25Apr

How many hours of photography is suggested for a wedding?

By, April 25, 2011

How many hours of photography is suggested for a wedding?

We find six hours to be the average amount of time needed to have a photographer on site. You may need more and you may need less. Typically, we arrive at a wedding about an hour and a half  prior to the start time. We don't show up at the start  of the "getting ready" process because when you're just starting out (putting deodorant on and brushing your teeth) it's not essential that this be photographed. What is important is that we get those final touches and details, such as pictures of the dress and accessories, and the girls helping put the bride's gown on.

The same holds true for the end of the evening. Fifteen minutes of dancing with two photographers photographing non-stop will look like three hours of dancing. So it is most important to think about when your last traditional event will take place. For example: the cake cutting, final speech, or bouquet toss. Then, add twenty minutes to that and you should be in great shape.

We rarely stay until the end of the wedding. Usually, the end of the evening entails a few people leaving in the dark, with a few other people waving goodbye. Your guests are partied out, a little sweaty, and maybe have had a few drinks, so the end of evening photos are not nearly as amazing as you'd think they may be.

Of course, there are exceptions to all of this. For example, if there is a big gap of time between the ceremony and reception. Or if you are having a late-night activity, such as fireworks or sparklers, etc. In these cases, it's best to discuss your timeline with our photography team, so we can create the best solution for you.

We always suggest  hiring us for the minimum amount of time that you know you'll need. That way, you're paying for the amount of time that you know you'll need. You always have the option to add on more time at the event if needed. Twenty minutes before we are scheduled to wrap up, we will come up to you to make sure that everything was covered. If we feel that there is more to photograph, we will try to get it done within that time period, or let you know if more time is necessary.

Here is an example timeline:

6hr package with wedding starting at 5:30pm

  • 4:00pm-4:30pm arrive to photograph final getting ready shots. Bride should be 90% ready with exception of dress being put on. Bridesmaids should be 100% ready
  • 4:30-5:00 photograph bridesmaids
  • 5:00-5:20 photograph groomsmen
  • 5:30-6:00 photograph ceremony
  • 6:00-7:00 cocktail hr (one photographer will head to cocktail hour and photograph the room details)
  • 6:00-6:25 photograph family (this is the most important part of the day, it is vital that all family know where to be and are present. If we are chasing after an uncle that went to cocktail hour by accident, there is a domino affect and it takes away from the couple's photos as there isn’t a lot of makeup time on the wedding day.) After the pics, the family heads to cocktail hour
  • 6:25-6:40 bridal party  (bridal party needs to stay and not head to cocktail hour until after the pictures)
  • 6:40-7:05 Pictures of the wedding couple (If more time is needed we will pull you out during salads to get a few more portraits)
  • 7:00-10:00 Photograph dances and traditional reception events

More time may be needed depending on your events taking place.

21Apr

There seems to be a trend in vintage and retro styled wedding and engagement photography. What’s your take on it?

By, April 21, 2011

There seems to be a trend in vintage and retro styled wedding and engagement photography. What’s your take on it?

We think vintage is a super cool style choice, if done the right way. A lot of people request to have pictures done with a vintage treatment, but there's a real fine line between stylized artistic and gimmicky. When you involve a vintage outfit or vintage props, then it makes sense to give the image a faded, desaturated look. That's stylized artistic. Where it becomes gimmicky is when you have a normal scenario and you change the colors to give it a vintage look. There's going to be a clash there.

If going vintage, we prefer doing the vintage treatment for the engagement shoot instead of the wedding. A vintage engagement shoot can be a fun and unique way to bring out your personality as a couple. Then, we can keep your wedding images current, and your children will be able to see what you actually looked like in the year you got married.

Also, keep in mind that trends naturally change over time. Think of wedding images you may have seen from the '60's or '70's, and the fashions of the time.  Whatever you're doing now, it's going to look vintage to your children, even if you don't consciously go for a vintage look.

19Apr

Romantic Wedding Celebration at the Seaside Forum

By, April 19, 2011

We caught up with Emily to recap her wedding to Paul at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown San Diego. They followed  up the ceremony with a contemporary reception at the Scripps Forum. Check out a few of the images we captured of the gorgeous couple, and see what Emily had to say about their big day:

Meghan of True Photography: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions about your wedding for our blog! I’m interested to know what was most important to you and Paul when planning your wedding?

Emily (Bride): We didn’t want our wedding to feel “typical” or manufactured. We wanted the focus to remain on marriage, the whole purpose of the day, and not to get lost on all the things that become insignificant once the event is over, like party favors and material things.

San Diego Wedding Photographer: True Photography captures beautiful bride and groom after ceremony

 

Meghan of True Photography: If you had to choose, what would you say was your most memorable moment from your wedding day?

Emily (Bride): Being at the altar. Ironically, that was when were all alone, just the two of us, up there with the priest. It was really surreal and special. All the hand squeezes and sideways glances that no one else could see or know about. That is special and still stands out to me.

 

 

Meghan of True Photography: You were such a beautiful bride and we absolutely loved photographing you and Paul. Can you tell us what your experience was like working with True Photography?

Emily (Bride): True Photography was great. If I could describe the experience I would say “easy and efficient”. We wanted to be able to enjoy a little bit of the cocktail hour with our guests, and Mike made that happen, without sacrificing photos we wanted. The pictures truly captured the essence of the event.

 

San Diego Wedding Photographer

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