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Group shots are one of the hardest things for a photographer to get right at a wedding. There’s rarely much time to get them spot on, you’re having to try to coordinate a lot of people at the same time and the sheer number of people to fit in the shot often means that your choice of location to take the shots is severely limited. A good photographer can of course work around all of this and set everything up for a great shot regardless, but what’s more difficult to control is whether the people in the picture actually want to be photographed.

It tends to be large groups that are the most difficult as keeping everyone’s attention and trying to get the perfect picture makes it a fairly time-consuming task at a time when everyone generally just wants to go and have a drink and relax. Getting everyone together is also often a challenge as there’s always one person who will have nipped off to the loo or has run up to get something from their hotel room and can’t be found, and as every second ticks away the guests are becoming more and more impatient as they stand in position, often out in the cold, waiting for that shot. The problem in often compounded by the fact that they may need to appear in more than one group shot and are therefore waiting even longer. It can lead to a viscous cycle as the longer they wait the less willing they are and therefore the longer the shot takes to get right. All in all the group shots can end up taking quite a long time out of your day.

So how can you avoid losing so much time to getting the group photos?

Well the first thing to consider is do you really want them? Lots of couples request group photos be taken but rarely choose them from amongst the final shots. If group shots are genuinely important to you then that’s fantastic and you should definitely get some, but if not then don’t feel it’s something you just have to have regardless.You should think about the style of the work you’ve seen from your photographer here as well – a documentary photographer is more likely to naturally pick up on natural groupings as they naturally occur than, say an editorial photographer and therefore posed group shots may not be necessary. It’s all about figuring out what you want from the photos! It’s also important to remember that if you only have one photographer then while they’re capturing group photos they’re not photographing anything else. If you’ve chosen them based on their candid pictures of the guests then spending a long time getting all the group shots is limiting their opportunity to get those more discrete photos.
If you do want group photos then how many different groups do you actually need? From experience the groups most couples actually like to have as a ‘portrait’ type photo are one of the bridal party, groomsmen and one of each of the families. When I got married I didn’t think I’d want any groups at all but actually I was really pleased we got the families together and I know our parents both have framed copies which is really lovely. It also afforded us a great chance for the whole family to be together for a few minutes separate from the rest of the guests and that might not have happened without the group shots. That said though remember these are YOUR wedding photos and don’t feel pressured to get certain shots just for other people, particularly when time is precious! Really consider how many groups are important to you and the time implications involved in getting them all.

If you’re one of those couples that just don’t want any group shots and fear standing around all day waiting for the groups to take place then make sure you’ve thought it through. Looking back on group shots from the past is always full of nostalgia and it’s quite fascinating looking at what everyone’s wearing, how tall they were, how they looked together as a group. Yes too many groups can slow down the pace, but if you get it right they can be some of the most interesting pictures to look back on a few years down the line.

Remember that if you have fewer group shots it affords you a little more time to get some really brilliant ones and really stamp some personality on them! The big group photo of absolutely everyone ends up with so many faces that it often turns more into a game of ‘Where’s Wally’ (or Where’s Waldo for our American readers!) than a meaningful picture, but with smaller groups you can create some really cool poses and amazing images!

Make sure you have worked out your groups in advance and provide your photographer with a list before the day. Talk to your photographer about the whole schedule and make sure they think there’s enough time to actually get all the shots you’re after – remember they’ve done this many times before and however much planning has gone into your wedding they probably understand how the day will flow better than you do.

Make sure that someone else has that list who broadly knows who everyone is and can do the job of getting everyone together at the right time and in the right groups. Traditionally this is the job of the ushers which generally works well, but remember that the ushers are probably needed in several of the shots and so someone else will have to do some of the work of getting people together as well.

Give your guests a rough schedule of the day. This doesn’t have to be precise in every detail and of course is likely to change and be adapted through the day, but it can be useful for the guests to know roughly what’s supposed to happen when and they will generally make sure they’re in the right place at the right time for that to happen.

As we’ve said, like most things on your wedding day it’s all about balance. Group shots can be a beautiful record of your day, and given enough time can make for fantastic photos, but they can also be time consuming and take you and your guests away a little from just relaxing and enjoying the most important day of your life. Give a little thought to what you really want from them and you can get the balance just right and get some fantastic shots you and your family will truly cherish.

“Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future. We make discoveries about ourselves.” 

Gail Lumet Buckley

 

Images by York Place Studios

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Thanks so much to the fantastic Phil Nunez for sharing this image and to see more of Phil’s beautiful work go to his website:

www.philnunez.com

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Hope you enjoy!

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Your wedding music will set the tone of the whole day and create an atmosphere your guests will surely remember. So why not make it count? If you think figuring out the right songs is a challenge, here are a few tips to get you started from Tara Bernal!

What songs do you both like?

This is the simplest and best way to decipher which songs to include in the repertoire. Remember,  the music will serve as the soundtrack of your wedding, and you will most likely hear it in your mind and heart every time you look back and remember the momentous occasion. You should choose songs you love and have positive associations with.

Does it reflect your personalities?

With so many different music choices, there’s no reason to go by the book with your wedding playlist. Go original and show off your style with tunes that reflect your personalities. Are you a rock n roll couple? A traditional one? Do you enjoy indie, all-American, or trendy tunes?

Consider restrictions

For the wedding ceremony music, talk with your officiant beforehand. Some houses of worship have strict guidelines about which songs can be used during the ceremony.

What does it say?

Listen to your songs’ lyrics. What message does it convey? Since it’s a wedding, it is natural to have songs related to love and happiness. Try to stay away from offensive songs or those that talk of angst, sorrow, and despair, no matter how much you love the artist or beat. If your wedding band has original songs, make sure to go through the lyrics with them.

Does it sound pleasing to the ears?

The last thing you would want to happen on your wedding is having someone rushed to the hospital because of a heart attack. Save those heart-pounding bass songs for some other party, not your wedding.

Consider your guests

Yes, it’s your day, but it’s also a celebration for those who love and care for you. It wouldn’t be a happy day if your guests don’t enjoy, right? That’s why it is important to consider your guests when choosing your wedding playlist. If you have older guests, it’s a good idea to add some traditional or vintage music into the mix. In the same manner, if you have a young and lively guest, make sure to have upbeat, popular and trendy beats.

Match your music with your theme

If your wedding has a theme – may it be retro, beach, medieval, rustic, offbeat – make sure the playlist jives with it.

Ask for help

If you’re still having trouble with the playlist, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can ask for suggestions from family and friends, or those who just got hitched. You can also ask for recommendations from your wedding officiant for the ceremony music. For the reception music and various dances, you can ask ideas from DJs or wedding bands.

Are you now ready to make that songlist?

About the author: With over four years of professional writing experience, Tara Bernal currently writes for Music For Scotland and blogs about various wedding ideas. Aside from aiming to see as much of the world as possible, she likes breakfast food, piano pieces, boat rides, and mocha lattes. Follow her random musings on lifeappetites.blogspot.com.

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After Effects: A piece of software made by Adobe systems sometimes used to create sophisticated effects on videos or apply a particular ‘look’ to the film.

Audio Levels: The sound volume of each device.

Boom: Generally an arm onto which something is mounted, e.g. a boom mic might be used to hold a mic on an arm over the top of the camera and keep it out of shot.

Cinematography: In wedding terms this is broadly another word for videography, and refers to a videographer who is trying to create a more cinematic feel.

Camcorder: A form of video camera. Camcorders are generally quite small, lightweight handheld cameras rather than cinema cameras or DSLR’s.

Cans: Usually refer to headphones used to check sound levels. Can also refer to headsets used to communicate between the team.

Comms: Communication devices, e.g. radios to help some large videographer teams to talk to each other.

Crane: A piece of apparatus to which a camera can be mounted to to get shots high up over the crowd or create a ‘sweeping’ action with the camera to get high tilting shots.

Deadcat: A fluffy windscreen placed over a microphone to reduce the sound of wind getting into the microphone. Don’t worry it’s not actually made of cat!

Dolly: A device on wheels or sometimes a track that allows the camera to move around with smooth motion.

DSLR: Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. The same type of camera that your photographer is probably using, except this time in video mode. DSLR cameras are now very commonly used by wedding videographers as they produce extremely high quality imaging and ‘photo-like’ video.

EVF: Electronic View Finder – an electronic screen displaying the camera feed.

EQ: Sound Equalisation. Boosting the bass or the ‘top-end’ of the incoming audio will result in subtle differences in sound and may help to ‘clean it up’.

Final Cut: A piece of software commonly used for editing videos. Also the final edit of a video.

Fluid Head: The top part of a tripod that allows smooth pans and tilts. Fluid within the head of top quality tripods allows for perfectly smooth motion much better than their mechanical counterparts.

FPS: Frames per second - the amount of still images taken per second to make up a moving image. Changing this amount can lead to a more cinematic feel or a more documentary feel. Most Hollywood movies are shot at 24fps, although ‘The Hobbit’ recently caused controversy by shooting at 48fps leading to a very different look with less blurred motion and a less traditionally cinematic look.

Follow Focus: DSLR video cameras tend to have to be focussed manually rather than automatically. A follow focus is a device attached to the camera and used to help to move the focus smoothly. Sometimes this will be operated by someone other than the main camera man but not commonly in weddings.

Glidetrack: Piece of apparatus that the camera is mounted onto to create a shot where the camera appears to glide perfectly smoothly sideways or backward and forward.

HD: High Definition, e.g. Blu-ray quality rather than DVD quality.

Indie: A style of videography – usually uses more handheld shots and less heavy production equipment and is therefore popular with wedding videographers.

Jib: Similar to a crane – used to get long panning shots or shots from higher up than can be achieved by hand.

Marryoke: A wedding video where the guests appear to sing along to the song being used as the soundtrack to the film.

Monitor: Generally refers to a video feed for the user to see, may also be an audio monitor so the videographer can hear what is being recorded.

Monopod: A one-legged version of a tripod. A very portable device which allows the videographer to support the camera from the ground to help steady the motion whilst still allowing for some side to side motion which may sometimes be preferable to the completely steady shot a tripod offers.

Muff: A microphone shield to help reduce extraneous noise including wind.

Music License: A license authorising the use of a particular piece of music by both the publisher, artist and original song writer.

ND filter: Neutral density filter – a filter sometimes put in front of the camera used to decrease the amount of light taken in to balance the brightness.

Pan: A shot that moves from one side to the other.

Premiere: A piece of software made by Adobe systems commonly used for editing videos.

PRS: Performing Rights Society. In the UK PRS is the organisation that looks after music rights and to whom application are generally made to obtain the rights to use a specific track.

Pull Focus: Refers to the act of getting the subject in focus.

Radio Mic: A microphone which can transmit audio wirelessly back to the videographer. Radio mics are often attached to the speakers during the speeches or the groom during the ceremony to capture the audio discretely.

Redhead: Similar to a deadcat – usually placed over an audio recorder to shield it from wind noise. Also a cool hair colour.

Rig: A framework that supports the camera. Wedding videographers shooting with DSLR cameras often use small rigs to help support the camera and keep it steady while shooting.

Royalty Free Music: Music tracks that can be purchased for a set fee where no additional royalties are paid to the artist. Using non-Royalty Free tracks requires a special music license generally obtained on a per-track basis and can vary much more in cost (anywhere from £10 – £10,000) and so Royalty Free music is most often used in music videos to make it affordable for the couple.

Rushes: Unedited video files.

Slider: See glidetrack – device used to get a smooth gliding motion in the shot.

Slo-mo: A piece of video where the framerate has been slowed down to make everything move in slow motion.

Stabilisation: Certain lenses or cameras offer additional image stabilisation, as do camera rigs. It simply means it tries to help keep the image steady rather than rocking around.

Static Cam: An un-manned camera, often used to capture an additional angle that never moves.

Steadicam: A form of camera rig that keeps the camera completely steady using a counterbalance and bracing system. This allows for camera moves such as running shots that would be otherwise impossible to keep smooth.

Super 8: An old type of film camera which used to be used in lots of family videos and is now very popular for recording wedding videos with a ‘vintage’ feel. If you remember the opening sequence to ‘The Wonder Years’ it’s that type of camera!

Tie Clip: A type of discreet microphone attached to a tie or other piece of clothing and usually transmitted via a radio mic.

Tilt: A shot that moves up and down.

Timelapse: A video where images are captured at less regular intervals than normal video. This creates a very speeded up effect and is often used to show clouds moving fast through the sky or show a sunrise in just a few seconds of video.

Tripod: A three legged support system for the camera. Sometimes used by photographers but much more commonly by videographers to get a perfectly smooth shot.

Videography: The art of capturing video!

Z-finder: An eyepiece sometimes attached to a DSLR camera to help with viewing the screen at the back of the camera, particularly in bright conditions.

Zoom: A commonly used type of audio recorder. Zoom is actually the manufacturer that produces some of the most commonly used recorders.

1080p: The standard high definition format currently used in HD or Blu-ray quality films. Actually generally refers to 1920 pixel width by 1080 pixel height of the image on the screen.

2K/4K/5K: The capture resolution quality of the video. The higher the number the better the quality. The current standard to create HD films is generally 2K (2000 pixels wide), however some cameras (more commonly used in film-making) are now capable of 4K resolution or higher.

So those are just some of the phrases we reckon you might well come across whilst talking to your wedding videographer, but there are definitely more that could be added to the list! If you have a term you think should be included in our jargon-buster, or if you would like us to explain a particular term you’ve heard then leave a comment below! 

NOTE: This post is designed to simplify things for those not in the know, so please explain any additions as simply as you possibly can, avoiding further technical language!

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If anyone has any favourites I would love to hear them,  please share below in the comment section.

It wouldn’t be our quotes without….

and just because everyone needs a Muppet in their life…

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The trouble comes though when we try to force creativity. As someone who writes on an almost daily basis I can tell you that forcing your brain to be creative doesn’t work. Sure setting high standards for your own work and setting yourself strict deadlines can help you to motivate your brain but at the end of the day if you’re just not in the right mindset or if you’re trying to force something that goes against your own creative instincts then there’s only ever one outcome: dissatisfaction with your own work. When this starts to happen there’s no point forcing it, it’s time to get yourself re-inspired!

Last week we took a little time out for just this purpose and headed out to a place we had often heard from Dom’s parents to be an incredibly beautiful place. So beautiful in fact it was the place they had chosen for their honeymoon when they got married an (in order to ensure I’m still welcome at their house) unspecified number of years ago. There we met up with awesome photographer Nirav for a little highland photo shoot on Scotland’s Isle of Skye!

Dom and I have now been in front of a camera for photo shoots a few times but this was the first where we were bringing the whole York Place Photo/Video team along for a combination of business and family shots and time for Alex and Liam to also experience life on the wrong side of the lens! We’d all admired Nirav’s work for quite some time and it was fantastic having the chance to hang out in such an inspiring landscape and get to know him a little as well as get some great photos from the man himself!

Nirav’s sense of adventure is infectious, and combined with some stunning landscapes and an unwavering desire to get the best shot it wasn’t long before we found ourselves trekking up the mountainside and exploring those out-of-this-world landscapes used in the filming of the movie Prometheus. Whilst Nirav sought out some epic shots in which to frame us we took the time to really enjoy our surroundings and take a few shots and a bit of video of the landscape ourselves.

It sounds a bit of a busman’s holiday taking holiday snaps as a professional photographer/videographer, but having the absolute freedom to capture whatever you want without the pressure of recording other people’s precious memories or worrying about what anyone else thinks of them can be incredibly refreshing and help to get those creative juices flowing at maximum. Every client at every wedding will have their own preferences, but I think it’s important for the photographer/videographer to make sure they get some shots for themselves, the shots they want to take, free of prejudice of anyone else’s opinion. If the couple have booked the right ‘ographer then hopefully regardless of any preconceptions they might have then those are the shots that will actually strike them the most. If not, well at least you’re being true to your own creative instincts. When you’re standing on top of a mountain in the most awesome setting in the truest sense of the word, deafened by the silence and surrounded by people that inspire you it’s like a creative re-charge. So if you’re thinking of taking a holiday away from a job that you in essence love then don’t; take it with you and seek out a new perspective on it.

All in all it was a fantastic trip and an absolute pleasure meeting and getting to know our new friend Nirav, we can’t wait to see the photos! It was inspiring in all kinds of ways and although it was very short I think we all felt a little reinvigorated and eager for the next wedding. If you’ve never been Skye it is an amazing place and right on your doorstep… ok quite a big doorstep but still! I know I for one will definitely be going back the next time I need a bit of creative re-energising!

Hmm… I wonder how many blog posts I could write on that mountaintop…

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to
look at things in a different way.
– Edward de Bono

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Time to battle it out!

Bridesmaids Vs Groomsmaids

In the Red Corner, ready to play the equality card and fight for male bridesmaids… if only to force them to wear a pink frilly bridesmaid dress… it’s Dom “The Tog Bride”

In the Blue Corner, being told he’s not allowed to play the equality card… well that’s equality for you! Suddenly aware that he has many female friends, and a fair amount of male ones for that matter that would love to see him forced to wear a bridesmaid dress… fighting to keep it traditional, it’s Matt “The Gormless Groom”

FIGHT!!!

Dom: These days men and women have mixed groups of friends. I probably have more male friends than female, and why shouldn’t I be allowed to be a special part of their wedding day just because I’m a girl?

Matt: The idea of having bridesmaids and groomsmen just seems to fit right at a wedding. It’s a long held tradition and one that raises a lot of eyebrows when broken!

Dom: But breaking the traditions can be really good fun! EVERY wedding has Bridesmaids and Groomsmen; doing it a little differently makes it really stand out and be long remembered by the guests.

Matt: The Bridesmaids are supposed to be there to assist the bride with absolutely everything on the wedding day. That means helping her to get into the dress, to apply her makeup, everything. Do you really want advice on whether your makeup looks right from a bloke? (assuming they’re not a makeup expert of course!)

Dom: Being able to mix it up makes for great photos and gives you much more balance and different options in the group shots.

Matt: Ladies dolled up in their beautiful dresses walking down the aisle to precede the bride tends to have more impact than men doing the same in their generally comparatively ordinary suits. It’s a softer look, a little teaser for the arrival of the Bride. Women look so much more graceful and eloquent moving slowly down the aisle – it’s about the spectacle of the entrance!

Dom: If your Bridesmen or Groomsmaids are up for a laugh you can have a bit of fun with their outfits and make a joke of the fact they’re the wrong gender for their role. You don’t need to go too far with this to make it great fun for the guests.

Matt: It can be quite confusing for people as to who everyone is – people just don’t expect it and particularly the older generation can get very confused by it and not realise what’s going on.

Dom: Weddings can be very emotional, particularly with all the ladies together whilst getting ready… sometimes a male presence can calm things down a little! (although to be fair half the guys I’ve photographed have been blubbing away just as much as the girls! (they don’t usually let me include those ones!)

Matt: For guys there is a bit of a macho element to choosing your best man and groomsmen… you’re likely to have the **** taken a fair bit if you choose female groomsmen!

So those are our points but what do you think? Would you consider having bridesmen or groomsmaids for your wedding? Join the debate by leaving your comments below or catching us on Facebook or Twitter.

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