|
|
|
Can you send us a brochure?
|
|
I use this web site instead of brochures. Please come to see a range of albums. If you want to see more please ring for an appointment on 0141 560 1368.
 
A civil wedding ceremony conducted by a registrar in Beardmore Hotel, Clydebank
|
|
|
Here are some ideas to think about
Most people want a wedding photography combination that is in some way unique to them. Some suggestions are given below for a fairly standard approach with comments about time.
I photograph whoever is dressed first to save time. Home and garden pictures are sometimes reduced to a few minutes if the bride is running late at this stage. Garden pictures are best in good weather.
The Bride should plan to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start to allow for photography. The groom will be photographed before this.
'Signing pictures' will add on very little extra time.
Bride hugs the groom as the witnesses sign the wedding document at a church ceremony
Photography coming down the isle will only involve a pause of a few seconds. As you come out of the ceremony venue another short pause is required. You should then let the guests exist before any more pictures are taken.
If the weather is dubious and it looks like it is about to rain then it is best to take some pictures before that happens. Also consider abandoning travel to another location for photos if the rain looks like it will start by the time you could arrive there.
If there is a set of tall steps or a vantage point for me allow a few minutes for a large group photo to be set up.
I am happy to take guest pictures at their request once the main formal shots have been taken.
Remember to include traveling time. The time available is determined by the start of the meal and whether or not you want to be at the start of a pre-meal reception. Allow more time if you also want many group pictures with guests.
'Cutting of the cake' pictures are usually carried out in advance of the meal. Allow a few minutes for these pictures so that the lighting can be arranged properly. Hotels for example often use dim atmospheric lighting that is unsuitable for natural light photography, so 2 flash units are sometimes used. This takes time to arrange.
I will work for another 2-4 hours taking many more pictures as things happen without the need to allocate time for photography
|
| |
|
Wedding in Bearsden |
Can we use a list of photographs to be taken?
|
|
You can have your own list and we will work with a helper of your choosing. Please tell us who your helper is and what they look like. At small weddings the groom can keep the list and a pencil in his pocket or sporran and dispense with a helper.
|
How do you organise the taking of guest and group pictures?
|
|
If you want family group pictures is is best to do this immediately after the ceremony when people have not dispersed. It is a very simple matter to have 6-12 people photographed in various combinations, if there is some help in making sure everyone needed for the photographs is present.
If you personally want to use a list that is fine by me, however you need to allocate the appropriate amount of time for your helper to locate everyone and double check that the appropriate pictures have been taken. It is your responsibility to appoint somebody to round up the people concerned. Please tell us who the helpers are and ask them to identify themselves immediately after the ceremony. I suggest that they use a check list.
To avoid difficulties you should have help from somebody who knows most of the people to be photographed by sight. You could select 1 or 2 reliable and motivated people such as ushers or a couple of relatives or friends to work though your list and check with the photographer as they do so. (In my experience ushers, such as friends of the groom from college days, who do not know the family well tend to be completely defeated by this task). You should also tell those who you wish to be photographed that this is the case in advance. Please advise your parents and important people to make sure that they are included in pictures that they themselves or you might want.
If you do not select someone to work through your list as suggested above I will work with your general instructions and respond to your requests on the day.
A very large print of a wedding group of formally invited day guests in Glasgow
|
Will you take photos during the ceremony?
|
|
Normally I take pictures during the ceremony, but only if the minister, priest, rabbi, humanist celebrant or registrar, permits photography. Please note that in churches there are sometimes very strict limitations imposed by the minister or priest, for example sometimes no pictures are allowed in the main body of the church. There can also be restrictions about where the photographer can stand when the couple are taking their vows.
In cramped situations such as a large numbers of guests in a small room even registrars will sometimes impose limitations. Some of the pictures shown on this site would not be allowed in some circumstances. You need to discuss this with the registrar or celebrant and let me know in advance.
I try to avoid all use of flash in the ceremony, especially at crucial points where it would spoil the atmosphere.
|
| |
|
We have children. How can they become involved in the photos?
|
|
Many couples who are being married now have children.
If your children do not form part of the bridal party they can, if you wish, figure prominently in the pictures taken. How you use photographs afterwards is also a personal choice. These pictures can be included in the album or be framed.
For very young children spontaneous rather than 'set up' pictures often work best. If a child does not want to co-operate I will try again at various times during the wedding whenever possible. Neither you nor the photographer can force a distressed young child to smile or even participate in the way that you might want on such a big occasion, espcially if they are shy.
|
| |
|
Pageboys at signing of the marriage schedule
|
How long will the photography last?
|
|
At least 60 minutes must be given for the main bridal and family group pictures after the ceremony in medium to large sized weddings. Please note: time immediately after the ceremony is strictly regulated at busy periods in registry offices such as Park Circus, Glasgow. As stated above, I will also take many photographs without you having to allocte a specific time for them. Dinner speeches are the best example of that type of picture.
|
|
|
|
What happens if it rains or is windy?
|
|
In Scotland rain is always a possibility on your wedding day no matter the season of the year. You are advised to have an alternative plan for rain that can be put into action at 5 minutes notice. If you have long hair wind can be more problematic for photographs than rain.
|
Is bright sunny weather good for photos?
|
|
Strong direct sun is not good. It cast shadows, reduces detail on the dress, and makes people screw up their eyes. A blue sky with a few puffy clouds is good.
|
| |
|
| |
Before Retouching
If you have very sensitive skin you might wish to avoid applying foundation makeup or lipstick.
This is no longer a problem in terms of close-up photography.
|
|
|
| |
After Retouching
No extra charge is made for removing facial blemishes from photographs of the bride or groom.
Sometimes imperfections of the teeth can also be dealt with very effectively.
|
 |
|
Can you advise me about makeup for wedding photography?
|
|
Think about having a trial makeup session before the wedding with the artist of your choice. A trial session will cost but it is worth it. Please remember that if your face looks much darker than your body and arms this can look very obvious in a photograph especially if you are wearing an off-the-shoulder dress. I strongly suggest you do not wear deep foundation colours, fake tan, blusher, or rouge.
Skin blemishes can now be removed digitally. Nevertheless, something subtle to highlight the eyes is good especially if they are deep set. Again do not wear heavy makeup around the eyes unless you want a 'goth' look. Subtle enhancement of the lips with lipstick is good. Mascara well applied is excellent.
|
Can you make me look thinner?
|
|
This question is sometimes asked. The best thing is to dress appropriately to avoid wrinkling of clothing if you are very thin or very large.
In some pictures and at some angles puffiness under the chin can be removed. A few inches can sometimes be removed around the hips and arms of larger ladies in photographs taken at particular angles. It often depends on the background. Such work, if complex would be charged as extra.
|
Can you 'fix' teeth and 'remove' skin blemishes from photographs?
|
|
Red skin blemishes can often be totally removed or toned down. Spots and damage to lips can often be completely removed. I can often whiten the image of a decaying tooth and fill gaps between front teeth. There are limitations. A gentle smile with the mouth almost closed also works well. I can remove neck and facial lines. I would not advise you to have all lines removed.
|
| Post-Wedding Shoots |
|
|
Do you do 'Trash the Dress' ?
|
|
'Trash the Dress' shoots after the wedding do not appeal to me. I much prefer the newer idea of 'Cherish the Dress' where you have a post-wedding shoot either at home, in the studio, beauty spot or an upmarket location wearing your dress.
I am happy to do a 'Cherish the Dress' shoot even for those who have not had me as their wedding photographer.
'Cherish the Dress'
 
Have yourself photographed under studio lights after the wedding.
Pictures can be taken that cannot be obtained on the wedding day for most brides.
If you live in Scotland you can also donate your dress to a self-sustaining charity in Naibroi via the Balcraig Foundation. (click here for more information)
|
|
|
ScotImages.Com, 9 Craigdhu Avenue Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire,
Glasgow G62 6DX, U.K. Email me admin@scotimages.com © All images on this site are Copyright 2005 onwards
|
