PORTRAITS Quite simply this is your couple’s shoot, which will usually take place directly following your ceremony while your guests are enjoying the drinks reception. How long you choose to spend away from your guests capturing these images is entirely up to you. Your photographer should have a good feel for your venue and will have all the best backdrops pre-selected. If you’re getting married at a seaside venue, such as any of those along the front in Brighton or Eastbourne, we recommend getting out and about to utilise some characterful locations such as the iconic bandstand, and of course, the beach. Peri Stojnic for Unsplash TRASH THE DRESS This is an oh-so fun shoot that should take place after the big day, where you literally trash your dress. You can pick the location such as the beach or a forest where creative images of you running through the water or trees, or having paint thrown at you, will inevitably leave your dress in a state it can’t be saved from but will result in the most incredible images. Tip top: many couples choose to use smoke bombs for some showstopping wedding day images, but we recommend exercising caution as they can inadvertently lead to dress damage. Take another, cheaper, dress to change into for these shots or chat to your photographer about how to minimise risk. Viespire for Unsplash SECOND SHOOTER Your photographer may or may not be able to offer a second shooter. So, do you really need one? It’s all down to the coverage you require. For example, a second shooter means your preparations, and your partner’s, can be captured simultaneously. You’ll also be able to see your ceremony as it unfolds from all angles, with one photographer typically at the back and one at the front, or one on you and one on your partner. It all depends on where the celebrant or registrar is happy for them to be. FILM This method uses the traditional way of capturing images to negative film, which needs to be developed in a dark room later. It’s now used for nostalgic, artistic, or aesthetic purposes bringing a more unpredictable but considered approach to your photography. Some photographers will offer this as an add on, as it’s quite risky to use as the primary method. As film is more costly than digital, you’ll likely have the option to spread one or two rolls of film out across your day for the key moments. POST-PRODUCTION If you’re wondering why on Earth, it can take weeks or even months to get a look at your photographs after your big day, the reason will be post-production. Sure, digital is immediate, there’s no film development required, but your photographer will want to make the most of the flexibility that brings. This is an in-depth process that takes time and involves selecting the best images to present to you; adjusting colour balance, exposure, contrast and more to bring a cohesive look to the images that matches the photographer’s style; and retouching, such as removing something random from the background. Briana Autran for Unsplash FORMALS This generally refers to your group shots that are posed and, well, formal. Your loved ones will be arranged in neat rows, smiling directly at the camera with the two of you in the centre. They’ll include traditional group gatherings, such as bridesmaids, groomsmen, mothers and fathers, friends, bride’s extended family, groom’s extended family, and so on and so forth. This used to be the accepted form of capturing loved ones on camera but is now much less popular, in no small part due to the time they take. 54
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