Instead of taking a picture with the sun behind the photographer, try taking a picture with the sun behind the subject. When taking a picture with the sun behind the subject, the subject will appear dark while the background will be washed out. Done correctly, it can also create some sparkle from the corner of the image, and unique effects with the shadow.

Setting the Camera

The camera’s auto light-meter will need to be shut off, and you as the photographer will need to manually adjust the settings as the sun can throw the reading off. This will need to be done by manually adjusting the aperture and shutter settings. The built-in camera light-meter will either underexpose or overexpose depending on if it is picking up on the subject or the light behind.

Since this involves shooting into the sun, it is difficult to focus manually. If users find it difficult to look through the lens with the sun in the background, a trick with autofocus is to aim at the subject with the autofocus on, let it focus, then turn the autofocus off when composing with the sun.

Playing with Light

If the goal is to avoid having the subject appear overly dark, it will be necessary to add some light on the subject. This can be done via a flash on or near the camera, or some type of reflector. By reflecting some light back on to the subject, it will counterbalance the bright sunlight behind.

Leaving the subject in silhouette can also create a nice effect as well. By shooting towards the sun with the subject in the dark, it can create a moody effect. It is also possible to catch the shadow dropping in front of whatever is being photographed.

When shooting with the sun behind the subject, it is a good idea to shoot when the sun is low in the sky such as mornings and evenings. Not only will you not be dealing with the poor light of the sun overhead, the image can also get some nice color glows from the setting or rising sun.

In Summary

It might take some practice, and thanks to digital cameras, it is easy to take the time and number of pictures to get some practice. But, when it’s done correctly, shooting into the sun will add a new light or shadow to images. Shooting with this method requires more thought and planning, as well as multiple test shots, but the results are usually worth the extra work

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What to Wear

She says:

Guys – for the love of all that’s holy, keep your clothes on unless you have a good reason for them to be off. Relaxed pic at the beach, you get a pass, bathroom selfie with your shirt pulled up, NO. You might as well kiss your biceps while you’re at it (actually if you manage to do that ironically you get a pass, too. Maybe.) This rule might or might not apply if you are looking for a casual hookup but even then…at least don’t make it your first pic. Ladies – does it really matter? We all know you will get a few gross messages and unwanted pics of his lil’ friend even if you wear a snuggie. What applies for both: wear what you would normally wear. If you are dressed up to the nines for your dating profile and the first date but are generally more at home in a hoodie and jeans, then there’s no point hiding that and vice versa. And if you have different styles and like to mix it up, show it in a range of pics!

He says:

Girls, how you dress is how you want to be treated. Us boys love it when you show off your looks, but show to much and it says something about you. Conversely, if all your pics are of you in large hooded sweaters that come across as a bit too reserved. And ladies, if you see a topless guy pic swipe right or left. Whichever way it is you swipe to say no f**ng way.
Fellas, nothing wrong with a t-shirt and shorts if that is who you are. But maybe add one of you dressed somewhat well to show girls that you can clean up.

Less Is More But Too Little is Worse

She says:

You should have at least 3-4 pictures in different scenarios. One where your face is clearly visible and the focus, one where your full body is visible, and a couple more can’t hurt. If you have more than six pictures I would probably get the impression that you REALLY like looking at yourself.

He says:

Yes, show a fill length. I went out on a date once with a girl that had only headshots for her profile. When we met in person, I found out why she only had face pics. We didn’t have a second date. I’ve had some great relationships with girls who had some shape to them, but by hiding it in a profile picture, it is just a turn-off. Big and proud, skinny and pretty, it doesn’t matter people, just be who you are and be happy about it.

To Smile, or Not to Smile

She says:

Guys – absolutely do smile, at least in your first picture, you can do the smoulder in the later ones. Dark, brooding and mysterious might get the girl in books and on TV, but in real life we are worried about being murdered on a first date (yes, really), and a nice open smile can go a long way to making you look less murdery. It should be a natural smile though – if the best you can do is a toothy grimace that does not reach your eyes, you will look MORE like a serial killer, not less.

He says:

Just be natural. That is why you are hiring us, we will get you to relax and look your best. Smile or no smile. What we do best is relaxed and natural!

Group Photos

She says:

The wooooooorst! “Hey I’m talking to this guy online, wanna see a picture?” “Sure – which one is he?” “Not sure but I hope the one on the right!” Worst case scenario here, obviously: you are NOT the one on the right.

Group pics are fine, but again, it should not be your first picture so it’s clear which one are you (and also if it’s one of those unfortunate pics where everyone else looks like they still have it somewhat together but you look close to falling over, pick a different one.) Also, avoid pictures with your ex (we already compare ourselves to others, we don’t want to start before we even meet you), and even worse, pictures where you have clearly cut your ex out of the pic and a lonely arm is still snuggled up to you out of nowhere…no matter how good you looked in that rented tux at the wedding you attended together, that just makes you look sad and like you’re not over them – if you were, you’d have newer pictures!

 

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He says:

Always start with a pic of just you. Too many pictures of you and your friends say, that you are trying too hard to show how fun you are and how many friends you have. We know you have friends, everyone does. We can meet your friends as the relationship progresses. And yes, instant turn off is when I see a dating profile of a girl with pics of her and a person who looks like an ex-boyfriend. I know that you were in relationships before me and pictures of you with the ex just make me think you are still into the guy.

Selfies

She says:

I suppose they are kind of unavoidable if you have no friends who can take a decent picture of you but, ugh. At least don’t take it in the bathroom? And does anybody still does the duckface thing – if yes, please don’t, it’s called duckface for a reason, and have you ever looked at a duck and thought “I’d tap that”? (By the way, if the answer to this question is “yes” then you might reconsider online dating, and your life choices.) See above for “to smile or not to smile”.

He says:

Whenever I walk down the street and see someone with a selfie stick I want to smack it out of there hands. Just hand your phone to someone. Or, even better, put it away and look at the world around you with your own eyes. When I see selfies on profile pictures I just think “someone obsessed with themselves. “Look at me! No really LOOK AT ME!”

So what SHOULD I do?

She says:

I can’t speak for everyone but here’s what would appeal to me:

• 1^st pic: a picture where I can clearly see the face, with a non-creepy smile, not blurry, not half-covered, clear and open and RECENT. I have gone on dates where there was a clear age difference between the pictures and the owner of said pictures. Spoiler alert: there was no second date. Dishonesty is not cute.
• With the following pics the order is not important.
• Picture that shows you in full and again, recent. Yes, we are a bit shallow. Might as well be honest about it. Goes for both sides, I have found that I got a lot more responses if I included a full-body picture on my dating profile. Don’t show just your torso with your head cut off, it makes us think there’s something wrong with it.
• Anything that shows a hobby is a bonus! Love skiing? Great, show me that picture! (Also great for lazy people like me who know instantly I would only waste your time.) Play in a band? Fab, include a picture of a gig. Have no hobbies? Yes you do. I have never, never ever ever, met anyone who is not interesting in some way/has something they like. If you are reading or knitting or cooking or watching TV or playing video games, those are all hobbies, and chances are there is someone out there who likes exactly that – that’s kinda the point of online shopping dating
• Have a pet? SHOW ME. First of all, it weeds out the dog/cat/guinea pig/rat haters, and you and your best pal don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. Second, nothing says “not a serial killer” than someone snuggling a Labrador, especially if you happen to be a big hairy axe murdery looking dude.

He says:

Yep, that sounds about right.

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Experience

Experience isn’t everything but it is very important. Ask the photographer where they studied. Not all photographers went to school for it, and photography is one of the few professions that doesn’t require professional study. But many have gone to school for photography and it is worth asking where they studied. Also find out who they worked for in the past, did they apprentice with a professional wedding photographer and how many weddings they have shot. People will often buy a fancy camera and manage to snap a few good pictures at a friend’s wedding with it, so they think they are a professional. But there is more to photographing a wedding than just having a camera. This comes through experience in photographing multiple weddings and working with other photographers.

See Some Work

It is easy to fake a few good pictures, and these days a person can even go to a website and screen grab a few images. So how do you see if the photographer is any good? I suggest asking them to view the full set pictures from a wedding. This would be the same gallery of images that they give to a client. If they have actually photographed weddings then they would have a full gallery from a wedding they have done. Don’t ask to see the RAW files. A true photographer won’t show you that, but they should have a client facing proof gallery they can show you.

This is also a good opportunity for you as a client to be made aware of what you are going to get. We see bridal magazines nowadays with a beautiful image on the front and think that every picture from the wedding day should be like that. The reality is far from it. The reality is that this was a single image out of many, most likely processed more than usual and made to look perfect for that cover. It doesn’t accurately represent the full set of images from a day.

Photographic Style

As with everything in life we go through trends and fads. Is the photographer doing the same? I’m not saying trends are bad, but look at the style of photography they use and if it is following a current trend. If it is, is it a trend that you will appreciate twenty years from now? Trends are fun and cool looking but they often don’t stand the test of time.

At D Studios, we aim for a contemporary look with style and generally avoid filters and other Photoshop effects. But that might not be style you want, so make sure the look of the images is what you want and will enjoy later in life.

Most photographers are going to do a combination of “candid” and “formal” pictures. And it’s important to have both. Are the formal shots posed in a way that you will be happy with? Do the candids look natural and memorable? The style of the photographer should match the mood of what you imagine for your wedding memories. When sitting down with our clients we want to identify what you are looking for so that we can incorporate your lifestyle in your wedding day.

Accept the Reality of Photography

What do I mean by this? Let’s say you hire a single photographer instead of a team of two or more. Is that one photographer going to be able to get everything from your wedding day? Possibly not. Maybe they were in the process of moving from one location to another during the ceremony and missed the kiss. Sometimes the bride and groom are nervous and they kiss so quickly it can be easy to miss even with a photographer at the ready. Or maybe the bride and groom were getting ready at two locations and the photographer could only manage to get to one. Maybe your family is wild and crazy during the formal portraits portion of the day and missed that picture of you with your favorite aunt. Not to mention large groups where someone is looking in the wrong direction. This all can happen as a photographer is only human. Don’t get mad about it or ask for money back. Accept that as long as you can tell the photographer worked to the best of his or her ability, and that what they gave you matches within the expectations they set during the initial consultation, the reality is not everything is perfect.

When Will the Pictures Arrive

It will take few weeks before the photographer has your photographs ready for you. Processing that many images from a single day takes a lot of time. And try not to forget you are not the photographer’s only client. So besides processing your pictures, they are also processing others, and still taking pictures for new clients. I know people are often excited to see the pictures after the wedding but would you rather have the photographer rush them to you and give you something that might not be the best? During the consultation, a photographer should go through the time it will take to get you the images. If they don’t, be sure to ask.

Who Are They

A professional photographer needs to know manual camera settings, composition, off camera flash lighting and natural lighting, lenses, and most importantly how to work with people and how to pose people. They need to have the personality that makes them a good photographer. And that comes with experience and time.

A professional photographer is more than having a fancy camera. A fancy camera is just a single tool in an arsenal of tools that they use on a wedding day. The band you hired has good equipment but it’s not that equipment that makes them a great band. It’s practice, knowledge, and experience that make them good at playing their instruments, and at reading the crowd for the right song. The same skills make a good wedding photographer, too.

Personality

The wedding photographer will most likely be around the bride and groom more than almost any other person on the wedding day. It is important that the photographer has a personality that you enjoy being around.

Some photographers are casual and laid back about everything while others are a little more controlling at running the show. The casual laid back photographer is most likely not going to get in the way much, and is going to capture the candid shots that everyone loves. The more controlling photographer is going to be able to get people where they need to be and set up some perfect shots for the fireplace mantle. Most photographers probably fall somewhere in-between the two. It’s all up to the bride and groom to decide who they want to spend the day with, and which pictures are the most important for them.

A photographer is someone that arrives before the wedding begins, spends the day interacting with just about everyone who attends, and will usually stay until the end of the night. It is important that that person be professional, courteous, and blends in properly with the guests. If the photographer is disorganized or has a bad attitude, they should probably be avoided.

Price

It’s important to set a realistic budget for a photographer. Once that budget has been set, make sure to understand what is being provided by the photographer for that price, including the cost of any extras. Examples of extras include: extra time, additional prints or flash drive, albums, and more.

Photographers don’t just charge for a product, they charge for time, and that needs to be taken into consideration. Processing pictures and creating albums are all time put in after the wedding day and we have to take this into consideration when creating our prices. Weddings are enjoyable to shoot but wedding photographers have to earn a living as well. Generally, anyone who is a professional will price accordingly. Someone who is just looking to expand their portfolio or has a full-time job might charge less.

References

Personally, I don’t put much stock into references (although a lot of bridal magazines and sites recommend to get them). The reason for this is they can be faked easily. It’s easy to get a friend to pretend to be a client, answer the phone and talk about how great the photographer is. Instead of references I would recommend checking their online profiles. Check their Facebook page for reviews, yelp, google reviews, and others. These are generally more likely to be actual clients leaving a review. Keep in mind they might be new to the business, so the sampling might be a small number. This is where you will need to go more with your interactions with them and sample work.

You can also ask a friend. I’m sure we all know a few people who are currently married. Ask them who they hired as a photographer and if they liked that person. Referrals are a great source of business for photographers, which is one reason the good photographers are able to stay around so long.

Number of pictures

With digital technology, the number of photographs taken at a wedding are too numerous to use. What is really important is the quality of the photographs received. A photographer can take a thousand images at a wedding, but if only 10 of them are any good, it’s kind of a waste. Yes, ask what you get from them and make sure any images provided are fully processed if being provided digitally. But don’t think that more is better.

To Summarize

With so many wedding photographers to choose from there is no reason to settle on a photographer that isn’t going to be exactly what you want. Sometimes personalities match and sometimes they don’t, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it.

Take your time and meet different ones if needed. Good photographers don’t really take offense at not being selected to photograph a wedding, in the same way you should be willing to accept that the photographer might not want to work with you. A photographer might ask why you didn’t select them and if so, be honest. We like feedback and it often isn’t in an attempt to resell you, it is to see if there is something we can improve on for the next customer. Or maybe we will agree and say, “yes, that makes sense.”

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It was an odd day in Dublin the sun was shining but it was also very cold. We met in the morning before the crowds and the extreme chill in the air made for a cool shoot that woke everyone up quickly.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to the city and the rest of your European adventure.

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