Ask M: Tips for Scouting Photoshoot Locations

"What are some things I should think about when picking location(s) for our Engagement photos?" - Natalie

This is a great question - thanks, Natalie! When prepping for your Engagement photos there are a few things to help lead you in the right direction:

1. Is there a specific location that has meaning to you? Did you meet at Jo's Coffee on S. Congress? Were you both volunteering at ACL when you bumped into each other? These details are part of your story and totally fun to incorporate in your shoot.

2. There is nothing better than natural light for photos, so a lot of photographers and couples alike choose outdoor locations for shooting. That doesn't mean indoor venues are out of the question, just be sure to keep lighting as a priority when doing your research.

3. Do something that matches your style as a couple. If you're always out and about on adventures, think about staging something on the road. If you're more Urban, find a location you can see the city's skyline. There are a perfect locations all around you, you just need to get creative!

Have you found an awesome location and want to share? Post a comment below! 

Ask M: Advice for DIY Bridal Makeup

Randi B. from Facebook had a great question a couple of weeks back, "What's your advice for brides doing their own makeup, so they don't look like a disaster in photos- especially as the reception goes on."

This is such a great question because A. The way your makeup looks in the mirror is not necessarily the way it will look in photos, B. Not everyone has the budget for a professional makeup artist and C. Everyone wants to look great on their wedding day!

Below are five solid DIY Bridal Makeup tips for looking great in-person and on-camera.

1. HD isn't your friend when it comes to makeup in photos! Any sort of HD, anti-aging or SPF will give your face a white glow on camera. You don't want to look like a ghost on one of the most important days of your life!

2. Use a brighter lipstick than normal. If you usually go with more neutral tones, don't be afraid of color. Use your everyday neutral as a base and then add a pop of coral on top. It makes a huge difference on camera and gives you a bright, fresh look!

3. Extend your face makeup down your neck and even to your shoulders. You want to be sure your face blends with the rest of your body and there isn't a noticeable makeup line. You can also achieve this by blending your foundation into your neck really well with a blender ball.

4. Practice makes perfect! Do a couple of makeup trials before the big day. This will allow you to practice different techniques and get an game plan together for your wedding day. Also, take photos! This will help you to see how your makeup will be reflected on camera. Pro tip: Makeup artist Joanna Schlip suggests taking photos under different kinds of lighting (fluorescent, natural, candlelit, etc.).

5. Once your makeup is finished and you're ready to go, be sure you spritz your face with makeup setting spray a.k.a. hairspray for your face. This helps to set your makeup and holds everything in place for hours, which definitely comes in handy when you're cutting a rug at the reception!

Two great DIY Makeup resources:

Glamour Guide to DIY Wedding Makeup & Our Makeup Expert, Erica Gray

Have any other Makeup tips for the ladies? Share them in the comments below!

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! 

Ask M: How to Handle Complicated Family Photos

"My family is...complicated. How do we handle family photos when relations are less than perfect?"

This is a GREAT question and a necessary one. We are totally aware that every family has different needs, especially when it comes to relationships. Are your parents divorced? Remarried? Are they friendly? Or would they rather not have any photos together? These are things your photographer needs to know in advance! Below are three steps to help prepare for those complicated family photos on the Big Day.

1. Be candid with your photographer, there's no judgement! It's important that we're aware of all situations that could arise so we can prepare. If we need to keep certain individuals out of pictures with each other, we will do just that. Should we call upon family units separately? You've got it.

2. Be explicit in your group shot list. Don't list "parents," especially when there are step-parents in the picture. Use specific names, i.e. Mom (Lisa) & Joe. Make notes if there are family members who shouldn't be in a photo together, i.e. "Aunt Caroline and Aunt Lucy should never be in the same photo."

3. Relax! At the end of the day, this is YOUR wedding, YOUR big day. Everyone will be on their best behavior - even Uncle Larry. ;)

Have a story to share? Or a question you'd like answered? Leave a comment below or shoot an email to she@she-n-he.com.

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! 

Ask M: To shot list or not to shot list, that is the question!

To shot list or not to shot list, that is the question! And it's one that's answer is strictly opinion and preference. So, here it goes... I don't like shot lists.

It's so easy to get lost in "Pinterest-worthy" shots that you've been collecting on your wedding board since the day you got engaged (if not before - you know who you are ;) ). You've meticulously mapped out a shot list 100 shots deep that you're certain your photographer will be grateful for.

Eh. Wrong.

With a list that long, your photographer misses out on beautiful, candid moments because they're too busy looking at a piece of paper making sure they have all the shots you're requesting - that's no fun. This is YOUR real life wedding. You want to remember Aunt Sue gettin' down on the dance floor and Cousin Dan singing Frank Sinatra to your Memaw. These memories are priceless and definitely not ones you've found scrolling through Pinterest.

Now, I know there are some pictures you just HAVE to have. I send a questionnaire to all of my brides so I can get a feel for what's important to them. I ask for 10 shots they can't live without. Yes, 10. The rest is left to me to be creative and identify the moments you won't want to forget. This is where all that "trust" and "liking your photographer" stuff I write about comes in. It's so important that you believe your photographer knows what they're doing so that you can enjoy the best day of your life.

Just a few of our fav candids:

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This is our series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you’ve been dying to ask? We’re an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! 

Ask M: What are the top five questions to ask a potential wedding photographer?

First, I want to introduce you to our newest series, Ask M, where we take YOUR questions and answer them with honesty, love and care. Have any photography questions you've been dying to ask? We're an open book! Shoot us a note on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or just leave us a comment below! Now on with the show...

We stressed how important your photographer is in our last blog post with a few tips on planning. Now the next step, insuring that the photographer you pick is the best fit for you! Check out five questions to ask when interviewing a photographer:

How long have you been a wedding photographer?

Just like with any other profession, experience matters. There are a lot of unknowns at people’s weddings and being able to navigate appropriately through each situation is important. An experienced wedding photographer has been there, done that and knows how to handle it. They’re also able to provide the bride and groom guidance on photography decisions as well as vendor info and more.

Are all of the photos on your site yours?

This is always a tricky one. While most photographers use their work on their website, there’s always the possibility that the images they’re using are stock, stolen or just the work of a second shooter. You want to be sure whatever photos are winning you over are the same level of work the photographer will deliver after your big day.

Will you be THE photographer on my wedding day?

You might be thinking, “Well duh!” but that’s not always the case. There are some photography businesses who have a star photographer, or the owner of the company, but send alternate photographers out to different gigs. There’s nothing wrong with this and if the photographer is willing to send someone out in his/her place, they must be of a certain caliber, but it’s important that you know this information ahead of time so you’re not caught off-guard the day of your wedding.

Can you send me a link to 3 full wedding collections?

So important! You have a vision for your special day and you want to be sure that the photographer you choose is able to capture the entire experience, not just bits and pieces.Every couples wedding is different and while you can expect to see the best of the very best on a photographers website or blog, it's important to view the rest of their work to make sure the consistency is there and that what you see will truly be, what you get.

Do you have any references?

We're not saying you need to call up past clients and play this out like a job interview BUT it is important that a photographer has people who will vouch for them. Usually this question is taken care of by testimonials on the photographer’s website or portfolio but if it's not, this isn't a crazy request to make. It'll give you the chance to ask the real questions.

Have a question we didn't include that you think is important to ask? Leave us a comment below!