He Said, She Said

BY MARY ANN BARTON

Is there a wedding in your future? Then surely you will want keepsake photos of the big day. We asked two area photographers — Emily Nicole of Emily Nicole Photography and Steve Johnson of Steve Johnson Photography— to give our readers some tips as well as some ideas about wedding photography trends they’re seeing with their clients.

ALM: What trends are you seeing in wedding photography?

Steve: I still have a lot of couples who ask for or want digitals only for their wedding, and for me, this is a big concern for several reasons, and I work with couples to make sure they have something other than just their digital portraits. Through the years, digital portrait files tend to become lost/misplaced or corrupted, but with albums, prints in folios or wall art, those wedding portraits and moments will be around for generations. Also, as people, we react deeper and more emotionally to a physical portrait versus a digital one. Even for me each morning,

I see my wedding portraits and fall in love with my wife all over again and remember our beautiful wedding day.

Emily: It sounds odd, but candids are really having a moment lately. I get so many inquiries from brides saying they want candid-style photos and what most brides don't realize is that aside from documenting reception toasts and wedding ceremonies, most "candids" are choreographed to look natural by a skilled photographer! I love incorporating movement and natural emotion in wedding portraits because I feel it brings out the true personalities of the bride and groom and the happiness they share. But it's not as "spontaneous" as you might think ;) Lots of strategic posing goes into it to make it flattering and natural!

ALM: What advice or tips would you give a couple for the day of the wedding?

Steve: Take a deep breath and enjoy. It is truly the one day in your life that is all about you, so enjoy it. Also, it is easy to try to plan everything down to the minute…take a breath. Find a time for just you and your partner to take a deep breath, steal some private kisses and moments and take in this amazing moment in your love story.

Emily: So much I could share! The best place to get my wedding day advice is on my blog at https://emnicolephotography.com/category/wedding-tips/ But the NUMBER ONE piece of advice I give all couples: Plan more for your marriage than for your wedding. You're a wife for a lifetime, and a bride for a day. Invest in what matters MOST in life (and usually that investment is free).

ALM: Any advice to the wedding party for posed photos?

Steve: There are several things to know about creating beautiful posed portraits that you will cherish for life. Realize that they do take both time and planning. It is important to work with your photographer to have a plan and time frame that works and does not impact the flow of your wedding day. Work together on your visions, your photographer will often have one…or should, but when you work together, the results can be amazing.

Emily: Bridesmaids, hold bouquets at hipbone level, and point the flowers toward the camera! Groomsmen, EMPTY YOUR POCKETS. All of them. Put your hand in your pocket with your thumb out. All bridal party members — close those gaps. Get uncomfortably close to the person next to you. Pretend you're holding pieces of paper between your bodies.

ALM: Are couples displaying their wedding photos in albums or online?

Steve: The couples I work with are doing both, as well as a number of couples we work with who create beautiful wall art for their homes, from vibrant metals to classic oilfinished portraits. Displaying your wedding story in your home through albums, folios, or wall art is not only a great way to share your love with guests in your home but also with each other every day.

Emily: Digital photos die so fast. You post it once to your Facebook Album or a few 10-image carousels on anniversaries and then they never see the light of day.

I wish more couples would print their photos. It almost cheapens the whole experience when you hide your photos behind a desktop folder. I offer a free album to my clients, and reason being, that I think there is something so special about printing your photos in physical form. It creates greater value beyond a clump of pixels on a thumb drive. My wedding album is one of my prized possessions. My couples who order albums never regret it.

ALM: What three questions should an engaged couple ask when meeting a wedding photographer?

Steve: I love this question, because so often we do not know what to ask, and many of us are not used to hiring professionals for services such as photography. So I think the three questions I would ask are, can you explain why you photograph weddings, how do you work with wedding clients and what should we expect, and what is the worst experience you had with a wedding and how did you handle it? These are the questions that will help you understand your photographer's heart, what to expect from them, and how they handle stress or adversity in the moment. I know that I look forward to answering these questions for the couples I work with.

Emily: There are a lot of articles out there from wedding photographers about what questions to ask, and I think there's a lot of validity to these lists. But honestly, hiring the perfect photographer for you really comes down to three things. I call it the Three P's: Portfolio, Pricing, Personality. If you can picture yourself in their portfolio and LOVE everything about their style, CHECK! If their pricing fits in your budget and provides the right value for you, CHECK. Lastly, and honestly most importantly, if you love their personality and get along with them easily, CHECK. Photographers spend more time on a wedding day with the bride than the groom does! So liking them as a person should be your top priority.

Be sure to stop by and visit with Steve Johnson Photography and Emily Nicole Photography and our other wedding vendors March 5 at the 2023 Alexandria Wedding Showcase at Above ALX Community. For more information and tickets, visit alexandriaweddingshowcase.com.