Photography 101

Photography – is the art of capturing moments to produce stills or pictures

Photographer – the leader of the team assigned to take photos all throughout the event — from the preparation to the reception

Photography packages may include the following:

Prenuptial Pictorial – a photo session that can last anywhere from 3 hours to the whole day depending on the package availed. The basic point of the prenuptial pictorial is to help the couple get comfortable with their lead photographer. Often, couples try to showcase their theme or tell their love story through their prenuptial pictorial. Possible offshoots of this pictorial are a gallery of pictures, a prenup slideshow, and/or a save the date AVP (audio visual presentation).

Preparation Pictorials – this one covers detail shots (accessories, souvenirs, the bridal gown, the groom’s attire, and the like) as well as dress-up shots of the bride and groom in separate rooms, respective family portraits, solo portraits of the bride and groom, and shots with the entourage.

Ceremony Pictorials – covers the march of the groom and entourage, the opening of the door and bridal walk, candids during the waiting time prior to the march, the actual ceremony, and post ceremony, group shots after the ceremony, and the recessional.

Couple Pictorials/In-between Shoot – this one is focused on the pictorial of the bride and groom done after the ceremony while the guests are making their way to the reception and having cocktails.

Reception Pictorials – this is focused on reception details (food, set-up of the tables & couple’s area, and the like), candid shots, program shots, group shots with the couple during meal time, and party time shots.

Other pictorial sessions are:

Boudoir Pictorial – a photo session either separate from the actual day of the wedding or done within the preparation room — tasteful photos of the bride are taken by the photographer to showcase her beauty and womanhood. It is sexy but it is not meant to be over the top or raunchy.

First Look – this pictorial is done during preparations before the ceremony, if the bride and groom have decided to see each other and have their pictorial together prior to the ceremony. This practice lessens the waiting time of their guests before the reception programme

Note: A first look is when the bride and groom see each other prior to the ceremony.  This is done alone and is a moment shared between just the two of you. (Colin Cowie)