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Jim Miller Photography 417 883-3762 jandjmill@yahoo.com
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THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS BEFORE THE REHEARSAL: 1. Plan the lighting for your ceremony. "Balanced” or “even” lighting is much better suited to "available light" photographs than high contrast lighting (very dark in some areas and very bright in others). The more light there is, the better the photographs will be. 2. Arrange altar/stage items so that it will be easy for participants to maneuver during the ceremony and easy to pose the bride with her dress/train for formal, full-length photographs. 3. If you have candles and plan to use them in photographs before the wedding, arrange to have a second set for the wedding. An alternative is to use long burning candles and let them burn continuously, from first photograph through ceremony. 4. Aisle runners are a nice touch, but are very hard to get straight and usually look wrinkled in photographs after they are walked upon. If you use one, tell the ushers to go very, very slowly when unrolling it to keep it straight. 5. When ordering a bouquets with handles, be sure that the florist will construct it with the handle pointing to the floor. Some are made with the handle pointing up and are very difficult to hold and work with in photographs. This is very, very important. 6. If all photographs are to be done before the wedding, be sure that aisle candles will not be in the way when photographs of large groups are taken. This probably means keeping the first 2-4 pews free of candles during the group photographs. 7. If there are folding or moveable chairs in choir area, consider moving them if they will be visible in photographs. 8. If using large cake table, be sure cake is located where cutting will be easy. If it is in the center of a large round table, cutting will be difficult, and that will be obvious in photographs. THE REHEARSAL: 1. Review the importance of all people being on time and in the right place when photographs are to be taken. Ask the wedding party and family members to be attentive and quick to respond when asked to be in photographs. 2. If children are going to be in the wedding, go over a "plan B" just in case they don't do as you wish. 3. In planning where participants will stand during the ceremony, be sure to take into account the location of the video camera(s), so they will have the best possible view of the bride and groom. Groomsmen may need to move slightly. 4. If possible, arrange the wedding party without the use of tape on the altar area. It will show in photographs and is hard to get off of carpet. If really necessary, pennies would be much less distracting. 5. Remind all who are part of the ceremony NOT to stop in aisle when being photographed. 6. Review the correct way for a person to be escorted. The one being walked holds the arm of the one leading. 7. If a couple is escorted (parents, for example), the gentleman should walk slightly behind and enough to the side so he will be visible in the photograph. 8. The bride's mother should be last one seated and the first one escorted out. THE WEDDING DAY: 1. Coordinators are usually very helpful. Let someone else see about details, run errands, find people, etc. 2. Boutonnieres and corsages should be pinned on (left of person) before photography begins. Assign someone to do this. Put the groom's on first. 3. If the bride and groom are going to be photographed together before the ceremony and wish to spend a little time alone, please set aside time before the scheduled time to begin photographs. 4. If bride and groom are to be photographed together before the wedding, they need to have wedding rings on for the photographs. 5. Candles should be lit and all lights turned on for "altar" photographs. 6. When escorting people down the aisle, ushers should use the "gentlemen's pose", i.e. elbow bent, hand over coat button. 7. When following in the aisle, fathers should walk to the side so they will be visible in the photographs. 8. To spread the bride's train, lift it up to get air under it, then let it fall evenly to the floor. 9. The bride and groom should pause before lighting the unity candle (if applicable), so the person fixing the bride's train will not be kneeling during the photograph. 10. If the groom or bride's father is to lift veil or blusher, he should take time to put it all the way back behind the bride's head (don't be in a hurry). 11. Have bride's escort be careful not to step on train or trip in going to seat after giving bride to groom. 12. When saying vows, look at each other--not the minister, priest, etc. 13. Remember to get the bouquet before beginning the recessional. 14. Don't run out the aisle during recessional-smile into camera. (or, both look at each other) 15. Bridesmaids should hold bouquets at 3/4 of full arm extension and an inch or two out in front of body. 16. Single-breasted tuxedos are often not buttoned when worn with vests or cummerbunds. Check with the provider. Most of the time men should follow the groom's example when wearing the same style of coat. 17. Female pose-never straight on (except coming down aisle), weight on back foot, back leg straight, bend front knee, toe of front foot toward camera. 18. Men should stand with hands at sides--not in front. 19. If friends or family members wish to take pictures, you may want to recommend the reception as the ideal place. However, if they are going to photograph groups, etc, at the church, ask them to get their photos immediately after I take mine. 20. Keep in mind that hair in front of face will cause shadows. 21. Concentrate on good expression. 22. Have someone there to adjust room/spot lights before photographs begin. Again, all of this is based on my experience, but this is your day to plan and enjoy. Feel free to copy this and use it as you wish. It might be helpful to have and refer to copies during your rehearsal. Call us with any questions. --Jim
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