Capturing the moment
A cellphone could ruin the perfect wedding photograph.
From the wedding photographer's standpoint, cellphones can be a pet peeve slipping into shots as people hold the cameras at arms length, said Fred Vero of Fred Vero Photography, 106 Cheyenne Drive.
There is a time and a place for personal phone shots and bridal couples are drawing the line.
More and more couples are making their weddings an unplugged ceremony — device free.
The request is not because they do not want other people taking pictures, but because devices can get in the way of the precious photos taken for their wedding album.
“I look at them as keepsake memories,” Vero said. “When I'm photographing a wedding, I'm trying to capture family and friends, images and expressions.”
Vero, who has photographed weddings since 2009, has shot a couple hundred weddings over the span of his career.
As a photographer, he documents the day for the bride and groom and keeps an eye on unexpected moments.
“I love to capture moments that they don't even realize are happening that will mean something more to them later,” he said.
For a typical wedding, Vero supplies the bride and groom with close to a thousand finished and edited photos.
A wedding is a moment in time that comes around once, he said. The photos are the memories the bride and groom with treasure for the rest of their lives.
One mistake guests make is getting in the way of the wedding photographer, said Tim Huff of Huff Photography in Butler, who has worked with brides and grooms for 15 years.
To make the event and the photos go easier, guests should plan to arrive at the wedding on time and avoid getting up and moving during the ceremony. This helps the photographer because stray people could move in front of the perfect shot and moment, Vero said.
To avoid eyes all over the place in those classic shots, let the photographer take the posed pictures first following the ceremony. This lets the wedding party know which camera and who to look at during the photo, he said.Another common faux pas is taller guests who block shorter guests during group photos, Huff said.Grandparents and children are a highlight at the reception that has a more relaxed mood compared to the ceremony. At receptions, Huff brings a colored backdrop to take photos of every family, which are included free with the couple's 250 photos.Some tips for guests taking photos are to avoid hard posed shots. Make sure items not wanted in the background of a photo are hidden or removed.“Look for the shots that the bride and groom necessarily aren't looking at the camera,” Vero said.When making plans for shooting family photos, a couple should make sure there is enough allotted time, Vero said.And have a backup plan if the wedding is outside, he said, and be aware of possible limitations of post-ceremony pictures outdoors.Time is also important when selecting a professional photographer. Book a photographer 12 to 18 months in advance, Vero said.Be sure to look at the photographer's work and make sure he has photographed multiple weddings and can take pictures indoors and outdoors, he said.For engagement photos, use a familiar location, if possible. An idea for photos is to take them with your dog or dogs to create a focal point, Vero said. This can tie into the wedding by incorporating them into the ceremony.Despite the plans, little things can happen that the couple did not expect, he said.“Let it roll of your shoulder and enjoy the day because it goes by way too fast,” Vero said. “The best thing a couple can do on their wedding day is have fun.”
