LOV ELINE S S FOR THE STYLISH BRIDE WHO WANTS MORE FROM LIFE
BY ANGELA HIGGINS
including REAL WEDDINGS SPRING TRENDS & PALETTES ANATOMY OF AN ALBUM WEDDING TIMELINES AND MORE!
THE
spring ISSUE
SPRING 2012 angelahiggins.com
For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into mybees heart. “Birds do it, do it
Even educated fleas do it It was not my lipsLets youdokissed, but my soul. it. fallGarland in love.”~ ~Lets Judy ~Cole Porter~
As he shook her hand and met those striking emerald eyes, he knew before he’d taken his next breath that she was the one he could spend the rest of his life looking for but never find again. She seemed that good, that perfect, while a summer wind blew through the trees. ~ The Notebook ~
PHOTO BY LEO PATRONE
Angela Higgins is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Perth, Western Australia and is available for commissions internationally. Angela lives with her husband, two teenage step children and their two dogs Lily and Lulu. When she is not photographing weddings she can be found practicing her interior decorator skills in their new home while singing along with Ella Fitzgerald. She hopes to one day holiday with Gwyneth in the Hamptons and aspires to build up the courage to successfully attempt Julia’s Boeuf Bourguignon. This magazine is dedicated to all of the Brides and Grooms who have welcomed Angela into their lives and allowed her to follow her heart and pursue her dreams of bringing just a little more beauty into the world. www.angelahiggins.com angela@angelahiggins.com
CONTENTS
Loveliness by Angela Higgins
IN THIS ISSUE 42 COVER STORY
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE
Photographed on location at Acqua Viva, Nedlands. Taking inspiration from spring fashion and flowers, this is a style shoot celebrating life and love. Jessica wears Katya Bride (www.katya.com.au), florals by Flower Talk (www.flowertalk. net.au), makeup by Grace Buckley (www.gracebuckley. com.au), hair by Unveiled Hair and Makeup (www. unveiledhairandmakeup.com.au).
83
FEATURE ARTIST 36 Mitchell & Dent
VICKI & LUKE 83 Paradise found
99
REBECCA & DANIEL 99 A match made in heaven
30
INSPIRATION 26 Editors Picks 28 Jewel Tones 30 Tangerine Dream 32 All That Glitters 35 Cocktail Hour
67
TALKING POINTS 63 The anatomy of an album 67 Your wedding day timeline 73 Engagement session tips
REGULARS 16 From the Editor 19 On the web 21 Letters 121 Final Shot
73
FROM THE EDITOR
A NOTE FROM ANGELA Growing up in the north-west of Western Australia, I perhaps relish the changing of the seasons more than the average person. Spring always feels like the time for rebirth and cohesiveness, which seems like no better time to launch Loveliness. My belief is that usually a couple choose décor for their wedding that could easily be seen in their home such as cushions, furniture, place settings and candle votives. They will serve a meal that they would choose on date night at their favourite restaurant and will finally be able to justify an investment in long admired luxury items such as a custom suit or a pair of Manolo Blahniks that will definitely see the light of day over and over again. They will play music that is on their iPod and they will invite those people they would happily host at a barbeque on a long weekend. This is a chance to put their unique fingerprint on their wedding with décor, fashion, food, flowers, music and vows, to say to their family and friends, “This is us.” It is with this belief that Loveliness is not just a wedding magazine but also a lifestyle magazine for stylish Brides and Grooms who want more from life. I hope you enjoy this premier issue!
angelahiggins.com | 17
ON THE WEB
ON THE WEB Just in case you missed it, here are some of the top stories on the blog over the past few months
ENGAGEMENTS How to dress for your engagement session
IN MY LIFE The benefits of hosting a French student
RECENT NEWS First Comes Love 2012 PASS Gallery - Viewing, sharing and saving your wedding photographs
PHOTOGRAPHY Broome Time
WEDDINGS Denmark Wedding - Bhavia and Andrew St Mary’s Cathedral Wedding - Gabrielle and David
WANT MORE? READ THE BLOG angelahiggins.com/blog FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER twitter.com/angela_higgins FIND ME ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/angelahigginsphotography EMAIL ANGELA angela@angelahiggins.com
angelahiggins.com | 19
LETTERS
Just wanted to let you know that after a very exhausting week back at Uni, I found myself looking through your blog and feeling so happy remembering our wedding and how beautifully you captured it. You made my day all over again! Priya and Scott, 7th January 2012
FROM THE WEB THANK YOU to you and Emma! Love the pics, so excited for our wedding now! Jess, via Facebook Stunning photos! Luke, you guys look wonderful and what a beautiful setting. Congrats!!! Angela what a small world, Luke is from my Victoria home town - what a small world it is. Fantastic job hon. Cathy, via Facebook Amazing images Angela! You have really captured how incredible the [First Comes Love] fair is. Such amazing talent in this wonderful state of Western Australia! p.s. loving the new website x Bree, via the blog Thank you, Angela for such beautiful photos of our daughter’s wedding. They are so important and meaningful to Steve and I and will be well treasured. You certainly captured the fun and romance of the day. Bless you. Peta, via the blog
We were absolutely thrilled with our pictures and were delighted to see our day through Angela’s eyes. Her flair for capturing the essence of our wedding is spectacular and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Our overseas friends who were unable to attend have seen our online gallery and have commented that they felt like they were part of our special day as they were able to relieve our wedding through the photos. Larissa and Greg, 7th April 2012
I first met Angela at the First Comes Love bridal show, and it was my first step into wedding planning. There are so many wedding photographers out there that I felt so overwhelmed with the possibility of choosing that one person to capture one of the most important events in our lives, plus the fact that they book out so quickly the photographer and the venue were my top priorities. When I looked at Angela’s images, I loved that soft lighting that makes everyone look good, and the whimsical look to them. I didn’t even notice Angela at the ceremony or reception and once we saw our beautiful images Angela managed to capture every aspect of our day perfectly and make us both look like super models, she even managed to capture the best photos of a family friend busting out some hilarious dance moves that we can now use as blackmail. I can not stop raving about Angela to anyone I know who is planning a wedding and we could not be happier with the memories she has given us for the rest of our lives. Natalie and Jonathan, 20th April 2012
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave comments, feedback or smiley face. It means the world to me!!
Follow Angela Higgins on Facebook for the latest news, Instagram pictures and more! https://www.facebook.com/angelahigginsphotography
angelahiggins.com | 21
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. ~ Wuthering Heights ~
LOV ELINE S S BY ANGELA HIGGINS
Inspiration
SPRING FEVER! The hottest colours and trends of the season, a signature cocktail and the lovely Mitchell & Dent
WISH LIST
Editor’s Picks
THE SNOW CHILD The writing in this debut novel set in pioneering Alaska is transporting and poetic and I just loved curling up and devouring every syllable. In the words of Molly Meldrum, “Do yourself a favour…” (Dymocks, $29.99)
Stylish accessories and heavenly scents makes these picks perfect for the season.
ESPADRILLES
SPRING SCENT
Being a tall lass I love finding shoes that have a reasonable heel without making me feel like I’m 7 feet tall. These espadrilles from Trenery are going to be a favourite for the warmer months and have just the right amount of height. Now the hard part is choosing which colour (Trenery, $79.95)
When I was 14 I decided (without even smelling it) that Chanel No 5 would be my signature scent. Last spring I was looking for change and Chance eau Tendre was just the right note for spring and I’ll be stocking up again this season. (Chanel)
BON APPETIT
GONE SURFING
I admit I have a few French cookbooks. The french treat food in a way I desperately wish to adapt in our home. Unfortunately most traditional cook books feature tripe, aspics or pate which I won’t be attempting. Manu’s French Kitchen is surprisingly unfussy and so accessible I think I’ve already made about 5 meals which were all hits. Try the cauliflower soup. Its a revelation! (Dymocks, $49.95)
I’ve been trying to cut back on caffine and have been experimenting with herbals teas and this one from T2 is just delightful. With spearmint, camomile, lavendar and lemon balm its become my-go to drink morning, noon and night. (T2, Gone Surfing, $14.95)
BOOST CASE I’ve been on the search for a styish but minimalist phone case for a while and the Boostcase may just be the answer. It’s a phone case and stores two extra batteries which means I can go all day without a charge on my phone (Boostcase, $79.95)
CAT EYE SUNGLASSES A good pair of sunglasses is a must and I adore these cat eye Martha sunglasses. The retro shape brings a bit of glamour evoking a feeling of 50’s movie stars. They also come in a tortiseshell colour. Decisions, decisions... (Witchery, $69.95)
angelahiggins.com | 27
PERFECT PALETTE
Jewel Tones If this seasons trend of bright neon, geometric patterns and muted pastels aren’t your speed, rest easy knowing that spring also has jewel tones in shades of navy blue and deep spring green for an elegant colour palette for your wedding or at home. The Jasper Conran Chinoiserie collection from Wedgewood (10) is incredible and I think I would use it everyday if it was in my cupboard and would consider having a regular nightcap if it were in the Moser decanter (1) that looks like a jewel. Stay cool and calm in these jewel tones to put an elegant stamp on your day.
2
Be sure to check out Dan and Bec’s real wedding (p99) to see how they incorporated jewel tones into their wedding day. n
1 10
4
3
5
6 8
7
9 1. Underlay Decanter (Moser USA, $1,185) 2. Ava Twist Short Necklace (Forever New, $29.99), 3. Manolo Blahnik ‘Carolyne’ Pump ($607, Nordstrom), 4. Tiffany Soleste sapphire and diamond ring (POA), 5. Invitation Clutch in Colour Block ($217, J.Crew), 6. Preen Plaza one shoulder dress, ($860, net-a-porter.com), 7. Watercolour note card (US$4 ea, Rifle Paper Co.), 8. Girls silk taffeta Avery Dress in Dark Pacific ($260, J.Crew), 9. Juniper Satchel, ($249, Trenery), 10. Jasper Conran Chinoiserie Platter, ($149, Wedgewood)
angelahiggins.com | 29
PERFECT PALETTE
2 1
3
10
8
9 7
1. Toms Navigator Sunglasses (Nordstrom, $142), 2. Audra Cushion (Country Road, $39.95), 3. Mini Cocettes in Coastal Blue (Le Crueset), 4. Sunray Pleat Dress (Witchery, $129.95), 5. Orange Stone Feature Ring (Diva, $12.99), 6. Paper straws, 7. Turquoise Drop Pendant (Kenneth Jay Lane, $77), 8. Le Vernis Nail Polish in Orange Fizz (Chanel, $58), 9. Paris Hardcase Clutch (Witchery, $79.95), 10. Anca Wedge (Country Road, $119),
TANGERINE dream You may well know that the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2012 is Tangerine. Whether you call it coral, orange or mango this magnetic hue is perfect teamed with duck egg blue (bordering on turquoise) for a mood reminiscent of the French Riviera or perhaps Capri. Your choice. Chanel’s Orange Fizz polish would be a perfect pop of colour on your toenails (8) and your outdoor seating would be a daily destination with hits of hot tangerine cushions (2). We love this colour so much that it inspired our cocktail hour signature drink (p35). This is an easy colour to incorporate into your spring wardrobe and decor as well as into your wedding. n
4
5
6
angelahiggins.com | 31
TRENDS
3 1 4
2
All that glitters It’s easy to glam it up with a touch of gold but its a showstopper when paired with a hit of glitter. This trend will be around way into autumn as we see it paired with other metallics and animal prints. We’re not talking Studio 54/Bianca Jagger glitter but a sexy statement that is more classic trend than Disco Diva. There is nothing hotter right now than to elevate an outfit or enhance a dining table by introducing some gold and glitter. Use it sparingly in accessories like a pair of shoes (7), earrings (4) or even with a brooch (2) tied to your bouquet and for a final send off after your wedding, have your guests create an arch of sparklers for you to exit through. Perhaps all that glitters is in fact gold. n
10
9
5
6
7
8
9
1. Aiden Mattox Beaded Dress ($360, Saks Fifth Avenue), 2. Glitter Globe Hardcase ($35, Accessorize), 3. Tasha Crystal Brooch ($39, Nordstrom), 4. 22K gold plate crystal earrings ($190, Kenneth Jay Lane), 5. Gold triangles drinking glass ($63, Dwell Studio), 6. Nail polish in ‘Boom Boom Pow’ ($20, Neiman Marcus), 7. BB Glitter pump in Nude ($644, Nieman Marcus), 8. Pitted Crystal Ring ($19.95, Witchery), 9. Cacharel dessert plates ($167, Saks Fifth Avenue), 10. Crystal Stretch Bracelet ($49.95, Witchery)
angelahiggins.com | 33
COCKTAIL HOUR
SIGNATURE COCKTAILS Put your own personal touch on cocktail hour with a signature drink to treat your guests and pay homage to the venue, season or colour palette. WITH RETRO INSPIRED FASHION and homewares, the success of Mad Men and a resurgence of fairy tales and comic book heroes in the movies, people are looking for familiarity in their lives. While we may not sit down for a cocktail before dinner in 2012, having a signature cocktail at your wedding or engagement celebration is an easy way to bring a sense of retro glamour and old world familiarity that people will talk about for weeks. A signature drink is an easy way to salute your wedding location, colour palette or season and it’s super easy and economical to offer a signature drink during your cocktail hour or for your entire reception. A Tequila Sunrise would be a perfect low key cocktail for a warm spring day that would fit right in with a Tangerine palette. This recipe has a twist by replacing the grenadine with pomegranate juice to make a Tangerine Dream for just the right amount of tang. n
TANGERINE DREAM 1/4 cup fresh mandarin juice 30ml vodka 2 dashes Angostura bitters 30ml pomegranate juice, chilled 1 teaspoon sugar Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add tangerine juice, vodka and bitters. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Discard ice from shaker. Combine pomegranate juice and sugar in shaker and shake until sugar is dissolved. Slowly pour pomegranate mixture into glass and serve garnished with citrus strip.
angelahiggins.com | 35
FEATURE ARTIST
PURVEYORS OF FLITICIOUS FARE A breath of fresh air in the world of custom stationery and artwork, MITCHELL & DENT keep going from strength to strength
WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH the yellow door of Studio Bomba in Leederville it is a feast for the eyes. There are so many delicious details and gifts for sale that have been carefully curated by the ladies of Studio Bomba that my first instinct is “However am I going to be able to look at everything?” A selection of unique and individual artwork adorns the wall just waiting to be purchased and taken to a new home and there are bookcases full of curious books from beard care to wedding DIY. Also on display is a plethora of wedding stationery by Mitchell & Dent, Studio Bomba’s sister company. Mitchell & Dent have been creating custom stationery
for brides and grooms since 2009 and are one of my favourite stationery designers in the country. In addition to their custom letterpress and digital range, Mitchell & Dent have a range of “ready to wed” stationery for Brides and Grooms and I was delighted to have a sneak peek and photograph a new suite for this spring issue. Leah Dent (the Dent, of Mitchell & Dent) says, “Custom designed stationery is special and makes you feel special. It is personal…and appreciated. Receiving a beautiful invitation in the mail is like a little paper hug.” Leah adds, “Stationery becomes a physical embodiment of joyful memories. It is like holding your history in your hands.”
Over the past year I have noticed more brides are investing in professional, custom stationery as they move away from the DIY ranges. A semi-DIY option is to retain a graphic designer to design their suite and then they take care of the printing and compilation. Stationery is the first item a couple’s guests receive and sets the tone of what is to come on the big day. A deep-set letterpress invitation promises elegance and attention to detail while a custom water colour wedding program may give the impression of a relaxed and artistic couple. Whatever the message you want your guests to receive, it is easily said with stationery.
“Receiving a beautiful invitation in the mail is like a little paper hug”
I love it when my Bride’s have their stationery suite with their other details for me to photograph; the dress, shoes, bouquet. It means that I can take a moment to photograph those details that they have put such time and effort into and they work perfectly when put into an album layout. Mitchell & Dent were kind enought to let me photograph their nautical letterpress suite from their new summer ready-to-wed range - a perfect fit for our jewel toned palette (p29) by the way - and it is ideal for a spring or summer celebration by the water for little effort but maximum effect. Mitchell & Dent’s new range is scheduled to be released this summer and is ready to go or completely customisable for those Brides and Groom’s wanting to put their stamp on their wedding day. n Visit www.mitchellanddent.com.au for more.
angelahiggins.com | 37
This heavenly nautical inspired stationery suite is part of Mitchell & Dent’s 2012/13 summer, ready-towed range coming soon. Colour customised and ready to print - it would be perfect to set the tone for a summer waterside celebration.
“Have your stationery with your other details such as your bouquet and dress, to also be photographed�
“Allow your photographer 15 minutes to photograph your papergoods in your reception before your guests enter. They make great detail photographs for your album later.�
angelahiggins.com | 41
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE Taking inspiration from the spring fashion and flowers beginning to appear, this is a style shoot celebrating life and love.
SPRING. Just that single word conjures up visions of fresh fruit, bright and healthy blooms peaking up through the earth and the feeling of the warm sun on your face. When the opportunity came for a spring inspired style shoot, I looked to fashion for inspiration and was faced with all the colours of the rainbow. From pastel pinks to neon orange, colours are prolific with bold, geometric prints reigning supreme and people have never been so daring to try them on for size. In early August I knew that I wanted to bring this inspiration from fashion to life in a style shoot but was waiting for the right opportunity. Then Jappalin of Flower Talk called me after
seeing the new spring window display at The Corner Store in Fremantle and we knew we had our idea. We approached The Corner Store and were delighted find that they were ready to jump at the chance to be involved as they are branching out into renting their furniture for events. We began to brainstorm and had visions of a spring garden celebration with bursts of bright colour without being overbearing or venturing into the saturated world of vintage. A cockatoo lamp watching over the dessert table helped us keep a sense of humour. My goal with any style shoot is to showcase ideas and concepts that a bride never knew she wanted. With ombre shades
of gerberas taking centre stage, Jappalin’s floral design was glorious and perfect for the concept. They are not flowers I initially think of for a bouquet but since then I have had brides comment that they are considering gerberas in their own bouquets. The beautiful cake created by Kakes by Karen echoed this ombre pink perfectly. A style shoot is always a great way to experiment without the pressure of real wedding timelines and but also to hand pick other artists that we may not have worked with before but have always wanted to. Our creative team were incredible and did an amazing job bringing the vision to life creatively and we hope you enjoy the inspiration. n
STYLE SHOOT
angelahiggins.com | 43
angelahiggins.com | 45
“We had visions of a spring garden celebration with bursts of bright colour�
angelahiggins.com | 47
angelahiggins.com | 49
“We had visions of a spring garden celebration with bursts of bright colour�
angelahiggins.com | 51
angelahiggins.com | 53
angelahiggins.com | 55
SOURCES FLORAL DESIGN Flower Talk (www.flowertalk.net.au), FURNITURE HIRE AND STYLING The Corner Store (www. cornerstore.net.au), BRIDE, BRIDESMAID AND FLOWER GIRL GOWNS Katya Bride (www.katya.com.au), BRIDE’S SHOES Betts (www.betts.com.au), GROOM’S SUIT Pimp my Ball (www.pimpmyball.com.au), GROOM’S SHOES Tredway Shoes, MAKEUP ARTIST Grace Buckley (www. gracebuckley.com.au), HAIR STYLIST Karen Roux (www. unveiledhairandmakeup.com.au), CAKES Kakes by Karen (www.kakesbykaren.com.au), PHOTOGRAPHER Angela Higgins (www.angelahiggins.com), LOCATION Acqua Viva, Nedlands (www.jojosrestaurant.com), MODELS Jessica and Nickolas, Phoebe, Renee and Amelie
angelahiggins.com | 57
If you pressed me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than he was he, and I was I. ~ Michel de Montaigne ~
This is true love. Do you think this happens every day? ~ The Princess Bride ~
LOV ELINE S S BY ANGELA HIGGINS
HOT TOPICS The best tips for your engagement session, all about albums and how we plan your wedding coverage together
Talking Points
THE 411
THE ANATOMY OF a wedding album PICTURE THIS. It’s your 1st, 5th, 10th or 20th wedding anniversary. You have a chilled bottle of champagne – the same you toasted with on your wedding day - and have put on your favourite album from the year you were married. The TV is off (perhaps the children are in bed) and you snuggle on the couch with your husband (or wife) to slowly wade through the pages of your wedding album and remember a day that passed in the blink of an eye. An album is what I like to consider your first family heirloom. It will be passed through generations and perhaps one day your daughter or grand-daughter will slowly turn the pages the night before her own wedding. My goal with every album is to create a time capsule. For anyone to pick it up decades from now and know exactly what it felt like on your wedding day. While the digital negatives are a great purchase and security for your future, curling up with an iPad or crowding around the computer just doesn’t have the same feeling as a high quality, handmade album. There is more of an urgency to click through the images and perhaps the moment to stop and reflect, is lost. When it comes to crafting an album, the first thing to do is to choose the images that will be included. It makes sense to me that I as the professional should be the one to choose the images that will tell the story in their album. What didn’t make sense was asking my clients to spend hours pouring over images trying to whittle down just 50 from 600 images in their gallery. I took this approach shortly after one of my first brides ordered an album. The emotional attachment was too great to every single image and it was like asking them which was their favourite child. After this experience, I decided to take away the burden and choose the images for my client. Once I have chosen the images and laid out the
album pages digitally, I then edit those images that are in the album individually in Photoshop. Minor blemishes are removed, some distracting elements (i.e., flies, poles, random people) might are also be removed if they detract from what is happening in the photograph. While I am doing this all this, my clients are still on their honeymoon and haven’t even seen their gallery. They may have seen their blog post if they are near a computer but other than that, they haven’t a care in the world. My brides and grooms who pre-order their album in their collection will receive their first draft just one week after receiving their online gallery (approximately 4 weeks after the wedding date). My aim is to get the ball rolling right away to get their album finished as soon as possible. From this draft my Bride and Groom then get the chance to tell me if I am on the right page (so to speak). Using the online gallery my clients select which photos they want included or removed and email me a list of the details. This is when they tell me if they prefer a different family portrait or that I chose a portrait of a relative they really only invited for her parents sake and doesn’t want in the album. I find that there are usually minimal changes and most of the time it is my clients adding in more pages to accommodate all the photographs they love. I then begin on the second draft, which they can expect to receive in 2 weeks. As soon as they have signed off the album design, my Clients just need to choose their album cover colour and can sit back, relax and enjoy their time as newlyweds until I call them with the good news that their album is complete and ready for collection. My clients who pre-order their album in their collection are definitely at an advantage than having to start thinking about it after the wedding. In most cases it is those clients who are sitting down with a bottle of champagne and their new album on their 6-month anniversary. n angelahiggins.com | 63
“MY GOAL is for your wedding album to be a time capsule. For anyone to pick it up decades from now and know EXACTLY what it felt like on your wedding day.”
ALBUM OPTIONS Parent Albums Albums aren’t just for the newlyweds. Some parents also want an album to remember their children’s wedding day and it is easy to do so. Each parent album can be a duplicate of the main wedding album (but 8x8” in size) or it can be completely custom. Album Options Albums are available as standard with 20 or 30 pages in 8x8”, 10x10” and 12x12” in size. However the great thing about Cypress Albums is that each album is handmade so if you want a different size or more pages, it is not a problem and can be quoted as requested.
Clockwise from top left: English Linen, Grey, Light Plum, Marine Blue
64 |
angelahiggins.com
Cover Options The albums come in a variety of colors to perfectly match your wedding’s colour palette. To the left are just a few of our most popular choices of Japanese silk and linen fabrics available - I have over 20 in total!
THE 411
FROM START TO FINISH WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF YOUR WEDDING • Wedding gallery is released online.
ONE WEEK LATER • The first album draft* is sent via email for comment or approval. • Each draft is revised by Angela and return to the client for review within 2 weeks.
WITHIN ONE WEEK OF ALBUM APPROVAL • Album pages are sent to print and returned to Angela’s studio for quality control. • Client makes their selection of album and presentation box fabric colour. • Prints are mailed to Cypress Albums in California, USA for production.
UP TO 7 WEEKS LATER • The album is complete and on its way back to Australia for quality control before the Client is contacted for collection.
MIN. OF 14 WEEKS FROM YOUR WEDDING DAY • The Client is contacted to arrange collection of their album from Angela Higgins’ studio.
* Each album includes up to 3 drafts.
YOUR WEDDING DAY There’s a lot to think about when planning your wedding day the cake, the flowers, the dress. When it comes to your timeframes, I take the responsibility and do the work for my clients.
angelahiggins.com | 67
YOUR WEDDING DAY
IT’S OFTEN ONE OF THE first questions that I am asked when I meet with a new client. “How much time do you need to photograph everything?” While I wish I had the secret formula, the amount of time that is ideal when covering all components of a wedding differs from photographer to photographer and from wedding to wedding. Some photographers will spend all day with their couple and others only the ceremony and family portraits. Some ceremonies are non-denominational 20 minute service and others are an hour-long mass. What I do know is that I have worked out a formula that works for me and the way I photograph and 9 times out of 10 it also suits my clients, so that is what I’ll discuss here. It is my experience that my clients listen to me when I offer advice. They trust me. They know that I have done this many times and I know that this is quite likely the first time they have had to organise a wedding. As many of my clients don’t retain a wedding coordinator, I decided within my first year of business that I would try to maintain as much control of the day as I could; without becoming the wedding coordinator or being reminiscent of a little man with a moustache in the 1940’s. The first thing is we start the conversation about timeframes, long before the wedding day. What time is the ceremony? Where are you getting ready? Where do you want to have your portraits? How far is that from the ceremony? How many guests are you expecting? I also let them know of my “magic numbers” very early on. While I wish they were magic, they are basically the ideal amount of minutes that I would love to have in each given section of their
day to avoid being rushed and considering when the sun will set. My clients know that if they want photographs like they have seen in my portfolio then I need to have a minimum amount of time. While these suggestions may not fit in with their initial ideas, we are still so far away from the actual wedding day that if needed to they could accommodate my suggestions without any problems. After we’ve had this discussion at their initial consultation (or shortly after their booking via email or phone), I leave the door open for my bride to come to me at any stage if she has queries.
“On average my clients book between 6-8 hours of coverage” If my Bride wants to know if 2pm is ok for an outdoor ceremony or will 6pm be ok for portraits I want her to come to me and ask for my opinion. This gives me the chance to find out if there is shelter where the ceremony is being held and if there is not, I can suggest they arrange something temporary. I can also let them know that the sun is setting at 5.30pm so we need to bring the portraits forward to at least 5pm or perhaps they could consider doing their portraits before the ceremony with a First Look. Keeping the door open will usually create a safety net for any possible hiccups and I’d
rather discuss them before the wedding than find out last minute on the day of the wedding; for my own sanity as well as my Bride’s. The next stage is 8 weeks before the wedding day when I ask for my Bride and Groom to complete a questionnaire to give me all the information I need to create a timeline for their day. This questionnaire asks for times of the ceremony and the reception amongst other details such as where they are getting ready, alternate contact people, where they want to go for on location portraits. Once I know this I can create a timeline of my suggested movements considering travel distances and keeping in mind what it is that I know my couple wants covered. Sending the questionnaire 8 weeks in advance is ideal as the other vendors for the wedding have been locked in but if I foresee any possible problems we still have time to make changes such as push back hair appointments or extend cocktail hour. Given that most of my clients tend to book between 6 and 8 hours of coverage it is important that I am smart with the time I do have. For my style of photography it isn’t necessary that I be with them for 14 hours a day. My goal is to photograph genuine and beautiful moments while also encouraging a relaxed and comfortable environment on what is by nature, a very stressful day. I always tell my Bride’s and Groom’s that no matter what happens I will do my best to photograph their day calmly and as comprehensively as I can. They say that if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. Weddings can be unpredictable but having a plan and ensuring that my couple and I are on the same page is an invaluable tool on such an important day and usually ensures they don’t feel rushed and can enjoy the day even more. n
angelahiggins.com | 69
This is an example of an 8 hour timeline. This considers that there is 30 minutes travel between the getting ready location and the ceremony and that the ceremony and reception are nearby to each other. For more information on Wedding Day Timelines and more examples, feel free to read a recent blog post HERE
TIMELINE (with 8 hours coverage)
12.OOpm
ARRIVE AT BRIDE GETTING READY Photograph details (dress, flowers, shoes, jewellery, stationery). Makeup and hair finishing touches. Bride getting dressed. If time permits, formal portraits of Bride with bridesmaids and Bride with immediate family.
1.30PM
LEAVE FOR CEREMONY LOCATION
2.30PM
ARRIVE AT CEREMONY LOCATION Photograph details, i.e., flowers, programs. Groom welcoming guests and finishing touches.
3.00PM
BRIDE ARRIVES/CEREMONY BEGINS
3.30PM
CEREMONY FINISHES/RECESSIONAL HUGS & KISSES/CONGRATULATIONS
4.00PM
FAMILY FORMALS Bride and Groom with respective extended and immediate family.
4.30PM
ON LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHS Up to 45 minutes shooting time on location with bridal party
5.45PM
PHOTOGRAPH RECEPTION VENUE Details, place settings, centrepieces, guest book, cake
6.00PM 6.30PM 7.30PM 8.00PM
GUESTS ENTER FOR COCKTAILS BRIDAL PARTY ANNOUNCED CAKE CUTTING/FIRST DANCE COVERAGE ENDS
angelahiggins.com | 71
“We can just have fun and get some great portraits of the two of you ... Young and in love�
THE 411
Oh so engaging! EVEN THOUGH WE’VE HEARD THE term a number of times, I can’t help but feel that many people don’t know what Engagement Sessions actually are for and why they should have one. Back in the day, Engagement Sessions were held for the newly engaged couple to have a formal portrait for their engagement announcement. However, unless you’re marrying Prince Harry, you probably don’t need to publicise your engagement in the newspaper. My belief is that an engagement session should be a celebration of the two of you; together and in love. While on one hand, your wedding is a celebration of two families coming together I feel that the engagement session is more intimate. Perhaps you are newly engaged or maybe you are a couple of months away from your wedding; it doesn’t really matter when the session is held but rather how we approach it. I recommend engagement sessions to all my brides and grooms for two reasons. To a) celebrate the two of you as you are now in a relaxed and natural environment and b) to allow us to get to know each other better and for you to become comfortable in front of the camera. While its not a necessity, it is highly beneficial. In early 2011, I was getting ready to head to Yallingup for Pippa and Justin’s wedding. They were flying in from Singapore so we hadn’t had a chance to meet in person but we arranged an engagement session to get to know each other before their wedding, which was taking place just two days later. Justin says, “Initially I was surprised at the idea
because I had never heard of it (being a bloke!), but come wedding day we were so glad that we had done it [the engagement session]. We felt so much more comfortable in front of the camera. I had no idea what to expect or what to do, but Ange gently coached us and our photos turned out great. I can 100% recommend the Engagement Session to all couples before their wedding day.” It was after I heard from Justin that I realised that my grooms benefit from the shoot more than my brides. I think its because the majority of the time it is the bride who is doing the research on photographers and so they are aware of what services are available and have seen the engagement photographs in portfolios. The guys on the other hand are there because this is something their fiancé wants and they want to keep her happy but amazingly the Groom gets the most out of it. Having an engagement session will give you the opportunity to have a little fun without any pressure and many couples use their photographs for engagement announcements, wedding invitations and wedding websites or just for their own personal collection. There are no deadlines, no reception to get to, no mother-in-law to worry about and we can just have fun and get some great portraits of the two of you together as you are now. Young and in love and ready for the next chapter of your lives together. n To view more engagement sessions, please visit the blog www.angelahiggins.com/category/ engagements.
angelahiggins.com | 73
TIPS FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION • You choose the location. It could be where you got engaged or perhaps where you like to go on weekends or your family farm. Don’t feel that you need to choose a location that other people have chosen. Keep it relevant to you and your relationship. • Arrive on time to your session. As I work with natural light we’ve picked the start time according to when the sun will set. If you’re late, we can’t extend the session. • Dress for the shoot! I suggest wearing something smart casual or even go up one step further and make it a little dressier if the location is appropriate. What better occasion to buy a new outfit too! My favourite stores (for guys and gals) are Country Road, Witchery and Trenery (or similar) as they are tailored and fashionable but also flexible. • Bring one change of clothes for variety. • Have a manicure - I’ll definitely be photographing your engagement ring. • Guys - leave your wallet and sunglasses in the car. • Arrange for make up and hair to be professionally done for session. Simply having a great blow out and arranging for your makeup trial on the day of your engagement session can make a world of difference in terms of confidence. • If you want to incorporate props, make sure they are relevant to you. I recommend my clients wear a great pair of heels or a big cocktail ring to add personality without it stealing the limelight rather than bringing props to the session. However, I once had a bride bring a couch to an engagement session but the fact that her and her fiancé would sit and read the newspaper in the garden on that couch each weekend made it relevant - not weird. • Have fun! This is not the time to discuss your latest power bill but to celebrate each other. This is the time to experiment and have a little fun. Be open to suggestions and just have fun with it.
THE FACTS • Your engagement session will start about 90 minutes before sunset. • It is entirely up to you when and where your session takes place but I will be happy to offer assistance if you’re stuck. • Ideally your engagement session should take place 4-6 weeks before your wedding. • All engagement sessions include the high resolution edited files. • You can expect up to 65 images in your online gallery for download within 2 weeks of your session.
angelahiggins.com | 75
Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty til this night ~ Romeo and Juliet ~
LOV ELINE S S BY ANGELA HIGGINS
Real Weddings
PARADISE FOUND
A destination wedding far from the winter cold of Perth amongst palm trees and frangipanis. With personal touches from a very creative bride, cloudless sky’s and lots of laughter, this is paradise found.
REAL WEDDINGS
angelahiggins.com | 83
It was while they were holidaying in Broome in 2010 that Luke popped the question. As the sunset over Cable Beach, he and Vicki were watching the camels roll by when the next thing Vicki knew, Luke was asking her to be his wife. With their 2-year-old daughter Evie waiting nearby with Vicki’s parents, it was a perfectly beautiful moment to cherish at one of Vicki’s favourite locations in the world. So, it was no surprise when they decided to marry just metres from the location where Luke had proposed. Broome fit in with their personalities as they are both originally from country Australia and they wanted the theme of their day to reflect the relaxed and easy-going nature of friends and family that would be attending their wedding. Taking their cue from the famous “Broome Time” tagline, they wanted time to go a little slower and for everyone to enjoy their the celebrations in one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Vicki and her maid of honour, Sam decided to take care of the styling of the wedding and sourced most items through Etsy or made them themselves.
“We focussed on burlap and hessian fabrics and pastel colours to evoke the rustic feel of the outback” Vicki says, “We focused on burlap and hessian fabrics and pastel colours to evoke a rustic feel of the outback.” In keeping with their theme, the dessert table featured macaroons, lollies and meringues in soft pastel and cream colours and a pop of orange and yellow that can only be described as a Broome sunset. For the bomboniere Vicki arranged for custom stubby holders for the gentlemen and handmade soaps for the ladies. The soaps were called “The Cable Beach Sunset Soap” in brilliant shades of orange and smelled amazing. n
“As we were in remote Western Australia I couldn’t be guaranteed specific types of flowers so instead focussed on the colour - whites, creams and pastel pinks”
angelahiggins.com | 85
angelahiggins.com | 89
angelahiggins.com | 57
“My dress was a custom design that I worked closely with Jennifer Naglan at Zanzis Couture Designer to create. I wanted the dress to reflect the day, the beautiful Cable Beach surroundings, myself, and to be effortlessly beautiful.�
angelahiggins.com | 59
“Be completely organised at least A WEEK BEFORE as your wedding day goes by so fast”
“My maid of honour and her family brought everything together and styled the reception with centrepieces, photobooth, dessert table and bomboniere table. I felt incredibly lucky and they made my vision come to life and more!�
angelahiggins.com | 61
SOURCES BRIDE’S GOWN Zanzis Couture (www.zanzis.com.au), BRIDESMAIDS GOWNS Story by Tang (www.storybytang. com), HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST Friend, FLORAL DESIGN The Broome Florist (www.thebroomeflorist.com.au), LOCATION Cable Beach Club Resort, Broome (www.cablebeachclub.com), DJ Notch 8 Entertainment, PHOTOGRAPHER Angela Higgins (www. angelahiggins.com)
angelahiggins.com | 63
REAL WEDDINGS
a match made in heaven A creative couple tie the knot on a warm winters day amongst a riot of colour only a florist could imagine. Dan proposed to Bec under the locked in their date for May. guise of her 21st birthday. After As I began to hear more about their cooking her dinner he then said plans I thought I could imagine how that she could finally open her gift their day would be and how flowers but he was to read her card to her. It would definitely play a big part but as was then that all his planning came usual, my imagination didn’t compare to light as Dan asked Bec to spend to the reality. the rest of her days as his wife. “Daniel and I decided from the After Dan got the “Yes” he knew beginning that [our wedding] wasn’t was going to be her even about us as a answer, he surprised couple but a celebration “I became less her once again of two families coming obsessed with telling her that they together to make one had 15 minutes to new family.”, Bec perfection and call their parents says. “Taking the best gained greater with the news bits of both sides and enjoyment from the enhancing them, to before their closest friends would join begin something new planning process” them to celebrate and spectacular. When Bec’s birthday and I was able to shift the their engagement. perspective off myself, It was shortly after this that I I became less obsessed with perfection met Bec. I had admired her work and gained greater enjoyment from for more than a while and even the planning process. This is the best though I was still very new to the advice I can give to other brides” industry I had heard her name and I This sage advice is worthwhile was looking forward to meeting her knowledge for any bride and groom finally (Bec is the founder of Fox & but anyone who knows Bec and Dan Rabbit Floral Designs). would not at all be surprised that they Fortunately for me, Bec knew I made this wedding about other people was the photographer for their day rather than them. That is just who they and I was over the moon when we are. angelahiggins.com | 99
angelahiggins.com| 101
angelahiggins.com| 103
“I finished constructing the bouquets at 9pm the night before the wedding . . . It was messy and chaotic but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way”
angelahiggins.com| 105
angelahiggins.com| 107
“My favourite moment of the day? When the man I love most in the world became my husband.�
angelahiggins.com| 109
The reception was held at a friend’s farm just outside of Gingin, about a 1.5 hour drive from Perth city. Bec recollects, “Our friends were incredibly on board with our ideas. They relocated livestock, levelled the ground, grew the grass out, cut trees and spent countless hours bringing our vision to life”. The result was a wonderland hideaway surrounded by wattle and gum trees. Their guests were greeted with cocktails and hor d’oeuvres as they made themselves comfortable for the evening. Plush lounge and armchairs defined the space around the stage for the band and towards the end of the evening many people were snuggled on the lounges with throw rugs talking under the stars. “There were some people who couldn’t make it that were truly missed. My dad made a signpost with the names of the cities of those friends who were unable to come and the distance from us to them.” Bec says. As a florist, I knew that Bec would be putting herself to the test in deciding on her own flowers. She says, “Choosing the flowers was the hardest decision! I went to the market a few days before the wedding and just picked out what I liked. I finished constructing the bouquets at 9pm the night before the wedding. It was messy and chaotic but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.” Bec asked her bridesmaids to choose their own dresses as she wanted them to be comfortable, “And they would actually be able to wear their dress again!” With all these beautiful details, Bec says that her favourite moment of the day was the ceremony. “I couldn’t take my eyes of my handsome groom - I don’t even remember taking steps to the alter! Hearing him declare that I was the only one for him, forever and no matter what ... That was a pretty incredible moment.” n
angelahiggins.com| 111
SOURCES FLORALS AND DECORATIONS Fox & Rabbit (www.foxandrabbit.com. au), MAKEUP ARTIST Milla Makeup (www.millamakeup.com.au), BRIDE’S GOWN AND BOLERO Aurelio Costarella (www.aureliocostarella. com), BRIDE’S SHOES Zomp (www.zomp.com.au), GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S SUITS Jack London (www.shop.jacklondon.com.au), GROOMS SHOES Atlas Divine (www.atlasdivine.com.au), GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S BOWTIES Mkay (www.mkay.com.au/shop), BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES Various, BRIDESMAIDS SHOES Myer (www.myer.com.au), CEREMONY LOCATION Wesley Uniting Church Perth, RECEPTION LOCATION The Dobra Farm, Gingin, HIRED ITEMS Reeces (www.reeces. com.au), CATERING Acclaimed Catering (www.acclaimedcatering. com.au), BAND Take Cover, DJ Amplified DJ (www.amplifydj.com.au), PHOTOGRAPHER Angela Higgins (www.angelahiggins.com)
angelahiggins.com| 113
Fly the ocean in a silver plane See the jungle when it’s wet with rain Just remember ‘til you’re home again You belong to me ~ Carla Bruni ~
“Keep them engaged while you click the shutter”
f/1.8, 1/125th, ISO500
FINAL SHOT
How-to Capture natural portraits IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT PEOPLE comment on my photographs for, it is usually how relaxed and natural the people in them look; especially in such intimate moments of a kiss or an embrace. This relaxed and natural feeling was something that I wanted to be in each of my images from when I first picked up my camera, whether I have set up a scene or am capturing it candidly. The moments within the scene are natural and organic and allow the subjects to shine through. With many of my brides and grooms taking up photography following their wedding, I thought I’d offer just a few tips to keep your subjects at ease and help you capture relaxed and natural portraits without cheesy smiles and stiff poses.
1. Make yourself uncomfortable
f/1.8, 1/1250th, ISO250
To make my subjects comfortable, I have to get a little uncomfortable. I am much more animated and extraverted when shooting. If you’re photographing a toddler, it may mean singing the only Wiggle song you know (Big Red Car of course!) while hopping on one foot to get their attention and those smiles.
2. Keep them engaged When I am shooting, I don’t simply engage my subjects then disconnect with them while taking their portrait. The connection should be there before you pick up the camera and after you put it down. Keep talking behind the camera to engage them while you click the shutter to capture a genuine moment rather than a “say cheese” moment.
3. Build trust A friend once told me that “they will laugh with you before they will cry with you”. In other words if you want your subjects to be vulnerable with you then you first need to build trust. I won’t start photographing a couple and immediately ask them to embrace passionately but rather I find after we have laughed and shared with each other a little without pressure, they are the ones to initiate intimate and honest moments that I can then stand back and capture. angelahiggins.com| 121
THANK YOU FOR READING! If you made it to the end, I can’t thank you enough! This magazine was meant to inspire, teach and perhaps above all let you all know how much it means to me that my clients trust in me and let me do what I love each and every day. I hope I’ve achieved that goal and given you some inspiration and perhaps brought a little beauty into your day.
I’d love to know what you thought about this premier issue. What were your favourite features and what did you enjoy the most? What would you like to see next time? I’d love to hear from you!
angela@angelahiggins.com www.angelahiggins.com
Life is a flower of which love is the honey ~ Victor Hugo ~
Copyright Š 2012 All rights reserved
For more please visit the website www.angelahiggins.com