that it’s complicated. If you’re planning your wedding and reading wedding blogs, you have probably read that there are a few styles of photography: traditional, photojournalistic, artistic, etc. For us, it would be impossible to fit our shooting style into any single category.
Telling the story of your entire wedding day and creating unique, beautiful, images requires us to be versatile and fast on our feet so that we can create all of the images you have been dreaming of.
We employ each style of photography at different points throughout the day as appropriate so that we know that you will have a complete set of images. At times we try to stay quiet and unobtrusive so that you forget we are there and we can capture the true moments of your wedding day. Other times we direct you so that we can create some unique and beautiful artistic shots. Finally, we work with you and your families to create the traditional portraits that you know your mom is hoping for.
I have a bunch of images I want to share, so I am going to talk about each style in separate blog posts. Today you can learn a little bit about our candid photography, and in the next two days I will add posts about our traditional and artistic portions of the day.
Part One: Candid/Photojournalistic:
This style is very popular right now, and is really effective for capturing the true emotions, personalities, and moments of your wedding day. We use this approach at various times throughout the day, especially at very emotional moments. We love to get a few candid moments while you are getting ready with your mom, sisters, friends, etc – the emotions you experience, the relationships, little things like trying to put on your shoes while wearing your wedding dress – are all unique and special and make wonderful photographs. At other times during the day it is really important for us to almost disappear and honor the rituals of your wedding day. During the ceremony, toasts, first dances, etc., we will use an entirely photojournalistic approach so that you barely know we are there and so we can capture all of the moments that you will only experience on your wedding day. At these times we will also pay special attention to your friends, family members, and children in attendance to capture the moments that you may not see yourself but you will love to see in your photographs. And of course, towards the end of the night, we really enjoy capturing all of the energy and fun on the dance floor. From the romantic moments to the fun and crazy, we love partying with your friends and family.
Ann Oleinik is a Chicago Wedding Photographer who serves Chicago, Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond. Check us out on our website or facebook, and Contact us to learn more about having us shoot your event.
FAQ: Do we need an Engagement Session?
FAQ: Do we need an Engagement Session?
Well, ok, of course I’m going to say yes. But hear me out:
It gives you a chance to get to know your photographer. Your wedding photography is a huge investment, and you are going to spending the most important day of your life with your photographer. Doing an engagement session will help you get to know him/her/me before your wedding day so you know exactly what to expect and you know that you actually enjoy hanging out with them. A lot of couples I talk to are not sure they are comfortable with the idea of having a photographer following them around all day. Engagement sessions really go a long way to dispelling that discomfort. Suddenly, we’re not strangers with a big camera – we’re friends! Moreover, you can be confident that your wedding images will look great because you have already seen images from us. Just that level of comfort and confidence will help you look more relaxed and happy in your wedding photos.
It will give you a variety of photos to have for yourselves and for your family. I know, with digital cameras there are cameras everywhere and we all have a million pictures of ourselves, right? Your computer, your phone, your best friend, all can take pictures. But how many of those are good pictures? I think we get so used to seeing bad facebook photos that we forget how valuable it is to have a few really beautiful images. You can display them, give them to family members, use them for your invitations, save-the-dates, guestbook, etc.
It’s really fun! After one recent session Kamran put it like this – it’s like going to the spa, before you go you don’t really think you need it, but afterwards you are really happy you went. The thing is, a photoshoot is not necessarily how you imagine it or remember it from your childhood. We go someplace cool, hang out, and you and your SO spend an hour or more hugging, kissing, and gazing into each others eyes. It’s like a love potion, it feels good. Trust me. 
Let me put it another way. Guys (and girls, too) are often kind of nervous about having photos taken – whether it’s an engagement session or your wedding day. But after the engagement session they realize that it’s more relaxed than they thought it would be and that we’re ok with being goofy and trying out wacky ideas. We’ve even had guys who were previously nervous suggest we do extra engagement sessions just for fun.
So, there are a few things, do you have any other suggestions?