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Family
Formals Tips for Your Wedding Day
© 2001 Randy Focht, Latest revision: 10-03-2003
Use this
list to help you with ideas as you create your formal list.
This is an example of some of the shots will be taken during
your wedding. Photos are different at every wedding. Because
a wedding is an uncontrolled event, Randy Focht cannot guarantee
delivery of any specifically requested image.
Our Coverage Style
Our unlimited
coverage allows us the freedom to create artistic images of
the bride and groom. We also have the freedom to capture the
magic, emotion and intimate expressions between the bride and
groom.
A
suggestion: Do not look at the photographer as
he takes impromptu candid photos through out the day, with the
exception of the posed Family formals. What we are trying to
capture, is the magical, "Cloud 9" feeling between
the bride and groom. People tend to change their facial expressions
when they look at the photographer. What we want to capture
are those natural spontaneous expressions between the bride
and groom.
Engagement
Photos:
This is
a Romantic Round-The-Island Scenic Location Photo Shoot. Approximately
4 hours coverage. All of the coverage price is applied to the
photos that you choose and the size can be from 4x6 up to a
20x30.
Months
before the Ceremony, we take a "Romance around the Island™
Scenic Photo Trip.
Brides
and Grooms say they really enjoy this day of romance, fun and
photos. Imagine the two of you, a day of romance and fun, in
a beautiful romantic Hawaiian setting on the beach with the
blue ocean for a background. Take three changes of dress clothes.
Be sure to dress up sharp, wear coordinated aloha outfits, colorful
designs, or your best evening wear. We normally start at 8:30
am on a Sunday morning (could be another morning) and drive
to the north shore. During this fun filled trip, whenever we
see a beautiful setting, or find a photo opportunity, we stop
and take some photos. Then, drive until we find another ideal
setting. We do a lot of artistic, creative and fun poses. We
find, that when people are having fun, it makes better pictures.
Choose the best photo to display at your reception. We currently
have a special pricing on our 12x18 portraits when you purchase
more than one. Brides often use these photos for invitations
and thank you cards. We choose a scenic location with abundant
foliage, colorful gardens & flowers, streams with bridge,
ocean and beach views, blue sky and clouds, mountain view, rainbows,
sunset, or candle light.
Some
notes for success:
Keep in
mind, that if you dress sloppy, your photos will look sloppy,
and you will not be happy with them. When you spend this kind
of money and time, you want to prepare to dress for success.
Some suggestions: Do not wear tee shirts since they show your
belly and bra lines. Guys, please do not wear cotton pants since
the wrinkles show really badly in photos. Matching aloha shirts
and outfits are fine. Nylon black pants work well with aloha
shirts, or dress shorts (not cutoff's). Brides, If you are not
comfortable with your arms, then wear a blouse or dress with
sleeves.
Meetings
- Timeline
1.
The initial discussion of needs. Based upon their day and budget,
design a package with coverage (time and number of photos needed),
and show various albums. Discuss how we do our double coverage,
what the they will get in their package, parents albums, portraits.
We offer 6 choices/options for proofing. Unless the bride and
groom have seen me performing at a wedding or bridal fair, I
am happy to perform a few songs (including the processional,
recessional, Traditional or Kenny G, and others), and show numerous
album portfolios, portraits and designer composite vs. Traditional
matted albums. At our fist meeting we will also fill out an
initial time line of wedding day events. I make sure to give
plenty of time for everything. I don’t want the bride
and groom to be rushed, and everything seems to take twice as
long as expected.
2.
Engagement. Usually starts at 8:30 am on a Sunday morning (or
other morning) and lasts for about 4 hours. We typically take
about 8 rolls of film or over 300 shots, from which they may
select photo's) to display at their reception.
3.
View Engagement photos on computer monitor (or 4x6 proofs if
film was used. I charge for the film and developing at $40 per
roll). You may purchase additional 4x6's and we offer volume
discount pricing. The more 4x6's you buy, the cheaper they get.
4.
Pre wedding consultation. We go over the details of the wedding
about a week before the wedding. Collect the Formals list which
should have all of the family’s names listed for each
shot.
5.
Wedding day photography: Getting ready, bride
and groom & wedding party formals, ceremony, formals with
family, reception, program, photos normally end with about 5
minutes of dancing unless I am the DJ, which in that case, I
am happy to take some group and family photos after the reception.
6.
View the wedding day photos:
- A. Select
photos for album from all photos (all film is scanned and
combined with the digital on the computer sorted by wedding
scenes, i.e. getting ready, brides formals, grooms formals,
bride and grooms formals, family formals, processional, recessional,
etc.) OR
- B. Select
from proofs (number as stated in contract). We offer 6 different
proofing options (some have additional charges due to the
additional cost involved). Viewing and selecting on a wide
screen monitor is the most used since it combines all the
photos. Within 2 weeks, the bride and groom return to view
the digital backup set of photos. These are not printed.
7.
Return to pickup wedding album and family selected reprints.
(Reprints are paid for at the time of placing the order)
Wedding
Rehearsal:
If it's
possible, I attend the rehearsal.
Once you
have created your Formals group list*, pass that out to all
of those that will be in your formals. Tell them to be sure
to be on time, to be at the correct place, don't go have a smoke,
go to the bathroom, go to the reception or disappear. Ask for
everyone's cooperation, so that you can get your photos done
quickly and smoothly, so that you can get on to the Reception
Celebration. This gives me the opportunity for me to get to
know your family members and for them to get to know me.
They will
feel comfortable when I am taking photos of them later. Have
all the wedding party sign a white matte to be used with a wedding
portrait.
What
to do Days Before your Wedding:
Remind
all those family members, relatives, out of state, and friends
who are going to be in the formal pictures, so that they will
know not to run off, disappear, go outside for a smoke, leave
for the reception, go the bathroom, etc. just when they are
next up for the formals. Be sure to give them a timeline with
location, directions, starting time (say ½ hour earlier
to be safe). The worse thing is for people to be lost, be late,
be wandering all over the place, when your trying to get your
formals done.
Formal
line up Assistance:
It is also
helpful if you have someone in the family, who would like to
help organize people for the formal shots. We don't want the
photos to look rushed and we want to do the best that we can
do. In order to keep the shots moving so as not to have lengthy
interruptions finding and gathering the right people together,
someone who is familiar with the relatives can be a particular
help in lining up the person(s) or group for the next shot while
we are shooting the current person or group. This could be a
coordinator, your Matron of Honor, a best friend who is not
part of the wedding party, a cousin or relative. This part of
the fun of being able to participate in your wedding and being
part of the activities. It also really helps when they know
who your family and relatives are. With everyone's cooperation,
we can get the family formals done quickly, and get on to the
party.
How
Much Time Do I need?
Keep in
mind, that things always take longer than you expect, so, for
a relaxed, fun wedding, be sure to give plenty of time for everything.
The rule of thumb is, to give extra time for everything, then
if something goes wrong, there is plenty of time to deal with
it.
Style:
I like
photos where the bride and groom are touching each other in
an sensitive intimate way (the neck, face, hands, chest. I feel
their feelings better that way.
I like
the idea of suggesting an idea and having the bride and groom
interact. I ask, how would you feel if he had to go away for
two years. Show me that in the photo. Look like you have a secret
gift that you are going to surprise the other with. Give me
the smile that says "I'm cute out of the side of your eyes.
I will ask them to concentrate on each other (it's hard to embarrass
me, ha!).
Some close-up,
some full length, some with B&G off to the side to make
room for other small pictures inlaid in a digital album.
I also
like fun photos and I like to mix fun with elegant, and romantic
ones.
Example
of a choreographed wedding:
- 1. Guy's
back up against tree, Bride leaning on him face to face. They
are looking into each other's eyes.
- 2. Guy
sitting on stairs, Bride sitting between his legs. (He could
be on short wall)
- 3. Walking
towards me holding hands
- 4. Looking
around tree at each other
- 5. Sunset
- 6. Silhouette
- 7. Groom
carries Bride
- 8. Groom
leans Bride back (options: he kisses neck. Her hands on his
neck.)
- 9. Bride
standing holds head back, He kisses her neck.
- 10.
Groom standing, looking strong. Bride facing him from his
side (i.e. facing his arm) with her arms up around his neck.
- 11.
Groom behind bride
- 12.
Candle light
- 13.
Misty
- 14.
Both under veil
- 15.
Ring shot
- 16.
Kissing
- 17.
With the Minister
- 18.
Looking up into palm tree, blue sky
The
Bride:
- 1. Looking
Left blowing a kiss
- 2. Sitting,
looking down adjusting shoe
- 3. Bride
sitting on ground, dress spread out.
- 4. Looking
from behind bouquet
- 5. Back
turned toward photographer, dress spread out so you can see,
Bride looks back
- 6. Window
shot, natural light
The
Groom:
- 1. Looking
right blowing a kiss
- 2. Arms
crossed
- 3. Hands
in pockets,
- 4. Jacket
over shoulder
- 5. Leaning
against something (back against, then side against)
Bridal
Party:
- Jumping
- In a
semi circle, bridesmaids/groomsmen leaning forward, looking
at bride and groom.
- All
have sunglasses on
- All
have cameras and are shooting the bride and groom.
- Groom
with bridesmaids (holding onto his legs, etc.
- Bride
with groomsmen being held?/ kissing her hand
- Bride
with each bridesmaids
- Groom
with each groomsmen.
- Groomsmen
walking, jackets over shoulder
- Bridesmaids
pulling up dress, showing shoes.
- Groomsmen,
Kung Foo pose, or giving Shaka
- Hiding
between flower bushes if available.
Brides
Family:
- All
relatives
- Both
sets of parents
- Her
Family
- Mom,
- Only
Dad,
- Add
Mom,
- Add
Bride with her parents,
- Add
children,
- Add
grandparents,
- Only
grandparents, individual relatives, all relatives, all of
her family, everybody family and relatives.
Grooms
Family:
Others:
- Children,
Ring bearer & Flower girl with Bride & Groom, and
alone
- Other
special guests
Details:
- 1. Shoes
& Bouquet
- 2. Dress
front, back,
- 3. Veil
- 4. Wedding
Certificate
- 5. Rings
Getting
Ready, Pre-Ceremony Preparation **
Inside
House or Hotel Room:
- Once
everyone is decently dressed, we start getting ready photos
about 1 hour before leaving for the Ceremony. We do some B&W
when colors are distracting. Soft focus/misty filter.
- Shot
of wedding gown, veil, haiku, shoes, garter belt, white gloves,
ear rings, jewelry, flowers, tiara, invitation / pillow /
bouquet with rings
- Shot
of Bride on balcony from below, shot of Bride on Balcony showing
scenery.
- Bride
has robe on while doing hair and finishing touches putting
on makeup, lingerie photo,
- Mother
assisting with makeup or hair.
- Bride
sitting or laying on side on bed with flower girl and ring
bearer.
- Sitting
on the edge of the bed (sit erect, hold bouquet, legs to the
side with one foot out), using available window lighting (with
soft misty filter), mirror shot, bride spins, use staircase
posed with bridesmaids.
- Finally
with Parents, with brothers and sisters, children, flower
girls, ring bearer
Outside
House or Hotel Room:
- (polarizer
filter, or sky filter) Bride posed with bridesmaids in a formation
on door steps, various family individually with the Bride,
finally everybody around the bride. (Individual family, children
and relatives can be taken at home or after the ceremony.
Individual Bridesmaids can be taken at home or before the
ceremony)
Limousine:
- Photo
of limo, license with trailing cans
- Posed
against the Limo (with house in the background and parents
on the other side looking on)
- ** Bride
and Groom getting into Limousine Or Arriving at Ceremony
- Groom
helps Bride out of limo, seated Inside (Wide Angle with flash
cover),
- Standing
up through the sun roof (when available),
- looking
back out of the side window, kiss through window with Bride
inside and Groom standing outside of window,
- Bride
leans over front seat and kisses Groom in back seat, shoot
from inside limo through window.
Formals
of the Bride & Groom:
- One
to 1 ½ hours before the Ceremony. Even better a day
or two before the Ceremony
The
best time to take formal pictures is an hour before the Ceremony
begins.
- It's
especially good time to take a stroll around the area and
take a variety of interesting photos of the bride and groom
together and separately, and with the bridal party, sunset,
looking around trees, with flowering bushes, hallway columns,
staircases and balconies make very interesting portraits.
- We find
that it we don't need to spend as much time to complete the
formals when the Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen's
formals are out of the way.
- After
the Ceremony is completed, we can focus on parents, and relatives
and because there's lots of excitement, that's a good time
to take group photos with the bride and groom.
The
Church/Garden:
- 1 super
wide angle of the Church inside and outside view, or the outdoor
gardens where the Ceremony will be held.
- Bride
and Groom together
- Silhouette
(sky filter, wide angle) (color, black & white, sepia)
Poses:
- 45 degrees
toward each other;
- Facing
each other;
- Escort
style;
- Leaning
on something with bride to the side;
- Bride's
back against groom's front with his arms around her waist;
- Groom
standing up and the bride sitting down;
- Bride
in background / groom in background;
- By candlelight
(when available);
- Groom
leans Bride backwards, 2 poses.
- Under
shade tree, with colorful flowers, gardens, ocean, sky.
- Various
SOFT/MISTY shots.
- Profile,
head and shoulders,
- 2/3
from the waist shot, full length shot, and super wide landscape
shot.
- Sepia,
B&W, and multiple exposure are optional and enhance a
photo album with variety.
- We are
also happy to do hand painting, Infrared, digitally corrected,
custom designed mattes that are designed as part of the portrait.
These are charged extra as they require a lot of extra time
and work.
- Bride
& Groom superimposed on goblet (optional)
- Bride
and Groom collage (optional)
- Veil
over both Bride and Groom
Bride
(bride and groom can be across from each other when their individual
formals are taken. They should look at each other in order to
create matching album pages) Left page looking to her left:
(for matched pages)
Poses:
- Left
hand on dress, right hand has bouquet, right hand back.
- Swing
dress to left while swinging bouquet forward),
- Bride
sitting on the ground with her dress in a circle around her
with the bouquets spread out on her dress.
- Shot
from above
- Soft
misty close-up head shot
- Full
length with train
- Sitting
with one foot out
- Blowing
a kiss.
- Bride
with Bridesmaids (each posed in a different way)
- Bride
with Matron of Honor, Mother, Parents, bridesmaids and flower
girl.
- Bride
backlit (this takes time to setup)
- Bridesmaids
blowing bubbles around her.
Groom:
Right page
looking to his right: (for matched pages)
Poses:
- Arms
crossed,
- Hands
in pockets,
- Jacket
over shoulder,
- Leaning
against something,
- Sitting
on the stairs,
- Soft
effects shoulders close up,
- Blowing
a kiss
- Spinning/Dancing
- Groom
with each Groomsman (same pose or different poses) (each one
looks at their watch), sitting on stairs.
- Groom
with Best Man, Father, Parents, Groomsmen, and Ring bearer
Bridal
Party:
- Groomsmen
(wearing sunglasses; Kung Fu pose)
- Then
Bridesmaids (all holding train)
- Groomsmen
& Bridesmaids jumping,
- Everybody
lean forward and look towards bride and groom;
- Everybody
lean forward and look at the bride and groom and say "ohh"
and put your hand over your mouth;
- Everybody
give if-if look I've got a secret and I'm cute;
- Everybody
waving;
- Everybody
with cameras shooting Bride and Groom;
- Everybody
looks out from behind a tree or column;
- Everybody
sticks their head out from behind flowers and bushes;
- Everybody
in-between flower bushes;
- Man/woman/man/woman/etc.;
- Everybody
holding color coordinated balloons on a stick (for instance:
Men holding blue, Women holding lavender)
- Bridesmaids
and Groomsmen signatures on a white matte for an 8x10 picture
(10x10 size matte), 12x18 needs a 12x16 matte, 16x10 panoramic
(10x20 sized matte), or 11x14 (15x18 sized matte for framed
picture for your wall.).
Ceremony:
- Stay
close to the groom and groomsmen for the arrival of the bride.
- Ask
the bridesmaids to look up when walking down the aisle.
- Archway,
flowers and decorations (with release of pigeons, use 1/30
sec. to capture movement)
- Processional
** (Ceremony beginning, walking down the aisle) (F5.6/250/Servo)
- Brides
Mother entering Church on arm of usher
- Grooms
Mother entering Church on arm of usher
- Groom,
Best Man, Grooms men, Ring bearer, Flower girls, Bridesmaids
- Processional:
Bride & Father
- Ceremony
Candid shots
- Archway
with floral decoration (2 different angles)
- Minister,
Parents seated,
- Presentation
of leis to Parents,
- Exchange
of Vows,
- Presentation
of rings,
- First
Kiss
- Presentation
of Bride and Groom
Recessional:
** (Ceremony completed, Bridal Party walking down aisle)
Signing
of Wedding Certificate:
- First
with Matron of Honor and the Best Man, then the bridal couple
Signing the certificate.
Family
Formals: at chapel alter, outside church, or outdoor
garden under shade tree (about 1 hour)
Note:
Often, guests will be shooting during the formals. This can
cause three types of problems.
- 1. The
people in the formals don't know who to look at, and will
be looking at the various picture takers instead of us, creating
unusable shots.
- 2. As
each of the guests flash's go off, people will blink in the
formals.
- 3. In
their excitement to take shots, guests will sometimes get
directly in the way of us. We have to wait for them to finish.
This takes a lot of extra time and you get to the reception
late.
- Our
Solution is to invite the guests with cameras
to take your pictures for about 5 minutes directly after the
ceremony, then ask them to put away their cameras while we
do the formals. Then we can do our work uninterrupted. This
seems to work really well.
Portraits
of Bride & Groom:
- Crossed
hands showing Rings "We're Married", Just about
to kiss, Kissing (please make kiss at least 3 seconds), Leaning
Kiss, Groom carrying the Bride
- Bride
and Groom with the Minister,
- Her
Parents,
- His
Parents,
- Both
Parents,
- Grandparents,
- Sisters
single or together,
- Brothers,
- Selected
Relatives,
- All
Relatives,
- Important
Sponsors,
- All
Sponsors,
- Close
friends,
- All
Out of Town Guests,
- Everybody
- Bride/Couple/Groom
parents behind them
- Bride
and Groom Seated, Parents Standing
- Parents
seated, Bride and Groom Standing behind
- With
Bridesmaids & Flower Girl(s) (rich peachy pink bridesmaids
dresses)
- With
Ushers, Best Man, Father of the Bride, & Ring Bearer
- With
entire wedding party
- With
Singers or Musician
Her
Family:
- Mom,
- Only
Dad,
- Add
Mom,
- Add
Bride with her parents,
- Add
children,
- Add
grandparents,
- Only
grandparents,
- Individual
relatives,
- All
relatives, all of her family,
- Everybody
family and relatives.
His
Family:
- Groom
with his parents,
- Grandparents,
- Brothers
and sisters,
- All
of his family,
- Mother
& Father alone,
- Grandparents
alone,
Children:
- Ring
bearer & Flower girl with Bride & Groom, and alone
Reception:
- Greeting
Guests at Ballroom
- Full
room photo
- The
receiving line table decorations and assistants
- The
Cake
- Table
Centerpiece Decorations
- Candid
shots of Bride & Groom Greeting Guests with a few photos
representative of the greeting line, (Optional: A photo with
each couple/family)
- Candid
shots of Guests (parents, relatives & children)
The
Grand Entrance:
- Each
couple, Bridesmaid with Groomsmen, enter the room, pause for
photo and look up, then continue..
- The
Bride and Groom entering, standing at head table, Full view
of Bridal Party seated at head table
- Group
view of the head table, with bride and groom seated in front,
Matron of Honor standing behind the bride, the Best Man standing
behind the groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen standing to the
side.
- View
of ballroom, shot taken behind head table with bride and groom
looking back
- The
MC
During
the Lunch or Dinner:
- Take
a photo of guests seated directly before dinner is announced.
(Photos
of Guests are optional)
Choice
of:
- Candid
shots of guests being serenaded
- Selected
tables (usually relatives) taken as a group surrounding the
Bride and Groom, with the front row seated and the back row
standing. Groom stands behind bride seated?
- Standing:
Man Woman Groom Bride Man Woman
- Seated:
Woman Man Woman Man
- Posed
photos of children who are playing
** (optional:
2nd photographer to take candid shots of guests being entertained.
Often guests like to have their photo taken as they are being
serenaded)
The
Program:
- Head
Table
- Wide
angle of all of the sponsors standing behind the head table
- Flower
arrangements, place settings on the head table
- View
from the head table showing Bride and Groom, flowers, and
audience
- Photos
of each person at head table as they are being introduced
- Bride
and Groom kissing (please make each kiss at least 3 seconds,
not a peck)
- Various
candid's of bride and groom laughing throughout the program
- Cutting
the Cake
- Close-up
of cake, perhaps with view of head table in background
- Posed
B&G with hand crossed on knife (lightest skin tones farthest
from camera
- Bride
and Groom cross arms and feed each other at the same time
- Groom
feeding Bride cake (paused slightly just before putting it
into mouth) then vise versa
- Leaning
Kiss after feeding cake (please make kiss at least 3 seconds)
- Bouquet
Toss
- Photo
of single women
- Fake
toss
- On count
3, the Bride tosses bouquet
- Photo
Catching bouquet
- Bride
and Catcher of Bouquet
- Removing
Garter
- Starting
at the side of the dance floor: Best men, bridesmaids, bride,
groom, photographer
- Best
men make a half circle around bride for background
- Posed
Groom removing Garter
- Single
men
- On count
3, Groom tosses garter
- Single
guys catching garter
- Groom
and Catcher of garter
Toasts:
- Posed
Bride and Groom toasting each other crossing arms (with view
of other toasters in background)
- Second
shot: Bride and Groom holding glasses towards camera, and
kissing
- Speech
by Best man, by Matron of Honor, by Father, Groomsmen and
Bridesmaids
- Special
entertainment: relative or friend singing,
- Relative,
friend, or Bride dancing hula
- Centerpiece
Giveaway
- Photo
of Centerpieces and table settings
First
Dance:
- As Bride
and Groom turn, photographer turns with them, keeping them
in focus, capturing the room background motion. (similar to
the position of the money dance excluding guest lineup)
- 2 shots
Dance Daughter with Father
- 2 shots
Dance: Groom with Mother
- 3-4
Posed shot of Bride and Groom in their first dance with Close-up,
2/3 length, and full length. (coordinator or bridesmaid should
hold guests back while photo is being taken)
- 5+ Candid
shots of Money Dance.. (Bride & Groom face each other,
Guest line up on opposite side of photographer, Photographer
is elevated on platform?) See positions below..
guests....
guests....
guests....
guests..
Bride
Groom
Photographer
Celebration
& Dancing:
- 2-10
A few shots of the Dancing with Disco lighting
- After
the lights are down low, a romantic candle light shot of the
bride and groom holding the candle.
Email
for Photography:
Photography@RandyFocht.com |
