In general, to be honest, there is no real need for such shooting. Due to the lack of a pre-wedding love story, an irreparable hole will not form in your couple. Such shooting is rather part of the pleasant process of preparing for the celebration. This is a commemoration of an approaching event, which you can almost touch and feel the future atmosphere of the day. This is a rehearsal with its own very big advantages, which will not only become pleasant bonuses for the wedding, but will also bring pleasure and results.
To feel each other in front of the camera
If you've never taken photos together before, then pre-wedding photography is your chance to become more confident in posing. In fact, the word “posing” does not mean professional modeling, but how you will behave in front of the camera. One of the most common problems in the frame is when the heroes try to look like from the picture. Template and very beautiful. But you don’t need to do this. Your shoot is a mini-story about you, about how you love, and that’s why you get married. The goal of such a shoot is to show exactly this, and not to make a catalog of your portraits. Getting beautiful shots from real relationships is a simple matter for a professional. So here are some tips:
- Look at each other , talk to each other. Looking at the photographer often is not as effective, because he is not part of your relationship.
- Down with the pioneer distance! If you hug, do it well.
- Turn on the music . In silence, the brain sends too many distress signals, and the “I don’t know where to put my hands” panic begins.
- Overcome embarrassment . The less you focus on the fact that you are under the camera's gun, the more photos you will get of yourself.
- Don't be afraid to look ugly . If you are not filmed, there will be more than one take of the frame. In addition, often a photographer can show you beautifully even from your ugly side.
- Give each other not comments, but compliments . When you say “you’re doing it wrong, it’s ugly,” then one camera in the world begins to cry. Remarks unsettle your partner, and compliments give confidence.
Photos: Anastasia Chereshneva – chereshka.ru
"Flight of Fancy"
It is not at all necessary that the script of your romantic video be similar to real life. Color it in, imagine that you are the director of your film: what is it like? It could be a romantic comedy, a touching love story, or an explosive, passionate story about your relationship. At the same time, a love story can be thematic, based on a film, video clip, clothing style or era. In a love story there are no rules or restrictions - the main characters are you, the main emotion is love. Introduced? Now think about where and in what proposed circumstances you will place your actors. There are no restrictions: the seashore, a hot air balloon flight, a walk in the park, a parachute jump or a descent from the snow-capped mountains. Fantasize - it's incredibly exciting.
In order to get to know the photographer in action
It is worth noting that the photographer is a bit of a psychologist. In one calendar year, he has to communicate with a huge number of new people. And not just communicate, but be able to arrange them. But, like any person, he has his own style of communication. Pre-wedding photography is a great way to build rapport. At the wedding itself there is not much time to chat, get to know the person, often this only fuels your shyness. Therefore, if you want to feel very comfortable and relax in familiar company on your wedding day, then be sure to take photos. The advantages of such preliminary interaction:
- The photographer will tell and show how best to behave in front of the camera . On your wedding day, you will already be excellent in this subject.
- You will trust the person more , which means you will worry less and enjoy the holiday.
- Your photographer will spend less energy building trust, and more of it will be spent on creativity.
- You will learn how your photographer sees you and will be able to add your wishes to avoid mistakes on your wedding day.
Storyboard
If you have big plans and little time, the storyboard is your true savior! A storyboard helps reduce filming time and allows you to see practically clearly and in advance what will appear on the screen.
This is a detailed description of the shooting scenes, because each frame is lined up and drawn in advance. In other words, this is a detailed development of the script, indicating close-ups, video camera movements, locations and nature of lighting, and even musical accompaniment. By the way, I advise you to choose your favorite song as a musical accompaniment; the music will make your love story especially personal.
In order to implement non-wedding ideas
It is best to organize the day of celebration in such a way as to get maximum pleasure and joy. Your love, family and beauty are next to you. So much effort and money was spent on all this that it becomes very disappointing for the couples who, by the middle of the day, are already tired of travel, difficult filming, crazy timing and workload. But a wedding is a day when you want to realize all your desires at once. Therefore, the compromise between this implementation and a moderate load on the day of the event is pre-wedding photography. There are many advantages here:
- You can choose a beautiful and distant location for shooting. On your wedding day, you are unlikely to be able to plan a 200 km round trip trip.
- Choose any time and duration of shooting , because guests will not be waiting for you at the banquet.
- Rehearsing an image with a makeup artist can be used for its intended purpose.
- Complex, non-classical style, different from the wedding look . And your dreams can be realized, and the psyche of grandmothers at the wedding will not be traumatized.
"No reason to love"
But if the previous options do not suit you, there is a third one - a neutral story. Literally, a love story is the story of your love. But is there really a reason for love? Therefore, every day together is your story, which can be captured on video. Without props, without a script or a pre-thought-out plan, just enjoy each other. Wear your favorite clothes, in which you will be comfortable to walk, have fun, jump, run, and love. As a rule, such a video is just a collection of beautiful shots in the most picturesque places. Don’t be shy to show your feelings, then they will stay with you forever in your love story.
Have you decided on your idea? Then let's look at the filming process... where to start, what not to forget...
So that you have even more cool photos
In general, photography is a pleasure . It's fun. Especially the steam room. You can hug, laugh and kiss endlessly. And then you get beautiful shots about it. Such shoots, as a rule, are more popular than wedding ones, because in them you are not so combed and in a more familiar look, here it is easier to recognize yourself. Many people now say that such filming is not necessary as before. Phones, selfies... But you should come not only for photography, but also for the pleasure of the process. You come and trust yourself to another person. You decide to see yourself with different eyes. And when you find such a person, such a photographer, you get a product made to order, for you and for you. You don't know in advance what the outcome will be. But this work can surprise you, whereas a selfie will never surprise you.
Besides, it's memory. And memory is never superfluous. Especially if it's about a time when you're happy.
What is a love story and what is it for?
In the jump
Nowadays, not a single wedding is complete without photo and video shooting, but it is also considered obligatory to make a small video clip and a series of photographs that reveal the couple from different sides, show their relationship and add romantic memories.
A love story is made some time before the wedding; it can be a fictional plot, or it can be a real story from the life of the future newlyweds. Of course, the main characters will be the bride and groom.
Decide on an idea
Love story is a story about your couple. What will it be like? Touching, funny, or maybe full of energy and drive? Or sensual, even erotic?.. Only you can decide!
Think about the two of you, what inspires you, about the mood that you bring into this world together, about the atmosphere that future photographs should convey. Surf the Internet, find and save photos from other people's Love stories that you like. Think about what exactly catches you in these shots - the location, the situation, emotions, something else?.. Your common hobby and interests can also become a source of inspiration.
Discuss your Love story ideas with a photographer: he will probably tell you how best to implement them, and maybe even develop them into something even more interesting.
Preparing for filming
– Props
Carefully choose the props for shooting; it is advisable that they fit the theme of the love story and the place where the shooting will take place. It is very important to create an environment for the shoot. To do this, I advise you to think through all the details. There are not many options here: either order a decorator who will design everything himself, or do it yourself - you can even make it part of the filming process. Use whatever you like as a prop. Colored smoke bombs, stylish flower arrangements, a retro car or hundreds of balloons. There are no limits to imagination - only your idea.
– Images of the bride and groom
Don’t forget about your images, they should fit the style of your shoot and be in harmony with it. What costumes fit your story? What images come to mind when you imagine your love story? Introduced? Well then, you can safely open your wardrobe and look for a suitable dress or suit there.
But there is another option: rent an outfit. In addition, you can invite a stylist to the shoot who will select an image for you and a makeup artist who will complement it with chic makeup. Choose images in which you will be as comfortable as possible; both of you should feel comfortable when shooting a love story. It is advisable to take a change of shoes and extra clothing with you just in case.
– Where to shoot?
Decide on a shooting location. If your budget allows, then you can go abroad, to another city that suits your idea and idea. It’s also worth considering the option of shooting in a studio. If the weather is bad outside, or you just want beautiful scenery, then the studio is a great option. You can choose different rooms with different interiors. I love shooting on the street! Constantly changing the scenery of the surrounding world will give the videographer room for flights of fancy. From open fields, beaches, parks, stadiums to crowded streets and narrow streets... all this is real life in which you exist, in which your love lives... Unless, of course, your love story according to the scenario is not on a tropical island or in a medieval castle.
We recently shot a video for one couple during a pre-wedding photo shoot. The newlyweds in leather jackets posed on awesome Harleys. Explosive, bright and super-emotional bride and groom. And the video turned out exactly like this. This is a good way to avoid having to come up with a separate love story script. Your story is behind the scenes and from the inside.
In fact, your love story can be anything. And today, realizing even the wildest dream of newlyweds is not a problem at all. Do you want a love story in a hot air balloon? - No problem! Or on the seashore - too! Or maybe you want to show how crazy you are and go snowboarding? Great! Come up with ideas! After all, you can choose any location for filming, if the opportunity to film in another country allows - shoot! I am sure that at a wedding such a video will not just be a decoration, it will make an impression, it will be remembered and will lift the curtain on your story... Well, what did you come up with for your love story? If not yet, then I will definitely help you with choosing a place and idea. Let's just meet and chat about you over a cup of coffee. In the meantime, I suggest you be inspired by the stories of those who have already lifted the curtain on their love story.
Choose looks that make you feel comfortable
A dress can be unrealistically beautiful, but if you feel out of place in it, if it’s too tight somewhere or, on the contrary, too big, then during the photo shoot you’ll only have to tug at it, adjust it and worry about how are looking.
The groom may look good on a three-piece suit, but will he be comfortable in it while shooting in a field on a hot summer day? Clothes for a love story should, first of all, be comfortable and appropriate, and only then beautiful, fashionable, etc. Don’t wear heels if you’ve never worn them before, don’t choose clothes that are too tight, which hinder your movements, refuse outfits that will not be suitable for the weather. The golden rule of a successful photo shoot is less pretense, more naturalness, and this also applies to clothes.
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Choose your photographer wisely
As a rule, to shoot a love story, a couple turns to the same photographer who will be at their wedding, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, this way you will have the opportunity to work together with a professional, find a common language, get used to each other, so that at the celebration you will feel more relaxed and not be embarrassed to pose. Secondly, photographers often offer discounts on love-story when ordering wedding day photography, which is a great help if your wedding budget is limited.
But there are also situations when it is worth turning to another photographer. For example, the wedding will be classic, with classic decor and classic photographs, but the couple wants to arrange a pre-wedding shoot, on the contrary, very non-standard, and the shooting style needs a different one. Or the photographer of your dreams is busy on your wedding date, but is free for a love story. Or a photo shoot is planned in another city or even country, and finding a local photographer will be easier than “bringing” your own. Each situation is individual, so take your time with a decision and consider all options.
Choosing a photographer: what to look for in a portfolio?
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Building a scene for shooting.
It won’t be interesting to watch a Love story if everything is fabulously beautiful, just kisses and hugs. Still, this is not a wedding video. There should be dynamics in the development of the plot: surprises, funny moments that often happen by themselves in real life; overcoming the difficulties that the young people were able to go through, proving their love for each other. All this needs to be presented competently in the frame, and the form of presentation does not have a secondary role, because the same thing can be shown in different ways.
I wouldn’t even be afraid of such a word as conflict (an experienced director should skillfully recognize this from the little things in life and competently emphasize it), then the increase in conflict (yes, that’s right, if you carefully watch any worthy film where there is a love story, then there This element is necessarily present, which holds the viewer’s attention and gives him the opportunity to worry about the characters).
At the end there is a resolution to the plot, and of course, a Happy ending -). Often in the “happy ending” block it would be appropriate to insert a wedding invitation to your friends, or a video message to relatives who live far away.
Think over the shooting scenario
Posing against a beautiful background for two hours is still a pretty boring task. And the shots will turn out monotonous if you don’t think through an interesting scenario and prepare the props. It is not necessary to organize something complicated, although if you want to reproduce the plot and style of your favorite film, why not? Or you can just ride a bike or have a picnic in the park - this way you will be a little distracted from the posing process, and as a result you will get more lively and natural photographs.
