Wedding Photo Props can go a long way!
Maybe you have already planned your wedding day and set aside an hour or two for a photo-session of two of you, and your bridal party.
Perhaps you have hired your wedding photographer as well, and even agreed on a few locations for the photos. Is that all, or is there anything else in bride’s power to insure that her wedding photos will look special and stunning? As a wedding photographer, i say – yes – there’s a lot more that you can do!
First of all, just try to get to know your wedding photographer a little bit before the wedding. If you didn’t meet him or her, – try to schedule a meeting. If you are out of town, meet via skype, or chat over the phone. If you can, schedule an engagement photo-session. It’s going to make both parties [photographer and a couple] feel more comfortable with each other.
The couple will get to experience what it is like to be constantly photographed, and will get to know the photographer’s working style, and, of course – they’ll see the outcome of the photo-session and will know what kind of photos to expect from the wedding day.
For the photographer it’s very valuable, too: It’s an opportunity to figure out what the boundaries are as far as suggesting some of the less cliche poses to bride and groom go. The photographer will also learn which angles could be most flattering for a couple’s portraits, as well as simply chatting away and learning more about couple’s likes and dislikes and possibly recommending some wedding ideas on the fly.
In terms of boundaries.. – each couple is unique, they have different upbringing, different cultures, different preferences and different tastes in things. For a really easy-going couple i could suggest laying on a grass in the park, jumping up high, even standing on the head – if the groom knows how to, taking off the shoes and running on the beach, going to the subway for a few minutes in all their wedding attire and shocking and surprising all the commuters, etc.etc.!
With the more uptight couples, i just feel what is appropriate and what is inappropriate in the first 10-20 minutes of our session and adjust my suggestions accordingly as we go. Communicate openly with your photographer, and tell him or her what shots you’d love to have, what ideas you’ve got, what images you have seen that inspire you. Create a pinterest board with the photo ideas you’d love to have, and send it to the photographer. It’s a new way to communicate visually, and i find it extremely effective!
Anyway, in this blog post i wanted to focus on yet another aspect of a wedding photoshoot – the props! Not many photographers will even mention this to bride and groom, and even less of them will insist on it. – It’s not really any of photographer’s business to tell you what to bring to your wedding and what not to bring. Still – let me mention a few things that might set your wedding photos apart from so many others.
1. Balloons with helium gas – I only photographed two weddings where the couples brought balloons, but in both cases it was great! You can have the balloons colors match or complement your wedding theme colors, or, if you know where you’ll be taking photos – the colors could complement the background. I’ve seen one couple release the baloons into the air in the end of the ceremony, and all the guest held their breath watching how the balloons are flying away – higher and higher. It was very beautiful, poetic and symbolic!
2. Halloween masks – I’ve seen the groom and the groomsmen wear the masks of different presidents. It looked really impressive and funny!
3. Hats – there are so many different hats. If the couple gets matching hats, or they get hats for the bridal party, it adds a fun flavor, and character to the photos!
This weed is still widely used in china for a lot of medicinal purposes apart from just being effective for reduced stress, ginseng has several http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/half-and-half-calico-cat/ levitra online health benefits to the patients suffering from various diseases in addition of treating ED. In cute-n-tiny.com soft viagra tablets the conventional system, the medications for treating erectile dysfunction and the reason being sluggish blood flow Hypertension – High blood pressure makes the blood to flow slowly to different parts of the world. The poor blood circulation to male reproductive organ during viagra prescription sexual intercourse. This viagra buy australia calls for qualified professionals to provide the best consulting services. 4. Super-hero T-shirts – i’ve seen groomsmen put the super-hero t-shirst under the while shirts, and show them off during the photo-shoot.
5.Umbrellas – paper chinese umbrellas or colorful real umbrellas: It goes without saying that you should bring a big photogenic and sturdy big umbrella to a wedding just in case it rains. However, even if the weather is great and sunny, a few photos with umbrellas could be fun! I’ve seen polka-dot umbrellas, pink umbrellas, and many others. If every bridesmaid has an umbrella of different color, it could make terrific pictures as well!
6.Bicycles – For a couple that loves biking, a few photos with their bicycles could be really special. You don’t necessarily need to ride them, just pose with them – it’s off-beat and fun!
7. Your pet – Do you happen to have a dog? It could be quite entertaining for everyone to dress him up too, and bring him along for engagement and/or wedding photos. Some people even bring their dogs to a wedding ceremony and let them walk down the isle. I think that’s a little risky, but photos with your dog before the ceremony are cool! – After all, most couples consider dogs as part of the family, so – why not bring them along and share the fun? :) A word of warning though – have a designated person to take care of your dog in case he misbehaves.
8.Big Swirl lollipop candy – When a couple eats together or holds a big fluffy cotton candy, ice-cream cone or a colorful swirl lollipop candy on a stick, the photos come out vibrant and fun. Cotton candy gives a retro nostalgic feel, while lollipop is just so colorful and visually exciting!
9. Rain boots or cowboy boots – I haven’t had any of the brides tdo this, but i’ve seen and loved the photos where the girls and the bride take of their high-heel shoes, put up colorful rain boots or cowboy boots and show them off in fun silly and goofy poses. It’s so easy, and so visually effective!
10.Wooden mustache and lips on a stick – these are rather popular at weddings, and are used during dancing or/and in the photo-booth if there is one.
There are many more props possibilities. Just take a look around your house, and you may come up with something new and original.
Overall, i believe that props help people relax, have fun, enjoy the day and act silly and more natural! And that’s what i’m always trying to capture – the moments of true joy, laughter and happiness. The more little tricks you’ve got to bring along to help everyone get loose, happy and silly, the better it will be.
Good luck, and happy wedding planning!
Author Anna is a freelance wedding photographer based in Manhattan, New York. She brings laughter and joy to the wedding day, and always tries to shoot the same with her camera.She tries to utilize meditation concepts in her photography whenever possible.
Do you have any special plans for your wedding photography? Let us know in your comments below.
Would you like to have your wedding featured? Use the Contact Form, we would love to feature you!
Categories: Wedding Photography
Tagged: unique wedding photos, wedding phootgraphy, wedding photo ideas, Wedding Photo Props Ideas, wedding photo tips, wedmepretty.com
Date: March 5, 2013
Great Post!