Pinterest - The Photographer's Blessing and Curse

If you ask yourself what the main criteria is for selecting a team of photographers to shoot your perfect day, your answer should be creativity and ease. If we all wanted the same types of pictures, there would only be one successful photographer. Thankfully, this is not the case and brides are able to choose their photographers based on their own style. There is no denying that social media has changed the world and Pinterest has become a fabulous tool for brides who are looking for creative ideas for everything wedding related. But for creative photographers, it can be a curse in disguise. Now that is not to say that photographers do not need inspiration.  Geez, we are always looking at others images but there is a big difference between inspiration and copying.  Has anyone ever really cramped your style? So to make your Pinterest boards a benefit to your photographer here are a few thoughts to guide you as you pin, pin, pin and before you send 10 pages of images to your photographer. 

 Even though it is helpful and necessary for brides to communicate what types and styles of pictures they would like to have on their wedding day, you need to know that it is impossible to copy/recreate something they saw on Pinterest. Yes, you may be able to use the same idea for inspiration-but it will not be the same location, same wedding party, and most importantly-the same photographer. Please also consider that many of the images you see on Pinterest have been carefully staged so the amount of time you have for pictures can also play a huge role. Know that your photographer would love to see some ideas of shots you would like on your wedding day but, you hired him/her because you were drawn to their work. The bottom line...allow your photographer to work his or her magic so that some other bride will one day pin your images to their dream wedding board! 

Photography by Rick Dean Photography LLC

Makeup for the Picture Perfect Bride

What girl doesn’t love makeup? I sat down with makeup artist, Sabra Mizzell of Willow Salon in Charleston, SC, to find out what makeup you should be wearing on your wedding day! 

Now we know every bride wants to look picture perfect on their wedding day, but did you know that a certain type of makeup and application can make your photographs even more fabulous?! If any of you are believers in beauty tips from the stars, you have probably heard of silicone-based airbrush makeup. Silicone-based airbrush makeup was originally created for film, and has been a favorite of brides ever since. Sabra recommends airbrush makeup to all of her brides because it is simply “tear-proof, sweat-proof, and photographs like a dream!” For all you ladies with sensitive skin, good news- it is hypoallergenic and provides great coverage! Sabra’s go to airbrush makeup is created by Temptu, a favorite brand of runway shows, television, celebrities, and all her beautiful brides. 

For the brides who prefer a standard application of makeup, there are a few things you should know. Standard application uses a medium coverage foundation, which normally contains SPF. The SPF causes light to reflect, creating a white cast over your face. To photograph flawlessly on your wedding day, it is important to apply a foundation that is SPF-free. SPF-free foundation is recommended because it absorbs light, creating a natural glow - making you a picture perfect bride.

You can read more about “Tips to Avoid the White Cast of Sunscreen” on Beautylish.com. 

Photography by Rick Dean Photography LLC

Wedding Photo Ideas and Projects

Pictures are important both before during and after your wedding. There are plenty of DIY projects that you can do to impress your guests and have memories that last forever.

Before your wedding, one of the best ways to get to know your photographer is to have an engagement photo session. Once your photos are all set and ready to go a great idea is to use your favorite for your “save-the-date” invitations. Simply upload your photo to a printing website, like VistaPrint, and you can add the affects you want to make your cards unique.

During your wedding, you can find interesting ways to display photos at your wedding reception. You can always re-purpose old photos and use them as coasters for your guest’s drinks, or use them as a part of your wedding program. To honor your parents or grandparents marriages find photos of their wedding days and display them as well, it is great way to bring out the sentimental nature of the day and make the moment even more special. 

After your wedding, looking at all the photos may be overwhelming. Sit down with your spouse or maid of honor when you are ready to scrapbook your day. Choose the best photos that you feel best describe your day. Make it like a story, highlighting the most important parts of the day, keeping the categories semi even (getting ready, wedding ceremony, candid’s, cake cutting, dancing, and speeches are popular categories). Also, be sure to have the most important people well represented whether it is your immediate family, bridal party or friends.

If you are looking for some specific ideas one of the best sources for planning your wedding is Pinterest. There are millions of great ideas here that can help give you the inspiration to make your day even more memorable.

Five Ways Brides Can Upset Bridesmaids

Well it’s your wedding, and the photos and videos are going to depict exactly what you’re envisioning, as they should; its your special day. Finding the love of your life is such an amazing experience, that it’s celebration should show how you feel inside, and you have every right to call the shots. For this day, your choices are priority and everyone wants you to be happy, and you spend the day with your soul mate. 

 

For the most part, brides take this knowledge and make their special day awesome, but they’re still respectful to everyone’s feelings and thoughts. But we’ve all seen the shows about the brides who go way too far, and request some unreasonable things. 

For fun, or for what NOT to do, there’s a list below of some things the wedding party may not be fond of. If you’re really adamant about your request, try talking to that person in an understanding way, because, hey, maybe they’re cool with it. It’s important to respect the answer, even if it’s the one you don’t want to hear. 

#1 On an episode of Bridezillas, one bride expected her sister to dye her hair, as she wanted blonde bridesmaids. Her sister refused, and was removed from the wedding.

 

#2 Having one style of dress is a thing of past. Your bridesmaids likely aren’t the same shape, so a strapless gown might not be ideal for everyone. Making sure the bridesmaids feel confident and happy is a big part in having a wonderful night.

#3 Asking the wedding party to do a quick and simple dance is fun. Forcing the wedding party to do break it down MJ style in front of 200 people, well that’s a different story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT6InvLJUzA

#4 If someone in the wedding party can’t or won’t sing, leave it at that. 

#5 It’s one thing if bridesmaids don’t like their dress… tough you know what; it’s your wedding. It’s another thing if the bride purposely chooses a hideous dress, in an attempt to downplay the beauty of her bridesmaids. TheKnot.com recently addressed this:

“The quickest way to perturb your best friends? Invite them to be in your bridal party, then turn them into fashion victims. Don't dress your friends in something hideous so you'll look better in comparison, and try not to choose bridesmaid dresses that make your maids look heavy or sexless.” Read more: Bridesmaid Dresses: 12 Tips for Choosing the Right Look - Bridal Fashion