PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY
Coordinating every last detail of your photo session in the midst of planning a wedding is no easy feat. don’t worry; we are here to help! The information in this planning guide is meant to help you through all of your photography-related questions so you can be relaxed and excited on your big day. If you have more questions,feel free to send over an email to ellie@caravellie.com
engagement sessions Choosing A Location: Add more personality to your photos by choosing the location of your engagement session! I love when a couple suggests having their photos taken in a spot with sentimental value. Perhaps the location of your first date or maybe a cute local coffee shop where your first kiss was exchanged? If you need suggestions, we are here to help! Whether you’re picturing a serene field or an urban environment as a backdrop, we’ll make sure you love it. Recommended Locations Yorba Regional Park
Balboa Island
Downtown LA
Paramount Ranch
7600 E La Palma
Balboa Pier
111 S Grand Ave
Cornell Rd
Anaheim, CA 92807
Newport Beach, CA 92661
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Agoura, CA 91301
$5 Parking | No Permit
$15 Parking | No Permit
$20 Parking | $25 Travel Fee $50 Travel Fee | $100 Permit
Will Rogers State Park 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 $50 Travel Fee | $75 Permit
TO GET THE MOST OUR OF YOUR SESSION, WE ASK A LIMIT OF 2 LOCATIONS (WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE) PER SESSION.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wardrobe 101: Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Some clients dress up in their “sunday best,” while others gravitate toward bold patterns & a more casual style. My goal is to capture you in your element, so feel free to get creative with your wardrobe! (limit 1-2 outfits per session).
Outfit Ideas: www.pinterest.com www.urbanoutfitters.com www.jcrew.com
What To Bring: If you want to bring a favorite book, heirloom, or other meaningful prop, this is a great way to make your session totally unique!
Scheduling: All sessions are scheduled two hours before sunset in order to capture the day’s most beautiful, natural lighting.
Style tips: Generally both of you should wear clothes that are on the same level of dressiness (or casualness) so that it looks like you are heading to the same place, but what if you want to go a little further? Consider coordinating couple outfits to flaunt your status! – Coordinate colors. A great example is shown here with Tuan’s navy blue suit and Holly’s navy blue dress & yellow accessories. They look great together without looking too “matchy”. One thing to remember is they don’t have to be the exact same color. The same color family would work well too (example: Navy blue & royal blue). – Coordinate styles. Guys make sure you match the overall “feel” of your girl’s outfit. If she’s wearing a dress, make yourself look a little nicer. If she’s rockin’ some jeans and fashion boots then funk yourself up a little with a snazzy tie and nice leather shoes.
Style tips: While it is great to compliment your future spouse in photos, by no means do the two of you need to wear matching outfits. If your other half is more comfortable in solid colors, try choosing something with a little texture. Patterns are a great way to add contrast to your images. Be creative and let your unique personality shine through!
Bridal sessions
Setting the Tone: Finding the right location for your bridal session doesn’t have to be difficult. Add a modern or urban feel to your engagement photos by going downtown. Or, if you’d like a more natural setting, we can always find a local park or field for your session.
Outfit Ideas: www.pinterest.com www.shopruche.com/bridal www.renttherunway.com
What To Bring: In addition to your dress, here are some items you may want to include: veil, bouquet, hair pieces, & jewelry.
Scheduling: The earlier you schedule your session, the more dates you can choose from! Most brides plan to have their sessions right when they receive their dress from their final fittings, about one - two months before your
YOUR WEDDING DAY
Wedding Day Tips: Gather all your details before the day starts for photography. This makes the getting-ready portion of the day go by much more smoothly, and it allows me to spend more time focusing on the spontaneous moments when everyone is together.
Photo Ideas: Engagement Ring, jewelry, hair pieces, flowers, shoes, socks, cuff links, socks, letters, pictures, gifts, cultural items, invitations, programs, printed pieces, and any unique items you’ve put thought into!
Tips: Wooden hangers look much more appealing in photos than standard, plastic hangers. Consider switching this out before the big day! Etsy and other similar sites sell personalized hangers.
Family Photos + Group Shots Appoint someone to help with family formals after the ceremony, along with the candid and natural portraits taken throughout the day, most couples like to also include formal portraits with family & friends. The best time to do formal family portraits is typically right after the ceremony. This time can be extra chaotic if family members and friends are not all in the same place.
Crowd Management: It helps to have a designated friend who can proactively gather the groups so I can focus on creating beautiful photos! Usually this person knows the groups pretty well, they have a loud voice, and they can round people up with ease.
More Recommendations: After the ceremony, have your officiant make an announcement asking family members to stay in the ceremony location, then have an appointed friend to help facilitate the different groups you would like to have photographed. This means that they have the list of family members and they are gathering people either with an extra loud voice or a handheld microphone. Please keep your list of groups short. Please note that each group shot can take 2-3 minutes. There will also be time during the reception for additional group photos.
“Do what you love, and it will love you back.”
Planning out a timeline: We like to document couples as they get ready, so send over your timeline several weeks before the wedding!
Consider doing first-look!
It used to a considered taboo, but seeing each other before the ceremony allows you to get extra photos while there is still daylight. It also helps to calm the nerves and gets your reception started on time, as guests won’t have to wait long for the bride and groom to get their photos taken after the wedding.
While it is not required, it is highly recommended!