Time alone together – part one

It’s really important to set aside time to take pictures of you two alone as a couple. So many couple allocate a small amount of time to this task on their wedding day. What always happens is that things run a bit late and this times get cut because it’s the only dynamic feature of the day. Meaning the food can’t wait or it is spoilt . So when you allocate twenty minutes to take pictures together rest assured that you will have no more than ten minutes to do so. Between getting to a place which has great light and trying to cajole pictures out of clients this often means the pictures are compromised.

For this reason often the eloping clients pictures are so much better because I have a lot of time. But by being on time, allocating at least an hour to these images and being co-operative you insure your pictures will be great.

Capturing Romance without being cheesy – part two

Every couple is different and some need very little posing. But for example a bride with a huge nose cannot expect not to be posed AND have no profile pictures. It makes me smile when brides request no posing AND no profile pictures.

By showing me pictures before your wedding of what you like, you make it much easier for me to make you happy. It also helps you to clarify, for yourself what you like in terms of images, posing and style. So many brides say they want reportage but when I ask them which weddings they like most on my website they prefer the ones where there is lots of posing.

Capturing Romance without being cheesy – part one

My instructions to a couple when we begin their portraits is to try and ignore us. The more you are focusing on the feelings between the two of you the better the pictures will be. Sure there are couples who freeze like rabbits staring into headlights and those I have to help along. I find a little liquor helps, especially the boys.

I also find a few laughs and giggles work. Once again we can see how important it is that you really like and get on with your photographer. Nothing worse that not sharing the sense of humour of your photographer and cringing every time they open their mouths.

Having Fun ...

Another element which is absolutely essential when creating sensational wedding images is fun. If you feel like you are being tortured you will look like you are being tortured. Happy ugly people having fun are a lot more beautiful than miserable ugly people hating every minute of it. I know this sounds quite rude but I just want to make a point. So many perfectly gorgeous brides say I hate having my picture taken. So many things I don’t like about myself. Now I am really going to get hardcore.

“GET OVER IT ALREADY”. You are young, healthy, in love and able to afford a wedding. So you are not Kate Moss. Unfortunately you will only realise how gorgeous you are today when you really get old and ugly. And then you will wish you had not wasted so much time on nonsense and had more fun.

The engagement shoot

A couple we shot late October in Positano chose to do engagement pictures before the wedding ceremony . They wore clothes instead of the wedding dress and suit and we played around Positano for about two hours. At first I thought it was a silly idea, untill afterwards I considered how much nicer it is to have normal clothed portraits on your walls at home. They are both creatives from New York, so it was fun and easy to get into that creative zone.

The advantages of doing an engagement shoot, even on a separate day to your wedding are many. Firstly it gives you a chance to get comfortable with your photographer. It also helps your photographer get to know you and your face. At which angles you look best and what you like. You also get to understand the creative process and get a feel of what it is like to be “shot”. Better not leave too many surprises for your wedding day.

Creativity – the special zone – part 02

A feeling of complicity and mutual respect between all participants is also essential when embarking on a creative journey. Without trust you are going no where. For example sometimes creativity requires being silly or having the freedom to cry. Creativity is so self revealing, intimate, free, risky and down right scary. How on earth could one even imagine taking part if you do not trust all the people involved. Often it is much easier to shoot artists and creatives because they understand the process and know they have to let me in. Creatives would have already decided if I would be the kind of person they could “play” with. Because creativity is the act of play. All the most interesting pictures come from people willing the play. And have fun doing so.

A Christmas Pledge

This year Joanne Dunn Photographers makes a pledge to donate one euro to the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund for every new fan who joins our group.

It costs you nothing, other than inviting your friends and family to join.
Right now we have seven hundred and twenty four members in our group.
For every single person who joins between now and New Year's eve we will be taking a little step towards making a big difference.

The Charity we are supporting: www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com

The Group to join if you want to help:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34516491523

Creativity – the special zone – part 01

Creativity is such a mysterious and sacred thing. A little like a butterfly if you try to hold or control it, you will most likely damage or destroy it. Only when you sit calmly, will it come and rest quietly on your shoulder. Creativity is the act of play. Children are so good at creativity because they are not usually victims of worry and high expectations. They live in the moment. Not thinking how things should be but rather rejoicing in how things are. The number one ingredient is learning to live in the present. Spending your time in your past or future completely ruins the creative process. You need to be present to be creative.

Reportage Revealed

(I know I am harping on a bit here but I need to get this point across load and clear.)

Candid or reportage wedding photography is what every bride thinks she want for her wedding photography. Ninety nine percent of all couples, especially the men tell me they do not want to be posed. But after years of shooting weddings it’s my job to point out that they may not know all the facts.

Reportage is great but it’s not flattering. Often what wins a wedding reportage photography competition is not an image that a bride would put in her album. One fact I am sure of is that all couples want to look good in their wedding album. If they admit it or not. What they all have in common is they do not want to look silly. Due to the torture inflicted on clients by 80’s wedding photographers, posing has become synonymous with the word silly.

So let’s see what brides really want. The want to capture all the special moments while always looking their best. If you only request reportage photography, although the picture will be natural and emotional, in many you will not look you best.

Real hardcore reportage

Nearly all brides say I want reportage images with as much discretion possible. Then they hand me a list of thirty groups they want taken. I bamboozle them into having a few portraits and they end up being their favourite images. Reportage is great, I love it but it’s not enough. Did you know real reportage does not include details, landscapes or portraits? Couples often spent very little time together on their wedding day, so it becomes almost impossible to take good portraits of the two of you without a little direction.

And be honest, we all want to look good on our wedding day. To look your best you need to do a little… dare I say it again… posing? See previous blogs for more on posing.

Lighting the dance floor

There is nothing that improves dancing pictures more than disco lights, other than alcohol that is. The more lights and colours the better the pictures will be. Smoke machines, remember those, make for great atmosphere and even better pictures. One of my all time favourite after parties had one of those thoroughly terrific eighties disco dance floors. Mirror balls and ultra-violet lights all help with that party vibe. Basically the more lights and colours, the better the pictures and ultimately the party.

Creating a fabulous after party

Most venues in Italy have rather strict cut off times. This can be very disappointing around twelve when the party is just getting into swing. The solution is a fabulous after party. These generally work for slightly bigger weddings of fifty or more people. During the course of the evening you generally loose the old folks and the parents of young children. So if the party is too small it can end up being a bit sad.