1. Relax - I know that may be easier to say than do (especially before the ceremony when your nerves can be a bit on edge), but the more you can relax, the easier it is to make you look natural. Getting stressed doesn’t only make it harder to make you look good it reduces your enjoyment of your day. So deep breaths, relax and enjoy yourself and you will look better and have fun.
2. Schedule - There is a lot that needs to happen on your wedding day. Knowing where people should be and having a realistic timetable of when things should happen will make your day less stressful (see #1). If you are running late, the time to take your photos will be reduced, a photographer working under tight timing will get the must have photos first but may have less time to be creative. Try to schedule a couple of breaks in the timetable to act as a buffer if something does run late.
3. Plan - Your wedding plans should have been thoroughly discussed with your photographer. They need to know exactly what is happening on the day (especially any surprise happenings) and you both need to know exactly what parts of the day will be photographed. This needs to work both ways, miscommunication can cause stress on both sides(see #1).
4. Inform - Let people know about what you are planning for your photography. People need to know if they are wanted for photos as well as when and where the photos will be taken. Chasing people who should be in the photos wastes time and creates stress (see #1). It can be helpful to have 1 or 2 family members given the task of having the right people rounded up at the right time and place.
5. Cooperation - Creating great wedding photos is a collaborative effort, you need a good photographer and cooperative subjects. When you are having photos that are posed, you need to follow the photographer’s directions. Conversely, when the photographer is taking candid shots a pose may ruin a great photograph. Building a relationship with your photographer so you have a good idea when to pose and when to ignore them will help make your photos wonderful.

A good wedding photographer is an essential element in creating wonderful photos of your wedding, but these five tips will help your photographer make your photos even better.

I love to work with kids. That is the secret, working with kids. Trying to force young children to mould to your ideas will rarely work, but working with them can create some wonderful moments. What can be achieved is not always obvious to those involved, as Natasha and Keith found out at there recent portrait sitting.

Dear Andrew,

Taking a family portrait with three young children was a very challenging event. When I left the studio I doubted I’d even get one good shot. I was absolutely amazed to get over 20 fabulous shots. You were calm and focused on achieving a good result and therefore did a sensational job. Thanks ever so much.

Natasha & Keith

So, just for Mum, if you book a portrait shoot or buy a portrait gift certificate before Friday 6 May 2011, we will give you two large mounted desk portraits, that’s a $190 bonus.

Contact us today about your wedding photography and we will register your names as being eligible to receive Our Valentine’s Day gift – a Fun Studio set up for you and your guests to enjoy at your wedding reception valued at $795.

Elite Studio’s Fun Studio is like having a Photobooth at the wedding without having to squeeze into the booth. We set up an area as a studio so you and your guests can come and have fun in front of the camera, its a great opportunity to get some shots with family and friends and a unique way of remembering your celebrations. Check out some of the photos from the fun studio.

Offer only available if you book elite studio for your wedding photography, not redeemable for cash.

Just in time for Valentines day, we have a special offer that gives you a gorgeous photo shoot with professional hair and make up PLUS a boxed set of 5 large desk portraits of your favourite photos mounted ready to frame.

Valued at over $600, until the end of February you can get it for just $295.

The price is just $10 per couple, if your future hubby can’t make it you can always bring your helpful bridesmaid, sister or mum. You can book online or contact me and I can arrange the booking offline.

Kristin, with her bridesmaids Helen and Mariya, looked stunning as they walked up the aisle to Matthew and the groomsmen Leigh and Dave, but threatening to steel the show were the flower girls, Kate and Emma, and the page boy, Kristin and Matthew’s son Jack. With the ceremony complete and photos taken around the cricket grounds, the bridal party and guests moved upstairs to the Captain’s room for the reception and some Fun Studio shots (which I will add in a later post).