Formal Photos Hitlist!

A good tog can do formals in a relaxed way......It is a special technique although easy when done well.....

We've got a tonne of family, so also have on our list:

cousins (mine and OH's)

All aunts/uncles on each side - maybe also with cousins

Maybe B&G with siblings only as well

Bride bridesmaids

Groom groomsmen

Bride + Mum / Dad / siblings

Groom + Mum / Dad /siblings

B+G whole family

Everyone

How's that?

Have a natter with your photographer... formal shots don't have to be formal and they should be able to work with you on a plan of action to make them speedy and painless for everyone

I'm sure your photographer will capture your formals in an unstuffy way. Usually the best moments are before and after the actual shot.

Thats great Chris!

Following a cue from Peter on the other thread I emailed her about extending the time for photos which she agreed because as she put it 'you more than likely get stuck in an unofficial receiving line'

Alabasta, I have a big family too. thou it would be bordering on an indian wedding if we did that! plus my fear of the camera I'd rather enjoy candid photos with everyone without knowing she's there like the ninja she is!

I'll pass on this draft and talk about relaxed formals

I am a photographer myself and always try to relax people before taking photos. I totally agree there's nothing worse than having nervous uncomfortable poker faces on your wedding photos, so I usually prefer taking lively informal pictures, where people show their real emotions!

I also meet with the engaged couple for their complimentary Engagement photoshoot and we get to know each other, and this gives them a great opportunity to relax in front of the camera and feel more comfortable on their Big day.

By the way, if you haven’t made your Wedding photographer booking yet, please contact me, I’d be more than happy to help: arinaphotography.co.uk.

Arina

Registered Hitched Supplier

Thanks Arina, I currently have a TOG but thanks for the offer. Your portfolio looks lovely BTW.

I'm sure I'll be fine on the day 'fingers crossed' I just freeze up something rotten in front of the camera, any camaera, that one of my fears

Just don't stand close to the door where the wedding breakfast is being held as this may happen. Grab a drink and tuck yourselves away somewhere when they announce everyone can go into the room. When food is mentioned, some guests then forget there is a Bride and Groom ?

Good advise! I'll bear that in mind!

Arina, are all those images on your site yours?

I'm finding copies of them on other Photographers sites like here, here at the bottom of their site, a few shots from here and here??

Your pricing alerted me as for the quality of work, it's very low.

The portfolio is indeed lovely but it's a shame it's not hers! I've just back checked some of your wedding photos and they come from various other sources...

Didn't even check the price! (given that I'm booked up)

It's not you lovely. It's people stealing other peoples images, then take bookings off the back of them, leaving a Bride and Groom very disappointed when they receive the 'real' photographers images.

Good spot Nicola...

Such a shame that others feel the need to pass off other peoples work to try and fill there own books!

Nothing like being original hey?!?

Yeah I've heard horror stories. thats why i found my lady via the Cheshire list for certified TOGS!

I hope admin notices this and investigates, this is the second time we've found a fraudulent HIB tog!!

I'm not too sure how people think they can get away with passing off other people's work as their own, it's ridiculous. Such a shame some people feel the need to do this kind of thing.

LOL, Elixia - "It's just I do a Chandler face when it comes to photos" haha! I think many of us pull that face in formals... I'm sure if you let your Photographer know that you don't like the formals looking too stuffy or too posed, they can do something to help. For example, instead of having your bridesmaids all in a row, all of you looking at the camera, you could have them slightly curved around you, looking at you and laughing or something to make them look a little bit more natural and fun. I know quite a few photographers who use this kind of technique with the bridal party and it looks really lovely. Just so long as your Photographer is going to interact with you while doing the shots, you should be fine. You could always get everyone in the photo to attempt their best chandler face, I bet it would make everyone laugh afterwards and make for a great natural one!

HA! that would be an EXCELLENT idea! I love it!

Never hire a photographer whose portfolio is made up of another togs work.

Hahaha

So, anyway, has their supplier status been pulled and their monies refunded? ?

That's a good nice and short listt, and any half decent photographer will rattle through these quickly, without fuss, and with a minimum of stress for everyone. I tend to start big (everyone) and work to smaller and smaller groups, ending up with just the bride and groom. In this way, the least interested guests tend to be dealt with first...

And there website I hope, I see this nearly every day, how do they think they will get away with it.

Oh dear we have 33 different photos on our formal photo list - i said nightmare, h2b is convinced we should have lots of photos with all the guests. I budged for him but now very jealous of you small list!! It's going to be boring standing there for 33 photos as well as chaotic!

I see photography like i see art. if your not enjoying it, it shows. in photography i think that goes for the TOG and the person on the other side of the camera. If people get bored or frustrated its hard to not show it, the eyes have it! thats why I opt for a small list, plus I'm a wreck in front of cameras, tend to employ the duck and cover maneuver and we only have an hour to hour and a half!

I really appreciate when my friends take time to have a pic of the bride with all the girls, and grooms with all the guys.

That really makes us feel appreciated for our time going there and being valued for our friendship.

Sometimes a "everyone" picture makes it so blurry, you can't hardly see everyone in it

But if your tog makes sure to capture everyone even if they are not posing with you, than it should be fine.

Let us know what your final list will be =D

Cheers,

I've got a very small circle of friends and most of them are groomsmen, ushers & BM's so they'll get their photos done for sure! but I have to say natural photos of casual conversation or funny moments speaks volumes to me over formals I think. Though I may break up a few of these and increase the list a tad.

Quick question to the TOGs here, photos of signing your licence, is that still a done thing? I've seen some images of it floating around in mags and on FB.

Some will let you take photos of it and some wont, but if your photographer is careful then they should be able to get it, after all its not illegal to photograph it.

If you mean getting a photo of you actually signing the legal document, I'd say 80% of Vicars and Registrars ask me not to and prefer to flip the page of the book to a blank page and you stage a mock up of the signing for the photo. I have had a few couples say they are not bothered about having this photo taken but most of them still do.

I'm not too bothered about this shot to be fair just something I had noticed. When looking at parents photo albums you see a lot of these types of shots but I hadn't seen as much in current weddings.