4 mistakes to avoid for your wedding photography

Not sticking to a schedule

I can’t emphasise enough the importance of being organised and sticking to a planned timeline for the day. This is especially important if everything isn’t happening in the one location. Make a wedding timeline and appoint a bridesmaid to make sure that the morning is running on time. It only happens once and you want to make sure that there is enough time for everything, especially photography. 

My biggest tip is to plan to get into your dress 1 hour before you plan to leave for the ceremony, so let your hair and make-up artist know you would like to be finished by that time. Then you can take your time with those moments like zipping the dress, putting your earrings in, getting into your shoes. Does your dress need to be tied or laced a certain way? Make sure you and at least one of your bridal party have rehearsed this beforehand. Your photographer will usually leave at least 10 minutes before you, so allow time for bridal portraits alone and with your family. You can spend those extra 10 minutes sipping on your champagne and taking it all in before you leave for the church. Being on time means you’ll have so much more time to enjoy your day and mingle with your guests.

Not Getting Help Organising People for Photos

Ahead of the day, designate someone that you trust and who knows your family and friends to be in charge of organising people for portraits. Usually the best man should gather the groom’s family, and the maid of honour gather the bride’s family. They can gather the people needed, direct them on what shots they will be in, and then release them when they're done. It keeps things moving quickly, smoothly, and enjoyably.

Trying to Make Things "Perfect"

Just have fun! Months, maybe years of planning have gone into this one day, but once the prep work is all done, trust that your venue and vendors will be taking care of everything for you. Don’t sweat the small stuff. There may be some little detail that didn't turn out 100 percent like you had hoped, but believe me, no one will notice. On the day, go with it, have fun, and keep smiling. 

Trying to Pose

Many couples have reservations about posing and being in front of the camera. You also want to enjoy your day and trust your photographer to capture those candid moments. As your photographer, I’ll help direct you into flattering poses to get the best shots. The best thing for you to do is relax and act naturally. Be in the moment. Be hopelessly in love with each other! Most couples want candid, natural photographs, but they often feel like they need to look up at the camera. It could be an instinct, but remember, unless the photographer asks you, just interact naturally for the best shots.

It is so important to me that my couples feel relaxed and at ease, and where possible, I will always take the time to meet you so we can get to know each other a little before the big day. Choosing a pre-wedding portrait session is a fantastic opportunity to get relaxed in front of the camera, and feel more comfortable. It helps result in better images for when your wedding day arrives.

If you'd like to talk about your wedding photography or discuss an engagement session, drop me a mail to claire@studiobrown.ie.

S & J // Harvey's Point

Sarah & John’s story is a sweet one! They are teenage sweethearts, having gone to prom together almost a decade ago, and the rest is now history. They are absolutely smitten - brave John even penned his own version of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Sarah’ to serenade her during his speech. They finished the evening with an amazing first dance!

Dress: Raimon Bundo, Barcelona
Hair: Caitriona's Hairsalon, Letterkenny
Make up: Beautyland, Letterkenny
Bridesmaid dresses: Coast
Suits: McElhinneys, Ballybofey
Flowers: Alcorns, Letterkenny
Cars: Peter Mc Lean, Letterkenny
Cake: Ruth Keogh (Tiers of Joy)
Rings: McCullagh's Jewellers, Letterkenny
Church: St. Mary's, Ramelton
Venue: Harvey's Point
Church music: Deirdre McLaughlin & Peter Howard
Videographer: Rabbit & the Fox
Band: Humble Earthworms

R & N // The Millhouse

It was such a pleasure to photograph Rachael & Nigel's beautiful day in June. Their ceremony was held in St. Andrew's Church, Malahide where Rachael's mother is laid to rest. Following the ceremony, we visited the spot in Malahide castle where Nigel got down on one knee! Their initials are carved in the tree on the spot where it happened. Then it was on to the beautiful Millhouse in Slane for a wonderful reception filled with heart-warming speeches and a stunning summer's day to accompany it. 

Having just received their photos, Rachael says:

Thank you so much for helping capture our wedding day in only a way your eye can. The photos are fantastic and we couldn't be happier. You blended in as if you were just a snap happy one of our friends. Really enjoyed your company and loving your work

The Path workshop in Giverny with D'Arcy Benincosa

I recently travelled to the quaint village of Giverny, France to attend a fine art photography workshop led by a photographer who’s work I’ve been admiring for quite some time, D’Arcy Benincosa. We stayed in adorable AirBnBs in the French countryside, while the workshop was hosted in a 17th century Tudor style French home. Not only is D’Arcy’s work and success inspiring, and she was highly generous with her insight and knowledge, but she’s one of those people who is so charismatic and positive, you just want to be around them all the time. 

With D’Arcy’s guidance, this was my first time shooting medium format film on the Contax 645, and having just received my scans back, I’m so thrilled with the results. They weren’t exaggerating when they said it feels like Christmas morning getting the scans back! The images here were all shot on Fuji 400h film stock with a Contax 645 medium format camera and scanned by Carmencita film lab.

The workshop elements were inspired from the French Impressionist style, and we went along to the gardens of Monet on one of the mornings to have a wander and hear how the florists draw their inspiration. How dreamy and gorgeous are the dresses from Maria Luisa Rabell?

The talented ladies Becca and Maz from The Garden Gate Flower Company joined us to create some gorgeous blooms to accompany the models, as well as the wonderful and artistic Nessa from LA MARIEE AUX PIEDS NUS who styled the stunning French dinner table for us to capture.

D’Arcy’s sister, April, a hair and make-up artist was there to create soft and elegant looks for the gorgeous models.

We had the opportunity to set up and photograph some gorgeous details from close-ups of the beautiful morning gowns by GIRL WITH A SERIOUS DREAM, exquisite bespoke jewellery by SUZIE SALTZMAN and stationery by THE LITTLE NORTH SEA STUDIO set off with LANCASTER & CORNISH plant dyed ribbons.

We spent the second afternoon on developing your business and crafting a cohesive marketing strategy, with D’Arcy sharing some of her fantastic resources as well as the habits and methods that have proven successful for her.

 It was a really wonderful opportunity to meet such talented professionals and to learn and be inspired creatively.

Choosing the right venue for you

Choosing your wedding venue will be one of the most difficult decisions to make. Here’s some advice to consider for your photos when scouting.

Firstly, think about the kind of wedding you want and the venue options that will suit your vision. If you’re on Pinterest pinning outdoor ceremonies in beautiful California light, but thinking you’ll have a December wedding in a hotel in Ireland, it’s not going to look the same!

Think about the decor and colours. If you want a blush and pastel spring/summer wedding, choosing a venue with deep warmer colours like reds, will clash with all your carefully chosen details. 

Next, how many guests are you having? For weddings with more than 150 guests, consider a hotel or marquee; for weddings smaller than 100, a private venue or restaurant could work best.

There are pros and cons to a hotel venue. While you will have the benefits of using a venue that has the nitty gritty worked out to a tee and on-site accommodation, if you’re hoping to be more adventurous and creative, hotels can be restrictive and bland in terms of menu and decor. 

Private venues, on the other hand are often beautiful locations with true character and personality, and will usually provide a more interesting backdrop for your photos.

When you visit your venue, think about your photos. Outside, are there gorgeous gardens, or interesting spots? Inside, think about the light. Is it bright, with lots of windows and natural light? Putting lots of effort and money into personal details, you want to be sure your photographer can capture these well.

It’s good to have a contingency plan for bad weather, so ensure that there’s nice spaces, with light inside the venue that will work for photos in case of bad weather. If you’re considering having the ceremony outdoors, speak to the venue about the options in case of rain.

Finally, check the exclusivity of the venue. You want to ensure your wedding will be the only one there that day, and that you’ll be able to have an intimate private celebration, without strangers taking sneaky peaks of your wedding!

Ideally, choose somewhere with neutral decor and the flexibility to personalise it as much as you want. You’ll know if it’s right for you, as soon as you see it! Happy planning!

Top 3 tips for the morning of your wedding

To make the morning of your wedding run as smoothly and relaxed as possible, it’s a good idea to have all these things planned in advance.

1. Preparing the details

Naturally, you’re going to want a gorgeous shot of your dress hanging before you step into it. The first thing I recommend is having a nice wooden hanger for it - it looks so much better than a plastic one. Secondly, make sure your tags are removed and those little stringy bits at the side! Finally, drape it from the nicest wardrobe in the house or the room you’re getting ready in, ready to be captured in all its glory! Make sure all your details - shoes, jewellery, rings, anything sentimental you’ll be wearing, are all together ready to be shot by your photographer.

2. Getting ready

To get the best shots, ideally the room you get ready in should be the biggest and brightest in your home. Once you’re in your dress, and ready to be zipped/laced up, stand next to a large window with lots of natural light streaming through. Ensure that the room is clean and tidy and free from clutter. You may want to call on your family to help you prep the room the day before.

3. Allow extra time for everything

Start with extra time from the very beginning of the day. I recommend getting into your dress an hour before you intend to leave for the ceremony. This part often takes a little longer than people expect, especially if your dress is more complicated. You want to take your time with this part - and to ensure you get nice shots - your mum buttoning your dress, your bridesmaids helping put on your jewellery and shoes. These are moments you want to relish, and the last thing you want is to be flustered if there’s a wardrobe malfunction. Allowing this extra time ensures there’s plenty time for great relaxed bridal portraits, on your own and with your bridal party and family.

Happy planning!

Including your fur baby in your wedding photos

As a dog owner and lover, naturally I just melt when I see beautiful wedding photos where the couple has incorporated their four legged friend into their wedding, in a little bow tie, or flower crown.

I can’t wait for the day when a couple tells me their beloved pooch will be a part of the celebrations! After all, your dog is your family member, they shouldn’t miss out on your big day!

So if you’re thinking about it, here’s a few things to keep in mind:

- Firstly, speak to your venue to check that they would allow your dog. If your ceremony is outdoors, they may be more willing to accommodate you.

- As with kids, you’ll need a reliable dog sitter that will be able to mind the dog during the day for you. Perhaps your dog is just there for the ceremony and/or photos, and can go home or rest in your (dog-friendly) room during the reception?

It may include a little extra work and planning, but tell me these inspiration photos wouldn’t make it totally worth it?!

Images via Pinterest

FREE guide with top tips to get the most out of your wedding photography

I'm delighted to share with you my complimentary guide with top tips for your wedding photography, for the newly engaged couple!

Click the bar at the top of the site to download. I hope you’ll find it helpful!

And of course, feel free to get in touch with any questions or queries.

Creative inspiration at the Renegade wedding fair

It was such a pleasure to meet and chat with all the talented suppliers at the Renegade Wedding Fair yesterday in the Smock Alley theatre.

It’s so refreshing to see more of these types of wedding fairs cropping up in Dublin, as people continue to move away from the traditional and get more creative!

The Smock Alley theatre provided such a gorgeous backdrop, it felt like Pinterest coming to life! 

Gorgeous cakes from Camerino, www.camerino.ie

Loved this backdrop at Ivana Patarcic's stall: www.ivanapatarcic.com

Beautiful work and styling from Naomi, www.nayphotography.com

In love with the distressed doors at Bella Botanica's stand, www.bellabotanicaflowers.com.

The importance of a complementary colour palette.

As a designer, I’ve found that often people don’t realise the importance of selecting a colour scheme for their wedding early on in the planning process. Having a complementary colour palette is really important for your photos, and ultimately having a beautiful cohesive look for your wedding album. The colour scheme you choose will largely depend on your venue, the time of year you’re getting married and the theme if you have one.

Image: One Fab Day via Pinterest

Firstly, think of the time of year. Maybe you’re getting married at a venue in Spring that has cherry blossom trees, or having a Christmas wedding with a warm and decadent interior. Softer pastel shades generally work best for Spring and Summer, and create a more romantic feel.

Secondly, think of your venue and the existing decor there. Think about the style and mood you want to portray. Keep an open mind about colours until you’ve chosen the venue, and think about how your preferred colours will work there. 

Image: One Fab Day via Pinterest

Next, think about the flowers you want to have, and make sure they’re in season at that time of year. The colour scheme you choose will not only be incorporated into your flowers, but the bridesmaids and groomsmen, decor details, the cake, and your invitations. Your invitations will be the first thing your guests see, so it’s important that the design hints at the style and mood of the day.

Image: One Fab Day via Pinterest

Choose your main colour, a colour you love, that’s easy to find. Next choose one or two supporting complementary colours. Finally, choose one neutral and light colour that will complement everything. A quick search on Pinterest will give you lots of colour palette ideas and complementary combinations.

If you need a little help with any of this, I am happy to offer a creative consultation.
Drop me an email to claire@studiobrown.ie. I look forward to hearing more about your wedding.

“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways. ” - Oscar Wilde

3 of the hottest wedding trends of 2016

Romantic watercolours and calligraphy

The watercolour stationery trend has been around for a while now, and is only going to get more popular in 2016. Paired with elegant calligraphy, and incorporated into everything from invites to signage to place cards, this romantic trend will never go out of style. This is a personal favourite trend of mine as can be seen in my invites here. 

Engagement Photos

Engagement shoots are becoming increasingly popular. It’s such a special time in a couple’s life, so it’s not surprising that more and more people want to document it. Plus it’s a great idea to relax and get in front of the camera before the big day if you’re not used to it.
I love engagement shoots, as it's a fantastic opportunity to get to know the couple more and build up the relationship ahead of their wedding day.

Copper and succulents

Copper and succulents are huge home decor trends at the minute, (and a personal favourite!) and now we’re starting to see them sneaking into wedding trends too. From the decor on reception tables, to the stationery and cake, brides will be incorporating this hot metallic to give an elegant rustic feel. What's your personal favourites and where do you look for inspiration?

Why You Should Consider Having an Unplugged Wedding

If you haven’t thought about having an unplugged wedding, there are a multitude of reasons you should consider it.

Understandably, your guests will want to capture the day too, so I advise going unplugged during the ceremony at least. Not only is it important, and respectful to the couple to be there in the moment, there’s a chance your photographer’s images could be obstructed or ruined with guests leaning out into the aisle, and using flashes, particularly with iPads and selfie sticks.

Furthermore, some couples don’t wish to have their special day all over social media to people they don’t even know, couples want their guests to enjoy the day, appreciate the effort and planning that has gone into it, and have a good time. You invited your guests to come and celebrate your love on this day so you want them to be present and not viewing it through a screen.

You may wish to kindly ask your guests to not take photos and keep their phones in their pockets just for the ceremony and while you walk down the aisle. Just a simple note on the invite or the wedding programme asking for all guests to kindly turn off their devices, phones and cameras.

It’s also more likely you’ll see the first shots in the following days from your photographer, which you can be confident you look great in!

Considering the light

One of the key elements to beautiful wedding photographs, is great natural light. This is something all couples should keep in mind when planning their day. When choosing your date, bear in mind that there’s much less light in winter time, and it gets darker much quicker. Consider your church and venue. If it’s a particularly dark church, can you add lots of candles? Generally, using flash during the ceremony can be distracting and obtrusive, and may not be allowed. Having a well lit venue will always make for better images. Are there nice large windows in the reception space, or what will the lighting set-up be like in the evening? These are all important considerations to help your photographer get the most beautiful photos.