It’s hard sometimes – “which way should I turn? chin up or chin down? smile big vs no smile”. If you’re not a professional model – then looking good in your wedding photos may stress you out a little. Don’t worry – here are some simple tips to help make your wedding images look great.
1) First – always let your photographer do her job. She will know flattering angles and it’s a good idea to trust her. Obviously, you hired her because you like what she does and you want your images to look like that.

2) Talk with your photographer about any concerns you have. If you want to look thinner in your images, ask her to take photos from a higher standpoint.

3) Keep in mind to keep your chin lifted slightly. Practice good posture – but still be comfortable and relaxed. Please don’t look down – this can create a “double chin” look.

4) Try not to slouch – stand tall, shoulders back, without being too stiff. Standing tall and taking a deep breath helps with natural looking posture.

5) In order to keep your arms from being flat at your side – bend your elbows ever so slightly and give them a little bit a room from your body. (Why do you think Celebrities pose with their hand on their hip? It’s very flattering.)  While holding your bouquet – just keep a little bend in your elbow.

6) Keep your wedding photos lighthearted. Laugh, joke and have fun while taking the pictures. This will come through in your images and your photographer will be snapping away like crazy to capture the wonderful emotion. This will also assist in getting rid of “Paste a Grin” – When you are naturally smiling and laughing – the photos look much better then a forced smile.

7)  Not all your photos have to be “Smiling, looking at the camera” pictures. During the wedding portraits, your photographer should be snapping candid images. These turn out amazing and usually become favorites. Don’t be worried about having to smile at every camera pointed in your direction. It’s sometimes a good idea to ignore your photographer unless they direct your attention. Before your wedding speak with your photographer regarding the style you want and then be prepared to ignore them at times if you don’t want all smiling photos. Trust me – she won’t mind being ignored if it means natural, lovely and memorable images.

8.) When you have your hair and makeup done – make sure it’s natural and comfortable to you. Don’t put on too much make up!! It won’t look the best. And don’t have your hair done in something that is unusual for you. Having a personal style is important.

9) Please do not drink (too much) alcohol before or during you wedding photos. Trust me…it will show! You are paying for fabulous photos – if you, your fiancé or family are inebriated…then your photos will tell that story. Remember that a good photographer is going to capture the emotion and story of the day. Do your best to relax and have fun – after the photos is a great time to let go and party it up.
Now I know, if you are  a model – this may be a fairly common knowledge post. But for the rest of you out there…I’m hoping you can use a few of these tips during your wedding shoot.

I want to make sure everyone knows.  “Knows what?” you might ask? I want everyone to know that you can have an amazing photographer AND an amazing photobooth for an amazing deal.

If you could have amazing wedding photographer AND a beautiful photobooth for the same price of most traditional photographers…would you take it? If so, then keep reading. If not…well keep reading and maybe you’ll have a change of heart.

When you book Jill Lauren Photography as your wedding photographer – You can add on a Traditional (sleek, beautiful, way too much fun) PhotoBooth for only $600.

(Oh my gosh! That is amazing!!)
I can offer this because I am married to the cutest man alive who owns A2Z PhotoBooths– and he’s offering this beautiful photo booth rental for only $600 for my wedding photography clients. My clients can have 4-hours of photobooth fun, unlimited pictures for their guests, an album of all the photos, a CD of all the photobooth pictures and props. (It’s a 50% savings for the photobooth rental.)

My photography packages range from $1,700 to $3,900. Contact Me and I can send you my pricing sheet along with some tips for great wedding photos.
The wedding packages include: pre-wedding photoshoot, 7 hours of coverage, 2nd photographer and much more. If you want something specific – I will customize a package just for you.

Do you think your guests would have fun in one of these? Who of your family and friends would take the most pictures??

I love the UPS guy. Every time I hear his truck come down the street – I hold my breath for him to stop at my house. It feels briefly like Christmas Morning.

I was thrilled when he stopped on Monday and delivered one of my most favorite of all things deliverable. A Wedding Album.

And not just ANY wedding album – it’s one that I created! It’s not a big surprise when a wedding album shows up (I mean, I totally get to track it and I know it’s coming!) – but it is WAY too much fun to open and look through it. I love having the chance to review my albums before I send them on to my happy brides.

For my brides the wedding albums represent their amazing day. For me – it’s equivalent of hours and hours of detailed and specific work at the computer. Getting everything just right and as close to perfection as possible.

So when I get one delivered from the UPS guy – it’s the most amazing feeling. It’s such a feeling of accomplishment.

Yesterday was our 13th wedding anniversary – of course we sat
down and went through our wedding photos. While looking through the images I
remembered how I felt that day. Getting my hair done, what it felt like in my
dress, how amazing Chris looked in his tux…it was such an emotional and amazing
day. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been 13 years….if anything it feels like
maybe 5 years tops!

I’m not sure what I’d do if I didn’t have my wedding photos. My
photographer was amazing! Of course he was using film and I was thrilled with
what I got. Looking back over the photos now – I can imagine what I would
change. But I didn’t have the experience or knowledge to make a request back
then.

A huge majority of my photos are ‘posed and smiling’. I look great – but
I wish I had more images where we weren’t looking at the camera. More photos of
Chris looking at me in my dress. More photos of the two of us enjoying our
sweet moments together. More photos showing interaction and emotion. It’s hard
to look back and wish….because wishing isn’t going to change my wedding
pictures.

If I had a time-machine – I would go back and photograph my own wedding.
I’d be able to get every shot I wanted. I’d be able to remember my wedding exactly
the way I wanted. I wouldn’t have to wish for anything.

I photography each and every wedding as if it were my own. As if I were
back in time and capturing all the moments that are important to me.

I know I can’t go back and re-do my wedding photos (I wonder if I still fit
in my dress??). But I can capture the most important aspects of each wedding I
shoot for my clients. I will always feel invested when I’m shooting a wedding.
I will always be remembering how I felt and capturing the moments and emotion
that I know are important to me.

Why would a bride hire me as their wedding photographer? Because she
understands how important I feel her wedding day is – and she doesn’t want to
wish for anything afterwards.

Jeremy Slack is a 19 year young man. He’s graduated from High School, went to college and worked for about a year, and instead of choosing to continue his college education, he’s taking a 2 year hiatus from normal life to serve a mission for his church. Jeremy will be an LDS Missionary in Thailand for the next 2 years. He will learn to speak and read Thai – but most importantly, he will fall in love with the Thai people.

Being a missionary isn’t only about being away from family for 2 years. It’s about serving others. It’s an opportunity of a life time to be totally unselfish in so many ways and dedicate 2 simple years to God’s children. I believe that we are all Children of God. I know that the Lord loves us and wants us to care for each other. I am thrilled for the opportunity that Jeremy has to go and actually LIVE like he BELIEVES!

Here are just a few images we captured before he leaves on June 29th.

 

I didn’t have a chance to serve a mission when I was younger. I was married before the opportunity was available to me. Although my husband served in Bulgaria for 2 years, my brothers in Philadelphia, Mesa and Honduras (I have three brothers that served missions). I have a deep love and respect for missionaries of all kinds. If anyone is willing to go out and speak about what they believe – they should be applauded. Even if you don’t believe as I do – I will listen to what you have to say. Because each time you talk about your own spiritual beliefs your testimony is strengthened. And we can all use more strength and faith in our lives.

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