WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY #54

Will a fashion photographer be able to shoot my wedding? Part one

Lets look at how a fashion shoot is shot. First all the models get up really early. Hair and make up is done. A stylist organises props and wardrobe and the photographer sets up the location. They get to use big flashes with delicious light boxes or ring flashes, which would have your guests in hysterics. They use large format cameras which are bigger, shooting huge files and are not practical for reportage. They test light and make their assistant run around and get coffee. The models are co-operative and gorgeous and they have complete control over the light. The Photographer has also the whole day or more. They do a test shoot check it out on their lap top and make a few changes. A team works towards getting a maximum of twelve or so final shots over one or two days. Everything is carefully checked and controlled. I think you get the point. Oh and I forgot to mention that there is often very generous catering provided.

10 Top Tricks to help you look your absolute best on your wedding day! #6

6. Shoes, shoes, shoes… glorious shoes

Practise walking in the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day. Especially if you are getting married in a little European village, otherwise you may find you’ll resort to being bare foot on your wedding day. Wear your shoes while you do housework, you can wrap them in cling film to avoid damage. Besides, you do realise very few people will actually see your shoes (yeah sorry about that) but they will notice how you are walking and whether you are still dancing at the end of the night. Though you would be quite entitled to kick off your shoes by the end of the night.

I have a terrible shoe fetish. I salivate and the mere sight of a pair of peep toe pumps so I understand your desire for the sexist shoes possible. But some sexy shoes can make a girl look very “unsexy” if they are going to put her in immense pain on her wedding day.

Consider having handy, a pair of comfortable shoes. (Sorry these won’t fit in my camera bag, but bridesmaids can come in extra handy here.) This way, if you want to walk around a city, up a steep hill or dance the night away at the reception, you have the option to do so in comfort and without risking falling over!

Time to work - part 02

If you want images that look like they belong in fashion magazine 30 minutes is the minimum time you can expect to invest. Often things run late, and then I have to do all the groups and portraits in ten minutes. So I rush everyone about, end up being late, the guests and chef hate me and the bride would like to know why her pictures don’t look like “Amanda and Dylan’s”. Well Amanda and Dylan gave me literally 6 hours to shoot their portraits. Exaggeration? Perhaps but the photographs rock.

Charming your service providers.

We all do it, try much hard for those people we like. Now I know your florist, wedding planner and photographer are at your service but I can tell you, charming your service provides will give you the deluxe service. They will do back flips for you and you will all enjoy your wedding more. This in turn will make for good moods all round. Nothing worse than a spoilt brat bride, who believe me, all the service provides will give average service to and avoid the rest of the time. But a lady will be treated as such and we all try a little hard for those we like.

So why the strict rules with meetings?

Now as we all know, practise makes perfect. So I should be practising my photographic skills, so that you will have the best wedding images every seen. If I spend my time on clients who aren’t sure I loose a lot of practise time. Already if I just see the people who book me, we are looking at over 50 meetings. Added on the second meeting and ten who don’t take me. It means I do 100 meeting in a year. Which is fine when it’s a constructive meeting but really frustrating when someone is unprepared and unconvinced.
Each and every wedding and couple are important to me and I promise you everything but try and remember it’s a balancing act.

Cape Town Fashion Scene Rocks

Shooting In Llundudno, Cape Town South Africa – January 2009

A gorgeous venue, a beautiful location and great team in place. Our shoot was ready. Cape Town has to be one of the easiest places in the world to organise a fashion shoot. With just a few emails everything can be arranged. That is if you are lucky enough to choose the right people.

The evening of the shoot my Canon’s batteries decided they needed to be calibrated and well that takes twelve hours. Then they have to be charged which takes another ten. So they were not ready by the morning. One call to PhotoHire and batteries were delivered along with all the other equipment in Llundudno. Bascially these guys rock!

A special thanks goes out to Kim our stylist. She pulled a rabbit out of a hat. Other than being reassuringly calm and enthusiastic, she is purely brilliant at what she does. It is hardly surprising that she is one of the most sought after stylists in the Cape Town fashion world.

To everybody from Jade (make up and hair), to my three (yes three) faithful assistants, to the models, THANK YOU. You guys were amazing. I could not have done any of it without you.


I do have to have one little moan. Only because fair is fair. Whilst I know that it was not “Amazing Spaces’’ fault, but they cancelled my first choice, paid in full, contract signed, booked venue, a short three working days before the shoot. The money I had paid and contract I had signed was apparently worthless, because the Prince of Monaco was extending his stay. I considered hiring a lawyer and teaching everybody how to ‘play fair’, but since my clients include royalty (Tuscan and Belgium) and these guys all hang out together, I decided not to give myself a bad wrap. Lisa at Amazing Spaces fought a war for me, but lost against the owner of the house. Who claimed “How can I kick them out?.. They are royalty..”

So I would like to help out and answer his question;

“Dear owner of “Mwanzoleo “,73 Victoria Road, Bantry Bay,

Tell the prince that a big footed, hairy, rather insignificant wedding photographer has paid good money for THAT venue. She flew all the way from Italy (and is terrified of flying) to shoot in THAT venue. She may not be royalty, but she worked her buns off (literally) to earn every cent which went into paying for THAT venue (which cost more than she ever dreamed of earning in a month just seven short years ago). Tell him that he can stay in this amazing place again anytime he likes, but that she may never get another chance to shoot in this venue.

Lastly…on the off chance that the owner of 73 Victoria Road, Bantry Bay, reads this blog, I want to say in good faith, one good turn deserves another. And according to Karma he owes me a little favour. And with Royal friends he is in the position to return my favour of not causing a fuss. So, I leave it to him how to ‘return the favour sir.”

JoAnne Dunn