The Non Posers Guide to Wedding Posing

The Non Posers Guide to Wedding Posing

to pose (verb) – assume a particular position in order to be photographed, painted, or drawn.

As a wedding photographer I have a lot of meetings with couples who are planning their big day and I seem to be hearing sentences like “We hate having our pictures taken” or “We don’t want traditional pictures” or even “I don’t look good on any pictures ever!” I can’t teach you to pose like a model but I can make you feel relaxed and the position you naturally and cleverly without being awkward. I can pose you without looking posed.
bride and groom sky portrait
When I kneel down and shoot from a lower angle, I can cut the landscape out and just frame you with sky.
If you are a professional model you don’t assume a pose, you know how to pose. But let’s face it, 99% of us don’t know how to pose and that is totally ok. Because I will tell you all you need to know!

I love taking wedding portraits! I love the challenge of using what the venue and landscape around it offer. I love working to time restraints and having to be creative quickly. There is no point planning those pictures in too much detail before the wedding as you cannot predict the weather, how much light you will have at what time, which angle the light comes from, what flowers will blossom, where is the grass is high…

“We don’t really like having our picture taken.” You’re not alone and it’s ok to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. Don’t be afraid, I will take you by the hand and make you feel relaxed & comfortable.
I am great at taking quite different portraits of you in a short time and in just one place. I will tell you where to stand but I will not tell you small things like where to place your hands – I let you do that naturally. I will tell you to look at each other or look at me without making you smile minutes at a time. Instead I will distract you and let you be you.

Here are 5 easy ways of taking fun and creative portraits of you.

 

1) I step away & leave you alone.

At the beginning of our little portrait session I am trying to keep it really simple. I look for a beautiful setting, leave you there and step away. By leaving you alone you can be yourselves, have a chat, a laugh or even a sneaky kiss. I use a zoom or portrait lens which works great when you are far away and produces amazing results.

discreet wedding portrait
bride and groom in the garden of the royal crescent hotel
romantic wedding portrait
natural wedding couple

2) I use frames.

I find features that frame you, whether they are ornamental like an arch or spatial like a path leading through an orchard. Framing the couple always looks good, whether it is during the day or at night. All you do is gaze at each other in amazement!

This shot is spectacular but the set up is extremely simple and quick to achieve.
bride and groom under an arch
wedding portrait in an orchard
bailbrook house staircase with newly weds
silhouette wedding portrait

3) I encourage you to be yourself. 

I ask you silly questions that make you interact with each other and forget about my camera. “Tell me your favourite moment of the day” or “How do you feel right now? I don’t want you to think about me and my camera, but about how special the day is, how much you are enjoying yourself and how awesome your new husband/wife is.

 

bride and groom in love
fun wedding portrait

4) I am getting closer

Once you have warmed up to this process I get my portrait lens out and get a little closer. Don’t worry, I will never be right in your face or on your toes or in your pockets, I’m just having a little closer look, which is still at a little distance with my trusty 85mm portrait lens.

close up portrait of bride and groom

5) And finally: Have fun

Jump, dance, kiss, hug your friends. It’s your day and it’s special! Whatever you want to do that is you and makes you happy!

jumping wedding party portrait
bride and groom hugging in a field
My method is easy: make sure you enjoy the day – you will look happy on your photographs. Delegate all duties before the day – you will look more relaxed. And don’t worry about your photographer too much. Then you will achieve natural, relaxed and genuine photographs that you will hopefully cherish for many years to come.

Copyright © Betty Bhandari

More weddings you’ll love:

Roman Baths Sunrise Wedding Ceremony

Roman Baths Sunrise Wedding Ceremony

David and Soe are undoubtedly the best dressed grooms I have ever met! And this summer sunrise wedding ceremony is yet again a great example that you do not need many guests to have a very special day. All you need is love!And the love was strong between these two. I...

Folly Farm Centre Wedding Photography

Folly Farm Centre Wedding Photography

A Windy Autumn Wedding at Folly Farm Centre near Bristol & BathThis beautiful autumn wedding took part at the Bristol based Folly Farm Centre. This venue is ideal for weddings as it offers accommodation on site and many couples opt to hire Folly Farm for the...

Striking Wedding Ring Detail Photography

Striking Wedding Ring Detail Photography

A circle has no beginning or end, and is therefore a symbol of infinity. It is endless, eternal, just the way love should be. For many, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is because the vein in this finger was believed to lead...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

2 + 15 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email    betty.bhandari@gmx.net

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

10 reasons to hire a professional wedding photographer

10 reasons to hire a professional wedding photographer

5
NOVEMBER, 2017

Professional

Eperienced

Insured

Why should I hire a professional wedding photographer?
​This week an email made me think about this subject. A lady inquired for my services but then decided she didn’t need a professional photographer anymore, explaining that a member of the family would take the photographs instead. I thanked her for her enquiry but felt like saying “BUT …” Why should she hire a wedding photographer instead of a family member?
wedding ring exchange

An experienced wedding photographer anticipates and knows how to capture fleeting moments.

Let me start by saying that her decision is totally legitimate and fine with me. She might be on a budget or she might not want many photographs. But her email suggested that a) everyone with a digital camera can take the wedding photographs and that b) therefore you don’t need to spend money on hiring a professional photographer.

Now, I disagree with those two points – obviously! They are based on a lack of knowledge and understanding of what a professional wedding photographer does. I emphasize the word ‘professional’ as this is a person who makes their living from photographing weddings and has extensive experience in doing so.

A professional photographer will have years of experience capturing weddings, they will know the shots to take, they will know where to be at that right time, they can be left to get on with their job in full confidence knowing they will be where you want them to be.

A professional wedding photographer provides so much more than just a set of pretty pictures for a lot of money. And these are all the reasons why I recommend hiring a professional photographer and why they are worth every single penny.

roman baths wedding photography bath

An experienced wedding photographer knows how to capture and create breathtaking images in the dark or challenging lighting conditions.

bride and groom kissing in the cornfield, bath wedding photography
bride and groom first dance folly farm

1. Firstly a professional wedding photographer has excellent equipment and more importantly knows how to use it. They know that a bright sunny day requires a flash gun just a much – if not much more – than a dark room.

 

2. Unlike popular belief it is not the great camera that takes great photographs. It’s the photographer’s eye, knowledge of composition and understanding of light.

 

3. The professional always has backup equipment with them to insure they will take the day’s photographs whatever challenges they get confronted with.

 

4. The professional has insurance, both liability and indemnity. This not only protects the photographer’s rights, but the client’s too!

 

5. The professional is good at anticipating and being ready. Experience teaches them when to have the camera ready to capture those most memorable moments.

 

6. The professional edits, optimises and enhances every single photograph in the post processing stage.

 

7. The professional easily takes thousands of photographs during the time they are booked. Not because they are trigger happy but because they work continuously, look everywhere, try and capture as many details, emotions and interactions as possible. Just because the bride and groom meet with the registrar in private, eat dinner or go upstairs to refresh, they do not stop documenting the day. Those are the moments they document the reception decorations before the guests sit down, photograph the cake or take macro shots of the rings.

 

8. The professional aims to tell a story in photographs and provides you with a conclusive flow of images that not only include the preparations, the ceremony, the speeches and the first dance, but also the accessories that were carefully chosen by the bride, the emotional hug exchanged by the bride and the bride’s dad before he gives her away, tears shed by the guests during the speeches and children dancing between the guests feet. Those are the real wedding photographs that the bride and groom will remember forever.

 

9. A professional remains an outsider while blending in seamlessly with your guests. They chat with the guests but do not get wrapped up in conversations that take their eye away from what they are hired for.

 

10. And because they have seen many weddings and emotions before, they don’t easily get flustered and provide calm and constructive advice which can come in very handy when a stressed bride does not know how to use the hooks to attach the train of her wedding dress.

 

Maybe not all of these items apply to every single professional wedding photographer and maybe other photographers will have other priorities. But the above points are my priorities, they are pieces of information I will tell my clients if given the chance for an initial consultations and I believe they are all absolutely invaluable, show professionalism and reinforce trust and confidence in the photographer.

 

I hope this helps you in your planning. If you need further help or advice please leave a comment below, email me or fill in my simple & easy contact form below.

 

Copyright © Betty Bhandari Photography

More weddings you’ll love:

Roman Baths Sunrise Wedding Ceremony

Roman Baths Sunrise Wedding Ceremony

David and Soe are undoubtedly the best dressed grooms I have ever met! And this summer sunrise wedding ceremony is yet again a great example that you do not need many guests to have a very special day. All you need is love!And the love was strong between these two. I...

What’s in your bag: my photography equipment

What’s in your bag: my photography equipment

The weapons I shoot with.15 APRIL, 2020 Photography Equipment Nikon What do you shoot with Betty? Are you a Nikon or Canon girl? What lenses do you have? What's your favoyrite piece of kit? Read on. Being a photographer is my second career, but it was my first true...

Folly Farm Centre Wedding Photography

Folly Farm Centre Wedding Photography

A Windy Autumn Wedding at Folly Farm Centre near Bristol & BathThis beautiful autumn wedding took part at the Bristol based Folly Farm Centre. This venue is ideal for weddings as it offers accommodation on site and many couples opt to hire Folly Farm for the...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

14 + 7 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email    bettybhandariphotography@gmail.com

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

Aldwick Court Farm Wedding Photography

Aldwick Court Farm Wedding Photography

Last spring I had the immense pleasure of photographing the wedding of the beautiful Colette and charming Ed at the amazing Aldwick Court Farm. I first met Ed and Colette three years ago when I shot the wedding of Ed’s brother Will at Folly Farm. And if this continuation of family affairs wasn’t enough I also went on to shoot their sister Lydia’s wedding too which took place at amazing Clifton College.

Back to Ed and Colette. I wanted to photograph a wedding at Aldwick Court Farm for a very long time and was not disappointed! We were all blessed with amazingly warm and sunny weather considering it was only April (I believe a few people may have even ended up slightly sunburnt). Both Ed and Colette were wonderfully relaxed which is always great for me as I can just get on with my job and photograph the day as it develops while having an eye open for those little moments.

“Thank you so so much Betty. They are truly amazing and we loved having you!! Lots of love – Ed & Letty”

Both bride and groom got ready in a small hotel off site and travelled to the Aldwick Court separately. Aldwick Court Farm is a fantastic venue as everything is in close proximity to each other: the ceremony room is adjacent to a massive room for wedding celebrations. Both rooms are extremely well lit by natural light and there is a very spacious and sunny patio right outside which was used for the drinks reception. Adjacent are a tennis court and of course the famous vineyard which no photographer ever leaves out during the portrait shoot. The leaves only just started coming out on the vines but spring was noticeably in the air.

Now please enjoy the photos of what was a simple wonderful spring wedding day!

 

Suppliers:

Dress – Sophia Tolli
Bridesmaids dresses – In One Store
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Jewellery – Swarovski
Rings – made by the groom’s cousin
Make up artist – Lorna Mawditt
Groom’s outfir – Burton
Wedding Cake – Rosie Shaw Cake Company
Flowers – The Rose Shed
Catering – Taste-Buds

jimmy choo wedding shoe bridal makeup surprise portrait of the groom groom and ushers getting ready groom opening a bottle of champagne champagne glass being filled aldwick court farm aldwick court farm wedding ceremony aldwick court farm wedding reception wedding dress hanging on the wardrobe bride's mum closing the bride's wedding dress aldwick court bride revealing herself to the bridesmaids aldwick court farm wedding guests sitting down bride and brother entering the wedding ceremony wedding ceremony at aldwick court farm bride and groom lovingly looking at each other wedding ceremony mother holding bride's hand aldwick court farm exchange of rings bride slipping wedding ring on groom's hand aldwick court farm spring wedding ceremony first portrait of bride and groom after getting married aldwick court confetti shot wedding family group shot bride and groom with bridal party lots of wedding suit jackets on the floor portrait of groom and groomsmen bride and bridesmaids aldwick court farm spring weddingbride and groom walking through vineyard at alswick court farm beautiful relaxed portrait of the bride and groom bride and groom looking very happy aldwick court vineyard wedding portrait pinot noir aldwick court detailed picture of the wedding rings funny shot of naked feet bride and groom entering the party capturing wedding funny moments capturing family moments at weddings wedding speech beautiful bride listening to the speeches tears during the wedding speeches aldwick court wedding speech wedding speech moment best man speech aldwick court FA premier league sticker book aldwick court farm wedding speech bride and groom sunset portrait aldwick court spring wedding wedding kiss at sunset first dance aldwick wedding photography romantic first dance kiss first dance bride and groom in love funny dancing wedding guests aldwick court farm dance area aldwick court farm at night

More weddings you’ll love:

Roman Baths Sunrise Wedding Ceremony

Roman Baths Sunrise Wedding Ceremony

David and Soe are undoubtedly the best dressed grooms I have ever met! And this summer sunrise wedding ceremony is yet again a great example that you do not need many guests to have a very special day. All you need is love!And the love was strong between these two. I...

Folly Farm Centre Wedding Photography

Folly Farm Centre Wedding Photography

A Windy Autumn Wedding at Folly Farm Centre near Bristol & BathThis beautiful autumn wedding took part at the Bristol based Folly Farm Centre. This venue is ideal for weddings as it offers accommodation on site and many couples opt to hire Folly Farm for the...

Striking Wedding Ring Detail Photography

Striking Wedding Ring Detail Photography

A circle has no beginning or end, and is therefore a symbol of infinity. It is endless, eternal, just the way love should be. For many, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is because the vein in this finger was believed to lead...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

6 + 6 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email   betty.bhandari@gmx.net

phone 07984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

Guildhall & Holburne Museum Wedding Photography

Guildhall & Holburne Museum Wedding Photography

Hi Betty, We were just looking through the photos again and can’t remember if we’ve told you how much we love them! They are brilliant and just what we wanted – thank you so much! All the best, Jason and Anna

 

I shot this wedding last summer. I was really looking forward to Anna and Jason’s wedding as the brief was slightly different to most other weddings – no posed shots (apart from one or two group shots) or bride and groom portraits. I love taking portraits (a lot) but I also love a challenge and it’s really important to me that the bride and groom feel comfortable and can enjoy the day (because that is what really makes good photographs: genuinely happy people!).

Anna and Jason got married in the Alkmaar Room at the Guildhall followed by a confetti shot just outside the Guildhall and then a leisurely walk over to the Holburne Museum for their drinks reception, speeches (with some broken glasses), dinner and evening party. The weather was as spectacular as the settings which gave the bride & groom and their guests a chance to make use of all the beautiful outdoor settings at the Holburne Museum.

20160723-annajason-blog003

20160723-annajason-blog017

Thank you for making it to the end of this post.

Bailbrook House Elopement Wedding Photography

Bailbrook House Elopement Wedding Photography

Have you heard the term ‘elopement wedding’? I hadn’t before 2016 when I had the pleasure of photographing two elopement weddings. An elopement wedding is the secret union between two people at a place that is away from their home and without any guests (or in other words: run away and get married). You could say that this way the couple concentrate on what’s essential without the pressures or conflict of having to fulfill other people’s ideas or wishes.

I had not met Michael and Shufen before this day and was completely blown away by how beautiful Shufen looked. Michael left me and Shu alone to go and speak to the registrar so we used the time to take some portraits of the beautiful bride. Following a short and sweet ceremony, we spent an hour taking more romantic and artistic portraits in and around Bailbrook House. After a handful of hours I left the lovely newlyweds to go and celebrate by going for a nice dinner in Bath.

 

Thank you for making it  the end of this post. If you are getting married at Bailbrook House in Bath and are still looking for a photographer then please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your day.