5 Tips for Posing as a Bride

OK friends, here are some tips for my beautiful brides...

I've learned a lot over the years of photographing weddings...especially that not everyone is super comfortable in front of the camera (I know I'm not). As a bride myself only 2 years ago I remember thinking to myself "so this is what it feels like" and not so sure I liked it. But my photographer was great and as a photographer I know how important it is that I make my brides feel comfortable and beautiful while working my little butt off. But there are some tricks your can keep in mind that will help you help your photographer create the best wedding photos possible. 

1. Take a Deep Breath and Relax

Try to be a relaxed and natural as you can. Remember that the more tense you feel the more that is going to come across in the photographs. Sometimes I tell little kids (and some adults) to make a sad face for a few seconds and then smile. It usually loosens them up and relaxes the muscles in the face. If you need a moment to change your facial express go ahead. Something other then  smile might make for a good photo anyway, and at the very least it will give you a break from constantly smiling, which I'm sure we all know, can look really painful if sustained for long periods of time. 

2. Be in the Moment

Enjoy your time with your new husband. Laugh, tickle, whisper sweet nothings (or dirty jokes). Don't feel like you have to constantly look at the camera and smile. Embrace your emotions and encourage your man to do the same. Cry, rest on his shoulder, take in the views. Hold hands and kiss. All those make for wonderful, natural moments and get photos. Remember it is all about the two of you and your commitment to each other. Think about the words you said (or are going to say) to each other at the ceremony and really digest the experience. The emotions will show on your faces and will be real.

3. Stand up Straight and Turtle Neck-It

Roll your shoulders down and back. Tighten your core and straight your spine. I also recommend for my brides to do what they call in the fashion industry- the turtle neck. You jut your chin out to extend your neck and then bring your chin down. This helps avoid the double chin issue. It is especially good for the grooms who tend to hunch their shoulders and push their chins back into their neck.

4. Hands- Hold Something or Each Other

Hands always seem to be an issue for bride and grooms. If you aren'y comfortable placing them somewhere they can feel awkward and in the way. I like to use props. It gives lift to a simple scene and gives my couple something to do with their hands. Another way to solve the hand issue to to hold on to each other. Touching your loved one not only relaxes the hand and gives it something to do but it relaxes the entire body. Hold hands, touch his hair or back of the neck, grab his checks with both of your hands...anything. 

5. Chose the Right Photographer

You are going to spend the most time with your photographer out of everyone else at your wedding. Find something you feel comfortable with. Meet them in person before you hire them to make sure your personalities are compatible and that everyone feels good about each other. Meet with them several times before your wedding day to really get to know them and they you. I feel more like a close friend by the time I am photographing my couple. Don't be afraid to ask questions and stay in touch after you have booked them and before the big day. You have to love them as much as you love their photographs. 

To learn more about Third Eye Photography visit www.3rdeyephoto.net

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte

Here is my latest wedding in Crested Butte CO. It was a beautiful almost fall day on Mt. Crested Butte. There were some threatening clouds throughout the day but it did not ever rain. This couple was just a joy to work with. They were relaxed and having fun, especially with the wedding party shots.

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte Photo Show

Photo 1. This was an amazing moment. The couple had an outdoor ceremony at Wilder Reserve and the entire time it was lightly raining. The moment the bride and groom began to walk down the aisle, a rainbow appeared. I quickly ushered everyone into the beautiful tall grass for this extraordinary photo op. It was a magical moment! everyone was so excited about the beautiful rainbow, A jump in the air seemed very fitting.

Photo 2.  The girls were standing on the bridge giggling and chatting drinking champagne. I was looking for a shot of all the cowboy boots but also took a wide shot. I love this image because everyone is so natural and relaxed and the sunburst gives it a warm glowing feeling. 

Photo 3. This bride and groom were a very laid back couple. We were on the Woods Walk shooting in the aspens and I asked them to sit for a few images. She is about a foot taller then the groom so this was a nice opportunity for them to be at eye level. I chose to give this photo a vintage feel because it adds another layer of interest.

www.3rdeyephoto.net/CrestedButteWeddingPhotography

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte: In-Home Studio

My new in-home studio! I am so excited to finally put this room to some good use. This is where I greet my Wedding and Portrait clients for pre-event discussions and where I will host the post-event slideshow and product sale. I think it is very important as a Wedding Photographer in Crested Butte to have a place where clients can be comfortable and get to know you before they spend thousands of dollars on your services. It is also important you get to know your client and make sure it is a good fit for everyone. www.3rdeyephoto.net/Weddings 

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte

Crested Butte Wedding Photography 

Visit www.gunnisoncrestedbutteweddings.com for all your vendor needs in the Crested Butte area. There is a great listing of a variety of vendors including caters, lodging, music etc. 

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte Tip #7

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte Tip #7

It is all about meeting with the client, making a personal connection. You are not just selling your portfolio, you are selling yourself. you are going to be photographing an intimate and very special day in your client's life, so getting along is beneficial to both parties. I suggest sitting down and having an hour to 2 hour long meeting with your potential client not just to sell your work or to even sell yourself but to make sure this is the right client for me and I am the right photographer for them. 

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte Tip #5

Wedding Photography Tip #5

Be impulsive. I was walking with my bride and groom from one location in town to another when I saw the sun gleaming through the trees. I thought to myself that this was a great time to create a sun flare and get a good shot of our main street, Elk Ave. with the bride and groom. I saw the light post and knew I wanted to use it to help relax the pose of the bride and groom. First I only had the groom hanging off the post but the bride looked uncomfortable standing next to him so I had her jump up there and got this shot. With my fisheye lens the sun flared nicely behind the tree. I darkened the edges to focus on the bride and groom and cooled the tones. I also erased the no parking sign above the bride's head and typed in their wedding date and name to make it extra special. 

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte

Tip #4

I like to use a fisheye for the dance shots at weddings. It's a great way to get the expressions of the other guests around the bride and groom or get the bride and grooms expressions while others dance. I also like to use a slow shutter speed to create movement with the lights. A flash bouncing off a wall or ceiling works well to freeze the motion of your main subject while you blur the background. 

Wedding Photography Tip #3

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte Tip #3

I love my 28-70mm lens. I use it a ton when shooting weddings. I also rely on my fisheye and 70-200mm lens. This was shot with my 28-70, although and fisheye would have captured more of the background. The nice thing about the 28-70mm is it gives you the opportunity to be close to your subjects and interact with them, make them feel comfortable or direct them where to stand, but it also gives you the ability to zoom in when close or be a little farther away. It really works as a basic wide to short zoom which I find I use a lot, especially when they are walking down the isle. I can get the wider shot with maybe bridesmaids in front and the bride waiting behind them or the closer shot of the groom waiting at the front of the isle. It is always nice to have a 50mm or lensbaby for the fun close up, detail shots. But you can get good depth of field with the 28-70mm for those shots as well. Or use your zoom for a good blurred background. Just don't set your aperture too low for larger group shots, that back row will be blurry!

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte Tip #2

Wedding Photography Tip:  

I am learning so much from the CreativeLive Wedding Boot camp. One great tip is to meet your client in person to discuss your pricing. Don't just email them a pricing list. I have done so for all of my weddings and potential clients and although I have booked weddings by doing this I have also noticed there are many potential clients that once I set them this pricing list I never heard from them again. I did not give myself the opportunity to sell my personality because I only communicated via email. And although I live in a very remote area where most of my brides are coming from far and wide, you can Skype with them! I am definitely going to implement this into my future wedding work. Thanks Sal!

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte and other areas

Wedding Photography by Third Eye Photography

I am looking forward to watching my 5-day Creative Live Wedding Course by Sal Cincotta while re-matting my work for the inAWE Gallery. It might be months away….actually the snow is hardly even here…but the work and preparation for Wedding Season never ends.

It is snowing here in Crested Butte- first real snow of the season…keep it coming! I have had multiple inquires about Weddings here in Crested Butte in August. I love booking so early but it is hard to start thinking about Weddings when it is the first snow of the season. Happy for now, happy for the future. The immediate future is me going to Denver to buy a new vehicle. So excited!!

Wedding Photography in Crested Butte

Wedding Season for bookings begin! I am already booked for August 17th and have had inquires about almost every weekend in July and August. if you are interested in booking your wedding in Crested Butte don't delay- book your vendors today! Visit www.3rdeyephoto.net/Weddings for more photos and info.

Welcome to the Weekend

What a wonderful wedding! It rained all morning and just as the ceremony was about to begin the rain ceased and did not come back all afternoon. The bride and groom took off in a row boat right after the ceremony. It was beautiful! Congrats Amanda and Lou!

Last Wedding photographed in Crested Butte this year by Third Eye Photography! Thanks Shaun and Courtney! and Congrats!! Married at Peanut Lake with Reception at Elk Mountain Lodge and the Gourmet Noodle. It was a beautiful October day and we found the only tree with leaves on it in all of the Gunnison valley.