Trish Barker Photography Blog

Wedding season is in full swing right now.  And I’m noticing some things that come up again and again for brides and grooms.  I’m also in the process of planning my own vow renewal and so I’m looking at how I can avoid experiencing some of this stress myself!  So I thought I’d make some suggestions that I’m pursuing for my day, that can help de-stress your special day AND will ultimately result in better and more images of your wedding.

SUGGESTION ONE: Consider making your wedding “unplugged”.

The iPhone and iPad era is really changing the way images turn out. So is the accessibility of really great cameras at Costco. Before you think getting more photos is better so “everyone, bring your camera!”, here are some facts to consider:

• iPhones and iPads don’t take high quality photos and they will not be as good as or better than the professional photos you’re paying for. Here’s the thing that guests don’t realize… when they stick their iPhone or iPad in the aisle, or their head in the aisle, it blocks your first kiss shot, your walking down the aisle shot or adds all kinds of hands and phones and ipads to your photos. It can definitely take away from your moment. I’ve even had bridesmaids and groomsmen taking photos of the bride during the ceremony while in formation. It’s so natural to us anymore, that we don’t even realize that we’re actually ruining the bigger picture (aka, the pictures you’re paying for)

  

   

• As much as I know people love taking photos with their real camera (um… ya! Me too!), your entrance shots, exit shots, etc. will have a bunch of cameras up against peoples faces, instead of having your sisters tears of joy or your uncles sweet smile at seeing you as a bride for the first time. You miss out on all those photos that you get after your wedding where you say “I didn’t know you were crying?” or where you get to see everyone’s reaction to seeing you.

  

   

• People who love taking photos can kind of be spazzes. I know this from experience… My name is Trish and I’m a spazz when it comes to photos. We want to get the shot and we’ll do what it takes to get it. But what happens when you have too many people being spazzes at once, is it takes away from the organization of the day, and can, ultimately, bring you stress as a bride. My model is to share photos. The gallery you get, people can download the images they want. Everyone will get photos as long as you want them to get them. And the time it takes for each family member to grab an iPhone pic or their own shot of the family group shot that took forever to set up because the kids keep running out of it, takes away from time that you’re paying me to get photos for you.

So, in a nutshell, an unplugged wedding can really add to the moments you get in photos and the number of images you get as well. And you can limit it to just your ceremony, and then everyone can go nuts at your reception.  Here’s a really polite way to make it happen both in your invitation suite and at the wedding itself (post a sign at your ceremony and/or include it in your program).  I have found that it is most effective to have your officiant make an announcement as he/she asks people to be seated.

SUGGESTION TWO: Consider hiring a day of coordinator

Want to know what can be really stressful on the day of your wedding? Having everyone come to you with a million last minute questions when you’re just trying to get your wedding dress on. It’s kind of inevitable… because that’s when it’s go time and when questions like “who’s got the rings?” and “do you want the programs on the chairs or in a basket and where should we put the basket and…?” No matter how prepared you think you are, day of, an hour before, that’s when the question bombardment happens. The beauty of a day of coordinator (a good one, that is) is they’re so seasoned in this that they can pre-empt last minute questions, know where everything and everyone belongs and make that happen without involving you at all. They make sure that things come out when they’re supposed to and look the way you want. This means, less stress for you. And this means better photos for you too. Because if everyone in the world wants to be in the room asking you questions when you’re getting into your dress, you’re missing photos.  So get all the DIY energy out in the planning up to the wedding, and then get a day of coordinator to make sure it all comes together seemlessly.

SUGGESTION THREE: Consider your photographer and hair/makeup professional carefully

It’s your wedding. EVERYTHING about it is important. I’m a detail freak. I get it. But there are two things that will make or break every photo you get, and that’s

1. who’s taking the photos and
2. how you look in them.

So you must love your photographer. Both their work and their personality. Because even if you have a photographer who’s work is amazing, if their attitude is aggrevating you and/or your guests or you just don’t jive with them, this will negatively impact your photos. So if you get a gut feeling that a photographer isn’t right, always listen to that and keep looking. There are so many talented photographers here in Hawaii, you can definitely find one that’s perfect for you. (Hi, my name is Trish Barker) And once you’ve found “the one”, communicate your priorities. What is most important to you in your photos? For instance, some brides and grooms want photos with each of their guests, and some just want candids, nothing set up or posed. If I know in advance, I know how to approach it and either start organizing set up shots, or just get my long lens and start sniping candids.

Hair: Dan Sanchez | Makeup: Jessica Waite

And you must love your hair and makeup. This means finding someone who’s work you love, who’s willing to listen to what you want but who’s also willing to tell you if the look you’re wanting really won’t work for you. A true professional will evaluate your hair and face and will give you their honest opinions of how to make you look amazing. Get a trial. Send photos of the look you want. Communicate with them. Don’t assume that because they are a professional, that they know what you are thinking. Any true professional wants as much information as possible so that they can deliver what you want. This is how you can make sure you LOVE how you look on your actual wedding day.  And make sure you show up on time for hair and makeup.  This is so important.

I could go on and on with suggestions, but these are the three big things I’ve noticed again and again and so I thought I’d outline positive suggestions to avoid these particular and unnecessary stresses on your special day.  I know great vendors who can help with all of these things, so feel free to contact me about your wedding needs.

Want to know more about me and my shooting style? Visit my website www.TrishBarkerPhotography.com