On today journal, I will be giving you tips on 3 types of photo shoots in Charleston, SC that every couple should consider.
When it comes to wedding photography, there is more to think about than just the photos taken on your wedding day.
Additional photo sessions can help alleviate stress on the actual day. You’ll likely feel nervous and focused on looking your best, and the pressure to always be photo-ready can increase anxiety.
Here are the 3 types of photo shoots in Charleston, SC that every couple should consider.
1. Pre-Wedding Bridal Session
This is not one many brides think about, but it can be highly beneficial. A pre-wedding bridal session is more of a dress rehearsal for the bride. You get to see how all the accessories and details of your bridal attire work together before the big day, which means you have some time to change what you might not like and even notice alterations that need to be made. This can be a huge stress relief because, on the wedding day, you won’t be anxious about looking picture-perfect or making sure all the little details are captured since you know you already have a wide range of stunning images of you in your dress.
Lighting is key bridal photos are all about lighting. I personally aim to shoot them during the golden hour, taking advantage of the soft, dreamy light that occurs about an hour before sunset. However, we can also capture couples’ portraits at sunrise! Good lighting is essential for creating great photos. The midday sun is harsh and creates strong shadows, especially on your face, which isn’t ideal for romantic photos. Nevertheless, we can find some shade to play with the light. Don’t worry too much about the weather; even rainy days can provide beautiful lighting, particularly during golden hour.
Individual portraits I will capture plenty of lovely photos of both of you together on your magical day. However, it’s also nice to have a few individual portraits. You’ll definitely want to look back at your wedding with some stunning photos of you in your gorgeous gown or suited up and looking sharp! I will capture a few of these throughout the day and also after your sunset bridal portraits. Get ready for all the fun photos—soon you’ll be able to look through them in both gallery format and in print.
What is Golden Hour? Golden hour refers to the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. During this time, the sun provides perfect lighting for photographs. The light during Golden hour is breathtaking and can create truly stunning images. On a wedding day, I strive to take full advantage of Golden hour to ensure my couples have the most beautiful photos possible. However, even if we lose that perfect Golden hour light due to clouds or changes in the schedule, there’s no need to worry! Being a lighting master and bringing the right lighting gear and have decades of experience in creating what I am known for called my sunset lighting jam We can work with whatever lighting conditions we have and still create gorgeous photos. While Golden hour can enhance the beauty of pictures, the real charm comes from you and your partner and the love you share. It’s entirely possible to capture the photos of your dreams without having perfect Golden hour lighting.
2. Engagement Session
Some couples might think about skipping the engagement session, but it’s a valuable opportunity to collaborate with your photographer before the wedding. An engagement session helps you feel more comfortable while working with your photographer. Additionally, you’ll receive beautiful images that you can use for save-the-date cards, thank-you notes, guest books, gifts, and much more. The best way to begin thinking about your wedding photos is to schedule an engagement session. This is a wonderful opportunity to capture candid and casual shots as a couple—something we often don’t take the time to do. It also allows you to get to know your photographer better and learn how to feel more comfortable in front of the camera. My engagement sessions last about an hour, and by the end, couples feel like pros!
When it comes to what to do during your engagement shoot, the choice is entirely yours! While I’m happy to offer suggestions, your session can be anything you imagine. Let’s explore various activities for your shoot and discuss outfit options. Trust me, engagement sessions are among my favorite things to photograph. Most couples feel a bit nervous at the start, but that quickly fades away. Once you receive your photos, you’ll find yourself asking, “How is that us?”
Do an activity. Engagement sessions are meant to focus entirely on you. While this may seem obvious, it’s easy to get caught up in the images we see on social media, leading us to believe that our engagement photos should look a certain way. Social media and Pinterest are filled with inspiration, which can be helpful, but it’s important to remember what makes your relationship unique. Think outside the box! If you find the idea of posing for photos a bit nerve-racking, consider doing an activity together that you both love. Our goal is to find the perfect poses that highlight your personality and capture your love in the most authentic way possible.
What do I mean by incorporating activities into your engagement session? Do you enjoy cooking classes, kayaking, or even just walking on the beach sharing ice cream together? You can include these activities in your session! It doesn’t have to be an activity, though; it can also be a significant location. Where did the proposal take place? Is there a special spot that you both love to visit? Ask yourself questions like these, and you’ll create an engagement session to remember!
Nerves Are Normal.
It’s completely normal to feel a little (or a lot!) nervous at your first photo shoot. I’m here to support my couples and make them laugh every step of the way. If you’re feeling nervous, that’s more common than not. Just give yourself a few minutes to relax with your photographer, and you’ll be a pro before you know it! Think of it as having fun with your best friend while someone captures those moments on camera. No pressure! To make things even more enjoyable, start dancing to some of your favorite tunes, I encourage my couples to play some music, so it feels like we’re in our little music video. Before you know it, you’ll forget the camera is there, and it’ll just be a fun experience from that point on.
What Should We Wear?
Deciding what to wear can be quite stressful, and we completely understand! Your outfits can influence how your photos turn out. Don’t hesitate to show your photographer a collaboration of outfit options to find the perfect look. I will always be honest with you! Even if an outfit is very cute, it might not photograph well with my editing style. I find that neutrals photograph beautifully, regardless of the situation. While patterns can be acceptable, they can sometimes become a distraction. Ultimately, it’s essential to wear what makes you feel your best. If you don’t feel confident in your outfit, that’s a definite no. Let’s find something that boosts your confidence!
3. Day After Your Wedding Day Session
Day-after sessions have become a popular trend in recent years, where brides have fun wearing their wedding dresses. Often referred to as “trash the dress” sessions, these allow couples to enjoy their wedding attire without the worry of getting it a little dirty, alleviating concerns about ruining their special day. These sessions are also perfect for couples who faced unfavorable weather on their wedding day or those who had an evening ceremony.
One of my greatest joys is being a destination wedding photographer. You can’t imagine the beautiful resorts and locations I have the honor and privilege to capture for my luxury clientele. As part of my white-glove service, I offer clients the opportunity to relax and enjoy their surroundings the day after their wedding, since there’s often too much to take in on the wedding day itself. This post-wedding session is a wonderful gift that allows us to explore breathtaking seascapes, charming towns, and stunning resorts. I can honestly say that no client has ever declined the chance to spend a few hours the day after the wedding creating the most relaxed and, to me, the best couple-vibe photos. This is why most couples understand that my focus is on what I can offer them and on exceeding their expectations.
I understand that the day-after-session process can seem time-consuming, but I encourage you to embrace it! This a fun way to celebrate how your special day will unfold and can be incredibly rewarding. Believe it or not, you might miss this time once it’s over. Make the most of your day-after-session adventure and savor each moment! Relax and focus on making the day uniquely yours. Let your imagination run wild and enjoy envisioning this new, relaxed married life after the wedding day. It’s an enjoyable experience that truly helps your stress melt away, allowing you to genuinely enjoy yourself!
Remember to search and discover from this blog for more tips on engagement photography, and bridal portrait wedding photography, enjoy my King Street Photo Wedding website! I am so glad you dropped by..! 
King Street Photo Weddings is a team of wedding photographers and cinematic videographers serving SC and beyond. We specialize in fine art, unobtrusive, timeless, perfectly captured both wedding images and videography. Are you planning a wedding? Click here to view our photography wedding portfolio, and here for our cinematic wedding portfolio or contact us here for availability and investment. Happy wedding planning! To see more of our photography & videography click on the related featured blog posts below.
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